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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!

Cadillac's all-new 2013 ATS is the subject of its Super Bowl commercial that is going to air during the game this Sunday. The on-road performance of the ATS is the subject of the 30-second spot.

"The ad showcases what will make ATS a serious new challenger against the world's best compact luxury cars," said General Motors Global Chief Marketing Officer Joel Ewanick. "It's an opportunity to reach a big audience with the message that Cadillac is expanding into new territory."

The 2013 ATS is set to go head to head with models like the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class when it is released this summer.

"The car is the total focus of the ad, with actual testing footage of the ATS," Ewanick said. "Competing head-to-head in an elite class requires authentic performance."

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.

Buick has unveiled the newest addition to its lineup, the 2013 Encore small crossover.

"Buick Encore is a great-looking, smart choice for those who want luxury crossover amenities in a more maneuverable and agile vehicle," said Tony DiSalle, U.S. vice president of Buick Marketing. "It represents a luxury alternative for a new audience of Buick customers, and delivers features and flexibility not typically found in vehicles of its size today."

The small Encore seats up to five and is powered by a turbocharged 1.4L Ecotec four-cylinder engine that is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. The 1.4L puts out 140 horsepower and 148 lb-ft. of torque. Buyers will be able to choose between front or all-wheel-drive.

At just over 168 inches long, the Encore is a small crossover. GM compares it to the BMW X1 and Audi Q3, two small luxury crossovers that aren't currently sold in the U.S. In terms of styling the Encore adopts many of the same design themes as the other Buick models, like its waterfall grille, chrome accents and surrounds and portholes on the hood.

"The Encore brings Buick's timeless, sculptural design to the crossover segment in a way that blends elegance, efficiency and utility," said David Lyon, executive director of design. "There's confidence in its athletic stance and elemental beauty in its rich details."

To keep the interior of the Encore quiet, Buick applied its "QuietTuning" process including Buick's first application of active noise cancellation.

The 2013 Buick Encore will arrive in the first quarter of 2013.

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.

Here are the first official photos of the 2013 Cadillac ATS, which is being unveiled at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show, this week. The Cadillac ATS is Cadillac's direct rival to the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class models.

The ATS features Cadillac's Art & Science design language that is similar to the new XTS and CTS models, but in a smaller package. GM has already confirmed that the 2013 ATS will be offered with three engine choices, a 2.5L four-cylinder, a 318-hp 3.6L V6 and a 270 horsepower turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder. Buyers can also choose between a six-speed manual or automatic transmission and all-wheel-drive or rear-wheel-drive.

Inside the ATS will be get Cadillac's new CUE infotainment system. Stay tuned for all the info from the show.

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.

The Cadillac Escalade currently sits at the top of the "most-stolen" vehicle list, which obviously isn't great publicity for the large SUV. GM is out to fix this with new security enhancements on the 2012 Escalade.

"The goal is to make the Escalade a very difficult target for thieves without any added inconvenience for customers," said Bill Biondo, General Motors' global leader for vehicle theft prevention. "The new systems work in the background and few people realize they are there, but they are strong added protections."

For 2012 the Escalade gets:

- PASS Key 3+, which is an encryption system for the key, key cylinder and ignition system. -A steering column-lock system that makes it nearly impossible to maneuver the Escalade onto a flatbed.
- An available inclination sensor that sets off an alarm when the system senses an unwarranted change of the angle of the vehicle, such as would occur with towing, flat-bedding or lifting the vehicle.
- An available shock sensor intended to reduce content theft and push-away theft by sounding the alarm when the vehicle is "shocked," such as by breaking window glass.
-An available new wheel lock system to help prevent the theft of Escalade's wheels and tires.

The 2013 Buick Encore crossover is set to debut on January 10th at the Detroit Auto Show, but Buick has been giving Facebook fans a sneak peak.

The official photo is divided into four panels, with this photo now revealing two of them. GM hasn't released any new details about the Encore. In a previous statement, GM stated that the "Encore will offer contemporary styling, signature QuietTuning technology, and a host of features and amenities customers expect from Buicks today."

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.

Cadillac has announced the availability of a new touring package for the 2012 CTS. The touring package borrows performance elements of its V-series product line and is available on the CTS Sedan, Coupe and Wagon models, starting at $2,065.

The package includes Recaro seats, microfiber suede inserts on the seats and steering wheel, HID headlamps, a performance-tuned suspension, a V-series aerodynamic spoiler and performance wheel packages.

"One of the best aspects of high-performance machines like the V-Series is that they bring new elements into the brand that enrich the rest of the breed," said Cadillac Vice President of Marketing Don Butler. "The new Touring Packages give CTS buyers access to some desirable V-Series elements, in a more-approachable format."

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.

GM is hard at work on the next-generation 2014 Impala, which share its platform with the new 2013 Cadillac XTS.

The Impala will be offered in both front and all-wheel-drive configurations. The Impala will also be about the same size as the XTS. The latest spy photos reveal that the 2014 Impala will have a long nose with a front fascia that will be similar to the all-new Malibu.

The current generation Impala has been around since 1999, so the next Impala is definitely overdue. It will arrive in early 2013.

GM also recently announced that it will invest $68 million to to prepare the Oshawa Assembly Plant to build the next-generation Impala. In order to keep up with demand the Impala will be built at both the Oshawa Assembly Plant and the Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly Plant.

As we get closer and closer to the Detroit Auto Show, automakers are giving us more details about what we can expect at the show. GM has just released a teaser photo of its new 2013 Buick Encore five-passenger crossover that is going to be unveiled next month.

According to GM the "Encore will offer contemporary styling, signature QuietTuning technology, and a host of features and amenities customers expect from Buicks today."

A new Encore tab on www.facebook.com/buick will feature a covered photograph of the vehicle. Each week leading up to the reveal, Buick will uncover a section of the photo. The final image will be revealed the same morning Encore takes the stage at the Cobo Center in Detroit.

GM has officially confirmed that the upcoming 2013 Cadillac ATS will be powered by a turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder.

The 2.0L is expected to produce 270 horsepower, which equals a nice 135 horsepower per liter. It also packs 260 lb-ft. of torque, 90 percent of the torque being available between 1,500 rpm to 5,800 rpm.

"This engine is the perfect match for the new ATS, which will be a refined performance luxury sedan," said Don Butler, Cadillac vice president of Global Marketing. "The 2.0T has an exceptionally smooth and responsive power curve that will make the ATS nimble, quick and fun to drive."

The 2013 ATS will also be offered with a naturally-aspirated 2.5L four-cylinder and a 3.6L V6.

The ATS will be officially unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show next month.

GM has announced that the 2013 Cadillac ATS compact rear wheel drive sedan and three other concept or production vehicles will debut at the Detroit Auto Show in January.

"ATS is a crucial part of Cadillac's expansion," GM Senior Vice President of Global Product Development Mary Barra told the Automotive Press Association on Friday. "ATS enters the biggest market segment in the global luxury car industry, both in terms of volume and importance.

"It's a segment dominated by German cars, including the BMW 3 Series, Mercedes C-Class and Audi A4, so we've developed a compelling and convincing new challenger," she said.

The 2013 Cadillac ATS will go into production next summer at the Lansing, Mich., Grand River Assembly plant.

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.

GM has officially unveiled the newest addition to the Cadillac lineup, the 2013 Cadillac XTS sedan that will arrive in dealerships in the spring of 2012.

The 2013 XTS is larger than the current CTS, making it Cadillac's new flagship sedan. Cadillac also claims that the XTS will be the most technologically advanced production car in the brand's history. The XTS will debut with Cadillac's CUE interface and connectivity system that merges intuitive design with auto industry-first controls and commands for information and media control. The XTS also gets GM's Magnetic Ride Control system.

The 2013 XTS will be powered by a 300-hp 3.6L direct injection engine mated a six-speed automatic and an all-wheel drive system.

"The Cadillac XTS represents a new formula for luxury, driven by advanced technology," said Don Butler, vice president of Cadillac Marketing. "XTS showcases the evolution of our Art & Science philosophy, merging the best technical ideas with the continued refinement of Cadillac design."

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's designers have set out to capture the "essence of Buick luxury" with the Buick LaCrosse GL concept that is going to be on display at the LA Auto Show next week.

GM's designers took inspiration from the burnished metal of antique jewelry, ombré patina on vintage guitars and flocked lining of keepsake boxes to create the LaCrosse GL concept.

"The LaCrosse GL concept expresses Buick's distinctly human kind of luxury - one that is as warmly inviting as it is elegant and refined," said David Lyon, executive director of design. "The design cues that already distinguish the production LaCrosse - such as the premium leather-upholstered seats, ice blue ambient lighting and soft touch surfaces - are amplified in the GL and serve as inspiration for future Buick models."

"Every surface in the interior of the LaCrosse GL has been crafted with the knowledge that Buick customers enjoy the finer things in life, but don't need to flaunt it," Magdalena Kokoszynska, creative designer on LaCrosse GL said.

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.

GM has released the first official photo of the 2013 Cadillac XTS sedan ahead of its debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show next week.

The Cadillac XTS is Cadillac's new flagship sedan and was originally previewed by the Cadillac XTS Platinum Concept. The production version, which you see here remains pretty close to the concept.

The XTS will also debut with Cadillac's new CUE infotainment system.

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.

Opel has unveiled the most powerful Astra ever, the Opel Astra OPC. The Opel Astra OPC is powered by a 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder with 280 horsepower and 295 lb-ft. of torque.

The Astra OPC (Opel Performance Center) starts with the Astra GTC, but dials up the performance even higher. It features the same high tech front-wheel suspension, HiPerStrut (High Performance Strut) of the Astra GTC, but gets a limited slip differential on the front axle. The FlexRide chassis lets the driver sharpen the characteristic shock absorber line, the steering and the gas pedal responsiveness with the touch of a "Sport" and "OPC" button. All that power is kept under control thanks to a high performance Brembo brake system.

The OPC stands out from the GTC thanks to unique front and rear bumpers, side skirts, an aerodynamic roof spoiler and two exhaust tail pipes in a trapeze shape. The inside of the Opel OPC gets Recaro bucket seats and a flat OPC sports leather steering wheel.

There's a strong possibility that the Astra OPC and GTC could come to the U.S. with a Buick badge. A recent contract negotiation between the UAW and GM revealed that a new compact vehicle will soon be built in the U.S. and sold as a Buick.

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.

Two weeks ago GM dropped the first video of the new 2013 Cadillac ATS running laps on the Nürburgring. GM has now released the first chapter of their behind-the-scenes series at the famed German track.

GM is serious about making the ATS competitive with its German competition, like the new BMW 3 Series. The video also gives you some new shots of the exterior and interior of the ATS.

The 2013 Cadillac ATS will be released next summer.

GM is reportedly going to debut the production version of the 2013 Cadillac XTS at the Los Angeles Auto Show next month. Cadillac's new flagship sedan was originally previewed by the XTS Platinum Concept at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show.

The 2013 Cadillac XTS will debut Cadillac's new CUE infotainment system. CUE, which stands for Cadillac User Experience, will pair entertainment and information data from Bluetooth-enabled phones, USBs, SD cards and MP3 players with a vehicle infotainment system that reduces complexity through customized information, natural voice commands and fewer buttons and larger icons.

"For the tech-savvy, it's everything you want it to be - a full suite of infotainment, navigation and communication tools that keeps you fully connected. For the tech-averse, its power is remarkably simple, intuitive and accessible," Don Butler, Vice President, Cadillac Marketing Butler said.

CUE will debut in 2012 in the Cadillac XTS and ATS sedans and the SRX crossover.

The XTS is expected to enter production in the spring of 2012.

The 2012 Buick Verano has yet to reach showrooms, but thanks to a recent document from the Automotive News, we now know that GM is planning a hybrid version of the small sedan in 2015.

Automotive News has posted a document that shows the suppliers for the Buick Verano and it also shows future powertrains for the Verano. In 2015 the Verano is going to get a 2.5L hybrid powertrain, which will be used until 2020.

The document also reveals that the Verano will get a turbocharged 2.0L unit next year. The 2.0L engine could put out anywhere around 250 horsepower.

Back in 1969 Holden revealed its first concept car, the Holden Hurricane. The concept was meant "to study design trend, propulsion systems and other long-range developments." The mid-engine, rear wheel-drive, two-seater concept featured many features and technology that were ahead of its time like an electronic digital instrument displays, station-seeking radio, automatic temperature control air conditioning, rear-vision camera and an automated route finder. 42 years later the concept has been restored.

The Hurricane wowed the crowds at its unveiling at the 1969 Melbourne Motor Show.

"At Holden we have always prided ourselves on our ability to look into the future through our concept cars," Michael Simcoe, executive director GMIO Design stated. "It's amazing to think that the features we take for granted today were born out of creative minds over 40 years ago."

The Hurricane was powered by an experimental 262 horsepower 4.2L V8 engine that featured advanced design components such as the four-barrel carburetor - a feature which wouldn't be seen on a production 253ci Holden V8 until the late 1970s.

The Holden Hurricane will be on display to the public at the Motorclassica, car show at the Melbourne Royal Exhibition Building from October 21-23.

We all love a comfy seat either in front of the TV or in our cars. Automakers spend countless hours perfecting the seats in their models and in the case of GM, the automaker spent at least 1,000 hours developing the seats in the 2012 Buick Verano.

What did GM's engineers do exactly for 1,000 hours? According to GM, the engineers worked hard to prevent "hot spots" from happening on long drives and to design the headrests in such a way to prevent them from messing up your hair. Yup the Verano's seats will cuddle your bum and at the same time not mess up your ponytail.

"When we set out to design a comfortable interior for Verano our goal was for customers to feel like vacation begins as soon as they get in the car, and not when they reach their destination," said Brian Schell, Verano program engineering manager. "By making comfort our first priority, we were able to create seats that will make customers feel more at ease and connected to the car for a more-satisfying ride experience."

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."