Reports to Our Membership

In today's "global economy," our local union members need to be kept well informed and to be vigilant. Action on Wall Street impacts our wallets. Politicians of all strips and at all levels change the rules. Issues range from job protection to health insurance and beyond. Here's reports on the people and items making the headlines.

March Sales Report

GM reported that March deliveries from its U.S. dealers decreased 13 percent when compared with the same month a year ago. For the first three months of 2008, GM total sales were down 11 percent compared with a year ago. Retail share appears to have remained stable throughout the month and the quarter.

Here are the March highlights:

Chevrolet Car Retail Sales Up 6 Percent Led By a 122 Percent Increase in Malibu and a 16 Percent Increase in Impala Sales; Cadillac Retail Car Sales Up 22 Percent with a 43 Percent Increase in CTS and 6 Percent Increase in DTS; Strong Retail Month at Saturn with Aura Up 25 Percent, Vue Up 18 Percent and Outlook Up 14 Percent, offsetting Ion; Enclave, Acadia and Outlook Drive Mid-Utility Crossover Segment Up 45 Percent; and, Saab Total Sales Up 12 Percent; GMC Total Sales Up 1 Percent.

Here are the Q1 highlights:

Retail Share Remains Stable Despite Market Pressures; Fleet Sales Down 7 Percent; Continued Strength of Malibu, Impala, CTS and Aura Driving Passenger Car Growth; and, GM’s Mid-Utility Crossover Segment Grows 47 Percent.

Chevy Receives “Technology of the Year” Award

Chevrolet has received Automobile Magazine’s 2008 “Technology of the Year” award for GM’s 2-mode hybrid system. Jean Jennings, president of Automobile Magazine, said that “it was a unanimous and no-question vote for General Motors, and in particular Chevrolet’s 2-mode hybrid system, which really is the next generation of hybrid technology. We really believe that this has a no-compromise hybrid system that allows you to have a vehicle that will fit your lifestyle. It gives you great fuel economy, great room for passengers, no compromise in space inside—it is truly the next generation of hybrid.”

Chevrolet Announces Cobalt SS Pricing

The 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt SS coupe, which is expected to arrive in dealerships in late April, will come with an MSRP of $22,995. At this price the Cobalt SS comes equipped with standard air conditioning, premium sound system, remote keyless entry, StabiliTrak electronic stability control system, OnStar and XM Satellite Radio. To see and learn about all of Chevrolet’s great cars and trucks, go to www.chevrolet.com.

Pontiac G8 GXP gets warm welcome at the New York Auto Show. One of Pontiac’s newest offerings—the G8 GXP—is getting a warm welcome at the New York International Auto Show. “There’s nothing about these Pontiac G8s that the American public isn’t going to love, and we’re already hearing from dealers that they’re being stormed by people who want G8s, even in this relatively weak market,” said GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz.

Chevy Gains Brand Awards

Chevrolet picked up two 2008 Kelley Blue Book “Brand Image” awards in New York: “Best Exterior Design” and “Best Interior Design” for trucks. Kelley Blue Book is the leading provider of new and used vehicle information. Its Brand Image awards are based on consumer automotive perception data from new vehicle shoppers.

UAW Supports Major Boost in Fuel Economy Standards;
U.S. Auto Manufacturing Jobs Safeguarded

The United Auto Workers union “strongly supports” new fuel economy provisions in energy legislation passed recently by the U.S. Congress. “The UAW strongly supports this historic bill, which contains aggressive but still achievable fuel economy requirements.' “It will help consumers and the environment, and at the same time protect U.S. jobs,'" said UAW President Ron Gettelfinger.

Call 866–927–2233 to talk to members of the U.S. House of Representatives and, when prompted, enter your 5–digit home zip code. The automated system will match you to your Congressman or Congresswoman and connect you to their Capitol Hill office–toll free. Thanks to those who have responded to previous calls to action by contacting their Member of Congress about this important issue. Please know your voice does make a difference.

Union-Made Vehicles

The UAW list of 2008 union-made cars, trucks, vans, pickups, CUVs and SUVs is now available at 2008 Union-Built Car and Truck Guide. Vehicles from nine manufacturers are produced in union-represented auto assembly plants in the U.S. and Canada. These vehicles are assembled in the U.S. and Canada by members of the UAW, the CAW and the IUE-CWA.

Union-made products are available in all price ranges and product categories, including hybrids, clean diesels and energy-saving flex-fuel vehicles. UAW-made vehicles have recently won top-quality rankings from J.D. Power and the University of Michigan Consumer Satisfaction Survey. In addition, the most recent Harbour Report, a closely watched study of auto plant efficiency, showed that when union plants are compared with non-union facilities that build the same type of vehicle, union plants are more productive in 12 out of 13 cases.