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It’s no secret that we’re suckers for any and all videos coming from The General, and this one is no exception. The video (available for your viewing pleasure after the break) goes into detail about the two newest variants of the upcoming Chevy Cruze that were unveiled at the New York Auto Show two weeks ago – the Eco and RS.
Chuck Russell – Chevy Cruze Vehicle Line Director, North America – goes over the Chevy Cruze Eco and explains the three key areas that Chevrolet focused on the most in making the trim package, while Margaret Brooks – Chevy Production Marketing Director Small Cars – goes over the Cruze RS.
Watch the video after the jump! (more…)
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For April 3, 2010
The General has been served!
Before you make up your mind about GM’s EN-V Concept, you should know that by 2030, 60 percent of the world’s 8 billion people will call urban areas home. Needless to say, this will put monumental pressure on a public infrastructure that’s – in most urban areas – already struggling to meet the growing demand for transportation.
The Electric Networked-Vehicle (or EN-V), was developed in collaboration with GM’s strategic Chinese partner – Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp. Group (SAIC). The vehicles explore a number of solutions for the future of driving while retaining the core principal of personal mobility – freedom.
A 2-seat electric vehicle, the EN-V was designed to diminish traffic, congestion and parking availability while improving air quality and affordability. The concept will be shown in three models – Jiao (Pride), Miao (Magic), and Xiao (Laugh) at the SAIC-GM pavilion at World Expo 2010 in Shanghai (May 1 – October 31). (more…)
It’s always boast-worthy when a pony car gets a power boost on paper. For the Chevy Camaro, this news comes right on the heels of Ford Mustang’s most recent engine upgrade. The hot-selling (and even hotter looking) Chevrolet Camaro got just that, along with other significant updates for the 2011 model year. Extra sprinkles for the Camaro include the Synergy Green color scheme available on all trim levels of the hot-rod pony car as opposed to just the 1LT model, a Head Up Display projecting essential information onto the windshield, and the biggest deal- an SAE certified output of 312 hp. Let’s break it down…
$27,965 – that’s the starting price of the 2011 Chevy Silverado HD and the 2011 GMC Sierra HD, excluding a $995 destination charge. Upgrading to the more powerful 6.6L Duramax mated to the burly Allison 1000 transmission will set you back an extra $8,395.
The price to upgrade to the diesel-Allison combination – the most powerful heavy duty powertrain in its class – is the same as it was in 2010 HD despite the vast improvements in fuel economy (highway cruising range of up to 680 miles), performance, and B20 biodiesel capability of the new diesel.
The Sierra Denali HD, which is the first time a Denali package is available on a heavy-duty GMC pickup, will have a starting price of $45,865 – also excluding destination.
Given that the new HDs are so much more of everything compared to their outgoing counterparts, we say this is a very good deal and it looks like GM is even working on making it even better more powerful. Now the proverbial tennis ball rests in Ford’s court (to announced the pricing of its 2011 Super Duties, of course). GM’s presser after the jump! (more…)
Even after emerging from bankruptcy, General Motors assumed all most of the contracts between Motors Liquidation Company and the UAW. This agreement has come back to bite GM in the you-know-what. The day before GM released its financial results for the latter part of 2009, the UAW filed suit against The General to the tune of $450 million.
It appears that General Motors had a commitment to the UAW in funding the Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association (VEBA), which provides healthcare for retired employees. According to the union, it submitted a written request to GM for the payments last November. However, GM has not responded or made any payments in response. But this case doesn’t appear to be as simple as a he-said-she-said by any stretch of the imagination. The problem, as it turns out, involves Delphi.
Similar to GM’s bankruptcy proceedings in the middle of last year, Delphi filed for bankruptcy in 2005. Its agreement with the UAW included an up to $10/hour pay reduction, plant closures, and other union concessions, with the UAW reporting that GM was involved in the original deal. GM also acquired some manufacturing facilities as well as Delphi’s steering division during Delphi’s bankruptcy. Even though this is a very simplified version of the relationship between the two companies, it is the part of the relationship that requires GM to pay into the VEBA fund.
GM is looking for further concessions from the union for the plants and steering unit in question. So far, wage concessions have been rejected by the union, but they are scheduled to re-vote on the matter in due time. More as it happens…
[Source: Freep]
In preparation for the launch of the Chevrolet Volt in California, Washington D.C., Michigan, and New York City, General Motors has partnered with Con Edison. A subsidiary of Consolidated Edison Inc., the regulated utility provides electricity, gas, and steam in New York City and Westchester County. Instituted to prepare infrastructure and consumers for electric vehicles as well as to gauge general feedback, the alliance is one of 10 across the United States between GM and other utility companies.
This announcement comes to us after GM has revealed that it is also working with the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) in introducing consumers to electric cars (read: Volt) and establishing charging programs. As a part of the overall program, over 100 Volts will be delivered to utilities and 500 charging stations will be installed. This will provide information about installation and vehicle charging and will also benefit residences, businesses, and the public at large. These partnerships have been made possible by the $30 million stimulus sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy.
Meanwhile, in the Real World, the Volt’s testing now includes over a half million miles in the most diverse conditions. To prepare for the launch in the third quarter, the Volt has been subjected to 20 crash tests.
OnStar will provide applications for owners’ smartphones to keep track and operate certain features of their Volt. The application will be available on the Motorola Droid, BlackBerry Storm, and Apple iPhone. Functionality will include charge monitoring, range verification, and the adjustment of interior temperature while plugged into the (electrical) grid.
The Volt started pre-production assembly last week and will not be available to consumers until November. Production will take place at GM’s Hamtramck, Michigan plant, just outside of Detroit. The price for the PHEV capable of up to 40 miles on electric power alone has yet to be announced but is estimated to be around $30,000 after government tax incentives and/or rebates.
Read GM’s full press release after the break! (more…)
General Motors has stood to benefit from the downward demand for Toyota products as the Japanese automaker faced recent unintended acceleration problems plaguing the majority of its vehicles. Consumer fear and stop sales have contributed to much lower sales numbers than Toyota is typically accustomed to and this drop has benefited domestic counterparts such as GM and Ford. GM has even offered incentives for disgruntled Toyota owners to trade in their vehicles, a move that’s currently a hot-button topic among the automotive press.
In an additional measure to improve consumer perception and increase the safety of its vehicles, GM is equipping all passenger cars that have automatic transmissions and electronic throttle control with technology GM calls an “enhanced smart pedal.” This brake override system will modify electronic controls and reduce power to the engine when the brake and accelerator are simultaneously depressed.
GM assures that their standards are among the highest in the industry and wants to further inspire consumer confidence and guarantee that people can depend on the brakes in their GM vehicles. The worldwide roll-out of this technology will be completed by the end of 2012, but we wonder how this will affect those of us who like to smoke some tires while concurrently mashing on both the throttle and the brake. We’ll just have to wait and see!
Read the full press release after the break! (more…)
The Chevy Camaro has been a huge success for Chevrolet since its launch in 2009. Sales have beat the Mustang and continue to flourish as GM brings more specialization to the storied muscle car. But competition (read: Ford Mustang) is not sitting by idly. Not to worry, neither is GM – and it has no intention of being dethroned from the #1 pony car dominion.
To keep up with the constantly improving Mustang, GM announced that it will offer a replica of the Indianapolis 500 pace car. The vehicle begins as the 2SS model with the RS trim package. GM then adds distinguishing features like logos on each door, the front fenders, and front headrests. You can read about the official Indy 500 pace car right here.
The same Inferno Orange paint as seen on the pace car will be used on the body, engine cover, and grill. Matching floormats and Pearl White rally stripes finish up the additions. Each of the only 200 replicas will be sold for $41,950 through the top 187 Camaro-selling dealers. To make it convenient for you, we have the full list of those dealers right here (in PDF format).
This is the first time Chevrolet has offered a pace car replica since 1993. They were also offered in 1969 and 1982. Who wants to go halfsies?
Click through the break for the full press release.
By now, you must have at least heard of Toyota’s pedal recall that began to first shoved its ugly head into our lives in the beginning of 2010. And as loyal readers of GM Authority may have read, General Motors took advantage of the recall and offered incentives to those who traded in a Toyota vehicle for a GM product. But was GM overly aggressive in doing so?
This was the topic of an hour-long conversation of the fourth episode of the GM Authority Debate podcast (that you can listen to here). And no matter what we had to say on the matter, GM is still being criticized by certain members of the auto industry for targeting Toyota and Lexus owners.
For exemple, American International Automobile Dealers Association President Cody Lusk issued the following statement on the matter:
“On the heels of Toyota’s voluntary appearances before Congress, General Motors has wasted no time in trying to capitalize on the travails of Toyota. This reeks of pure politics, poor taste, and questionable business practices for a government-owned company to target one manufacturer in an attempt to conquest customers. I hope GM and our Auto Task Force rethink such a short-sighted strategy and focus on the real issue at hand – building quality vehicles American consumers want to buy.”
Is Mr. Lusk right on the money or does he simply not get it?
The way we see it, competition is competition. GM isn’t engaging in any unfair business practices, nor is it harming any lives in the process. And it’s certainly not putting anyone in danger with its incentives for Toyota and Lexus owners. For GM, this is business – plain and simple!
Now that the recall is beginning to subside and the mainstream media has ceased its erroneous coverage , what do you think? Talk to us in the comments!
[Image Courtesy of ToughSledding.com]
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