truth about domestics

The 2010 Chevrolet Equinox and its GMC sibling, the Terrain, have been selling like hotcakes (whatever that means!)  General Motors has moved over 59,000 units this year alone, making this recall all the more painful.  The issue facing the cute-utes is a faulty defroster control module.  Customers will be notified by GM about the issue.  For more details, head on over to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

(Image source: GM)

It appears that the “New GM” has a pair of hits on their hands.  The 2010 Chevrolet Equinox and its sibling the GMC Terrain have been selling so well that General Motors has announced a $100 million investment in the Ingersoll, Ontario plant that produces the cute ‘utes.  This can really only be seen as good news for GM, the CAW and the environment, as the two vehicles are rated at 32 mpg highway, more than the Toyota Rav4 and Honda CR-V.  For more information, head on over to Reuters.

(Image source: GM)

The new Chevrolet Equinox is miles better than the vehicle it replaces, but how does it really stand up to competition?  If you read the review over at Autoblog, you will see that the American manufacturers know how to compete!  From its class leading 32 mpg on the highway, to DVD screens, navigation and more at a price below that of its competitors, the 2010 Chevy Equinox means business.

(Image source: GM)

I know there are many out there who are anti-union, and for good reason.  However, I think you would be hard pressed to find anyone who would be upset at the news that General Motors is bringing 1,350 union workers back to plants in Ohio and Ontario.  The Lordstown, Ohio plant makes the Chevy Cobalt and the CAMI plant in Ontario produces the new 2010 Chevy Equinox and GMC Terrain.

The reason for the increase in production?  GM says dealers have sold down on their inventories due to Cash For Clunkers.  This added shifts will put about 60,000 more cars into dealers hands over the third and fourth quarters of this year.  For the full story, and GM’s press release, head on over to Autoblog.

(Source: Blog Cleveland)

The 2010 GMC Terrain is built on the same platform as the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox.  Now before everyone starts crying “badge engineering” take a look at the two vehicles side by side.  The GMC features it’s own distinct sheet metal and interior layout.  However, these two vehicles do share when it comes to powertrains and that is a very good thing.  The reason?  The Equinox and Terrain both come standard with a 2.4L Ecotec 4-cylinder that achieves an EPA estimated 32 mpg on the highway.  That’s a class leading figure, even beating the Ford Escape hybrid by 1 mpg.

For all of the details plus tons of pictures, head on over to Autoblog.

General Motors knows that fuel efficiency is important to customers.  To prove their point, they developed a new four-cylinder engine, a 2.4L Ecotec that features direct injection.  This engine has already shown that it can produce impressive numbers in the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox, where it gets an EPA estimated 32 mpg highway.  For the Buick GM is predicting highway fuel economy around 30 mpg while city should be around 20 mpg.

For more head on over to Autoblog.

So Jalopnik writer Ben Wojdyla has had the opportunity to drive the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox.  His reactions?  Compared to it’s competition, it’s a runaway in the fuel economy department (22 city/32 highway with the I4, 21 city/27 highway with the V6.)  The Toyota RAV4 can only muster 21 city / 27 highway with it’s I4!

He also states that the cabin is extremely quiet, not just for the segment, but for the market!  Not only that, but the new base price is $23,185, or $1,825 LESS than the previous model!  I’d say GM has a real winner on it’s hands if only people can stop being so biased and actually look at the thing when shopping for a new vehicle.  For the full review, head on over to Jalopnik.