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This GM ad comes to us from across the world! South Korea, to be exact. The Daewoo Winstrom (which sounds very much like wind storm, doesn’t it?) is a Theta-based CUV known as the Chevrolet/Opel/Vauxhall/Holden Captiva in other worldwide markets. In turn, the Captiva/Winstorm is basically a Saturn Vue with a different grille and light treatment, while the current-generation Chevy Equinox is a close descendant. GM acquired Daewoo (automotive) in 2001 to form GM Daewoo – which now manufactures and engineers a considerable amount of vehicles for The General (including this here Winstorm/Antara).

In any event, click past the break for the full ad (in Korean) and pay close attention to how cool the word Winstorm is pronounced by the narrator (in the end).

PS: to our Korean readers – could you let us know what was said in the ad? Just leave a comment below!

6.6 Duramax Diesel

GM’s top-of-the-line 6.6-liter Duramax diesel is the most powerful heavy duty engine in its class – putting out a whopping 397 hp (296 kW) and 765 lb.-ft. (1,037 Nm) of torque!

6.0 Vortec Gasoline

On the gasoline side of the spectrum, GM’s Vortec small-block – the standard powerplant for the Silverado HD trucks – also received some revisions for the 2011 model year. When in the 2500 and 3500 HD models, the 6.0L small-block V-8 is rated at 360 horses (268 kW) and 380 lb.-ft. (515 Nm) of torque. In chassis cab and box-delete models, as well as Silverados with a GVWR greater than 10,000 pounds, the gas engine’s horsepower rating drops to 322 horsepower (240 kW) while retaining the same torque rating. The 6-liter Vortec is further enhanced by “greater idle refinement” and achieves “excellent fuel economy” by the engine’s low-friction OHV set-up and cam phasing. Needless to say, this is GM’s small-block architecture (LS family) known for its strength, smoothness, and durability.

Warranty

What we haven’t mentioned is that all 2011 Silverado models are covered under the best warranty coverage in America – a five-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty that includes roadside assistance and courtesy transportation, among other features.

Yet even with these massive numbers, the Silverado Heavy Duty is still out-trucked by Ford’s latest incarnation of the F350 Super Duty. That’s right – not only can the updated SuperDuty tow more, but its payload is also higher than that of the most-powerful Silverado. In any event, we have GM’s full press release after the jump! and images upon images in the gallery of the 2011 Silverado HD

Show Press Release

 

 

Opel unveiled the next-gen MPV to the world at the Geneva Motor Show last week and – in case you missed it – we have a fairly detailed write-up outlining the car’s features right here. In a nutshell, the Meriva is a very unique vehicle: it overlaps the categories of a compact hatch, a small CUV, and a minivan all thanks to a thoughtful setup. The Meriva features higher ground clearance than the typical econo-hatch as well as suicide doors so that “parents and children can enter and exit the car together,” all in the package of a subcompact vehicle. Hopefully the Chevrolet Orlando will allow North American consumers to catch the MPV craze and bring more of these utilitarian and fuel-efficient vehicles to market.

The all-new Meriva offers three trim packages – the Cosmo, Enjoy, and Essentia – along with engine options ranging from 75bhp to 140bhp. Click past the break to see what the Meriva’s three trim levels have to offer as well as for our high-res gallery!

Here’s what’s included in the Meriva’s trim levels:

• The Essentia level includes the Meriva’s FlexSpace and FlexDoors systems, the space saving Electric Park Brake (EPB), heated power exterior mirrors, front power windows, remote control for doors, tailgate and fuel filler cap locking, the FlexFloor (the floor can be raised to bumper height for ease of loading and under-floor stowage), a seat height adjuster for the driver, and a height and reach-adjustable steering column (telescoping).
• The Enjoy level adds air conditioning, a radio CD300 system with MP3 capability, and the FlexRail storage system between the front seats that features a tray with cup holder. On top of that, the Enjoy adds side and curtain head airbags (optional on Essentia). When it comes to the interior, the customer can choose between three colour combinations.
• Compared to Enjoy, the top-of-the-line Cosmo trim adds front and rear power windows, front fog lamps, a board computer, cruise control, a leather steering wheel with controls, the flexible front armrest from the FlexRail system as well as 16-inch alloy wheels. The Cosmo trim level is available in two colour combinations for the interior.

For anyone wondering, there will also be a Vauxhall version under the same nameplate. But GM Authority’s own Alex Luft would like to see the Meriva be introduced as a Chevrolet in the North American market to slot in underneath the Orlando!

Show Press Release

 

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Staying true to our one GM commercial per day intentions, here’s an awesome ad from the archives. The Silverado Transformation advert aired sometime in 2007, coinciding with the launch of the GMT-900 pickups. Check out the clip after the break as it takes us back to the days of the Chevy C/K (that’s pre-Silverado territory, folks!)

Currently, OnStar in China is available in the Buick Enclave and Cadillac SLS (stretched STS). It will be rolled out in select 2011 Chevrolet, Buick, and Cadillac models in China later this year. The 1000th customer in China added the service to his new Buick Enclave and is “honored to help Shanghai OnStar reach a new milestone.”

Having reached 1000 subscribers in China is a major milestone for GM, helping The General expand its global reach. GM, along with Buick, has acquired a very admirable reputation in the People’s Republic. This is especially true of Buick, which has seen tremendous success as an upscale marque. This success can provide a framework for improving growth and public perception for the brand in the United States.

Here at GM Authority, we’re of the opinion that OnStar is one of GM’s greatest innovations. It has tremendous utility and noteworthy information-gathering ability that can be applied to future product development. And the upcoming smartphone integration is simply amazing. That said, it still has room to grow and improve – similar to growth opportunities for the Buick brand in the United States.

Shanghai OnStar Telematics Co. Ltd. was established in 2007 as a joint venture between General Motors’ OnStar, SAIC’s Shanghai Automotive Industry Sales Co. Ltd., and Shanghai GM.

With the 100,000th Camaro having just rolled off the assembly line, the success of the Camaro is bound to continue well into the future. But the joy of driving one of these Zeta-based ponies off the lot will cost a pretty penny, as the only version coming to European shores is the 6.2-liter V8 model (at least that’s what it looks like).

In that regard, Chevrolet is most likely looking to position the Camaro as a premium-level performance car. This approach mirrors tips received by GM Authority earlier in the year about the next-generation Alpha-based Camaro. Specifically, we were told that the next-gen pony car will continue on the path of the fifth-generation Camaro, working to increase the Chevrolet brand image in Europe and beyond. If you ask us, a 400+ hp muscle car isn’t a bad way to do just that.

We have GM’s full presser after the jump!

PRESS RELEASE

Chevrolet Camaro: An automotive icon reborn

2010-03-02

• Camaro coupé and convertible will come to Europe in 2011
• Fresh, contemporary design expresses rich heritage
• 400 hp, 6.2-liter V8 with Active Fuel Management
• Six-speed manual and automatic transmissions

The all-new Chevrolet Camaro is finally coming to Europe. The high performance sports coupé and the convertible are scheduled to arrive at European Chevrolet showrooms in spring 2011. The new Camaro was launched in North America in Spring 2009 and has sold over 60,000 times to Camaro enthusiasts all over North America.

“The Camaro delivers the best of both worlds – great heritage and a thoroughly modern, advanced package of performance, comfort and technology,” says Wayne Brannon, president and managing director, Chevrolet Europe. “Its styling and driving appeal provide a distinctive choice for customers seeking a performance-orientated vehicle. It also offers great value for money that our competitors simply can’t match.”

Back to the Future

With a strong, low-slung stance and front to rear body proportions that remain faithful to the original concept, the design of the new Camaro acknowledges its rich past without being trapped in a ‘retro’ focus.

That V-shaped nose, the ‘gills’ in the rear quarter panels and the broad rear shoulders are all distinctive Camaro cues. While these elements make the new Camaro instantly recognizable, their execution is crisp and modern. Melding the traditional with the contemporary was a key requirement for the new Camaro design team. “We are acknowledging the Camaro’s strong heritage but recognize that keeping this modern sports car relevant means more than simply honoring a classic car,” says Ed Welburn, vice president of GM Global Design.

Interior Themes

Attention to detail and expressing a balance between heritage and modernity, characterizes the new Camaro’s interior. A pair of deeply recessed instrument binnacles, with round gauges in square housings, is a nod to classic Camaros. This contrasts with an ambient light package which uses advanced LED light pipe technology to give the cabin a warm and inviting atmosphere.

Detailing, such as large, chrome-trimmed controls, low-gloss surfaces and premium fabric or acrylic trim appliqués, conveys a quality level never seen before in the Camaro. More attention to detail is evident in the center-console gauge cluster. It takes its cue from a similar option on 1969 Camaros, but now adds contemporary LED backlighting.

Mighty Powertrain

A superb 426 hp, 6.2-liter V8 engine generating 569 Nm of torque gives the new Camaro the muscle to match its looks. First seen on the 2008 Corvette, this engine features high-flow cylinder heads for good low-end torque and strong top-end power. When fitted with the six-speed automatic transmission, it delivers 400 hp/556 Nm and includes GM’s fuel-saving Active Fuel Management system, enabling it to cruise on only four cylinders during light load conditions.

Electronic stability control (GM’s StabiliTrak system) and traction control both come as standard equipment. A Competitive/Sport mode is adjustable for performance driving, such as on track days. With the six-speed manual transmission, this also includes a Launch Control feature for consistently quick take-offs. The large, ventilated disks (355/365 mm), clamped by four-piston aluminum Brembo calipers, ensure impressive braking performance and are also designed to withstand punishing track day use. The front suspension uses a multi-link strut arrangement with a double ball-joint configuration. The unique, 4.5-link independent rear suspension is double-isolated from the chassis for a smoother, quieter driving experience.

The Camaro offers comprehensive safety features, including dual-stage front airbags, front seat- mounted thorax side airbags and head curtain airbags for front and rear occupants.

Click image to watch the video

We were fortunate enough to get our hands on the Canadian Chevrolet ad campaign from the 2010 Winter Olympics. To this humble blogger, this ad (and the entire campaign) is the perfect mix of catchy, informative, and fun. Click past the break to watch the ad in its entirety and be sure to come back the rest of the week for the other four parts of the series (plus an entire outtakes session).

The low-cost and zero emission nature of CNG or propane is hard to argue with, especially when looking at environmental aspects. In fact, GM once went down this road but discontinued the CNG option four years ago. But for this time around, however, The General will most likely outsource the project to a third party to develop the drivetrain.

There’s no doubt the new Chevy Silverado HD is a contender for the heavyweight truck title belt and the all-new 6.6-liter Duramax diesel and beefed up chassis are the ideal choice for any job. But not everyone needs all that power or wants to constantly remember about filling the DEF tank with the appropriate solution. And who wants to get the unleaded gasoline-powered version when fuel economy will not come close to that of the diesel? Then there are those people that just hate everything with an internal combustion engine engine because it emits… stuff. The CNG and liquid propane solutions would work to offset these downsides.

Additionally, according to GM lead truck honcho Jeff Luke, GM is even looking into bringing a bio-fuel engine to market that would run on both CNG and gasoline.

[Source: PickupTrucks.com]

These donations are from the GM Foundation. This branch of the GM tree was planted in 1976 in order to promote “social change, provide for those in need, and improve the quality of life in communities,” according to GM’s press release (available in full after the jump).

GM is also quick to point out that none of the funds came from the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP).

PRESS RELEASE

General Motors Foundation Donates $70,000 to United Negro College Fund to Assist Deserving Students

2010-03-04

DETROIT – The GM Foundation today announced two donations to United Negro College Fund (UNCF) totaling $70,000 – $50,000 for UNCF’s Campaign for Emergency Student Aid and $20,000 toward scholarship and operating support for UNCF.

The Campaign for Emergency Student Aid, known as CESA, provides emergency assistance especially to seniors who have exhausted other options for financial assistance and are at risk of not being able to complete their coursework.  Launched in 2009, CESA has provided assistance to nearly 2,000 students at UNCF schools, enabling these students to complete their college studies and graduate.

“The GM Foundation is proud to support this important campaign,” said John Montford, Chair of the GM Foundation and Senior Advisor, Government Relations and Global Public Policy, for GM. “Being able to help students who have worked hard to get to college and succeed at college, and who might not graduate due to financial difficulties, will make a real difference in the lives of these students, and in the lives of their families and communities.”

In addition, the GM Foundation also provides direct support to four colleges through UNCF:  Howard University in Washington, D.C.; North Carolina A & T University, Greensboro, N.C.; Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN.; and the Atlanta University Systems, which includes Clark Atlanta University, Spelman College, and Morehouse College.

Click me to watch the video!

We’ve exhumed another Silverado ad! This time, it’s the 2007 Silverado coming face-to-face with its most direct predecessor, the circa-1972 Cheyenne. There is an ephemeral amount of respect and heritage in the clip, although it’s not apparent to the non-enthusiast eye. Click past the break to watch the awesome (in our opinion) ad!