Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[REPORT: GM, Ford to dramatically increase Q1 production versus year ago numbers]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/09/report-gm-ford-to-dramatically-increase-q1-production-versus-y/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/09/report-gm-ford-to-dramatically-increase-q1-production-versus-y/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/09/report-gm-ford-to-dramatically-increase-q1-production-versus-y/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



The first quarter of 2009 could best be described as the worst of times in the auto industry. With the full weight of the global financial collapse weighing down on the industry, sales dropped like a stone and production screeched to a halt. General Motors and Ford produced only 371,000 and 349,000 vehicles respectively during Q1 2009, a mere fraction of the industry giants' overall capacity. One year later, the auto industry here in the U.S. is still far from healthy, but many industry experts feel the market has stabilized.

Evidence of that fact presents itself when looking at production data for the fourth quarter of 2009 versus the first quarter of 2010. Automotive News is reporting that Ford plans to build 550,000 cars and trucks in the first quarter while GM plans 650,000 units. While that's a bump of 58 percent and 75 percent versus Q1 2009, respectively, the numbers are within a few thousand units of Q4 production. But even compared to Q4, production is up around four percent for both Ford and GM - a hopeful sign for the industry.

But while GM and Ford appear to have good production news, AN is reporting that the forecast is a bit cloudier for Chrysler. The Pentastar's recent announcement that it would prolong shutdown over the holidays throws some doubt on the Auburn Hills, MI-based automaker's reported plan to increase Q1 2010 production by 56% versus Q1 2009. While Chrysler was supposed to up production to 376,000 units, the shutdown could drop production by up to 30,000 units.

[Source: Automotive News - subs req'd | Image: Scott Olson/Getty]

REPORT: GM, Ford to dramatically increase Q1 production versus year ago numbers originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 Dec 2009 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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With all of the factories that General Motors is closing down and the brands being eliminated, there has been plenty of bad news for GM's blue collar staff over the past year. This week, there was finally a bit of good news as three factories got word that they would add third shifts in the coming months. The Fairfax, KS, Lansing-Delta Twp, MI and Ft Wayne, IN factories will all add more workers and production.

Fairfax is losing production of the Saturn Aura, but all production of the Malibu will be consolidated there along with the Buick LaCrosse. The Orion, MI plant that has been building Malibus along with the Pontiac G6 will be retooled next year to build the next-generation Aveo. With fullsize heavy duty pickup production stopping in Pontiac, that production will be shifted to Ft Wayne. The Lansing factory will be adding Chevy Traverse production that is ending at the Spring Hill, TN factory. A total of 2,400 jobs will be added at the three factories.

[Source: General Motors]

Continue reading GM adding third production shifts at three U.S. plants

GM adding third production shifts at three U.S. plants originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 Sep 2009 09:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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General Motors announced an increase in North American production this afternoon that has no doubt been brought on by the success of the federal government's Cash for Clunkers program. The increase will add shifts at facilities in Lordstown, OH, which produces the Chevy Cobalt, and the CAMI plant in Ontario, Canada, which makes the new 2010 Chevy Equinox and GMC Terrain.

All in, the extra shifts will add 60,000 units to GM's production schedule over the third and fourth quarters of 2009. Extra bonus: 1,350 union auto workers will return to work to make it happen. GM also says that further production increases are likely based on positive consumer reaction to other vehicles like the Chevy Camaro, Cadillac SRX and CTS wagon and new Buick LaCrosse.

We'll have to wait until September sales numbers are released to see just how much C4C has positively affected GM's sales, but it's crystal clear now that dealers have sold through their inventory and want more, pronto.

[Source: General Motors | Photo by Bill Pugliano/Getty]

Continue reading BREAKING: GM ups production due to Cash for Clunkers, 1,350 union workers back on the job

BREAKING: GM ups production due to Cash for Clunkers, 1,350 union workers back on the job originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 18 Aug 2009 14:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Buick Enclave - Click above for high-res image gallery

In these dark days of bankruptcy proceedings, ever-dwindling sales figures and decades of receding market share, General Motors' base of dealerships certainly has plenty of things to keep it up at night. You may be surprised to hear, though, that a dwindling supply of available inventory is one of the major problems some dealerships are currently reporting. We're not shocked to hear there's only a six-day supply of Chevrolet Camaro models on hand, but dealers are also seeking remedies for shortages of Buick Enclaves, GMC Yukon SUVs and extended-cab Sierra pickups, as well as limited supplies of Chevrolet Silverado trucks. For a company that has historically had an unhealthy attachment to high inventories across their brands, this is an unusual development indeed.

GM is aware of the shortages and Mark LaNeve, vice president of vehicle sales, service and marketing, tells Automotive News that the shortage is a normal part of the adjustment process from the old days of carrying a 120-day supply of vehicles to today's goal of a leaner 75-day supply. The General's messenger further suggests that dealers trade inventory with each other to bolster inventory until the automaker is ready to rekindle its assembly lines beginning on Monday, July 13 after the company's extended summer shutdown.


Gallery: 2008 Buick Enclave


[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]

Opposite World: GM dealers reportedly fretting over too tight crossover and truck inventories originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 06 Jul 2009 19:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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