posted by GM Fan on Apr 29
After many years of trying to get out of its own hole, General Motors finally wraps up its payment to the US Treasury and Export Development in Canada. The company was also able to invest $257 million to prepare its Malibu plants in Kansas (primary), Fairfax and Detroit Hamtramck (secondary). GM paid a total of $5.8 billion, with $4.7 billion owing to loans made from the US and the remaining $1.1 billion to Canada. According to Automotive News reports, the US government still holds equity stakes in GM.
The company’s ability to pay back ahead of time is a sign that GM’s financial plan is working, says GM CEO Ed Whitacre. This is definitely good news for GM investors around the globe. Whitacre also stressed on the importance of letting their investors reduce their equity investments.
GM’s sales shot up to 36%, though, compared to the previous year. The popular crossover models including the 5th generation Camaro, the mid-sized Malibu and Lacross, and the range vehicles Equinox, Traverse, Acadia, and SRX all contributed to the increase in sales growth.
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posted by GM Fan on Aug 7
General Motors returns to leasing some of their luxury vehicles after exiting about a year back.
The program was recently re-launched to include some models from their 2010 and 2009 fleet. Consumers can check out some units from Cadillac, Buick, Chevrolet, and GMC.
The program is operated in collaboration with U.S. Bank. Pilot runs of the leasing program include vehicles of GM sold in Ohio, Michigan, Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York. The new gen Cadillac SRX is being offered for lease nationally by the bank. The initial run will go through August 31, 2009.
GM was forced to cut their leasing program last year due to the drop in profits. Consumers also showed low demand for vehicles because of the recession. The economy is starting to fix itself and the demand for cars has been up recently. According to statistics that monitors the demand in the leasing market, there was a 22% jump in the market demand for the Escalade of Cadillac. The Enclave from Buick has an 18% rise.
Although GM sales was doing okay without the leasing program, the car manufacturer believes that they have a sector which really needs it. The crossover Cadillac SRX really adds excitement to the luxury leasing program since it is offered nationwide.
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posted by GM Fan on Jul 15
Last weekend, a bankruptcy court judge gives a nod for the sale of assets for the most valuable assets of GM to end bankruptcy protection from the ownership of the government.
This means that the car manufacturer is a step closer from getting out of bankruptcy.
Robert Gerber, the judge who ruled on the case, described it as a necessary step to prevent the death of a critically ill patient. The court has given a stay of four days which permits a close as early as July 10.
The sale will transfer in essence all of the properties of General Motors to the NGMCO Inc. which was established by the Department of Treasury. NGMCO will be known as General Motors Company once the sale is completed and will operate through the corporate GM and all of its sub brands.
Fritz Henderson will be the CEO of the newly established GM. The cost of operations will also be competitive in terms of its structure with standing agreements with the UAW and CAW, organizations of Auto Workers in United States and Canada, respectively.
The new status of GM will allow it to operate and gain profits at lower volume of productions. GM attributes this foresight to the cleaner debt sheet and better balance sheet post bankruptcy.
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posted by GM Fan on Jul 3
About a week ago, General Motors denied that it will be licensing the Synergy Drive hybrid system of Toyota. Over the weekend, there are rumors that Toyota might be pushing the Prius over to the GM camp and be re-branded wearing a GM badge.
The picture is not that clear especially when one considers the effort of GM in developing the Volt and the Buick crossover. But with the announcement of General Motors that it will be withdrawing from its partnership with Toyota at the NUMMI or New United Motor Manufacturing Incorporated, the move of re-branding the Prius may be a logical move.
The withdrawal was made after a final agreement as to which future product line up should be developed cannot be made between the two parties.
A spokesperson from GM North America informed the press that the joint venture between Toyota and their company has no future units planned for production.
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posted by GM Fan on Jun 26
There is no such thing as a smooth exit route from bankruptcy, and auto industry giants like General Motors and Chrysler created some buzz on all media when they declared Chapter 11. Everyone doubts that they will be out of it within the plotted 60 days but it seems GM will be setting up a new shop by 15 July.
According to some reports, there will still be some impediments to overcome before GM can see its new beginning. Most of these processes will not have GM calling the shots— the bankruptcy judge still needs to rule on urgent matters by July 1. The court will hear a call for sale based on Section 363 which will involve putting on the market of the GM assets.
The General Motors is eyeing to form a new company by mid July and try to cut its time in the bankruptcy court. Among the major issues needed to be addressed is the reorganization.
The car manufacturer aims to chop of from its rank hundreds of dealerships across the United States before the end of 2010. The dealers who will remain in business can definitely smile but be ready for tougher demands for their businesses.
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posted by GM Fan on Jun 3
General Motors is planning to build small and fuel efficient cars in the United States that can compete with the B segment of the market as tougher 
mileage guidelines may be implemented based on the proposal of the Obama administration.
GM executives reveal that it might structure one of its plants that is scheduled to go on idle for the production of the vehicle. The plan will create 1200 jobs, which includes salaried and hourly labor. The car manufacturer has not selected a specific plant yet, but the investment is said to be between $600 million and $700 million.
In the US and around the globe the segment of small cars is the fastest growing market. The GM designers believe that the new generation of small cars will be ahead of the pack in terms of customer appreciation.
The specs of the new car have not been revealed. It will not be like Chevrolet Aveo which is built in South Korea or the Spark which is due for release in 2011. The Volt and the Cruze belong to the segment of larger cars. The company has also shown small, concept cars like the Groove and the Trax.
Cars in the B segment are considered entry-level, small cars. The Toyota has the Yaris in the B class while Honda has Fit, and Ford markets Fiesta. Aveo represents GM in this cluster.
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