GM to pull Aveo production from Korea

General Motors has informed its union in South Korea that it has no plans to build the next-generation of its Chevrolet Aveo small car in the country. The union has responded by threatening to strike.

GM informed the union on Thursday that it plans to build the next-generation Aveo – which as sold as the Sonic on these shores – exclusively in United States and China. The union stated shortly after the announcement that GM could add Aveo production to its South Korean facilities two years after the car's launch, but that report has been disputed by other union officials.

 

The timing of the announcement is less than ideal for GM Korea's labor relations. The company is currently holding wage talks with the union, which have gotten off to a rough start. Due to those factors, the union is now threatening to strike.

"It was a shocking announcement," the union said, according to Reuters.

"Should there is no change in the company's stance, the labor union will be able to launch strike action - our biggest legal weapon."

GM executives has previously stated that rising wages are making it increasingly unattractive to keep production in South Korea, a country that produces 40 percent of all Chevrolet models sold globally.

GM announced last year that it won't build the next-generation of the Cruze compact in South Korea.

2014 Chevrolet SS to start from $44,470

Chevrolet has announced pricing information for its upcoming performance sedan, the 2014 SS.
  
Parking the rear-drive, V8-powered SS in your driveway will require at least $44,470 (including destination) – Chevrolet says the full-size four-door will be subject to a gas-guzzler tax, so expect the total price to be somewhat higher depending on the final EPA fuel economy ratings.

The SS will be offered in a single, fully-loaded trim level. Standard features will include Chevrolet’s MyLink infotainment system with navigation, a color head-up display, heated and ventilated front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, HID headlights and a nine-speaker Bose audio system.

Options are limited to a $900 sunroof and a $500 full-size spare time.

Of course, the SS’ main claim to fame is its 6.2-liter V8, which sends 415-horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque to the rear wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission. Chevrolet says the setup should be good for a zero-to-60 mph time of around five seconds.

The SS will begin arriving on dealer lots during the fourth quarter of 2013.

2013 Chevrolet Avalanche

OVERVIEW

After an 11-year run, the Avalanche, which has bridged the gap between Chevrolet's family-friendly full-size SUVs and its Silverado pickup trucks is coming to the end of the line. Chevy has announced that 2013 will be the final year for the Avalanche, but the Bowtie brand has introduced a special edition model to send the Avalanche off into the sunset properly.

The special edition model is known as the Black Diamond, which adds body-colored bed surrounds, a unique badge on the sail panel, additional features on LS and LT trim levels, and lower prices across the lineup.

For 2013, a rear backup camera, rear park assist, power adjustable pedals, fog lamps and remote start will be added as standard equipment on LS models, while LT models gain just a standard rear camera.

Base prices have also been reduced by $2,500 (after equipment adjustments), which puts the two-wheel drive Chevy Avalanche LS at a starting price of $35,980 plus $995 for delivery.

Early Avalanches featured extensive styling differences from the Suburban on which it is based, but the latest model is a dead ringer from the passenger area forward.

The Avalanche's bed deviates from that of the more traditional Silverado by being integrated into the front cabin with an innovative Midgate system. The normally static wall between the second row bench's back can be opened to extend the normally five foot, three inch cargo bed to eight feet, two inches. Inside, the Avalanche is all Suburban with an upscale dashboard and plenty of available luxury conveniences.

Available with either rear or four-wheel-drive, the Avalanche features body-on-frame construction with a rugged solid rear axle and coil springs designed for smoother riding than the leaf springs found on the Chevrolet Silverado.

Chevrolet's 5.3-liter Vortec V8 mates to a six-speed automatic transmission with a column shifter. The motor is good for 320 horsepower at 5,400 rpm and 335 lb-ft. of torque at 4,400 rpm on regular fuel. Fuel saving features include cylinder-deactivating Active Fuel Management, which turns off up to four cylinders at highway speeds, as well as two overdrive gears for low engine speeds. Efficiency is rated at 15 mpg in city and 21 mpg on the highway for both 2WD and 4WD models.

Given the Avalanche's more leisure-oriented underpinnings, its towing ability suffers a bit compared to more conventional pickups - but Chevrolet still rates two-wheel-drive models at an impressive 8,100 lbs. when properly equipped.

Both two and four-wheel-drive models are available with an optional Z71 Off Road package, which comes with high-pressure, gas-charged monotube shocks, 18-inch on/off road tires, automatic-locking differential, front recovery hooks, a durable skid plate and high-capacity air cleaner, as well as a number of styling upgrades.

Four-wheel-drive Avalanches feature an available two-speed transfer case with an automatic mode that can be used on all road surfaces. A single-speed transfer case is standard on LS and LT models, but the two-speed system is optional.

Avalanches are available in three trim levels. Base LS models come with cloth seats, a front bench seat, Bluetooth, 17-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone manual climate controls and a wide array of power features. LT models add leather trim, front bucket seats, automatic climate control and remote starting in addition to more convenience features. Topping the range is the LTZ, which includes heated and cooled front seats, an eight-speaker Bose audio system, 20-inch alloy wheels and a navigation system.

Safety features include standard front, side and front and rear head airbags in addition to traction and stability control systems and a tire-pressure monitoring system.

Key Competitors
While it can be compared with crew cab versions of pickups like the Ford F-150, Ram 1500 and Chevrolet's own Silverado, the Avalanche's unique, passenger-oriented pickup configuration essentially puts the truck in class all by itself. 


SPECIFICATIONS

General
Body Style: Pickup Truck
Size: Fullsize
Market Segment: Standard
Weight: 5462 lbs

Exterior
Length: 221.3 in.
Width: 79.1 in.
Height: 76.6 in.
Wheelbase: 130.0 in.
Ground Clearance: 9.1 in.
Front Track: 68.2 in.
Rear Track: 67.0 in.
Weight Distribution: 51/49
Drag Coefficient: TBD

Interior - General
Seats: 5
Passenger Volume: TBD
Cargo Volume: 45.5 cu. ft.
Cargo Volume (Seats Folded): TBD

Interior - Front Row
Volume: TBD
Leg Room: 41.3 in.
Head Room: 41.1 in.
Shoulder Room: 65.3 in.
Hip Room: 60.3 in.

Interior - Second Row
Volume: TBD
Leg Room: 39.1 in.
Head Room: 40.0 in.
Shoulder Room: 65.2 in.
Hip Room: 62.3 in.

Propulsion
Fuel Type: Gas
Engine Type: 5.3L V8
Power: 320 hp @ 5400 rpm
Torque: 335 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm
Transmission: 6-Speed Automatic
Highway Fuel Economy: 21 mpg
City Fuel Economy: 15 mpg
Forced Induction: None
Direct Injection: No

Chassis
Layout: Rear Wheel Drive
Front Suspension: Multi-Link
Rear Suspension: Multi-Link

Wheels
Front: 17" Aluminum
Front Tires: P265/70R17
Rear: 17" Aluminum
Rear Tires: P265/70R17

Trailering & Hauling
Trailer Weight: 8100 lbs
Payload: 1295

Tongue Weight: TBD


BASIC SPECS

Base Price $35,980
Drivetrain Rear Wheel Drive
Curb Weight (lbs) 5462
City (MPG) 15
Hwy (MPG) 21
Horsepower 320@5400
Torque (lb-ft) 335@4000
Wheelbase 130.0
Length (in.) 221.3
Width (in.) 79.1

Height (in.) 76.6

Chevrolet unveils updated 2014 Malibu sedan

Chevrolet has unveiled a roomier and more efficient version of its Malibu mid-size sedan for the 2014 model year.

Arriving about 12 months early due to tepid sales, the 2014 Malibu aims to remedy some of the shortfalls of the previous year sedan. Most notably, enhancements to the 2014 Malibu include revised exterior styling, 1.25 inches more of rear-seat legroom, a new-look center stack, a more efficient 2.5L engine, a more powerful 2.0L turbocharged engine and a re-tuned suspension.

Chevrolet has also added Side Blind Zone Alert and Rear Cross Traffic Alert safety systems to the Malibu's option list for 2014.

“The 2014 Chevrolet Malibu builds on the strengths established by the all-new 2013 Malibu to make it a stronger choice for customers,” said Mark Reuss, president, General Motors North America. “The midsize sedan segment is the most contested in the industry and we’re not sitting still with the 2014 Chevrolet Malibu.”

One of the biggest gripes nagging the 2013 Malibu was rear-seat legroom -- or rather lack-there-of -- which was a key focus of the sedan's rushed mid-cycle refresh. Although engineers were confined by the car's current architecture, they were able to increase rear-seat room by trimming half an inch from the front seat cushions and revising the rear seats so passengers sit farther back.

Under hood, the Malibu comes fitted with a new 2.5L four-cylinder that sacrifices some power in the name of improved economy. The 2.5L is now rated at 196 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque, compared to last year's 197 horsepower and 191 lb-ft of torque.

Now equipped with an automatic start-stop system, the 2.5L-equipped 2014 Malibu is rated at 23mpg in the city, marking a 1mpg improvement over the outgoing car. Highway mileage is also up 1mpg to 35mpg.

The Malibu's optional 2.0L turbocharged engine has also been reworked for the 2014 model year. Torque now stands at 295 lb-ft – up from 260 lb-ft – while horsepower is unchanged at 259.

Drivers should be able to enjoy the turbo's new-found twist thanks to a revised suspension, which Chevy says cuts down on body roll and returns a smoother ride.

Chevrolet says the 2014 Malibu will arrive in dealer showrooms this fall.