UK RECALL #18 - CHEVROLET - Spark model recalled for possible bonnet latch failure.

Vehicle Details
Reference :	R/2015/017
Manufacturer Ref :	OSB13-02-062-a
Make:	CHEVROLET UK
Model :	Spark
Launch Date :	06/02/2015
Numbers Involved :	20089
Build Start Date :	12/06/2009
Build End Date :	31/07/2014

Recall Details
Concern :	SECONDARY BONNET CATCH MAY NOT ENGAGE
Description :	The Hood Striker Secondary Latch may suffer from a build-up of corrosion. If this condition occurs the Hood Striker Secondary Latch may not return to the correct position when released. In such an event, and especially when the primary locking device is not engaged correctly, there is a potential the hood can open while the vehicle is being driven.
Remedial Action :	Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected and replace the Hood Striker Secondary Latch.
Vehicle Id :	AC125313 to EC490212

Other Vehicles Affected (Click the vehicle to perform an extended search)

CHEVROLET UK - SPARK

UK RECALL #11 - CHEVROLET - Vehicle may move unintentionally when gears are engaged.

Vehicle Details
Reference :	R/2015/010
Manufacturer Ref :	OSB14-10-065 A140418
Make:	CHEVROLET UK
Model :	T300 Aveo
Launch Date :	19/01/2015
Numbers Involved :	459
Build Start Date :	04/11/2010
Build End Date :	21/08/2014

Recall Details
Concern :	VEHICLE MAY MOVE UNINTENDEDLY WHEN GEARS ARE ENGAGED
Description :	On affected vehicles the engine may "crank", by itself, and run for a short period when the ignition key has been left in the ignition barrel in “OFF” position. This is due to abnormal wear of key cylinder trigger. If in gear, the vehicle may move unintentionally
Remedial Action :	Replace the ignition key cylinder on affected vehicles
Vehicle Id :	KL1TF4839CB015222 to KL1TF48F9CB056059

Other Vehicles Affected (Click the vehicle to perform an extended search)

CHEVROLET UK - AVEO

GM confirms plans for Chevy Bolt production in Michigan.

Chevrolet this morning confirmed production of its next-generation pure electric vehicle, based on the Bolt EV concept. It will be built at General Motors’ Orion Assembly facility near Detroit.

GM North America President Alan Batey made the announcement ahead of the Chicago Auto Show. The Bolt EV concept was introduced last month at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

“The message from consumers about the Bolt EV concept was clear and unequivocal: Build it,” said Batey. “We are moving quickly because of its potential to completely shake up the status quo for electric vehicles.”

Leveraging the industry-leading battery technology found in the Chevrolet Volt and Spark EV, the Bolt EV concept was developed as a game-changing, long-range pure electric for all 50 states, designed to offer more than a GM-estimated 200 miles of range at a target price of around $30,000.

The progressively styled concept vehicle features selectable driving modes for preferred driving styles, such as daily commuting, and it was designed to support DC fast charging.

“We’re proud that Chevrolet has decided to produce the Bolt EV here in Michigan at the Orion Assembly facility,” Gov. Rick Snyder said. “Michigan unquestionably remains the global automotive leader. Chevrolet is tapping a skilled workforce that includes some of the most talented and hard-working people in the world for this cutting-edge vehicle. Chevrolet is an important part of our state’s automotive history, and Michigan-made products like the Bolt EV point to a bright future as well.”

Start of production and additional details will be announced later.

$200-million investment

GM’s Orion Assembly, home of the Chevrolet Sonic sub-compact and Buick Verano luxury compact,  and Pontiac Metal Center facilities are receiving a $200-million investment to support production of the next-generation electric vehicle. Orion will receive $160 million for tooling and equipment, and Pontiac will receive $40 million for new dies.

“As one of the most environmentally progressive facilities in GM’s global network, Orion Assembly is uniquely suited to build this game-changing electric vehicle,” said Doug Hanly, Orion Assembly and Pontiac Metal Center plant manager. “In partnership with UAW Locals 5960 and 653, we’re committed to building the highest level of quality into it.”

Located approximately 30 miles north of Detroit, Orion Assembly is powered by gas from two nearby landfills, which saves more than 6,300 tons of CO₂ from entering the atmosphere annually. It is also home to a 350-kilowatt solar array that produces the energy equivalent to power 165 homes and sends enough energy back to the grid to power about 45 homes.

“This is very exciting for our members who were facing the possibility of losing that plant during the auto crisis,” said UAW Vice President Cindy Estrada, director of the union’s GM Department. “Our members are also proud to have their plant chosen to produce what is sure to be another popular and dynamic Chevy product rolling off the line at the Orion Assembly Plant.”

Orion Assembly is the first GM facility to receive the Clean Corporate Citizen designation by the State of Michigan, and the Pontiac plant has earned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR^®Challenge for Industry three times.

REPORT HERE

NHTSA announces that about 64,000,000 vehicles were recalled in JUST the USA last year.

Carmakers recalled about 64 million vehicles in the U.S. last year, more than double the previous record set in 2004, according to official government data.

The tally released today by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration closes the book on one of the worst years ever for automotive safety as defective General Motors ignition switches and exploding Takata Corp. airbags sent millions of drivers to dealerships in search of repairs.

“These figures demonstrate the need for vigorous, effective oversight to remove safety defects from our highways,” NHTSA Administrator Mark Rosekind said in a statement. “When defective vehicles or equipment put Americans’ safety at risk, NHTSA will act.”

Rosekind said last month that 2015 may see an even greater number of recalls as regulators ratchet up the pressure on automakers to more quickly disclose and fix defects. Both the GM and Takata recalls occurred only after years of consumer complaints and multiple deaths that led to congressional hearings critical of NHTSA’s effectiveness at policing the industry.

The GM ignition switches have been linked to 52 deaths in the U.S. so far and the Takata airbag inflator ruptures are confirmed in four U.S. deaths and being investigated in a fifth.

The final tally for last year shows there were 803 automotive recalls, covering 63.9 million vehicles. About 3.5 million cars and trucks have been recalled so far this year, according to NHTSA data. Before last year, the annual record for recalls was set in 2004, when 30.8 million vehicles were recalled.

Even with 2014’s record tally, an estimated 46 million cars with unfixed recalls were still on the road at the end of the year and as many as 5 million of those changed ownership in 2014, according to Carfax Inc., which tracks vehicle sales and accident history.

REPORT HERE

JANUARY USA SALES - GM - Best January in seven year with some models up significantly.

• Chevrolet up 20 percent with Silverado up 25 percent
• GMC up 29 percent as every truck and crossover posts gains
• Cadillac up 3 percent driven by XTS, Escalade

General Motors Co. (NYSE: GM) dealers in the United States delivered 202,786 vehicles last month for the company’s best January sales in seven years. Total sales were up 18 percent compared to a year ago. Retail sales were up 14 percent and fleet deliveries were up 32 percent.

“Consumers feel very good because more people are working, the U.S. economy is expanding and fuel prices are low,” said Kurt McNeil, U.S. vice president of Sales Operations. “Consumer and commercial demand for trucks and crossovers is really driving our business, and our move into the small crossover segment with the Chevrolet Trax and Buick Encore, and mid-size pickups with the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon, was well-timed.”

Year-over-year pickup deliveries increased 42 percent, following last month’s 43 percent increase. Large pickup sales were up 22 percent and more than 8,000 all-new mid-size trucks were delivered. GM is the only U.S.-based automaker competing in this segment.

Sales of crossovers and SUVs were up 36 percent year over year, with the Chevrolet Equinox and Traverse, the GMC Terrain and the Buick Encore all posting their highest January sales ever. Chevrolet will unveil a redesigned Equinox at the Chicago Auto Show on February 12.

Highlights (vs. 2014 except as noted)

Chevrolet:

• Chevrolet had its best January total and retail sales since 2008.
• Silverado deliveries increased 25 percent and in just five months, the all-new Colorado has overtaken the Nissan Frontier to become No. 2 in retail market share in the mid-size pickup segment.
• Tahoe sales were up 88 percent, Suburban sales more than doubled and the Traverse was up 89 percent.
• The Chevrolet Cruze, which had its best annual sales ever in 2014, began 2015 with its best January sales ever, as did the Spark.

GMC:

• GMC had its best retail sales since 2004. 
• Sierra sales were up 14 percent.
• Every GMC crossover and SUV saw higher sales: Yukon and Yukon XL sales more than doubled; Terrain was up 25 percent and Acadia was up 8 percent.
• The Canyon had its best January in 10 years following the launch of the all-new model late last year. 

Buick:

• Encore deliveries rose 46 percent for its best January ever.

Cadillac:

• Deliveries of the XTS were up 14 percent.
• Demand for the new Escalade continues to exceed expectations, with deliveries up 149 percent.

Average Transaction Prices (ATPs):    

• ATPs were $34,800, according to J.D. Power PIN estimates through Jan. 25, up $2,400 per unit compared to a year ago.    

Incentives:

• Month over month, GM reduced incentive spending as a percentage of ATPs, according to PIN estimates. The company has had the lowest incentives of all domestic automakers on an ATP basis in 11 of the last 13 months.
• Incentive spending as a percentage of ATPs was 10.5 percent in January, down 0.3 points month over month, while industry average spending was 9.6 percent of ATPs, down 0.7 points. 

Fleet and Commercial:

• Commercial deliveries were up 17 percent, for the 15th consecutive monthly year-over-year increase.  Truck, SUV and crossover deliveries all were higher.
• Sales to government customers were up 27 percent driven by crossover and SUV deliveries, including the new Chevrolet Tahoe Police Pursuit Vehicle.

Industry Sales:

• GM estimates that the seasonally adjusted annual selling rate (SAAR) for light vehicles in January was 16.6 million. 

USA - The 2015 Chevy Colorado is doing huge business in Los Angeles, and takes the #2 spot nationally

All-new pickup takes over No. 2 position nationally in midsize truck market

More 2015 Chevrolet Colorados have been sold in Los Angeles than any other city to date, and the 2015 Motor Trend Truck of the Year^®  has overtaken the Nissan Frontier to become No. 2 in market share nationally.

“L.A. was a big target for the Colorado, where people can use the utility of a pickup, but don’t necessarily have the space for a full-sized truck,” said Tony Johnson, marketing manager for the Colorado. “The in-roads we’ve made there are proof that it is the right fit for that market.”

Over 40 percent of Colorado buyers are trading in non-General Motors’ products, and Colorado customers are also younger, with more than 17 percent of Colorado buyers occupying the 16- 35-year-old age bracket.

Colorado owners also are buying into the active lifestyle the truck allows, with more than four in 10 Colorado pickups being ordered with factory-installed accessories. This includes the patent-pending GearOn™ Cargo System, an adjustable cargo solution that allows two-level storing of equipment, such as bikes, canoes and boards above the bed and other items below the bed. 

The Colorado’s home market of St. Louis – just 41 miles from the Colorado factory in Wentzville, Mo. – is another strong market, ranking seventh in national sales.

All new Buick Concept showcases luxury and attention to detail, the thngs we all love to have.

Tailored leather surfaces, unique acrylic trim elevate concept car’s interior

The Buick Avenir’s sculpted exterior and dramatic proportions aren’t the only attributes turning heads and winning awards. The design and materials within the concept car’s interior continue to earn accolades.

“The attention to detail within Avenir is outstanding,” said Charles Allen, a retired automotive designer who served as a chief judge for the 2015 EyesOn Design Awards. “What stands out to me is how well everything is integrated – all of the materials and elements work together seamlessly to provide a sensation of understated elegance that fits the Buick brand perfectly.”

While designers drew inspiration from nature – specifically water washing upon a shoreline – when shaping the graceful lines within Avenir’s interior, the color and trim team worked to find the right materials to add a dynamic flair.

“With Avenir’s interior, we really wanted to select materials that would complement the surfaces within,” said Rebecca Waldemir, Buick Color and Trim design manager. “Using a distinctive combination of premium leather, suede, wood, chrome and acrylic, we were able to design elements that flow seamlessly throughout the interior.”

Avenir’s designers even put a new twist on wood trim, a traditional Buick element. Not only are wood accents featured on the door panels, but the wood itself provides a more luxurious and natural appearance that adds to the airiness of the interior.

“We’ve used open-pore wood in a modern way, much like what you’ll find in high-end furniture. It’s an oiled, low-gloss execution that contrasts beautifully with other interior décor,” said Waldemir.

Avenir’s sculptural instrument panel incorporates an acrylate panel, carved to replicate three-dimensional wave-like patterns but layered beneath a smooth, high-gloss outer layer.

“As you look at the transparent surface from different angles, you will notice that it has a lot of visual depth and movement. It’s a motif we carried to other areas of Avenir, including the seat design, and to the head- and tailamps,” Waldemir said.

While Avenir’s exterior color is a cooler tone, designers wanted to provide a warm, inviting sensation within. The lighter “Lyric” hue, found on most interior surfaces, helps achieve that feeling, while restrained use of a darker tone – “Coastal Myst” – on the instrument panel and arm rests provides a natural transition to the exterior.  To further create a tailored feel, most surfaces within the Avenir are wrapped in leather or suede and accentuated with stitching.

All-in-all, Avenir’s interior materials were designed to work in harmony and provide an upscale environment that feels natural and holistic to all passengers.

“The first thing you’ll notice when you open Avenir’s doors is just how clean and pure its interior design is,” said Liz Wetzel, Buick interior design director. “We’ve stripped it of superfluous, fussy details in order to rely on sculptural forms and harmonious surfaces. The result is a refreshing environment that provides a sense of well-being to anyone seated within.”

Comprised of prominent members of the automotive design community, the EyesOn Design jury also praised Avenir’s overall design with a Best Concept Vehicle trophy. “Avenir’s global design team set out to make a striking design statement, said Holt Ware, Buick exterior design director. “The Avenir embraces Buick’s rich design heritage of creating exquisite sculptures, precise in their design and beautifully proportioned.”