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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.

GM laying off 500 workers to slow Chevy Sonic production

Due to slow sales of the Chevrolet Sonic and Buick Verano, General Motors is cutting a shift at the Orion Township plant that builds the pair. The move lays off about 500 workers, but most of them are expected to get offers to transfer to other factories, Automotive News reports. The move came just a day after GM announced adding 1,200 employees to the Detroit-Hamtramck plant. GM has been trying all year at the Orion Township factory to align production of the Sonic and Verano with their demand. The automaker first attempted idling the plant several times and eventually resorted to laying off about 100 workers. It also reduced the production rate there. With the huge rise in popularity of crossovers, demand for the plant's small cars is on the downturn. According to Automotive News, there's currently a 116-day supply of Sonics and 100 days of Veranos to sell. Delivers tell a similar tale because the Chevy is off 35.2 percent from January to September, and the Buick does little better with a 27.2 percent drop from the same period last year. While the situation at Orion Township might look rough now, big things are on the horizon. Soon, the new Chevy Bolt electric vehicle will be built there when it hits the market around 2017. Plus, the plant will also get a $245-million upgrade and 300 new jobs for another, unannounced vehicle.

Stolen '79 Vette finds home at Dream Cruise [w/video]

After over three decades of waiting, George Talley finally has his 1979 Chevrolet Corvette back, and it's as good as new. The coupe was stolen off of a Detroit street in 1981, but last year Talley received a call that the 'Vette was found in Mississippi. General Motors Executive Vice President Mark Reuss heard the touching story and had the automaker help get the car back to the Motor City. Now after a restoration by the GM Heritage Center and Autometric Body Shop, Talley got the keys to his Corvette back during the Woodward Dream Cruise. When Autoblog spoke to him after the coupe was returned last year, Talley said that the first thing he wanted to do with it was, "I think I'm going to cruise Belle Isle." We hope he enjoys the drive because the experience is a long time coming. You can watch Talley's excited reaction to see his newly refurbished 'Vette for the first time in the video below. Stolen Corvette Reunion and Restoration on Display at Woodward Dream Cruise 2015-08-14 DETROIT – George Talley's 1979 Corvette was stolen 33 years ago and recovered last year in Mississippi. General Motors executives, who heard of the recovery, offered to bring the car back home to Mr. Talley and restore it on his behalf. The GM Heritage Center, in conjunction with Autometric Body Shop in Center Line, Mich., took on the restoration project. Talley got an opportunity to see the progress ahead of its official reveal at the Woodward Dream Cruise on Saturday. Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world's largest car brands, doing business in more than 115 countries and selling around 4.8 million cars and trucks a year. Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient vehicles that feature engaging performance, design that makes the heart beat, passive and active safety features and easy-to-use technology, all at a value. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.