General Motors
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Talk of General Motors purchasing or merging with Chrysler, sale to a third party or other speculation has been refined somewhat by Cerberus' statement today that it is trying to find a single buyer for Chrysler. The ideal situation for Cerberus would be a merger with GM, stake in the combined company and more of an interest in the GMAC financing company currently split between Cerberus and GM, according to the latest reports. By not considering a split-up of the company across several buyers, Cerberus can leverage the full value of the Chrysler brand - whatever that may be - in its...
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Pontiac G8 to be cut after single product cycle?
Rumors surrounding the uncertain future of Pontiac have begun to step up intensity despite a revamped product lineup and a sporty new direction. Cars like the Solstice roadster and G8 saloon have ignited interest in the brand but there is mounting speculation that both these models could be axed...
James Martinez -
GM develops second-generation car-to-car communications system
Vehicle-to-vehicle communication is the next big wave in active vehicle safety but the technology is still in its infancy and will require substantial cooperation between carmakers and governments to get off the ground. Several carmakers have taken the initiative to develop the technology already...
Alex Kaufmann -
Hummer sending three new concepts to SEMA
Despite a change-up in power at the top with the naming of a new CEO just a week ago and a firm commitment by GM to sell the brand, Hummer is continuing merrily on its way to SEMA with a three-pack of concepts based around the H3. The first, an H3T truck-based vehicle called the 'Weekend Warrior'...
Nelson Ireson -
Ultra-rare 1963 Corvette Grand Sport coming up for auction
An American auction house will be selling off one of the rarest and most valuable Corvettes in history – the mighty 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport, chassis no. 002. Often referred to as an enigma in motor racing history the Grand Sport was General Motor's contender to Ford's formidable...
Ralph Hanson -
Low-cost camera-based safety system sees danger before you do
A company in the Netherlands has developed a new camera-based monitoring system that can drastically improve road safety for drivers at a relatively low cost. Mobileye Vision Technologies has created a small camera that mounts behind a car’s rear-view-mirror, and looks out to the road ahead...
Ralph Hanson -
Building the next generation of cars is often easier than deciding which should be built, or how they'll be built, if General Motors' trouble with the Epsilon II platform and its large sedan lineup is any indication. Nevertheless, it appears that GM is still working on reviving the Chevrolet Impala and replacing the Buick LaCrosse, though the highly successful Malibu may have to wait a few years past its planned redesign date. The Malibu, built on the original Epsilon platform, had been intended as a short-run vehicle, to be replaced whole-cloth after about three years on the market. Now the...
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GM updates Duramax V8 to be lighter and more efficient
General Motors has finally taken the wraps off its new Duramax 4.5L V8 turbodiesel, with several innovative features that separate the new mill from the previous generation design. Last year GM showed off the top half of the engine, which showed the turbocharger positioned where the intake manifold...
Ralph Hanson -
Report: C7 Corvette put on indefinite hold
There are all manner of rumors concerning the next-generation C7 Corvette, with stories ranging from the possibility of a mid-engined platform to AWD powertrains and even the arrival of a dual-clutch version. Although there isn’t much substance to any of these rumors, one of them that’s...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
Cadillac prices the CTS-V at $59,995, sales start Nov. 1
Launching a come-back to sit among the world's best luxury sport sedans is no easy task, especially with the level of competition there is today from companies like Mercedes-Benz, Audi, BMW and Lexus. But Cadillac appears to have done just that with its CTS, and now the CTS-V is poised to take the...
Nelson Ireson -
Report: GM could eliminate Chrysler after acquisition
Late on Friday it was reported that General Motors was in preliminary talks with Chrysler’s parent company Cerberus Capital Management over a possible deal to acquire the Auburn Hills carmaker. Since then Chrysler CEO Bob Nardelli has confirmed that the talks had taken place but stated that...
Ralph Hanson -
Opel Insignia saloon tuned by Irmscher
German tuner Irmscher is a specialist when it comes to modifying Opels, having worked with the brand for more than 40 years and previously installing a V8 engine in the compact Opel GT. Not surprisingly, it's one of the first companies to work on the new 2009 Insignia sedan, and has now released a...
Kenneth Hall -
While previously we reported that General Motors had revealed the prices of the base 2010 Chevrolet Camaro LS as well as the V8-powered SS model, the full price list for all upcoming 2010 Chevrolet Camaro models and their options has finally been leaked. The list reveals dealer costs, recommended retail pricing and employee pricing for all the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro models and options. The V6-powered LS will be competing against the likes of the Ford Mustang and Dodge Challenger, but at $22,995 it is the most expensive of the trio. The Challenger undercuts the Camaro by $1,000 at $21,995, and...
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Report: Cadillac may fit turbodiesel V8 to CTS
The American car buyer is reputed to be warming to the idea of diesel power after several decades of disinterest, though few carmakers have dared to test the strength of that demand. So far the primary candidates have been luxury and sedans, but now Cadillac is rumored to be working on a fitment...
Nelson Ireson -
GM will close two SUV plants by end of 2008
Cutting back on SUV and pickup truck production while shifting focus to smaller and mid-size cars means some reallocation of the workload among General Motors' North American factories. While many factories are just changing what they do, some will have to be closed to align with the new face of...
Nelson Ireson -
Chrysler considering merger, but nothing signed yet
Following a number of weekend reports claiming Chrysler could be sold to General Motors comes the first official confirmation from its CEO that major structural reforms are being considered at the Auburn Hills carmaker. Bob Nardelli told employees in a memo today that Chrysler has been in...
James Martinez -
GM rules out launching minicar in U.S.
General Motors confirmed at last year’s Los Angeles Auto Show that its Chevrolet Beat concept car would enter production in South Korea and eventually be sold in Asian and South American markets. While previously there was talk that a production version of the Beat could eventually be sold in...
Alex Kaufmann -
Saab's next-gen 9-5 could be designed in the U.S.
General Motors has traditionally designed many of its compact and mid-size cars at its Opel operations in Russelsheim, Germany. Now, however, the company may be looking to shift some of that duty to its U.S. offices, the better to design a car that will suit both U.S. and European tastes. Primary...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
Automotive lending and mortgage firm GMAC has announced it will further restrict automotive financing by ceasing to offer any money to buyers with credit scores lower than 700. The move puts most American buyers out of contention for GMAC financing, as the average credit score in the U.S. is 680. On the other hand, about 74% of the prime car-buying public holds a score above 700, meaning that while the majority of American citizens may not qualify for GMAC loans, the majority of those in the market will, reports Automotive News. "These changes in pricing and underwriting are related to the...
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Update: GM approached Ford before Chrysler
Capping off a week that saw General Motors’ share price take a 31% hit in a single day comes a new report claiming the carmaker is in talks with Chrysler over a possible merger deal. According to an inside source familiar with the talks, GM approached Chrysler more than a month ago to discuss...
James Martinez -
Saturn will get only sedan version of Opel Insignia to replace Aura
Earlier this year we reported that General Motors could possibly delay the launch of the next-generation Saturn Aura, or possibly drop the model altogether, but according to GM vice chairman Bob Lutz the new car is on track albeit with some major changes. Lutz confirmed at the time that the Opel...
Siddarth Raja -
HSV unveils 40th anniversary GTS and new SV08
Holden Special Vehicles (HSV), the official performance arm of GM’s Aussie subsidiary, has unveiled two new models at today’s Sydney Motor Show, commemorating the 40th anniversary of its GTS performance badge and reviving the SV nomenclature for the latest E-Series range of cars...
Ralph Hanson -
Ordering book for new Camaro leaked
The all-new Chevrolet Camaro was unveiled in July at GM's Design Center, complete with engine options and power outputs, but until recently we hadn’t seen any details about what specs or trim levels the rejuvenated muscle car would be available with. Earlier this week we saw an unofficial...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
Mid-engine layout unlikely for C7 Corvette
With the current ZR-1 supercar already priced above $100,000, the question remains whether General Motors should push the Corvette into the upper echelon of the performance market or allow it to remain somewhat affordable to the average Joe – at least in base spec. Rumors of a next generation...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran