General Motors is considering adding a coupe to Buick's lineup

Now that General Motors has almost completed shedding its non-core brands, the company is refocusing attention to its main brands. The company is in research and development of a new sport coupe that could be sold as a Buick.


"Buick definitely needs more product in the pipeline," John Cafaro, director of design for Buick and Chevrolet, said in an interview last week at the Chicago Auto Show.

"My role is really being a zealot for getting Buick more youthful, more spirited and probing ideas [for] coupes, more expressive vehicles. That is really my job."


The automaker is in a similar position as Cadillac had been, with only an aging market segment showing any interest. According to Cafaro, Cadillac knew that they had "to carve a new image. That is where Buick is right now," he told the news outlet.


So far, five models -- all sedans and crossovers -- have been approved for Buick. The redesigned LaCrosse went on sale last fall. The 2011 Regal sedan goes on sale this spring. A small, unnamed sedan that will share a vehicle platform with the Chevrolet Cruze goes on sale in 2011. The Lucerne will be dropped in a year or so.


"Buick definitely needs more product in the pipeline," Cafaro said, later mentioning that the company needs a new car that makes a statement. Any such car would become Buick's flagship.


Cafaro said a coupe would make a statement for Buick, "and a statement means it is going to be the flagship. All the design cues and everything would drive themselves down into all Buicks.


"A coupe is definitely where you say, 'I'm back.' "

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GM To Be First Major U.S. Automaker to Manufacture Electric Motors

• Electric traction motors are ‘engines' for electric vehicles and hybrids

• First GM electric motors will debut in next-generation rear-wheel-drive Two-mode Hybrids

• Total investment of $246 million in electric motor and electric drive facilities in the U.S.


WASHINGTON - GM will expand its in-house electric vehicle development capabilities by becoming the first major U.S. automaker to design and manufacture electric motors, a core technology for hybrids and electric vehicles.

By doing so, GM will lower costs and improve performance, quality, reliability and manufacturability of electric motors by controlling design, materials selection and production processes. The first GM-designed and built electric motors are scheduled to debut in 2013 in next-generation, rear-wheel-drive Two-mode Hybrid technology.


"Electric motor innovation supported the first wave of automotive growth a century ago with the electric starter, which eliminated the need for a hand crank, and revolutionized automotive travel for the customer," said Tom Stephens, GM vice chairman, Global Product Operations. "We think the electrification of today's automobiles will be just as revolutionary and just as beneficial to our customers. Electric motors will play a huge role in that."

In conventional cars and trucks, automakers design and manufacture engines to efficiently use energy provided from a gas tank to provide power to the wheels. Motors and batteries, respectively, fill that role in hybrid and electric vehicles. As the range and speed of electric-only propulsion increase, so do the importance of motors and batteries.


Electric vehicles are powered solely by electric motors, while hybrid vehicles also use an internal combustion engine for propulsion. GM's next-generation rear-wheel-drive Two-mode Hybrid system will use two unique motor designs and an internal combustion engine to provide improved fuel efficiency compared with the current Two-mode Hybrid technology in GM's full-size pickup trucks and sport-utility vehicles.

"In the future, electric motors might become as important to GM as engines are now," Stephens said. "By designing and manufacturing electric motors in-house, we can more efficiently use energy from batteries as they evolve, potentially reducing cost and weight - two significant challenges facing batteries today."


GM has been building this in-house capability for years, expanding electric motor research and development, design and validation capabilities at facilities in Michigan, Indiana and California. GM also has developed state-of-the-art math-based design and computing capacity for electric motors. The electric motors will be manufactured in the U.S. at a GM facility.

GM was selected in August by the U.S. Department of Energy for a $105-million grant for the construction of U.S. manufacturing capabilities to produce electric motors and related electric drive components. "The new GM is about speed, and we are delivering quickly on the government's desire to grow domestic expertise in electric vehicle technologies, such as batteries and electric motors," Stephens said.


Similar to today's internal combustion engines, automotive electric motors require an unparalleled combination of exceptionally low noise, vibration and harshness (NVH); high reliability and affordability that is achievable only by understanding the entire value chain. In addition to growing in-house capabilities, GM will continue to purchase and co-design electric motors with suppliers.

"This is a strategy we use today with batteries," Stephens said. "We are partnering with suppliers to create innovations faster than ever before. Our goal is simply to establish GM as a leader in automotive electric motors. We see that leadership as a key enabler - both to our long-term success and to our nation's move away from oil dependence."
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Koenigsegg Group AB Terminates Agreement For Purchase of Saab

General Motors confirmed today that the proposed sale of its Saab subsidiary to Koenigsegg Group AB was terminated at the discretion of the buyer.

"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."
Source:General Motors


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Three Video: 2011 Buick Regal Preview

The new Regal is based on the Opel Insignia, Europe’s “Car of the Year” in 2009, which bodes well for its dynamic performance. In addition to its general vehicle architecture, the Regal also shares many of the Insignia’s Euro-flavored design cues, in addition to incorporating Buick’s current design themes.





General Motors may have offloaded its Saturn brand but a replacement for one of its more popular models, the Aura mid-size sedan, will soon be arriving in North America--only it will be wearing a Buick badge.





The 2011 Buick Regal. Basically a restyled Opel Insignia, the car is being positioned as an attractive and sporty addition to the new Buick line. Check out the stories at TheCarConnection and Motor Authority for all the insight into the car's capabilities and intentions.





The 2011 Buick Regal will be available in two options including a 182-hp 2.4L 4-cylinder and a 220-hp 2.4L 4-cylinder turbocharged. Estimated fuel-economy for the non-turbocharged model comes in at 20/30 mpg (city/highway). The 2011 Regal will be built in Russelsheim, Germany, giving it the handling and dynamics of a premium European sport sedan.





The Regal's interior sports LED-lit gauges, a low instrument panel, and a sweeping dash with suitably upscale trim. Buyers will have a choice of satin metallic interior trim, or piano-black plastic or a dark wood called Kibo.





Source:General Motors



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Mercedes awards SLS AMG body panel construction to Magna

Magna International pulled a bold move when it declared its intention to buy
Opel from General Motors, bridging the gap between component supplier and
contract manufacturer on the one hand, to independent automaker on the other. In
the process, Magna jeopardized its relationships with Germany's largest
automakers, including Volkswagen and BMW, who had been keen to do business with
a supplier; less so with a direct competitor.





Daimler sees it another way, however. Not only will Magna continue building the
legendary Gelandewagen for Mercedes-Benz at its facility in Graz, Austria, but
Mercedes also announced that the contractor will make the aluminum body panels
for the recently-unveiled SLS AMG supercar. For its part, Magna is satisfied to
receive the business, naturally, while Mercedes and Daimler chief Dieter Zetsche
says he sees no conflict of interest. Deliveries of the SLS are expected to
begin next spring.



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First image of the new Chevrolet Agile

General Motors revealed the first image of the new Chevrolet Agile

General Motors confirmed for next October launch vehicle waited in the Mercosur region: the Chevrolet Agile, an entirely new model is distinguished by its design, comfort and versatility.

Jaime Ardila, president of GM Mercosur, notes that "The Chevrolet Agile, a leading Chevrolet launches and market in 2009, demonstrates our confidence in the public's preference and the potential of our region."

For his part, Edgar Lourencon, president of GM Agile Argentina said that "not only demonstrates the capacity for Chevrolet vehicles with modern design and world class, but confirms the strength and integration of our company to provide the best products our customers.


Design amazing

Revealing some details of the line of Agile, Carlos Barba, General Director of GM Design Mercosur, notes: "It is a vehicle that goes beyond a traditional hatchback. Our task was to design a vehicle for customers in the region, which are demanding consumers. An innovative design is essential, as the internal space and a crossover, or a vehicle that 'breathes' and versatility that is attracting different customer profiles, from the urban to the surfer or customer that to enjoy the countryside. "

"I am convinced that the design of Agile will surprise since it is a car full of young people," Barba ends.

The model comes to complement the Chevrolet line, which is most of the market and currently consists of models Spark, Corsa Classic Corsa, Aveo, Astra, Vectra GT (hatchback), Vectra sedan, the Meriva and Zafira people carriers, Captiva SUVs and the Blazer, the S10 pickup and the Corvette.


Investment in progress

The Agile Chevrolet - first model of the family live - was fully developed at the Center for Development of Mercosur GM vehicles, located in Sao Paulo, Brazil. It is the result of an investment of U.S. $ 400 million, which includes the development and production phases of the model in the region, with its production complex in the Automotive business in Rosario, province of Santa Fe The Agile aims to emerging markets as Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay.

In Argentina, advancing the implementation of the investment to start production of Chevrolet Agile. This investment has meant, among other actions, the construction of a new building of 5000 square meters of weld, new dies for the stamping of parts and components; 59 robots incorporating the latest technology to focus its work primarily on welds considered anti ergonomic, and in those parts of the body that are critical to passenger safety as well as conducting over 6,500 hours of training to operators of the new production line of Chevrolet Motor Complex in Argentina .


Are currently in the final testing of the new model for which the company is implementing global processes of validation, which are identical to those used in developing the overall architecture of Chevrolet. They take place in laboratories and in field. Are 150 units of Chevrolet Agile are rolling over 1 million miles of testing, including vehicle and partially assembled, in order to validate components, vehicle safety, durability, bodywork, brakes, noise and vibration. Finally, it is important to note that 9000 pieces were subjected to more than 3000 tests for global certification criteria, and safety, 20 vehicles passed through various laboratory impact tests, including testing now underway.
via:worldcarfans



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GM Presents those 'Simple Bare Necessities' Concepts

For GM one of the most fundamental definitions goes to the idea of saving weight. That means unnecessary features are stripped off to make room for what may be termed as Bare Necessities which is applied to all vehicles including trucks and smaller cars. A number of the blog's users suggested a diesel motor and better aerodynamics for Bare Necessities Trucks as examples of eco-friendliness. The designers and engineers may end up taking some of these thoughts into the final truck product, as well as using lighter construction materials.


The new GM's plan to interact better with the world is working quite well seemingly. Users of the online forum at GMblogs are quite impressed with the company's plans for better, more fuel-efficient vehicles. During one of the discussions on the company's Eco Initiative project GM designers explained how difficult it is to meet customer expectations when it comes to eco-friendliness because different customers have different ideas of what eco-friendly means.


For smaller cars like the Bare Necessities Car some of the same principles can be applied, such as eliminating non-critical features as per customer needs while using the minimum of parts and sustainable materials. Quite a challenge considering that one man's critical feature may be another one's luxury.


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Cadillac XTS Luxury Sedan to Arrive in 2011?

A new luxury sedan called the Cadillac XTS is apparently being planned for production by the new General Motors. The car is said to be going after the best from Audi, BMW, Lexus and Mercedes-Benz, which means the A8, 7 Series, LS and S-Class respectively. Suppliers were told about this high-class stretch sedan at a briefing where it was also revealed that manufacturing will happen at the company's plant in Oshawa, Ontario. Cadillac will be replacing the slow-selling DTS with the XTS.
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2010 Opel Meriva MPV Spy

GM’s next-generation Opel Meriva compact MPV has been caught undergoing testing once gain. Though it remains in full camouflage, many details are still discernible, including the overall shape, which remains close to the original Meriva concept from last year's Geneva Motor Show.


The new Meriva is expected to make its world debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September and should be sale across Europe by the end of the year.


The simple and attractive front fascia, minimalist outlines, and overall configuration remain very close to the concept’s design, however. Small detail differences include the addition of a tailpipe (hidden on the concept) and the removal of the rear roof spoiler and addition of an antenna in its place.


A very carefully placed extra segment of cladding appears to be hiding one of the most controversial lements of the concept’s design: the rear-window ‘kink’. The front door’s handle and the general construction of the doors and rubber strips indicate the rear-opening rear doors of the concept are gone. The suicide door configuration makes for better display in a car show booth, but is both inconvenient and hard to get past the legal department in the real world.


The treatment of the rear windows and rear hatch area seem to indicate both the angular upsweep before the C-pillar and the hourglass-shaped rear hatch will carry over into production. The tail lights, though heavily camouflaged, carry a hint of the outline of the concept’s large and stylistic units as well.
Source:motorauthority



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Cruze-based Buick compact sedan Spy Photos

General Motors is still more than a year away from launching the Chevrolet Cruze sedan in North America but instead of speeding up its arrival the automaker is working on a new Buick sedan based on the Cruze platform. Fears of GM’s cash problems haven’t managed to deter work on the upcoming Buick compact sedan, which like the Cruze will likely be offered as a global model.


The other benefit of the Delta II platform is the possibility of a plug-in hybrid version using Volt technology, although GM is more likely to use other brands such as Cadillac to expand its plug-in hybrid range.


U.S. versions are likely to be built at GM’s Lordstown plant in Ohio alongside the Cruze. The new model will almost certainly be offered in China as well, considering that is Buick’s biggest market. Engine options should mirror that of the Cruze, which means a range of compact four-cylinder units in both naturally-aspirated and turbocharged forms, with both petrol and diesel options.


Built around GM’s FWD Delta II platform, the Buick compact sedan also shares much in common with the 2010 Opel Astra, which means there’s a chance it could be produced at Russelsheim plant in Germany. The new spy shot of interior confirms that both cars share a similar cabin design.


Don’t hold your breath for the new sedan as it isn’t expected to be launched until sometime in 2012, possibly as a 2013 model.
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Fornasari announces 610hp car racing series

With 610hp on tap, routed through an AWD system with 60% rear bias and built around a version of the RR600 chassis, the vehicle is sure to overpower most of the competition as well.


It's hard to pin down the qualities of the 'ultimate' vehicle, but the new Racing Buggy from Fornasari looks to be a fair attempt. Its design, however, is as extreme as its capabilities so it's sure to polarize.


It's a big vehicle, however, measuring 17ft (5.20m) long, 7ft (2.15m) wide and 6ft (1.85m) tall. Weighing in at a fairly sturdy 3,500lb (1,600kg), it's also surprisingly quick, accelerating to 62mph (100km/h) in just 3.8 seconds - as fast as a Corvette ZR1.


Before you dismiss the hulking computer rendering before you as an dirt-only racer, know that it seats five, is intended to be not only road legal but luxurious - and series produced. It will start out at about €80,000 ($112,000) in Europe, according to the company. Exactly how many are to be built and when they'll be available hasn't been revealed.


That's not the only General Motors link in the Fornasari Racing Buggy chain, either. The engine powering the off-roading beast is a GM-sourced V8 unit displacing 7.0L at rated at 610hp (455kW) and 552lb-ft (748Nm) of torque.


The AWD system also sports a viscous center differential and a Dana 44 rear end for power and durability. Either automatic or manual six-speeds can be ordered, a rarity in large performance SUVs of late.
via:motorauthority

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Saturn Vue two-mode dead, Chevrolet Equinox in 2011

Before the financial crisis hit, General Motors had some major plans for its Saturn brand including the launch of a two-mode hybrid Vue and eventually a plug-in hybrid version. Development and engineering for both vehicles had been completed and production of the two-mode hybrid Vue was originally scheduled to start last November.


Rapidly declining sales and an inevitable bankruptcy, however, has caused GM to readjust its plans. The biggest change is the sale of the Saturn brand to the Penske Automotive Group. As for the hybrid vehicles, GM has already confirmed that the technology for the Vue plug-in hybrid will be retained and used in other brands, and now the automaker has revealed to AutoblogGreen that the Vue two-mode hybrid has been cancelled.


Instead, GM will use the FWD two-mode system for its Chevrolet Equinox crossover, which should arrive on the market in in petrol-electric form in 2011. The system in the Vue was to use a 3.6L V6 engine mated to the two-mode hybrid drive system. Since the Equinox uses a different 3.0L V6 engine, GM will need additional time to redesign the system.


The two-mode system utilizes an Electrically Variable Transmission (EVT) that GM developed together with Mercedes-Benz and BMW and currently uses in the Chevrolet Tahoe and Silverado, as well as the GMC Sierra and Denali, and Cadillac Escalade hybrid vehicles.
via: motorauthority

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Another round of dealer cuts imminent at GM

Just a couple of weeks ago General Motors revealed that it would be cutting ties with over 1,100 dealerships, and the bad news keeps coming for dealers as the struggling automaker is expected to cut a further 450 dealerships in the coming months.

Many dealerships are under franchise agreements with GM that are expected to finish late next year - at which point around 450 dealers will most likely not have their contracts renewed. The dealerships facing the axe from GM have been chosen because they "have very specific issues", the automaker’s sales chief Mark LaNeve revealed to Automotive News. These issues include the fact that certain dealerships may have been exclusively stocking the now-defunct Pontiac brand, or be underperforming in regards to sales targets.
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