2010 Ducati Monster 696 and 796

The new Monster 696 and 796 are available in an amzing 13 different colors comes in traditional Ducati red, new arctic white silk or diamond black silk with all three colours against a red Trellis frame and black wheels, which feature a new red flash around 60° of the rim side, creating a red stripe at speed. Monster Art extends the 3 standard colours to 13 with the new collection, ‘Logomania’. Further aesthetic enhancements come from the footrest hangers finished in matte black to match the rear sub-frame and single-sided swingarm, new Ducati logo on the front mudguard and the Tricolore displayed proudly on the single-seat cover and fuel tank.

Buick-GMC Sales Increase 54 Percent in March, Leading a 43-Percent Gain for GM Brands

These results are evidence that the company’s plan to create sustainable and profitable growth is on track, according to Susan Docherty, GM vice president of marketing. “Our March results show continued progress toward our growth plan. By investing in our brands and remaining disciplined in our approach to the U.S. market, we posted solid results,” said Docherty. “Our new vehicles, like the Chevrolet Equinox, Buick LaCrosse, GMC Terrain, and Cadillac SRX, are being well-received by customers for many good reasons, including quality, safety, excellent fuel economy, and higher resale values.”

March Key Facts:

* Chevrolet: total sales up 41 percent;  retail sales up 24 percent; Chevrolet Equinox retail sales increased 225 percent; Camaro recorded its highest level of retail sales (8,267) since it was launched 12 months ago

* Buick: total sales up 76 percent; retail sales up 34 percent; Buick LaCrosse retail sales rose 144 percent

* GMC: total sales up 45 percent; retail sales up 43 percent; GMC Terrain retail sales were up 425 percent (compared to the Pontiac Torrent – the vehicle it replaced)

* Cadillac: total sales up 42 percent; retail sales up 18 percent; Cadillac SRX retail sales were up 508 percent

* Crossovers for GM’s four brands doubled sales in March compared to last year CYTD Sales for Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac are up 36 percent.

* Combined Total and Retail sales for Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac have increased year-over-year for six straight months.

Cadillac CTS-V Sport Wagon Show Car Debuts At The New York Auto Show

2010-03-29
* V-Series performance combined with dramatic CTS Sport Wagon design
* 556-hp (415-kW) supercharged 6.2L V-8
* Six-speed manual or six-speed automatic with steering wheel shift controls
* Magnetic Ride Control, Brembo brakes and Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 tires
* Limited availability beginning in late 2010

NEW YORK – Cadillac today unveiled the CTS-V Sport Wagon show car, foreshadowing the next addition to its V-Series performance line. It combines the performance and luxury of the landmark CTS-V Sport Sedan with the dramatic design of the CTS Sport Wagon.

The exterior is finished in Midnight Silver, first seen on the Cadillac Sixteen Concept, and accented by lustrous Liquid Silver-finished wheels and a black chrome finish on the grille’s mesh insert. The rear fascia, upper spoiler and center high-mounted stop lamp are also unique to the show car.

Cadillac Sixteen Concept

Inside, the CTS-V Sport Wagon show car is trimmed in exclusive black leather with Alcantara® accents. The upper section of the instrument panel and upper door panels are covered in the same premium leather, accented with midnight Sapele wood, while the microfiber material and stitching is applied to the lower door panels, pillars, console lid, headliner and steering wheel center. The show car features fine-grain black leather-trimmed Recaro® seats with Alcantara seat inserts.

Like the other CTS V-Series models, the Sport Wagon incorporates a unique grille that doubles front-end airflow to help enable its high-performance capabilities. It is also visually identified by an aggressive front fascia and raised center section of the aluminum hood that provides clearance for the supercharger. It rides on 19-inch forged aluminum wheels available in painted or polished finishes.

Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac Retail Sales Up 3 Percent – Total Sales for These Brands Up 30 Percent GM Total Sales Increase 14 Percent

2010-02-02

Fourth Consecutive Month of Retail Sales Gains for GM’s Four Brands-Chevy Equinox, GMC Terrain and Cadillac SRX Retail Sales Up 161 Percent. Fleet Sales Comprise 29 Percent of Total Sales

DETROIT – U.S. dealers for GM’s brands – Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac – reported retail sales of 102,420, up 3 percent compared to January 2009, and 145,098 total sales (up 30 percent).  These results were driven by the continued strong growth of new GM crossovers and passenger cars. For the month, GM dealers reported 146,825 total sales (including other brands), representing a total sales increase of 14 percent from the previous year.

“This is the fourth month in a row that Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac have shown a collective year-over-year retail sales increase,” said Susan Docherty, GM vice president, Sales, Service and Marketing. “Our long-term plan to continue to focus and strengthen our brands is delivering results.”

Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac comprised 98 percent of the company’s retail sales in January, compared to 85 percent a year earlier. Retail sales, including other brands, in the U.S. were 104,122 during the month. This represents a 10 percent decline from a year ago, driven by other brand sales – Pontiac, Saturn, Saab and HUMMER – that were 90 percent lower. GM dealers delivered 42,703 fleet vehicles, comprising 29 percent of total deliveries for the month.

Yamaha FZ8 StreetFighter Gallery and Informations

That many anticipated FZ8 and Yamaha Super Tenere Yamaha sales will occur this summer according to the Yamaha.

Yamaha working hard to promote both bike with heavy-disguised picture showing the parts of both motorcycles and a new silhouette that shows Super Tenere Yamaha R1-style headlight.




Yamaha officially launched the headlights of the FZ8 a few weeks ago but no further information came from Yamaha officially.

A Yamaha insider said: "FZ8 will appear at the end of this year together with Super Tenere that would be a good thing to boost interest in the new bike and the bike is expected to generate some significant sales in 2010."

No official estimated FZ8 has a smaller capacity four-cylinder version of the 998cc motor FZ1 - itself based on the five-valve Yamaha R1 engine from the year 2005.

FZ8 will replace the smaller capacity as a sporty model FZ6 naked middleweight, leaving the XJ6, XJ6 Diversion, and the new-for-2010 F XJ6 Diversion to satisfy beginners and versatile market.

This is the main rival will F800R BMW, Honda Hornet 600, Triumph Street Triple R and Aprilia shiver 750.

Super Tenere boxy silhouette shows off-road-style panniers, reinforcing evidence that the Yamaha bike will go head-to-head with BMW for the R1200GS, it does not involve more road-biased Ducati new Multistrada 1200.

Super Tenere technical highlights we already know about are:
- 3-mode ABS
- Shaft drive
- Associated brake
- Switchable engine maps
- Ride-by-wire throttle
- Traction control
- Side-mounted radiators

Buick Announces Pricing For 2011 Regal

2010-01-21
Buick today announced pricing for the all-new 2011 Regal. Prices start at $26,995 for the premium CXL model, including a $750 destination charge.

Regal’s CXL turbo model will start at $29,495, including a $750 destination charge.

Regal will initially be offered in premium CXL trim only, with additional trim levels to be offered in the 2012 model year. The well-equipped Regal CXL includes the following as standard or available equipment:

Standard 2.4L Ecotec direct injected engine rated at an estimated 182 horsepower (136 kW)

Available 2.0L Ecotec turbocharged and direct injected engine rated at an estimated 220 horsepower (164 kW) – available late-summer 2010 Both engines have six-speed automatic transmission standard with Driver Shift Control (DSC)

Estimated 30 mpg on the highway with the 2.4L and 29 mpg highway with the 2.0L turbo engine

MacPherson strut front suspension and four-link independent rear suspension

Class-exclusive Interactive Drive Control System is available with the 2.0L turbo.

Chevy to Replace “An American Revolution” Slogan With “A Louisiana Purchase”

January 20th, 2010

Chevy to Replace “An American Revolution” Slogan With “A Louisiana Purchase”

Chevrolet will move on from its current advertising slogan, the much-derided “An American Revolution” and instead shift to “A Louisiana Purchase,” partially according to reports in today’s Automotive News.

WIKIPEDIA:

An American Revolution is a former advertising campaign used by American car manufacturer Chevrolet. First introduced on New Year's Eve 2003 in the USA to promote its "ten new cars and trucks in twenty months", released since January 2004, but the lineup of advertised cars was later expanded. Also including the Korean made Chevrolet Aveo. The campaign was made by advertising firm Campbell-Ewald

from Warren, Michigan, near General Motors' headquarters in Detroit, Michigan.

An American Revolution was released on the TV program Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve on the TV channel ABC. The TV commercials have also been shown on high-audience sports television programs, e.g. the American football program The NFL on CBS.

One of the first TV commercials in the campaign directed by Michael Bay featured the song Magic Carpet Ride by Steppenwolf. The advertisement was titled "An American Revolution, Car Carrier" and featured six not-yet-introduced new cars and trucks boarding a car carrier as it traverses the United States -- notably a Aveo descending the Twin Peaks of San Francisco and making an airborne leap remininscent of Steve McQueen's Ford Mustang in the movie Bullitt — before boarding the car carrier. In July 2009 ,GM announced the "An American Revolution" campaigns would end in the fall of 2009 and would be replaced by new campaigns.

“It’s time for us to take this brand forward. Americans have got the revolution part. Now it’s time we move on to the next phase of American history: territorial expansion through the Louisiana Purchase, made by Thomas Jefferson in 1803,” said Chevrolet brand manager Jim Campbell. “Also, people in the South are pretty much the only ones still buying Chevys.”

The ads, set to premiere during the Winter Olympics — wait is that this year? Okay yes, during the Winter Olympics, the ads will feature popular scenes from the Louisiana purchase with Chevy vehicles in the background. The first ad in the series is called “Jefferson meets with the Treasury department.”

Future ad campaigns for Chevy are expected to continue through American history. “We’re really excited about ‘Chevy: A Louisiana Purchase. But we’re also looking to the future. Right now we’re planning Chevy: A Whiskey Rebellion, Chevy: A Treaty of Ghent, Chevy: A Battle of Tippecanoe, and of course Chevy: A Civil War.”

WIKIPEDIA

The Louisiana Purchase (French: Vente de la Louisiane "Sale of Louisiana") was the acquisition by the United States of America of 828,800 square miles (2,147,000 km2) of the French territory Louisiana in 1803. The U.S. paid 60 million francs ($11,250,000) plus cancellation of debts worth 18 million francs ($3,750,000), a total cost of 15 million dollars for the Louisiana territory.

The Louisiana Purchase encompassed all or part of 14 current U.S. states and two Canadian provinces. The land purchased contained all of present-day Arkansas, Missouri, Iowa, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, parts of Minnesota that were west of the Mississippi River, most of North Dakota, nearly all of South Dakota, northeastern New Mexico, the portions of Montana, Wyoming, and Colorado east of the Continental Divide, and Louisiana west of the Mississippi River, including the city of New Orleans. (The Oklahoma Panhandle, and southwestern portions of Kansas and Louisiana were still claimed by Spain at the time of the Purchase.) In addition, the Purchase contained small portions of land that would eventually become part of the Canadian provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan. The purchase, which doubled the size of the United States, comprises around 23% of current U.S. territory.[2] The population was estimated to be 97,000 as of the 1810 census.

The purchase was a vital moment in the presidency of Thomas Jefferson. At the time, it faced domestic opposition as being possibly unconstitutional. Although he felt that the US Constitution did not contain any provisions for acquiring territory, Jefferson decided to purchase Louisiana because he felt uneasy about France and Spain having the power to block American trade access to the port of New Orleans.

Napoleon Bonaparte, upon completion of the agreement, stated, "This accession of territory affirms forever the power of the United States, and I have given England a maritime rival who sooner or later will humble her pride."

French and American delegates at the Convention of Mortefontaine.

For ads, Chevy will superimpose a Volt into the background.

SOURCE:

MetaCars

The World's Oldest Daily Parody Car Blog -- *Now publishing daily in Sealand

Industrial-Inspired GMC Granite Concept Makes A Solid Statement About Style And Function

Combining a decidedly urban-industrial design aesthetic with functionality aimed at young professionals, the GMC Granite concept takes the brand’s trademark capability in a new, more progressive direction. It was introduced at the 2010 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

If brought to market, the Granite would be the smallest GMC ever – but has been optimized to feel much larger. Its length is a full 2 feet (0.6 m) shorter than the new Terrain compact crossover, but its open interior was designed to be spacious and flexible to fit the needs of active people. Generous cargo space and unique flipping/folding seats, for example, enable a mountain bike to be loaded completely inside with the tailgate closed.

“Granite was conceived as a new type of vehicle from GMC – one that could stretch people’s ideas of what a GMC can be,” said Lisa Hutchinson, product marketing director for GMC. “We call it an ‘urban utility vehicle’ and our goal was redefining what the GMC name could mean to a new generation of customers looking for both bold design and functionality.”

Like GMC’s current lineup of trucks, SUVs and crossovers, the Granite delivers style and capability, with advanced features, high-quality materials and exceptional attention to detail. An industrial-influenced exterior is combined with a spacious interior that features precise instruments and leading-edge technology. The climate system, navigation and infotainment technologies, for example, are viewed via an extra-wide, next-generation organic light-emitting diode technology that is more dynamic than the conventional screens used in most production vehicles.

Power for the Granite concept comes from a 1.4L turbocharged engine that is part of GM’s new family of small-displacement, highly efficient four-cylinder engines. It is matched with a six-speed transmission.

2010 Chevrolet Equinox named Urban Truck of the Year

The 2010 Chevrolet Equinox was named the Urban Truck of the Year by On Wheels Media, Monday, December 21, 2009 in Detroit, Michigan. Chevrolet will accept the award for Best Urban Truck of the Year at the 14th Annual Urban Wheel Awards, January 12, 2010.

Randi Payton, On Wheels Media's president and publisher said, "The Urban Vehicle of the Year resonates with the majority of new car buyers who live in urban and suburban areas, who drive on crowded road conditions. The vehicles chosen are cost and fuel efficient, and have the performance and safety characteristics that are relevant to the consumers in Metropolitan areas."

The Urban Truck of the Year winner is selected by a panel of 15 automotive journalists from a broad array of newspapers, magazines, broadcast and Internet outlets.

GM keeps announcing NEW PRODUCTS flavored with new Managerial Appointments!

Bob Lutz leaning on to the NEW GMC Acadia Denali CUV

The 2011 Acadia Denali - The First Denali Crossover Ever

2009-12-17

GMC is extending its exclusive Denali line to include the highly successful Acadia brand that defined the crossover segment. The all-inclusive Acadia Denali is the ultimate combination of space and efficiency with top-of-the-line amenities. Signature Denali cues include the honeycomb grille, chrome accents, body-color fascias and fender flares, mahogany wood steering wheel and wood accents, and lighted sill plates

Today GMC unveiled the 2011 Acadia Denali in Detroit. The first Denali was launched in 1999 on the Yukon brand and helped define the luxury SUV segment. With nearly half of all Yukon sales being Denali models, expanding the Denali line to include the Acadia was a logical extension. Acadia Denali will provide GMC customers with all the amenities the Denali is known for in a fuel-efficient crossover.

“The GMC Denali models have come to stand for luxury and exclusivity, and that’s just what customers will get in the new Acadia Denali,” said Lisa Hutchinson, GMC product marketing director. “The decision to develop an Acadia Denali was made quickly within the new GM in response to customer and dealer demand for a Denali version ever since the launch and success of the Acadia.”

The Acadia Denali will stand out with its signature Denali design cues highlighted by the mono-color exterior and chrome honeycomb grille, a feature on all GMC Denali models. It also wears a number of specific exterior design cues, including:

-Unique lower front and rear fascias

-High-intensity discharge headlamps

-Body-color lower cladding and rocker moldings

-Body-color rear fascia and fender flares

-Unique body-side moldings with chrome accents and Denali badges

-Dual chrome exhaust tips

Further distinction comes with 20-inch, two-tone chrome-clad wheels. The six-spoke wheels feature black chrome spoke inserts set against bright chrome.

The Acadia Denali is offered in five exterior colors: Quicksilver Metallic, Summit White, Carbon Black, Red Jewel Tintcoat and White Diamond Tricoat.

Luxury amenities

Acadia Denali delivers all the luxury and refinement that are hallmarks of the Denali line. It includes a number of exclusive design, comfort and convenience features including:

Premium acoustics - laminated glass, triple door seals, and liquid applied sound deadeners

Perforated leather seats with matching leather door panel trim

Heated and cooled driver and passenger seats

Leather-wrapped steering wheel with mahogany wood inserts

Complementary wood grain finish on the instrument panel and center stack

Enhanced accent lighting in the footwells

Chrome, lighted sill plates with the Denali logo

Dual SkyScape sunroof system, with sliding front sunroof and fixed rear section

Head-up display (HUD)

Additional content includes:

*Tri-zone automatic climate control

*Navigation system including XM NavTraffic (available)

*Bluetooth connectivity

*OnStar

*Rear-seat DVD entertainment system, with roof-mounted flip-down screen (available)

*Premium audio system with USB port and Bose 10-speaker sound system

*XM Satellite Radio

*Rearview camera system

*Eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with memory

*Remote vehicle start

SOURCE:

LaCrosse Four-Cylinder Engine Offered In 2010 Q1

Vehicle Priced at $26,995

2009-12-17

Buick will offer its LaCrosse CX model with a new fuel-efficient, direct injected Ecotec 2.4L four-cylinder engine priced at $26,995.  The 4-cylinder is the third engine choice in the all new 2010 Buick LaCrosse luxury sedan. Backed by a fuel-saving six-speed automatic transmission, the new powertrain combination is expected to deliver fuel economy of 30 mpg highway and 20 mpg city*– making LaCrosse one of the most fuel-efficient cars in its segment.

 The Ecotec 2.4L four-cylinder joins the lineup in the first quarter of 2010 as the standard engine in the LaCrosse CX. Direct injection technology helps it deliver 182 horsepower (136 kW) and 172 lb-ft. of torque (233 Nm). Buick expects about 25 percent of customers will opt for 2.4L-equipped models.

The 2.4L’s injection of fuel directly into the combustion chamber enables a higher compression ratio to increase efficiency and horsepower. 

That means more power is made with less fuel and lower emissions.

SOURCE:

2009-12-17

Sweeney Appointed Buick GMC General Manager; Costabile Named General Sales Manager

DETROIT – Susan E. Docherty, GM vice president of Sales, Service and Marketing, today named Brian K. Sweeney general manager of Buick GMC, effective immediately. Sweeney had been general sales manager of Buick GMC since June 2008.

Caddy tries to resurrect the wagon

Business Week/Auto Beat-November 19, 2009-Posted by: David Welch

Will Americans buy wagons? History says no. And by history I mean after 1980. Sure, Subaru sells wagons quite successfully to some outdoorsy types on the coasts. You also see the occasionall BMW lover in a 3-series wagon. But the jury has been in for years. Americans would rather have a crossover suv of some kind. It’s easy to understand why. Wagons were America’s family car of choice before the minivan forced their near extinction. How nerdy does a car have to be for a minivan to beat it on pure coolness factor? Just think about fake wood-grain panel wagons and the picture is complete.

Enter the Cadillac CTS sport wagon, which I took on a test run a week ago. It’s quite impressive. GM engineered a tight handling ride. The direct injection 3.6-liter V-6 is powerful and smooth and the fuel economy is pretty good with 26 mpg on the highway. Combined fuel economy is less exciting at 21 mpg. But this is a luxury car that gets 304 horsepower. That’s the same impressive combination that can be had in the Chevrolet Camaro RS.

With the 2010 CTS, General Motors has proven that Cadillac is in step with what luxury cabins are all about. The dashboard and surrounding decor is as modern-looking as anything on the market. It’s more artistic than Audi’s interior appointments and just as posh as a Lexus. When you close the doors, for example, they seal shut automatically. It’s a nice touch that shows a bit of craftsmanship.

The best thing about this wagon is the styling. GM didn’t just take the CTS sedan and stretch it back with some extra sheet metal. The company spent the money to design a different back end. It’s the right way to go. Design is subjective, but the CTS wagon looks like it’s cocked and ready to go. In the past, carmakers just stretched their sedans, creating oblong wagons with awkward design proportions. Past-generation Toyota Camry and Ford Taurus wagons come to mind. This one is actually a head turner.

As fine a car as this is, don’t expect Americans to come pouring into showrooms for a CTS wagon. GM is launching a Cadillac SRX crossover suv at the same time. That will pull in many buyers who want a Caddy with some storage space. Plus, a lot of what makes this a good car have less to do with the fact that it’s a wagon and more from the fact that the CTS is the best car made by a resurgent Cadillac brand. Surely GM will sell a few thousand CTS wagons. But don’t expect this car to resurrect a market that has been dead for years.

t’s a shame, too. Most buyers who want a luxury car with cargo space would opt for the SRX, which gets lower fuel economy with a combined 23 mpg. The CTS wagon has 53.4 cubic feet of cargo space compared with 61.2 cubic feet in the SRX. So most buyers will opt for worse fuel economy and pass up on the tighter handling of the CTS wagon just to ride up high on the road and get a few more feet of cargo space that they’ll probably never use. Maybe this wagon will break through. If not, there’s always the European market.

SOURCE: