GM Reports One Percent Drop in 2004 Sales Compared to 2003

The world's largest automaker, General Motors, announced that U.S. vehicle sales dropped 6% in December compared with the same period in 2003. Total sales amounted to 437,161 units. For the entire 2004 calendar year, car and truck sales hit 4.7 million, 1% less than the previous year.

"GM had a solid finish to the year," stated John Smith, GM group VP. "Once again we set industry records in total truck and utility vehicle sales for the year and sold more full-size Chevy pickups than any other manufacturer." GM also added that there were some highlights despite the decline in overall sales. GM said the divisions of Chevrolet, Cadillac and GMC all had sales gains. Chevrolet had its best year in almost fifteen years and GMC had its best-ever annual sales. "These successes, along with 17 all-new models being introduced this year should help us grow in 2005," added Mr. Smith.

GM reached an industry pick-up truck sales record and continued to lead all other automakers with over 2.8 million deliveries, and also sold over one million SUV's. December sales of Hummer vehicles dropped 3.7 percent compared to the same period last year, although it had its best sales month for the year at 3,814 vehicles sold. The Saab division reported a 6% decline in December sales with 3,421 vehicles.

2006 Chevy HHR Showcased at 2005 Greater Los Angeles Auto Show

Chevrolet recently introduced the production model of the Chevy 2006 HHR, available in the second half of 2005. Auto industry insiders have described it as a unique vehicle combining styling and interior adaptability that produces a vehicle for virtually all consumer demographics. Chevy unveiled the HHR at the 2005 Greater Los Angeles Auto Show, known for showcasing custom cars.

The 2006 Chevy HHR's design combines elements of the 1949 Chevy Suburban and the SSR roadster. It shares the same solid platform as the new Chevy Cobalt. Specifications include an overall length of 174.5 inches, a cargo capacity around 63.1cubic feet, a reconfigurable interior offering multiple storage solutions, a rear touch-pad liftgate, single-cavity headlamp design incorporating jeweled lighting effects and a flared, twin-taillamp design, integrated Chevrolet roof rack, prominent cross-grill bar with a Bowtie logo, jewel-like instrument displays, tailored seats.

The HHR is offered in two model choices; LS and LT (1LT & 2LT). Both have an Ecotec 2.2L four-cylinder engine rated at 140 horsepower with 150 lb.-ft. of torque. An Ecotec 2.4L four-cylinder is also standard in the 2LT and is available in the 1LT, offering 170 horsepower and 170 lb.-ft. of torque. A five-speed manual transmission is standard on all models, and an electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission is also available in all models of the Chevrolet HHR.

2005 Chevy Cavalier Replaces Aging Cavalier

Considered the Chevy Cavalier replacement, the 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt is now available. Auto industry insiders have described the Cobalt as a modern compact car that is both appealing and affordable, adding that it appears to be both a satisfactory replacement of the Cavalier and a worthy response to Chevrolet's partner company GM's Saturn Ion, generally considered to be a disaster and an embarrassment for Saturn and GM when it made its debut in late 2002.

The Chevy Cobalt enters the competitive class that includes the Toyota Corolla, Ford Focus, Honda Civic, Volkswagen Jetta, Mazda 3 and Kia Spectra. Reviewers have described it as a comfortable and compliant ride due to excellent chassis dynamics. The new 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt also has a well configured cockpit with high-quality materials. The Cobalt LT version includes leather upholstery and wood trim.

Standard features include a CD player, air conditioning, split folding rear seat and battery rundown protection. The mid-level LS comes with standard antilock brakes, traction control and power windows.

The Delta engineers are reported to have added front and rear stabilizer bars to the basic chassis formula of a strut-type front end and twist-beam rear axle. Also provisions for tire sizes from 15 inches to 18 inches were made.

Most Cobalt engines come standard with an all-aluminum, twin-cam 2.2-liter four-cylinder, with 145 horsepower and 155 pounds-feet of torque, beating out Toyota, Honda and Ford. Buyers are also offered a choice of a Getrag five-speed manual transmission or a Hydra-matic four-speed automatic. The EPA rating of the 2.2/automatic combination is 24 miles per gallon in the city and 32 on the highway. The 2.2/manual achieves 23 in the city and 29 on the highway.