autoMedia Auto News Blog : General Motors

Koenigsegg Hits Brakes On Deal to Buy Saab

admin — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 02:55:00 GMT

Koenigsegg Group has walked away from a proposed purchase of Saab from General Motors. The conglomerate lead by supercar-maker Koenigsegg had previously reached an agreement to purchase the Swedish division from GM, aided by a $600 million funding commitment from the European Investment Bank (EIB) guaranteed by the Swedish government. GM was to support the new venture with continued assistance in developing and producing cars, including the next-generation Saab 9-5 . Without Koenigsegg, Saab risks being shuttered, as was the fate for Saturn when Penkse Automotive decided not to complete its purchase. "We're obviously very disappointed with the decision to pull out of the Saab purchase," said GM President and CEO, Fritz Henderson. "Many have worked tirelessly over the past several months to create a sustainable plan for the future of Saab by selling the brand and its manufacturing interests to Koenigsegg Group AB. Given the sudden change in direction, we will take the next several days to assess the situation and will advise on the next steps next week." In the post-bankruptcy, GM has struggled with its divested brands. Pontiac is closed. Saturn is done come January...(read more)

Less Than 200 Customers Want Money Back From GM

admin — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 02:29:00 GMT

When General Motors first introduced its 60-day Money Back Guarantee, it seemed a bold attempt to assure buyers that its products will satisfy. It also raise the question of how many buyers would choose to participate in the program, and then return a vehicle. On October 15th, we reported that a single return had been made. Just more than a month later, GM reports that 200 of 222,000 customers have opted to pursue a vehicle return. That sounds like a small percentage, though only 653 customers chose the 60-day offer over a $500 rebate. GM says that many other car shoppers were persuaded to purchase a Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, or GMC vehicle because of the confidence given by the program. Thus far 53 vehicles have been returned, and about 140 others are going through the process. Each dissatisfied customer is going through an exit interview with Vice President of Global Product Engineering Mark Reuss and/or his staff. Through this significant effort, GM is certain to learn about the specific reasons that people are willing to walk away from a car. Ultimately, GM has fueled sales and molded public perception—both essential wins as the automaker seeks to remake itself....(read more)

Charge! Cadillac Converj Plug-In Racing to Production

admin — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 02:36:00 GMT

Word has spilled from the Motor City via The Detroit News that General Motors will produce the Cadillac Converj extended-range electric car. For industry pundits, it seemed predestined that GM would offer a luxury sibling to the much ballyhooed Chevrolet Volt. By packaging the innovative drivetrain in a Cadillac model, GM can amortize the investment across more sales volume. Just as significantly, a Cadillac sports car can absorb the cost for the expensive battery packs, and it will make the Volt seem like an affordable, practical alternative, rather than the most expensive Chevrolet in history. First shown at the 2009 North American International Auto Show in Detroit , the Cadillac Converj served as the automaker’s grand finale. Product czar Bob “Maximum” Lutz at the time said if greenlighted, the production Converj would closely resemble the show vehicle. As you can see here, the Converj bears more than a family resemblance to the CTS Coupe , and it puts a sharp edge on luxury sportsters in general. Going green is fast becoming cool. The Volt is expected to go on sale by late 2010, so don’t look for a Cadillac version till 2011 at the earliest. Also see: Driving a Chevy Volt Test...(read more)

autoMedia CARnival 11-06-09: This week in Auto Blogs

Brandy Schaffels — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:00:00 GMT

It's the week ending November 6, and we've browsed our favorite automotive blogs all week long to gather the highlights from each. ...(read more)

No Sale! GM To Keep Opel

admin — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 03:15:00 GMT

Ending months of negotiation and speculation, General Motors has halted the sale of its European Opel division. GM has cited improving business and the importance of Opel/Vauxhall to its global operations as the reasons for the reversal. GM today posted its October sales figures, showing the first gain in 21 months. The news came hard on Magna International, which had been working with the German government, GM, and partners on acquiring Opel. Known as a major parts supplier, Magna is a large, diverse company that has grown to become a manufacturer-for-hire for several automakers, and this purchase would have been a natural expansion for its business. “GM will soon present its restructuring plan to Germany and other governments and hopes for its favorable consideration,” said Fritz Henderson, president and CEO. “We understand the complexity and length of this issue has been draining for all involved. However, from the outset, our goal has been to secure the best long term solution for our customers, employee, suppliers, and dealers, which is reflected in the decision reached today. This was deemed to be the most stable and least costly approach for securing Opel/Vauxhall’s long-term...(read more)

Jay Leno Reveals Custom Camaro at SEMA

Brandy Schaffels — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 06:04:00 GMT

When Global Vice President of General Motors Design Ed Welburn pulled the silk off the final vehicle in a special event with a small amount of journalists on the first night of Sema, the guests were surprised to find none other than Jay Leno sitting behind the wheel. ...(read more)

autoMedia CARnival 10-30-09: This week in Auto Blogs

Brandy Schaffels — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 18:52:00 GMT

It's the week ending October 30, and we've browsed our favorite automotive blogs all week long to gather the highlights from each. First, it's too obvious to forget, but this weekend is Halloween, and there are sure to be lots of kidlets swarming the roads in costume on Saturday evening. AskPatty knows Halloween is the most dangerous day of the year for children to walk and offers up a selection of tips to help drivers do their part to keep trick-or-treaters safe from harm. Love this one: "Empire Strikes Back: White House calls out Edmunds on Clunkers story, Edmunds responds" The facts in the case of the White House versus Edmunds are essentially indisputable - but they are open for interpretation. Thanks to AutoBlog for summarizing this excellent -- and entertaining -- case of "He said, They said." Daylight savings time ends this weekend, be sure to take extra care when driving in residential neighborhoods and approaching intersections and stop signs as you adjust to the added darkness along your familiar roads. Automotive Traveler advises your children to be extra careful if they're walking in a parking lot or crossing the street as the sun sets...(read more)

Name its Color, Be the First to Drive a Chevy Volt!

Brandy Schaffels — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:01:00 GMT

Don't miss your chance to be involved in the development of Chevy's highly anticipated Volt! ...(read more)

Fisker Buys GM Factory to Build Plug-In Hybrids

admin — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 01:42:00 GMT

As the auto industry emerges from crisis , new hope is given to a General Motors factory town with today’s announcement that Fisker Automotive will purchase the Wilmington Assembly plant in Delaware. Vice President Joe Biden and Delaware Governor Jack Markell were on hand for the news that Fisker signed a letter of purchase intent for $18 million. An additional $175 million will be spent to refurbish and retool the factory over the next three years. The funds come from a conditional loan of $528.7 million the Department of Energy awarded the company in September. The facility that previously built the Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky will be overhauled to assemble an “affordable” plug-in hybrid sedan dubbed Project NINA. Production is expected to begin in late 2012, and Project NINA is optimistically forecast to support 2,000 factory jobs and more than 3,000 vendor and supplier jobs by 2014, as production ramps up to full capacity of 75,000-100,000 vehicles per year. More than half of the sedans are expected to be exported. The car itself is estimated to cost about $39,900 after federal tax credits. Learn about the Fisker Karma , a luxurious plug-in hybrid that delivers an estimated...(read more)

autoMedia CARnival 10-16-09: This week in Auto Blogs

Brandy Schaffels — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 18:24:00 GMT

It is the week ending October 16, and we have browsed our favorite automotive blogs all week long to gather the highlights from each....(read more)

GM Reports Only One Return Against 60-Day Promise

Editor — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 05:48:00 GMT

General Motors happily reports that since launching their 60-day love-it-or-return-it guarantee, only one buyer from 150,000 new-vehicle purchases has returned their new GM car, and actually he exchanged it for the same car but with a different transmission. “Out of hundreds of thousands, the people who've selected the 60-day guarantee were in the hundreds,” GM's marketing chief Bob Lutz said during a press conference Wednesday. “We have had one substantiated return of a vehicle.” Actually, of the 150,000 vehicles sold since the sales campaign debuted, only 100 people have opted for the 60-day return offer. The rest of the buyers each chose to take $500 cash. That's $74,900 in sales incentive "costs" the the automaker ... about the value of one nice Vette or a CTS-V ... and an indicator that a lot of people love cash and/or have faith they'll be happy with their new GM purchase decision 60 days down the road. ~ Deborah Neal, Editorial Director, autoMedia.com...(read more)

autoMedia CARnival 10-09-09: This week in auto blogs

Brandy Schaffels — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 20:15:00 GMT

It's the week ending October 10, and we've browsed our favorite automotive blogs all week long to gather a collection of what we feel is the highlight from each....(read more)

Official: GM Contracted to Sell Hummer to Tengzhong

Brandy Schaffels — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 17:39:00 GMT

This deal is looking like it will actually happen thanks to a definitive agreement signed today by General Motors and Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machinery Co., Ltd (Tengzhong), that will allow Tengzhong to acquire GM's Hummer brand....(read more)

2011 Chevrolet Caprice - Pontiac G8 Lives On, Sorta

admin — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 03:06:00 GMT

Automotive enthusiasts openly wept when it became clear that the Holden-sourced G8 sedan would be a casualty in the shuttering of the Pontiac brand. General Motors had teased with world that it would live on as a Chevrolet, then it shattered dreams by declaring the G8 as gone for good. Well, true believers, the G8 will live on as the Chevrolet Caprice.

Technically, the Caprice is actually a long-wheelbase model based on the Holden Statesman, stretching 118.5 inches hub to hub. The larger car enables enough rear legroom to accommodate a divider—an essential to protect officers from fiesty suspects. To be sold strictly as a police-spec vehicle, this will be the coolest Caprice in that moniker’s history.

The initial powertrain will be a 6.0-liter, 355-horsepower V-8 with 384 lbs.-ft. of torque paired to a six-speed automatic transmission. Chevrolet boasts 0-60 mph times under six seconds, ensuring The Man can outgun most roadway hooligans. This potent engine will be joined by a more fuel-efficient V-6 the following year.

The Caprice is given the full cop treatment, bumper to bumper, with all the electrical hookups and convenience features needed by a modern police force.

Yes, enthusiasts have a new police interceptor to fear… and covet.

For old time's sake, read our Pontiac G8 review, and also check out our test of the platform-sharing Chevrolet Camaro.

GM To Close Saturn In Four Months

admin — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 03:01:00 GMT

General Motors declared that it would swiftly wind down the Saturn brand and dealer network by the end of January 2010, in reponse to Penske Automotive Group walking away from a purchase arrangement. (Read: “Penske Ends Bid to Buy Saturn, GM to Discontinue Brand.”) Without a buyer, GM felt is had no choice but to quickly dismantle the “Different Kind of Company,” swiftly rendering it another footnote in automotive history alongside Pontiac.

Saturn will build no more vehicles. It currently has a standing inventory of 12,000 units.

Other GM franchises are authorized to service Saturn vehicles and honor warranties.

It may be a great time to get a deal on a Saturn, though their value will be negatively impacted by the wind down and long-term parts availability may create risks, particularly for unique models like the Sky or Astra that are not shared with other GM brands. Some current Saturn dealers may continue to offer service, should they remain in business.

If you visit your local dealership, wish them well and buy a souvenir.

Read our Astra, Aura, Sky, and Vue reviews.