truth about domestics

You heard it here…uhm, probably second or third, but at least you heard it!  According to Tom Stephens, GM’s vice chairman of global product development, both of those options are possible, although only if necessary to keep the program alive.  Instead, for the time being, the plans are to add cylinder deactivation, electric power steering, and a lighter vehicle overall to both increase performance AND drive up fuel economy.  For more on this developing story, head over to Autoblog.

(Image source: GM)

Autoblog recently got the chance to sample GM’s new launch control system on the 2010 Chevrolet Corvette.  Their outcome?  An improvement of over 0.3 seconds on 0-60 times and 3 runs all within 0.01 seconds of each other.  How does the system work?  Click on over to Autoblog to find out!

(Image source: How stuff works)

Probably my new dream car, the 2010 Corvette Grand Sport does not disappoint.  It’s basically a soft-core version of the downright hard-core Z06.  The Grand Sport shares many design cues with the Z06, however it’s available in removable hard top and retractable convertible body styles unlike the fixed roof Z06.  For the full review, head on over to Autoblog.

(Image source: lincah.com)

When the C6 Corvette came out, many complained that it was merely an evolution of the C5 design.  While that was true, the C6 ushered in a new era for the American sports car.  It added modern fixed headlights for one, but it also offered performance that few could match, even with cars costing double or even triple its price.  Well word has come down from the GM press review and it has been announced that the C7 Corvette is a go for April 2012.  For the full story, head on over to Corvette Blogger.

In their first GT2 class race, the new Corvette C6.R’s didn’t disappoint.  Finishing in 2nd and 4th in their class, the Corvette’s fared pretty well against class stalwarts like the Flying Lizard Porsches and BMW M3′s.  For more details and some amazing shots, head on over to Autoblog.

 The Cadillac CTS and Chevrolet Corvette have both placed in the list of the MSN 10 most user-recommended rides.  Sure there were foreign cars in there, but obviously the domestics make some highly desirable models too.  For the complete list, head on over to MSN Autos.

What an incredible achievement!  1.5 million Corvettes have been produced from 1953 to 2009.  The first Corvette built featured a Polo White paint job with a red interior and black convertible top.  To honor the original, GM produced, you guessed it, a brand new Corvette in a white/red/black color scheme.  For all of the details and the official press release, head on over to Autoblog.

Stop by CorvetteGuys.com and check out their large selection of Corvette Exhaust.

Corvette ZR1 "Hero Edition" (GM)

Only one Corvette ZR1 “Hero Edition” will be built by General Motors and it will be raffled off to honor the Kids Wish Network’s “Hero of the Month.”  The Hero of the Month is a child who has faced and overcome traumatic and life-changing circumstances with courage and spirit.  Pairedwith the ZR1 is a Black/Red 1967 Corvette 427 / 390 hp roadster that will be included in the Win The Vette’s Corvette Dream Giveaway.

For all the details, head on over to Corvetteblogger.

I have heard that in parts of the country, people do not seem to know that Ford, for example, builds anything other than the F-150 and Mustang.  This, sadly, has happened for good reason.  During the truck and SUV boom of the 90′s, the American manufacturers let their car programs fall by the wayside, instead focusing a large portion of their development budget on the newest, latest, greatest, and biggest 4×4′s.  Cars were an after-thought, as they did not bring in the same large profits of their truck and SUV bretheren.  The Japanese manufacturers produced quality cars, but even they wanted a piece of the truck and SUV profit pie, and eventually built plants in America to build their own versions of the gas-guzzlers.

Even though this was the case as little as 5 years ago, the American 3 have made a very strong comeback in the car arena.  As you could see in my earlier post about their fuel efficency, they build small and mid-size cars that are very competitive when compared to their foreign rivals.  I also pointed out that their designs are built to high quality standards, putting them in the same league as the foreign brands.  To prove that their cars have other very strong selling points are a couple awards that I would like to point out.

Last year the Saturn Aura mid-size sedan was named the 2007 North American Car of the Year at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, MI.

Then in 2008 the Chevrolet Malibu took home the honors winning 2008 North American Car of the Year.  Both of these cars were up against some steep competition (both domestic and foreign) and were picked by a large jury made up of various members of the automotive media.

The 2008 Cadillac CTS won Motor Trend magazines coveted 2008 Car of the Year award.

For 2008, 3 GM vehicles made it on Car and Driver’s 10 Best List; the Chevrolet Malibu, Chevrolet Corvette and Cadillac CTS, more than any other manufacturer.

In 2007, Ford won more JD Power awards than any other automaker.  Ford, Lincoln and Mercury all had segment winners.  Those three nameplates also finished in the Top 10.

The 2008 Ford Focus was named one of Kelly Blue Book’s Top 10 coolest cars under $18,000.  With its combination of SYNC in car entertainment technology and 35 mpg on the highway, it was a tough car to beat.

The Ford Mustang ranked as the most problem-free “Midsize sporty car” from JD Power’s survey, while the Mercuy Milan was the highest ranked mid-sized car, and its sibling, the Lincoln MKZ, was the top-ranked “Entry premium car.”

All of these awards are only a small part of the story behind the cars that make up the American 3′s portfolios these days.  Their trucks and SUV’s are superbly engineered, besting those offered up by their foreign competition.  That same engineering mentality that goes into their trucks and SUV’s, is now applied to their car programs as well.  “Good enough is not good enough” any longer.  From the Chevrolet Malibu, to the Ford Fusion, the quality shows.  They do not build just trucks and SUV’s, they build some damn fine automobiles as well!