TRENDING NOW:
Here’s an interesting turn of events to General Motors’ recent recall of 1.53 million vehicles. In case you completely forgot, GM has recalled all cars and trucks equipped with HotShot – an optional heated windshield washer fluid system it offered until 2009. Apparently, the firm that owns assets of Micro-Heat – the bankrupt supplier of the heated fluid system – claims that the problem is not caused by its products.
In a New York Times Report, the President of (aptly-named) M-Heat Investors states that GM blamed the heating system of the windshield washer fluid for voltage spikes that were – in fact – not caused by the heating system. In 2009, he wrote a letter to NHTSA stating that The General was deliberately attempting to mislead the supplier.
And here’s a small yet important detail: the fire problem is capable of presenting itself in cars not equipped with the HotShot option.
If that has left you scratching your head in confusion, you’re not the only one. You can bet we’ll be following this one as close as the interior panel gaps on a new Buick LaCrosse.
[Source: NY Times via Inside Line]
Just a few weeks after commencing production of its new 2011 Heavy Duty pickup trucks at the Flint, Michigan assembly plant, General Motors has ceased assembly last Thursday to replace a defective component.
According to Autoblog, engineers found a problem with an undisclosed part, immediately found a replacement, and have resumed work early Monday morning (June 21, 2010). In total, three shifts of Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra HD were canceled on Thursday and Friday.
The trucks that have already been manufactured and shipped to dealers with the unidentified defective component will be retrofitted before being delivered to customers.
[Source: Autoblog]
The next-generation Cadillac Escalade has been a popular topic of discussion among auto enthusiasts the world over. And Karl Stracke’s recent officially-unofficial confirmation that Caddy will be getting a Lambda-based CUV of its own didn’t do much to quell speculation of what GM is planning on doing to revamp its lineup of full-size SUVs. But one thing is for sure – upcoming fuel economy standards will be a lot more stringent than they are today and three different Escalade models won’t make it easy to meet these requirements.
As such, Inside Line reports that the new plan within GM is to replace the standard-size Escalade with a Lambda-based model. It will provide more interior space than the outgoing model – something we welcome wholeheartedly given the Escalade’s inefficient use of its vast interior volume, especially compared to similarly-proportioned Lambda-based CUVs.
While the Lambda-based Escalade may not have the towing capability of the GMT900-based model, Cadillac executives believe its tow rating should satisfy most owners. For those looking for more capability, Cadillac will continue to offer a traditional (and huge) body-on-frame Escalade ESV.
And since a sizable market will continue to exist for body on frame vehicles, GM will most likely continue to produce the Suburban and its GMC and Cadillac (ESV) variants well into the next decade. At this point, the future of the Escalade EXT remains uncertain, although your truly would love to see a next-generation.
If you’d like to know exactly what we think of a Lambda-based Caddy, take a listen to the (free) GM Authority Debate podcast right here. And while you’re doing that, head on over to Inside Line (in the source) to see their take on a Lambda-based Escalade.
[Source: Inside Line]
Podcast: Download
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
For Thursday, June 17, 2010
Today, Manoli and Alex revisit the topic of Buick and Cadillac – and whether both brands are headed in the right direction under the new GM. You can listen to the first part of this show here.
Enjoy the discussion and be sure to cast your vote after the break!
Jon Lauckner - GM Vice President and President General Motors Ventures, LLC,
In an effort to “help identify and develop innovative technologies in the automotive/transportation sector,” General Motors has created venture capital (VC) subsidiary. Named General Motors Ventures, LLC, the subsidiary will be headed by Jon J. Lauckner, who – effective July 1 – was named GM Vice President and President, General Motors Ventures, LLC. Lauckner will report to GM Vice Chairman of Corporate Strategy and New Business Stephen J. Girsky.
According to Girsky, GM is constantly on a lookout “for ways to deliver the best technology for our consumers.” As such, the goal of the VC subsidiary is to “nurture these innovative technologies to help bring them to market, and to ensure our customers have access to the best technology available.” GM Ventures LLC has received an initial funding investment of $100 million and is on its way in exploring equity investments in a number of auto-related technologies and business models.
This is one of GM’s best ideas in – dare I say – ever! The automotive space is currently dominated by a few large and medium-sized firms and this tends to discourage entrepreneurial spirit that is so important for innovation to occur. By establishing GM Ventures, The General will be able to invest in startups that take a different approach to automotive development and engineering facets. Perhaps the next big thing in the automotive sector will be a firm in which GM Ventures was an investor. Most importantly, GM will most likely be able to integrate many GM Ventures-funded technologies and innovations into its own products, thereby developing a competitive advantage in the automotive sector. A few other manufacturers are running similar initiatives, but none as bold as this.
Catch GM’s full presser after the jump. (more…)
Ever wonder why the Chevrolet Volt has a similar shape to that of the Toyota Prius? Well, it’s not because it’s the hot new style on the block. Instead, the shape of both vehicles, known as Kammback design, is purely functional and results in lower drag coefficients. That’s exactly how both the Prius and the Volt are able to achieve even greater MPGs than their powertrains allow by themselves.
That said, decreasing the drag coefficient (CD) and thereby improving aerodynamics is just as useful in other vehicles, like the Chevrolet Tahoe. While the average full size SUV has a drag coefficient of .416, but the Tahoe slips through the air at .379. The next most-slippery SUV is .404.
GM’s aerodynamics group engineering manager Greg Fadler said that the “Tahoe delivers over an extra mile per gallon at highway speeds as compared to the average coefficient of drag for full-size SUVs.” And to what does the Tahoe owe this advantage? A one-piece front fascia, shaped airdam, and low-drag outside rear view mirrors.
What’s more, vehicular aerodynamics are most effective at higher speeds, such as on the highway. This is illustrated by the fact that “it takes 20 percent more fuel to overcome aerodynamic drag at 70 mph than 60 mph.” Lucky for us, the 2011 Tahoe is rated at 15/21 EPA city/highway while the Tahoe Hybrid – thanks to further aerodynamics improvements – has a 21/22 rating and a drag coefficient of .360.
The Tahoe has been selling very well for Chevrolet; perhaps GM should point out the Tahoe’s little-known aerodynamics factoid in advertising and/or communication for this full-sized Chevy SUV. Meanwhile, we have the Chevrolet Suburban in the GM Authority Garage this week and will be shooting our famous review video this Sunday.
Check out the full gallery of the Chevrolet Tahoe after the jump! (more…)
Earlier this week, I had the opportunity to sit down with Jeff Luke, recently appointed Chief Engineer and Line Executive for Global Trucks, Crossovers and Vans at General Motors. Mr. Luke currently holds a very impressive track record, having been in charge of the engineering and launch of vehicles such as the all-new Chevy Equinox, GMC Terrain and GM’s amazing all-new HD trucks. He commands a lot of respect around the workplace and lets everyone know just what kind of man he is with a handshake that is capable of bringing you to your knees. Sitting in his office mono-e-mono within the fortified walls of the GM Tech Center in Warren, MI, we discussed some of his latest assignments…
(more…)
The GMC Granite concept unveiled at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show was very well received by attendees. In fact, it was so popular that the Professional Grade brand really wants to put it into production. But there’s one roadblock standing between making the Granite a mass-produced reality: according to GMC product marketing director Lisa Hutchinson, production of the Granite hinges on finding a way to build the rear doors.
The Granite concept was shown with rear hinged back doors without a B-pillar that are all too common on concept vehicles in order to show off the interior. These rear hinged doors rarely make it to production because of side impact safety requirements and the increased amount of engineering that goes along with meeting these stringent standards. That said, rear-hinged rear doors can be seen in production vehicles today such as the Mazda RX-8 and Honda Element. Keep reading…
After almost seven months of jumping through hoops and dealing with German politics in efforts to secure €1.8 billion in loans for its Opel and Vauxhall brands, General Motors has announced that it will cease pursuing the funds.
Instead, GM will meet the funding requirements for the European brands internally, a feat that has become a lot easier given The General’s recent return to profitability and much-improved financial strength.
GM made the decision Wednesday after Angela Merkel’s (German) federal government voted against loan guarantees to Opel/Vauxhall, citing GM’s improved financial position in the first quarter of 2010. In other words, the German government is of the opinion that GM is doing well enough to support its children out of its own pocket. Continue reading.
Click the image to watch the video
Thanks to the power of the world wide web, we were sent the following clip of a banned ‘Vette commercial. Apparently, the ad was made to coincide with the launch of the C6 but was never aired because children were seen driving the bow tie brand’s sports car (they didn’t actually drive the cars when making the ad). Fearing backlash and negative public attention from consumer advocate groups overprotective parents, Chevy decided against launching the completed ad. Watch it right after the jump here
Future Product Guide: GMC Vehicles For 2012, 2013, 2014 Model Years 
The 2014 C7 Corvette: What We Know 
Rumormill: All-New Chevy Silverado/GMC Sierra To Resemble Cheyenne Concept 
Spied: The All-New 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Rumormill: 2014 Cadillac ATS-V To Come With 470 Horsepower? 
Rumormill: Next-Gen Lexus ES Will Make Buick LaCrosse "Laughable" 
C7 Corvette ZR1 Illustrated, Reportedly Dead Accurate 
H.P. on Chevy Shows Off Sonic Z-Spec Accessories Before New YorkPlease advise pricing for the Z Spec package on a Sonic.
(514) 595-5666 ex: 2229...
Syclone478 on If You Think The Chevy Sonic Sedan Looks Funny Now, You Should Have Seen It Before I would buy the sedan over the hatch, primarily based on looks. Kind of confused by the article titl...
danny on Community Question: What Kind Of Interior Combinations Would You Like To See In The Cadillac ATS?I would love to see a rich, textured fabric with leaher-trimmed bolsters..probably in wheat color a...
VetteGryl on Burnout Contest: Cadillac CTS-V Coupe VS Corvette Z06 Centennial Editionomg, I NEED one of those vettes!! need need neeeeeed...
Đụ má on Justin Bieber Drives A Cadillac CTS-V CoupeĐụ má ko làm từ thiện mà ăn chơi sa đoạ! Mẹ nó!...
carstuff on Dealer Orders Down For Chevy Volt And that would add $3000 to the price of the Volt and add hardly save any more money in fuel cost si...Alex Luft on If You Think The Chevy Sonic Sedan Looks Funny Now, You Should Have Seen It Before Well, Subaru has never been known for its styling prowess... But have seen the Volvo C30, Audi A3, o...
by 
by 
by 
