GM'S AKERSON DEFENDS VOLT BEFORE HOUSE COMMITTEE

Akerson told a House committee: "We did not
engineer the Volt to be a political punching bag."

By Christina Rogers, Automotive News - General Motors CEO Dan Akerson said the company is now going about "reconstructing" the Chevrolet Volt's image, after a recently closed federal probe called into question the safety of the plug-in car.

"As you see, there is certain political air around this discussion about a car that is safe," Akerson said, after testifying before House Oversight subcommittee on the handling of an investigation into the Volt's safety.

To have GM's product mentioned in the same phrase as fire, he added, "causes collateral damage because it makes the market pause, so we're going to go about reconstructing that image."

In his testimony before the House panel, Akerson said GM and U.S. regulators tried several times to replicate the initial fire and only once, under conditions unlikely to occur in real-world driving, did the test produce a second blaze.

He added that the battery fire in November only occurred in simulated, laboratory environment where the battery was pierced with a rod, rotated and then "drenched" in coolant fluid.

"For all the loose talk about fires, we are here today because the test by regulators resulted in a fire under lab conditions that no driver would experience," Akerson said.

Reputation hurt

Even so, the car's reputation has taken a hit, and GM has already responded by tapering back its production plans for the $39,145 US vehicle. GM had originally planned to build 45,000 Volts this year for the U.S. market. Now, it's going to match production with demand. GM also took the extra step of offering to buy back Volts from owners concerned about the safety probe. Akerson said he'd recently purchased one of the returned Volts.

"So what we saw last year before this investigation was started might have been one perspective," he added. "We're going to have to see what plays out in the coming months."

When asked if GM had any communication with the White House about the Volt fire, Akerson said "absolutely not". Akerson, who drove a Volt to the hearing, reiterated that the government has no presence in GM's boardroom or input in the company's business.

He rejected suggestions that politics influenced GM's handling of the Volt investigation and stressed that the Volt's development was well underway before the government saved GM with a $49.5 billion bailout in 2009.

Written testimony changed

In an advance copy of his testimony, he said the company's halo car has become a political lightening rod for critics of the Obama Administration. Those remarks weren't included in his spoken testimony.

"The Volt seems, perhaps unfairly, to have become a surrogate for some to offer broader commentary on General Motors' business prospects and administration policy," Akerson stated in his original written testimony.

"These factors should not be discounted as to why federal regulators opened an investigation into the Volt's battery safety."

But in his actual testimony today, Akerson said: "Unfortunately, there is one thing we did not engineer. Although we loaded the Volt with state-of-the-art safety features -- we did not engineer the Volt to be a political punching bag."

Investigation timeline

In November, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened an investigation after two incidents in which the Volt's battery pack either caught fire or emitted sparks in the days or weeks after crash tests. An earlier battery fire occured in June, three weeks after the agency completed side-impact testing on the Volt.

Last week, NHTSA closed the investigation, saying it does not believe that the Volt or other electric vehicles pose a greater risk of fire than gasoline-powered ones. The agency also said that a modification that GM has proposed to reinforce the Volt's vattery pack should make the car safer.

In two hearings, House subcommittee members pressed Akerson and NHTSA administrator David Strickland about the timing of the fire's disclosure, at times accusing regulators of "pulling punches" because of the government's 32-percent ownership stake in GM.

The House panel, in a report released this morning, raised concerns about an "unnatural relationship" between GM and the Obama Administration. It also questions why NHTSA, which learned about the fire June 6, didn't bring it up when it was negotiating new fuel economy standards for the auto industry. The proposed standards offer a slew of new incentives for electric vehicles.

NHTSA first acknowledged the June fire in a Bloomberg News report on Nov. 11, five months after it learned of the initial fire on June 6. NHTSA opened a safety investigation on the Chevrolet Volt on Nov. 25.

Strickland also rejected suggestions that if it weren't for the report, NHTSA wouldn't have told the public about the fire or investigation.

Irresponsible idea

Rather, he said it would have been irresponsible, even illegal, to deem the Volt a safety risk without evidence to back up that claim. The agency had planned to inform the public about the probe "fairly soon" and worked with a Bloomberg reporter to ensure the Nov. 11 story was correct.

Moreover, Strickland said replicating the initial fire was "difficult" and took a "tremendous amount of engineering" to produce a second fire under laboratory conditions.

Still, because of the sensitive surround this new technology, NHTSA took the unusual step of continuing its investigation, even though there'd been no reports of real-world fires involving the Volt.

Asked by subcommittee members whether GM or the Obama administration requested NHTSA to keep the investigation quiet, Strickland replied: "Absolutely not."

House Oversight Chairman, Rep. Darrel Issa, R-Calif., said he's satisfied with GM's response but now plans to focus his panel's inquiry on NHTSA.

"We are disappointed," Issa said. "NHTSA could have done a much better job both in transparency and speed. When you have a new vehicle, it's better to take a pause."

2012 CHEVROLET CAMARO ZL1

By Jeremy Korzeniewski, Autoblog.com - Ford versus Chevy. It's one of the greatest rivalries in the world, joining the likes of Coke versus Pepsi and Michigan versus Ohio State. While the Mustang and Camaro can't be credited as the first two vehicles to start the Blue Oval and Golden Bowtie wars, it's fair to say the two muscle cars kicked the battle into high gear in the 1960s.

Wherever there are rivals, you can be sure there will also be healthy levels of both respect and distaste for one another. In fact, emotions from Ford fans following the debut of both the 2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 and 2013 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 culminated in Camaro lead engineer Al Oppenheiser being unwittingly cast in the lead role of another Downfall Hitler overdub spoof. Perhaps it was something he said ...

Of course, none of this ZL1 versus GT500 smack-talk will amount to anything if either car isn't up to snuff. With that in mind, at Chevrolet's behest, we traveled to the Bondurant Road Course just south of Phoenix, Arizona to put the 2012 Camaro ZL1 through its paces.

It used to be that the only meaningful bits of Camaro or Mustang performance data could be measured in a straight line. We're talking 0-60, 0-100 and the ever-important quarter-mile time and trap speed. Let's get them out of the way right now.

The official 0-60 time is 3.9 seconds and the quarter mile is dispatched in 12 seconds flat.

The Camaro ZL1's 6.2-liter supercharged V8, which shares its basic spec sheet with the Cadillac CTS-V and Chevy Corvette ZR1, puts out 580 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 556 pound-feet of torque at 4,200 rpm. The official 0-60 time is 3.9 seconds and the quarter mile is dispatched in 12 seconds flat. Top speed is listed as 184 miles per hour, thanks in part to an aero package that includes a new front fascia, a carbon fiber hood with functional air extractor vents and an undertray with NACA ducts for cooling.

Those data points still matter in a big way, and will undoubtedly be the most oft-quoted stats by Ford Fanatics and the Bowtie Brigade. But, these days, you've got to be able to do more than go fast in a straight line to impress the true diehards.

And that's where the orange corner is placing its bets with the ZL1. Perhaps the most significant change to the ZL1 over its SS sibling, besides the supercharger, of course, are the magnetorheological dampers fitted at all four corners. We've seen this technology on a number of high-performance vehicles -- from various Ferrari GTs to GM's own Cadillac CTS-V and Corvette ZR1 -- but these shocks boast a new generation of both hardware and software that makes it all tick.

Chevrolet makes full use of the MR shocks' computer-controlled adjustability with the ZL1, and it pays big dividends on the track. The driver can choose from five settings using a trio of buttons just ahead of the shifter on the center console. A quick two-tap routine engages Performance Traction Management mode. The first stage of PTM is for adverse weather, and in the sunny climes of Arizona, we skipped it. PTM Mode Two affords moderately skilled drivers -- even those unfamiliar with the car -- the ability to have fun on a track with little danger of losing control. Modes Three and Four gradually allow more tire slip, stiffen up the Magnetic Ride Control and quicken the steering for drivers who have outgrown Mode Two.

And then there's Mode Five. This is the setting Chevrolet recommends for the track, and it's tuned to improve lap times of even the most highly skilled drivers. It works. Countless algorithms are programmed into all facets of the car's most technological bits and pieces, particularly the MR shocks and traction control. The suspenders get race-car stiff and the rear wheels are allowed just the right amount of slip to help a trained driver eke out the most corner exit speed possible.

The ZL1 rather impressively managed to lap the Nurburgring in seven minutes and 41 seconds.

Thankfully, the ZL1's brakes have also been upgraded to cope with the power of its engine. The six-pot Brembo pistons clamp down hard on two-piece ventilated rotors up front, while single-piece rotors with four-piston calipers do the deed out back.

To say we were impressed by the overweight Camaro's ability at Bondurant would be an understatement. With an official curb weight of 4,120 pounds, this car should be more of a linebacker than a ballerina. And it is. But it's a linebacker wearing a fluffy pink tutu and those crazy lace-up shoes with blunt-tipped toe boxes ... and we mean that in the best way possible. After all, the ZL1 rather impressively managed to lap the Nurburgring in seven minutes and 41 seconds. That's almost 40 seconds quicker around the 'Ring than the 2009 Chevrolet Camaro SS.

If there's one place its devotees would expect the ZL1 to shine, it's at the drag strip. Bowtie fans will not be disappointed. The 2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 will easily eat up 1,320 feet of asphalt and spit out a time slip in the low-12-second range. We know, we tested it in far-from-ideal conditions ourselves and have slips to prove it. It won't take much more than good weather, a manicured track surface and adequate seat time to drop a few tenths from the mid-12s at 114 miles per hour that we instantly recorded.

Part of the ZL1's race-car-in-drag performance can be attributed to good old-fashioned horsepower and wide, sticky tires. There are 20-inch forged alloy wheels at all four corners, available in either black 10-spoke or polished five-spoke designs, to which 285-front and 305-rear Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar tires are mounted.

We also noted good throttle response, predictable clutch feel and a slick-shifting six speed manual gearbox. These items alone should be all a seasoned drag racer needs to post the best numbers possible. For those who will only take their shiny ZL1 to the drag strip once or twice a year, Chevrolet has a trick up its sleeve to keep you from red-faced embarrassment and endless excuses.

PTM Mode Five is optimized for drag strip launches. As Chevrolet explains it, the starting line of a quarter-mile track is normally a death sentence for traction control systems. Right off the bat, a huge spike of G forces are loaded into the drivetrain at launch from the sticky surface, so the car gets full power from its computer. Then, the street tires (not low-pressure racing slicks) break traction, and all that power goes up in tire smoke. To combat this problem, the ZL1's PTM incorporates launch control into its bag of tricks. Nothing measurable is left to chance, from temperature and barometric pressure to the heat of the engine, the computer's megahertz-addled brain figures out the proper way to leave the lights.

Here's the step-by-step for launching the ZL1 in Mode Five: Pull up to the staging lights, mash the throttle and step off the clutch right about the time the last yellow light is lit. Keep your foot planted to the floor as you row through the gears -- the ZL1 is equipped with no-lift-shift programming -- until you pass the last set of timing lights. You've just managed a quarter-mile pass in the 12s. Congratulations are in order ... there were only a handful of muscle cars in the 1960s or '70s that could manage such a feat, and they all command well over a hundred thousand dollars in today's horsepower-fueled classic car market.

Opt for the six-speed automatic and you'll be rewarded with eminently repeatable time slips.

Want to know a secret? There's an even easier way to dominate the drag strip. Opt for a 2012 Camaro ZL1 with the six-speed automatic transmission and you'll be rewarded with eminently repeatable time slips by following just one simple step: hit the gas. Well, first turn off the traction control completely and put the shifter in manual mode. But then hit the gas and let the transmission row the gears -- the auto-equipped ZL1 will pre-select the next gear and upshift right at redline in this mode, though it will sit at its fuel-cutoff point all day long otherwise.

Would we buy the automatic? No. While the 6L90 gearbox is a fine unit, we'd choose the six-speed manual every day of the week. And while we're on the subject, we'll also mention that the steering wheel paddles of the auto-box'd ZL1 are flimsy plastic pieces that feel utterly out of place on a performance car.

There are downsides to the ZL1 package that apply to any Camaro model, including piss-poor visibility, overtly large exterior dimensions and an elephantine curb weight without the interior space to match. Worst of all, a complete dearth of headroom is exacerbated when wearing a helmet at the track. Finding a comfortable seating position was a big problem for our six-foot-two long-torsoed frame.

The Gas Guzzler tax should add $1,300 for a manual-equipped model and $2,600 for an automatic.

Finally, as you might expect, fuel economy is bad. Like, really bad. The EPA estimates you'll get 14 miles per gallon city and 19 mpg highway driving a ZL1, which means it's also subject to the federal government's Gas Guzzler tax. If its similarly tuned corporate cousin, the Cadillac CTS-V coupe, is anything to go by, that should add an extra $1,300 to your tab for a manual-equipped model and $2,600 for an automatic. Ford fans will freak if we don't also mention that the more powerful 2013 GT500 is efficient enough to earn exemption from the GG tax. And naturally, the ZL1 only drinks premium.

Fortunately, there are a botaload of positives that manage to outweigh the negatives, including a comfortable ride from the magnetic shocks, a highly refined drivetrain and suede interior inserts that dress up otherwise kitschy cabin. And, lest we forget the big V8 underhood, there's an active exhaust system that belches out one of the most glorious petroleum-fueled soundtracks in America, with just a hint of whine to remind you of the supercharger nestled atop the vee.

Perhaps the most impressive feat performed by the Camaro ZL1 isn't that it's fast -- that's to be expected right? -- it's that the ZL1 will be fast for anyone, with almost any talent level, each and every time. And it will do so for the price of $54,095. That's certainly a lot of coin to spend on a Camaro, but we think it's a bargain in the world of performance. And the best part? All the go-fast goodies are standard equipment, including the magnetic suspension, PTM computer and heavy-duty cooling for the engine, transmission, brakes and rear differential.

The Camaro team seemed quite sure their baby would beat the 2013 GT500 around any race track with curves.

By comparison, GM reps are happy to point out that Ford recommends three additional coolers from its official parts catalog for any GT500 that will be subject to track use ... and makes it clear that such use may result in the loss of warranty coverage. That is, at least for the 2012 model. Need we also mention the Mustang's live rear axle, as opposed to the fully independent setup affixed to the Camaro? As if to place the ball squarely in Ford's court, the Camaro team we spoke to at the ZL1 launch seemed quite sure that their baby would beat the 650-horsepower 2013 Shelby GT500 around any race track with curves ... and possibly in a straight line.

While the upcoming ZL1 versus GT500 fight is sure to go down guns blazing, without having driven the future Shelby alongside this super Camaro, we're not ready to concede the victory to Ford based on spec sheets alone. Until both cars line up head-to-head, the endless pokings and proddings from Ford and Chevy fans will be nothing but a chorus of predictions.

GM'S BUSINESS IN IRAQ IS BOOMING

By Zach Bowman, Autoblog.com - Long before the first U.S. soldier laid a boot on Iraq soil in the first Gulf War, General Motors planned to build a manufacturing facility in the country. According to The Detroit News, the years since haven't been entirely kind to the automaker's sales efforts in Iraq. That's no shock given America's reputation in the Middle East nation, but its prospects are beginning to look up. Whereas GM once trailed even Renault in sales, the company managed to move 35,000 vehicles last year. Not bad considering the entire new vehicle market in Iraq totaled just 115,000 in 2011.

GM's sales largely consisted of SUVs and pickup trucks (like the locally available version of the Colorado seen above), though The Detroit News notes that some Chevrolet and Cadillac sedans have sold as well, too. That's particularly impressive given that Iraqi drivers aren't required to have insurance and kidnappers in the country have been known to favor those who drive high-dollar luxury vehicles.

CHEVROLET CREATES WORLDS LARGEST CLAW GAME, CLAIMS GUINESS RECORD

GM continued flexing their marketing prowess with a new
promotion for the Chevy Sonic, creating the world's
largest claw game on Hollywood Boulevard out in Los Angeles.

By Jason Siu, Autoblog.com - The five-story 3D projection of a claw game was created on the side of The Roosevelt Hotel in Los Angeles, California and even won itself a spot in the Guiness World Book of Records for being the world's largest claw game. Passer-bys were able to line up for a chance to use a human-sized joystick to direct the claw -- which was essentially a huge projection on the side of the building -- and had a chance to win prizes. The top prize of course was a brand new 2012 Chevy Sonic, but other prizes included a $4,000 vacation and a Burton snowboard.

BARRETT-JACKSON 2012: FIRST 2013 CHEVROLET CORVETTE 427 CONVERTIBLE SELLS FOR $600,000

By Drew Phillips, Autoguide.com - Earlier this week we showed you the recently unveiled 2013 Chevrolet Corvette 427 Convertible at Barrett-Jackson. Chevrolet didn't just bring the car to display, though, and announced that it would be auctioning the very first production example for charity.

There was plenty of excitement as the Corvette was brought up on the auction block, and bidding quickly skyrocketed past the six-figure mark. During the middle of the auction, a few extra goodies were thrown in, including a Jeff Gordon racing suit and a VIP trip to the 2012 Daytona 500, and soon thereafter bidding quickly went passed the half-million-dollar mark to finally rest at $600,000. The new owner of the car? Ron Pratte, the same man who has generously bought many previous charity auction cars at Barrett-Jackson over the last several years. To top it all off, Eddie Vannoy even added on another $100,000 donation to the price of the car, all of which will be going to benefit the AARP Drive For Hunger.

STATEMENT ON NHTSA CLOSURE OF VOLT INVESTIGATION

By General Motors Corporation - The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's decision to close its investigation is consistent with the results of our internal testing and assessment. The engineering enhancements that General Motors announced on Jan 5, 2012 will provide additional protection for the battery, minimizing the risk of a post-crash fire in the days and weeks after a severe crash and rollover.

The voluntary action that GM is taking is intended to make a safe vehicle even safer. In fact, the Volt has earned top safety ratings from key third-party organizations such as the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, which designated it a Top Safety Pick.

GM is proud of the technological innovation the Volt represents. We appreciate the confidence our Volt customers continued to provide during the investigation. Our overriding commitment will always be to provide our customers with the best ownership experience and peace of mind in the industry and we're focused on delivering that every day.

GMC VERSION OF CHEVY COLORADO TO LOOK 'SIGNIFICANTLY DIFFERENTIATED' IF IT GETS BUILT

By Chris Shunk, Autoblog.com - The mid-size pickup truck segment should get a much-needed shot in the arm when the global Chevrolet Colorado reaches our shores in the near future. We're not exactly sure when the Colorado will be built and sold here, but thanks to its 2011 reveal we have a good idea of what it will look like. We also don't know any specs for the North American model, and we haven't received confirmation whether a GMC variant will follow to replace the current Canyon model.

Car and Driver reports that General Motors President Mark Reuss still won't confirm a GMC spinoff, but he does add that if a "Professional Grade" version of the Colorado is built, it will be very different than its Bowtie-wearing counterpart. As the current Canyon is essentially a badge-swap away from being a Chevy, the idea of increased differentiation strikes us as a welcome development. We aren't exactly sure how much different the would-be pickup might be, but we're guessing that Reuss is referring to more unique parts than the front fascia and minor trim enhancements that differentiate the GMC Sierra from the Silverado.

Reuss also tells C/D that the new Colorado is surprisingly large -- about 90-95 percent of the size of the Silverado, and he notes the truck will feature different powertrains. We assumed that the Colorado will feature different powertrains, and we hope that a fuel-efficient six-cylinder and a diesel offering will be available under the hood.

NHTSA SAYS WHITE HOUSE DIDN'T FACTOR IN CHEVY VOLT FIRE DISCLOSURE

By Zach Bowman, Autoblog.com - The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has confirmed the Obama administration didn't ask the government agency to delay announcing potential safety issues with the Chevrolet Volt. According to The Detroit News, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood was briefed about Volt fires that occurred after two crash tests in September, three months after the first extended-range hybrid began smoldering. According to the report, the office of the president was then informed of the fires shortly thereafter, as well as being notified of NHTSA's intent to investigate whether the results of the tests could be replicated.

The Detroit News quotes NHTSA administrator David Strickland as saying no one within the office of the president "requested or in any way suggested that NHTSA delay public release of information related to the Volt fire."

That seems to be a fairly definitive answer to the three house Republicans who asked General Motors and the Obama administration whether the White House had called for any delay in publicly disclosing the Volt fires. A House panel plans to undertake a hearing on the Volt controversy later this month.

CORVETTE ZRI-POWERED CHEVROLET SILVERADO HAS US FEELING SLEEPY

By Jonathon Ramsey, Autoblog.com - Here we have the kind of sleeper that'll wake you up in no time: a short-bed, four-wheel-drive Chevrolet Silverado with an LS9 from the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1. With dyno numbers of 510 horsepower and 504 pound-feet of torque, there's a jump of at least 205 hp and 169 lb-ft over the most powerful factory engine you can get in that truck.

The results? Sound and fury.

NHTSA TO TAKE CRASH-ASSESSMENT TESTING HIGH TECH

By Danny Choy, Autoblog.com - The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is considering at length the changes that could be made to its 5-star crash-assessment testing. Rather than concentrate only on crash-worthiness, the NHTSA is looking into new technologies that put an emphasis on accident-avoidance.

NHTSA Administrator David Strickland says, "Crash-worthiness has been the guiding star for NHTSA. But if there's an opportunity to prevent a crash -- that is the goal." Holding a speech for the Society of Automotive Analysts the day before the North American International Auto Show, Strickland wants to raise consumer awareness towards these new technologies.

On top of accident-avoidance devices like lane departure warning sensors, Strickland says NHTSA is also working on a framework for in-vehicle electronics in order to minimize driver distraction. Strickland explains, "We don't want to stifle innovation, but we recognize technology (can impact) safety, so we will be setting in-vehicle guidelines so auto makers can innovate within a zone of safety."

In order to collect data on driver distraction, NHTSA's research program will be conducted on 2,000 vehicles with cameras to monitor driver behavior over a 2 year period. "The goal is to make sure we have an accurate picture of what is happening in the vehicles so that we're not creating something that is a risk for every driver."

The holy grail for automotive safety would be through the development of vehicle-to-vehicle communications, which NHTSA is committed to turning to reality. Studies have proved that the V2V system could eliminate 80% of crashes involving non-impaired drivers. This effectively lowers the number of traffic fatalities by almost 33,000 a year.

While it is unknown exactly when the V2V systems will be ready for mass use, a 3-year test program is currently being conducted, with automakers GM, Ford, Honda, Hyundai-Kia, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Toyota, and Volkswagen all taking part.

GM CONSIDERS PRODUCING THE CRUZE AND OTHER CHEVY MODELS IN EUROPE

By Carscoop - Reclaiming the number one spot as the world's best-selling car manufacturer in 2011 must have been quite satisfying for GM management. Still, there is a blemish in GM's ornament as the company's CEO Dan Akerson admits: its loss-making European operations.

Even though Fiat-Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne expressed an interest in a possible tie-up with Open, GM vice chairman Steve Girsky quickly responded that the German carmaker and its British division, Vauxhall, "are not for sale".

But while Opel is not up for grabs, Akerson says that the company must do better and should "reevaluate its operations". That's why GM is shifting some of its Cruze compact sedan production to its European plants, in order to return the loss-making (US$13 billion since 1999) operation into profitability, according to a report from Autonews.

In November, Akerson stated that "Clearly, you can't have a unit as important as Opel is to General Motors Co. chronically unprofitable". He reiterated his opinion last week at the Detroit Motor Sho, when he told reporters that the situation at Opel "is not tenable. We can't lost money in perpetuity".

Sources from IG Metall, the biggest workers' union in Germany, told Reuters that GM is negotiating the transfer of the production of certain Chevrolet models from South Korea to Opel's plants. What its management wants in exchange is the union's consent in cost cutting.

The same sources claim that one option would be manufacturing the Cruze at Opel's plant in Poland and moving production of the Astra, which is currently assembled there, to one of its Western European factories.

Another option on the table is assembling the Orlando SUV in the Bochum plant in Germany, which already builds the Zafira MPV. IG Metall has proposed that the same plant, which the company's management had indicated was the one most likely to be closed, to be used for production of the Chevrolet Captiva and Opel Antara SUVs.

Former Opel union boss Klaus Franz said last year that they also wanted the next-generation Agila mini to be built in Poland instead of Suzuki's plant in Hungary where the current model is assembled, or South Korea, and the recently unveiled Mokka small SUV to be built in Spain.

Opel CEO Karl-Friedrich Stracke wants the carmaker to make a US$1.27 billion profit by 2016, increase its European share to 8.5 percent and minimize costs. "We must focus our entire strength into lowering structural costs next year. We must abolish unnecessary processes and get rid of every form of bureaucracy," Stracke said in a recent company newsletter.

GM ANNOUNCES NEW ECOTEC ENGINE, PHASES OUT OLD FOUR CYLINDER

By Luke Vandezande, Autoguide.com - Fuel mileage, horsepower and overall performance are key ingredients in the recipe for any successful car these days.

Maybe that's why GM made the announcement to reporters at the North American International Auto Show that they plan to scrap the unimpressive naturally aspirated 2.4-liter four cylinder found in the Chevrolet Equinox, GMC Terrain and Buick's Verano and Regal. In its place, a 2.5-liter direct injected (cue fireworks) Ecotec inline four! The new engine will be 18 horses peppier than its predecessor for a total of 190 hp and 180 lb-ft of torque. It's also going to be a lot less noisy, smoother and best of all, more efficient.

GM said they plan to make the transition between engines within the next 12 months, so look forward to a more refined American experience from GM.

DAVID E. DAVIS, JR. ITEMS AND HIS CHERRY '51 CADDIE HIT THE BLOCK AT BONHAMS ACUTION IN SCOTTSDALE

By Matt Davis, Autoblog.com - On January 19th starting at precisely 10:30 am, Bonhams auctioneers at the Barrett-Jackson mega-event in Scottsdale will begin bringing to the stage lots 1 through 151 as part of the auction house's "The Scottsdale Sale". The lots represent a wide range of significant and unique items from the estate of automotive journalism guru and personality David E. Davis, Jr. who suddenly and sadly passed away on March 27th of last year following surgery.

The items are a vast array of Mr. Davis' collection of rarities assembled during his nearly 60-year career history with automobiles, the people who designed and built them, and especially with those legends who risked their lives racing them.

Among the array of a lifetime's collectibles are included several pieces of desk art, original wall art, rare signed photographs of Dan Gurney, Juan Manuel Fangio, Carroll Shelby, and others, plus a great number of authoritative books, many now out of print. Not to mention a perfectly preserved crimson red 1951 Cadillac Series 62 Coupe -- a favored Harley Earl design -- with fewer than 9,000 original miles, listed as lot number 326.

Behind every item there's a big and personal story and the pleasure of bidding on and owning any of these choice memorabilia would be made finer only by the original owner and ractoneur being present to regale us with the details. Davis is acknowledged as being the one responsible for the original success of Car and Driver Magazine in the 1960s and of having saved it again in the 1970s and 80s. Prior to that, Davis had worked originally at Road & Track. Following the C&D years, Davis then founded Automobile Magazine which he turned into a success despite heavy industry skepticism about the need for another car enthusiast title.

The two key items on auction by our assessment -- though it's tough to choose, of course -- are the all original '51 Caddie with smooth running 331 cubic inch OHV V-8 and lot n.128 -- a well preserved red felt race-day pennant from the 1906 Vanderbilt Cup race, won in that edition by the Lancia boys at an average speed of 60 mph. This was the first race in history with photographic evidence of a chequered flag being used to hail the winning car.

There are items available for all budgets and all levels of car enthusiast. Go to the Bonhams site http://www.bonhams.com/eur/auction/19680 and start your bidding for a piece of history from the lifetime of a larger than life car connoisseur and story teller.

2012 CHEVROLET SONIC MODELS GET TOP SAFETY RATINGS

By General Motors Corporation - The 2012 Chevrolet Sonic received a 5-star overall score for safety from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The vehicle was tested under NHTSA's revised New Car Assessment Program implemented starting with the 2011 model year. The Sonic brings to 10 the number of General Motors 2012 models with 5-star overall vehicle scores for safety.

The overall rating is based on frontal and side crash tests in addition to rollover resistance testing. The three test conditions are combined mathematically into an "Overall Vehicle Score."

The Sonic achieved an overall vehicle score of 5 stars -- the highest rating possible -- even though Sonic received four stars for rollover. NHTSA applies the results for the Sonic sedan to the 5-door hatchback model because of the same safety equipment and performance.

"We developed Sonic to exceed customer expectations of subcompacts in terms of segment-leading safety features," said Gay Kent, GM Executive Director of vehicle safety. "From the largest vehicles in our lineup to the smallest, we are putting overall crashworthiness and state-of-the-art safety technologies at the top of the list of must-haves."

The Sonic is designed to help drivers avoid crashes, while protecting occupants in a crash. Sonic offers an exceptionally strong body structure through the incorporation of a single welded side ring unit and more than 60 percent of the vehicle safety cage consisting of high-strength steel. Other standard safety features include:

• Driver and front passenger dual-stage frontal air bags, seat-mounted side pelvic/thorax air bags, knee air bags and head curtain side air bags with rollover protection that cover front and outboard rear seating rows. The Sonic also has side impact air bags in the outboard rear seating positions for a total of ten standard air bags.


• Rollover sensors, which can activate the head-curtain side air bags if sensors determine an imminent rollover. In a rollover, the air bags stay inflated longer to provide increased occupant protection.


• StabiliTrak electronic stability control helps the driver maintain control by comparing the path being steered by the driver with the actual response and, when necessary, applying the brakes or adjusting the throttle or a combination of both.


• Power-assisted front disc and rear drum brakes with ABS, full-function traction control and panic brake assist that activates when an emergency braking maneuver is detected. The system automatically develops additional brake pressure to more quickly engage ABS.


• Front safety belt pretensioners to reduce forward occupant movement and load-limiting retractors to help manage forces during a collision.


• OnStar, which features the Automatic Crash Response System that uses GPS and cellular phone technology to automatically call for help in the event that a crash is detected.

Starting with 2011 models, NHTSA introduced tougher tests and more rigorous requirements for its 5-star ratings that provide more information about safety feature performance and crash-avoidance technologies. Changes included a new side pole test simulating a 20-mph side-impact crash into a 10-inch-diameter pole or tree at a 75-degree angle just behind the A-pillar on the driver's side.

ONSTAR, VERIZON PREVIEW THE VOLT'S 4G LTE FUTURE AT CES 2012

OnStar's going to need more data bandwidth with
its new apps platform. Enter Verizon's 4G LTE network.

By Antuan Goodwin, Autoblog.com - Now that OnStar is courting app developers, it's going to be needing a bigger data pipe to feed the new mobile apps it's expecting for the next generation of OnStar-equipped vehicles.

This is where Verizon comes in with its broadband wireless network. OnStar and Big Red have jointly unveiled what they call a "second-generation connected research vehicle" at CES 2012. Based on a Chevrolet Volt, the research vehicle is connected to the cloud via Verizon's 4G LTE network and will be used to help test and develop new capabilities for OnStar's Advanced Telematics Operating System (ATOMS).

Armed with this new, more robust connection to the cloud, the OnStar research vehicle is able to stream Web and home content into the car with multiple zones. For example, the driver can stream podcasts, while each rear passenger is given independent control over his own local or streamed content. Rear passengers are also able to video chat via Skype and play games on the dual headrest-mounted monitors.

With the extra bandwidth, OnStar hopes to give passengers access to a variety of streaming-media and games.

In addition to entertainment, the 4G LTE bandwidth will be put to work providing home and Smart Grid connectivity, including real-time vehicle diagnostics, smart eco-routing for navigation that takes EV charge state into account, and home energy management of, for example, Web-connected thermostats, lights, and garage door systems from the vehicle's interface. From outside of the car, users will still be able to communicate with the research vehicle via the OnStar RemoteLink mobile app for smartphones.

Of course, one could argue that every smartphone-toting passenger already brings this level of connectivity into the car in his pocket, so this next-generation of OnStar will live or die based on its interface, ease of use, and any vehicle-specific features that can be rolled in. Which is why I think a vehicle with a complex, but flexible power train like the Volt is a prime candidate for showcasing the advantages of an always-on in vehicle data connection. Most users won't care what their conventional car is doing while they're not behind the wheel, but factor in the management of a battery and its a whole different ball game.

We'll be bringing you more information about the next evolution of OnStar as soon as we can find ourselves behind the wheel of the Volt research vehicle. Then again, I'm thinking one of the gaming and media-streaming back seats would probably be more fun in this case.

CHEVROLET TRU 140S CONCEPT IS THE MEANER CRUZE

By Zach Bowman, Autoblog.com - General Motors has just unveiled the Tru 140S Concept at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show, the second of it's youth-oriented concepts. Spiritual sibling to the Code 130S Concept, the Tru 140S is designed to bring exotic styling to the compact segment./ Based on the bones of the Chevrolet Cruze, the vehicle comes equipped with the same 1.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, though with a bit more power. The vehicle puts 150 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque to the front wheels via either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. Like the Cruze, GM says a production version of the Tru 140S Concept could be capable of up to 5.8 litres per hundred kilometres on the highway.

Like it's rear-wheel drive twin, the Tru 140S Concept would carry an MSRP of around $25,000 were it to go into production. And how likely is that to happen? GM has made it clear it intends to offer a more stylish, evocative compact vehicle in the near future. Given the fact that the Tru 140S rides on the Cruze platform, there's a good chance we may see something like it roll out of GM in a few years. Consider our fingers crossed.

CHEVROLET CODE 130R CONCEPT IS A REAR-WHEEL-DRIVE DREAM

By Zach Bowman, Autoblog.com - General Motors would like to lure in younger buyers with a new small car that boasts more evocative styling. To that end, the company unveiled two new concepts at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show that may hint at things to come from Chevrolet. The first is called the Chevrolet Code 130R Concept, which boasts a traditional coupe profile and seating for four. Subtle fender flares and an upright fascia help give the vehicle an aggressive, masculine presence, though GM says a production version could boast up to 40 miles per gallon.

Under the hood of the Code 130R, a turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine delivers 150 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque, and an eAssist system lends an electric hand when needed. The Code 130R also boasts either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission. With a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout, the Code 130R would offer buyers an engaging drive and design in an economical and affordable package, it if were ever built.

While purely a concept at this stage, GM says a production version would likely carry a price tag of around $25,000. That would put the sports car in perfect fighting range with the likes of the Subaru BRZ and Scion FR-S should the Code 130R Concept ever make it to the factory floor.

HOT DETROIT RUMOR: CHRYSLER TO REPLACE DODGE CHALLENGER WITH A BARRACUDA!

By Todd Lassa, Motor Trend - The 2012 North American International Auto Show has barely opened to the international press, and already the hottest rumour on the show floor is that Chrysler/Fiat is working on a replacement for the Dodge Challenger. It will be called Barracuda (though probably not Plymouth) and could be ready in time to launch for the original's 50th anniversary, which would be a couple of months before the Ford Mustang's 50th anniversary in April 2014 and the launch of that new car.

Two unimpeachable -- though not inside -- sources have told me about the Barracuda. The Dodge Challenger is the most literal interpretation of its ancestor. Because it uses the Dodge Charger/Chrysler 300 platform, it has the high front cowl of those two large sedans, and so its overall length is considerably longer than the 1970-74 Challenger, which already was the biggest car in its class. That Challenger shared its platform with the 1970-74 Barracuda, but with a stretched wheelbase.

The '74 Challenger was followed by a Mitsubishi-sourced coupe because it needed to be more fuel efficient to get through mid-decade gas prices. There is no way to follow up the current Challenger without either changing everything but the sheetmetal, or fully redesigning it to make it look nothing like the '70-'74/'08-current model. If Chrysler is going to redesign it, why not make it a radical departure?

A 2014 Barracuda would be much shorter, lighter and smaller overall than the current car, something we're hoping to see from the 2015 Chevrolet Camaro. It would not use the new Charger/300's LY platform, but would be on a shorter rear-wheel-drive platform, probably something closer to the Hyundai Genesis coupe.

What makes this scenario economically plausible is that such a platform also would serve Alfa Romeo well, with a new moderately priced RWD platform for a sports car and sports coupe. The question is whether the platform would package a V-8 for the Barracuda as well as a small, high-output and probably breathed-on turbo four for Alfa.

The Dodge Challenger launched in the 2008 model year, which means a five year cycle would end with MY13. A new Barracuda would launch in the 2014 model year. Ford plans to unveil an all-new Mustang in Spring of 2014 as a 2015 model. The original Mustang made its debut in April 1964 at the New York Auto Show as a '65 model.

One source speculates that the new Barracuda would borrow a number of cues from the original, fastback Valiant model, all the way through the 1970-74 model, when the Barracuda converged with the Challenger and no longer used the Valiant platform. Will the new car be a fastback, like the 1964-66 model, or a notchback, like the '70-'74, or both, like the '67-'69?

We'd bet on the notchback, at least, because it would make it easy for Chrysler to do a convertible as well, a better way to compete with Mustang and Chevy Camaro.

CAMARO TOPS MUSTANG IN SALES RACE FOR SECOND STRAIGHT YEAR

More than four decades ago, the Ford Mustang became
America's first "pony car" and has established itself as
the segment leader ever since. However, in the last two years,
Mustang's closest rival, the Chevrolet Camaro, has incontestably
dethroned the Mustang as the new sales leader.

By Danny Choy, Autoguide.com - When the Chevy Camaro beat the Ford Mustang by 81,299-to-73,716 units in 2010, analysts believed it was down to buyer excitement over a newly-released Camaro. Surprisingly, sales figures for 2011 revealed that not only did the Mustang not regain its spot at the top, but the sales gap actually widened. Last year, Americans bought 88,249 Camaros and only 70,438 Mustangs.

Little explains why the Camaro has pulled ahead in sales while the Mustang lagged behind. Even when comparing performance figures between the two machines, the difference is negligible as the Camaro only has fractionally more horsepower while it carries a couple of more pounds than the Mustang. Price wise, the MSRP of the Mustang B6 and GT are both less expensive than its Camaro counterpart.

Competition between the two rivals promises to intensify for 2012. On the Chevrolet corner, Camaro is preparing a high performance ZL1 producing an outrageous 580-hp, capable of reaching 60 mph in 3.9 seconds and a top speed of 184 mph. On the Ford corner, the new Mustang Shelby GT500 answers the ZL1 with a staggering 650-hp promising to reach speeds beyond the 200 mph holy grail.

No doubt, the GT500 is a statement car in its purest sense. If Camaro manages a threepeat for 2012, could the Mustang's failure come down to its long-criticized live rear axle?

THESE ARE YOUR TOP 10 WORST-SELLING VEHICLES OF 2011

By Zach Bowman, Autoblog.com - Where there are winners, there are inevitably losers. Last year was exceedingly kind to big pickups, sprawling family sedans and SUVs, but not every model came out of 2011 with big sales figures. We took the time to dig through the low-selling models of the past 12 months to find out which vehicles produced throughout the year were the biggest duds. Since we aren't interested in how few Lamborghini Aventador models rolled off of dealer lots in the U.S. in 2011, we kept the MSRP under $100,000.

Our criteria immediately nised vehicles like the Mazda RX-8, Volvo V50, Ram Cargo Van and everything in the Saab stable due to the fact that those models weren't manufactured through all 12 months of 2011. High-end metal like the Mercedes-Benz SL, CL and G classes were also kicked to the curb due to our price ceiling. Which was the worst of them all? We'll give you a hint. It wasn't the Acura ZDX.

1. Acura RL; MSRP $47,700; Units Sold 1,096


2. Hyundai Azera; MSRP $25,495; Units Sold 1,524


3. Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback; MSRP $18,395; Units Sold 1,548


4. Acura ZDX; MSRP $46,020; Units Sold 1,564


5. Toyota Land Cruiser; MSRP $68,920; Units Sold 1,662


6. Cadillac Escalade EXT; MSRP $63,060; Units Sold 2,036


7. Suzuki Equator; MSRP $17,899; Units Sold 2,127


8. Mercedes-Benz R-Class; MSRP $52,690; Units Sold 2,385


9. Mazda Tribute; MSRP $20,555; Units Sold 2,696


10. Subaru Tribeca; MSRP $30,595; Units Sold 2,791

THESE ARE YOUR TOP 10 BEST-SELLING VEHICLES FOR 2011

By Zach Bowman, Autoblog.com - The figures have been tallied for the best-selling vehicle in the U.S. in 2011, and not surprisingly, the Ford F-Series pickup truck is king of the heap once again. Dealers sold a total of 584,917 F-Series units in 2011, beating out the second-place Chevrolet Silverado by 169,787 units. The Toyota Camry filled out the podium with 308,510 sales, which left the top three unaltered from their 2010 rankings. Fourth place went to the surging Nissan Altima, which jumped from its seventh place position last year. Likewise, the Ford Excape enjoyed a jolt in popularity as well. While the aging CUV took the 13th spot last year, the Ford sold 254,293 units to take fifth place in 2011.

That bumped the Honda Accord and its Crosstour variant to sixth place. Interestingly enough, the Honda duo just barely beat out the Ford Fusion by 5,000 units. Were the two Honda models to be split, the Fusion would have easily knocked the Accord further down the list. Likewise, the Toyota Corolla and Matrix teamed up to edge out the Chevrolet Cruze for ninth and tenth places, respectively.

SOLAR POWER PAYING FOR AND POWERING A CHEVY VOLT

By Liane Yvkoff, Carblog.com - Few people are getting rich selling solar energy back to the grid, but one homeowner has made enough to pay for his Chevy Volt.

Retired nephrologist Bob Stonerock says that he used the $5,600 he's made over the last two years selling solar electricity to the Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC) for the down payment on his red 2012 Chevy Volt.

The Chevrolet Volt is an extended-range electric vehicle that can operate for the first 40 miles on electricity alone before switching on its gas-powered engine. The plug-in hybrid retails for $41,000 and leases for $350 per month. Stonerock's Volt cost him $46,000.

That sounds impressive, but before you map out a solar array for the roof to justify splurging on a new car, keep in mind Stonerock's scenario is unique, and the economics probably won't be the same for the typical homeowner.

Years ago the Orlando, Fla., resident installed a 20.8 KW photovoltaic system that includes a 33-foot-by-33-foot "tower of power" made of solar panels. The elaborate setup cost $170,000 to install. Most homeowners opt for the more modest 4 KW system.

But Stonerock's solar installation more than adequately powers his home's monthly average electricity usage of 2,400 kilowatt hours, and also powers the Volt for free. The rest he sells back to the OUC, and at the end of the year the utility company cuts him a check for his earnings.

While the exercise highlights Stonerock's commitment to low-carbon living, it also shines a light on the long break even (in this case, decades and decades long) for green technology first movers.

GM DEVELOPS FIX FOR VOLT BATTERY PACKS

By Mike Colias, Automotive News - General Motors executives said today that they have come up with a fix to a design flaw that led some Chevrolet Volt battery packs to catch fire in days or weeks after government safety tests.

GM will reinforce the steel surrounding the Volt's battery pack to prevent it from being punctured during a crash. It also will add a sensor to the battery pack to monitor coolant leaks.

The action is not a product recall but a voluntary "customer satisfaction program" intended to make the Volt "even safer" and give the more than 8,000 Volt owners peace of mind, GM global product chief Mary Barra told reporters during a conference call today.

Volt owners can visit their Chevrolet dealership for the free fix, which should be ready sometime in February, officials said.

The same solution is being offered to owners of the Volt's European sibling vehicle, the Opel Ampera, GM said.

Probe still open

Barra said the fires that occurred in June and November after testing by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration were the result of a puncture in the side of the battery pack that allowed a small amount of coolant to leak into the pack. The coolant then interacted with electronics inside the pack, igniting them later.

Barra said GM informed NHTSA officials of the fix but would not comment on the status of a safety defect investigation the agency opened in November to assess the Volt's battery-related fire risks.

In a statement today, NHTSA said it crash-tested a Volt on Dec. 22 with the newly designed steel reinforcement and the test showed no damage to the battery compartment, nor any apparent coolant leakage.

The agency said it will continue to monitor the crashed Volt as a precaution for one more week and that the investigation remains open.

"Preliminary results of the crash test indicate the remedy proposed by General Motors today should address the battery intrusion," NHTSA said.

A voluntary fix

GM has sold more than 8,000 Volts since its December 2010 launch, with another 4,400 on dealer lots, GM North America President Mark Reuss said today. GM is not requiring dealers to make the fix to the units in their inventory, he said.

GM will incorporate the design fix into the manufacturing process at its Detroit-Hamtramck plant, which remains idled for scheduled holiday downtime. The enhancements will be in place when production resumes, Reuss said.

Reuss declined to say how much the fix would cost GM or how many Volt owners he expected to come in for service.

Between Dec. 9 and Dec. 21, GM conducted four test crashes on Volts that had undergone the fix. None of the crashes resulted in a punctured battery pack and subsequent coolant leak, GM said in a statement.

Few taker on buyback

In late November, GM offered loaner vehicles to Volt owners who were concerned about safety problems, even though the automaker insisted the Volt was safe to drive. GM also offered to buy back any Volts from worried owners.

Reuss said today that about 250 owners have requested loaners or asked to sell their car back to GM. He said those requests are being processed.

Reuss said he doesn't think the news about the battery pack fires have negatively affected Volt sales or its image.

"I trust the Volt with the most important thing in the world to me -- my family," Reuss said. "I'm confident in asking our customers and potential customers to do the very same."

GM sold 1,529 Volts in December, its highest sales month since the car's launch. About one-third of those went to commercial fleet customers, the first Volts to be sold to fleets rather than individual buyers.

News of the government's investigation has threatened to dampen Volt sales and the enthusiasm around the car, which has become a source of corporate pride for post-bankruptcy GM.

Problems with the Volt battery pack surfaced on Nov. 11, when NHTSA disclosed that a Volt that had been involved in a side-impact crash test in May caught fire three weeks later in a storage facility.

Later in November, NHTSA opened a formal investigation after conducting three-follow-up tests that intentionally damaged the Volt's battery pack. One of the packs caught fire and another began to smoke and emit sparks. Both incidents occurred days or weeks after the batteries were damaged.

GM has said that the fires wouldn't have occurred had the batteries been drained immediately after they were damaged. In real-world Volt crashes, GM sends engineers to depower the battery, the automaker has said.

2012 CHEVROLET SONIC MODELS GET TOP SAFETY RATINGS

By General Motors Corporation - The 2012 Chevrolet Sonic received a 5-star overall vehicle score for safety from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The vehicle was tested under NHTSA's revised New Car Assessment Program implemented starting with the 2011 model year. The Sonic brings to 10 the number of General Motors 2012 models with 5-star overall vehicle scores for safety.

The overall rating is based on frontal and side crash tests in addition to rollover resistance testing. The three test conditions are combined mathematically into an "Overall Vehicle Score."

The Sonic achieved an overall vehicle score of 5 stars -- the highest rating possible -- even though Sonic received four stars for rollover. NHTSA applies the results for the Sonic sedan to the 5-door hatchback model because of the same safety equipment and performance.

"We developed Sonic to exceed customer expectations of subcompacts in terms of segment-leading safety features," said Gay Kent, GM executive director of vehicle safety. "From the largest vehicles in our lineup to the smallest, we are putting overall crashworthiness and state-of-the-art safety technologies at the top of the list of must-haves."

The Sonic is designed to help drivers avoid crashes, while protecting occupants in a crash. Sonic offers an exceptionally strong body structure through the incorporation of a single welded side ring unit and more than 60 percent of the vehicle safety cage consisting of high-strength steel. Other standard safety features include:

• 
  
  Driver and front passenger dual-stage frontal air bags, seat-mounted side pelvic/thorax air bags, knee air bags and head curtain side air bags with rollover protection that cover front and outboard rear seating rows. The Sonic also has side impact air bags in the outboard rear seating positions for a total of ten standard air bags.


• 
  
  Rollover sensors, which can activate the head-curtain side air bags if sensors determine an imminent rollover. In a rollover, the air bags stay inflated longer to provide increased occupant protection.


• 
  
  StabiliTrak electronic stability control helps the driver maintain control by comparing the path being steered by the driver with the actual response and, when necessary, applying the brakes or adjusting the throttle or a combination of both.


• 
  
  Power-assisted front disc and rear drum brakes with ABS, full-function traction control and panic brake assist that activates when an emergency braking maneuver is detected. The system automatically develops additional brake pressure to more quickly engage ABS.


• 
  
  Front safety belt pretensioners to reduce forward occupant movement and load-limiting retractors to help manage forces during a collision.


• 
  
  OnStar, which features the Automatic Crash Response System that uses GPS and cellular phone technology to automatically call for help in the event that a crash is detected.

Starting with 2011 models, NHTSA introduced tougher tests and more rigorous requirements for its 5-star ratings that provide more information about safety feature performance and crash-avoidance technologies. Changes included a new side pole test simulating a 20-mph side-impact crash into a 10-inch-diameter pole or tree at a 75-degree angle just behind the A-pillar on the driver's side.

FIRST DRIVE: 2012 CHEVROLET COLORADO GLOBAL EDITION

By Daniel Fernandez, Motor Trend - Until recently, most trucks in Thailand were no frills, work-themed models designed and built to be affordable and tough enough to handle rugged off-road conditions. But with the rollout of the all-new, global editions of the 2012 Chevrolet Colorado and the Ford Ranger, that's starting to change as automakers look to gain more sales from the urban consumer.

Previously, Thai trucks especially didn't have the interior and ride comfort levels of a car, rear leg- and shoulder room for three adults, carlike interior features, or the all-important cabin noise insulation from the hard-working diesel engine. There's one other factor needed for urban success: It is essential to reduce the cost of running diesel-powered pickups, which consume more diesel in start-stop city traffic.

Most of these issues have been resolved with the introduction of Chevy's new Colorado. The engineers have taken part of the new Chevrolet Captiva (a crossover sold in Europe, Asia, and Australia) dashboard and the gauge cluster from the Camaro to make the Colorado cabin user-friendly and modern. Chevrolet has introduced a new pair of class-leading diesel engines from GM's powertrain factory in Rayong, Thailand, as well as debuting a segment-first truck-chassis system. This redefines the global Colorado as more than just a traditional pickup: It's a pickup truck with an SUV interior and ride.

General Motors has announced the Colorado is coming to the
U.S. While is will be significantly different, we hope
it retains the global truck's styling.

We drove the Colorado in the northern Thailand province of Chaing Rai over a mix of tarmac, gravel, and sand. In urban conditions, the Colorado's compromises are kept to a minimum. It offers easy entry and exit, thanks to its SUV height and a design that focuses on practicality and refinement. It's built with an ultra-rigid steel frame structure, which means ride and handling are much more akin to a conventional road car than many like-minded four-wheel-drive pickups.

Under the skin is an SUV-style control-arm suspension with coil springs and a stabilizer bar for the front. The rear has a semi-elliptical leaf spring live axle. On tarmac, the Colorado turns into corners very well, considering its tall 70-series tires, and it never feels lethargic when hustled along in city traffic. Its straight-line cruising stability is also exceptional, as we managed an easy 85 mph or so on the highway with negligible wind and tire road. The fingertip feel through the power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering is smooth and well-damped, and responsive front-wheel disc brakes (with standard ABS with PBA) return the braking performance of a SUV.

Another surprise is the automatic six-speed gearbox, which is exceedingly smooth with no hint of an abrupt kick-down prevalent in other pickup trucks. Even in manual mode, the gearbox works well, and its electronics help prevent balky gearshifts (an indicator will appear on the information display). The engine we tested is a 2.8-liter common-rail turbodiesel (180 horsepower at 3800 rpm with a peak torque of 347 lb-ft at 2000 rpm), and proved powerful enough to haul our fully loaded Colorado up the steepest slopes and around the tightest corners as we raced up the Mae Salong hill to Doi Chang Moob on the outskirts of Chaing Rai to the Thai-Burmese border.

The Chevy Colorado is built with an ultra-rigid steel
frame and an SUV-style control-arm
coil-spring suspension

We got a challengine off-road route to tackle using the stock trucks we had driven on the highway, and the Colorado completed the course with little or no issues. No one -- not even the die-hard 4x4 enthusiasts in the group -- had anything negative to say about the truck's off-road capability. Apart from the expected jolts and bumps over some rougher sections, the Colorado met the route's challenges rather well. The impressive torque from the new diesel engine allowed the truck to ride up steep, rocky inclines with little efort, needing only slight nudging of the accelerator pedal, and the ABS and panic brake assist easily managed the descents. The drive mode selector goes from rear- to four-wheel drive with a simple twist of the electronic knob selector located below the gear shifter.

This Chevy's looks are sufficiently rugged, with aerodynamic efficiency that accomplishes the neat trick of being robust and sporty at the same time, with SUV-like shoulders over the front wheel arches that complement the hammerhead headlamps. A set of foglamps is integrated into the front bumper, below which resides a metal skidplate to protect the powertrain from damage during tough off-road excursions.

Three cab configurations are offered: crew, extended, and regular. Only the crew cab was available for this test drive, and the cabin has a generous amount of space. The overall fit and finish and level of features within the spacious cabin are impressive and include the SUV-quality dashboard and a hands-free connectable Bluetooth CD/MP3/WMA sound system that is iPod- and USB-ready. The overall sound quality from this combination is good.

The airbag steering wheel has buttons to control the audio system, and the steering column and driver's seat are adjustable for reach and height. Smallish pockets in the front doors contain cup/bottle holders that can accommodate most beverage sizes. Some shortfalls include a console between the front seats positioned too far aft to serve as an armrest. Then there's the shallow, two-tier glovebox, whose bottom tire is so narrow that only a small PC tablet and service manual will fit. The top tier is of little use.

For the Asian market, the Colorado comes with two airbags (LTZ version only). Safety features vary among models, and only the LTZ gets traction control, stability control, and panic brake assist, which increases braking force and triggers the ABS; hydraulic brake assist; cornering brake control (an extension of the ABS, TCS, and ESC systems to help the driver maintain control when the brakes are applied mid-corner); and hydraulic brake fade assist, which increases braking pressure when the system detects brake fade.

This new Colorado is sure to help GM's sales figures in this region. It comes with a bold, evergreen look that will not fade quickly, a decent-sized cabin, family-friendly interior features, and a powertrain that is frugal with diesel while producing impressive performance for the midsize pickup segment. In Asia, where this truck just went on sale, it's expected to be a clear sales winner, spanning the market from families to contractors.

KAZIMER AND FAMILY WIN THREE ALL-NEW CHEVROLET VOLTS

Edmonton, AB, TSN News Release - Campbell River, BC's Barry Kazimer has three extra reasons to celebrate this New Year's Eve, as the 48-year old retired military veteran and his family took home a trio of all-new Chevrolet Volt electric vehicles in TSN's sixth annual, international award-winning million-dollar giveaway, the Chevrolet Volt Million Dollar Shootout.

The event aired live nationally on TSN and TSN Mobile TV during the first intermission of the 2012 IIHF World Junior Championship round-robin game featuring Canada vs USA.

"Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that I would be a part of something like the Chevrolet Volt Million Dollar Shootout, much less step on the ice at a World Juniors game and have the opportunity to win cars and $1 million," said Kazimer. "To go home with three cars just really caps off what has been in incredible three days in Edmonton and to be able to share this experience with my family makes the trip even more special."

Kazimer and his two shooters - cousin Stew Patterson and brother-in-law Ken Bilski - each had 15 seconds to shoot 10 pucks into an open net from centre ice. Kazimer and Patterson's combined 16 goals scored were enough for the trio to win three all-new Chevrolet Volt electric vehicles.

Immediately after winning the cars, Kazimer moved back to the far blue line and had the chance to win $1 million in a one-time payout by shooting at least 15 out of 20 pucks into an open net in 24 seconds or less. Kazimer scored 11 goals into the open net, falling just four goals short of the $1 million prize.

"The Chevrolet Volt electric vehicle with extended range is a revolutionary vehicle and we're thrilled to welcome Barry, Stew and Ken to the Volt team," said Marc Comeau, Vice-President, Sales, Service and Marketing for General Motors of Canada. "With the Volt, Barry will be able to eliminate gasoline from his daily commute while having the flexibility to go further, something no other electrified vehicle can provide."

Kazimer was randomly chosen from more than 26 million total online entries. As part of the promotion, Kazimer had the chance to hone his wrist shot in a special one-hour practice with Hall of Fame defenceman and Chevrolet Hockey Ambassador, Bobby Orr, at Rexall Place yesterday.

Born in Comox, BC and raised in Ottawa, ON, Kazimer is a retired master corporal with the Royal Canadian Air Force. Kazimer stays active by skiing and playing squash, baseball and tennis, but he considers hockey to be his favorite sport and Sidney Crosby his favorite athlete.

CHEVROLET RECALLS ITS SONIC SMALL CAR FOR BRAKE ISSUES

By Chris Woodyard, USA Today - The Chevrolet Sonic has barely gone on sale, but already it is being recalled. General Motors said today it is recalling 4,296 of the subcompact cars to check for missing brake pads, the Associated Press says.

Some Sonics could be missing an inner or outer brake pad, which could increase stopping distance. GM said there are no known crashes or injuries related to the issue.

The Sonic is GM's latest attempt to build small cars in the U.S. at a profit, instead of importing them. They were built at the plant in Orion Township, Michigan, which makes Sonics for the U.S. and Canadian markets.

Dealers will inspect front brakes on Sonics for missing inner or outer pads and install new pads, if necessary. Customers affected by the recall will receive dealer letters beginning January 14.

POP QUIZ: WHICH BRANDS AND NAMEPLATES DIED IN 2011?

By Rick Kranz, Automotive News - The auto industry runs fast and furious. Each year there are winners and losers.

If you are looking for a New Year's Even game to test your friends' automotive IQ, here's an idea. Get some pencils and paper, and ask them to write down what automaker, brands and nameplates were dropped in 2011.

Give 10 points for naming the automaker correctly, eight points for naming each brand, and five points for each nameplate.

This calendar year marks the end of one automaker, two brands and 26 models, according to a list that appears on the Motor Trend Web site.

Specifically, Saab's automotive history ended when the automaker filed for liquidation in a Swedish court recently.

Daimler AG pulled the plug on Maybach, its ultrapremium brand, and Ford Motor Co. dropped Mercury, a brand that was little more than a Ford.

By the way, while the Lincoln Town Car sedan was killed off, the Town Car name will appear on a livery version based on the MKT next year, so I did not include it on this list.

These are the nameplates -- some with a legacy of decades -- that were abandoned in 2011:

• Buick Lucerne


• Cadillac STS


• Chevrolet Aveo


• Chevrolet HHR


• Dodge Caliber


• Dodge Dakota


• Dodge Nitro


• Ferrari 612 Scaglietti


• Ford Crown Victoria


• Ford Ranger


• Honda Element


• Mercury Grand Marquis


• Lotus Elise


• Lotus Exige


• Mazda RX-8


• Mazda Tribute


• Maybach 57


• Maybach 62


• Mitsubishi Eclipse


• Mitsubishi Endeavor


• Saab 9-3


• Saab 9-4X


• Saab 9-5


• Tesla Roadster


• Volvo S40


• Volvo V50

A LOOK BACK AT 59 YEARS OF TOP STORIES

By Automotive News Staff - Every year since 1953, reporters and editors at Automotive News have chosen the year's top auto story. Here are their picks.

1953: Fire destroys General Motors' Hydra-matic plant in Livonia, Michigan

1954: Reduction of "phantom-freight" charges

1955: Senate hearings on auto trade practices; attainment of supplemental unemployment compensation by the UAW

1956: GM begins offering five-year franchise contracts, up from one year, in response to dealer complaints

1957: The rise in imported-car sales

1958: Enactment of price-sticker law

1959: Compact cars introduced by Ford Motor Co., GM and Chrysler Corp.

1960: Chrysler's conflict-of-interest problems; a president is deposed, and other executives are affected

1961: Antitrust actions filed against the Big 3; GM accused in Los Angeles discount-house rhubarb; Ford's acquisition of Electric Autolite properties questioned; Chrysler charged with pressuring dealers not to dual with Studebaker

1962: Future of the franchise system; Los Angeles antitrust suit against GM viewed as threat to franchise

1963: GM wins criminal antitrust suit growing out of Los Angeles discount-house situation

1964: Record truck sales and the first 8-million-car year

1965: "The Year of Records": All-time highs in sales and production of domestic cars and trucks

1966: Safety: Congress holds hearings; bills are passed; William Haddon is appointed safety czar; standards are proposed for 1968 models

1967: 61-day strike costs Ford Motor 500,000 cars; Big 3 workers receive a raise of about $1 an hour in wages and fringes over three years

1968: Semon "Bunkie" Knudsen named president of Ford Motor a week after he quit as executive vice president of GM

1969: Semon "Bunkie" Knudsen fired as president of Ford Motor after holding the job for 19 months

1970: UAW strike shuts GM for 67 days in the United States, 95 days in Canada; the strike costs GM production of more than 1.5 million cars and trucks and more than $4.5 billion in sales

1971: President Nixon's economic program and its effect on the auto industry: Prices and wages are frozen; import duty is raised temporarily; currency is revalued; excise tax is repealed; program touches off auto sales boom

1972: Wankel engine advances: GM plans to offer Wankel-powered Chevrolet Vega in 1975 model year; other makers watch and wait; Mazda, with the only Wankel-powered cars in the United States, has a big year

1973: The energy crisis: Arabs halt oil exports to United States; gas rationing feared; uncertainty hurts auto industry and entire economy

1974: New-car sales (U.S. and import) fall to 8.6 million in 1974; 1975 model year is off to a dismal start

1975: U.S. automakers offer rebates of $200 to $500 to move huge inventories

1976: Auto sales rebound after two poor years, reaching 9.96 million for 1976; intermediates and big cars are hot, but small cars are hard to sell

1977: Government orders airbags on new cars, to be phased in with 1982 models; industry fails in bid to have Congress override Department of Transportation decision

1978: The fall and rise of Lee Iacocca, who is fired by Henry Ford II as president of Ford Motor in mid-July, then becomes president of Chrysler in November

1979: Chrysler's financial anguish: Federal loan guarantees sought; future of company in doubt

1980: GM, Ford, Chrysler, American Motors suffer combined loss of $4.2 billion for the year

1981: Another year of recession/depression for the domestic auto industry

1982: John DeLorean is arrested on drug-trafficking charges; he is later found not guilty; his sports car company folds

1983: A year of recovery for the domestic auto industry; sales and production rise after three bad years

1984: Record profits for each of the Big 3 as well as a record profit of $9.8 billion for the four domestic automakers

1985: Big 3 on buying binge: GM, Ford and Chrysler make major acquisitions outside the automotive field; biggest is GM's $5 billion purchase of Hughes Aircraft

1986: Turmoil at GM: Market share dips; plants to close; Saturn scaled back; plastic-bodied Camaro-Firebird dropped; bus operations for sale; Volvo to run heavy-truck venture; GM has third-quarter operating loss of $338 milion

1987: Chrysler buys AMC

1988: The sleeping giant stirs; GM's profits rise; car-market share stabilizes; new models aren't look-alikes; quality improves, overseas operation in high gear

1989: After eight quiet years, Washington again becomes a major thorn in the side of the auto industry; President Bush and Congress talk about tighter emissions rules, much higher fuel-economy standards and alternative-fuel cars

1990: GM's Saturn arrives after seven years of development; the car gets good reviews, pleases shoppers and dealers, but production problems hold output to a trickle, delaying evaluation of Saturn's sales success

1991: Car and truck sales drop 12 percent from a mediocre 1990; GM, Ford and Chrysler deep in red; end of Persian Gulf war fails to ignite sales; GM announces massive cost-cutting program and cutbacks in personnel and facilities as year ends

1992: The bloodbath at GM: Long-passive outside directors rise in revolt as staggering losses continue; chairman, vice chairman, president and two executive vice presidents ousted; Jack Smith named chief executive, and John Smale is first outside chairman since 1937

1993: J. Ignacio Lopez quits GM and joins Volkswagen; GM says he stole secret documents; Lopez and VW deny it; FBI and German court investigate as year ends

1994: Sixteen former Honda managers and two former dealers are indicted in U.S. probe of bribes and kickbacks in wholesale organization; all but three plead guilty

1995: Kirk Kerkorian, Chrysler's second-largest shareholder, makes a takeover run at Chrysler in April, but Chairman Robert Eaton beats it down

1996: Airbags kill kids and small adults; NHTSA delay means no action until 1997 on whether to order lower-powered bags or allow owners to disconnect them

1997: In less than a year, H. Wayne Huizenga's Republic Industries Inc. becomes the nation's largest new-car dealership group, with 270 franchises and annual revenue of $10.3 billion; acquisitions continue; Republic wins fight with Toyota

1998: Daimler-Benz and Chrysler Corp. combine as DaimlerChrysler AG, with Daimler as the lead pony; headquarters are in Stuttgart; Juergen Schrempp and Robert Eaton are said to be co-CEOs

1999: Sales set a record: 16.9 million cars and light trucks for 1999; the old record was 16,025,426 in 1986

2000: Chrysler in crisis: Schrempp admits that he planned from the beginning to make Chrysler a division; the Chrysler group loses about $1.8 billion in the second half of the year; heads roll in Auburn Hills, Mich., starting with President Jim Holden; Dieter Zetsche heads the Chrysler group in the United States, and Wolfgang Bernhard is COO

2001: Ford fires Jac Nasser as CEO and president; Bill Ford (the fourth generation) succeeds Nasser as CEO and continues as chairman

2002: Ford's financial and quality problems continue, a turnaround strategy, announced in January, includes a pledge to deliver $7 billion annual pretax profit by 2005 after losing $5.45 billion in 2001; Bill Ford brings back Allan Gilmour as CFO

2003: The Big 3 moved the iron with high incentives but lost market share again; Big 3 share fell to 60.0 percent, down 1.7 points from 2002

2004: Rebates remain sky-high; sales continue near 17 million despite weak fundamentals; Asians boost market share; Big 3 and others try new incentives

2005: Delphi Corp., the world's largest auto supplier, files for bankruptcy protection. GM refuses to bail out Delphi, its former property; Delphi CEO Steve Miller wants to cut wages in half and reduce benefits; UAW threatens a killer strike that would cripple GM

2006: An awful year for Detroit 3. Ford loses $5.8 billion in third quarter; the Chrysler group, felled by sales bank, loses $1.5 billion; GM makes progress but is still light years from financial health. Detroit 3 lose 3.2 points of market share in 11 months; Japanese gain 2.2 points

2007: The Detroit 3 closed the gap in labor costs with their Japanese rivals. The car companies agreed to pay about 55 cents on the dollar to shift nearly $100 billion in combined retiree health care obligations to UAW-controlled trusts. The UAW also relented on two-tire wages that allow the Detroit 3 to replace workers earnings $28 an hour with new hires earning half that wage.

2008: It was a tough year from start to finish, and it ended with GM and Chrysler on their knees before Congress begging for money to keep operating. Ford was in better shape, but it wanted a line of credit. They didn't get anything from Congress, but GM and Chrysler did get a $17.4 billion loan from President Bush and the Treasury Department

2009: The industry slump went from bad to worse, and two of the Detroit 3 - GM and Chrysler - filed for Chapter 11 reorganization. The good news: Most of the hard work was done in advance, and each of companies emerged from bankruptcy in less than six weeks

2010: The industry began to claw its way back, but Toyota didn't share in the recovery. Allegations of unintended acceleration sparked a heated safety controversy, ugly headlines and global recalls of millions of units. Toyota's prime asset - a pristine reputation for quality - was seriously tarnished. The company lost U.S. market share, along with the trust of many shoppers

2011: On March 11, a massive earthquake rocked northeast Japan and a devastating tsunami followed. Thousands died, and Japan's auto industry was severely wounded, deep into the supply chain. Shortages of vehicles and parts disrupted the global auto market through the year. In the United States, vehicle shortages stifled a modest sales recovery that had been taking root