2004 Gmc Envoy Slt Sport Utility 4-door 4.2l on 2040-cars

Auto blog

U.S. new-vehicle sales in 2018 rise slightly to 17.27 million [UPDATE]

DETROIT — Sales of new vehicles in the U.S. rose slightly in 2018, defying predictions and highlighting a strong economy. Automakers reported an increase of 0.3 percent over a year ago to 17.27 million vehicles. The increase came despite rising interest rates, a volatile stock market, and rising car and truck prices that pushed some buyers out of the new-vehicle market. Industry analysts and automakers said strong economic fundamentals pushed up sales and should keep them near historic highs in 2019. "Economic conditions in the U.S. are favorable and should continue to be supportive of vehicle sales at or around their current run rate," Ford Chief Economist Emily Kolinski Morris said after the company and other automakers announced their sales numbers Thursday. That auto sales remain near the 2016 record of 17.55 million is a testimonial to the strength of the economy, said Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody's Analytics. The job market, he said, has created new employment, and wage growth has accelerated. "That's fundamental to selling anything," he said. "If there are lots of jobs and people are getting bigger paychecks, they will buy more." The unemployment rate is 3.7 percent, a 49-year low. The economy is thought to have grown close to 3 percent last year, its best performance in more than a decade. Consumers, the main driver of the economy, are spending freely. The Federal Reserve raised its key interest rate four times in 2018 but is only expected to raise it twice this year. Auto sales also were helped by low gasoline prices and rising home values, Zandi said. It all means that people are likely to keep buying new vehicles this year even as they grow more expensive. The Edmunds.com auto-pricing site estimates that the average new vehicle price hit a record $35,957 in December, about 2 percent higher than the previous year. It will be harder for automakers to keep the sales pace above 17 million because they have been enticing buyers for several years now with low-interest financing and other incentives, Zandi said. He predicts more deals in the coming year as job growth slows and credit tightens for higher-risk buyers. Edmunds, which provides content, including automotive tips and reviews, for distribution by The Associated Press, predicts that sales will drop this year to 16.9 million.

GMC Terrain adds AT4 trim, completing the set

"AT4 all of the things!" is GMC's new rallying cry, as the brand has announced that the off-road-themed trim level is coming to the GMC Terrain midsize SUV. The Terrain will join the just-announced 2021GMC Yukon and the 2021 GMC Canyon midsize pickup, both of which add an AT4 variant for the first time. The model designation was introduced on the Sierra full-size pickup for 2019, and spread to the Sierra HD and to the Acadia three-row crossover for 2020. AT4 content, however, varies widely by model. In the Sierra full-size pickup, the trim level brings a full slate of off-road gear including a two-inch suspension lift, a two-speed transfer case for the 4WD system, a locking rear differential, hill-descent control, Rancho shocks, skid plates, off-road tires, and more. The Acadia AT4, meanwhile, includes little more than standard AWD, black wheels and exterior trim, and all-terrain tires. It sounds like the Terrain AT4 will be closer to the Acadia in execution, with GMC promising a black-chrome grille and exterior design elements plus "confident capability and advanced technology." Hmm. The GMC Terrain AT4 doesn't arrive until the 2021 model year, which means this fall, so more specifics, including pricing, are still to come. But GMC couldn't wait to show the Terrain AT4, which completes the AT4 family photo seen above. Related Video:    

2017 GMC Canyon steals Cadillac's V6 for a little more power

GMC is fortifying the Canyon with a new powertrain and two new trim levels for 2017. GMC will give the Canyon the 3.6-liter V6 found in the Cadillac ATS, CTS, CT6, and XT5 crossover. The engine will be matched to an eight-speed automatic transmission, which also can be found on Cadillacs, the new 2017 Colorado, and other General Motors vehicles. The new engine comes with variable valve timing, improved direct injection, and Active Fuel Management, which is a form of cylinder deactivation that shuts off two cylinders to increase fuel efficiency and performance. Power is up from 305 to 308 horsepower, while torque increases from 269 to 275 pound-feet of torque compared to the old 3.6-liter V6. With the new transmission, the Canyon benefits from a higher first gear ratio, which should help drivers get off the line more easily when towing large cargo, and lower overdrive ratios for improved fuel efficiency. The 2016 model had a six-speed automatic. The Colorado also gets the eight-speed transmission for '17. GMC previously announced the All Terrain X and Denali models. The All Terrain X trim is offered on the SLE model and comes with the new 3.6-liter V6 engine or the 2.8-liter Duramax turbo-diesel. The All Terrain X gets Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac P225/65R17 all-terrain tires, a body-color grille surround and matching rear step bumper, bespoke 17-inch aluminum wheels, and a spray-on bedliner. The truck also is fortified with Hill Descent Control and an off-road suspension. The Denali carries the flag as the most luxurious Canyon model and gets a Bose seven-speaker audio system, more chrome, and interior upgrades. In addition to the new models and the powertrain, the 2017 Canyon will be offered with new colors – Dark Slate Metallic, Mineral Metallic, and Red Quartz Metallic – a new IntelliLink radio with a seven-inch touchscreen, a heated steering wheel as an optional extra, and Standard Teen Driver Mode. The 2017 Canyon, with all of its changes, will be available in the fourth quarter of the year. Related Video: Featured Gallery 2017 GMC Canyon Denali: LA 2015 View 14 Photos News Source: GMC Cadillac GMC Truck Luxury Off-Road Vehicles engine gmc canyon chevrolet colorado