General Motors Vehicles for 2010
General Motors will be introducing some incredible new vehicles for the 2010 model year. Here's a brief look at highlights of these vehicles.

Buick LaCrosse - all-new sedan available in three trim levels - CX, CXL and CXS. Two V6 engines - 255 HP 3.0 Liter V6 and a 280 HP 3.6 Liter V6 coupled to a 6 speed automatic transmission. AWD is available on the CXL model. Job 1 is June 1, 2009.

Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon - all new wagon added to the popular CTS line-up. 2WD and AWD availability with a 304 HP 3.6 Liter V6 and 6 speed automatic. This is one good-looking automobile. Job 1 is July 20, 2009.

Cadillac SRX - all-new crossover available in 2 models - FWD and AWD. Two V6 engines are available both coupled to a 6 speed automatic. The standard engine is a 260 HP 3.0 Liter V6 with a 280 HP 2.8 Liter Turbo V6 optional. Job 1 date was May 7, 2009.

Chevrolet Camaro - all-new model in three trim levels - LS, LT and SS. Standard is a 304 HP 3.6 Liter direct-injected V6 with optional 6 speed automatic transmission (6 speed manual is standard) on the LS model. The SS model offers a 400 HP 6.2 Liter V8 with the manual transmission or a 422 HP 6.2 Liter V8 with Active Fuel Management when you opt for the 6 speed automatic. Available now.

Chevrolet Equinox - all-new compact crossover available in 3 trim levels - LS, LT and LTZ. Standard engine is a 182 HP direct injected 2.4 Liter 4 cylinder capable of 30 miles per gallon highway. The standard transmission is a 6 speed automatic. There is an optional 264 HP 3.0 Liter V6 available. The Equinox is available in FWD and AWD versions. I drove the 2.4 Liter 4 cylinder version at the recent GM Fleet Preview. It is truly amazing. I had to get out and pop the hood because I could not believe it was a 4 cylinder! Job 1 is May 25, 2009.

GMC Terrain - the GMC sibling of the Chevrolet Equinox. The Terrain has a more aggressive stance than the Equinox - looks like a smaller version of the GMC Acadia. Job 1 is August 10, 2009.

Ford Vehicles for 2010
Ford has some great new vehicles that will be available in the next few months. Here's a quick look at the new Fords, Lincolns and Mercurys.

Ford Fusion - newly restyled and available in 5 models - S, SE, SEL, Hybrid and Sport. Standard is a 175 HP 2.5 Liter 4 cylinder that delivers up to 34 MPG highway. Optional engines include a 240 HP 3.0 Liter V6 and a 263 HP 3.5 Liter V6 for the Fusion Sport. A 6 speed automatic transmission is available on all models. The Fusion is available in FWD and AWD configurations. Available now.

Ford Taurus - all-new design inside and out. Available in SE, SEL, Limited and SHO models. the standard engine is a 263 HP 3.5 Liter V6 mated to a 6 speed automatic. This combination will yield 28 MPG highway. The SHO will be powered by the 365 HP 3.5 Liter EcoBoost with a 6 speed paddle shifter automatic. This combination will yield an amazing 25 MPG highway.The Taurus is available in FWD and AWD versions. Beautiful car. Job 1 is 6/15/09.

Ford Mustang - redesigned and more refined. Available in V6, V6 Premium, GT and GT Premium models. Standard 260 HP 4.0 Liter V6 in the V6 models. A 315 HP 4.6 Liter V8 in the GT models. Available in a coupe, soft-top convertible and a 4 season glass roof model. Available now.

Ford TransitConnect - a versatile, efficient new light cargo van that can serve a number of businesses. Powered by a 2.4 Liter 4 cylinder with a 4 speed automatic. Available as a cargo van or 5 passenger wagon in XL and XLT trim levels. Job 1 was 4/1/098.

Mercury Milan - newly restyled and available in 2 models - Base and Premier. Standard is a 175 HP 2.5 Liter 4 cylinder that delivers up to 34 MPG highway. Optional is a 240 HP 3.0 Liter V6 with a 6 speed automatic transmission. The Milan is available in FWD and AWD configurations. Available now.

Lincoln MKT - all-new 6 or 7 passenger crossover melds luxurious space with advanced technology. Standard engine is a 286 HP 3.7 Liter V6. Optional is a 355 HP 3.5 Liter EcoBoost V6. Both engines are mated to a 6 speed automatic transmission. The MKT is available in FWD and AWD versions. Job 1 is 7/6/09.

Fleeting Tidbits
Chrysler has published the following information concerning 2009 MY vehicle orders:
2009 Sold Order Production Plan (Pending Bankruptcy Court Approval).
Execute shipment of all currently built units prior to the end of June.

Optimize production of ordered units and ship remaining 2009 models in July (this is our highest priority and best result for you).

Any remaining orders currently in our system that are not able to be produced as a 2009 model will be eligible for the following options to be negotiated on an order-by-order basis with you individually (e.g., course that best serves your business need);

- Match order with built unit in Chrysler’s Distribution Pool
- Match order with In- Stock Dealer unit
- Duplicate order and produce as a 2010 Model

While we cannot yet commit to this “plan” and/or any potential optional courses of action, we hope that by communicating our directional intent your business planning is better served.

Edmunds.com tested did a head-to-head evaluation of 4 full-size 2009 pickups - Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Dodge Ram 1500, Ford F-150 and Toyota Tundra. “After all the points were tallied, the Dodge Ram takes the win with a very well-rounded performance." -- Dan Edmunds, director of vehicle testing, Edmunds.com

We have updated our 2009 MY Final Fleet Order Date page with the latest final order dates from the manufacturers. For some manufacturers this has been a moving target with changes made almost weekly. I would suggest that you check the page regularly to determine final order dates for each model.

Our 2010 Start of Production page lists the initial date you may place orders for each 2010 model and the Job #1 date for that model.

Finally, this month's Featured Vehicle is the all-new 2010 Ford Taurus. The new Taurus looks lower, wider and much more elegant than the car it replaces.

Taillights
What do you call someone who buys a secondhand Yugo?

A scrap dealer.

5/26/09