General Motors | autoinsane

Do Ed Whitacre and General Motors “get” cars?

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

The short answer is no. Whitacre has self-admittedly stated he's not a car guy. What Whitacre does know is mergers and acquisitions. Aside from figuring out how to deal with Saab, it doesn't look like GM really needs to be buying up companies. Ed is a numbers guy and if that makes you a bit nervous, it probably should. GM's other "numbers guy" was Rick Wagoner.

Genii Capital rumored to rival Spyker bid in last minute faceoff for Saab

Thursday, January 7, 2010

0 Comments

It's the final day of the bidding process for the beloved Saab brand and despite GM CEO Ed Whitacre being pessimistic about the brands future, rumors have it that Genii Capital is readying a last minute rival bid.

GM Announces Ray Young Moving to VP of International Operations

Monday, December 14, 2009

0 Comments

GM Announces Ray Young Moving to VP of International Operations

In yet another executive shift, GM has moved Ray Young from CFO to Vice President of International Operations. This newly created position is the latest round of musical chairs in the board room following Fritz Henderson stepping down less than a month ago. Since thing Ed Whitacre had taken over day to day operations, changed Maximum Bob’s job title, Brent Dewar, Vice President of Chevrolet left and Michael Richards left Buick after just 9 days. If you’re having a hard time keeping track of what executives are coming and going, you aren’t alone. Needless to say it’s highly likely that this won’t be the last change we hear about in the next few months. Now GM needs to find a CEO and a CFO at least, and that’s assuming nobody else jumps ship. We know GM needed to make some changes, but the fire sale in the board room makes us wonder if this isn’t just change for the sake of change.

OnStar will offer Turn-by-Turn navigation to all subscribers on Black Friday- for free

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

0 Comments

Black Friday 2009 is just a few days away and OnStar is offering its subscribers a real bargain. All day Friday, folks who have an active OnStar subscription will be able to use the service's Turn-By-Turn Navigation service- for free. While the service will be able to tell you the best way to get to your favorite store, they won't be able to tell you where the best deals are.

Cadillac unveils CTS Coupe, announces CTS-V Coupe – We’re in love!

Monday, November 23, 2009

0 Comments

Cadillac announced the much anticipated CTS Coupe and will be bringing it to the LA Autoshow. Set for production for Spring of 2010 with the V-series variant to follow that fall, Cadillac says the Coupe comes virtually unchanged from the concept unveiled in Detroit in 2008. Cadillac wanted to extend their Art and Science design philosophy and the CTS brand with the Coupe, which now sits along the CTS Wagon as well. Naturally, the base engine is GM's potent 304-hp V6 which gets 27 mpg on the highway. Much to drivers delight the Coupe will be available with a 6-speed manual in both RWD and AWD versions. However, if you're part of the camp that doesn't prefer to row for yourself there will be a 6-speed automatic as well. Other desirable options include a "Performance Package with 18-inch wheels and all-season tires (available in both RWD and AWD,)" or the " the Summer Tire Performance Package, with 19-inch tires and wheels and a higher level of road holding capability. StabiliTrak, the advanced electronic chassis control system, is standard." The base Caddy is no slouch in the handling department featuring Independent SLA front suspension, a multi-link rear suspension and a limited-slip differential. It's no wonder why Cadillac is different the Recaro seats in the base coupe. Click past the break for slew of photographs, full specifications, and the official press release.

IIHS Releases Safest New Vehicles for 2010

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

0 Comments

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety released its list of cars awarded Top Safety Pick. The 27 vehicle list includes 19 cars and 8 SUV's. The Big Winner? Subaru, with five of its cars winning the awards from the IIHS. The Subaru Forester, Subaru Impreza (except WRX), Subaru Legacy, Subaru Outback and Subaru Tribeca were selected, that's almost Subaru's entire lineup. Volvo and Volkswagen also cleaned up with four cars a piece taking home a trophy. Detroit was not to be out done, each Big Three Automaker had at least two cars make the list. The IIHS points out that Toyota and it's subsidiaries were absent from the list after receiving 11 awards last year, as well as BMW, Mazda, Mitsubishi, and Saab for not having qualifying vehicles. Other big surprises include the Honda Accord and Ford Fusion missing the grade for only meeting 'acceptable' standards in the new roof safety standards.

Road Test: 2009 Pontiac Solstice Coupe GXP

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

1 Comment

It's the car that proves General Motors is making a huge mistake closing the Pontiac brand. We're behind the wheel of the turbocharged 260-horsepower Pontiac Solstice Coupe GXP.

Pre-production Chevy Volt takes a bath in GM’s universal water chamber

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

0 Comments

Development on the Chevy Volt continues to progress at neck-break speed and GM has been sharing bits and pieces of the vehicle's testing and engineering along the way. This new video caught our interest for the sheer fact that it combines the "electric" Volt undergoing leak testing in GM's Universal Water Chamber.

Road Test Gallery: 2009 Solstice Coupe GXP

Monday, August 24, 2009

1 Comment

It's the end of an era as the Pontiac brand shutters its doors for the final time. It's fitting then that perhaps the most exciting car to ever wear the Pontiac dart logo is among the very last. We drive the super-limited Solstice Coupe GXP and here's the photo gallery from our Road Test.

GM to provide cash advances to dealers for CARS rebates

Thursday, August 20, 2009

0 Comments

GM to provide cash advances to dealers for CARS rebates

This morning General Motors announced it would be providing cash advances to dealers equal to the amounts they are currently owed under the government run CARS rebate program. The advances will allow dealers to stay in business until the rebates are processed.