Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GM, GMC

The North American International Auto Show is typically the big show for Detroit-based automakers and 2010 appears to be no different for General Motors. Chris Preuss, GM's vice president of communications, has hit Twitter confirming that each of the General's four brands will have at least one vehicle to display at the Detroit Auto Show next month. As expected, Cadillac will unveil the 2011 CTS-V coupe along with a concept version of its XTS sedan, a model slated to replace the aging DTS in the next year or two. GMC will unleash the Granite, which, according to earlier reports, will be based on the Delta platform and the forthcoming Chevrolet Orlando.

Chevrolet figures to have a somewhat quieter show, with its big reveal being the Aveo RS, which we hear is all-new and very little like the narrow and unattractive B-Segment hatch GM is selling now. Buick will be chasing the ghosts of Grand Nationals and T-Types past with a performance variant of the 2011 Regal that may share a lot of parts with the 325-horsepower Opel Insignia OPC. We can hardly wait for January 11.



[Source: Twitter]

GM exec confirms Cadillac XTS, GMC Granite, Chevrolet Aveo RS for Detroit via Twitter originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 31 Dec 2009 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Podcasts, Hybrid, China, Cadillac, Ford, GM, Toyota, Volvo, Geely

For this week between holidays, Reilly Brennan from AOL Autos stops by our clubhouse to join Chris, Sam, and Dan for Episode #159 of the Autoblog Podcast. While it's a question-centric podcast this week, we touch on a few news items before hitting a bunch of your emails. An in-depth chat about the Ford Mustang's new 5.0-liter V8 starts us off, before we turn to an equally pithy chat about Toyota's hybrid braking system concerns, and we briefly consider what Volvo's pending sale to Geely might mean. From there on out, it's listener-interaction central, and we break the two-hour barrier this week as a holiday treat(?) for everyone.

As ever, for exceptional quality 'casts, our colleagues at Joystiq and Engadget do fine work. Let us know what you think of our podcast by dropping us an email at Podcast at Autoblog dot com, reviewing the show in iTunes, filling out our survey, or even leaving us a voicemail on our Google Voice line 734-288-8POD (734-288-8763). Thanks for listening!

Continue reading Autoblog Podcast #159 - Reilly Brennan from AOL Autos comes by the podcast clubhouse

Autoblog Podcast #159 - Reilly Brennan from AOL Autos comes by the podcast clubhouse originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 29 Dec 2009 16:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Budget, Sedan, China, Chevrolet

The Chinese-market Chevrolet Sail has had quite a life, at one time being a rebadged Opel, at another time being built in China, at another time being called the Buick Sail. The 2010 model has been spotted - which was at one time thought to be the new Chevy Lova - and it's plastic fantastic. Honestly, when we look at it we don't even think Aveo, we think Cavalier, and then feel bad for anyone who might have to live through that experience.

But that's our own flashbacks; the car has sold well and appears to have a solid reputation in China, and the 2010 version should continue the trend. Engine options are said to number two: a 1.2-liter with 78 horsepower, and a 1.4-liter with 96 hp. They will work through a five-speed manual or perhaps a four-speed auto in an upper trim. The price in China is expected to be less than $9,390.



[Source: Autohome (translated) via Autoblog Spanish (translated)]

New Chevrolet sets Sail for China originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 29 Dec 2009 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Car Buying, Marketing/Advertising, Buick

We interrupt our regularly scheduled "Buicks are for old people and lascivious golfers jokes" to tell you that the average, median age of a Buick buyer is 70 years old. Compare that to the average age of a new car buyer: 52. Obviously - and no offense to you septuagenarians out there - seventy ain't sexy. And as the first rule of twenty-first century marketing (and light beer commercials) dictates: sex sells.

That said, there is a glimmer of hope if you look at the brand's recent sales trends. Take the 2010 Buick LaCrosse. The median age of its buyer is 55 years old. That's a decade and a half younger than the average Buick buyer, but still a full three years older than the industry average. However you pull apart the numbers, that's good news for Buick.

Buick's new boss - 42 year-old Brian Sweeney who just took over the Buick/GMC division from the nine days and out Michael Richards - wants to lower that age even more. His plan? In a word, Regal. Buick plans to use "experimental marketing" when they pitch the new Regal to potential customers.

We don't yet know what that means in specific, but Buick feels they helped pedal the new LaCrosse to a younger-ish audience by showing the car at, "coffee shops, art fairs and wine festivals." Can we therefore expect to see the Regal at tattoo parlors, dive bars and yoga studios? We wouldn't rule it out. Well, we would rule out the dive bars. And the tattoo joints. Either way, pitching "Not your grandfather's Buick" is a hard sell.




[Source: Automotive News - sub. req.]

REPORT: Buick aiming to look younger, see other people (under 70) originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 29 Dec 2009 10:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Recalls, Safety, Chevrolet

Do you own a Chevrolet Corvette? If so, is it a 2005 to 2007 model? If you answered "yes," does your 'Vette have a removable top? If (again) yes, have you noticed a snapping noise while driving over speed bumps? What about extra wind noise? Does your roof panel move when you slam the door or rear hatch? Have you noticed water beading down on your head during wet weather even though the removable roof is in place? If you answered "yes" to three or more of these questions, Chevrolet has a recall for you.

Seems as if the glue that holds the outer portion of the panel to the Corvette's roof frame has been failing. Full, worst case scenario consequence would be the outer part of the panel separating completely and flying away where it "could strike a following vehicle and cause injury and/or property damage." Seems as if we've heard something about this adhesive problem before... way back in April of 2006.

According to General Motors and the National Highway Traffic Safety Adminstration, all 22,090 2005-2007 removable roof Corvette owners would be well advised to go down to their local dealer and get a new roof, gratis. Also: special bonus props to whomever can name the special edition Corvette pictured above. There are a couple of clues if you look hard enough.

[Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration]

Chevy recalls 2005-2007 Corvettes over possible roof panel separation originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 29 Dec 2009 09:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Hybrid, Videos, Hatchback, Chevrolet, GM, Celebrities, Electric

Jay Leno - in his traditional jeans and jean shirt, of course - had the opportunity to park a preproduction Chevy Volt in his Big Dog Garage, and he's kindly shared the experience with his fans. Right off the bat, Jay likens the future-tech Volt to a 1916 Owens Magnetic that operates on the exact same principle, proving that all good ideas eventually have their day in the sun on the road.

Leno has some interesting questions for Volt Chief Engineer Andrew Farah that are surely on the minds of regular shoppers who may consider the Volt for their next new car at the end of 2010. He also like the car's high-tech, lightweight stick... watch the video to see what we mean.

Naturally, Jay eventually takes the Volt out for a spin, and from what we can tell he came away impressed. And somehow, Leno ends up talking about the Mazda Miata and wristwatches and why men should buy the Volt... or something like that. Anyway, hit the jump to watch the video and see Jay's reaction to the 2011 Chevy Volt. Thanks for the tip, MIikael W!

[Source: Jay Leno's Garage]

Continue reading VIDEO: Jay Leno parks a Chevy Volt in his Big Dog Garage

VIDEO: Jay Leno parks a Chevy Volt in his Big Dog Garage originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 28 Dec 2009 18:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Truck, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, GM, Honda, Nissan, Toyota

We love ourselves a good top 10 list, and when talk turns from cars to trucks, there's nobody who's opinion we respect more than the brain-trust behind PickupTrucks.com. That said, we now present the Top 10 Significant Pickup Trucks of the Decade as chosen by the aforementioned truck nuts (no, not that kind) and AutoPacific.com.

Every major automaker that sells pickup trucks here in the United States is represented on this particular list, which only seems fitting in today's competitive landscape. Further, there's a truck for just about every need - no matter what size, towing power, seating capability or fuel mileage you are looking for, you'll find it offered here in the States... except perhaps for something really small.

Though it just hit the market at the very tail end of the allowable date range, we'll happily throw a vote in the direction of the Ford F-150 SVT Raptor. It's truly unlike anything else ever offered for sale from a major automaker, and we're happy Ford had the guts to build it. That said, click here to read the complete list, then come back and let us know what you think.



[Source: PickupTrucks.com]

PickupTrucks.com calls out decade's 10 most significant trucks originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 28 Dec 2009 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Chevrolet, Ford, GM, Honda, Nissan, Toyota

The most tumultuous year in the history of the auto industry draws to a close this week with two-of-three U.S.-based automakers having gone through bankruptcy, all all three have been battered by a down market. Through the first half of the year, annualized sales hovered at around the 9 million level, the lowest in more than two decades. That's a tough threshold for any company to make money at, and almost no one did - including the mighty Toyota.

Heading into the second half of the year, the prospect of a government funded "Cash for Clunkers" program helped spur auto sales, although the benefits were certainly not spread evenly among all segments. The final numbers for the year are expected to hit somewhere in the 10.5-million region, but the 16 million sales mark of just a few years ago isn't likely to return for several more years, if ever.

The top 10 best-selling vehicles for 2009 contain mostly familiar nameplates, although a few positions have been juggled. Click here for the full list.

Charting the Top 10 Best-Selling Cars and Trucks of 2009 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 28 Dec 2009 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Sedan, Plants/Manufacturing, Buick, Saab, Rumormill

In a rumor sure to irk many Saab faithful, Dagens Industri in Sweden is reporting that "sources within Saab Automobile are stating that GM now sees positive opportunities in a closing of Saab." Ouch, that hurts in an insult-to-injury kind of way, dontcha think?

Specifically, General Motors is said to be considering taking the recently competed but not-yet-on-sale 2010 Saab 9-5 and resuscitating it as a Buick for America. If true, the move does make a bit of sense as the car is by all measures ready to go and it would be quite a waste to put it out to pasture before it ever sees the light of day - especially if the car is anywhere near as good as early reports suggest.

Further, the going speculation is that The General could raid Saab's parts and technology bins for more future products, including a possible revival of the large Opel Senator for Europe. If this rumor proves accurate, it would appear that there may not be much hope left for a Saab purchase by Dutch automaker Spyker as indications are that GM is telling suppliers that it is estimating a five-year wind-down of the brand.



[Source: DN.se via Saabs United]

If Saab closes, will the new 9-5 live on wearing a Buick badge? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 28 Dec 2009 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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