Tag Archives: General Motors

2013 in Review: Top Brands, Top Cars, and Lots of Growth

2013 was an exciting year for the auto industry. Repossessions and late payments were down, sales at individual franchises were up, and a third of auto loans approved are for subprime credit consumers. Dealerships are selling more cars, and more consumers can obtain an auto loan with low interest rates.

Of course, the million dollar question at the end of the year is which brand came out on top. Which models sold the most units in 2013, and which brands saw the most improvement? According to figures compiled by Autoblog.com, Ford was the best-selling brand of 2013, and General Motors was the best-selling car company of 2013. Jaguar as a brand and as a company had the biggest growth, 41.1 percent growth brand-wise and 20.2 percent growth as a company.

Unfortunately, Fiat could not hold onto the momentum from the end of 2012, where they saw a 121.4 percent volume growth. At the end of 2013, Fiat was one of the brands that ended the year below their previous year, a 1.2 percent drop in volume, though Volvo had the biggest sales volume drop of the year with a 10.1 percent dip. Overall, however, most brands performed very well, and the brands with volume sales decrease saw a relatively small drop in sales.

Readers, we want to hear from you! Did you purchase a new or used car in 2013? If the answer is yes, tell us about your new car in the comments section below! If the answer is no, tell us why in the comments section as well. With low interest rates (even for subprime credit buyers), there is no better time to buy than now!

Are you ready to get into a new or used vehicle? Approved Loan Store wants to help YOU! Good credit, bad credit, no credit, we will work with you to get you into a car you want at terms you can afford! Get started today by filling out our secure online auto loan application here, and connect with Approved Loan Store online on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube!

Image courtesy of Stuart Miles / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

2014 GMC Sierra, Chevrolet Silverado Get Price Boost

If the GMC Sierra or Chevrolet Silverado were on your short-list to take for a test drive, you might want to stop by a dealership soon to get the best price.

General Motors announced this week that the price on the 2014 Sierra and Silverado will be going up $1,500. Most buyers won’t notice the increase until the end of the month, however, because General Motors is offering incentives and cash-back offers up to $1,500.

When October is over, GM is confident that car buyers will continue to pay more for the Sierra and Silverado. Spokesman Jim Cain told Fox Business, “We have the best trucks, and they’re the best value in the market.” Cain might be right, but they will be a better value to customers before the price increase goes into effect.

Are you ready to get into a great new or used car, truck, or minivan? Now is the time to buy, and Approved Loan Store can help you find the car you want at terms you can afford, even if you have credit problems! Get started today by filling out our secure online auto loan application here, and for more auto news and buying tips, like Approved Loan Store on Facebook, follow Approved Loan Store on Twitter, and subscribe to Approved Loan Store on YouTube!

July 2013 Marks New Light Vehicle Record

The summer of 2013 has been profitable for the auto industry with credit restrictions on auto loans loosening up and manufacturers keeping their plants open for more weeks to keep up with demand. Now that the summer is almost over, it can now be determined conclusively that July 2013 was a record-breaking month for North American auto makers.

During the month of July, 1,029,745 light vehicles were produced by North American auto makers which is the highest production ever recorded for that month. Broken down by auto maker, General Motors produced 211,946 light vehicles while Ford produced 185,774 units and Chrysler produced 151,051 units.

The auto industry will be eager to keep sales up going into the fall, so expect to see more specials and incentives in the coming months. The great news is, though, that Approved Loan Store is here every day and every month of every year to get customers the best prices and the best terms on their auto loan, even if the person has subprime or no credit. Whatever the make and model, we are here to get the car you want at rates you can afford.

Are you finally ready to get into a great new or used car? Get started today by filling out our secure online auto loan application here, and for more auto news and buying tips, like Approved Loan Store on Facebook, follow Approved Loan Store on Twitter, and subscribe to Approved Loan Store on YouTube!

Image courtesy of digitalart / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Cadillac Escalade Announces New York City Premiere Event

New York City is host to many high-profile events, and next month, Cadillac will premiere its next-generation Escalade in the city that doesn’t sleep.

The Escalade will be the only GM SUV that will not be premiering at the Texas State Fair which runs from Friday, September 27 through Friday, October 20. Instead, Cadillac will be hosting a premiere event Monday, October 7 at the Altman Building to show off the Escalade all on its own.

Celebrities and high-profile figures from Mark Wahlberg to Snookie love the Escalade, and with a solo event in New York, Cadillac is sending a clear message about the Escalade. This is a luxury car that is anything but stuffy. As Cadillac puts it, the new Escalade is more than a car; it is a “bold, evolutionary statement.”

In 2012, Cadillac sold 12,615 Escalades in the United States, and from January through July 2013, Cadillac sold 6,782 Escalades in the United States and an additional 252 in Canada.

From Cadillacs to Nissans and VWs, Approved Loan Store wants to find you the car you want at terms you can afford! Are you finally ready to get into a great new or used car? Get started today by filling out our secure online auto loan application here, and for more auto news and buying tips, like Approved Loan Store on Facebook, follow Approved Loan Store on Twitter, and subscribe to Approved Loan Store on YouTube!

Image © General Motors

Summer Sales Keep Chevy Cruze Factory Open

Summer 2013 is almost over, and there is no denying that it has been a great summer for the auto industry. Sales are up, payment delinquencies are down, and automakers, including GM, have added weeks of production to keep up with demand for their most popular vehicles.

This week, General Motors announced that their factory in Lordstown, Ohio would be staying open an extra week. The factory, which produces the Chevrolet Cruze, would have been closed the week of August 26, but the Cruze’s U.S. sales have gone up 24 percent from January through July 2013. At the end of the July, there was only a 50-day supply for the Cruze.

GM spokesman Annalisa Bluhm explained that due to “brisk” sales, they had every reason to keep the factory open another week. “We didn’t want to lose momentum, so we decided to abstain from taking the week off.” Brisk is an understatement with 25,477 vehicles sold in July alone.

From Chevys to Kias and Mazdas, Approved Loan Store wants to find you the car you want at terms you can afford! Are you finally ready to get into a great new or used car? Get started today by filling out our secure online auto loan application here, and for more auto news and buying tips, like Approved Loan Store on Facebook, follow Approved Loan Store on Twitter, and subscribe to Approved Loan Store on YouTube!

GM Announces World’s Most Efficient Car, Only Available in California and Oregon

This week, there is some really good news and some bad news from General Motors.

We will give you the good news first. The new 2014 Chevrolet Spark EV has been getting some very positive press from The Car Connection as well as Auto Blog and Car and Driver. Critics are praising the Spark’s powerful motor, smooth ride, and affordable price with all the tax breaks available.

Now, the bad news is that the new Spark is only available in California and Oregon. It is not clear if or when the 2014 Chevrolet Spark EV will be available throughout the rest of the country, but if there is enough demand across the country, GM might be convinced to expand to the rest of the United States. Personally, I love the thought of never having to pay for gasoline ever again, and considering the reviews, I would like to take the Spark for a drive myself.

If you’re looking for a more fuel efficient vehicle today, Approved Loan Store wants to help you, no matter what your credit situation. Get started today by filling out our secure online auto loan application here, and for more auto news and buying tips, like Approved Loan Store on Facebook, follow Approved Loan Store on Twitter, and subscribe to Approved Loan Store on YouTube!

Study: Detroit Has the Country’s Most Patriotic Car Buyers

The 4^th of July has now come and gone, but CarGurus.com wanted to know which major cities were buying “patriotic” cars, or American brand cars, all year round. Read on to find out which cities fared the best and worst.

In Detroit, MI, 67.8 percent of car shoppers were looking for cars produced by General Motors, Ford, or Chrysler, a higher percentage than any other city. Coming in number 2 was Cleveland, OH, followed by Indianapolis, IN, St. Louis, MO, and Kansas City, MO.

Unfortunately, New York, NY did not perform well at all. New York came in number 4 in the Bottom 10 Cities list released by CarGurus.com. Only 39.8 percent of car shoppers were looking for American brand cars while 30.7 percent were considering Asian brands and 29.5 percent were considering European brands.

No matter what kind of car you are looking for, from Chryslers to Volkswagens, Approved Loan Store wants to help YOU! Good credit, bad credit, no credit, we will work with you to find the car you want at terms you can afford! Get started today by filling out our secure online auto loan application here, and for more auto news and buying tips, like Approved Loan Store on Facebook, follow Approved Loan Store on Twitter, and subscribe to Approved Loan Store on YouTube!

Image courtesy of Felixco, Inc. / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

GM Offers 2 Years Free Maintenance on All 2014 Models

Going into the summer, most automakers are offering incentives and discounts, hoping to sway car shoppers to walk into their dealership instead of a competitor’s showroom. General Motors might have come up with one of the better incentives this week, though, when they announced free maintenance on all 2014 Chevrolet, Buick, and GMC models for 2 years or 24,000 miles.

Before the announcement, free maintenance was only available to Cadillac owners for four years or 50,000 miles, and typically free maintenance is a service only available to customers buying high-end cars like BMWs or Jaguars. Additionally, the service is transferable if the car is resold to another owner.

In a press release, General Motors Chairman and CEO Dan Akerson observed that GM customers who went to a GM dealership to service their vehicle were “much more likely” to choose another GM vehicle in the future. “It’s all the more important to bring customers to our service facilities for routine maintenance to further enhance the quality and reliability of their GM vehicles.”

By offering free maintenance on all 2014 models, it sends a positive message to GM car buyers. No matter what their price point, GM wants to give all their customers the luxury of free maintenance for the first two years. In the same way, Approved Loan Store wants to give a better car buying experience for all of our customers, no matter what their credit situation.

Summer time is here! Are you finally ready to get into a great new or used car? Approved Loan Store wants to help YOU! Good credit, bad credit, no credit, we will work with you to get a car you want at terms you can afford! Get started today by filling out our secure online auto loan application here, and for more auto news and buying tips, like Approved Loan Store on Facebook, follow Approved Loan Store on Twitter, and subscribe to Approved Loan Store on YouTube!

Chevy Malibu Updates Improve Fuel Efficiency, Add Legroom

The 2014 Chevy Malibu won’t go on sale until this fall, but GM is already releasing details about what car buyers can expect from the updated Malibu.

The 2013 Chevy Malibu had a fuel efficiency rate of 22 mpg city driving and 34 mpg for highway driving, but GM expects the 2014 Malibu to improve on those numbers. While the engine will still be the standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, it will come equipped with a new intake valve technology and stop-start technology, giving the Malibu a 23 mpg for city and 35 mpg for highway driving.

Additionally, the new Malibu will have more legroom for the backseat passengers, a redesigned center console with a longer armrest, and the option for Side Blind Zone Alert and Rear Cross Traffic Alert. Pricing will not be announced until later this year, but the 2013 Chevy Malibu had a starting price of $21,995.

Are you looking for a safer car or one with better fuel efficiency? No matter what you’re looking for, Approved Loan Store wants to help you get in a car you want at terms you can afford! Good credit, bad credit, no credit, we will work with you! Get started today by filling out our secure online auto loan application here, and for more auto news and buying tips, like Approved Loan Store on Facebook, follow Approved Loan Store on Twitter, and subscribe to Approved Loan Store on YouTube!

Automakers Come Together for Oklahoma Relief Efforts

One week ago, Oklahoma was hit with a devastating tornado which destroyed neighborhoods and left 24 people dead. Now, the community is starting the process of rebuilding, and automakers including Ford, GM, and Chrysler have pledged their support.

Ford, GM, Chrysler, Toyota, Honda, and Volkswagen have all pledged funds or supplies. Ford has already donated a Transit Connect and $250,000 to the American Red Cross with the promise to match donations made through their website up to $250,000. Toyota and GM are putting their focus towards food service with Toyota donating $250,000 to various food service organizations and GM donating $50,000 and a 2013 Chevrolet Silverado to Forgotten Harvest.

Meanwhile, Chrysler has donated $100,000 to First Response Team of America, a non-profit supported by Lowe’s that helps communities rebuild after tropical storms and tornados. Volkswagen has donated $250,000 to Habitat for Humanity and the Red Cross, and the Red Cross is also getting help from Honda who donated power generators.

You can donate to these charitable organizations by following the links below.

Ford and the American Red Cross

GM and Forgotten Harvest

Chrysler and First Response Team of America

Volkswagen and Habitat for Humanity

Want more auto news and buying tips? Like Approved Loan Store on Facebook, follow Approved Loan Store on Twitter, and subscribe to Approved Loan Store on YouTube, and if you are looking to get into a new or used car, get started today by filling out our secure online auto loan application here.