Chrysler Canada

The U.S. government collaborated with GM to make the financing possible. And it seems to have worked as a record number of people decided to take advantage and purchase a new vehicle. Some dealerships even had to hire more help to take care of the influx of customers.

The Chrysler Canada “Cash For Clunkers” is just starting but they are already falling behind what was promised to customers in the U.S. For one the Canadian Government is not offering any compensation and the maximum Chrysler will pay for your old used vehicle is $1,500 whereas in the States it was closer to $3,000.

If you are living in Canada and are looking at taking advantage of this promotion your old car needs to adhere to some basic guidelines. The clunker must be a 1995 or old vehicle and you must provide proof that the car was insured in Canada during the last year.

Stay tuned to find out more about the Chrysler: Cash For Clunkers in Canada.

Image: Newscom.com

Post from: EveryJoe

Chrysler Replicating GM’s Cash For Clunkers

GM CEO Fritz Henderson

Pontiac is scheduled to be shut down next year after inventories are eventually cleared. This news comes as a surprise to many analysts who know that Pontiac was GM’s third best selling make. Other GM subsidiaries like Saturn, Saab, and Hummer are also on the razors edge as they too may be downsized or closed completely. The reason why Pontiac was chosen for the axe was due to profitability concerns. Pontiac was not making GM a substantial enough profit.

21,000 jobs are expected to be cut in the coming months when the company closes its doors. Pontiac was introduced by GM in 1927 with the Pontiac Chief and has been a symbol of power ever since.

Okay let’s talk frankly about this. The reason why the automakers are in trouble is not because their cars aren’t selling, Pontiac is proof of that, it’s because of bad inefficient managerial structuring. If GM were to hand over Pontiac to a small car company who can manage the profits better, they would thrive. But let’s face it GM would rather shut them down than admit their inefficiency and sell them off. Perhaps they are afraid that Pontiac would be profitable for someone else and become a strong competition. Instead they’ll get cut and with no intent of bringing them back in the future. Sad.

Read more at CNNMoney.com

Image: Newscom

Post from: EveryJoe

Pontiac No More

Somehow I missed GM’s ventures into solar energy, but they also have two of the largest solar rooftop systems in the U.S. — at plants in Rancho Cucamonga and Fontana, CA.

The systems are developed by Energy Conversion Devices, and are made of UNI-SOLAR, a thin film laminate product. Spectacular. :)

UNI-SOLAR products are available for commercial or residential installation, and are available through the following retailers.

Source: PRNewswire-FirstCall
[Image: Uni-solar]

Post from: EveryJoe

GM … Leader in Solar Power?

China represents the 2nd largest auto interest in the world, and with the introduction of the Honda Civic hybrid, Toyota Prius, and Buick Lacrosse Eco-Hybrid, major automakers are making a move to take advantage of China’s new environmental trends. In fact, Toyota began producing the Prius there, partnering with China FAW Group Corp. while GM’s move into the Chinese market represents an even bigger push.

In a joint venture with Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp. – Shanghai GM – the companies have put into action a program they call “Drive to Green.” Beginning in mid-2008, Shanghai GM will begin releasing a slew of environmentally friendly automobiles into the Chinese market, including the new Buick Lacross Eco-Hybrid, and a line of fuel cell vehicles starting in 2010. The company plans to cut overall fuel consumption by 10% across the board.

Sources:
Marketwatch
Reuters
Shanghai Daily

Post from: EveryJoe

Hybrids Clearing new Paths in China: GM’s Buick LaCross, Honda Civic, and Toyota Prius Hybrids

“It is a huge slap in the face, calculated I believe, just to demonstrate their complete disregard for the domestic auto industry,” said Rep. Candice Miller, R-Mich.

Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Mich., called it a “slap in the face of every American auto worker.”…

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., they argued, could have provided the same symbolism by sending the bill Wednesday in a U.S.-built hybrid made by Ford Motor Co. or General Motors Corp. )

Give me a break! The bill calls for increased mileage average of 35 mpg by 2020. What Ford or GM hybrid is currently getting 35 mpg?? That’s what I thought.

Critics of the Congress members say they are trying to draw attention away from the energy bill, but it seems all they’ve done is draw attention to the short-coming of Ford and GM.

It’s one thing to applaud a company for cutting back on damaged wreaked by large SUVs. It’s another to applaud and support the move to substantially eco-friendlier vehicles. Both Ford and GM have the means for designing those kinds of cars. GM is on track, but Ford’s dip into the hybrid market caps out at 31 mpg.

Post from: EveryJoe

Mr. Prius Goes to Washington

In the face of Toyota’s criticism, GM has converted one of their technical centers into a station solely focused on the  development of their electric cars. Formerly the Warren Technical Center, in Warren, Michigan, the 8.2 million square foot  structure is now home to all Volt-related business.

Newest projects on the horizon? According to Bob Boniface, head of designers for the electric line, they have 45 designers and sculptures busy at work on a model that cuts down on air resistance while enticing customer interest … and still being familiar enough for most consumers to buy.

As is expected, they are still hard at work testing batteries and hope to have a working model available for testing in the middle of next year.

Read more here

It seems like GM is going the extra mile to ensure consumers they aren’t hitching their wagon to green innovations short-term. Of course, the mom in me is thinking “field trip!”

Post from: EveryJoe

GM Gets Serious About Electric Development

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Post from: EveryJoe

Find rebates and incentives on hybrid cars

Chevy Hybrid SUV wins “Green Car of the Year”

Post from: EveryJoe

GM Sweeps Green Car Awards w/Yukon, Aura, Malibu hybrids

 ”It is both quick and quiet since it is an electric vehicle with a lot fewer moving parts than the traditional internal combustion-powered truck.

GM believes that the cost of filling up with hydrogen would be competitive with gasoline.

Of course, the key advantages are reducing the nation’s dependence on oil, and the fact that hydrogen fuel cell vehicles emit only water vapor.”

The bad news, and the reason why these cars won’t be on the market by next year? (Or the year after.) Though fourth generation, the current hydrogen cells being used by GM have an estimated 50,000 mile lifespan. Experts expect development to take at least another 5 years.

Post from: EveryJoe

GM’s Hydrogen powered Equinox Gets a Thumbs Up

Toyota’s [hybrid project general manager, Yoshitaka Asakura] expressed skepticism about the concept of a plug-in hybrid car that would run only on battery power for 40 miles, the idea central to the Chevrolet Volt concept. Batteries powerful enough to achieve that would fill up the trunk of a car, he said.

OH BURN!

Slow and steady wins the race between big autos’ electric dreams, according to execs:

Mr. Asakura said Toyota is concerned customers might not accept a plug-in hybrid electric car that has to be recharged every day, despite enthusiasm from environmental groups and electric-vehicle enthusiasts…

Oh no. Did GM jump the gun again? I’m hoping not, but I have faith in Toyota’s marketing team to know what will sell – and what wont – even on US soil. (Though Consumer Reports disagrees – wee hee.)

Read article here

Post from: EveryJoe

Toyota Gives GAB to GM’s Volt Plans