Awd 4dr Slt2 Low Miles Suv Automatic Gasoline 3.6l V6 Cyl White Diamond Tricoat on 2040-cars

Auto blog

5 reasons why GM is cutting jobs, closing plants in a healthy economy

DETROIT — Even though unemployment is low, the economy is growing and U.S. auto sales are near historic highs, General Motors is cutting thousands of jobs in a major restructuring aimed at generating cash to spend on innovation. It's the new reality for automakers that are faced with the present cost of designing gas-powered cars and trucks that appeal to buyers now while at the same time preparing for a future world of electric and autonomous vehicles. GM announced Monday that it will cut as many as 14,000 workers in North America and put five plants up for possible closure as it abandons many of its car models and restructures to focus more on autonomous and electric vehicles. The reductions could amount to as much as 8 percent of GM's global workforce of 180,000 employees. The cuts mark GM's first major downsizing since shedding thousands of jobs in the Great Recession. The company also said it will stop operating two additional factories outside North America by the end of next year. The move to make GM get leaner before the next downturn likely will be followed by Ford Motor Co., which also has struggled to keep one foot in the present and another in an ambiguous future of new mobility. Ford has been slower to react, but says it will lay off an unspecified number of white-collar workers as it exits much of the car market in favor of trucks and SUVs, some of them powered by batteries. Here's a rundown of the reasons behind the cuts: Coding, not combustion CEO Mary Barra said as cars and trucks become more complex, GM will need more computer coders but fewer engineers who work on internal combustion engines. "The vehicle has become much more software-oriented" with millions of lines of code, she said. "We still need many technical resources in the company." Shedding sedans The restructuring also reflects changing North American auto markets as manufacturers continue to shift away from cars toward SUVs and trucks. In October, almost 65 percent of new vehicles sold in the U.S. were trucks or SUVs. That figure was about 50 percent cars just five years ago. GM is shedding cars largely because it doesn't make money on them, Citi analyst Itay Michaeli wrote in a note to investors. "We estimate sedans operate at a significant loss, hence the need for classic restructuring," he wrote. The reduction includes about 8,000 white-collar employees, or 15 percent of GM's North American white-collar workforce. Some will take buyouts while others will be laid off.

2017 GMC Sierra 2500HD All Terrain X eyes Ram Power Wagon

If where you're going, you don't need roads, you're spoiled for choice by American automakers. Ford has the F-150 Raptor, Jeep the iconic Wrangler, and Ram offers Power Wagon. And that's just the tip of the factory off-road iceberg. General Motors is getting in on the off-roading action with the Canyon and Sierra 1500 All Terrain X. Now, the automaker is adding another notch on its belt with the Sierra 2500HD All Terrain X. On the outside, GMC continues to the all-black trend as the rest of its off-roading-oriented lineup, which includes 18-inch aluminum wheels finished in black, a bespoke grille surround, black sport bar that's mounted in the truck's bed, and four-inch side steps in black. The All Terrain X will only be offered in two colors – Black Onyx and Summer White. Those looking for more off-roading capabilities and tack the Z71 off-road suspension package as an option on the All Terrain X, adding performance Rancho shocks, Hill Descent Control, and a shield for the underbody transfer case. Two engine choices lie under this crew cab pickup's massive hood - the 6.0-liter gas V8 or the all-new Duramax 6.6-liter turbo-diesel V8. The gasoline-powered V8 continues to make 360 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque, while the new Duramax turbo-diesel generates 445 horsepower and 910 pound-feet of torque. While the All Terrain X may not have the same murderous look as the Ram Power Wagon, it makes off-roading a luxurious affair. And it's blacked out. The 2500HD power wagon will be on sale early next year, with a pricing announcement coming sometime in the next few months. Related Video: Featured Gallery 2017 GMC Sierra 2500HD All Terrain X: LA 2016 View 12 Photos Related Gallery 2017 Sierra HD All Terrain X News Source: GMCImage Credit: Live photos copyright 2016 Drew Phillips / Autoblog LA Auto Show GM GMC Truck Off-Road Vehicles Performance 2016 LA Auto Show gmc sierra hd

May 2016: FCA wins, Ford and GM stumble on weak car volumes

The May 2016 sales numbers are in, and it looks as though FCA is getting some vindication for boldly cancelling two slow-selling car models. Meanwhile, Ford saw overall sales dip and GM's May volume took a big dive versus the same month in 2015. While Marchionne's decision to axe the Chrysler 200 and Dodge Dart has drawn criticism as being short-sighted, it's working for FCA so far. Although the Dart and 200 aren't out of production yet and no capacity has been shifted to crossover or trucks, May's numbers show that the emphasis on Jeep and Ram models makes sense right now. FCA's US sales rose 1 percent last month compared to May 2015, putting the year-to-date total at 955,186 vehicles, an increase of 6 percent compared to the same period last year. Standouts included the Jeep Renegade, Compass, and Patriot, and the Fiat 500X. Ram pickup sales were down 3 percent. And your fun fact is that Alfa Romeo sales were up precisely 10 percent, for a total of 44 4Cs sold versus 40 in the same month last year. At FoMoCo, the Ford brand took a hit to the tune of 6.4 percent from May 2015 to 2016, registering 226,190 sales last month. Lincoln showed improvement on its modest numbers, going from 9,174 to 9,807, a 6.9 percent increase. Overall, Ford was down 5.9 percent for the month to 235,997; despite the slump, year-to-date total Ford sales are up 4.2 percent to 1,112,939. Strong sellers included Escape, Expedition, F-Series, and Transit - big stuff. Most small and/or efficient models (Fiesta, Focus, Fusion, C-Max) saw sales slides. Fusion sales were also down, likely due to effects of model changeover to the freshened 2017 model. Ford has promised four new crossovers and SUVs by 2020 and if things keep trending this way the company will be able to sell them, but things could change in the next four years. GM saw the worst of it for domestic brands. Retail and fleet sales were down for each of the four divisions, with the May 2016 total dropping 18 percent to 240,450 vehicles. GM's year-to-date sales are down 5.0 percent in 2016 to 1,183,705. Both the Sierra and Silverado were down significantly, and the majority of Chevy, Buick, GMC, and Cadillac nameplates saw sales decreases, with both small cars and larger utilities included. Not even big stuff could help GM this month, it seems. We'll have more on the rest of the industry's May sales as those figures trickle in.