General Motors
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General Motors has confirmed it will open a hydrogen fueling station in Los Angeles together with Clean Energy Corp. in a bid to promote the benefits of the clean-burning fuel as well as GM’s progress in the field of alternative fuels and powertrains. The two companies are also open to expanding the new hydrogen infrastructure in the hope that it will build acceptance among consumers that hydrogen could one day be worthy alternative to petrol. Clean Energy is the leading provider of natural gas products for transportation in North America and is providing its expertise at storing and...
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GM and Ford seek longer R&D tax credit periodA tax credit that makes it more affordable for American carmakers and companies in many other industries throughout the U.S. to invest in their respective research and development cycles expired at the end of 2007. The bill that would have reinstated it failed to pass the Senate by 10 votes...
Nelson Ireson -
Big hybrid SUVs next sales target for GMGeneral Motors' sales fell off more than 25% in May, thanks largely to a precipitous drop in large SUV and pickup truck sales. To counter the drop GM is going to focus on pushing its two-mode hybrid large SUVs. The company thinks more people would buy them if only they were aware they existed...
Nelson Ireson -
Volt expected to cause brand issues for GM EuropeGM's plan to sell the Volt plug-in hybrid in Europe under its Chevrolet badge is expected to upset the balance between the brand images of Chevrolet and GM's European subsidiaries Opel and Vauxhall. In Europe, Chevrolet is perceived as a budget brand while Opel, and its Vauxhall UK spin-off, are...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
GM boosting V6 engine productionGM will boost production numbers of its HF global V6 engine at its Ramos Arizpe plant in Mexico to meet increased demand for smaller and more efficient engines from consumers downsizing from fuel-thirsty V8s. An additional 350,000 V6 engines will be built at the plant, raising its capacity to...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
Hummer could go to India's Tata or MahindraHummer could be the next acquisition target on Tata’s list now that its purchase of Jaguar and Land Rover is complete. The Indian conglomerate has previously expressed interest in developing more SUV models, especially for the U.S. market, and with Land Rover already in its hands Hummer could...
Ralph Hanson -
Fuel efficiency and hybrid technology haven't historically been major concerns of the oil-rich states in the Middle East, but Dubai and its Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) have taken delivery of General Motors test vehicles for what could become the world's largest fleet of hybrids. The cars are being used for government transport and as public taxis in a 12-month trial to determine their viability. No other Middle East states have performed such a trial to date, and General Motors is anxious to develop the trial into a more long-term fleet agreement. The cars delivered include the...
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GM CEO defends Detroit 3 in light of declining SUV and pickup salesDespite having to drastically cut its SUV and pickup truck production in North America and shutdown several plants, GM CEO Rick Wagoner has defended criticism that Detroit’s carmakers have relied too heavily on SUV and truck sales and have been reluctant to develop more compact vehicles...
Alex Kaufmann -
GM to buy Cobasys to secure hybrid futureEarlier this week we brought you news of GM's recall of 9,000 hybrids due to leaky batteries supplied by Cobasys. Now it looks like GM may buy the battery maker from joint owners Chevron and Energy Conversion Devices (EDC) to help smooth out its supply chain. If it does acquire the battery maker...
Nelson Ireson -
Saab Turbo X now on sale in the U.S.The Frankfurt Auto Show launch of the Saab Turbo X commemorated the 30th anniversary of Saab's first turbocharged car, the 99 Turbo, and the latest Turbo in Saab's line-up is finally available for purchase in the U.S. With special appearance and performance parts to distinguish it from the rest of...
Nelson Ireson -
Buick Lucerne will survive large RWD purge at GMFor the last several years enthusiasts had been awaiting GM's new round of rear-wheel drive large sedans with bated breath, and as late as a few months ago, those hopes looked like they would be fulfilled. The advent of new and strict CAFE standard, rising fuel prices and GM's corporate...
Nelson Ireson -
CAW feels betrayed by GM, sees more bad news aheadThe restructuring plan announced today by General Motors shows a complete corporate strategy for adapting to the structural changes taking place in the American market. Unfortunately, that means some plants will have to be closed and some jobs cut. Among the first to go will be the Oshawa truck...
Nelson Ireson -
Yesterday word leaked on the UK getting a shipment of right-hand drive Camaros, and it seems the company is determined to move forward with a full-scale launch of the car. Believing the platform is equally well suited to V6 and even four-cylinder engines as the more traditional V8s, General Motors thinks the Camaro can fit into a CAFE-centric future. The thirsty, high-power V8 Camaros will only be a part of sales, according to GM vice president of sales and marketing Mark LaNeve in an interview wtih Edmunds. "Everyone thinks we'll be positioning the Camaro as a burn-ass hot rod," he said...
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GM reveals North American restructuring planGM today announced a range of strategic initiatives in response to growing demand for fuel-efficient vehicles and to economic and market challenges in North America. The major initiatives announced include new car and powertrain programs to meet changing demand in the U.S., new production details...
Ralph Hanson -
GM seeks tax breaks to build Chevrolet Volt in DetroitGM is hoping its upcoming electric car, the Chevrolet Volt, will be the start of its economic turnaround and is committed to building the car in its hometown of Detroit. However, the General will need financial aid to keep its promise and recently met with Detroit City Council members to discuss...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
Right-hand drive Camaro confirmed for EuropeThe shift to small, economical cars isn't the only thing going on in General Motors' product development pipeline, despite what all the headlines may say. The Camaro is coming, and now it's confirmed to be coming to Europe as well, with a right-hand drive conversion going to the UK. About 600 cars...
Nelson Ireson -
Kappa-based Breckland Beira V8 roadsterThis month’s Motorexpo at London’s Canary Wharf saw the reveal of a new British-built roadster based around GM’s Kappa platform, which underpins cars like the Opel GT, Saturn Sky and Pontiac Solstice. The new roadster is called the Breckland Beira and unlike its GM siblings the...
Ralph Hanson -
New compact car for GM in 2009The current Chevrolet Cobalt and Pontiac G5 are among the smallest cars in the GM line-up, especially in coupe form. Sources are now confirming a new, more compact car is due in 2009 and that Cobalt production may not be continuing past June 2010. The new car will be shared across five GM brands...
Nelson Ireson -
With all the industry talk lately about batteries, the plants that build them and the technologies used in their construction it's clear that much of the automotive future will center around them. It turns out that a good portion of GM's present does too, thanks to 9,000 hybrids failing due to leaky battery packs supplied by Cobasys. The failed nickel-metal hydride battery packs caused the computer inside the hybrid cars to shut down the hybrid portion of the drivetrain, returning the vehicles to standard combustion-engine-only status, reports Automotive News. The cars affected include 2007...
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Detroit looking forward to 2010 turnaroundThe past decade hasn't been a success story for any of the Big Three American automakers, and the past year has been particularly tough. But as new, more fuel-efficient models and revised union contracts come into play starting in 2010, Detroit thinks it has a future worth looking forward to. Sales...
Nelson Ireson -
Toyota could build Prius in U.S.The world's best-selling hybrid is currently built in Japan and China, but with demand for the efficient cars in the U.S. remaining high, Toyota is reportedly considering adding Prius production to its joint-venture facility operated with General Motors. The two companies already use the New United...
Nelson Ireson -
GM to announce tough restructuring planFalling demand for SUVs and pickups and the compounded effects of rising fuel prices and a slowing economy are hitting American automakers hard. Already reeling from shrinking market share and tough competition from cheaper Asian rivals, America's former Big 3 have been forced to speed up their...
Kenneth Hall -
GM hopes tax credits can reduce cost of Chevrolet VoltDespite earlier reports predicting the upcoming Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid vehicle would cost less than $30,000 when it arrives in November 2010, a source close to the project has now revealed that the final price tag is likely to be closer to $40,000. That figure is likely to be higher than the...
Ralph Hanson -
American Axle strike cost GM $2.82 billionWith recent news of workers crossing the picket line and the American Axle strike being called off, General Motors has taken stock of the strike action's effect on its business. In total, the strike cost the carmaker almost $2.82 billion but other costs have yet to rear their heads - such as lost...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran