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OnStar to offer 90-day driving assessment, possible insurance discount

General Motors has announced a brace of new features for OnStar, two of which could help you save money assuming you're willing to sign over some (more) personal details. The first is a driving assessment program in which OnStar takes note of certain driving parameters for 90 days, then provides the driver feedback on their driving, both individually and when compared to other drivers in the program, as well as driving tips. Think of it as OnStar's ICE version of the Nissan Leaf's CARWING feature that compares how efficient your electric driving is compared to other BEV drivers. In this case, though, certain drivers will have the chance to share their assessment with Progressive Insurance, and if the numbers are right they might get a "driving-based" discount from the insurance company. The assessment program is voluntary, and requires opting in. It will be available this summer on all new GM cars and some GM vehicles back to 2013. In case this sounds like Big Brother, let's not forget that Big Brother is already here and moved in so long ago that he's a member of the Kiwanis club and is hosting neighborhood block parties. Progressive already has a million enrollees in a program called Snapshot that tracks OBD II data to offer usage-based insurance to provide annual pricing based on how much you drive your car, with discounts of up to 30 percent. The OnStar effort is just another way to do that. The second feature is proximity offers through AtYourService, which notifies drivers to deals and information on their driving route and provides coupons from RetailMeNot and Entertainment Book. Beyond that, a deal with Priceline will let OnStar agents book hotels for you starting this year, there's a tie-in with Dunkin' Donuts, too, but we're fuzzy on those benefits, and third new feature lets Chevrolet owners know when certain parts need replacing. News Source: Detroit NewsImage Credit: AP Photo/Carlos Osorio Chevrolet GM Technology

GM recalls 55,000 trucks, SUVs for separating axles, fuel pump failures

General Motors issued four separate recalls covering eight of its truck and SUV models for issues related to fuel pump and half-shaft failure. In total, the four campaigns include more than 55,000 vehicles spread out over three brands and six model years, but they've sorted themselves neatly into two categories. Let's dive in.  Axle separation Four models are being recalled for potential axle separation: The 2023 Cadillac XT5, 2023 GMC Acadia, 2023 Chevy Blazer and 2023 Chevy Traverse. The number of units affected is incredibly small (10 units each times two recalls, for a total potential population of just 20 cars). In each case, a small number left the factory with half-shaft assemblies that may have been missing the retention rings that keep them in place, possibly allowing the axles to separate or eject from the transmission. In the case of the XT5 and Acadia, it's the right-side axle assembly; Chevy dealers, however, will have to check the left side.  Fuel pump failure Again, we have multiple vehicles being recalled for similar issues, but in this case they're a bit more distinct. The first of these recalls covers the 2021-2022 Chevy Equinox and 2022 GMC Terrain. GM says a supplier-initiated change may have led to fuel pumps shipping with inadequate clearances to allow for the prescribed flow of fuel, meaning the pump could starve the engine. Customers experiencing the issue may see a check engine light and experience engine hesitation. In some cases, the cars may not start at all. Chevy and GMC will replace the units in question with correctly specified pumps.  The second recall covers a fairly specific cross-section of GM's HD truck lines. 2017-2019 Silverado and Sierra HD trucks sold with the diesel engine and a dual-tank configuration may have shipped with a rear fuel pump that is susceptible to fouling by debris, preventing fuel from properly transferring to the front tank, or, in extreme cases, resulting in a collapse of the rear tank. This issue can lead to inaccurate/erratic fuel tank readings, engine hesitation, a check-engine light or failure to start.  In both cases, GM will inspect and replace faulty units free of charge for customers. Expect notifications to be delivered by March.  Related video: Recalls Cadillac Chevrolet GMC Ownership Safety Truck SUV

Chevy, Lincoln dealers say they still want sedans

Detroit automakers have famously turned their backs on sedans as they make the strategic bet to double down on money-making trucks and SUVs, but dealers for at least two American brands are giving the companies contrary signals. In separate recent interviews with leading national dealer councils for Chevrolet and Lincoln, Automotive News reports that both brands’ dealers still see a need for cars. The publication published a Q&A interview with Mike Bowsher, chairman of the Chevrolet National Dealer Council, who said Chevy dealers managed to hold onto market share last year despite the phase-out of the Cruze compact sedan and hatchback, thanks to products like the Spark and Sonic subcompacts and the Trax and Equinox crossovers. But, he acknowledged, “We do feel like we could use a car, especially in the low-MSRP range.” The comments follow similar recent comments from Tom Lynch, who chairs the Lincoln National Dealer Council. He told AN, “If weÂ’re not in segments where there is still a good amount of business, I think the company and the dealers lose out.” The Cruze was one of the victims of GMÂ’s November 2018 announcement of plant closures, with production having ceased with the closure of GMÂ’s Lordstown, Ohio assembly plant last year. GM sold 47,975 Cruzes in 2019 but a healthy 142,617 in 2018. At Lincoln, Lynch said the council has been telling the company it needs to stick with the sedan segment, despite plans to kill the MKZ sedan in the coming months and unconfirmed reports that the Continental isnÂ’t long for this world, either, despite the buzz of the suicide-door Coach Door Edition, shown in the photo above. Lincoln sold 17,725 MKZs and 6,586 Continental sedans in 2019, down a combined 15%, but still good for almost 22% of overall Lincoln sales. It's worth noting that Lincoln competes in a luxury segment that still expresses allegiance to four- and two-door cars. Even Cadillac, its cross-town rival, is staying active with the upcoming CT5 and CT4 sedans. Lynch pointed to Tesla as evidence that strong sedan products can resonate with consumers, though he conceded that “What that looks like for Lincoln going forward, IÂ’m not sure of.” For now, anyway, Chevy still offers the Sonic and Spark subcompacts, the latter of which saw sales climb 32.5% in 2019 to 31,281 (Sonic sales fell nearly as steeply).