LUCKY GAMER WINS LIFE SIZED MARIO KART

By Gary Grant, Autoblog.com - Gamers of all ages love the Mario Kart video game franchise, as Nintendo's little pizza guy drives all over in his fanciful kart complete with a para-sail to help with those pesky cliffs. Last year, the folks at Nintendo partnered with West Coast Customs to create a pair of life size karts, one for Mario and the other for his brother Luigi.

Created as part of a marketing campaign for the launch of Mario Kart 7, Mari's machine was destined to go to one lucky gamer's garage. Clarksville, Tennessee resident, Nate Stehley won the monthly Epic Reward Giveaway, which has landed the kart, complete with glider wing, in his driveway.

Luigi's Bumble V Kart remains on display in Nintendo's Redmond, Washington headquarters.

GENERAL MOTORS TO BUY 7-PERCENT OF PEUGEOT

As part of a development alliance, it appears that French
automaker PSA Peugeot Citroen will be selling
7-percent of its company to General Motors this week.

By Jason Siu, Autoguide.com - If the deal is to go through, it will include a standstill agreement in which GM would not be able to take a greater holding of Peugeot without permission. Peugeot however may offer additional shares through a rights issue as part of the transaction.

A person familiar to the matter told sources that a GM-Peugeot alliance would involve co-developing engines and building vehicles together in the region. This all makes sense for GM, as the world's largest car maker continues building alliances worldwide. More importantly, however, this will assist in turning around the Opel brand to hopefully be a profitable one.

According to sources however, no final agreement has been reached and the size of the stake could change. Reuters is reporting that a separate source said GM would likely purchase a stake of less than 5-percent. Either way, it appears that GM and Paris-based Peugeot are going to be getting in business with one another rather shortly.

AUTOMAKERS DRASTICALLY CUTTING THE NUMBER OF VEHICLE OPTIONS

Although in recent times, there's been much talk from
automakers on delivering the vehicles that consumers
want, at least when it comes to options, perhaps such
statements should be taken with a pinch of salt.

By Huw Evans, Autoguide.com - If we look at current trends, it appears that many OE vehicle manufacturers are drastically reducing the number of options available, in an effort to simplify production as well as ordering processes for dealers.

For example, Volkswagen has reduced the number of options on the Passat from 148 to just 15, while over at General Motors, Buick division only offers 18 different combinations of different trim and model variations on the compact Verano sedan (shown above). Even Toyota, which has prided itself on listening to consumers and delivering vehicles based on their requirements is taking drastic steps -- the Sienna minivan has seen order complexity reduced by a whopping 80 percent.

While some industry analysts believe this new emphasis on reduced ordering options actually results in potential buyers ending up with features they don't want or need, automakers who've embraced the trend believe that besides a simplified ordering process, the result is a lower cost per vehicle, which can be passed on to buyers.

In fact, according to some, offering fewer options can also prove ultimately beneficial to consumers, who end up liking features they might not have previously considered. Kristen Andersson, a senior analyst for True Car.com says, "it's actually a relief. They are removing the work of trying to figure out what I want."

However, despite this apparent trend, particularly as it relates to mainstream vehicle brands, there are some, notably more higher-end, luxury nameplates who are sticking to the idea of an a la carte menu when it comes to options. Porsche, for example, says that around 30 percent of buyers still custom order their cars. "It's expensive to do it the way we do and it slows down the assembly line," says company spokesman Dave Engelman, though when you're dealing with more discerning buyers it often pays to take such an approach, especially as it adds to the aura of exclusivity.

That said, some mainstream brands are also taking a multi-option approach when it comes to ordering new vehicles. Chrysler for example, lists no fewer than 100,000 different factory combinations for the new 2013 Dodge Dart, designed to broaden the vehicle's appeal among a wider potential customer base. Will it work? Only time will tell, nevertheless it doesn't hurt to give things a try.

JAY LENO CAMARO FINALLY FINDS ITS WAY HOME

By Zach Bowman, Autoblog.com - Back in 2009, General Motors whipped up a special-edition Chevrolet Camaro for Jay Leno. With a twin-turbocharged 3.6-liter V6 engine, unique aerodynamic and cooling work, Brembo brakes on all four corners and a Pedders coil-over suspension kit, the vehicle was deisnged to be a modern interpretation of the old Z28. Small aesthetic tweaks abound as well, from a revised front fascia to functional brake duct inlets on the rear quarters and unique exhaust outlets. GM even slathered the vehicle in the same paint as the original Camaro Concept. Very sexy.

Why do we bring up the 420 horsepower special edition now? Because Leno just took delivery of it. The latest episode of Jay Leno's Garage pours over every last detail of the car before hitting the road.

We like the idea of a better-handling, more track-focused Camaro, and while the Camaro ZL1 has scratched that itch for plenty of people, Leno's V6 bruiser is very cool.

NEWT GINGRICH: "YOU CANNOT PUT A GUN RACK IN A CHEVY VOLT"

By Sebastian Blanco, Autoblog.com - Looks like Newt Gingrich is getting into the right-wing, "let's-all-hate-on-the-Chevrolet-Volt" bandwagon.

During a campaign stop at Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, OK, the trailing Republican candidate said, "Let me start from a simple premise that Oklahomans will understand: you cannot put a gun rack in a Volt," Talking Points Memo reports. It appears that Gingrich is trying out a new attack line, as Raw Story is reporting that he used a similar line at an event in Suwanee, GA. There, he continued, "There is no reason not to believe that we couldn't stabilize with American production by drowning demand in supply the old-fashioned, free market way. There's no reason we couldn't have a stable price around $2 or $2.50 (per gallon)."

As you might imagine, it didn't take long for a Volt owner to take Mr. Gringrich's words as a challenge.

RIVALS GANG UP ON FORD TRUCKS AS DODGE RAM JOINS BATTERING

Only Weeks After Chevy Hits Ford
at Super Bowl, Chrysler Piles On

By Advertising Age - First there was the Super Bowl slam, where drivers of Chevy Silverado trucks lament the loss of their buddy Dave, who doesn't survive an apocalypse because he drove a Ford. Now Chrysler runs a national spot from Doner that poses the question: What if you were to take away horsepower, torque and warranty coverage from a Ram? "Well," says the grizzled voice-over, "you'd end up with a Ford F-150."

A dogfight has raged for decades in the truck category, where sniping at the competiton has been a puerile pastime. But the jabs seem to be coming faster and harder of late, as rivals beat up on Ford.

How long, though, before it hits back?

Ford isn't saying -- "We haven't seen the ad yet, so we'll reserve comment until we do," said a Ford spokesman -- but the marketer has not always been satisfied to take the high road.

In September, Ford got some heat when it ran a provocative spot as part of its "Drive One" campaign, spotlighting Chris, an F-150 driver. Facing a barrage of questions from reporters, Chris says, "I wasn't going to buy another car that was bailed out by our government. I was going to buy from a manufacturer that's standing on its own: win, lose or draw. That's what America is about."

The subtle-as-a-hammer reference was to General Motors and Chrysler taking a government bailout in 2008. The ad prompted immediate reaction, and at one point Ford pulled it from YouTube, claiming that was part of a "planned rotation" and then reposted it. Some speculated that the takedown came after Ford allegedly received a request from the White House. Ford's agency is Team Detroit.

The incident proves that while horsepower, reliability and "guts and glory" often enter the commercial conversations about trucks, politics are hardly out of bounds.

And it has always been that way, said GM Global CMO Joel Ewanick. "There have been good-natured, competitive truck ads as long as we can remember," he said. "We don't know this for a fact, but we would guess that the Hatfields drove Chevy trucks and the McCoys drove Ford trucks."

Good natured? That might be a stretch. Consider a Dodge Ram ad from 2002 that animated the infamous little-boy-peeing decal popular among truck owners -- only to have him butted by the Ram logo. The voice-over: "Don't mess with the most powerful, longest-lasting line of trucks."

In the past few months, Chrysler has been active in the one-upmanship ranks, taking aim at Ford Explorer and F-150 trucks in its ads for Dodge Ram and Durango trucks, citing issues such as warranty coverage and towing capabilities.

A spokesman chalked it up to customer service. "Truck customers are well informed and make educated decisions. As such, Ram wanted to point out the clear advantages in our product compared to the competition in a fact-based, straightforward manner so that the consumer could make an informed decision."

"Truck guys have always been willing to name names, and this sort of thing has been going on for years," said Michael Jordan, executive editor of Edmunds.com. "Does anyone compare themselves to "the leading brand" these days except soap manufacturers? Trucks are about utility -- the things they do. Things get tough when there's more than brand imagery involved."

How much tougher on the ad front will it get? While Ford has zipped its corporate lip so far, there's no love lost with the Hatfields. In the recently published "Once Upon a Car," written by longtime New York Times automotive reporter Bill Vlasic, he quotes Ford's VP-global marketing, Jim Farley: "#%$ GM. I hate them and their company and what they stand for. And I hate the way they're succeeding."

In August 2011 he apologized to Mr. Ewanick -- six months before the Silverado salvo aired on the Super Bowl.

CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER DOOR FIRES UNDER INVESTIGATION

By Jason Siu, AutoGuide.com - 309,000 Chevrolet Trailblazers are currently under investigation for possible fires on the driver's side doors of the vehicles.

The affected model years are 2006 and 2007, the fires seem to be caused by the driver's side power window switch or related electrical parts.

A dozen complaints have been filed with National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 10 of which involved fires. GM said that the fires have only melted door parts and singed seats, but haven't destroyed the SUVs entirely, if that's any consolation. No injuries have been reported either.

The Trailblazer investigation comes hot on the heels of a similar probe for the 2007 Toyota Camry and RAV4. We haven't confirmed yet whether or not GM and Toyota used the same supplier for the switches.

POGEO CORVETTE MODERNIZES AN AMERICAN CLASSIC

By Noah Joseph, Autoguide.com - Some will invariably debate their authenticity, but as far as we're concerned, there's no arguing with the quickening of our pulse when we gaze at such examples of retrofitted classics as the Eagle E-Type Speedster or the Singer 911. But if you've been wondering why European sportscars have been getting all the old-meets-new attention, wonder no more, and feast your eyes on the Pogea Corvette.

German tuning house Pogea Racing -- whose customized Abarth 500 we reported on back on 2010 -- has taken an original '59 Corvette roadster and given it a thoroughly modern makeover. Starting with the chassis itself, Pogea went back to the drawing board and built a new tube frame to which it has mounted a new suspension, brakes and powertrain.

The latter comes courtesy of a modern 6.2-litre Corvette LS3 V8 engine, upgraded with new injectors, camshaft, intake and exhaust to drive 485 horsepower and 431 pound-feet of torque through a five-speed manual with ceramic clutch to a Dana 44 differential. Modern Corvette-sourced ventilated brakes with six-piston calipers up front and four-pots in the rear were fitted to keep the power in check, mounted behind 19-inch modular wheels on low-profile Bridgestone Potenza rubber.

Pogea also widened the track, fitted LED tail lights in the shape of the originals, and refurbished the interior with fresh leather and carpeting. Cobra buckets, Vallelunga wheel, Alpine stereo with sat-nav and upgraded electronics. The result is a stunning package that has all the charm of the original (minus, perhaps, the rear quarter vents ...), but with a 3.9-second run to 62 and a 288 km/h top end.

2012 CHEVROLET CAMARO ZL1 CONFIGURATOR BURNS UP THE INTERNET

By Chris Paukert, Autoblog.com - Chevrolet's fire-breathing, Nurburgring-shredding Camaro ZL1 can now be custom configured for your very own garage -- at least your virtual one.

The 580-horsepower, 6.2-litre V8-powered Chevrolet won't come cheaply, starting at $54,995, and choices are limited. Major options include paint (we're kind of fond of the $325 Rally Yellow scheme, though perhaps a little too Transformersque), transmission choice (six-speed manual or automatic), wheel finish, sunroof and faux suede interior bits. Given that this is a small-volume model with serious performance intentions, we're not bothered by the limited decision tree offered by the configurator, and it helps tamp the bottom line down.

CHICAGO 2009: GM FINALLY ROLLS OUT CORVETTE STINGRAY CONCEPT

By Jeremy Korzeniewski, Autoblog.com - General Motors used the Chicago Auto Show to introduce the world to its latest concept vehicle, the Corvette Stingray, which will be featured in the upcoming Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen movie on June 26th. According to GM, the vehicle is nothing more than a styling buck that was influenced by the original 1959 Stingray racer when it was spotted by director Michael Bay while he was touring GM's operations looking for inspiration for the first Transformers movie. Don't expect this concept to spawn any sort of production vehicle, which, needless to say, is a shame.

In robot mode, the Corvette Stingray Concept will take the form of Sideswipe, who will reportedly be a skater with wheels for feet. The General doesn't have anything in the way of new product to show off here in Chicago, so it's using the blockbuster movie to drum up interest instead. It's working ... sorta.

CORVETTE Z06 BED UPGRADES YOUR CHILDHOOD

By Noah Joseph, Autoblog.com - We've reported on items we'd like to place in our automotive-themed dream house, from engine-block coffee tables and Pininfarina desks to Aston Martin loveseats and Porsche sofas, but most of them are for the living room. We'd be remiss, however, to forget the one part of the house where the fascination all began: our childhood bedrooms.

We all had the posters up on the walls, the models on the shelves and maybe the sheets on the bed, but the luckiest kids among us had beds shaped like cars, similar -- but probably not as awesome -- as this latest release from toy company Step2. Released this week at the New York Toy Fair, it isn't just a bed: it's a whole bedroom set, all modeled on the Chevrolet Corvette Z06.

The set includes a $299 bed capable of holding a toddler's mattress but expandable to accommodate a twin (extending its usability from ages 2 to 10) with optional working headlights for an extra $30, a $110 dresser that looks like dad's tool box, a $65 storage chest and a $40 wheeled storage box to make clean-up time quick. It's all made of molded plastic from one of the biggest in the business, and is sure to make for some very sweet dreams indeed.

If NASCAR is more your kid's speed, Step2 has got a stock-car bedroom available too, but it's the Vette set that has us (a) wishing we were little again, and (b) second-guessing the grown-up's bed we just ordered for ourselves.

GM, PSA IN ALLIANCE TALKS, FRENCH MINISTER SAYS; PRODUCTION TIE-UP IN FOCUS

By Automotive News - General Motors Co. and PSA/ Peugeot-Citroen are in talks about a possible alliance, PSA CEO Philippe Varin told the French government, following earlier news reports about the discussions.

French Labor Minister Xavier Bertrand today told the radio station Europe 1 that Varin informed him of the talks between the two automakers on Tuesday.

GM and PSA are discussing a broad manufacturing alliance designed to stem losses in Europe and lower production costs elsewhere, according to Reuters sources.

The talks are focused on sharing vehicles and parts rather than a capital tie-up, according to Reuters. Any new shareholdings that emerged would be small and symbolic.

On Tuesday, the Financial Times reported that a PSA-GM tie-up would see the automakers jointly build cars and components in Europe. Under the partnership, if concluded, PSA and GM's Opel/Vauxhall unit would jointly develop engines, transmission systems and entire vehicles that would be sold under their respective brands.

U.S. comeback

GM can offer PSA help in China and Brazil as the French automaker seeks to reduce its dependence on the stagnating European market, according to French business paper La Tribune. Another possibility would be GM helping PSA to return to the United States, a market the automaker left in 1992 after a 33-year presence, the paper said.

Should the outcome of talks with GM be positive, an accord could be announced at the Geneva car show the first week of March, according to La Tribune.

While potential synergies have been identified, PSA is treading cautiously to avoid building expectations, mindful of the 2010 failure of advanced tie-up talks with Mitsubishi Motors.

"A partnership with GM would make sense, because Peugeot and Opel both lack scale," said Sascha Gommel, a Frankfurt-based Commerzbank analyst, adding that Fiat is also a potential partner.

"Peugeot is in a difficult situation because competitors like Volkswagen and Renault-Nissan can produce much higher volumes and so have a scale advantage," Gommel said.

Europe struggles

GM is struggling in Europe with its unprofitable Opel brand. The automaker's Europe business, including Opel, lost $747 million last year before taxes and interest.

PSA is Europe's second-largest automaker after Volkswagen. PSA's 2011 sales in Europe plunged 8.8 percent to 1.68 million vehicles, while GM's dropped 1.9 percent to 1.17 million. Volkswagen AG's European sales rose 7.8 percent to 3.17 million.

PSA's global deliveries fell 1.5 percent to 3.5 million vehicles in 2011.

PSA's stock has slumped by 50 percent over the last 12 months, bringing its market value to 3.4 billion euros ($4.5 billion), while the carmaker had revenue of 59.9 billion euros in 2011.

Varin last week announced plans to sell 1.5 billion euros worth of assets to reduce debt, which widened to 3.4 billion euros in December.

Any alliance involving the French carmaker will require the support of the Peugeot family, which controls 30 percent of the stock.

The GM-PSA alliance under discussion includes shared manufacturing beyond Europe and would amount to more than a product-specific deal of the kind PSA also has with Ford Motor Co., Toyota and BMW, according to Reuters.

Among its existing production deals, PSA currently manufactures diesel engines with Ford, gasoline engines with BMW and small cars with Toyota. It also shares some vehicles with Mitsubishi Motors. Talks on a deeper alliance with Mitsubishi foundered in 2010.

PSA issued a short statement that said: "In the context of its globalization strategy and improving its operational performance, PSA Peugeot Citroen looks at potential cooperations and alliances. There can be no certainty at this stage that these discussions will result in any agreement."

GM spokesman Johan Willems said: "We routinely talk with others in the industry, but have no comment beyond that."

Fiat not in talks

Fiat isn't currently in talks with PSA, a person familiar with the matter told Bloomberg today. Fiat held talks with PSA after the 2008 financial crisis regarding a possible combination, a person familiar with the matter said. Negotiations failed because the Peugeot family didn't want to lose control over the carmaker, the person said.

Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne said last month in Detroit he's willing to participate in industry consolidation in Europe and would consider adding a third partner before a planned merger between Fiat and U.S. automaker Chrysler Group.

Carmakers in Europe need to consolidate to compete with VW, which had a market share in the region of 23.3 percent last year, Marchionne said Jan. 10.

He said at the time that Fiat wasn't discussing with PSA or other potential partners, including GM's Open unit, though he would't close the door on any eventual alliances.

GM, VW BENEFIT AS CHINA CLAMPS DOWN ON NEWCOMERS TO AVOID GLUT

By Automotive News - China is clamping down on overcapacity in the world's biggest automobile market, benefiting companies with entrenched production and sales, such as General Motors, while hurting newcomers to the market.

Foreign automakers received preferential treatment for seven years on their Chinese plants as the country sought foreign investment. Now, carmakers will only be eligible for incentives on factories approved by the government before January 30, the nation's top economic planner said in late December.

More important, the rules signal that China will be less inclined to sign off on new applications, according to research firm LMC Automotive.

"The message is that you're not welcome here anymore; we have enough guests," said John Zeng, Shanghai-based director of Asian forecasting at LMC Automotive.

The push may result in China shutting its doors to new foreign carmakers, benefiting earlier entrants including GM and Volkswagen AG, as their future expansion plans were probably approved by the government already, according to consulting firm Booz & Co.

"For existing players, it's helpful because you slow down the excess competition you have here in China, which is ferocious," said Ivo Naumann, Shanghai-based managing director at Alix Partners.

GM, the top foreign automaker in China, reported record net income of $9.19 billion for 2011. Its market share in the country climbed above 13 percent last year, more than triple the 4.1 percent it held in 2001, according to the company.

Room for growth

GM is betting demand will accelerate in China.

Vehicle ownership in China was equivalent to 4.7 percent of the population, compared with about 51 percent in Japan and 81 percent in the U.S., according to 2009 figures from the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association.

GM plans to double deliveries in the country to 5 million by 2015. It is close to receiving approval to build a 7 billion yuan ($1.1 billion) factory, the Hubei Environmental Protection Bureau said on its website this month.

China's policy change comes as the government looks to move external investment into different industries, said Kevin Wale, GM's China president.

"In the near term, I don't see a dramatic change in the way the Chinese government wants to run the automotive industry," he said last week in Shanghai.

China absentees

Volkswagen said in January the company will add a seventh car plant in China as it expands production capacity to 3 million vehicles a year. Those who haven't begun manufacturing cars in the country may be the most hurt by China's move to control capacity, according to Tzeshen Cheam, a Hong Kong-based analyst at CIMB Securities HK.

Tata Motors Ltd.'s Jaguar Land Rover, Subaru-maker Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd., Renault SA and Fiat SpA's Chrysler Group LLC don't make vehicles in China.

While Renault and Chrysler have expressed interest in building cars in the country, Jaguar may be first to test the government's resolve to limit capacity in a country where foreign carmakers are required to partner with a domestic company before making vehicles. Jaguar is in talks with Wuhu, China-based Chery Automobile Co. to form a venture to jointly build vehicles there, two people with direct knowledge of the matter said on Feb 3.

Del Sehmar, a Jaguar spokesman in Mumbai, declined to comment on the company's China plans.

Partner limits

Fuji Heavy has failed to win regulatory approval to build in China because the government considers the company part of Toyota, which already has the limit of two manufacturing partners, three people familiar with the matter said in September.

President Yasuyuki Yoshinaga said this month the Subaru maker, which is 16 percent owned by Toyota, will keep pursuing its China plans until the end of the fiscal year in March. "Foreign automakers need China more than the country needs them," said CIMB Securities' Cheam. China has reason to be concerned about overcapacity.

Passenger-vehicle sales slowed last year, trailing growth in the United States for the first time in at least 14 years. The market is crowded with more than 70 producers, some of which failed to sell a single car last year.

The market share of Chinese brands in January fell almost 4 percentage points from a year earlier, according to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, even as German and U.S. carmakers increased their share by at least 1.5 percentage points.

Overcapacity looms

Mizuho Financial Group Inc., a Tokyo-based financial services firm, estimated in December that overcapacity in the nation's auto industry began emerging last year and the glut will worsen every year through 2015.

The incentives -- including exemptions of import duties on plant equipment and lower taxes -- expired Jan. 30, the first business day of the Chinese lunar year, after the National Development and Reform Commission removed auto manufacturing from a catalog of industries in which external investment is "encouraged".

The NDRC's press office did not respond to requests for comment.

"Inclusion in an encouraged foreign investment category is a signal to officials throughout the government to green-light a project," said Lester Ross, a Beijing-based partner at Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale & Dorr LLP. "A project which is not listed in the catalog is merely deemed to be 'permitted,' so the relevant officials have to be persuaded to approve the project, effectively slowing it down as well as reducing its eligibility for preferences, like driving through a series of yellow lights."

Longer waits

Bill Russo, a senior adviser at Booz & Co. who was formerly Chrysler Group LLC's China head, said the rule changes mean carmakers may lost out on cost savings of about $20 million to build a factory and wait longer than the average one to two years needed to receive approvals and business licenses.

Russo said projects that focus on hybrid or electric cars, invest in the lesser-developed regions of China or bring in key technologies may have an easier time obtaining approvals after the NDRC kept low-emission vehicles on the "encouraged" list.

The policy shift doesn't mean China is cutting off the flow of foreign investment into the automotive industry, LMC's Zeng said.

Premier Wen Jiabao's government wants to divert investment into other areas such as into auto components and nurturing local research and development capability, especially in hybrid and electric vehicles, he said.

"China is still encouraging development of the auto industry in China," Zeng said. "The government focus has just shifted from made-in China to create-in-China."

VOLTEC PROPULSION SYSTEM NAMED 2012 BEST NEW TECHNOLOGY BY AJAC

General Motors of Canada - Chevrolet was honoured today at the Canadian International Auto Show when the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC) named the Voltec propulsion system as the "2012 Best New Technology." The award followed rigorous judging of 10 new technology entries by AJAC's Technology Jury made up of twelve of Canada's leading automotive journalists.

"We are very proud to receive AJAC's 2012 Best New Technology award for the Voltec propulsion system," said Kevin Williams, president and managing director at GM of Canada. "The Voltec propulsion system is the heart of the Chevrolet Volt, which combines pure electric drive and an efficient range-extending engine to create the only electric vehicle on the market today that does not require a customer to make compromises on when and where they can travel."

This award from AJAC is the second major recognition in Canada in 2012 for the Volt and its revolutionary propulsion system. The Chevrolet Volt was recently recognized as Motoring TV's "2012 Best New Green Car of the Year". Prior to receiving these honours, the Volt had already captured many major awards in North America, including:

• 2011 North American Car of the Year


• Motor Trend 2011 Car of the Year


• Green Car Journal's 2011 Green Car of the Year


• AUTOMOBILE Magazine 2011 Automobile of the Year


• Car and Driver 10Best


• Popular Mechanics 2010 Breakthrough Technology


• Ward's 10 Best Engines, recognition for Volt's advanced powertrain system

The Voltec propulsion system consists of a 16-kWh lithium-ion battery pack and electric drive unit that provides pure electric range between 40 and 80 km, depending on terrain, driving techniques and temperature. A 1.4L gasoline-powered engine extends the range up to an additional 500 km on a full tank of fuel by operating the vehicle's electric drive system until the car can be plugged in and recharged or refueled. This distinguishes the Volt from electric-only vehicles, which cannot be operated when recharging is not immediately available -- such as during a power interruption or on a long-distance trip.

GM MARKETING CHIEF THINKS THERE ARE ONLY TWO TRUCK COMPANIES: CHEVY AND FORD

By Autoblog.com - The Super Bowl ad for the Chevrolet Silverado shows that the rivalry between Chevrolet and Ford still rages strong. But is there room for another brand or two to mix it up in the battle for pickup supremacy? Not according to General Motors marketing chief Joel Ewanick.

Fox News reports that Ewanick said during a web chat on Jalopnik that "the two big players are Ford and Chevy." Ewanick added that it's like a presidential debate, saying "We want to have it with the other strong candidate -- and we want to engage them and want them to engage us." A quick look at the numbers shows that Ewanick has a point. The Ford F-Series was the top dog in 2011, with 584,917 trucks sold. The Silverado came in second with 415,130 sales, but if you add the nearly identical GMC Sierra, General Motors makes the battle much closer with 564,300 unit sales. That's more sales than the Toyota Tundra, Ram full-size and Nissan Titan combined (even without the Sierra).

The Ram, also an excellent pickup, finished a distant third with a reported 244,763 sales. Still, Ram brand spokesperson Dave Elshoff insists that Ram trucks remain part of the equation, adding "across much of the west -- where trucks are worked hard -- it's Ram that's either number one or two in market share."

We're not so sure that the truck battle is Chevy versus Ford and then everybody else, but it sure is nice to see GM and Ford getting a little chippy. It's a good bet that the chatter grows louder as the next generation Silverado and F-150 hit the auto show circuit in about a year.

CRUZE WAGON MAY BOOST CHEVY FLEET SALES IN EUROPE

The Cruze wagon has a tapering single arch
roofline and roof rails as standard.

By Nick Gibbs, Automotive News - Chevrolet will unveil a Cruze station wagon at next month's Geneva auto show. The car may help to boost the brand's fleet sales in Europe where a wagon is a typical company car.

The wagon will join the Cruze hatchback and sedan already on sale in European markets.

"The Cruze station wagon caters to an important market segment. It ticks all the boxes for European drivers in terms of distinctive design, dynamic driving, space and economy," Chevrolet Europe Managing Director Susan Docherty said in a statement.

The wagon will have Chevrolet's new 1.7-liter diesel engine, along with a 2.0-liter diesel and 1.6- and 1.8- liter gasoline engines. The engine range will be available on the entire Cruze line-up starting summer 2012, Chevrolet Europe said.

IHS automotive analyst Ian Fletcher said the low emissions 1.7-liter diesel will be important to Cruze sales in Europe where diesels are popular because of lower overall running costs compared with gasoline models.

The 130-hp 1.7-liter diesel has stop-start technology as standard.

Fletcher said the station wagon would help Chevrolet in the company car market. "Like the Korean manufacturers, Chevy has got its eye on the fleet markets and the wagon is a typical company driver vehicle," he said.

The Cruze was Chevrolet's No. 3 seller in Europe last year after the Spark and Aveo with sales of 48,564, according to market researchers JATO Dynamics.

CHEVROLET SONIC DIGITAL EFFORTS HELP DRIVE EARLY SALES

By General Motors Corporation - The all-new Chevrolet Sonic is building a digital reputation and a legion of fans by bungee jumping, sky diving and successfully completing a skateboard-style kick flip. The one thing missing in its first six months on sales -- traditional TV advertising.

That ends Sunday during Super Bowl XLVI when "Sonic Anthem" chronicles what the subcompact has been up to while posting month-to-month sales increases and rising to the upper echelon of subcompact sales leaders.

Sonic, the only subcompact made in America, more than doubled the sales in January of the January 2011 sales for the vehicle it replaced.

"The Sonic is a great new addition to the Chevrolet line-up and we are encouraged by the steady increase in sales that we are seeing each month," said Alan Batey, vice president, Chevrolet Sales and Service. "In addition to the early sales momentum of the Sonic, the rest of the Chevrolet passenger cars are building on the tremendous sales success of last year posting stronger than expected numbers in the first month of the New Year."

The first phase of Sonic marketing focused on reaching younger consumers through jaw-dropping stunts like the Sonic sky dive, and the skateboard-style kick flip -- a 360-degree rotation in mid-air -- successfully executed by MTV-reality and action sports-star Rob Dyrdek.

Digital efforts like The Game of Firsts where Chevrolet challenges the public to do something first, post it to letsdothis.com, and get people to love it, for a chance to win a new Sonic. Sonic has nearly 300,000 "likes" on its Facebook fan page, more than any other vehicle in the segment.

"The launch of the Sonic is allowing the Chevrolet brand to engage with consumers on a more personal level," said Chris Perry, vice president, Chevrolet Marketing and Strategy. "Focusing our early efforts on the digital space gave us the freedom to attempt some of our own firsts and establish a solid presence for the new Sonic nameplate."

The next phase of the Sonic launch includes several advertisements that will begin airing Sunday during the telecast of Super Bowl XLVI. Sonic Anthem features footage of the Sonic stunts as well as footage of the Sonic making its first music video with the band OK GO.

The Sonic, delivers 40 mpg highway with class-leading acceleration when paired with the 1.4L Turbo and six-speed manual transmission. The Sonic is offered in two body styles: a four-door sedan and a five-door hatchback. Each is designed to deliver outstanding rear-seat roominess and cargo space.

Sonic is built at the General Motors Orion Assembly Center in Michigan, which received a $545-million investment in upgrades and retooling and helped restore approximately 1,000 jobs in the Detroit area.

To learn more about the all-new Sonic, visit the Chevy Sonic Facebook page; follow on Twitter at @ChevyLife or check out letsdothis.com.

ELI MANNING'S NEW CHEVROLET CORVETTE

By FoxNews.com - Just like the stadium he quarterbacked the New York Giants to their Super Bowl victory in, Eli Manning's new car is a convertible.

As a prize for being named MVP of the game, Chevrolet handed Manning the keys to a Corvette Grand Sport Centennial Edition.

No run of the mill Vette, the special package celebrates the 100th anniversary of Chevy's founding on November 3rd, 2011, and is only being offered on 2012 model year cars.

Availabile on any of the Corvette models, the $4950 option includes Carbon Flash Metallic paint, Satin Black wheels with red accents, a suede-trimmed black interior, special 100th Anniversary badges and an advanced active suspension system.

Eli's drop top has a starting price of $69,115, but a top of the line hp Corvette ZR1 with a top speed of 205 mph will run you $128,515.

Soon to have two Super Bowl trophies on the shelf of his Hoboken, N.J., apartment, Eli could likely afford to fill his parking spot with either Vette, but the Grand Sport should be just fine for his 15 minute commute to MetLife Stadium to defend the team's title next season.

iPHONE APP CONTROLS TINY HOT WHEELS CAR

Hot Wheels' iPhone app controls
the little Ken Block Fiesta radio controlled car.

By Wayne Cunningham, Autoblog.com - Most remote control cars come with dual stick controllers, but Hot Wheels opens up many more driving options with its iPhone controller app.

Although a little clunky to set up, Hot Wheel's iNitro Speeders gives the option of using an iPhone to control its little remote control cars. The iPhone app includes the standard dual stick controller, but also lets you drive the car with the iPhone's accelerometer, choose a predefined driving pattern, or draw your own pattern.

Hot Wheels sent us the iNitro Speeders kit with a Ken Block Fiesta car, one style of about eight. The Ken Block Fiesta is only 1 3/4 inches long, with a 1-inch width body. The body style is very close in look to the actual car on which it is based, but the wheels stick out far from the body.

The car comes with a carrying case that serves as charger and physical controller. This case has the dual stick controller setup, with forward and reverse on the left, and turning on the right.

Push the control stick forward, and the car takes off like a shot. Hit the turn stick and it pulls 180s and 360s. The car is a little too fast, making it difficult to control. Instead of having the front wheels actually pivot, the car turns by torque, shifting power to the left or right.

But the cool thing is the iPhone app controller. The car relies on infrared signals for its remote control, something not native to the iPhone. So Hot Wheels includes an infrared module that plugs into the iPhone's headphone port. It is not the most elegant solution, but it works.

After a calibration function, which does not seem to make much difference, the app shows five methods of controlling the car. The first is the dual stick controller, which offers some interesting graphic choices. It works just like the carrying case controller, and is equally difficult to do much but make the car go zipping off in random directions.

The accelerometer option lets you control the car by tipping the phone forward and back, right and left. This one might be easier to use for people with a fine sense of balance. However, we still found the car charging off, albeit making more interesting maneuvers that were almost under control.

An option called Slide shows something like the old Spyhunter game graphic, and you control the car by moving your fingertip up or down over the graphic. This method seemed to be the easiest for actually controlling the car.

We found the final two options the most intriguing. The first lets you select patterns, such as a figure eight or spiral, which the car will follow. The second is similar, but you can actually draw a pattern, then make the car follow it, kind of like a cross between an Etch A Sketch and a car controller.

Hot Wheels says the iNitro Speeders are appropriate for children eight years old and up. Not many children that age own an iPhone, but many a parent hands over a phone for games. And although having to attach the control module to the iPhone is a little clunky, the app gives some interesting control possibilities. It also includes a built-in racing game you can play anywhere. The iNitro Speeders are available now for $32.99.

FORD THREATENS LEGAL ACTION OVER CHEVY SILVERADO SUPER BOWL AD

Despite Ford's efforts to stop GM, the apocalypse-surviving
Chevy Silverado commercial aired last weekend during the Super Bowl.

By Autoguide.com - According to GM, the advertisement was intended as a "good-humored" spoof on the Mayan calendar predictions. Depicting a band of Silverado owners that are navigating across a "completely over-the-top, outrageous version of the devastation and destruction predicted to occur this year by the Mayan calendar," the ad also features giant attack robots, meteors, and frogs that are falling from the sky. The punch line is when the gang of Silverado owners realized one of their friends did not survive because they drove a Ford rather than "the longest lasting, most dependable truck on the road."

Ford took issue with the ad and we now know what the company said in a formal letter sent to GM requesting for the ad to be pulled. Representing lawyer Lynne M. Matuszak wrote, "Ford demands that Chevrolet immediately cease and desist from making any unsubstantiated and disparaging claims regarding Ford's pickup trucks." Matuszak's letter further demanded that GM, "permanently remove the commercial from its website, its YouTube and Facebook pages and any other internet sites."

Ford's letter then warned, "If Chevrolet does not comply with the above terms prior to the start of the Super Bowl, then Ford will take all appropriate steps to enforce and protect its reputation."

Taking it a step further, Ford called out the Silverado's safety record, noting that the 2012 Ford F-150 earned an IIHS Top Safety pick while the Silverado received less than impressive side impact, rear crash, and rollover results.

GM's global chief marketing officer Joel Ewanick and GM are committed to broadcasting the ad and sharing it on YouTube. Joel Ewanick said, "We stand by our claims in the commercial, that the Silverado is the most dependable, longest-lasting full-size pickup on the road. The ad is a fun way of putting this claim in the context of the apocalypse. We can wait until the world ends, and if we need to, we will apologize. In the meantime, people who are really worried about the Mayan calendar coming true should buy a Silverado right away."

Like Coca Cola versus Pepsi, the clash of Ford vs. GM will last for many years to come. We will be expecting a humorous and entertaining rebuttal ad from Ford soon.

FORMER PRESIDENT BUSH SAYS HE WOULD BAIL OUT AUTOMAKERS AGAIN

During the closing speech at this year's National Automobile
Dealers' Association convention in Las Vegas on February 6,
former president George W. Bush said he'd bail out
US automakers again in a heartbeat if he had to.

By Detroit Free Press - Speaking in front of some 22,000 dealers from the US and around the world, the former president (shown above visiting the GM plant in Fairfax, KS while still in office), said that although he was a firm believer in the free market economy and corporations having to pay for consequences resulting from bad decision making; he also believed stepping in to save Chrysler and General Motors was the right thing to do.

"Sometimes circumstances get in the way of philosophy," he said, yet if it came down to saving the US auto industry, "I would make the same decision again."

While still in office, Bush pushed through a rescue package of some $25 billion in emergency aid; $4 billion set aside for Chrysler, while some $13.4 was allocated to GM. This was followed by an additional $60 billion from the Obama administration in 2009.

Chrysler paid back its loans last May, six years ahead of scheduled and posted a net profit of $183 million for 2011, it's first time in the black since 2005. GM, so far has paid back about $23 million of the money it borrowed, though some 26 percent of the company is still owned by the US Treasury.

Bush's speech at the NADA convention was littered with humor, including remarks that he missed some of the perks of being C-in-C. "I had to stop at some of the stoplights coming from the airport," he said, jokingly.

OBAMA PRAISES U.S. AUTOMAKERS AT DC AUTO SHOW

By David Shepardson, Detroit News - President Barack Obama touted the turnaround of Detroit's Big Three Automakers Tuesday, as he did something millions of Americans do at car shows every year: He got behind the wheel of a bunch of new cars.

He didn't buy any of the new models in his visit to the Washington Auto Show -- and even if he did, the Secret Service wouldn't let him drive them. In numerous interviews, Obama has lamented that he can't go for a drive as president.

Obama made a quick 20-minute round of the auto show as he met executives from General Motors Co., Ford Motor Co. and Chrysler Group LLC.

He praised new fuel-efficient models, but also got into some American-made muscle cars and pickups.

Obama got a look at 18 U.S. models that were lined up and briefly sat in a 650-horsepower Ford Mustang Shelby GT500, a ZR1 Chevrolet Corvette, Chevrolet Malibu eco, Chevrolet Silverado, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Dodge Dart, Dodge Ram 1500 pickup, plug-in Ford C-Max Energi and plug-in Ford Fusion Energi.

"This is a testimony to the outstanding work done by workers, American workers, American designers," Obama told reporters. "The U.S. auto industry is back. The fact that GM is back, No. 1, I think shows the kind of turnaround that it is possible when it comes to American manufacturing. It's good to remember the fact that there were some folks who were willing to let this industry die."

Obama has repeatedly noted that Republican presidential candidates opposed the auto bailout. But the bailout has come with costs. The Treasury Department told Congress this month it had upped its estimate of taxpayers' cost of the bailout to $23.77 billion.

After sitting in the Ford Mustang, Obama called it a "classic" and joked: "This is what I needed in high school."

Told the vehicle can go up to 200 miles per hour, Obama joked: "Of course, nobody ever drives that."

Obama also admired a new Chevrolet Corvette and a Camaro decked out with an American eagle. A friend let Obama drive his Corvette "one time", he said. GM design chief Ed Welburn noted the ZR1 can go 205 miles per hour and the one Obama drove "probably wasn't anything like this."

"You can actually get 20 miles per gallon on this thing. That's not bad," Obama said.

He told Dodge CEO Reid Bigland that his first new car had been a Jeep Grand Cherokee. "How's it selling?" Obama asked.

Bigland joked that Obama's Grand Cherokee would be worth a lot on eBay today. In fact, Obama's former 2005 Chrysler 300c is on eByay for $1 million.

Obama touted the 2013 Ford Fusion Energi plug-in. He said the vehicle would have an all-electric range of about 20 miles. "So if you live in the city, you never have to fill up with this. You never have to buy gas."

Obama said the cars were proof Detroit is back.

"We are now back in a place where we can compete with any car company in the world," he said. "I'm just very proud of what we're seeing here."

Foreign automakers had set up a bunch of cars nearby and had been asked by the White House to provide cars. Obama didn't look at them, including many U.S.-built vehicles.

Mike Stanton, president and CEO of Global Automakers, the trade association representing Toyota Motor Corp., Honda Motor Co., Nissan Motor Co., Hyundai Motor Co. and others, said Obama should have looked at their vehicles.

"We are terribly disappointed that the president did not spend time with our manufacturers who have created jobs, employ more than 80,000 people in the United States, invested more than $43 billion and last year built more than 3 million cars here," Stanton said.

FIRST CAMARO ZL1 OFF THE LINE GRABBED BY HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS

By Dave Pankew, Autoblog - The Canadian auto industry is strong, very strong. Not only does Ontario produce more cars than any other region in North America but also builds some of the best cars in the market today that have won award-after-award for quality and reliability.

Although we don't have many domestic car companies in Canada except for modest ventures like: Zenn, HTT, Pléthore and to some extent Bombardier's NEV, we have much to be proud of. Canada (more specifically Ontario) has some of the most advanced plants in the world and produces some outstanding cars like the Chevrolet Camaro. And that isn't just your average Camaro but the top of the line trim ZL1 now, which promises to embarrass even the mighty 660hp Ford GT500 in anything but a straight line.

The ZL1 is now rolling off the line at the GM Oshawa assembly plant and a special customer has snagged the first two, chassis #001 and #002. Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports who campaigns in NASCAR cars: 5, 24, 48 and 88 has purchased these ZL1s and came across the border to personally pick them up as they finished assembly. While that fact alone may drive Chevy guys into a jealous rage, Hendrick is an avid car collector who also owns the first two of the Camaro Comvertible and SS Couple as well!

The event at the plant attracted several VIPs to hear Kevin Williams, President of GM Canada address what the ZL1 means to the Chevrolet brand. The outspoken Al Oppenheiser who is the chief engineer for the Camaro was also on hand to address how the performance of the ZL1 stacks up against rival GT500 and the Dodge Challenger SRT8 (also built in Canada) and any competition from the Europeans and the Japanese.

LATEST REASON FOR TEEN CRASHES? PEER PRESSURE

By Zach Bowman, Autoguide.com - A new study from the water-is-still-wet research department has found that teens may have been the victims of peer pressure just before a crash. The studies were crafted by the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and State Farm. The first study surveyed 198 teens and found that those who were more likely to have friends pile into a vehicle with them were also apt to call themselves "thrill seekers". Those teens also said they didn't want their parents to set rules or keep an eye on their comings and goings. In addition, they were less likely to perceive the risks associated with driving in general.

The second study, meanwhile, analyzed information from 677 teens who were involved in serious crashes while behind the wheel. As it turns out, both male and female drivers were more likely to be distracted just before the incident, with 71 percent of males saying they were distracted by their passengers. The study found 47 percent of female teens admitted the same. The study also found teen males with passengers were six times more likely to perform an illegal maneuver and twice as likely to drive aggressively before a crash compared to their counterparts driving alone.

While it's no secret that teens with passengers are more likely to get into an accident, the two studies help shed some light on why that is.