The "new" GM : General Motors Company

Chevy Sweeps Industry Awards with Wins for Corvette Stingray and Silverado

noreply@blogger.com (m. melih tüzmen) — Tue, 14 Jan 2014 09:34:00 +0000

January 13, 2014-Detroit Auto Show/NAIAS 2014
Chevrolet executives were giddy at the Detroit auto show today after two of their most important new models swept the industry's coveted North American Car of the Year and Truck/Utility of the Year awards, bestowed by a panel of dozens of automotive journalists who have regular exposure to new vehicles each year. Entries are judged on factors including innovation, design, safety, handling, driver satisfaction and value for the dollar.
The Chevy Corvette Stingray was named Car of the Year at the North American International Auto Show this morning, and the Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck copped Truck of the Year honors, the first time Chevy has won both awards in the same year. Silverado was last named Truck of the Year in 2007 and the Corvette was last named Car of the Year in 1998.

GM-Chevrolet

Chevrolet Accelerates to 4G LTE Speeds in 2014

noreply@blogger.com (m. melih tüzmen) — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 12:33:00 +0000

Bowtie brand models in U.S. and Canada to get OnStar 4G LTE by summer
2014-01-05

Starting this summer, Chevrolet will have some of the fastest vehicles on the roads, and that has nothing to do with horsepower. Chevrolet drivers will be enjoying high-speed data - made possible by a new OnStar 4G LTE connection in the vehicle, running on AT&T’s network, the nation’s fastest and most reliable 4G LTE network.

Chevrolet today announced at the Consumer Electronics Show that the 2015 Chevrolet Corvette, Impala, Malibu, and Volt would be the first General Motors’ vehicles to come optionally equipped with OnStar 4G LTE. They will be followed by the Equinox, Silverado, Silverado HD, Spark and Spark EV. In the Canadian market, OnStar with 4G LTE will be introduced on the Chevrolet Trax as well. The majority of the 2015 Chevrolet lineup in the U.S and Canada will have a 4G LTE connection built-in at vehicle launch. More models will be announced later this year.

“Chevrolet is expected to implement the broadest deployment of 4G LTE in the automotive industry,” said Alan Batey, senior vice president of Global Chevrolet. “The fact that OnStar with 4G LTE will be available in models that range from the Chevrolet Spark to the Silverado to the Corvette, is indicative of our broad commitment to deliver more value and convenience through smart technology applications. This new, purposeful technology solution will make our consumers lives easier to connect.”

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Chevrolet AppShop Offers Connected Car Personalization

Chevrolet MyLink will offer consumers an enhancement with the built in AppShop, available on select 2015 Chevrolet models in the U.S. and Canada. AppShop will benefit from the embedded 4G LTE connection.

Chevrolet AppShop is accessible through an icon on the MyLink screen that allows owners to view all available apps and download them directly to the vehicle, then organize, update or delete them as needed. Available apps will connect drivers to vehicle data, music, news, weather, travel information and more.

“The built-in 4G LTE connection will allow our vehicles to be updated with the latest software and apps,” said Chan. “This means that the driver’s vehicle infotainment systems can keep getting better after purchase as customers can continue to add on and customize their features.”

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AT&T's LTE service replaced Verizon in GM's OnStar

OnStar to expand with infotainment services like streaming audio, web access, video

General Motors replaced Verizon Wireless' (NYSE:VZ) service with AT&T Mobility's (NYSE:T) service in its OnStar offering beginning in 2014. The news represents a blow to Verizon, which has powered OnStar's service since it launched in the 1990s.

"Introducing 4G LTE into GM vehicles is a game-changing opportunity, and we couldn't be better positioned to help drive this movement," said Ralph de la Vega, president and CEO of AT&T Mobility. "We're working closely with GM to grow the connected car base, and provide unique and relevant services that will improve the connected experience inside automobiles for both drivers and passengers."

Terms of the deal were not disclosed. OnStar counts more than 6 million customers in the United States, Canada and China, and its service starts at $18.95 per month.

AT&T will provide service to GM's OnStar in Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac vehicles. The companies said AT&T will power OnStar's existing calling and monitoring services, and will support "a new suite of infotainment services like streaming audio, web access, applications, and even video for backseat passengers." AT&T will also power GM's in-vehicle Wi-Fi hotspots and voice calling services.

AT&T has worked to expand its machine-to-machine communications business, which falls under the carrier's "emerging devices" unit headed by Glenn Lurie. The unit added 246,000 connected devices during AT&T's fourth quarter.

That the new GM-AT&T deal includes mention of LTE is notable in light of AT&T's efforts to expand the network. AT&T currently covers 174 million POPs with LTE, and plans to hit at least 250 million POPs by the end of 2013 and 300 million POPs by the end of 2014. In contrast, Verizon now covers 273.5 million POPs with LTE, or roughly 89 percent of the U.S. population. Verizon expects to finish its initial LTE deployment by mid-year.

Verizon Communications acquired Hughes Telematics last year for $612 million, a deal that have soured the relationship between GM and Verizon.

Verizon and AT&T, they both claim to be America' s largest and most reliable mobile network; GM chose to go forward with AT&T...-M. Melih Tuzmen

Coming soon...

G.M. Names First Female Chief Executive

noreply@blogger.com (m. melih tüzmen) — Tue, 10 Dec 2013 15:46:00 +0000

By BILL VLASIC
Published: December 10, 2013

DETROIT — General Motors announced Tuesday that its chief executive, Daniel F. Akerson, would retire next month and be succeeded by Mary T. Barra, who would become the first woman to lead a major auto company.

The elevation of Ms. Barra, 51, to the chief executive post is the latest dramatic change at the top of General Motors since its bailout by the federal government in 2009.

G.M., the nation’s largest automaker, said that Mr. Akerson, 65, would step down as chief executive and chairman on Jan. 15. His planned retirement was hastened, the company said, by his wife’s recent cancer diagnosis.

Ms. Barra has worked for G.M. for 33 years and was most recently the executive vice president of global product development. She is considered a critical player in the overhaul of company’s vehicle lineups around the world.

The G.M. board approved Ms. Barra’s selection and named her a director of the company.

“With an amazing portfolio of cars and trucks and the strongest financial performance in our recent history, this is an exciting time at today’s G.M.,” Ms. Barra said in the company statement. “I’m honored to lead the best team in the business and to keep our momentum at full speed.”
G.M. said that Mr. Akerson’s successor as chairman of the board would be Theodore M. Solso, the former chairman and chief executive of Cummins, the engine manufacturer.

The company also said that its chief financial officer, Dan Ammann, would become president of G.M. and assume responsibility for regional operations and global brand organizations.

Mr. Ammann, 41, will retain the C.F.O. job until a successor is named.

Other changes include the move of Mark Reuss, who had been chief of G.M.'s North American operations, to Ms. Barra’s job as head of product development. Mr. Reuss had also been considered a candidate for the chief executive position.

G.M. also announced that Stephen J. Girsky, who is a vice chairman of the company, would move to a senior advisory role until leaving the company in April. He will remain on the General Motors board.

NYT-Business

A Designer Tour: 2015 Tahoe, Suburban Exteriors

noreply@blogger.com (m. melih tüzmen) — Tue, 03 Dec 2013 21:24:00 +0000

New looks on Chevrolet SUVs convey greater functionality, technology, refinement

2015 Tahoe

2013-12-02

The design of the all-new 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe exterior is more refined and precisely sculpted. Not a single exterior sheet metal panel or lighting element is shared with Chevrolet's full-size pickups.

The designs of the all-new Tahoe and Suburban forge a new presence for Chevrolet SUVs that's conveyed with unmistakable brand heritage. The designs also reflect their greater functionality, technology and refinement.

New inlaid doors fit into the body side openings instead of over the top of the body, significantly improving the quietness of the interior cabin and contributing to improved aerodynamics – an attribute that helps the vehicles slip through the air on the highway with less drag for greater efficiency. Lightweight aluminum hood and liftgate panels also result in reduced mass and, therefore, enhanced efficiency.

2015 Suburban

Projector-beam headlamps flank Chevrolet’s signature dual-port grille – chrome on all models – and sweep into the front fenders. High-intensity discharge headlamps and light-emitting diode daytime running lamps are included on the uplevel LTZ model.

Suburban

Craftsmanship and Technology Merge in 2015 Cadillac Escalade

noreply@blogger.com (m. melih tüzmen) — Tue, 01 Oct 2013 05:45:00 +0000

New level of luxury for brand’s flagship SUV

2013-10-01

The 2015 Escalade will advance to a higher level in all aspects, but the greatest changes to Cadillac’s flagship SUV are on the inside.

The all-new interior combines luxurious handcrafted elements with state-of-the-art advanced technology. The new design takes advantage of Cadillac’s cut-and-sew interior craftsmanship technique, enabling precisely elegant surfacing of the instrument panel and door areas.

Advanced technical features and controls are designed to add a boldly modern element to the design, as well as offering the latest features in luxury, connectivity and safety for up to eight occupants.

Cadillac will reveal the 2015 Escalade in New York City on October 7 along with a portrait series and behind-the-scenes video by indie artist Autumn de Wilde.

To RSVP for the livestream, and to stay up to date on images and videos of the 2015 Escalade, please visit youtube.com/Cadillac.

Here’s An Angle Of The 2014 Cadillac CTS You May Not Have Seen Before

noreply@blogger.com (m. melih tüzmen) — Thu, 26 Sep 2013 02:18:00 +0000

BY ALEX LUFT — SEP 25, 2013
While most coverage of the all-new 2014 Cadillac CTS seems to revolve around the car’s bewitchingly aggressive front end, the new midsize sedan’s rear end isn’t as popular of a topic. Indeed, the design of the back of the new Alpha-based sport-luxury sedan hasn’t received as much praise as the vehicle’s front. That said, the new CTS’ rear looks much better in person, and this one particular shot shows a side of the new CTS we haven’t really seen before.

From the angle in the photo, the CTS has a very luxurious and refined appearance. The general appearance of the taillights, the surface of the C-pillar, and the way the pillar flows into the body resembles a Maybach (at least to yours truly) — a circumstance that’s in no way way a bad thing (and no, no one is saying the design was inspired or “ripped off”).

Add in the multispoke wheels from the CTS premium trim, which are usually associated with luxurious and classy high-end luxury vehicles, and the entire vehicle looks highly elegant and sophisticated. But replace the multispokes with the aggressive-looking VSport wheels with less chrome and less spokes, and the CTS instantly looks more sporty. Interesting how much a difference some wheels can make.

Nevertheless, the new CTS is still a looker — and it seems to offer two rather different appearance personalities: one that’s classy and elegant, and another that’s sporty and aggressive — a strategy that reminds us of the strategies employed by BMW and Mercedes-Benz of offering “Luxury” and “Performance” trim/appearance levels. So, how would you rather have your CTS?

Stressed Out? 2014 Chevrolet Impala May Offer Some Relief

noreply@blogger.com (m. melih tüzmen) — Sat, 14 Sep 2013 13:12:00 +0000

Full-speed-range adaptive cruise control could reduce workload during commutes
2013-09-13

Full-speed-range adaptive cruise control, available on the 2014 Chevrolet Impala, can help reduce the number of repeated stops and starts during every day commuting, which can be stressful for drivers.

The redesigned flagship sedan is the first Chevrolet to offer this technology, which addresses the repetitive task of braking and accelerating via a cruise control system that allows the driver to maintain a driver-selected following gap with the vehicle ahead.

Unlike regular cruise control, the full-speed-range adaptive cruise control system uses forward-looking radar to let the driver choose one of three gaps at which to follow the car ahead. These gaps adapt to the cruise speed selected, so a larger distance between cars at a higher cruise speed is provided. The system can automatically accelerate and brake the vehicle up to moderate levels to maintain the driver-selected gap, and can even work under stop-and-go traffic conditions, such as automated toll booths.

Adaptive Cruise Control still requires the driver to pay careful attention to traffic and road conditions and override the system when necessary by manually accelerating and/or braking.

General Motors and the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute conducted a large field test in 2005 in cooperation with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, using Adaptive Cruise Control at speeds above 25 mph.

Click for Video http://bcove.me/r1sdgyou

“Results indicated that brake-apply rates were 25 times lower under freeway conditions relative to manual driving,” said James Sayers, a research scientist in the institute’s Human Factors Group. “These results suggest that Adaptive Cruise Control can substantially reduce the workload and stress associated with the everyday task of car following.”

Driving the 2014 Cadillac XTS Vsport

noreply@blogger.com (m. melih tüzmen) — Sat, 31 Aug 2013 00:41:00 +0000

The 2014 Cadillac XTS Vsport places a larger, more powerful engine into the already capable sedan, finishing it off with a beefed-up chassis and running gear.

By BENJAMIN PRESTON

August 26, 2013

When I think Cadillac, my mental archive scrolls back to that crisp black and white image of Muhammad Ali, sitting next to his mother and looking over his shoulder from the driver’s seat of a new Cadillac. For many people then, the first stop upon arrival at success was probably a Cadillac dealership. Frank Sinatra had one; Elvis owned many over the years.

Cadillac’s new concept car, the Elmiraj, is beautiful, and it recalls that era. With clean lines, distinctly American styling and seating surfaces that look like giant insect skins reimagined in fine leather, it’s little wonder it already seems to have generated some excitement. After all, its classy looks scream “Cadillac!” in a way few Cadillacs have since the mid-’70s. Let’s hope that if there’s a production model, it isn’t watered down too much.

Elmiraj Concept

At this point, you are probably thinking, “What about the XTS Vsport this guy was supposed to be writing about?” Well, I had a chance to see it in person last week at a Cadillac event in New York City. Unfortunately, after seeing the aristocratic Elmiraj up close, the XTS sedan, which shares a platform with the Chevrolet Impala, seemed somewhat more plebeian.

Not that it’s a bad car. It’s classy and clean. But I had to ask myself one thing about the XTS: Would a young Muhammad Ali buy one of these? Even though Cadillac gave the car a pretty exciting engine, I’d have to guess not.

I picked a black XTS Vsport from a line of red and black sedans. It was raining and the traffic was terrible, conditions that were not ideal to try out a car with a 410-horsepower twin-turbo 3.6-liter V-6. But thick traffic and bad weather were probably more realistic than, say, a track.

Nevertheless, the Caddy’s potent engine performed admirably when I needed to — somewhat impatiently — pull around slow-moving vehicles or escape New York City’s maddening, nonseparated left-turn lanes. The engine was quiet at cruising throttle, but when I opened it up, the two turbos added an aggressive rasp to the V-6’s quick pull. All-wheel drive made sure there was no wheelspin, even on wet pavement, when I applied forceful pressure to the accelerator pedal.

A stop-and-go drive with lots of sitting provided ample opportunity to really evaluate interior comfort. Sure, the instrument cluster, which reminded me of late-’90s video game graphics, was a bit on the busy side and not all that pleasant to look at. But the rest of the interior had a nice, simple aesthetic and good color balance between black and tan. The seats had just the right amount of firmness and support, and after sitting in the car for a few hours, I didn’t end up squirming around to find a comfortable position.

Since driving faster than 25 m.p.h. was, for the most part, out of the question, I flipped on the satellite radio and lost myself in a rerun of a late-’40s-vintage episode of the Burns and Allen show. In the show’s dialogue, George Burns expresses his concern about the rising cost of living. I found myself wondering what he would think about the car I was driving. According to Conceptcarz, a top-of-the-line 1948 Cadillac Series 75 Fleetwood started at $4,679 new; that’s $45,353 in 2013 dollars. The XTS Vsport starts at $63,020. That extra 18 grand didn’t seem to be picking up the gazes of deferential admiration I imagined Cadillac’s long, sleek, elegant Series 75 cars would have grabbed in the late ’40s.

George and Gracie signed off, so I switched to Siriusly Sinatra, extending my old-time Cadillac fantasy. Would Sinatra have wanted to drive this car, his Rat Pack buddies smoking cigarettes and drinking whiskey from interior-matched metal tumblers in the back seat? My gut said no. The car was comfortable and nice to look at, but it didn’t strike me as something that could really stand out from the thousands of dark, understated livery cars crisscrossing the streets of New York every day.

But the ride was quiet and not at all unpleasant. Sitting in traffic, which might have been uncomfortable in a car with a harsh ride or poor quality seats, did not seem to matter. The XTS Vsport’s suspension was a shiny spot on an otherwise dull drive. New York City’s roads are, generally, in terrible condition, but the car’s suspension soaked up bumps and lopsided pavement easily, without upsetting ride comfort or handling.

At the end of the day, I think the “sport” moniker the XTS Vsport wears may be a bit misleading. It’s a big, front-wheel-biased, all-wheel-drive sedan with a fairly powerful engine, and that adds some zip to the driving experience. Although it has paddle shifters that work pretty well under heavy acceleration, the car itself seems to straddle the line between luxury cruiser and mild sport sedan without landing squarely in either camp.

It goes without saying that a few hours spent driving around in the rain is by no means the final word on the XTS Vsport. And besides, maybe Jay-Z will buy one and I’ll change my mind about the car’s image. He bought a Jeep Wrangler, after all, so it’s not out of the question.

2014 Chevrolet Malibu: Mainstreaming Stop/Start Technology

noreply@blogger.com (m. melih tüzmen) — Fri, 30 Aug 2013 15:54:00 +0000

2013-08-28

The 2014 Chevrolet Malibu arriving in dealerships this fall will be the first midsize sedan sold in the U.S. to offer fuel-saving stop/start technology standard on its 2.5L base model.

The Malibu has an EPA-estimated 25 city and 36 highway mpg – a 14 percent improvement in city fuel economy – at a starting price of $22,965, including an $825 destination charge but excluding tax, title, and license and dealer fees.

Stop/start technology helps customers conserve fuel by automatically shutting off the engine when the car comes to a stop, such as at stoplights. The engine automatically restarts when the driver takes his or her foot off the brake. During engine restarts, an auxiliary 12-volt battery powers electric accessories such as heating and air conditioning, power windows and radio.

“The key was to apply the knowledge we gained from our eAssist technology,” said Todd Pawlik, Malibu chief engineer. “By leveraging knowledge from the stop/start system we use on eAssist, we were able to significantly improve city fuel ratings by 3 mpg, or 14 percent on Malibu’s entry-level 2.5L model, compared to the 2013 model.”

Malibu’s stop/start system monitors – among other things – vehicle speed, climate control system operation and the force a driver applies to the brake pedal, to determine whether it is efficient to shut off the engine in certain driving conditions, such as stop-and-go driving.

In addition to stop/start technology, Chevrolet engineers incorporated valve-actuation technology known as Intake Valve Lift Control into Malibu’s 2.5L engine, which also contributes to improved fuel economy.

When the Intake Valve Lift Control system operates in low-lift mode, the engine pumps only the air it needs to meet the driver’s demand. The system switches to high-lift mode at higher speeds or under heavy loads, providing the full output capability of the engine. The variable intake valve actuation enhances efficiency and helps lower emissions, while also boosting low-rpm torque for a greater feeling of power at lower speeds.

A new six-speed transmission makes its first appearance in the 2014 Malibu 2.5L. The 6T45 transmission includes improvements that reduce the energy required to pump transmission fluid, which enables additional fuel economy savings.

The new technologies on the 2.5L model enable the Malibu to deliver a higher combined fuel economy rating than the base engines of several midsize sedan competitors, including the Toyota Camry, Ford Fusion, Kia Optima, Hyundai Sonata and Chrysler 200.

“In this competitive midsize segment, there is no standing still,” said Chris Perry, Chevrolet marketing vice president. “In addition to fuel economy improvements, the 2014 Malibu is roomier and more refined than its predecessor.”

Additional new features on the 2014 Malibu include:

-Revised front-end appearance
-Roomier rear seat with 1.25 inches (31.7 mm) more knee room
-Redesigned center console
-Suspension enhancements derived from the all-new 2014 Impala engineered to contribute to a more dynamic driving experience
-Available Side Blind Zone Alert and Rear Cross Traffic Alert safety features
-Nearly 14 percent more torque from the available 2.0L turbo engine – 295 lb-ft of torque (400 -Nm) – engineered for a greater feeling of power on demand

Elmiraj Concept Explores Top of Cadillac’s Range

noreply@blogger.com (m. melih tüzmen) — Sat, 17 Aug 2013 22:12:00 +0000

CARMEL, Calif. – Cadillac today revealed the Elmiraj Concept, a grand coupe expressing the pure enjoyment of driving and exploring new dimensions for Cadillac’s ongoing expansion. The Elmiraj Concept showcases a new vision for luxury driving and the top of the brand’s expanding range.

“Cadillac is fueled by the creativity of our designers, led by Ed Welburn,” said Bob Ferguson, senior vice president, Global Cadillac. “Elmiraj provides a look inside the Cadillac Studio on how we envision performance and luxury for the next generation of luxury drivers.”

A modern update to the classic format of a two-door grand coupe, Elmiraj is a pure expression of streamlined design and engaging rear-wheel drive performance.

At 205 inches (5207mm) in overall length, Elmiraj is four-seat coupe with presence and poise. Taking up from where the memorable Ciel Concept left off, Elmiraj is a statement of pure luxury and performance with a purposeful character and proportion.

The concept advances Cadillac’s philosophy of dramatic design and performance, and its commitment to lightweight, agile cars. Elmiraj is constructed with chassis and structural elements of an ongoing Cadillac vehicle development project slated for future production. This new vehicle architecture expands the brand’s commitment to lightweight RWD performance, exemplified in the ATS sport sedan and the all-new and elevated 2014 CTS launching this fall in the U.S.

“Elmiraj advances Cadillac’s provocative modern design and performance, contrasted with bespoke craftsmanship and luxury,” said Mark Adams, Cadillac design director. “It explores performance driving, as well as how we’re approaching elevating the Cadillac range and new dimensions of Art & Science philosophy.”

Elmiraj is powered by a 4.5-liter twin turbocharged V8 delivering an estimated 500 hp. The engine takes the baseline technology from the new Cadillac Twin Turbo V6 featured in the upcoming 420-hp 2014 CTS Vsport edition, and expands it to the classic performance format of a V8 engine.

Cadillac Elmiraj Concept honors California’s performance driving heritage

Cadillac’s Elmiraj Concept takes its name from El Mirage Lake, a dry lake bed in the California desert famed for hosting high speed time trials of high performance machines for more than 50 years. Also the name gently recalls Cadillac’s Eldorado model in a new manner, relevant to the car’s design and performance inspiration.

Cadillac ELR First to Feature All-LED Exterior Lighting

noreply@blogger.com (m. melih tüzmen) — Sun, 14 Jul 2013 20:19:00 +0000

2013-07-12

DETROIT – When the all-new Cadillac ELR extended range luxury coupe arrives in dealerships this winter, it will be the first electric vehicle introduced with all-LED exterior lighting.

First shown at this year’s North American International Auto Show, the ELR’s front LED lights are designed to double as daytime running lights. The design of the main projectors extend from the ELR’s front fascia up into the fenders to create a sleek and dramatic appearance.

The signature vertical tail lights pay homage to classic Cadillac style and stay true to the Converj concept, on which the ELR is based.

“LED lights last much longer and use less energy than traditional halogen bulbs used in most vehicles,” said Martin Davis, exterior lead designer. “Beyond the beautiful design interpretation, using LED lights fits with the ELR’s environmentally friendly character.”

Susan Docherty will leave GM by September 30. Why?:::May be....

noreply@blogger.com (m. melih tüzmen) — Thu, 27 Jun 2013 08:27:00 +0000

Promoted to Chevy Chief, Batey Now Gets to Finish What He Started

June 26, 2013

Success has many fathers, and Chevrolet has been busy assigning paternity. Its roll call of high-profile marketers was capped this week with the naming of Alan Batey as senior vice president of Chevrolet worldwide, a newly created post charged with growing GM's largest brand into a global powerhouse.

Interestingly, the new chief of the most iconic American car brand is a Brit who clearly merited his latest appointment by providing a steadying influence for Chevy over the last year and also by moving the brand forward even when his long-term responsibilities weren't fully defined. Batey already was well down the path of rolling out a strategy that he now will be fully empowered to execute.

He took over as interim global CMO for GM in the wake of the departure of Joel Ewanick about a year ago; presided over the launch of the Spark minicar and new Impala full-size sedan; introduced the new worldwide brand theme for Chevy, "Find New Roads," last winter; oversaw the early stages of the ongoing, crucial debut of a new version of the Silverado pickup truck; initiated a program to transform Chevrolet's network of 3,000 US dealerships; and has been stepping up GM's emphasis on the globality of Chevrolet for all of that time.

In the meantime, Chevy also has added Tim Mahoney as CMO, who was CMO for Volkswagen of America and joined Chevrolet several weeks ago. Reporting to Batey, Mahoney remains responsible for brand image and reputation of Chevrolet on a global basis, brand consistency and message coordination. Chris Perry—who originally was recruited by Ewanick and followed him from Hyundai— remains US vice president of Chevy marketing, responsible for US marketing and advertising and reporting to Mahoney.

Tim Mahoney

Even while retaining his role as US sales vice president over the last year, GM kept the title of "interim global CMO" attached to Batey as he picked up the pieces after Ewanick's departure. But CEO Dan Akerson decided that he didn't want to restore the global CMO position and, in the process of selecting long-term responsibilities for Batey, Akerson was able to underscore the primacy of GM's car brands over any corporate-brand umbrella.

"Chevrolet is our mainstream global brand, and with the growth we are experiencing and the barrage of new products we have coming, the time is right for us to have a single leader responsible for managing the brand around the world," Akerson said in a statement. Batey "has worked in markets all over the world, has demonstrated the ability to deliver great business results and understands how to balance global brand consistency while maintaining the local voice of the customer."

In the US alone this year, Chevy will roll out 13 new or redesigned models, and 12 more in international markets. Chevy's US sales growth and market share have been lagging a bit lately but Chevy sold a record 1.2 million units during the first quarter, the brand's tenth straight quarter of record global sales.

Other players on the GM chessboard are on the move as well. Akerson also promoted Alicia Boler-Davis to senior vice president in charge of global quality and customer experience after the vice president was credited with a large role in GM's unprecedentedly good performance in the just-announced annual J.D. Power & Associates Initial Quality Study. Also, Susan Docherty, who heads Chevy sales in Europe, announced plans to leave GM by September to spend more time with her family; she'll be replaced by Opel management board member Thomas Sedran as the new head of Chevy and Cadillac in Europe.

Batey's ascension closes a turbulent era in GM's marketing and comes at a time of great promise for Chevrolet. Akerson will do everything he can to help Batey fulfill it.

BrandChannel

On a Clear Day … This is all H I S T O R Y

Susan Docherty may be the most powerful woman in the automotive industry, but if she can’t win over skeptical consumers, General Motors won’t last another century.
BY PAUL A. EISENSTEIN

Don’t go looking for Sue Docherty to show up at a meeting in her black power suit. You won’t find it on a hanger back home or waiting for pick-up at the dry cleaners. It’s gone and forgotten. Well, almost. “It’s left my closet,” GM’s new vice president of vehicle sales, service, and marketing says with a wince.

It fit just fine, and was perfectly in style. Indeed, it was absolutely the appropriate thing to wear on the otherwise fine spring morning when General Motors Corp. ended its 101-year run by filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. “It was a day I never thought I’d see happen,” says the 46-year-old GM veteran, who recalls June 1, 2009, as “the worst moment in my career. … I’ll never forget where I was, nor what I wore.” And like a widow’s mourning suit, the black ensemble is something Docherty (pronounced DOCK-er-ty) has chosen to put behind her as she moves ahead, now one of the top “change agents” at the “new” General Motors.

When President Obama took to the airwaves on March 31 to announce that he’d rejected a bid for additional financial aid for Detroit’s two failing automakers, GM and Chrysler, he made it clear that they could not expect to continue business as usual at the government’s expense. The White House’s auto task force advised Chrysler to find a new parent before getting the second bailout — Fiat, as it turned out. With GM, the company was sent back to draft a draconian turnaround plan. In the end, that meant abandoning half the automaker’s North American brands, including the once-vaunted Pontiac, as well as the struggling Hummer, Saturn, and Saab divisions.

But the proposed cuts, sanctified by a federal bankruptcy judge in New York, took a more personal toll. About a third of GM’s dealers — roughly 2,000 in all — will either be shuttered or follow Saab and Hummer when they’re sold off (though some may be reinstated via binding arbitration). A score of plants, employing thousands of workers, have — or will be — closed. And where cutbacks traditionally affected hourly workers most severely, the pain of bankruptcy has been unusually indiscriminate of rank. On July 11, the day the company re-emerged as “GM Newco,” new CEO Fritz Henderson reported that a full 35 percent of the company’s senior executives would be fired, retired, or simply encouraged to find new jobs. Henderson himself resigned in early December.

Of course, that wholesale shake-up began even before the president’s glum announcement, when task force chief Steven Rattner dismissed GM Chairman Rick Wagoner. Following the bankruptcy, GM got a whole new board of directors. And myriad top managers have been turning in their keys to the executive washroom ever since, including Opel CEO Carl-Peter Forster, manufacturing boss Gary Cowger, and, in mid-October, marketing chief Mark LaNeve.

It was clear that LaNeve’s days were numbered when, immediately after the bankruptcy, he was stripped of his marketing duties, which were handed to septuagenarian Vice Chairman Bob Lutz. In mid-October, LaNeve’s responsibility for sales was transferred to Docherty, while the marketing duties given to Lutz were transferred to her in early December.

There’s an old adage in Detroit that it’s often better to be lucky than good. And Docherty’s luck was certainly with her when, in late October, the Windsor native was presented with a minor miracle. The preceding two years had required GM to make one glum pronouncement after another, notably on the sales front, but October yielded the first year-over-year improvement at the showroom level in 21 months. That it took so long was surprising, given that GM benefited from the “Cash for Clunkers” program last August. Despite her brief tenure, it would have been easy to bask in the spotlight.

“I can’t take credit,” she insists. “I wasn’t on the job long enough. What’s really needed,” she says, “is a humble appreciation that we have a lot of work to do.”

Docherty also thought it right to offer thanks to the frontline troops: the nearly 4,000 surviving GM dealerships that had to work hard to convince skeptical customers that the automaker would be around to provide sales and service. Docherty asked each of her sales team members to call five dealers to say thanks. “When I went to see her [that] morning,” says one of her staff, “she had already called more than five herself.”

There were more than a few observers who were surprised with Docherty’s appointment. She acknowledges that CEO Henderson had a “pool of talent” to draw from. And there are those who’d expected — even hoped — that GM would reach outside to fill the position in order to bring in “new blood,” in the words of one company consultant. “They talk about doing things a different way, but look at all the old faces. There’s really nobody new on the executive committee,” he says, referring to the eight-member team now making most of the day-to-day decisions that don’t have to be sent up to the GM board.

For her part, Docherty doesn’t deny there are some familiar names at the helm, but she says there’s been a significant amount of movement nonetheless. Already, GM Chairman Ed Whitacre Jr. has shifted several senior executives. “You bring in people from the outside only if you think you need to get fresh thinking,” Docherty contends, “but that doesn’t mean you can’t get fresh thinking from the people already in the company.”

There’s no question Docherty has had a lot of opportunity to broaden her viewpoint. Since joining GM in 1986, she’s lived in four different countries and moved 14 times. Before that, she earned two degrees from the University of Windsor — a bachelor of commerce with a major in marketing, and a bachelor of arts in economics. In 2004, Docherty had a chance to go back to school during a yearlong Sloan fellowship at Stanford University. “It was incredible to step out of this business and hear what was happening in other industries,” she recalls. “It provided a perspective I could learn from and bring back to the company. It was worth every dollar they spent to send me to Palo Alto.”

One of Docherty’s instructors was Eric Schmidt, then the relatively unknown head of Google. “It was a small class,” Docherty says, “and I got to hear a lot about the Internet which, for those of us from outside Silicon Valley, still seemed quite new. [Schmidt] said it would change the way people viewed the world of retailing, and I brought that back to Hummer. … The first thing I did was order a complete tune-up of our Web site and make absolutely sure we had a budget for digital advertising.”

GM was slow to grasp the digital realm — something it’s still struggling to catch up on since its reorganization. But the Internet isn’t going to fix everything, Docherty cautions. Much of what the company needs to do is learn how to work smarter, leaner, and faster. “Why do we do that?’” she often asks her staff. “In some cases, they say we always did a particular report. But if we don’t need it, we don’t need to do it. I’m a very driven, Type-A personality, but we have to do more with less, so the one thing I’ve changed about my leadership style is how I prioritize the things we need to do to generate results.”

Docherty, who admits she’s “not very proud” about having missed every family vacation in the last year, suggests that applies to her private life, as well. Prior to taking on her sales assignment, Docherty tried to make up for it — at least a little bit — by bringing 10-year-old daughter Alexis along for the day during a preview of a new Buick. “A lot of journalists were rolling their eyes,” Docherty recalls with a smile, but after missing a two-week family trip, “I wanted to see Alexis, and it was very rewarding for her to see me in my work environment.”

In her new post, it would be easy to let the business world’s demands overwhelm every aspect of her life, but Docherty says one of her new personal priorities is to get up early and work out every day. “If I’m not healthy,” she stresses, “I’m not good for my family or my company.” On the weekends, she’ll rise just as early, squeezing in a workout, answering e-mails, and reviewing paperwork before switching modes to “wife, mom, and caregiver.”

A baseball fan with a penchant for sports metaphors, Docherty met her husband of 15 years, Chris, at a Toronto Blue Jays game. When asked if Chris is also in the auto industry, Docherty throws no junk. “Thank God,” she says, “no.”

Chris, she says, is her “best friend and consultant,” someone who knows enough about her work to provide a good perspective, yet still maintain an outsider’s point of view.

As much as she picked up in Palo Alto, Docherty says the bankruptcy process has turned into the biggest learning experience of her career.

“Intellectually, all our brains have been on fire the last year,” she says. “I have three degrees … [but] during the last 12 months, I’ve learned more than I did in seven or eight years at the university.”

Now Docherty has to put that all into practice. One of her top priorities is driving down GM’s hefty spending on incentives — the most in the industry, at an average of around $4,000 a vehicle. The focus has to be on residuals — think trade-in values — rather than cash-back handouts.

There are signs this can happen when the company focuses on turning out the right products built to benchmark quality levels. The new 2010 Cadillac SRX crossover recently received a 52-percent residual rating from industry arbiter ALG, a stunning 21.5-point increase from the old model. On a vehicle like the SRX, with a transaction price that can top $40,000, that translates into an extra $8,000 in value after three years.

Another way to improve residuals is to pare back on leasing — which is often heavily subsidized. Before the bankruptcy, as much as 21 percent of GM products were sold via low-cost leases. The goal now, Docherty says, is to trim that to somewhere between 7 percent and 10 percent.

Then there’s a chance to turn lemons into lemonade. Perhaps not a good choice of words in a story about the auto business, but dropping four brands and 44 of the 78 nameplates GM offered, pre-bankruptcy, could be disastrous if not handled well. The challenge is to focus resources on building — and then marketing — the right models. The October sales numbers suggest GM is moving in the right direction, with 95 percent of the carmaker’s volume coming from the brands that survived the reorganization.

Though you’re not likely to hear it from Docherty, there’s a certain loneliness to being a senior executive at GM — a senior female executive, that is. A surprising number of top women managers have left the automaker in recent months, including Maureen Kempston Darkes, the head of Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East; chief environmental and safety officer Beth Lowry; and Saturn general manager Jill Lajdziak.

“Everyone’s curious about Docherty,” says Peter DeLorenzo, publisher of the oft-controversial Web magazine AutoExtremist.com and a frequent industry consultant on marketing issues. “She’s a GM lifer … in a system very few women have come out of, especially on the marketing side of the business.” Maybe being a woman is why Docherty brings “a different kind of energy” to the job than her predecessor, says AutoPacific auto analyst Stephanie Brinley. Then again, Brinley adds, maybe “it’s not important” at all that Docherty’s a woman; “It’s more about personality than anything else.” The new sales chief is decidedly “energetic and enthusiastic,” where LaNeve was “just pretty calm [and] matter-of-fact.”

Docherty’s appointment hasn’t been without controversy. There are those who contend she’s a self-promoter — a common criticism of rising stars, especially those from the distaff side — in the often-catty boys club of the automotive world. For his part, DeLorenzo says he’s sitting back, watching to see if Docherty delivers.

“She’s a work in progress [who] has a much tougher job than before the bankruptcy,” he says. DeLorenzo suggests it’ll take at least a year for the new, post-Chapter 11 General Motors to settle down enough to truly get a sense of Docherty’s acumen for her position.

By then, Whitacre has hinted the company could begin paying back at least some of the money it’s borrowed from the government.
And that’s something Docherty eagerly anticipates. “I think the day we pay back the government for our loans,” she says, “will be the best and proudest moment of my career.”

"So sad to say she is on her way..." Susan Docherty announces intention to leave GM

noreply@blogger.com (m. melih tüzmen) — Fri, 21 Jun 2013 15:02:00 +0000

2013-06-21
ZURICH – Susan Docherty, president and managing director of Chevrolet and Cadillac Europe, has announced her intention to leave General Motors to spend time with her family, effective September 30. A successor for Docherty will be named at a later date.

"With more than 27 years of GM service, Susan has been instrumental in many of our sales and marketing initiatives," said GM Vice President, Global Manufacturing, and President, International Operations Tim Lee. "She has helped build the equity of our brands and reach our customers in new and innovative ways."

In her current role, Docherty initiated a restructuring of the business while growing Chevrolet's market share in 2012 in a challenging European market. In addition, she has been a guiding force in helping the company redefine the positioning of the Chevrolet brand in GM International Operations.

"After almost three decades at this great company, working at an incredible pace in markets around the world, I've decided to take a break, invest time in my family and chart a new course for my career," said Docherty. "I leave with incredible memories and valued friendships with high hopes for GM's continued success."

Before moving to Europe, Docherty held many key positions in sales, service, marketing and communications around the globe. Among her earlier positions, she served as GM vice president of International Operations Sales, Marketing and Aftersales; GM vice president of U.S. Sales, Service and Marketing, and general manager of Buick-Pontiac-GMC. Docherty was selected by GM for a Sloan Fellowship and completed her master’s degree at Stanford University.

"Susan has been a tireless promoter of our company and brands," said Lee. "We appreciate her dedication and creativity and wish her continued success."

Docherty will continue to work with the Chevrolet and Cadillac team in Europe in the near term to ensure a smooth transition.

This final statement is most probably 'a clause' from Susan' s contract with GM... When you burn out on the job( hey, you actually don' t set yourself on fire-usually the end result of the constraints of a much demanding job and the poor base support hand in hand) you want to walk out w/o looking back even... BUT the contracts usually dictate that you MUST SUFFER until GM replaces you for another 3,5 months. Susan was in charge of a tough+tough task in Europe and it's an environment with almost no growth for the last decade; static sort of....

This is not bad news for her Twitter followers like myself. Her last tweet is dated 9/12..! I want to wish her lots of good luck and remind you readers that she has been one hell of a successful woman in her career. Take good care; we will stay in touch Susan..! - M. Melih Tüzmen

Most GM Cars Will Offer 4G by 2015

noreply@blogger.com (m. melih tüzmen) — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 20:53:00 +0000

General Motors CEO Dan Akerson said most GM cars by 2015 will include 4G Internet access and he called the car “the next major technology platform.”

GM announced in February that many cars starting in 2014 will offer 4G service through OnStar. Akerson’s speech in Boston underscored the car maker’s aggressive timeline to bring the service to the majority of its cars.

GM partners with AT&T for 4G

Why? Because the use of smartphones and tablets in cars is now a “megatrend.”

J.D. Power & Associates says more than two thirds of car buyers own a smartphone but Akerson says that number will quickly rise to ALL car buyers and it wants to harness the demand for connected devices in the car.

4G service could help tell drivers when they need a new battery so they aren’t stranded. Or it might allow drivers to place an order at Dunkin Donuts and pay for it so its easy and quick to swing by and pick it up.

GM said it wants to do a better job at satisfying the demand for connectivity than any other car maker.

Earlier this month it announced it will make remote start from a smartphone a standard feature many 2014 cars as a free service for a five year period.

GM said people use their smartphones or tablets more than 2.5 hours per day on average and they drive for 15 hours a week.

“Marry the two and you have a megatrend that we intend to harness for competitive advantage,” Akerson said.

GM Makes Remote Start From Phone Standard

noreply@blogger.com (m. melih tüzmen) — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 22:48:00 +0000

Remotely unlocking doors, activating horn and lights and remote start for factory-equipped vehicles are among services General Motors will make standard via smartphone for five years through the OnStar RemoteLink Mobile App.

GM announced the new RemoteLink Key Fob Services program on Wednesday for OnStar-equipped 2014 Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac models – even if the owner declines to pay for other OnStar services. It is the broadest deployment of remote services offered through a mobile app by any auto manufacturer. Thirty-six 2014 model year GM vehicles are compatible with the RemoteLink mobile app.

“We know our customers value remote services,” said Mary Chan, president GM Global Connected Consumer. “GM owners request remote door unlock assistance through OnStar more than 60,000 times each month, so it makes sense for us to offer RemoteLink Key Fob Services to enable customers to lock, unlock or start their vehicle from anywhere they have a wireless or cellular connection.”

Remote start is the most popular remote service by current users of the RemoteLink Mobile App.

The complete set of RemoteLink Mobile App services remain available with a trial or paid OnStar subscription. Additional services include monitoring the status of the vehicle’s operating systems, including remaining oil life, fuel level range in miles, tire pressure, and miles per gallon. It also includes a one-touch connection to an OnStar Advisor for a simple request or emergency need. RemoteLink Mobile App users with the Directions and Connections plan can also send Turn-by-Turn directions directly from their smartphone to their vehicle.

Once a customer takes delivery of an eligible 2014 GM vehicle, he or she can simply download the free application to a compatible smartphone and agree to terms. The five-year period runs from the vehicle delivery date.

“Our vehicles are getting more connected, and so are we. As mobile devices become a bigger part of our lives, GM understands the importance of providing our customers the ability to use these devices as part of their vehicle experience,” said Chan.

“What’s great about the RemoteLink Key Fob Services is that it works far beyond the range of a traditional key fob, which can come in handy in a number of situations,” such as starting your car on a cold day as you leave the office or ensuring your vehicle is safely locked in the airport parking lot as you sit in the terminal.
“Customers expect the connection to their vehicle to be available anywhere they go and anytime they want to use it,” said Alan Batey, GM vice president, U.S. sales and service. “RemoteLink Key Fob Services represent simple, smart connectivity and another example of how our brands are evolving services and connecting with our customers.”

GM introduced the auto industry’s first mobile app when it launched RemoteLink for the Chevrolet Volt in 2010 using OnStar technology. Today, the RemoteLink Mobile App, which is available for nearly all GM brands, has been downloaded more than 1.5 million times with more than 320,000 regular users.

The full suite of OnStar in-vehicle services includes 24/7 access to a live Advisor, Automatic Crash Response, Stolen Vehicle Assistance, Hands-Free Calling, Vehicle Diagnostics, Turn-by-Turn Navigation (with the Directions and Connections package) and more.

2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray: A Classic Redux

noreply@blogger.com (m. melih tüzmen) — Sun, 02 Jun 2013 12:30:00 +0000

MAY 27, 2013

When the all-new 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray arrives in September, there will be no shortage of buyers who will want to be among the first to get their hands on this latest iteration of the classic American sports car.

There’s a lot to be excited about with this ’Vette—thanks to an all-aluminum chassis (replacing the steel that makes up part of the structure of the current car), the car is able to accommodate new technology and safety features without adding to its weight. It also has a striking, contemporary look and will again be offered in both coupe and convertible body styles.

Chevrolet promises that this is the most powerful standard Corvette ever. It wrings out 460 hp and 465 ft lbs of torque from its 6.2-liter direct-injected V-8 and will be good for 0–60 mph acceleration in less than 4 seconds. The new engine has variable cam timing and cylinder deactivation that help improve on the current car’s EPA highway number of 26 mpg. This also means that the Corvette will again escape the gas-guzzler tax.

The Corvette has been an unqualified hit on the auto-show circuit; it was first shown as a coupe at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, and then most recently as the convertible at the Geneva Motor Show. The roadster version features an automatic top that can be remotely raised and lowered via the key fob or while the car is in motion at speeds up to 30 mph.

So what’s the dilemma? Chevy says this is the most powerful standard Corvette ever, but it’s not the most powerful Corvette you can buy. That’s the 638 hp, $112,600 2013 ZR1 model, which is equipped with a supercharged 6.2-liter V-8. Or if that’s too rich, you can still buy a normally aspirated 7.0-liter 2013 Z06, which is good for 505 hp and starts at $75,600. Both those models have ceased production and will go away once the new car is launched. Do you wait for the new car that offers less performance but has features like a new 7-speed manual transmission? And how much will the premium on those cars, which will likely sell at or above the current starting price of $51,995 coupe for the coupe and $56,995 for the convertible? Maybe there’s a case for finding a Z06 or ZR1 on a dealer’s lot and doing a bit of hard bargaining.ecisions.

Matt Delorenzo

WHY GM killed so many brands while keeping the Buick brand under his armpit..?

noreply@blogger.com (m. melih tüzmen) — Sun, 26 May 2013 12:46:00 +0000

Buick turms 110

By M. Melih Tüzmen

Buick turns 110. A lot of 'car-holics', including me are still wondering WHY GM killed so many brands while keeping the Buick brand under his armpit. Pontiac with all it's excitement, Saturn with all it's marketing innovations, Hummer with all it's boldness and durability, Oldsmobile with all it's rich heritage are all now in GM' s graveyard. Saab gone from the Vikings' land to the land of the Dragon.

Buick... Sstill going strong...

Where does this strength originate from? Well, from today's global market conditions which can be said that contribute with a 90% weight among all the factors.

China is now number 1 for GM; a much bigger market than the US. On April 21st, 2013 General Motors sold its 1 millionth vehicle in China. Buick Excel dominates the segment. AND the sales forecast for Buick in 2013 WAS 1,455,000 vehicles. 1 million vehicles already sold so early in the calendar year tells the whole story...

Pu Yi's Buick

Now, we must ask: "Why is Buick is on such a huge demand in China?"

Emperor Pu Yi

Buick has a long history in China; the vehicles were first sold in Shanghai in 1912, a story said. The last emperor of China, Pu Yi, owned at least one Buick in the 1920s.

Buick in China Overview

History of Buick in China

· The Buick brand has a long and distinguished history in China that dates back to the early days of General Motors itself. In the first part of the 20th century,

Buick was a car of choice for the country’s influential citizens.

o Dr. Sun Yat-sen, (China’s first provisional president);

o Zhou Enlai, (who became China’s premier);

o Pu Yi, (the last emperor of China)

Either owned, drove or were driven in Buick automobiles

· According to statistics from the Shanghai government, in 1930 one out of every six cars on the city’s roads was a Buick.

Pu Yi' s Buick

Shanghi GM

· In 1999, when GM began regular production at its Shanghai GM joint venture, Buick was the chosen brand – largely because of its legacy in China as a

prestigious automobile.

· With the roll out of the original family of Buick sedans at Shanghai GM, GM became the first global automaker to build a completely new and modern product in China.

· Buick was responsible for several other industry firsts. For example, China’s

first executive wagon (GL8) was a Buick as was the country’s first affordable

family car (Sail).

· Today, Buick products are manufactured in China at GM joint venture facilities in the cities of Shanghai and Shenyang.

· In 2008, GM sold 280,012 Buicks in China, while in the United States it delivered 137,197 Buicks.

The Last Emporer of China... This poor guy had quite a history. Born in 1909, he began his life as the child Emperor of China under the control of the Empress Dowager. From there he graduated to a puppet of the Nationalist Chinese. Driven from the Forbidden City by the local warlord, he became a pawn of the Manchus seeking his/their reinstatement to power. Fearing for his life and angered by his treatment, he sought sanctuary with the Japanese, who ultimately installed him as Emperor of Manchukuo, an artifical state created from the captured Chinese Province of Manchuria. At the end of WWll, he was captured by the Soviet Army and spent 5 years under house arrest in the USSR until he was turned over to the Communist Chinese government in 1950. He was summarily imprisoned and released in 1959. Until the end, he was alternately used by Chairman Mao to represent the state then persecuted by the radical left in the various "Cultural Revolutions". He died, probably of cancer, in 1967.... a sad end to a sad life. So what kind of perks could you expect as Emperor of Manchukuo.

Well, he got a pretty neat limo to cruise in... a 1934 Cadillac Deluxe Tudor, stripped of the Caddy's emblems and scripts, painted and trimmed in the Imperial colors of red and gold and emblazoned with the Imperial crests and signage.

Pu Yi's 1934 Caddy

Caption: 1934 Cadillac Deluxe Tudor State Limosine of Henry Pu-Yi- Ltd Ed of 10000

Riviera Concept

Why Buick Is Big in Beijing — and Elsewhere in China

Buick has a second life in China as an upscale brand. If you get picked up and taken to the airport in a car service, it's likely to be in a black, four-door Buick Regal sedan. The Excelle, a small vehicle modeled on the Chevrolet Cruze, is a high-volume product: 200,000 are made each year in China. The GL-8 SUV retails for 288,000-388,000 renminbi ($45,000-$60,000). Buick is tapping into a long legacy in China. It is commonly noted that the Last Emperor owned one nearly a century ago. GM, which also makes various Chevrolet models for domestic sales at two other plants in China, has a network of about 1,000 dealers. All in, GM has the capacity to produce 1.2 million cars in China — 600,000 in the two assembly lines at the Shanghai plant.

By the 1920s, Buick was becoming the car of choice for kings, sultans and political leaders and winning competitions from South America to Australia to the Soviet Union. Adventurer Lowell Thomas used a Buick in the first motor expedition into Afghanistan in 1923. British royalty favored Buicks - they could claim they were buying "Empire" cars as Buicks were built in Canada. And Buicks were said to be favored by the leaders of Shanghai, China. In 1925, Buick and GM Export sent a Buick around the world without a single driver - passing the vehicle from one sales/service operation to another to demonstrate the worldwide reach of GM's operations.

David Dunbar BUICK

Back in 1899, a Scottish immigrant named David Buick decided to try his hand at building horseless carriages. At the turn of the last century, automobile manufacturing was the new boom industry. Much like the dot com boom a century later, there was a fledgling car company on every corner. And nearly all of them would eventually run out of money, and go belly-up. Just a few years after Mr. Buick started his automotive venture, it too went bankrupt, and the company was taken over by a man named Billy Durant.

Mr. Durant was a very wealthy man, having turned his small wagon/carriage business, the Flint Road Cart Company, into the world's largest horse-drawn wagon manufacturer. His wagons were sold all over the world, and he decided to replicate his success In the automobile business. The Buick Motor Company was his first automotive acquisition, and it would eventually become the cornerstone of his new car-making conglomerate called General Motors.

Billy DURANT

Durant positioned his new car company as a top-shelf luxury brand, and Buicks were soon known for their luxurious appointments, and powerful engines. Thanks to his international trade connections, Durant began exporting his fine luxury cars to China in 1912. The big, powerful Buicks were an immediate hit, and the Chinese Emperor Pu Yi, along with China's first president Sun Yat-sen, chose to be chauffeured in a Buick.

Over the decades, Buick retained its prestigious image in China, even though most Americans considered Buick to be little more than the flagship of the Bingo Brigade. As the Chinese economy started to grow, GM decided to capitalize on Buick's high-brow reputation. The Chinese loved the gaudy chrome look popularized by American cars in the 1950s. So GM opened its Shanghai Buick factory in 1999, and festooned its Chinese-market cars with a toothy chrome waterfall grille which was first used on the Buick Roadmaster in the 1940s.

Buick Dealership-China

Chinese customers went nuts for the bling-y American luxury cars, and Buick would go on to become China's most popular luxury car brand. China's car market would become the largest on the planet, handily eclipsing our own in terms of sales volume. As GM entered bankruptcy in 2009, many thought that Buick would get the axe since the brand's 2008 U.S. sales total was a paltry 137k units. But things were much different in China, where over 280,000 Buicks found new homes. A year later, GM introduced the luxury compact Buick Excelle, which immediately sold 100,000 copies. By 2011, the Excelle had become the best-selling passenger car in the Chinese market. With sales of 254,000 units, Buick's little luxury car had single-handedly outsold the entire brand's U.S. sales of 177k units.

Today, Buick's Chinese office has a lot more say in global product development. When it came time to redesign the Buick LaCrosse, the Shanghai design team specified that the signature waterfall grille be given more prominence in the design. This wound up giving the car a much more upscale appearance, and the premium materials wrapped around flowing lines of the Chinese-influenced interior, helped to make the 2014 Buick LaCrosse one of the most luxurious Buick's in recent memory. GM intended this car to compete with the Lexus ES, and the Chinese office helped make it possible.

You may also want to read: Buick finally took off when its founder bottomed out
By STEVEN REIVE Wheelbase Media- Published: February 11, 2013

Newsday Media

GM Donates 2014 CTS Vsport to Benefit STEM Education

noreply@blogger.com (m. melih tüzmen) — Thu, 23 May 2013 10:39:00 +0000

First production Cadillac model to be auctioned with proceeds to SAE Foundation

2013-05-22

Mary Barra, General Motors senior vice president, Global Product Development, was honored Wednesday evening with the Society of Automotive Engineering Foundation’s 2013 Industry Leadership Award. Barra is the first woman recipient in the 25-year history of the award.

2014 Cadillac CTS Vsport

Barra said GM would donate the first production 2014 Cadillac CTS Vsport, including a performance driving school package, to the SAE Foundation.

The CTS Vsport will be the first Cadillac model to offer an eight-speed automatic transmission. The car is built on the high-performance award-winning ATS architecture and is equipped with a Twin-Turbo V-6.

A live auction will be conducted by Barrett-Jackson later this year, and proceeds will be provided to the SAE Foundation for its science, technology, engineering and mathematics student outreach programs.

“The SAE Foundation’s STEM educational programs are vital to ensuring we ignite the passion for math and science in young students who will be the future leaders of the automobile industry,” said Barra. “At a recent SAE a World in Motion third-grade skimmer project I was especially gratified to see students having so much fun applying key principles of math and science. So it is fitting to support SAE’s programs by donating a vehicle that embodies what is possible when ingenuity meets engineering excellence.”

GM has long sponsored the SAE Foundation’s STEM outreach programs. In addition to financial support from the GM Foundation, GM provides more than 1,500 mentors and volunteers who help reach nearly 85,000 students participating in SAE’s World in Motion K-12 programs.

“We need to ensure that the next generation of professionals has the skills and education necessary to compete on a global basis. SAE’s programs integrate physical science basics with team-based learning – and show young people that math and science is a viable career choice,” said John Calabrese, GM vice president, Global Vehicle Engineering.

“By investing in programs like SAE’s a World in Motion, we help get students engaged at an early age and keep them interested.”

Executive Express: 2014 XTS Gains Revamped Grille, More Luxury

Last month during the reveal of the stunning 2014 CTS, Cadillac also announced that the 2014 XTS would be gaining twin-turbo V-6 power, but they never showed the car. While the new engine is not changing the design of the XTS, it is gaining a new front grille treatment to give the car a more aggressive look.

The above photo is the first photo Cadillac has released of the 2014 XTS that features the grille that will be on the twin-turbo model. The twin-turbo engine is Cadillac's new 3.6-liter featuring 410 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. It probably goes without saying that the powerful twin-turbo engine is only available with all-wheel drive and a six-speed automatic.

In addition to the new engine and grille treatment, XTS is also gaining several new features. Cadillac has added automatic high beam headlamp control, a rear seat entertainment system, active park assist and front passenger memory seat controls.

Additionally, Cadillac seems to be intent on turning the XTS into the executive express; the 2014 car will have a new rear-seat armrest complete with wood trim, audio controls and power sunshade controls.

The new features join an already very long list of luxury and technology features found on Cadillac's largest sedan.

M. Melih Tüzmen

GM to invest about $16 billion in U.S. market by 2016

noreply@blogger.com (m. melih tüzmen) — Sat, 18 May 2013 23:06:00 +0000

GM has invested $8.5 billion in the United States since emerging from bankruptcy, including efforts to prepare for production for more fuel-efficient engines and vehicles.

DETROIT (Bloomberg) May 6, 2013-- General Motors is planning to invest about $16 billion on U.S. factories and facilities through 2016, more than it will spend in China, the company said.

"The $11 billion in capital that will be spent in China by 2016 is coming out of our joint ventures rather than Detroit and is far less than the approximately $16 billion in capital GM will invest in the U.S. over that time," Selim Bingol, GM vice president of public policy, said in a letter published in the Wall Street Journal.

GM disclosed the U.S. investment figure after announcing the $11 billion investment for its joint ventures in China last month in Shanghai.

That was an increase from a 2011 outline to spend $7 billion through 2015.

GM through its joint ventures sold 2.84 million vehicles in China, its biggest market, last year and wants to boost that to 5 million by 2015.

The Journal last week ran a commentary on its op-ed page titled, "Welcome to General Tso's Motors," saying China "is disproportionately benefiting" from the 2009 U.S.-backed bankruptcy reorganization of GM.

The Journal's editorial page previously has criticized the bailout.

GM "was in China long before the economic meltdown of 2008-2009, and not one dollar of U.S. taxpayer rescue money was spent on our operations there," Bingol said in the letter. "Our Chinese joint ventures are self-funding, meaning we require funds spent there to be generated there."

CEO's strategy

The U.S. spending plan ties in with GM CEO Dan Akerson's strategy to boost operating margins to 10 percent in North America by mid-decade from 7.4 percent the past three years.

GM is introducing about 20 new or refreshed vehicles in the U.S., part of a plan to increase profits and rebound from last year's 88-year-low in U.S market share.

"Our investments in the U.S. and China reflect our determination to remain No. 1 in the world's top two markets," GM spokesman Greg Martin said.

GM has said it invested $8.5 billion in the United States since emerging from bankruptcy, including efforts to prepare for production for more fuel-efficient engines and vehicles.

GM has 31 U.S. facilities, Martin said.

That includes 12 assembly plants, according to GM's website.

With its China investment, GM is increasing its number of assembly plants to 17 assembly plants, Bob Socia, the automaker's China president, said last month. The total number of facilities in China will be 30 in 2016, GM said.

You may also want to read this:

Has GM Become 'General Tso's Motors'? Sweet Joke; Sour Logic.

GM to Source Small Cargo Vehicle from Nissan for U.S., Canada Markets

noreply@blogger.com (m. melih tüzmen) — Wed, 15 May 2013 01:26:00 +0000

2013-05-14
DETROIT and NASHVILLE, Tenn. – General Motors Co. and Nissan announced today the companies have signed an agreement for Nissan to produce a small cargo vehicle that GM will sell in the United States and Canada.

Nissan NV200

Same vehicle selected by NYC and will start services ,n October 2013

Aluminum, Structural Adhesive Help Boost Cadillac Performance and Quietness

noreply@blogger.com (m. melih tüzmen) — Thu, 09 May 2013 16:35:00 +0000

Bonding agent reduces squeaks and rattles; aluminum cuts ATS and CTS weight
2013-05-09

Greater use of structural adhesive and aluminum is helping Cadillac reduce overall weight of the ATS and all-new CTS sedans, contributing to better ride and handling and reduced cabin noise in both models.

CTS rear

The new CTS uses 387 feet of structural adhesive – more than the length of a football field – as a bonding agent that holds together and stiffens load-bearing parts and components. The extensive use of adhesive provides a damping effect, which reduces the transmission of vibration through the body structure. That pays off in fewer squeaks and rattles reaching a driver.

The heavy-duty material, along with traditional metal joining processes like spot welding, also makes a stiffer, more durable joint. These advanced techniques, in addition to the use of high-strength steels and efficient geometry helps make the new CTS sedan 40 percent stiffer than the previous model.

To further improve performance, aluminum was used extensively to save weight. For the first time, all four doors will be constructed of aluminum; cutting 55 pounds compared with the steel doors on the previous generation CTS. With a base curb weight of 3,600 lbs., CTS is the lightest vehicle in its class, roughly 200 pounds lighter than a comparable BMW 528i.

Other aluminum contributions to weight savings:

2013 ATS

13.1 pounds by replacing steel bumpers on the current generation CTS.
14 pounds by making front strut towers of cast aluminum compared with steel used in current CTS.
7.2 pounds from the instrument panel structure, where extruded and stamped aluminum replaced cast magnesium.
36.5 pounds by using extruded and cast aluminum vs. a steel powertrain cradle on the current model.

Strategic use of aluminum is also an integral component of the ATS luxury sport sedan, which shares architecture with the new CTS sedan. At just 3,315 lbs., ATS is among the lightest vehicles in its class.

The ATS powertrain features extensive use of aluminum, which not only helps cut weight but also contributes to the car’s nearly perfect 50/50 weight distribution for improved driving dynamics. The ATS also has an aluminum hood, suspension cradle and cylinder heads.

The 2014 Cadillac CTS ascends into the heart of the midsize luxury market with expanded performance, elevated styling and sophisticated technology. The vehicle arrives in showrooms this fall. The ATS is Cadillac’s entry in to the most significant luxury car segment. Since its launch last fall, ATS has received several accolades, including the first Cadillac to win the North American Car of the Year award.

Source:

All-aluminum frame of GM’s 2014 Corvette saves 99 lb

When General Motors executives unveiled the latest version of the Corvette Stingray at the recent Detroit Auto Show, they highlighted a floor display showing the C7 sports car’s new multicomponent, all-aluminum chassis, which they said is 99 lb (45 kg) lighter and 57% stiffer than the current C6 Vette’s hydroformed steel rail-based frame.

C7 All-Aluminum Frame

The new lightweight base structure boosts performance and fuel efficiency, the execs claimed, while its greater torsional rigidity lessens noise and improves ride and handling. The aluminum frame gives the 2014 car “an optimal 50/50 front/rear weight balance” and a “world-class power-to-weight ratio” that they said bests those of the Porsche 911 Carrera and Audi R8.

Mass-efficiency was, of course, only one goal for the new chassis, he continued. “The C7, whether coupe or convertible, is basically an open-air design that has no roof structure to add extra support,” Moss said. But ensuring stiffness is the key to a solid ride and superior handling, “so we worked hard to make the frame stiffer than the C6. As always, it was a tough trade-off between stiffness and mass. Luckily, there are a couple of dials that we can turn to fine-tune the equation,” he said.

Add in other engineering considerations such as crashworthiness and the need to be “innovative, but relatively affordable,” and the task becomes even more complex. All the design data, Moss noted, were optimized and validated using finite-element analysis.
“Before this, GM had seemed reluctant to use much adhesive bonding, as, say, Ford does,” said Richard Schultz, Managing Director of the automotive practice at Ducker Worldwide.
Aluminum vs. high-strength steel

The frame is just another indication of the ongoing efforts by the steel and aluminum industries to supply the automakers with lightweight structural materials, mostly to meet upcoming new fuel-economy regulations, Schultz said. Overall, steel use in light vehicles will drop to less than 50% of the curb weight over the next decade, he continued.

“In the long run, dual-phase and boron steels will contribute to that weight savings, but most of the reduction will come from aluminum,” he said.

Although aluminum is lighter than steel, it also will always be more costly, he noted. “The new high-strength steel grades cost about 50 cents for each pound of weight saved,” Schultz said. “For aluminum, it’s more like $1.50 and $2 per pound.”

Although GM spokesmen did not reveal the new Vette’s curb weight, they did indicate that it will weigh a bit less than the current vehicle’s 3208 lb (1455 kg).

Source:

More Buick Riviera Concept Pix... But what do we do with them?

noreply@blogger.com (m. melih tüzmen) — Tue, 07 May 2013 00:42:00 +0000

New Models Driving Cadillac Growth

noreply@blogger.com (m. melih tüzmen) — Mon, 06 May 2013 01:30:00 +0000

Cadillac sedan sales rise 109 percent over prior year

2013 XTS

Driven by the popularity of two new cars – the ATS and larger XTS – sales of Cadillac luxury sedans are up 109 percent compared to models the brand was selling a year ago. April was the 11th consecutive month of year-over-year retail sales gains.

Total U.S. sales for Cadillac were up 34 percent for April and 37 percent for the first four months of the year.

“The ATS sport sedan and XTS luxury sedan have significantly broadened our portfolio, and are attracting new buyers to Cadillac,” said Chase Hawkins, vice president of Cadillac sales and service. “This growth is driving market share increases for the overall brand and in specific key segments.”

2013 ATS

The ATS sport sedan continued to bring in new customers from competitors. More than eight in 10 ATS buyers traded in something other than a Cadillac with most non-GM trade-ins coming from BMW, Audi and Lexus.

The XTS luxury sedan gained nearly a full percentage point of market share in April, despite deep incentive offers from luxury competitors. April was also XTS’s best month for sales to individual customers since its launch.

2013 XTS

Source:

Cadillac Counts 11 Straight Months of Sales Gains

Cadillac reported its 11th consecutive month of sales growth yesterday, thanks in part to warm reception of the ATS and XTS sedans. That, however, is only just the start of the brand’s growth says Cadillac communications manager David Caldwell.

Cadillac’s young customer lure

Growth in the luxury car market is shifting away from its traditionally older customer base as brands like Audi, BMW and Mercedes move to modular platforms and lower entry prices. Those products are all front-wheel drive based, which is something German luxury turned a cold shoulder toward until very recently.

Where does that put Cadillac now? As Caldwell said, the brand is hungry for growth, and the approach seems to be working.

“The launch of XTS and ATS in the second half of 2012 of course gave us the ability to fully compete in key luxury car segments, head-to-head,” he said. “And now the consumer reception is strong, with new buyers coming in to the brand.”

20 percent of its customers are younger than 35, which will be key to Cadillac’s continued success.

2014 CTS

CTS to elevate brand image first, volume second

Cadillac’s next step will be to release an all-new version of the CTS, which moves upmarket in its new generation. First unveiled during the New York Auto Show, the CTS will be better positioned to compete against cars like the BMW 5 Series. The new Vsport variant offers a twin-turbo V6 with 420 hp.

2014 CTS

Following the CTS, Cadillac will also introduce a new Escalade. The SUV came close to being cut from the brand’s family altogether, but its status as a perennial cash cow for the brand kept it alive.

In the more immediate future, the CTS will offer Cadillac further growth and a more competitive edge against German brands. Interestingly, the aforementioned desire t expand isn’t the primary goal for the third-generation CTS.

Source:

2014 CTS

CTS Interior

2013 CTS V -Contributed to sales growth

Cadillac now needs the 2014 CTS V Twin Turbo and CTS Coupe to join the forces.

2014 Cadillac CTS Vsport is a Genuine German Alternative

The CTS is bigger, more luxurious, dramatically better looking and includes an optional VSport package that includes a potent 420 hp twin-turbo V6 engine – more output than a BMW 550i.
A new base engine is also turbocharged, with the 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (borrowed from the ATS) making 272 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque and achieving 30 mpg on the highway. Stepping up a level the direct injection 3.6-liter V6 makes 321 hp and comes matched with an 8-speed automatic transmission in rear-drive models (or a 6-speed auto for AWD models).

The range topping Vsport model gains the Cadillac’ brand’s first ever twin-turbo engine with 420 hp and 430 lb-ft of torque, with 90 percent of twist available from 2500 rpm.

Vsport models also come equipped with 18-inch wheels and Pirelli summer tires, a quicker steering ratio, Brembo brakes with high performance brake pads, an upgraded cooling package, an electronic limited slip differential plus a Track Mode setting to make the most of the steering and Magnetic Ride Control suspension.

The increased dimensions contribute to the new look that’s inspired by the Ciel concept, with a bold upright grille that’s wider than before, big air intakes on either side and combined headlights and LED light strips that combine to bookend the new look. To help improve aero, certain models get active grille shutters that close off on the highway to direct air around the cabin.

The CTS’s cabin is as pleasing to the eye as the exterior, with genuine wood, metal and even optional carbon fiber trim. Like on the ATS and XTS the centerpiece is an 8-inch CUE infotainment system with table-like controls. An optional 12.3-inch digital display can also be added on.

Also the premium SUV Escalade and Escalade EXT Pickup will be renewed and introduced in the fall together with the face- lifted SRX. Now, ELR is trying to get a bite from California which will mean additional growth for the brand.

To start it rolling in Europe Diesel engines are badly needed to be put on XTS, CTS and ATS.
- M. Melih Tüzmen

2013 Escalade

2013 Escalade EXT

Premium Crossover SRX

2014 ELR

Expected 2014 Escalade

2014 XTS Bustleback- Rendering: Seville Rear End Imolimation...!

CTS Diesel-Rendering

2014 Chevy Impala Catching Attention

noreply@blogger.com (m. melih tüzmen) — Thu, 02 May 2013 22:36:00 +0000

Sun Finally Shines on Chevy Impala

May 2, 2013

GM brings to dealers a 10th-generation model with the sort of styling, technology and performance honoring its heritage.

As reverently as the folks at General Motors speak about the 45-year-old nameplate, it sure got short shrift for a lot of years, relegated to sun-baked rental-car lots and dusty corporate parking garages.

1960 Impala

Hardly the romantic days of the 1960s, when the Impala genuinely was a flagship Chevrolet and the best-selling car in the U.S. Well, forgive and forget, because the auto maker now brings to dealers a 10th-generation model with the sort of styling, technology and performance worthy of once again exhaling deeply while saying its name.

But to call the ’14 Impala a generational change from the current model sold mostly to fleet and commercial customers would be an understatement. It is instead a transformational change.

Impala sits on the Epsilon* platform

* [GM Epsilon platform

is General Motors' mid-size front-wheel drive automobile platform. The architecture was developed by Opel, and debuted in the 2002 Opel Vectra and 2003 Saab 9-3. Since this platform falls squarely in the center of the worldwide automobile market, GM plans to produce a great many Epsilon vehicles with over a dozen variations. As of 2005, it is GM's highest volume worldwide platform. Even after the dissolution of the GM/Fiat partnership, both companies retain the rights to continue developing Epsilon-derived models.]

The ’14 Impala sheds a GM car architecture(W Body**) dating back to the first term of the Reagan Admin. in favor of a technologically sophisticated platform also underpinning flagship luxury sedans at the auto maker’s Cadillac and Buick divisions.

**[GM W Body

is an automobile platform from General Motors which underpins mid-size cars with front-wheel drive. The platform, originally code named GM10, began in 1982 under Chairman Roger B. Smith and debuted in 1988 with the Pontiac Grand Prix, the Buick Regal, and the Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme coupés. Sedans followed for 1990.

The platform cost $7 billion to develop and was to replace all midsize cars produced by Chevrolet, Pontiac, Oldsmobile, and Buick. The plan was huge in scope, calling for seven plants that would each assemble 250,000 of the cars, or 21% of the total U.S. car market.[1] It was badly executed from the start, but GM’s 1984 reorganization, combined with changing market dynamics wrought havoc on the program and it never recovered. By 1989, the year before the last of the original GM10's were launched, GM was losing $2000 on every one of the cars it produced.]

In other words, out with the leisure suit and in with the pinstripes.

2014 Impala

During testing here of a top-of-the-line Impala with GM’s award-winning 3.6L gasoline direct injection V-6 engine and one of the auto maker’s latest infotainment systems, Chevy’s new flagship car feels comfortable, plenty powerful, chock full of easy-to-use gadgetry and, against the spotless blue skies of Southwest California, one of the most freshly styled automobiles on the road.

The high-output V-6 feels perfectly matched to the Impala. Mated to one of GM’s latest 6-speed transmissions, it provides a throaty dose of acceleration under a heavy foot, and we averaged between 19.9 mpg and 25.5 mpg (11.8-9.2 L/100 km) over a 170-mile (274-km) route of mixed driving conditions.

GM also will offer in the new Impala a pair of 4-cyl. engines, a 2.5L GDI(Gasoline Direct Injection) arriving soon and a 2.4L GDI using the auto maker’s eAssist light-hybrid stop/start system by the end of the year.

GM made only V-6 models available for testing at this preview, and for good reason: The auto maker expects mid-level-trim models with the engine will account for the lion’s share of sales. That’s not surprising in this large-car segment.

The new Impala will not offer all-wheel drive, although other models sharing its platform do, because front-wheel drive dominates the segment.

But because large-car buyers want some degree of performance, the auto maker adds a rebound spring to the front struts to mitigate torque steer and a reinforced strut tower to stiffen the ride. Both the available 19-in. and 20-in. wheels and tires (18-in. come standard) rolled smoothly, and despite a bootful of throttle out of the corners torque steer never reared its ugly head.

The steering itself, a TRW-sourced belt-drive electronic power-steering system, leaves no particular impression. The system is designed to save fuel by drawing energy only when it’s being turned. While that’s good news, it’s also a bit light.

Overall, the Impala’s handling feels smaller and more light-footed than its 112-in. (284.5 cm) wheelbase and 3,800 lbs. (1,655 kg) might suggest.

A roomy, comfortable interior complements the Impala’s composed chassis. We tested a pair of well-equipped models: a volume LT-trim copy costing $36,125 and an LTZ range-topper stickering for $38,315. So, no, the Impala is not an inexpensive car.

But at these trim levels it receives some provocative standard equipment, such as Chevy’s latest MyLink Radio infotainment system with an 8-in. (20-cm) touchscreen, 10 airbags certain to make it a top performer in crash tests, and a nifty storage compartment concealed in the center stack.

The hidden storage area, located behind the touchscreen’s retractable faceplate, can be locked into what GM calls “Valet Mode,” an optional PIN-secured safety feature that also blocks access to contacts and other personal information in the MyLink system.

Click for Video

Drivers also can personalize the position of their MyLink touchscreen icons as well, much like a smartphone tablet, and choose from a variety of “skins” best matching their personality. Natural-voice recognition also comes to the unit for the first time, which basically understands commands no matter how garbled. It’s a difficult system to fool.

Other useful optional equipment includes full-speed-range cruise control, which worked spotlessly during our test drives, and a suite of safety systems including forward-collision, rear cross-traffic, lane-departure and side blindspot alerts.

Blind Spot Alert

The 8-way power seats with 4-way adjustable lumbar support were supportive and cushy enough for a nearly 4-hour stint behind the wheel. The Impala boasts generous shoulder and hip room, while rear legroom was ample enough for a rear passenger to kick his feet up on the B-pillar.

The interior styling ranks among the more expressive in the segment. It features flowing lines, as well as Chevy’s trademark cockpit feel, and thoughtful nuances such as armrests in the front doors turned slightly inward for better ergonomics. The new steering wheel is an absolute triumph.

Deeply contrasting dashboard and instrument-panel overlays seem a bit overdone, however, while IP gauges appear dated and the drab center console with its parts-bin shifter smacks of penny pinching.

Noise, vibration and harshness mitigation is outstanding, thanks to features such as an acoustically laminated windshield and side glass and generous applications of liquid sound-deadening materials throughout.

Exterior styling gets a thumbs-up. The grille treatment recalls the Chevy Camaro, a bit sinister with a loud and proud gold bowtie badge. Light-emitting-diode daytime running lamps give the Impala a dash of luxury. It was difficult to not grin with approval watching other Impalas in the rearview mirror.

Designers thankfully resisted nostalgia and instead played up the car’s long, low proportions. They do say sweeping curves in the rear fenders recall classic Impalas, but the ’14 model also closely resembles lines of the platform-sharing Buick LaCrosse.

Rear dual exhausts are framed in chrome and fully, cleanly integrated into the rear diffuser, while chrome attractively encloses the greenhouse and a strip of brightwork along the rocker panels underscores chrome Impala script.

A redesigned leaping Impala badge shines brightly on the C-pillar. Add optional 20-in., 15-spoke ultra-bright machined alloy wheels and the Impala glitters like a mirror ball under the California sun.

’14 Chevrolet Impala

Vehicle type Front engine, FWD large car

Engine 3.6L gasoline direct-injection V-6

Power (SAE net) 305 @ 6,800 rpm

Torque 264 lb.-ft. (358 Nm) @ 5,300

Bore x stroke (mm) 3.7 X 3.37 in. (94 X 85.6 mm)

Compression ratio 11.5:1

Transmission 6-speed automatic

Wheelbase 111.7 in. (283.7 cm)

Overall length 201.3 in. (511.3 cm)

Overall width 73 in. (185.4 cm)

Overall height 58.9 in. (149.6 cm)

Curb weight 3,800 lbs. (1,724 kg)

Base price $36,580 (LTZ)

Fuel economy 19-29 mpg city/hwy est. (12.4-8.1 L/100 km)

Competition Ford Taurus, Toyota Avalon, Hyundai Azera, Kia Cadenza

Pros Cons

Powerful, efficient V-6td> Overly light steering

Gobs of gadgetry, safety It doesn’t come cheaply

Expressive exterior styling Penny-pinched interior pieces

Final impressions of the Impala are of an attractive, quiet, comfortable car with a healthy dose of performance and enough luxury-like touches to make buyers feel like the smartest guy on the block. GM comes out looking good, too, giving one of Chevrolet’s most treasured but recently maligned nameplates the attention it deserves.

GM predicts sales growth for Impala, large-sedan segment.

Source:

Click for another article on 2014 Impala

2014 Chevrolet Impala In Depth

Chevrolet Impalas of the 1960s were immensely popular cars, for good reason. They combined youthful design with a graceful elegance that embodied the brand's promise of offering more than you'd expect for "low-priced three" money. The car that preceded the Impala seen here was nothing like the swingin' '60s model, even if it looked old enough to be designed from a rejected drawing discovered in Bill Mitchell's sock drawer. After a close look at and a short drive of the new Impala, it's easy to predict commercial success with sales at about one-third of what they were last year.

1958 Impala

The design is what makes it look more premium, though. Interior design director Crystal Windham says she and her team were going for a good mix of sport and luxury with the Impala's interior. The Impala gets a very stylish Corvette-inspired dual cockpit, with rich-looking padding covering the gauge cluster cowl and part of the dash. The dash material extends to the tops of the front doors. The Impala LS comes with cloth seats, while the LT has leather-look vinyl with suedelike inserts repeated in the door panels.

Still, compared with the Taurus, the Impala is quieter overall. The Chevy's electronic power steering is lighter and more direct, with none of the Ford's slight initial understeer at turn-in. The light steering is appropriate for a big family car, and provided good feedback from road imperfections. The Taurus' chassis is busier over patched and repatched pavement, and the large Chevy gets around moderately fast country road corners with well-controlled body roll for a two-ton full-size sedan while smoothing out those bumps better. Chevrolet got the big family car's ride-handling balance right. The Impala simply feels sleeker and more buttoned-down than the nearly crossover-tall Taurus.

This short drive of the Impala leaves several unanswered questions, such as whether it will remain Chevy's "flagship" when the RWD SuperSport goes on sale a half year after the Impala. One thing for certain is that Impala versus SuperSport will work better for Chevrolet, and for us, than did Impala versus Malibu.

Source:

2014 Corvette Stingray to Pace 97th Indianapolis 500

noreply@blogger.com (m. melih tüzmen) — Thu, 02 May 2013 20:45:00 +0000

The all-new, seventh-generation 2014 Corvette Stingray will serve as the Indianapolis 500 Pace Car, leading the field to green at the start of the 97th running of “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing,” on Sunday, May 26, at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

It marks a record 12th time the Corvette has served as the Pace Car, starting in 1978.
Decked out in Laguna Blue Tintcoat with official Indianapolis 500 graphics on the doors, the Corvette Stingray Pace Car differs from production models with only track-mandated safety features and strobe lights.

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