Filed under: Sedan, Buick, GM, New Car Reviews

Baby Buick Makes Quiet Case As An Almost-Luxury Car

Continue reading 2012 Buick Verano

2012 Buick Verano originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 May 2012 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Car Buying, Sedan, Technology, Cadillac, Luxury

If you read the owner's manual of your car you'd begin to realize how much of your own vehicle you didn't know about. If it's a car made within the past few years, then the owner's manual covering the dirty bits will be joined by an even thicker manual that covers just the infotainment system. Cadillac, however, has a better way for buyers to learn the CUE-powered mysteries of the $44,995 XTS: give owners an iPad with the car, loaded with tutorials on how to get the most out of the Cadillac User Experience system.

Yes, when the Hyundai Equus was introduced it came with an iPad installed with a multimedia version of its owner's manual. Based on Wired's discussion with Cadillac, however, this is much wider implementation, with each Cadillac dealer required to have two "certified technology experts" on duty, plus a CUE call center for owners, an online media team looks for CUE questions to answer, and a mobile CUE specialist who makes house calls. The point seems to be that this isn't about getting an iPad with your car, it's about understanding ever tech thing your car can do. If you still don't know how to access the full power of your XTS, it will only be because you don't want to.

Scroll down for General Motors' official release.

2013 Cadillac XTS to come standard with iPad originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 May 2012 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Podcasts, Buick, Ford, GM, Nissan, Toyota

Toyota Supra successor, Nissan Juke-R, Cadillac ATS pricing, GM Europe restructuring, Prius PHEV sales



Episode #281 of the Autoblog Podcast is here, and this week, Chris, Dan, and Zach chat about the fresh rumors of a new Toyota Supra, the Nissan Juke-R heading for (very) limited production, Cadillac ATS pricing, GM Europe headed for another restructuring, and sales of the Toyota Prius PHEV. Your questions and comments power the end of the 'cast, and for those of you who hung with us live on our UStream channel, thanks for taking the time. We've embedded our Q&A module after the jump for you to scroll through and follow along, too. Thanks for listening!

Autoblog Podcast #281:



Topics:

• Toyota Supra successor rumors
• Nissan Juke-R headed for limited production
• General Motors Europe restructuring... again
• Toyota Prius über-alles

In the Autoblog Garage:
2013 Ford Flex SEL
2012 Buick Enclave


Hosts: Dan Roth, Chris Shunk, Zach Bowman

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Continue reading Autoblog Podcast #281

Autoblog Podcast #281 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 08 May 2012 17:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Depending on where you live, a hiccup in GM’s truck supply lines might make buying a pickup from your local Chevrolet of GMC dealer difficult.

With its current line of Silverados and Sierras remaining unchanged since 2006, GM is falling behind the pack. There will be a new RAM pickup in the fall and Ford’s F-Series came on the scene two years after the current GM line. That line will be refreshed to remain competitive, but that means a full production halt for a total 29 weeks between all the plants affected.

Of course in that time, there will be a lapse in normal production, something the company tried to soften by ramping up production in anticipation. While that might seem like a solution in theory, problems started to rise when it became apparent that dealerships wouldn’t all have a positive disposition to bulking up truck supplies ahead of time.

Some dealerships are going with the plan, but according to Automotive News, there are also stores saying no to the trucks. As AIS Rebates, an Ann Arbor, Mich., firm that provides incentive data to dealers reports, there is a $3,000 incentive for dealers on crew cab versions of the Silverado and Sierra 1500, but anything beyond that is unlikely because the gap in production will already be squeezing GM’s profits.

That leaves dealerships in one of two places, which inevitably affects the consumer. Dealers will either find a stockpile of trucks that might not move given the impending approach of improved trucks, and those turning the vehicles away may find customers flowing to new dealerships or brands over the unavailability.

Either way, it could spell out a sweet situation for customers who play their cards right. On the one hand, your local dealer might put cash on the hood if there are too many trucks getting sun tans on the lot. In the other scenario, where that dealership runs dry, you might find another dealership eager to sweet talk new customers away from the competition.

[Source: Automotive News]

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Performance, Chevrolet

Today Chevrolet announced that a 2013 Corvette ZR1 will pace this year's Indianapolis 500, marking the 23rd time that a Chevy has paced the race and the 11th time the Corvette has performed the duty. With 638 horsepower from its supercharged 6.2-liter V8, the Corvette ZR1 will be the most powerful production machine to serve as the race's pace car.

Helping to celebrate six decades of production, the 2013 Corvette ZR1 pace car mimics the design cues of the 60th anniversary package that debuted earlier this year with Arctic White exterior paint and a full-length racing stripe in Pearl Silver Blue. Inside is a Blue Diamond leather-wrapped interior with suede accents.

Look for the 2013 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 during the 96th running of the Indianapolis 500, scheduled to start at 12:00 pm ET on Sunday, May 27th.

Scroll down to see the official details from Chevrolet.

Continue reading 2013 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 to pace 96th Indianapolis 500

2013 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 to pace 96th Indianapolis 500 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 08 May 2012 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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A Holden-sourced hotrod for the U.S. has all but been confirmed by GM after an OnStar slipup and the resulting media storm, but official details are still just out of reach. Even without that information, there’s a reasonable argument to be made that the rear-drive Chevrolet SS will be less than prolific. 

Aussie dollars are thriving in the world market right now — a huge change from just a few years ago where it was a nothing-currency valued well-under the U.S. dollar. Why should you care, you may ask? It’s really very simple.

Australia’s strong exports are sending its dollar through the roof, which means anything exported from the country will also be more expensive. A certain Chevrolet SS that perked so many ears in recent weeks falls smack dab in the middle of that category. Simply put, under the current economic climate, you probably cant afford to buy one.

Even the folks who can might choose not to. The truth is, unless you have some sort of misplaced loyalty to either GM or Holden, there will probably be a competing car with better per-dollar value.

With details still totally in the dark, folks like us start dreaming and that’s exactly what automakers count on. Media members create a buzz and that helps sales, but don’t forget that the Chevrolet SS will likely be a reiteration of the previous U.S. Holden Commodore (the Pontiac G8). While it had impressive specifications and a big V8, lackluster sales and an almost automatic-exclusive drivetrain spelled the G8′s doom.

At its peak, the Aussie dollar sat in February at 1.08 to the Greenback. It’s true that the disparity between our currencies is shrinking, but the fact remains that Australia’s success is due largely to Chinese demand for its goods, something that is likely to continue for the immediate future.

Given that, it seems reasonable to assert that a Caprice, G8 successor, Chevrolet SS, or whatever the company labels it will be priced as a niche car. People with money to burn and a keen sense of individuality may find merit in something like that, but it isn’t a recipe for mass appeal.

Similarly, it’s doubtful that the cars will be easy to market in fleets, that is unless GM is willing to stretch the already razor-thin margins associated with that sort of deal.

The end result? Don’t hold your breath for a hot Holden in North America at a reasonable price — you’ll turn blue and keel over first.

Filed under: Car Buying, Plants/Manufacturing, Chevrolet, GM, GMC

Most General Motors dealers make their living off selling pickup trucks. (That's why when it came time to trim the brands and reorganize under bankruptcy, GMC survived and Pontiac didn't - because Buick dealers needed to have a truck to sell, not a full-size muscle sedan from Australia.) That makes this year a tricky one for dealers, according to Automotive News, as they need to have enough Chevrolet Silverado or GMC Sierra models in stock to get them to the 2013 model year.

What makes this quandary different from most years is that GM is readying all-new pickups, meaning that it will be shutting down production for long stretches to retool. The full-size Chevrolet and GMC trucks date to 2006, making them the oldest in the industry that don't wear a Nissan Titan badge on their tailgate. Dealers, of course, don't want to be caught with many 2012 trucks - vehicles that are already difficult enough to sell - but they don't want inventories to run completely dry and risk turning away customers.

With a combined 29 weeks of downtime scheduled for three truck plans, according to the report, some dealers are stockpiling pickups to avoid running out if the truck production pipeline dries up before the 2013s start shipping. Other dealers are taking the opposite strategy, turning down 2012s and waiting for next year's models.

Given all that has happened to GM in recent years, we imagine that most dealers know altogether too well that you're damned if you do, and damned if you don't.

GM's next-gen pickup plans force dealers into one of two camps originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 08 May 2012 09:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Every year the Fortune 500 rankings are announced, and it’s usually no surprise to see the big three on the list. This year, however, you’ll find only two of the domestic automakers, though both have moved up the list.

Coming in at number 5 on this year’s Fortune 500 list is General Motors. Following a successful 2010 ranking where the company was placed 8th, GM’s 2011 revenue increased 11 percent to $150.3 billion. A major factor for this is the high sales and lower costs of GM’s products, like the Cruze and Sonic compact and subcompacts. It also helps when you grab the global sales leader title away from Toyota.

Ford moved up one Fortune 500 ranking to the number 9 position this year, thanks to a huge 208 percent jump in profits. Jumps like that are more in line with Tech, and Oil companies rather than automakers, so its no wonder to see Ford move up in the Fortune 500.

Its interesting to note that Chrysler did not appear on the Fortune 500 this year because they are now controlled by Fiat, and no longer considered a U.S. Company by Fortune magazine.

[Source: Automotive News]

Filed under: Sedan, Chevrolet, GM, New Car Reviews

Mild-Hybrid Malibu Proves Only Mildly Interesting

Continue reading 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco

2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 07 May 2012 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Car Buying, Sedan, Cadillac, GM

Cadillac's ATS is scheduled to hit dealer showrooms this summer, and General Motors has finally divulged pricing. Its smallest luxury sedan will start at $33,990 including destination(*), but that price will only snag you the entry-level model, powered by a 200-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder paired with a six-speed automatic. Stepping up to the turbocharged, 270-hp 2.0-liter will push the price up to $35,795, and bring all-wheel-drive and manual transmission options into play. The top-of-the-line ATS carries a $42,090 price tag and is powered by a version of the 3.6-liter V6 from the Cadillac CTS, rated at 320-hp and mated to an automatic tranny, with all-wheel-drive available.

While these prices are hard to evaluate without a full breakdown of standard equipment - which Cadillac promises in due time - we can compare them to two benchmarks, the all-new 2012 BMW 3 Series and the slightly larger CTS. While Caddy does undercut the base 3 Series price of $35,795, that entry-level ATS is down some 40 horsepower. The mid-priced ATS, the one with the turbo 2.0-liter, however, trumps the 328i's 240-hp engine by almost that much. With equivalent starting sticker prices, it only makes the inevitable head-to-head battle all that more interesting.

The CTS, however, starts at $36,810, which makes the top-level ATS seem spendy at first glance. Granted, the CTS is nearing the end of its life cycle, but clearly those looking for a more luxury-oriented, V6-powered sedan are going to have to closely study the standard equipment sheet to determine what justifies the $5,000-plus price premium for the smaller car.

Scroll down for the full press release, and be sure to check out the new images in our gallery.

Continue reading GM announces pricing for 2013 Cadillac ATS, starting at $33,990*

GM announces pricing for 2013 Cadillac ATS, starting at $33,990* originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 07 May 2012 10:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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