Autoblog

Video: GM commercial thanks taxpayers for the bailout

Jeff Glucker — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 14:59:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, GM, Earnings/Financials

General Motors takes one on the chin but gets back up, thanks to us - Click above to watch video after the jump

General Motors is trying hard to move forward after everything that has happened in the last few years. The auto giant would not be here without the help of the government and the hard-working taxpayer. In a brand-new 60-second holiday ad spot, The General shows us that people and things can fall down or fail, but they get back back up... even if they need help doing so.

A boxer gets knocked down, a rocket falls back to its launch platform, Popeye almost drowns and Evel Knievel lands on his back instead of his bike. Each situation looks rocky but turns out okay in the end. GM shows these clips and then acknowledges its own fall while also thanking us (i.e. taxpayers) for picking it back up.

The clip is heavy on the schmaltzy side, but it's nice to think General Motors realizes who kept it in business. While we'd prefer some stock, a simple "thank you" message will have to do for now. You can see the ad for yourself by clicking past the jump and giving it a look.

[Sources: USA Today, General Motors]

Continue reading Video: GM commercial thanks taxpayers for the bailout

Video: GM commercial thanks taxpayers for the bailout originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 29 Nov 2010 14:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Will GM's EV policy be dictated by the success of its IPO?

Jeff Glucker — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 14:30:00 EST

Filed under: Technology, GM, Earnings/Financials

2011 Chevrolet Volt - Click above for high-res image gallery

General Motors is getting closer to the day it takes that financial plunge and once again offers its stock to the world. The day of the IPO, which is speculated to occur in November, will be a very important day for the future of GM. If it goes well, it will provide the automaker with a massive infusion of cash, much of it which figures to be used to repay the government. The money could also be tucked away into the General's treasury where it can serve to fund product development. One such area of development? Electric vehicles.

GM is finally getting ready to release the Chevrolet Volt upon the waiting world, and early demand for the vehicle is high. However, the technology's long-term financial viability at GM remains very much in doubt, and according to TheDetroitBureau.com sources, while other Voltec programs are being explored, nothing has been approved yet because executives and board members are waiting to see how the IPO affects their research and development budgets.

Gallery: 2011 Chevrolet Volt: First Drive

Photos copyright (C)2010 Chris Paukert / AOL

[Source: The Detroit Bureau]

Will GM's EV policy be dictated by the success of its IPO? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 22 Oct 2010 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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127 MPG: What Motor Trend got driving the Volt in the real world

Jeff Glucker — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 13:58:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Etc., Chevrolet, GM, Electric

2011 Chevrolet Volt - Click above for high-res image gallery

Did General Motors lie or didn't they? The media and public got extremely swept up by the fact that GM told the world its range-extended electric vehicle would not use the on-board internal combustion engine to power the wheels, when it will under certain conditions. This bit of news has blown up in the General's face, but does it change the fact that the Volt is still a pretty amazing piece of automotive engineering? Motor Trend spent a couple of weeks with one and came away impressed by what the Chevrolet Volt could do. In fact, ~~lead flip-flop~~ lead-foot Jonny Lieberman scored some seat time and was able to hit 127 miles per gallon.

The 127 mpg figure was achieved over a variety of Los Angeles city streets, canyon roads and highways. During the trip, the car ran out of battery power and the gasoline engine quietly turned on to give it more juice. Not to the wheels, but to the battery. If the car gets up over 70 miles per hour, then the ICE will send a small amount of power to the wheels, but by doing so it makes the car more efficient.

The M/T editors took the car on another trip and really tried to push it hard. They ran the Volt up to its 101 mph top speed, had the A/C cranked and traveled across some hilly terrain. The result? The Chevy returned nearly 75 mpg. MT feels the takeaway from its time with the Volt is that the car is incredibly efficient and the fact that the gasoline engine occasionally pitches in doesn't make it any less remarkable of a vehicle.

Gallery: Quick Spin: 2011 Chevrolet Volt

Photos Copyright (C)2010 Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc.
[Source: Motor Trend]

127 MPG: What Motor Trend got driving the Volt in the real world originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Oct 2010 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM confirms $145M investment in Orion, ponders new name for Chevy Aveo?

Jeff Glucker — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 10:29:00 EST

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Hatchback, Chevrolet, GM, Rumormill

Chevy Aveo show car - Click above to enlarge

General Motors was happy to show off its revamped Chevrolet Aveo at the Paris Motor Show last week. The car is a fresh change of pace from the last generation Aveo, and a strong step forward for Chevrolet in the subcompact segment. It may be a good car, but word on the street around the company's Orion Township plant suggests that The General might be ditching the Aveo moniker. Apparently, GM wants to distance itself from the lackluster last generation car. A new name could go a long way in helping the car get off on the right foot, but seeding a new name in this industry among potential consumers costs tens of millions of dollars, so it would likely be a very costly decision.

Speaking of costly, as expected, GM confirmed yesterday that it will spend $145 million on its Orion plant to build both the Aveo (or whatever it ends up being called) and Buick's first premium small car in over 20 years, the Verano (teaser at right). The investment, GM says, will save 1,500 jobs. The Orion plant, you may recall, was earmarked to produce the U.S. version of the Chevrolet Orlando, a three-row MPV that was subsequently canceled for the States.

You can read about GM's investment in the company's official press release after the jump (note that while GM talks of the Buick Verano by name, it only refers to "Chevrolet's new small car," adding fuel to the name-change fire).

Gallery: Paris 2010: Chevrolet Aveo

Photos copyright (C)2010 Drew Phillips / AOL

Sources: Detroit Free Press]

Continue reading GM confirms $145M investment in Orion, ponders new name for Chevy Aveo?

GM confirms $145M investment in Orion, ponders new name for Chevy Aveo? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 08 Oct 2010 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM completes buy of AmeriCredit, to be called GM Financial

Jeff Glucker — Sun, 03 Oct 2010 13:08:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., GM, Earnings/Financials

General Motors is just about ready to start offering in-house financing once again. Its acquisition of AmeriCredit is complete, pending approval by AmeriCredit's shareholders. The merger is officially effective as of October 1st, 2010 and is an all-cash transaction valued at $3.5 billion.

The company will be renamed GM Financial. Having a captive finance arm allows GM and its dealers to expand finance and lease options, which is good news for both The General and its customers. GM Financial has targeted first quarter of 2011 to begin its initial leasing program.

You can read the full press release after the jump.

[Source: General Motors]

Continue reading GM completes buy of AmeriCredit, to be called GM Financial

GM completes buy of AmeriCredit, to be called GM Financial originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 03 Oct 2010 13:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Vintage Pontiac film teaches Americans to fear foreign cars

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 20 May 2010 19:58:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Plants/Manufacturing, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Pontiac, UAW/Unions

Pontiac's throwback appeal to its workers - Click above to watch videos after the jump

"What Americans want to know is you are doing your job." That's what Pontiac had to say to its plant workers with two videos made in the Seventies, when the brand that once built excitement was building up concern over foreign car sales. The message is a simple pep talk at the highest level, but with a riptide of martial tones: if Americans know "you're fussy about installing wiring," then they'll keep buying Pontiacs and we can, essentially, repel the menace.

Obviously, it didn't work. You can have a look at the failed (and at times, somewhat xenophobic) calls-to-action in the videos after the jump.

[Source: YouTube via Sympatico via Jalopnik]

Continue reading Video: Vintage Pontiac film teaches Americans to fear foreign cars

Video: Vintage Pontiac film teaches Americans to fear foreign cars originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 20 May 2010 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First Drive: 2011 Buick LaCrosse CX gets four cylinders for fuel economy

Sam Abuelsamid — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 11:58:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Buick, First Drives

2011 Buick LaCrosse four-cylinder - Click above for high-res image gallery

For the foreseeable future, the LaCrosse will remain the flagship of the Buick lineup, so at first glance, it might seem peculiar that General Motors is adding a seemingly modest inline-four cylinder engine to the sedan's powertrain list. However, at the time the LaCrosse was being developed in 2007-2008, gasoline prices in the United States had spiked to their highest levels ever, topping $4 per gallon. General Motors product planners were understandably working on the assumption that fuel prices would remain high and continue an upward trend in the coming years.

Although Buick officials won't say so explicitly, another factor that likely played into the decision to offer the 2.4-liter EcoTec four-cylinder engine was the underwhelming response to the new 3.0-liter direct injected V6. While the new smaller V6 is a smooth runner and produces similar power to the company's earlier 3.6-liter port injected V6, it was lacking in torque compared to its larger counterpart and actually got slightly inferior fuel economy. We recently had the chance to sample the new four-cylinder-powered LaCrosse CX in rural Virginia. Read on to find out if less is indeed more when it comes to Buick's handsome sedan.

Gallery: First Drive: 2011 Buick LaCrosse I4

Continue reading First Drive: 2011 Buick LaCrosse CX gets four cylinders for fuel economy

First Drive: 2011 Buick LaCrosse CX gets four cylinders for fuel economy originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 02 Apr 2010 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chrysler shows off eight Mopar concepts at Easter Jeep Safari 2010

Zach Bowman — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 15:22:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Concept Cars, Performance, SUV, Truck, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Military, Design/Style, Diesel, Off-Road, Racing

2010 Easter Jeep Safari Mopar Concepts - Click any image to enlarge

Chrysler's engineers have been busy lately. Mark Allen, head of the Jeep design studio, has introduced a total of eight new concept vehicles at this year's Easter Jeep Safari. Each one has been worked up by the company's off-road engineering team, and while most are nothing more than pure fantasy, at least a few can be crafted out of parts available from the Mopar go-fast catalog. Even better, all have the off road guts to go anywhere you please.

That includes the Jeep Wrangler J7. Consider this the stripped-down beast we would build if Chrysler gave us the keys to the kingdom for a week. Fluffy stuff like carpet, the stereo and alloy wheels have been ditched in favor of more utilitarian goods. New all-steel bumpers, complete with helicopter hooks, join a sturdy rear gate and steel wheels wrapped in 35-inch rubber. A small 2-inch lift helps accommodate the larger rollers, and the eye-searing Mustard Plug paint sets the truck apart from the crowd. While we have no problem with the 3.8-liter V6, we would probably swap the four-speed automatic gear box for a row-your-own.

Speaking of rowing your own, the Jeep Patriot Extreme is more than happy to accommodate third-pedal lovers everywhere. While Wrangler guys may be quick to rag on the baby Jeep, this Patriot is more than capable of dispatching rough terrain. A two-inch suspension lift gives the trail-rated package just a little more clearance, and custom rock rails protect the bodywork from getting too close to the trail. We're also digging those 16-inch TJ Moab wheels, extra lighting on the bumper and roof rack for... snowboards?

Chrysler says it turned out the Wrangler Trail Boss (right) just to show off all of the products available from the Jeep trail catalog. The truck's specs read like a recipe for a Wrangler wish list. Outside, the most noticeable difference between the Trail Boss and a standard Wrangler is the addition of new AEV off-road bumpers, complete with a Warn 9.5ti winch, though the half-doors and sun bonnet do much to alter the truck's attitude, too. A 3-inch lift kit allows for healthy 35-inch rubber down below, wrapped around those slick Hutchinson Rock Monster beadlock wheels. Click the jump to read about the rest of the Mopar monsters.

Gallery: 2010 Easter Jeep Safari Concepts

[Source: Chrysler]

Continue reading Chrysler shows off eight Mopar concepts at Easter Jeep Safari 2010

Chrysler shows off eight Mopar concepts at Easter Jeep Safari 2010 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 31 Mar 2010 15:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Officially Official: GM kills Pontiac UPDATED with LIVE webcast embed

Chris Paukert — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 08:50:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, GM, Pontiac, Earnings/Financials

Rumors from late last week have come home to roost, and as part of its restructuring efforts, General Motors has just announced that Pontiac will be "phased out by the end of 2010." GM will continue to build its accelerated viability plan around four brands: Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick, and GMC.

As part of its latest announcement, GM also announced that it plans to have "the resolution" of Saab, Saturn, and Hummer by the end of 2009 "at the latest." In total, GM plans to end up with just 34 nameplates for 2010, as compared to 48 for 2008 - a reduction of some 29%. Further, as part of its viability plan tendered to President Obama's Auto Task Force, the automaker's revised viability plan projects that GM's total market share will dip to 18.4 to 18.9% - the plan is banking on a 19.5 percent share for this year.

A media conference call is scheduled for later this morning and we will have more details and analysis following that, but for now, the official press release after the jump.

*UPDATE: LIVE WEBCAST of GM press conference embedded after the jump... ~~going on right now!~~ (Concluded)

[Source: General Motors]

Continue reading Officially Official: GM kills Pontiac *UPDATED with LIVE webcast embed*

Officially Official: GM kills Pontiac *UPDATED with LIVE webcast embed* originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Apr 2009 08:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: GM to shed 1,600 white-collar jobs by May 1

Chris Paukert — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 11:39:00 EST

Filed under: Trends, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, GM, Earnings/Financials

According to General Motors spokesman Tom Wilkinson, the struggling automaker will shed 1,600 white-collar jobs by May 1 as part of its continuing restructuring efforts. The cuts, which are scheduled to begin this week, are part of a larger action to shed 3,400 white-collar jobs this year.

Details about what brands and/or aspects of GM's business will be most affected by the headcount reduction are not being disclosed at this time. According to the AFP news bureau, GM has thus far reduced its workforce globally by some 47,000 jobs (26,000 of which are outside of the U.S.), and it presently has about 200,000 employees.

[Source: AFP via Google | Image: Bill Pugliano/Getty]

REPORT: GM to shed 1,600 white-collar jobs by May 1 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 20 Apr 2009 11:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Henderson says GM bankruptcy decision still in doubt; Hummer decision expected before month's end

Chris Paukert — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 12:58:00 EST

Filed under: Trends, Government/Legal, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, GM, Earnings/Financials

We were on General Motors CEO Fritz Henderson's teleconference with reporters this morning, and while the proceedings were light on revelatory news (okay, there really wasn't any), some important things were clarified:

Namely, Henderson denied that the company has reached a decision on whether to pursue bankruptcy, and officials are still hard at work on a two-track strategy (one with, and one without), with the company's preference still being to keep matters out of the courts. When it comes time to make a decision (June 1), Henderson admitted that "The Treasury would be a key player in that decision," though he didn't rule out his company's own role as being part of the process.

Additionally, Henderson said that the company is still pursuing a "four-core brand strategy," meaning that it plans to keep Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick, and GMC, with Pontiac still in the mix as a niche brand. Henderson called both GMC and Buick "very profitable," and added that some of the products that GM has in its pipeline that it is most excited about are slated to carry the Buick badge. When asked point blank as to the security of the two brands, however, he declined to guarantee survival of any particular marque in the company's portfolio.

Henderson all but confirmed that the company plans to keep the likewise "highly profitable A.C. Delco parts business, but he acknowledged that a decision looms for Hummer, with final bids from three purchasers expected by next week. The company expects to make a sale decision on the SUV brand by month's end.

In regards to Saab, the GM CEO reiterated that a number of parties are interested in the Swedish brand, and that their "books are open" to serious bidders. Unsurprisingly, Henderson also acknowledged that it is pursuing buyers for Saturn, but he denied that there was only one serious bidder in the mix.

On its European front, Henderson says that "well more than six" parties have expressed interest in Opel, which he characterized as financial and industry players. Henderson said GM expects work to get done within the next two-to-three weeks, and he acknowledged that Germany's cash-for-clunkers and the early success for the new Insignia have helped liquidity issues. As such, Opel can now evidently sustain itself through late in the second quarter, if not further.

[Image: Bill Pugliano/Getty]

Henderson says GM bankruptcy decision still in doubt; Hummer decision expected before month's end originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 17 Apr 2009 12:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Snip-Snip: GM slashing $800M from marketing budget (yes, even Transformers)

Chris Paukert — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 14:59:00 EST

Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Trends, Marketing/Advertising, GM, Earnings/Financials

Click above for high-res gallery of the Transformers cars from GM

When you're forced into a life-and-death situation like General Motors, a lot of tough calls have to be made - yet some are more obvious than others. In this case, The General has made it clear that it plans to slash its North American marketing spending - by some $800 million dollars.

That's an extra $200M on top of the $600M that already GM vowed it would cut by 2010 in a disclosure it made back in December. And it isn't just things like SuperBowl commercials, and print ads - vehicle incentives will also be impacted, something that will doubtlessly affect the already tough sledding that dealers are experiencing.

Another example: Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen. Despite early efforts to tie Chevrolet to the Shia LaBeouf/Megan Fox Paramount sequel with efforts like the Corvette Centennial Concept and "Jolt" Volt unveiling at the Chicago Auto Show, trade publication Advertising Age is reporting that GM will not spend much money to co-promote the movie.

For the initial 2007 Transformers movie, GM is said to have spent "tens of millions" of dollars in advertising-related initiatives, but not only can the financially-strapped automaker not afford to do so, it realizes it may also not be a good idea in light of the taxpayer bailout. AdAge is quoting one insider as saying:

"You're not going to see any TV media that I know of. Even though you can make a case for it from a marketing standpoint, it's the kind of thing that might get you roundly criticized in light of today's climate. It's viewed as too risky, sort of like Citibank's deal with the Mets. GM can't afford to do that.

The message is clear: Bumblebee, Sideswipe, Jolt and Mudflap... you're on your own.

Gallery: Chicago 2009: GM Transformers cars LIVE

[Sources: Automotive News; Advertising Age]

Snip-Snip: GM slashing $800M from marketing budget (yes, even Transformers) originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 Feb 2009 14:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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eBay Find of the Day: John Schneider's General Lee going for $2.3 million

Frank Filipponio — Wed, 02 May 2007 14:25:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Auctions, Dodge

Click image for full gallery of John Schneider's original General Lee

While we might stop just short of calling it "The most famous model of the most famous car in the world!" as the seller does, we wholeheartedly agree that this is one of the most iconic cars in cinematic history. And when the seller happens to be one of the stars of the show that made the car famous, well, this is easily one of the most valuable star cars in recent memory. Bo Duke, aka John Schneider, (aka Jonathan Kent - Ed.) is auctioning off his personal "General Lee" Dodge Charger R/T. According to John, this particular car was one of the cars featured in the last REAL Dukes of Hazzard movie, "Dukes Go To Hollywood". The underside of the the hood is autographed by all of the surviving orginal cast members and crew from the TV show, as well. It was also the prototype for all of the General Lees used in the most recent Jessica Simpson Dukes of Hazzard movie.

Thanks for the tip, Matt!

[Source: eBay]

Gallery: General Lee Charger

Continue reading eBay Find of the Day: John Schneider's General Lee going for $2.3 million

eBay Find of the Day: John Schneider's General Lee going for $2.3 million originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 May 2007 14:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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