GM’s New On*Star Smartphone App
GM has officially announced their future iPhone and Android Smartphone On*Star App and has released a video providing details in to its workings. It seems like a fantastic function that any GM owner will enjoy coupling with their vehicle, as it allows (and is not limited to) such features as remote start, door locks, and vehicle monitoring. The App provides distance beyond what the remote key-fobs give, as it can be utilized anywhere you have phone service. I can see this being incredibly handy when leaving work, a mall, or a sporting event on a hot day as it allows you to start the vehicle (and consequently the A/C) from far enough away for the vehicle to be cool inside by the time you reach it. The monitoring of fuel levels, tire pressure, and other basic vehicle statistics via the phone is also fairly incredible. While it doesn't seem like an absolute necessity, it is a very nice touch. I see no reason why somebody, with the capability to, wouldn't utilize it to some manner. The video below is short but sweet, and provides some solid information and insight in to the phone application's function. It's a smart move by GM in the proper technological step, and I imagine we'll be seeing other, more "luxurious", brands begin implementing similar systems in the near future.
Camaro For the Queen! and Convertible Camaros!
GM just announced that we'll be sending some American love to the lands of our British friends some time this year by releasing the Camaro in the UK! This is pretty cool, and it will certainly sell well there, even though the price of petrol will cause some customers to shy away. GM has not yet announced price points on the Camaro in the UK, or an exact date for when it will go on sale, but has stated that they will provide an official view of the Right-Hand Drive Camaro at the Goodwood Moving Motor Show on July 1st. In all, this is good news for GM, as the current strength of the British Pound ensures that GM will make a decent profit on their sales in the UK, even after the importing cost. The same packages and engine arrangements will be offered in the UK as in the US.
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Some more spy images of the preproduction Camaro convertible have hit the web today. The vehicles, two of them in total, were spotted in Canada out in some nasty weather for test drives. Hopefully we'll be able to get some glimpses of them with their tops down soon, too! As it was though, the drop-tops were there as protection from the elements (which was much needed on the day in mention!). The drop-tops look fantastic up though, and show the commitment to the Camaro Convertible that GM currently has. Expect to see the Camaro Convertible hitting show rooms early next year!
GM Makes $865 Million 1st Quarter Profit
Times had been rough for GM for awhile. This past year their numbers improved, but they were still stuck in a 10 quarter span of losses. This quarter, that bad streak has officially been broken though. Behind strong sales numbers from vehicles like the Camaro and Corvette, backed by a strengthening U.S. Economy and their own company restructuring, it appears as though GM has turned the corner and is looking to brighter pastures ahead. This $865 Million profit is a stark contrast to their same 1st quarter last year, where in the midst of company restructuring and bankruptcy, GM posted losses of $6 Billion. Of course, at that time, the Camaro had not yet been released (a major player in the improved economic situation for GM, combined with Chevrolet's Equinox , the GMC Terrain, Buick Lacrosse and Cadillac SRX sold in April at a combined rate nearly 300% over the vehicles they replaced). These vehicles have been so key, in fact, that they have accounted for more than 110,000 of the 183,614 vehicles GM sold last month.
What all of this positive economic news from GM means for us Camaro lovers and fans is a few thing: firstly, the positive economic situation means they can then reroute extra cash to developing further improvements for their vehicle line-up, such as new Camaro models (i.e. Z28 maybe!); secondly, that the Camaro is not the end-all be-all for them as it is, and they understand now in restructuring that they have to continually improve and evolve their vehicle line to make newer and greater vehicles as time progresses, and this also is a positive sign for what the Camaro's future holds. All in all, some great news for GM, GM fans, and the country in general in these positive numbers. Now, let's just hope that they keep rising!
Camaro Sales Rise, Mustang Sales Stagnate
Now, I am never happy or excited to report on something of this nature, but the Camaro's incredible sales have resulted in lay-offs at the factory where Mustangs are produced by Ford, as their sales have declined drastically. Nearly 900 positions were cut by Ford, which is by no means a happy bit of news. Of course, the flip side to this is that the Camaro production run resulted in many more hirings than 900 when it began, and its increased production and popularity has meant more hirings on the GM front. Who knows, maybe some of those former Ford employees may even be able to find work with GM. I hope they find work somewhere, best of luck to all people who lost their jobs at Ford because the Mustang is not as cool as the Camaro.
As for the Camaro, well, short of being too awesome it has done nothing wrong. Its sales continue to rise, and its popularity grows with each day that passes as it has more and more accolades lavished upon it. Here's to the future of the Camaro, may it continue to dominate the Sports Coupe market for years to come!
Camaro December Sales Numbers
Well, the Camaro is staying strong! A look at the December numbers for sales, and the 2009 production numbers are quiet impressive, and definitely offer a lot of hope towards GM's future. Let's also remember that the Camaro outsold the Mustang (by a considerable margin) for the 7th month in a row, which is its direct, popular, competitor.So, here's to selling another 60k+ Camaros in 2010 for you GM! If they want to guarantee improved numbers too they'll have to give the public new options. Maybe we'll see the return of the Z28 finally come to fruition this year! We can only hope!
Production Stats:
Camaros produced in December 09: 8,368
Total Camaros produced to date (since March 16, 2009): 82,188
Delivery (sales) Stats:
Camaro December Deliveries (actual sales): 7,548
Total April - December Deliveries (actual sales): 61,648