truth about domestics

According to GM (in their latest press briefing on the Chevy Volt) the biggest challenge with the Volt battery pack is hot-weather storage of the vehicle.  There had been rumors on the internet that the Volt battery pack would not last 10 years in warmer climates, however GM has stated that this is simply not true, that the battery would last 10 years minimum for all customers.  They even went so far as to say that people in more moderate climates could see battery life last longer than the 10 years.  For more details, head on over to AutoblogGreen.

(Image source: GM)

The Volt is less than a year away from production, and as can be expected, development is in full swing.  The cars and batteries are undergoing some serious testing, and from everything GM is saying, the car and battery are performing better than expected!  This is great news for the General and also for customers looking forward to the Volt.  For more details, head on over to Autoblog.

(Image source: GM)

In what comes as little surprise to anyone, GM has decided to keep its SUV’s in their current form, that is body-on-frame, rather than switch them over to be a unibody (crossover.)  Why would anyone even think for a second that GM would be interested in switching?  I mean, the GMT900 platform is the basis for the Chevrolet Silverado, Tahoe, Suburban and Avalanche as well as the GMC Sierra, Yukon and Yukon XL plus the Cadillac Escalade, Escalade EXT and Escalade ESV making it GM’s highest volume chassis.  Not to mention the body-on-frame design offers tons of benefits for towing and hauling capacity.  For more details, head on over to PickupTrucks.com.

(Image source: GM)

The Dodge Viper ACR is one insane automobile.  Basically a track car for the street, the ACR is breaking records at tracks all over the world.  Take the video above of the Viper breaking the lap record at Laguna Seca or head on over to Autoblog for more pics.

Ahhhh, it’s not often that I can say that a piece of automotive news has lifted my spirits at 10:28 PM on a Monday night, but this is one of those times.  Ford has won 4 Strategic Vision awards, for the Focus, Mustang, Expedition and F-250 and F-350 and Toyota managed to lose 3 spots to Ford and secure, let me see, 1, 2, 3…ZERO awards!  For more details, head on over to Strategic Vision.

(Image source: Ford)

That’s right folks!  We are nearing the end of 2009 and that means the end of year clear-out sales for automakers!  This usually means an increase in incentives to push the old models out the door, but GM and Ford have been in the habit of cutting incentives to help their bottom lines.  However, Chrysler has decided that incentives are a great way to jump start their sales, which have slid by nearly 40% this year alone.  Lets hope this most recent attempt goes better than in the past…for more details, head on over to Autoblog.

(Image source: Chrysler)

Fesler-Moss has created two different versions of the 2010 Camaro, a more “base” package, and then the Limited Edition Package.  The first starts around $50,000 and offers a supercharger and some fancy bodywork.  The second package adds the LS9 from the Corvette ZR1 and only 60 will be built, which probably explains the $150,000 price tag.  For more pics and details, head on over to Autoblog.

(Image source: Autoblog)

One of my favorite concepts of the past few years, the Cadillac CTS Coupe is finally revealed!  The car will appear sometime in early 2010 as a 2011 model and will be available with rear- or all-wheel drive, an automatic or manual transmission and also as a V-Series model.  For more information on this stunning automobile, head on over to Autoblog.

(Image source: GM)

Jalopnik has had the opportunity to test the 2010 Shelby GT500 and their overall impression is a pretty good one.  I do have one gripe, and that is how they bashed the cars’ interior.  They said it had cheap plastics, a cheesy cue ball shifter and the aluminum on the instrument panel was tacky.  Really?  When the new Mustang was revealed for 2010 everyone loved how much the interior had improved, but apparently it’s not good enough anymore.  I happen to find the GT500 interior to be very sharp and it’s good to see Ford putting higher quality materials in their cars and not being afraid to try new things.

(Image source: Ford)

I know, it’s hard to believe, but Jalopnik actually liked the 2011 Buick Regal!  Can you blame them though, I mean, the car is based on the Opel/Vauxhall Insignia which has won tons of awards and is a top-seller.  They have pretty much only one complaint about the car and that is…well, why don’t you just head on over to Jalopnik to find out what it is!

(Image source: Jalopnik)