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Train derailment leaves Jeep, GMC, Chevy pickups damaged in Nevada

An unfortunate train derailment is causing some inevitable delays for pickup truck customers west of Nevada. Yesterday morning, 33 train cars derailed in Lincoln County, and the cargo that was being transported consisted of new Jeep Gladiators and Wranglers along with Chevrolet Silverados and GMC Sierras, judging from the photos released by the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office. The train derailment also caused the adjacent road to be closed, and local law enforcement recommends the area is to be avoided as long as it takes to clean it all up. In the photos, damaged Jeeps and other trucks sit either on their wheels or shiny-side-down as the incident is being assessed. Available information says there were thankfully no personal injuries, but itÂ’s not likely any of these trucks will end up in customer hands, even with a significant discount. Pre-registration transport damage, significant or not, has often resulted in scrapping complete vehicles so that manufacturers can steer clear of liability issues. Hooniverse.com, which also reported on the incident, notes a couple of interesting things. Firstly, the upended Gladiator seems to have a pretty sturdy support structure for its glasshouse, thanks to its new rollbars. Another matter is that the GM trucks, also pictured, wear discreet and temporary transport steel wheels instead of fancier items, perhaps to deter thieves eager to grab a shiny set from trucks on their way to the dealer. Still, itÂ’s a shame these vehicles could never fulfill their hauling purposes in the hands of new owners. Perhaps the manufacturers can at least use the damage for data-gathering purposes. Related Video:    

Next Corvette ZR1 to get 700 horsepower?

Word has it General Motors may offer as much as 700 horsepower in the C7 Corvette ZR1. Motor Trend reports the next Corvette Z06 will continue to rely on its naturally aspirated 7.0-liter V8 engine for thrust, but the lump will deliver substantially more power. How much more? MT says the engine could deliver up to 600 ponies. That's a jump of 95 horsepower over the current Z06, though no figures have been finalized as of yet. Right now, GM is reportedly waiting to see what sort of grunt it can glean from the next ZR1.
The automaker has already made it clear it will resurrect the LT5 name for the new supercharged V8, and if GM is already pulling 600 from the Z06, the big dog ZR1 would theoretically offer 700 horsepower. Either way, the range-topping Corvette will be suitably insulated from its less potent siblings. Stay tuned. We aren't likely to see the Z06 for at least a year, with the ZR1 trailing along at some point there after.

Chevy Cruze gets first official tease

The Cruze has been a runaway success for Chevy. In fact the company has sold over 3.5 million of them since its introduction in 2008. And now the company is preparing to roll out the all-new second-generation model, previewed in the teaser image above. Set to be unveiled on June 24, the 2016 Cruze promises to be larger, yet lighter, that the model it replaces. It will pack new engines, safety features, and technologies – including the integration of Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The new Cruze will be based on the same platform that underpins the new Volt and (among others) the new Opel Astra just introduced in Europe. It'll be a vital model for Chevy, which sells the Cruze in 115 countries around the world – chief among them China, Brazil, Canada, and these United States, where sales continue to rise despite the model's age and impending replacement. Look for the second-gen Cruze to hit dealers early next year, joining a revitalized Chevy lineup alongside such notables as the new Spark, Malibu, and Camaro. Cruze Control: Success Paves Way for Next Generation Chevrolet's best-selling global car surpasses 3.5 million sales 2015-06-03 DETROIT – Chevrolet Cruze, the brand's best-selling car around the world, has surpassed 3.5 million global sales, a milestone that comes as Chevrolet prepares to introduce the next-generation Cruze on June 24. "When we introduced the Cruze it replaced 15 other compact vehicles around the globe," said Alan Batey, president, General Motors North America and global Chevrolet brand chief. "By consolidating design, engineering and marketing efforts, we were able to produce an award-winning, value-driven sedan that won over customers around the world." Cruze is sold in 115 countries. The top global markets include China, the United States, Brazil and Canada. In the United States, Cruze total sales were 273,060 in 2014 – a 10 percent increase over 2013. It is also the segment's second-best seller to customers under 25 in the U.S. Importantly, Cruze brings new buyers to Chevrolet – 35 percent of all buyers are new to the brand. Additionally, of those who trade in a Cruze, 56 percent stay with Chevrolet and 23 percent trade in for another Cruze. "In every corner of the globe, Cruze has been successful at introducing new and younger customers to Chevrolet," said Batey.