Editorial archive

August 2010

Slowing car sales in China bad news for GM

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(August 12, 2010) The rapidly expanding car market in China has been critical to the earnings  of global auto companies like GM, VW, and Toyota. China’s insatiable demand for cars has pushed the nation ahead of decades-long market sales leader, the U.S., in total annual sales. Even smaller companies with niche products like BMW, have been helped.

GM marketing director discusses Buick and its new website

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By Karl Greenberg
MediaPost Publications

(August 11, 2010) Joel Ewanick, head of North American marketing for General Motors, talks about Buick, its brand equity and its "Moment of Truth" social-media site for Regal.

Chrysler has some good news, but challenges remain

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By Michelle Krebs
Edmunds.com

(August 10, 2010) Chrysler Group LLC reported Monday an improved financial picture in the second quarter, but the automaker clearly has more work ahead.

Chrysler narrowed its net loss to $172 million in the quarter (from $197 million in the first quarter). Chrysler earned an operating profit and increased the amount of cash it has on hand.

It's about the four brands, and GM ain't one of 'em


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Karl Greenberg
MediaPost Publications

(August 9, 2010) Whether or not Joel Ewanick sustains his renown as an automotive rock star at his new post as VP marketing at General Motors, he's certainly a rolling stone, moving too fast to gather moss.

Chevrolet readies the 'Matchbox' cars 


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By Karl Greenberg
MediaPost Publications

(August 7, 2010) General Motors' fate rests on Chevrolet like a pallet of hay on the flatbed of a Silverado truck. The automaker's core division, which gets well over $600 million of the $1.5 billion-plus marketing budget, has shifted from low gear to at least third in recent months, with strong sales of Equinox, Malibu — and now, the Silverado Heavy Duty.

Vacationing in Chicago? Bring some extra cash for taxes

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(August 6, 2010) If you're planning to take a rental-car and hotel vacation at some point between now and Labor Day, here's a bit of information to fit into your choice filter: Cities that really sock it to travelers in the form of taxes on car rentals, hotel rooms and meals.

Chevrolet Dealer: Want a Volt? That'll be an extra $20k

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By Bill Visnic
Senior Editor, Edmunds.com

(August 4, 2010) General Motors' Chevrolet Volt may be able to travel 40 miles on its battery charge, but early adopters might be in for a bigger jolt when they try to avail themselves of the highly attractive lease GM touted when releasing the Volt's $41,000 base price this week - it appears at least one of the 600 Chevrolet dealers due to take part in the initial rollout in December isn't planning on letting any Volts pass through his doors until buyers pony up a rather substantial extra "charge."

Vehicle seats provide relatively low levels of customer satisfaction

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(August 3, 2010) Although vehicle seats are the component area with which new-vehicle owners are least likely to indicate having experienced a problem, compared with other vehicle component areas, overall customer satisfaction with seats is particularly low, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2010 U.S. Seat Quality and Satisfaction Study.

EV-charging stations in California exempt from utility regulations

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(August 2, 2010) The California Public Utilities Commission has ruled that companies that sell electric-vehicle charging services to the public will not be regulated as public utilities, Edmunds.com reports.

Companies such as Coulomb Technologies, Better Place and Ecotality can operate without being regulated as an investor-owned utility, the commission ruled Thursday during its regular meeting in San Francisco.