[kwhopper89]

Lansing-made models help GM sales rise 19.8% in July
Chevrolet SSR sales up 43.4% from a year ago

Lansing-made automobiles, benefiting from General Motor Corp.'s second month of employee pricing for everyone, posted some of their best sales figures in months, the automaker reported Tuesday.

As a whole, the car company posted a sales gain of 19.8 percent over July 2004, with 530,027 vehicles sold. Sales figures are based on the number of selling days in a month - 26 days in July, compared with 27 days a year ago.

"Over 1 million Americans drove off in a new GM car or truck in the past two months," Mark LaNeve, GM vice president of North America vehicles sales, service and marketing, said in a statement.

Among Lansing-made vehicles, the Chevrolet SSR showed the most impressive gain. Its sales jumped 43.4 percent over last July to 790 units sold.

That could be especially good news for the 400 employees who work at the Lansing Craft Centre, where the vehicle is made. That plant has been closed for more than 20 weeks this year because of sluggish demand. It is expected to return to normal production on Aug. 15.

Cadillacs made at Lansing Grand River also posted solid sales results.

The Cadillac CTS saw its sales increase 25 percent over last year to 6,338 cars.

The Cadillac STS, which wasn't on sale in July 2004, had its best sales month yet, with unit sales climbing to 4,041.

"This is a nice place to be as we launch our 2006s with enhanced features," GM spokeswoman Kim Carpenter said.

 

[kwhopper89]

GM to add features to Lansing cars

The Chevrolet SSR, made at the Lansing Craft Centre, also is seeing changes in 2006. The six-speed manual V-8 version of the SSR is getting more horses under the hood. It's now a 400 horsepower engine - up from 390 - thanks to a new intake manifold and revised calibration.

"They needed to do something to jazz it up a little," said Marv Cole, sales manager at Pres Kool Chevrolet.

The SSR also is getting a facelift. New in 2006 is a two-tone color scheme option. The two colors blend together to make a smooth transition. "It's very eye-catching and you'll really notice these vehicles as they go down the road," Carpenter said.

The SSR also is adding a Pacific blue exterior color, an optional chrome package and accessories such as a hood blanket with the SSR logo, cargo organizers and an upgraded towing package.

Pricing also was announced. While the price of the Chevrolet SSR is falling $3,215, the prices of Lansing-made Cadillacs are rising slightly.

 

[WOW_FCTR]

2006

Think I could order a 2006 intake manifold for my 2003?

 

[beer100]

Different motor isn't it? Besides there is the nasty issue of getting the PCM properly programmed. An 06 intake on an 03 motor would be unique as all getout programming wise.

 

[ssr71]

The intake might work, but it would presume that the heads are close enough that all of the runners line up (plus bolt holes and such). The engines are all of the same basic design.

However, it might be better to go with a third party intake. I do know that FAST (www.fuelairspark.com) makes improved intakes for the LS1 engine, and it might also be a direct fit to the 4.8/5.3 Vortecs as well. Hold your breath though ... $995! :eek Can't hurt to call them and ask.

http://www.powerandperformancenews....ct_Code=LSXmanifold&Category_Code=LSXmanifold

Couple this with a new throttle body might be good for 20-30 ponies. Is it worthit? That's up to you.

 

[Bimota Guy]

Well, 790 units is still nothing to write home about. Year to date sales (Jan thru July) are down 3.8% per media.gm.com

2004 - 6,014
2005 - 5,784

Good to see they dropped the base price on the 2006 models. That should help sales.