Reuss says GM "fundamentally" behind diesel in US, promises more models

Filed under: Technology, Chevrolet, GM, GMC, Diesel

General Motors is sometimes faulted for poisoning demand for diesel engines in the US. But 30 years later, The General is warming to the idea of consumer-targeted oil burners again. GM President Mark Reuss tells TheDetroitBureau.com that if he has a say, his company will again sell a bunch of diesel-powered passenger cars in the US.

"There is, fundamentally, a place for diesel here," Reuss told TDB after Thursday's Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra intros. When asked directly about a diesel future for GM, Reuss answered, "more to come."

Reuss went on to say new technologies are making cleaner-burning diesels that should make meeting US emissions requirements easier, though he cautions they could push prices up beyond what buyers would be willing to pay. An anonymous GM exec says in the story that consumers have shown an interest in diesel and were willing to pay extra for the greater fuel economy - but not enough to cover actual costs of the technology.

GM's heavy-duty pickups currently offer a diesel engine, but the future of diesel-powered, light-duty cars from GM will likely depend heavily on the market performance of the upcoming diesel Chevrolet Cruze. If it can hit the mythical 50 mpg mark, it could be a hot enough seller that it triggers new conversations in GM's boardroom about developing other oil-burners for North American consumption. Could the future include diesel versions of GM's light-duty pickups? It would appear that the notion has at least one very powerful champion in Reuss.

Reuss says GM "fundamentally" behind diesel in US, promises more models originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 14 Dec 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: www.autoblog.com

Pics Aplenty: Meet the 2014 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra [w/poll]

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Truck, Chevrolet, GM, GMC, Off-Road

Today was a pretty big day for General Motors, debuting the all-new Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra light-duty pickup trucks ahead of their official showcase at the 2013 Detroit Auto Show. And now that the dust has settled at GM's big reveal event, we've had a chance to snap dozens of photos of the new pickup pair from every angle.

We already told you the important bits earlier today (click here in case you missed it), but let's recap. Under the hood are three new engines - a 4.3-liter V6, 5.3-liter V8 and 6.2-liter V8 (you know, a version of the small-block that'll also be found under the hood of the C7 Corvette), all mated to six-speed automatic transmissions. The 2014 model year marks the return of the Z71 off-road package with Rancho shocks, front tow hooks and beefier underbody protection. Inside, there's a host of new technology and a greater focus on better quality and refinement.

Some of the nitty-gritty specifics (like engine output numbers and fuel economy) have yet to be revealed, and since we haven't driven the finished products yet, it's hard to say how these trucks will fare against rivals like the Ram 1500 and Ford F-150. For now, we can only judge these two books by their covers, and while we do like the designs of the new trucks, we Autoblog staffers are torn on exactly which one looks best.

That's where you come into play. Click through the attached high-res image galleries of live photos and let us know in the poll below which truck you think looks the best. Feel free to explain your reasoning in the Comments, as well.

View Poll

Pics Aplenty: Meet the 2014 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra [w/poll] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 13 Dec 2012 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: www.autoblog.com

2014 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra debut all-new designs, three new engines

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Truck, Chevrolet, GM, GMC, Off-Road

General Motors has finally dropped the curtain on the 2014 Chevrolet Silverado and 2014 GMC Sierra. Both trucks have undergone substantial revisions with updated versions of the company's 4.3-liter V6, 5.3-liter V8 and 6.2-liter V8 engines. In a shot across the bows of both Ford and Chrysler, GM says it won't use a V6 engine adapted from passenger car applications. Instead, it developed the 4.3-liter engine based on its proven truck-duty architecture.

All three mills will boast direct injection fuel systems as well as a new cylinder head design. Combined with a revised piston, the new engines feature a smaller combustion chamber with a compression ratio of 11:1 or higher depending on the application. Cylinder deactivation and continuously variable valve timing are all part of the recipe, and each engine is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission with auto grade breaking. So far, no fuel economy or horsepower figures have been released, though GM says the new engines will best their predecessors in both areas.

Outside, the trucks feature a number of enhancements to reduce drag and wind noise, and GM claims both the Silverado and Sierra will offer buyers some of the quietest cabins in the class. Extended cab models now feature front-hinged rear doors to allow easier access to the back passenger area, and Crew Cab buyers can now select between a five-foot, eight-inch bed or a six-foot, six-inch bed. Buyers with a mind toward going off road will also rejoice in the return of the Z71 package, complete with Rancho shocks, front tow hooks and additional under-body protection.

Indoors, both trucks now boast completely new interiors with a focus on soft-touch materials. Drivers are now met with a gauge cluster that features a 4.2-inch color information display, and the new trucks can be had with up to five USB ports, four 12-volt outlets and one SD card slot. The option sheet also features the IntelliLink connectivity system, displayed through a high-definition eight-inch color touchscreen interface.

In addition, the 2014 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra will be available with safety add-ons like Forward Collision Alert, Lane Departure Warning and the Driver Alert Seat, which we first saw on the Cadillac XTS. Check out the full press releases below for more information.

Continue reading 2014 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra debut all-new designs, three new engines

2014 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra debut all-new designs, three new engines originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 13 Dec 2012 10:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: www.autoblog.com

Watch the live reveal of the 2014 Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra

Filed under: Truck, Videos, Work, Chevrolet, GM, GMC

As promised, Chevrolet and GMC are offering a live webcast of the world premiere for the all-new 2014 Silverado 1500 and Sierra 1500. After being teased with spy shots and blurry images like the one above for ages, now is the time to see the trucks in the metal, for real (well, as 'real' as it gets on a webcast, at any rate).

Shift your eyes down just below to see the reveal as it happens, starting at 9:30 AM EST. We anticipate having loads of images full technical information to share after the webcast, too, so truck aficionados should stay tuned. We'll also be bringing you live images of both trucks too, when we see them on the show floor at next month's Detroit Auto Show.

Watch the live reveal of the 2014 Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 13 Dec 2012 09:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: www.autoblog.com

Autoblog Podcast #312

Filed under: Podcasts, Government/Legal, Chevrolet, GM, GMC, Honda, Hyundai, Jeep, Nissan, Diesel

More Honda Fit models, mandatory black boxes, too many GM pickups, Jeep Grand Cherokee diesel

Episode #312 of the Autoblog Podcast is here, and this week, Dan Roth, Zach Bowman and George Kennedy talk about reports of a soon-to-be-expanding Honda Fit line, the possibility of a mandated and standardized black box for every car, GM's glut of pickups, and the Jeep Grand Cherokee diesel that's coming soon. For those of you who hung with us live on our UStream channel, thanks for taking the time. Keep reading for our Q&A module for you to scroll through and follow along, too. Thanks for listening!

Autoblog Podcast #312:



Topics:

• Honda Fit line expanding
• White House clears way for black boxes
• GM has too many pickups
• Jeep Grand Cherokee Diesel headed to Detroit

In the Autoblog Garage:
2013 Honda Accord Touring
2013 Nissan Sentra SR
2013 Hyundai Veloster Turbo

Hosts: Dan Roth, Zach Bowman, George Kennedy

Runtime: 01:31:41

---

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Feedback
Email: Podcast at Autoblog dot com

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Continue reading Autoblog Podcast #312

Autoblog Podcast #312 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 11 Dec 2012 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: www.autoblog.com

New Chevrolet Silverado to be revealed on Facebook on Thursday

Filed under: Truck, Chevrolet, GMC

There's not much to see here, but if you're one of those waiting for the reveal of the 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, above is the teaser image that Chevrolet posted on its Facebook page. We've seen the truck in form-fitting camo before, and even less can be made out here beyond those seriously punchy Silverado-esque fenders and the knowledge that the projector-beam headlamps teased previously do indeed work. We'll have to wait until Thursday for a full perusal of the "bold exterior design" and "careful attention given to every detail" we've been promised.

Gathering intel and rumors, magnesium and aluminum contribute to the Silverado's weight loss plan, the purported "High Country" top-tier trim will contribute to luxury pickup truck competition and profit margins and the next-generation small-block V8 will contribute to improved fuel economy. On the engine note, there have been rumors of available V6 engines, and when Facebook user John Jones asked "Where's your answer to that EcoBoost Chevy?", the Bowtie replied "stay tuned on the 13th. We think you'll be pleased...".

Along with the "Raise the Bar" tag, Chevrolet says of the Silverado, "You asked, we delivered." You can watch the reveal live on Chevrolet's Facebook page at 9:30 am EST, this Thursday, December 13. The GMC Sierra 1500 will also be there, and we'll see both in person at the Detroit Auto Show in January.

New Chevrolet Silverado to be revealed on Facebook on Thursday originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 11 Dec 2012 08:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: www.autoblog.com

GM profits threatened by glut of pickups

Filed under: Car Buying, Truck, Plants/Manufacturing, Chevrolet, GM, GMC, Earnings/Financials

Automotive News reports that General Motors may slash production or ramp up discounts in order to deal with an oversupply of pickup trucks. GM currently has more than double the standard supply of pickups, and the vehicles are threatening to dampen the automaker's profits for 2013. Typically, automakers try to sustain a 60- to 75-day supply of vehicles, but GM is currently loaded with a 139-day supply, as of last month. At the end of November, the automaker was sitting on 245,853 units.

The manufacturer says that it will adjust production accordingly before laying any incentives on the profitable pickups. Even so, there's some concern that the inventory swell could hurt the roll-out of the next-generation Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra. GM actually began slowly stepping back production in August, but it's clear the company will take further action as it heads toward the end of the year and into the next. Analysts predict the automaker could reduce pickup manufacturing by nearly half in the first quarter of 2013.

That still may not be enough to keep GM from laying extra cash on the Silverado and GMC Sierra. While the company's incentive spending was down in November compared to the same month in 2011, both the Ram 1500 and Ford F-150 saw double-digit percentage increases in sales last month while the Silverado and Sierra numbers slid compared to a year prior. Incentive spending could help move more trucks and add some balance to the GM inventory surge.

GM profits threatened by glut of pickups originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 05 Dec 2012 18:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: www.autoblog.com