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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Posted on December 31st, 2009 by Chris Shunk
Filed under: Buick, General Motors | Comments Off

Report: Saab Enthusiasts Planning Rally at GM Headquarters
With General Motors announcing recently that it would drop Saab’s December 31st deadline and continue to search for a capable buyer for the Swedish brand, enthusiasts of the Swedish brand are banding together in an effort to save Saab.
In a post on enthusiast site SaabHistory, a blog post urges owners to join in a convoy […] more

Posted on December 31st, 2009 by Colum Wood
Filed under: GM news | Comments Off

Here on this last day of 2009, it seems like it would be a good time to reflect on this past year of Volt developments.
It has been a truly memorable year for sure, but mostly in a negative way with respect to the financial crisis and GM’s bankruptcy proceedings.  That did place them on good […]

Posted on December 31st, 2009 by Lyle
Filed under: Uncategorized | Comments Off

I once asked Fritz Henderson when he was the CEO of GM what his projection about electric car volumes was.  He replied at the time that in 10 years combustion cars would still account for the “lion’s share” of cars sold.
I can’t say I was thrilled with his answer though unfortunately he may be right. […]

Posted on December 30th, 2009 by Lyle
Filed under: Uncategorized | Comments Off

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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Posted on December 29th, 2009 by Dan Roth
Filed under: Cadillac | Comments Off

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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Posted on December 29th, 2009 by Jonathon Ramsey
Filed under: Chevrolet, Sedan | Comments Off

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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Posted on December 29th, 2009 by Jonny Lieberman
Filed under: Buick, GM, General Motors | Comments Off

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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Posted on December 29th, 2009 by Jonny Lieberman
Filed under: Chevrolet, Corvette | Comments Off

Famous comedian and car enthusiast Jay Leno had the chance to check out and test drive an advanced Chevy Volt prototype earlier this month in California. He was given a tour and test drive of the car by its chief engineer Andrew Farah.
The video has been posted over at Jay Leno’s Garage and can […]

Posted on December 29th, 2009 by Lyle
Filed under: Uncategorized | Comments Off

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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Posted on December 28th, 2009 by Jeremy Korzeniewski
Filed under: Chevrolet, Chevy | Comments Off