General Motors light-duty pickup production is going to shift to Flint, Mich., from Mexico, according to a report

Some General Motors light-duty pickup production is going to shift to Flint, Mich., from Mexico, according to a report.

The Detroit News reported Thursday that an undisclosed amount of production in GM’s Silao, Mexico, plant will move to the Flint Assembly Plant next year, according to a May 20 memo from UAW Local 598 to members. It’s unclear how just how much production is moving to Flint.

The paper reported that the union said Saturday schedules will be required for the additional work next year. The move could also lead to adding part-time temporary workers.

Messages to UAW Local 598 were not immediately returned.

A GM spokesman said the company is not confirming or speculating on anything in the memo.

Currently, the plant is on three shifts and has over 2,800 employees.

In August, GM announced plans to invest $877 million in the plant.

The Flint plant produced over 170,000 Chevrolet Silverados and GMC Sierras in 2015, most of them heavy-duty models, according to the Automotive News Data Center. Earlier this month, UAW President Dennis Williams,.criticized.Automakers  for moving production to Mexico.

Automotive News

Jack Walsworth

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USA SALES JANUARY - General Motors see's a decent growth spurt in January with Buick up 45%

• GM retail sales climbed 9 percent in January
• Chevrolet retail deliveries up 12 percent in January – retail share up almost 2 percentage points
• Buick retail sales up 45 percent
• Commercial deliveries up for 27^th consecutive month

General Motors’ (NYSE: GM) Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac dealers in the United States delivered 203,745 vehicles in January 2016, the company’s best January sales performance in eight years. GM’s retail sales were up sharply, climbing 9 percent year over year on the strength of a 12 percent increase at Chevrolet and a 45 percent increase at Buick. Total sales were up 0.5 percent.

“GM began 2016 in very strong competitive position,” said Kurt McNeil, GM’s U.S. vice president of sales operations. “We built on that momentum in January, with Chevrolet, Buick and GMC outperforming the retail industry by a wide margin. In fact, Chevrolet continues to grow faster than any other full-line brand.”

• Chevrolet gained close to 2 percentage points of retail market share in January after the brand had the largest retail market share increase of any full-line brand in 2015.
• Chevrolet had its best January passenger car retail sales since 1997.
• The Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra posted a combined 7 percent increase in total sales. GM grew full-size pickup market share faster than all other competitors in 2015.
• Throughout 2015 and continuing into January, the GMC Sierra, Canyon, Yukon and Yukon XL have had the highest average transaction prices in their respective segments, according to J.D. Power PIN estimates.
• Buick retail deliveries surged 45 percent in January, driven by owner loyalty.

“We believe industry fundamentals such as the age of the vehicle fleet, well managed inventory levels, firm used car pricing, good credit availability and low fuel prices will support higher industry sales in 2016,” said Mustafa Mohatarem, GM’s chief economist. “In addition, household balance sheets are strong and the labour market continues to improve.”

GM’s strong sales dovetailed with a strategic approach to inventories and fleet deliveries:

• GM inventories are disciplined, and the company expects to operate with about a 70 days’ supply throughout the year in most months, with some months higher or lower.
• GM’s Commercial sales are growing and daily rental sales are becoming a smaller part of the overall business.
• As a result of lower rental deliveries, GM expects its fleet mix in 2016 to be about 20 percent, compared with a historical range of 22 – 24 percent.

January Sales Highlights vs. 2015 (except as noted)

Chevrolet

• Chevrolet had its best January retail performance since 2005, with car sales up 25 percent, truck sales up 5 percent and crossover deliveries up 5 percent. The brand has had 10 consecutive months of retail sales gains.
• Silverado had its best January total and retail sales since 2007.
• Ten Chevrolet models – Silverado, Suburban, Tahoe, Colorado, Camaro, Impala, Malibu, Cruze, Sonic and Traverse – grew retail market share in their respective segments.
• The all-new 2016 Chevrolet Malibu accounted for about half of Malibu sales in January. Malibu had its best January retail sales since 1981.
• Tahoe and Suburban had their best January retail sales since 2008.
• Cruze and Volt had their best January retail sales ever and the Camaro had its best January retail sales since 1996.
• Trax total and retail sales more than doubled.

GMC

• GMC had its best January total and retail sales since 2004.
• Combined Sierra and Canyon total sales increased, with Sierra up 14 percent and Canyon up 3 percent.
• Yukon retail sales were up 4 percent.

Buick

• Buick had its best January retail performance since 2003, with retail deliveries up 45 percent. Total sales were the best January since 2004.
• Combined sales of Buick’s passenger cars were up 73 percent. LaCrosse had its best January total sales since 2010.
• Sales of Buick’s crossovers were up a combined 24 percent. 
• Encore has had 25 months year-over-year growth in both retail and total sales.
• The all-new Cascada is now arriving at Buick dealers.

Cadillac                                                

• SRX total deliveries were up 37 percent for its best January total sales ever.
• Cadillac is maintaining the highest ATPs in the brand’s history, and leads its competitive set.

Average Transaction Prices/Incentives

• GM grew ATPs three times faster than the industry average from 2010-2015. In January 2016, ATPs were $33,600, about $3,000 above the industry average.
• GM’s incentive spending as a percentage of ATP was 12.4 percent in January, in line with the domestic competitors and lower than some Asian competitors. Industry average spending was 10.7 percent.

Fleet and Commercial

• Commercial deliveries up for 27^th consecutive month
• GM grew Commercial sales 6 percent in January after growing sales 38 percent since 2013.
• In January, GM sold nearly 13,000 fewer rental vehicles compared to January 2015, per plan. GM expects another significant reduction in rental deliveries in 2016.

Industry Sales

• GM estimates that the seasonally adjusted annual selling rate (SAAR) for light vehicles in January was 17.5 million units.

USA - GMC announces a new special Limited Edition to the Sierra Pick Up Range, the Sierra All Terrain X.

GMC today announced the 2016 Sierra All Terrain X – a special edition of the All Terrain model, featuring exclusive premium content that enhances off-road capability and an aggressive, monochromatic appearance.

The All Terrain X’s powerful attitude reflects a popular personalization trend among off-road enthusiasts, executed with the top-range refinement GMC has cultivated for years with models such as the Sierra Denali. Its premium package of monochromatic exterior trim and special equipment offers a customized appearance in a limited-edition model, complemented with GMC’s latest technologies.

The Sierra All Terrain package blends capability with unique style to make a statement on or off road. Highlights include: 

• 4WD with Eaton locking rear differential
• Z71 Off-Road suspension package with Rancho monotube shocks, high-capacity air cleaner, Hill Descent Control and underbody transfer case shield
• Rear Park Assist
• Unique grille with body-color surround and tinted chrome accents; body-color front and rear bumpers (rear bumper with corner steps)
• Spray-on bedliner
• All-Terrain-logo instrument cluster
• Inclinometer in the driver information center.

Product Details

The new Sierra All Terrain X is offered on the 2016 Sierra 1500 4WD crew cab/short box models with SLT trim. In addition to the standard All Terrain content, the “X” package includes:

• 265/65R18SL Mud-Terrain-rated Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac MT tires, designed for off-road competence in dirt, gravel and mud, with on-road composure in dry, wet and wintry conditions
• 18 x 8.5-inch black aluminum wheels
• Sport side steps (black)
• Bed-mounted sport bar (black) designed to support the accessory off-road LED lighting package
• High-performance LED headlamps
• Performance exhaust system, which bumps output of the 5.3L V-8 engine to 365 horsepower and adds an aggressive note
• Body-color door handles and body-side moldings
• Black exterior mirrors, belt moldings and B-pillars
• Interior floor liners
• Available colors: Onyx Black, Summit White, Stone Blue Metallic, Iridium Metallic, Crimson Red Tintcoat, Light Steel Gray Metallic.

On Sale

Spring 2016

Quote

“Styling is the biggest influence on Sierra customers and the new Sierra All Terrain X builds on that with a more aggressive, personalized appearance that complements its exceptional capability,” said Duncan Aldred, vice president of GMC Sales and Marketing. “It joins other models such as the new Sierra Elevation and premium Sierra Denali to offers more choices for finding the premium truck that matches customers’ style and capability needs.”

About the 2016 Sierra 1500

GMC’s best-selling truck rolls into 2016 with a fresh appearance that takes its signature premium styling to a higher level – and offers new, advanced engineering features designed to complement its crafted interior.

The new look for the Sierra 1500 offers greater visual distinction among the models and includes new headlamps with GMC signature LED lighting on all models, as well as a new grille design. New technologies include phone integration via GMC IntelliLink, which enhances connectivity and promotes safer driving. It allows smartphone users to connect with applications such as navigation, hands-free messaging and more through Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Android Auto is standard on a new 7-inch radio and is coming to available 8-inch radios this spring.

Fast Fact

Sierra’s 224,139 deliveries in 2015 were up 5.8 percent for the year.

US SALES 2015 - GENERAL MOTORS - ALL sub brands have some great products and the sales prove it.

• GM full-year retail sales up 8 percent; retail share up 0.4 percentage points
• Chevrolet grew retail market share faster than any other full-line brand in the industry in 2015
• GM Commercial deliveries up for 26^th consecutive month

General Motors’ (NYSE: GM) Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac brands delivered 290,230 vehicles in December 2015, driven by an 8 percent year-over-year increase in retail deliveries and the company’s 26^th consecutive month of Commercial sales growth. Total sales were up 6 percent.

For the year, Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac dealers delivered 3.1 million vehicles, driven by an 8 percent increase in retail deliveries compared to 2014. Total sales were up 5 percent.

“The momentum that the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra have carried all year, hits like the Chevrolet Trax and Colorado, and innovative designs like the GMC Canyon and Buick Encore, have had a tremendous positive impact on our sales results,” said Kurt McNeil, GM’s U.S. vice president of Sales Operations. 

“In a record year for the industry, GM gained significant retail market share and we grew our Commercial business by 12 percent.”

GM’s retail deliveries have grown every month since March 2015, driven by strong crossover and truck sales. Retail market share for 2015 is estimated to be up 0.4 percentage points, the largest increase of any automaker, according to J.D. Power PIN estimates.

Chevrolet, GM’s largest brand, has increased its retail sales every month since March, and the brand’s 2015 retail market share is up 0.4 percentage points compared to 2014, according to PIN – the largest increase of any full-line brand.

"Chevrolet is the hottest retail franchise in the strongest market we have seen in this country,” said McNeil.

The GMC brand gained 0.2 percent points of retail market share.

Combined, Chevrolet and GMC sold 1.2 million trucks in 2015, up 14 percent compared to 2014. This includes 939,198 pickups. GM’s retail share of the full-size pickup segment improved by more than one percentage point to 39.2 percent, according to PIN. 

GM’s retail share of the mid-size pickup segment is now 32.5 percent, up from less than 5 percent in 2014, the launch year for the all-new Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon.

In the crossover market, the Chevrolet Equinox has increased its sales for seven consecutive years. 

Five other crossovers, the Chevrolet Traverse, the Buick Encore, the GMC Acadia and Terrain, and the Cadillac SRX had their best-ever annual sales.

“The U.S. economy continues to expand and the most important factors that drive demand for new vehicles are in place, so we expect to see a second consecutive year of record industry sales in 2016,” said Mustafa Mohatarem, GM’s chief economist. 

“The single most important pieces are the ongoing gains in employment and the growth in personal income. When you add in lower energy prices, it’s easy to see why consumer spending is strong.”

December Sales Highlights vs. 2014 (except as noted)

Chevrolet

• Chevrolet had its best December sales since 2006 and its highest retail sales since 2005.
• Crossover deliveries were up 20 percent – the 13^th consecutive monthly year- over-year increase.
• Truck deliveries, which include pickups, vans and SUVs, were up 10 percent. Silverado had its best December since 2005.
• Retail deliveries of the Suburban were up 24 percent and the Tahoe was up 25 percent.
• Volt retail deliveries, which are nearly all 2016 models, were up 41 percent and the retail days’ supply is only 10 days.
• The Sonic was up 34 percent in total and Cruze retail deliveries were up 20 percent for a December retail sales record.

GMC

• Truck deliveries were up 23 percent. The Sierra was up 17 percent, the Yukon was up 12 percent and the Yukon XL was up 39 percent.

Buick

• Buick had its best retail sales for any December since 2005.
• Regal total sales increased 42 percent and Encore total deliveries increased 110 percent.

Cadillac

• Cadillac had its best December sales since 2007.
• ATS and XTS deliveries were up 40 percent and 35 percent, respectively.
• SRX deliveries were up 44 percent and the Escalade was up 25 percent.

Full-year Sales Highlights vs. 2014 (except as noted)

Chevrolet

• Chevrolet had its best sales year since 2007.
• Silverado and Colorado deliveries totaled 684,974 units, up 27 percent.
• Crossover deliveries were a record 470,902 units, up 23 percent. 
• Malibu sales increased 3 percent, and the new model is building momentum as dealers build their stock.   

GMC

• GMC had its best year since 2005 and has grown its total and retail sales for six consecutive years.
• Sierra and Canyon sales totaled 254,216 units, up 18 percent.
• Acadia and Terrain sales were a record 208,423 units, up 10 percent.
• Yukon and Yukon XL sales were up 3 percent and 5 percent, respectively.
• Denali penetration was 23 percent – the highest ever – and the Sierra, Canyon, Yukon and Yukon XL had the highest average transaction prices in their respective segments.

Buick

• Encore sales were up 38 percent to a record 67,549 units.

Cadillac

• Cadillac sales were driven by a 28 percent increase in SRX deliveries and an 18 percent increase in Escalade deliveries.

Average Transaction Prices (J.D. Power PIN)

• GM’s average transaction prices (ATPs) were a record $37,000 in December, up $1,150 year over year. Full-year ATPs were a record $34,500, up $630 year over year.
• In December, GM’s incentive spending was 10.7 percent of ATP, down 0.1 percentage point year over year. Industry average spending was 10.7 percent of ATP, up 0.4 percentage points.
• GM’s full-year incentive spending was 11.2 percent of ATP, up 0.3 percentage points. Industry average spending was 10.5 percent, up 0.5 percentage points.

Fleet and Commercial

• During December, deliveries to Commercial customers were up 2 percent and government deliveries were up 8 percent. Deliveries to rental customers declined 14 percent, or 3,300 units, per plan.
• In 2015, Commercial deliveries were up 12 percent and government deliveries were up 2 percent. Rental deliveries were down 11 percent, or nearly 50,000 units, per plan. In the last two years, GM has grown its Commercial business by 38 percent to approximately 213,000 units.
• GM expects another significant reduction in rental deliveries during 2016.

SAAR

• The seasonally-adjusted annual selling rate (SAAR) for light vehicles was an estimated 17.8 million units in December.
• Light vehicle volumes for 2015 are projected to be a record 17.5 million units, surpassing the year 2000, when 17.4 million vehicles were delivered.