An expected announcement today by President Barack Obama will outline the federal government’s commitment to buy only advanced technology vehicles by 2015. Only hybrids, plug-in electrics, and flex-fuel vehicles will be allowed into its present fleet of 600,000 vehicles. The government has already doubled its number of hybrids in keeping with existing mandates. Full-size SUVs...
Continue Reading...
Rumors of Holden vehicles, specifically the rear-drive Commodore, coming to the U.S. have always been a fixture of the automotive media, and with the Holden-based Pontiac G8’s demise a few years ago, some of them have seemed to be more wishful thinking than anything of substance. General Motors is bringing back the larger Holden Statesman...
Continue Reading...
A Japanese factory that makes batteries for the Chevrolet Volt is back online today after being temporarily shut down since the March 11th earthquake. Hitachi Automotive operates the three plants, one of which produces batteries for the Volt. GM has apparently ordered 100,000 battery packs for the Volt. The other two produce various vehicle components,...
Continue Reading...
Easily the best thing to come out of the now-defunct Pontiac brand in recent memory was the G8 sports sedan – based on the Australian Commodore. Not only was it an impressive performance machine, but it gave North America a taste of just how good a job Holden is doing down under. Looking to satisfy...
Continue Reading...
General Motors will recall 2,000 laid off workers by September according to a Detroit News report, allowing the company to start hiring new workers for its American plants. While G.M. representatives would not confirm any timeline, Joe Ashton, UAW VP in charge of GM, confirmed that the workers would be back, stating “We will have...
Continue Reading...
There’s risks when you take your vehicle to tackle land speed records at the Texas Mile. Hinson Motorsports’ Chevrolet Corvette Z06 experienced everyone’s biggest fear when the vehicle flipped going an astonishing 230-mph. Luckily the driver didn’t sustain any major injuries, a huge testament to Hinson Motorsports in focusing on safety as much as performance....
Continue Reading...
Following an increasingly popular trend, Chevy will look to build its next-generation Equinox compact crossover on a global platform. Set to be based on the next-gen Chevy Cruze architecture, the Equinox is slated to be smaller and lighter than the current model. Along with more efficient engines, automakers are working to reduce weight from vehicles...
Continue Reading...
Baldwin Motion is looking to benefit from the resurgence of Chevy‘s new Chamaro, launching five different models with horsepower figures ranging anywhere from 525-hp to 800-hp, all based on the Camaro SS. Dubbed the “Fantastic Five”, the base model is SS-427, next up is the Phase III 427 then the SS-454, Phase III 454 and...
Continue Reading...
Despite reports to the contrary, the team at Car & Driver are reporting Chevrolet has no plans to introduce a Cruze SS model. But that doesn’t mean a more powerful version isn’t in the cards. Wait? So wouldn’t a more potent Cruze be a Cruze SS, you’re asking? Not exactly. Rather than a sport-compact-style machine,...
Continue Reading...
Chevy’s had some entertaining commercials as of late, from a memorable Super Bowl spot for the new Camaro this year, to last year’s ‘America still builds rockets‘ Corvette ad. Well, the boys at Chevy’s marketing agency quietly introduced a new ad for the ‘Vette over the weekend during the 12 Hours of Sebring race. In...
Continue Reading...
New details on GMs upcoming 7-speed dual-clutch transmission have surfaced, although it’s probably not what you’re thinking. Those who don’t recall the first rumors of this new high-tech unit might jump to the conclusion that it’s a beefy unit designed for the next-generation Corvette and a select-group of Cadillacs. Quite the opposite is true. In...
Continue Reading...
An old finance maxim states that “by the time you’ve read about it, it’s already too late”, but that hasn’t stopped used car dealers from eagerly snapping up any 4-cylinder or hybrid vehicle as gas prices continue to climb. With one dealer calling the sudden trend a “panic”, values of previously undesirable cars like the...
Continue Reading...
General Motors has halted production at their Tonawanda, New York engine plant, due to a parts shortage that has affected another factory in Louisiana. The New York plant builds engines for the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon, which are assembled at the Shreveport, Louisiana plant. While GM has acknowledged that the closure is due to...
Continue Reading...
With the Chevrolet Cobalt SS being a critical (if not commercial) success, General Motors has been pushing for an SS version of their new Chevrolet Cruze small car, and the program looks like it’s a go, with much of the work being done by their Australian Holden division. While details are still preliminary, a more...
Continue Reading...
Donald Trump is set to join the illustrious list of Indy 500 Pace Car drivers when he slides behind the wheel of a 2011 Chevrolet Camaro SS at the quintessential American motorsports event. The Camaro SS Pace Car, announced earlier this year, will be a convertible model, and that gives us extra incentive to tune...
Continue Reading...
NASCAR star Jeff Gordon will appear in the upcoming Pixar film Cars 2 as Jeff Gorvette, a Corvette C6.R, and his role will be more than just a cameo. The Gorvette character (if it can be called that) will be positioned as a rival to protagonist Lightning McQueen. While the connection between NASCAR and Corvette Racing...
Continue Reading...
It wasn’t exactly a secret. With Thailand being one of the most popular single markets for small and mid-size pickups – the biggest in the world according to GM’s Susan Docherty, it’s hardly surprising the General chose the Bangkok Auto Show to reveal its global Ford Ranger competitor, the Chevrolet Colorado. However, the actual truck...
Continue Reading...
Today’s four-cylinder engines are much more refined and powerful, to the point that the old adage ‘there’s no replacement for displacement’ doesn’t really apply any more.
Continue Reading...
The ongoing crisis in Japan is continuing to impact automakers and the entire industry, even American companies. Japanese suppliers of the Chevrolet Volt’s transmission have been disrupted by the nuclear situation, which has a chance to delay production of the hot-selling electric car. The Japanese plant that builds the high-tech transmission has been shut down...
Continue Reading...
General Motors Shreveport, Louisiana factory that builds the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon will face a production halt until March 21st due to supply chain issues stemming from Japan’s natural disasters. GM hasn’t specified which part is causing the stoppage, but both trucks feature a manual transmission made by Japanese firm Aisin. GM apparently has...
Continue Reading...
Everything the company builds for sale in the US (apart from the Chevy Volt) is included in the sweepstakes contest, from the Buick Regal and GMC Terrain, to the Chevy Corvette ZR1 and Cadillac CTS-V Sport Wagon.
Continue Reading...
While forced induction has long been in favor in the rest of the world, Americans have often favored big displacement motors, but recent trends towards fuel economy have necessitated a shift to smaller motors, and turbocharging is considered the optimal way to stretch 4-cylinders into feeling like 6. Honeywell, one of the largest manufacturers of...
Continue Reading...
TrueCar.com released their rankings of the Top 10 Most Fuel Efficient vehicles in both the hybrid and non-hybrid category, an important distinction according to TrueCar, because “Hybrids offer great fuel economy but most don’t provide the value consumers are seeking.” The hybrid list is predictably topped by the Toyota Prius, followed by the Lexus CT200h...
Continue Reading...
The Saturn Vue is back, but you won’t be able to buy one. That’s because the Chevrolet Captiva Sport, essentially a rebadged Vue, will only be available to fleet customers. With either a 2.4L Ecotec 4-cylinder or a 3.0L direct injection V6, the Captiva will offer an adequate powertrain for all types of customers, but...
Continue Reading...
sidebar...
