General Motors

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General Motors raises 2014 Corvette Stingray price

The Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, the car often known as America’s sportswear, just got more expensive. General Motors has announced the base price of the sports car just went up by $2,000, from $51,000 to $53,000. The manufacturer has also increased the price for the Stingray convertible by $2,000. It now costs $58,000. In addition, the price of the Z51 performance option package went up by $1,200. It now costs $4,000. The Z51 package adds larger wheels, performance tires and special aerodynamic features, among other things. “The consumer demand for Stingray has far exceeded our expectations, particularly for the Z51 package,” GM spokesman Monte Doran said. The Corvette was completely redesigned for the 2014 model year and has won a number

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General Motors recall lapse could cost carmaker millions

General Motors could face millions of dollars in civil penalties as the aftermath of publicly apologizing for responding quickly enough to a safety issue linked to 13 deaths and 31 accidents. The financial ramifications could occur if the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) determines the automaker neglected to inform regulators. The NHTSA is also facing criticism for not demanding GM act more quickly to recall more than 1.6 million vehicles, according to a report in the Los Angeles Times. The recall is linked to the cars’ ignition switches, which GM says can be accidentally turned from the “run” position to the “accessory” position while the car is being driven. When this happens, the engine shuts off and safety systems

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GM first: Mary Barra picked as new chief executive

Mary Barra became the first woman at the top level of the United States automotive industry Dec. 11 when she was named chief executive of General Motors. Barra, 51, the currrent executive vice president of global product development and global purchasing, will replace current chief executive Dan Akerson on Jan. 15. The selection of Barra to lead GM marked the latest among several appointments of woman chief executives to corporations long dominated by men. Last year, the technology firm Yahoo named a woman as president and CEO. Also, women have been named in recent years to run defense contractors General Dynamics Corp. and Lockheed Martin as well as computer giants IBM and Hewlett-Packard.   Barra’s promotion came one day after

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2013 Chrysler 300 Review: A bargain Bentley

Can’t afford a $200,000-plus Bentley? Then you might want to check out the latest Chrysler 300. The Chrysler 300 is aging, but the 2013 model is reminiscent of a $206,225 Bentley Flying Spur, if only because they have the same subdued elegant styling, an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. As with the British Bentley, the 300 has a great heritage: the 1955 C-300 was America’s first mass-produced 300-horsepower car. Key Takeaways Test car: the $35,345 all-wheel-drive 300S “Glacier Edition,” with the 300-horsepower 3.6-liter V-6 and an eight-speed automatic. 0-60 mph in 6.5 seconds for the 300-horsepower V-6. $29,845 to $48,250 across the 300 lineup, with rear-wheel drive standard and all-wheel drive available. 18 mpg city and 27 highway with

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Chevrolet Cruze recalled as GM fixes potential flammage liquid issue

General Motors is recalling nearly a half-million Chevrolet Cruze compacts sedans from 2011 and 2012 to modify the under-engine shield so flammable liquids are not trapped in the engine compartment. The recall covers 2011 and 2012 Cruze sedans built at GM’s Lordstown, Ohio plant from September 2010 through May 2012. The recall affects 413,418 vehicles sold in the United States, 61,299 in Canada and 701 in Israel. The engine shield on the models affected has the potential to trap engine fluids and raise the risk of a fire, GM said. Cruze models sold around the world made at plants other than in Lordstown, Ohio, do not have the same design and are not believed to have the same issue, a

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Will Tiger Woods soon be driving a free Buick Enclave — again?

In the aftermath of Tiger Woods‘ recent first PGA Tour victory since 2009, what comes to mind for the automotive world is how long will it take before the famed golfer is once again driving a free Buick? Or this time time around will it be a Ford, Chevy, Hyundai, Lexus or Mercedes-Benz? Although it seems longer ago than 2009, Woods was once a spokesman for General Motors, via his contract with Buick. Woods filmed commercials driving a Buick Enclave, the luxury SUV. Despite its rather hefty presence, the Enclave was largely unheralded. But GM decided Woods was an ideal representative for the manufacturer. The Enclave quickly became known as the “Tiger Woods car.” One prime example occurred in 2006.

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Chevy Volt's love-hate relationship: Image issues remain for car of the year

A few days after its production temporarily stopped because of low sales, the Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid has been named the 2012 European Car of the Year at the Geneva Auto Show. It shares the award with Opel Ampera, its European sibling. The Volt won North American Car of the Year in 2011 among several other accolades. But the Volt has also been a controversial newcomer to the green car market. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) investigated the vehicle after several odd batteries fires. And although the NHTSA reported the Volt wasn’t defective, sales have not improved. General Motors says it has received about 7,000 orders for the Ampera in Europe already and expected to sell more than

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Chevy Volt hybrid unplugged by GM for five weeks via low sales

The Chevrolet Volt, the plug-in hybrid highly touted by General Motors but not overwhelmingly accepted by the car-buying public, has fallen short of GM’s anticipated sales predictions and thus will not be made for five weeks beginning March 19. According to the carmaker, production will stop through April 23 at its Hamtramck assembly plant in Detroit. The plant had increased its production to full speed in Feb. 6. from March 19 until April 23. Sales of the Volt in February more than tripled from a year earlier to 1,023. But sales are below what’s needed to meet Chief Executive Officer Dan Akerson’s goal of 45,000 deliveries in the U.S. this year. In 2011, GM hoped to sell 10,000 Chevy Volts,

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GM debuting smallest, lightest Cadillac in history at Detroit Auto Show

General Motors will unveil the 2013 Cadillac ATS, the smallest and lightest car in the the storied brand’s history, when the North American International Auto Show begins January 9 in Detroit. The yet-to-be-priced sedan will go into production in a few months at the General Motors factory in Lansing, Mich. The ATS will be available in two four-cylinder engines and as a V-6. The new sedan will range from 200 to about 320 horsepower, and will be available in rear-wheel or all-wheel drive and with a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. With an expected beginning price between $33-$35,000, the ATS will weigh about 3,400 pounds, which is approximately 600 pounds less than the Cadillac CTS. It’s also is 8.5

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GM makes high-voltage move, calls back all Volts for potential battery fires

Arguably biggest setback for hybrid and electric cars has been announced with General Motors’ revelation that it’s “calling back” all Chevrolet Volts sold in the United States as a precaution against battery pack fires. The call back involves about 8,000 vehicles, with the carmaker detailing it needs to “toughen the protection around the battery pack and make other changes to prevent fires following a crash.” Sales of the Chevy Volt began U.S. markets in mid-December 2010. GM executives said while the changes came following a federal probe into three fires in Volt battery packs after crash tests, they had seen no complaints from customers, no disparaging reports from Volt owners on the road and no sign of fire in its

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Hyundai, Kia, VW, GM all back in sold out Super Bowl commercial spotlight

The most coveted and most expensive advertising platform, the Super Bowl, is sold out. And for the auto industry that means welcome back Volkswagen, GM, Toyota, Hyundai and Kia, among other auto-related sponsors. According to a report in USA Today, all 30-second slots, which cost a record $3.5 million each, were purchased by the end of last November. Seth Winter, senior vice president of sales and marketing at NBC’s sports group, told the newspaper, “We have shattered any recent revenue stories in regards to the Super Bowl.” Last year, Volkswagen had two of the most popular Super Bowl commercials, including the Darth Vader spot in which a boy in the super villain’s attire believes he can start his parents’ 2011

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General Motors recalls 2012 Sonics for missing parts

It’s small compared to massive recent numbers, but General Motors is recalling more than 4,000 Chevrolet Sonics because of missing brake pads. It’s the auto industry’s first recall of the pending new year. According to GM, some Sonics could be missing an inner or outer brake pad, resulting in longer braking distances. No crashes or injuries have been reported. The recall involves 4,296 Sonics (2012 models) sold in the United States and manufactured in the assembly plant in Orion Township, Mich. It makes Sonics for U.S. and Canadian markets. Dealers will inspect front brakes on Sonics for missing inner or outer pads and install new pads, if necessary. Customers affected by the recall will receive dealer letters beginning Jan. 14.

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Saab wings clipped, files for bankruptcy after 65-year lifespan

Saab, the 65-year-old carmaker whose motto was “made from jets,” has now been jettisoned into bankruptcy courts, ending a two-year quest to save the troubled Swedish manufacturer. The decision was made, according to a report in the Irish Times newspaper other media outlets, after its former owner General Motors blocked the latest takeover attempts by Chinese investors. Saab had been in discussions with several potential investors over the last two years. But the deals have fell through. Chinese suitor, Zhejiang Youngman Lotus Automobile had its proposal rejected late last week. Saab chief executive Victor Muller, who handed in the bankruptcy application to a court in Sweden yesterday, described the latest General Motors decision as “the last nail in the coffin

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One Chevy Volt burns, another smokes, NHTSA starts probe

Following problems while under close monitoring by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the U.S. Government has started a safety defect investigation of the lithium-ion batteries in General Motors Co.’s Chevrolet Volt. The probe began after one Chevy Volt battery pack caught fire after a crash test. Another crash-tested battery emitted smoke and sparks, according to the NHTSA report. General Motors responded in a statement that the Volt “is safe and does not present undue risk as part of normal operation or immediately after a severe crash.” The latest fires are in addition to a battery fire in a crash-tested Volt six months ago. NHTSA learned of a possible fire risk involving damaged Volt batteries when a fire erupted

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Another Saab story: Chinese buy ailing Swedish carmaker

Chinese distributor Pang Da Automobile Trade and auto manufacturer Zhejiang Youngman Lotus Automobile have purchased Saab, the struggling 62-year-old Swedish automaker who proudly once marketed itself as “Built From Jets,” for $142 million. If the transaction is completed by Nov. 15, it will designate the second time Saab has been purchased in the past two years. General Motors sold Saab to Swedish Automotive in early 2010 as part of its bankruptcy reorganization. Swedish Automotive is a Dutch company then known as Spyker, a high-end brand of hand-made sports cars. But Saab continued to struggle under the new ownership. China has become the largest market in the world for auto sales. Ford Motor sold its Swedish Volvo unit to Chinese automaker

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Thousands of used GM owners may get $800 from lawsuit

General Motors may pay individual car owners as much as $800 for a class auction lawsuit on some vehicles 17 years old and covered under a class-action lawsuit, according to The Detroit News. Most of the claims associated with the lawsuit were paid before GM went into bankruptcy in 2009. The carmaker agreed in 2008 to pay for as many as 35 million GM vehicles supplied with coolant linked to engine failures or cooling system problems. General Motors began using “Dex-Cool” in 1995 model vehicles and received thousands of complaints from owners for engine and radiator problems. In 2003, a series of class-action lawsuits were filed. According to the newspaper, 11,300 claims remain, with approved claims totaling $1.3 million for

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