NOTHING MICKEY MOUSE ABOUT ORLANDO

By Joe Duarte, Autonet.ca - Chevrolet's Orlando show car is a seven seat wagon meant to demonstrate the flexibility of the Cruze platform.

Due in showrooms late in 2011, Orlando carries Chevrolet's signature design language with a noticeable resemblance to that of the larger Traverse, though it bears a more rugged profile due to squarish flared fenders.

Meant to do battle with the likes of the Kia Rondo, Mazda5 and Mitsubishi Outlander, Orlando features adaptable, theatre-style seating in three rows. If the need is more to carrying cargo, all seats fold flat (including the front passenger seat) to create a long load. The middle row is made up of a 60/40 split bench and the third row is 50/50 set-up.

Like the diminutive Spark and Cruze (and other Chevrolets before them), Orlando features Chevrolet's 'dual cockpit' design theme. The cabin is designed to meet the demands of owners who need plenty of options (whether that be for people, cargo, entertainment, etc). On the show car, a storage compartment extends along the center of the roof, providing useful stowage space. Further storage space is provided in the centre console, the middle row center arm-rest and under the cargo floor in the trunk area.

The roof houses twin glass panels that stretch nearly completely from windshield to liftgate, though it's not known if these would make it into production.

At 2,760 mm, the Orlando wheelbase is 75 mm longer than that of the Cruze, while the front and rear tracks are 50 mm and 30 mm wider, respectively. It all adds up to seating and cargo-carrying space the company says will be among best-in-class for compact Crossovers.

In Europe, Orlando will be offered with Chevrolet's latest-generation 2.0-litre turbodiesel, which develops 150 hop and 236 lb.-ft. of torque. On this side of the pond, power would likely be supplied by a gasoline engine - a 2.0 turbo "four" Ecotec engine currently makes 260 hp and 260 lb.-ft., which would be the types of outputs Chevrolet would desire for a vehicle that would likely be weighed down with cargo and/or people.

General Motors has announced Orlando would be produced in North America (though it doesn't look as though it will be sold south of the border).

CHEVROLET'S NEW ORLANDO MULTI-PURPOSE VEHICLE SET TO STAR IN PARIS

Function with attitude: crossover look combined with 7-seater versatility ... World premiere at Paris Motor Show, start of sale in Canada in summer 2011 ... One of four Chevrolet world premieres to be presented at the Paris Auto Show.

By General Motors Corporation - The Orlando will be one of the star attractions at the Mondial de l'Automobile in Paris on September 30, when the full production model makes its world debut. It will be one of four Chevrolet world premiers at the show.

Based on the show car concept first seen at the Paris show in 2008, the Chevrolet Orlando is a vehicle designed for modern families, combining 7-seat practicality and interior flexibility with a crossover style design.

Chevrolet's new compact multipurpose vehicle (MPV) features a bold appearance with its low roofline and crossover inspired silhouette, while retaining the distinctive and recognizable Chevrolet 'global face' depicted by the split grille and bow-tie badge. Its low swept roof line is complemented by the muscular, protruding wheel-arches, housing 16- or 17-inch wheels.

"The Orlando will extend Chevrolet's winning combination of style, refinement, fuel efficiency, safety, comfort and practicality to the important MPV segment in Canada," said Marc Comeau, vice president of sales, service and marketing for Chevrolet Canada. "With a fresh approach that blends function with attitude, we are confidfent that the Orlando will build on the strong sales momentum at Chevrolet."

While the exterior of the new Orlando is sure to draw plenty of attention, the interior also features Chevrolet's hallmark design cues, such as the Corvette inspired dual cockpit and ambient blue backlighting to the center console. And, Canadian families will definitely appreciate the Orlando's three-row, theatre-style seating arrangement, generous cargo area and numerous storage solutions.

Despite the sweeping roof-line, the designers have succeeded in raising the second and third row of seats, which means Orlando's occupants get an even better view both forward and to the side. And, with a wide variety of seating configurations possible, the Orlando can be quickly transformed into one of the most voluminous vehicles in the class when it comes to carrying loads.

Any hard-working family vehicle needs plenty of interior storage space. The Orlando obliges with a range of compartments of different shapes and sizes situated in the centre console, front and rear doors and rear cargo area.

As well, Chevrolet designers have been able to integrate an innovative storage area hidden behind the front fascia of the audio system within easy reach of both the driver and passenger. Revealed by flipping up the face of the audio centre, this compartment can store such items as an MP3 player, sunglasses or a wallt. A convenient USB port is also available within this compartment for easy recharging mobile devices.

The Orlando is based on Chevrolet's successful and award-winning Cruze sedan, already proven in more than 60 global markets to offer excellent ride and handling, safety, roominess, quality and overall value. The Orlando will feature a sophisticated 2.4L direct injected engine with 185 horsepower, paired with a fuel-saving six-speed automatic or manual transmission together with a host of standard and optional equipment.

The Chevrolet Orlando goes on sale across Europe in early 2011, following by additional markets around the globe, including Canada in summer 2011.

TOYOTA ANNOUNCES VOLUNTARY SAFETY RECALL ON CERTAIN TOYOTA COROLLA AND COROLLA MATRIX MODELS

By Neil Roland, Automotive News - Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), USA, Inc., today announced that it will conduct a voluntary safety recall involving approximately 1.13 million 2005-2008 Model Year Toyota Corolla and Corolla Matrix vehicles sold in North America to address some Engine Control Modules (ECM) that may have been improperly manufactured. No other Toyota or Lexus vehicles are involved in this recall.

On vehicles equipped with the 1ZZ-FE engine and two-wheel drive, there is a possibility that a crack may develop at certain solder points or on the electronic component used to protect circuits against excessive voltage (varistor), on the ECM's circuit board. In most cases, if a crack occurs at certain solder points or on certain varistors, the check engine may illuminate, harsh shifting could result, or the engine may not start. In limited instances, if cracking occurs on particular solder points or varistors, the engine could stop while the vehicle is being driven.

There are three unconfirmed accidents alleged to be related to this condition, one of which reported a minor injury.

Steve St. Angelo, Toyota chief quality officer for North America, said, "This recall is an example of our commitment to standing by our products and being responsive to our customers. Our goal is to help ensure that Toyota drivers are completely confident in the safety and reliability of their vehicles."

As part of the recall, the ECM on involved vehicles will be replaced at no charge to the owner. Beginning in mid-September 2010, Toyota will mail an interim notification to advise owners of this recall and the fact that they will receive a future notice when parts become available to complete the repairs. Owners who have previously paid for replacement of the ECM to address this specific condition should refer to the owner letter for reimbursement consideration instructions.

TOYOTA, GM RECALL 1.3 MILLION VEHICLES FOR STALLING

By Neil Roland, Automotive News - Toyota Motor Corp. and General Motors Co. today announced recalls of 1.3 million vehicles from the 2005-2008 model years following complaints of engine stalling.

Toyota issued a recall of 1.1 million Corolla and Corolla Matrix vehicles after more than 1,000 complaints.

GM will recall 200,000 Pontiac Vibes, including 162,000 in the United States, after a "handful" of complaints, said GM spokesman Alan Adler.

The Vibe, a sister vehicle for the Matrix, was produced as part of the New United Motor Manufacturing Inc. joing venture between the two companies in California that is now defunct.

Toyota said it was addressing some engine control modules -- the computer that controls the engine -- that may have been improperly made.

Cracks may develop at solder points or on the electronic component used to protect circuits against excessive voltage -- in some cases stopping the engine while the vehicle is being driven, the statement said.

The announcement today raises Toyota recalls since November 2009 to about 12.3 million vehicles worldwide and 10.5 million in the United States, most for sudden acceleration, Toyota spokesman Brian Lyons said.

The supplier of the modules at issue in today's recall was Delphi Corp., a Delphi spokesman said.

"The ECM's supplied to Toyota were designed and validated in accordance with specifications provided to us by Toyota," said Delphi spokesman Lindsey Williams. "We continue to work collaboratively with Toyota and support them in this recall campaign."

All the affected Toyota vehicles were sold in North America.

"Our goal is to help ensure that Toyota drivers are completely confident in the safety and reliability of their vehicles," Steve St. Angelo, Toyota's chief quality officer for North America, said in a prepared statement.

Earlier this week, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said it was upgrading its investigation of the Corollas.

Toyota's popular Corolla model also faces other regulatory concerns. Since February, NHTSA has been investigating dozens of complaints of steering problems with the Corollas from model years 2009 and 2010.

Some accidents, no deaths: Toyota said it knew of three unconfirmed accidents stemming from the safety defect, one of which involved a minor injury.

NHTSA said it knows of six reported crashes, with no injuries or deaths.

When the problem occurs, the check engine light will illuminate in most cases and the vehicle may experience "harsh shifting", Toyota said.

Consumers have filed 1,101 complaints, according to NHTSA data. Toyota has reported it approved 4,211 warranty claims for replacement of the electronic control module or unit, the computer that conrols the engine.

In a January complaint, the driver reported a problem with a 2007 Corolla that had been driven 22,000 miles.

"When I got off work, I could not start the engine," the driver wrote. "I tried three times and engine was finally started."

The next morning, the driver decided to bring the vehicle to the dealership. It stalled at a red light on the way, the complainant wrote.

Toyota said it plans to replace the electronic control module on recalled vehicles at no charge. Owners will be informed of the recall in mid-September mailings, the company said.

The Toyota-GM Joint venture led to the manufacture of vehicles in Fremont, Calif., from April 2004 to January 2008, GM's Adler said.

NHTSA did not announce it was investigating the Pontiac Vibe, nor were any consumer complaints sent to the federal agency, the GM spokesman said.

The recalled Pontiac Vibes can be brought into any GM dealership, Adler said.

SOME GM DEALERS TO STAY OPEN UNDER SETTLEMENT

A employee at a General Motors dealership washes down cars in Toronto on Thursday, March 5, 2009. Several General Motors dealerships slated for closure will remain open following nine months of legal wrangling. GM Canada says a deal has been reached with 21 dealerships that sued the company after they told they would close. The Canadian Press/Nathan Denette

The Canadian Press by Kristine Owram - Several General Motors dealerships slated for closure will remain open after reaching a settlement with the automaker following nine months of legal wrangling.

GM Canada spokesman Tony LaRocca confirmed Tuesday that a deal has been reached with 21 dealerships that sued the company last year after they were told they'd be closed as part of GM's restructuring efforts. Of those, about a dozen will remain open.

The terms of the agreement are confidential.

"The case has been resolved to the mutual satisfaction of the plaintiffs and GM. I'm sure both parties are pleased the litigation is concluded," said Jonathan Lisus, a lawyer with McCarthy Tetrault who represented the dealerships.

LaRocca said the settlement will allow GM Canada to turn its attention back to improving its sales performance.

"We keep looking at trying to make important steps forward ... (putting) products and customers at the front and centre of everything we do, and now we can do that together with our dealers," he said. "From that point of view we see it as a very positive development."

GM announced last year it would eliminate more than one-third of its Canadian dealerships by October 2010 in an attempt to cut costs and streamline its business. The company had more than 700 dealerships in Canada before the closures which were estimated to employ about 33,000 people.

The 21 dealerships named in the lawsuit were slated for closure as part of GM's restructuring, but refused to sign the wind-down agreement. They argued that the automaker used an arbitrary measure to decide which businesses to close and broke a contract that promised to automatically renew their franchises as long as they fulfilled sales and other obligations.

GM denied this and said it had no choice but to close hundreds of stores to stay afloat during the recession.

The claim asked for punitive damages of $1.5 million as well as additional damages for "loss of profit, loss of goodwill, loss of reputation, loss of business opportunity and loss of market share."

One of the plaintiffs in the lawsuit said his dealership will not remain open under the GM banner, but he's still relieved to have reached a settlement.

"We're very pleased that the ordeal has finally come to a mutual agreement," said Bob Slessor, owner of Robert Slessor Pontiac Buick in the southwestern Ontario town of Grimsby.

"It will allow us now an opportunity for a little bit of closure regarding the situation and an opportunity to move forward with our future business plans."

Slessor said he's been in talks with other automakers and intends to keep his 55-year-old dealership open under a different brand.

"From a personal standpoint, we'll miss our association with General Motors. We've enjoyed a long-term relationship and there's mixed emotions as we move forward, but we are pleased that we've been allowed the opportunity to continue business and that the ordeal is finally behind us," he said.

A separate class-action lawsuit by more than 200 GM Canada dealers who signed the wind-down agreement is ongoing, said David Sterns, a lawyer with Sotos LLP, the firm representing the dealers.

"We believe that our case is on very solid ground. We're happy that GM has seen fit to resolve its dispute with the (other dealers), but it's full steam ahead for the class action," Sterns said.

"We're fully prepared to take this case to trial and to prove our case on the merits, and if GM sees fit to try to come to a reasonable resolution, then we would be all ears," he added.

The lawsuit, which is seeking $750 million in damages, claims GM Canada broke franchise laws by failing to give the dealers adequate information and putting "a tremendous amount of undue pressure" on them.

The class-action also names law firm Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP. The firm was hired in advance to represent the terminated dealers, but failed to disclose that it was also representing Ottawa during bailout discussions which ultimately resulted in GM receiving $10.5 billion from the federal and Ontario governments. As a condition of that funding, Ottawa told GM it would have to scale back its dealership network.

GM dealers across the country took a beating last year from a 29 per cent drop in sales, the result of the recession and the automaker's struggle to stay afloat with the help of court-ordered bankruptcy protection in the U.S. and massive government bailouts in both the U.S. and Canada.

Besides the approximately 300 dealerships slated for closure in Canada, GM had also planned to close more than 1,400 stores in the U.S.

Following a fierce lobbying campaign by car dealers, Congress approved legislation last year requiring arbitration for closed stores. GM said it would reinstate more than 660 dealers it had threatened with closure, reducing the number of dealers planning to appeal.

TALK SHOW HOST TO BE FIRST CORVETTE ENGINE BUILDER

By General Motros Corporation - Todd Schnitt's fifth Corvette will be unlike any he has had before because he will personally help build the 638-horsepower supercharged small block engine for his ZR1 supercar at the General Motors Performance Build Center.

Schnitt, host of a Tampa-based syndicated radio show, purchased the recently announced optional Corvette Engine Build Experience. He will be on the line at the PBC in Wixom, Mich., on Monday, Aug 30.

As part of the Corvette Engine Build Experience ordering option, a special Chevrolet concierge is coordinating all arrangements with Schnitt. After the build is completed Monday, the engine will be tracked and sent to the Corvette assembly plant in Bowling Green, Ky., where Schnitt's ZR1 will be assembled with his engine shortly thereafter.

"To build my own engine is over the top," said Schnitt. "When my dealer told me about the option it was like 'Of course, I'll do it, sign me up!". I can't wait to get there and build my own LS9. It will be the ultimate personalization for my car. I'm anticipating it being one of the coolest things I've done in my life. It definitely makes my 'bucket-list.'"

Schnitt, 44, is the long-time Tampa-based host of the MJ Morning Show and the nationally syndicated Schnitt Show, heard nationally in 31 cities and carried on XM Channel 152.

Skilled technicians at the PBC individually hand build each Corvette Z06 LS7 7.0L engine, Corvette ZR1 6.2L supercharged LS9 engine and a variation of the Corvette Grand Sport's LS3 6.2L engine. The PBC incorporates the best practices of low-volume niche manufacturers and the established quality and manufacturing standards at GM to ensure the highest-quality specialized engines. Schnitt will be closely guided and coached by one of these technicians. His engine will still be covered by GM's five-year / 100,000 mile warranty.

In addition to building their own engines, Corvette buyers can attend driving school in Arizona or Nevada, take delivery of their vehicles at the National Corvette Museum or watch their vehicles being built at the Corvette assembly plant in Bowling Green. Schnitt attended the driving school in conjunction with his 2009 ZR1 purchase and took museum delivery of his 2007 Z06.

Schnitt has been a car fan all his life; one of his earliest memories is having a Corvette Matchbox as a child. He even practiced driving behind the wheel of a classic Corvette as part of his preparation to obtain his driver's license.

The popular host's current daily driver is a 2010 Cadillac CTS-V with a 556-horsepower supercharged small block engine and 6-speed manual transmission. Of the CTS-V, Schnitt says "applause goes out to the GM engineers; the products these days don't leave me wanting for anything."

Schnitt's current order is for a cyber grey 2011 ZR1, the same as his last two ZR1s. The Corvette Engine Build Experience time lapse video is an example of what Schnitt's engine build experience will be like.

CHEVROLET CRUZE ... COMING SOON!

Below is a small sample of the great coverage coming out of North America about the all-new 2011 Chevrolet Cruze.

Road & Track - Sam Mitani July 28, 2010: The new Cruze, with its excellent fuel economy, class-leading safety equipment and low price tag, will definitely give the imports a run for their money.

AutoWeek - Wes Raynal July 31, 2010: The best way to describe how the Cruze drives is to say it's like a grown-up small car, you'd be cheating yourself if you didn't try one.

Edmunds - Bill Visnic July 31, 2010: The 2011 Cruze is more than equal to those big-selling Japanese compacts and has enough going on to pique the interest of enthusiast drivers, too.

Wall Street Journal - Dan Neil July 31, 2010: When you evaluate on price, list of standard and safety features and quality of interior materials, the Cruze easily outpaces the Civic.

Motor Trend - Todd Lassa July 31, 2010: In ride and refinement, the new Cruze is far superior to the similarly sized new Jetta.

SILVERADO 2500 DIESEL HD WIN IN HEAVY-DUTY PICKUP SHOOTOUT

By General Motors, Detroit - The 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, equipped with the new Duramax diesel engine and Allison transmission, bested its competition in the popular 3/4-ton diesel category, as PickupTrucks.com on Monday released the results of its 2010 Heavy-Duty Shootout.

"The Chevy's combination of the powerful Duramax diesel, all-new frame and suspension and excellent fuel economy put it ahead of the Ford and Ram trucks," said Mike Levine, editor of Pickuptrucks.com.

The Shootout put all of the entered pickups through many tests including hill climbs with and without trailers, fuel economy routes, drag races with and without trailers, and subjective ride and handling tests.

"We've been confident since day one of the new 2011 Silverado HD," said Chevrolet Marketing Director Maria Rohrer. "This validation from such a respectful source in the world of pickup trucks is just great news."

UNIQUE AIR SHUTTER HELPS MORPH CHEVROLET CRUZE INTO EXPECTED SEGMENT-BEST FUEL ECONOMY LEADER - AS LOW AS 5.0L/100KM ON THE HIGHWAY

By General Motors, Detroit - Squeezing out every last drop of fuel efficiency is one of the key tasks for Greg Fadler, aerodynamics engineering group manager at Chevrolet.

Fadler and his team worked on making the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze Eco one of the most fuel-efficient small cars on the market, achieving as low as an estimated 5.0 L/100km highway consumption - hybrid-like efficiency without the hybrid cost.

Engineers used some of the proven approaches to making the Cruze Eco a gas sipper, trimming its overall weight and lowering the ride height. But the real innovation is behind the front grill where an automatic air shutter system allows the car to change shape and cut through the air more smoothly.

The air shutter uses sensors to feel and sense wind and temperature conditions. The sensors are married to electric motors that open and close the shutters automatically. With the shutters closed at high speeds, wind drag is reduced. At lower speeds, the shutters open to maximize engine-cooling air flow. The air shutter system contributes nearly half a mile per gallon in combined city and highway driving.

The cooling systems for all GM vehicles are designed for the worst-case scenario, which is pulling a trailer up a grade in Death Valley. The shutter allows them to significantly improve fuel economy, while still providing the cooling needed in that extreme case.

"The real fun of the job is when we discover something new or innovative that allows us to do something better than we or our competition has done before," Fadler said.