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GM plans to restart production in Mexico on May 20

MEXICO CITY — General Motors is tentatively planning to restart operations at its auto assembly plant in the Mexican city of Silao on May 20, according to a message to workers seen by Reuters on Sunday, as the car industry prepares to exit the coronavirus lockdown. Separately, the president of GM's Mexican unit advised suppliers to prepare to resume operations. “We are now beginning a new phase given the Mexican governmentÂ’s official announcement earlier this week to consider the transportation manufacturing industry as essential for the countryÂ’s economy,” Francisco Garza, president ofGeneral Motors de Mexico, wrote in an email to suppliers dated on Friday that was viewed by Reuters. The reopening of the plant  in Silao would be a positive signal for the auto sector in North America, whose supply lines are highly interconnected between the United States, Mexico and Canada. The plant in the central state of Guanajuato has been idled for weeks due to the coronavirus outbreak. Workers had previously been told to plan to return to their jobs on May 18. A GM spokeswoman said the company could not confirm when it would restart operations at any of its facilities in Mexico because it is awaiting more guidance from the government. The message to the plant's workers came after the government on Friday clarified when the industry could begin easing restrictions imposed because of the health emergency. On Wednesday, the government said automakers could start going back into production from May 18. It then withdrew that advice and suggested the new start date would be June 1. Finally it indicated the sector, which forms the backbone of Mexican manufacturing, could begin operating as soon as next week if companies had the required safety measures in place. U.S. officials and its auto industry have pressed Mexico's government to get its factories open again because American operations depend heavily on parts from south of the border. However, some politicians are wary of opening too fast. Mexico registered its first case of coronavirus weeks after the United States and Canada and the toll of daily infections and deaths in the country reached new peaks over the past few days. The Silao production facility, which makes highly profitable pickup trucks for GM, is one of the biggest automotive plants in Guanajuato, a major Mexican carmaking state. Related Video:

Next-gen GMC Terrain teased looking chiseled in AT4 trim

The next-generation GMC Terrain is coming soon, as GMC just dropped its first teaser of the redesigned compact crossover. It makes sense that GMC is re-doing the Terrain now, as its Bowtie-badged equivalent, the Chevrolet Equinox, was just completely redesigned, too. GMC teased the new Terrain in its most rugged AT4 trim, and the look sure is a bold one from this partial front-end view. From the headlights to the upright grille and chiseled hood, this Terrain is looking more Yukon- and truck-like than ever before. Expect the AT4 version seen here to mirror the Equinox Activ trim from an equipment perspective by adding all-terrain tires wrapping smaller-diameter wheels for a legit boost off-road. It may also feature a unique front bumper for improved approach angle. As for the interior, spy photos have shown that it will differ significantly from its Chevy cousin. Those photos show a tall, vertically-oriented screen that takes its cues from the GMC Acadia. There isn’t much in the way of details provided by GMC, but the company does let on that the new Terrain – this will be its third generation – will have a “bolder, more assertive design” throughout the vehicle. Based on the Equinox, we're expecting it to get the same turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder with 175 horsepower and an eight-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel and front-wheel drivetrains will likely be offered as well. A full reveal isnÂ’t planned until “later this year,” leading us to believe this Terrain will be a 2025 model year vehicle just like the Equinox is. ItÂ’s also scheduled to launch after the refreshed Yukon, which GMC says is coming along later this year, too. Related video:

GM considering new powertrain options for large SUVs

Aside from the new General Motors offerings, there's not a whole lot of action going on in the fullsize SUV segment. That doesn't seem to be stopping GM from pushing the envelope in the market as Automotive News is reporting that the automaker is looking to introduce some new powertrain options into the Chevy Tahoe (and Suburban), GMC Yukon (and Yukon XL) and the Cadillac Escalade - all have been redesigned for the 2015 model year.
Now, we already know that GM and Ford are collaborating on nine- and ten-speed transmissions for a broad range of applications (including the big SUVs), but this new report says that GM is also considering other options as a way to one-up the competition and, of course, to optimize fuel economy. AN quotes Jeff Luke, executive chief engineer for GM trucks, as saying that "interesting powertrain technologies" are coming including a return of a hybrid SUV and possibly even a diesel engine. Although it sounds like the latter could come down to how customers respond to the 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee EcoDiesel.