2018 GMC Yukon Enhancements

GMC, Elevation The 2018 Yukon Denali Lineup

GMC is elevating the 2018 Yukon Denali lineup with styling and trim enhancements, as well as a new, advanced 10-speed automatic transmission.

A new, sculpted grille design distinguishes the Yukon Denali, while new Mastique Ash real wood trim adds depth and richness to the interior.

The new Hydra-Matic 10-speed transmission - paired with Yukon Denali's 6.2L V-8 engine — enhances refinement with world-class shift smoothness, responsiveness and quietness.  

"Yukon Denali has always matched style with substance, and the enhancements for 2018 advance that legacy," said Duncan Aldred, vice president of Global GMC. "The foundational elements of exclusive design, premium touches and uncompromising capability have made Yukon Denali an icon for nearly 20 years."

Multi-Dimensional Grille Design

GMC designers evolved the iconic Denali grille with a multidimensional, sculpted interpretation that, like other contemporary GMC elements, was designed in a layered manner. It's a theme seen in other new GMC models such as the Acadia and Terrain.

"The new grille, which is flanked by HID headlamps and LED Signature Lighting, advances the design legacy established with the very first Yukon Denali in 1999," said Matt Noone, director, Global GMC Exterior Design. "It's a more exciting and sophisticated design, while remaining instantly recognizable as part of the GMC Denali family."

In addition to a more sophisticated appearance, the new grille offers greater airflow to the radiator. Active aero shutters behind the grille close in certain conditions on the highway to reduce aerodynamic drag and enhance efficiency.

10 Speeds, Refined Performance

The Yukon Denali's new 10-speed automatic leverages the engineering experience of General Motors' multispeed transmissions to deliver improved performance.

A wider, 7.39 overall gear ratio spread, compared to the Yukon Denali's previous eight-speed automatic, enables a lower numerical top gear ratio and contributes to greater efficiency.

The transmission's optimized gearing and proprietary controls allow the 6.2L V-8 engine to deliver a winning combination smooth operation and precise response.

Standard and available features include:

• 420-hp 6.2L V-8 engine with direct injection and Active Fuel Management
• StabiliTrak electronic stability control, tow/haul mode, trailer sway control, auto grade braking and hill start assist
• Magnetic Ride Control for improved body motion control
• Standard 20-inch wheels and available 22-inch wheels
• Automatic locking rear differential
• Four-wheel-disc brakes with Duralife™ brake rotors
• Active Noise Cancellation for a quieter interior
• 8-inch diagonal GMC Infotainment system with Navigation includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability
• Standard 8-inch diagonal customizable driver display with head-up display
• Multiple USB ports and accessory power outlets, including a 110-volt three-prong outlet, to support electronic devices
• OnStar Basic Plan[1] is standard for five years and includes access to an in-vehicle 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot[2] and select features via the myGMC mobile app[3]
• Wireless phone charging
• Heated and ventilated driver and passenger seats, heated second-row seats
• Hands-free programmable power liftgate
• The Denali trim accounts for well more than half of all Yukon sales. It is offered in Yukon and Yukon XL models, with the XL featuring a 356 millimeter (14-inch) longer wheelbase (508 mm / 20 inches longer overall), for increased third-row legroom and more than double the cargo room behind the third-row seat.

The 2018 Yukon Denali goes on sale this fall.

For more information on the 2018 GMC Yukon Denali and the complete GMC and Buick line, speak to a Product Expert at Western GMC Buick! Call 780-486-3333 or visit in person at 18325 Stony Plain Rd, Edmonton.  We're Making It Easy!

General Motors Canada Sales Exploded in April 2017

Canadian auto sales slowed in April 2017, but General Motors didn't!

General Motors Canada sales exploded this past month thanks to its pickups, SUVs, and even strong car sales

Canadian auto sales finally showed signs of a slowdown in April 2017, sliding 2 percent compared with April 2016 after massive growth in the first quarter, year-over-year improvements in four of the last five months, and record annual volume in four consecutive years.

Most every major automaker suffered the loss of new vehicle buyers in April.

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, Canada's top-selling manufacturer in the first quarter of 2017, fell 9 percent because of declines at Jeep and Dodge. Toyota Canada, despite an 11-percent Lexus uptick, was down 8 percent.

The Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group was down 2 percent, the Korean combo's fifth consecutive monthly drop. Nissan, including Infiniti and Mitsubishi, was off April 2016's pace by 6 percent. The Volkswagen Group plunged 17 percent. Mazda reported a 9 percent decrease. The BMW Group was down 3 percent.

The gains at Mercedes-Benz, Subaru, and Honda Canada were noteworthy, if only because they proved to be exceptions to the rule.

And then there was General Motors.

General Motors Canada's four brands — Chevrolet, GMC, Buick, Cadillac — surged to the top of the leader-board with nearly 31,000 April sales, equal to 16 percent of the market. Compared with April 2016, GM Canada sales shot up 16 percent in April 2017, and it was no mere blip.

GM sales jumped 23 percent in March after more modest 5-percent and 1-percent increases in February and January, respectively. In other words, GM Canada sales are growing, and each month's report of growth represents more substantial growth than GM reported in the prior month. In fact, in six of the last twelve months, GM's Canadian sales growth has outpaced the industry.

Traditionally, GM was the dominant seller of automobiles in Canada. But GM's Canadian volume tumbled in seven consecutive years between 2006 and 2012. Sales were chopped in half during that period.

GM restructured in 2009, shedding numerous brands in the process. GM Canada sales then increased in each of the last four years, though GM sales in the Canadian auto industry's best-ever year of 2016 were still down by a third compared with where GM was a decade before.

GM Canada's market share, 29 percent in 2005, was less than half that last year.

Yet while GM is struggling south of the border with declining sales and ballooning inventories in early 2017, GM Canada is reaching heights not seen in years.

“In April we experienced balanced growth across the country including the key markets of Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal,” says GM Canada spokesperson Adria MacKenzie. “We had growth across our vehicle lineup of cars, trucks, and crossovers, all while taking a more balanced approach than our competitors.”

The recent auto industry boom has been powered by huge incentives, prices that remain low relative to the U.S. market despite Canada's weakening dollar, and market share wars among some of Canada's largest automakers.

“We have been offering less incentives than our competitors, our residual values have been increasing and we have taken a controlled approach to daily rental sales,” MacKenzie says. “This disciplined approach is driving our growth while the industry declined.”

In March 2017, GM Canada sold 30,115 new vehicles, the most in any given month since September 2008. One month later, in April 2017, GM Canada bettered that total with 30,948 new vehicle sales, the best GM Canada month since August 2008.

That August 2008 comparison is hardly apt, however. The four brands GM markets now generated only 20,891 sales in August 2008, 32 percent fewer than the same four brands produced last month. Hummer, Pontiac, Saab, and Saturn are long-forgotten; GM is a much leaner company as a result. And the four remaining brands are performing far better now than they did pre-recession.

Chevrolet's 18,313-unit April 2017 result was its best monthly achievement in a decade. In a retail environment, Buick's April tally was its best in 15 years. GMC's 9,367 sales in April 2017 was the brand's best month in the history of GMC.

What's GM selling? Plenty of pickups. A bunch of SUVs. And some cars.

44 percent of the new vehicles sold by General Motors in Canada through the first four months of 2017 were pickup trucks: 36,447 full-size Sierras and Silverados plus 3,708 midsize Canyons and Colorados.

GM's share of Canada's pickup truck market stands at 31 percent so far this year, up from 28 percent a year ago. Ford remains the dominant pickup truck marketer in Canada, but GM's quartet of trucks — two of which operate in the midsize segment to which Ford has not yet returned — actually managed to outsell the F-Series in March.

GM Canada's SUV/crossover volume, meanwhile, is up 29 percent so far this year, a stunning level of growth for the transitioning GM utility vehicle fleet. SUVs and crossovers formed 28 percent of GM's Canadian sales in the first-third of 2017, up from 24 percent in the same period of 2016 thanks to nearly 6,000 additional sales. GM's three top-selling utility vehicles — Equinox, Terrain, Encore — have grown their sales by 49 percent.

Chevrolet is launching new variants of the aged Equinox and Traverse this year. Buick launched the new Chinese-built Envision last year and will release the new Enclave later this year.

Not surprisingly, in an industry that's seen passenger car market share fall to just 32 percent, GM's car volume is lower this year than last. Yet the decline is modest, at just 0.4 percent.

Thank the growth achieved by a handful of Chevrolets. In addition to the launch of the new all-electric Bolt, the Cruze, Volt, Impala, Spark, Camaro, and Corvette are up 10 percent so far this year, a meaningful gain of more than 1,600 car sales for GM dealers in a depressed car market.

Impressive truck totals. Big SUV figures. And even some positive signs from its cars? GM Canada has momentum.

To learn more about GM's exciting Buick and GMC lineup, contact a product expert at Western GMC Buick, call 780-486-3333 or visit in person at 18325 Stony Plain Rd, Edmonton.  We're Making It Easy!

Source: AutoFocus.ca

2018 GMC Terrain Starts at $30,195

2018 GMC Terrain Starts at $30,195

Premium compact SUV offers more value with new design and more premium features!

Pricing for the all-new 2018 Terrain will start at an MSRP of $30,195, plus a delivery freight charge of $,1700 when it goes on sale this summer in Canada, GMC announced today.

The all-new Terrain offers greater refinement and versatility to adapt to customers' unique needs, and it's packed with more available features and advanced safety technologies than ever before. Three all-new turbocharged engines, leading with a 2.0L at launch — followed later with a 1.5L and an available 1.6L turbo-diesel — provide more choices when it comes to performance, efficiency and capability.

"Terrain helped define the premium compact SUV segment and the all-new 2018 model elevates it with a stronger roster of standard and available features," said Duncan Aldred, vice president of Global GMC. "GMC's proven SUV experience makes it a more compelling choice than ever, with a strong blend of design, functionality and engineering excellence."

The all-new GMC Terrain provides great value in packaging with a host of standard premium features, including a new 170-hp, 1.5L turbo engine paired with a new nine-speed automatic transmission; driver-controllable Traction Select system; signature LED daytime running lamps and taillamps; leather-wrapped steering wheel; flat-folding front passenger seat; and keyless open and start.

The Terrain Denali raises the bar even further to add a standard 252-hp, 2.0L turbo engine; 19-inch ultra-bright machined aluminum wheels; LED headlamps; heated and ventilated front seats; heated rear outboard seats; wireless charging; an 8-inch diagonal infotainment system with navigation; Bose premium seven-speaker audio system; and a suite of standard safety features that includes:

• Side Blind Zone Alert with Lane Change Alert
• Rear Cross Traffic Alert
• Rear Park Assist
• Safety Alert Seat

Terrain SLE Starting MSRPs

• Terrain SLE FWD — $30,195
• Terrain SLE Diesel FWD — $34,195
• Terrain SLE AWD — $32,595
• Terrain SLE Diesel AWD — $36,595

Terrain SLT Starting MSRPs

• Terrain SLT AWD — $37,695
• Terrain SLT Diesel AWD — $38,195

Terrain Denali Starting MSRPs

• Terrain Denali AWD — $41,695

Connectivity Technologies

The new Terrain keeps passengers connected with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility and access to a standard in-vehicle OnStar 4G LTE with Wi-Fi hotspot.

In addition to the 4G LTE connection, the OnStar Basic Plan comes standard on all new GMC retail models for five years. The Basic Plan offers select remote vehicle services via the myGMC mobile app among other features.

For more information on the all-new 2018 GMC Terrain, contact a GMC Product Expert at Western GMC Buick.  Call 780-486-3333 or visit in person at 18325 Stony Plain Rd. Edmonton.  We're Making It Easy!

Source: GM Canada

Record-Setting Sales Month

GM Canada leads industry with record-setting sales month!

Total and retail sales leader for second consecutive month

• GM Canada Sales Increase 16 per cent in April
• Best April Total Sales since 2008
• Best April Retail Sales since 2009

Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac dealers delivered 30,948 total vehicles in April, an increase of 16 per cent year-over-year, its best April on record since 2008.

GM Canada retail sales are up 16 per cent year-over-year for the company’s best April retail sales since 2009.

"The momentum in 2017 continues to build with back-to-back months of sales leadership on top of four consecutive months of sales growth for GM Canada,” said John Roth, vice-president, sales, service and marketing for GM Canada. “With exceptional design and industry leading technology and safety features, customers are responding to our outstanding line up of crossovers, trucks and cars.”

Crossovers continue to dominate Canadian auto sales with GM Canada’s small / compact crossover sales up 41 per cent in April. Our brands are well-positioned in the marketplace with the industry’s broadest and freshest lineup including the all-new Chevrolet Bolt EV, Canadian-built Equinox (up 73 per cent), the GMC Terrain (up 35 per cent), Buick Encore (up 23 per cent) and the all-new Buick Envision.  

Pickup sales continue to be strong in April, up 20 per cent year-over-year, led by the Chevrolet Silverado (up 27 per cent), GMC Sierra (up 19 per cent), and Chevrolet Colorado (up 10 per cent)

GM Canada cars sales outperformed the industry with a 6.5 per cent growth, driven by the Chevrolet Spark (up 64 per cent), Volt (up 34 per cent) and Cruze (up 82 per cent). Cadillac cars also contributed to the increase with 45 per cent growth year-over-year led by the ATS (up 44 per cent).

Highlights:

April 2017:

Chevrolet

• Best total sales in 10 years
• Best retail sales since 2008

Buick

• Best retail sales in 15 years
• Best SUV sales month EVER

GMC

• Best total sales EVER
• Best retail sales EVER

Cadillac

• Best total sales since 2015
• Best retail sales since 2015

For more information on the 2017 GMC and Buick lineup, contact a New Vehicle Product Expert at Western GMC Buick.  Call 780-486-3333 or visit in person at 18325 Stony Plain Rd. Edmonton.  We're Making It Easy!

Source: GM Canada

Where Do Old Bumper Cars Go?

Where Do Old Bumper Cars Go? 
  
The ones in Westview Park or Kennywood Park in Pittsburgh or many other amusement parks from around the country in the 50's & 60's ran on electric, they had a pole on the back going to a metal electrical charged overhead cage. 

They were so much fun! Well, now what do you do with old Bumper Cars?

Believe it or not, these little beauties are street legal.

They run on either Kawasaki or Honda motorcycle engines and co-opt vintage bumper car bodies into the most awesome form of mini-car we've seen in too long.  There are seven of these little monsters floating around California and they're all the creation of one man, Tom Wright, a builder in the outskirts of San Diego who figured the leftovers of the Long Beach Pike Amusement Park needed a more dignified end than the trash heap.

They were originally powered by two cylinder Harley Davidson Motorcycle engines but they rattled like heck because of the two cylinder vibration, so Tom replaces them with four cylinder Honda or Kawasaki 750's. A couple have even been measured as capable of 160 MPH, which is terrifyingly fast in machines with such a short wheelbase. 

By the way, they are almost indestructible in accidents!

Check out the video above for a live look! 

Don't forget, for all of your GMC, Buick and Pre-owned Vehicle needs, visit Western GMC Buick at 18325 Stony Plain Rd., in Edmonton or online at WesternGM.com!