truth about domestics

Ford is planning on increasing its investment in battery hybrid and electric vehicles in Michigan by spending $135 million and creating 220 jobs. The investment will be used to expand research in battery-hybrid applications, engineering, and manufacturing capabilities at two plants. Ford will hire 170 workers at two plants that build battery packs and other components, as well as 50 engineers for electric-vehicle development. Having the highest unemployment rate in the country, this is great news for Michigan.

Read the full news story at USA Today.

Chrysler has some positive news for the first time in a long time.  Then this little nugget of good news comes down the pipeline.  According to a statement released by Chrysler, the Auburn Hills, Michigan automaker will be sending out letters of intent to reinstate dozens of dealers that they have been in contact with over the past few weeks.  This can only be seen as good news, as this will hopefully indicate a sales increase for the first time in eons for Chrysler.  For more details, head on over to Autoblog.

(Image source: ridelust.com)

The 2010 Chevrolet Equinox features a 2.4L Ecotec four-cylinder that allows it to achieve a 32 mpg highway EPA rating.  While that might be best in class now, that figure probably won’t hold up in the future.  So for that reason, General Motors has decided to invest $494 million into three separate plants; one in Tonawanda, New York, another in Defiance, Ohio and the final plant in Bay City, Michigan.  This move will also add 470 jobs to the U.S. economy and produce an as yet unnamed size of the new Ecotec.  For more details and GM’s official press release, head on over to Autoblog.

(Image source: GM)

So Ken Block didn’t finish the Sno-Drift event in Michigan this past weekend.  He still had plenty of time to create the awesome footage you see above, so enjoy!

This video was shot during sno-drift testing in Michigan and boy is it insane!  I couldn’t imagine flying through the woods at speeds like that, on studless tires no less!

In a move that doesn’t really surprise anyone, GM has announced that the Washington D.C. area will be the third market for the initial launch of the 2011 Chevrolet Volt, following California and Michigan.  All three of these areas were picked for basic fundamental reasons; California has a large concentration of hippies environmentally conscious consumers and utility companies willing to help the electric vehicle charging issues, Michigan because it is the home of the Volt in design, development and production, and Washington D.C. because that’s where all the government know-it-alls types reside.

For more on this story, head on over to Autoblog.

(Image source: GM)

When General Motors talked about the Volt’s initial sales locations, California was listed as the first state to receive the extended range plug in hybrid vehicle, but other states were not mentioned.  Well now GM has confirmed that Detroit will be one of the other lead markets after California.  This is great news for the state considering the car will be built there, the battery packs are made there, the car was designed, tested and both the concept and production vehicles were debuted in Michigan.  For more details, head on over to Autoblog Green.

(Image source: GM)

Chrysler has announced that it will be investing $179 million in its Dundee, Michigan engine plant to convert it from production of its “World Engine” to Fiat’s 1.4L Fully Integrated Robotized Engine.  The Multiair engine will first see duty in the tiny little Fiat 500.  For more on the story, click on over to Autoblog.

(Image source: Fiat)

One of the 80 or so 2011 Chevrolet Volt prototypes was spotted rolling around Royal Oak, Michigan today.  Hope the development of the car is going as smoothly as Bob Lutz had stated before.  The car is due to start production towards the end of 2010.  For more, head on over to Autoblog Green.

(Image source: Autoblog Green)

GM has decided that an increase in truck demand is coming and in order to meet that demand, they will need more light duty crew cabs.  What to do, what to do?  Well, if I was GM, I would add production capacity at their heavy duty truck plant, right here in the great state of Michigan!  Whadda ya know?  That’s exactly what GM has decided to do!  New tooling to the tune of $21,000,000 will be added to the site, with production starting in July 2010.  For more on the story, head on over to Autoblog.

(Image source: GM)