Hot Vehicles and Accessories
By Bill Betts
GM Blogs Manager
I’ve seen a lot of online buzz about GM vehicles at the Specialty Equipment Marketing Association (SEMA) convention in Las Vegas — especially the Jay Leno-built bio-diesel powered EcoJet Concept car created with the help of GM Design Studios. We produced short video walk-arounds of Jay’s car and two GM-built specialty vehicles displayed at SEMA. We also made a video describing the range of brand-new GM crate engines available to anyone who wants to re-power their car or truck. Just the idea of being able to buy a sparkling, fresh 500+ horsepower Corvette engine for your personal vehicle gives some people goose bumps.
You’re reading this because you’re interested in cars and trucks, so I think you’ll really like these short video streams.
Jay Leno bio-diesel EcoJet Concept Car
Dale Earnhardt, Jr. “Big Red” Silverado Ultimate Off-Road Pickup Truck
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While those mentioned are nice, I’ll tell you the one SEMA concept that I’ve seen the buzz for the most around the web.
It’s the Pontiac Solstice GXP-R. And its not the looks so much, but whats under the hood!
300 HP & 315 lb-ft. at only 3250 RPM, from a 2.0L engine! It’s insane!
I saw Buicks at SEMA.
I Said to myself, Does Buick need this sort of stuff, or should Buick be investing in new products?
Sadly, Buick is soo far behind in products, its headed the way of Ford’s Lincoln.
FYI.
Proud owner of a new 2006 HHR
That GM Two-Way keyfob you guys have come up with is awesome!!
Edmunds talks about it here:
http://blogs.edmunds.com/Straightline/1753
I am deathly afraid it’ll go the way of NightVision and Quadrasteer if it ever falls into the bottomless pit that is GM’s “marketing”.
You needs to spread this technology intelligently and liberally across your lineup and advertise it properly!!!!
Advertising is all about using your advantages to help prop up your image.
Hire Modernista! or something. Leo Burnett is not up to the task.
That said, this should be a standard feature on the Escalade and Yukon Denali and your Two-mode Hybrids!!
That would be an excellent standard feature on the two-mode hybrids, showing instant/trip mileage, fuel levels, battery charging etc!!
For all other high-end cars (V-Series), it should be a no-cost option–differently styled).
Then it should be a regular option available at that price for all regular Cadillacs, Saabs, Buicks and GMCs (at regular trims) as well as optional at higher trim levels for Chevrolets, Saturns and Pontiacs.
Why is that so hard to ask?
If you leave it as an unpromoted option in your SUVs only, it will languish and fall off the radar just like Nightvision.
Doesn’t work for me. How about a couple of simple still photos?
Show me a high mileage Cobalt concept, or even Aveo, or even somehing from Opel that you will actually bring, and I’ll get excited.
Otherwise, “Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz”!
Please show us the new GTO!
Please please please please
this blog is awsome..i only view it periodically and am always astonished with the variety of postings….love your crate engines!!!
Mr. Betts: Tell me that GM will offer the Silverado 427 shown at SEMA.
It looks great and finally a 6-speed MANUAL in a GM performance truck.
Don’t change a thing on the Concept and offer it as a Regular Cab.
If you do make an Extended Cab, use the short 5′8″ bed model.
The Colorado Z71 Plus is another truck GM has to offer. Finally some real power although the interior stills needs a major update.
I also liked the Lucerne models, especially the VIP’d ones. Shows GM at least cares about Buick and I think a VIP Lucerne may just sell.
And finally where was the EFIJY? It is only the “HOT ROD OF THE YEAR”.
I’m a Buick fan and waiting for one to buy. By that I mean, a coupe or a convertible Velite. When is that coming? No one from GM ever seems to address that and it was the best concept ever. The positive reaction to the Lucernes at SEMA should be a sign that young people will buy a Buick. If you build it, we will come!!!
Nice post, Bill. The SEMA Lucerne looks great. Ditto the Earnhardt Siverado.
FREE BOB LUTZ!
Also making a splash at the SEMA show was a 92 mpg vehicle called the Ale’ (pronounced “allay”) designed and built by a handful of guys on a shoestring budget.
It looks like something GM design and engineering could put together over a weekend, and manufacturing could crank out for a retail price under $8K…
But I think this is a market segment (highly efficient, affordable commuter vehicles) GM will choose to ignore.
Thank you Beauregard, 11/6/06, 9:28 PM.
Right.
Further to the comment of BeauGRAND (sorry), 11/6/06, 9:28 PM:
92 mpg vehicle makes a splash at the SEMA show? Is there a message here? Hello?
I heard on the radio on the way in this morning that Toyota had reported record earnings as a result of their small, fuel efficient cars.
We are still driving the Impala SS that Jon Moss parts binned out of a Caprice Classic, a police car and an iron head Camaro LT-1 in 1992.
I keep saying that he could do the same for a high mileage car if somone would just realize how important it is.
Where is Jon Moss, now that we need him? Retired? Not replaced? Beaugrand is dead right that there are plenty of potential Jon Moss replacements in the GM ranks, if someone would just turn them loose. They could crank something out in short order. I have commented over and over that the Corvette/NASCAR race guys have the talent and deidication to do it too, if given the mission.
Come on guys. Is anyone still around who can remember the bubble of positive ink that came from the Impala SS? This would be 100 times better.
Please do it!
Beaugrand,
Who will buy such a vehicle?
These things are nothing new. They have been around for decades upon decades.
Nobody buys them–that is the issue at hand.
These cars are “feel-good” responses to people like you who, I am willing to bet, besides your loud advocacy of such–own a conventional car themselves.
The Cobalt should:
1. Lose 500 pounds. It’s simply too heavy–like many GM cars vs. the competition.
It weighs more than a Prius which is bigger and has more features.
2. Increase mileage. Its engine needs to be turbocharged or something–to increase efficiency.
3. Look better. Much better.
Give us some snazzy looks like those European cars or something, Please?
Other than that, great job at SEMA!!
Now let’s get those two-way keyfobs flowing (and marketed nicely)!!
Jay Leno: Your EcoJet Concept looks great, I have known for years that you were a great mechanic but you have outdone yourself on this one. It has a good mix of flowing lines mixed with sharp creases in just the right areas. Like how you handled the intake it looks like a car but gets the air volume in. The exhausts are also handled well – no round pipe out the back. It is similar to the newer jet designs that diffuse the exhaust to minimize infrared heat signature.
It would make a great SAAB – they say born from jets. Well here is the real deal. Nice job on the wheels, just enough engine blade look. The hood strakes are a nice touch and I like how you added a little tail fin styling to the rear “Verts”.
Can’t wait to see what you do with the interior.
Mr. Betts: Speaking of SAAB – nice to see the 9-7x Aero at SEMA. Like the wheels, side vents and lowered suspension. Would make a great “package” for the street except with 20’s or 22’s in place of the 24’s.
Well, I think that BeauGRAND (sorry) and John, 11/7, 3:44 PM, are both right.
I have advocated here before for a lighter Cobalt with a more efficient engine. I am convinced that, if you could get the mileage up into the Fit/Yaris/Versa range, which is not that much of a strech, you could sell more cars at a better price.
If you show me a 92 mpg, or anything like it, “city” car even if it’s a two seater “Smart for 2″ clone, with a Chevy bowtie on the front, I will buy one the same day. Take down my e-mail address and hold me to it!
I think that you could sell them for a lot more than $8,000 too. The Smart will not be sold for $8,000, or anything like it.
This is getting to be more and more about filling niches with cars you can profitably price. There is a place for both.
Note the top of the page article on page C-1 of yesterday’s Los Angles Times, “GM to unveil electric car prototype.” This clearly trumps all of the above.
Do it! How do I send in a deposit? Give me an address to send a check and I will do so today. Give me a link to make a deposit on a credit card and I will do it right now.
Note the largely positive quotes from Mr. Hwang of the Natural Resources Defense Council. However he finishes with GM “is fond of showing us things it never brings to market. The question is whether this will be just a prototype for public relations or a real effort.” Prove him wrong guys! And don’t wait until 2018 or something. The future is now!
Finally the article says “GM won’t talk openly about its new electric vehicle – first hinted at in a interview Vice Chairman Bob Lutz granted industry trade publication Automotive News this week.”
I want to acknowledge that that is not stricly correct. Mr. Lutz actually hinted about this initiative on this very blog weeks ago! Maybe there really is something to this forum.
Do it guys. You can vault right over the Prius and preempt the “green” market in the short term, while working toward the next step of the fuel cells.
How about a post on this? Can you run the Automotive News interview? This is really hot and encouraging news. Please fill us in.
Noel-
As our rapid progress with fuel cells and advanced powertrains shows, GM has a lot of technical tricks up its sleeve. Make sure to stay tuned.
-Scott, GM Advanced Technology Communications
Jay: I agree with what you said on the video, there is no reason that a car cannot have performance and be environmentally responsible.
The Eco Jet could use a small jet engine running at a constant load to power an electric generator attached to an electric motor and batteries that would power the car.
Running the jet at a constant load maximizes efficiency and turbine engines and their high RPM and torque are perfect for electric power generation. A small jet would take up much less space and the heat generated from the engine could be used for interior heat when needed.
A jet is more tolerant of alternative fuels and can run on fuels that require less “refining” resulting in more yield per barrel of fuel stock.
Adding an electric motor and drive axles to the front wheels would give the Eco Jet AWD capability.
This is the way I thought hybrids should have been designed from the start and GM has been making a similar system using diesel engines for train locomotives for about 50 years.
Battery technology is finally getting to the point of making this technology feasible for mass production vehicles.
The GM Sequel hydrogen vehicle is proving that the HVAC, steering and braking systems can be electrically powered.
Now that the technology is available to make this vehicle a real world possibility GM should be the first to produce it.
I didn’t pull the $8K figure out of the air, most small economy cars such as the Kia Rio, Toyota Yaris, and Chevy (Daewoo) Aveo are base priced at just over $10,000. I figure a small, single-seat commuter should go for 20-25% less than the cheapest 4-wheel, 4-passenger sedan or hatchback, since it’s only about half as much “car.”
I moderate the “Cabin Scooters” Yahoo discussion group, and there is growing interest in the concept.
I firmly believe that there is a market (with a huge growth potential) for a single or tandem seat, enclosed “cabin scooter” or “cabin motorcycle” (most likely a 3-wheel design, because of vehicle regulations) commuter vehicle, with a curb weight under 1,000 lbs.
This would be marketed as a “second car,” not as the consumer’s principle means of transportation.
The question is not “can this be done,” but “can this be done profitably?” Yes, absolutely, it can be done. Can GM do it profitably? Probably not, they’re already struggling to make a profit, even manufacturing and selling high-margin vehicles like SUVs. I was thinking maybe it could be designed by GM, built somewhere else (probably Asia), sold through GM dealerships as an accessory to their gas-guzzling SUVs.
(Actually, to even begin to approach the efficiency of a loaded, 80,000 lb GVWR 18-wheeler, the empty commuter vehicle should weigh no more than the combined weight of a full-size driver and a passenger, let’s say 400 to 500 lb.)
Driving the high-mileage commuter (let’s say 100 mpg) just half the time makes a big difference.
Do the math:
For example, 6,000 commuter miles annually, 120 miles per week-
20 mpg car or SUV uses 300 gallons of gas for 6,000 miles.
20 mpg car driven 3000 miles uses 150 gallons, 100 mpg commuter vehicle driven 3000 miles uses 30 gallons, total 180 gallons of gas for 6,000 miles.
You still have the utility of the car when it’s needed, but you aren’t putting so many commuting miles on it, which helps it retain its value longer and lowers repair and maintenence and insurance costs.
Right. I post about the need for lightweight high mileage cars and our family drives a conventional car.
Why? Because GM/Chevrolet don’t offer anything to compete with the Prius/Civic Hybrid. If they did, we would be driving one. We are not going to buy a Toyota or a Honda in this life or the next.
We are patiently waiting and saving our money. Our ‘95 Impala SS has 106k miles and runs and looks great. No doubt it will run another 106k miles. Unless there is a breakthrough advance in Chevy vehicles why change? If the rumored plug-in hybrid actually becomes available, we will dump the Impala and buy one instantly. When cars last 200k miles, only innovation, breakthrough engineering and, yes Bob, “design” are going to motivate people to turn over the fleet so someone can sell new cars.
As to the price of the commuter car, I take your point, but I think that the market would support a higher price so that, God send, it could be made in the USA. An Aveo with decent equipment stickers for well over $14,000. The fit and Versa sticker for at least $1,000 more. I don’t know what the actual transaction prices are, but I don’t think that the Fit and Versa are being discounted, at least not yet. The $10,000 Aveo is a loss leader special stripper package with AC delete.
We might even keep the Impala to drive to cruise night. They have become sort of a hip-hop culture low level collectible here in SoCal.
Note “Pumping Iron”, Richard S. Chang’s commentary on the SEMA show in the November 13 Autoweek (page 6).
He concludes by saying:
“By focusing on dual quads and muscle car parts instead of fuel injection and superminis, are domestics telling the world they don’t care about B-class cars? More importantly, are they missing a bigger opportunity and positioning themselves for more catch-up?”
The Solstice was really a hit at SEMA! Check it: http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/showthread.php?t=40533
I believe part of the purpose of this blog is to canvass the blogging public for ideas to help GM find its way back to profitability.
GM is importing a Korean-made, badge-engineered Daewoo and selling it as a Chevy.
GM is cutting costs, closing plants, and “downsizing,” (PC for “laying off”), Honda and Toyota are building new plants in the US (both opening new plants in Indiana in 2008). Toyota will be building Camrys here, Honda will be making Civics (they already make Accords in Ohio).
GM needs a new strategy. I think GM needs to get back to the core business of making and selling large numbers of affordable, inexpensive cars and trucks. The light truck/SUV market is shrinking, and competition in that segment is increasing. Here are some thoughts:
Rather than badge-engineering several versions of the same car for each division, let each division design and market models built on a single platform- for example, all Chevys could be front-wheel-drive vehicles built on a unibody, 110″ wheelbase chassis.
You could have several Chevy models on one wheelbase: 2-door hatchback coupes, 4-door sedans and wagons, minivans, El Caminos- each in economy, sport, and luxury versions. I count 15 possible models there.
Give Buick a longer FWD platform than Chevy.
Assign rear-wheel-drive platforms for Pontiac (shorter) and Cadillac (longer).
Make Cadillac a car worth striving to own, rather than just a gussied-up Buick. I’m thinking a Northstar V-12.
Power all GM vehicles with Northstar-brand engines- 4, 6, 8, and yes, 12-cylinder (Cadillac only) engines.
Revive the LaSalle and Oldsmobile brands for rear-wheel-drive “body-on-frame” cars.
All GM trucks should be GMC brand. All GM dealers should sell all GM brands.
Give all the “captive imports” to Saturn (Saturn customers don’t know or care that Saturn is a GM brand anyway).
License to build (in the US) and sell the van den Brink Carver. Price it under $15,000 and your dealers won’t be able to keep them in stock.
I’d love to see the preproduction Chevrolet Camaro (Camaro Concept vehicle) at the up coming car show.
Please show us the new GTO!
Put Beaugrand on the payroll – He’s got some
good ideas! ..Anxiously awaiting GTO pix.
It definitely gives goose bumps to me! So what is the price for the pleasure of driving such a wonderful toy?