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GMC adds stylish new Elevation model to 2019 Sierra lineup

GMC has announced a new style-forward model for its forthcoming 2019 Sierra pickup. It's called the Elevation and it will be based off the Sierra double-cab model with a new turbocharged engine, aimed at buyers who want a little panache with their rugged capability. GMC marketing director Rich Latek says the Elevation "conveys a youthful, athletic presence" with the pickup's chiseled fenders and assertive, upright hood. As such, the Elevation gets body-color-matching door handles, bumpers and grille surround, plus black exterior accents like the grille insert, tow hooks, side window trim and standard 20-inch aluminum wheels. Headlights, tail lights and fog lamps will be given the LED treatment, with the former getting the new C-shaped designs that have already been unveiled on other trim levels. It will be offered in two- or four-wheel-drive configurations, with nearly 3 inches more leg room than the current model. A traction select system will use a dial that drivers can set to preset driving modes to adjust transmission shift points, throttle mapping and other systems. An X31 Off Road package will be offered and boasts tuned suspension, a locking rear differential, protective skidplates, dual exhaust and other features. Also available will be a ProGrade Trailering System that includes a Trailering App to help connect and tow a trailer, on top of additional tie-down points, enhanced cargo lighting and other perks for hauling camping or recreational gear. Inside will be a standard 8-inch infotainment system compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay with a six-speaker audio system, plus USB Type A and Type C ports for charging mobile devices. As for the powertrain, it will come with an all-new 2.7-liter turbo inline-four engine that makes 310 horsepower and 348 pound-feet of torque paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Also available is a 5.3-liter V8 that uses a new efficient fuel management system that enables it to operate on anywhere from one to all eight cylinders, depending on demand. In early 2019, a new 3.0-liter turbo-diesel inline-six will also be offered, mated to a 10-speed automatic. The Elevation adds to Sierra models like the SLT and Denali that GMC unveiled earlier this year. The company has shaved as much as 360 pounds off the new 2019 model — plus more from the Denali, thanks to carbon fiber in the bed box — so fuel economy should see a boost, too. It goes on sale in the fall.

Consumer Reports no longer recommends Honda Civic

Consumer Reports annual Car Reliability Survey is out, and yes, there are some big surprises. First and foremost? The venerable publication no longer recommends the Honda Civic. In fact, aside from the walking-dead CR-Z and limited-release Clarity fuel-cell car, the Civic is the only Honda to miss out on CR's prestigious nod. At the opposite end there's a surprise as well – Toyota and Lexus remain the most reliable brands on the market, but Buick cracked the top three. That's up from seventh last year, and the first time for an American brand to stand on the Consumer Reports podium. Mazda's entire lineup earned Recommended checks as well. Consumer Reports dinged the Civic for its "infuriating" touch-screen radio, lack of driver lumbar adjustability, the limited selection of cars on dealer lots fitted with Honda's popular Sensing system, and the company's decision to offer LaneWatch instead of a full-tilt blind-spot monitoring system. Its score? A lowly 58. The Civic isn't the only surprise drop from CR's Recommended ranks. The Audi A3, Ford F-150, Subaru WRX/STI, and Volkswagen Jetta, GTI, and Passat all lost the Consumer Reports' checkmark. On the flipside, a number of popular vehicles graduated to the Recommended ranks, including the BMW X5, Chevrolet Camaro, Corvette, and Cruze, Hyundai Santa Fe, Porsche Macan, and Tesla Model S. Perhaps the biggest surprise is the hilariously recall-prone Ford Escape getting a Recommended check – considering the popularity of Ford's small crossover, this is likely a coup for the brand, as it puts the Escape on a level playing field with the Recommended Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, and Nissan Rogue. While Ford is probably happy to see CR promote the Escape, the list wasn't as kind for every brand. For example, of the entire Fiat Chrysler Automobiles catalog, the ancient Chrysler 300 was the only car to score a check – there wasn't a single Dodge, Fiat, Jeep, Maserati, or Ram on the list. That hurts. FCA isn't alone at the low end, either. GMC, Jaguar Land Rover, Mini, and Mitsubishi don't have a vehicle on CR's list between them, while brands like Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, Nissan, Lincoln, Infiniti, and Cadillac only have a few models each. You can check out Consumer Reports entire reliability roundup, even without a subscription, here.

Black Friday could power record November sales

Black Friday allows some shoppers to line up in the wee hours for doorbuster deals on laptops and TVs, but the day after Thanksgiving could mean huge profits for automakers this year, too. Multiple industry analysts predict record growth for the industry for November, and the upcoming incentives could help those numbers. TrueCar predicts that Black Friday incentives could provide a major boost, and it estimates a November sales jump of 3.9 percent from last year to a record for the month at over 1.35 million vehicles. As examples of potential deals, Chevrolet, Buick, and GMC plan to offer up to 20 percent off some models, and FCA US has no-interest financing for up to 75 months from its brands. "Consumers are excited about Black Friday promotions and these month-long events appear to be resonating with car buyers." Eric Lyman, TrueCar's vice president of industry insights, said in the report. Black Friday only recently became a big day for auto sales, according to an analysis from Edmunds. Last year, Thanksgiving weekend posted double the sales as any other weekend in the month. The company predicts a sales volume of over 1.33 million vehicles for November. If that happens, it would be the beat the previous record of 1.32 million sales for the same month in 2001. Some forecasts temper the gains for November but only slightly. Kelley Blue Book predicts flat year-over-year sales at 1.3 million vehicles, but that's largely because there are two fewer sales days in 2015 versus in 2014. "Black Friday deals on vehicles have grown in popularity in recent years, and should be a big contributor to this month's sales results," said analyst Tim Fleming in the study. The combined research from J.D. Power and LMC Automotive have the lowest November prediction among this group at just over 1.279 million sales for the month versus 1.299 million in 2014. However, once the researchers adjust the figures for the two fewer selling days, 2015 could actually be seven percent higher than last year. TrueCar Finds New Auto Sales in November to Reach Monthly Record Black Friday promotions bolster sales gains; industrywide incentives up 6% from last year November 24, 2015 12:11 PM Eastern Standard Time SANTA MONICA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--TrueCar, Inc. (NASDAQ: TRUE) projects total new vehicle sales, including fleet deliveries, will reach 1,352,500 units in November, a 3.9 percent increase from a year ago and the highest ever for the month.