GM OnStar iPod and Droid App Now Available
The iPhone and Android App that I wrote about a few months ago is now officially available for download in your respective App Store. The Application, which works for 2011+ GM vehicles, has a number of fantastic functions which become available from the press of a button on your phone screen. From being able to turn the vehicle on early (so it can cool down on a hot summer day, or warm up on a cold winter one) to many other things, this App will provide GM drivers (Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick, and GMC) a new level of vehicle control remotely. In addition the aforementioned function, the OnStar App will also allow OnStar equipped vehicle owners the ability to: lock the car remotely (in case you're worried you've forgotten), check diagnostic vehicle levels (such as fuel level, oil level, tire pressure, available driving range, and others), and ensure the vehicle's safe. So, if you own a 2011 GM vehicle, go ahead and download this App for your smart phone today!
GM Posts Some Very Real Earnings: Rejoice!
Well, this is good news for both Camaro owners/lovers and also for people who generally like the American economy. It looks like GM's restructuring has started to actually work pretty well, as they've now posted three straight quarters of profits, a run which is highlighted by their current Q2 $1.3 Billion profits. GM posted $33.2 Billion revenue with $1.3 Billion profit, thanks in large part to the fantastic sales of some of its more marquee models. Chief amongst those models was the Camaro, which has paved the way for the American muscle to return front and center since its release a little more than a year ago.
These numbers also bode well for Camaro lovers as they mean that for the foreseeable future GM will have the capital to produce newer and better versions of their vehicles and provide the Gen 5 Camaro fantastic new features and facelifts every year. It also means that a Gen6 Camaro is pretty much a lock, which is a great thing. So, this is good news, and bodes well for the current economic recovery. With Ford doing reasonably well and GM looking like their old selves again (dear god, I meant that in the best way possible) it seems as though the automotive industry has rebounded well. Now, if only my house value would go back up...
More GM Marketing News
In business it is typically understood that when profits drop, marketing allotments are one of the first things to follow. So, the recent news that GM is ramping their marketing budget back up to pre-deficit numbers must be a good thing! This year GM will see a rise in their marketing budget of 5%. That number is also, surely, a testament to the faith that the company has in their new head of marketing, Joel Ewanick. Ewanick has been with GM right around 3 months now, and in that time has begun to make large strides forward. The first major sign of his progress was the recent Corvette ZR1 national ad campaign which began, but that is just the beginning. This year will also mark the beginning of a new, full-scale, Camaro marketing campaign. This campaign presents faith in both Ewanick and the Camaro, and is a positive sign for GM moving forward. Ewanick has also announced that GM, and specifically the Chevrolet brand, will be returning to the Super Bowl. Last year, during their financial troubles, GM sat out the Super Bowl marketing blitz completely. The return this year presents more positive news for the company's economic outlook. Rounding out Ewanick's big moves is his new Cadillac marketing scheme which will begin this year. Cadillac is being given a new brand slogan, and with this new slogan will come a national marketing campaign as well. The slogan, "The new standard for the world" is catchy, but a little long-winded. I am no marketing genius, mind you, but I can't help but wonder if simply "The new standard" isn't a catchier slogan. It seems to me that adding the "for the world" at the end of it creates a little redundancy. Of course, the second part may be included to highlight Cadillac's high-end performance battle with companies like BMW and Mercedes. Their CTS-V, which puts of 556 HP stock and provides an incredible combination of luxury and performance, and definitely put a little fear in the eyes of BMW and MB as it outperforms equivalent priced vehicles from those competitors line-ups (see BMW M3, 5 Series, and MB S-Class). All in all, this set of news coming from GM and their new head of marketing is incredibly positive and points towards fairer pastures ahead. Here's to you, Mr. Ewanick, and the bright future you bring.
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.
Future Camaro Speculation!
Well, GM officially announced that the Camaro would, at some point in the future, be switching to their new Alpha Chassis. The Alpha Chassis will allow for GM to build a lighter, more agile next-gen Camaro, and that's a good thing. Here's some more speculation concerning the future of the Camaro though! GM has announced that they have a new engine in the works for the next-gen Corvette, and apparently the C7 will be powered by a naturally aspirated, direct-injection 5.5L V8 putting out 440 Horsepower. While the displacement on this engine's smaller, the numbers are nice (and it supposedly vastly fuel efficient over its current C6 counterpart) , and I imagine we'll probably see this new Chevy Small-Block becoming the engine du jour of the next gen Camaro SS, in some fashion. To keep the Corvette price-tag in line, they'll probably tune it down some, but that still just means the engine's not far from unlocking all of those extra ponies. All in all, it seems like a nice step in the right direction of engine design by GM, regardless of the smaller displacement.
GM Putting $890Million in to new LS Development
Well, the LS line of engines are already one of the nicest and most popular in the world today, and GM is committed to ensuring that they remain such for a long time to come. Few things are as iconic as a Chevy small block V8, and GM just dedicated $890 Million towards the R&D on the next line of them. This is good news for Corvette and Camaro lovers everywhere, as the LS engine is a staple in those respective vehicles.
So, that's a lot of money you say. Yeah, it is, but is doesn't appear to be for naught. GM has plans to improve the build and technology for the new LS engine, beginning with the materials and constructing an all-Aluminum engine block. Adding to this the direct-injection technology and the fuel-efficient push GM is making, it's very likely that the new LS engine will be one of the most efficient (power/mpg) engines ever built. GM has also ensured that the new LS engine will E85 Ethanol compatability, certainly another move being made to continue to meet the risingly stringest fuel efficiency demands over the next decade without losing vehicle power.
Another positive of this move by GM is that guarantees to create or retain more than 1,600 jobs, which is something that can be much appreciated in the current economic situation. All in all, this is good news on the Camaro front, as we can expect to see the next generation of LS engine powering Camaros in the future, continuing to promote the vehicle's popularity and performance strong-hold against competitors. As time goes on I'm sure we'll see more and more information on the engine, but for now we can just speculate and dream. Is there any specific function or feature you would like to see included in the R&D of the new LS?
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!
More Great Camaro News!
A recent article from wheels.ca shows just how fantastic the Camaro sales have been. For Lutz to be open about how profitable the vehicle has been is a huge vote of confidence in the Camaro and its future. Once again, hopefully these fantastic numbers will lead to more on the Camaro revival front down the line. I really want to see a Z28, and with the convertible being released this year, that seems absolutely possible since one can only assume these numbers will continue to rise!
Camaro races ahead of GM's profit expectations
Retro muscle car far more lucrative than automaker had originally forecast
Jan 13, 2010
Tony Van Alphen
Business reporter
DETROIT–The Chevrolet Camaro muscle car, which General Motors builds in Oshawa, has become far more profitable to the automaker than original forecasts, says company vice-chairman Bob Lutz.
Lutz, GM's product guru, said the iconic car is beating internal sales projections, easily surpassing estimates for average transaction prices and the combination is leading to big profits.
He said GM is making an average of $8,000 to $9,000 (U.S.) more per sale than it anticipated on models with transaction prices in the $35,000 to $40,000 range.
"What is especially remarkable is the average transaction price," Lutz told reporters at the North American International Auto Show.
"It's way, way higher than we expected it to be and the profitability of the vehicle has turned out to be far better than our expectations."
Lutz said one of the reasons for the strong profitability is, ironically, fuel economy. GM promoted the V-6, 300-horsepower, more fuel-efficient model with lower pricing and less profit to encourage sales.
The company then overpriced the V-8, more powerful, less fuel-efficient model to keep its sales down.
In Canada, the manufacturer's suggested price is almost $27,000 (Canadian) for the V-6 model and $37,000 for the V-8 version. But V-8 sales still outpaced the V-6s by a wide margin in both countries.
"End result: 80 per cent of sales, V-8s," Lutz said.
The Camaro ceased production at GM's plant in Ste. Thérèse, Que., in 2002 after 35 years, but was revived in March last year in Oshawa after a concept at the show generated a huge positive response. Production on one shift with some overtime totalled more than 83,000 in less than 10 months last year.
Waiting times for delivery for the Camaro in Canada vary, but could be up to 90 days.
The Canadian Auto Workers pressed GM to add another shift to meet demand but the company has rejected that idea.
Muscle cars normally have a strong sales start for 18 months to two years before gradually losing their momentum.
Automakers add special edition models to boost interest after the initial surge. GM is adding a Camaro convertible model in the first quarter of next year.
The Camaro, which uses ads with such tag lines as "lust conquers all," is up against Ford's Mustang and the Dodge Challenger and Charger, which have posted some good sales numbers in recent years.
Lutz attributed the success of the Camaro to designing more than just a retro car, but one with modern styling cues.
He said original clay models of the Camaro looked a lot like versions from the late 1960s, but then-chief executive officer Rick Wagoner told designers they should do more work.
GM showed Camaro buffs and collectors the second version and they criticized it sharply because the car didn't look like the early models.
"Not looking too much like a '67 turned out to be a good thing," Lutz said.
GM is Doing Well These Days
By DAN STRUMPF (AP) – 17 hours ago
NEW YORK — Just a tiny fraction of General Motors customers have returned their cars for refunds under the automaker's heavily advertised money-back guarantee program — and most buyers aren't even choosing to participate in the plan, opting for a rebate instead.
About 400 vehicle buyers, or "less than 1 percent" of sales since the program launched, have signed up for GM's 60-day money-back guarantee program, spokesman Tom Henderson said Tuesday. The rest took a $500 rebate, he said.
Of those 400 vehicles, just 15 have been returned in the four days since customers could begin doing so, Henderson said.
GM launched the money-back guarantee program on Sept. 14 with an advertising blitz, including TV spots starring GM Chairman Ed Whitacre, in a bid to get on-the-fence vehicle buyers to consider GM products after its stint in bankruptcy court this summer.
The program runs through Nov. 30 and allows customers to return any new 2009 and 2010 Chevrolet, Cadillac, GMC or Buick vehicle for a refund of the purchase price and sales tax if they are unsatisfied with their vehicle.
The policy allows buyers to return their vehicle between day 31 and day 60 of ownership, meaning the first refund requests started coming in on Thursday. Reasons for the returns have been "across the board," Henderson said.
One returnee was the buyer of a Chevrolet Corvette, who bought the sports car with a manual transmission and found it "painful to shift," GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz told reporters during a briefing last week. Once the buyer returned the Corvette, he wound up exchanging it for the same model — but with an automatic gear box, instead.
The return had nothing to do with dissatisfaction with the car other than the choice of transmissions, Lutz said.
"He brought it back because he made a mistake," he said.
A report Monday by CNW Research said the program has been successful in getting consumers to consider buying GM products. The program has "spiked interest in the company's products far beyond any recent previous effort," the research firm said.
AP Auto Writer Tom Krisher contributed to this report from Detroit.
Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.