General Motors

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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CAR REVIEW: 2013 Chrysler 300 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. Of course, the latest 300 is far less costly than the exquisite Bentley. Prices range from $29,845 to $48,250. The 300 comes with standard rear-wheel drive (RWD) or, like the Bentley, with all-wheel drive (AWD). Both also have an eight-speed automatic transmission with a manual shift mode. The 300 is filled

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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 spokeseman for General Motors, via his contract with Buick. Woods fiilmed 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 Toyota Prius 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 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’

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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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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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Japan Economy: Toyota, Honda, Nissan cease production

Toyota, Nissan and Honda have all suspended production of cars and trucks in the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami that has devastated northeastern Japan. Toyota, Japan’s largest automaker, reported it has ceased manufacturing at its 12 plants until March 16, according to Reuters. Two of the closed factories have  a combined annual capacity of 420,000 small cars built mainly for exported sales. Toyota manufactured 234,045 vehicles (38 percent of its global production) in January in Japan. Nissan has halted output at four plants in northeast Japan and will remain closed without a scheduled re-opening date. Two Nissan employees at a plant in Tochigi prefecture were slightly injured by the earthquake, according to new agencies. The carmaker also reported 1,300

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Rare GM Futurliner bus set for Indiana auction in May

A unrestored Futurliner bus from General Motors “Parade of Progress” of the 1940s and ‘50s is among the early consignments for the expected roster of 1,000 cars and motorcycles available May 12-15 in Auctions America by RM at Auburn Auction Park in Auburn, Indiana. The Futurliner bus, one of 12 built and eight known in existence, has an estimated value of $450,000 to $600,000. In highly original condition, it has recently been equipped with eight new tires, a new plexiglass windshield and all-new rubber and metal siding. These futuristically styled buses, measuring 11 feet high and 33 feet long, were designed by Harley Earl and originally built in 1940 and refurbished in the early 1950s. They traveled the highways and

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Chevy Volt gets reality check, like maybe its own TV show?

Clever 30-second television ads during the Super Bowl and other major telecasts are fine, and General Motors will return next month with spots for the biggest one-day event in sport. Sponsorship of pro sports is fine, too. General Motors is back this season sponsoring the PGA Tour after ending its relationship with embattled Tiger Woods, then world’s top-ranked player, as its spokesman for Buick. But GM has bigger plans. According to Steve Tihanyi, GM’s director of sports and entertainment, the carmaker is seeking to capitalize on the increasing popularity of reality TV. According to a Reuters interview with Tihanyi at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, GM is in discussion with a reality TV producer about the inclusion

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OnStar safety program soon ready for non-GM vehicles

The OnStar in-vehicle safety system has been available on select General Motors brands since 1996. But the technology, now in its ninth generation, will soon be available to a wider range of vehicles, GM or not. Within a few months, consumer electronics retailers will begin selling a standalone version of OnStar. It’s replacement rear-view mirror that can be installed in most “top-selling” vehicles from major manufacturers. Best Buy will be OnStar’s the first U.S. retail partner. The retail version on OnStar will offer the core features including the noted “blue button,” turn-by-turn navigation services, stolen vehicle location assistance, automatic crash response and one-touch access to roadside and emergency services. The device will also offer hands-free calling via Bluetooth. The replacement

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