General Motors draws on global designers for the new Chevrolet Corvette

For the first time, General Motors studios across the world have submitted design studies for the next-generation Chevrolet Corvette.

Late last year, Ed Welburn, GM's vice president of global design, invited GM's 10 styling studios to submit design proposals.

Some "were absolutely phenomenal," Welburn said. "There is a lot to pick from. The direction that we take is very important, and the decision has not been made."

Global input on the Corvette's design is one of several steps GM is taking to attract buyers in Europe, where the car has little appeal, and young U.S. buyers who favor imports.

"We have challenges in the States with the Corvette," Welburn said in an interview at the Geneva auto show. "The average age of the customer is really rising."

The current average age of a Corvette buyer is 54, according to the Power Information Network, a unit of J.D. Power and Associates.

Corvette sales are in a tailspin. Last year 13,934 were sold in the United States, down 48 percent from 2008.

The current Corvette debuted in the 2005 model year. Prices range from $49,880 for the base coupe to $107,830 for the ZR-1. Both prices include shipping.

A redesign is due in two to three years, industry sources say.

Corvette critics often cite the sports car's size, saying it looks big. They also point to what they say is a cheap-looking interior.

Welburn admitted the interior has a problem: "The execution, materials selection--it's got to be a much better interior. Our customers desire that."

Welburn said today's Corvette is about the same size as the Porsche 911, but the styling makes it look bigger. "We have to develop a design that feels trimmer, meaner, to go along with the incredible performance that the car has," he said.

In addition to styling, content, pricing and marketing strategy are under discussion, he said.

"It is a key time in the development of the Corvette," Welburn said. "There is a lot of debate and a lot of study on the bandwidth of Corvette."

But, he added, "It can't mutate into something that gets so far away from Corvette that it is no longer a Corvette."

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GM to Hawk New Vehicles on EBay in California

General Motors has some cars to show you. The government-rescued automaker announced on Monday that it is starting a trial in which consumers can buy new cars through eBay, the online sales site, allowing them to purchase Chevrolets, Buicks, GMCs or Pontiacs without setting foot in a dealership. The program is being limited initially to California, but the company hopes to extend it across

READ MORE - GM to Hawk New Vehicles on EBay in California

GM to Hawk New Vehicles on EBay in California

General Motors has some cars to show you.

The government-rescued automaker announced on Monday that it is starting a trial in which consumers can buy new cars through eBay, the online sales site, allowing them to purchase Chevrolets, Buicks, GMCs or Pontiacs without setting foot in a dealership.

The program is being limited initially to California, but the company hopes to extend it across the country.

The company pitches the effort as a sign of renewed innovation at the automaker, which underwent a bankruptcy filing earlier this year and has been kept afloat with a $50 billion investment by U.S. taxpayers. For years, industry critics have said that the old way of buying cars should be scrapped, with haggling at the dealership replaced by online, fixed-price sales.

"GM and our dealers are reinventing the car buying experience," Mark LaNeve, GM vice president of U.S. sales said.

GM may be the first automaker to so fully embrace online sales, but analysts say the program's popularity will depend on its execution.

Currently, eBay lists many cars for sale, but a large majority of those are used. This latest program makes more new GM vehicles available online.

When the site, gm.ebay.com, begins operation Tuesday, consumers will be given the option to "buy it now," without haggling, or begin a more traditional sales negotiation by making an offer on a car. They can also simply do research: They can compare prices across models and dealerships, determine the value of their trade-in and check whether they qualify for the federal "Cash for Clunkers" program.

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BREAKING: New GM drives out of bankruptcy this morning

After a scant six weeks in bankruptcy court, General Motors is on its way out of Chapter 11. U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge Robert Gerber approved the sale of GM's good assets to a new company lead by the U.S. and Canadian governments and the UAW healthcare fund, but gave vested parties four days to file an objection.

After two requests for a stay were denied on Tuesday and an accident victim's request was denied at the last minute on Thursday, all signs point to an exit from bankruptcy within a few days, and this morning, word from the Detroit News is that the company officially emerged from Chapter 11 at 6:30am this morning. CEO Fritz Henderson has called a 9 am press conference this morning, and one can only assume that he will declare the birth of "New GM."

GM has received $50 billion from the US government to keep the mega-corporation out of liquidation. For its troubles, Uncle Sam will receive a 60% stake in the new company. Canada, which pitched in $9 billion, will be 11.7% owners, while the UAW will receive 17.6%. Old GM will receive 10% of the new company to help creditors recoup some money. The "New GM" will be smaller in almost every way, with four fewer brands, a smaller presence in Europe, fewer employees, and a markedly more attractive balance sheet.

READ MORE - BREAKING: New GM drives out of bankruptcy this morning

Underbond Chevy modified

The Chevrolet Silverado (along with its GMC counterpart, the GMC Sierra), is the latest band of full-size auto trucks from General Motors.

As of 2007, the Silverado auto is the 2nd better aggregate agent in the United States, abaft the Ford F-Series auto trucks. Combined with platform-mate GMC Sierra, the belvedere usually outsells the Ford F-Series, which is absolutely fabricated of two altered platforms for accepted and abundant assignment models, not counting SUV derivatives such as U.S.,[1] compared with 274,713 Ford F-Series.[2] With 83,174 GMC Sierras additionally awash in the aforementioned period, the GM cartage outsold the Ford pickups by 14.5% (compared to aloof over 15% for the aforementioned aeon of 2007). Other pickups in the aforementioned chic accommodate the Nissan Titan, Toyota Tundra, Lincoln Mark LT and Dodge

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Daewoo G2X The Korean style of the Saturn Sky Roadster -

gambar diambil dari Saturn_on_Flickr melalui Flickr

Daewoo G2X on GM’s Korean accessory apparent the G2X auto at the Busan International Motor Appearance (April 28 until May 7). Besides the name, the Daewoo G2X is identical to the Saturn Sky Auto & the Opel GT Roadster.

Like its American brother, the two-seater G2X appearance a 177 horsepower, 2.4-liter engine. Equipped with a five-speed chiral transmission, the G2X hopes to allure burghal drivers in the 21-35 age bracket, a business official at the auto appearance said.

Pricing capacity were still actuality set and the archetypal is accepted to hit showrooms aural months, according to Korean officials.

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READ MORE - Daewoo G2X The Korean style of the Saturn Sky Roadster -