General Motors has debuted its redesigned 2009 Pontiac Vibe. The five-seat, crossover SUV features revised exterior and interior designs and enhanced safety features, including a tire pressure monitoring system, OnStar and an electronic vehicle stability control system. GM announced the return of the all-wheel-drive and GT models to the Vibe line-up. Depending on the model and engine size, the Vibe’s fuel economy in the city varies from an estimated 19 miles-per-gallon (mpg) to 26 mpg. All 2009 Vibe models are scheduled to rollout in early 2008.
GM Daewoo Auto & Technology (GM Daewoo) today hosted the GM Daewoo Next-Generation Vehicle Preview, an exclusive sneak peak at its future design concepts, at the newly expanded GM Daewoo Design Center. Today’s activity is part of the company’s celebration of its fifth anniversary. “Since our company’s establishment five years ago, GM Daewoo has become an integral member of GM’s global vehicle development process and manufacturing network,” said Michael Grimaldi, GM Daewoo President and CEO. “These future design concepts demonstrate our ongoing capabilities and commitment to the development of new vehicles in Korea for Korea and the world.”
General Motors, the world’s largest carmaker, announced today a joint venture with UzAvtosanoat to assemble and distribute Chevrolet cars in Uzbekistan, the central Asian republic and part of GM Europe region. The joint venture, which will be called GM Uzbekistan, will extend Chevrolet’s rapid expansion in Eastern Europe and Asia. “Chevrolet has become the fastest growing brand in Europe, demonstrating its strong appeal especially in the opportunity markets of Eastern Europe”, said Carl-Peter Forster, President of General Motors Europe. “The start of operations in Uzbekistan and the launch of a series of new Chevrolet models will help us continue our rapid growth.” Sales of Chevrolet models in Europe have increased 32 percent year-to-date, with 328,000 units registered through September. Chevrolet is on track to reach the 450,000 unit mark this year, a more than 30 percent increase over 2006.
Pontiac today confirmed pricing for its new rear-wheel drive G8 performance sedan will start at $27,595 when it hits the streets in early 2008. The V-8 powered G8 GT will be available for $29,995.
If the United Auto Workers strike against General Motors Corp. lasts longer than a week or two, it could cost GM billions of dollars and stop the momentum the company was building with some of its new models, according to several industry analysts. A strike of two weeks or less would not hurt GM's cash position and would actually improve its inventory situation, Lehman Brothers analyst Brian Johnson said Monday in a note to investors. But a longer strike would be harmful, causing GM to burn up $8.1 billion in the first month and $7.2 billion in the second month, assuming the company can't produce vehicles in Mexico or Canada, Johnson wrote. Initially, the strike wouldn't have much impact on consumers because GM has so much inventory, the analysts say. The company had just under 950,000 vehicles in stock at the end of August, about 35,000 less than at the same time last year. But Tom Libby, senior director of industry analysis for J.D. Power and Associates, said even a short strike could hurt GM because its new crossover vehicles — the Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia and Saturn Outlook — are selling well and in short supply.
With the HydroGen4, GM presents the fourth generation of its fuel cell technology. “Fuel cell propulsion with hydrogen as a fuel highlights General Motors’ commitment to take the car out of the environmental debate and reduce our dependency on oil,” says Carl-Peter Forster, President of GM Europe.” HydroGen4 is powered by GM’s most advanced fuel cell system and marks an important milestone on the road toward completely emission-free, competitive fuel cell technology in the automobile. The HydroGen4 features considerable progress in everyday usability, dynamics and system durability compared to its predecessor.”
General Motors presents eleven world andEuropean premieres at the 62nd IAA in Frankfurt (September 13 –23, 2007). The Opel, Chevrolet, Saab, Cadillac, Corvette and HUMMER brands alsoshow their current diverse model portfolios at their stands. Over a display areaof around 8000 square meters in hall 8, IAA visitors can find information aboutGM – from the new Opel Agila to the future of the automobile, such as thenew E-Flex architecture and latest fuel cell vehicle HydroGen4.
GM Europe has expanded its online media services with the introduction of a social media newsroom. The site gmeurope.info offers product news for GM’s family of brands in Europe: Cadillac, Corvette, Saab, Hummer, Opel, Vauxhall & Chevrolet.
Engine experts have dreamt about it, talked about it, and lectured about it, and today – for the first time – General Motors Corp. is letting outside parties drive the “most awaited advanced combustion technology” of the last 30 years. GM demonstrated the combustion process, known formally as homogeneous charge compression ignition or HCCI, for the first time in two driveable concept vehicles, a 2007 Saturn Aura and Opel Vectra. When combined with the enabling advanced technologies, direct injection, electric cam phasing, variable valve lift and cylinder pressure sensing, HCCI provides up to 15 percent fuel savings, while meeting future emissions standards.
GM Daewoo Auto & Technology (GM Daewoo) announced today that its sporty roadster, the G2X priced at 43.9 million won will go on sale on September 1. With the G2X, which was one of the highlights of this year’s Seoul Motor Show, GM Daewoo will open up a new chapter in the domestic automotive industry. “The launch of the G2X is a great example of how GM Daewoo as a member of the General Motors family, is leveraging GM’s global resources,” said GM Daewoo President and CEO Michael A. Grimaldi. “The G2X offers head-turning style and driving performance at a price well below a comparable import roadster. The result is an exciting model that no other Korean manufacturer has in its showroom.”
