 |
|
   |
  |
 |
|
We joined because of the car. We stay because of the people. We are a group of Corvette owners and enthusiasts with varying interests in restoring, showing and promoting Corvettes. Our membership is both social and show oriented with activities including dinner cruises, picnics, car shows and road tours. These activities bring our members and Corvette enthusiasts together with a common interest of having fun and driving Corvettes. More ... |
|
|
|
Second Gear June 2010 From the desk of the GMC Corvette Set PresidentWhen the global financial crisis plunged the world into recession, U.S. car sales dropped to levels not seen in decades. General Motors moved into bankruptcy and had to cut brands. So they decided to cut Hummer and Saturn and Pontiac, and keep Buick. Buick, why Buick? Were the masses telling GM we love the Buick so please keep it? It was all a matter for $$$. In 1984 Buick sales peaked at 940,000 units, and then started to slide down. By 2009 sales were down to 102,300 and analysts and investors called for GM to abandon the brand. It was a different story on the other side of the globe and the survival of Buick was dependent on CHINA. New car sales in China for 2009 hit 13.6 million, out pacing the US at 10.4 million. Buick is number 2 in sales in China, just behind Volkswagen, with sales in 2009 of 440,000 vehicles, most of them produced in China. With projected sales of 500,000 in 2010. In 1998 there were only 33 Buick dealers in China, now there are 385, and with just a fraction of the population owning cars ( 20 cars per 10,000 people) and the country’s population of 1.4 billion, it has auto manufacturers excited over the prospects of what could be in China. China’s Communist government encompasses all, but so far, government policy toward the auto industry has been fairly hands-off, except in demanding that foreign automakers partner with Chinese car companies if they want to sell cars in China. So Buick is teaming with Shanghai Auto. Vehicles on the streets of China are Volkswagens, Audis, Buick and lots of local home market cars from Chery, Brilliance and Great Wall. Instead of small economy cubes as in Japan, most Chinese prefer midsize and larger sedans. Buick minivans and SUV’s are popular. Ferrari and Lamborghini’s can been seen some times. Lamborghini has seven dealers now with five more on the way and sales of 100 cars in 2010 expected. So as the Chinese economy grows and the demand for new cars grows, the people in the United States get Buick whether we want them or not, because GM wants to sell them in China. Baring some unforeseen economic or political upheaval, China’s auto industry will thrive, and they will get even more Buick’s. I’m just glad the Chinese didn’t want to drive a Saab, then where would we be? Russ Miller |
Copyright © 2010 - All Rights Reserved
Web Hosting & Development by Avinus