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Disabled man realizes dream of driving with converted pickup truck

A man with a devastating illness is mobile once again thanks to a heavily modified pick up truck. He hopes he can help others in his situation gain the freedom of mobility they need to lead a normal life. Chris Sauerbaum has a physical disability resulting from chronic inflammatory polyneuropathy, a form of muscular dystrophy where the sufferer's immune system attacks their nerves. Sauerbaum lost both of his legs and is bound to a wheelchair. After 11 years of trying, he finally has a vehicle that he can drive. "You might as well be driving a Lamborghini," Sauerbaum told the York Dispatch as the driver side door extended to a lift to accommodate Sauerbaum's wheelchair. "Everyone comes up and talks to you. You come out looking like a Transformer." It wasn't easy getting transportation that fit his needs. First he bought a Chrysler PT Cruiser, which wasn't large enough to handle the equipment needed to convert the car for a legless driver. In 2013, Sauerbaum and his wife Heather Sloat appealed to local businesses and friends for donations. They raised $10,000 and were able to put a downpayment on a GMC Sierra. The truck then underwent $91,000 worth of upgrades. It was completely outfitted for Sauerbaum, with a large lift to bring his wheel chair up to the driver's seat and joysticks doing the work of peddles and the steering wheel. New York's Office of Vocational Rehabilitation paid for the conversion. "Think of it as a big remote controlled car. An 8,000 pound R/C car," Sauerbaum told the Dispatch. After a week and a half of learning the controls, Sauerbaum was able to drive with confidence again. He will no long need to rely on his wife to get him two and from work, an 80-mile trip each day. Sauerbaum and Sloat hope to start a nonprofit called Drive for Independence that will assist other wheelchair-bound people with the costs of getting a converted vehicle that suits their needs. "It's just one piece of the puzzle to get people to work," Sloat told the Dispatch. Related Video: Weird Car News GMC Driving Ownership Truck Videos disabled ms

GM expanding Lansing Lambda CUV plant

Considering that crossovers are a rapidly growing portion of the US auto market, it's not surprising to hear that General Motors is preparing to build even more of them. The company is investing $63 million to expand its Lansing Delta Township Assembly plant that builds Lambda platform CUVs like the Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia and Buick Enclave.
According to GM, the expansion will add roughly 263,000 extra square feet of space to the plant. Of that, 181,000 square feet will be for an updated body shop with cutting-edge robots. There will also be 54,000 square feet of additional room in the paint shop and 28,000 square feet of more area for general assembly.
GM isn't saying as much, but there is the possibility that this extra space could allow for additional models produced at the factory. Cadillac reportedly dropped plans to build a three-row SUV on the Lambda platform earlier this year, however, dealers for the luxury brand were recently pitched the possibility of adding large and small CUVs, an ATS convertible or a sedan below the ATS.

GMC reveals updated 2016 Sierra

It was just the other day that Chevy revealed the face of the new 2016 Silverado. And as might have been expected, sister brand GMC has followed up by unveiling its version in the facelifted 2016 Sierra pickup – just two and a half years since the current all-new model was rolled out. Though details released thus far remain few and far between, GMC has revealed more images of the new Sierra – in SLT, Denali and All Terrain trim levels – than Chevy did of the updated Silverado. It's got new headlights, fog lamps, and C-shaped daytime running lights and taillights, all using LED elements. It's arguably a more muscular look than the Chevy version, and with more chrome than the toned-down Silverado. That is, at least, in SLT and Denali trims. The All Terrain version looks more in line with the similarly off-road-focused Silverado Z71 and its color-keyed treatment. The changes ought to help GMC keep up the momentum that has seen its sales rise year-over-year every month over the past twelve. The interior shots indicate that the new Sierra will incorporate Apple CarPlay like GM is installing in so many models across its various brand ranges. But we'll have to wait a little while longer for all the details. Related Video: 2016 GMC Sierra Unveiled 2015-07-15 DETROIT -- GMC's best-selling truck has great momentum coming off its best June since 2006 and 12 consecutive months of year-over-year sales gains. With exterior styling as its top reason for purchase, the new truck adds key design elements: LED "C-shaped" signature daytime running lights and LED headlights; new front fascia and grilles for each trim level; new LED fog lamps; new bumpers; and new "C-shaped" LED taillights. The new Sierra will be available in the fourth quarter of this year, with additional details and information on the new model released in the coming months.