Filed under: Budget, Sedan, Chevrolet, First Drive

Until now, General Motors hasn’t exactly taken the small-car market seriously. While Honda, Toyota, Nissan, Hyundai and Kia have built their empires on the hoods of pint-sized, fuel-efficient transportation, history has shown the captains of Detroit tend to offer up parts-bin afterthoughts. Cars like the Chevrolet Cavalier and Cobalt have left a sour taste in the mouths of buyers thanks to noisy and de-contented cabins, rough engines and build quality that would make a Yugo blush. As a result, Americans have developed a sort of Pavolovian retch when we hear the term “compact car.”

But a new dawn may be approaching – one heralded by a rash of new straw-weight fighters that aim to bring a global small car philosophy to the U.S. GM intends to be part of that party with the introduction of the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze, a sedan that, for all intents and purposes, is more of a landmark model for the company than the endlessly-hyped Chevrolet Volt. To get our meaning, you’ll need to throw all of your heinous memories about American-built small cars out the window beginning… now.

Photos by Zach Bowman / Copyright (C)2010 AOL

Continue reading First Drive: 2011 Chevrolet Cruze sails into new era of small cardom

First Drive: 2011 Chevrolet Cruze sails into new era of small cardom originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 31 Jul 2010 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Belkin 6 Outlet Home/Office Surge Protector

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Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Hybrid, Manufacturing/Plants, Chevrolet, GM, Green Daily

During his stop today at the General Motors’ Detroit-Hamtramck facility where the production Chevrolet Volts will soon roll off the line, President Obama did something unusual for a president: he got behind the wheel of a car and went for a drive. It was a short one – just ten feet – but that’s what happens when you need not only GM’s permission but also the Secret Service’s to drive a not-yet-in-production, new-technology Chevy Volt in black. We won’t be geting a full-length review from the President, but he did give his initial impression after stepping out: “I’m telling you guys, pretty smooth.”

White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said after the event that Obama has driven at a Secret Service training facility this past April and also piloted a Dodge Charger at a closed-press event. Other than these two times, Obama hasn’t driven since getting Secret Service protection in early 2007.

[Source: ABC | Images: AFP/Getty Images, Jim Watson and AP/Pablo Martinez Monsivais]

Obama drives the Volt… all of 10 feet originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 30 Jul 2010 19:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog Green

In a live web chat aired on GM’s official blog, Buick Product Marketing Director, Roger McCormack answered questions from the general public. He said that Buick is looking into increase the brand’s line-up in the U.S with new models.

Apart from a small crossover that has been confirmed, McCormack said Buick is considering numerous alternatives including a coupe, convertible with either a soft-top or a hard-top and a station wagon.

One question asked was whether or not Buick is considering a coupe model, in which McCormack answered: “Yes, it’s under very strong consideration”.

Another question was about a convertible. He answered; “We are always looking for ways to excite our customers…I think a convertible would do just that. Nothing to announce today but know we will look hard at a convertible option”.

All in all, McCormack said: “As we mentioned, we are looking at all options…a coupe, convertible, a wagon, a retractable hardtop and more…we don’t know right now which direction we’ll go. We think the Buick brand can stretch in a lot of directions.”

Unsurprisingly, McCormack didn’t reveal many details about the potential models. However, we imagine that the coupe, station wagon and convertible models would underpin either the Regal (Vauxhall/Opel Insignia) or the Vauxhall/Opel Astra. A sedan variant – badged as Buick Excelle GT in China – is expected to be launched in the U.S next year.

Cars Of The Future® Blog

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