Development | GM Authority

Report: GM Is Looking Into Alternatives To Diesel For Heavy Duty Trucks. Will They Catch On?
by Manoli Katakis
Posted March 9th, 2010 at 9:34 am

As the EPA tightens regulations on diesel emissions and forces automakers to equip diesel vehicles with Selective Catalyst Reduction technology, GM may be wondering if diesel has a place in the not-too-distant future. According to PickUpTrucks.com, GM is considering Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and liquid propane power as two possible substitutes to diesel.

The low-cost and zero emission nature of CNG or propane is hard to argue with, especially when looking at environmental aspects. In fact, GM once went down this road but discontinued the CNG option four years ago. But for this time around, however, The General will most likely outsource the project to a third party to develop the drivetrain.

There’s no doubt the new Chevy Silverado HD is a contender for the heavyweight truck title belt and the all-new 6.6-liter Duramax diesel and beefed up chassis are the ideal choice for any job. But not everyone needs all that power or wants to constantly remember about filling the DEF tank with the appropriate solution. And who wants to get the unleaded gasoline-powered version when fuel economy will not come close to that of the diesel? Then there are those people that just hate everything with an internal combustion engine engine because it emits… stuff. The CNG and liquid propane solutions would work to offset these downsides.

Additionally, according to GM lead truck honcho Jeff Luke, GM is even looking into bringing a bio-fuel engine to market that would run on both CNG and gasoline.

[Source: PickupTrucks.com]

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Spied: Cadillac CTS-V SportWagon
by Wilson Nunnari
Posted March 7th, 2010 at 1:13 am

Finally there is some official proof, or at least evidence, that a V-Series variant of the Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon is on the way. Enthusiasts have been hoping for this since the initial announcement of the D-pillared CTS and the high-performance model will be a very welcome addition to what Cadillac calls the “CTS portfolio.” If portfolio is still a collection of someone’s finest work, then you will get no argument from the GM Authority team that the CTS range is currently Cadillac’s “portfolio.”

The spy photo shows the rear corner of the wagon with the V-Series badge, V spec wheels, and the same color that the CTS-V and CTS-V coupe have been unveiled in. This seems like very strong evidence that this is for real. While the photo originates from Autoblog, it was captured by one of their sources. And even though Autoblog acknowledges that this ’source’ was – very conveniently – at the right place at the right time, we take no issue with how the image came to be, as it’s enough for wagon enthusiasts out there that the car seems to be heading towards production.

[Source & Image Credit: Autoblog]

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Not Long For This World: Cadillac Converj Shelved
by Wilson Nunnari
Posted March 3rd, 2010 at 4:10 pm

Amidst yesterday’s upper-level management shakeup, it appears that General Motors has canceled its plans to build the Cadillac Converj concept. For anyone who may be a bit hazy on the Converj, it was a concept Cadillac coupe based on GM’s E-flex platform, sharing the plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV) powertrain with the Chevy Volt. In April 2009, Motor Trend reported that The General had approved the production version of the Converj as a 2011 or 2012 model year vehicle. GM later refuted this report, stating that the Converj was “a concept vehicle undergoing a review.” Then in November, a flurry of reports informed us that the Converj was given the green light for production afterall. The last we heard of the gorgeous two-door Caddy PHEV was at the 2010 Society of Automotive Analysts, where Lutz was quoted as saying, “The Cadillac Converj is cleared for production,” but that “It won’t be next year or the year after that.”

It appears that since then, GM has come full circle in its review for the Converj and has determined the vehicle to be unfeasible. According to GM and Cadillac, the car would be prohibitively expensive and would lose the impressive range of the Volt due to equipment and amenities expected by Cadillac customers. The added weight of these features would have a negative impact on range while adding substantial cost to the mix. This increase in expenses as well as the decrease in range wiped out the business case for the Converj.

While this is disappointing to (green) Cadillac fans everywhere, there is still hope: the concept version of the upcoming XTS sedan unveiled at Detroit featured a plug-in hybrid powertrain that could be shared among other Cadillac vehicles (although it wasn’t the Voltec). The GM Authority Team expects this technology to show up in the upcoming rear-wheel-drive ATS compact sedan. Moreover, the plug-in hybrid version of the XTS is expected to arrive on the heels of the gas-powered model sometime after 2013. Click past the break to reminisce the what-could-have-been Converj Concept.

[Source: LeftLaneNews] (more…)

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Rumormill: GM To Reorganize Sales And Marketing Positions
by Alex Luft
Posted March 1st, 2010 at 11:53 am

The rumormill is at it again, this time – however – the topic revolves around GM’s organizational structure. Automotive News reports that GM will shake up its sales and marketing management in the U.S. as early as this week.

The Changes

For starters, Susan Docherty, vice president of sales, support, and marketing, will transfer her sales responsibilities to GM North America President Mark Reuss.

Moreover, GM will shake up its organizational structure of its four core brands by separating sales and marketing functions. In other words, Chevrolet, Cadillac, and Buick-GMC will each have a marketing leader that will report to Docherty, as well as a sales boss that will report to Reuss. Currently, the division heads are in charge of both functions.

The Stem

The reorganization stems from CEO Ed Whitacre’s desire to drastically increase sales. Whitacre is also said to be impatient in making sure consumers appreciate the high quality of General Motors vehicles (link).

When Whitacre was appointed interim CEO of The General back in December 2009, he said that Sales and Marketing teams would need to show results quickly. This overhaul appears to be in response to this goal. Since then, Whitacre has become permanent CEO of General Motors.

GM is said to have not yet finalized the divisional marketing and sales assignments. Cadillac chief Bryan Nesbitt was appointed to his position in August 2009 while Chevrolet’s Jim Campbell and Buick-GMC’s Brian Sweeney assumed their positions in December. GM spokesperson Jason Lair declined to comment on the changes. Click past the break for the vaunted GM Authority take.

[Source: Automotive News] (more…)

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Future “Uncertain” For Canyon, Colorado
by Wilson Nunnari
Posted February 26th, 2010 at 1:47 pm

Let’s face it, General Motors has never had truly competitive small pickup trucks. The Sonoma and S-10 twins were never huge sellers but those still sold in bigger volumes than GM’s current generation of compact pickups, the Colorado and Canyon. The compact pickup truck segment itself has been shrinking for years as people have come to realize the comparable utility of a midsize SUV or significantly increased capability of a full-sized truck. The Toyota Tacoma is one of the only vehicles that has achieved significant success in the segment, leaving behind the Dodge Dakota, Honda Ridgeline, Nissan Frontier, as well as GM’s offerings.

Continuing with the negative trend in compact pick up sales, Bob Lutz recently revealed in an interview with Pickuptrucks.com that the future for the Canyon and Colorado is “uncertain at this point… they may well [be discontinued].” Although there are no official plans at this time regarding the pair of pick ups, there is a good chance GM will discontinue them in the next year or two. Chrysler already has plans to give the current Dakota the ax next year.

That said, if GM does decide to give the proverbial ax to its next-generation line of compact pick-ups, what would Scott Brown drive?

[Source: PickupTrucks.com]

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Hummer Could Be Pulled Out Of The Mud By Other Bidders
by Manoli Katakis
Posted February 25th, 2010 at 3:09 pm

As we learned yesterday, GM’s sale of Hummer to China’s Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machinery Co. went sour due to Tengzhong’s failure to secure approval of the Chinese government. According to the Wall Street Journal, two bidders have expressed renewed interest. The WSJ would not go so far as to specify just who is interested in the ailing uber SUV brand, but did say that the latest suitors have previously submitted bids for Hummer, only to have been passed over by The General in favor of Tengzhong.

Citing a person familiar with the situation, the WSJ reports that GM is said to be giving these bidders a fresh look even after picking Sichuan Tengzhong.

It’s very easy to remember the whole Saab Sales Saga when looking at this situation. Though we at GM Authority hope for an eventual sale of Hummer, we don’t wish for such a roller coaster that ultimately became the sale of Saab. Hopefully the go-anywhere SUV brand does not go the way of Saturn (or Pontiac), although it looks like it has already purchased its one-way ticket.

Trust GM Authority to keep you posted as the story develops!

[Source: WSJ]

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Former Head Of GM Advanced Technology Vehicles Joines Lithium-Ion Battery Company
by Alex Luft
Posted February 25th, 2010 at 1:09 pm

Robert Purcell, the former chief of GM Advanced Technology Vehicles Group (ATV), has joined the board of directors of Boston-Power, Inc., a company focused on lithium-ion batteries. Purcell worked at General Motors from 1994 to 2002 and led the ATV in developing and producing the GM EV-1. The division also developed and produced the S-10 Electric Truck as well as the GM Precept Hybrid Vehicle that was part of President Clinton’s Partnership for a New Generation of Vehicles program. In addition to his responsibilities at GM ATV, Purcell also served as Chairman of the GM-Ovonic Advanced Battery Joint Venture. (more…)

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Cadillac To Reestablish In Europe As Niche Brand, With A Few Drawbacks
by Manoli Katakis
Posted February 24th, 2010 at 11:37 am

How niche? How about no diesel engine choices…

In the U.S., that would be the equivalent of taking away the BBQ sauce option for our chicken wings and leaving only Buffalo. For Cadillac to stand out in Europe as a brand, this may be a necessity.

Since Cadillac sales in Europe have been so terrible – mainly due to issues with distribution agreements – GM needed to do something, and do it fast. As a company, Cadillac will reestablish itself by presenting all-new models to Europe and creating the organization dubbed Cadillac Europe, much akin to what BMW USA is in the ‘States. The vehicles will be sold through authorized Cadillac dealers all over Europe, with the Geneva Motor Show serving as the official introduction to the new brand image.

The CTS will expand its European line by introducing the new Sport Wagon, the upcoming coupe variants, as well as the record-setting CTS-V coupe. The SRX CUV will debut later this year and the Escalade Hybrid will also make its way over as well, although most likely only for a spot on Top Gear. All models will strictly feature the anticipated 2.9-liter turbodiesel V6 gasoline engines.

As evidence to this very American approach to engine choices, GM Europe spokesperson Nick Twork told Autoblog that Cadillac will “be a niche brand.” Here’s to hoping it works, and that diesel variants are in the pipeline. But then again, European buyers may go crazy for the newest option on the CTS sedans – premium Recaro racing seats.

Full press release after the jump!

(more…)

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Rumormill: GM Considering Buick Coupe
by Alex Luft
Posted February 16th, 2010 at 11:23 pm

Remember when we received tips of a Buick Regal coupe late last year? Well, it looks like our sources were right after all – as The General has officially gone on record about considering a Buick coupe.

According to John Cafaro, director of design for Buick and Chevrolet, Buick is undergoing a transformation similar to what Cadillac has gone through. (Actually, we think Cadillac is still going through its Renaissance period). “Cadillac said: ‘What we are doing is not working. Our customers are dying off. We have to carve a new image.’ That is where Buick is right now… A coupe is definitely where you say, ‘I’m back,’ said Cafaro.

Moreover, a coupe would make a strong statement for Buick “and a statement means it is going to be the flagship. All the design cues and everything would drive themselves down into all Buicks.”

To be honest, Buick has been on a roll lately, delivering hits such as the all-new LaCrosse and Enclave as well as announcing gems such as the all-new Regal. And no Buick article can exist without mentioning the (unconfirmed) Verano (compact sedan that will share its architecture with the Chevy Cruze) and a rumored small crossover. A coupe, which may become the flagship of the Buick line, would most likely be based on the Epsilon 2 platform used by the Regal and LaCrosse.

The only question is – should the coupe be a Regal or a LaCrosse?

The GM Authority Take

While a coupe is definitely a step in the right direction, Buick is not where it should be, since brand positioning is still unclear. The best approach, in my humble opinion, would be to position Buick as a pure luxury brand that puts luxury first. Cadillac, on the other hand, would target the performance-luxury market – the crowd that wants some spice mixed in with its luxury. Furthermore, my proposition calls to join the dealer networks of Buick and Cadillac, making the resulting stores the ultimate luxury car shopping experience. When a customer walks in to a Buick-Cadillac dealer, s/he would be offered the biggest choice in luxury transportation – be it pure luxury (Lexus style) or performance-luxury (BMW, Audi style). But I can’t do my strategy justice for GM’s luxury divisions in a single paragraph, that’s why we released an entire podcast about it that you should listen to right here.

[Source: Automotive News, sub. req.]

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Uncle Sam Refuses To Pay For Old GM Stock, Probably…
by Conor Cameron
Posted February 16th, 2010 at 9:10 pm

With tax returns due two months from today, many investors remain confused as to what to do with their “worthless” (read on) stock in the Old GM. Many people thought that, like governments and their debt, shares of the Big Three automakers would always have some value, or in the very least, if any of those entities were to go belly up, the value of their shares would be the least of their worries. Moreover, there was some perception that the US government would intervene to save shareholders. Indeed, the government intervened to save The General, but did little to buoy investors interests. These misperceptions partly explain the prevalence of outstanding GM stock despite the disappearance of the historic, “GM” stock ticker symbol. Sort of. (more…)

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The Changes

The Stem

The GM Authority Take