1981 Malibu Wagon on 2040-cars

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Next-generation GMC Canyon, Chevy Colorado spied together

With the debut of the next-generation GMC Canyon coming in a couple of months (in off-road-ready AT4 guise no less), it's no surprise that both it and the Chevy Colorado are out testing without the heavy coverings of early prototypes. One of our spy photographers caught examples of both trucks with close-fitting vinyl wraps. This gives us a great opportunity to see each pickup more clearly, but also to compare and contrast the designs. From the front, the GMC features a narrower, but seemingly taller grille. At the top are slender lamps. They seem to be daytime running lights, though, and below them are much larger units that will function as the actual headlights. The prototype shown seems to be one of the AT4 variants, based on the lack of a lower air dam and the opened up corners of each bumper. Small fog lights show up in the lower bumper, too. As for the Chevy, its grille is wider, and it blends into the headlights. The lights are at the top of the grille, and they seem to incorporate the actual headlights, not just running lamps. The grille mesh has some interesting detailing, and there are auxiliary lights below the main headlights. This one seems to be a more mainstream Colorado model since it still has a front air dam, possibly a Z71 model, considering the chunky tires. Not surprisingly, the two trucks are very similar from the sides and the rear. They have cabins that look lower, longer and more squared-off than the current models. The fenders look more punched out and aggressive, too. The main differentiator between the Chevy and GMC are the wheel openings. The GMC has sharp corners and the Chevy has more rounded ones, as is the case with the full-size trucks. As previously mentioned, the GMC Canyon AT4 will be revealed this summer, so likely in just a month or two. The Colorado will likely be revealed this summer, too. It's expected that it will use the turbocharged 2.7-liter four-cylinder shared with the Silverado. Naturally, it will be available with two- and four-wheel drive and a variety of trim levels including the AT4 and ZR2 off-road versions. Related video:

GM recalls 8,500 Chevrolet Malibu models for rear suspension glitch

According to a letter from General Motors to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, flaws in the build process of the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu have led to the recall of 8,519 cars. Units built between December 6, 2011 and January 15, 2013 may have been assembled with rear suspension cradles that had insufficient torque applied to certain bolts. That out-of-spec assembly could lead to issues ranging from slight noises to a loss of vehicle control.
The problem was first noticed in December of last year by a GM test fleet driver and eventually tracked back to the improperly torqued bolts on the suspension cradle assembled through July 2012 by a supplier located not too far from the Malibu's Detroit/Hamtramck Assembly Plant. Since an official NHTSA recall notice has not been issued yet, it isn't clear whether or not Detroit-built Malibus were the only ones affected (the 2013 Malibu is also built at GM's Fairfax Assembly Plant in Kansas City, Kansas). Dealers will fix the problem by inspecting vehicles for proper torque specs, retightening if not within specs and, in some cases, perform a rear-wheel alignment.

LG Chem ready to double workforce at plant that makes Volt batteries

With a history that involves paying people not to work, the fact that LG Chem is going to hire more people for its electric-vehicle battery plant in Holland, Michigan is good news on a couple fronts for the Korean company. The South Korea-based LG Chem is holding a job fair at the factory about 30 miles west of Grand Rapids. The company wants to double its workforce this year to "several hundred people." LG Chem, whose factory notably makes the cells for General Motors' Chevrolet Volt extended-range electric vehicle battery, is looking for everything from technical operators to maintenance workers to production supervisors. The company held a previous job fair last September that resulted in about 40 people being hired. The prior year, though, LG Chem gained a measure of infamy after the US Department of Energy (DOE) discovered that workers were, for a time, getting paid to do absolutely nothing because low demand for battery packs made it cheaper for the factory to remain idle. With LG Chem also making electric-vehicle battery components for Ford, Renault, Hyundai, and Volvo, though, those lazy days appear to be long gone. Take a look at LG Chem's press release below. Show full PR text LG Chem Michigan Inc. 2nd Job Fair Will Help To Double Its Holland Workforce HOLLAND, Mich., May 13, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- LG Chem Michigan Inc. (LGCMI) is conducting a 2nd job fair on Thursday, May 14 as part of the company's efforts to double the size of its production workforce in 2015. LGCMI is an air-conditioned, clean room production environment with strong opportunity for career growth. Over 250 people attended the first job fair and the company is looking for more people to help it grow with increased production volume and new models. The company is adding production equipment and new processes and expects to employ several hundred people by the end of the year. Globally, LG Chem has numerous automakers as clients for EV batteries including GM, Ford, Renault, Hyundai/Kia, Volvo, Audi and Daimler etc. The company's push to build its workforce continues on Thursday, May 14 with an all-day job fair at the company's facilities, located at 1 LG Way in Holland. The event will take place from 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. and is open to everyone seeking employment opportunities with the company. Prospective candidates should plan to meet with members of LGCMI's staff to learn more about opportunities available at this market-leading, advanced-technology manufacturing company.