Autoblog Canada http://ca.autoblog.com Autoblog Canada http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/favicon-v5.png Autoblog Canada http://ca.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/ Chris Shunk, Sam Abuelsamid and Dan RothThe podcast by the people who obsessively cover the auto industry. <![CDATA[Watch this garbage truck consume a Pontiac Grand Am]]> http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/15/watch-this-garbage-truck-consume-a-pontiac-grand-am/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/15/watch-this-garbage-truck-consume-a-pontiac-grand-am/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/15/watch-this-garbage-truck-consume-a-pontiac-grand-am/#comments Filed under: , , ,

Garbage truck crushes car - video screencap

When an old car or truck offers its dying breath in your driveway and you just don't have the financial or mechanical wherewithal to resuscitate it yet again, you traditionally have to go to the trouble of calling a flatbed or a tow truck to come haul it away. That usually helps to put a few bucks in your wallet and helps recycle some of the vehicle's parts, but the transaction doesn't seem as final or perversely satisfying as the dispatch service that this New Way Cobra Magnum garbage truck offers.

Okay, okay, so this refuse hauler isn't actually designed for this sort of thing, but it's oddly comforting to know that a sanitation truck can compact a hapless Pontiac Grand Am into oblivion. Next time, we won't feel so guilty about slipping that rusty charcoal grille onto the curb next to the cans on garbage day.

Watch the carnage by scrolling to see the video below.

Gallery: Car crash causes over $700,000 damage at Hyundai dealership

Continue reading Watch this garbage truck consume a Pontiac Grand Am

Watch this garbage truck consume a Pontiac Grand Am originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Wed, 15 May 2013 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> garbage trucknew waynew way cobra magnumpontiacpontiac grand amrefusesanitationvideo Wed, 15 May 2013 15:58:00 EST http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/20570329/article-comments.xml http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/15/watch-this-garbage-truck-consume-a-pontiac-grand-am/20570329/article-detail.xml 20570329 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/garbage-truck-crushes-car_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/garbage-truck-crushes-car.jpg <![CDATA[2013 Hurst Edition Trans Am]]> http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/14/2013-hurst-edition-trans-am/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/14/2013-hurst-edition-trans-am/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/14/2013-hurst-edition-trans-am/#comments Filed under: , , , , ,

2013 Hurst Edition Trans Am - front three-quarter view, white

No, you didn't read our title wrong. This is a 2013 model year Trans Am, and yes, that is a Pontiac logo affixed to the front of the car. But don't bother dialing up your local General Motors dealership just yet. This is the new Hurst Edition Trans Am created by the Trans Am Depot located in Tallahassee, FL. Having spent a number of years restoring early Trans Am models, the crew at Trans Am Depot finally did what many Pontiac enthusiasts wish GM would have done - create a modern Trans Am using the fifth-generation Chevrolet Camaro.

As the former owner of a 1977 model, I've been wanting to check out Trans Am Depot ever since I first saw the company have American Choppers build a trio of motorcycles inspired by its Pontiac remakes. So I jumped at the chance to head to Florida's capital city to visit the shop and drive its latest creation, the new Hurst Edition Trans Am. As a collaboration with Hurst, this car made its debut at the 2012 SEMA Show and then popped up again on our radar with a cheesy yet perfectly fitting video back in March.

Click here to read our full driving impressions after spending some time behind the wheel of this "new" Trans Am.

Gallery: Hurst Edition Trans-Am: SEMA 2012

Continue reading 2013 Hurst Edition Trans Am

2013 Hurst Edition Trans Am originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Tue, 14 May 2013 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> 2013 chevy camaro2013 hurst edition trans amchevy camarohursthurst edition trans ampontiacpontiac firebirdpontiac trans amtrans am depot Tue, 14 May 2013 14:58:00 EST http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/20567299/article-comments.xml http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/14/2013-hurst-edition-trans-am/20567299/article-detail.xml 20567299 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/002-hurst-edition-trans-am628opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/002-hurst-edition-trans-am628opt.jpg <![CDATA[Official Muscle Cars stamps coming to a mailbox near you]]> http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/02/20/official-usps-muscle-cars-stamps-coming-to-a-mailbox-near-you/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/02/20/official-usps-muscle-cars-stamps-coming-to-a-mailbox-near-you/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/02/20/official-usps-muscle-cars-stamps-coming-to-a-mailbox-near-you/#comments Filed under: , , , , ,



As much as our digital lives have cut down on our trips to the post office, there are still times that sending "snail mail" is necessary. With car lovers in mind and philately in their hearts, the good folks at the United States Postal Service (USPS) will introduce a new stamp design called "Muscle Cars" starting on February 22.

Designed by artist Tom Fritz, the new collection of stamps consist of five classic muscle cars: 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona, 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS, 1967 Shelby GT-500, 1966 Pontiac GTO and 1970 Plymouth Hemi 'Cuda. In addition to just the stamps, the USPS is also commemorating the new series with plenty of collectable memorabilia. Previous car-related stamps issued include 50s Sporty Cars from 2005 and 50s Fins and Chrome from 2008.

Gallery: 22nd Seal Beach Classic Car Show

Continue reading Official Muscle Cars stamps coming to a mailbox near you

Official Muscle Cars stamps coming to a mailbox near you originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Wed, 20 Feb 2013 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> baracudacharger daytonachevelle sschevroletdodgefordgtomuscle carsPlymouthpontiacpostage stampsshelby gt-500united states postal serviceusps Wed, 20 Feb 2013 19:01:00 EST http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/20470278/article-comments.xml http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/2013/02/20/official-usps-muscle-cars-stamps-coming-to-a-mailbox-near-you/20470278/article-detail.xml 20470278 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/usps-muscle-cars-stamps-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/usps-muscle-cars-stamps-628.jpg <![CDATA[Hurst Edition Trans Am rises from the ashes at SEMA]]> http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/10/31/hurst-edition-trans-am-sema-2012/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/10/31/hurst-edition-trans-am-sema-2012/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/10/31/hurst-edition-trans-am-sema-2012/#comments Filed under: , , , , , , ,

Hurst Edition Trans-Am

It seems the Pontiac Trans Am steadfastly refuses to die. Ever since Chevrolet was granted a retrofied Camaro to compete with the Ford Mustang, Pontiac lovers have lamented the loss of this 1970s icon. And, looking at the Hurst Edition from Trans Am Depot, shown here at the 2012 SEMA Show, may explain what all the fuss is about.

It's not going to appeal to everyone's muscle-car tastes, but there's certainly room for a brash-and-bold black-and-gold Special Edition in many a Trans Am lover's garage. After all, if you want the keys to a custom pony car, you'll certainly get noticed in this one. If this scheme isn't your bag,, you can alternatively order your Hurst Edition in white and gold or silver and black. Oh, and don't forget a color-coordinated Screaming Chicken on the hood.

No matter which way you choose to go, your inner Burt Reynolds will appreciate the Eibach suspension kit, forged wheels with Pirelli PZero tires, functional shaker hood, fender air extractors, rear spoiler and, of course, a Hurst shifter inside. The interior is emblazoned with all manner of special touches, including a Hurst dash plate and T/A stitching on the Katzkin two-tone leather seats.

Optional bits include T-Tops, which you simply must include, a supercharger or twin-turbo package and just about anything else your black-and-gold heart desires. If you'd like to know more, check out the official website here and our high-res image gallery above.

Image Credit: Copyright 2012 Drew Phillips / AOL

Continue reading Hurst Edition Trans Am rises from the ashes at SEMA

Hurst Edition Trans Am rises from the ashes at SEMA originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Wed, 31 Oct 2012 14:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> camarochevrolethursthurst edition trans ampontiacsemasema 2012trans amTrans Am Depot Wed, 31 Oct 2012 14:39:00 EST http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/20366900/article-comments.xml http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/2012/10/31/hurst-edition-trans-am-sema-2012/20366900/article-detail.xml 20366900 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/10/hurst-trans-am-sema_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/10/hurst-trans-am-sema.jpg <![CDATA[<i>CNN</i> chronicles young girl building Pontiac Fiero]]> http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/10/26/cnn-chronicles-young-girl-building-pontiac-fiero/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/10/26/cnn-chronicles-young-girl-building-pontiac-fiero/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/10/26/cnn-chronicles-young-girl-building-pontiac-fiero/#comments Filed under: , , ,

Fourteen-year old Kathryn DiMaria works on her Pontiac Fiero

At fourteen years of age, Kathryn DiMaria has already done what many self-proclaimed gearheads won't even attempt in their lifetimes. The Dearborn, Michigan teen is rebuilding a car from the ground up.

The intrepid youngster asked her parents when she was just twelve to start a Pontiac Fiero project, even offering to pony up all the funds herself. Father, Jerry DiMaria only expected the project to last a few months, but two years later, Kathryn is still at it. In this CNN video, the two are at Maker Faire (a DIY festival) rebuilding a 3.4-litre V6 engine out of a Chevrolet Camaro to replace the 2.8-litre mill found in the Fiero.

The whole family hast pitched in, with Kathryn's mother teaching her how to sew in order to complete the interior, father Jerry providing much of the technical know-how, and even her sister is chronicling Kathryn's progress through photos. Jerry even started a thread in a Fiero forum which has been live for two years and is now 22 pages long. Of the project, one forum member wrote, "welcome to the madness."

Apparently math and science lessons are coming into play in her project, hopefully putting an end to the "Why do I need to learn this?" argument, at least among her classmates. The lessons will hopefully allow Kathryn to follow her dream to become an engineer. The target date for the project's completion is Kathryn's sweet 16.

Click here to check out her progress in this short video.

Continue reading CNN chronicles young girl building Pontiac Fiero

CNN chronicles young girl building Pontiac Fiero originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Fri, 26 Oct 2012 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> cnndearborndiydo it yourselffierokathryn dimariamaker fairepontiacpontiac fierovideo Fri, 26 Oct 2012 12:45:00 EST http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/20362095/article-comments.xml http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/2012/10/26/cnn-chronicles-young-girl-building-pontiac-fiero/20362095/article-detail.xml 20362095 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/10/fiero-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/10/fiero-628.jpg <![CDATA[Transport Canada Issues Recall - Chevrolet Malibu, Saturn Aura and Pontiac G6]]> http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/09/20/transport-canada-issues-recall-chevrolet-malibu-saturn-aura-a/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/09/20/transport-canada-issues-recall-chevrolet-malibu-saturn-aura-a/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/09/20/transport-canada-issues-recall-chevrolet-malibu-saturn-aura-a/#comments Filed under: , , , , ,


Transport Canada has released a recall today that potentially affects 40,000 units. This recall affects 2008-2010 Chevrolet Malibus and Pontiac G6s as well as 2007-2010 Saturn Auras.

The safety recall is associated to a potential problem in the automatic transmission. It has been warned that the 'shift cable locking tabs' may potentially break. If the tabs break the tranny may not lock into the 'Park' position and may not correlate with what the gear indicator shows.

Several problems may arise from this. While the driver may still remove the key from the ignition, the automatic locks may not function as desired and the 'park' illuminator will not be illuminated. More importantly, the driver may not even be able to restart the vehicle upon reentry.

Dealers will install a shift cable retainer clip or replace the entire shift cable assembly if necessary. Please contact your local GM dealer for more information.

News Source: Transport Canada

Transport Canada Issues Recall - Chevrolet Malibu, Saturn Aura and Pontiac G6 originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Thu, 20 Sep 2012 17:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> aurachevroletg6malibupontiacrecallssaturntransport canada Thu, 20 Sep 2012 17:15:00 EST http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/20329396/article-comments.xml http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/2012/09/20/transport-canada-issues-recall-chevrolet-malibu-saturn-aura-a/20329396/article-detail.xml 20329396 http://www.blogcdn.com/ca.autoblog.com/media/2012/09/01malibureview2010_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/ca.autoblog.com/media/2012/09/01malibureview2010.jpg <![CDATA[Chevy SS prototype spotted wearing Pontiac G8 clothes]]> http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/08/28/chevy-ss-prototype-spotted-wearing-pontiac-g8-clothes/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/08/28/chevy-ss-prototype-spotted-wearing-pontiac-g8-clothes/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/08/28/chevy-ss-prototype-spotted-wearing-pontiac-g8-clothes/#comments Filed under: , , , ,

Chevy SS mule wearing Pontiac G8 bodywork

Do not adjust your computer screen, you are not seeing the rebirth of the Pontiac brand. General Motors has chosen to use a G8 to disguise a test mule for the latest prototype of the forthcoming Chevrolet SS. The G8 was closely related to the Holden Commodore and Vauxhall VXR, the platform upon which the new Chevrolet performance model will be based. It should come as little surprise, then, that GM has opted to use the cladding from the former G8.

Thought the front clip of this mule is pure Pontiac, note the vents immediately behind the front wheel. That is a distinctive design hallmark of the Vauxhall VXR. Also note that this vehicle is right-hand drive, as the Holden and its Chevy counterpart will be very closely related. That likely includes potential drivetrains. The spy photos of this mule also reveal very wide rear tires, and rear wheels that do not match the fronts.

Production of all three vehicles is set to begin in Australia in late 2013. Click here to check out the gallery of the test mule for Chevy's new rear-drive performance vehicle.

News Source: Chris Doane Automotive

Chevy SS prototype spotted wearing Pontiac G8 clothes originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Tue, 28 Aug 2012 17:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> 2014 chevrolet sschevroletchevyg8holdensssuper sportsupersportzeta Tue, 28 Aug 2012 17:15:00 EST http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/20311085/article-comments.xml http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/2012/08/28/chevy-ss-prototype-spotted-wearing-pontiac-g8-clothes/20311085/article-detail.xml 20311085 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/08/00-chevy-ss-mule-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/08/00-chevy-ss-mule-628.jpg <![CDATA[Holden looted by plant workers, US$2.5M in parts stolen!]]> http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/07/05/holden-looted-by-plant-workers-2-5m-in-parts-stolen/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/07/05/holden-looted-by-plant-workers-2-5m-in-parts-stolen/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/07/05/holden-looted-by-plant-workers-2-5m-in-parts-stolen/#comments Filed under: , , , , ,

Holden SS V - yellow - front three-quarter dynamic view

Though it may sound more like a Johnny Cash song, new reports say employees at General Motors' Holden plant in Elizabeth, Australia, have been stealing auto parts. Lots of 'em.

Police have been investigating the crime spree since January and say engines and transmissions worth more than US$2.5 million have been stolen from the plant. The engines, meant to power VE Commodores (formerly known as the Pontiac G8 in Canada) sell for US$10,000 each through Holden dealers. The stolen engines, however, were going for as little as US$1,500 on the black market, and some of the ill-gotten parts have been traced to off-road racing in other parts of Australia.

The key factor that allowed the thieves to go undetected popped up pretty soon after the first stolen engine was found by police. Sources say factory officials had no idea employees were taking the hardware and were unaware of the scale until notified by police. Apparently there was "no effective tracking system" of engines and transmissions at the plant and therefore very little way to check where incoming inventory ended up. Parts were checked in, but there was apparently no way to know what happened to them after that.

GM Holden corporate affairs manager Sean Poppitt tells reporters, "It is an ongoing investigation and we are not at liberty to discuss any details of it as yet."

News Source: News.com.au, Adelaide Now

Tip: Top tip, Mark!

Image Credit: General Motors

Holden looted by plant workers, US$2.5M in parts stolen! originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Thu, 05 Jul 2012 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> elizabeth australiaengine theftholdenholden commodoreholden theftparts theftpontiac g8stolen enginesve commodore Thu, 05 Jul 2012 09:30:00 EST http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/20272026/article-comments.xml http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/2012/07/05/holden-looted-by-plant-workers-2-5m-in-parts-stolen/20272026/article-detail.xml 20272026 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/12/vecommserii_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/12/vecommserii.jpg <![CDATA[Tauro puts Spanish flavor, Corvette engine into Pontiac Solstice]]> http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/06/26/tauro-puts-spanish-flavor-corvette-engine-into-pontiac-solstice/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/06/26/tauro-puts-spanish-flavor-corvette-engine-into-pontiac-solstice/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/06/26/tauro-puts-spanish-flavor-corvette-engine-into-pontiac-solstice/#comments Filed under: , , , , ,

Tauro Sport Auto V8 Spider - red - front three-quarter view, top-down

While it may have had its fans, we have to say we don't much miss the roadster family which General Motors based on its Kappa platform. Sold alternately as the Pontiac Solstice, Saturn Sky, Opel GT and Daewoo G2X (depending largely on the market), the roadster as much about style as substance, and it was summarily discontinued in 2009 as GM's domestic brands faltered. But now a company in Spain has given the two-seat roadster a new lease on life.

That company is called Tauro Sport Auto, and its version - called, simply enough, the V8 Spider - is a fairly comprehensive rework. As you might have discerned from the name, it replaces the four-cylinder engine with a V8 also from the GM parts bin: the 6.2-litre LS3 Corvette engine, which it offers in 440, 480 and bonkers 650 horsepower states of tune with the addition of new cylinder heads and a supercharger.

How the chassis is able to handle that much power is another matter, but the interior unfortunately appears to carry over largely unchanged from the Pontiac. Pricing, though, starts at a very un-Solstice-like €100,000, or about $128k at today's rates. Which strikes us as about right for a Latin-flavored eight-cylinder roadster, but a tad much for a Kappa convertible.

News Source: Tauro Sport Auto

Continue reading Tauro puts Spanish flavor, Corvette engine into Pontiac Solstice

Tauro puts Spanish flavor, Corvette engine into Pontiac Solstice originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Tue, 26 Jun 2012 17:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> daewoo g2xopel gtpontiac solsticesaturn skyskysolsticetaurotauro sport autotauro sport auto v8tauro sport auto v8 spidertauro v8tauro v8 spider Tue, 26 Jun 2012 17:40:00 EST http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/20266758/article-comments.xml http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/2012/06/26/tauro-puts-spanish-flavor-corvette-engine-into-pontiac-solstice/20266758/article-detail.xml 20266758 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/06/tauro-02web_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/06/tauro-02web.jpg <![CDATA[Craigslist Find of the Epoch: Whatever this thing is]]> http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/06/22/craigslist-find-of-the-epoch-whatever-this-thing-is/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/06/22/craigslist-find-of-the-epoch-whatever-this-thing-is/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/06/22/craigslist-find-of-the-epoch-whatever-this-thing-is/#comments Filed under: , , , ,

International rat rod?

This Craigslist abomination is certainly a sign that something very, very evil has gone down in the Appalachian hills of eastern Kentucky.

The monstrous mashup is advertised as a "1962 International rat rod?". Note the question mark. It is possibly the most important piece of punctuation in the entire listing. For this is no rat rod. Sure, it's cobbled together with pieces of several other vehicles, and at least some of it is unpainted. But rat rods are cool. This is, well, rat wrong. Or maybe just rat.

Features include the best of all three vehicles. It's got an Olds dashboard, tilt steering, cruise control, power seats, and, we think, alloy wheels. Below the beltline are the ribbed side panels of a Pontiac Grand Am and in back its "duel" exhaust. And plopped right behind the engine is the primer-red cab from a 1962 International pickup truck with Grand Am door handles "allready" installed. Three orphaned nameplates right there in one (un)tidy package.

The seller claims the only thing wrong with it is "the aircondition is low of freon," but it drives fine and (somehow) retains the International's good title. So despite the heat, and the inevitable run-ins with hordes of pitchfork wielding locals trying to burn it at the stake, just US$3,000 (price is firm, btw) drives this unholy wreck right on home. Why would anyone want to part with such a work of, um, art? The seller says he has too many other projects to do.

Someone, for the love of Harley Earl, please stop this guy before he strikes again.

News Source: Craigslist via Hooniverse

Craigslist Find of the Epoch: Whatever this thing is originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Fri, 22 Jun 2012 19:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> craigslistcraigslist nighmarescrazy carfind of the dayinterntational pickuprat rodugly car Fri, 22 Jun 2012 19:20:00 EST http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/20264613/article-comments.xml http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/2012/06/22/craigslist-find-of-the-epoch-whatever-this-thing-is/20264613/article-detail.xml 20264613 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/06/driver-side-view-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/06/driver-side-view-opt.jpg <![CDATA[Automakers tussle over owners of 'orphan' makes]]> http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/05/10/automakers-tussle-over-owners-of-orphan-makes/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/05/10/automakers-tussle-over-owners-of-orphan-makes/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/05/10/automakers-tussle-over-owners-of-orphan-makes/#comments Filed under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,



When General Motors put down several of its brands in recent years, it also let loose thousands of brand-loyal customers who will eventually need another car.

R.L. Polk Associates estimates there are more than 18 million cars from 16 discontinued makes on the road today. Those "orphan owners" have sales-hungry competitors seeing dollar signs. GM in the US is offering Saturn owners US$1,000 cash toward a Chevy Cruze, Cadillac CTS or a GMC Acadia. Ford is giving its Mercury lease customers a chance to get out of their contracts with no early-termination penalty and offering to waive six remaining payments if they drive off in a Ford or Lincoln.

Edmunds.com research shows the efforts are paying off somewhat for GM, with 39 percent of Pontiac owners, 37 percent of Hummer owners and 31 percent of Saturn owners taking delivery of another GM-branded vehicle. But that leaves as much as 69 percent of owners going elsewhere. Ford, Honda and Toyota seem to be attracting many former GM owners.

As Forbes points out, if you're driving an orphaned nameplate, you just might be able to use that to your advantage when shopping for a new vehicle.

News Source: Forbes

Image Credit: Copyright 2012 AOL

Continue reading Automakers tussle over owners of 'orphan' makes

Automakers tussle over owners of 'orphan' makes originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Thu, 10 May 2012 08:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> fordgeneral motorshummerlincolnmercuryorphanorphan carspontiac Thu, 10 May 2012 08:29:00 EST http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/20235092/article-comments.xml http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/10/automakers-tussle-over-owners-of-orphan-makes/20235092/article-detail.xml 20235092 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/solsticecoupe-rev2000-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/solsticecoupe-rev2000-opt.jpg <![CDATA[GM's next-gen pickup plans force dealers into one of two camps]]> http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/05/08/gms-next-gen-pickup-plans-force-dealers-into-one-of-two-camps/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/05/08/gms-next-gen-pickup-plans-force-dealers-into-one-of-two-camps/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/05/08/gms-next-gen-pickup-plans-force-dealers-into-one-of-two-camps/#comments Filed under: , , , , , , , , ,

2012 Chevrolet Silverado

Most General Motors dealers make their living off selling pickup trucks. (That's why when it came time to trim the brands and reorganize under bankruptcy, GMC survived and Pontiac didn't - because Buick dealers needed to have a truck to sell, not a full-size muscle sedan from Australia.) That makes this year a tricky one for dealers, according to Automotive News, as they need to have enough Chevrolet Silverado or GMC Sierra models in stock to get them to the 2013 model year.

What makes this quandary different from most years is that GM is readying all-new pickups, meaning that it will be shutting down production for long stretches to retool. The full-size Chevrolet and GMC trucks date to 2006, making them the oldest in the industry that don't wear a Nissan Titan badge on their tailgate. Dealers, of course, don't want to be caught with many 2012 trucks - vehicles that are already difficult enough to sell - but they don't want inventories to run completely dry and risk turning away customers.

With a combined 29 weeks of downtime scheduled for three truck plants, according to the report, some dealers are stockpiling pickups to avoid running out if the truck production pipeline dries up before the 2013s start shipping. Other dealers are taking the opposite strategy, turning down 2012s and waiting for next year's models.

Given all that has happened to GM in recent years, we imagine that most dealers know altogether too well that you're damned if you do, and damned if you don't.

News Source: Automotive News - sub. req.

GM's next-gen pickup plans force dealers into one of two camps originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Tue, 08 May 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> 2012 chevrolet silverado2012 gmc sierrachevroletgmcsierrasilverado Tue, 08 May 2012 08:00:00 EST http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/20233293/article-comments.xml http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/08/gms-next-gen-pickup-plans-force-dealers-into-one-of-two-camps/20233293/article-detail.xml 20233293 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/22-2012-chevrolet-silverado-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/22-2012-chevrolet-silverado-opt.jpg <![CDATA[U.S., German automakers will demo fast-charging system at EVS26]]> http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/05/07/u-s-german-automakers-will-demo-fast-charging-system-at-evs26/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/05/07/u-s-german-automakers-will-demo-fast-charging-system-at-evs26/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/05/07/u-s-german-automakers-will-demo-fast-charging-system-at-evs26/#comments Filed under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,



BMW, Ford, General Motors and Volkswagen are among the eight U.S. and German automakers that will demonstrate a single-port fast-charging system for electric vehicles at the Electric Vehicle Symposium 26 (EV26) in Los Angeles starting next week.

Audi, Chrysler, Mercedes-Benz parent Daimler and Porsche will also show off the so-called DC-fast system, which will be able to recharge most battery-electric vehicles in as little as 15 minutes.

With a combination AC and DC charging capabilities, the DC-fast system is supposed to start sales by the end of the year and will enable U.S. and German plug-ins to be able to be recharged at most public charging stations while also accommodating high-powered fast-charging stations. The International Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) has officially tapped the system as the standard for fast-charging.

Electric-vehicle proponents consider the establishment of a fast-charging standard to be an important key to plug-in vehicle adoption because the availability of publicly-accessible fast chargers that can recharge a vehicle in minutes instead of hours makes range anxiety a moot point. Pike Research said last year that annual revenue generated by makers of electric-vehicle charging equipment will increase more than tenfold between 2011 and 2017 to about US$4.3 billion.

Still, the fast-charging issue is far from settled because a separate fast-charging standard - CHAdeMO - has been proposed by the Japanese automotive industry. Toyota, Nissan, Mitsubishi and Subaru parent Fuji Heavy Industries are all partners in the CHAdeMO Association.

Click here to read the press release.

Continue reading U.S., German automakers will demo fast-charging system at EVS26

U.S., German automakers will demo fast-charging system at EVS26 originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Mon, 07 May 2012 08:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> audibmwchademocharging stationschryslerdaimlerdc-fastelectric vehiclefordgmporschevolkswagen Mon, 07 May 2012 08:02:00 EST http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/20232301/article-comments.xml http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/07/u-s-german-automakers-will-demo-fast-charging-system-at-evs26/20232301/article-detail.xml 20232301 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/dccombined_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/dccombined.jpg <![CDATA[<em>Playboy</em> counts down its 25 Greatest Cars of All Time]]> http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/05/01/playboy-counts-down-its-25-greatest-cars-of-all-time/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/05/01/playboy-counts-down-its-25-greatest-cars-of-all-time/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/05/01/playboy-counts-down-its-25-greatest-cars-of-all-time/#comments Filed under: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Playboy's

Lists. Readers love 'em, so everyone's got one. (Heck, our show is even called The List.) And this is the Playboy list, packed with two-seat sports cars, muscle cars, obvious choices and even the original Volkswagen Beetle.

Before we get to the full 25, however, hear out our view. While you can always register your personal displeasure when, say, the MG TC (#14) or Chrysler 300 (#19) gets included, but not a single Alfa Romeo or classic Mopar muscle machine makes the cut, you should judge a list such as this based more on how it reflects the personality of the publication. Which is why "25 Greatest Rides" feels so, well, generic.

While we're not suggesting that every one of the Playboy cars should be sporting Dagmars or have fully reclining seats like Nash models of the early '50s, this list just seems a little light on the sex factor. Not that the Ferrari GTO (#1) and Jaguar E-Type (#4) aren't voluptuous enough to act as stand-ins for the Playmate of the Month, but cars like the BMW 2002 (#24) and Pontiac GTO (#20), though legitimate performance cars, aren't likely to inspire any backseat antics anytime soon.

Click here to read the full press release and then tell us in the comments section below which cars you think should get excised from the list, and what you'd replace them with.


Gallery: Playboy's 2011 Cars of the Year

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG

Gallery: BMW Drifting GSR Autosport Playboy Video Shoot



News Source: Playboy

Continue reading Playboy counts down its 25 Greatest Cars of All Time

Playboy counts down its 25 Greatest Cars of All Time originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Tue, 01 May 2012 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> 25 greatest cars25 greatest ridesgreatest carsgreatest cars of all timeplayboyplayboy magazine Tue, 01 May 2012 13:01:00 EST http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/20228243/article-comments.xml http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/01/playboy-counts-down-its-25-greatest-cars-of-all-time/20228243/article-detail.xml 20228243 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/playboy-names-25-greatest-cars-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/playboy-names-25-greatest-cars-opt.jpg <![CDATA[eBay Find of the Day: 1967 Pontiac GTO Monkeemobile]]> http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/04/29/ebay-find-of-the-day-1967-pontiac-gto-monkeemobile/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/04/29/ebay-find-of-the-day-1967-pontiac-gto-monkeemobile/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/04/29/ebay-find-of-the-day-1967-pontiac-gto-monkeemobile/#comments Filed under: , , , , , ,

Monkeemobile

Say what you will about The Monkees, but the guys in the band had great taste in automobiles. Take the Monkeemobile, for example. Built off a 1967 Pontiac GTO Convertible, the custom featured genuinely interesting bodywork and some wild engine bolt-ons. If you're a fan of 1960s pop and yearn to relive the genre's glory days, eBay Motors may have what you need. A recreation of the 1967 Monkeemobile has showed up for auction. This particular replica was built by Dakota County Customs using an four-speed GTO, just like the original.

Built for the band's 45th anniversary and the final Monkees tour last year, this Monkeemobile is faithful down to every last detail. Unfortunately, the trumpet exhaust poking out of the front fender wells and the massive gold-flake blower are for show only. Seems fitting.

If you like what you see, this machine is up for bid in Richfield, Minnesota with two days left on the auctions. So far, bidding as whipped up to US$60,000 with the reserve not yet met. Head over to eBay Motors to have a look. Hit the jump for a classic clip of the original Monkeemobile in action, racing a Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe!

News Source: eBay Motors

Tip: Lance

Continue reading eBay Find of the Day: 1967 Pontiac GTO Monkeemobile

eBay Find of the Day: 1967 Pontiac GTO Monkeemobile originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Sun, 29 Apr 2012 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> 1967 pontiac gto convertiblegto convertiblemonkeemobilepontiacpontiac gtothe monkees Sun, 29 Apr 2012 18:01:00 EST http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/20226729/article-comments.xml http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/29/ebay-find-of-the-day-1967-pontiac-gto-monkeemobile/20226729/article-detail.xml 20226729 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/01-monkeemobile-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/01-monkeemobile-628.jpg <![CDATA[Wanna-be racer in Pontiac busted speeding past M3 and Supra]]> http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/04/16/grand-am-driver-busted-after-blowing-by-bmw-and-supra/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/04/16/grand-am-driver-busted-after-blowing-by-bmw-and-supra/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/04/16/grand-am-driver-busted-after-blowing-by-bmw-and-supra/#comments Filed under: , , ,



When you think of fast cars and high performance, the commuter minded Pontiac Grand AM doesn't really come to mind. Well, unless you own one, then you believe it has enough front whee thrust to propel it past anything. This spirited Pontiac driver certainly had something to prove for the defunct brand, as she drops the hammer and rips through Southern California canyon roads with reckless enthusiasm.

After blasting past a couple BMW M3s and a Toyota Supra, this unsuspecting speed demon gets busted by the long arm of the law. Luckily, someone caught this lead foot action on camera with multiple angles of the Grand AM passing, as we almost missed it! The guys in performance cars out for a Sunday cruise know better but you just can't hold a Grand Am back!

Check out the video below as sweet justice is served.

Continue reading Wanna-be racer in Pontiac busted speeding past M3 and Supra

Wanna-be racer in Pontiac busted speeding past M3 and Supra originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Mon, 16 Apr 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> Grand AMpontiacpontiac driversspeedingspeeding finesspeeding ticket Mon, 16 Apr 2012 11:00:00 EST http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/20216276/article-comments.xml http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/16/grand-am-driver-busted-after-blowing-by-bmw-and-supra/20216276/article-detail.xml 20216276 http://www.blogcdn.com/ca.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/pontiac-speeder-busted2_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/ca.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/pontiac-speeder-busted2.jpg <![CDATA["Old GM" quietly dead and buried]]> http://ca.autoblog.com/2011/12/19/old-gm-quietly-dead-and-buried/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2011/12/19/old-gm-quietly-dead-and-buried/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2011/12/19/old-gm-quietly-dead-and-buried/#comments Filed under: , , , , , , , , , , ,

GM's Detroit Renaissance Center headquarters with Joe Louis fist statue

After 103 years of stratospheric heights and immeasurable lows, General Motors Corp. has died. Motors Liquidation Co., or "Old GM," as it became known during the 2009 bankruptcy reorganization, was quietly dissolved on Thursday, Dec. 15, taking the company's bad debts and liabilities along with it.

The dissolution leaves the newly formed General Motors. Co. to live on as the company's fitter and better-financed replacement. The latter, as you'll recall, benefited from a massive government bailout of nearly US$50 billion and the ability to restructure contracts with its suppliers, dealership bodies and unions. The surprisingly expedient reorganization saw GM shed its Hummer, Pontiac and Saturn nameplates, along with Swedish automaker Saab (whose own efforts to find footing as an independent automaker sputtered into bankruptcy earlier today.) A far healthier company today, "New GM" is turning a profit with just four North American nameplates - Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC... and it's enjoying a newfound run of competitiveness.

For a quick refresher on the history of Old GM, check out a eulogy of sorts on The Detroit News.

News Source: The Detroit News

Image Source: Bill Pugliano/Getty

"Old GM" quietly dead and buried originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Mon, 19 Dec 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> bad gmbailoutgeneral motors bankruptcygmgm bailoutliquidation motorsold gm Mon, 19 Dec 2011 17:30:00 EST http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/20131335/article-comments.xml http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/2011/12/19/old-gm-quietly-dead-and-buried/20131335/article-detail.xml 20131335 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/gm-renaissance-center-hq-with-fist-statue_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/gm-renaissance-center-hq-with-fist-statue.jpg <![CDATA[The <i>other</i> way to get snow off your car]]> http://ca.autoblog.com/2011/12/13/the-other-way-to-get-snow-off-your-car/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2011/12/13/the-other-way-to-get-snow-off-your-car/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2011/12/13/the-other-way-to-get-snow-off-your-car/#comments Filed under: , ,

Bass snow removal

There are plenty of automotive phenomena we don't entirely understand. Take sound system competitions, for example. We just never saw the practical use for a stereo worth more than your vehicle, especially when the largest fraction of that investment gets channeled into bowel-wobbling subwoofers. That is, until now. The owner of this particular Pontiac Grand Prix has found a unique way to shed snow from his car in the winter. Instead of standing in the cold with a brush and scraper, he simply cranks the volume on his Rockford Fosgate P3 subwoofers and lets physics take over.

Thanks to a little pounding bass, the vehicle's windows are clear of snow in no time flat. Of course, the gentleman's neighbours might have a word or two to say about his turning the community's winter wonderland into a pounding dance floor. Hit the jump to check out the clip for yourself, just be sure to nix the volume.

Continue reading The other way to get snow off your car

The other way to get snow off your car originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Tue, 13 Dec 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> snowsnow removalsound systemstereosubwoofersubwoofer snow removalvideowinter drivingwinter snow Tue, 13 Dec 2011 18:00:00 EST http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/20127346/article-comments.xml http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/2011/12/13/the-other-way-to-get-snow-off-your-car/20127346/article-detail.xml 20127346 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/bass-snow-removal-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/bass-snow-removal-628.jpg <![CDATA[GM doing fine at retaining Pontiac owners]]> http://ca.autoblog.com/2011/10/28/gm-doing-fine-at-retaining-pontiac-owners/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2011/10/28/gm-doing-fine-at-retaining-pontiac-owners/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2011/10/28/gm-doing-fine-at-retaining-pontiac-owners/#comments Filed under: , ,

Pontiac grille

This isn't the first time we've reported positive news about General Motors retaining former Pontiac owners. Get a few more stories like this latest report from Edmund's Auto Observer, and it will mark an ongoing positive trend for GM. Edmunds.com crunched the numbers to see how well the General is hanging on to customers after shutting out the lights at Pontiac, and it found that nearly 40 per cent of Pontiac owners stayed with a vehicle from a General Motors brand.

The numbers are a little lower than an earlier R.L. Polk & Company study, but Edmunds says General Motors is keeping more former Pontiac buyers than it has since 2007. Most are turning to vehicles from Chevrolet, especially during January and February of 2011, when GM incentivized Pontiac owners to stay under the umbrella. Those moves seem to have worked, and 28.1 percent of Pontiac owners trading up made the jump into a Bowtie.

Buyers that have gone elsewhere have largely stayed loyal to Domestic automakers, with Ford picking up the most conquests from Pontiac, with 9.4 per cent switching. Toyota and Honda picked up 7.4 per cent of the pool of former Pontiac drivers. The numbers are defying any predictions that Pontiac buyers would completely exit the General Motors fold, and have climbed up closer to parity with the retention figures of other GM brands from a 2009 low of only 16 per cent retention.

News Source: Edmunds' Auto Observer

Image Credit: Copyright - 2011 Drew Phillips / AOL

GM doing fine at retaining Pontiac owners originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Fri, 28 Oct 2011 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> general motors pontiac buyergeneral motors pontiac owner retentionpontiac buyers Fri, 28 Oct 2011 09:29:00 EST http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/20092547/article-comments.xml http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/2011/10/28/gm-doing-fine-at-retaining-pontiac-owners/20092547/article-detail.xml 20092547 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/pontiac-grille_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/pontiac-grille.jpg <![CDATA[General Lee takes on Bandit T/A in classic Hollywood car showdown [w/poll]]]> http://ca.autoblog.com/2011/08/26/general-lee-takes-on-bandit-t-a-in-classic-hollywood-car-showdow/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2011/08/26/general-lee-takes-on-bandit-t-a-in-classic-hollywood-car-showdow/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2011/08/26/general-lee-takes-on-bandit-t-a-in-classic-hollywood-car-showdow/#comments Filed under: , ,

bandit trans am and hazzard charger

You don't have to be born in the 1960s or 1970s to be able to recognize the General Lee from The Dukes of Hazzard and the Pontiac Trans Am from Smokey and the Bandit. These old school four-wheeled stars seem to transcend demographics thanks to the miles of film that show the orange 1969 Dodge Charger and the jet-black 1977 Pontiac Trans Am performing seemingly impossible stunts.

The folks at Hot Rod magazine are obviously hip to this fact, and they put together a fun video in tribute of the instantly recognizable duo. Hit the jump to watch on as Sam Young and James Smith replace Bo Duke and The Bandit for a bit of dirt-road shenanigans in a pair of otherwise well cared for classics. We're not so sure we'd call it the best chase scene ever, but it sure looks like a lot of fun.

More importantly, which of these two cars would you rather own? Have your say in our poll below.

View Poll

Continue reading General Lee takes on Bandit T/A in classic Hollywood car showdown [w/poll]

General Lee takes on Bandit T/A in classic Hollywood car showdown [w/poll] originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Fri, 26 Aug 2011 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> 1969 dodge charger1977 pontiac trans ambo dukeburt reynoldschargerdukes of hazzardgeneral leeluke dukemovie carspontiacsmokey and the banditvideo Fri, 26 Aug 2011 12:31:00 EST http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/20027805/article-comments.xml http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/2011/08/26/general-lee-takes-on-bandit-t-a-in-classic-hollywood-car-showdow/20027805/article-detail.xml 20027805 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/08/general-lee-bandit_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/08/general-lee-bandit.jpg -1 2