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GM expanding Lansing Lambda CUV plant

Considering that crossovers are a rapidly growing portion of the US auto market, it's not surprising to hear that General Motors is preparing to build even more of them. The company is investing $63 million to expand its Lansing Delta Township Assembly plant that builds Lambda platform CUVs like the Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia and Buick Enclave.
According to GM, the expansion will add roughly 263,000 extra square feet of space to the plant. Of that, 181,000 square feet will be for an updated body shop with cutting-edge robots. There will also be 54,000 square feet of additional room in the paint shop and 28,000 square feet of more area for general assembly.
GM isn't saying as much, but there is the possibility that this extra space could allow for additional models produced at the factory. Cadillac reportedly dropped plans to build a three-row SUV on the Lambda platform earlier this year, however, dealers for the luxury brand were recently pitched the possibility of adding large and small CUVs, an ATS convertible or a sedan below the ATS.

GM phasing out light-duty 1500-series vans

In the market for a fullsize van but don't need a heavy-duty model? You're in the minority, and you're also out of luck. That's because there are barely any more fullsize vans on the market with gross vehicle weight rating of less than 8,500 pounds, the threshold that separates light- and heavy-duty vans.
According to PickupTrucks.com, neither the Ford E-Series, Ram ProMaster, nor Mercedes-Benz Sprinter are available in light-duty versions. Few of the Ford Transit configurations are, either, and now General Motors is discontinuing production of the 1500-series Chevy Express and GMC Savana.
Apparently light-duty versions accounted for just 23 percent of Express sales and only 7 percent of Savanas. Add to that the fact that these 1500 versions were the only ones using the old generation of engines and suspension, and that the Wentzville plant near St. Louis, Missouri, is trying to make room for the next Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon pickups, and the fate of the light-duty GM van was sealed.

2015 Chevy Tahoe, Suburban and GMC Yukon unveiled

General Motors has today unveiled its new family of fullsize SUVs, including the 2015 Chevy Tahoe, its longer Suburban sibling, and their GMC Yukon, Yukon XL and Yukon Denali cousins. More efficient powertrains, improved aerodynamics, increased connectivity and better overall refinement are what Chevy and GMC say will separate their new SUVs from the current generation.
Sporting a tried-and-true body-on-frame architecture, these full-size SUVs feature platforms that are stronger and offer a wider rear track for "a more planted stance," according to Chevy and GMC. Mounted at the front of each SUV is an EcoTec3 powertrain, which consists of a standard 355-horsepower, 5.3-liter V8 (or a 420-hp, 6.2-liter V8 for the GMC Yukon Denali alone) with direct injection, cylinder deactivation and continuously variable valve timing, that's paired with a Hydra-Matic 6L80 six-speed automatic transmission. The setup is said to be more efficient than before, though official EPA fuel economies for each vehicle are not yet available. To help the powertrain achieve the best possible fuel economy in these 5,000+ pound SUVs, the new styling was developed with aerodynamics in mind. For the same reason, electric power steering also makes its debut in the Tahoe/Suburban/Yukon family.
The front fascias of the Chevy Suburban/Tahoe and GMC Yukon are distinct, but from the base of the A-pillars back, they share most of the same styling cues. This now includes inlaid doors that tuck into the door sills, instead of over them, which improves aerodynamics and fuel economy, and lessens interior noise. The hoods and liftgate panels now are made of aluminum in an effort to reduce vehicle weight. Chevy and GMC also tout that the Tahoe/Suburban and Yukon don't share a single piece of sheetmetal or lighting element with the brands' full-size pick-up trucks.