GM to Shut Down Antwerp Plant in Belgium, Announces More Cuts for Opel / Vauxhall

General Motors has turned its focus on its European division as a little after the announcement on its decision to wind down its Saab unit, the U.S. carmaker revealed that it intends to close Opel's manufacturing plant in Antwerp, Belgium, which employs around 2,600 workers. GM said that if confirmed, production would conclude at the plant in the next few months.

"We fully understand the effect this announcement has on the Antwerp employees and their families and we sympathise with them," said Opel CEO Nick Reilly adding that, "we must make this announcement now so that we can secure a viable future for the entire Opel and Vauxhall operations."

The automaker added that global economic crisis has severely affected the Western European car market and that in 2010, it's expected to be 1.5 million vehicles below 2009 levels and almost 4 million below its peak in 2007.

"It is not expected to return anytime soon – if ever – to these peak levels, resulting in significant overcapacity in general and at Opel in particular. To ensure long-term sustainability for the company, Opel needs to reduce capacity by approximately 20 percent," GM said in a prepared statement.

And while GM does not have plans to shut down any other plants or factories in Europe at the moment, the company warned that there will be capacity reductions, job redundancies and/or labor cost reductions.

According to media reports from the Old Continent, GM could slash up to 8,300 of Opel / Vauxhall's 50,000 jobs.

GM to Auction Special Edition Corvette Z06 to Benefit Haitian Earthquake Relief Efforts

General Motors is joining in the efforts to help the people of Haiti after a catastrophic earthquake by auctioning off a limited edition 2008 Chevrolet Corvette Z6 at this weekend's 39th annual Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction. All proceeds from the sale will go to the American Red Cross relief fund, while the GM Foundation said that it will offer an additional $100,000 cash donation to the Red Cross.

According to the automaker, the special edition Corvette was the last of 427 cars built specifically for North America and the only 2008 Z06 available in Crystal Red Metallic Tint Coat.

Powered by a 7.0-liter V8 with 505HP, this 'Vette also comes with spider design chrome Z06 wheels, Z06 plates, a Stinger-style stripe on the front hood and fascia, chrome exterior badges and a painted Z06 spoiler and body color door handles.

Inside, it boasts a Dark Titanium leather-wrapped interior and special Crystal Red center trim plate.

GM added that all 427 units of the limited edition Corvettes were signed and numbered in the center console area by Will Cooksey, the Corvette plant manager who retired in 2006 after 15 years running the plant.

2010 Detroit Show: New GMC Acadia Denali

The 2011 GMC Acadia Denali made its first public outing at this week's Detroit motor show. Scheduled to arrive in GMC's dealerships in the third quarter of the year, the Denali treatment adds new features and unique styling cues to the firm's crossover model that can seat up to eight passengers.

The exterior package adds a chrome honeycomb grille, 20-inch two-tone alloy wheels, unique lower front and rear fascias, body colored cladding, rocker moldings and fender flares along with dual chrome exhaust tips and chrome accents.

Inside, the Denali model comes with all the bells and whistles including but not limited to, perforated leather seats with matching leather door panel trim, head-up display, chrome, lighted sill plates with the Denali logo, Dual SkyScape sunroof system, with sliding front sunroof and fixed rear section, leather-wrapped steering wheel with mahogany wood inserts, navi, a rear-seat DVD entertainment system and a tri-zone automatic climate control.

There are no changes under the hood as the Denali model is powered by the same 288HP 3.6-liter V6 engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission as the other Acadia models.

GMC Granite Concept: Scion xB-Sized Crossover Breaks Cover in Detroit

The annual auto show that kicked off in Detroit today saw the world debut of the GMC Granite Concept, a small crossover proposal with swing-out back doors aimed at a new generation of young buyers who would never give the brand's larger SUV's a second look.

Measuring 161.3-inch (4,097 mm) in length, 70.3-inch (1,786 mm) in width and 60.5-inch (1,536 mm) height with a wheelbase of 103.6-inch (2,631 mm), the Granite is roughly the same size as the Toyota group's 'boxy' Scion xB.

Even though GM did not say what front-wheel drive platform was used for the concept, the wheelbase length suggests it's based on the Chevy Cruze.

Power for the Granite concept comes from GM's 1.4-liter turbocharged four-pot that's linked to a six-speed transmission.

The boxy-shaped GMC concept gets four doors, the rear hinged at the back. There's no pillar between the front and rear doors, supposedly making the Granite easier to enter, exit and load.

The design of the vehicle's cabin is said to have been inspired by the design of aircraft-type mechanical instruments and precision tools.

Highlights include the reconfigurable interior as the front passenger and right rear seats can flip up and fold in toward the center console, creating a long, unobstructed storage space while the Granit's cargo area features numerous compartments to store items.

GM declined to say whether it is planning to introduce a production version of the Granite.

GM Appoints AlixPartners to Wind Down Saab, Says Still Evaluating Bids

The saga that is called Saab entered a new phase today as GM confirmed it has selected restructuring firm AlixPartners to supervise the liquidation of the Swedish automakers assets and at the same time, has requested approval of the selection by the appropriate authority in Sweden.

"The wind down process is expected to take several months, and will ensure that employees, dealers and suppliers are adequately protected. As stated previously, Saab customers can be assured that warranties will continue to be honored and that service and spare parts will continue to be available," GM said in a prepared statement.

General Motors added that the appointment of AlixPartners will not affect the evaluation of the bids it has received for Saab so far. But while GM's "evaluation process" will not be affected, we're pretty sure that any interested parties won't see the orderly wind down of Saab with a positive eye.

GMC Teases Scion xB-Sized Urban Utility Concept Before Detroit Show

General Motors has published two teaser photos of the GMC-branded Urban Utility Concept ahead of its world premiere at next week's 2010 Detroit Auto Show. The firm describes the crossover as "a new breed of truck that's as efficient as it is chic, innovative as it is functional" noting that GMC's goal was "to create the next generation of urban mobility, fusing a flexible, functional social space with an urban-box design that's equally at home at the cabin or the club."

One of the pictures released by GM shows an outline of the Urban Utility Concept and compares it with GMC's larger Terrain and the Scion xB. As you can see, GMC's concept model is roughly the same size as the xB.

But that's about all we have on the concept model. More to come next week - unless someone spills the beans earlier, that is.

Link: GM Lab

GM Reportedly Unveiled Several New Models at Pre-Show Event Including 2011 Buick Regal GS and 2011 Chevy Malibu Facelift and Orlando Crossover

A news report from the CanadianDriver claims General Motors gave the members of the press a sneak peak of all the new models that the company is planning to reveal at next month's 2010 Detroit motorshow. Needless to say, no pictures or videos were allowed at the pre-show event that is said to have taken place in downtown Detroit last Wednesday, but here are the cars that were allegedly revealed to the media.

Starting with Buick, the reports says that GM showed a high performance version of the recently revealed 2011 Regal sedan based on the Opel Insignia OPC. If true, we're assuming that the Audi S4-rivalling sports sedan will be called the Buick Regal GS and that it will carry over the OPC's 325HP turbocharged V6 and all-wheel drive system.

Moving on to Chevrolet, GM's bestselling brand is said to have unveiled an array of new models for 2010 including the production version of the Camaro Convertible that gets a retractable softop, the redesigned Aveo subcompact, the new Spark mini, the Orlando crossover which was shown in concept form at last year's Paris motor show and surprise, surprise, a heavily facelifted Malibu.

The news report says that the Orlando seven-seater compact crossover, which uses a modified version of the Cruze's platform, has remained close to the concept while the 2011 Malibu sedan is claimed to feature a more sculptured body work, crisper edges and pronounced wheel arches.

Finally, GM is said to have taken the wraps off GMC's version of the Chevrolet Orlando called the Granite - though it is not clear if this is a production or a concept model.

Since General Motors has not made any official announcements, there's no way we can corroborate the report, but with the Detroit show just around the corner, we gather that it won't be long before we get the official word.

Via: Canadiandriver

GM Extends Deadline for Saab Bidders, 2010 9-5 Sedan Production to Restart

General Motors has dropped a December 31 deadline for Saab bids and will soon restart production of certain models to the pleasure of the Swedish brand's employees, dealers, interested buyers and of course, the automaker's fans. However, this doesn't mean that GM will not be closing down the brand if it doesn't find a suitable buyer.

"We are preparing the wind-down process. At the same time we are open to options, to bids that come in. Therefore the deadline has also been dropped," said Saab spokesman Eric Geers.

Reuters reported that Spyker CEO Victor Muller said in a text message that GM had extended the deadline for a final offer from the small Dutch supercar maker until January 7 adding that he believes there are other bidders also interested in Saab.

In addition, Saab announced today that, following a holiday shutdown, it will restart production in January for its all-new 2010 9-5 sedan and 9-3 Convertible models.

"We have the orders and we have to deliver them as usual. We also have the orders for the 9-3 and others. The factory has to continue again," Geers said.

Via: Reuters

GM Slashes Prices of Remaining Pontiacs and Saturns by up to 46%

If you ever wanted to buy a Pontiac or a Saturn and you don't mind that both brands will soon pass into the books of history, now's the time as General Motors is offering dealers huge incentives to move a few thousand leftover vehicles from the two discontinued marques, the Wall Street Journal reported today.

According to the paper, the Detroit automaker sent a letter to dealers on December 23 stating that it would pay them around $7,000 for every new Pontiac or Saturn on their lot that is moved to their rental-vehicle or service-vehicle fleets.

With this move, the leftover vehicles will be classified as used (even though they're new, the dealers will technically be the vehicles' first owner) thus allowing dealers to sell them at a huge discount which is said to be as much as 46% off the sticker price.

The daily newspaper said that the offer will expire on January 4 which is the last day of the December car-sales month with GM booking the sales to dealers as fleet deliveries.

Saturn's leftover portfolio includes the Vue compact crossover, Sky Roadster, Aura Sedan, Astra compact hatch and Outlook crossover, while Pontiac's range comprises of the Solstice Roadster and Coupe, G6 Sedan, Coupe and Convertible, and the G8 sports sedan.

However, you'll have to check with your local dealer to see which models are available. And if you do, don't hesitate to leave us a comment here telling us what kind of an offer they made you.

Via: WSJ (Sub. Required)