Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - (Page 26) 26 • AUGUST 25, 2008 GENERAL MOTORS FUTURE PRODUCT GM revamps its vehicle lineup to succeed in a changed world Jamie LaReau jlareau@crain.com DETROIT — The world in which General Motors operates is a very different place from what it was a year ago. Gasoline prices are at unprecedented highs, the green movement has gained momentum that likely won’t be reversed, the slump in housing has killed the demand for high-profit pickups and SUVs, and the Detroit 3 are running out of cash. Add to that strict new federal fuel economy regulations. Although GM has vowed to not let those factors diminish its future product lineup, they are affecting how many products the automaker will build. Economic conditions turned so severe that in June, GM put its Hummer brand up for sale. The company already has killed the idea of large rear-drive cars and deferred development of its next-generation pickups for several years. That means the Chevrolet Impala remains a front-drive sedan. And it means the push to get small, fuel-efficient cars, such as the Opel Corsa, to the United States could be ramped up. Likewise, full-sized SUVs such as the Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon may no longer exist in their current form. GM could replace them with mid-sized utilitylike vehicles. Here is a look at what to expect out of General Motors over the next few years, with the caveat that it could all change if the market continues to erode GM’s sales and cash supply. c Chevrolet adjusts plans for coming decade Jamie LaReau jlareau@crain.com High gasoline prices, tougher fuel economy regulations and limited product development funds are forcing Chevrolet to reinvent much of next decade’s product line. Gone are plans for a rear-drive Impala. In question are the big, once highly profitable SUVs, which may be replaced with smaller vehicles. Waiting in the wings is the ballyhooed rear-drive Camaro, arriving in February. On the horizon are a redesigned Aveo, the new Cruze economy sedan and the pure-electric Volt. Several years away is a minicar with excellent fuel economy. Aveo: The subcompact will be redesigned for the 2011 model year. The 2011 Aveo could draw design cues from the Chevrolet Groove or Trax minicar concepts shown at the 2007 New York auto show, but the Aveo will be longer and wider than the concepts to meet federal safety regulations. GM Daewoo Auto & Technology Co. will develop the redesigned Aveo in South Korea with assistance from an international development team in Shanghai. The car will be developed on GM’s global Gamma platform. The U.S. version likely will be built in GM’s plant in San Luis Potosi, Mexico. Cruze: A Paris auto show unveiling is planned for the 2010 front-drive compact sedan, which will be sold globally. The car is being engineered by GM Daewoo. The Lordstown, Ohio, plant will assemble the North American version, with production beginning next year. The car is being developed on GM’s new global Delta vehicle architecture. GM’s new 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine, which will power the Cruze, will be used globally in several brands. A turbocharged version is planned. Cobalt: The Lordstown plant is scheduled to assemble the current generation of the compact through June 2010. After that, GM may keep a Cobalt coupe in production and shift assembly to Mexico. Malibu: The scheduled restyling for the 2010 model year has been canceled because of cost constraints. Depending on the new fuel economy rules, the overall length and wheelbase of the next-generation Malibu might be trimmed. If so, the restyled and re-engineered car might debut for the 2012 model year. Volt: GM’s lithium ion battery technology will debut in the 2011 Volt, a Production of the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro coupe, shown, will begin in February, but the convertible may be delayed. The Chevrolet Traverse is the fourth and final crossover developed on GM’s mid-sized Lambda vehicle architecture. fwd plug-in hybrid with its own styling. The automaker is following the pattern set by Toyota with the Prius, a separate model to highlight hybrid technology. The Volt’s battery-powered electric motor will be capable of propelling the vehicle about 40 miles before a gasoline engine kicks in to recharge the battery. The Volt will be built on GM’s Delta architecture and assembled at the Detroit-Hamtramck plant. GM wants the Volt sedan to be on sale by the third week of November 2010. Impala: The mid-sized car was scheduled to be redesigned as a rwd vehicle for the 2011 model year. But the high price of gasoline and stiffer U.S. fuel economy regulations have persuaded GM to leave the Impala fwd. The new plan: The Impala will be redesigned for the 2012 model year on GM’s new global mid-sized vehicle architecture, previously known as Epsilon. The new Impala is expected to be slightly wider and longer than the 2008 model, with possibly shorter front and rear overhangs. Camaro: The 2010 coupe will go into production in February. The convertible might be pushed back to the 2012 model year because of cost constraints. The Camaro was developed on GM’s global rwd Zeta vehicle architecture, which was created by GM’s Holden subsidiary in Australia. V-6 and V-8 engines will be offered. GM insiders say the turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine once mentioned by product chief Bob Lutz is likely too weak. GM will build the Camaro in Oshawa, Ontario. Corvette: GM has launched its 200mph-plus 2009 ZR-1, which starts at $105,000, including shipping and a gas-guzzler tax. The hand-built, 6.2liter V-8 is rated at 638 hp. Chevrolet says the car accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 3.4 seconds and can achieve a top speed of 205 mph, making it the fastest Corvette ever made. Production of the redesigned Corvette is to start in April 2012 for the 2013 model year. Despite talk of a midengine model, the front-engine layout will be maintained. HHR: The redesigned 2011 wagon will abandon the retro styling theme and become what one insider called “radically modern.” It also will be bigger, with possible seating for seven. Essentially, it will be a mini-minivan, based on the replacement for the Opel Zafira. The vehicles will be developed on GM’s next-generation Delta vehicle architecture. A concept may be revealed this year. Equinox: The 2010 crossover will be restyled and re-engineered. Those who have seen the new Equinox say it has lots of chrome, a new interior, larger wheels and a revised chassis. Traverse: The 2009 Traverse is the fourth and final crossover developed on GM’s mid-sized Lambda vehicle architecture. The Traverse will be assembled at GM’s Spring Hill, Tenn., plant, which formerly was devoted to Saturn. TrailBlazer: GM is phasing out its SUV, planning to replace it with the more fuel-efficient Traverse. The Moraine, Ohio, plant, which builds the TrailBlazer, is scheduled to close in 2010, but some speculate the factory might stop assembling the TrailBlazer sooner because of poor sales. Tahoe, Suburban: The full-sized SUVs were scheduled to be restyled and re-engineered for the 2012 model year, but those plans are on hold. GM executives say high gasoline prices and stiffer fuel economy regulations may mean that the Tahoe and Suburban will be replaced by models developed on a stretched version of the Lambda platform. Avalanche: A scheduled restyling and re-engineering of the SUV-based pickup for the 2012 model year is on hold. The Avalanche may switch to the Lambda platform. Colorado: Will an optional 300-hp, 5.3-liter V-8 help the 2009 Colorado become a big player in the smallpickup segment? Chevrolet promises 0-to-60-mph acceleration in less than seven seconds for the V-8-powered version. The 2009 Colorado’s brakes have been re-engineered. A redesign is on hold pending an analysis of new fuel economy regulations. The redesign had been scheduled for the 2012 model year on GM’s GMT700 vehicle platform. Silverado 1500: GM launches its Two Mode hybrid Chevrolet and GMC pickups for the 2009 model year. Silverado 2500, 3500: The re-engineering of the heavy-duty models has been pushed back, possibly to the 2011 model year. Uplander: The slow-selling minivan eventually will be replaced by the new Traverse crossover, but GM will continue building the Uplander into 2009. Express: No significant changes are expected. c Rick Kranz contributed to this report
Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Automotive News - August 25, 2008 Automotive News - August 25, 2008 Looming cuts worry L-M dealers Bad blood Study: Toyota top U.S. lender How the kid got in the picture Hyundai affiliate to build transmission plant White House names acting NHTSA chief S&P lowers outlook on Sonic, Group 1 Now you can talk back: Join our online community Dodge dealers: We're in a box Company gets a fix-it list for pickups, SUVs from J.D. Power Mahindra delays U.S. launch Dealer Beyer now selling a 2009 Obama Nissan to leap into U.S. commercial-truck fray in 2010 China's Brilliance to show cars in Detroit Lawsuit alleges insider trades by CarMax execs Honda: Dealerships will have Fits more than a month early Infiniti's stylish stretch Cadillac will offer 4-cylinder sedan in '10 Chrysler redesigns new design boss' spot in exec ranks Genesis aims at low-priced luxury Letter to the Editor It's show and tell for auto industry in Washington Price cuts both ways The love affair continues Advance ads cost a lot, but help little Dealer-customer mandatory arbitration works Lithia sheds 2 of its Detroit 3 stores Japan sales slide; output, exports keep expanding L.A. dealers split on taking thumbprints of buyers Picture This With redesigned TL, Acura adds power, awd Personnel Chevrolet adjusts plans for coming decade GM revamps its vehicle lineup to succeed in a changed world Caddy relies on model updates over product development Buick buzzes about China Dismal sales make future of Hummer uncertain Budgets may crimp the lineup at Saturn Dreams aside, Pontiac will rely on small fwd cars Will GMC overhaul truck offerings? GM downsizes product lineup GM's powertrain plan: Less weight, better technology Hummer hopes pickup brings new buyers Dealers 'Ambush' boosts GM Certified DealerTrack adds market price checks Wholesale used-vehicle prices inch up in July Mexico sales up 2.6% in July; '08 near pace of '07 Collectors revive GM classics Honda's new Fit subcompact: Bigger, sportier Survey: Suppliers reconsider business with Chrysler Web site offers vehicle listings from Detroit 3 Nissan trains inspectors to improve quality A bumpy ride for dealer/lawmaker Buchanan Detroit dealers duel over bulk mailing Story links Nissan suicides, work pressure Times change, but supplier talk doesn't Garbage in, good stuff out Creed's creations Automotive News - August 25, 2008 Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - (Page Intro) Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - (Page BRC1) Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - (Page BRC2) Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - Study: Toyota top U.S. lender (Page 1) Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - Study: Toyota top U.S. lender (Page 2) Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - Dodge dealers: We're in a box (Page 3) Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - Nissan to leap into U.S. commercial-truck fray in 2010 (Page 4) Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - Nissan to leap into U.S. commercial-truck fray in 2010 (Page 5) Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - Cadillac will offer 4-cylinder sedan in '10 (Page 6) Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - Cadillac will offer 4-cylinder sedan in '10 (Page 7) Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - Genesis aims at low-priced luxury (Page 8) Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - Genesis aims at low-priced luxury (Page 9) Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - Genesis aims at low-priced luxury (Page 10) Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - Genesis aims at low-priced luxury (Page 11) Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - The love affair continues (Page 12) Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - The love affair continues (Page 13) Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - Dealer-customer mandatory arbitration works (Page 14) Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - Dealer-customer mandatory arbitration works (Page 15) Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - Lithia sheds 2 of its Detroit 3 stores (Page 16) Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - Lithia sheds 2 of its Detroit 3 stores (Page 16a) Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - Lithia sheds 2 of its Detroit 3 stores (Page 16b) Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - Japan sales slide; output, exports keep expanding (Page 17) Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - Japan sales slide; output, exports keep expanding (Page 18) Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - Japan sales slide; output, exports keep expanding (Page 19) Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - Picture This (Page 20) Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - Picture This (Page 21) Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - Picture This (Page 22) Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - With redesigned TL, Acura adds power, awd (Page 23) Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - Personnel (Page 24) Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - Personnel (Page 24a) Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - Personnel (Page 24b) Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - Personnel (Page 24c) Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - Personnel (Page 24d) Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - Personnel (Page 25) Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - GM revamps its vehicle lineup to succeed in a changed world (Page 26) Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - Caddy relies on model updates over product development (Page 27) Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - Budgets may crimp the lineup at Saturn (Page 28) Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - Budgets may crimp the lineup at Saturn (Page 29) Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - Dreams aside, Pontiac will rely on small fwd cars (Page 30) Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - GM downsizes product lineup (Page 31) Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - GM's powertrain plan: Less weight, better technology (Page 32) Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - Dealers (Page 33) Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - Wholesale used-vehicle prices inch up in July (Page 34) Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - Wholesale used-vehicle prices inch up in July (Page 35) Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - Wholesale used-vehicle prices inch up in July (Page 36) Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - Wholesale used-vehicle prices inch up in July (Page 37) Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - Wholesale used-vehicle prices inch up in July (Page 38) Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - Mexico sales up 2.6% in July; '08 near pace of '07 (Page 39) Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - Collectors revive GM classics (Page 40) Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - Honda's new Fit subcompact: Bigger, sportier (Page 41) Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - Survey: Suppliers reconsider business with Chrysler (Page 42) Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - Survey: Suppliers reconsider business with Chrysler (Page 43) Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - Nissan trains inspectors to improve quality (Page 44) Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - Nissan trains inspectors to improve quality (Page 45) Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - Creed's creations (Page 46) Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - Creed's creations (Page 47) Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - Creed's creations (Page 48)
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