truth about domestics

General Motors has announced that production of the Camaro convertible and the 2011 Buick Regal will start in the first quarter of 2011.  The Regal goes on sale this summer, with the initial units being shipped in from Germany until production can commence here in North America.  The Camaro convertible joins the hot selling Camaro coupe when it goes on sale early next year.  The addition of these two cars brings about 700 jobs back to the Oshawa, Ontario assembly plant that builds the Camaro now.  For more details, head on over to Autoblog.

(Image source: GM)

The video above shows some of the testing that went into making the new Chevrolet Equinox as great as it is.  The smoke testing was done to check for air leaks, because those can be pathways for water, wind and road noise.  The second test…well you’ll see.

The Chevrolet Aveo RS concept from the Detroit Auto Show is a much more attractive looking car than the current Aveo it will eventually be replacing.  The evidence to that end is this prototype that was seen testing in some cold weather shows that many of the hot design traits like short front and rear overhangs will make it into production.  The more upscale interior appears to be that way as well, except for some minor parts sharing of components like the radio controls.  Stay tuned for more, but for now, head on over to Autoblog.

General Motors’ CEO Ed Whitacre was recently interviewed by Lyle Dennis at GM-Volt.com and was asked about the pricing for the Volt, which until this point was believed to be around $40,000.  Whitacre’s response was that the Volt would be priced in the “low $30′s” and be profitable to boot!  While this answer is great news for Volt fans everywhere, it still leaves much in the air.  Is the $30k price before or after the $7,500 tax credit for purchasing a Volt?  Only time will tell, for now, head on over to GM-Volt.com or Autoblog.

(Image source: GM)

The Chevrolet Orlando is the upcoming replacement for the HHR.  I’m not exactly sure how that is, because the HHR is a five seater, and the Orlando is a seven seater, but that’s what everyone else on the web is saying.  So this would make the second Chevy to seat seven, after the Traverse…but I guess the two are different enough in size that people won’t get them confused.  The Orlando is expected to pack a few different fuel-efficient four cylinders and possibly the Voltec powertrain.  For all of the spy photos, head on over to Autoblog.

(Image source: GM)

According to PickupTrucks.com, we will be seeing the new 2011 Chevy Silverado Heavy Duty, and possibly the GMC Sierra Heavy Duty too!  These trucks should feature some revised sheetmetal, an upgraded chassis and a new 6.6L Duramax diesel that meets new 2010 emissions regulations, most likely with a urea injection system like the 2011 Ford Super Duty and its new 6.7L Scorpion diesel uses.

(Image source: GM)

The video above shows a test that is pretty standard for most cars on sale here in the United States.  Basically the car is heated to insane temperatures, like 200 degrees Fahrenheit, to make sure none of the parts show signs of heat aging.

The video above brings some new, outside perspectives on the new battery plant that General Motors has just opened in Michigan.

GM has apparently given the Chevrolet Beat as it is known around the world the go-ahead for North American sales.  Does that mean the car is coming to the U.S.?  Who really knows at this point, but GM spokespeople have stated in the past that the car was designed with United States regulations in mind.  Gas prices are predicted to rise, so a smaller car in Chevrolet’s lineup makes perfect sense.  For more details, head on over to Autoblog.

(Image source: GM)

General Motors has had pretty much all of the green car buzz over the past year and a half, since it announced it would build the Chevrolet Volt.  The Volt is nearing production at the end of 2010 as a 2011 model and the biggest question that remains is this: what will the Volt cost?  The current estimates put the cost of the vehicle around $40,000.  The federal government has announced a $7,500 tax credit for vehicles like the Volt, but that raises another question.  Is the $40k before or after the tax credit?

Well John Lauckner, GM’s head of global program management, has told The Wall Street Journal that the price of the car could be well under that $40,000 mark.  The price won’t be set until this summer, so for now, head on over to Autoblog to hear more.

(Image source: GM)