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GM CEO Barra says 'we are selling every truck we can build'

DETROIT — General Motors Chief Executive Mary Barra said on Monday the automaker is "selling every truck we can build" and expanding North American truck-building capacity, even as U.S. gasoline prices hit record highs. Barra made her comments during the automaker's annual shareholder meeting. GM is pursuing a two-track strategy: Investing heavily in electric vehicles for North America, China and other markets, and funding those investments by trying to maximize profits from its North American combustion pickup truck and large SUV lineups. Barra said GM is planning higher-priced versions of its Silverado large pickup and its large SUV models. GM and its Detroit rivals Ford Motor Co and Stellantis NV rely heavily on sales of large pickup trucks and SUVs for global profits. High U.S. gasoline prices in the past have undermined consumer demand for relatively inefficient models. Nominal pump prices hit an average of above $5 a gallon for the first time ever last week, the federal government said Friday. GM is ramping up production of EVs. Barra said the Cadillac Lyriq electric sport utility is sold out through 2023. In response to shareholder questions, Barra said the "clear priority" for using cash generated by its operations is to "accelerate our EV plans." She did not rule out share buybacks or other approaches to returning cash to shareholders. GM still expects to increase production this year by 25-30%, despite continuing pressure on semiconductor supplies globally. Barra said GM is working to redesign vehicles to reduce the number of processors required by 95%. Barra serves as GM's board chair and CEO. GM shareholders overwhelmingly rejected a proposal to separate those roles.

GM to make most cars LTE hotspots for 2015

General Motors isn't the first automaker to deliver in-car Internet access, but a proposed plan announced today could make the technology more widespread than any of its competitors have offered. By the 2015 model year, most Chevrolet, Buick, Cadillac and GMC products in the US and Canada will offer 4G LTE mobile broadband access. Initially, GM will just be pairing with AT&T to deliver this service, but additional carriers will be revealed in the future.
Current in-car Wi-Fi hot spots are limited to 3G, but GM says that 4G LTE is 10 times faster than 3G service and will allow for full Internet access, including streaming video for entertainment as well as services like real-time traffic updates and navigation driving directions. There is also no need for a paired smartphone with this new system, which should make it easier to use, and GM and AT&T will also be working together to develop new apps for customers.
Buyers can expect to start seeing 4G LTE in their cars starting next year, and GM is already planning to expand the service to other global markets as well. All of the information from GM's announcement is posted in a press release below.

Cadillac Super Cruise priced from $2,500 on the 2021 Escalade

Super Cruise will find its next home in the 2021 Cadillac Escalade. The brand had rolled out Super Cruise three years ago on the CT6 as a $5,000 option for the top two trims, then switched up pricing for 2020 when MSRP increases on the top two trims made the more full-featured Super Cruise standard. Cadillac Society reports that the brand will make the hands-free driving technology an option on all but the base 2021 Escalade. On the Premium Luxury and Sport, the feature will cost $2,500, but requires the $3,650 Driver Assist and Technology Package that bundles adaptive cruise control, air ride adaptive suspension, automatic seat belt tightening and soft-close/cinching doors, enhanced automatic emergency braking and reverse automatic braking, and illuminated front sill plates. This brings the total to $6,150 for the middle two trims. The top Premium Luxury Platinum and Sport Platinum trims include the Driver Assist Package, making Super Cruise a no-fuss $2,500 option. The pricing is the same on the standard model and long-wheelbase ESV trims. Earlier this year, Cadillac announced the improvements its made to the SAE Level 2 autonomous driving system, prime among them being the automatic lane change feature. After the driver flicks the turn stalk to indicate the desired lane, the system will automatically locate an opening in traffic where it can safely change lanes. Numerous small improvements will make life easier for drivers, too, like 70,000 more miles of compatible highways, easier Super Cruise engagement, finer steering and speed control, smoother turns, better control through highway interchanges, and much richer map information. After the Escalade, the CT4 and CT5 sedans, and the XT6 are in line to receive Super Cruise blessings. A couple of years ago there were rumors that the XT4 and XT5 would get Super Cruise, but that's likely a ways off, if it happens. Related Video: