2006 Chevrolet Corvette Base Convertible 2-door 6.0l on 2040-cars

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GM's labor deal with UAW union on verge of ratification

Nov 15 (Reuters) - General Motors' tentative labor deal with the United Auto Workers (UAW) union closed in on ratification as the votes were counted on Wednesday. Following the approval earlier in the day by more than 60% of union members at the Detroit automaker's large Arlington, Texas, assembly plant, additional votes in favor have the deal close to clinching majority approval. The number of union locals, most of which are smaller, still to report vote totals is not large. After several large assembly plants voted against the deal earlier on Wednesday, some media had reported the deal was heading toward failure. But Arlington's support, followed by strong voting in favor by smaller warehouse and parts facilities, has put the deal on the brink of approval. This would mark the first ratification of a deal, which runs through April 2028, with one of the Detroit Three automakers. Ford and Stellantis voting is still under way, and workers at both companies were favoring ratification by comfortable margins. The UAW's GM vote tracking site currently shows approval of the contract leading by a 54% to 46% margin with almost 32,000 workers having cast votes out of about 46,000 UAW-represented GM workers. The Arlington plant, with about 5,000 UAW members, has the most of any GM plant. Voting officially ends on Thursday at 4 p.m. EST, although most votes will be cast on Wednesday. The UAW went on strike for more than six weeks against the Detroit Three, seeking better wages, working conditions and cost-of-living adjustments. All three companies agreed to tentative agreements about two weeks ago. Workers at other GM assembly plants voted against the deal, including 60% of workers at its Fort Wayne, Indiana, truck plant, 53% at its Wentzville, Missouri, plant, 58% of workers at GM's Lansing Grand River plant and 61% of workers at the Lansing Delta Township plant. Seven of GM's 11 assembly plants rejected the deal. In addition to Arlington, workers at plants in Detroit, Fairfax, Kansas; and Lake Orion, Michigan; approved the agreement. Only nine facilities are still listed without vote totals on the UAW vote tracker, including GM's Lockport, New York, components plant with about 1,200 members. Those voting in favor of the agreement have a lead of almost 2,500 and many of the facilities still to come include workers who stand to receive large pay increases upon ratification.

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.

Recharge Wrap-up: Tesla sells Model S 85 and 70D in Malaysia, Chevy Spark EV built using clean energy

Tesla will send Model S 70D and Model S 85 EVs to Malaysia for leasing to government-linked companies. Only those companies will have access to the models as a two-year lease, which will be imported and leased by Malaysian Green Technology Corporation. The plan is part of an initiative by the Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water to allow government officials and other influential people to get to know the electric vehicles and the benefits that come along with them. Most of the 120 vehicles available will be the 70D model, and the lessee companies will have the option to purchase the cars at the end of the two years. Read more from Paul Tan's Automotive News. Wanxiang is hosting students from Delaware in China as part of a program to learn Mandarin and visit schools and science and technology sites. Wanxiang, the auto parts company that acquired Fisker (which had manufacturing based in Delaware) and battery maker A123 Systems, will give the students tours of its solar technology facilities, among other places, and see what daily life is like for families in the region. The program helps students interested in science and technology to foster marketable skills — like learning a foreign language — that will help them get jobs in industries around the world. Read more at Delaware Online. The Chevrolet Spark EV's electric motor (pictured) and drive unit are manufactured using clean energy. The e-motors building of the General Motors Baltimore Operations complex has a new rooftop solar array and uses LED and CFL lighting, helping the building recently earn LEED Silver certification. The landfill-free facility also takes advantage of the 1.23-megawatt solar array on the grounds, helping it source six percent its energy from renewable sources. The plant has reduced its energy intensity by 15.5 percent in three years, and continues to work toward reducing consumption and sourcing clean energy. "We believe reducing our environmental footprint is good for the climate and good for our business," says GM Executive Director of Global Public Policy Greg Martin. Read more in the press release below. Spark EV Motor Plant Fueled by Green, Clean Energy ENERGY STAR®, USGBC and Maryland state agency recognize facility's efforts WHITE MARSH, Md. – Chevrolet recently began selling the Spark EV to Maryland commuters able to take advantage of the state's robust charging infrastructure.