Chevrolet Archives

Chevy has released its Super Bowl commercial that will air during the first quarter of Super Bowl XLVI on Sunday.

The spot, named "2012", shows the Silverado navigating the devastation and destruction predicted to occur this year by the Mayan calendar. A group of friends, who are Silverado owners, makes its way to the designated meeting spot but notice one of their buddies is missing. The missing friend, unfortunately, drives a Ford and doesn't appear to have made it to the meeting point. Ouch!

GM has announced that the first shipment of the all-new 2013 Chevy Malibu is on its way to showrooms across the United States.

The first version of the all-new Malibu offered in the U.S. is the 2013 Malibu Eco. As its name suggest, the Malibu Eco is focused on fuel economy. It's powered by GM's eAssist technology mated to a 2.4L four-cylinder engine, which according to GM yields 25 mpg in the city and 37 mph on the highway. The mild hybrid system combines start-stop technology with regenerative braking and a lightweight lithium-ion battery to provide an electric boost in certain conditions.

Later this summer all-new 190-hp Ecotec 2.5L engine debuts in the Malibu. GM has also confirmed that the Malibu will also eventually be offered with an Ecotec 2.0L turbocharged engine.

The 2013 Chevy Malibu Eco starts at $25,995.

Last year Chevy sold 4.76 million vehicles worldwide, which set a new sales record and pushed GM's global sales to more than 9 million vehicles, a 7.6 percent gain compared with 2010.

The U.S. had the highest sales with with total vehicle sales of 1,775,812, up more than 13 percent from 2010. China posted record sales of 595,068, up 9.5 percent from the previous year.

"Chevrolet's impressive growth in both established and developing markets is the result of a strong new product lineup that meets the diverse needs of consumers around the world," said GM Chairman and CEO Dan Akerson. "In addition to Chevrolet's record-setting sales, the entire lineup of GM vehicles is meeting customer needs for fuel-efficient cars and work vehicles as well as unmatched luxury."

The Chevy Cruze led Chevy's global sales with more than 670,000 sold in 2011, with more than 1.13 million sold since its launch in 2009. GM also stated that it will continue to make Chevy a more global brand, with more than 60 percent of its sales outside the U.S. market.

"Without doubt the new Chevrolet portfolio has been a catalyst for our success around the world," said Tim Lee, president of GM International Operations.

The current Chevy Corvette is entering its final year, which also happens to be the 60th anniversary of the Corvette. To celebrate the current-generation's (C6) last model year, Chevy is releasing the 2013 Corvette 427 Convertible Collector Edition.

The Corvette 427 Convertible blends elements of the Z06 and ZR1 models to create the fastest and most-capable convertible in Corvette's history. It's powered by a 7.0L LS7 engine from the Corvette Z06 that delivers 505 horsepower and 407 lb-ft. of torque. It's mated to a standard six-speed manual transmission and is the most powerful engine ever put in a production Corvette convertible.

The collector edition Corvette 427 also gets the driveline and rear axle system from the Corvette Z06, a rear-mounted battery and standard Magnetic Selective Ride Control. The standard 19-inch front and 20-inch rear wheels are wrapped in ZR1-style Michelin PS2 tires. To keep the weight down the Corvette 427 gets a carbon fiber raised hood, and carbon fiber fenders and floor panels. The weight reduction brings the 427 Convertible's curb weight to 3,355 pounds. It's lightweight helps the Corvette 427 reach 0-60 mph in 3.8 seconds, the in 11.8 seconds and a top speed of more than 190 mph.

A new 60th Anniversay package is also available on all 2013 Corvette models. It features an Arctic White exterior with a Blue Diamond leather-wrapped interior with suede accents. A ZR1-style rear spoiler, special badging, gray-painted brake calipers and the "60th" logo on the wheel center caps, steering wheel and seat headrests are also part of the package.

Chevy has introduced two new concepts today at the Detroit Auto Show, the Code 130R and Tru 140S concepts, which are aimed at inspiring next-generation buyers to take the wheel and suggest ideas for a car they can co-create.

"Chevy has always stood for making the aspirational attainable for all generations" said General Motors North America President Mark Reuss. "These two concepts interpret that vision for a new generation. We're seeking out our newest customers' opinions, listening to their advice, and engaging them in new ways."

Over the past year, Chevy has conversed with young consumers across the United States and based on their feedback these two concepts explore the styling and functionality this group of new buyers says they are looking for in a car.

The Code 130R concept is a four-seat coupe with an upright profile. It's painted in a red metallic paint with matte anodized gold wheels and is powered by a 1.4L turbocharged engine that sends its power to the rear wheels. The 1.4L turbocharged engine features GM's eAssist technology and puts out 150 horsepower and 148 lb-ft. of torque.

The Tru 140S concept is a front-wheel-drive "affordable exotic" four-seat coupe. The Tru 140S concept features a three-door hatchback design that is painted in matte white with chrome wheels. Chevy claims that the Tru 140 S "is designed to look confident, exotic, expensive and fast." The Tru 140S shares its platform with the Chevy Cruze and Volt. It's powered by a 150 horsepower 1.4L turbocharged Ecotec engine.

GM has unveiled the first two products from its joint venture with SAIC, the Chevy Sail hatchback and the Chevy MPV Concept, at the Auto Expo in New Delhi.

The Sail hatchback is slated to go on sale later this year in emerging markets, like India. The Sail's exterior get's Chevy's trademark dual-port grille adorned with a gold bowtie and the interior features the brand's dual-cockpit design. The Sail hatchback will be offered with both gasoline and diesel versions of GM India's latest Smartech engines.

"The Chevrolet Sail hatchback will be a strong addition to GM's mini-car portfolio in India," said GM India President and Managing Director Lowell Paddock. "It will bring a new sense of vitality to the biggest, fastest-growing and most competitive segment in the domestic passenger car market."

The MPV Concept is engineered for the MPV B segment in India and seats up to eight passengers. GM worked with Lotus to tune the chassis of the MPV concept that was also developed for the world's emerging markets.

"The Chevrolet MPV Concept is designed for those who want a spacious, comfortable and well-styled vehicle to enjoy life with their loved ones," said Paddock.

GM has announced new safety enhancements to the 2012 Chevy Volt in response to a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Preliminary Evaluation to examine post-severe crash battery performance. NHTSA opened its Preliminary Evaluation on Nov. 25 following a severe-impact lab test on a battery pack that resulted in an electrical fire six days later. The test was conducted to reproduce a coolant leak that occurred in a full-scale vehicle crash test last May that resulted in an electrical fire three weeks later.

The enhancements to the vehicle structure and battery coolant system in the Chevy Volt will further protect the battery from the possibility of an electrical fire occurring after a severe crash.

GM has announced these changes/ additions to the Volt:

-Strengthen an existing portion of the Volt's vehicle safety structure to further protect the battery pack in a severe side collision.
-Add a sensor in the reservoir of the battery coolant system to monitor coolant levels.
-Add a tamper-resistant bracket to the top of the battery coolant reservoir to help prevent potential coolant overfill.

2011 is officially over and for some of the automakers it was a difficult year with the earthquake in Japan and the flooding in Thailand that crippled production. Honda and Toyota were hit the hardest with sales falling off sharply for some of their popular models. Although Honda and Toyota had a difficult year, Ford and Chevy had a much better year.

The top two models continue to be the Ford F-Series and Chevy Silverado, with the Toyota Camry holding onto the top selling car title.

Check out the list after the jump.

According to the latest sources, the next-generation Chevy Camaro will debut in about three years for the 2016 model year.

GMI claims that its sources have confirmed that the next Camaro has already been added to GM's product plans as a 2016 model. It will also get a Gen V 6.2 liter V8 engine.

That's all we have for now, but lets hope the next Camaro is lighter with a higher quality interior.

The turbocharged 2013 Chevy Sonic RS has been officially unveiled ahead of its debut next month in Detroit.

The Chevy Sonic RS adds more style and performance to Chevy's subcompact.

"The new Chevrolet Sonic RS pushes Chevrolet's performance heritage in a new direction, for a new generation of drivers," said Chris Perry, vice president of Global Chevrolet Marketing. "It takes the Sonic's great design and latest connectivity features and combines them with a more performance-oriented look and feel."

The Sonic RS is powered by a turbocharged 1.4L Ecotec engine that packs 138 horsepower and 148 lb-ft. of torque. The turbocharged 1.4L doesn't get any power upgrades over the non-RS Sonic. The engine can be mated to either a six-speed manual or automatic transmission. Unique gear ratios for the six-speed manual transmission and unique final drive ratio for the automatic give the Sonic RS a sportier feel than non-RS models.

Other changes that set the exterior of the Sonic RS apart from the non-RS models are a unique front and rear fascia, 17-inch wheels, a retuned sport exhaust and a lowered and stiffened suspension. The interior gets front sport seats, a sport steering wheel, aluminum pedals and the MyLink infotainment system.

The 2013 Sonic RS will only be offered in the five-door body style when it goes on sale in late 2012.

Yesterday Chrysler gave us our first official look at the 2013 Dodge Dart compact sedan. Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne stated when the photos were released that Chrysler expects the Dart to get at least 40 mpg.

The 2013 Dodge Dart will be powered by three engines, a 2.0L and 2.4L engine as well as a small 1.4L turbocharged engine. Initially the Dart will get a Fiat-sourced 6-speed dual-clutch transmission, but in 2013 a new 9-speed transmission will be available. The 9-speed transmission is expected to increase the Dart's fuel efficiency by 10 to 16 percent over the 6-speed transmission.

The 2013 Dodge Dart will be officially unveiled next month in Detroit.

Thanksgiving has come and gone, but Christmas and the new year are right around the corner. Today is the first day of December and with that we have the sales totals from November, which turned out to be a great month for most of the automakers.

Out of the big automakers, Honda was the only one that didn't have a good month, which was largely due to low inventory levels of the CR-V and Accord models. The Accord held the number 3 spot in October, but completely fell off the top-10 list in November. At least an all-new 2013 Accord is slated for the spring.

The top two spots were occupied by the regulars, the Ford F-Series and Chevy Silverado. The Toyota Camry came in third meaning it maintained its hold on the top selling car in the list. The Ford Escape was the top selling SUV in the list.

Check out the list after the jump.

Consumer Reports has announced that the Chevy Volt has beat out the V8-powered Dodge Challenger and the Porsche 911 as the top-scoring model in Consumer Reports' latest annual owner-satisfaction survey. 93 percent of Chevy Volt owners said that they would buy the Volt again. The Challenger and 911 both had owner-satisfaction scores of 91 percent.

Although the Volt managed to take the top spot in its survey, Consumer Reports quickly points out that the Volt had only been in showrooms a few months when the survey was conducted and the score may change as the car rolls out to a wider audience and owners spend more time with their vehicles.

The survey was also conducted before the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced that it would conduct a safety investigation into plug-in hybrid sedans following an incident with a Chevy Volt catching fire after being crash tested.

"These models reflect a larger trend we've seen in recent years: Sporty cars and fuel efficient cars with alternative drivetrains tend to generate more enthusiasm and loyalty than most other types of vehicles," said Rik Paul, Consumer Reports automotive editor.

The Chevy Volt and all-new Chevy Malibu are the latest GM models to receive a five-star rating by the European New Car Assessment Program (Euro NCAP).

"The results confirm that both vehicles meet today's highest safety standards. The Volt's safety performance and propulsion concept highlight the reliability and practicality that is inherent to this outstanding design," said Wayne Brannon, president and managing director of Chevrolet Europe.

In the U.S. the Chevy Volt has also received top safety ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

GM has announced the pricing for the all-new 2013 Chevy Malibu Eco, which starts at $25,995.

The most fuel-efficient Malibu ever is powered by GM's eAssist hybrid system that uses a 2.4L four-cylinder engine that's mated to a lithium-ion battery and an electric motor-generator to enable regenerative braking, electric assist and start-stop functionality. The Malibu Eco packs 182 horsepower and gets 26 mpg in the city and 38 mpg on the highway.

The Malibu Eco is only a mild hybrid, but compares well to other full hybrids like the Ford Fusion and Toyota Camry. The Fusion Hybrid only gets 36 mpg and starts higher than the Malibu at $29,395. The Camry Hybrid starts a little higher than than the Malibu Eco at $26,660, but also gets one 1 mpg better at 39 mpg.

For those buyers that want a standard four-cylinder engine, GM will release a Malibu with a standard 190-hp 2.5L Ecotec four-cylinder next summer.

The 2013 Chevy Malibu Eco will arrive in Chevy dealerships in the first quarter of next year.

This morning's headlines may be all about the revised 2013 Ford Mustang and the 650-hp Shelby GT500, but GM has just announced the pricing for the 2012 Chevy Camaro ZL1. The 2012 Chevy Camaro ZL1, which is a direct competitor to the Ford's Shelby GT500, starts at $54,995.

The Camaro ZL1 is powered by a supercharged 6.2L V8 that packs 580 horsepower and 556 lb-ft. of torque, which makes it the most powerful production Camaro ever. The Camaro ZL1 can be equipped with either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. The automatic equipped Camaro ZL1 is the fastest version with a 0-60 mph time of 3.9 seconds and a top speed of 184 mph.

"With 0 to 60 taking less than four seconds, and a top speed in excess of 180 mph, the power and acceleration of the Camaro ZL1 rivals many supercars," said Al Oppenheiser, Camaro chief engineer. "And, horsepower is only half of the story, as the most significant measurement of the ZL1's potential is lapping the Nurburgring in 7:41.27. That is a great testament to the power, braking, grip, and balance of the Camaro ZL1, and to the well-rounded performance of the ZL1 that sets the bar for the sports-car segment."

The 2013 Chevy Spark will have its U.S. debut at the LA Auto Show on Wednesday. The 2013 Spark is a small four-passenger, five-door hatchback that GM says is "designed to excite first-time buyers and city dwellers with its bold styling and colors, affordability, the safety of 10 standard air bags, fuel efficiency and maneuverability."

The 2013 Spark is powered by a 85 horsepower 1.2L four-cylinder engine that can be mated to either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission. GM hasn't announced the fuel economy stats for the Spark.

The Spark, which offers more passenger and cargo room than other mini cars such as the Fiat 500 and Scion iQ, can be equipped with Chevy's new MyLink infotainment system, which features the personalized connectivity of Pandora and Stitcher internet radio.

"Spark is for buyers who want much more than a 'cute' small car - they want a car that can be personalized, is dynamic and fashionable, and delivers a lot of value for the money," said Chris Perry, vice president, global Chevrolet marketing and strategy.

The 2013 Chevy Spark will go on sale in the U.S. and Canada in mid-2012.

The 2012 Chevy Camaro ZL1 packs an awesome 580 horsepower and recently lapped the famed Nürburgring in 7:41.27 seconds. While all that power and suspension upgrades helped the ZL1 reach 170 mph on the Nürburgring course, aerodynamics also played a role in helping the ZL1 maintain stability and steering response on the track.

"The Camaro ZL1 lapped the Nürburgring in an incredible 7:41.27 seconds, which would not have been possible without work of our aerodynamics team," said Al Oppenheiser, Camaro chief engineer. "The design of the ZL1 creates downforce like a race car, harnessing air pressure to press the tires against the track for extra grip and control at high speeds."

GM's engineers had a goal of generating downforce for improved handling, but at the same time minimizing the amount of increased drag, which would reduce fuel economy and the Camaro ZL1's top speed.

GM has taken the wraps off the all-new 2013 Chevy TrailBlazer at the Dubai International Motor Show.

The 2013 Chevy TrailBlazer is going to be sold around the world, beginning in Thailand in early 2012 and has been previewed by the show version you see here. According to GM the new TrailBlazer combines the hauling and towing capability of a body-on-frame SUV with the ride comfort and efficiency of a crossover. The TrailBlazer shares its platform with the new Colorado pickup.

The Trailblazer show vehicle is powered by GM's new 2.8L Duramax turbo-diesel engine mated to an all-wheel-drive system. Although the TrailBlazer that is debuting in Dubai is labeled as a "show vehicle," the production version is expected to be very close to this when it arrives next year.

As of right now, GM claims that the TrailBlazer will not be sold in the U.S.

Ever since the Chevy Volt officially went on sale, GM has required dealers to keep at least one Volt on their lot as a demo model for interested buyers. GM is now notifying dealers that they are free to sell their Volt demo models.

Allowing dealers to sell their Volt demos will release about 2,300 models that will allow GM to get closer to its goal of selling 10,000 Volts this year. GM has only sold 5,300 units through October.

According to GM dealers have been asking to sell their Volt demos to keep up with customer demand. GM will reimburse dealers $1,500 to compensate for depreciation and the cost of removing the decals from the demo models. Dealers have to sell their demo models by January 3rd and then replace them by the end of January.

GM has officially announced plans to invest $380 Million in its Wentzville Assembly Plant to get it ready for the all-new Chevy Colorado midsize pickup.

"The all-new Colorado builds on Chevrolet's strong truck heritage," said Cathy Clegg, GM vice president of Labor Relations. "As we celebrate the first 100 years of Chevrolet today, it is exciting to bring this new global product to the Wentzville team. They also have a strong heritage - a long-standing commitment to building quality products."

GM originally debuted the all-new Chevy Colorado in Thailand, but has since announced that the Colorado will be sold in the U.S. The current Colorado will continue to be produced at the Shreveport plant through the 2012 model year. Timing for the next-gen Colorado has not been announced.

GM sold 1,108 Chevy Volt's last month, which was an increase of 53 percent over the prior month. Through October GM has sold 5,003, but the automaker set a sales forecast of 10,000 units in 2011, so it has a bit further to go. Although GM basically has to sell as many Volts as it did in the first 10 months of the year in the last two, GM isn't giving up on the goal.

"I've never given up on a sales target in my life," Don Johnson, GM's vice president of U.S. sales.

Chevy Volt sales are likely to increase thanks to an overhaul of the Detroit assembly plant in July, which significantly boosted production. GM is also going to start selling the Volt nationwide, since the initial launch only had the Volt on sale in seven U.S. states.

The all-electric Nissan Leaf found 849 homes last month, with total sales this year of 8,048.

The auto industry showed signs of improvement last month with many of the automaker's posting sales gains over the same period in 2010. Chrysler came out on top last month with sales up 27 percent, while Nissan's sales were up 18 percent. Ford's sales increased a modest 6 percent, which was brought down thanks to Lincoln and GM posted a very small increase of just under 2 percent.

The top-10 list from October saw the Honda Accord stealing the top spot from the Toyota Camry, which is all-new for 2012. The Camry's decline is largely due to the switchover from the outgoing 2011 to the all-new 2012 Camry that is just starting to show up in dealers. So the Camry could return back to the top spot in November. Other noteworthy winners last month were the Ford Escape, which saw its sales rise just over 30 percent and the Ram pickups, which saw a nice 25 percent increase.

Check out the list after the jump...

The 2011 SEMA Show in Las Vegas is only a few days away. GM has unveiled the Chevy Camaro and Corvette concepts that will be shown off at the show.

"Go to any Corvette or Camaro enthusiast event and you will have a hard time finding a factory-stock vehicle," said Chris Perry, vice president, global marketing and strategy for Chevrolet. "These are cars that owners treat as canvases to express their personalization and high-performance dreams - and have been for decades. The SEMA Show is the perfect venue to test new customization concepts and to inspire new owners to start modifying their cars."

This month GM released the first details and photos of the upcoming Chevy Spark electric vehicle that is going to be released in 2013. GM announced that the Chevy Spark EV would be powered an electric motor and a nanophosphate lithium-ion battery pack, but no other specs were released.

GM has now announced that the electric motor will pack 114 horsepower.

"Electric motor development and manufacturing is another area of expertise we'll need as we expand vehicle electrification technologies to address the needs of our customers around the world," stated Larry Nitz, GM executive director of Vehicle Electrification Engineering.

The electric motor for the Spark will be produced at GM's plan in White Marsh, Maryland.

GM is set to debut the all-new 2013 Chevy Malibu sedan in the U.S. early next year, but even though Honda and Nissan offer coupe versions of their midsize sedans, GM has no plans for a Malibu coupe.

It was reported that GM was mulling the idea of offering a coupe version of the new Malibu, but according to Ed Welburn, GM's vice president of global design, it is not currently in the works.

Welburn recently told Inside Line, "A Malibu coupe could be a pretty nice car. But it is not in the plan right now."

Michael Albano, Chevy's PR chief also stated in an email about the Malibu coupe, "No plans at this moment for anything more than a sedan."

The first all-new Chevy Malibu has been produced in Korea at GM's plant in Incheon. The eighth-generation Chevy Malibu will go on sale in Korea first before it hits the rest of the world.

"The new Malibu is our most important product introduction of the year," GM Korea President and CEO Mike Arcamone said. "It will play a significant role in enabling us to attain our goals in the domestic market while ensuring that GM Korea becomes an important part of Chevrolet's success in its second century."

The U.S. is slated to get the 2013 Chevy Malibu in the first quarter of 2012.

Yesterday GM announced plans to introduce a new Chevy Trailblazer for the 2013 model year. The new midsize SUV will be built on the same platform as the recently unveiled Chevy Colorado pickup.

The Trailblazer will be launched in Thailand in early 2012 and although GM is also launching the Colorado in Thailand before it hits the U.S., GM reportedly has no plans to bring the Trailblazer here.

Even though GM claims that the body-on-frame Trailblazer isn't destined for the U.S. don't be surprised if GM changes its mind in the future...

GM has announced a new global line of small engine-displacement Ecotec engines that will feature improved fuel economy, higher quality, better performance and reduced carbon dioxide emissions.

The new global engine family consists of three and four-cylinder engines with displacements ranging from 1.0L to 1.5L. The engines will feature technologies such as direct injection, turbocharging and alternative fuel compatibility.

"Our customers around the world agree we need to reduce our dependence on petroleum and reduce vehicle carbon emissions," said Jim Federico, vehicle line executive for GM global small cars and electric vehicles. "We are working aggressively on vehicle electrification and other technologies, but the most immediate progress will come from continually improving the internal combustion engine."

GM has officially unveiled the 2013 Chevy Spark mini-car that will be joining Chevy's U.S. lineup. The Chevy Spark is a five-door, four-passenger hatchback that is three feet longer than a Smart Fortwo, but 14 inches shorter than the Chevy Sonic.

"For young, urban dwellers, the 2013 Chevrolet Spark can be their key to the city," said Chris Perry, vice president, global Chevrolet marketing and strategy. "Spark's vibrant exterior and interior colors make a statement, but it is a practical car, too. Affordable, maneuverable and very fuel-efficient, Spark will be easy to own and easy to drive."

The 2013 Chevy Spark will be powered by a 83 horsepower 1.2L four-cylinder engine that can be mated to a five-speed manual or automatic transmission.

GM has announced plans to introduce an all-new 2013 Chevy Trailblazer midsize SUV that will be based on the same platform as the new Colorado midsize pickup.

The all-new Trailblazer will be introduced in Thailand in early 2012, but will be unveiled at the Dubai International Motor Show on November 10. GM has released the teaser photo that you see here. Although it's going first to go on sale in markets outside the U.S., don't be surprised to see it eventually be offered here as well.

GM has announced the introduction of the most powerful Chevy convertible ever, the 2013 Chevy Camaro ZL1. The 2013 Chevy Camaro ZL1 convertible is slated to debut at the LA Auto Show next month and will go on sale in late 2012.

"The Camaro ZL1 convertible will be one of the most powerful and most capable, convertibles available at any price," said Al Oppenheiser, Camaro chief engineer. "This is a car that is guaranteed to put a smile on your face every time you drop the top - or hit the gas."

The Camaro ZL1 convertible is powered by the same supercharged 6.2L "LSA" engine as the coupe. It packs 580 horsepower and 556 lb-ft. of torque.

There was already speculation that GM would sell its all-new Chevy Colorado in the U.S., but GM had not confirmed any plans for the truck that was unveiled last week. Well now GM has officially confirmed that the new Colorado will be sold here.

GM hasn't released any other details, but it's expected that the next-gen Colorado will be built at GM's Wentzville, Missouri plant and that it will arrive in 2013.

"The new Chevrolet Colorado is generating a lot of excitement as we begin its launch in Thailand," said Chris Perry, vice president, global marketing and strategy for Chevrolet. "We think the design, capability and fuel efficiency of the new Colorado will make it attractive to U.S. customers."

It's already been reported that the all-new 2013 Chevy Malibu will not be getting a V6 when it is released in the U.S. early next year. GM has already unveiled the eAssist and 2.5L versions, but we have yet to hear what GM has in store as a replacement for the current V6.

GMI is reporting that the Malibu is set to get a 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder that it will share with the upcoming Cadillac ATS. The 2.0L turbocharged engine will be all-new and part of GM's new family of Ecotec four-cylinders. It's expected that the engine will put out between 270-280 horsepower.

GM's eAssist hybrid system has been tasked with improving the fuel efficiency of some of GM's models like the Buick Regal and upcoming 2013 Chevy Malibu. It's also being reported that the Chevy Equinox and GMC Terrain crossovers will also get the eAssist system for the 2014 model year.

GMI is reporting that the GM crossovers will get the same system as the Buick Regal, LaCrosse and Chevy Malibu sedans. It was originally planned that the crossovers wouldn't get the eAssist system until their full redesign later this decade, but due to the extra supply GM is anticipating, the system will be offered sooner. The 2013 Chevy Malibu is launching with the eAssist system in the Malibu Eco, but once the new 2.5L Malibu is released later in 2012, GM expects demand for the Eco model to drop. In order to keep production of the eAssist system steady, the system is going to be offered in the crossovers.

The all-new 2012 Chevy Colorado midsize pickup is having its world debut in Thailand. The new Colorado was previewed earlier this year with the Colorado Show Truck concept. The 2012 Colorado will be offered in single-, extended- and crew-cab bodies in high- and low-stance configurations, wide- and narrow-body options, as well as two- and four-wheel-drive configurations.

In Thailand buyers will be able to choose from two Duramax diesel four-cylinder engines. There is a 2.5L with 150 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque and a 2.8L with 180 horsepower and 346 lb-ft. of torque.

"Thailand is excited to be the first market in the world to introduce the all-new Colorado, which represents GM's most significant play in the midsize pickup truck market ever," Apfel said. "This is a vehicle built tough for the people of Thailand, by the people of Thailand. It is a truck of which Thailand can be proud."

GM hasn't announced if the all-new Colorado will be coming to the U.S., but there is word from the United Auto Workers that it is being considered.

GM has announced that the all-new Chevy Malibu will get its first launch in the Korean market when it goes on sale next month.

"Korea is the first country to produce and sell the all-new Malibu," said GM Korea President and CEO Mike Arcamone. "With expressive styling, a comfortable cabin, outstanding ride and handling, and top-notch safety, it will exceed the expectations of consumers."

The U.S. launch of 2013 Malibu will take place in the first quarter of 2012.

Sales of the Chevy Volt plug-in hybrid have been ramping up with sales increasing 240 percent in September. Last month GM sold 723 Volts, which is up from 302 units in August and since production kicked off in late 2010, about 4,500 units have found homes.

GM is currently producing 150 units a day and has a goal of selling 10,000 Volts by the end of 2011. The Volt also bringing a new type of buyer to the Chevy brand. According to GM buyers with an average income of $175,000 are flocking to the Volt. With a starting price near $40k, could the Volt become a new status symbol?

GM also reports that eighty-percent of Volt sales are also conquest sales, with the Toyota Prius being the most-traded in vehicle. Although GM hopes to sell 10,000 units this year and most Volt buyers are trading in their old Priuses, Toyota has nothing to worry about. It will take a lot more for the Volt to steal the top-selling title from the Prius.

September's sales numbers are in Detroit's automakers had a great month with Chrysler up 27.2 percent, GM up 19.6 percent and Ford's sales improving 8.9 percent. Honda and Toyota's production is now back to normal following the earthquake in March, but both automakers still have supply issues, which are hurting sales. Toyota was down 17.5 percent and Honda's sales were off by 8.0 percent. Japan's other big automaker, Nissan saw its sales rise by 23.5 percent last month.

September's Top-10 list remains largely unchanged from the month before it, with nine out of the ten models making it the list again. The only new model on September's list was the Honda CR-V, which had a 9.5 percent improvement over August.

Check out the list after the jump.

GM's sales for September have just been reported with a total 207,145 vehicles sold in the U.S. That's a 20 percent increase over the same period last year.

"For GM, all of the factors that say this is a good time to buy a new vehicle outweigh the bad news that appears to be slowing down the broader economic recovery," said Don Johnson, vice president, U.S. Sales Operations. "We're well positioned going forward because we have momentum and another wave of fuel-efficient passenger cars launching over the next several months at Chevrolet, Buick and Cadillac."

Sales of GM's passenger car sales increased 12 percent, crossover sales increased 7 percent and truck sales, which include full-size pickups and SUVs, increased 34 percent.