General Motors Adding More Fuel-Saving Direct Injection Engines For 2010

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The all-new, five-passenger 2010 GMC Terrain joins the rapidly growing list of vehicles with GM’s direct injected (DI) engines that use less fuel, make more power and produce fewer emissions. The Terrain brings to 18 the number of North American GM models that will feature DI in 2010 – more than any other manufacturer.

“Direct injection is a key component of GM’s Advanced Propulsion Technology Strategy that uses multiple technology pathways to achieve increased efficiency and the diversification of energy sources,” said Tom Stephens, vice chairman, Global Product Development. “Because there is no single solution, we’re applying advanced technology where it makes the most sense for customers in regard to fuel efficiency, performance and cost. The efficiency gain with direct injection represents a great technological value that customers can benefit from immediately.”

Both of the Terrain’s available engines – a new 2.4L four-cylinder and a 3.0L V-6 – come standard with DI, with 2.4L-equipped models estimated at 30 mpg on the highway (EPA certification pending). That puts GMC’s new crossover SUV at the top of its segment in highway fuel economy.

Additional new GM models with DI include the 2010 Buick LaCrosse luxury sedan, the sporty 2010 Chevy Camaro, the redesigned 2010 Cadillac SRX and the 2010 Chevy Equinox crossover. They contribute to GM’s global initiative that will see eight distinct DI engines offered in 38 vehicle models around the world next year.

“Direct injection is a near-term solution – along with hybrids and biofuels like E85 – that fits well within GM’s current portfolio, but our strategy envisions mid- and long-term powertrain solutions that will ultimately reduce vehicle emissions to zero, increase fuel efficiency dramatically and displace petroleum as the primary energy source,” said Stephens. “Vehicles like the 2011 Chevrolet Volt extended-range electric vehicle and our advanced fuel cell-electric prototypes are tangible examples of GM’s vision.”

GM’s DI lineup

The range of 2009 and upcoming 2010 GM models that offer the efficiency of direct injection includes the following – with additional models to be announced later:

Buick Enclave: This popular crossover offers an efficient 3.6L DI engine that delivers a class-leading EPA highway rating of 24 mpg (FWD models).

Buick LaCrosse: All-new for 2010 and going on sale this summer, the redesigned Buick LaCrosse will offer DI engines exclusively, including a 3.0L V-6 and 3.6L V-6.

Cadillac CTS and CTS Sport Wagon: The CTS sedan and new CTS Sport Wagon come standard with a 3.0L DI V-6 in 2010. Also available is a 3.6L high-feature DOHC V-6 engine that was named to Ward’s AutoWorld’s 2009 “Ten Best Engines” list for North America – for the second consecutive year. With the 3.6L DI engine, the CTS sedan is rated at 26 mpg on the highway.

Cadillac SRX: When it hits the street this summer, the redesigned 2010 SRX crossover will offer a 3.0L DI engine that is expected to deliver highway fuel economy in the mid-20s (testing is ongoing).

Cadillac STS: The STS uses a version of the CTS’ award-winning 3.6L DI V-6, giving this full-size sedan EPA-rated 26 mpg on the highway.

Chevrolet Camaro: Chevy’s iconic sports coupe is back, with a powerful 3.6L DI V-6 that turns out 304 horsepower (227 kW) and EPA-rated 29 mpg on the highway.

Chevrolet Cobalt SS: This sporty compact blends high performance with high efficiency; its 260-horsepower (194 kW) 2.0L turbocharged engine is EPA-rated at 30 mpg on the highway.

Chevrolet Equinox: Arriving in dealerships this summer, the redesigned 2010 Equinox will offer two DI engines – a 2.4L four-cylinder rated at 30 mpg and a 3.0L V-6. Consumers who drive the 2.4L-equipped Equinox 15,000 miles per year will save 134 gallons of fuel or about $270 to $400 annually (assuming gas prices of $2 or $3 per gallon), as compared to the 2009 Equinox.

Chevrolet HHR SS: Employing the same 260-horsepower (194 kW) 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder DI engine as the Cobalt SS, the HHR SS model delivers 29 mpg in EPA-rated highway mileage.

Chevrolet Traverse: The 2009 model with its 3.6L DI engine enjoys best-in-class highway fuel economy of 24 mpg (FWD models) of any eight-passenger SUV.

GMC Acadia: An efficient 3.6L DI engine (similar to the Chevy Traverse, Buick Enclave and Saturn Outlook) contributes to this crossover’s class-leading EPA-rated 24 mpg (FWD models).

Pontiac Solstice GXP: A turbocharged, 2.0L DI engine delivers driving thrills and fuel-economy thrift, with an EPA highway rating of 28 mpg (manual-transmission model).

Saturn Outlook: This full-size crossover delivers downsized fill-ups, with its 3.6L DI V-6 rated at a class-leading 24 mpg (FWD models).

Saturn Sky Red Line: Equipped with the same turbocharged, 2.0L DI engine as the Solstice GXP, Saturn’s sporty roadster also delivers 28 mpg on the highway (manual-transmission model).

GM’s fuel-saving initiative

GM’s direct injection push is part of a larger effort to implement multiple fuel-saving technologies across its vehicle portfolio. Twenty models in GM’s 2009 lineup deliver EPA-rated highway fuel economy of 30 mpg or more – more than any other automaker.

GM’s non-hybrid models also rank first in highway fuel economy in both the midsize sedan and subcompact segments, with Chevrolet Malibu and Saturn Aura rated at 33 highway mpg; and Chevrolet Cobalt XFE and Pontiac G5 XFE rated at 37 highway mpg.

Additionally, GM offers more models with fuel-saving six-speed manual transmissions than any other manufacturer in North America. That contributes to GM’s 2009 domestic car and light truck lineups’ estimated fuel savings of 700 million gallons when compared with the 2008 lineup, during the life of the vehicles. That means a saving $1.4 to $2.1 billion in fuel costs, assuming gas prices of $2 to $3 per gallon. It’s estimated that GM’s 2010 lineup will add another 1.1 billion gallons of fuel savings and $2.2 to $3.3 billion, relative to the 2008 lineup.

GM Reports 127,296 Deliveries in February

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• Chevrolet retail cars continue to gain share, led by Malibu's 33 percent retail sales gain compared with last year
• Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia, Buick Enclave and Saturn Outlook drive mid-utility crossover retail sales up 35 percent, share up 10 percentage points, compared with a year ago
• GMAC retail penetration increased dramatically to more than 30 percent of sales in February; Credit Union-financed sales now about 10 percent of total

DETROIT - General Motors dealers in the United States delivered 127,296 vehicles in February, down 52.9 percent compared with a year ago, driven by a 75 percent reduction in fleet sales. However, GM's car sales compared with January were up nearly 23 percent, and crossover sales increased 6 percent, as financing availability continued to improve and slightly more fleet orders were able to be filled. Retail sales for the month were off 43 percent compared with a year ago in a total industry vehicle market estimated to be the weakest February since 1967.

"It remains a tough and challenging market, but seeing some upticks in volume and showroom traffic compared with last month is encouraging. Our new products continue to take hold in the market and we are estimating retail share increases with Malibu, Traverse, Enclave, HHR, Cobalt and G6. This is in line with our viability plan which is focused on passenger cars and crossovers in addition to our strong truck lineup," said Mark LaNeve, vice president, GM North America Vehicle Sales, Service and Marketing. "With the 2010 Camaro launching this month, closely followed by the Buick LaCrosse, Chevy Equinox and GMC Terrain, we are adding even more world-class, fuel-efficient cars and crossovers to our lineup."

GM February total car sales of 53,813 were off 50 percent and total truck sales (including crossovers) of 73,483 were down 55 percent compared with a year ago.

The newly-launched Chevrolet Traverse crossover continues to gain traction in the marketplace with total sales of more than 6,400 vehicles, up 23 percent from January. Chevrolet's crossover portfolio of HHR, Equinox and Traverse combined for 11,796 retail sales in February, a 7 percent increase compared with last year. Malibu retail sales were up 33 percent compared with a year ago.

"All of our new product launches in the 2009-2014 timeframe are cars or crossovers, and with outstanding products like Malibu and Traverse already in the market, we're building on a strong foundation," LaNeve added. "We saw customers respond to our 0 percent reduced rate APR and bonus cash offers last month, so we're doing what we can to keep sales rolling by extending most of those offers into March."

A total of 1,087 GM hybrid vehicles were delivered in the month, illustrating the wide range of hybrid product offerings available. GM offers the Chevrolet Malibu, Tahoe and Silverado, GMC Yukon and Sierra, Cadillac Escalade, Saturn Aura and Vue hybrids. So far, in 2009, GM has delivered 2,010 hybrid vehicles.

GM inventories dropped compared with a year ago. At the end of February, only about 781,000 vehicles were in stock, down about 160,000 vehicles (or 17 percent) compared with last year. There were about 337,000 cars and 444,000 trucks (including crossovers) in inventory at the end of February. Inventories were reduced about 20,000 vehicles compared with January.

Certified Used Vehicles

GM certified total sales for February 2009 were down, impacted by the uncertain economic environment. GM Certified Used Vehicles, Saturn Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles, Cadillac Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles, Saab Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles, and HUMMER Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles, combined sold 33,014 vehicles.

GM Certified Used Vehicles, the industry's top-selling certified brand, posted February sales of 28,204 vehicles, down 25 percent from February 2008. However, several brands saw an increase in sales from February 2008. Saturn Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles sold 828 vehicles, up 17 percent. Cadillac Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles sold 3,303 vehicles, up 1 percent. Saab Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles sold 476 vehicles, up 4 percent, and HUMMER Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles sold 203 vehicles, up 31 percent.

"Despite slow sales in February, the Certified Pre-Owned Program continues to be a bright spot for GM, our dealers and the automotive industry as a whole," said LaNeve. "In particular, we are proud of the strong performance of our luxury CPO brands that continue to show good growth year-over-year. We are providing a tremendous value for customers and dealers in very challenging times for the industry and economy."

GM North America Reports February 2009 Production; Q1 2009 Production Forecast remains at 380,000 Vehicles; Initial Q2 2009 Production Forecast at 550,000 Vehicles

In February, GM North America produced 135,000 vehicles (37,000 cars and 98,000 trucks). This is down 215,000 vehicles or 61 percent compared with February 2008 when the region produced 350,000 vehicles (129,000 cars and 221,000 trucks). (Production totals include joint venture production of 7,000 vehicles in February 2009 and 22,000 vehicles in February 2008.)

The region's 2009 first-quarter production forecast remains unchanged from last month's projection of 380,000 vehicles (118,000 cars and 262,000 trucks), which is down about 57 percent compared with a year ago. GM North America built 885,000 vehicles (360,000 cars and 525,000 trucks) in the first-quarter of 2008.

The region's 2009 second-quarter production forecast is initially set at 550,000 vehicles (195,000 cars and 355,000 trucks), which is down about 34 percent compared with a year ago. GM North America built 834,000 vehicles (382,000 cars and 452,000 trucks) in the second-quarter of 2008.

General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM), one of the world's largest automakers, was founded in 1908, and today manufactures cars and trucks in 34 countries. With its global headquarters in Detroit, GM employs 244,500 people in every major region of the world, and sells and services vehicles in some 140 countries. In 2008, GM sold 8.35 million cars and trucks globally under the following brands: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, GM Daewoo, Holden, Hummer, Opel, Pontiac, Saab, Saturn, Vauxhall and Wuling. GM's largest national market is the United States, followed by China, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Canada, Russia and Germany. GM's OnStar subsidiary is the industry leader in vehicle safety, security and information services. More information on GM can be found at www.gm.com.