Opel and Chevrolet too close for Comfort?

Sibling rivalry: every family faces it, at one point or another. And what are automotive groups such as General Motors if not one, big (and bailout-happy) family? Platform and parts sharing is the name of the game in order to reduce costs and maximize profit margins. But what happens when two brands, like Opel and Chevrolet start to overlap each other?

Having introduced five new cars in the past 18 months and on the verge of launching a major TV, print and digital campaign this summer to celebrate its centennial anniversary, Chevrolet is trying to become more premium.
However, as it becomes more attractive, while also retaining its value for money position, it starts to tiptoe on Opel's shoes. And that, according to Opel’s CEO Nick Reilly, is a problem they need to work out.
Reilly suggests that, even though research shows only 1.5% of Opel buyers would consider a Chevy, Opel still needs to move more upmarket in order to differentiate itself
“Undoubtedly Chevrolet will move up the pecking order with the quality of new products that have been launched and which are planned for launch,” Reilly told British magazine Autocar. “Therefore it’s logical that we’d like to see the Opel/Vauxhall product range and company image move up accordingly to keep them separated.”
Wayne Brannon, President of Chevrolet Europe, thinks that what sets his brand apart is its American identity: "If you ask 100 Europeans what they know about Chevrolet, research shows that 85 of them think of 'Chevy' as a brand with American roots and values. No other volume brand in this marketplace can say that".
Reilly agrees stating, “Chevrolet is an American brand with its own reputation and a goal of always being priced below the mainstream. In contrast, Opel and Vauxhall are very European brands. Cars such as the Meriva and Ampera show that we can lead in areas of technology in a way that Chevrolet won’t”.
Right. Like Chevrolet would ever have the technology to develop and build something called the Volt, start selling it in the US and then let Opel rebadge it as the Ampera for Europe…

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More American Car Buyers Opting for 4-Cylinder Over V6 and V8 Engines

Once upon a time, in the land of the free and the home of the brave, most consumers liked their cars with six- or eight-cylinder engines. Blame the rising costs of fuels or advances in technology, but now, American buyers are turning to smaller 4-cylinder units in increasing numbers.

According to a report from IHS Automotive, in the first half of the year, more than 43% of the light vehicles sold in the US were equipped with four-cylinder engines, compared to just 30% five years ago.
It was the opposite in 2006, when V6s had a 43% market share. In the meantime, four cylinders’ sales rose and those of six-cylinders declined, with the former overtaking the latter in 2009. The V8 is losing ground even faster: its sales account for one in every six vehicles, whereas in 2005 that number was one in three.
The four-cylinder domination is even bigger if you do not take into account fleet sales, where many vehicles are trucks or vans with V6 or V8 engines.
The choice of fewer cylinders in new cars is explained by the downsizing trend, due to the increasing oil prices and the manufacturers’ efforts to build more fuel-efficient cars in order to meet the 35.5 mpg average consumption target set by the government for 2016.
For example, Ford’s new Ecoboost turbocharged four-cylinder coupled with six-speed transmission as standard has been introduced in many new models in its US line-up.
In addition, sales of smaller vehicles in the US are increasing, with small and mid-size sedans accounting for 44% of sales in 2001, compared to 36% six years ago.

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Cadillac SRX 2012

The latest Cadillac SRX has been on the market for just two model years, but for 2012, General Motors is making some important tweaks to improve the crossover model's performance.


While GM had made the announcement on the2012 SRX back in April, the company came out today with additional information and revised performance figures, just before the SUV goes on sale.
Headlining the changes for the 2012 Cadillac SRX is the presentation of a new 3.6-liter V6 known by its “LFX” code, and which will be the sole engine offering in the range.
It produces 16-percent more horsepower at 308HP (SAE-rated) and 18-percent more torque at 265 lb-ft (359Nm) than the outgoing V6, which is rated at 265HP and 223 lb.-ft (302 Nm).
The LFX is also E85 ethanol-capable and is paired up to an electronically controlled six-speed automatic transmission. Customers can choose between front-wheel drive only and all-wheel drive systems, with the latter incorporating an electronic limited-slip (eLSD) rear differential.
The Detroit firm's engineers also revised the Base and Sport suspension systems for the 2012MY to improve the ride quality.
Other upgrades include a new sound-absorbing material placed throughout the vehicle to make the SRX quieter as well as new additions to the standard equipment.

Feature and content enhancements for 2012 include:

• Standard Bluetooth phone connectivity on all models, with on-screen caller identification
• OnStar Turn-by-Turn automated directions are loaded to the vehicle
• Improved voice recognition for phone activation, navigation and radio station changes
• A heated steering wheel on the Luxury, Performance and Premium Collections
• Door lock switches on the driver and passenger door panels as well as the center console
• Cruise control buttons on the steering wheel
• Memory seat set – the occupant can set the seating position simply by pressing “set” and the number simultaneously
• Backlighting for map lights in the overhead console
• A new machined-face finish on the 20-inch wheels, which are standard on Performance and Premium Collections
• Available all-ebony interior trim
• One new exterior color available this fall: Xenon Blue Metallic.

More details including pricing and fuel economy ratings will be released within the next few days.

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Ford Marketing Boss Tells GM to Stick it in Upcoming Book

We’re not used to automotive execs using foul language or trashing the competition when speaking out in the open and/or in public, so we were somewhat surprised with some of the comments allegedly made by Ford Motor Company Vice President of Marketing and Communications, Jim Farley.
According to Jalopnik, the Ford executive who joined the Detroit automaker in 2007 after nearly two decades at Toyota and Lexus, was quoted in a book as saying that he is “going to beat Chevrolet on the head with a bat” and that he hates GM.
And oh, Farely reportedly dropped the “F’ bomb on the General as well….
The quotes you’re about to read are said to have come from early copies of the book "Once Upon A Car” from New York Times reporter, Bill Vlasic. The book is scheduled for release to the public in October this year.

"What Jim Farley really wanted to do was kick the daylights out of General Motors. "I'm going to beat Chevrolet on the head with bat," he said with a slightly wicked smile. "And I'm going to enjoy it." There was a saying going around Ford: GM was like the kid who was born on third base and yells out, "Hey Ma, I hit a triple!" Farley and his fellow Ford executives and workers were ready to rumble."
...This was like the glory days again — Ford versus GM, let the better car company win. "We're going to beat on them, and it's going to be fun," said Farley. "F—- GM. I hate them and their company and what they stand for. And I hate the way they're succeeding."

Jalopnik came in touch with both GM and Ford to comment on the matter. Here’s what the PR people told them:
GM Spokesman Jay Cooney: "We would not have expected such crass words coming from Ford."
Ford Spokesman John Stoll: “We have not yet seen the book and are unable to comment on the specific quotes. This is a passionate, competitive industry, and we respect all of our competitors.”
So, if Farley did indeed speak these harsh words on Ford’s rival, what do you say?

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GM Confirms Chevrolet Cruze Diesel for the USA

We’d heard rumors that a diesel-powered version of the Chevrolet Cruze was being readied for the U.S., but now it’s official as General Motors announced today that the diesel variant will be added to the compact model’s North American lineup in calendar year 2013.
However, that’s about all we get from GM as the Detroit company stated that it will release further details on the car at a later date.
Currently, the most fuel efficient model in the Cruze range is the Eco model featuring a standard six-speed manual gearbox with an EPA-rated 42 mpg (equal to 5.6lt/100km) on the highway.
Chevrolet already offers the Cruze with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder diesel engine in other regions including Europe and Australia.
The latest version of the 2.0-liter oil burner delivers 161HP (120kW / 163PS) at 3,800rpm and 360 Nm (265.5 lb-ft) of peak torque at 1,750 rpm.
It’s fuel economy on the combined European cycle (which can’t be directly compared to U.S. combined figures) is rated at 5.6 lt/100km [42mpg US] when equipped with a six-speed manual gearbox and at 6.7lt/100km [35.1mpg US] with the optional six-speed automatic.

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Chevrolet and OnStar to Monitor Volt Drivers’ Charging Habits

General Motors and OnStar announced a new program that will be applied to the Chevrolet Voltand which will use the car’s built-in telematics system to send data from the vehicle to the power grid.
This will enable the carmaker to track the charging habits of the vehicle’s drivers so as to better manage the car’s energy supply.
“In contrast to other OEMs who are only talking about smart grid technology, we’re moving beyond research and development projects to a program in the real world,” said Nick Pudar, OnStar vice president of planning and business development.
“Through this pilot we will see real-time results on how intelligent energy management can maximize EV charging efficiency and minimize the electric bill for EV drivers.”
The program will begin in third quarter of 2011 and initially will not be available to customers. Instead, it will include hundreds of Volts leased by General Electric to assess their drivers’ charging behavior.
This gives data in real-world situations providing GM and OnStar with valuable information for the optimization of the ATOMS (Advanced Operations Management System) utility that monitors the program.
Once available to the public, the program will be optional for Volt customers. Those who choose the service will be offered discounts or other incentives to encourage them to charge their hybrids when overall electricity demand is at its lowest levels.

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Chrysler Surpasses Ford as Canada’s Biggest Seller

Canada’s economy seems unaffected by most of the Western World’s woes, where markets are struggling and unemployment is booming. In fact,Canada’s economy is growing and as a result, unemployment is falling and people are getting jobs. Therefore, they have money to buy cars, or light trucks, pickups and SUVs.
“People who are getting jobs are opting for practical vehicles such as a crossover to get better mileage than a traditional SUV”, said Carlos Gomes, an economist at Scotia Capital. “You have the construction sector holding up very well, and that is positive for the pickup segment.”
This has worked very well for Chrysler, which in the first half of the year has overtaken Ford in light truck segment. That is because, with oil prices rising, new truck buyers are opting for more fuel-efficient models.
For instance, Chrysler’s Dodge Journey sales increased more than the SUVs of rivaling carmakers Ford and GM, the Escape and the Chevrolet Equinox respectively.
However, in total vehicles sales including cars, Ford still leads the market with a 17.4% share, having also beaten GM in 2010 for the first time in many decades. GM is second, with a 15.5% market share, but it can feel Chrysler breathing down its neck with 15.0% and only 4,000 vehicles difference in the first half of the year.

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Subaru-Based Crossover Prototype Comes out of the Closet

Back in the corporate heydays of GM, before the Detroit automaker went bust, the General would re-badge just about anything it could get its hands on if it were to make a fast buck without breaking a sweat.
This lazy corporate mentality was not only limited to GM’s American products but it spread throughout the entire company. Saab and even Subaru were subjected to this crude process, which was mostly limited to swapping badges and grilles.
When GM controlled the fate of Saab and held a 20 percent share of Subaru, the Detroit company's executive gurus came up with the bright idea of re-badging Subaru models as higher-end Saabs and selling them for a premium.
The first product of the Saabaru project was the Saab 9-2x, which was nothing more than a Subaru Impreza hatchback with a different nose job and a re-trimmed interior. It was also the last production model of the sort as the following year, GM sold its Subaru’s shares back to the Japanese carmaker’s parent company, Fuji Heavy Industries.
But not before it finished a prototype named the Saab 9-6 that was built on the Subaru B9 Tribeca crossover. And even though most of us had heard about the 9-6, no one outside of Saab and GM had ever actually seen the crossover model, up until now, that is.
The Swedes decided that it was time for the prototype model to come out of the darkness and into the light of Saab’s museum in Trollhättan, Sweden.
Discovered and photographed by Steven Wade, the man we came to know as the founder of the Saabsunited website and who is now part of the Swedish firm’s social media team, the 9-6 is a typical product of GM’s re-badging process.
And by that we mean a Saab nose plus some minor changes to the exterior and interior trim.
Wade also mentioned on the company’s website that GM also developed a three-door prototype of the Saab 9-6, but its whereabouts remain unknown.

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