Autoblog

GM, Isuzu planning new truck development

Jeffrey N. Ross — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 15:33:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, GM

General Motors and Isuzu had a long and drawn-out break up that resulted in the loss of Isuzu passenger cars in the US, as well as heavy-duty truck operations for GM. Now it appears that both automakers are in talks to produce pickup trucks once again, after signing a memorandum of understanding for a new joint venture. There are really no details to go with this announcement, although The Miami Herald indicates that this could be a move to expand in emerging markets.

It is unclear if this move will have any effect on the next-generation Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon, which will be built in Wentzville, MO. Production for the Colorado was confirmed in 2011, and the closely related GMC version was confirmed back in September. At one point, GM owned as much as 49 percent of the Japanese automaker but sold off the remaining 7.9 percent of its ownership by 2006.

Scroll down to read the brief statement released by Isuzu today.

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GM, Isuzu planning new truck development originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Jan 2013 15:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW and Toyota agree to collaborate on future green technology

Zach Bowman — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 10:28:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Europe, Japan, Plants/Manufacturing, BMW, Toyota

BMW has confirmed the German automaker will join forces with Toyota to create new green technologies. The two companies have signed a memorandum of understanding for mid-to-long-term collaboration on next-generation lithium-ion battery technology, with the option to expand the partnership into additional areas. BMW has also announced the company will supply Toyota with 1.6-liter and 2.0-liter diesel engines beginning in 2014. That doesn't mean we'll be seeing a clean-diesel Prius in the U.S. anytime soon, however. BMW stresses that the engines will be used exclusively in Toyota products destined for the European market.

What other sorts of tech could be spread between the two automakers? BMW may have an eye on gleaning some hybrid knowledge from the fiercely successful Prius program, and we wouldn't be surprised if BMW slipped its new partner a few hints on carbon-fiber construction, either. Either way, the partnership will likely save both automakers plenty of research and development dollars, helping to bring new tech to customers with a slimmer price tag than would otherwise be possible. Hit the jump for the press release.

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BMW and Toyota agree to collaborate on future green technology originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 Dec 2011 10:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Officially Official: General Motors reaches tentative agreement to sell Hummer

Damon Lavrinc — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 06:50:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Plants/Manufacturing, GM, Hummer

Hummer HX Concept - Click above for a high-res image gallery

As expected, General Motors has announced it's entered "into a memorandum of understanding with a buyer for Hummer," but under the terms of the transaction, the purchaser hasn't been disclosed.

GM's brief release (posted after the break) scratches the surface of the plan, saying only that the deal is expected to close by the third quarter of this year, that the new investor is committed to funding future Hummer products - possibly including the H4 and a two-door H3T - and that 3,000 U.S. manufacturing, engineering and dealer jobs will be saved.

Those last two points caught the eye of PickupTrucks.com, which tapped one of its sources within GM to ask how manufacturing and dealer jobs have escaped the axe. On the manufacturing front, the H3 production facility in South Africa (which makes right-hand drive models for markets outside the States) will be shuttered and assembly will move back to the U.S. Additionally, the memorandum of understanding states that no Hummer dealers in the U.S. will closed.

Gallery: Detroit 2008: HUMMER HX Concept

[Sources: GM, PickupTrucks]

Continue reading Officially Official: General Motors reaches tentative agreement to sell Hummer

Officially Official: General Motors reaches tentative agreement to sell Hummer originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 02 Jun 2009 06:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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