2014 Gmc Yukon Slt on 2040-cars

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Disabled man realizes dream of driving with converted pickup truck

A man with a devastating illness is mobile once again thanks to a heavily modified pick up truck. He hopes he can help others in his situation gain the freedom of mobility they need to lead a normal life. Chris Sauerbaum has a physical disability resulting from chronic inflammatory polyneuropathy, a form of muscular dystrophy where the sufferer's immune system attacks their nerves. Sauerbaum lost both of his legs and is bound to a wheelchair. After 11 years of trying, he finally has a vehicle that he can drive. "You might as well be driving a Lamborghini," Sauerbaum told the York Dispatch as the driver side door extended to a lift to accommodate Sauerbaum's wheelchair. "Everyone comes up and talks to you. You come out looking like a Transformer." It wasn't easy getting transportation that fit his needs. First he bought a Chrysler PT Cruiser, which wasn't large enough to handle the equipment needed to convert the car for a legless driver. In 2013, Sauerbaum and his wife Heather Sloat appealed to local businesses and friends for donations. They raised $10,000 and were able to put a downpayment on a GMC Sierra. The truck then underwent $91,000 worth of upgrades. It was completely outfitted for Sauerbaum, with a large lift to bring his wheel chair up to the driver's seat and joysticks doing the work of peddles and the steering wheel. New York's Office of Vocational Rehabilitation paid for the conversion. "Think of it as a big remote controlled car. An 8,000 pound R/C car," Sauerbaum told the Dispatch. After a week and a half of learning the controls, Sauerbaum was able to drive with confidence again. He will no long need to rely on his wife to get him two and from work, an 80-mile trip each day. Sauerbaum and Sloat hope to start a nonprofit called Drive for Independence that will assist other wheelchair-bound people with the costs of getting a converted vehicle that suits their needs. "It's just one piece of the puzzle to get people to work," Sloat told the Dispatch. Related Video: Weird Car News GMC Driving Ownership Truck Videos disabled ms

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.

2021 GMC Yukon starts at $51,955, just $100 more than outgoing model

The 2021 GMC Yukon and Yukon XL have prices, and they're bargains considering the upgrades the new model delivers. The base Yukon SLE starts at $51,995 after the $1,295 destination charge, a $100 premium over the current model. The extended wheelbase Yukon XL in base SLE trim starts at $54,695, the same price as the outgoing model. The price for all-wheel drive stands pat for trims that make it an option, at $3,000. Prices for the two-wheel drive Yukon and Yukon XL trim steps are below, with price differences compared to the 2020 models. Keep mind that the new AT4 trim comes standard with AWD, so the AT4 is in a sense closer in price to the SLT and further from the Denali than it appears here: Yukon SLE: $51,995 (+ $100) Yukon SLT: $59,095 (- $810) Yukon AT4: $66,095  Yukon Denali: $69,695 (+ $800) Yukon XL SLE: $54,695 (No change) Yukon XL SLT: $61,795 (No change) Yukon XL AT4: $68,795 Yukon XL Denali: $72,395 (+ $600) The drop in price on the Yukon SLT is in comparison to the 2020 Yukon SLT Standard Edition trim, not the lower-spec SLT trim. The new Yukon comes in at $1,700 more than the 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe, the same price difference in effect between the Yukon XL and Suburban. The standard Yukon is powered by a 5.3-liter V8 with 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque, the same specs as found in both the Tahoe and Suburban. The Yukon Denali trims, as with the High Country trims on the Chevy twins, outdo the 5.3-liter with a 6.2-liter V8 making 420 hp and 460 lb-ft. Both engines shift through a 10-speed automatic. Stuffing a Yukon XL Denali with options can take the MSRP beyond $80,000, thanks to available features like the panoramic sunroof, rear seat entertainment, air suspension, and Magnetic Ride Control Suspension.   We're still awaiting pricing for the coming 3.0-liter Duramax inline-six with 460 pound-feet of torque, which we expect closer to the on-sale date for the new full-sized SUVs.  Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. Bronco, Yukon, Hummer and a CES recap | Autoblog Podcast #610