SEMA: GM To Introduce 28 Vehicles Including Pimped Pontiac G8 GT By 50 Cent

GM’s 2007 SEMA Show (Specialty Equipment Market Association) offerings will include a wide range of vehicles many of which will use “eco-friendly” solutions running on alternative fuels, like E85 ethanol. Among GM’s 28 vehicles that will make their way to Las Vegas on Oct. 29 are a specially tuned version of the forthcoming Pontiac G8 GT (Holden Commodore based) built by rapper 50 Cent and Unique Autosports, a Pontiac Solstice SD-290 concept (picture) which features a closed passenger compartment reminiscent of vintage racecars, and a tuned version of the upcoming 2008 Saturn Astra. -Details after the jump

PRESS RELEASE: LAS VEGAS – A diverse array of customized and high-performance cars, trucks and SUVs again dominates the General Motors display at the 2007 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show, but this time there is an underlying message: Green goes with mean.

Many of the 28 vehicles GM will bring to the annual convention of the automotive aftermarket performance and appearance industry either run on alternative fuels, such as E85 ethanol, or feature fuel-efficient performance without compromise. The lineup is headlined by an E85-powered Corvette Z06 owned by Jay Leno. The “Tonight Show” host’s new supercar boasts a custom, 500-cubic-inch engine that generates approximately 600 horsepower and is fueled solely by E85.

Another mean, green Chevy at SEMA is FlexFuel Chevy Hot Rod, built by GM Performance Division – a re-creation of the hot rods that competed at early drag strips and land-speed venues of the late 1940s and 1950s. With bodywork inspired by a 1934 Chevy and period styling touches, FlexFuel Chevy Hot Rod mixes vintage style with contemporary technology; it’s powered by a 500-horse FlexFuel version of the turbocharged Ecotec engine. It runs on E85, gasoline or any combination of the two.

In addition to the alternative-fueled performers in the display, GM will also use the SEMA platform to introduce some influential concepts and production models, including the Pontiac Solstice SD-290 concept, which showcases a unique passenger compartment closeout evoking the spirit of vintage racecars, and a tuner-inspired version of the upcoming 2008 Saturn Astra. Chevy will make a couple of sport compact production announcements on Monday, Oct. 29, that will surely please the tuner crowd.

Celebrity endorsements will be in full force all over the SEMA show floor as three urban-inspired Enclaves customized by a trio of the industry’s most influential designers, including Rick Bottom, former NBA star Jerome Williams’ Automotive Street Style, and Mitek will be on display, along with a new Pontiac G8 GT built by rapper 50 Cent and Unique Autosports.

Additional concept and specialty vehicles in the display include:

Cadillac –Factory customized CTS Sport and Escalade Sport concepts show how sporty these new models can look with a few, carefully crafted styling and stance enhancements.

Chevrolet –In addition to the E85 ethanol-powered machines described above, Chevy is featuring a bevy of tricked-out trucks and custom cars, including:

• Silverado HD Crew Cab Z71 “Big Red” concept, influenced by last year’s Dale Earnhardt Jr. Big Red concept
• Silverado HD Country Music concept with fold-out, portable stage
• Silverado Major League Baseball show vehicle
• Silverado/GM Performance Parts LSX-powered regular cab truck with 640 horsepower
• Suburban HD Z71 diesel, with a new 4.5L diesel engine
• Camaro Convertible concept
• Impala SS “Car of Tomorrow” NASCAR racecar show vehicle

GMC –The Yukon All-Terrain show vehicle follows in the tracks of last year’s Sierra All-Terrain concept and is designed to complement active lifestyles; and the Sierra HD Denali is a “what if” look at applying GMC’s most premium aesthetic to the Sierra 2500HD.

HUMMER –A pair of serious off-roaders is on hand, including the racing-inspired H3R and the adventure-seeking H2 Safari.

Pontiac –Along with the Solstice SD-290, Pontiac will feature two new G8 performance sedans, including a slightly enhanced version of the G8 GT production model and a completely customized G8 GT from 50 Cent and Unique Autosports (viewed in the Pirelli Tires display).

A collaboration between Pontiac, 50 Cent and Unique Autosports – the New York-based custom shop featured on the show “Unique Whips” – 50 Cent’s red-and-black performance sedan is equipped with a GM Performance Parts LSX 427 engine, custom paint, 22-inch chrome wheels and a custom-tailored interior boasting an 800-watt audio system.

Saturn –Marking the introduction of the all-new Astra sport-compact, Saturn shows off a tuner-inspired example that uses subtle exterior and chassis mods, as well as unique wheels, to give the car a street-wise stance.

GM Accessories and GM Performance Parts

In addition to the concept vehicles at the GM display, General Motors introduces products and initiatives that will surely influence enthusiast projects of the near future, including a collaboration with DUB to develop a variety of appearance and performance components.

GM Performance Parts (GMPP) teamed up with GM Performance Division to give the most famous 1957 Chevy magazine car of all time – Popular Hot Rodding’s Project X – its ultimate “rectification.”

GMPP also introduces a bevy of high-performance engines and engine support components, led by the Anniversary 427 crate engine – a limited-edition, all-aluminum big-block based on the legendary ZL-1 engine. It is completed by the ZZ427, a regular-production crate engine that features most of the same high-performance attributes of the Anniversary 427, but with an iron cylinder block.

Also new from GMPP is an LS3 crate engine, tall-deck LSX cylinder block and a trio of “LS” engine controller kits that make engine integration easy.

GM To Cease Second Shift At Pontiac Truck Plant

The shrinking demand for full-size pick-up trucks in the U.S. has finally caught up with GM as the American automaker announced that it plans to cease production of the second shift at the Pontiac Truck plant in May 1, 2008. According to the Oakland Press, the cut down could leave between 800 and 900 members of UAW Local 594 out of work for good. UAW (United Auto Workers) officials began notifying GM employees about the future cutbacks on Thursday afternoon (Oct. 18).

Ed Welburn Hugging A Chevy Camaro Prototype...

Aww, aint that cute? Well, no it’s actually funny but that’s another story. As you might have read on Carscoop earlier today (click here), GM’s Vice President, Bob Lutz visited Australia along with GM Vice President for Global Design Ed Welburn to check out Holden and the internationally sourced product development team working on the carmaker’s global rear-wheel-drive cars. When Ed Welburn saw his creation in near production form he ran over to it and, well you can see what happened in the image above. We did request the photo earlier and although this is pure coincidence, just in case it isn’t, we’d like to ask Bob Lutz for a second image -there must be more images stored in that Blackberry! We promise to (any) God that we won’t tell on him.

Via: GM Fastlane

GM’s Bob Lutz Goes Down-Under And Takes The Camaro For A Spin

GM’s Vice Chairman Bob Lutz completed a business trip to Australia visiting Holden (and apparently the 2007 Sydney Motor Show) and decided to do a write-up on the company’s official blog (Fastlane). Lutz was quite impressed with GM’s Aussie subsidiary and especially with Holden’s “passion for excellence and dedication to the product” as he described the carmaker in his own words.

He also had the chance to take several current and forthcoming rear-wheel drive models for a spin including the first fully representative prototype of the 2009 Camaro with close to final surfaces. Though the car isn’t ready yet, GM’s 72-year-old VC was moderately impressed with the Camaro. Here’s what he had to say about it:

“Twisting the key produced a muted rumble from the big V8. We pulled away smoothly in the first cog of the new, slick, six-speed manual. Depressing the accelerator shifted the world into fast forward, with three or four more quick upshifts. The car had just been completed and had had no tuning or finessing. But I loved the response, the sound, the steering and the brakes. There's more work to be done, for sure, and the group knows it. They still have time for further development. The goal of the team led by Gene Stefanyshyn is to produce the finest car in its class, ever. Do I think they will get there? I wouldn't bet against that team!” -Continued after the jump

Though Lutz did take pictures, he noted that he couldn’t share them with us. Oh come on, a little leak never hurt anybody. Think of all the buzz you’d create…

Via: Fastlane

GM-Onstar ANT: 2007 LA Show Design Challenge

As with the other propositions for this year’s “Design LA” contest that we showed you earlier today, we won’t pretend that we completely understand the details behind GM’s Onstar Ant concept. From what we managed to absorb from GM’s press release, the pyramid-shaped device opens up like a flower and it can be configured on any vehicle providing environmentally friendly mobility. Well, at least that’s what we think it is. We’ll let you read the press release after the jump and decide for yourself. -Continued

GM-Onstar ANT

Much like the self-regulating traffic system found in nature’s best commuter, the ant, OnStar enabled vehicle-to-vehicle communication and ubiquitously embedded intelligence allow GM’s ANT to act independently yet communicate with other vehicles to optimize traffic flow. Quantum computing power also allows each ANT to virtually recreate a highly personalized space for any occasion or personal need.

Omni-directional propulsion, provided by three independent Nanorb wheel systems, operate as independent robots and can arrange themselves in different configurations, turning virtually anything into a mobile device. Layered, environmentally friendly, single-walled, carbon-polymer nanocomposites form the flat surface panels, which incorporate the carbon nanotube battery.

All body panels are connected with electro-active polymer actuators (a.k.a. artificial muscles), allowing the easy and silent reconfiguration of body panels, depending on their optimal street use.

General Motors Advanced Design, California: Frank Saucedo, Steve Anderson, Jussi Timonen, Jose Paris, Lorne Kulesus, Tony Liu, Jay Bernard & Phil Tanioka

UAW’s Contract Reveals GM’s Future Product Portfolio! – Cadillac CTS Coupe, H3T Pick Up & More!

We just finished reading the full summary of UAW’s contract with GM (click here) and guess what; UAW included (by mistake?) GM’s future product portfolio through 2013!!! What a #ucking booboo! The list gives us an unprecedented view of specific product commitments in 16 assembly plants across the USA. As you might have guessed, GM isn't at all happy with UAW as this information is considered highly confidential for apparent competitive reasons. We’ve included the whole list for your gratification right after the jump (click the title or below), but here are a few goodies to get you started:

• Corvette and Cadillac XLR replacements due in 2012
• Global Delta Volt beginning in 2010
• Global Delta MPV7 beginning in 2009
• Cadillac CTS Wagon to be introduced in 2009
• Cadillac CTS Coupe coming in 2009
• Hummer H3T Pick Up to be introduced shortly
• Hummer H3 and H3T replacement beginning in 2011
• Two midsize / large rear-wheel-drive cars based on the Zeta platform (Camaro) to be introduced in 2011
• Chevrolet to produce large four-door notchback in 2010

Plant	Products
Arlington, Texas	GMT 900 truck and SUV continued until 2012 C3XX full-sized truck and SUV replacement beginning 2013
Bowling Green, Ky.	Corvette and Cadillac XLR continue until 2011 Corvette and Cadillac XLR replacement product beginning 2012
Detroit Hamtramck, Mich.	Buick Lucerne and Cadillac DTS continue until 2010 Global Delta MPV7 beginning in 2009 Global Delta Volt beginning in 2010 Global Epsilon Chevrolet beginning in 2012
Fairfax, Kan.	Chevrolet Malibu and Saturn Aura continue until 2011 Global Epsilon Buick and Saturn beginning in 2009 Chevrolet large 4-door notchback beginning in 2010
Flint, Mich.	GMT 900 full-sized truck and heavy-duty commercial cab until 2011 GMT 900 medium-duty truck continues until 2008 C3XX full sized truck and heavy-duty commercial cab beginning in 2012
Fort Wayne, Ind.	GMT 900 full-sized truck and light-duty commercial cab until 2011 C3XX full-sized truck and light-duty pickup replacement product beginning in 2012
Janesville, Wis.	GMT 900 full-sized truck and SUV continues until 2012 Medium-duty truck continues until 2009 C3XX full-sized truck and SUV replacement for current GMT 900 full-sized truck and SUV products beginning in 2013
Lansing Delta Township, Mich.	GMC, Saturn and Buick Lambda products continue until 2011 GMC, Saturn and Buick Lambda replacement products beginning in 2012 Chevrolet Lambda product beginning in 2011
Lansing (Mich.) Grand River	Cadillac CTS, Cadillac STS and Cadillac SRX continue through 2009 Cadillac CTS wagon and Cadillac CTS coupe beginning in 2009 Zeta products (two styles) beginning in 2011
Lordstown, Ohio	Chevrolet Cobalt and Pontiac G5 continue through 2009 Global Gamma 4-door notchback beginning in 2010 Global Alpha (2 styles) beginning in 2011
Orion, Mich.	Pontiac G6 continues through 2013
Pontiac, Mich.	GMT 900 full-sized light-duty pickup and heavy-duty pickup continue through 2011 C3XX full-sized truck, light-duty pickup and heavy-duty pickup beginning in 2012
Shreveport, LA.	H3, H3T, Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon continue through 2011 H3 and H3T replacement beginning in 2011
Spring Hill, Tenn.	Chevrolet Lambda continues through 2012 Theta Epsilon SUV beginning in 2011 Next-generation Chevrolet Lambda replacement product - demand and business-case dependent beyond 2012
Wentzville, Mo.	Chevrolet and GMC large vans continue through the product lifecycle, beyond 2012 Next-generation Chevrolet and GMC large vans replacement for the current product - demand and business-case dependent beyond 2012
Wilmington, Del.	Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky continue until 2012

GM - UAW Deal: Non-Core Workers To Get Half Pay!

As many insiders predicted when General Motors and the United Auto Workers (UAW) shook hands earlier this week, the shift of $50 billion in health-care obligations to the union fund was just half the story.

Citing people with knowledge of the plan, Bloomberg is reporting today that GM and UAW have agreed to create a new class of jobs that’d pay about half the current rate thus breaking UAW's tradition of equal earnings for union members. Under the agreement, the so-called non-core employees like janitors and maintenance workers would get receive about $28 an hour in pay and benefits, compared with $51 for present employees. -Continued after the jump

While current “non-core” workers wouldn’t be affected by the accord, GM will try to by them out with the new pay structure applying to their replacements. But will this truly help GM? We can’t say for sure since it isn’t clear yet how many of GM's 73,000 current UAW- represented positions will be considered as non-core jobs. Analysts believe however that in order for this to have an substantial impact on GM, it would have to concern more than 5,000 workers.

Commenting on the report, Richard Block, a labor professor at Michigan State University in East Lansing told Bloomberg, “The company likes it because it cuts compensation costs and the union can swallow it because the people affected aren't going to vote because they don't exist yet,''. How true Mr. Block; what the eye doesn't see the heart doesn't grieve...

Via: bloomberg

GM’s Advanced Training Programs: Burn Baby, Burn.

Nestled in the suburbs of Detroit, Michigan lies a 4,000 acre parcel of land owned by General Motors known to some as, Milford Proving Grounds, but referred to by many as, “Black Lake.” It acquired this name because when it’s wet, it looks like a big black lake which many birds flock around and try to land on. Dumb birds!

Over the past week, at Black Lake, you would have found bloggers testing out GM’s new vehicle line up as part of the 2008 Collection event. Not to mention me truly -Daniella-, on the Vehicle Dynamics Test Area, spinning out of control (...) in the “SkidMaster” during our Advanced Training Session which was one of two main parts of the GM trip.

Our advanced training consisted of collision avoidance, going about 50 mph in an Impala SS, reverse serpentine which I failed miserably especially in the massive Silverado, the reverse straight line which clearly indicated why the grass on the left side of my drive way is dieing, and the break and swerve in the grandfather of all Buicks the Lucerne.-Continued after the jump

The highlight however, was the opportunity we were given to experience the electronic stability control systems (ESC) a.k.a “stabilitrak”. ESC helps drivers maintain control of their vehicles during emergency land changes or avoidance maneuvers. The system detects any difference between the steering wheel position and the vehicles actual path. It selectively controls braking and engine power to gain control of the vehicles direction and keep it on course. GM started installing these systems on passenger cars in 97. It comes standard on about half of the 2006 and 2007 models and is projected to come standard on all the cars and light trucks sold by the end of 2010.

We all took turns as passengers in one car equipped with stabilitrak and one without. There was an obvious difference between the too. Aside from that, the GM drivers that took us out on the test let it rip and showed us what stabilitrak can really do when things get out of control.

Posted by Daniella

Carscoop Attends GM’s 2008 Collection

General Motors invited Carscoop on its first official trip to Detroit amongst other Car, Tech and Lifestyle Bloggers, to test-drive their new 2008 Collection. On our behalf, we sent Dani, one of the few female car bloggers in our area of work. Dani left the trip with a newfound respect for GM’s efforts in striving to compete with soaring Asian and European carmakers, but she also left with some interesting observations and perspectives that we can’t wait to share with you all.

Through out the next week Dani will be posting our 2-day experience at the GM test track at the Milford Proving Grounds, also known as “Black Lake”, our interesting dinner and conversation with the “GM” (General Manager) of GM, Ed Peper, and other little interesting pieces of information that we picked up along the way. We’ll also post our own personal insight to the cars we got to drive and what we thought of them including the 2008 Cadillac CTS and the Saab 9-3. (Photo: Dani)

BTW: Carscoop attended a manufacturer-sponsored event, meaning that GM handled travel & accommodations

GM & UAW Reach Historic Deal, Stike Ends

General Motors and the United Auto Workers (UAW) have announced that they’ve reached a contract agreement, ending a two day nationwide strike, a first for GM since 1970 which saw 73,000 workers halt all operations (click here). According to reports, under the agreement UAW will overtake the burden of retiree health care costs from General Motors (estimated at $51 billion) in exchange for a one-time payment - a centrepiece of GM’s CEO Rick Wagoner's goals for the talks. The American carmaker would pay about 70% of the obligation into the trust, called a Voluntary Employees Beneficiary Association, or VEBA. The workers union will then invest the money and take over health care responsibilities for about 340,000 GM hourly retirees and spouses. -Continued after the jump

“This agreement helps us close the fundamental competitive gaps that exist in our business,'' GM's Wagoner said in a statement. “The projected competitive improvements in this agreement will allow us to maintain a strong manufacturing presence in the United States along with significant future investments.”

UAW President Ron Gettelfinger told reporters, “It's an agreement we're proud to recommend to our membership”.

Though UAW members will have to pass the agreement through a union voting this weekend, (Union leaders will be briefed on Thursday and Friday), it is considered a done deal. The agreement will replace a four-year contract at Detroit-based GM that was set to expire Sept. 14. The UAW is also expected to decide on Thursday what automaker it will negotiate with next. Think we’ll see any strikes at Ford or Chrysler?

Via: usatoday & Bloomberg

GM Employees On Nationwide Strike As UAW Talks Fail

As many insiders predicted, contract talks between General Motors and the United Auto Workers failed resulting to the first nationwide strike of GM factory employees since 1970. The strike was caused due to the conflict between GM’s CEO Rick Wagoner's need to cut labor and health-care costs, and UAW President Ron Gettelfinger's goal of protecting the pay and benefits of 73,000 union members at GM's U.S. plants. -Continued after the jump

Al Benchich, president of UAW Local 909 in Warren, Michigan noted characteristically on Bloomberg, “We've been bending and GM management wants us to bend more and they are not willing to give''. On the other side of the fence, GM spokesman Dan Flores said, “We are disappointed in the UAW's decision to call a national strike. The bargaining involves complex, difficult issues that affect the job security of our U.S. workforce and the long-term viability of the company.'' Whoever’s to blame, there’s one thing for sure; GM’s going to be in heaps of trouble if it doesn't don’t end this strike as soon as possible.

Via: Bloomberg

GM Becomes First Carmaker To Offer Interest-Free Loans In China

Everybody loves 0% financing and we’re sure that Chinese car buyers will have a positive attitude towards GM’s plans to offer interest-free loans with a 40 percent down payment for the Buick Excelle or Buick Regal sedans. Interestingly, it’s the first time that a carmaker offers interest-free loan in the Chinese market.

As you might of guessed, GM aint doing this cause they suddenly fell in love with Chinese car buyers. Shanghai General Motors Co., GM's venture with Shanghai Automotive Co proceeded to this move in order push sales as the company slipped from first place last year to third place in the first half of 2007 trailing FAW Volkswagen Automotive Co. and Shanghai Volkswagen Co. according to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers.

Via: bloomberg

Russian Billionaire Buys Off 5 Percent Of GM

Quoting an article from Russian newspaper Vedomosti, Reuters is reporting that the owner of local car maker GAZ, Russian tycoon Oleg Deripaska, has bought a 5-percent stake in General Motors. GM’s stock closing price at Monday was $32.45 per share meaning that if Deripaska actually bought 5% of the American car maker on Monday he’d have to withdraw a whopping $900 million out of his bank account. Not much if you consider that according to Forbes magazine, Deripaska is Russia's second richest man with a fortune estimated at $16.8 billion.

Via: Autoblog.com , Source: Reuters

Transformers: Build your own Chevrolet Autobot

Chevy’s marketing love for Transformers is moving up a level with the launch of a new website dedicated to Autobots. You can choose from a series of Chevy models (Avalanche, Aveo, Cobalt, Equinox, HHR, Impala & Silverado, but unfortunately, not the Camaro…) and customize them; theoretically speaking cause, to be honest, we got quickly bored and let it go. As for our Jalop friend’s quest for the perfect Decepticon, we wouldn’t look towards the Mustang but to Toyota; now there’s a true-blue enemy… Via: Jalopnik , Source: Chevrolet

Technorati: Transformers, Autobots, Decepticons, Chevrolet, auto+news, car+news, automobile, cars, automotive, vehicles, Carscoop, blogs, 2007

Update: Wagoner gets a 29% raise in base salary for 2007 and not a cut as Reuters / Automotive News reported

Late Friday night we posted an article questioning news-website reports that Rick Wagoner got a cut in his base salary. To make things short, Automotive News published an article via Reuters saying that GM’s CEO Rick Wagoner got a 25% cut in his base salary for 2007. We checked around several news sites and to our surprise, we found variations not only in concern of Wagoner’s 2006 total salary but also in whether he got a raise or not. You can check our full article here.

Sunday morning we sat down and riffled through GM’s 121 page-long SEC Fillings. A coffee and a few cigarettes later we found what we were looking for: As you can see on page 24 (or 26 in the PDF), GM notes, “Messer. Wagoner, Henderson, and Lutz recently reviewed this matter and in support of the continued GMNA Turnaround Olan, again decided that beginning March 1, 2007, they will continue voluntary salary reductions. The Committee agreed with this approach. Mr Wagoner’s salary will be $1.65 million. 25 percent less than his January 2006 base salary of $2.2 million.”

Confused? Well, let us straighten things out. Wagoner’s base salary in January 1, 2006, was $2.2 million. However, in February of the same year, Wagoner agreed to a 50% cut -actually, it was a 42% reduction as he got a $1.28 million “pay check” for 2006. As of March 1, 2007, Wagoner’s base salary is $1.65 million. Therefore, compared to what he should have received as a base salary according to his contract, Wagoner’s getting 25% less but, compared to last year's paycheck, he’s actually getting 28,9% more! In other words, GM agreed to restore 50% of the cut he received in February 2006.

Obviously, Reuters and subsequently Automotive News who citied the first as the source, neglected to check out Wagoner’s cut in February 2006.Thumbs up to Bloomberg for being the only site we checked that got all the facts right.

Data: Automotive News, Reuters, Bloomberg, Detroit Free Press, Detroit News, GM (GM Excel file)

Question of the day: Did or didn’t GM cut Rick Wagoner’s Base Salary?

Well, depends on whom you ask. See, what started out as a simple post on GM’s decision to cut off 25% of Rick Wagoner’s base salary this year turned into a reporter’s (or rather blogger's), nightmare when we decided to crosscheck the facts. First we read an article on Automotive News (via Reuters) announcing that GM’s CEO takes a 25 percent pay cut to support turnaround, meaning that as of March 1, Wagoner's base salary was $1.65 million, down from $2.2 million in January 2006. A visit to Reuters reveals a more detailed article which adds that Wagoner's total compensation for 2006 was $10.2 million -including $3 million in option awards and $3.6 million in stock awards. -Continued: Click "Read More..." Below

Next stop, Detroit News. Whereas the two articles (Automotive News / Reuters & Detroit News) agree on Wagoner’s total compensation, the site reports that GM’s CEO received a basic salary of… $1.28 million in 2006. Note that Detroit News doesn’t talk about any cuts in Wagoner’s “wage”. Detroit Free Press on the other hand, agrees with Detroit News on the basic salary -$1.3 million, but cuts $600.000 off his total compensation ($9.6 million)!

Before we go to GM’s official site, we decide to look at Bloomberg. According to the latter, Rick Wagoner's total compensation for last year was $10.2 million, including $1.28 million in salary, $769,566 in other compensation and $6.67 million in stock options and awards. Bloomberg notes that Wagoner's salary was 42 percent less than the $2.2 million he got for 2005, due to a 50 percent pay cut he agreed to in February 2006. And here’s another surprise, Bloomberg adds that GM said Wagoner's salary for this year will be $1.65 million, restoring half of the cut! In other words, according to Bloomberg, Wagoner got a raise!

Finally we head over to GM’s site to get the official numbers: $ 1.283.333, Stock Awards: $3.574.594, Option Awards: $3.095.560, Change in Pension Value & NQ Deferred comp: $1.468.100, All other Compensations: $769.566, Total 2006 Compensation: $10.191.153. Confused? So are we and its getting really late so we’ll just let the facts talk for themselves, we think….

Data: Automotive News, Reuters, Bloomberg, Detroit Free Press, Detroit News, GM (GM Excel file)

Oh boy; Toyota surpasses GM in Q1 global sales

We knew it was eventually going to happen but it’s one thing hearing rumours and thoughts and another facing cold hard fact; in the first quarter of the year Toyota’s global sales rose up 9% to 2.350.000 units compared with 2.260.000 units for GM (3% rise in sales). The way things are going, Toyota will most probably manage to top GM at the end of the year as the worlds largest car manufacture.

And while some might say, ok, what’s the big deal in being first or second (apart from GM’s hurt pride), truth is that sales tell us only a fraction of the story. The real big deal is called “market capitalization” and that’s where Toyota totally dwarves its American competitor; at $225 billion the Japanese car maker is worth more 12 GM’s ! Via: Reuters

Technorati: GM, Toyota, Sales, automobile, cars, automotive, vehicles, autos, Carscoop, blogs, 2007, images, pictures

Chevrolet Trax Concept to debut along with two more Minicar Protoypes in New York

The change of times: Chevy is going to introduce not one, but three new global minicar concepts at next week’s New York Show. To make things even more intriguing all concepts where designed at GM’ s Design Studio in... Incheon, South Korea and based on the company’s global mini architecture. The one shown here is the 5door-hatch Trax, which is powered by a 1-liter gasoline engine.

We haven’t seen the other two yet but the General seems to be serious as after the official unveiling on April the 4th, GM will open a dedicated site at where you'll be able to vote for the concept you liked most. According to GM, the results will help Chevy determine U.S. market interest in the minicar segment, and which (Korean…) design resonates best with buyers. Via: CheersandGears
-Continued: Click “Read More…” below to see the official press release

Chevrolet Prepared to Unveil Three Minicar Concepts Next Week in New York

The Chevrolet Trax is one of three Chevrolet minicar global concepts that General Motors will unveil at the New York International Auto Show on April 4. Designed to appeal to young car buyers in urban markets, these concepts will prove that art needn’t take a back seat just because the canvas is small. The highly creative concepts drive the energy, diversity and excitement of urban life into cars that deliver good-looking fun, fuel economy and value.

After the April 4 unveiling, democracy lovers will get the chance to pick their favorite by visiting www.vote4chevrolet.com and cast their vote for the concept they prefer. The results will help Chevy determine U.S. market interest in the minicar segment, and which design resonates best with potential buyers.

All three concepts were designed at GM’ s Design Studio in Incheon, South Korea, one of GM’s 11 Global Design Studios. Built on GM’s global mini architecture, they demonstrate the flexibility, creativity and innovative focus of design in GM’s Asia Pacific region.

“These concepts highlight the strength and diversity of GM’s Global Design capabilities, as well as the ability of our Global Product Development team to anticipate and quickly meet the evolving needs of our diverse markets around the world,” said Ed Welburn, vice president, GM Global Design.

The four-door Trax is powered by a 1-liter gasoline engine. The upper part of the exterior is bathed in Blaze Orange, while lower corner panels sport a Burnt Orange matte finish. The paint combination provides a look that reinforces the notion this Chevrolet is all business despite its small size.

Technorati : GM, Chevrolet+Trax, New+York+international+Auto+Show, NYIAS, auto+news, car+news, automobile, cars, automotive, vehicles, Carscoop, blogs, 2007, pictures, images

NY Auto Show: GM announces worldwide debut of 1 surprise concept and 6 production models

Although GM hasn’t released anything yet on its media site we found this interesting -albeit vague, press release on the NY Show site: “General Motors will roll into the New York International Auto Show press days with one of its strongest lineups of production and concept cars in recent history. In addition to the closely guarded world concept that will debut on April 4 at the GM stand, six production models will make their world premieres; the Saab E100 concept will be revealed for the first time in North America, and another 11 future production models and futuristic concepts will pack the stand with news”

Technorati: GM, New+York+International+Auto+Show, NYIAS, auto+news, car+news, automobile, cars, automotive, vehicles, autos, Carscoop, blogs, 2007, images, pictures