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GMC Terrain's first generation could get recalled for headlights

According to Car Sales Base, GMC sold 745,454 Terrain crossovers from the end of 2009 to the end of 2017, all but a few of them representing the first-generation model years of 2010 to 2017. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the carmaker will need to recall almost all, due to a problem with excessively bright headlight reflections. NHTSA takes issue with the fact that federal motor vehicle regulations stipulate how bright headlight reflections are allowed to be within a certain arc of the headlight beam axis. In a certain area of the arc, the Terrain throws two small spots of light that are about 450 to 470 candela strong where the legal maximum at that point is 125 candela — one candela being equivalent to the light from one candle. The NHTSA wants the headlights replaced for being close to four times over this reflective limit, alleging this can cause "glare to other motorists driving in proximity." GM discovered the noncompliance in 2019, then filed a notice of noncompliance that requested an exemption from having to recall the crossover. GM's counterpoint to NHTSA was that the two areas of illegality were 80 degrees outboard of the headlight and 45 degrees up. You'd have to be Slenderman or a giraffe standing on the side of the road — our words, not GM's — to be blinded by the light. The automaker hadn't heard of any incidents nor complaints over the issue. The only customer feedback GM received was a Terrain driver saying the "left headlamp seems to have a portion of the light that shines up in the trees at near a 45-degree angle." Note, that's the left headlight, so the tree in question would likely be on the other side of the road. GM said oncoming traffic wasn't impaired by the excessive brightness. Due to these these mitigating factors, GM asked for an exemption from recalling the Terrains.    This week, NHTSA denied GM's petition.

Chevy Silverado edges Ram 1500 in Consumer Reports two-truck shootout

Forget Corvette versus Viper. When it comes to important head-to-head comparisons, fullsize trucks are where domestic automakers really care. And until the redesigned Ford F-150 makes its debut, the Chevrolet Silverado is going to have plenty to brag about thanks to a new Consumer Reports shootout against the Ram 1500.
It was a tight race among these V8-powered titans, but the all-new 2014 Silverado (and its GMC Sierra twin) barely edged out Ram's updated pickup with a score of 81 points - enough to make it the institute's top-rated fullsize truck on the market. Its narrow victory over the Ram, which finished just three points back, was due to its superior fuel economy, better towing and payload capacity and conveniences like a lower step-in height, easy-to-use tailgate and rear bumper steps that make loading and unloading less of a chore.
Importantly, CR notes that buyers with less heavy-duty truck needs might actually prefer the Ram over the Chevrolet, since its high points include a smoother ride thanks to its coil spring rear suspension, dominant infotainment system with Uconnect, and a big thumbs up for the available Hemi engine and eight-speed automatic transmission.

GM expected to debut two new crossovers at Detroit Auto Show

Next month, General Motors is expected to debut two new crossovers at the North American International Auto Show. That's according to Automotive News and The Wall Street Journal, which reports that the successors to the aging Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Terrain will finally make their debut. The two crossovers have been on sale since 2009 and 2010 respectively and are due for updates as the competition has newer models on the market. Both crossovers play in growing market segments where sales success is crucial for the respective brands. GM, and the automotive industry as a whole, has been shifting its focus towards crossovers in the last few years. The Traverse and the Terrain are some of the oldest SUVs on the market and are in dire need of an update. GMC's Acadia, the former corporate clone to the Traverse (and Buick Acadia), switched to a new platform in 2016. And the Terrain's platform-mate, the Chevrolet Equinox, was revealed a few months ago. Both the new Chevy and GMC models are expected to go on sale late in 2017 as 2018 models. Look for a follow up to the Traverse's sister, the Buick Enclave, to make an appearance soon. Related Video: News Source: The Wall Street Journal via Automotive NewsImage Credit: Reuters Rumormill Detroit Auto Show Chevrolet GMC Crossover SUV gmc terrain 2017 Detroit Auto Show