"EL PRESIDENTE" DELIVERS ON HIS PROMISES!

THE ALL-NEW 2006 PONTIAC SOLSTICE!

"I want one!"---That is what everybody that saw it at The Miami Auto Show said!

Even standing still it looks sexy! 

What a view! 

PONTIAC SOLSTICE STICKER STARTS AT $19,995!

By Dale Jewett---Automotive News / February 24, 2005

DETROIT -- Delivering on one of General Motors Vice Chairman Bob Lutz’s promises, the base price of the 2006 Pontiac Solstice roadster will be less than $20,000 -- just barely. The Solstice will carry a sticker price of $19,995, including a $575 destination charge, when it goes on sale this summer. Lutz announced the base price Tuesday on GM’s web log site, http://fastlane.gmblogs.com.

Pontiac expects to begin accepting orders from dealers this spring, a Pontiac spokesman said. Base equipment on the Solstice includes a 177-horsepower, 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine; five-speed manual transmission; four-wheel disc brakes; power steering; and 18-inch wheels.

The option list includes packages for power-operated windows, locks and mirrors, and leather-trimmed interior. Anti-lock brakes, limited-slip rear differential, XM satellite radio and a radio that includes a plug in for an external digital music player are stand-alone options. A well-equipped Solstice will have a sticker price of around $24,000, a Pontiac spokeswoman said.

The Solstice’s base price undercuts the competing Mazda Miata by more than $2,000. The base price of a 2005 Miata is $22,658, including a $560 destination charge. The top trim level Miata, the MX-5 Mazdaspeed Grand Touring, carries a base price of $27,140 including the destination charge.

THE 2005 GTO HAS ARRIVED!

They are finally here...the tremendously improved 2005 Pontiac GTOs are now in stock. We have five in stock, both in automatic and 6-speed manual transmission. In various colors. You must drive it to believe it. The buff magazines are giving it rave reviews. The customers that have driven it give it their seal of approval. Come and get yours because they won't last long. Production on the 2005 model will stop in May of this year.

The 2005 Pontiac GTO with the Sport Appearance Package. 

The front grille looks menacing! 

Another look at the 2005 Pontiac GTO. 

The interior shows great attention to detail. 

The LS2 with its amazing 400 h.p. 

ECONOMY STRONGER THAN PREVIOUSLY THOUGHT!

DealersEdge.com---February 28, 2005

U.S. economic performance at the end of 2004 was significantly stronger than previously thought, according to a government report revising up fourth-quarter output to reflect stronger exports and investment. The Commerce Department said gross domestic product, the measure of total goods and services produced in the U.S., grew at a revised 3.8 percent annual rate in the final three months of last year instead of 3.1 percent reported a month ago. Nearly half the revision stemmed from a stronger trade performance, reflecting more robust exports than previously thought. Statistics Canada corrected a $1.4 billion error in underestimating U.S. exports to Canada during November, and later data also showed the U.S. trade deficit for December narrowed more than had been anticipated. Businesses kept up a brisk pace of new investment. Nonresidential investment climbed at a revised 14 percent rate instead of 10.3 percent reported a month ago and was ahead of the third quarter's 13 percent. Most analysts believe the economy has enough strength to keep expanding at around a 4 percent annual rate in the first half of 2005.

AUTOCITY CUSTOMER GALLERY

Enriqe Tur---'03 GMC Sierra

Vicente Diaz---'05 GMC Denali

Steven Handshu---'05 Buick Lacrosse 

Paul & Cheryl Shaffer---'05 Pontiac Bonneville GXP 

Joseph Blouin---'05 Buick Lacrosse 

"EL PRESIDENTE" RADIO COMMERCIAL

NEW LEASE PROGRAM FOR SALES ASSOCIATES AND SALES MANAGERS!

GENERAL MOTORS IS ANNOUNCING A GMAC SMARTLEASE/SMARTBUY INCENTIVE PROGRAM FOR SALESPERSONS/MANAGERS WHO ARE ENROLLED IN MARK OF EXCELLENCE AND HAVE COMPLETED CURRENT TRAINING REQUIREMENTS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2004.

THIS PROGRAM IS ONLY AVAILABLE ON DELIVERIES TO QUALIFYING SALESPEOPLE/ MANAGERS WHO ARE RESIDENTS OF THE SOUTHEAST REGION.

IMPORTANT PROGRAM NOTES: - SALESPERSON/MANAGER MUST BE ENROLLED IN MARK OF EXCELLENCE AND HAVE COMPLETED CURRENT TRAINING REQUIREMENTS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2004.

SEE http://www.GMPROGRAMINFO.com FOR TRAINING REQUIREMENTS.

SMARTLEASE/SMARTBUY CONTRACT MUST BE IN THE NAME OF THE ELIGIBLE SALESPERSON/MANAGER. - ONLY ONE SMARTLEASE/SMARTBUY CONTRACT PER ELIGIBLE SALESPERSON/ MANAGER. - IF THE DEALER CHOOSES TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS PROGRAM, VEHICLE MUST BE SOLD AT A PRICE NO GREATER THAN THE PRICE IN THE "GMS" FIELD ON THE VEHICLE INVOICE.

THIS PROGRAM IS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH THE DEALERSHIP EMPLOYEE PURCHASE PROGRAMS.

The new Pontiac Solstice 

THE PONTIAC SOLSTICE IS ALMOST HERE!

By Bob Lutz---GM Vice Chairman

Doing a great roadster for $35,000-$45,OOO is a feat mastered by several automobile companies. In fact, it's relatively routine. It's doing that desirable, high-content roadster for under $2O,OOO that challenges an automobile company.

That’s what we promised we would do with the Pontiac Solstice when we announced we would put it into production, and that’s what I’m officially announcing today, here on GM FastLane, for the first time.

When Solstice goes on sale this summer, it will, officially, be priced at $19,995 — and that includes the $575 destination charge. You heard it here first.

That’s not for a stripped down model, either. That sub-$20,000 price gets you 177 horsepower mated to a five-speed manual transmission, 18-inch wheels, 4-wheel disc brakes, glass rear window, and a CD-player as standard equipment.

So there you have it. A roadster inspired by the European classics of yesterday, styled very much like the concept car of a few years ago, priced under $20,000 as promised today. Solstice is a true driver’s car, and it will be in Pontiac showrooms this summer. We look forward to your reactions...

GM INTRODUCES BUICK LUCERNE AT THE CHICAGO AUTO SHOW!

Buick Lucerne

Buick Lucerne 

Buick Lucerne 

FRONT-WHEEL DRIVE STILL POPULAR!

By Bob Lutz--GM Vice Chairman

No one’s denying the inherent handling advantages of rear-drive cars vs. front-drive cars. But, even though the industry pendulum appears to be swinging back toward rear-drive, front-drive will never go away. It’s the best alternative short of all-wheel-drive in many parts of the country, for one thing. And for another, it’s much improved over the front-drive systems of even the recent past.

I read a number of your responses expressing concern about torque steer in a powerful FWD sedan like the new Buick Lucerne, with some of you going so far as to say you wouldn’t even consider a FWD vehicle with that much power. I can only respond by saying, you really should try the top-line Lucerne with the 18" wheels, the sport suspension and the 4-cam V8 before you exclude it on the basis of its drive wheels.

We have made a lot of progress in managing torque steer. I am currently driving an 'O5 Pontiac Grand Prix GXP V8, with 3O3 hp, and I can tell you that it's a delightful car, even pleasant and easy to control under full acceleration. In mid-acceleration, it is indistinguishable from a RWD car. Besides, the Lucerne shares the platform with the Cadillac Deville (290 hp) and nobody has ever complained about torque steer. The Lucerne V8 has only 275 hp to protect Cadillac, and I honestly think you could drive it all day and never encounter the slightest bit of torque steer.

Have you heard of anyone complaining of torque steer in a Deville? I thought not!

2005 GMAC LEASE PULL-AHEAD PROGRAM

General Motors has announced that the GMAC Lease Pull-Ahead Program has returned. This program is designed specifically for GMAC SmartLease customers whose lease ends prior to July 31,2005. If you are currently leasing a General Motors vehicle, and your lease is due to expire before July 31, you have the oppurtunity to turn in your lease and get in to a new vehicle lease or purchase. You will not be responsible for the remaining payments.To qualify, the customer must end his or her current SmartLease, SmartLease Plus, SmartBuy, or SFSC lease/balloon contract, return the vehicle to a participating GM delaer, and purchase or lease and eligible new and unused 2004 or 2005 GM vehicle (Chevrolet, Pontiac, Oldsmobile, Buick, Cadillac, GMC, Hummer H2, Saab, or Saturn) out of perticipating delaer stock during the program effective dates. Medium duty and HUMMER H1 vehicles are excluded.

"EL GRUPO NICHE" VISITS AUTOCITY OF PINECREST!

Cary and Lomberto Perez with Jesus Salas of Salsa 98 and members of "El Grupo Niche". Last Saturday Jesus Salas broadcasted live his show from Autocity of Pinecrest and invited the popular group to stop by and sign autographs.

AUTOCITY CUSTOMER GALLERY

Reynaldo Travieso---'02 Buick Rendezvous

Aleida Fernandez---'04 GMC Yukon XL 

Juan Carlos Ibarra, John Palacios and Pete Rodriguez, put the finishing touches to our Accessories Dept. 

NEW ACCESSORIES DEPT. AT AUTOCITY OF PINECREST!

Yes, you heard it and it is true. We at Pinecrest have just opened a new Accessories Department. Juan Carlos Ibarra will be running the department under the direct guidance of Pete or should I say Pedro Rodriguez. We know that it will be very successful!

We are counting on all of our employees to be actively involved in bringing in the customers into the accessories area. We know that if we all promote that we have very reasonable and practical accessories we will sell more. Your effort and involvement is of course always appreciated and much needed! “Setting and example is not the main means of influencing another. It is the only means.” -Albert Einstein

THE AUTOCITY TOUCH!

The AUTOCITY TOUCH means listening, understanding and learning from customers. It also means treating them like we like to be treated (like friends), exceeding their expectations and making them feel special.

It means collecting “all relevant information” on their wants, needs, and preferences. Then using that data to make them repeat customers.

Everyone must be in touch with the customer in a coordinated, intergrated way. Achieving good customer relations is the ultimate goal in achieving the AUTOCITY TOUCH!

• Greet each customer with a smile.
• Introduce yourself to the customer.
• Introduce the customer to managers, owners, and or any other employee nearby.
• Take customer to the right person/department.
• Identify the customers preference and fulfill them.
• Let customers drive the experience.
• Go beyond the normal policy to fulfill customers’ wishes, then give them more than they expect. Exceed their expectations!
• Find out their preferred mode of communication.
• Protect customers’ privacy.
• Employees of Autocity should assume “ownership” of customers’ concerns.
• Offer assurances that the customer’s needs can be met.
• Be trustworthy and deliver on your promises.
• If things go wrong, make them right.
• Follow Up.
  

Above all: Have fun!

GM TO DISCONTINUE XUV!

By Robert Sherefkin and Rick Kranz---Automotive News / February 18, 2005

DETROIT -- So much for hauling grandfather clocks. General Motors has decided to kill the GMC Envoy XUV, an SUV with a power-operated sliding roof over the cargo area. The roof enables the XUV to carry tall cargo, such as a grandfather clock. That was touted in XUV advertising. Bo Andersson, GM's vice president for worldwide purchasing, told suppliers Feb. 11 that GM will stop Envoy XUV production at its Oklahoma City plant on March 31. He said the plant started production of the seven-passenger Envoy XL Denali last week. GM had high expectations for the XUV because of its versatility and novelty. The company was expecting the XUV to account for one-third of Envoy sales. Last year, that would have been about 45,000 of the Envoy's 134,897 total. But the five-passenger SUV's best year was 2003, when 13,873 units were produced in four months. Production started in September 2003. Only 12,390 units were assembled in 2004. This year, through Friday, Feb. 18, about 700 were assembled. GM does not break out GMC Envoy XUV sales numbers. The base sticker of the 2005 Envoy XUV is $30,465, including the destination charge. GMC is offering a $3,000 cash rebate. Last month Jim Bunnell, Pontiac-GMC's marketing general manager, said the automaker was nearing a decision on the XUV's future because of poor sales. "Pet owners absolutely love it, as do antique dealers and contractors, because it is so functional," Bunnell said. But he said families prefer seven seats. Pet owners like the XUV's cargo area because it can be washed out with a garden hose. Drains are built into the floor.

AUTOCITY CUSTOMER GALLERY

Joe Clark---'05 GMC Sierra Extended Cab

Beatrice Creasman---'04 GMC Yukon

Mahe Batista & Yasmiani Carpintero---'02 GMC Yukon