After a few major incidents and fiascoes in the last few years, there was much speculation about the future of the Formula 1 US Grand Prix in Indy. This was probably all fueled by the conflicts that erupted after each “problem” and a long feud between F1 management and USGP organizers. read more…
As was the case in the past, it appears that the new Camaro will be Canadian built as well.
GM has chosen Oshawa Ontario as the location in which the reborn legend will be built. This is also yet more good news for the Oshawa plant, who was going to be the victim of cutbacks as a result of recent tough times for the General; with this news and recent success of GM’s midsized sedans, however, things are looking better.
In connection to this, GM is also expected to announce their decision to modernize its Oshawa plant: they wish to turn the plant into a flexible manufacturing facility capable of churning out 500,000 vehicles on a rear-drive platform and basic chassis. Specifically, what they wish to build is the Zeta platform cars which will start with the Camaro and could eventually include the Impala, Lucerne and DTS, sources said.
GM’s target for the Camaro is apparently approximately 100,000 units, once production is fully underway.
One of the oldest brands that exists today, the name Buick can be said to be synonymous with automotive excellence; they could also be defined as being the quintessential American car.
With the current situation at GM, this brand of rich heritage has often been the target of a lot of flak and even put on the chopping block of many armchair CEOs throughout the world. Why would they, you ask? Well due to a certain product starvation, which many of GM’s less mainstream brands (Pontiac, Buick, Oldsmobile, Saturn), they have developped a less prestigeous image over the past couple of decades.
Today, Buick finds itself in a much better position. With all-around great product like the Lucerne and more coming down the pipeline, like the Enclave, it could be said that the brand is back. However, they now face a few challenges, mostly to change the public’s perception.
A certain group of Buick enthusiasts hopes to work on changing this though: this is their story and what they have to say. read more…
Tom Peters, GM Director of Design of the 2006 Chevrolet Camaro Concept Car, drives the car for the first time at GM’s proving grounds in Milford, Michigan.
Go along for the ride by viewing the video embedded below!
It’s definitely a must see for all Camaro enthusiasts as the video includes interesting commentary, straight from the director of design on the new Camaro project. While it may not be the hands on experience of going for an actual test drive, you definitely still do get a bit of a feel, as well as the work, effort, passion and inspiration that went into its creation.
(video provided by GM Fastlane Blog)
The end of an era and hopefully the start of a revolution. This time we get see part of the start of the propagation of real viable alternatives to conventional gasoline and diesel.
Every year, JD Powers and Associates studies the dependability of various makes and models of vehicles throughout the first three years of ownership. This year’s VDS is based on the reporting of problems per vehicle with model year 2003 vehicles after said initial three years of ownership. read more…
The same automaker that brought us the return of V8 to mainstream passenger cars and which brought back its performance line of Hemi engines (and has been sticking these Hemis in practically everything) has decided it may be time for a change. Wise choice, in my opinion.
Starting this year, Chrysler Group will put a focus on fuel efficiency with all new vehicles that it launches; this includes the new family on engines that they are currently working on. There will also be an increase in technologies and capabilities such as FlexFuel: a capability that allows an engine to run on regular gasoline, or E85 which is a mixture of gasoline and ethanol.
Ten per cent of Chrysler Group vehicles produced over the past eight years are flex-fuel capable; today, there are 1.5 million ethanol-capable Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge vehicles in service. In 2007, the company will produce 250,000 more, and in 2008, will double the number to 500,000. Starting next year, the company will install bright yellow fuel caps on all FFVs, as General Motors currently does, to let customers know at a glance that it is flex-fuel capable. The FFV vehicles will also be badged as such.
