1972 Buick Skylark Custom Convertible 2-door 350ci 4 Bbl on 2040-cars

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GM CEO to meet with U.S. lawmakers over job cuts

WASHINGTON — General Motors Co Chief Executive Mary Barra plans to visit Capitol Hill next week to discuss the company's plans to halt production at five plants in North America next year and cut up to 15,000 jobs, two congressional aides said on Friday. GM has come under harsh criticism from lawmakers from both major political parties, and from President Donald Trump, since Monday when it announced the biggest restructuring for the U.S. No. 1 carmaker since its bankruptcy a decade ago. Barra is expected to meet with lawmakers from Michigan and Ohio, where GM plans to shutter three plants, as well as senior leaders in Congress. GM did not immediately comment. Barra has been calling lawmakers this week to explain the decision to end production. Trump has threatened to revoke subsidies for GM. The Detroit automaker plans to halt production next year at three assembly plants: the Lordstown small-car factory near Youngstown, Ohio; the Detroit-Hamtramck complex in Detroit; and the Oshawa, Ontario, assembly complex near Toronto. It will also stop building several models now assembled at those plants, including the Chevrolet Cruze, the Chevrolet Volt hybrid, the Cadillac CT6 and the Buick LaCrosse. Additionally, GM plans to shutter the Warren transmission plant outside Detroit and a plant that makes electric motors and drivetrains outside Baltimore, Maryland. The Cruze compact car will be discontinued in the U.S. market in 2019, although GM may continue building it in Mexico for other markets, Barra said. Reporting by David Shepardson. Related Video:

Buick confirms 2017 Encore for New York Auto Show

Buick will unveil the refreshed 2017 Encore at the New York Auto Show in March, company spokesperson Stuart Fowle tells Autoblog. The brand isn't ready to divulge info about the updated compact crossover, but a recent revision to the Encore's European platform-mate, the Opel Mokka (above), might provide hints about what to expect. "While we have no additional details to announce, we're excited to confirm that media and customers will see the new 2017 Encore at next month's New York Auto Show. The Encore joins the Cascada convertible, Envision crossover, and LaCrosse sedan as the fourth new product arriving in Buick showrooms this year," Fowle said to Autoblog. Expect the 2017 Encore to have its own twist on the the Mokka's (now called the Mokka X) exterior styling, and spy shots hint the Buick has a new front end with a smaller grille. The Encore could benefit from the Opel's redesigned dashboard, which integrates the infotainment system into the center stack. It's a very attractive change, and we hope to see the switch in the US. The Mokka X also gets improved safety tech. The German compact CUV now sports adaptive LED headlights that adjust to traffic. US law doesn't allow these intelligent parts, but the Encore might get dumber LED lights. The Opel's improved front-mounted camera also increases the traffic sign detection rate. The Mokka X is available with the updated powertrain from the Encore Sport Touring, so there might not be any engine upgrades for the Buick. Buick needs to keep the Encore fresh, as the compact CUV is the brand's best selling model. It delivered 67,549 of them in 2015, a 38.2-percent jump over the previous year. The popularity continued into January 2016 with 4,920 deliveries – up 42 percent. Related Video:

2014 Buick Regal priced from $29,690*

Buick has announced pricing for the refreshed 2014 Regal. The base model offers a 2.0-liter, turbocharged, 259-horsepower, four-cylinder engine for $30,615 (*after $925 delivery and destination fee). The standard turbo can be replaced by Buick's eAssist mild hybrid system for $32,485. The electrified powertrain delivers 36 miles per gallon, in place of the turbo's 30 mpg on the highway.
The big powertrain news for 2014 is the inclusion of an all-wheel-drive system for an extra $2,175. Marking one of the few uses of all-wheel drive on a Buick car, the new Regal AWD has an electronic, limited-slip differential and a HiPer Strut front suspension, which is the same front arrangement used on the hot, front-drive Regal GS.
Speaking of the Regal GS, it's not so hot for 2014. It sports the same 259-horsepower engine as the standard Regal, but offsets that with a wealth of standard, optional or flat-out exclusive equipment like active dampers, Brembo brakes and a Bose stereo. Prices (all including the $925 fee) start at $37,830. Like the standard car, the GS will be available with all-wheel drive for the first time, bringing it a bit more in line with its cousins across the pond - Opel Insignia OPC and Vauxhall Insignia VXR. Prices for the GS AWD start at $40,195.