They're also closing three car factories and two parts factories.
Haven't read the USA article, but I read the NPR one. Ford did something similar recently by moving its focus (no pun intended) to its truck/ SUV line. I'm trying to figure out the true logic here. Correct me if I'm wrong, but fuel prices have a strong impact on what types of cars (American) consumers purchase. I've always found this batshit insane, because in my lifetime I've only ever seen gas prices go up and up and up. I admit, fuel prices have stayed impressively low for a while now. But that still doesn't give me the confidence to go buy a gas-guzzling Canyonaro (Simpsons reference). After all, I survived $4/gal fuel prices a few years ago and it stuck with me. I feel it could come back at any moment. But maybe the auto manufacturers predict something different- that oil prices will never significantly rebound and that they have a safe bet marketing less efficient vehicles for years to come. Probably I just don't see the big picture, but if it was up to me I'd be cautious putting all my eggs in the back of a pickup truck.
Fuel Economy is still increasing so while an SUV won't perform as well as a sedan a new one still averages 30+ mpg highway. That factored with more hybrid models coming out, I can see why people would not be as concerned with top of the line fuel efficiency. Even if the vehicle doesn't have the best fuel efficiency it probably comes to close or surpasses a sedan from 10-15 years ago. Ive seen a lot of trucks sitting at around 20-25 mpg iirc, thats a little harder to swallow.
Aw. Too bad. My beloved Volt is to be discontinued. It really is a fantastic crossover between gas and electric. A great bridge technology, and really a fine car, in all respects. It's a shame to see them go all-in on the Bolt, which is a child's toy in comparison.
We have some company Volts we can use for business travel, and I agree they're a nice bridge. That said, it doesn't meet my personal needs. I'm hoping the Subaru plug in hybrid gets good reviews.
• Impala sales declined 13.4 percent to 43,952. • CT6 sales fell 10.6 percent to 7,240. • XTS sales rose 15.9 percent to 12,664. • LaCrosse sales fell 14.2 percent to 13,409. Fun fact : Tesla sells about 30,000 cars per quarter.Cruze sales fell 26.5 percent to 109,662.