2009 final US Sales Figures

GM beat #2 Toyota by 300,000 units

Ford #3 was about about 100,000 units behind Toyota.

300,000 units are a bunch of units when you consider the following: Thats more cars than the following Mfg's sold.

VW,BMW,SUBARU,MAZDA,M/B,MITZ,SUZUKI,JAG,PORSCE,SMART,AND THREE OTHERS.

 

Where are these taken from?

 

I keep track of all the #'s. But when I get confused I look elsewhere. In this case Autodata and the USA today 1/6/2010 front page money section and page #2. But I'll bet it won't be printed in many business sections of many US newspapers. Or will it make the evening news. Facts are, Toyota is still #2. Everyone still believes GM doesn't build the cars people want, and will buy. And they drop the wrong brands.

 

I don't think anyone ever really questioned whether GM could physically sell so many cars. It's a huge company encompassing a number of smaller carmakers. Where most ppl hold back on the "GM is #1" banner waving is when you ask how much profit they are turning while selling all those cars. Unfortunately, the answer to that is not as upbeat.

 

 

I didn't mention resale or reliability either, both are below average. Are you a stock holder? Is that why you're worried about profit? I owned stock for many years in GM - made money also. As proven, I didn't make the numbers up. I also didn't mention 2009 sales were 29.9% behind 2008. In many circles some folks like yourself are worried about low profit, others worry about too much and a persons bonus. The auto industry can't continue to sell fewer and fewer cars each year continue and make money..I am the same guy that's said GM won't be around in five more years. They don't make money, have issues with reliability and resale. But until GM goes out of business, there is always something to UP BEAT about.

The temperatures in the US today are colder than they have been in several decades. Yet, some people are worried about Globel Warming. I often express an opinion. Sometime I enter facts. Hopefully, when I post we can talk about the post.... Not get sidetracted about me or how GM sells the most cars but doesn't make any money.

But since you brought up profit and GM. Why don't you post about it, here?
I have opinions on the issue based on some facts. I wouldn't have sold GM cars for the past 40 years if I didn't think they weren't fun to own and race.

 

Where do you get information that GM cars are not reliable? Unless you are talking about 10-year-old GM cars, this is not true. All current credible data shows that GM builds cars on par with the top manufacturers on earth. Cadillac and Buick take turns at the top with BMW and Lexus, while Chevy and GMC compare very well with Toyota and Honda (generally in 10th-15th place out of the 37 major auto manufacturers).

Now resale value is an entirely different story. With the state of the company, it's hard to have what anyone would consider good resale value. Until confidence in GM as a company returns, resale value will remain low.

 

Hmmmm.... 'Jakes Dad', I presume?

Or maybe not. I might be getting old.

 

Great news! I haven't checked my sources to confirm this but I'll take your word for it. GM is making a lot of changes in its company and future product development....paying off their debts faster than what was expected, got rid of most of its toxic assets, and made changes in the executive corridor. Any word on possible CEO candidates? last I heard Apple's CEO was considering the job.

 

Lol. GM is only still operating because Obama floated them a loan. It's only a matter of time until they require another infusion of cash.

 

Fixed.

Sorry, I just just have a MUCH bigger problem with the mis-management of the banks than GM.

 

I do too, but I wasn't going to go there. Given the thread title, my comment was appropriate.

 

No, I'm not a share holder...nor do I really have a bias for or against GM. I was just making a remark regarding the fact that selling more cars than anyone else is a bittersweet achievement when your company doesn't make a single dime in the process. GM has been moving tons of cars for a long time, and was #1 in sales volume for many, many years. I guess I just didn't think the news was anything earth shattering...that's all.

And profit is not just important to share holders. If you are a GM fan, having the company remain unprofitable means the growing likelihood that it may eventually go under (can't stay on government life support forever). Not a good scenario for GM car buyers or either of the other Detroit automakers, for that matter. Like I said, GM is a huge company. The consequences of such a huge economic entity collapsing would have far reaching effects.

But it is a good sign that they are still selling so much product in this harsh economy. That's exactly what they will need to keep doing to turn their situation around eventually. Hopefully they can keep it up while becoming more profitable in the process.

 

I agree.






That may be true. And had Obama not done that that very same cash would've gone towards paying/extending unemployment (and welfare) benefits for the THOUSANDS of GM workers that would've been layed off as a result of the company closing all of it's doors (instead of just some of them).
A pay me now or pay me later situation, so to speak.
I don't like it either but at least people are being paid to work (and are generating the all too critical tax dollars) instead of being paid to look for work (or sitting home and posting to GM threads on the internet LOL ).

Now, are you hoping for that (as so many anti GM types do) or is that just your opinion?
Just curious.

 

That's just my opinion. One of the news stations (MSNBC I think) had a video clip of GM CEO's over the years saying that their quality is as good now as it's ever been. This despite the fact that during several of those CEO's tenure, their products were regarded as complete garbage (ex. 1980's).

Their current state of operation is a result of a socialist government stepping in. As such, I do not believe that they're capable of effectively operating on their own.

 

While it would do a lot for GM, don't bet on it. Steve isn't in good health, and is already juggling more than one CEO job.

Besides, Apple is his baby. And it's doing very well, and I am sure the shareholder wont like Steve's reality distortion field.

 

Well GM sure makes the best cars that's for sure.

 

Debatable. (Not saying they don't make good cars)

 

Next week - I'll gather that for you. The Thread will be called
GM Reliability

Until then, lets do this: I'll pull two folders - folders for used vehicles. 99% of the time when I buy used GM vehicles, REPAIRS COSTS, are more then for Hondas, Toyotas, Mazda, Nissan, and many others with the same miles.

Normally, we spend 800.00 to 2,000, plus inspection costs, on repairs to put a GM Certified vehicles on the lot... If, it's more than 2K it normally goes back.

I use these facts when I present these vehicles to customers. "Look Mr. customer these are things you won't need to fix. When you buy from a private owner - off E-Bay 300 miles away because the price is better - Do you know if the vehicle has been INSPECTED? I'll make a copy of the inspection sheet for you to take home. If you don't buy my vehicle" please confirm what you are buying. Oh! here is the Car Fax also.." and this is my card.

Example #1.

57,504 miles 2006 Silverado - Repair Costs 1,107.44
Labor 524.40 parts 571.70.

Couple of things we fixed:
All tranny cooler lines split at clamps - replaced
Right Rear Wheel Bearing making noise - replaced

Example #2.

58,472 miles 2006 Equinox Repair Cost 614.88
Radio needed to be replaced

I am not saying GM vehicles are bad. I sell them - I've raced them - I've owned them. I've made a living from GM and it's vehicles. Reality is reality. Ain't no smoke and mirrors Al Gore movie here. Having said that, I'll be happy to listen to any adults facts - fire away!!

And I'll be back next week. With permission of those running this web
page!

 

An old man and his dog!