General Motors

GM, Tesla, Aston Martin announce recalls for potential fire hazards

Tesla Motors is recalling 439 of its electric sports cars because of a possible fire hazard involving the 12-volt electrical system is its 2010 Roadster 2.0 and Roadster 2.5 with “a 12-volt auxiliary cable.” AUTOMOTIVE RESOURCES AND INFORMATION Auto Shipping Quote–Car Financing–Car Insurance Quotes–Car Loans–Online Car Insurance–Rental Cars–Used Cars Tesla discovered the 12-volt cable may have been improperly routed, allowing it to be pinched or abraded. One Tesla customer reported a complained of smoke and fire in the auxiliary system but the problem was resolved without injury. And Aston Martin is recalling almost 1,100 of its 2007 and 2008 DB9, DBS and V8 advantage models because a suspension failure could cause steering problems and increase the chance of a crash,

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GM confirms first compact car in two decades with 2012 Buick Verano

GM, the largest U.S. automaker, said the Verano will be built alongside the Chevrolet Aveo at the factory in Orion Township, Michigan. The Verano, which means “summer” in Spanish, will be based on the recently launched 2011 Chevrolet Cruze, and will be the first compact Buick since the Skylark was discontinued 12 years ago. AUTOMOTIVE RESOURCES AND INFORMATION Auto Shipping Quote–Car Financing–Car Insurance Quotes–Car Loans–Online Car Insurance–Rental Cars–Used Cars The Verano, which will debut as a 2012 model, is expected to feature a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, while hybrid versions are pending. The Verano will expand GM’s lineup of fuel-efficient vehicles, which includes the 2012 Aveo and Spark. The Verano’s assembly plant, about 30 miles north of Detroit-based GM’s headquarters, previously

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GM, Nissan dominate North American best car nominees

The 18th annual awards are chosen by automotive journalists from the United States and Canada who represent magazines, television, radio, newspapers and web sites. AUTOMOTIVE RESOURCES AND INFORMATION Auto Shipping Quote–Car Financing–Car Insurance Quotes–Car Loans–Online Car Insurance–Rental Cars–Used Cars Twenty-seven new cars were eligible for the 2011 North American Car of the Year award and 14 have been selected as semi-finalists. The jurors did not vote on the trucks because there were only 14 on the original list. The North American Car of the Year and North American Truck of the Year will be announced in January at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Audi A8 Buick Regal Chevrolet Cruze Chevrolet Volt Ford Fiesta Hyundai Sonata/2.0T/Hybrid Infiniti M37/56

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GM recalls nearly 250,000 recent SUVs for potential safety belt issues

The automaker and regulators said most of the vehicles were shipped within the United States. Several thousand others were exported to Canada, Mexico, China, Saudi Arabia, among other countries. Potential damage to the second-row safety belts could result in the latch seemingly appear it was secure when it wasn’t. No accidents or injuries have been reported as a result of the issue. The problem was discovered during warranty returns and sustained damage was cosmetic in most cases. General Motors will detail dealership repair procedures to owners via letter. James RaiaA sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car review column The Weekly Driver since 2004. In addition to founding this site in

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General Motors CEO resigns as carmaker posts best results in six years

Daniel Akerson, a former CEO of Nextel and a GM board member for just over a year, will succeed Whitacre. AUTOMOTIVE RESOURCES Auto Shipping Quote, Car Financing, Car Insurance Quotes, Car Loans, Online Car Insurance, Rental Cars, Used Cars GM’s promising quarter financial numbers was the best result in six years for the automaker and and a stark turnaround from the $12.9 billion it lost in the year-earlier period when the company went into bankruptcy. According to statistics reported on CNNMoney.com, the second quarter was also an improvement from the $865 million in the first quarter. Revenue reached $33.2 billion, up 5 percent from the first quarter and 44 percent from a year ago. Achieving two straight quarters of profits

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GM dedicates $890 million at five U.S. plants to generate new fuel, robust employment

According to a GM press release, the investment consists of the following: * Two plants will support the engine production: Tonawanda, N.Y. (an investment of $400 million resulting in more than 710 jobs) and St. Catharines, Ontario (an investment of $235 million resulting in approximately 400 jobs); * Three plants will support engine casting and component production: Defiance, Ohio (an investment of $115 million resulting in up to 189 jobs); Bedford, Ind. (an investment of $111 million resulting in about 245 jobs); Bay City, Mich. (an investment of $32 million resulting in over 80 jobs). The investments include facility renovation and installation of new, highly flexible engine machining and assembly equipment and special tooling designed for manufacturing efficiency and engine

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GM completes government loan payments, increases Chevy Volt, Malibu focus

AUTOMOTIVE RESOURCES Auto Shipping Quote, Car Financing, Car Insurance Quotes, Car Loans, Online Car Insurance, Rental Cars, “I am very pleased to announce that, as of today, General Motors has repaid, in full and with interest, the loans made last July by the U.S. Treasury and Export Development Canada,” said GM chief executive Ed Whitacre, speaking at a plant in Fairfax, Kan., where GM builds Chevrolet Malibu and Buick LaCrosse sedans. Whitacre also announced GM would make two big investments for production of the next-generation Malibu: $136 million in the Fairfax facility, which will become the primary production point for the car. Likewise, GM has invested $121 million in its Detroit-Hamtramck plant to provide additional production at peak demand time.

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General Motors says 661 dealers welcomed back from bankruptcy restructuring

GM planned to terminate franchise agreements with about 1,300 U.S. dealers by the end of 2010 in a bid to operate its retail networks more efficiently and return the company to profitability. About 1,160 dealers have sought arbitration. Mark Reuss, GM North American President, said the manufacturer has opted to reinstate more than half of the dealers appealing closure in an effort to complete the arbitration process before the congressionally mandated deadline of July 15. The company plans to continue settlement talks with some 500 dealers who will not be offered reinstatement and remain in arbitration, Reuss said. To be reinstated, the dealers will have to meet certain business criteria, including minimum working capital requirements, sales and profitability within 60

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Ford has dramatic sales increase, Toyota tumbles again

Ford announced sales rose to 137,644 vehicles for its Ford, Lincoln and Mercury brands and it plans to build 595,000 in North America in the second quarter and increase of 32 percent from 2009. The industry’s sales were announced following one if them most turbulent months for the car industry, particularly for Toyota and other manufacturers facing recalls. Despite the tumultuous times, Ford sales in February rose for every brand when compared to the same month last year.  It was the first month since 1998 that Ford outsold General Motors, the biggest U.S. carmaker. General Motors reported its February U.S. sales rose 12 percent to 141,951 vehicles with its four core brands – Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac increasing by

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GM recall: 1.3 million Pontiac and Chevy models with power steering issues (video)

As the buzz continues for one of the most anticipated auto gatherings of of the year, General Motors isn’t experiencing what it thought it would at the Geneva Auto Show. Usually, the industry’s annual gathering in Switzerland is when more manufacturers debut cars arguably than at any other show. But this year, it’s the just announced the need to repair 1.3 million Chevrolet and Pontiac vehicles for from 2005 to 2010 models with potential power steering problems that’s got the attention of the industry at large. The recall covers the 2005-2010 model year Chevrolet Cobalt and 2007-2010 Pontiac G5 in the United States; 2005-2006 Pontiac Pursuit sold in Canada, and the 2005-2006 Pontiac G4 sold in Mexico, GM said in

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Hummer no more as GM, China truck company deal fizzles

General Motors Co has announced it will wind down its Hummer SUV line after failing to complete a deal to sell the brand to China’s Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machinery Co. GM had hoped to sell the poor-selling brand to Tengzhong, an industrial equipment maker based in Sichuan province, the the deal in negotiations for monthly, dissolved. GM said it will continue to honor warranties and provide service support and spare parts to current Hummer owners. The first model, the Hum-Vee, was built in a variety of military-based equipment and versions. These included troop carriers, gun turrets and radar. The U.S. military, on receiving their quota, have adapted some of the vehicles. In 1990, two matching white Hum-Vees were driven

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Spyker buys Saab in last-minute deal from GM for a reported $400 million

Saab owner General Motors announced the deal without financial details. Several Internet reports, without quoting sources, said the purchase price for Spyker was $400 million, with $74 million in cash. The remainder of the purchase is reportedly in deferred stock shares. Saab is seeking to borrow $564 million from the European Investment Bank, a loan that Sweden announced it will guarantee. Sweden said the EIB and European Commission were still reviewing the loan. Despite a loyal following appreciative of its distinctive style reminiscent of the Jets the manufacturer original made more than 50 years ago, the Swedish carmaker has failed to make money for about two decades. General Motors, which originally purchased half of Saab in 1989, was unable to

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GM boss says Hybrids, Electric vehicles not that important

Lutz downplayed the importance of electric and hybrid cars for the future of General Motors at the recent North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The longtime auto industry insider suggested hybrid cars are not as important as the press would lead the public to believe. He also had some strong words for those who don’t like the recent GM bailout. “If you don’t like your tax dollars going to bailout GM,” buy a Chevy, now,” Lutz said. Roman Mica, contributing editor of TheWeeklyDriver.com, produced this video at the Detroit Auto Show. It features Lutz addressing the topic of electric and hybrid cars. James RaiaA sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new

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General Motors to Tiger Woods: No more free Buicks

Woods’ endorsement contract with GM’s Buick brand ended in 2008. But the manufacturer extended its relationship with golfer via several free loaner vehicles. Woods specifically touted the Buick Enclave, a sport utility vehicle, during his contract with GM.  Buick was also a long-time sponsor of the Buick Invitational, a PGA Tour event at held in San Diego, California. The sponsorship ended following the 2009 event Buick assumed title sponsorship of the event in 1991 and its contract ended at the end of 2009. Now called the San Diego Open, the tournament will held beginning January 25 at Torrey Pines. Woods won the U.S. Open at Torrey Pines in 2008. Woods has lost a host of endorsement contracts since his car

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General Motors News: Massive production increase, rehiring for 2010

GM also expects another 600 jobs will be restored at affiliated locations across the United States. U.S. auto dealer inventories were trimmed sharply after the federal government’s “cash for clunkers” program lifted sales in July and August with incentives of up to $4,500 to turn in gas-guzzling vehicles and buy new more fuel-efficient models. GM will draw from its pool of laid off workers first to fill restored positions and expects virtually all of jobs to be filled by workers now on layoff or who would be subject to layoff once other plants are idled. In September, GM said it expected to build 535,000 vehicles in North America in the third quarter and 655,000 in the fourth quarter, down about

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General Motors Unveils Electric Vehicle Volt, Will Debut As 2010 Model

“The Volt symbolizes GM’s commitment to the future,” said Rick Wagoner, GM’s chairman and CEO. General Motors did not announce pricing for the car, which will have the equivalent of about 150 horsepower and a top speed of 100 mph, accordin to GM. To charge the batteries, drivers will plug a cord into one of the ports just ahead of each of the side mirrors. The cord can then be attached to an ordinary home electrical outlet. The car, according to a GM release, will cost “less than purchasing a cup of your favorite coffee” to recharge. It will use less electricity annually than a refrigerator. The Volt should cost less than 2 cents per mile to drive on electricity,

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