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NHTSA closes 4-year GM investigation, issues common sense advisory [w/video]

Since January 2011, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has been investigating a possible problem with corroding brake lines in General Motors' GMT800-platform models, like the Chevrolet Silverado and Suburban and GMC Sierra, in states with salt on their roads in the winter. However, as opposed to launching a full recall of millions of vehicles, the government is issuing a common-sense safety advisory to all drivers in snowy states to keep their vehicle's undercarriage clean. It even has a video explaining things. "Older-model vehicles, often driven in harsh conditions, are subject to corrosion over long periods of time, and we need owners to be vigilant about ensuring they, their passengers, and others on the roads are safe," said NHTSA Administrator Mark Rosekind in the announcement of the end of the investigation. The agency was clear in its report that "brake line corrosion seen in the GM vehicles was not unique," and the government "has not identified a defect that would initiate a recall order." Instead NHTSA is advising drivers, especially those of vehicles from before 2007, to wash their vehicle's undercarriage in the winter and spring to remove salt or other de-icing chemicals. It also recommends regular checks by a mechanic to make sure everything is in proper order. According to the investigation documents, for just the GMT800 platform models, NHTSA found 3,645 complaints of brake line corrosion, which included allegations of 107 crashes and 40 injuries. The issue was found to be more common in vehicles over 10 years old. GM has released a statement (embedded below) that the company "supports the consumer advisory from NHTSA urging regular maintenance and care of brake lines on older vehicles." NHTSA Closes Investigation into Brake-Line Failures NHTSA 13-15 Thursday, April 9, 2015 Agency issues safety advisory on preventing undercarriage corrosion WASHINGTON – The Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) today issued a Safety Advisory and consumer video encouraging owners of model year 2007 and older trucks, SUVs and passenger cars to inspect brake lines and thoroughly wash the underside of their vehicles to remove corrosive salt after the long winter in order to prevent brake-line failures that increase the risk of a crash.

GM investing $167m in Spring Hill for new midsize vehicles

General Motors has announced a large investment in its Spring Hill, Tennessee facility. The former home of Saturn production will be getting a $167 million addition to a previously announced $183 million, to cover a pair of new midsize vehicles. The investment is expected to create 1,800 jobs at the factory.
That $350 million is being divvied up for a pair of programs at Spring Hill. The first will take the bulk of the money ($223 million) and create 1,000 of the 1,800 jobs, while the other will take the remaining $127 million and generate the leftover 800 positions. But GM says the investment will cover "midsize vehicle programs." So what could they be?
The leading candidate in our minds is a new crossover for Buick, called the Anthem, that will slot between the Encore and Enclave, but will be slightly smaller than the Equinox and Terrain. As we've explained, the new model will likely be the first product to sport GM's new D2UX platform, which will eventually replace both the Delta and Theta platforms. Spring Hill is already building the Equinox, so there could be some credence to this theory.

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.