2009 Silver Chevy Malibu Like New on 2040-cars

Auto blog

GM marks 500 million vehicles

General Motors is marking a major global milestone, as 500 million vehicles have rolled off its assembly lines since the company's founding in 1908. To mark the occasion, the automaker is continuing to invest in production and offering a one-time discount to some customers. GM North America boss Alan Batey used the festivities to announce the Fairfax Assembly factory in Kansas as one of the sites earmarked for the company's $5.4 billion in upcoming investments. The plant will get $174 million of that money for new equipment and technology to build the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. Among the upgrades will be a shake-and-rattle booth that will simulate road conditions to find squeaks. To commemorate both the production milestone and the Fairfax plant, Batey and company CEO Mary Barra also gave away a 2016 Malibu to a wounded Iraqi war veteran, and the two execs announced that in the third week in May all GM employees can share a one-time customer appreciation discount with friends to help get them into the automaker's products. Barra also gave a speech to the workers there about some of the other milestone's in the company's history, which you can read below. Innovation on the Line: GM Manufacturing Milestones Many of General Motors' most important innovations have occurred behind the scenes, in its manufacturing facilities. Concepts such as changeover, flexible assembly, automation, computer simulation, machine vision and robotics were developed at GM. Over the decades these innovations have helped enable improvements in vehicle quality, efficiency and competitiveness. 1901: Ransom Olds' famous Curved Dash Oldsmobile, designed with simplicity, reliability and value in mind, was the first American car built in a factory designed specifically for automobiles and in standardized volume production. GM acquired Oldsmobile in 1908. 1908: Cadillac wins the Dewar Trophy, Europe's most prestigious award for precision and excellence in manufacturing, by demonstrating the auto industry's highest standards for precision and interchangeability of parts by disassembling three Cadillacs and mixing the parts randomly before reassembling and driving them before a contingent of judges. 1922: GM hires William Knudsen to lead Chevrolet's turnaround. Knudsen implements flexible mass production, which helps Chevrolet incorporate annual styling changes and take market share from Ford.

GM looks to combat high theft rates on SUVs with added tech

The Cadillac Escalade has been at or near the top of most-stolen and insurance-loss lists for more than seven years, until it dropped to number six earlier this year. In 2011 it was fitted with a host of new security features to address its easy-to-override features and that has brought the number of thefts down, but when eight of the ten most stolen rides are large SUVs from General Motors, no one will argue that something else needs to be done.
Thus, GM has fitted this same theft-deterring tech to the 2015 Suburban, Tahoe and Yukon. The Suburban and Tahoe will get the steering lock that the Escalade and Yukon already get, plus bolted-down third-row seats to deter thefts like this, stronger door lock cylinders and shields, and side-cut keys to inhibit picking.
Additional security measures in a Theft Protection Package can be purchased for $395, consisting of sensors on the greenhouse glass and interior, an incline/tilt sensor and added "key control systems" to make it more difficult for the men in black balaclavas to steal what you bought.

Chevy Silverado gets star-studded treatment at SEMA

Chevrolet has quite a presence ready for the 2015 SEMA Show, including custom takes on the Camaro and Spark. As one of the company's most popular models, the Silverado isn't left out of the fun, either, thanks to a trio of concepts to highlight what's possible for the aftermarket event. Camouflage is supposed to blend in, but the naval-inspired, Razzle Dazzle design on the Silverado Special Ops Concept should make the truck pop under the lights at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Based on a Silverado 1500 Z71, the pickup is conceived as a "rescue vehicle special-operations forces." To get behind enemy lines, it packs extra LED lighting, wheel flares for off-road tires, and a GearOn utility rack in the bed. Plus to help get away, Chevy Performance fits an air intake, exhaust kit, and concept six-piston brakes. The Silverado Realtree Bone Collector Concept (above) also wears camo for SEMA, but it's for enjoying the outdoors rather than getting out of battle. Camouflage company Realtree and The Bone Collector host Michael Waddell help with the design for this custom truck that features 22-inch black wheels, a front push bar, LED light bar, and assist steps all from Chevy Accessories. With leather upholstery, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto inside, the drive to and from the woods should be comfortable, as well. The Silverado 3500HD Kid Rock Concept rounds out this trio and features patriotic styling from the eponymous rock star. "I wanted the design for the truck to be bold, but with features and elements that wouldn't be out of reach for working-class guys," he said about the design, and Kid Rock even visited the factory in Flint, MI, to meet members from UAW Local 598 for some inspiration. The result features a custom chrome grille with a Born Free logo and chrome exhaust stacks. For added excitement, two Gibbs Sports Quadskis are hooked up on the trailer behind it. Related Video: Chevrolet Introduces Silverado Special Ops Concept Military-inspired truck reinforces capability with go-anywhere style LAS VEGAS – Chevrolet's 2016 Silverado Special Ops concept imagines a unique rescue vehicle for special-operations forces. It is based on the Silverado 1500 Z71, which features a new front-end design and new technologies built into its strong, high-strength steel body structure and fully boxed frame, and draws its design inspiration from naval design aesthetics.