You might think that as the market shifts its focus to fuel-efficient vehicles, high-performance vehicles are likely to be short-lived. Speaking to AutoWeek, Mark Reuss, General Motors’ vice president of global marketing, said that Chevrolets with the SS badge are safe as long as he’s with GM.

Reuss said that the SS line of vehicles could offer more in the future. He said that he envisions vehicles outfitted on a case-by-case basis, rather than generically adding more output and the red SS badge to Chevrolets across the board.

Reuss comes to GM after leading Holden operations in Australia, the origin of the Detroit automaker’s enthusiast-oriented rear-wheel drive underpinnings known as Zeta.

Reuss said that the Zeta platform is also safe under his watch and that GM is working on a sedan in Australia that is expected to return impressive fuel-economy with a 3.0L engine. He said that future performance cars from GM will have stellar performance, better fuel-economy and reduced weight.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: AutoWeek

The Cadillac CTS Coupe is going to be released in May 2010 as a 2011 model year and will share all of its engine choices with the CTS and the CTS-V sedan. Bob Lutz confirmed back in July that General Motors was indeed going to offer a CTS-V Coupe, which we just learned will make its debut at the 2010 Detroit Show.

Lutz recently confirmed that GM will also offer a Cadillac CTS-V Sport Wagon.

Power for the CTS-V Coupe and the CTS-V Sport Wagon will come from the same 6.2L Supercharged V8 LSA found in the CTS-V sedan. Output is rated at 556-hp with a maximum torque of 551 lb-ft.

Cadillac CTS Coupe Concept:

- By: Omar Rana

Source: Straightline

General Motors’ new Chairman, Edward Whitacre, is asking its engineers to call a couple hundred customers who are returning or exchanging their GM vehicles under the company’s 60-day money-back guarantee program. Mark Reuess, GM’s vice president of global engineering said today that he is personally calling customers.

Reuss said that this evening he will call a customer who returned a Chevrolet Malibu sedan and a Chevrolet Silverado pickup. He said that the new effort is a prime example of how product development is changing under the new GM.

“It was a really good idea,” Reuss said. “First, the customers are thrilled the engineers and vice presidents are calling them. But it’s also about as direct and unfiltered consumer feedback channel as any we’ve done.”

Of the 220,000 vehicles have been sold under the 60-day money-back guarantee and about 653 customers opted for the return program instead of the $500 cash rebate. It is reported that of the 653 customers, about 140 have asked to return or exchange their new GM and 53 have completed the return or exchange process.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: AutoObserver

This just in – the 2011 Buick Regal will be offered with a 6-speed manual transmission. During an event this morning in Michigan, the press was allowed to take the new 2011 Buick Regal for a spin. On hand was a 2.0L 4-cylinder turbocharged Regal with a 6-speed manual transmission.

Jim Federico, the man behind the Opel Insignia and Buick Regal said that the 2.0L turbo version of the new GM sedan will be offered with a 6-speed manual shortly after it debuts in the second quarter of 2010.

When it arrives at local dealerships, the 2011 Buick Regal will be offered in two variants including a 182-hp 2.4L 4-cylinder and a 220-hp 2.4L 4-cylinder turbocharged.

Now if we can just get a 6-speed manual on a 335-hp 2.8L turbocharged V6 Buick Regal GS – we may stop complaining about the Pontiac G8 GXP being gone (okay no – we’re just kidding – we still miss the G8).

Click here for more news on the Buick Regal.

2011 Buick Regal:

- By: Omar Rana

Source: Straightline

Renault/Nissan CEO, Carlos Ghosn, said that General Motors Company would have been better off if it had formed an alliance with his companies in 2006. GM and Renault/Nissan called the talks off in October 2006.

“Without any doubt,” he said during a forum sponsored by the Council on Foreign Relations. “We knew fundamentally that this would work, but only if it was a collaborative effort.”

Ghosn said that there was huge “possibility to create something that would be extremely competitive.” He said the alliance would have allowed both companies to share technology, practices and a common approach.

When asked if he was happy that the alliance with GM fell through, Ghosn said: “When you see the disaster and the waste of energy and skills and talent, nobody can be happy.”

He went on to say that the auto industry had become much more interconnected.

“When General Motors was in danger, everybody was scared. We were scared. Because some of our suppliers are big suppliers of General Motors,” Ghosn said. “If they go down, we would not have been able to assemble any single car in the United States.”

- By: Omar Rana

Photo Copyright © 2009 Jack Rosenfeld – egmCarTech.

Source: Detroit News

The Obama administration is drawing a bright line between their preference for electric vehicles and their responsibility to manage the tax payers stakes in GM and Chrysler, according to Reuters. “We obviously would be very happy if Chrysler and GM were making lots and lots of high mileage cars. It’s not a prerequisite. It’s not an obligation,” Ron Bloom, head of Obama’s autos task force told Reuters on Tuesday.

Both companies however, do intend to release more fuel efficient vehicles and lines of smaller cars. The Chevy Volt, due out by GM next year is the company’s spear head in this fuel-efficiency movement, while Chrysler sidelined its plan for a similar vehicle seeing as how such a car would be inconsistent with their five-year business plan released earlier this month.

Both automakers have applied for billions of dollars in Energy Dept. loans for assistance in equipping their factories for output of more fuel-efficient vehicles. Bloom has said however that the Energy Dept. will retain complete autonomy in the decision process regarding who receives loans and who doesn’t.

- By: Stephen Calogera

Source: Reuters

Earlier this year, General Motors officially went back to selling the Chevrolet Camaro after ending production of the sports car in 2002. With a new design, more power and a strong heritage, the Chevrolet Camaro is speeding past the Ford Mustang to become Detroit’s muscle car sales leader.

The new 2010 Chevrolet Camaro outsold the new Ford Mustang by 3,000 units last month, the fifth consecutive month that the Camaro has beaten the Mustang since it went on sale this spring.  GM says that the Camaro may even outsell the Mustang altogether this year, which would be the first time the Chevy model has topped its Ford rival since 1985.

Through October, GM has sold 47,233 Camaro units, 9,237 less than the Mustang.

The Camaro “definitely could overtake Mustang as the segment leader by the end of the year,” Susan Docherty, GM’s vice president of U.S. sales said. “We will hopefully do that with only nine months worth of sales versus 12.”

Ford, on the other hand, doesn’t seem too bothered. “I don’t think Mustang sales would have been much different one way or another,” said George Pipas, Ford’s top sales analyst.

2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS:

- By: Omar Rana

Source: Free Press

The 2011 Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid is scheduled to make its market launch in Nov. of 2010. It’s no wonder that engineers working on the Volt are putting in hours even on their days off.

“They’re testing, measuring and evaluating what is arguably the most important vehicle in General Motors Co.’s history,” reports the Detroit News. “They take their work home with them, literally, commuting in the vehicles, strapping baby seats in the back or picking up groceries.”

“We’ve been through three levels of hardware in two years,” said Alex Cattelan, the Chevy Volt’s chief powertrain engineer. “The groups working on the second generation and third generation versions are still providing more information to us.”

Cattelan says that he has no doubt that the Volt will be ready for its scheduled launch in late 2010. At the 2009 LA Auto Show next month, GM will announce plans for initial retail markets where the plug-in hybrid vehicle will be sold.

2011 Chevrolet Volt:

- By: Omar Rana

Source: Detroit News

The Obama administration wants General Motors to expedite their IPO as the government had wanted to “err on the side of getting out (of their investment) a little faster”. “Private markets would like to see us exit this investment, and I think they will be more comfortable if we’re on a sustained path out the door than if they think we’re going to try to market time it to maximize return,” Ron Bloom, head of U.S. government’s autos task force told Reuters.

GM is expected to provide a ‘fresh start’ accounting of the company’s assets and liabilities, a necessary step toward an IPO, by March. CEO Fritz Henderson has said that the IPO could come as early as the second half of 2010, while Bloom would be happy to see it offered in Q4 2010.

The U.S. government intends to shed all of its stake in GM and the 8% stake it acquired in Chrysler Group LLC.

- By: Stephen Calogera

Source: Reuters

GM has narrowed its search to two candidates to replace CFO Ray Young and according to Automotive News, a decision may come as early as the end of the year. Both candidates are from outside the auto industry and are from a pool of seven executives chosen with the assistance of executive search firm, Crist Kolder Associates.

The Board had endorsed plans in early September for Young to vacate the position and there are rumors of him assuming a post with GM’s international operations, though GM declined to comment.

The search was hindered by U.S. pay czar Kenneth Feinberg’s salary caps. GM Chairman Ed Whitacre, who was appointed by the government after they sponsored the bailout, has advised a reconsideration of Feinberg’s limits given the difficulty they impose on the search for a quality executive.

- By: Stephen Calogera

When General Motors kicked off sales of the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro earlier this year, it hoped that most customers would opt for the V6 LS and LT trims. However, based on Edmunds.com’s estimates, two-thirds of the 47,233 Camaro units sold from April 2009 to October 2009 have been V8 SS models.

The Chevrolet Camaro with a V6 is rated at 18/29 mpg (city/highway), while the Chevrolet Camaro with a V8 is rated at 16/25. GM was hoping that strong V6 sales would help it raise its Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE). The automaker even priced the entry-level Camaro LS at $23,530, making it a bang-for-your-buck purchase for a rear-wheel-drive car with 304-hp.

Nonetheless, Vice Chairman Bob Lutz says that the V6 Camaro coupes actually cost GM as much to build as the V8 version, so the company is content that most sales have come from the Camaro SS.

Click here to read our review on the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS.

2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS:

- By: Kap Shah

Source: Inside Line

President Barack Obama’s trip to Asia included a massive motorcade in Beijing said to be 71 vehicles long. While touring the Great Wall and Forbidden City, Obama said that General Motors “can learn from their operations” in China “in terms of increasing sales back in the United States.”

Obama was reported to be speaking with Shanghai Communist Party secretary Yu Zhengsheng on what Yu called the “fantastic performance” by General Motors in China.

GM and its Chinese partners sold more than 1.5 million units and saw the company’s sales increase 60 percent in the first 10 months of 2009. In October, General Motors more than doubled its sales in China to 166,911 vehicles. According to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, a total of 946,000 were sold in October.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: Inside Line

GM announced today that it will show the U.S. production version of the Chevrolet Cruze sedan at the 2009 LA Auto Show on Dec. 2. The Cruze will be joined by the Chevrolet Volt, Camaro, Equinox and other hot-selling Chevys.

The Chevrolet Cruze has already been launched in Europe and Asia and will hit U.S. roads in the third-quarter of 2010 with a lineup of fuel-efficient engines including a 1.4 turbocharged 4-cyinder unit. The base 1.4L 4-cylinder will deliver up to 40 mpg on the highway.

GM said that it will also announce plans for initial retail markets where the Volt will be sold at the LA Auto Show.

We’ll be in LA providing live coverage so make sure you join us on Dec. 2 and Dec. 3.

Click through for the press release.

2010 Chevrolet Cruze:

Press Release:

Chevrolet at the Los Angeles International Auto Show

- U.S. premiere of the all-new Cruze, delivering up to 40 mpg highway
- Volt electric vehicle to be available in select markets in 2010
- Camaro, Equinox and other hot-selling Chevrolet vehicles also on display

DETROIT – Chevrolet affirms its commitment to fuel solutions and building refined, eco-friendly vehicles with the debut of the U.S. production version of the Cruze sedan at the Los Angeles Auto Show, on Dec. 2. The Cruze, along with the much-anticipated Volt electric vehicle, will give visitors to the L.A. show a close-up view of Chevrolet’s expanding lineup of gas-friendly to gas-free products.

“With expected highway fuel economy up to 40 miles per gallon, Cruze will be extremely gas friendly while the Volt electric vehicle can be operated gas-free,” said Brent Dewar, vice president, Chevrolet. “Chevrolet’s focus is on forward-looking technologies to the benefit of our customers, such as the highly efficient, small-displacement turbocharged engine in the Cruze or the Volt electric vehicle with extended range.”

The Cruze has already launched to high acclaim in Europe and Asia and has undergone refinement for America. It goes on sale in the U.S. in the third quarter of 2010 but has already logged more than 4 million miles in quality and durability testing worldwide, making it one of the most globally tested Chevrolet products prior to a U.S. launch.

Cruze is designed to achieve class-leading highway fuel economy using a new family of efficient engines that include a 1.4L turbo. It will lead the way for Chevrolet in small-displacement, turbocharged engines that are designed for excellent fuel efficiency and durability – while also being fun to drive.

Defying preconceptions of what a compact car can be, Cruze will offer a more spacious interior and cargo capacity than the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla, and upscale infotainment amenities such as a navigation system, Bluetooth connectivity and XM Satellite Radio. Ten standard air bags that provide a safety cocoon for occupants – along with OnStar– also make it one of the safest vehicles in the segment.

The Chevrolet Volt is an electric vehicle with extended-range capability. It is expected to drive up to 40 miles on electricity without using gasoline or producing tailpipe emissions. When the Volt’s lithium-ion battery is depleted of energy, an engine/generator seamlessly operates to extend the total driving range to more than 300 miles before refueling.

Chevrolet will announce plans for initial retail markets where the Volt will be sold. Chevrolet will also announce the winner of a nationwide consumer competition to name a Volt unique paint color. Consumers determine the winner by voting now for their favorite of three finalist names at www.chevroletvoltage.com, until 8 a.m. Eastern time on Dec. 1.

From Nov. 27-29, the Volt will be on display next to Bloomingdale’s at the Westfield Century City mall in West Los Angeles. During regular mall hours, visitors to the Chevrolet Volt display may get two free tickets each to the L.A. Auto Show, while supplies last. The L.A. Auto Show opens to the public Dec. 4.

Production for the Volt is expected to begin in late 2010. Pricing has not been announced.

The Chevrolet show exhibit also will feature the all-new, 2010 Chevrolet Camaro sports coupe and Chevrolet Equinox compact crossover SUV. The popularity of these vehicles helped Chevrolet boost sales by 9 percent in October, including a significant 31-percent increase in retail sales.

The Camaro continues to distance itself from its closest competitor as a fuel-efficient interpretation of a 21st century sports car, achieving 29 miles per gallon on the highway when equipped with the popular 304-horsepower direct injected V-6. Camaro has been a leader in the regular sports car segment for the last five months.

Demand for the Camaro continues to be strong, as Chevrolet now has more than 36,000 sold orders for the car.

The all-new 2010 Equinox is a compact crossover that combines distinctive design, extensive functionality and outstanding efficiency. At 32 mpg highway, the Equinox gets better fuel economy than the Honda CR-V and the Toyota RAV-4. It even beats the Ford Escape Hybrid while costing $7,000 less.

In just a few short months, Equinox has captured 10 percent of the critical compact crossover segment, its best share since August of 2007 and up 4.6 percent from a year ago. More than half of 2010 Equinox customers traded in a non-GM vehicle (based on internal PIN data). Demand is so strong for the Equinox that the plant where it is built recently added a third shift.

- By: Omar Rana

Saab dealers in the United States are running out of inventory as the Swedish brand cuts production to save cash and prepare for its first new model in seven years.

“We have about 10 Saabs left, and they won’t last long,” said Ivan Goodwin, sales manager at Jim Ellis Saab in Atlanta. “It’s going to be a big problem, but there is nothing we can do about it.”

General Motors, which preparing to sell Saab to Koenigsegg, has slowed down assembly of current models to retool its Swedish factory to build the new 9-5 sedan. It was announced last week that Koenigsegg will reject 81 of the brand’s U.S. dealerships. That will leave Saab with 137 dealers in the United States.

- By: Stephen Calogera

Source: Bloomberg

Earlier in July, Bob Lutz confirmed that the Cadillac CTS-V Coupe is on the way with a possibility of a CTS-V Sport Wagon. It was later confirmed by an ‘inside source’ that CTS-V lineup will be extended to the Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon. Today, CARandDRIVER is reporting that Bob Lutz has confirmed a production CTS-V Sport Wagon, bringing more validity to the report.

An excerpt from CARandDRIVER:

“You know what’s really going to get you guys [on board with wagons] is the CTS-V wagon.”

“Oh, has the wagon been confirmed?” we asked, already aware that the hot-rod CTS would also be available as a coupe. “Yes,” he replied, “You’ll be able to get the CTS-V any way you want.”

2010 Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon:

- By: Stephen Calogera

Source: CARandDRIVER

At the 2009 SEMA Show earlier this month, Jay Leno unveiled his twin-turbocharged version of the 3.6L V6 Chevrolet Camaro. With the help of Turbonetics T-3 turbochargers, output was taken up to a total of 425-hp. Apparently, when the turbochargers aren’t being used, there is virtually no loss in the fuel-economy of the base 3.6L V6 engine. Sounds pretty cool huh?

Well, according to GM’s Bob Lutz, Chevrolet may “perhaps” do a twin-turbocharged version of the Camaro. Nothing is confirmed but the “perhaps” does leave the door open for some turbos in the upcoming Z28. Pervious reports have suggested that the Camaro Z28 will get the 557-hp 6.2L supercharged V8 from the Cadillac CTS-V.

Lutz also confirmed that the Camaro Synergy concept will enter production along with an all-black special-edition model.

The Jay Leno Chevrolet Camaro (2009 SEMA):

Chevrolet Camaro Synergy:

- By: Omar Rana

Source: Straightline

When the 2011 Buick Regal goes on sale in the second-quarter of 2010, it will be offered with a 2.4L inline 4-cylinder engine making 182-hp and a maximum torque of 172 lb-ft. A turbocharged variant making 220-hp will join the lineup later next year.

However, for those of you looking for more power from the new Regal (basically an Opel Insignia OPC version of the Regal) you’re in for a treat. According to Bob Lutz, under consideration is the revival of the Regal GS with the same 335-hp 2.8L turbocharged V6 and all-wheel-drive as the Regal’s European sibling, the Opel Insignia OPC.

Also under consideration is the Regal Sport Wagon, a Buick version of the Insignia Sports Tourer that will compete with the upcoming Acura TSX wagon. Lutz said that GM may definitely consider the model if the new Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon does well in the U.S. market.

Now only if we can get the Regal Sport Wagon in a GS trim – we’ll be satisfied.

Click here for more news on the Buick Regal.

2011 Buick Regal:

- By: Omar Rana

Source CARandDRIVER

Speaking at the NASCAR Sprint Cup series race at the Phoenix International Raceway on Sunday, Sen. John McCain said that he believes Chrysler Group LLC is unlikely to survive even after receiving nearly $15 billion in U.S. government loans.

“No, I don’t think we ever should have bailed out Chrysler and General Motors,” McCain said. “We should have let them go into bankruptcy, emerge and become viable corporations again.”

McCain said that throwing billions into the two companies was due to the political clout of the United Auto workers.

“It was all about the unions. The unions didn’t want to have their very generous contracts renegotiated so we put $80 billion into both General Motors and Chrysler, and anybody believes that Chrysler is going to survive, I’d like to meet them,” McCain said.

General Motors and Chrysler have both undergone bankruptcy and have come out as new companies with healthier balance sheets.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: Detroit News