• Reminder: Tomorrow is the gate drive to support Missouri Special Olympics and David Hurst, who will once again do the Polar Bear Plunge. He has set an ambitious goal of $7500 and intends to repeat as the top individual fundraiser. We know that you will be generous in your support. You can also go to David’s web page to make a donation by going to PolarPlunge and scroll down to the Lake St. Louis picture. Click on that and select “donate to a participant”. Enter David Hurst in the box and it will take you to his page. The plunge will be Saturday, Feb. 7 at Lake St. Louise (the smaller lake). If you wish to plunge with David contact Tom Brune at x2119 (serious plungers only please).
• Ford reported 4th quarter and full year earnings today. We’ll cut to the chase and tell you that North American profits for the full year were $6.9 billion, which equals $6900 in profit sharing under their formula. This is a 22% decrease from last year’s payout of $8800 as sales fell and expenses increased, ostensibly due to the launch of the F-150 and the downtime associated with it. In particular, their 4th quarter was below expectations despite claims of the launch being ahead of schedule, trucks are flying off the lots, pricing is “very, very strong” etc.
• Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) also reported earnings, yesterday. Results for jsut Chrysler in North America, which drives their profit sharing, were not broken out, but overall FCA profits in NA for the year were 1.647 billion euros (about $1.85 billion). That was down 643 billion euros ($725 million) from 2013, despite big sales increases for Ram pickups and all things Jeep. But you’ve probably noticed some of the huge incentives FCA is using to push the metal, especially on the Ram pickup. Profit margin in NAFTA was a meager 3.1% (for GM last quarter is was 9.6%). On top of that, the Detroit Free Press reports that over 42% of FCA workers UAW workers are tier 2.
• From the Wall Street Journal: GM is considering adding a rugged SUV to its GMC brand in an effort to compete with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV’s Jeep Wrangler, according to several people briefed on the matter. The move, discussed with dealers, would expand a GMC brand that is considered to be the strongest of GM’s four U.S. brands. In the discussion with dealers, GM executives said the new product would borrow cues and capability from a Hummer brand that appealed to off-road enthusiasts but went by the wayside amid GM’s financial crisis in 2009 and waning support for vehicles perceived as gas guzzlers. The U.S. market has seen a revival in SUV demand in recent years as models get more fuel efficient and the economy stabilizes. With gasoline prices near $2 per gallon, that demand has accelerated.
• While GM has multiple SUVs in its lineup, including a popular set of full-size models, it doesn't have an offering suitable for competing with Jeep’s popular Wrangler. Wrangler sales have sizzled in recent years, growing 13% to 175,000 in 2014. GM hasn’t given the new unnamed model the green light yet and plans are still in the discussion phase, these people said. GM tapped dealers for feedback and to evaluate the market viability for such a vehicle. GM spokesman Brian Goebel declined to comment on the vehicle. However, he added that GMC’s U.S. Chief Duncan Aldred has been vocal on the need to capitalize on the brand’s growing momentum by expanding and strengthening its portfolio. “The idea is being kicked around real hard,” said one person briefed on the plan, noting that GM is looking at success of the Wrangler, some of which are fetching more than $50,000 new. Wranglers enjoy some of the highest resale values in the market.
• Edmunds is putting a long-term Colorado through its paces as they drive and evaluate it. Here are some of the comments from various editors:
- "This thing rides pretty good for a pickup," my friends nearly echoed as we headed to the Laguna Beach Playhouse. I agree with my friends, this new midsize Chevy truck does ride nicely. It's no cushy luxury car by any stretch of the imagination, but for an unladen pickup it's certainly tolerable.
- There's a lot to like about the new 2015 Chevrolet Colorado Crew Cab, not the least of which is its ruggedly handsome styling. But even though the new Colorado is the best midsize pickup you can get right now, the V6 is a bit disappointing. Sure, it has good power and all, with 305 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque, but it's just not all that pleasant of an experience, especially at full throttle.
- I bought another go-kart. Please don't tell my wife. After much debate (Edmunds) bought a short bed version of the Colorado. Despite that questionable decision, it handled my air compressor, gas can, toolkit, go-kart, gear bag and a few chairs for me and my kids. Personal use pickups are bought with this type of task in mind. Hauling toys to the track, or the desert, or the land's end. I continue to be impressed with the Colorado.
- I found the seats pretty comfortable over the long haul. A bit more thigh support wouldn't be unwelcome, but otherwise the seat proved comfy with only a hint of road butt after three hours. The Colorado settles in nicely at speed, with low noise levels for a truck and good straightline stability. And really, when you're plodding up Interstate 5, those two attributes are key. A trip like this in a current Toyota Tacoma would probably be considerably more fatiguing, as even a new Taco is an old truck in the context of model changeovers.
Do you really need more capability from your truck than the 2015 Chevrolet Colorado provides? Do you need a 5- or 6-passenger cabin capacity for your family? Do you need to tow more than 7,000 pounds? Do you need a bed bigger than the Colorado's? And most importantly, do you need them on a regular basis. Sure, there's a $9,500 incentive on the Silverado at the moment (December) and such discounts are hardly uncommon, but nevertheless, the fact that the Colorado is now so good means people who don't really need the Silverado's capabilities have a viable alternative.
Tom Brune
UAW Communications Coordinator
Wentzville Assembly
636-327-2119
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