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

We’ve heard it before and today we’re hearing it again. GMC has plans to build the Granite Concept crossover to GMC’s lineup as a production model. Pegged to be a step down from the Terrain Crossover, the GMC Granite is said to appeal to buyers with “urban lifestyles” and will compete with the likes of the Scion xB and the Kia Soul.

First time at egmCarTech? Visit our home page for the latest news.

The concept had a 1.4L four-banger that was turbocharged and had a six-speed manual transmission. We haven’t heard of any confirmed news in terms of the power and drivetrains, but we can ponder about the possibility of a 2.0L turbo four-banger with the option of a 2.5L naturally aspirated four-pot.

Other details have yet to be release, but as usual, more news about the Granite should come out as time passes by.

Other than that, GMC has plans to add a Denali version of the Terrain in 2012 for the 2013 model year followed by a Terrain eAssist mild hybrid in 2013 for the 2014 model year. A new GMC Yukon is due in 2013 for the 2014 model year followed by a new redesign Acadia for the 2015 model year. The GMC Sierra will be redesigned and reengineered for the 2014 model year in 2013.

- By: Chris Chin

Source: Automotive News

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

General Motors wants GMC to become more upscale while distancing itself from Chevy. According to Mark Reuss, the line between the two brands has become pretty blurry and has weakened GMC’s image as an upscale truck brand that commands a premium price tag.

“We need to make sure that we drive the differentiation in the product and the price to create that separation that we know we can on GMC and Chevrolet,” Reuss said. “I don’t think we have the margin opportunity set up quite right with GMC.”

Most of GMC’s lineup shares its DNA with the Chevrolet brand, but have different sheet metal and some extra features. Honestly, if you ask us there isn’t really any difference between Chevrolet and GMC vehicles besides the badge unless you really go all-out and purchase a ‘Denali.’

During the first 4 months of 2011, GMC sales increased 32% to 121,993 units while Chevrolet sales rose 23% to 289,083 units.

Reuss believes that GM’s two-brand strategy to pickups hasn’t really been executed well. He believes that GMC should tap deeper into Denali to move the brand more upscale.

“I think we can do premium Chevrolets, and take GMC and move it even further up,” Reuss told Automotive News.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: Automotive News

A 2011 GMC Yukon Denali undergoes antenna reception testing

Tired of not having signal when traveling somewhere in the boondocks, mountain pass or a concrete canyon. General Motors is working on a solution that will give the on-the-go consumer nothing to worry about wireless signal strength. The first vehicle to get the technology will be the 2011 GMC Yukon Denali.

The tech-savvy engineers at GM created a first-of-its-kind gigantic signal-testing facility to keep data, cell phone and other signals active in areas where wireless signal strength is limited.  The Yukon Denali is one of the first vehicles to get this technology, which looks like something out of a sci-fi movie.

Teaming up with transmission tech giant SATIMO SA, GM created the world’s first ‘vehicle-sized electronically modulated spherical near-field antenna testing system,’ or ATS. The $750,000 ATS beams signals from 103 probes down to a vehicle on a rotating platform. The data is then used to optimize satellite antenna design and placement on GMC and other GM vehicles.

“There are only two other vehicle antenna validation systems like this anywhere in the world,” said Janalee Graham, who runs ATS “arch” testing for GM. “And ours was the first.

Check out the video after the jump for more details.

- By: Omar Rana

Jay Leno with the Jaguar C-X75

Although many people hate the environment for its smug megalomania, and frequent natural disasters, most celebrities seem to love it. While most celebrities phone-in support by wearing t-shirts and wristbands for charitable causes (also known as “slacktivism”), a select few walk-the-walk and drive-the-drive. The following celebrities rock environmentally friendly automobiles in support of polar bears and free tree love.

Check out our full list after the jump.

1. Leonardo DiCaprio

• Electric-car: Tesla Roadster.
• Fuel Economy: Fully-Electric (245 miles on a single charge).
• Price: $101,500.
• Type of Car: Sports Car.

Leonardo DiCaprio owns a Tesla Roadster

For years, DiCaprio has been a huge proponent of green initiatives. He was the first celeb to own, and spread the Gospel, about the Toyota Prius in 2001, prompting him to exclaim, “I am the King of the World….’s first successfully marketed hybrid car!” DiCaprio has owned several hybrids and electrics over the years, including the Tesla Roadster, which is fully-electric, and can go from 0 to 60 in 3.7 seconds.

2. Cameron Diaz

• Hybrid: Toyata Prius
• Fuel Economy: 52 MPG
• Price: $22,800
• Type of Car: Mid-Sized Sedan

Cameron Diaz owns a Toyota Prius

“It gets 52 miles per gallon in the city. Isn’t that exciting?” Cameron Diaz said about her hybrid car in an interview with Jay Leno. Diaz went on to say in the interview, “The craziest thing is, ’cause all of a sudden you just, like, you’re sitting at the stop sign. And you can’t hear anything. And you’re like, ‘Omigod! My car has died!’ And then all of a sudden you step on the gas, and you’re going again.”

Despite inadvertently setting the hybrid movement back dozens of years by sounding like a 16-year-old girl, Diaz has been a vocal proponent of hybrid cars, and has been photographed extensively by the media while zooming around town in her Prius.

3. George Clooney

• Electric-car: Tango 600.
• Fuel Economy: Fully-Electric (range is between 40-100 miles depending on battery.
• Price: $108,600.
• Type of Car: Hatchback Mini.

George Clooney with the Tango 600

Known for being a loner, it is perhaps fitting that George Clooney is the proud owner of a Tango 600, a one-passenger fully-electric car. Maybe he got the one passenger car to prove to himself that he doesn’t need anybody—it’s just him, his Tango, and the open road.

Or maybe the one seat is just to inspire his ladies to climb on top of him, a la Kristy Swanson in The Chase. Regardless of its looks, this goofy car can move, going 0 to 60 in less than four seconds, with a top speed of over 130 mph.

4. Barack Obama

• Hybrid: Ford Escape
• Fuel Economy: 34 MPG
• Price: $21,215
• Type of Car: Mid-Sized SUV

Barack Obama with the Ford Escape Hybrid

Before he became President, and began being carted around by gas-guzzling motorcades and 747’s, Obama was driving a Ford Escape. In fact, after buying the green car, he said something like, “Yes we can…go on a family vacation to Laredo, Texas, on half the amount of fuel consumption of traditional mid-sized SUVs.”

American drivers everywhere applauded at first, but then took a 180 degree turn a year later, and blamed him for everything from traffic congestion to the rising prices of gasoline.

5. Dave Matthews

• Hybrid: Honda Insight
• Fuel Economy: 43 MPG
• Price: 18,200
• Type of Car: Mid-Sized Sedan

Dave Matthews owns a Honda Insight

Dave Matthews is a rock star who is known for his support of environmental issues. In addition to driving a Honda Insight, he has joined the fight against global warming, and uses bio-diesel fuel on his tour buses. His environmentally-conscious visage was slightly marred in 2004, however, when he was punished and publicly vilified for a pollution charge, after his tour crew emptied their bus’s septic system waste off of a bridge in Chicago. The band was subsequently fined $200,000 for this incident.

6. Paris Hilton

• Hybrid: GMC Yukon Denali Hybrid
• Fuel Economy: 23 MPG
• Price: 22,800
• Type of Car: Full-Sized SUV

Paris Hilton drives a GMC Yukon Hybrid

Paris Hilton has contributed to green initiatives in a small way, buying a hybrid SUV, a GMC Yukon Hybrid, and going on to say that it’s the little things people do every day that make a huge difference.

7. Jay Leno

• Electric-car: Chrysler Crossfire (Retrofitted With a Lithium I-Cell)
• Fuel Economy: Fully-Electric
• Price: N/A
• Type of Car: Sports Car

Jay Leno owns Chrysler Crossfire fitted with a lithium-ion battery

Jay Leno is a car buff. That has been documented. But an environment buff? In 2005, Leno bought the first lithium I-Cell-powered sports car. The battery allows the retrofitted Chrysler Crossfire to produce zero emissions, and reach speeds of more than 100 miles an hour.

This is all well and good, but considering Leno owns over 50 other cars, many luxury and high-performance sports cars that get less than 15 miles per gallon, you could hardly say that he’s “going green.” That’s like eating an entire bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken, and then having a bowl of sugar-free Jell-O for dessert, and saying that you’re “dieting.”

8. Al Gore

• Hybrid: Mercury Mariner Hybrid
• Fuel Economy: 34 MPG
• Price: $23,565
• Type of Car: Mid-Sized SUV

Al Gore owns a Mercury Mariner Hybrid

Al Gore won a Nobel Peace Prize for raising awareness of environmental issues, principally through his documentary, An Inconvenient Truth, which he made after scrapping his original documentary idea that dealt with the shooting of Abraham Lincoln, entitled An Inconvenient Booth.

Because of this, Gore drives a Mercury Mariner hybrid. The Gore-mobile gets 34 miles per gallon—but it can go 25 miles per hour on zero-tailpipe-emission electric power. The car’s 2.3-liter engine shuts down when it is not needed, such as during coasting, idling at stoplights, and crawling through slow traffic.

CONCLUSION

There you have it: almost as much as attention, communism, and godlessness, celebrities love the environment. Judging from how many celebrities drive “green” cars today, it’s safe to say that if you buy a “green” car, you too will feel famous.

- By: The egmCarTech Staff

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)

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