1967 Buick Skylark Base Sedan 4-door 4.9l on 2040-cars

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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

Reese Witherspoon is coming to the dashboard of new Buicks

You've probably heard of Oprah Winfrey's Book Club, but did you know that Reese Witherspoon has one, too? She does, and Reese's Book Club has a reported 1.7 million followers on Instagram. The "Legally Blonde" star each month selects a book to read and discuss, with the common element being that each work features a woman at its center. Now, a Reese's Book Club app will be included in Buick infotainment systems, starting with the Encore GX and spreading early next year to other Buicks. The app, which features audiobooks and podcasts, is a product of Witherspoon's Hello Sunshine media company. "As more women are making vehicle-buying decisions, we want to be thinking creatively about tailoring the driving experience to them," said Buick advertising and media operations manager Kate Hrabovsky.  There's another aspect to the partnership as well. Buicks are to be featured in Hello Sunshine's upcoming television and movie productions. The Encore GX is the first Buick set to receive some screen time. Who knows, maybe it will be as successful as the Pontiac Trans Am's star turn in "Smokey and the Bandit." Although the Hello Sunshine production in which the Encore GX will appear will likely be a very different movie — at the very least, the Sally Field character would do most of the driving.

2022 Buick Enclave reportedly getting Black Accent package

Buick's updated Enclave crossover will go on sale later in 2021 with a revised design and a longer list of standard features. When it lands, it will reportedly be offered with a dealer-installed blacked-out appearance package. Enthusiast website GM Authority learned the optional Black Accent package will consist of black mesh inserts in the grille and black trim on the hatch; these bits are bright in the standard 2022 Enclave (pictured). They'll be installed by the selling dealer, meaning the Enclave won't leave the factory with the Black Accent package, and the bundle has been assigned Regular Production Option (RPO) code PDM; every General Motors option gets an RPO code. Not all trim levels will be eligible to receive the Black Accent package. It'll be available on the Premium and Essence trim, according to the same source, but it will not be compatible with the range-topping Avenir trim. Additionally, buyers won't be able to tick the Black Accent box if they've also selected the Essence trim's Sport Touring Edition package or the Luxury Package that can be fitted to the Premium and Essence trim levels. Pricing information isn't available yet, though the package will reportedly not be available at launch. Buick hasn't commented on the report, and it hasn't announced plans to make a Black Accent package available on the Enclave. If the rumor is accurate, more information and official photos will be released in the coming months. Related video: 2022 Buick Enclave Avenir revealed