Continue reading GM recalls Camaro, Traverse, SUVs/pickups for various issues

GM recalls Camaro, Traverse, SUVs/pickups for various issues originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 12 May 2009 15:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Tahoe, Yukon and Escalade not being replaced originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Oct 2008 18:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

GM closing Wisconsin SUV plant early, doors closed by end of year originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 13 Oct 2008 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

NHTSA investigating GM SUV fires originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 11 Feb 2008 17:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Will the real Tahoe/Yukon Hybrid MSRP please stand up? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 09 Nov 2007 13:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Overtime is done at six GM plants originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 23 Aug 2007 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Bob Lutz has apparently climbed down from the parapet of passing all costs onto the consumer... that is, when it comes to green tech. In fact, GM appears to be considering subsidizing the cost of its hybrids for consumers. The world's number two automaker has three hybrid transmissions in the works: a simple bolt-on starter/alternator combo called BAS, a BAS+ system that uses li-ion batteries instead of nickel metal hydride, and a dual-mode system with two electric motors that will debut later this year in the Tahoe and Yukon. The dual-mode is the priciest of the bunch, carrying a $10,000 premium per vehicle for a 25% fuel economy savings. Even though GM has licensed the technology to BMW and DaimlerChrysler to keep the costs down, Lutz declares that "if we price it at full cost recovery, I'd say we probably would sell -- not very many." Lutz didn't give any indication of what kind of subsidy might be offered to entice buyers, saying the question is "How much do you want to do and how much financial pain can you endure?"

Lutz also said that "nearly every Cadillac product could feature a hybrid variant as early as the next two years," but none of the hybrids detailed are meant for the Volt. That car is an electric car with range assist, not a hybrid.

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

Want a hybrid Tahoe/Yukon? GM will help you buy one originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 10 Jul 2007 17:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Gallery: 2007 Cadillac Escalade - In the Autoblog Garage

Caddy considers adding hybrids to the mix originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 Jun 2007 19:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Gallery: 2007 Ford Expedition EL

Continue reading In the Autoblog Garage: 2007 Ford Expedition EL

In the Autoblog Garage: 2007 Ford Expedition EL originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 May 2007 12:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Lutz lets a bit of Edmunds survey slip, GM takes 13 first place picks

Lutz lets a bit of Edmunds survey slip, GM takes 13 first place picks originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 04 May 2007 09:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

AutoblogGreen First Drive: Chevy Tahoe Two-Mode Hybrid originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 01 May 2007 15:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Why is GMC branding ten-speeds? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 28 Dec 2006 08:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading LA Auto Show: GMC Yukon Hybrid does the two-step

LA Auto Show: GMC Yukon Hybrid does the two-step originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 29 Nov 2006 11:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Spy Shots: GM's large SUVs get racier originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 Aug 2006 08:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Despite all the carping about gasoline prices these days, sales of Cadillac's new Escalade and their ilk are boomin' louder than the gigawatt stereos they often house.

So says MSNBC, which points out that despite post-Katrina price shocks and media outlets trumpeting hybrids and new small car offerings, U.S. consumption of unleaded hooch is actually rising. In fact, fully one-in-four new cars sold in America houses a V8 engine under its hood. SUVs outpoint hybrid sales 23-1. The 'King of Bling,' Cadillac's Escalade saw its sales jump a whopping 127 percent last month.

So what gives?

While it appears that MSNBC is basing its assertions about the surprising resiliency of SUVs squarely on the load points of General Motors' massively improved GMT900 trucks, it has a point. For all of the hype surrounding the newer generation of crossover vehicles and more fuel efficient body-on-frame SUVs, conventional cars and wagons with smaller displacement engines remain significantly better when judged by a fuel gauge. And yet a good portion of American consumers won't touch them, despite their inherently superior driving dynamics and often greater cargo capacity.

So... has the death knell of the SUV been prematurely sounded? Is the American motoring lifestyle inextricably linked to large, high horsepower vehicles? Or are GM's revised full-sizers riding a wave soon to reach the shore? Have your say in 'Comments.'

[Sources: MSNBC.com; Skeptically.org]

Cadillac Escalade leading charge as gas guzzlers flourishing despite fuel prices? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 18 May 2006 11:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Judging from this spyshot, the 2007 Silverado looks pretty much as expected-- a Chevy pick-up with a Tahoe front clip grafted on. Predictable or no, it's a much-needed plug for GM's reputation, for with the introduction of the 2007 Toyota Tundra, the Silverado and stablemate GMC Sierra will officially be the oldest full-size pick-ups on the North American market. It looks like the one pictured might just be a heavy-duty version going through a few more test runs before the truck is launched into production this summer.

[Sources: Autobytel; Brenda Priddy]

(Thanks to Jim for the tip)

Spy Photos: Chevy Silverado originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 07 May 2006 08:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

In response to surprisingly heavy early demand for the new Chevrolet Tahoe, General Motors is calling on its suppliers for parts earlier-than-expected, in hopes of moving production schedules ahead for the company's other GMT-900 platform SUVs.

Sales for the Tahoe have been up nearly 50-percent through February (compared to 2005). Despite hand-wringing about the state of the economy and heightened gas prices, GM cleared more than 28,500 units since its January launch.

Production of the larger Chevrolet Suburban will begin in Silao, next week, and GMC Yukon and Yukon XL assembly in Arlington, Texas is already running ahead of schedule.

[Source: Reuters]

General Motors already turning up production wick on new SUVs originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 Mar 2006 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

As General Motors moves towards "value pricing," it has announced that the 2007 GMC Yukon will come in at $34,690 including $875 for destination; $890 less than the 2006 model. The XL is $37,790, $840 less than the 2006 model. The Denali, which is the top-of-the-line model in the Yukon stable, comes in at  $47,990 and $50,490 for the XL; $2,070 and $1,220 less than their respective 2006 predecessors.

The move towards lower pricing is part of GM's effort to rely less on incentives by moving the price of the vehicle closer to what it costs when it ultimately leaves the showroom.

GM drops Yukon prices for 2007 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 07 Mar 2006 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.