Sep

GM extends employee pricing offer, adds ‘09 models

Posted by mbattel Published in Auto Industry, Aveo, Chevrolet News, Cobalt, Colorado, Corvette, Credit, Equinox, Gm News, HHR, Hybrid, Impala, Incentives, Jupiter Chevrolet News, Malibu, Silverado, Suburban, Tahoe

DETROIT, Sept 3 (Reuters) - General Motors Corp has extended its employee-level pricing discount program by one month through the end of September and increased the number of 2009 model year vehicles carrying the offer to boost sagging sales and clear out inventory.

The program, launched in late August, applies to almost its entire line-up of 2008 model year vehicles and has been expanded to include most 2009 model year vehicles at dealerships, including all Silverado and Sierra pickups, GM spokesman John McDonald said on Wednesday.

GM’s better-selling cars, such as the Chevrolet Malibu, Chevrolet Cobalt and Pontiac Vibe are also included in the extended offer, the No.1 U.S. automaker said.

(Reporting by Soyoung Kim and David Bailey, editing by Dave Zimmerman)

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2

Aug

General Motors Delivers 17 ‘08 Models That Get 30 mpg or Better on the Highway

Posted by mbattel Published in Aveo, Cobalt, Gm News, HHR, Malibu

From nicely equipped entry subcompacts to award-winning midsize sedans and a capable, compact SUV, General Motors offers plenty of choices for consumers who want to wring more miles out of a gallon of gas. Seventeen 2008 GM models — more than any other automaker — achieve EPA fuel economy of 30 miles per gallon or higher.

Chevrolet leads the pack with eight models — including the hot-selling Chevrolet Malibu midsize sedan, the 2008 North American Car of the Year — followed by Saturn with five and Pontiac with four. Topping the mpg performers are the recently released Chevrolet Cobalt XFE (Extended Fuel Economy), equipped with a 2.2L four-cylinder engine and a five- speed manual transmission that deliver 36 mpg and 35 mpg, respectively, on the highway. In fact, Cobalt XFE’s highway fuel economy beats a comparably equipped 2009 Toyota Corolla.

“GM has been and continues to be a leader in delivering a broad range of fuel-efficient vehicles to customers,” said Mark LaNeve, GM North America vice president, Vehicle Sales, Service and Marketing. “In addition to the 17 models for 2008 that achieve 30 mpg or better on the highway, many of our vehicles either win or are strong contenders in their segments.

“Our customers want a break from high fuel prices and so do we: That is why we are demonstrating leadership and fully leveraging our global technology resources to address pressing automotive energy needs with biofuels such as E85 ethanol, hybrids, extended-range electric vehicles and hydrogen fuel cells.”

Chevrolet: Aveo sedan, Aveo5 (both 32 with automatic transmission, 34 with manual); Cobalt coupe and sedan (30 to 33, depending on engine and transmission selection); Cobalt XFE coupe (36); Malibu 2.4L (30 with four- speed transmission, 32 with six-speed); Malibu Hybrid (32); HHR (30 with 2.2L and automatic or manual transmission) and HHR Panel (30 with 2.2L and automatic or manual transmission).

The Chevrolet Malibu, Malibu Hybrid and Cobalt XFE coupe are new models for 2008. The Cobalt XFE uses revised engine calibration, low rolling- resistance tires, a new, 3.74:1 final drive ratio and other technologies to drive a 9-percent highway fuel economy improvement and outdistance comparably equipped competitors such as the Honda Civic, Ford Focus and 2009 Toyota Corolla.

General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM), the world’s largest automaker, has been the annual global industry sales leader for 77 years. Founded in 1908, GM today employs about 266,000 people around the world. With global headquarters in Detroit, GM manufactures its cars and trucks in 35 countries. In 2007, nearly 9.37 million GM cars and trucks were sold globally.

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8

Jul

Car Lust–1973-1977 Chevrolet Malibu

Posted by Csavage Published in Classic Cars, Malibu

The mid-1970s Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu lived in a no-man’s land for Malibus, coming as it did after the legendary muscle-car Chevelles and Malibus of the late 1960s, and just before the popular ground-breaking Malibus that debuted in 1978. In that context, it’s difficult to argue that the mid-1970s Malibus were anything other than gutless, tawdry, disappointing (and, to me, stunningly desirable) dinosaurs so typical of the era. In fact, I made that very point a few months ago in excoriating the Malibu’s fancypants sibling, the adorably atrocious Chevelle Laguna Type S-3 454.

It is true that the mid-1970s Malibus were vastly less powerful and purposeful in line than their predecessors, yet bulkier, more wasteful, and more bloated than their successors. Big on the outside, small on the inside, and slow and floaty regardless of trim choice, even a fresh-off-the-showroom-floor 1973 Malibu would be a hopeless anachronism today.

But, as I so often say, cars should be judged within the context of their time. The Malibu was boldly good-looking, with the muscular contours and rounded detailing typical of Chevrolets of the time. While the sedan and wagons were attractive, the look was very potent on the two-door, especially at the rear. The effect was a pleasing (though thoroughly unsubstantiated) 1970s muscle car look that was somewhat reminiscent of the AMC Matador Coupe. That, by the way, was meant as a compliment–I’m probably one of about four people on Earth who would use a Matador as a positive comparison.

It was also comfortable and doggedly reliable. As I pointed out when discussing the Malibu’s cousin, the mechanically similar Oldsmobile Cutlass, in the mid-1970s America still knew how to make quality cars that ran forever–so long as they were simple, front-engine, rear-wheel-drive leviathans without any shred of electronic assistance. The Malibu was among the best of those, and for doggedly dependable transportation I’d take a Malibu long before one of the later and more advanced Citations.

And, of course, the Malibu shares the true genius of all large American cars of the time–a wonderful cruising experience. I know I’ve written about this before, but it bears repeating. There are very, very few things I find more compelling than the idea of cruising along the freeway in a Malibu at night, the V-8 burbling contentedly as it inhales the mileage, the suspension undulating softly, the steering hunting mildly at speed, the instruments glowing in a dim yellow light, and the radio crooning with tinny country songs. I’m probably alone in this, but for me that’s a Car Lust moment equal to a rapid blast through the gears in a sports car.

The first image is from Jim’s Classic Corner.com, and the second and third are from How Stuff Works.