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GM cutting Chevy Sonic, Buick Verano production by more than 20%

General Motors' Orion Assembly plant in Michigan is seeing even more production cuts this year to further reduce inventories of the Chevrolet Sonic and Buick Verano. These latest adjustments mean layoffs for about 100 workers in phases starting in July. "GM Orion Assembly will adjust plant production capacity to better align with market demand," the company said in a statement announcing the change. Through May, sales of the Sonic are down 28.5 percent to 29,082 vehicles, and the Verano is off 15.6 percent, with 15,279 sold this year. According to unnamed plant insiders speaking to Automotive News, the assembly rate is slowing at Orion Assembly from the current 33 cars an hour down to 26 an hour, a 21-percent reduction. GM is also reportedly going to keep the plant idle for three weeks during the normal summer shutdown, rather than the usual two. Earlier in the year, the factory was idled for two weeks due to excess supply of the Sonic and Verano. In March, it was closed again for several days for the same reason. The Orion Assembly plant is the future home to the line for the Chevy Bolt EV. GM Statement: GM Orion Assembly will adjust plant production capacity to better align with market demand. A phased layoff of approximately 100 employees will begin in July 2015 and conclude by year-end. Related Video: News Source: Automotive News - sub. req.Image Credit: Bill Pugliano / Getty Images Plants/Manufacturing Buick Chevrolet GM Hatchback Sedan buick verano orion assembly

Ford also working on 200-mile EV to compete with Bolt, Model 3

The Chevrolet Bolt is on a lot of people's radars. You may have even noticed friends and colleagues who harbor very little interest in the automotive world, or anything labeled as "green," who have taken notice of a 200-mile electric vehicle coming out of Detroit. Mass appeal is the idea, after all. You can include Ford in the list of interested parties, in this case with the intention of taking direct aim at the Bolt – and, by proxy, the Tesla Model 3 – with an affordable, long-range EV of its own. Ford will unveil its own long-range EV, positioned to compete with Chevrolet, later this year, according to Automobile. Details are very scarce about Ford's plans, but we do know that the Bolt (or whatever the Chevy all-electric hatchback will end up being called) is expected to offer over 200 miles of driving between charges, with a sticker price around $30,000. The other major player, of course, is Tesla's smaller, more affordable sibling to the Model S. The Model 3, also slated to go on sale in 2017, should cost less than $40,000. While Tesla has established itself in the EV world, another long-range EV out of Detroit would win some customers from the California-based startup. For now, though, we'll just have to wait, as Ford remains tight-lipped about its plans for the car. Automobile predicts a possible unveiling at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November, what with California's EV mandate being a driver of strategy for various automakers. Most can agree, though, that a larger field of options – while not ideal for backers of the Bolt or Model 3 – will only benefit the car-buying public. Related Video: Featured Gallery Chevrolet Bolt EV Concept: Detroit 2015 Related Gallery Chevrolet Bolt EV Concept News Source: AutomobileImage Credit: Copyright 2015 Sebastian Blanco / AOL Green Rumormill Chevrolet Ford Tesla Electric Future Vehicles Chevy Bolt ford ev

2016 Chevy Corvette Z06 C7.R Edition brings track style to the road

The Chevrolet Corvette has a long history of excelling at endurance racing, and continues to dominate today. To celebrate that legacy, Chevy is bringing some of the look of its track machine to the road with the 2016 Corvette Z06 C7.R Edition. These machines might be gone faster than the racecar's lap time around Le Mans, because the company is building just 500 of them. All of these track-inspired, special editions are based on the 650-horsepower, supercharged Z06 in the top 3LZ trim, and they also come equipped with the Z07 Performance Package that includes carbon-ceramic brakes, adjustable aero elements, and Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires. Offered as a coupe or convertible, these 'Vettes use some tricks to match the style of the C7.R. They're available in the racer's traditional bright yellow livery, but black is optional. Unpainted carbon fiber trim (including material for the hood) and grilles that are painted Spectra Gray Metallic also add to the motorsport look. The car rides on a set of black wheels with Corvette Racing logos on the center caps. Inside, buyers of this limited edition are nestled in Competition Sport Seats that are upholstered in Jet Black leather. Suede microfiber accents with yellow stitching cover the steering wheel, gearshift, instrument panel and doors. Plus, there's some additional carbon fiber trim for good measure. Each car also comes with a cover with C7.R graphics. Chevy isn't disclosing the price for the Z06 C7.R Edition yet, but the limited edition model is slated to hit the market later this year. Related Video: CHEVROLET INTRODUCES 2016 CORVETTE Z06 C7.R EDITION 24/04/15 Track-to-street connection honored with limited production model BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Chevrolet today introduced the 2016 Corvette Z06 C7.R Edition – a road-going, track-capable homage to the Corvette Racing C7.R racecars. It's offered in Corvette Racing's signature yellow livery – or black – with coordinated exterior and interior accents. Only 500 examples of the C7.R Edition will be built and all will include the Z07 Performance Package with carbon ceramic brakes, as well as a specially serialized vehicle identification number. They go on sale later this year. "Corvette Racing's legacy and technology were significant influences on the development of the Corvette Z06 and the new C7.R Edition honors the direct link between the racecar and the production model," said Harlan Charles, Corvette product and marketing manager.