Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[GM cuts 1,100 staff at Lordstown plant to meet slowing demand]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/08/gm-cuts-1-100-staff-at-lordstown-plant-to-meet-slowing-demand/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/08/gm-cuts-1-100-staff-at-lordstown-plant-to-meet-slowing-demand/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/08/gm-cuts-1-100-staff-at-lordstown-plant-to-meet-slowing-demand/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Click above for more high-res shots of the Chevy Cobalt SS

Less than 2 months ago the headline here was GM ramps up Cobalt production to meet demand. It's amazing how quickly things change in this crazy environment. Just months after adding a third shift at the Lordstown, OH assembly plant where the Chevy Cobalt and Pontiac G5 are built, on Friday GM gave 1,100 employees at the facility layoff notices. The company isn't getting rid of the third shift but, it is slowing the build rate in line with current sales demand. Earlier this summer, GM was selling Cobalts as fast as they could build them and now all of a sudden, those sales have dried up. The spike was triggered by $4 gasoline, and even though gas prices have dropped to half that level, you might not expect sales to fall so fast. The real problem is the lack of available credit for financing. Most of the inherent customer base for cars like the Cobalt simply can't afford to pay cash for a new car. With credit increasingly hard to get, car sales have crashed almost across the board in October. Even the Honda Civic that sold 53,000 copies in May got just under 19,800 in October. Expect to hear more about slowdowns at other carmakers, including mighty Toyota and Honda, very soon.

[Source: Vindy.com]

GM cuts 1,100 staff at Lordstown plant to meet slowing demand originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 08 Nov 2008 10:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cobaltcreditcredit crunchcredit marketsCreditCrunchCreditMarketsg5layofflayoffslordstownlordstown ohiolordstown-ohlordstown-ohiolordstownohioSat, 08 Nov 2008 10:42:00 EST<![CDATA[Cobalt owners take their cars home to Lordstown]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/07/cobalt-owners-take-their-cars-home-to-lordstown/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/07/cobalt-owners-take-their-cars-home-to-lordstown/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/07/cobalt-owners-take-their-cars-home-to-lordstown/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click above for high-res gallery

Many people choose their car because it is an extension of themselves, their personality, their style and their passion. These folks tend to forge a deep attachment with their automobile, an inanimate object void of emotion. Despite that fact, a vehicle has wants and needs of its own, and some can be more demanding than a small child. As with any parent, there are curious automobile owners who often wonder, where did my baby come from? Recently 134 Chevrolet Cobalt fans got the chance to find out.

Back on September 27th, GM opened up the Lordstown, OH plant for 85 lucky owners and their guests. It was a rare chance for many to view the inner workings of an automotive assembly line, without a need to join the UAW. Event attendees received a full facility tour, on site lunch meet and greet, and of course freebee swag. Not surprisingly, the majority of the Cobalt fan base stemmed from the website CobaltSS.net.

The SS is about the only Chevy compact that can muster up an emotional following, as evident in the video of John Heinricy tossing the 2008 model around the Nurburgring. The turbocharged ECOtech powered econo car is just one of the models currently produced at the Lordstown plant. The massive facility is also slated to make the Cobalt replacement, the Cruze. Check out the gallery below to view photos from the event.

Gallery: Cobalt owner's visit Lordstown

Continue reading Cobalt owners take their cars home to Lordstown

Cobalt owners take their cars home to Lordstown originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 07 Oct 2008 19:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Chevrolet Cobalt Owners MeetChevroletCobaltOwnersMeetLordstownlordstown ohiolordstown-ohLordstownOhioTue, 07 Oct 2008 19:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Cruze news: Cobalt replacement to get turbo'd 1.4-liter and 40 mpg]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/14/cobalt-replacing-chevy-cruze-to-get-turbod-1-4-liter-and-40-mpg/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/14/cobalt-replacing-chevy-cruze-to-get-turbod-1-4-liter-and-40-mpg/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/14/cobalt-replacing-chevy-cruze-to-get-turbod-1-4-liter-and-40-mpg/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Rising fuel prices, both in the U.S. and abroad, means that automakers can now offer similar engines in vehicles sold throughout the world. According to Automotive News, General Motors' next small car, the Chevrolet Cruze, will be offered with a new 1.4-liter force-fed four-banger, putting out between 120 and 140 horsepower and returning fuel mileage in the 40 mpg range.

The first version of the Cruze will be a sedan, but other body styles, including hatchbacks and wagons, are likely to come to market soon thereafter. The Cobalt-replacing Cruze will be built in Lordstown, Ohio, and sales will begin next Spring in Europe after the production version of the car is shown in Paris this October.

Gallery: 2011 Chevy Cobalt - spy shots


[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]

Cruze news: Cobalt replacement to get turbo'd 1.4-liter and 40 mpg originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 14 Jul 2008 08:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1.4 liter1.4Literchevy cobaltchevy cruzeChevyCobaltChevyCruzedeltadelta platformDeltaPlatformlordstownlordstown ohiolordstown-ohlordstown-ohioLordstownOhioMon, 14 Jul 2008 08:26:00 EST<![CDATA[Chevy Cruze to be built in Lordstown]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/09/chevy-cruze-to-be-built-in-lordstown/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/09/chevy-cruze-to-be-built-in-lordstown/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/09/chevy-cruze-to-be-built-in-lordstown/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


click above for high-res gallery of next-gen Chevy Cobalt spy shots

Workers at GM's Lordstown, OH plant just got another shot of good news from the General: the next-gen compact car from Chevrolet will be built there. The Chevy Cruze will replace the Cobalt, which recently had a third shift added to its production, and will make its initial debut at the Paris Motor Show in October. Europeans will get the first shot at the new car with sales beginning in April of 2009. The U.S. won't get the car until the following year, as the Lordstown plant begins phasing out the Cobalt and ramping up production of the Cruze in June of 2010. Both cars will be built simultaneously for a short time, according to UAW Local 1714 President Dave Green, who represents the workers at the Lordstown assembly plant.

A look at recent spy shots has our interest piqued over the new small sedan. Styling looks to be worlds better than the just decent Cobalt and the promised forty miles per gallon sounds like just what the doctor ordered in the face of ever-increasing gas prices. Thanks for the tip, Tony!

Gallery: 2011 Chevy Cobalt - spy shots


[Source: WKBN News]

Chevy Cruze to be built in Lordstown originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 Jul 2008 13:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2011 chevy cruze2011ChevyCruzechevrolet cobaltchevrolet cruzeChevroletCobaltChevroletCruzechevy cobaltchevy cruzeChevyCobaltChevyCruzedeltadelta platformDeltaPlatformlordstownlordstown ohiolordstown-ohlordstown-ohioLordstownOhioWed, 09 Jul 2008 13:32:00 EST<![CDATA[McCain has no plans for Detroit bailout]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/29/mccain-has-no-plans-for-detroit-bailout/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/29/mccain-has-no-plans-for-detroit-bailout/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/29/mccain-has-no-plans-for-detroit-bailout/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,



Back in the late seventies and into early eighties, Chrysler had gotten itself into such horrid financial shape that the U.S. government decided to step in and fix the situation itself. Considering the sorry state of affairs that all three of the Detroit automakers find themselves in today, some may wonder if a government-funded bailout is in the cards. Not so much... at least according to John McCain. "Frankly I just don't see a scenario where the federal government would come in and bail out any industry in America today," says the Republican.

So, what plan does McCain have in store for the Detroit 3? More Chevrolet Cobalts and Pontiac G5s for one, as the Arizona Senator said the above words after touring the plant in Lordstown, Ohio where the GM compact cars are made and a where third shift has just been added. "I am convinced that what is being done at the Lordstown assembly plant is the future of the American auto industry," added McCain.

In more related good news for the U.S. automakers, McCain says he supports nationwide CO2 standards and would oppose any state's individual plans -- California, we're looking at you. The Presidential hopeful also wants to see more fair-trade standards implemented with the other various auto-building nations and quicker violations for unfair practices. We await a response from the Democratic side.

[Sources: The Detroit News, Automotive News - sub. req'd]

McCain has no plans for Detroit bailout originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 29 Jun 2008 18:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bailoutchrysler bailoutChryslerBailoutfederal bailoutFederalBailoutjohn mccainJohnMccainlordstownlordstown ohlordstown ohiolordstown-ohlordstown-ohioLordstownOhLordstownOhioohSun, 29 Jun 2008 18:15:00 EST