GM announced today that it is starting construction next week on its new $200 million facility that will create around 180 jobs. The new plant is a part of GM’s Arlington manufacturing complex and will be responsible for producing the next generation of full-size Chevrolet Tahoes, Suburbans, GMC Yukons and Cadillac Escalades.

“Our investment in GM’s Arlington plant is one more example of GM strengthening the economy and creating jobs throughout the many U.S. communities where GM does business,” said GM Manufacturing Manager Larry Zahner.

The plant currently receives stamps from several GM plants with some pars coming from more than 1,000 miles away.

GM’s new investment in the facility is on top of a $331 million investment to purchase tooling and equipment and expand the Arlington Assembly Plant that was announced along with 110 additional jobs in May 2011.

- By: Omar Rana

General Motors announced last week that it will be investing $331 million to purchase tooling and equipment and expand its Arlington Assembly Plant to make future Chevrolet Tahoes, Suburbans, GMC Yukons and Cadillac Escalades.

While GM never confirmed when the next-generation models of its full-size SUVs will arrive, sources say that model will debut in 2013 as 2014 models.

According to industry analysts, the next-generation models of full-size SUVs are likely to carry a premium to meet new fuel-economy regulations.

“They will be more expensive to engineer and build because of the need for lighter weight materials,” said Tracy Handler, an analyst at IHS Automotive. “I expect prices to be higher.”

No word on powertrain choices for the next-generation of full-size SUVs from GM.

Side note: It would be interesting to see a full-size Buick SUV.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: Automotive News

Here is another announcement from General Motors that coincides with the $2 billion U.S. investment it announced for 17 facilities in eight states on May 10. The Detroit automaker said that it will be adding 110 jobs and will invest $331 million to purchase tooling and equipment and expand its Arlington Assembly Plant to make future Chevrolet Tahoes, Suburbans, GMC Yukons and Cadillac Escalades.

“This investment will allow us to continue building award-winning full-size SUVs that offer better fuel efficiency than ever before without sacrificing the features and functionality they’ve come to expect,” GM Manufacturing Manager Larry Zahner said Thursday. “We remain committed to providing customers the utility and capability of our world-class full-size SUVs.”

GM said that the investment is primarily for manufacturing machinery, equipment, special tooling and an expansion of the current facility.

The 110 new jobs will be added to an existing workforce of 2,400 hourly and salaried employees at Arlington.

- By: Omar Rana

2009 GMC Acadia SLT

It isn’t only Toyota that faces recalls in the millions – General Motors has announced a recall consisting of 1.5 million vehicles to address a problem with the heated windshield wiper fluid system that could lead to a fire, its second recall over the same issue in two years.

GM conducted a similar recall two years ago but said it has come across reports of new fires. The company said it had reports of five fires but there were no injuries or crashes reported. The recall consists of 1.4 million vehicles in the United States, 100,000 in Canada, Mexico and other international markets.

This time around, GM said it would completely disable the heated washer fluid system feature and will pay car owners and those leasing the vehicles $100 since the system is being deactivated.

The recalled vehicles cover the following 2006-2009 model year vehicles:

• 2006-2009 Buick Lucerne
• 2006-2009 Cadillac DTS
• 2006-2009 Hummer H2
• 2008-2009 Buick Enclave
• 2008-2009 Cadillac CTS
• 2007-2009 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV and Escalade EXT
• 2007-2009 Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado, Suburban and Tahoe
• 2007-2009 GMC Acadia, Sierra, Yukon and Yukon XL
• 2007-2009 Saturn Outlook
• 2009 Chevrolet Traverse.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: Yahoo News

Around 6 million General Motors light pickup trucks and SUVs are under federal investigation for possible brake-line failure that can be caused by corrosion. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said its first stage of formal investigation covers Chevrolet Silverados, Avalanches, Suburbans and GMC Sierras, Tahoes and Yukons from the 1999 to 2003 model years.

NHTSA said that it received 110 owner complaints of “loss of breaking effectiveness,” 37 of which were confirmed by dealers. Three of the complaints allege that corroded brake line failure led to crashes.

In addition to the light pickup trucks, the NHTSA is also investigating 189,000 heavy-duty pickups for the same problem.

- By: Kap Shah

Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)

Just last summer, the future of General Motors’ full-size SUVs was in doubt. The automaker had put the development of its large full-size SUV lineup, the automaker’s big moneymakers, on hold as it dealt with Chapter 11 bankruptcy, the recession and unstable gas prices.

Well, times have changed and GM is now working on the next-generation of the Chevrolet Suburban and the Cadillac Escalade, which should be on the road in about three years. The GMC Yukon will also get a next-generation model.

Rather than switching over to the Lambda large crossover platform, the full-sized SUVs will remain on GM’s rear-wheel-drive platform.

“The SUVs are aimed at people who need more than two rows, and they need capability,” said Rick Spina, GM’s global vehicle line executive for full-sized trucks. “They are very fond of their SUVs, and we will continue to serve them. Sales are picking up, plus there aren’t too many players in the game.”

The automaker sold 184,000 full-sized SUVs in the United States last year, down 25 percent from 2008.

- By: Kap Shah

Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)

The Chevrolet Suburban is the first vehicle in the industry to achieve 75 years in production and to celebrate the milestone, Chevrolet unveiled the new 2010 Chevrolet 75th Anniversary Diamond Edition Suburban at the 2010 Chicago Auto Show today.

The special-edition Suburban is painted in White Diamond Tricoat along with other modifications that include a Cashmere interior, 20-inch chrome-clad wheels, special badging on the C-pillar sail panel and steering wheel center cap and “Diamond Edition” lettering used on the sill plates and front seats.

Power for the base Chevrolet Suburban comes with a Vortec 5.3L FlexFuel engine mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission, allowing for a maximum towing capacity of 8,100 pounds. The Suburban 2500 models run on a 6.0L V8 6-speed powertrain with maximum towing rating of 9,600 pounds.

Sales of the 75th Anniversary Diamond Edition Suburban begin early this summer. Production will be limited to 2,570 units.

Press release and spec sheet posted after the jump.

2010 Chevrolet 75th Anniversary Diamond Edition Suburban:

Press Release:

Chevrolet Commemorates 75 Years Of The Suburban With New Diamond Edition

CHICAGO ““ Chevrolet announced the new 2010 75th Anniversary Diamond Edition Suburban to commemorate the pioneering SUV”s production milestone. It is the first vehicle in the industry to achieve 75 years in production.

“At Chevrolet we’re gratified with the customer acceptance of the Suburban, providing the room and utility they want for 75 years running,” said Jim Campbell, Chevrolet general manager. “We look forward to many more years of being the vehicle of choice for families and consumers who desire maximum utility.”

The 75th Anniversary Diamond Edition Suburban goes on sale early this summer and is limited to 2,570 units (including 350 for Canada and other export markets). It is distinguished by a White Diamond Tricoat exterior color and Cashmere interior, along with unique 20-inch chrome-clad wheels and new roof rack rails. Special badging adorns the C-pillar sail panel and steering wheel center cap, while “Diamond Edition” lettering is used on the sill plates and is embroidered on the front headrests.

The anniversary models are equipped with LTZ content and are offered in 1500 2WD or 4WD configurations. The LTZ content includes a comprehensive package of safety-minded technology, including an integrated navigation radio and a one-year subscription of XM Satellite Radio with NavTraffic, Bluetooth phone connectivity, a rearview camera system, rear parking assist, remote starting and adjustable pedals.

Leather-covered seating is standard, with heated seating for the first two rows. Heated and cooled seats are standard on the first-row seats. Optional equipment includes a DVD-based rear-seat entertainment system, articulating running boards, a sunroof and Side Blind Zone Alert. Mobile WiFi can also be added at the dealership.

75 years of capability

The content of the 75th Anniversary Diamond Edition Suburban is unique, but it”s built on a foundation of strength and capability that has propelled the brand for more than seven decades. Inside, the Suburban seats up to nine, while offering 45.8 cubic feet (1,297 L) of cargo space behind the third row. With the second-row seats folded and third-row seats removed, interior cargo space increases to 137.4 cubic feet (3,891 L).

A Vortec 5.3L FlexFuel engine and fuel-saving six-speed automatic transmission are standard in Suburban half-ton models, enabling a maximum towing capacity of 8,100 pounds (2,674 kg). Suburban 2500 models offer a 6.0L/six-speed powertrain combination and a maximum towing rating of 9,600 pounds (4,354 kg).

“Its capacity to haul passengers, their cargo and trailers all at once is what has made Suburban an institution among families, small businesses and large fleets,” said Campbell. “Time and again they return to the vehicle that meets all their needs ““ and for the past 75 years, it”s been Suburban.”

2010 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN SPECIFICATIONS

Overview

Engines

Transmissions

Chassis / Suspension

Brakes

Wheels / Tires

Dimensions

Exterior

Interior

Note: 3-passenger bench and 2-passenger bucket seats standard or optional depending on the model.

Capacities

- By: Kap Shah

As announced earlier this week, GM has cancelled its CXX program which was designed to develop the next-generation models of the Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban, GMC Yukon and the Cadillac Escalade SUVs. Prior to that it was reported that the Cadillac Escalade may move to the Lambda platform which currently underpins the GMC Acadia, Chevrolet Traverse and the Buick Enclave.

If the guys over at GMI are to be believed, GM has now greenlighted the next Chevrolet Suburban and the Cadillac Escalade to move to the Lambda platfom. According to GMI, no votes were made against the move by board members.

Sources close to the GM/Chrysler talks also say that if the merger between the two Detroit automakers should happen, the Dodge Caravan will also move to the Lambda platform which will also spawn a Chevrolet version of the minivan.

The reasons behind the move? To meet CAFE standards, cater to consumer demand for lighter unibody SUVs and to increase overall fuel-economy of large GM vehicles.

Source: GMI

It was pretty inevitable and now it’s confirmed that GM has canceled its CXX program – a program designed to develop the next-generation Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban SUVs along with siblings GMC Yukon and Cadillac Escalade.

According to The New York Times, vice chairman Bob Lutz has confirmed that the next-generation of these products have been canceled. He said: “It would have been very difficult in today’s environment to spend a couple of billion dollars to do a replacement.”

The next-generation Tahoe/Suburban along with the Yukon and Escalade were set to arrive in 2011 as 2012 models. GM had originally planned to spend a total of $2 billion on completely redesigning the SUVs and retooling the plants that build them.

It is still unclear whether the current models will continue in production until 2011 or will be eventually phased out. It’s been previously reported that the Cadillac Escalade could move to the Lamda platform used for the GMC Acadia, Saturn Outlook, Chevrolet Traverse and the Buick Enclave.

Source: InsideLine