Outdated

This will be done in order to enhance the amount of economy and performance. Their current line-up of engines are heavily considered outdated in terms of [...]]]> Vauxhall are set to add three brand new engines to their line-up. The main base of engines will receive a major revamp over the next 1 year period.

Outdated

This will be done in order to enhance the amount of economy and performance. Their current line-up of engines are heavily considered outdated in terms of the technology that they offer in terms of offering substantial economy.

1.6 litre

One of the new engines will be a 1.6 litre turbo petrol. This will contain a direct injection functionality which in effect enhances the fuel efficiency. Start Stop technology will also be included which in effect help reduce total emissions by 13 per cent.

SIDI

Four cylinder SIDI (Spark Ignition Direct Injection) with Vauxhall’s ECOTEC engine will be made wholly available across plenty of Vauxhall’s models.

The first time that Vauxhall released a spark ignition engine was upon the Vauxhall Signum and the Vectra as well as the Zafira. It was a 2.2 litre which had the capability of producing 155 BHP. The current Vauxhall Insignia 2.0 litre turbo also contains direct injection technology.

The new 1.6 SIDI ECOTEC

The 1.6 litre SIDI ECOTEC has a great deal of acceleration. The maximum amount of torque available from the car is 300Nm. It’s peak power output is said to be around the 200 BHP mark which is an increase of 20 BHP from the engine that it replaces.

The new Vauxhall Astra VXR

The brand new Vauxhall Astra VXR will contain the same engine. It will be tuned and modified to produce a better performance with greater power. This will include a turbocharger and a custom cylinder head which will allow the vehicle to hit a tremendous 280 BHP with C02 emissions of 189g/km. Car production at the Szentgotthardt plant based in Hungary for the Vauxhall Astra VXR will start at the end of the year.

Duncan Aldred

Duncan Aldred, the Chairman and Managing Director of Vauxhall Motors said “The quality, reliability and driveability of our cars is improving at an unprecedented rate. Replacing core engine ranges with high-output, high efficiency units will enhance our cars’ appeal still further and reinforce our commitment to producing first-class products.”

All Vauxhall fans will be hoping the company are able to revive themselves following the addition of these new engines, hopefully securing the future of the Ellesmere factory.

Mexico and Canada to start with

It is set to enter the Mexican and Canadian car markets, two countries whose automotive industries are not currently performing as well as many would [...]]]> General Motors will release a small SUV in the upcoming months named the Chevrolet Trax according to automotive reports in Mexico and Canada.

Mexico and Canada to start with

It is set to enter the Mexican and Canadian car markets, two countries whose automotive industries are not currently performing as well as many would have hoped. It will enter showrooms during the fourth quarter of 2012 it has been confirmed.

The Paris Auto Show

Everyone will get their first glimpse of the vehicle at the Paris Auto Show in September of this year.

Why not release the vehicle in the United States

The Chevrolet Trax will not be released in the United States because they currently have a similar vehicle within the United States named the Chevrolet Equinox. The five seater vehicle will be an exclusive SUV. Sales of the Equinox crossover have been doing surprisingly well from January to April of this year. The car has sold a tremendous 70,000 during this period alone. The car is now the 3^rd best in its category across the North American market. It is now behind the Honda CR-V and the Ford Escape.

Better foreign exports needed

Chevrolet will be hoping that the vehicle expands the country’s foreign success. Chevrolet plays a major part in keeping General Motors as the number one car producer in the world. Most of their sales derive from the United States. General Motors are implementing an overseas strategy in order to tackle their sales issues.

What’s so great about the Chevrolet Trax

Mary Barra, the Senior Vice President of Product Development at General Motors said “The Trax provides Chevrolet an entry into a growing small SUV segment and delivers the flexibility, great fuel economy and car-like handling that urban explorers around the world require,”

Crossover SUV market potentially very profitable

Chevrolet believes that there is a lot of potential in the small SUV segment worldwide. It is experiencing a growth period which is certainly profitable.

Chevrolet is playing their cards close to their chest

There has been no prices or economy, weight and price have been released by Chevrolet as of yet.

140 different countries

Eventually the vehicle will spread to a staggering 140 different countries throughout the world after initially hitting the Mexican and Canadian automotive market.

Almost sold

Previously in 2009, the Vauxhall/Opel brand was almost sold off. [...]]]> General Motors are nearing an announcement on the fate of Vauxhall and Opel. Both brands have been making huge losses for more than a decade. It appears that General Motors have lost faith in both brands to turn their fortunes around.

Almost sold

Previously in 2009, the Vauxhall/Opel brand was almost sold off. Many members of the General Motors board regret the decision not to sell it is believed. Canadian buyers were reportedly on the brink of purchasing the Vauxhall/Opel brand. Who would want to buy them now considering the state that the company is in? Dan Akerson refused to answer questions regarding this subject.

The problem for mass car prodcuers

So what exactly is the problem? Europe is crippled with debt problems. Mass car production is just one of few markets that are struggling as a consequence. Demand of cars has lowered a great deal. Production rates are not currently meeting the amount of vehicles that are produced.

“Going forward”

General Motors CEO, Dan Akerson recently said how plans are due to be discussed about how to move forward. “We’re in dialogue with all the constituents, and it’s multinational, given our footprint in Europe. We hope within the next couple of months to speak more specifically about details of the plan going forward.”

He did not comment on whether the Opel/Vauxhall brand would be able to achieve a profit again. “I’m not going to make a forecast because, as you know, the market in Europe is fluid”

Losses

Total losses equalled $747 million in 2011. This is a reduction of almost double from the year before but General Motors had at one point hoped to of broken even. That statement was later withdrawn as major losses were occurring.

Ellesmere plant

This could mean plants could be closed down and jobs will be lost. The famous Ellesmere plant in the UK is one plant that is under consideration for closure. Despite the Government having meetings with Dan Akerson, it appears that General Motors have already made up their mind. There have already been voluntary redundancies from the automotive plant. The Welsh Parliament also stepped in to save the plant as many Welsh employees work at the factory.

General Motors bought a stake in Peugeot Citroen earlier this year, which are also struggling and making losses in Europe. Both companies are set to focus on how to make profit once again in Europe.

Vauxhall’s future is still yet to be fully decided. Jaguar Land Rover may take advantage of the situation by moving into a readymade [...]]]> It is no secret that Jaguar Land Rover are looking to expand their capacity here in the UK. One solution that has considered is Jaguar moving in to the Ellesmere Port Plant.

Vauxhall’s future is still yet to be fully decided. Jaguar Land Rover may take advantage of the situation by moving into a readymade factory is General Motors decide to let go off the Vauxhall brand. They along with European counterpart Opel have been making losses for 12 years. Job losses have already occurred at the Ellesmere plant despite Government intervention from Vincent Cable.

High demand for the Jaguar Land Rover Evoque

Jaguar Land Rover’s factory capacity has essentially run out. This is mainly down to the success of the Land Rover Evoque and it’s excellent sales. The increased demand has meant that more staff are needed as well as space. It has been mentioned by some sources that up to 1,000 extra work members will be needed in order to cater for increase in production.

Other sites under consideration

A 400,000 square foot Phoenix site, previously occupied by Syncreon Logistics, who used to supply parts to Vauxhall for their Astra model is now empty. Jaguar Land Rover have been considering moving their facilities to this particular site. Property agents are in the process of touting potential clients to take over the plant at the moment, according to rumours.

A site in Knowsley previously occupied by Ethel Austin has also been under consideration.

A Jaguar Land Rover Spokesman said “JLR have been looking at this building and another facility over the water, but no decision has been made. They tell us it might be a matter of weeks. We believe they could shift the parts out of Halewood to make room for what they are doing there. JLR is also looking at Phoenix in Ellesmere Port, but I can’t comprehend they would go over the water.”

Vauxhall and Jaguar Land Rover have been compared in recent times in terms of their success and dedication to the UK market. General Motors clearly have no faith in the UK automotive industry and are on the brink cutting of the Vauxhall brand. Jaguar Land Rover have had completely opposing attitudes in that respect, as JLR has been investing heavily in the UK automotive industry. However no would have expected that point to be proven in this particular manner.

The Vauxhall Ampera

Vauxhall are expected to take full advantage in [...]]]> The EcoVelocity event is set for the 5^th May to the 13^th and many of the vehicles have already been confirmed for the event. EcoVelocity is the UK’s greenest car event. It is an annual show which attracts plenty of fans every year.

The Vauxhall Ampera

Vauxhall are expected to take full advantage in order to showcase their green cars and technology. Their upcoming hybrid Ampera model will be on display. Many will discover exactly just how Vauxhall have been studying the technology and how effective it is really is. Fans are sure to be surprised, with the majority of people not being aware of how the vehicle functions.

The Vauxhall Ampera is able to drive a total of 50 miles on electricity alone. After the vehicle petrol engine will take over, which is able to continue the journey for another 310 miles? As far as emissions go, the car emits just 27g/km, making it one the greenest vehicles on the road. ]

The Vauxhall RAK e

The Vauxhall RAK e is also set to be showcased at the event. This is perhaps one the most interesting upcoming vehicles in the UK market. The car received plenty of attention at the Frankfurt Motor Show back in 2011. It is a two seater electric vehicle which is an extremely lightweight vehicle, aiming to provide owners with a tremendous amount of sustainability and efficiency. The car weighs just 380 kg. As you may have guessed the car will not possess a tremendous of speed, hitting a maximum speed of just 75 MPH. The car will be able to drive 60 miles at a time on full charge. It will be one of the best vehicles for travelling to work many people believes.

Hydrogen technology

Vauxhall HydroGen4 fuel cell vehicles will also be showcased at this year’s event. These use an electro chemical reaction in order to provide electricity to the car and allow it to drive.  This particular piece of technology is 10 years in the making. There are absolutely no carbon emissions leaving the car, combining fuel cells and hydrogen to provide the power.

Chevrolet

Chevrolet are also expected to make an appearance at the motor show, displaying the Volt which is able to achieve 78.4 MPG and also emit just 100g/km of C02.

Citroen

Citroen, of which Vauxhall’s holding company General Motors have just recently bought shares in, will also be making an appearance at the EcoVelocity event. The Citroen C-Zero is expected to make a tremendous impact at the event.

This year’s event will be bigger than ever. We can’t wait to discover the upcoming green technology available for our cars.

Odd  looking

To start with, the vehicle is bright yellow. That alone is [...]]]> The Vauxhall VXR8 is possibly the oddest shape vehicle seen this year, or any other year for that matter. Looking like a cross between a family car and a pickup truck, the “thunder” truck is perhaps a vehicle like no other.

Odd  looking

To start with, the vehicle is bright yellow. That alone is enough to capture the attention of passers-by. That attention will not necessarily be positive however, the vehicle’s odd looks may get a few laughs. The boot sticks out and essentially is half the car. You would find it extremely difficult parking in London city.

Destined for the Australian market

That perhaps won’t ever be made possible, unless the car is exported. The vehicle is destined for Australian roads, being described as a smaller version of the Holden HSV Commodore. Just 50 will be sold at a price of £51,500. Odd looking pickup trucks don’t come cheap. That is around the same price as a BMW M3. Will the VXR8 outsell the Maloo? It’s safe to assume the vehicle will command pretty low sales expectations.

Space

One thing that you can say about the vehicle is that it is extremely practical. There is a huge 1,208 litre loading area. You’ll be able to pack whatever you require (almost).

A few nice touches

The sporty looking chrome quad pipes gives the car a wonderful look. The LED running daytime lights are a fantastic addition.

Power

A car this size needs a powerful engine. The quad exhaust pipes give away that the car contains a great deal of power. You wouldn’t be mistaken if you assumed so, as the car contains a huge 6.2 litre engine capable of producing a maximum of 425 BHP. In just 4.9 seconds, the vehicle races from 0 – 62 MPH.

Surprisingly quiet

You may also expect the engine to make a great amount of noise. You would however be wrong in that respect. Surprisingly the engine is extremely quiet. There is no awkward rumble sound.

The Vauxhall VXR8 is still a muscular and aggressive vehicle however. The six speed gearbox works perfectly with the engine helping to provide that extra dose of power. The traction control is able to be switched off for a more aggressive type of ride. The vehicle is an excellent off roader, gripping all types of surfaces very well

Success in America and overseas

Chevrolet’s [...]]]> Chevrolet has continued last year’s success during this year’s first quarter. Their global market share has increased by 6.3 per cent, selling 1.18 million vehicles. That figure is 6.5 per cent more when comparing the same period last year. Chevrolet executives are said to be happy with the progress.

Success in America and overseas

Chevrolet’s home country of the United States is the front runners for buying Chevrolet’s as a single country. 448,000 sales came from the United States which amounts to 38 per cent. That figure shows that Chevrolet sell most of their vehicles overseas.

Sales figures recorded

The Chinese automotive market accounts for 162,000 vehicles. Brazil shifted 137,000 whereas Mexico sold a tremendous 42,000. Argentina set a new record for Chevrolet sales hitting the 41,500 mark. Even the European market showed positive sales despite a debt crisis, with Chevrolet recording a 7.8 per cent rise.

A worldwide strategy

The best selling cars are those that Chevrolet has branded worldwide rather than just for one country. Similar to the Ford One plan, General Motors have ensured that car’s like the Chevrolet Cruze, Spark and Sonic are adaptable to markets around the world. The company’s push for global success seems to be getting stronger as the year goes ahead. Future models being the Colorado and the Trail Blazer sports utility vehicle are set to come out later on in the year, with them expecting to make a huge impact. They will not only be sold in the United States but they will also delve into South America as well as Thailand.

The strongest line-up ever

Dan Akerson spoke on the success of General Motors saying “The strongest line-up of cars, trucks and crossovers in Chevrolet’s history delivered record-breaking sales in 2011 and equally impressive results in the first quarter of 2012. To keep our momentum going, GM has more than 20 major vehicle launches in 2012, and some of the most important are Chevrolets, including the Sail in Asia, the Colorado in South America and the Spark in North America.”

Can Chevrolet keep progressing?

Can Chevrolet keep up their good progress? It appears that their strategy to provide fuel efficient vehicles and ensure that their cars are adaptable for the worldwide market is paying dividends. The Chevrolet brand is General Motors’ number brand at present. Can they keep it up throughout the year?

A [...]]]> There has been a rising demand for diesel vehicles on the United States following record high fuel prices.  Chevrolet are set to change their strategy somewhat in order to take advantage of a very profitable market segment. The diesel vehicle segment is expected to double by the year 2015 in terms of sales.

A diesel Cruze

Already they have decided to develop a diesel version of the ever popular Chevrolet Cruze. This will be a 2.0 litre clean turbo diesel. It is expected to be released in 2013. The Chevrolet Cruze is one of the bestselling petrol models in North America. It is a major factor behind General Motors managing to make such a huge profit.

Numbers increasing

At present diesel sales account for just 3 per cent of sales in the United States. By 2015 that figure is expected to increase to 6 per cent. Sales increased by 35 per cent throughout the first quarter in the United States compared to 2011. Throughout the whole year sales increased by 27 per cent.

General Motors as a group managed to sell over 500,000 cars alone in the European, Asian, African and South American region in 2011.

Diesel pumps are slowly becoming more visible at fuel stations through the United States as popularity is increasing.

Excitement

A statement from the Diesel Technology Forum expressed how excited fans are on the upcoming Cruze.  It read “Even with high fuel prices, we’re seeing more consumers willing to invest in more advanced technology, fuel-efficient vehicles. We’re really excited about what the Chevy Cruze brings to this segment. It’s already a successful car in its fuel efficiency and market acceptance. With GM’s advanced clean-burning diesel technology under the hood, Cruze stands to be a game changer.”

Diesel v petrol

Diesel fuel is naturally a more efficient type of fuel. They are able to produce more power and provide better fuel efficiency when levelled against a petrol engine of the same size.

Why so late?

Why have diesel cars failed to take off in the United States? It may seem strange to UK motorists as diesel vehicles are evident everywhere. The problem seems to be associated with the fact that diesel vehicles have a poor reputation in terms of noise and clean they are. Technology is now more advanced meaning diesel vehicles have improved a great deal.