Latest news with #GM
TimesLIVE
4 hours ago
- Automotive
- TimesLIVE
GM outlines $4bn plan to expand production of petrol trucks and SUVs
General Motors (GM) said on Tuesday it will move production of the Cadillac Escalade to a Michigan assembly plant, while adding new capacity for petrol-powered Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra light-duty pickups at the same facility. The production shifts are part of GM's $4bn (R71,562,400,000) investment plan announced in June at US facilities in Michigan, Kansas and Tennessee, a move that expands production of petrol-powered trucks and SUVs. The Detroit giant and many of its US competitors have pulled back on some goals around production of electric vehicles as demand has been weaker than expected. GM's continued investment in vehicles such as the Sierra and Escalade calls into question its plan to end the production of petrol-powered cars and trucks by 2035. The Escalade is produced in Arlington, Texas, alongside other large SUVs such as the GMC Yukon, Chevrolet Suburban and Chevy Tahoe. Production at Arlington is expected to remain consistent after the Escalade moves to Michigan, a GM spokesperson said. The automaker will add production of the Silverado and Sierra trucks at its Orion Township, Michigan factory, in addition to existing production in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The petrol-powered trucks and SUVs are among GM's biggest money makers. GM told Reuters the moves would "help meet continued strong customer demand". GM said it will begin manufacturing the SUVs and light-duty pickup trucks at its Orion Assembly plant in early 2027. Orion Assembly was previously slated to build electric trucks starting next year. The June investment news was welcomed by the White House, which has imposed significant tariffs on imported vehicles to pressure automakers to increase production in the US. President Donald Trump this month signed tax and budget legislation that eliminates fines for failures to meet corporate average fuel economy rules, a move that makes it easier to build more petrol-powered vehicles. GM previously paid $128.2m (R2,292,831,360) in penalties for 2016 and 2017 for failing to meet requirements. The sweeping tax and budget legislation approved by Congress in early July will also eliminate the $7,500 (R134,135) tax credits for buying or leasing new electric vehicles on September 30, which is expected to hit slowing EV growth.
Time of India
5 hours ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
GM outlines $4 billion plan to expand production of gas trucks and SUVs
General Motors said on Tuesday it will move production of the Cadillac Escalade to a Michigan assembly plant , while adding new capacity for gas-powered Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra light-duty pickups at the same facility. The production shifts are part of GM's $4 billion investment plan announced in June at three U.S. facilities in Michigan, Kansas and Tennessee, a move that expands production of gasoline-powered trucks and SUVs. The Detroit giant and many of its U.S. competitors have pulled back on some goals around production of electric vehicles as demand has been weaker than expected. GM's continued investment in vehicles like the Sierra and Escalade calls into question its plan to end the production of gas-powered cars and trucks by 2035. The Escalade is currently produced in Arlington, Texas, alongside other large SUVs such as the GMC Yukon, Chevrolet Suburban and Chevy Tahoe. Production at Arlington is expected to remain consistent after the Escalade moves to Michigan, a GM spokesperson said. The automaker will be adding production of the Silverado and Sierra trucks at its Orion Township, Michigan factory, in addition to existing production in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The gasoline-powered trucks and SUVs are among GM's biggest money makers. GM told Reuters the moves would "help meet continued strong customer demand." GM said it will begin manufacturing the SUVs and light-duty pickup trucks at its Orion Assembly plant in early 2027. Orion Assembly was previously slated to build electric trucks starting next year. The June investment news was welcomed by the White House, which has imposed significant tariffs on imported vehicles to pressure automakers to increase production in the United States. President Donald Trump this month signed tax and budget legislation that eliminates fines for failures to meet Corporate Average Fuel Economy rules, a move that makes it easier to build more gas-powered vehicles.
Man of Many
5 hours ago
- Automotive
- Man of Many
2026 Cadillac VISTIQ Review: 1,000km in the ‘Baby Escalade' Before it Lands in Australia
High point Low point Verdict Comfortable, cushy, Cadillac experience with high-quality materials and best-in-class exterior and interior design. Range is less than competitors despite it very likely costing more once it finally arrives in Australia in 2026. The 'Baby Escalade' delivers on its mission to deliver a premium, powerful, comfortable, three-row electric SUV. We look forward to getting back behind the wheel in RHD form. Scroll horizontally to view full table The three-row (6-seat), all-electric, Cadillac VISTIQ is coming to Australia next year, and I've had the unique chance to drive 1,000 miles in it before it lands on our shores. When it does, the VISTIQ will join a segment of luxury electric three-row SUVs currently occupied by the Kia EV9 and Volvo EX90. Soon, they will also be joined by the Hyundai IONIQ 9 and very likely something from China that we've never heard of before. Then, the Cadillac VISTIQ will arrive in 2026. The VISTIQ will join the currently available Cadillac LYRIQ (from AUD$117,000 plus on-roads), which I drove last year, and the smaller Cadillac OPTIQ, which I had a chance to drive in Detroit, but can't tell you about just yet. With an overall length of 5,222 mm, it sits above the LYRIQ (4,996 mm) and OPTIQ (4,821 mm) in size and is often referred to as the 'Baby Escalade.' It's about the same overall size as a Nissan Patrol (5,165 mm) and has about the same power as a Mercedes-AMG G63 with a dual motor 459 kW powertrain. Let's take a closer look. 2026 Cadillac VISTIQ | Image: Supplied How Much is the Cadillac VISTIQ? No local pricing has been announced for the Cadillac VISTIQ. What we do know is that we'll receive a fully-loaded vehicle with Adaptive Air Ride Suspension as standard and a 6-seat configuration only (2nd row Captain's Chairs). This model will closely resemble the VISTIQ Luxury (from USD$93,590) and VISTIQ Platinum (from USD$98,190) in the USA market, which means that we should expect the VISTIQ to land in Australia at around the AUD$150,000 plus on-road costs. What Does it Compete With? Here's a list of the main competitors for the Cadillac VISTIQ in Australia: Kia EV9 – from AUD$97,000 to $121,000 plus on-road costs – from AUD$97,000 to $121,000 plus on-road costs Volvo EX90 – from AUD$124,990 to $134,990 plus on-road costs – from AUD$124,990 to $134,990 plus on-road costs Hyundai IONIQ 9 – from AUD$119,750 plus on-road costs The advantage for GM is that there aren't many three-row electric SUVs on the market in Australia. The disadvantage for GM is that when you look at sales data—which Cadillac doesn't report to the media in Australia—there's probably a reason why. Sales for the Kia EV9 have nearly halved this year (-47.3%), having sold just 19 cars last month and 165 through June. Meanwhile, the Volvo EX90 has fared better as a more traditionally styled vehicle from a premium marque that offers more range, and it's managed 113 sales since hitting the market a few months ago. When you consider the Cadillac VISTIQ will very likely start from around AUD$150,000, it's going to have an uphill battle pulling diehards away from established brands like Volvo and Kia. Still, it's going to throw everything it can at the Australian new car buyer on its quest to do so. 2026 Cadillac VISTIQ | Image: Supplied What's the Interior of the Cadillac VISTIQ Like? It's very similar to the Cadillac LYRIQ, but that's not a bad thing at all. What we have to remember first is that this is not a conversion, but a factory-built right-hand drive vehicle. You wouldn't be able to tell the two vehicles apart from a build quality perspective if you sat them next to each other, at least, that's what we know from doing exactly that with the Cadillac LYRIQ. The headline feature of the VISTIQ is that it's a true three-row, 6-seat SUV that has genuine space in the third row for adults less than 6 feet tall. By the numbers, they stack up very similar to the Kia EV9, with 778mm of legroom in the third row, 1,021mm in the second row, and 1,096mm in the front row. However, the third row passengers in the 6-seat LYRIQ will likely feel more comfortable on longer trips thanks to the gap created by the second row captain's chairs, but also the inclusion of padded armrests, smartphone storage, cupholders, and USB chargers. We don't have specifics confirmed for our market in terms of interior trim materials, but we expect the same Lumen open-pore wood found in the Luxury and Premium Luxury trims overseas or the Black Ash Cluster wood decors on Platinum trim. This should be joined by five-zone climate controls (with screen controls for the second row) and all the USB-C ports that you could ask for. 2026 Cadillac VISTIQ | Image: Supplied 2026 Cadillac VISTIQ | Image: Supplied 2026 Cadillac VISTIQ | Image: Supplied 2026 Cadillac VISTIQ | Image: Supplied 2026 Cadillac VISTIQ | Image: Supplied 2026 Cadillac VISTIQ | Image: Supplied I spent the majority of my time in the driver's seat of the VISTIQ while touring around California, and even in Sport trim, it was the typical, cushy and comfortable experience that you expect from a Cadillac. That said, it's not to be mistaken for a walloping hippo. The seats are supportive, feature heating (second-row captain's chairs included), cooling, massage, and memory, and are infinitely adjustable to find that perfect driving position. As is the steering wheel, and while I've never been the biggest fan of the chunky spokes on the Cadillac wheel, it does sit comfortably in your hands on longer road trips and features all of the physical controls that I could ask for. Usually, if I can get in a car, drive, and not become frustrated with how hard it is to find a common vehicle control, it's a good barometer. While the screen does house many of the second-layer controls, the primary controls are found on knobs, switches, and dials, including the volume, track skip, mute, and cruise control functions. HVAC controls are positioned on a screen mounted to the centre console, similar to Audis. Importantly, these buttons are large enough to use while driving, and it's not something that you adjust too often. Finally, there's a smaller screen on the left side of the instrument panel (right side in Australia) that houses your 2026 Cadillac VISTIQ | Image: Supplied How does the interior of the VISTIQ compare to other cars in this segment? Well, I've just spent a week in the Volvo EX90, and having driven both, I can confidently say that I prefer the interior design of the Cadillac. Both have large touchscreen displays, but the Cadillac's horizontally mounted 33-inch curved display is better integrated into the dashboard compared to the 14.5-inch portrait-style display in the Volvo. It's plonked in the middle of the cabin, and while functional, it looks like an afterthought. It will be interesting to see how the interior of the VISTIQ translates into the local market, but if it's anything like the left-hand drive vehicle I drove around California, then I think the brand is onto a winner. The only real negative to point at for buyers here is that it doesn't have Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Instead, it comes with Android Automotive, which uses integrated Google Maps for navigation, with other apps available as a download through the infotainment. Honestly, I hardly see this as a negative, as it functions better than any mapping tool outside of Waze, and even given the chance to use both in cars like the Volvo EX90, I end up using the integrated system over the phone mirroring option. 2026 Cadillac VISTIQ | Image: Supplied Power, Battery Charging, and Range of the Cadillac VISTIQ The Cadillac VISTIQ is available as a 459kW (615HP) dual-motor AWD electric vehicle. It's powered by a large 102kWh Ultium battery offering up to 300 miles of range and the ability to accelerate from 0-60mph in 3.7 seconds with Velocity Max. That makes it more powerful and quicker than its competitors, but not quite as impressive on the range front when compared to the Volvo EX90, which offers up to 605 km of range. Specifications Cadillac VISTIQ Drivetrain Dual motor AWD Battery capacity 102 kWh (usable) Battery type Nickel manganese cobalt aluminium (NCMA) Power 459 kW (615 HP) Torque 880 Nm 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) time (claimed) 3.7 seconds with Velocity Max Weight (kerb) 2,869.5 kg Energy consumption (claimed) 21.8 kWh/100 km (WLTP) Energy consumption (as tested) 22.2-28.2 kWh/100 km Claimed range 460 km (WLTP) test cycle in Europe Max AC charge rate 11.5 kW, 19.2 kW (optional) Max DC charge rate 190 kW Scroll horizontally to view full table 2026 Cadillac VISTIQ | Image: Supplied How Does the Cadillac VISTIQ Drive? Every Cadillac VISTIQ coming to Australia will have Air Ride Adaptive suspension fitted as standard alongside a multi-link front and five-link rear suspension system with semi-active Chassis Damping Control dampers. I had the chance to drive both the standard suspension and the Air Ride Adaptive suspension in and around suburban Detroit, and both provided a comfortable, balanced ride when cruising around in the normal Tour mode. Of course, it rides better on the smaller 21-inch wheels than the optional 23-inch wheels, but they aren't terrible by any means. The price of tyres could make the 23s prohibitively expensive to run in Australia, however. Front and rear suspension Multi-Link front and 5-Link rear with semi-active CDC dampers (Chassis Damping Control) Steering type Electric Power Steering (EPS) Turning Diameter with active rear steer and 23-inch wheels 11.7 metres Turning diameter with active rear steer and 22-inch wheels 12.5 metres Turning diameter with active rear steer and 21-inch wheels 11.64 metres Brake type Front: 4-piston Rear: 1-piston Front (Platinum): 6 piston Brembo Brakes Rear (Platinum): Paint matched single piston Brake rotor size: (in. / mm) 343mm (front) 345mm (rear) Platinum: 410mm (front) 345mm (rear) Wheel size: Front: 4-piston Rear: 1-piston Front (Platinum): 6-piston Brembo Brakes Rear (Platinum): Paint matched single piston Tires: Tires, 285/45R21 all-season, self-sealing Tires, 295/40R22 all-season, self-sealing Tires, 305/35R23 all-season-self-sealing Scroll horizontally to view full table On my road trip, I found there was no hiding the 2,869kg weight through the tightening corners and sharper bends of Big Bear National Park, but you can take advantage of the included Sport drive mode to stiffen up the suspension to counteract the exaggerated body roll and keep your passengers comfortable. Still, it's far from nimble. That's not the point of a 5.2 metre long, three-row electric SUV, though. While heavy, the size is manageable with available rear-wheel steering that can turn the rear wheels up to 3.5 degrees in the opposite direction to shorten the turning circle and increase maneuverability. There's a bright red V button on the steering wheel that stares at you while driving and unlocks the full 459kW (615HP) dual motor powertrain that makes overtaking a breeze. Like the LYRIQ, the acceleration isn't as brutal as the power figure might imply, but that's intentional on Cadillac's part. They've minimised 'lash controlling', which can cause discomfort to passengers while driving, particularly the children who might be sitting in the back. EV features like regenerative braking are calibrated perfectly, and you can even bring the vehicle to a stop using the paddle behind the steering wheel. Overall, I was quite impressed. 2026 Cadillac VISTIQ | Image: Supplied How Safe is the Cadillac VISTIQ? Here's a list of safety equipment found in the U.S. market: Driver-assistance Super Cruise® hands-free driving on highways (not coming to Australia) Blind Zone Steering Assist Adaptive Cruise Control Driver Attention Assist* Traffic Sign Recognition Alerts Forward Collision Alert Rear Pedestrian Alert Side Bicyclist Alert Safety Alert Seat (directional vibration warnings) Rear Seat Reminder* LED Reflective Windshield Collision Alert Vision assistance HD Surround Vision (360° camera) Rear Camera Mirror with washer IntelliBeam® automatic high-beam assist Hitch Guidance with Hitch View Emergency braking Enhanced Automatic Emergency Braking Intersection Automatic Emergency Braking Rear Cross-Traffic Braking Front Pedestrian & Bicyclist Braking Reverse Automatic Braking Parking assistance Vision Enhanced Automatic Parking Assist Despite a long list of standard safety equipment (U.S. market), the Cadillac VISTIQ hasn't been tested by ANCAP, Euro NCAP, or similar in the USA. 2026 Cadillac VISTIQ | Image: Supplied What Does the Cadillac VISTIQ Cost to Run? The VISTIQ will likely carry the 5-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty and 8-year, 160,000km battery warranty from the LYRIQ. However, this hasn't been confirmed for the Australian market just yet. There's also a very strong chance it will arrive with the 5-year free roadside assistance and free scheduled servicing. Services are required every 12 months or 12,000km with the LYRIQ, which are standard for most vehicles in this segment. 2026 Cadillac VISTIQ | Image: Supplied Our Verdict on the Cadillac VISTIQ Like the LYRIQ, the Cadillac VISTIQ delivers on paper and in the real world. It boasts the range, performance, technology, and equipment to compete with the top vehicles in its class, and if you're in the market for a three-row all-electric SUV, then this has to be on your shortlist. Sales of the established competitors from Kia and Hyundai are slowing in the local market, but Volvo has proven that brand loyalty and confidence go a long way. Cadillac, on the other hand, will have a tougher time doing so, but they're putting their best foot forward with the VISTIQ.
USA Today
14 hours ago
- Automotive
- USA Today
Things you need to know before renting an electric vehicle ― that the agent won't tell you
My oldest friend, Cindy, was in town recently for her father's birthday. Over dinner, she mentioned she'd rented a Mercedes EQS electric vehicle at the airport. Cindy liked the car's looks and comfort, but she had questions. Questions somebody should have answered before she left the parking lot. 'Where do I charge it?' she said. 'How does it work? This car is frustrating.' That's the sound of a rental company dropping the ball, and an automaker paying the price. A little help, please "U.S. rental-car companies had a unique opportunity to start transitioning their fleets to EVs, while also educating hundreds of thousands of Americans about the new cars. "They almost uniformly blew it," said John Voelcker, a reporter and analyst who has covered electric vehicles for 15 years. EVs are great in a lot of ways. They can also be maddening, frequently because car companies got too cute and reinvented features that already worked fine while they were also creating the technology that will probably eventually dominate the roads. Some EVs have a start/stop button. Others power up and down automatically when the key fob enters and leaves the vehicle. Locking and unlocking them can be equally idiosyncratic. The king of electric vehicles: GM reported triple-digit growth in its EVs while Tesla faced a double-digit loss Rental companies should be prepared to demonstrate these features, and others. I've spent enough time in Mercedes vehicles and other EVs to answer Cindy's questions. She made it through the rest of her trip to Michigan without getting stranded, but how many times has that happened to drivers whose only mistake was trusting the rental car company to tell them how to operate the vehicle? It's not that hard to get it right. Here's what you should demand from a rental agency, and a few key tips for anybody curious about EVs: List of things to ask upfront Before you rent: What else you need to know to be safe on the road Charger types: There are basically two: Level 2 charging, best for topping up the battery overnight; and DC fast charging for long drives where you'll stop and charge en route. Both will probably cost less than using gasoline. Level 2 charging, which uses the same 240-volt current as many appliances, should cost a lot less. When DC fast charging, it's most efficient to stop at 80% or 90% of a full charge. Adding the last 10%-20% ― it varies depending on brand and battery technology ― takes longer. One-pedal driving/regenerative braking: Many EVs have this feature, which maximizes the amount of energy recaptured for the battery when the vehicle slows down. You may never touch the brake pedal at all. The features increase battery range and are clever engineering, but not everybody likes them. Drivers who don't can turn it off or select different levels of deceleration Battery preconditioning: When the vehicle is plugged in, an app can tell it to warm the battery to its most efficient temperature before you start driving. That saves valuable battery power and increases range. Some vehicles will also precondition the battery for quicker charging before you stop at a DC fast charger on long drives. That reduces charging time and gets you get back on the road faster. Heated seats and steering wheels are your friend: It's a more efficient use of electricity to keep occupants comfortable by touching the seats and steering wheel than heating all the air in the cabin. Preconditioning can increase driving range significantly when temperatures fall below freezing. Air conditioning doesn't use as much power as heating. Traditional forced-air AC is fine in hot weather. Two good apps you'll need to find chargers: Plugshare and ABRP (A Better Route Planner) are my favorites. They'll tell you where to find chargers, which ones are open and if any are out of service. Charging networks like EVgo have their own apps but they only direct you to their chargers. Plugshare and ABRP are universal search engines, the Chrome and Safari of EV charging. Choose to charge overnight: Your life will be simpler if you stay somewhere with a Level 2 charger. One of the best things about EVs is starting every day with a full battery. Another is never stopping to gas up in the rain, wind or snow. And remember this courtesy move Never leave your vehicle parked at the charger when the battery is full. You don't lock the bathroom door behind you as you leave, do you? Somebody needs to use it. Are you changing your mind about renting an EV? This may seem like a lot to think about and do, but it quickly becomes second nature. DC fast chargers are also becoming more common, but "charging deserts" still exist. If you plan long drives in your rental, download ABRP or Plugshare before you decide an EV's the right choice for this trip. The rental clerk turned Cindy out into the night with a key fob and a wave, probably because nobody at HQ realized what a disservice that was to a customer. Cindy's a patient and forgiving soul, necessary character traits for someone who has put up with me for decades, you might say. Rental companies shouldn't take advantage of her, or any other customer's good nature. They need to improve their service or stop offering EVs. Until that happens, customers should ask a few extra questions before renting one. Contact Mark Phelan: mmphelan@ Follow him on Twitter @mark_phelan. Read more on autos and sign up for our autos newsletter. Become a subscriber.
Yahoo
15 hours ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
As Rivian embraces Google with Maps integration, it shuts out Apple CarPlay
Rivian (RIVN) is tightening its relationship with Google (GOOG, GOOGL), leaving Apple (AAPL) and CarPlay out in the cold. Rivian said today that it is incorporating Google Maps natively into its infotainment system, meaning Google routing, time of arrival, traffic, and satellite imagery will be "seamlessly integrated" into Rivian's navigation system. Using Google's Automotive SDK for Maps, Rivian can build its own custom navigation system on top of Google Maps. This will give drivers the freshest mapping and traffic data, along with updated ETA info and "arrival range" at destination, a critical piece of information for users, directly within Rivian navigation. Charging information, such as where to stop, user preferences, and the location's overall score, will be included, as well as locations for the bespoke Rivian Charging Network. The addition of Google Maps is welcome news for Rivian owners, with one owner saying the prior system "always" suggested longer routes compared to Google Maps, for example. Rivian's embrace of Google Maps comes as other manufacturers like GM (GM) push ahead with deeper integration of Google products. GM's EVs, for example, no longer have Apple CarPlay compatibility, though its gas-powered vehicles do. This has been a huge issue for customers who have come to live with CarPlay as the de facto standard for car connectivity. Apple says more than 800 vehicles globally support CarPlay; Apple has also said in the past that 79% of new car buyers insist that the vehicle is CarPlay compliant. Read more: How to find the best luxury car insurance A third-party McKinsey study found that the percentage is closer to roughly a third of buyers insisting on CarPlay, but nonetheless, consumers are making their preferences heard. "Like most corporate decisions, this one is driven by revenue in the hyper-subscription world we now occupy," industry analyst Karl Brauer of told Yahoo Finance back when GM ditched CarPlay for its EVs. By keeping Apple out, GM can charge users for services offered through its native UI systems, like the automaker's SuperCruise semiautonomous software. Tesla has been offering subscription services for years now, with "enhanced connectivity" for some features and subscription pricing for its full self-driving (FSD). Read more: 6 steps to find cheap car insurance in 2025 GM would also prefer to keep all the data coming from its customers, which it can remarket in a number of ways (but not all), and not have to pay a license fee to Apple for CarPlay. Rivian is likely making the same bet. And as a tech-forward company that makes its own software, Rivian does not want to cede its entire design language and user experience to Apple. However, Rivian does point out that it does include Apple Music, and in the future Apple EnergyKit integration will be coming for home smart charging - but no CarPlay. Rivian owners have been clamoring for CarPlay in forums like Reddit, so a smaller move like Google Maps integration, following Rivian's prior Google inclusions of Search, Cast, and YouTube, for example, may give its owners some of the functionality they desire. Tesla famously does not allow Apple CarPlay or Google's Android projection software in its infotainment system, and never has. Thus far, the lack of CarPlay hasn't hurt Tesla EV sales over the past few years, or at least that hasn't been a cited reason for declining sales in recent quarters. Pras Subramanian is the lead auto reporter for Yahoo Finance. You can follow him on X and on Instagram.
