GMC Archives

GM has announced that 2014 Chevy, Buick and GMC models will now come with a new two year/ 24k mile maintenance program that includes free scheduled service. For most 2014 vehicles, Chevy, Buick and GMC dealers will complete an oil and filter change, four-wheel tire rotation, and conduct a 27-point vehicle inspection based on what's called for in the vehicle owner's manual maintenance schedule and oil life monitoring system.

Being able to remotely unlock your doors and remote start your GM vehicle is now one of the standard services that GM is adding to its OnStar RemoteLink Mobile App. GM announced the new RemoteLink Key Fob Services program on Wednesday for OnStar-equipped 2014 Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac models - even if the owner declines to pay for other OnStar services.

GM has taken the wraps off the all-new 2014 Sierra 1500 Denali. When it's equipped with the available 6.2L EcoTec3 V-8 it packs an estimated 420 horsepower and 450 lb-ft of torque, the most power and torque of any light duty truck engine.

Today GM is talking about the amount of time that it spent with the all-new 2014 GMC Sierra pickup in a wind tunnel to benefit both its fuel efficiency and interior quietness. The photos also give us our first look at the 2014 GMC Sierra standard cab, which up until now had not been unveiled.

The all-new 2014 GMC Sierra pickup arrives this summer and when it does it will arrive with safety features like Forward Collision Alert and Lane Departure Warning. The 2014 Sierra also gets a new Safety Alert Seat system, which transmits a vibration through the surface of the driver's seat bottom cushion to direct the driver's attention toward a possible concern on the road ahead.

GM has announced the initial fuel economy stats for the all-new 2014 Chevy Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra pickups, which have the highest fuel economy ratings than any other V8 full size pickup.

General Motors has announced a plan to deliver a new generation of connected cars and trucks with embedded 4G LTE mobile broadband. The first GM models to get 4G LTE will be most 2015 Chevy, Buick, GMC and Cadillac models available in 2014 through AT&T.

This morning General Motors is stating that it is the first U.S. automaker to sell more than 1 million vehicles in its home market in a single year that have an EPA-estimated 30 mpg or better on the highway rating. "Our investments in advanced powertrains are clearly paying off, and our smaller vehicles are resonating with customers," said Mark Reuss, president of GM North America. "In 2013, we'll introduce new diesel, eAssist and plug-in vehicles in the United States and expand the availability of turbocharged four-cylinder engines. This will give us the most technologically diverse range of fuel-efficient cars and crossovers in the industry."

GM has announced that it will purchase 200 million shares of GM common stock held by the U.S. Department of the Treasury for $5.5 billion, or $27.50 per share. The share buyback is part of the Treasury's plan, also announced today, to fully exit its entire holdings of GM stock within 12 to 15 months. Treasury intends to begin its disposition of its remaining shares as soon as January 2013, consistent with a pre-arranged written trading plan.

GM has unveiled the all-new 2014 Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra 1500 full-size pickups. In addition to the all-new styling, the pickups also get a new trio of EcoTec3 engines; a stronger, quieter, more comfortable cab; revised steering, suspension and brakes; new solutions for managing cargo in the bed and true truck capability for towing and hauling.

GM has announced that the production of the 2013 Chevrolet Silverado HD and GMC Sierra 2500 HD bi-fuel pickup trucks is underway in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The Silverado HD and Sierra 2500 HD Vortec 6.0L V8 engine runs on gasoline or compressed natural gas (CNG) and seamlessly switches between the two fuels. The CNG and gasoline tanks have a combined range of 650 miles, the longest standard bi-fuel range of any original equipment automaker.

GM's designers and engineers have created a concept version of the 2013 Chevy Malibu Turbo, the Chevy Malibu Turbo Performance Concept for the 2012 SEMA show. Designers and engineers gave the Malibu Turbo Performance Concept an aggressive edge, with a blend of high-performance and upscale appointments inside and out, wrapping them in Berlin Blue Tricoat exterior paint and a Jet Black/Navy Blue interior.

GM has just announced that the Buick and GMC brands will introduce nine new or significantly updated models in the next 12 months, starting with the new Buick Enclave and GMC Acadia this fall.

GM has announced the pricing for the restyled 2013 GMC Acadia, which starts at $34,875, while the Denali trim level starts at $46,770. "The 2013 Acadia arrives with great momentum," said Tony DiSalle, vice president of GMC Marketing. "Our design and engineering updates add even more value to an award-winning vehicle that just saw its best August ever, with retail sales up 35 percent."

GM has announced that its OnStar subscribers can now rent out their vehicles through the RelayRides marketplace. RelayRides' renters can unlock reserved OnStar-enabled cars simply by using their smart phones. RelayRides is the first third-party developer to integrate with GM OnStar's proprietary application program interface that will be available to other developers later this summer.

"General Motors, through OnStar, and RelayRides have joined forces to create an entirely new mobility solution for U.S. drivers interested in more affordable, sustainable and collaborative automobile options," said Nick Pudar vice president OnStar Strategy and New Business Development. "Our exclusive relationship with RelayRides provides an exciting new choice: the first automobiles to run on collaborative consumption."

The 2013 GMC Terrain Denali is slated to go on sale in the third quarter of this year. GM has announced that its pricing will start at $35,350. The base Terrain Denali is powered by a 2.4L four-cylinder that sends its power only to the front wheels. The all-wheel-drive model starts at $37,100 and a V-6 can be paired with either drivetrain for an additional $1,500. The 2013 Terrain's 3.6L V-6 generates 301 horsepower. The cost of the V-6 also includes an upgrade from 18- to 19-inch chrome wheels.

The 2013 Terrain Denali gets standard features like Intellilink, GMC's voice-controlled infotainment system with Bluetooth, a power lift gate, an eight-way power front passenger seat and dual-flow dampers for the front suspension. Terrain Denali's standard safety systems include forward collision alert, lane departure warning and side blind zone and rear cross traffic alert.

GMC is expanding the Denali sub-brand with the introduction of the 2013 GMC Terrain Denali. "Denali is growing fast," said Tony DiSalle, U.S. vice president of GMC Marketing. "With seven different models, sales for this brand within a brand increased 79 percent from 2010 to 2011. With this in mind, the decision to create a more-upscale Terrain was an easy one."

With the introduction of the Terrain Denali, GMC also announced a new 3.6-liter V-6 engine with direct injection that will replace the current 3.0-liter V-6 engine in Terrain lineup for the 2013 model year. The 3.6L V6 packs 301 horsepower and 272 lb-ft. of torque. Although it has more power than the outgoing V6, it's expected to have fuel economy numbers that are equal to the outgoing engine. GMC also offers a 2.4L four-cylinder in the Terrain that gets 32 mpg on the highway.

GM has unveiled the new 2013 GMC Acadia and Acadia Denali at the Chicago Auto Show, which gets a redesigned front fascia, an updated interior and new features.

The front of the 2013 Acadia has been updated face with a more prominent, chiseled, three-bar grille that brings it more inline with other GMC models like the Terrain. The face also gets daytime LED lights and the rear taillights have been tweaked. Other changes to the exterior include wrap-around rear glass, a new rear spoiler and new 18-,19- and 20-inch wheels. The interior is now more refined with upgraded materials and SLT and Denali models get aluminum accents.

The 2013 Acadia will be the first vehicle on the market with GMC's new front center air bag system, created to protect drivers and front passengers in far-side impact crashes where the affected occupant is on the opposite, non-struck side of the vehicle. It deploys from the inboard side of the driver's seat and positions itself between the driver and front passenger.

GMC's Color Touch Radio - first introduced on the 2012 Terrain - is standard in the Acadia.

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.

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.

GM has announced the introduction of the auto industry's first ever front center air bag that is designed to protect drivers and front passengers in far-side impact crashes where the affected occupant is on the opposite, non-struck side of the vehicle.

The new front center air bag will be standard on the 2013 Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia and Chevy Traverse crossovers. The front center air bag deploys from the right side of the driver's seat. It's designed to provide protection in passenger-side crashes when the driver is the only front occupant and also acts as an energy absorbing cushion between the driver and front passenger in both driver- and passenger-side crashes.

GM's analysis of NHTSA's reporting found that far-side impact crashes, accounted for 11 percent of the belted front occupant fatalities in non-rollover impacts between 2004 and 2009. Far-side fatalities also 29 percent of all the belted front occupant fatalities in side impacts.

"The front center air bag is not required by federal regulation, and no other air bag in passenger vehicles today offers the type of restraint and cushioning this air bag is designed to provide for front occupants," said Scott Thomas, senior staff engineer in GM's advanced restraint systems.

The 2012 GMC Sierra 3500 HD pickup recently won PickupTrucks.com's "Heavy Duty Hurt Locker" comparison test.

"We procured similarly equipped trucks from Ford, Ram and GMC and put them through the paces, towing up and down some of the toughest grades in the country covering a total of 2,200 miles," said Mike Levine, editor of PickupTrucks.com. "When we analyzed the data, the GMC Sierra 3500HD simply outperformed the trucks from Ford and Ram."

"Customers choose full-size trucks for their capabilities," said Rick Spina, vehicle line executive for full-size trucks. "For 2012, we built on the foundation we created in 2011, with engineering changes and additional validation designed to make the most capable heavy-duty pickup even better. Based on PickupTrucks.com's test results, it looks like we got the job done."

For enhanced fifth-wheel towing, engineers strengthened the pickup box sills and other box structures, rear springs, u-bolts and box mounts, and upgraded the shock tuning. As a result, Sierra 3500HD now has a best-in-class tow rating of 23,000 pounds, up from 21,700 pounds in 2011.

GM is set to finally follow the trend of sharing a small number of platforms across several models. GM has officially announced plans to cut the number of platforms it currently has by more than half, from 30 down to 14 over the next seven years.

The ultimate goal is to have 90 percent of its global models built off shared platforms, which is up from 31 percent last year. The number of engine variants will also be reduced from 18 to 10 by 2018. The news was announced at GM's 2nd Annual Global Business Conference for investors and financial analysts.

"Today's GM has strong brands and fuel-efficient products that customers around the world truly value," said Chairman and CEO Dan Akerson. "To reach a higher level of performance - for our customers and stockholders - we are accelerating our efforts to simplify and strengthen our processes to improve efficiencies and achieve our vision, which is to design, build and sell the world's best vehicles."

GM is currently focusing its attention on releasing fuel efficient cars like the Chevy Cruze and upcoming 2013 Malibu. GM is going to continue to release key car models across its four brands, but in 2013 GM will shift its focus to launching new trucks.

In 2013 GM will launch its next-generation full-size pickups and SUVs as 2014 models. As with GM's latest cars, the new trucks will also focus on improved fuel economy. GM is expected to offer a new eight-speed transmission and turbocharged engines in its new trucks. GM is also going to add its eAssist hybrid technology to more models.

Buick and GMC are getting a version of the MyChevrolet system called the Buick/GMC IntelliLink. The IntelliLink system is similar to Ford's SNYC.

IntelliLink uses Bluetooth or USB to connect the driver's smartphone to a new 7- or 8-inch, high-resolution, full-color touch screen display radio. The system allows smartphone control via voice activation and steering wheel-mounted controls. It also enables streaming stereo audio from the phone through services like PANDORA Internet radio and Stitcher SmartRadio.

"Today's tech-savvy consumers expect more from their cars' infotainment systems," said Tony DiSalle, U.S. vice president of Buick Marketing. "They want a system that allows them to customize their in-vehicle experience with smartphones and other portable media devices. The availability of IntelliLink on every Buick sedan in 2012 and every Buick model in 2013 takes connectivity and media personalization to a new level."

Owners that don't have a smart phone can still connect to the system via system a Bluetooth-enabled cell phone, USB flash drive or digital audio player.

The Buick IntelliLink system will be available on the 2012 Regal, LaCrosse and Verano models. The 2012 Terrain will be the first vehicle to offer GMC IntelliLink.

GM has released a single teaser photo of the next-generation Chevy Colorado pickup. GM is set to debut the Colorado show truck t the Bangkok Motor Show in Thailand on March 25th.

The Colorado show truck is a preview of the all-new Colorado. According to GM, the reason why Thailand was chosen as the place to hold the global debut of the new truck is because of the popularity of pickup trucks in Thailand. In 2010 the pickup truck segment accounted for 43 percent of the vehicles sold in Thailand.

GM officially unveiled the GMC Granite concept at the Detroit Auto Show last year and by the summer there were reports that the Granite had been approved for production. Of course GM's PR team officially killed those rumors, but now there are reports that the concept has been given the green light.

The latest sources claim that the GMC Granite has been green-lighted and that it will go into production with the suicide doors featured on the concept. Don't expect to see it in dealerships anytime soon, since it's not expected until the 2013 or 2014 model year. The Granite will be based on the same platform as the Chevy Orlando, Volt and Cruze. It's most closely related to the Orlando, which is not coming to the US.

The small pickup market isn't what it used to be and today is largely only dominated by the Toyota Tacoma. Ford is actually ditching the market with the upcoming death of the Ranger in the US. But it looks like GM still sees demand in the segment since sources are now reporting that work has begun on the next -generation Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon pickups.

The current Colorado and Canyon will end production in June 2012 at GM's Shreveport plant, but that doesn't mean that they are dead. PickupTrucks is reporting that work has already begun on the next-generation 2014 Colorado and Canyon that will be based on GM's all new GMI 700 body-on-frame global small truck platform. The new platform is expected to be unveiled at he 2011 Thailand International Motor Expo in Bangkok. When the new Colorado and Canyon launch production is expected to shift to GM's Wentzville plant that currently builds the full-size Chevy Express and GMC Savana vans.

GM has issued a recall of almost 100,000 2011 Chevy Equinox, GMC Terrain and Cadillac SRX crossovers due to seatbelt buckle anchors that may fracture and separate during a crash.

Since the seatbelt buckles may fracture, the seatbelts will not restrain the occupants in a crash.

The GMC Sierra All Terrain HD Concept looks like GM's answer to the successful Ford F-150 SVT Raptor.

The GMC Sierra All Terrain HD Concept is going to debut next month at the Detroit Auto Show. GM started with the Sierra HD as the basis for the concept. It's powered by the 6.6L Duramax diesel V8 that puts out 397 horsepower and 765 lb-ft. of torque. The engine is mated to a six-speed automatic and four-wheel-drive. From there the ground clearance has been increased by three inches and the width of the track is now 73 inches wide. It also gets specially constructed Fox off-road shocks and Custom front upper and lower control arms. The concept rides on 35-inch-tall BFGoodrich KM2 "mud terrain" tires mounted on 20-inch machined aluminum wheels.

GM insists that the Sierra All Terrain HD Concept is purely a concept.

"The design of the All Terrain HD is an expression of its capabilities - strong, functional and absolutely professional grade," said Carl Zipfel, design manager. "We're excited about the design elements and exploring how they could apply to future GMCs."

This morning GM celebrated its return to the NYSE for the first time since the automaker emerged from bankruptcy last year.

Chief Executive Officer Dan Akerson and other top GM members visited Wall Street this morning to witness the event in person. Shares quickly hit $35, which is higher than the initial $33 that the shares were priced at Wednesday evening. By late morning the shares were trading at $35.58.

The Federal Treasury is selling of more than 400 million shares of GM, which will reduce its stake in GM from 61 percent to 33 percent. In order for the government to break even the remaining shares will have to be sold for an average of $50 a share.

GM has announced the pricing for the 2011 GMC Acadia Denali, which is headed to dealerships now. For a mere $43,220 the Denali version of the Acadia is differentiated from the other Acadia models with a chrome honeycomb grille and monochromatic exterior, 20-inch two-tone chrome wheels, HID headlights, head-up display and heated and cooled driver and passenger seats.

GM has announced that its current CEO, Ed Whitacre is going to step down on September 1, 2010 and that his title of Chairman of the Board will terminate at the end of 2010.

Whitacre is going to be replaced by Dan Akerson, who has served on the GM board of directors since July 2009.

"My goal in coming to General Motors was to help restore profitability, build a strong market position, and position this iconic company for success," said Whitacre. "We are clearly on that path. A strong foundation is in place and I am comfortable with the timing of my decision."

"There are remarkable opportunities ahead for the new GM, and I am honored to lead the company through this next chapter," said Akerson. "Ed Whitacre established a foundation upon which we will continue building a great automobile company."

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem that owns Albert Einstein's publicity rights is suing GM for the unauthorized use of his image in an ad for the GMC Terrain.

The university sued GM in U.S. District Court in California on May 19 for more than $75,000. Einstein willed his publicity rights to the university before he died in 1955.

This is just another marketing issue for GM following the recent commercials which featured Chairman and Chief Executive Ed Whitacre discussing the fact that GM had repaid its federal loans. He was accused of stretching the truth. GM has also switched ad agencies for the Chevy brand twice in the recent months.

According to GM's spokeswoman, Ryndee Carney, GM purchased the right to use Einstein's image from a "reputable firm." GM's ad agency Leo Burnett created the ad which ran in People magazine's "Sexiest Man Alive" issue last September.

Although the segment is much smaller than it was in the 80's and other manufacturers are pulling out, GM is working on a new small truck. According to sources GM is working on a new compact truck that will be similar to the originial S-10.

GM's current small trucks, the Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon have been losing sales over the past few years and the future of the two trucks is uncertain. GM currently plans to end production of at the Shreveport plant where the two trucks are produced in 2012.

One of the main reasons for the decline of the segment is that the current players like the Toyota Tacoma have gotten bigger and more expensive. Former small truck buyers have moved into the full-size segment because the price tag is often close to that of the current midsize trucks.

GM now sees room for a new small truck that would get better fuel economy than the larger trucks and also be much cheaper. The small truck would be similar in size to the compact pickups of the 1980's.

Ford is planning on Ranger next year, which means Ford truck buyers will have to make due with the F-150. But even though Ford is pulling out of the segment, Chrysler is hoping to produce a successor to the soon to be dead Dodge Dakota. Toyota's Scion is also considering a small truck as well.

Last week GM announced that it paid off its government loans early and now GM has announced plans to invest $890 million a new generation of fuel efficient small block truck and car engines.

"GM is investing in our plants, restoring and creating jobs and making progress toward our vision of designing, building and selling the world's best vehicles," said Mark Reuss, president of GM North America. "These latest investments show our commitment to improving fuel economy for buyers of every GM car, truck and crossover and giving them the best possible driving and ownership experience."

The next generation small block engines will be more fuel efficient thanks to direct injection and an all-new advanced combustion system design. The engines will also use aluminum engine blocks and be E85 ethanol capable.

The investment is expected to create or retain more than 1,600 jobs.

GM Chairman and CEO Ed Whitacre announced this morning that the automaker has made its final payment of $5.8 billion to the U.S. Treasury and Export Development Canada, ahead of schedule. The announcement was made at a ceremony to highlight an investment of $257 million at GM's Fairfax, Kansas, and Detroit Hamtramck assembly centers.

"GM is able to repay the taxpayers in full, with interest, ahead of schedule, because more customers are buying vehicles like the Chevrolet Malibu and Buick LaCrosse we build here in Fairfax," said Whitacre. "We are now building some of the best cars, trucks, and crossovers we have ever built, and customers are taking note. Our dealers are increasing their sales, we are investing in our plants, and we are restoring and creating jobs."

The U.S., Canadian, and Ontario governments gave GM loans of $8.4 billion and took equity stakes in the new GM. Today's payment of $5.8 billion ($4.7 billion to the U.S. Treasury and $C1.1 billion to Export Development Canada) completes the payback of the loans.

"GM's ability to pay back the loans ahead of schedule is a sign that our plan is working, and that we are on the right track. It is also an important first step toward allowing our stockholders to reduce their equity investments in GM," said Whitacre. "We still have much hard work ahead of us, but we are making progress toward our vision of designing, building, and selling the world's best vehicles.

GM also stated that sales of GM's four brands are up 36 percent through March versus the same period in 2009.

GM's Vice Chairman Bob Lutz recently spoke to journalists in Los Angeles where he spoke about GM's strong portfolio. But he failed to mention the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon pickups. PickupTrucks asked him what the future holds for the small pickups and he said:

"It's uncertain at this point," Lutz said. "They may well [go away]."

GM has yet to announce a plan for its small pickups. Last year Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal said that GM plans to end production at its Shreveport plant in 2012 where the trucks are produced.

It looks like the GM pickups may be on their way out following the Ranger and Dodge Dakota pickups.

GM has announced plans to invest $494 million to produce the next generation Ecotec engines. The investment will also create nearly 550 jobs.

There will be three plants involved in the investment, Tonawanda, NY; Defiance, OH and Bay City, MI. At the Tonawanda plant, GM plans to invest a whopping $425 million, which is where the engines will be produced. In Defiance, GM will invest $59 million and the Bay City plant will get $10.5 million.

"GM is transforming its product portfolio to reduce fuel consumption and emissions, and the next generation Ecotec engine is an integral part of that transformation," said Denise Johnson, vice president - labor relations. "The investment in state-of-the-art four-cylinder engines is another example of GM's commitment to replace larger-displacement engines with more compact, advanced four-cylinder engines that optimize fuel savings and performance. We look forward to working with our union partners at these three plants to make this investment a success."

Currently the Ecotec engines come in 2.0, 2.2 and 2.4L displacements.

Trucks produce large profits for automakers, especially the Detroit automakers. The truck market has been badly hurt with the economic downturn, especially since the housing market is dead. But it will come back, which explains why GM is going to spend $1 billon bucks on redesigning its Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra pickups.

Chairman and Chief Executive Edward Whitacre recently approved the project. GM is betting big that the full-size truck market will eventually come back strong. The Chevy SIlverado and GMC Sierra are currently the oldest trucks out of the Detroit automakers, even though they were redone in 2006.

The current plan would bring GM's new trucks to market between 2012 and 2013.