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[Top Ten "green" cars that met their fate during Cash for Clunkers]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/26/top-ten-green-cars-that-met-their-fate-during-cash-for-clunker/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/26/top-ten-green-cars-that-met-their-fate-during-cash-for-clunker/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/26/top-ten-green-cars-that-met-their-fate-during-cash-for-clunker/#comments

One rule that all clunked cars needed to adhere to was a maximum rating of 18 MPG from the federal government, right? What wasn't required was that the clunked car be considered dirty. After all, it's pretty clear that CNG vehicles burn clean, but that didn't stop 232 of them from meeting their sodium silicate solution-induced death.

We looked through the official, but as of yet unverified, list (PDF) of trade-in cars that were clunked using the Car Allowance Rebate System (Cash for Clunkers) and found that the aforementioned CNG vehicles, 1,779 flex-fuel vehicles and 24 LPG vehicles found their way to the recycler thanks to CARS. Which alternative-fuel models were most dumped? Which single hybrid took a dive? Click above for our top ten and check out the full list after the jump.

Photo by dno1967. Licensed under Creative Commons license 2.0.

Continue reading Top Ten "green" cars that met their fate during Cash for Clunkers

Top Ten "green" cars that met their fate during Cash for Clunkers originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 26 Sep 2009 18:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>b3000carscash for clunkersCashForClunkersclunkerscnge250explorerf150featuredflex-fuelflex-fuel vehicleFlex-fuelVehiclefordgrand marquisGrandMarquisgreenmazdamercurymountaineerrangersierrasonomaSat, 26 Sep 2009 18:22:00 EST<![CDATA[REPORT: 2010 Chevy Silverado XFE updated to achieve best-in-class 22 mpg highway]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/31/2010-chevy-silverado-xfe-updated-to-achieve-best-in-class-22-mpg/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/31/2010-chevy-silverado-xfe-updated-to-achieve-best-in-class-22-mpg/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/31/2010-chevy-silverado-xfe-updated-to-achieve-best-in-class-22-mpg/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



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]]>2010 gmc sierra xfe2010 silverado xfe2010GmcSierraXfe2010SilveradoXfechevroletchevrolet silveradochevrolet silverado xfeChevroletSilveradoChevroletSilveradoXfegmgmcgmc sierraGmcSierrasierrasierra xfeSierraXfesilverado xfeSilveradoXfexfeFri, 31 Jul 2009 16:58:00 EST<![CDATA[GM ushers in misnamed "72-Hour Sale" with 0% financing on many Pontiacs, Chevys, GMCs]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/01/gm-ushers-in-misnamed-72-hour-sale-with-0-financing-on-many-p/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/01/gm-ushers-in-misnamed-72-hour-sale-with-0-financing-on-many-p/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/01/gm-ushers-in-misnamed-72-hour-sale-with-0-financing-on-many-p/#commentsFiled under: , ,


2009 Pontiac G8 GXP - Click above for high-res image gallery

General Motors needs to move Pontiacs and pickup trucks, and the bankrupt automaker is once again breaking out some serious incentives to alleviate dealer stocks. The General is offering 0% financing for 72 months for the Vibe, G3, G5, G6 and G8, giving prospective car buyers the chance to get into one of the last Pontiacs ever made. The "72 Hour Sale" oddly begins today and runs through Monday, July 6, which is more than 72 hours - even when excluding the 4th of July weekend.

GM is also using the sales event to move some of its slower-selling vehicles. The Chevrolet Impala, Silverado and Tahoe, as well as the GMC Sierra and Yukon will also have 72 month, 0% financing. Other vehicles will have 0% financing for 60 months, but they won't be part of the special 72 hour sale.

While we're not planning to run out to the local Pontiac store for a new G3, if you would have told us a year ago that we could get a 361 hp G8 GT for about $400 a month, we'd be pretty stoked. Hit the jump to scan the GM press release.

[Source: General Motors]

Continue reading GM ushers in misnamed "72-Hour Sale" with 0% financing on many Pontiacs, Chevys, GMCs

GM ushers in misnamed "72-Hour Sale" with 0% financing on many Pontiacs, Chevys, GMCs originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 Jul 2009 10:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>0 72 months0 financing072Months0Financingg8 gtG8Gtpontiac g8PontiacG8sierrasilveradoWed, 01 Jul 2009 10:58:00 EST<![CDATA[REPORT: GM says next-gen hybrid pickups could have 50% better towing]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/25/report-gm-says-next-gen-hybrid-pickups-could-have-50-better-to/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/25/report-gm-says-next-gen-hybrid-pickups-could-have-50-better-to/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/25/report-gm-says-next-gen-hybrid-pickups-could-have-50-better-to/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,



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]]>alternativechevroletchevrolet silveradoChevroletSilveradochevygmgmcgmc sierraGmcSierragreenhybridpickupsierrasilveradotruckWed, 25 Feb 2009 18:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Pickuptrucks.com picks best truck in 2008 Half-Ton Shootout]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/14/pickuptrucks-com-picks-best-truck-in-2008-half-ton-shootout/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/14/pickuptrucks-com-picks-best-truck-in-2008-half-ton-shootout/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/14/pickuptrucks-com-picks-best-truck-in-2008-half-ton-shootout/#commentsFiled under:



When Mike Levine at Pickuptrucks.com sets his mind to something, it gets done in a big way. Witness last year's 2007 Heavy-Duty Diesel Truck Shootout. This year he's back with a comparison test that bests his previous effort not only in size and scope, but also in relevance. For 2008 he has assembled every player in the half-ton truck segment, including brand new 2009 models of the Ford F-150, Dodge Ram, Chevy Silverado, GMC Sierra, Nissan Titan and a 2008 Toyota Tundra. Despite the sagging economy, Americans still love us some trucks, and we've never encountered a more thorough comparison of their performance, towing abilities and fuel economy than what Mike has published at Pickuptrucks.com. Consider it the bible of half-ton pickup comparison shopping and have it pre-loaded on your iPhone when you start visiting dealerships.

We're not going to tell you which pickup won, but we will say that it was remarkable to learn how varied are the targets at which each of these trucks is aiming. Some were great for one task while failing miserably at another, and the winner was the one that performed well the most often. Click the source link below to check out the Pickuptrucks.com 2008 Half-Ton Shootout.

[Source: Pickuptrucks.com]

Pickuptrucks.com picks best truck in 2008 Half-Ton Shootout originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 14 Nov 2008 19:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>f-150half-ton shootoutHalf-tonShootoutlight-duty shootoutLight-dutyShootoutpickuptrucks.comramsierrasilveradotitantundraFri, 14 Nov 2008 19:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Strike forces GM to suspend truck and SUV orders]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/07/strike-forces-gm-to-suspend-truck-and-suv-orders/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/07/strike-forces-gm-to-suspend-truck-and-suv-orders/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/07/strike-forces-gm-to-suspend-truck-and-suv-orders/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,



General Motors has informed its dealers that production of some of its 2008 full-size trucks and SUVs has been halted due to the ongoing American Axle strike. The affected vehicles include the GMC Yukon, Denali, Sierra heavy-duty regular and extended cab, its commercial-duty pickup and variants of Chevrolet trucks and Tahoes. According to the General, a basic lack of parts is the reason for the stoppage and dealer orders for the week of May 8th and May 15th have been cancelled. While a lack of production is bad news for any automaker, we can't help but think that it couldn't have come at a better time for the General as SUV and truck sales are down overall.

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

Strike forces GM to suspend truck and SUV orders originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 May 2008 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>25003500chevrolet tahoeChevroletTahoedenaligm halts truck productiongmcgmc yukonGmcYukonGmHaltsTruckProductionsierrasuvWed, 07 May 2008 09:29:00 EST<![CDATA[GM offering zero-percent financing to move '07 models]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/22/gm-offering-zero-percent-financing-to-move-07-models/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/22/gm-offering-zero-percent-financing-to-move-07-models/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/22/gm-offering-zero-percent-financing-to-move-07-models/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

General Motors had a good August, bucking the industry trend with a year over year sales increase. A big part of that success came with zero-percent financing on the Silverado and GMC Sierra, and the General is looking to ride the wave by extending free loans through October first. GM isn't stopping with pickups either. Several 2007 models are getting an additional $1,000 on the hood, including the Yukon, Impala, and G6.

GM has done a pretty good job of staying off incentives through 2007, but the last few months have been brutal. Even some automakers from across the Pacific, who traditionally shy away from cash on the hood, have felt the pinch. GM hasn't announced additional production cuts, but if the incentives don't work, the Detroit-based automaker may have little choice.

[Source: Detroit News]

GM offering zero-percent financing to move '07 models originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 22 Sep 2007 09:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>0% Financing0%FinancingGeneral MotorsGeneralMotorsGMincentivesSierraSilveradoSat, 22 Sep 2007 09:27:00 EST<![CDATA[GM to cut 1,000 jobs in Oshawa]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/31/gm-to-cut-1-000-jobs-in-oshawa/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/31/gm-to-cut-1-000-jobs-in-oshawa/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/31/gm-to-cut-1-000-jobs-in-oshawa/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

The housing crisis is being blamed for decreased truck sales. In light of the credit crunch, fewer loans are being disbursed and fewer construction workerss are actually at work. With GMC Sierra and Chevy Silverado sales taking the hit, GM has decided to cut a shift at its Oshawa, ON plant in Canada. In a factory that employs 3,000 people, that's a direct loss of 1,000. The indirect job losses won't be known for a while, as GM's suppliers and the businesses around the plant make cuts of their own. It represents the first time the plant has run just two shifts since the early nineties.

The move is more regrettable news for the CAW following Ford's closing its Windsor plant and Chrysler's plan to shed 2,000 union jobs in Ontario. With 85% of the Oshawa plant's output coming south of the border, the 7% drop in sales for the two trucks has made them especially susceptible. The potential light on the horizon is that GM plans to build a state-of-the-art factory next to the Oshawa truck plant to build 500,000 cars per year -- but only after closing one of the two car plants that are currently there. It's quite a fall for the region; GM's Oshawa Plant No. 1 was the most efficient plant in North America in 2004.

Thanks for the tip, Peter!

[Source: Report on Business via Auto North]

GM to cut 1,000 jobs in Oshawa originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 31 Aug 2007 08:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>economygmlayoffsmanufacturingsalessierrasilveradotrucksFri, 31 Aug 2007 08:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Overtime is done at six GM plants]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/23/overtime-is-done-at-six-gm-plants/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/23/overtime-is-done-at-six-gm-plants/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/23/overtime-is-done-at-six-gm-plants/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,



Vehicle sales are slow throughout the US right now, and a slumping housing market coupled with high gas prices means that trucks and SUVs are being hit extremely hard in particular. Large truck and SUV sales are down 9% through July year over year, and GM has halted overtime at six locations to help keep its large vehicle inventory under control. Workers from Flint; Oshawa, Ontario; Ft. Wayne, IN; Janesville, WI; Arlington, TX; and Silao, Mexico will need to punch out after completing eight hours work. GM wants to be sure inventories of its all-important large trucks don't get too high, which could necessitate higher incentives if available stock gets out of hand. GM looks very serious about keeping cash rebates in check, even with the possibility of a strike looming next month.

[Source: Freep]

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.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ChevroletGMGMCSierraSilveradoSUVTahoeTruckYukonThu, 23 Aug 2007 09:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Toyota Tundra overtakes GMC Sierra 1500 in year-to-date sales?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/02/toyota-tundra-overtakes-gmc-sierra-1500-in-year-to-date-sales/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/02/toyota-tundra-overtakes-gmc-sierra-1500-in-year-to-date-sales/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/02/toyota-tundra-overtakes-gmc-sierra-1500-in-year-to-date-sales/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



The launch of Toyota's all-new 2007 half-ton Tundra pickup has had its fair share of hiccups, but despite bumps in the road, it appears that the Japanese automaker's half-ton has become the first import pickup to overtake a domestic in year-to-date sales. According to Mike Levine at pickuptruck.com, it appears the GMC Sierra 1500 lost its #4 ranking in half-ton sales to the Tundra based on projections culled from production numbers.

General Motors reports that the Sierra has sold 115,185 units year-to-date. The figure, however, includes 2006 and 2007 models of the Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500 (three-quarter ton), Sierra 3500 (one-ton) and even the 2007 Sierra "Classic" based on the older GMT800 platform. GM doesn't break down the sales numbers for the Sierra by model, so Levine got creative and used production numbers for each model from both 2005 and 2006 to extrapolate what percentage of this year's sales the Sierra 1500 model was likely to be. Assuming the Sierra 1500 represents about two-thirds of all Sierra sales, that would mean GM sold 76,700 units of the truck during the first seven months of 2007. The Tundra, meanwhile, sold 105,990 units, of which 97,290 were the all-new 2007 Tundra. Based on an "apples-to-apples" comparison in sales between half-ton models, it would then seem the 2007 Toyota Tundra easily outsold GMC Sierra 1500 to become the #4 best-selling half-ton pickup in the U.S. Based on projections through the end of the year, the Tundra will likely outsell all GMC Sierra models, as well, making it the #4 best-selling truck of any kind in the U.S. behind the Ford F-150, Chevy Silverado and Dodge Ram.

Thanks to Mike for doing the legwork and crunching the numbers.

[Source: pickuptruck.com]

Toyota Tundra overtakes GMC Sierra 1500 in year-to-date sales? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Aug 2007 19:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gmc sierragmc sierra 1500GmcSierraGmcSierra1500salessierrasierra 1500Sierra1500toyotatoyota tundraToyotaTundratundrayaer-to-dateThu, 02 Aug 2007 19:51:00 EST<![CDATA[Pickup truck wars heat up: GM offers 0% financing]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/31/pickup-truck-wars-heat-up-gm-offers-0-financing/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/31/pickup-truck-wars-heat-up-gm-offers-0-financing/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/31/pickup-truck-wars-heat-up-gm-offers-0-financing/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

A few weeks back, the top brass at GM stated that they intended to remain competitive in the hyper-competitive full-size truck market, and now we know just how serious the General is about protecting its truck turf. Beginning last Saturday, all 2007 extended and crew cab Silverados will have zero-percent financing for up to 60 months. GM spokesman John McDonald was quoted by Automotive News as saying that GM wanted to remain competitive with challengers that have been using "increasingly heavy spending" to move pickups.

While this news isn't exactly great for GM, there won't be many truck buyers complaining. It'll be interesting to see if Ford and Toyota further escalate the prodigious cash giveaway in a truck market that is more competitive than ever.

[Source: Automotive News (subscription req'd)]

Pickup truck wars heat up: GM offers 0% financing originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 31 Jul 2007 09:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>0%ChevyF-150GMincentivesRamSierraSilveradoTundraTue, 31 Jul 2007 09:05:00 EST<![CDATA[GM matches Tundra's incentives]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/04/gm-matches-tundras-incentives/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/04/gm-matches-tundras-incentives/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/04/gm-matches-tundras-incentives/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Toyota stole GM's thunder, but The General isn't going to let Toyota take its lunch money. The Japanese company is offering grand slam incentives for the '06 and '07 Tundras that include $3,000 and interest-free loans for five years. That kind of honey moved Tundras off dealer lots with a quickness, allowing the Tundra to improve its June 2007 sales by 146.3 percent over June 2006, with 21,727 trucks sold. GM didn't expect Toyota to be offering such a sweet deal on a truck that had an all-new version introduced this year, but Paul Ballew, GM's executive director of global market analysis said, "We're evaluating our options right now."

GM does offer incentives on the '06 and '07 Silverado and Sierra, and even though sales for those two pickups declined in June, the Silverado still moved 44,955 units and the Sierra 15,187. With Yukon Denali sales up as well, GM has a mix that it believes can maintain profits, so it's not out "to match dollar for dollar," but still, it's "not going to concede ground in a category we feel we're best in class in." Ballew's final words for Toyota: "The game's on."

[Source: Auto News, sub req'd]

GM matches Tundra's incentives originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Jul 2007 10:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chevroletgmincentivessalessierrasilveradotoyotatundraWed, 04 Jul 2007 10:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Ford Super Duty seeing super sales]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/05/ford-super-duty-seeing-super-sales/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/05/ford-super-duty-seeing-super-sales/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/05/ford-super-duty-seeing-super-sales/#commentsFiled under: , ,


With gas prices at record highs, Ford's heaviest and biggest trucks, the F-350 models and F-450, are surpassing all sales expectations.

The decked out Lariat and King Ranch variations of the F-350, as well as the F-450, are going gangbusters, with the King Ranch up 53-percent over last year, while the Lariat is up 30-percent. Overall, both models are leading their segment. With options topping $17,000 and sticker prices exceeding $60,000, the truck's decent sales are likely a breath of fresh air to the incentive-prone automaker.

Ford has more to brag about in its lighter trucks -- the F-250 also continues to be the top seller in its segment, and the F-150 historically has been one of Ford's most important vehicles behind the Taurus, set to relaunch this fall.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

Ford Super Duty seeing super sales originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 05 Jun 2007 09:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chevyF-350F-450f350f450fordking ranchKingRanchlariatsierrasilveradosuper dutySuperDutyTue, 05 Jun 2007 09:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Lutz lets a bit of Edmunds survey slip, GM takes 13 first place picks]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/04/lutz-lets-a-bit-of-edmunds-survey-slip-gm-takes-13-first-place/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/04/lutz-lets-a-bit-of-edmunds-survey-slip-gm-takes-13-first-place/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/04/lutz-lets-a-bit-of-edmunds-survey-slip-gm-takes-13-first-place/#commentsFiled under:



Sometimes news is just too good to keep to yourself. Just ask GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz. With his company supposedly claiming 13 spots on Edmund's Consumers' Most Wanted list, Lutz just had to brag a bit on the corporate blog before the winners were made public.

And he should brag. Most other car of the year awards are chosen by us automotive writers who usually prefer horsepower over hip room. As the name implies, Edmund's CMW awards are chosen by the car-buying public. And despite not voting with their wallets, the car-buying public who visits Edmund's really like their GMs.

The GMC Acadia got Most Significant vehicle of the year, beating out Honda's Fit, the Toyota Camry Hybrid, the Ford Edge and the Toyota Tundra.

Click through to see Edmund's press release as well as the other category winners.

[Source: Edmunds, GM FastLane Blog]

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.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>5 series5Series911a3a4acadiaAcadia awardsAcadiaAwardsacura tsxAcuraTsxaudi a3audi a4AudiA3AudiA4aurabmw 5 seriesBMW z4Bmw5SeriesBmwZ4bugatti veyronBugattiVeyroncadillac ctscadillac stsCadillac XLRCadillacCtsCadillacStsCadillacXlrchevrolet cobaltchevrolet corvetteChevroletCobaltChevroletCorvetteciviccobaltcorvettectsEdmunds Consumers' Most WantedEdmundsConsumers'MostWantedescaladeescalade esvEscaladeEsvford mustangFordMustangg35GM awardsGmAwardsGMC acadiaGmcAcadiahonda civichonda odysseyhonda s2000HondaCivicHondaOdysseyHondaS2000infinitinfinit g35InfinitG35kia rio5KiaRio5l2lexus ls 460LexusLs460lsls 460Ls460mazda 3Mazda3mustangodysseyoutlookporsche 911Porsche911porshce 911Porshce911RAV4rio5s2000saturn aurasaturn outlooksaturn skySaturnAuraSaturnOutlookSaturnSkySierraSilveradoskystssuburbanTacomatahoetoyota rav4Toyota TacomaToyotaRav4ToyotaTacomatsxvetteveyronXLRyukonz4Fri, 04 May 2007 09:24:00 EST<![CDATA[Detroit Auto Show: Under the skin of Toyota's Tundra]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/15/detroit-auto-show-under-the-skin-of-toyotas-tundra/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/15/detroit-auto-show-under-the-skin-of-toyotas-tundra/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/15/detroit-auto-show-under-the-skin-of-toyotas-tundra/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



Details on the Toyota Tundra have been slowly trickling out since its debut in Chicago last year, and finally, the manufacturer's display at the Detroit Auto Show put all the goods for our inspection. This, along with the recently-released specs, has given us a better idea of how the Tundra might stack up against the competition.
A recent print rag showed up in our mailbox with the breathless proclamation that the Tundra "could be the truck that breaks the Detroit 3's back". That's maybe a bit premature; as we've seen, the Tundra has some advantages and, yes, some potential drawbacks when compared to competing products from the Motor City.

Keep reading for our opinion and analysis of the Tundra's underpinnings, complete with photos from our gallery.

Continue reading Detroit Auto Show: Under the skin of Toyota's Tundra

Detroit Auto Show: Under the skin of Toyota's Tundra originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 15 Jan 2007 12:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1500chevroletchevydodgef-150fordgmchalf-tonpickupramsierrasilveradotoyotatrucktundraMon, 15 Jan 2007 12:54:00 EST<![CDATA[Embargo this! First Silverado test drive]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/04/embargo-this-first-silverado-test-drive/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/04/embargo-this-first-silverado-test-drive/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/04/embargo-this-first-silverado-test-drive/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



As we're sure you're well aware, automakers put press embargos on their latest and greatest, and if certain automotive news outlets break the street date, the fiery hand of Zeus bolts through the heavens and strikes the offending journalist dead.

But what if the vehicle in question is simultaneously on dealer lots and the date the embargo will be lifted is still a month away? If you're Autoweek's Bob Gritzinger, you mosey on down to your local GM dealer and take their newest truck offering for a spin. There's nothing wrong with that, right?

Hell no! But the article itself, humbly entitled, 'World Exclusive First Drive' (except for the guy that just bought one down the street) is much of the same information we've all read since the new Silverado and Sierra made their debut. Until a journo has a few good days with any vehicle, they aren't very well equipped to give it a thorough review and a quickie from a dealer just isn't gonna cut it.

Still, we salute Mr. Gritzinger's fortitude and wish him the best of luck when dealing with GM's PR team in the future.

[Source: Autoweek]

Embargo this! First Silverado test drive originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 04 Nov 2006 10:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>autoweekbob gritzingerBobGritzingergeneral motorsGeneralMotorsgmsierrasilveradoSat, 04 Nov 2006 10:13:00 EST<![CDATA[GM pricing of Silverado and Sierra oddly familiar]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/27/gm-pricing-of-silverado-and-sierra-oddly-familiar/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/27/gm-pricing-of-silverado-and-sierra-oddly-familiar/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/27/gm-pricing-of-silverado-and-sierra-oddly-familiar/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

General Motors didn't look too far to find its pricing for the 2007 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickup trucks - they're exactly the same as last year, for the most part. The Silverado and Sierra start at $23,605 for the 4.8L V8, RWD, extended cab, base model, including shipping. The crew cab option bumps the price up to $27,000, also the same as last year's pricing.

Other models are apparently within $300 of last year's pricing, and GM has even reduced the pricing of some of them. The four-wheel drive version of the extended cab model starts at $29,960 for the Chevy and $30,500 for the GMC, the 4WD crew cab'd model starts at $32,515 for the Chevy and $33,055 for the GMC. All models come standard with OnStar, a tire pressure monitoring system, and GM's 5-year/100,000 mile warranty. The trucks start coming down the production lines next week.

[Source: AutoWeek]

GM pricing of Silverado and Sierra oddly familiar originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 27 Sep 2006 07:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chevygeneral motorsGeneralMotorsgmcpickup trucksPickupTruckspricingsierrasilveradoWed, 27 Sep 2006 07:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Our Country, Our Truck: Vids debuted, no nukes]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/26/our-country-our-truck-vids-debuted-no-nukes/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/26/our-country-our-truck-vids-debuted-no-nukes/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/26/our-country-our-truck-vids-debuted-no-nukes/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Late last night, the embargo on GM's new Silverado ad campaign was dropped and our friends over at the Jalop' were kind enough to let us in on all the glorious and controversial details.

Now that the actual ads are starting to break cover, we're finally getting a feel for how they, ummm, feel. Across the board, it's exactly what we expected from the new campaign, but it seems that certain images that were shown to the press earlier, didn't make it into the final spots we're seeing now. The two visuals that created the biggest stir involved a shot of the "Towers of Light" projecting from Ground Zero and an aerial shot of an atomic bomb explosion.

Jalopnik has the full explanation about what went down when they asked GM's PR flacks why the images were nixed at the 11th hour.

Make the jump to see the second video.

Continue reading Our Country, Our Truck: Vids debuted, no nukes

Our Country, Our Truck: Vids debuted, no nukes originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 Sep 2006 14:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>general motorsGeneralMotorsgmgmt900sierrasilveradoTue, 26 Sep 2006 14:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Our Country, Our Truck: GM's Silverado marketing campaign]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/26/our-country-our-truck-gms-silverado-marketing-campaign/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/26/our-country-our-truck-gms-silverado-marketing-campaign/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/26/our-country-our-truck-gms-silverado-marketing-campaign/#commentsFiled under: , ,



The PR people at GM have described their new line of GMT900 pickups as, "the most important product release in General Motor's history," and it very well may be. With a new player in the market in the form of the Tundra and a new F-150 due in the near future, the General is banking on the Silverado and the Sierra to shore up the pickup truck segment in its favor.

To that end, its new ad campaign is aiming directly at who GM feels is its target demographic: rural, married men who love their families, their jobs and their country.

The new spots, which will debut during Monday Night Football, are a look back on the last 50 years of American culture, including the good, the bad and the profound. John Mellencamp serenades over images of baseball, farms and other assorted Americana, including an image of the "Towers of Light" that emanated from Ground Zero after the attacks of 9/11 and, oddly, an image of an atomic bomb test.

Our blogging brethren over at Jalopnik have a full report from the media event they attended and give a more detailed synopsis, along with some analysis of the General's newest ad campaign.

[Source: Jalopnik]

Our Country, Our Truck: GM's Silverado marketing campaign originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 Sep 2006 00:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>f-150f150general motorsGeneralMotorsgmgmcgmt900pickupsierrasilveradotrucktundraTue, 26 Sep 2006 00:10:00 EST<![CDATA[GM expects 2006 to be a solid year]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/13/gm-expects-2006-to-be-a-solid-year/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/13/gm-expects-2006-to-be-a-solid-year/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/13/gm-expects-2006-to-be-a-solid-year/#commentsFiled under: , ,

While crosstown rival Ford Motor struggles to find its Way Forward, General Motors seems to be making solid progress with its North American recovery program, with General Motors vice president Brent Dewar reporting that the company is on track to sell 3 million vehicles in the U.S. this year, virtually unchanged from 2005, when sales got a boost from massive incentive programs.

With monthly year-over-year numbers down in the summer months, when 2005's incentive programs were in full swing, GM is expecting strong growth through the rest of the year, driven by its new SUVs and trucks (and their high profit margins). GM is also making progress on reducing its dependence on incentives to juice sales - the automaker reports that 2006 incentives are down an average of $900 per vehicle.

With two key new models launching in the near future, the Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra, the company is expecting another boost in the truck segment, aided by its new five-year, 100,000 mile powertrain warranty program.

[Source: Reuters]

GM expects 2006 to be a solid year originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Sep 2006 13:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2007 sierra2007 silverado2007Silveradocar salessierrasilveradovehicle salesWed, 13 Sep 2006 13:05:00 EST