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GM plans new car family for global markets, $5B investment

Globalization remains all the rage in the auto industry, as manufacturers scramble to develop single vehicles that can easily be adapted to the world's disparate market places. Ford has been a champion of this movement, with its One Ford mandate, but now, its cross-town rival is getting in on the action, albeit on a smaller scale. General Motors has announced a $5-billion investment to develop a new Chevrolet-badged family vehicle for global growth markets, including Brazil, Mexico, India, and importantly, China. With the PRC listed as a target market for the new vehicle, it's no surprise that GM is teaming with its Chinese joint-venture partner, SAIC Motor, to develop the vehicle's architecture and engines. The first vehicles should be hitting dealers by 2019, with GM expecting to eventually move some two million units per year. "With a significant majority of anticipated automotive industry growth in 2015 to 2030 outside of mature markets, Chevrolet is taking steps to capitalize on that growth," GM President Dan Ammann said in the attached statement. "Strengthening Chevrolet's position through this major investment is consistent with our global strategy to ensure long-term profitable growth in the markets where we operate." GM is quite focused on developing markets for a new vehicle, going as far as to say that "mature markets" like the US aren't currently being considered for the new family vehicle. As for where it will be built, the press release specifically says it won't be exported to the US, meaning it will very likely be built abroad using parts from local suppliers. Read on for the official press release from General Motors. Chevrolet Strengthens Position in Growth Markets with $5 Billion Investment 2015-07-28 All-new vehicle family tailored to local customer requirements General Motors and SAIC Motor partnership further enhanced DETROIT – Chevrolet announced today it is investing $5 billion to strengthen its business in global growth markets through the development of an all-new vehicle family that will meet the rapidly changing demands of customers in these markets. "With a significant majority of anticipated automotive industry growth in 2015 to 2030 outside of mature markets, Chevrolet is taking steps to capitalize on that growth," said General Motors President Dan Ammann.

Recharge Wrap-up: GM, LG Chevy Bolt collaboration, Honda Energy Star plants

Green Car Reports details the relationship between GM and LG in the development and production of the Chevy Bolt. The unique relationship between the two companies began in 2008, and now sees LG producing a multitude of systems for the Bolt, many of which were designed by or with GM. LG's involvement in the Bolt has gone so deep as "defining what will this vehicle be, everything from how we are going to package it, what size it should be, what kind of performance it should have," according to Pam Fletcher, GM's Executive chief engineer for electrified vehicles. Forgoing the traditional automotive relationship for a more collaborative one doesn't just save money, but it also gives GM access to LG's suite of technologies and manufacturing capabilities. Read more at Green Car Congress. The EPA has awarded three Honda factories with Energy Star certification. The automaker's assembly plants in Marysville and East Liberty, Ohio have now earned Energy Star certification ten consecutive years. The Marysville plant added LED lighting, hydrogen-powered tow motors and forklifts, high efficiency HVAC and direct-fired water boilers. The East Liberty facility added new LED lighting and replaced a large water heater with a high-efficiency one. Honda's newest US plant, Honda Manufacturing of Indiana, installed LED lighting and used energy efficient features in its recent expansion. Honda also cites a culture of energy-mindedness – for every associate – for its success. "When everyone involved considers energy efficiency and how they can help the environment, results improve," says Karen Heyob, Honda's sustainability boss in North America. Read more from Honda. The student-led Associated Students of the University of Montana (ASUM) Transportation has ordered two Proterra electric buses. The 40-foot Catalyst Fast Charge buses will serve the campus, and will recharge with a semi-autonomous fast charger. "As part of our ongoing effort to innovate service, align with student advocacy and reduce our carbon footprint, we take great pride in our decision to go electric," says ASUM Office of Transportation Director Jordan Hess. "We hope this encourages – and challenges – other universities to seriously consider the economic and environmental benefits of zero-emission buses." Read more in the press release below. First Student-led Transit Agency in the U.S.

Chevy Cruze CNG available from Crazy Diamond Performance

Anyone out there who can somehow find a second way to link Pink Floyd to natural gas vehicles gets a prize. Because so far, we have one Michigan-based company called Crazy Diamond Performance (Shine On You Crazy Diamond being a longtime Floyd fave) that's setting out to convert Chevrolet Cruze vehicles to run on compressed natural gas (CNG). All in the name of cheaper fuel and domestic security, of course. Crazy Diamond says it can offer a converted CNG-powered Chevy Cruze for a price as low as $26,000. That four-cylinder version has 130 horsepower and an 8.5-gasoline-gallon-equivalent capacity that provides a full-tank range of as many as 250 miles. Pony up another $2,000 or so and the peppier, turbocharged CNG Cruze can be yours. The company says it will provide a 100,000-mile powertrain warranty and is trying to get EPA certification for its conversions. The selling points are cheaper fuel (CNG is about half the cost of regular gasoline in some parts of the country) and homeland security (CNG reduces dependence on foreign oil). The only production passenger vehicle CNG in the US is the Honda Civic CNG, which sells in very limited numbers. Check out Crazy Diamond's flyer here. Featured Gallery 2015 Chevrolet Cruze LTZ: New York 2014 View 13 Photos News Source: Crazy Diamond Performance via Hybrid Cars, Green Fleet Magazine Green Chevrolet Natural Gas Vehicles CNG