truth about domestics

2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Once again, Jalopnik has come through and found images of the 2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango full-size SUVs.  They offer up an interesting comparison with side by side with the current models.  To be honest, I’m not a big fan of Chrysler design but these new offerings look pretty sharp.  Much more modern, with tighter tolerances between body panels.  Chrysler is also claiming that the new vehicles will offer a 19% fuel economy improvement, and also have Consumer Reports reliability 40% better than industry average.  I wish Chrysler the best of luck in accomplishing those goals.

GM concept cars

I would like to dedicate this article to anyone who thinks that only the workers at the D3 are affected by their current situations.  General Motors has announced plans to slash it’s marketing in North America by $800 million this year alone.  While this number includes vehicle incentives, it will also come from other areas, such as print and television ads.  They also announced that they had eliminated leasing in Canada and would be reducing leasing in the U.S.  According to Chief Financial Officer Ray Young, leasing is “…an expensive form of incentive.”  For the full story, head on over to The Business Insider.

2010 Chevrolet Camaro Indy 500 Pace Car

In addition to being the 2009 Daytona 500 Pace Car, the 2010 Chevrolet Camarohas been named the Indy 500 Pace Car.  The car’s graphics are a little on the wild side for my taste (I prefer a much more subtle sticker package) but i guess it’s better than flaming yellow on the Daytona car.  Who knows?  Maybe Chevy will even offer a production special edition when the car finally gets to market.  I saw one in person on the street the other day and it actually looked pretty sharp.  I thought maybe it would have gotten stale, but I think it still looks very modern, yet it’s instantly recognizable as a Camaro.  Check out more photos of the car at the official website for the Indy 500.

Abandoned GM Plant

In a recent USA TODAY/Gallup Poll, 1 in 4 Americans say they are for continued government funding for the American automakers.  This is down from 61% approval found in December, before the government approved bridge loans for the Detroit 3.  According to Porter Stansberry, head of Stansberry & Associates Investment Research, the more people understand what is wrong with General Motors, the less willing they are to support more money from the government.

I see a major flaw in this reasoning, because from everything I read on the Internet, most Americans have no clue what is wrong at GM.  GM had 8 recommended buys from Consumer Reports this month, they have won tons of awards in the past few years.  Their quality, warranty, pricing and products are better than they have ever been.  I am constantly bombarded by people who say no one buys their vehicles, well GM still outsold Toyota last year in the U.S.  Toyota barely outsold GM throughout the world, so it’s a bit of a stretch to say that no one buys their vehicles.

Maybe people are against support because they don’t feel that it affects them.  I will be posting an article later today that outlines how GM is cutting back, starting with a $800 million cut back in their marketing budge.  Think about all of the marketing companies that will be affected, the empty billboards, cable providers will lose out on revenue, magazines and newspapers will lose out on missed ads as well.  The affect of people not supporting AMERICA and American businesses is starting to have an affect. 

In Japan, people fight to see Japan survive, and to see Japan do well.  It’s in their culture.  Toyota wants Honda to win, and to see Mazda succeed, because it’s in Japan’s best interest.  In America, it’s every man for himself.  If I can get ahead by putting you down, then I will do just that.  We should be pulling together and realizing that what happens to the Domestic 3, will affect us all.  It already has and it is going to get worse until people learn what the true problem is with GM and Chrysler…overall public stupidity.  People need to stop pushing the stereotypes that their cars are not competitive and take the time to read the facts.  They are safety leaders, fuel economy leaders, technology leaders, and besides that, they employ directly and indirectly, millions of people in this country.

2010 Saturn Vue Two-Mode hybrid

There has been some confusion over whether or not the Saturn Vue Two-Mode hybrid will actually be sold.  With Saturn’s future hanging in the balance, several people who have placed orders for the vehicle have been told the CUV will not be built by dealers.  Autobloggreen decided to clear this up and went to spokesman Brian Corbett.  Corbett stated that slow demand for vehicles, hybrids in particular, and declining gas prices, was responsible for the decision to push back the vehicle, from a 2009 model to 2010, which means a Summer 2009 release.  So basically it’s another victim of the financial crisis at GM.  For full details, head on over to Autobloggreen.

2010 Dodge Charger / Chrysler 300C

Tucked deep in the pages of the Chrysler Viability Plan were photos of the 2010 Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300C!  Finally, some good news about Chrysler.  The cars certainly look improved, as they feature upgraded interiors and refreshed body work.  Also a part of the plan for these two vehicles is a target of 25-28 mpg (highway), which would be pretty impressive for such large RWD sedans.  The discovery, and a great comparison to today’s models, can be found at Jalopnik.

Mascoma logo

Mascoma Corporation has built a pilot plant in Rome, New York to begin producing cellulosic ethanol from materials like wood chips, corn stover, sugar cane bagasse and grasses.  The plant has an annual capacity of 200,000 gallons, but a commercial scale plant is currently being developed in Kinross, Michigan.  For the full story, as well as Mascoma’s full press release, head on over to Autobloggreen!

Mascoma is one of two companies that got equity investments from General Motors in early 2008.  The other company being Coskata.  Coskata’s claim is that they can create cheap cellulosic ethanol from basically any carbon-containing material, virtually anywhere in the world.  I’m not sure if this method of ethanol production will actually catch on, but both companies have stated that they will be able to produce the fuel from mostly waste products.  This should reduce the fear that most people have about turning corn into ethanol.  So not only will they be producing a cleaner fuel, it will be made here in America, and it will be helping to remove the amount of waste that ends up in landfills.

2009 Chevrolet Silverado Two-Mode Hybrid

Mike Levine from PickupTrucks.com had an interesting conversation with Gary White, GM North America vice president and vehicle line executive for GM Full-Size Trucks (man I thought my title was long.)  In it, White stated that GM plans to increase the towing capacity for it’s full-size two-mode hybrid trucks by 50%.  The second generation of these trucks should be arriving by 2013.  The current trucks are rated to tow up to 6,100 pounds in RWD form, and 5,900 pounds in four-wheel-drive trim.  With the expected increase, the trucks would be able to tow around 9,000 pounds, which is very close to a conventional GM truck at 10,600 pounds with the optional enhanced trailering package.

White also mentioned that E-Flex (the system used in the Volt, now known as Voltec) is an option that’s on the table for consideration.  This would be a good fit really.  GM has focused on increasing the mileage of it’s biggest vehicles, and a battery system would allow them to extend the range of the electric only mode, while electric motors would be able to provide large amounts of torque at very low speeds to enable higher towing capacity.

Holden Volt

Sure they may not look that different, but the Holden Volt and Opel Amperawill be unveiled within the next week.  The Holden Volt, destined for Australia, will be shown off at the 2009 Melbourne Motor Show, while the Opel Ampera will be shown at the Geneva Motor Show next week.  Not much has changed for these two from the Chevrolet Volt that they are based on, but it’s good to see GM planning it’s newest/latest/greatest environmental technology for markets around the globe.  Hopefully this helps them be more successful in the future, as it will help in drive down per part costs, increase sales/revenue, etc.

Ford EcoBoost 3.5L V6

Some good news from the auto industry.  Just the thing I need at 7:45 AM on a Friday!  Anyway, Ford has spent $55 million to upgrade the tools at the plant, which has been idle since 2007, to produce the new 3.5L EcoBoost V6.  This engine is probably one of the most advanced in Ford’s history, and will feature gas direct injection (GDI) and turbocharging to produce the power of a V8 with the fuel efficiency of a V6.  The engine is slated to appear in the Ford Flex, Taurus SHO, Lincoln MKS and MKT.  There is also a possibility that the plant might produce other engines from the EcoBoost family sometime in the future (rumors of I4 EcoBoosts come to mind…)  For the full article, and Ford’s official press release, head on over to Autoblog.