Autoblog

Which models will join the 100,000 sales club this year?

Zach Bowman — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 09:57:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Chevrolet, Ford, Kia, Toyota

2011 Toyota Camry - Click above for high-res image gallery

The number of vehicle models slated to cruise past the magic 100,000 mark this year is up. In a big way. According to Wards, there are around 39 percent more nameplates expected to clear the six-digit hurdle in 2010 compared to 2009. So far, sales-trends point to 32 cars and trucks expected to meet or exceed the goal, compared to 23 last year. So which models are the winners of 2010?

For the first time ever, vehicles like the Kia Sorento, Chevrolet Traverse and Nissan Versa are aiming to close out 2010 with more than 100,000 units sold. They join the ranks of mainstays like the Ford F-150 and Chevrolet Silverado - two trucks that have already well-exceeded the 100k line, even with another full quarter left in the year. In all, a total of 16 cars and trucks have already performed similar feats of sales wizardry.

And who's the fairest of them all? That honor goes to the Toyota Camry. The Japanese automaker has already delivered a total of 220,061 units through August, putting it well ahead of any competition. That pace doesn't look to be slowing anytime soon, either.

Gallery: 2010 Toyota Camry

[Source: Wards]

Which models will join the 100,000 sales club this year? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 15 Sep 2010 09:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Bigfoot monster truck defects from Ford to Chevy after more than 35 years

Zach Bowman — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 15:26:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Classics, Truck, Chevrolet, Ford, Celebrities, Off-Road

2010 Bigfoot Chevrolet Silverado - Click above for high-res image gallery

It's true: there really is nothing sacred. In a move that, for us, is on the same level as painting a Hitler mustache on the Statue of Liberty, Bigfoot has abandoned its Ford pickup body for a new Chevrolet Silverado skin. If you listen very, very closely, there are angels in cutoff jean shorts and camouflage hats weeping softly. We know it would hurt less if we told you that George Washington was a closet communist or that Porsche was switching to an all front-wheel drive portfolio, but there it is. For 35 years, Bigfoot was synonymous with the Blue Oval, but no more.

The truck helped launch monster trucks into the public eye, but Ford dropped its sponsorship of the team in 2007. That left Firestone tires as the main sponsor, and since the company also throws plenty of cash at the Major League Baseball All-Star Game, it's aching for some cross-promotion. Since Chevrolet also sponsors the event, Big Foot will be wearing new duds and a heart transplant when it rolls out for the first time in public on July 7 in Anaheim, Florida. Yup, the truck will get its power from a General Motors mill, too. *Sigh.*

Gallery: 2010 Bigfoot Chevrolet Silverado Monster Truck

[Source: General Motors via PickupTrucks.com]

Continue reading Bigfoot monster truck defects from Ford to Chevy after more than 35 years

Bigfoot monster truck defects from Ford to Chevy after more than 35 years originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 Jul 2010 15:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

GM reconsidering 4.5-liter Duramax diesel for use in HD pickups

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 08:57:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Chevrolet, GM, GMC, Diesel

2011 GMC Sierra Denali HD - Click above for high-res image gallery

As you may have noticed, automobile sales are picking back up after their seemingly perpetual nosedive of the last two years or so. The same holds true for fullsize pickup trucks, and we're hoping that this resurgence will bring back some of the more interesting developments that had to be shelved due to monetary constraints. Chief amongst these wishes are the unfortunately abandoned light-duty diesel engines from Dodge, Ford and General Motors.

With that in mind, our interest is piqued by a report from our friends at PickupTrucks.com suggesting that the previously shelved 4.5-liter Duramax diesel V8 engine from GM may be back on the table, except with an interesting twist. While the oil-burning powerplant was originally intended just for half ton trucks, GM is reportedly now considering offering the mill in all of its fullsize trucks, including the Heavy Duty models.

General Motors indicates that its 4.5-liter diesel V8 engine is "fully developed and ready" to launch with power ratings of over 310 horsepower and 520 pound-feet of torque. Those figures would just about match what the larger Duramax diesels were putting out about a decade ago and seemingly be plenty for the 2500 class of trucks. What's more, The General told our own Sam Abuelsamid that the still-running fleet of 4.5 diesels is averaging an impressive 25 miles per gallon.

Gallery: 2011 GMC Sierra Denali HD

[Source: PickupTrucks.com]

GM reconsidering 4.5-liter Duramax diesel for use in HD pickups originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 15 Jun 2010 08:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

First Drive: 2011 Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra Heavy Duty trucks set new HD standard

Sam Abuelsamid — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 11:58:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Work, Chevrolet, GMC, First Drives

2011 GM HD Trucks - Click above for high-res image gallery

Usually whenever we head out to a new vehicle press launch, we have to sit through exhaustive technical and marketing presentations before we get a chance to climb behind the wheel. However, General Motors put us straight into a dual-rear wheel GMC Sierra 3500 crew-cab diesel upon our arrival in Baltimore. On the docket? A 130-mile trek from Baltimore airport to Rocky Gap Lodge in the Allegheny mountains of western Maryland with Vehicle Line Executive Rick Spina sitting shotgun.

We actually appreciated this 'backwards' approach, because it gave us the opportunity to develop some 'gut' impressions of these new trucks even before we got the attendant sales pitch. For a two-hour, mostly highway jaunt, the duallie SLT proved to be a surprisingly amiable companion, but it was just the first of seven different trucks we would drive over the next couple of days. Read on past the jump find out what GM's new heavy duty trucks are like when sampled in a range of real-world conditions.

Gallery: First Drive: 2011 GM HD Trucks

Continue reading First Drive: 2011 Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra Heavy Duty trucks set new HD standard

First Drive: 2011 Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra Heavy Duty trucks set new HD standard originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 14 Jun 2010 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Video: GM wants you to see a few things about the Silverado HD

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 26 May 2010 17:58:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Marketing/Advertising, Work, Chevrolet, GMC

2011 Chevy Silverado HD commercial - Click above to watch video after the jump

The 2011 Chevy Silverado HD didn't pull any punches about wanting to beat the competition, but it might just pull everything else. In case you missed any of its maybe-or-maybe-not best-in-class numbers, The General has put together a nifty little animation for you that trumpets all of its heavy duty points. And it does a much better job of it than the Dude Perfect spot did...

However, since it is well known that size matters a great deal in the world of pickup trucks, you can expect Ford and Dodge to be unveiling bigger trumpets soon enough. Follow the jump to see the Transformer-esuqe spot.

Gallery: 2011 Chevrolet Silverado Heavy Duty

[Source: General Motors via PickupTrucks.com]

Continue reading Video: GM wants you to see a few things about the Silverado HD

Video: GM wants you to see a few things about the Silverado HD originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 26 May 2010 17:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Consumer Reports adds six cars to Top Picks list, touts diversity

Steven J. Ewing — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 12:58:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Hybrid, Minivan/Van, Sedan, SUV, Truck, Hatchback, Chevrolet, GM, Hyundai, Infiniti, Lexus, Mazda, Nissan, Subaru, Toyota, Volkswagen, Luxury, Off-Road

2010 Consumer Reports Top Pick Cars - Click above for high-res image gallery

Each year, the automotive editors of Consumer Reports select their Top Pick Cars, representing vehicles that are the best in their individual segments. These cars are deemed to have "average or better" predicted reliability and have scored high marks in government safety testing. In past years, automakers like Honda and Toyota have dominated this list, but since more and more manufacturers are ramping up their quality within each competitive segment, the 2010 list proves to be the most diverse CR Top Picks group in over a decade.

So, which cars garner the most praise from CR? The Nissan Altima has officially dethroned the Honda Accord from the top family sedan spot, the Volkswagen GTI takes honors as the best sporty car, the trusty Subaru Forester takes the cake in the small SUV category, the quirky Mazda5 wins for best family hauler, and both the Chevrolet Traverse and Silverado stand tall as the best family SUV and pickup truck. These six newcomers join the Hyundai Elantra SE, Infiniti G37, Toyota Prius and Lexus LS460L to round out the entire list of Top Pick Cars.

Unlike most automotive media outlets (Autoblog included), Consumer Reports actually buys its own test cars before putting them through rigirous evaluations of handling, braking, comfort, safety and more, and each test car is roughly 6,000 miles older by the time all of the tests have been completed. Follow the jump to read the official press release from CR, and scroll through our attached gallery to see high-res shots of all the 2010 Top Pick Cars.

Gallery: 2010 Consumer Reports Top Picks

[Source: Consumer Reports - sub. req.]

Continue reading Consumer Reports adds six cars to Top Picks list, touts diversity

Consumer Reports adds six cars to Top Picks list, touts diversity originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 23 Feb 2010 12:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Chicago 2010: Hybrid chassis shows differences between old and new Silverado HD

Drew Phillips — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 16:20:00 EST

Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Truck, Work, Chevrolet

Old and new Chevrolet Silverado HD chassis combined - Click above for high-res image gallery

No, Chevrolet's new Silverado HD will not be available as a hybrid. The hybrid we're talking about is this chassis on display at the Chicago Auto Show that is constructed of both the previous generation and the new 2011 Silverado HD. The combined chassis is split right down the middle and shows just how much the 2011 model has been improved from the previous model.

Starting with the front suspension, the 2011 Silverado HD receives beefier upper and lower control arms along with larger torsion bars and steering gear. The front axle can now handle up to 6,000 pounds of gross weight, which means that every HD model can bear the weight of a snow plow. Moving through the rest of the display, you can see the all new frame that utilizes 11 fully boxed assemblies that make sure of higher strength steel. The result is that the new chassis has five times more torsional strength than it did before and 92 percent better bending resistance.

At the rear, the Silverado HD benefits from a new, larger asymmetrical leaf spring design that offers improved handling and load capabilities. General Motors is quick to point out that the truck's maximum 6,335-pound payload and 20,000-pound towing capacity (using a fifth-wheel hitch) are both better than the Dodge Ram 3500 HD and the Ford F350 Super Duty.

Finally, the Silverado HD has been upgraded with 14-inch brake rotors both front and rear, a heavy-duty trailer hitch and a 36-gallon fuel tank that, when combined with the improved fuel economy, allows for 680 highway miles on a single tank. You can see the differences in detail in the high-res gallery below, or click here for even more details and photos of the 2011 Silverado HD.

Gallery: Old and new Silverado HD chassis combined

Chicago 2010: Hybrid chassis shows differences between old and new Silverado HD originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 11 Feb 2010 16:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Report: 2011 Chevrolet Silverado HD to debut in Chicago

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 18:01:00 EST

Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Truck, Work, Chevrolet, GM, GMC, Diesel

According to our friends over at PickupTrucks.com, Chevrolet will show off the latest iteration of its Heavy Duty pickup truck at the Chicago Auto Show next month. The 2011 Chevy Silverado 2500 and 3500 (2010 model shown above) are expected to be equipped with a new version of the well-regarded 6.6-liter Duramax diesel V8 engine that will almost assuredly use a urea solution to curb nitrogen oxide emissions. General Motors continues to partner with the diesel experts at Isuzu for the Duramax engine.

Under what's sure to be somewhat revised sheetmetal will reportedly be an all-new chassis along with some "other surprises," surmises PickupTrucks.com. We expect a GMC Sierra HD to also be on display, but we can't say for sure. We'll be on hand in Chicago to see how GM reacts to the 2011 Ford Super Duty pickups and their all-new 6.7-liter diesel V8 engine, so stay tuned.

[Source: PickupTrucks.com]

Report: 2011 Chevrolet Silverado HD to debut in Chicago originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 15 Jan 2010 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Report: GM to shell out $1B to update Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra

Dan Roth — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 15:29:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Chevrolet, GMC, Design/Style

Chevrolet Silverado - Click above for high-res image gallery

While the current economic forecast includes much wailing and gnashing of teeth, it will eventually turn around. When it does, truck sales are likely to increase as truck-dependent industries look to replace their wares. General Motors wants to be right there on the tip of the spear with the most recently updated product. To that end, GM Chairman and CEO Ed Whitacre has given a McMahon-sized YES to redesigning the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickup trucks. The effort is likely to ring up a $1 billion price tag.

While the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra aren't exactly old (they were thoroughly redone in 2006), Ford and Dodge have revised their trucks in the ensuing time. While domestic rivals are the biggest competition for the Sierra and Silverado, Toyota's latest Tundra debuted in 2007, intent on mounting a serious challenge, as well. Only the Nissan Titan, enjoying a precipitous drop in sales lately, is longer in tooth. Things happen fast in truck-land. Full-size SUV sales are down and not likely to bounce back strongly, and new fuel economy provisos are coming on strong, too, but the need for working vehicles has merely waned, and General Motors is anticipating that a turnaround in industries like housing will spike truck sales. This proactive funding of a redesign will put GM's new wares in showrooms for 2012-2013.

Gallery: 2009 Chevy Silverado

[Source: Wall Street Journal]

Report: GM to shell out $1B to update Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 14 Jan 2010 15:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

REPORT: GM halting Duramax production for 10 weeks

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 18:20:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Plants/Manufacturing, Chevrolet, GM, GMC, Diesel

The revamped 6.6-liter Duramax V8 engine will go into production in April 2010 and the current Duramax, which doesn't meet emissions requirements that go into effect January 1, 2010, will cease production the day before the new year begins. In the interim, GM will be retooling the factory and won't be producing any of the engines to go in the Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra.

This has some dealers and outside observers wondering if GM will run out of 2009 Duramax engines before the new ones are built and installed in engine bays. One dealer says GM will take orders for extended cab models with the big diesel, but no longer accepts orders for Duramax regular cabs. Analysts believe that with the car and work truck market showing some recovery, that demand will grow just as GM is trying to play the inventory game.

While the General prepares it's urea-infused powerplants, any engines that GM builds through the end of 2009 can be installed in vehicles even if those vehicles are ordered and built next year. For now, GM says it is padding its stocks of Duramax engines and is confident about being able to meet the need.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

REPORT: GM halting Duramax production for 10 weeks originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Sep 2009 18:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

REPORT: 2010 Chevy Silverado XFE updated to achieve best-in-class 22 mpg highway

Chris Shunk — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 16:58:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Chevrolet, GM, GMC

A couple of years ago, pickup truck comparisons were all about power and towing capacity. Today, fuel efficiency is the new battleground. For the 2009 model year, the GMC Sierra and Chevrolet Silverado XFE took their fuel economy figures up a notch by hitting 21 mpg on the highway and 15 in the city. Then Ford unveiled the F-150 SFE that matched those numbers, though without requiring the use of a tonneau cover. The Blue Oval dropped the SFE badge for 2010, but kept the improved fuel economy.

General Motors, however, is not content with a tie, and is upping the EPA numbers for its 2010 XFE Silverado and Sierra to 22 mpg on the highway, which just so happens to match the highway figure for the Sierra Hybrid. The combined fuel economy of both GMT900 trucks has also increased from 17 to 18 mpg.

Chevrolet spokesperson Brian Goebel told Pickuptrucks.com that the increased fuel economy is due to several engineering improvements. The XFE model's 5.3-liter V8 now has variable valve timing, optimized shift pattens in its six-speed transmission, and new tweaks for its Active Fuel Management system that enables the truck to run on four cylinders at cruising speeds for longer.

[Source: Pickuptrucks .com]

REPORT: 2010 Chevy Silverado XFE updated to achieve best-in-class 22 mpg highway originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 31 Jul 2009 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Numbers Don't Lie: Silverado beats out F-150 as America's best-selling light-duty pickup

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 19:30:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford, GMC, Nissan, Toyota, Off-Road

Quick - What's the best-selling light-duty pickup truck in America? Did you say the Ford F-150? Not so fast. According to the J.D. Power Information Network (via our friends at PickupTrucks.com), General Motors sold more Chevy Silverado 1500 pickups (119,959 units) in June that Ford sold F-150s (107,778 units), and that's not a fluke.

It seems that the automakers don't actually break out the sales of each pickup line when reporting overall figures, so Ford lumps all F-Series (F-150, F-250, F-350...) sales together when it correctly lays claim to the title of Best-Selling Pickup Line in America. Ford's Super Duty series commands nearly 50-percent of the HD pickup market, which puts the Blue Oval on top of the overall sales race.

Interestingly, all three American automakers picked up full-size pickup market share at the expense of Nissan and especially Toyota, which saw sales of its Tundra plummet from 76,516 units to just 36,106 units in June of 2009 compared to one year ago. Click here for the full breakdown of full-size truck sales data.

[Source: PickupTrucks.com]

Numbers Don't Lie: Silverado beats out F-150 as America's best-selling light-duty pickup originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 08 Jul 2009 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

REPORT: GM says next-gen hybrid pickups could have 50% better towing

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 18:28:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Truck, Green, Chevrolet, GM, GMC

General Motors isn't saying how it plans to do it, but according to our friends at PickupTrucks.com, it is saying that consumers are "...going to see substantial improvements in towing capability in our next hybrids." Right now, the Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid and GMC Sierra Hybrid can pull 6,100 pounds with their electrically-assisted, multi-displacement 6.0-liter V8 engines. The improvement will be "up to 50% more," meaning a tow rating of 9,000 pounds could be coming this way.

If GM can wring a full 50% improvement out of the drivetrain, that would put the hybrids just 1,600 pounds short of the max towing capacity of the standard gasoline V8 crew cab half-ton with the enhanced tow package. The transmission torque capacity and the necessary cooling systems are the apparently the chief limitations to be overcome, and GM says if the current package can evolve enough, then "one of the things you might consider is E-Flex." And how neat would a Volt pickup be?

[Source: PickupTrucks.com]

REPORT: GM says next-gen hybrid pickups could have 50% better towing originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 25 Feb 2009 18:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

GM prices Silverado Hybrid, Sierra Hybrid, and Pontiac G3

Michael Harley — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 18:30:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Hybrid, Truck, Chevrolet, GMC

Click above for high-res image gallery of the Pontiac G3

One day before the press converge on the LA Auto Show, General Motors has released pricing on its 2009 Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid, 2009 GMC Sierra Hybrid and the 2009 Pontiac G3. The full-size hybrid pickup trucks each feature GM's patented two-mode hybrid drivetrain with a 6.0-liter V8 under the hood. Assisted by an electric motor, the trucks are rated to tow up to 6,100 pounds. Fuel economy is impressive for a pickup -- they are rated at 21 mpg city and 22 mpg highway (2WD) when unladen. The base price for the Silverado is $38,995 (including a $975 destination charge). The Sierra barely undercuts it with a starting price of $39,365 (including $975 DFC). Production on the pickups starts in December, with delivery to dealers starting in early 2009. If trucks aren't your thing, pricing on the all-new Pontiac G3 hatchback will squeak in at $14,995 (including $660 DFC), making it the least expensive car in Pontiac showrooms. While you'll drive home in air-conditioned comfort sipping fuel at 32 mpg on the highway, don't expect much in the way of driving excitement.

Gallery: 2008 Chevy Silverado Hybrid

Gallery: 2009 GMC Sierra Hybrid

Gallery: 2009 Pontiac G3

[Source: General Motors]

Continue reading GM prices Silverado Hybrid, Sierra Hybrid, and Pontiac G3

GM prices Silverado Hybrid, Sierra Hybrid, and Pontiac G3 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 18 Nov 2008 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Chevy Silverado commercial spoils CBS show for fans

Jonathon Ramsey — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 08:31:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Etc., Marketing/Advertising, Chevrolet

Earlier this year, the CBS show Cane was the seventh most searched new fall show. Since then, we haven't heard anything about it, neither good or bad. That changed this week when someone at CBS had a Homer moment ("D'oh!") and ran a story-spoiling commercial before the plot had run its course on the show.

On the show, cut to: Jaime taking off in a Chevy Silverado into a cane field, being chased by his father, Alex (Jimmy Smits in the lead role), and getting caught in a fire set by a rival. Fade to black. Cut to commercial: a Chevy Silverado bursting through a wall of flames, and a narrator asking "Did you think that stunt with the Silverado was hot?" Cut to viewers asking: "Uh, what the...?"

But come on -- was this really a plot spoiler? Because you really thought it possible that the main character and his son were going to die in a fire in the show's first season? Really? CBS, in fact, did get one angry call. And with that, probably lost the one ardent fan of Cane.

[Source: Winding Road]

Chevy Silverado commercial spoils CBS show for fans originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 15 Dec 2007 08:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

GM idling three pickup plants for two weeks

Damon Lavrinc — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 16:38:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Plants/Manufacturing, Chevrolet, GM, GMC

As reported earlier, General Motors plans to cut production in the first quarter of 2008 by 11-percent in an effort to limit excessive dealer inventory. The cut would affect both cars and trucks, but GM announced today that it would be halting production of its pickup plants in Pontiac; Fort Wayne, Indiana and Oshawa, Ontario for two weeks beginning on December 31st of this year. The plants currently build the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra. An unfortunate way to bring in the New Year, but if it limits discounts, more power to the General.

[Source: Detroit News]

GM idling three pickup plants for two weeks originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 04 Dec 2007 16:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

GM Strike update: Plants close in Canada due to lack of supplies

Damon Lavrinc — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 13:22:00 EST

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Buick, Chevrolet, GM, GMC, Pontiac, UAW/Unions

Our neighbors to the north have official felt the crunch of the strike here at home, with the Oshawa, Ontario plant closing down production today after it ran out of parts to produce the Chevrolet Impala. Unfortunately, 3,000 workers have had to punch out and head home for the day as a result.

It's expected that another plant in Ontario that produces the Pontiac Grand Prix and Buick LaCrosse will have to shut down before the end of the day, while the Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra plant is likely to close by the end of the week unless deliveries resume.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

GM Strike update: Plants close in Canada due to lack of supplies originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 25 Sep 2007 13:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

UPDATE: GM will cut pickup truck production

Chris Tutor — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 16:41:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Plants/Manufacturing, GM

We told you Monday that GM was considering cutting truck production at its Pontiac Assembly Center, and today it became official. Production of full-size GMC Sierra and Chevy Silverado pickups will be cut from 54.5 an hour to 45 an hour starting in September.

The plant employs 2,800 hourly workers and 300 temporary workers. GM spokesman Tom Wickham said Tuesday that an undetermined number of those temps would be the first to lose their jobs. The Detroit News was estimating about 500 total workers could be affected.

Wickham said the cuts were necessary due to a decline in full-size and heavy-duty truck sales. He also said there were no plans to throttle production at GM's other truck plants.

[Source: The Associated Press via Yahoo News]

UPDATE: GM will cut pickup truck production originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 24 Jul 2007 16:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Chicago Auto Show: MotorWeek Drivers Choice Awards

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 19:58:00 EST

Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Chevrolet, GMC, Honda, Hyundai, Infiniti, Jaguar, Kia, Lexus, Porsche, Saturn, Toyota

We must admit that we were a bit surprised that MotorWeek's award for "Best Car of the Year" went to the Honda Fit. But, we suppose that it, uh, fits. We know, that was way too easy - feel free to mock us in the comments, we can take it. Here is the complete list of winners:

Best of the Year: Honda Fit
Best Small Car: wait for it... Honda Fit
Best Family Sedan: Saturn Aura
Best Minivan: Hyundai Entourage/Kia Sedona
Best Convertible: Volkswagen Eos
Best Luxury Sedan: Lexus LS
Best Sports Sedan: Infiniti G35
Best Performance Car: Ford Shelby GT500
Best Small Utility: Honda CR-V
Best Large Utility: Chevrolet Tahoe/GMC Yukon
Best Crossover Utility: GMC Acadia/Saturn Outlook
Best Pickup Truck: Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra
Best Eco-Friendly: Toyota Motor Corporation
Best Dream Machine: Jaguar XKR, Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano, Porsche 911 Turbo

We can't say that we agree with many of these choices, but we didn't choose them, MotorWeek's editors did. We just typed them for your benefit, 'cause we're cool like that.

Chicago Auto Show: MotorWeek Drivers Choice Awards originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 Feb 2007 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Duh: J.D. Power finds strong loyalty among truck buyers

Scott Davis — Mon, 04 Dec 2006 14:35:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Truck, Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford, Nissan, Toyota

The full-size truck market is going through many changes of late. New trucks introduced by GM and soon Toyota will each have a significant impact on where truck buyers spend their money in the future. What makes the full size truck buyer tick? A study released by J.D. Power might just have the answers.

Domestic truck buyers seem to have the strongest reason for buying a domestic truck. A full 48% of those surveyed stated that they wouldn't buy an import specifically because they do not want an import-branded truck. Import truck buyers feel strongly to the contrary, but only 33% stated that they would avoid a domestic for the same reason.

Some other concerns stated by the domestic truck buyers group were that they just did not like the look or design of the imports (33%) and that they didn't believe that an import-branded truck would be rugged enough (20%). Conversely, an extremely small number of them (5%) stated reliability as a concern with an import, where reliability of a domestic branded truck was very high on the list of the import truck buyer at 25%.

Full-size truck drivers are a very dedicated and brand-loyal bunch. They're savvy consumers whose opinions are often overlooked by know-it-all marketers. This survey clearly shows the strong perceptions of the group and should be given the weight it deserves by all manufacturers, domestic and import.

Read the press release after the jump.

[Source: Automotive Digest via J.D Power]

Continue reading Duh: J.D. Power finds strong loyalty among truck buyers

Duh: J.D. Power finds strong loyalty among truck buyers originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 04 Dec 2006 14:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments