Consumer Reports publishes each year a Top 10 most reliable brands … and less reliable. Here is the result of this list of achievements which no brand wants to appear! The reliability study presented by the popular American magazine Consumer Reports establishes its list of the best-selling brands in North America. Unfortunately, some automakers are doing badly, mainly the US FCA.
Ram
Fiat
Chrysler
Dodge
You’re here
GMC
Jeep
Volkswagen
Cadillac
Lincoln
A rather surprising fact, some luxury brands form this list, proving that high-end does not always rhyme with reliability! On the electric side, Tesla entered this sad Top 10, mainly because of the Model X that accumulated technical outdoor car cover.
GM unveils Chevrolet Trailblazer and Buick Encore GX for 2021
Some time ago, at the Shanghai Motor Show, General Motors unveiled a quartet of small SUVs for its Chevrolet and Buick divisions. The Chevrolet Tracker and Trailblazer were replenishing the brand’s alignment in China, while on the Buick side; the new Encore and Encore GX were the two utilitarian additions to the popular brand there. This week, the North American wing clarified what it intended to do with its local alignment. The answer is simple: there will be more, both at Chevrolet and Buick! The bowtie builder adds the Trailblazer for model year 2021, a SUV a little bigger than the Tax, but a little smaller than the Equinox.
The design is reminiscent of the recent Blazer, another utility vehicle introduced earlier this year. For now, we know that there will be this livery RS with this two-tone roof, Chevrolet which surely intends to add liveries less opulent. At Buick, it’s the Encore GX that joins the already heavily populated SUV lineup. The newcomer is the twin brother of the Trailblazer in terms of its mission to fit just between Buick Encore and Buick Envision. We do not yet know the details surrounding these two new models, but we can expect mechanical 4-cylinder turbo small displacement to propel these vehicles of new invoice. We must also provide liveries with front-wheel drive and others equipped with all-wheel drive. As for the envisaged gearbox, it is safe to assume that GM will use its nine-speed automatic unit. The details will be unveiled later this year, with the two new models expected early in 2020, at the earliest.
Investments of 300 million at GM for a new EV
General Motors Announces $ 300 Million Investment to Produce New Electric Vehicle at Chevrolet After abandoning the Chevrolet Volt in a major restructuring last fall, the US manufacturer invested in its plant in Orion Township, Michigan. This plant, which builds the Chevrolet Bolt, will enjoy a $ 300 million investment that will bring 400 new jobs. This funding will be used to create a brand new electric model at Chevrolet. This new electric car will be designed and developed from an advanced version of the architecture of the Chevrolet Bolt.
For now, that’s all we know about EVs. GM mentions that more information will be released when the vehicle is closer to production. “We are excited to bring these jobs and this investment to the US,” said Mary Bara, GM’s President and CEO, at. “This new Chevrolet electric vehicle is another positive step in our commitment to a 100% electric future. GM will continue to invest in our US operations, where we see growth opportunities. “The Orion assembly plant, in addition to producing the Chevrolet Bolt and Sonic, is also where GM converts the Bolt for Cruise, the division that tests and develops autonomous automotive technology, into an autonomous car. Let’s not forget that just a few days ago, Ford announced a $ 900 million investment at its Flat Rock, Michigan facility. This investment, which will create 900 jobs over four years, will focus on building a new generation of electric vehicles.
The Camaro engineer will take care of the electrical at GM
Despite the announcement of the closure of five North American plants, the loss of thousands of jobs and the cancellation of a multitude of cars, General Motors is still alive and well. And since the current trend in the auto industry is going into electric mode, the American manufacturer has decided to focus even more effort on this facet by transferring the chief engineer of the modern Chevrolet Camano – the one that started in as a 2010 model a little less than a decade ago. Al Oppenheiser will be assigned to GM’s electrical division, which will be replaced by engineer Mark Dickens, who until now was director of performance parts, accessories and motorsport engineering.
In an interview with Car & Driver magazine, the builder justified this movement of personnel by saying that the best talents would be involved in this electrified offensive. The US publication also investigated whether this change in personnel meant the arrival of an electric Camaro or any other type of efficient vehicle powered by clean energy. Unsurprisingly, the answer was rather vague, adding that Oppenheiser’s mandate was to oversee the development of a range of vehicles, but that the likelihood of seeing a EV performance one day was not ruled out yet. A GM employee since 1985, Al Oppenheiser became the chief engineer of the Camaro project in 2007, handling all variants of the model (fifth and sixth generation) to date.
It will be interesting to see what direction this range of electric vehicles will take in the future, especially with a passionate of the popular pony car.
Chevrolet Volt and Cruze 2019 among models cut in wave of layoffs at GM
General Motors is conducting a major restructuring aimed at restoring the company’s finances. In addition to laying off 15% of its workforce in North America, GM also plans to stop production of many poor-selling models, including the Chevrolet Volt and Chevrolet Cruze. The Hamtramck Mills in Michigan; Lords town in Ohio; and Oshawa in Ontario, will become “unallocated” from next year, meaning no cars will be built there. This new surprise arrives a few hours before the start of the Los Angeles Auto Show.
According to the Associated Press, this restructuring would mean that 14,000 GM employees would lose their jobs. Of these, about 25% are in management positions. The automaker said in a statement that it could help “streamline decision-making.” The Volt production will cease on March 1, 2019. A Baltimore-based plant, which manufactures electric motors and other parts for electric vehicles, will also be closed by GM in 2019. The remaining models will be phased out next year by General Motors include the Cadillac CT6 (still available in China), the Chevrolet Impala, the Buick Lacrosse and the Cadillac XTS.
According to Philippe-André Bison, Director of Communications for Eastern Canada, GM’s change is proactive and non-responsive. “These measures will help secure the financial future of General Motors by focusing on the most profitable models,” Bison said in a telephone interview. “The Oshawa plant was used at less than 40%,” he said. He said he was surprised by the withdrawal of the Volt and Cruze. The production of the latter will cease next year for the sedan version. Nothing is confirmed yet regarding the hatchback version. “It’s surprising that the Volt is part of the retired models, but GM and Chevrolet continue to rely on the electric with several upcoming electrified models. It’s only a matter of time before the model is replaced, “said the director of communications.
