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Tag: GM

  • GM Launches BrightDrop Business to Build Electric Delivery Solutions

    GM Launches BrightDrop Business to Build Electric Delivery Solutions

    GM has launched a new business, BrightDrop, to build electric solutions to cover the entire delivery process.

    As the transition to electric transportation moves ahead, GM is working to tackle the delivery industry. To better do so, the company is launching BrightDrop, with a focus on developing an “ecosystem of electric first-to-last-mile products.”

    The first product that will come to market is the BrightDrop EP1, a propulsion-assist electric pallet. This will be followed by the BrightDrop EV600, an electric light commercial delivery vehicle.

    The company will also be developing a range software and services to compliment its products.

    “BrightDrop offers a smarter way to deliver goods and services,” said Mary Barra GM Chairman and CEO. “We are building on our significant expertise in electrification, mobility applications, telematics and fleet management, with a new one-stop-shop solution for commercial customers to move goods in a better, more sustainable way.”

    GM is working with FedEx Express to fine-tune the new products and services. One pilot program has already been completed, with another slated to begin.

    “Our need for reliable, sustainable transportation has never been more important,” said Richard Smith, FedEx Express regional president of the Americas and executive vice president of global support. “BrightDrop is a perfect example of the innovations we are adopting to transform our company as time-definite express transportation continues to grow. With this new suite of products, we will help improve the safety, security and timeliness of FedEx Express deliveries, while reducing our environmental impact and protecting the well-being of our couriers.”

  • GM May Build More Hummer EVs Due to Overwhelming Response

    GM May Build More Hummer EVs Due to Overwhelming Response

    GM appears to have a hit on its hands with the Edition 1 of the Hummer EV pickup truck, and may build more to meet demand.

    GM acquired the Hummer brand from the original military Humvee maker, AM General. GM proceeded to make civilian models, which came to epitomize the gas-guzzling SUV. When GM went through its financial issues, ultimately resulting in bankruptcy, the Hummer brand was retired by the company.

    In January it was announced the Hummer would return, this time as an electric vehicle. The very thing that made it a costly, inefficient traditional SUV — its size — worked in its favor as an EV platform, providing ample room for batteries and electric motors.

    The Hummer EV Edition 1 is a limited edition model that was available for preorder in October. According to Detroit Free Press, a dealer who attended a national dealer meeting indicated the Hummer was already wildly popular:

    The Hummer Edition 1 sold out in 10 minutes and they said they had enough orders for it to fulfill their first year of production currently. But they are evaluating if they can build more.

    GM clearly has a hit on their hands with the new Hummer, and the preorder success will no doubt educate their future plans for the EV.

  • GM Enters Car Insurance Game With OnStar

    GM Enters Car Insurance Game With OnStar

    General Motors is looking to transform the automotive insurance industry with the announcement of its OnStar Insurance.

    OnStar has been a signature service offered on GM vehicles for 20 years, providing navigation, hands-free calling, diagnostics, security and emergency services. GM sees an opportunity to capitalize on that track record by offering insurance built around the service.

    Because OnStar has access to existing vehicle systems, it can provide a level of integration and communication other insurance companies would be envious of. OnStar Insurance will provide customers with personalized plans based on their driving habits. Should an accident occur, the system will be able to automatically notify OnStar personal so help can be quickly dispatched.

    “OnStar Insurance will promote safety, security and peace of mind,” said Andrew Rose, president of OnStar Insurance Services. “We aim to be an industry leader, offering insurance in an innovative way. GM customers who have subscribed to OnStar and connected services will be eligible to receive discounts, while also receiving fully-integrated services from OnStar Insurance Services.”

    Provided GM can compete on cost, it’s a safe bet the company will have a hit on its hands with its OnStar Insurance.

  • GM Recalls Chevrolet Bolts Over Fire Risk

    GM Recalls Chevrolet Bolts Over Fire Risk

    General Motors has issued a recall for nearly 51,000 Chevrolet Bolts over fire risks.

    The Chevy Bolt is one of the more popular electric vehicles, and has consistently received good reviews for its combination of features and price. Despite its success, however, GM is now recalling 50,932 of the vehicles due to fire risks.

    According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), “GM has issued a recall of 50,932 Chevrolet Bolt vehicles for the potential of an unattended fire in the high-voltage battery pack underneath the back seat’s bottom cushion. The affected vehicles’ cell packs have the potential to smoke and ignite internally, which could spread to the rest of the vehicle and cause a structure fire if parked inside a garage or near a house.”

    GM says the issue impacts 2017-2019 models and “may pose a risk of fire when charged to full, or very close to full, capacity.” In 2017 and 2018 models, GM recommends changing the charge settings “to use the Hill Top Reserve option,” and recommends changing the 2019 charge settings “to enable Target Charge Level at 90%.” Starting November 17, GM will be rolling out a software update that dealers can apply to limit charging to 90% while the company works on a permanent solution.

    In the meantime, until the charge settings are modified, GM and the NHTSA recommend vehicles be parked outside and away from dwellings.

  • VW Group Increasing Its Investment in Future Tech

    VW Group Increasing Its Investment in Future Tech

    VW Group has announced it is increasing its investment in future tech to a total of 73 billion euros ($86 billion) over the next five years.

    Automakers all over the world are investing heavily in hybrid and electric vehicles. GM recently announced it was investing $2 billion in electric vehicle manufacturing, Bentley announced its entire lineup would be electric by 2030 and Subaru has committed to selling only electric vehicles by the mid 2030s.

    VW had already committed 60 billion euros to future tech, but has now raised that to 73 billion euros.

    “As part of Volkswagen Group’s investment planning, the Board of Management and Supervisory Board today set the cornerstones for securing the Group’s future success. The transformation of the Group and its brands and the strategic focus on the core areas of mobility will be consistently implemented. Considering the enormous challenges we face in the coming years, our financial basis is very solid,” said Hans Dieter Pötsch, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Volkswagen Group.

    “Having set the course for a battery-electric future in the Volkswagen Group early on, we are now a global leader with our electric platforms and a broad range of electric vehicles,” said Herbert Diess, Chief Executive Officer of the Volkswagen Group. “In the coming years, it will be crucial to also reach a leading position in car software in order to meet people’s needs for individual, sustainable and fully connected mobility in the future. To that end, we have doubled our digitalization spend.”

    The company’s increased investment should help it maintain its position as the world’s largest automaker.

  • Bentley Commits to Full Electric Lineup by 2030

    Bentley Commits to Full Electric Lineup by 2030

    Bentley is the latest automaker to commit to a fully electric lineup of cars by 2030, phasing out fossil fuels.

    Automakers have increasingly been moving toward hybrid and electric vehicles in lieu of fossil fuels. GM recently announced it was investing $2 billion in factories in an effort to focus on electric vehicle manufacturing. Subaru announced in January that it would transition to electric vehicles by the mid-2030s. Ford has been increasing the number of electric vehicles it offers, including the Mustang Mach-E and the F-150. Now Bentley is joining the fray.

    “Since 1919, Bentley has defined luxury grand touring. Being at the forefront of progress is part of our DNA – the original Bentley boys were pioneers and leaders,” said Adrian Hallmark, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Bentley Motors. “Now, as we look Beyond100, we will continue to lead by reinventing the company and becoming the world’s benchmark luxury car business.

    “Driving this change includes, and also goes beyond our products, delivering a paradigm shift throughout our business, with credibility, authenticity, and integrity. Within a decade, Bentley will transform from a 100 year old luxury car company to a new, sustainable, wholly ethical role model for luxury.”

    As part of their commitment, Bentley plans on being end-to-end carbon neutral by 2030. This will include not only its electrification plans, but also improving its manufacturing and operations, as well as working with its third-party suppliers.

  • Consumer Reports: GM’s Super Cruise Takes Top Spot, Tesla Autopilot ‘Distant Second’

    Consumer Reports: GM’s Super Cruise Takes Top Spot, Tesla Autopilot ‘Distant Second’

    Consumer Reports has ranked 17 active driver assistance programs, and GM’s Super Cruise has taken the top spot.

    While fully autonomous cars are still being developed, the vast majority of automakers offer active driver assistance programs that help drivers stay alert and drive safely. While Tesla’s system gets the lion’s share of media attention, Consumer Reports labeled it a “distant second,” when compared with GM’s Super Cruise.

    Even after two years, Cadillac’s Super Cruise remained our top-rated system because, when turned on, it uses direct driver monitoring to warn drivers that appear to have stopped paying attention to the road. General Motors told CR that Super Cruise will be on 22 GM vehicles by 2023.

    One of the key differentiating features is Super Cruise’s ability to monitor a driver’s eyes and make sure they’re watching the road.

    “Even with new systems from many different automakers, Super Cruise still comes out on top due to the infrared camera ensuring the driver’s eyes are looking toward the roadway,” says Kelly Funkhouser, CR’s head of connected and automated vehicle testing.

    In the final score, Cadillac Super Cruise scored a 69, while Tesla came in second place with a score of 57. Lincoln/Ford Co-Pilot 360 rounded out the top three with a score of 52.

    The full, rather long, report is well worth a look.

  • GM Investing $2 Billion In US Electric Vehicle Manufacturing

    GM Investing $2 Billion In US Electric Vehicle Manufacturing

    GM has announced it is investing at least $2 billion to increase production of its electric vehicles.

    The company plans to transition its Spring Hill, TN factory to electric vehicle production, making it the third one equipped to do so. The all-new, electric Cadillac LYRIQ will be produced at Spring Hill, along with the Cadillac XT6 and XT5. The facility will continue to build a blend of traditional and electric vehicles.

    The company is also investing in five of its Michigan plants, investments that will help with future pickup and crossover production, as well as Cruise AV production. With this announcement, GM joins the list of automakers doubling down on an all-electric future.

    “We are committed to investing in the U.S., our employees and our communities,” said GM Chairman and CEO Mary Barra. “These investments underscore the success of our vehicles today, and our vision of an all-electric future.”

  • GM Announces Electric and 5G Connected Vehicle Roadmap For China

    GM Announces Electric and 5G Connected Vehicle Roadmap For China

    At Tech Day, China’s version of GM’s EV Day, GM has announced major advancements coming to its vehicles in China.

    China is GM’s largest market. As a result, the company took the opportunity to outline major initiatives that it plans to bring to fruition in the Chinese market.

    Among those advancements is 5G connectivity, which the company plans to implement in 2022. GM plans to have all Cadillac and most Chevrolet and Buick models connected by then, with connected services provided via over-the-air updates.

    GM also plans for 40% of its new vehicle launches in China to be electrified models within the next five years. The company has already vowed to invest more than $20 billion in electric and automated vehicles by 2025. GM plans on bringing together 5G, AI, big data and smart cities to help make its plans a reality.

    “As GM’s largest market and a global center of innovation, China will play a crucial role in making our vision a reality,” said Mary Barra, chairman and CEO of GM. “With our joint venture partner SAIC, we are blending global insights and scale with local market expertise to redefine what is possible for our customers and for society.”

  • GM Planning Business-Class Electric Van

    GM Planning Business-Class Electric Van

    GM is planning on entering the business-class electric van market, with production scheduled to begin in the latter part of 2021.

    According to Reuters, sources familiar with the matter said that GM, as well as Ford, are intent on avoiding the mistake they made with the consumer market, leaving it open for Tesla to take over. Trucks and commercial vehicles are some of the automakers’ most profitable segments, so it stands to reason they want to carve out a healthy part of the market.

    Scott Phillippi, UPS senior director of fleet maintenance and engineering, told Reuters: “It’s going to be similar to what the Model 3 has done for the consumer market. Now all of a sudden, we’re off to the races.”

    GM and Ford would likely have a significant advantage over Tesla with customers like UPS or Amazon. While Tesla has a well-deserved reputation for innovation, GM and Ford are tried-and-true options, especially when it comes to fleet operations. They’re also a compelling option for companies that want to maintain their own vehicles, as opposed to Tesla’s policy of keeping it in-house.

    If Reuters’ sources are correct, it looks like the electric vehicle wars are going to heat up over the next year.

  • Tesla Has Significant Battery Tech Advantage

    Tesla Has Significant Battery Tech Advantage

    Citing Cairn Energy Research Advisors, CNBC is reporting that Tesla has a significant advantage in electric battery technology.

    The electric vehicle pioneer is facing more and more competition from startups and established rivals. Rivian has made headlines as a more traditional-looking electric vehicle manufacturer, while Ford has also had its fair share of news for an all-electric Mustang Mach-E and upcoming F-150. GM, Toyota, Subaru and others are all planning to roll out all-electric lineups, with Subaru committed to producing only electric vehicles by the mid-2030s.

    According to Sam Jaffe, managing director of Cairn Energy Research Advisors, despite the competition, Tesla still has a major advantage in the battery tech it uses. While most automakers use battery packs that have pouch or prismatic cells, “Tesla is the only automaker to use cylindrical battery cells in its battery packs.” In the last four years, the cost of cylindrical cell battery packs has dropped over $100 per kilowatt hour (kWh), hitting $158.27 per kWh last year. In contrast, the cost of the competition’s battery packs is still running over $200 per kWh.

    While a difference of less than $50 per kWh may not seem like a lot, as manufacturers ramp up production and begin mass-producing electric vehicles, that expense will add up quickly. In addition, Jaffa says Tesla also has an advantage not only in its more advanced cylindrical battery cells, but also in its battery management system.

    “Tesla has really revolutionized that part of the battery pack and made it much more sophisticated, and it gives them the competitive advantage,” said Jaffe, according to CNBC.

  • GM Went to Far With Three-Cylinder Cars In China

    GM Went to Far With Three-Cylinder Cars In China

    Reuters is reporting that GM is backing off its attempt to only offer three-cylinder versions of some vehicles in China after facing backlash.

    China is known for having some of the strictest emissions and fuel efficiency regulations in the world. As a result, manufacturers have begun offering three-cylinder cars in that market, which are both cleaner and more fuel efficient. GM, rather than giving customers the option as BMW and Honda did, discontinued four-cylinder versions in favor of three on many of the models it sells in China.

    The move did not go over well, and was a likely contributor to the company’s sliding sales. According to Reuters, “many Chinese consumers, however, perceive cars with three-cylinder engines as noisier and prone to vibrating.” As a result, GM has started offering four-cylinder options once again.

    GM’s troubles illustrate the balancing act many corporations must perform to meet regulatory goals while, at the same time, maintaining the level of performance customers have come to expect.

  • GM Bringing Back The Hummer—As An Electric Vehicle

    GM Bringing Back The Hummer—As An Electric Vehicle

    Few SUV designs are more recognizable as GM’s Hummer. Following its retirement in 2010, in the midst of GM’s bankruptcy, the company is bringing the iconic SUV back as an electric vehicle.

    According to The Wall Street Journal, the Hummer will not be its own brand as it was previously. Instead, it will be another model under the GMC line. GMC has increasingly become GM’s premium line and should be a good fit for the redesigned Hummer.

    Moving the vehicle to an electric platform should also help Hummer avoid the criticism it faced the first time around. Weighing in at over 6,000 pounds and getting a mere 10 miles-per-gallon, the Hummer was a favorite target of environmentalists. The size of the vehicle will also give it plenty of space for batteries.

    WSJ reports that GM has already enlisted Lebron James to help promote the new vehicle, including during a Super Bowl commercial next month. The combination of rugged looks, off-road performance and electric economy will likely prove to be a winning combo for the Detroit automaker.

  • GM’s Bob Lutz on Carlos Ghosn: No CEO is Immune to CEO Disease

    GM’s Bob Lutz on Carlos Ghosn: No CEO is Immune to CEO Disease

    Former GM vice chairman Bob Lutz commenting on Nissan’s Carlos Ghosn arrest says that no CEO is immune to CEO disease. He said that he’s surprised at this, but in a way not too surprised. “Carlos is also extremely aware of his own capabilities and his own importance and that type of personality can slip into borderline behavior,” noted Lutz.

    Bob Lutz, former GM vice chairman, offered his thoughts on the arrest of Nissan’s Carlos Ghosn and the future of The Alliance between Nissan, Renault, and Mitsubishi:

    No CEO is Immune to CEO Disease

    It’s both surprising and disappointing and as Phil DuBose said, let’s not forget that he’s innocent until proven guilty. As for retaining the CEO or presidency or a chairmanship of Renault, if he is in fact found guilty of a felony of underreporting taxes or misappropriating company property, there’s there’s no way that another large corporation in the world is going to retain him as CEO. That’s just out of the question. If he loses the Nissan job they’re basically all gone. He’s 64 anyways and he has many many millions.

    I’m both surprised at this and in a way… not too surprised. Carlos has always since I’ve first known him a highly capable person of very high intelligence but also extremely aware of his own capabilities and his own importance. That type of personality can slip into borderline behavior. No CEO is immune to CEO disease.

    Think about it, everywhere he goes all three corporations, nothing but admiration, adulation, yes boss, etc. No negative feedback ever. The President of the United States at least he reads the media so there’s some constant negative feedback, but a CEO never gets any. CEOs tend to develop, in the business, we call it CEO disease. CEOs tend to develop this… I am God’s gift to leadership and everybody loves me and I’m fabulous and over a while, they tend to believe that they’re above the rules and above the law and then they start misbehaving.

    The Alliance Has Worked Fabulously Well and Will Continue

    I was a huge critic of The Alliance at the time it happened. I said it would never work and you know to my amazement it has worked fabulously well for both companies and that will continue. The business is getting more competitive, we have new mobility encroaching on profitability and new car sales and so forth so the three-way sharing between Mitsubishi, Renault, and Nissan will continue because it’s just plain the right thing to do. I would imagine that the fact that The Alliance has worked for all three companies means that they’ll find a way to continue it.

    Carlos Gomes Incredible Goals Will Not Be Missed

    I think the goals that Carlos put in place for Nissan may be replaced by other goals that are more realistic or less publicized. What we tend to forget is that many of those goals that he put out there and said Nissan market share will be such-and-such by the year such and such, they never materialized anyway.

    Sometimes setting difficult goals will energize the organization to reach them, sometimes they won’t, and sometimes unrealistic goals will cause the organization to do anything they have to do to reach the goal and that can sometimes trigger unethical behavior or stupid behavior like in the case of Nissan.

    In the US, for a while, excessive incentives and basically giving away the profitability in order to make the market share goal. So I don’t think that Carlos Gomes incredible goals will be missed at all.

  • Large SUVs Gaining Global Popularity: Would Falling Gas Prices Make YOU Buy One?

    Large SUVs Gaining Global Popularity: Would Falling Gas Prices Make YOU Buy One?

    During the economic recession, large SUVs became something on an eyesore to Americans.

    Their sudden lack of popularity hurt companies like General Motors (GM), and made Americans who drove SUVs feel somewhat like pariahs.

    But the large SUVs that U.S. citizens have shied away from for so long may be making a comeback. This resurgence in popularity may be due to the one thing that sparked much of the backlash in the first place—gas prices.

    In recent months, gas prices have dropped significantly. The cost per gallon hit $3.00 or lower throughout the U.S.

    GM recently reported $400 million dollars in third quarter earnings thanks to the renewed popularity of SUVs in America. Ford said its company made nearly $281 million in North America during the same period.

    Americans aren’t the only ones falling in love with the spacious SUVs once more. These larger vehicles are also quickly finding popularity around the globe.

    Karl Brauer, a senior analyst for car-buying site Kelley Blue Book, compared large SUVs to a genie “out of the bottle”.

    “[SUVs have] been discovered by enough people that you’ll never put them back,” said Brauer.

    And it isn’t just the smaller SUVs created by companies to survive the economic recession; non-Americans are very much impressed with the larger SUVs.

    Brazilians love the spaciousness; Indians love their ability to navigate tough roads and conditions.

    The biggest fans of big SUVs? That would be the Chinese, who analysts expect to represent the largest market for the vehicles by 2018.

    In a surprise to everyone, the ordinarily environmentally conscious French is hot on their heels when it comes to purchasing large SUVs.

    With so many nations taking a second look at SUVs, one wonders whether or not this renewed interest in a once despised product is permanent.

    Though Americans believe that the drop in gas prices are to thank for SUVs popularity, we should remember that this fuel is typically more expensive abroad than we are used to. And so fuel prices wouldn’t be much of a factor in their popularity abroad.

    Perhaps large SUVs should thank the fact that for all the gas-guzzling they’re prone to, they’re also very useful in tough conditions.

    The good news is that should gas prices ever spike in the US again, American SUV makers already have markets abroad to rely on.

  • Toyota Recalls 650,000 Vehicles for Faulty Airbags

    Today, Toyota announced an expansion to a recall which originally occurred in April 2013. The newly expanded recall affects an additional 650,000 vehicles in Japan, bringing the overall total to 2.27 million vehicles over the past year.

    The recall deals with faulty front passenger airbags manufactured by Takata Corporation, a Japanese-based company which supplies airbags and other safety features to multiple car brands, including Honda, Nissan, and BMW.

    Toyota released a statement in which they explained that the recall was necessary due to the airbags being constructed with faulty propellants: “Improperly manufactured propellant wafers could cause the inflator to rupture and the front passenger airbag to deploy abnormally in the event of a crash.” An abnormal deployment of such a propellant wafer could result in a small fire or the passenger being struck by metal shrapnel, leading to multiple injuries.

    The situation was supposedly taken care of when Toyota announced the recall of 1,830,000 vehicles last April. However, after further investigations were conducted, Toyota discovered that Takata Corp. had given them an unfinished list of serial numbers listing the affected parts.

    The new recall affects several Toyota models – the 2003-4 Toyota Corolla, Matrix and Tundra, the 2002-4 Sequoia sport utility vehicle and the 2002-4 Lexus SC 430 luxury coupe.

    In order to ensure that another recall is not needed in the near future, Toyota has decided to take a more holistic approach toward solving the problem: “We have judged that it is more certain to replace everything,” stated Toyota spokesman Naoki Sumino. Toyota is now in the process of instructing its dealers in the United States and other global markets in how to replace the faulty part.

    Toyota is quick to move on this recall considering the scrutiny it and other vehicle manufacturers have come under recently due to the high number of recalled vehicles. Toyota recalled 1.9 million Prius hybrids earlier this year due to a software glitch, and in October of last year, the company recalled 803,000 vehicles for another issue which impacted the performance of the airbags.

    Image via YouTube

  • General Motors Being Fined For Unanswered Questions

    General Motors is now facing a crisis over its inaction with regards to important safety recalls over the past decade.

    Last week GM CEO Mary Barra testified before a U.S. congressional subcommittee hearing on the company’s ignition switch recall. The recall involves numerous GM models with a defect that could shut the engine off while in operation. At least 13 people have died in crashes related to the defect. The defect was originally identified by GM in 2005 but a recall was not issued until just this year.

    Now, according to a Los Angeles Times report, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is fining GM daily over the company’s failure to answer questions about the recall.

    On March 4 he NHTSA had reportedly given GM until April 3 to respond to 107 questions regarding the ignition switch recall. According to the LA Times report the questions cover everything from specifics about the defect to consumer complaints and why GM did not issue a recall sooner. The company did respond to some of the questions, but has not answered all of them.

    The NHTSA is fining GM $7,000 per day that its full request for documentation goes unanswered. The fines could eventually max out at $35 million.

    The NHTSA has sent a letter to GM making it clear that it believes the company has only partially complied with the order. The letter also states that GM has deflected important questions posed by the agency. The NHTSA has stated that it may also involve the U.S. Justice Department to force GM to turn over documents.

    For GM’s part, the company claims that it is fully cooperating with the investigation. GM has stated that it has already provided over 21,000 documents to the NHTSA. The company claims that it will quickly hand over documentation as it becomes available.

    In addition to the ignition switch recall, GM last week recalled more than 1.3 million Chevy, Saturn, and Pontiac vehicles. That recall involved a defect that could sudden loss of power steering.

  • GM Recalls Affect 3.1 Million Vehicles

    GM Recalls Affect 3.1 Million Vehicles

    On Monday, General Motors CEO Mary Barra released a video message for GM employees announcing the recall of 1.5 million vehicles due to faulty engineering.

    In her message, Barra stated that “Something went wrong with our process in this instance, and terrible things happened.”

    Those terrible things include at least 12 deaths and more than 30 injuries of those who were driving vehicles involved in the recall.

    The 1.5 million vehicle recall on Monday applies to multiple sectors of the GM brand:

    – Multiple cross-over SUV’s, including the Buick Enclave and GMC Acadia, are being recalled due to faulty construction of the air bags which does not allow them to deploy when the service light is lit on the dash.

    – More than 300,000 vans are being recalled due to the material on the instrument panel not being protective enough during a crash.

    – 63,900 Cadillac XTS’s are being recalled due to a faulty brake plug, increasing the likelihood of an engine fire.

    Unfortunately for GM, this is its second recall in as many months. In February, GM announced a recall for more than 1.6 million vehicles due to an ignition failure which would allow one to turn-off the vehicle while driving, disabling the air bags in the vehicle.

    In all, these recalls will cost GM upwards of $300 million during the First Quarter of 2014. However, there may be much larger consequences.

    GM currently finds itself in the midst of an investigation from the Justice Department of the United States due to how the company handled the initial recall announced last month.

    Reports have surfaced indicating that GM knew about the faulty ignition switch in the Chevrolet Cobalt and HHR, Pontiac G5 and Solstice, and the Saturn Ion and Sky as early as 2004.

    If the Justice Department finds that GM did not respond to the faulty ignition switch promptly enough, it could face a $35 million fine.

    Despite the losses, Barra believes that GM is doing its best to handle the situation, stating “The bottom line is we will be better because of this tragic situation if we seize the opportunity. And I believe we will do just that.”

    Image via Facebook

  • 2015 Corvette Z06 Set to Debut at Detroit Auto Show, Official Photo Leaked

    Chevrolet has given a big Christmas present to all of the 2015 Corvette Z06 enthusiasts. General Motors announced that the Z06 would be making its debut at the 2014 North American International Auto Show in Detroit next month. However, that wasn’t the only information that came with the highly anticipated confirmation. A teaser photo of the Z06 was also leaked! Chevrolet took to Twitter to share the picture just days ago. Now, Corvette enthusiast can put an authentic visual to all of the vehicle’s alleged specifications!

    Unfortunately, the teaser photo only revealed one wheel of the 2015 Corvette Z06, but it’s enough to heighten the level of anticipation even more. The automaker is already boasting that the high-performance vehicle may be “the most track-capable Corvette ever, designed to deliver supercar levels of performance through unique powertrain, chassis and aerodynamic features.”

    The Corvette Z06 is slated to be the high-end model of the new Corvette stingray line. However, that classification excludes the supercharged/turbocharged models that will also arrive later on down the road. While the automaker remains tight-lipped about the Z06’s definitive statistics and specifications, one can only assume that it will garner as much as 600-horsepower from some sort of V-8 engine. It’s been rumored that a twin-turbo 4.5 liter will be included. However, the 6.2 liter and 7.0 liter may also be options.

    The Detroit Auto Show is scheduled for Jan. 13-26, 2014. According to ABC News, the 2015 Corvette will be included in the automaker’s ‘Performance Car Line-up’ along with the 2014 Corvette Stingray Convertible, Camaro Z/28, and SS sedan.

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    Chevrolet Senior Vice President Alan Batey expressed his high regard for the automaker’s precision and expertise where performance cars are concerned. “No other manufacturer will be able to match the breath of performance cars from Chevrolet,” he said in a statement.

    Image(s) via Chevrolet News | (1)  (2)  (3)  Twitter | Chevrolet

  • 2015 Corvette Teased Ahead of Detroit Auto Show

    Many folks have been ogling at the reveal of the 2015 Ford Mustang which was released by Ford today. However, there was another large announcement in the auto world yesterday. Not to be outdone by their closest competitor, Chevrolet announced that it will unveil the 2015 Corvette Z06 at the 2014 North American International Auto Show in Detroit next month, along with releasing a teaser photo of the front driver’s side wheel.

    The announcement by GM marks the end of a huge year for the company in regards to performance vehicles. In October, the Chevrolet SS sedan was released to the market. This month, Chevy will start rolling the new 2014 Corvette Stingray Convertible off the assembly lines in Bowling Green, Kentucky. And in the second quarter of 2014, Chevy will be releasing the 2014 Camaro Z/28, which has logged a lap-time of 7:37.40 at the famous Nürburgring course in Germany (Compare this to the track record set by the Porsche 918 Spyder, which completed the course in 6:57.)

    As it currently stands, almost no information has been released concerning the specs of the 2015 Corvette Z06 besides its name. Much speculation was held concerning whether Chevy would keep the Z06 moniker or move on to the Z07. Fortunately for traditionalist, Chevy has yet to patent the Z07 label and thus will maintain the Z06 model for the 2015 Corvette.

    In its press release for the 2015 Corvette, GM states, “It will be the most track-capable Corvette ever, designed to deliver supercar levels of performance through unique powertrain, chassis and aerodynamic features.” From the teaser picture released, one can certainly believe their claim of wanting this to be the most track-capable Corvette yet. Many sources have analyzed the picture to determine the tires the Z06 will be sporting, and most are enthused. Motortrend.com pegs the tires as “ultra-sticky Michelin Pilot Super Sport Cup tires” sized at 285/30/19. These huge front tires are sure to give ultimate traction, supporting GM’s claim of this being the most track-capable Corvette ever.

    Unfortunately, no details have been released concerning the size of the engine. If one is to assume Chevy will be using an engine similar to other Corvette models, one could expect this Corvette to boast either a twin-turbo 4.5 L engine, or a 7.0 L V8, as seen in last year’s model.

    Chevy hopes the release of the 2015 Corvette will help to continue their dominance in performance car sales in the US. Thus far in 2013, Chevy has sold 1 out of every 4 performance cars sold in the United States and is outpacing the Ford Mustang by 4,093 units. With the reveal of both the 2015 Corvette and 2015 Mustang at the same time, now is the true test of which performance car reigns supreme.

    [Image via GM]

  • AP: Monsanto’s Chemicals are Sickening Argentina

    A recent AP investigation might change your mind if you think the Haitian farmers acted brashly when they destroyed the seeds Monsanto donated to them as relief from an earthquake.

    Argentina is, today, the world’s third-largest soy producer, and the thanks in no small part go to American biotechnology firms like Monsanto. But decades of genetically-modified growth accompanied by special insecticides and agrochemicals are taking a terrible toll on the Argentinian population.

    The AP noted dozens of individual cases of people using agrochemicals in illegal ways. Santa Fe has cancer rates that are between two and four times higher than Argentina’s national average, and the state of Chaco (the nation’s poorest) sees four times as many children born with birth defects since biotechnology took over.

    A pediatrician and co-founder of Argentina’s Doctors of Fumigated Towns, Dr. Medardo Avila Vazquez, said “The change in how agriculture is produced has brought, frankly, a change in the profile of diseases. We’ve gone from a pretty healthy population to one with a high rate of cancer, birth defects, and illnesses seldom seen before.”

    Argentina was once famous for its grass-fed cattle, but in 1996, Monsanto marketed a model of higher crop yields through less pesticides, mostly because the seeds were genetically modified to include the pesticide, and then sprayed with accompanying agrochemicals produced by Monsanto.

    The campaign worked well for Monsanto: 100 percent of Argentina’s soy and almost all the corn, wheat, and cotton are grown from GM seeds. Soy farming now occupies 47 million acres, and now Argentinian cattle are fed in feedlots, just like the United States.

    Unfortunately for the farmers, insects evolve much more rapidly than Monsanto’s chemical formulas due to their short lives. Put simply, as more chemicals were sprayed on the bugs, more chemicals were needed to kill them.

    The 1990 figures show 9 million gallons of agrochemical concentrate were sprayed in Argentina per acre; by 2013, 84 million gallons of concentrate were sprayed, an amount that is more than double that utilized by farmers in the United States.

    In 2009, Argentina’s President Cristina Fernandez ordered a commission to study the impact of frequent agrochemical spraying on human health. It published an initial report that demanded “systematic controls over concentrations of herbicides and their compounds” but the commission hasn’t met since 2010.

    Monsanto spokesperson Thomas Helscher said in a written statement that his company “does not condone the misuse of pesticides or the violation of any pesticide law, regulation, or court ruling… Monsanto takes the stewardship of products seriously and we communicate regularly with our customers regarding proper use of our products.”

    If you want to watch a full-length documentary about the effects, physical and legal, of Monsanto’s work, Seeds of Death is sure to be a highly informative experience:

    [Image via Seeds of Death