Posts Tagged ‘GM’
GM Puts Faith in CNG Vans
Thursday, June 17th, 2010
Via The New York Times:
Automakers have had a mixed history with natural gas in the United States, but General Motors Co. is betting that a new line of fleet vans can bring the technology back.
The automaker is rolling out compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) alternatives to the Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana. The two full-sized vans are designed for those who must haul large amounts of equipment but don’t need to drive long distances.
The new vans will be available for the 2011 model year. Pricing hasn’t yet been released.
“We’re listening to our fleet customers and dealers about offering options that help them achieve their business objectives,” said Brian Small, general manager of GM’s fleet and commercial operations, in a release. “The industry commitment to expand the CNG and LPG infrastructure in key fleet markets was an enabler to allowing us to introduce these options now.”
Details about emissions and range aren’t available yet, but the vans will meet U.S. EPA’s and the California Air Resource Board’s certification requirements, said Mike McGarry, the marketing manager for alternative fuels in fleet and commercial operations.
Fleet vans are a good opportunity for automakers to try new technology, said Kim Hill, director of the Sustainable Transportation and Communities group for the nonprofit Center for Automotive Research in Ann Arbor, Mich. Most of the vehicles don’t need to be able to travel long distances, and buyers purchase between 100 and 1,000 vehicles at a time.
“It’s much easier and advantageous for a company to get vehicles out there at once through the fleets rather than through the consumer,” Hill said. “The Savana van is ubiquitous as a service vehicle, same with these Transit Connects. There’s a specific audience.”
Photo courtesy of Rockershirt under the Creative Commons License
Tags: Brian Small, Chevrolet Express, CNG Vans, GM, GMC Savana, natural gas
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GM Plans Smartphone Integration
Thursday, May 27th, 2010
General Motors announced Tuesday that it plans to develop smartphone integration for its new vehicles using its existing OnStar driver assistance network.
The new system is aimed to compete with Ford’s SYNC system and Mercedes Benz’s smartphone integration. Unlike Ford, GM will be developing the apps for its cars itself, rather than relying on third-party developers.
GM’s new system will initially focus on phones using Google’s Android operating system, like the Motorola Droid and HTC Droid Incredible.
“We want to make smartphones work seamless with the connectivity of OnStar,” explained Chris Preuss, president of OnStar. Mr. Preuss also emphasized that OnStar wanted to ensure the safety of such new smartphone applications and believed that the best way to do that was to develop the software themselves.
The first vehicle out of the gate to connect with Android applications will the coming hybrid Chevrolet Volt.
The system will first focus on advanced navigation features that use Google’s voice-based search, mapping and routing functions. There will also be a “find my car” function for drivers lost in parking lots.
Once the car is in motion, drivers will not be able to use the smartphone to change settings in the car — a safety feature, according to Mr. Preuss.
To request a new destination, for example, drivers should push the blue OnStar button to have an agent send the directions to the car. He sees this as offering the best of both worlds, while minimizing potential driver distractions.
While Android is the only supported OS for now, iPhone and Blackberry support are expected in the near future.
[via The New York Times]
Photo courtesy of OnStar Connections under the Creative Commons License
Tags: blackberry, driver assistance, GM, Google’s Android, Integration, iphone, Mr. Preuss, OnStar, Smartphone
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GM Pays Off Loans; Volt to Debut Ahead of Schedule
Wednesday, April 28th, 2010
From Business Fleet, here’s some good news for GM.
General Motors Company Chairman and CEO Ed Whitacre announced Wednesday that the company fully paid off over $8 billion in loans to the United States and Canadian governments ahead of schedule.
The loans were paid in full with interest five years ahead of schedule and two months ahead of the timeline Whitacre announced in January. In exchange for the federal loans, the U.S. and Canadian governments took equity stakes in the new GM.
“GM’s ability to pay back the loans ahead of schedule is a sign that our plan is working, and that we are on the right track. It is also an important first step toward allowing our stockholders to reduce their equity investments in GM,” said Whitacre. “We still have much hard work ahead of us, but we are making progress toward our vision of designing, building, and selling the world’s best vehicles.”
Whitacre made the announcement at GM’s Fairfax, Kansas assembly plant where the company will invest $257 million to build the next generation Chevy Malibu.
In addition, Whitacre announced that the Chevy Volt will go on sale in October, nearly two months earlier than originally scheduled and ahead of its competition, the all-electric Nissan Leaf.
Photo courtesy of mrkumm under the Creative Commons License
Tags: Chevy Malibu, Ed Whitacre, GM, loans, Nissan Leaf, United States government, volt
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GM Recalls Fleet Vans Due to Fire Risk
Tuesday, April 13th, 2010
General Motors Co. is recalling about 5,000 heavy-duty vans and stopping production and sales because of alternators that could cause engine fires.
The recall, announced just before midnight Friday, affects some 2010 Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana 2500, 3500 and 4500 Series built in February or March. Light-duty versions use a different alternator.
GM says that until it has a fix for the alternators, customers should stop driving the vans; park them outside, away from buildings or other vehicles; and disconnect both battery cables if possible.
Few of the vans are owned by retail customers.
“It’s in the teens,” GM spokesman Alan Adler said. “We’re calling the customers we know who have them.”
About 1,300 of the vans are in fleets, and GM’s stop-sale order prevents people from renting them. Many vans are still on dealer lots or are awaiting export.
GM builds the vans in Wentzville, Mo., where 60 percent of the production is typically devoted to heavy-duty models.
If your fleet operates any of these vehicles, contact GM for further instructions.
Photo courtesy of Newsbie Pix under the Creative Commons License
Tags: Alan Adler, fire risk, fleet, GM, GMC Savana, recall, vans
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GM to Expand Brake Override
Tuesday, April 6th, 2010
General Motors will expand use of “enhanced smart pedal” technology globally to all passenger cars with automatic transmissions and electronic throttle control, according to the automaker.
Also known as brake override, the change involves modifying existing electronic controls to reduce power to the engine in cases where the brake and accelerator pedal are being depressed at the same time. The global rollout will be completed by the end of 2012.
GM has had a braking performance standard for the past several years that applies to all cars, trucks, and crossovers, requiring that the brakes can stop the vehicle within a specific distance. Brake override is an additional safeguard.
Would you want this system installed in your fleet vehicles?
Photo courtesy of williac under the Creative Commons License
Tags: brake, electronic controls, enhanced smart pedal, GM, override, system
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GM Fleet Vehicles Praised
Monday, March 8th, 2010
Business Fleet has compiled an article detailing the plentiful praise that GM has been getting for its fleet vehicles this year. Take a look and see if any of these vehicles may suit your needs:
Recently, notable publications and organizations have recognized General Motors’ vehicles for overall quality, safety and engine performance. Among those named are cars and trucks important in meeting GM Fleet and Commercial Operations customers’ broad range of needs.
Consumers Digest, IntelliChoice and U.S. News & World Report selected many of the GM Fleet and Commercial vehicles for overall quality awards and recognition. GM vehicles were also highlighted for their safety standards and engine performance.
The Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra, swept the full-size truck segment in IntelliChoice’s Best Overall Value of the Year awards. The Chevy Silverado 2500 HD and the GMC Sierra 2500 HD were also awarded Best Truck Value Over $28,000 in one of IntelliChoice’s nine overall categories. The Chevrolet Express 1500 LS and the LT Passenger Wagon (AWD and RWD) won in the Full-Size Van category.
The Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Malibu and GMC Sierra 1500 were included in Consumers Digest annual 2010 Best Buy rankings. Other popular fleet and commercial vehicles named include Chevrolet Tahoe and Traverse, GMC Acadia and Yukon, and Buick Enclave. Also recognized were traditionally executive fleet vehicles the Cadillac SRX and CTS, and the Buick LaCrosse. Two performance fleet vehicles, the Chevrolet Camaro and Corvette, rounded out the list.
U.S. News and World Report selected the GMC Terrain as one of its Best Cars to Buy for 2010, specifically noting its excellent fuel economy and impressive 32 mpg highway rating.
GM Fleet and Commercial vehicles were also recognized for their safety measures. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s Top Safety Pick in 2010 award went to both the Chevrolet Malibu in the Midsize Car category and the Buick LaCrosse in the Large Car category. This award recognized vehicles that perform the best in the Institute’s tests of protecting people in front, side, rear and rollover crashes.
Photo courtesy of richardefreeman under the Creative Commons License
Tags: Best Cars to Buy, Best Truck Value, Business Fleet, Chevy Silverado, fleet, fuel, GM, GMC Sierra, GMC Terrain, IntelliChoice's Best Overall Value, praise
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GM to Kill Hummer Brand
Monday, March 1st, 2010
If your fleet has any use for a Hummer, now’s your last chance to get one:
General Motors has announced plans to shut down the Hummer brand after the deal to sell it to a Chinese automaker fell through on Wednesday.
Hummer is the third brand that GM is being forced to shut down as part of its bankruptcy reorganization last year. A deal to sell Saturn fell through and GM is also closing the Pontiac brand, which it never attempted to sell.
The large SUV brand is based on the Humvee military vehicle. It was always a niche vehicle but its image and sales were hit particularly hard by rising gasoline prices earlier this decade. Last year, GM only sold 9,046 Hummers, down 67% from 2008.
Photo courtesy of gmeurope under the Creative Commons License
Tags: bankruptcy, fleet, GM, Hummer, shut down
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Benefiting From Toyota’s Misfortune
Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010
It’s no secret that Toyota is having major issues with its vehicles as of late. Business Week is examining ways in which American automakers can use the recent recalls to their advantage.
With Toyota’s reputation now muddied, American automakers are poised to inherit its customers. The trick, according to analysts, is to draw business to their side without seeming predatory in doing so. “Disparagement or gloating,” GM marketing chief Robert Lutz wrote in an e-mail, “will only trigger a sympathy backlash in favor of Toyota.”
Detroit doesn’t have a whole lot to brag about right now, but new developments could change the game in the near future. The Chevy Volt, set to debut this fall, is four times as fuel-efficient as the 2010 Prius and will produce enough units after 2012 to take a large bite out of Toyota’s share of the hybrid market. Ford’s recent focus on smaller, sportier cars such as the Fiesta and Focus also threatens to pull some of Toyota’s younger, less loyal customer base away.
However, the Detroit automakers are not the only ones looking to capitalize on Toyota’s problems. Honda, Nissan, Kia, Hyundai and others could also gain market share when all is said and done. Whatever the case, Detroit’s window of opportunity won’t stay open for long. “If you’re going to grab market share from Toyota,” says Consumer Reports, “you have to do it in the next nine months.”
To read the full article, head over to Business Week.
Photo courtesy of cliff1066 under the Creative Commons License.
Tags: automakers, Business Week, GM, hybrid, market share, reputation, Toyota
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GM to Manufacture Electric Motors
Friday, February 5th, 2010
General Motors will soon become the first major U.S. automaker to design and manufacture electric motors for its hybrid and electric vehicles, expanding its current in-house electric vehicle development capabilities.
By taking on the production of its motors, GM can improve the quality, reliability and performance of electric motors while lowering manufacturing costs. The first GM-designed and built electric motors are on schedule for release in 2013 in a new generation of hybrids.
“Electric motor innovation supported the first wave of automotive growth a century ago with the electric starter, which eliminated the need for a hand crank, and revolutionized automotive travel for the customer,” said Tom Stephens, GM vice chairman, Global Product Operations. “We think the electrification of today’s automobiles will be just as revolutionary and just as beneficial to our customers. Electric motors will play a huge role in that.”
“In the future, electric motors might become as important to GM as engines are now,” Stephens said. “By designing and manufacturing electric motors in-house, we can more efficiently use energy from batteries as they evolve, potentially reducing cost and weight – two significant challenges facing batteries today.”
GM was given a $105 million dollar grant by the U.S. Department of Energy in August to build up its capabilities for the production of the new electric motors and related components. The automaker will still purchase and co-design new motors with outside suppliers as well.
Photo courtesy of jurvetson under the Creative Commons License.
Tags: electric, General Motors, GM, manufacturing, U.S. Department of Energy
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Pontiac Vibe Recall Tied to Faulty Accelerator
Monday, February 1st, 2010
It seems that Toyota is not the only automaker having trouble with its accelerators. Now a new recall affecting Pontiac has gone into effect:
Model-year 2009-2010 Pontiac Vibe vehicles are being recalled because of the risk that the accelerator pedal may malfunction.
This recall is related to the Toyota accelerator pedal recall. The Vibe, essentially the same vehicle as the Toyota Matrix, was the product of a joint venture between GM and Toyota until GM ended it last summer. GM is no longer building the Vibe. No more than 26 new Vibes remain in Pontiac dealerships, a GM representative told Dow Jones Newswires. Sales of the vehicles have been suspended.
Toyota will be handling the Vibe recall, Dow Jones reported.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Web site, the recall is related to how the friction lever interacts with the sliding surface of the accelerator pedal inside the pedal sensor assembly. The sliding surface of the lever has the potential to become smooth during vehicle operation. In this condition, any condensation that may form on the surface – which can occur while the heater is operating (without AC) and the pedal assembly is cold — can lead to greater friction when the accelerator pedal is engaged. This can result in the accelerator pedal becoming harder to depress, slower to return to idle or, in the worst case, mechanically stuck in a partially depressed position.
Photo courtesy of resedabear under the Creative Commons License.
Tags: Dow Jones Newswire, GM, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, NHTSA, Pontiac, Pontiac Vibe, Toyota, Toyota Matrix, Toyota recall, Vibe recall
Posted in Industry News | 2 Comments »
