General Motors Fans

elias

i hope they don't have to crashtest a ZL1 camaro like that!

stever

Chevrolet Unwraps the 2012 Corvette Daytona Prototype (Inside Line)

stever

"Through October, sales of the Equinox are up 23 percent for the year to date compared with the same period in 2010; Terrain sales are up 21 percent. Edmunds.com calculates the days-to-turn – the number of days from the vehicle being delivered to the dealership to being purchased by a consumer – is a meager 20 days for the Equinox and 24 days for the Terrain. Tennessee production of the Equinox begins in the second half of 2012.

The re-opening of Spring Hill’s vehicle assembly operations to produce the Equinox represents a $61-million investment by GM and will create 685 jobs."

GM To Build Chevy Equinox In Tennessee (AutoObserver)

berri

I've got a friend who has a Terrain as a loaner right now while his Toyota has been in the body shop for over a week from someone smacking into it. They really like the Terrain except that they said it sucks gas for a 4 banger. Your chart brings a question to mind. The GM crossovers are in a somewhat rare D3 situation where demand outstrips supply, but the Escape caught my attention. It is selling very strongly right now, but its turn is slow. Got to wonder if some of Detroit are still managing by their old approach of maxing factory output and jamming the dealer's lots?

dieselone

Looks like Ford is still building Escapes as fast as they can. An all new Escape will be launched around same time GM boosts equinox production. It will be interesting how things pan out then. Will GM need the extra capacity once the competition improves. Plus a refreshed CRV will be on lots soon if not already.

stever

I posted this article over in CR-V vs Escape a little while ago:

Escape Passes CR-V In Consumer Interest (AutoObserver)

No fights have broken out, but it's early yet.

cooterbfd

You should post this in the GM news thread. Not that anybody there would believe it.

stever

"The commemorative 100-millionth small-block built today — it will be displayed by GM and eventually heads for its museum — was hand-assembled at GM's Performance Build Center in Wixom, Michigan, the site where all LS9 and LS7 V8s are built and where customers for the Z06 and ZR1 Corvettes can help build their cars' own engine if they so desire."

Think GM Has Made a Few V8s? How About 100 Million? (Inside Line)

stever

"My sanctimony has the support of the Environmental Protection Agency, which rates the latest Fit and Mazda 2 at a maximum of 35 miles per gallon on the highway. The more commodious LaCrosse I am driving is rated at 36 m.p.g.

The 2012 edition of the 4-cylinder LaCrosse — an engine choice added in the 2011 model year — is able to achieve such a number because of a new system, called eAssist, that is now standard with the 2.4-liter, 182-horsepower engine. The new technology has bumped the fuel economy rating to 25 m.p.g. in the city, from 19 for last year’s car, and to 36 m.p.g. on the highway, from 30."

Smugness Comes Standard (NY Times)

michaellno

If only some of these GM models were built.....

From the past ...



Something more contemporary ...

imidazol97

The Spark EV will be here someday soon.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-12-08/gm-seeks-out-batteries-less-volatile-th- an-volt-s-for-spark-model.html

"GM chose A123’s battery for the Spark “based on their performance to our packaging, performance, quality, cost and safety specifications,” Fox later said in an e-mail. “We did not select A123 solely on its battery chemistry.”"

imidazol97

The two pictures wouldn't work for me.

Try these for the links:





Both links had extra characters on the end of the correct links.

stever

"It’s been a phenomenal turnaround for the Big Three,” Michelle Krebs, an analyst with researcher Edmunds.com, said in an interview. “Chrysler and GM have the American taxpayer to thank for that, but in the end, it’s been a good investment.”

GM’s December vehicle sales rose 4.5 percent to 234,351, topping the average 4.4 percent gain of eight estimates. Ford’s December light-vehicle deliveries rose 10 percent to 209,447, exceeding the average estimate for a 7.7 percent gain. Chrysler’s December sales jumped 37 percent to 138,019 cars and light trucks, more than the average 33 percent analyst gain. Nissan Motor Co. also exceeded estimates."

GM Leads U.S. Automakers to Secure Best Sales Year Since 2008 (Business Week)

imidazol97

ATS will be unveiled at the NAIAS for the press and private guests.

Watch live streaming:

ATS unveiling press conference
OR

Here:

http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f70/naias-2012-coverage-starts-sunday-108019/- -

Go down past the picture to the live link box. Note you can enter a reminder email for yourself 1 or 3 hours in advance of the "unveiling"!

imidazol97

Here's a slew of information and pictures for the ATS!

link title

And post #1000.

ATS will offer diesel during the first life cycle of the car. Now offers 2 4-cylinders and the 3.6 V6.

imidazol97

It looks good even in white!

berri

I'm not feeling it. I guess I'll have to see it in person before deciding. I heard this thing was designed in Korea and will be made over there - is that true?

imidazol97

From gminsidenews...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDUPcE9MnDc&feature=player_embedded

fezo

Not good to use the word unfortunately twice when describing it.... I do agree that it's unfortunate that it won't be available with a stick but really, how many sticks would they sell?

I want to see it in something other than white. It's nice looking even though from the side it ooks like a Mazda 3 hatch.

I do like that Buick seems to have a MUCH better grip on what a small Buick should be. They are doing a nice job of being Buick and catching some of what was Pontiac of late (smaller cars).

stever

"GM's Chevrolet brand, aided by the Cruze compact car, helped drive the automaker's growth in 2011. Chevy had worldwide sales of 4.76 million cars and trucks last year.

The automaker's two largest markets finished with nearly identical totals. GM saw sales rise 8.3 percent in China to 2.55 million, including sales with its joint-venture partners, while deliveries rose 13 percent in the U.S. to 2.5 million."

GM takes crown, selling more than 9 million vehicles in 2011 (Detroit News)

fezo

Out on the road today I saw a guy driving a black Regal. Looks really nice in motion.

imidazol97

Good to see GM selling and getting back in motion.

stever

It's a good night to do this here; cold and the windows are fogging up.

GM explores rear windows as entertainment displays (CNET)

imidazol97

A look at the 2013 Malibu via youtube.com

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cO1Wd6GCP64

lemko

Wow, me too! I wonder if they'll have this car at the Philly Auto Show next week?

imidazol97

>this car at the Philly Auto Show next week?

It's listed here as a featured car. They have a disclaimer that unforseen events might keep one of the many on the list from being present... but

http://www.phillyautoshow.com/featured-cars
http://www.phillyautoshow.com/featured-car/2013-chevrolet-malibu

I'd hoped to make it to the NAIAS this year, but this week had too many appointments to make the 3-hour drive.

A USA Today article said it would be out the first quarter of 2012.

fezo

I don't know about wow, but that's a much better looking back end than the current Malibu. Nice job.

dieselone

I don't know about wow, but that's a much better looking back end than the current Malibu. Nice job.

I don't know if there is a car under $60k that makes me say "wow", but I like the looks better than most of the competition. I would say the same thing about the 2013 Fusion, I like it a lot too.

From what I've seen in pics, the new Malibu and Fusion look to offer serious competition in the midsize market. Far more interesting to look at than a Cam/Cord/Altima.

I don't know if I'm happy with the lack of a v6 option, but they should perform well regardless.

fezo

I'm with you completely.

What amazes me now is seeing what Ford and GM could do once their backs were really against the wall and wonder why they couldn't have been doing this all along. For years they could make cars to compete against anyone. Now they are finally doing it - and now actually making cars that are more desirable than the competition in many ways.

dave8697

for me, the new back end has turned the weakest area into a strong one. So what now? The rest of the car was already nicely designed. DI takes away the achilles heal for the powertrain. Was there any other weakness?

dieselone

What amazes me now is seeing what Ford and GM could do once their backs were really against the wall and wonder why they couldn't have been doing this all along.

Well Alan Mulally was Ford's answer. Getting rid of the Premier Auto Group boondoggle now allows Ford to concentrate on it's core brands.

A similar situation exists at GM too. Through bankruptcy they've slimmed themselves down, stirred up the management ranks a bit and better products appear to be the result.

dieselone

for me, the new back end has turned the weakest area into a strong one. So what now? The rest of the car was already nicely designed. DI takes away the achilles heal for the powertrain. Was there any other weakness?

Yeah the Malibu looks good. The more pics I see of it the more I like it. I don't know if DI is a game changer or not. Bottom line it needs to perform well while returning good FE.

I'd say weight is the achilles heal. These epsilon II GM vehicles are heavier than most of the competition. Also I'll be curious to see the effects of the shorter wheel base.

The new Malibu and Fusion both have an overall length within a 1/2 inch of each other, but the Fusion will have a wheelbase that is 4.4 inches longer. By the specs, the Fusion will have an inch or two more leg room front and back and also a bit more head room front and back. The malibu will have slightly more hip room in the front and shoulder room in the rear, but those specs are very similar.

imidazol97

Spark is coming.
Here's the option list for the various models.

spark options

stickguy

They were making cars like that all along. Just left them in Europe (at least that was the case with Ford).

nvbanker

FINALLY! They finished the Malibu!! Big improvement. The rear end always looked unfinished and ugly to me. Like they ran out of money after the C pillar. Happy to see this.

imidazol97

According to GM insider the ECO with eAssist is on its way. A 2.0 turbo and 2.5 l. engine versions will come later this year!!!

imidazol97

Cadillac ATS advertisement

imidazol97

Sonics doing things we shouldn't do with them!

imidazol97

“We are very proud to receive AJAC’s 2012 Best New Technology award for the Voltec propulsion system,” said Kevin Williams, president and managing director at GM of Canada. “The Voltec propulsion system is the heart of the Chevrolet Volt, which combines pure electric drive and an efficient range-extending engine to create the only electric vehicle on the market today that does not require a customer to make compromises on when and where they can travel.”

stever

Chevrolet Camaro the top selling sports car in '11 (detroitnews.com)

roadburner

I don't consider the Camaro(or the Mustang or the Challenger) to be a sports car- they are ponycars. The only two sports cars on that list are the Corvette and the 911.

stever

That would be my nephew. He got an '03 Avalanche new hoping to get 250,000 miles out of it.

He's at 275,000 currently and about the only problem he has is a flaky side view mirror motor. Mirror goes down fine but up slowly. Lots of hard miles towing a construction trailer, not to mention stacks of kayaks.

Plans to buy another one when this one dies.

oldburbnewcx9

I agree the list is short for sports cars. How about these:

Mazda Miata
Audi TT
BMW Z4

Maybe others I don't have more time to reasearch?

roadburner

I'd throw in the Boxster as well.

elias

why not Cayman?
Wait a minute, this is a GM thread. How about the new concept mini-camaro thing, the RG3 or whatever it's called?

roadburner

The Cayman as well. A small light RWD coupe from a domestic automaker would be nice, but I don't see it happening anytime soon.

imidazol97

Sat in a Verano yesterday. Nice car. The trunk is huge for a car its size with an easy access opening. I commented that a Li-Ion battery pack would have room in there!

So there's a turbo version coming with the 2.0 that's currently in the Regal. Is Verano scheduled for a diesel like the Cruze is rumored to be getting in the future? Is there a Verano wagon coming?

The Verano passed my rear seat room test although not roomy in rear like LaCrosse.. For a small car intended for two adults and occasionally more than 2 adults, I found it great. I really wanted to test drive one, but the salesman was just too eager. I'm not in the purchasing market right now with three cars for 2+1 people where the +1 is at school sans car.

roadburner

1966 Buick Riviera GS

From before the fall- when GM was Master of the Universe. I once bough a 1967 Riviera for $5(really!) and drove it all summer. Wish I'd kept it...

imidazol97

Ahhhh. Beautfiful. I like the pictures showing the frame off restoration.

That was before the days that foreign brands invaded the midlands to start the era of sparceness and paucity selling econoboxes into the US market.

$5.

It would take $5 of gas on a cold winter day to start that car and get it down the driveway to the road! Fuel economy is not in its vocabulary.

lemko

Good God, that is a beautiful car! That beast would certainly stand out in a sea of Priuses!