Sorry about the delay in posting this press release. We’re still trying to catch our breath (and our fingertips!) from reporting about SEMA.
General Motors started its tour of Texas, the “Hard Day’s Work Tour” down in Dallas on October 30th. The world’s largest automaker is driving its latest offerings like the all-new Chevrolet Silverado to the doorsteps of Lowe’s hardware around the Lonestar State.
It seems lately, the Cassandras in the mainstream media have been scouring 24/7 for the latest negative news to come out of Detroit. Whether it’s Chrysler’s (substitute Ford, GM, take your pick) massive quarterly losses, looming layoffs, more manufacturing jobs moving overseas, etc. Now that Ford has become re-engergized with a new CEO and an unconventional marketing approach (Bold Moves), the negative limelight has shifted to its Euro-American compatriot DaimlerChrysler, force-feeding its dealers over-produced inventory, and reconciling its quarterly losses.
LAS VEGAS – Enthusiasts seeking the perfect vehicle to personalize will hit the jackpot with this year’s GM portfolio at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show, which features all-new, full-size pickups, SUVs, crossovers and cars tricked out for the streets to the slopes and every conceivable surface in between. They include a one-of-a-kind Chevy Silverado off-road concept designed in conjunction with NASCAR star Dale Earnhardt Jr. – a successor to Junior’s “Big Red” Silverado – and a low-riding Orange County Choppers Silverado hauler concept inspired by the styling cues of the famous bike-building Teutul family.
DETROIT – Is your oil ready to be changed? Do you know how much air pressure is in your tires? Even if you don’t know the answers to these important maintenance questions, chances are, your GM vehicle does. Most GM vehicles today are equipped with advanced technology that helps take the hassle out of vehicle maintenance.
DETROIT, BOULOGNE-BILLANCOURT, TOKYO, October 2006 - General Motors, Renault and Nissan said last week that they had agreed to terminate discussions regarding a proposed alliance among the three companies.
Diesels weren’t that long ago considered almost purely agricultural and industrial engines with exceptions being some models from Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen and Peugeot puttering down the road. Certainly, none of these, cars or trucks, were known for their pulse-pounding power or acceleration. Although advanced diesel development has been going on for more than a decade in Europe, it wasn’t until recently that hot-rodding diesels became popular in North America. Exactly what sparked the diesel horsepower race (or torque race, more accurately) is debatable, but the ball got rolling with the 7.3 liter Power Stroke diesel in the Ford trucks, followed closely thereafter with a 24-valve version of the Cummins B-series, and then by GM’s modern Duramax diesel. By the late ’90s, there was no question the quest to build the hottest diesel was on. Today, less than 600 lbs./ft. seems tame: the newest LBZ Duramax cranks out a torque coverter-bursting 650 lbs./ft; the upcoming 6.4L Powerstroke is said to match it; and the new 6.7-liter Cummins is forecast to produce that much in 3/4-ton trim.
In an interview yesterday, Renault and Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn reported that talks with General Motors were “positive”.
It used to be a predictable two-way horse race between Ford and General Motors for who made the best, most modern, most capable, most powerful pickup trucks. For decades, the two domestics battled it out alone. Then Dodge, in 1994, fielded a credible contender in the new Ram and has remained competitive in the segment since. But if only GM and Ford were so lucky that they only needed to worry about a third rival. With Nissan’s still powerful Titan and Toyota’s upcoming all-new Tundra, it’s a five-way race for full-size pickup supremacy. Granted, the “Big Two” still dominate the field but it would be naive and false to claim they haven’t been affected by the foreign competition.
In mysteries, the most common thought for a competent detective is the question, “who benefits?” As previously posted, General Motors is meeting with Nissan/Renault to discuss a possible alliance or even merger. I immediately asked the question when I read the bombshell and agree with most analyts there’s no real benefit for any party.
A recent announcement from General Motors board member Kirk Kerkorian has confirmed rumors that the company is looking at the possibility of merging with Nissan/Renault.