“Since this generation went on sale in mid-2009 we have sold every Equinox we can build, but we aren’t counting on that momentum to carry us,” said Russ Clark, director, Chevrolet marketing. “We have carefully selected technologies that our customers will find valuable and are able to offer them at very attractive prices.”

The Chevrolet MyLink infotainment package now lets owners integrate online services such as Pandora internet radio and Stitcher SmartRadio using hands-free voice and touch-screen controls via Bluetooth-enabled smartphones.

The 2012 Chevrolet Equinox also features crash- avoidance system that uses a single camera to help drivers avoid front-end and lane departure crashes.

Powertrain choices include a 2.4 liter DOHC 4-cylinder making 182-hp or a 3.0 liter V6 engine making 264-hp.

- By: Omar Rana

GM’s tire pressure monitoring system on the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain has, as per the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, failed to meet federal standards. The two models are being recalled by GM for repair.

Equinox and Terrain models built between July 18 and September 6 totaling 33,964 units are impacted by the recall. A sticker placed on the driver-side door jamb has the build date for the vehicle on it.

The two popular models have been growing in sales since they hit dealers in 2010, with the Equinox up 33% from September 2010 as of this September, and 45% for the same time frame on the Terrain.

In the next few weeks the recall will begin, as poor tire pressure can lead to blowouts, crashes, and other issues, like a decrease in fuel economy. Chevrolet can be contacted for further information at 800-630-2438. GM dealers will be correcting the problem at no cost to the owner.

- By: Alexandra Koken

The 2012 Buick LaCrosse eAssist, which starts at $29,960, delivers up to 37 mpg highway fuel-economy. The new 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco will also utilize the eAssist system 2.4L Ecotec direct-injection 4-cylinder.

According to sources, GM’s popular crossovers, the Chevrolet Equinox and the GMC Terrain, will soon get eAssist technology. When? The eAssist system will be offered on the 2014 Equinox and Terrain and will be the same system used by the LacRosse and Malibu.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: GMI

The Chevrolet Equinox and the GMC Terrain are very popular sellers for General Motors. The automaker has added as many a 100 workers to its Canadian plant that builds the two crossovers as demand shows no signs of slowing down.

According to Dan Borthwick, president of Canadian Auto Workers Local 88, GM added 100 workers to its assembly line at its CAMI Automotive Inc. plant in Ingersoll, Ontario.

Borthwick said that the move will increase production by more than 50 vehicles a day, to more than 1,100 units a day. The plant has been running three shifts and Saturday overtime shifts for nearly 2 years to meet high demand, he said.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: Automotive News

Chevrolet's 4-Cylinder Lineup

Four-cylinder models have moved to the top of consumer shopping lists, due to demand for fuel – efficiency and advancements in technology. In 2007, four-cylinder models represented 23% of Chevrolet retail sales, while so far this year, that number is up to 46%.

“The shift in consumer preference evidenced by Chevrolet’s lineup is a great example of how much four-cylinder engines have improved across the industry,” said Bill Visnic, analyst and senior editor for Edmunds AutoObserver.com. “Four cylinders used to be something to settle for. But advances in engine design and technology have made four-cylinder engines vastly more refined, and power output has increased to where V-6 engines were just a few years ago.”

Technologies such as turbocharging, variable valve timing, and direct injection allow smaller engined cars to receive a boost in power.

“Chevrolet’s investment in advanced engine technology is reflected in the increased popularity of our four-cylinder models,” said Rick Scheidt, U.S. vice president, Chevrolet. “These technologies offer the performance and refinement drivers expect from Chevy in smaller engines that deliver the fuel efficiency they want.”

- By: Stephen Calogera

2011 Ford Mustang GT

Consumer Reports has released its annual all-American Top Picks for 2011, which consists of well, all-American vehicles. To meet the qualifications for being named a Top Pick by Consumer Reports a car must:

- By: Omar Rana

General Motors is coming back strong… well, at least its Chevrolet brand is. The brand was the top selling brand in the United States in January with sales totaling 125,389 units during the month.

“We are encouraged to see Chevrolet’s momentum in 2010 carryover to the new year,” said Alan Batey, vice president, Chevrolet Sales and Service. “Because of our great products, more customers chose Chevrolet in January than any other brand in the United States. In fact, Chevrolet edged out Ford by almost 4,000 vehicles and outsold Toyota by more than 25,500.”

Crossover sales were up 36 percent with the Chevrolet Equinox gaining 46 percent in retail sales, marking the fifth-consecutive month of year-over-year sales for the compact car. Chevrolet passenger car sales were up 33 percent with the Cruze selling 12,014 units, a 129 percent increase over the Cobalt that it replaced. Sales of Chevrolet trucks were up 32 percent with sales of the Suburban, Tahoe and Avalanche up 26 percent. The Chevrolet Silverado was up 35 percent over Jan. 2010.

- By: Omar Rana

2011 Chevrolet Equinox LTZ

General Motors announced today that it is recalling close to 98,000 units of the 2011 model year Chevrolet Equinox, GMC Terrain and Cadillac SRX. The recall is being taken because the front seatbelts could become loose in a crash, which could lead to injury. The problem was discovered during seatbelt development tests in Sept. and the two incidents that occurred during the tests were on the driver’s side seatbelt.

A total of 97,843 vehicles are being recalled in the United States including 59,606 Chevrolet Equinox models, 25,674 GMC Terrain models and 12,563 Cadillac SRX models.

GM will start notifying owners of the vehicles involved in January. All of the repairs will be paid for by GM.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: CNNMoney

2011 Chevrolet Equinox LTZ

Calling back workers that were previously laid off and hiring new workers is what makes good headlines for an automaker that was once going through bankruptcy and shutting down plants. General Motors announced yesterday that it will add a third shift at its Oshawa Assembly Plant in Ontario to increase production of the Chevrolet Equinox crossover.

The new shift will add 600 workers to the plant, GM said. GM is using Oshawa to help its main Equinox plant, CAMI, keep up with consumer demand for the Equinox and its platform sibling, the GMC Terrain.

The Oshawa plant has two assembly lines, one producing Chevrolet Impala sedans and Equinox on one line and Chevrolet Camaro sports cars on the other. Later this year, GM will add another shift of 700 to the Camaro line to add a Camaro Convertible and Buick Regal.

Spokesman Jason Easton said that when all is said and done, all 1,100 workers laid off at Oshawa in recent months will have been recalled and about 200 new hires will be made.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)

2011 Kia Sorento

According to Wards Auto forecast, the number of U.S. market light-vehicle nameplates on the way to record 100,000 delivers in 2010 represent a 39.1 percent increase over 2009. On the way to the fourth-quarter, the sales trend line indicated 32 cars and light trucks that will hit or pass the 100,000 unit mark. That number is up from 23 in 2009.

Newcomers to the 100,000 unit club include the Nissan Versa, Chevrolet Traverse and the Kia Sorento. The Sorento hit 68,835 units through August and has already outperformed its best-ever full year of sales in 2004, which totaled 52,878.

Other vehicles to hit the 100,000 mark in 2010 that didn’t make it in 2009 include the Chevrolet Equinox, Chrysler Town & Country, Mazda3, Ford Edge, Ford Econoline and the Honda Pilot.

2011 Kia Sorento:

- By: Omar Rana

Source: WardsAuto

2011 Chevrolet Equinox

In another random announcement about sales (following the one about the Chevrolet Cruze, Buick LaCrosse and the Cadillac CTS), General Motors released a statement saying that nearly two out of three buyers for the Chevrolet Equinox and Traverse have traded in non-Chevrolet vehicles so far in 2010. Nearly half of those buyers traded in a non-GM vehicles and that Cadillac, Buick and GMC trade-ins account for only 9 percent of purchases for both models.

“Cadillac, Buick, and GMC trade-ins account for only 9 percent of purchases for both vehicles,” GM said in a statement. “The crossovers are helping Chevrolet retain owners of discontinued GM brands, which were offered in 11 percent of Equinox trade-ins and 9 percent of Traverse trade-ins.”

The rest 45 percent of Chevrolet Traverse buyers and 44 percent of Equinox buyers traded in a non-GM vehicle.

“Equinox and Traverse are attracting owners of competitive vehicles, including Fords, Toyotas, and Hondas to Chevrolet showrooms,” said Alan Batey, vice president, Chevrolet Sales and Service. “For these buyers, Equinox and Traverse offer the flexibility and fuel efficiency they have been looking for in a crossover, as well as the design, performance and value that define Chevrolet.”

GM has sold more than 120,000 units of the Equinox and Traverse during the first six months of 2010, an increase of 80 percent from the same period a year ago.

Click here for our review on the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox.

- By: Omar Rana

Engineers from General Motors” Dept. 180 are back once again and this week they are telling us how they put the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox through a parade of punishments including harsh weather, terrain and durability tests.

Check out the latest Dept. 180 video after the jump.

Click here for our review of the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox.

Review: 2010 Chevrolet Equinox 1LT:

Review: 2010 Chevrolet Equinox 1LT:

- By: Kap Shah

General Motors said today that it will be adding additional production of the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox and 2010 GMC Terrain in order to meet growing customer demand of the hot-selling crossover/SUVs. GM said Equinox/Terrain combined sales are up 100% in Canada and 128% in US over last quarter.

The Detroit automaker will be adding a third shift to support Chevrolet Equinox production in Oshawa on the Consolidated Line in October and is expected to help the return of approximately 600 employees to the plant. At CAMI, all laid off employees will soon be recalled and the additional body shop volume required to support the Equinox build in Oshawa is expected to result in the need for approximately 70 new jobs, at CAMI by August of this year. The plan also enables CAMI to increase GMC Terrain volumes.

Click here to read our review on the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox.

“This plan for CAMI and Oshawa allows us to meet customer demand for hot products while avoiding a potential production over-capacity situation by creatively using our assets and facilities,” said Mark Reuss, president of GM North America. “This innovative approach enables us to ramp up in a timely and cost-effective way and highlights the importance of these plants and communities in our North American plans.”

2010 Chevrolet Equinox:

2010 GMC Terrain:

- By: Omar Rana

You probably hate the hassle involved when shopping for a new car and going from dealer to dealer. Well, General Motors plans on changing all that with its new “Test Drive Studio” program, which will offer shoppers the chance to test-drive Chevrolet vehicles against those of its largest rivals.

According to Steve Tihanyi, GM’s general director of marketing services, GM will offer new car shoppers the chance to test-drive the Equinox, Traverse and Malibu along with competing vehicles from Toyota, FoMoCo and Honda.

“You come in and drive any of these competitive products at your leisure,” Tihanyi told Reuters. “You don’t have to go running around town to go to a bunch of dealerships. It fits perfectly with ‘May the best car win,’”

Click here to read our review on the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox.

GM is now leasing space in free-standing, high-traffic retail locations and plans to get the program up and running by mid-spring.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: Reuters

Engineers from General Motors’ Dept. 180 are back this week to explain another crucial test they conducted to make sure buyers of the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox are as comfortable as possible.

Following the smoke test that checks for leaks and the climate test, Dept. 180 now explains the seat test.

In this episode the Dept. 180 engineers break down how seat comfort is measured and implemented into the 2010 Chevy Equinox. Seat comfort is a vital, yet often overlooked aspect of car design. Watch as testers of all different shapes and sizes have some fun with the seat testing process.

Hit the jump for the video.

Click here for our review of the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox.

Review: 2010 Chevrolet Equinox 1LT:

Dept. 180 | EQ10B | Seat Right:

Review: 2010 Chevrolet Equinox 1LT:

- By: Kap Shah

General Motors’ Project Driveway, which involves 120 Chevrolet Equinox Fuel Cell electric vehicles, was set up to see how hydrogen fuel-cell powered vehicles adapt to the real world and if customers will be able to use them as daily drivers.

One of the more impressive aspects of the Project Driveway project was to see if these fuel-cell electric vehicles hold up to accidents. According to Charlie Freese, who is in charge of GM’s fuel-cell program, five of GM’s hydrogen fuel-cell powered Equinox units have been involved in accidents and none have resulted in a catastrophic hydrogen explosion.

Freese says that all models are designed to withhold accidents so the tanks will leak in a jet of flame if ruptured and ignited – meaning the vehicle won’t explode.

GM announced yesterday that it is testing a “production-intent” hydrogen fuel-cell system that can fit in the space of a 4-cylinder engine and be ready for commercial production by 2015.

- By: Kap Shah

Source: DriveOn

Early last month, General Motors released a video of its engineers from Dept. 180 putting the Chevrolet Equinox through a test to ensure a quiet ride by filling a pressurized 2010 Chevrolet Equinox with smoke to look for leaks. Dept. 180 is back again and this time they are showing us how they put a vehicle through Climatic Wind Tunnel program where they test to see how vehicle behaves in hot and cold extreme conditions.

People seem love the wittiness of these videos and we hope GM will release some more.

For now check out the latest Dept. 180 video after the jump.

Click here for our review of the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox.

Review: 2010 Chevrolet Equinox 1LT:

Dept. 180 | EQ10B | Climatic Wind Tunnels:

Review: 2010 Chevrolet Equinox 1LT:

- By: Kap Shah

What exactly is a smoke test? Basically, its a test conducted by GM engineers to ensure a quiet ride by filling a pressurized 2010 Chevrolet Equinox with smoke to test for leaks.

And for a little fun they fill it with some other stuff. Weird stuff. Stuff their bosses wish they hadn’t.

Check out the video after the jump.

Click here for our review of the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox.

Review: 2010 Chevrolet Equinox 1LT:

All Photos Copyright © 2009 Omar Rana ““ egmCarTech.

Review: 2010 Chevrolet Equinox 1LT: