GM Foundation to Donate $1 Million to Tsunami Relief Efforts

General Motors Corp. announced its GM Foundation will be donating $1 million to the International Response Fund of the American Red Cross to support the relief efforts in Asia, India and Africa that were ravaged by the recent tsunami.

The GM foundation announced it will also be matching up to $1 million in contributions made by GM employees to the International Response Fund of the American Red Cross, UNICEF and CARE.

"All of us are stunned by the magnitude of this unprecedented natural disaster, and we mourn the loss of life and the devastation it has brought to so many people," said GM chairman and chief executive Rick Wagoner.

GM also plans to provide GM cars and trucks to aid in the movement of medical supplies and equipment in the region.

Ten Chevy Cobalt Cars To Be Given Away New Years Eve

General Motors Corp.'s Chevrolet brand announced it will be giving away 10 new Chevrolet Cobalt cars New Year's Eve on live television. The Chevy Cobalt giveaway is to be part of the company's New Years Eve promotional program, reported a GM spokesman representing Chevrolet.

"We chose New Year's Eve as a platform again this year to express the ongoing revolution in a high impact and effective way," said Kim Kosak, Chevy's general director for advertising and sales promotions.

The marketing promotion, including commercials highlighting the Cobalt, Chevy Malibu, and the Chevrolet Uplander minivan, will be debuting New Year's Eve. Kosak added that the campaign is intended to introduce the new Chevy models to its 2005 lineup.The give away of the 10 Cobalts will be in conjunction with America's Party with Ryan Seacrest on the Fox network.

Cadillac SRX Earns 'SUV of the Year' from Leading MidEast Publication

Saudi Auto, a leading Middle East motors publication, has recently named the Cadillac SRX the 'SUV of the Year' for 2005. The award for the Cadillac SRX is the latest in a number of global awards for the SRX, a luxury sport utility vehicle. In 2004 Car & Driver magazine awarded the vehicle as well.

"It is true that the Cadillac SRX is a Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV), but we found that it is like no other vehicle in its class," remarked Saudi Auto's Publisher and Editor-in-Chief, Bakur Azher. "The SRX is truly a leader in its category – where buyers no longer need to sacrifice performance and style for utility"

Mr. Azher handed the Award to General Motors Chairman, Rick Wagoner, at GM's Annual Middle East Retailer Conference in Dubai. Wagoner said "I am especially pleased to accept this award on behalf of General Motors for the Cadillac SRX. The renaissance of Cadillac as a global luxury brand has been a great success for GM. And it's great to see that the new Cadillac products are being so well received in the very important Middle East market."

Factors that Saudi Auto said contributed to its decision on the SRX being named 2005 SUV of the Year included overall performance, road handling, luxury features and the SRX's innovative overall offering to customers.

Industry analysts expect the all-new 3.6L V-6 Variable Valve Timing engine, as well as two V8 engines to choose from on 2005 models, will keep the Cadillac popular in the near term and possibly for years to come. The V6 engine has 260 hp at 6,500 rpm and 252 lbs-ft. of torque at 2,800 rpm. The 60-degree dual overhead cam (DOHC), 24-valve power-plant boasts a number of performance refinements, including electronic throttle control; variable valve timing; multi-port fuel injection; two-stage roller chain cam drive; aluminum block and cylinder heads; and a forged steel crankshaft.

Resembling the Cadillac Escalade, CTS and STS, the SRX fills the gap between performance sedan and full-size SUV. Nearly all of the vehicle's interior space can be illuminated with daylight by the largest sunroof system available in its range. Also the optional "UltraView" roof provides the feel of an open-air driving experience, extending and offering more than five square feet of open air. The Cadillac SRX's "UltraView Plus" has a vented glass roof over the third row seat.

Chevy SSR Pickup Truck Over-Inventoried; GM Announces Production Cut

Chevrolet has announced it will be cutting production of the Chevy SSR Truck at the Lansing Craft Center assembly plant. GM-Chevrolet is reported to have enough of the SSR Chevy pickup trucks to last around 300 days. Optimal targets are set at 60 days.

The production cut is expected to last five weeks in the first quarter of 2005. "It's a market-driven decision to align product volume with market demand," GM spokesman Stefan Weinmann stated.

The Chevy SSR pickup truck assembly plant employs 500 workers and will be shut down the weeks of Jan. 3, Jan. 10, Jan. 31, Feb.7 and Feb. 28. Brent Dewar, Chevrolet general manager, said there aren't any immediate plans to discontinue the SSR. "The SSR has a very important place as a halo vehicle for us," he said in a recent interview. "I'm very positive about the SSR." Mr. Dewar also added that the vehicle is bringing existing and new customers into Chevrolet car and truck showrooms in most markets. "They may not be buying SSRs," Dewar said, "but in many cases the customers are still buying a Chevrolet product."

Overall Chevrolet sales are up 4% for 2004.

2005 Cadillac STS to Offer Optional DTS Surround Sound Systems

According to GM-Cadillac sources, certain 2005 Cadillac models will offer DTS-equipped 5.1-channel surround sound systems. The 2005 Cadillac STS will feature an optional Boseâ Studio Surround system, including a six-disc CD/DVD changer and 5.1-channel DTS decoder.

“The car is an ideal environment to experience the enveloping nature of surround sound. For many years, a typical automobile has had four or more speakers, but has only taken advantage of stereo sound,” said Brian Towne, VP, Consumer / Pro Audio Division at DTS. “Cadillac recognizes how surround sound enhances the entertainment experience in the car, and we will see more and more manufacturers following Cadillac's lead in introducing entertainment systems featuring DTS and surround sound into their new car models.”

Chevrolet Reports Near 6% Vehicle Market Share in Malta

Statistics recently issued by the Malta Transport Authority have quoted that during 2004 Chevrolet Malta held the highest market share per capita, among all its European counterparts, and that Chevrolet gained just under 6% of the total passenger vehicles market in Malta for 2004.

"Overall Chevrolet European sales have increased by 45%, reaching 160,000 vehicles this year," according to Geraldo Altieri, a representative of Chevrolet, European Division, who was recently in Malta to mark Chevrolet's first anniversary in Malta. Chevrolet is also launching the 2005 Chevrolet Nubira (Lacetti) Station Wagon.

Chevrolet officials report that the Chevy Nubira Station wagon is powered by a choice of 1.6- and 1.8-litre 16-valve gas engines. The Nubira comes fully loaded, including air-conditioning, ABS, twin airbags and factory Chevrolet roof racks.

2005 Chevy Silverado Pickup Truck Includes New Features

As the best selling pickup truck for Chevrolet in 2004, the automaker reports that the Silverado pickup will be offered in several possible configurations for 2005. The Silverado models will all meet full size pickup truck standards however.

A gas-electric hybrid model, originally introduced in 2004, it will again be an option in the lineup for 2005. The Hybrid Silverado can offer up to 10% better fuel efficiency, 120-volt electrical power with ground fault detection, and also accessory powering capabilities. The Hybrid Silverado will only be available at specified Chevy dealerships. Only six states will be offering them; California , Oregon, Washington, Alaska, Nevada and Florida.

The main features for 2005 in both the Silverado and Silverado Heavy Duty models include:

A Hybrid Silverado version of the half-ton 1500 Extended Cab model.

Higher output Vortec 5300 5.3L V-8 engine with 310 hp will be an option on 4WD Extended Cab w/standard box.

Front disc/rear drum anti-lock brakes will come standard on all models except Silverado pickup trucks with Quadrasteer.

A Power sunroof package will be available on Extended and Crew Cab models with Universal Transmitter and overhead console.

GM-Chevrolet May Recall Sonoma & S10 Pickups for Possible Tailgate Failure

GM-Chevrolet may be forced to add 1.42 million vehicles to its recall of Silverado pickups for broken tailgates as a new investigation begins by the auto safety agency. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is seeking information about the 1998 through 2004 model Sonoma and S10 pickups after 42 reports of the same cable failure on those vehicles that led to the recall of 3.66 million Silverados.

Five injuries have been reported on the Sonoma and S10 vehicles, the agency's investigation summary reported. The recall to repair the tailgate is the fourth-biggest for GM-Chevrolet, trailing the 6.68 million vehicles recalled in 1971 to fix engine mounts.

The tailgates are reported to be succeptable to giving way in the horizontal position because the support cables could break. The earlier recall included the Chevrolet Avalanche and Cadillac Escalade SUV models. Company spokesman Alan Adler said he didn't know if the Sonoma and S10 had the same type of tailgate cables as the Silverado. He also stated that he was not aware of any warranty claims or complaints the automakers received about the Sonoma and S10 tailgates.