General Motors

http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2007-0...m-hybrids_N.htm KILLER!!!!!!!!!!

GM continues to upgrade Solstice, Sky Link to Original Article @ LeftLaneNews The Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky have been a smash hit for General Motors, and the automaker is looking to keep it that way. Shortly after launching the cars, GM responded to media and consumer feedback by adding a reinforcing brace added between the transmission and differential, implementing a more usable third gear, and improving wind noise. Now, the company is making further changes to ensure continued positive reviews. According to Edmunds, GM is adding power door locks to both roadsters, as well as height-adjustable drivers' seats. The company is also said be looking at improving t…

Well it seems since C&G went down, so did my old username, metal928. Well we are back again. Gave one presentation and it went over great, we used quite a few of C&G comments. I would like to thank you all for helping us out. It is currently in the works for us two to present this to even higher people, which should take place sometimes next week. I have a question, What is the benefits of RWD over FWD? We went to FWD because of better traction and control, so why go back to RWD? Also, any other ideas would be great to hear. Our presentation has to be lenghted about 3 minutes. So we take all ideas into consideration. If you want to know what ideas we u…

General Motors wants out of Opel, and according to new reports, it is willing to let the German automaker go without receiving any money for it. The only requirement is that the buyer must inject €500 million (around $652M USD) into Opel for operations. While GM CEO Fritz Henderson has said there are six serious investors in discussions for Opel, and that a deal should be done by early May, the fact that GM has said "if you pay the bills you can have it" indicates that GM is ready to work with anyone who's willing to sign. Making a deal would not only free GM of Opel's current burdens, but the obligations it would have if Opel shuts down under its watch. Another outlet …

A GMI original story, apparently: Initially Alpha was going to be a four-cylinder only chassis for small premium cars, so naturally development focused on optimizing the Alpha platform for four-cylinder mills in a very light package. Well, Cadillac’s first condition was that Alpha be re-engineered to package a naturally aspirated V-6 engine – and that was non-negotiable. This about-face on engine selection would become the first of at least two engine requests that led to a re-engineering of the Alpha chassis to accommodate the new requirements. More changes (read: more mass and cost) were required for the addition of all-wheel drive. What started out as a great handl…

William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com August 22, 2012 The dream of the Holden Ute coming to the states has made a resurgence when General Motors announced the Holden Commodore would be coming as the Chevrolet SS. Well, I hate to be the bearer of bad news to the small group who cling onto this dream, but the Ute will not be coming. A report from the Herald Sun states that if Holden was to export the Ute to the U.S., the vehicle would fall under a light commercial tariff rate of 35%, three times higher than the tariff for passenger vehicles. "We were hopeful at one stage, we thought we might be able to duck in under it, but it was ruled out. With the dollar w…

This came to me today. It looks like GM will require new oil in 2011 cars. Date: 08/06/2010 Subject: dexos1™ Product Launch Program - Customer Care & Aftersales Bulletin CCA10-162 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, HUMMER and Pontiac (including MD) DESCRIPTION: Purpose: The purpose of this bulletin is to advise GM Dealers of GM Customer Care and Aftersales’ (CCA) launch plan for dexos1™ Synthetic Blend oil. It is imperative that every GM Dealer develop a dexos1™ implementation plan and have dexos1™ product available as soon as possible. Product: dexos1™ is the required …

http://www.forbes.com/2006/02/06/ford-must..._0207flint.html

I personally blame the UAW 100%. Why is it they feel they are owed special wages and benefits compared to the rest of the American workforce?

Where, Oh Where Did The Pontiac Owners Go? William Maley - Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com March 12, 2011 When Pontiac shut their doors in 2010, the question of whether GM could keep owners in the fold was asked. Polk automotive has finished up a survey that sheds some light on where former Pontiac owners went. Out of the 57,641 Pontiac owners who bought new cars in 2010, GM was able to retain 53.3% (about 30,723 owners). 35.5% of Pontiac owners went with Chevrolet, 11.7% with GMC, 6.7% to Buick, and 1.5% to Cadillac. Other domestic brands also took a nice chunk of Pontiac owners. Ford got 10.5% while Chrysler got 4.9% of owners. Imports took nearl…

http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/12/officia...to-four-models/ Chevrolet, Buick, Cadillac and GMC Pontiac - Vibe, Solstice, G8, G5 I don't get it, why keep GMC? Why do you need GMC when all of those vehicles are covered by Chevy??? And if your going to limit Pontiac to a few vehicles why the hell keep the G5?? At least keep the G6 since it's a good seller and differetiates itself from the Aura and Malibu!!!!

Inspired by a statement made by Josh late yesterday regarding the use of portholes (a Buick trademark) on the '07 Cadillac Escalade: Original Thread My question, is which GM brand you think is strongest aside from Cadillac and Chevrolet. I've excluded GM's "bookend" brands because they're clearly going nowhere. Brands composed only of trucks (GMC and HUMMER) have also been left out. Be sure to consider the strength of the brand's current and near-future lineups (what's in the pipeline?), along with the brand's position in relation to other GM brands (too much overlap with another division?). Each has several pros a…

http://www.thebusinessonline.com/Stories.a...2E-D07EB5AA1CEE A sobering article on GM's problem. That combined with the SEC investigation, one has to wonder if bankruptcy remains the only available option for GM. HOPE NOT :unsure:

DETROIT — Backed by a hefty $300-million launch marketing campaign, the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu reportedly is quickly streaming out the doors of the dealerships nationwide that have been fortunate enough to get a few of the hot-selling models. Evaluations of Malibu's initial sales performance necessarily are just anecdotal at this early point, because it has been officially available only for less than a month and is still just beginning to trickle into most showrooms. But GM spokesman John McDonald confirms that Malibu "has had very fast turn rates" that have been contributed to "by limited supply at the start of the system fill." The nation's top seller of the old Malib…

http://www.camaroz28.com/forums/showthread.php?t=675020 Interesting tidbits: From a poster that also participates here: From another poster that also participates here: Same source as the first bit:

IL Exclusive: GM's Project Alpha Takes Shape Link to Original Article @ Edmunds DETROIT — General Motors' plan for a new family of midsize, rear-wheel-drive cars is beginning to take shape, with the lead vehicle — an RWD successor to the Pontiac G6 — penciled in for a late 2010 intro, Inside Line has learned. The platform, called Alpha, also will underpin several other models in North America and Europe, beginning in model-year 2011, according to GM suppliers. Alpha reportedly has been designed to use bits of the Kappa platform on which the Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky are based. Replacements for the front-wheel-drive Cadillac BLS sedan and wagon, based on the rear…

General Motors seems being in a cutting mood as it drives to improve its profit margins and stock price. Last week saw the sale of Opel and Vauxhall to PSA Group and it's only the beginning said GM CEO Mary Barra. Automotive News reports that GM is considering reducing investments in North American cars and "select" international markets according to a chart that was shared during a conference call with analysts last week. The chart says these two earned a spot on the chopping block due to low profit potential and weak strength in franchises. "There's a little bit more work that we're doing in the international markets. Our overall philosophy is that every count…

The picture you see here is the brand new 2013 Cadillac XTS. The picture was accidentally posted on Cadillac's home page today before being taken off. Luckily, a reader from Jalopnik captured the picture for all of us to see. Since then, Cadillac has confirmed this will be the XTS we see next week at the LA Auto Show. The production model is almost a carbon copy of the XTS Platinum concept shown at last year's Detroit Auto Show, with a different design for head and foglights. The XTS will also have Cadillac's new CUE infotainment system. Source: Jalopnik Edit: GM has since officially released the XTS photograph. I've updated the photo in this article with the GM Media …

GM - Saturn - Penske deal is DEAD! Today we learned that Penske Automotive Group (PAG) has decided to terminate discussions with General Motors to acquire Saturn. This is very disappointing news and comes after months of hard work by hundreds of dedicated employees and Saturn retailers who tried to make the new Saturn a reality. PAG's announcement explained that their decision was not based on interactions with GM or Saturn retailers; rather it was because of the inability to source new products beyond what it had asked GM to build on contract. As a result of PAG's decision, we will be winding down the Saturn brand and dealership network, in accordance with the wind-…

http://news.windingroad.com/body-stylesmar...ral-motors-mpv/

Just thinking. GM got in bed with PSA.... GM used to be with some other mfr's. Is there anyone on the world stage that maybe WOULD make sense for GM to be with? For example, Mazda needs help, and GM could possibly benefit. Thoughts?

GMI is reporting that the DTS replacement, Zeta Caddy, is dead. That would leave only Camaro, precariously on Zeta.

DETROIT – General Motors today announced the best warranty of any full-line automaker, with coverage up to 100,000 miles or five years across its entire 2007 car and light-duty truck lineup in the United States and Canada, reflecting its success in dramatically improving the quality and durability of its vehicles. GM’s new 100,000 Mile Warranty coverage is a fully transferable five-year, 100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty with no deductible. GM also has decided to expand its roadside assistance and courtesy transportation programs to match the powertrain warranty term. Altogether, it’s the best coverage in the auto industry. “We’ve been telling everyone how strong…

The Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon Diesels are feeling the backlash of the Volkswagen diesel scandal. According to Automotive News, General Motors has been told by EPA and California Air Resources Board (CARB) will not certify the trucks until they have undergone tests in the lab and on the road. “The EPA and CARB told us they are going to do on-road testing," said Scott Yackley, assistant chief engineer for Chevrolet Trucks. GM says the additional testing could push back the launch of the diesel trucks, which are expected to launch in the fourth quarter. But GM is confident that the trucks will pass the tests. “Part of our development process is on-road a…

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/artic.../601260442/1361 --- Dear Mr. Bush, I've been supporting you and your administration despite your obviously unpopular actions since takng office. I've been a believer in the Iraq war, even though it's questionable as to whether or not we belong here. I don't even mind you supporting the invasion of my privacy. I have nothing to hide. However, after reading the article above, I now see things as they are. You and your administration really don't care about the well being of this country. The last six years have been more about personal agendas than making America a better place to live. If you have a better explanation, I'd l…

http://www.cbsnews.com/sections/60minutes/main3415.shtml Watch the Prieview - Nice Screen Shot at the End for Someone to Capture

Many of us have strong feelings about what each of GM's brands should be. Now, according to an article in the Detroit Free Press, following a study which began three ( ! ) years ago, GM can explain what it intends. Click here.

Revealed! 2013 Chevrolet Trailblazer Concept By "black-knight" C&G Editor/Reporter 9th November, 2011 Dinosaurs. Sabre-Toothed Tigers. Megalodons. Cheap V8-powered, mid-sized muscle coupes. Large, rear-drive Cadillacs. Truck-based mid-sized SUVs. These are all things that have wound up extinct or virtually endangered to the point of complete extinction. But once in a rare while, sometimes a species can save itself and rise triumphantly from the point of sinking completely into the primordial ooze (organic, automotive, or otherwise). Out of the groups mentioned above, one may just do that. Of course, I'm talking about truck-based mid-sized S…

Well, looking at Delphi... looking at UAW... looking at GM's north american financial situation... At what point is it a better financial decision for the government to aid the domestic automakers? The question, when GM, Ford, or Chyrsler file for Bankrupsy... how much will it cost the governement? How much will the unemployement tab run up? If the governement must foot the bill for 1 million employees that used to be making 60k a year for the last 15-20 years, how much will it cost them, (us Citizens)? How much will it cost the government(tax payers) to release GM of all its debt? I'm assuming we are talking about nearly 500 billion dollars might barely co…

Win the cities or lose the war Why GM must take back market share in America's urban centers Dateline: Europe Ceding Urban Areas The domestic automakers - GM in particular - have ceded urban areas focusing their efforts on the suburban and rural marketplace. America's large cities such as Boston, New York, Chicago, San Francisco and Los Angeles are largely responsible for establishing and setting societal trends, what's "hip and cool" in the culture. A demonstrated inability to generate product for and market that product to America's major cities portends significant problems for GM, especially in the medium and long term. An inability to reach these areas preven…

Mayday! Some Cars Will Lose OnStar Link By KEN BELSON Published: November 19, 2006 Link to Original Article @ NYTimes FOR the last decade, OnStar has promoted itself as a paragon of convenience and peace of mind for car owners. Best known for its ability to bail out customers in a jam — and even make an automatic call for help when an air bag has been deployed in an accident — the service has about four million subscribers. OnStar makes its pitch in a series of alarming radio advertisements that use recordings of actual emergency calls to demonstrate how operators in an OnStar call center are standing by to summon an ambulance, open a car with a child locked insi…

I don't feel overly comfortable getting into prolonged political discussions, but I honestly think that Barack Obama truly does want to help the Big 3 auto makers. I know he needs votes in key Midwestern states, but I also think he actually will try and do something about the predicament our auto industry is in if elected. (This particular discussion starts at around minute 2:20) Thoughts? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RV1Yq_KEAHQ

There's a lot of news floating around on the Internet the past two months about the upcoming 2014 GM full-size pickups and SUVs. GM is being very tight-lipped on these new offerings, having just shown them to dealership owners in Las Vegas and Milford. With such secrecy, there are lots of rumors and opinions on what these new trucks will look like, what options and features they will have, and will they truly be game changers in the truck marketplace. So I ask you to share with us what features and options you would like to see the new full-size offerings have. Doesn't matter if you're into trucks or not, at some point all of us either drive one or ride in one.

Detroit's new plan: Drive point to Congress Fuel-efficient caravan would roll to hearing BY TOM WALSH and MARK PHELAN • FREE PRESS BUSINESS WRITERS • November 24, 2008 A plan is taking shape for auto suppliers, dealers and the UAW to participate in a cavalcade of fuel-efficient American-brand vehicles to Washington, D.C., in December, when Congress reconsiders the industry's plea for quick action on low-interest loans. Advertisement The aim is to put a populist face on the need for the American auto industry's survival and to build grassroots support for federal aid, in the wake of criticism that the Detroit Three chief executive officers and UAW President Ron G…

http://jalopnik.com/398599/rick-wagoner-le...ze-cadillac-srx Link Fixed

Thanks to C&G reader Dave for sending this information along. Rumors on the mentioned vehicles. Our insiders should have some fun with this. Orignial Thread

General Motors CEO Mary Barra spoke yesterday at the Barclays Global Automotive Conference in New York. During her talk, Barra said the company expects to make a profit off electric vehicles once they launch their next-generation EV platform. “We are working to provide desirable, obtainable and profitable vehicles that deliver a range of over 300 miles. There’s a lot of really creative things we’re doing to achieve that profitability point for that new platform,” Barra said to investors. The next-generation modular platform, due in 2021 will play a pivotal role in GM's plan to launch 20 all-new electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles by 2023. The platform will …

GM and Honda presented before the United States Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Honda's presentation had some interesting items (http://energy.senate.gov/public/_files/germantestimony.doc), but buried deep inside are some stats from The American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE) on plug-in hybrids. According to a report from Sept 2006, a plug-in hybrid with a 40 mile range would require a $17,500 battery. As the Volt can go 64 miles, that would equate to roughly a $28,000 battery (a hybrid, by comparison, currently has a $2,000 battery) Currently, according to the ACEEE and Honda, the payback for the hybrid portion of a hybrid is 7.…

Just as GM and Toyota worked together in bringing us the Pontiac Vibe and Toyota Matrix, GM and Honda now plan to bring us a series of affordable EVs targeting the world's most popular vehicle segment, SUVs. To quote Doug Parks, GM executive VP, Global Product Development, Purchasing and Supply Chain. “Our plans include a new all-electric product for North America positioned at a price point lower than the upcoming Chevrolet Equinox EV, building on the 2 million units of EV capacity the company plans to install by the end of 2025.” New EV series planned to go on sale in 2027 starting in North America Honda and GM collaboration designed to e…

A very good read about how Americans are still hesitant to buy American cars. Comments are appreciated! http://www.howtobuyamerican.com/bamw/bamw-061129-auto.shtml

Love this new marketing from GM! Are you willing to join the future? Are you willing to join Generation E? GM-Generation-E.mp4

I just noticed something strange yesterday. My local GMC-Pontiac-Buick store and the Cadillac-Hummer (no Saab) store are owned by the same dealer but in different locations about a mile apart. They have just combined all 5 franchises into the older GMC-Pontiac-Buick lot (which sits right next to a successful Lexus dealer). A Volkswagen dealer will move into the former Cadillac-Hummer property next to the Infiniti store (which is also owned by the GM dealer). The pylon sign hasn't been changed yet, but the dealer has put up crummy "Cadillac" and "Hummer" block letter signs. "Oldsmobile" can still be read on the window as you walk into the showroom. Now, I live in an…

You've heard of the wedding crashers. How 'bout the party crashers? Toyota Motor Corp., riding high and living large thanks to its status as the most profitable automaker in world history, spent $800,000 to rent out Chicago's Millennium Park Thursday fora VIP-only dealer event. Since the park opened a little more tha a year ago, tourists have flocked to see its fountains, Frank Gehry architecture and Cloud Gate, a 110-ton, beanshaped stainless-steel sculpture. Luckily, General MOtors Corp. came to the rescue of bummed-out sightseers shut out of the park. A cadre of GM reps showed up and handed out Fisher-Price slide viewers with images of the Cloud Gate…

http://www.autoextremist.com/page2.shtml#Rant I do not agree with him much but this time he nails it. by Peter M. DeLorenzo The Canary in the Mineshaft. Detroit. The news of Delphi's bankruptcy filing may be just another piece of business news to those who don't live around these parts, or for those who don't have a vested interest in the U.S. auto industry, but the sad fact of the matter is that this development is just the tip of the iceberg in a fundamental shift that not only threatens to decimate the U.S. auto industry, it's one that will ultimately affect this nation's economy - no matter where you live or what you do. The …

Earnings Preview: General Motors Corp. NEW YORK (AP) - General Motors Corp. reports earnings for the fiscal second quarter on Wednesday. The following is a summary of key developments and analyst opinion related to the period. OVERVIEW: All three of the Detroit automakers posted declines in June auto sales, prompted by higher gas prices and tough comparisons with the start of last summer's heavy incentives. In addition, GM's ongoing restructuring programs is also expected to impact the Detroit-based automaker as it struggle to right-size its operations and deal with mounting pension and health care costs. GM, the world's largest automaker, saw its sales plunge 25.7 pe…

This week, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, Ford, and General Motors begin talks with Unifor, Canada’s auto workers union for new agreements. GM will likely have the most contentious talks as workers at GM's Oshawa plant don't know what the future holds after 2018. The plant has already lost a third shift and about 1,000 jobs when it moved production of the Camaro to Lansing last year. Next year will see the end of production of the Chevrolet Equinox, leaving just the Buick Regal and Cadillac XTS. GM has said time and time again for the past two years that it needs to know labor costs before making any decisions on the plant, only causing the worry to increase. “The com…

GM's XM Satellite Radio Option Now $199 XM Satellite Radio is One of the Fastest Technology Rollouts in GM History DETROIT - General Motors has lowered the option price of factory-installed XM Satellite Radio (NASDAQ: XMSR) by 39 percent to $199, from $325, beginning with most model-year 2007 vehicles. More than 90 percent of GM's model-year 2006 and 2007 U.S. retail vehicles offer factory-installed XM Satellite Radios as either an option or as standard equipment. "The economies of scale and engineering efficiencies brought by the rapid pace of XM Radio installations across GM's product lineup allow us to pass along cost savings to our customers," said Mark LaNeve, …

William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com June 8, 2012 Ford has been having a resounding success with the EcoBoost option one the F-150 pickup truck. With new full-size trucks on the way, you would think GM would be heading down the same route. Not so fast. "I wouldn't say that's a huge priority. I think there are other answers to that, which they don't have, for us that make a lot more sense," said GM North America President Mark Reuss. Reuss believes the full-sized pickup can't be all things to all buyers. He figures that fuel economy isn't that big of a concern for people who rely on them for a living. He puts its this way: if GM was to downsize from th…

When the 2019 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra begin rolling off the assembly line sometime later this year, there will be a larger number of crew cabs. GM's vice president of global product development, Mark Reuss tells Automotive News that the company has been "constrained' when it comes to the output of their crew cab pickups, a segment that has seen its popularity increase in recent years. Reuss said the company is planning to increase capacity for crew cabs with their next-generation pickups. A Chevrolet spokesman said that crew cabs have grown from more than 50 percent of GM's truck sales in 2013 to more than 60 percent. Source: Automotive News (Sub…

Voltgate: Manufactured Outrage October 12, 2010 - Drew Dowdell Yesterday the automotive press' world exploded over a small, inconsequential, technical detail in the Chevrolet Volt's powertrain that increases energy and fuel efficiency by about 15%. This detail caused the likes of Edmunds, Jalopnik, and Popular Mechanics to go so far as to accuse GM of lying about the Volt not being a hybrid. I've already explained the technical reasons behind why those publications are wrong in yesterday's article Volt: Still a not Hybrid... no lie! I have to give some props to TheCarConnection.com for being a fellow voice of reason in this flap. What bothered me most about…

http://blogs.motortrend.com/6227157/editor...-e85/index.html

General Motor's Rumorpile Reveals Some Future Truck Engine Plans William Maley - Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com August 1, 2011 GM's full-size pickups; the Chevrolet Sliverado and GMC Sierra are getting ready for a redesign for the 2014 model year and rumors are coming out dealing with the engines that will be available. Sources at GM say that all of the gas engines will have direct-injection and come with six speed automatics. For the light duty pickups, the 5.3L V8 will stick around while a new turbocharged V6 to compete with Ford's EcoBoost V6 will be available. Also coming to the light duty trucks is a 6.0L V8 thats currently in the Silverado and…

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This might not be the most important news of the day, but it is very nice to hear. Since this will most likely be a pure digital connection (like the VW and BMW), the sound will be MUCH better than the current AUX jack on SOME GM models. Add the intergrated controls on the radio (again, like the BMW and VW), and I think this will be another one of those "on the fence" options. Given the staggering number of people who own these things, I think this will be a bargaining tool much like XM radio and OnStar. I think this is a good move for GM. Here is a link to the CNN article: http://money.cnn.com/2006/08/03/technology....reut/index.htm

GM urged to pull suicidal robot ad Eric Morath | Link to Original Article @ Detroit News The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention isn't amused by General Motors Corp.'s Super Bowl ad depicting a despondent robot leaping off a bridge in a dream sequence, and demanded Wednesday that the automaker pull it off the air. Calling the ad insensitive, the organization also wants GM to remove it from its Web site. The "ad is insensitive to the tens of millions of people who have lost loved ones to suicide," said Robert Gebbia, executive director of the foundation. "The ad also suggests a troubling and potentially dangerous message that suicide is a logical and rational …