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[Merry Christmas: Envoy, Trailblazer, 9-7X plant closing Dec. 23rd]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/06/merry-christmas-envoy-trailblazer-9-7x-plant-closing-dec-23r/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/06/merry-christmas-envoy-trailblazer-9-7x-plant-closing-dec-23r/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/06/merry-christmas-envoy-trailblazer-9-7x-plant-closing-dec-23r/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Looks like that Moraine, Ohio plant that was going to be shut down next year is actually going to be shuttered on December 23rd, just in time for Christmas. This is the plant responsible for production of the GMC Envoy, Chevy Trailblazer and Saab 9-7X. The General had already slowed the plant to just one shift as SUV sales, particularly sales of old SUVs like these, continue to tumble, but the plant was expected to remain open until at least early next year. On Friday the remaining 1,100 workers were gathered and told of the revised plan.

The closure isn't a total surprise, as General Motors had already announced that the Dayton-suburb plant would be closed so the company could focus more on production of small cars. That initial announcement seemed to indicate a 2010 closure, but the company has continually revised the closing date until this most recent word came. Moraine is one of four GM plants that are going to be shut down. When Janesville, Wis.; Oshawa, Ontario; and Toluca, Mexico join Moraine in closure, a total of 8,350 workers will be looking for new jobs.

[Source: Detroit News]

Merry Christmas: Envoy, Trailblazer, 9-7X plant closing Dec. 23rd originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 06 Oct 2008 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chevy trailblazerChevyTrailblazergmc envoyGmcEnvoyMoraine OHMoraineOhplant closingplant closurePlantClosingPlantClosuresaab 9-7saab 9-7xsaab9-7saab9-7xMon, 06 Oct 2008 13:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Saab adds XWD to 2.0T 9-3, pricing goes up]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/12/saab-adds-xwd-to-2-0t-9-3-pricing-goes-up/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/12/saab-adds-xwd-to-2-0t-9-3-pricing-goes-up/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/12/saab-adds-xwd-to-2-0t-9-3-pricing-goes-up/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



Hooray - the Saab 9-3 2.0T Sport is getting XWD, the Swedish automaker's cross-wheel-drive system. Boo - you're going to pay more for your Saab whether or not you get XWD. The rear-wheel-driving traction-enhancer was previously available only on upper crust models like the Aero and SportCombi, but Saab has announced it will hobnob with the hoi polloi on the 2.0T for 2009.

Any XWD models will also come with a moonroof, the Winter Package and an automatic transmission, though a 6-speed manual is also available. The Convertible will not be offered with XWD, since its platform can't accommodate the necessary mechanicals.

As we mentioned, the Saab range also gets price bumps. A new 9-3 2.0T Sport Sedan (without XWD) goes up $420, to $29,610, while the 9-3 SportCombi adds $680 to hit $31,040. General Motors did not list a price for the XWD option alone, but it appears to add a hefty $5,000 surcharge - the 9-3 2.0T XWD Sport Sedan will run you $34,870, and the 9-3 Aero V6T XWD Sport Sedan will list for $41,885.

[Source: GM]

Saab adds XWD to 2.0T 9-3, pricing goes up originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 12 Sep 2008 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>pricingsaabsaab 9-3saab 9-5saab 9-7saab xwdSaab9-3Saab9-5Saab9-7SaabXwdxwdFri, 12 Sep 2008 13:58:00 EST