Autoblog

Merry Christmas: Envoy, Trailblazer, 9-7X plant closing Dec. 23rd

Frank Filipponio — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 13:29:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Chevrolet, GMC, Saab, UAW/Unions

Looks like that Moraine, Ohio plant that was going to be shut down next year is actually going to be shuttered on December 23rd, just in time for Christmas. This is the plant responsible for production of the GMC Envoy, Chevy Trailblazer and Saab 9-7X. The General had already slowed the plant to just one shift as SUV sales, particularly sales of old SUVs like these, continue to tumble, but the plant was expected to remain open until at least early next year. On Friday the remaining 1,100 workers were gathered and told of the revised plan.

The closure isn't a total surprise, as General Motors had already announced that the Dayton-suburb plant would be closed so the company could focus more on production of small cars. That initial announcement seemed to indicate a 2010 closure, but the company has continually revised the closing date until this most recent word came. Moraine is one of four GM plants that are going to be shut down. When Janesville, Wis.; Oshawa, Ontario; and Toluca, Mexico join Moraine in closure, a total of 8,350 workers will be looking for new jobs.

[Source: Detroit News]

Merry Christmas: Envoy, Trailblazer, 9-7X plant closing Dec. 23rd originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 06 Oct 2008 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM follows last month's gains with new incentives on trucks and SUVs

Chris Shunk — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 11:26:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, SUV, Truck, Marketing/Advertising, Chevrolet, GMC

GM has bucked the domestic trend of consistently giving up market share to Japanese automakers for the past couple months, and with a new round of incentives, the General is hoping to keep the trend going. The Silverado and GMC Envoy are among the vehicles receiving an additional $1,000 in rebates during the entire month of October. GM is using targeted incentives on trucks and SUVs, but the incentives don't apply universally throughout the lineup.

Although GM's sales improved year over year in September, incentives were actually down $240 vs. August, to an average of $3,089 per vehicle. That's still $800 more than the industry average, but better than GM's incentive spending in years past. With GM's market share stabilizing, incentives closer to industry average, a competitive labor contract, and some interesting products in the pipeline, GM may have turned the barge faster than we expected.

[Source: Bloomberg]

GM follows last month's gains with new incentives on trucks and SUVs originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 04 Oct 2007 11:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Detroit cutting back on light trucks

Stuart Waterman — Thu, 06 Jul 2006 18:01:00 EST

Filed under: Minivan/Van, SUV, Crossover, Ford, GM, GMC

General Motors and Ford have announced plans to cut some of their light truck models to focus on new crossovers. Automotive News reported that GM's TrailBlazer (right) and Envoy SUVs are on the way out, with a scheduled 2009 restyling cancelled. The Blue Oval boys are cutting the Monterey minivan in the very near future, with the Ford Freestar retiring soon.

GM plans to concentrate on its new-generation crossovers - the GMC Acadia, Saturn Outlook and Buick Enclave, while Ford plans to develop a production version of the Ford Fairlane concept for both the Ford and Lincoln brands.

[Source: Autoweek]

Detroit cutting back on light trucks originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 06 Jul 2006 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gas prices a threat to GM turnaround?

Erin Mays — Wed, 19 Apr 2006 11:52:00 EST

Filed under: Trends, SUV, Crossover, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GM, GMC

To all General Motors executives and news reporters proclaiming the company's new SUVs a rousing success, hold your horses-- at least through the summer. The new GMT900 siblings may be fine vehicles, but gas prices are back up and consumers are starting to feel the pinch again. While full-size SUVs like the Chevy Tahoe and GMC Yukon (pictured) appeal to buyers who would buy an SUV regardless of the state of gas prices, vehicles such like the Chevy Trailblazer and GMC Envoy are arguably more price sensitive purchases. These buyers may in fact choose a more fuel-efficient crossover vehicle instead -- a vehicle doesn't make GM nearly as much money, not to mention the fact that the company is currently experiencing a gaping hole in the mid-size crossover segment, sending potential GM buyers elsewhere.

[Source: Reuters via Stuff.co.za]

Gas prices a threat to GM turnaround? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 Apr 2006 11:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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