The GM Futurliners were actually a dozen concept buses built in 1939, based on designs by Harley Earl. Used during GM’s Parade of Progress, in 1940 – ’41 and again in 1953 – ’56, these Jetsons-like vehicles traveled the United States, showing General Motor’s vision of what future travel would look like.

Of the 12 total that were built, only 8 or 9 are believed to still be in existence (as of 2007).

This $400,000 Futurliner, which is also believed to be one of the first three built, is an original and un-restored model. It includes one new set of “Parade of Progress” tires, which were specially made for the remaining buses.

Another restored Futurliner recently sold for $4.2M at an auction. Value of this bus at completion: an estimated (minimum) of $2.8M once completed.

Source: Hemmings

“General Motors Co. is recalling 150 permanent workers to its Lansing Delta Township assembly plant to replace about 96 temporary workers,” the American auto maker said Wednesday.

GM spokeswoman Sherrie Childers-Arb said “the move provides jobs for workers who were laid off from GM factories that were closed as the automaker restructured. About 1,200 GM hourly workers are now on layoff.”

“The plant builds the GMC Acadia, Buick Enclave and Chevrolet Traverse, and employs about 3,433 hourly workers.”

From The Detroit News

The A-Team, which I will probably go see opening weekend regardless of this tragedy, will open on June 11th.

Photos via Jalopnik

Superlift is now shipping 8-inch lift kits for 2007-current Chevy/GMC 1500 pickups. Available for 2WD and 4WD Silverados/Sierras, the Superlift 8-inch kit cleanly makes clearance for 35″-tall tires. Minor wheelwell trimming clears 37s. The system is compatible with GM’s StabiliTrak Electronic Stability Control (ESC). All load-bearing bracketry is made from laser-cut .25″-thick steel. Full-width control-arm crossmembers incorporate kicker braces for added strength. Major front components include replacement iron knuckles and premium gas-charged struts. The 4WD systems don’t require cutting/modifying the differential, and the OE front axleshafts and driveshaft are retained.

Rear lift blocks ensure that factory ride quality and load-carrying capacity are retained. Premium Superide replacement springpacks are one of many options.

Source: UTV weekly | Superlift

The Silverado “HD” (which doesn’t stand for high definition) and future Sierra includes a 92% stiffer frame, and a sub-frame that is 125% stiffer then previous years. Sierra/Silverado has a 36 gallon fuel tank and a range of 680 miles, leaving around 18.8 MPG on the highway – an 11% improvement over the current truck. Rear suspension has been upgraded, giving more spring behind the axle. It reportedly has between 3000 – 4000 lbs greater (of a towing cap. that is) then Ford’s F-150, 250 & 350 models.

But GM’s mighty truck also has style: “…chrome on the front bumper, a slightly revised hood and “Duramax” hood badge, the end of 16″ wheels at the bottom in favor or 17-inchers and the addition of 20″ wheels at the top. It also gets hydraulic cabin mounts in the back…” Though pickup drivers are not really interested in looking too flashy.

Expect to drop around $20,000 – 28,000 on an all new 2011 Chevy Silverado / GMC Sierra before taxes and expenses.

The Source: Jalopnik

If brought to market, the Granite would be the smallest GMC ever – but has been optimized to feel much larger. Its length is a full 2 feet (0.6 m) shorter than the new Terrain compact crossover, but its open interior was designed to be spacious and flexible to fit the needs of active people. Generous cargo space and unique flipping/folding seats, for example, enable a mountain bike to be loaded completely inside with the tailgate closed.

“Granite was conceived as a new type of vehicle from GMC – one that could stretch people’s ideas of what a GMC can be,” said Lisa Hutchinson, product marketing director for GMC. “We call it an ‘urban utility vehicle’ and our goal was redefining what the GMC name could mean to a new generation of customers looking for both bold design and functionality.”

Like GMC’s current lineup of trucks, SUVs and crossovers, the Granite delivers style and capability, with advanced features, high-quality materials and exceptional attention to detail. An industrial-influenced exterior is combined with a spacious interior that features precise instruments and leading-edge technology. The climate system, navigation and infotainment technologies, for example, are viewed via an extra-wide, next-generation organic light-emitting diode technology that is more dynamic than the conventional screens used in most production vehicles.

“We think of the Granite as the automotive equivalent of an urban loft apartment,” said Dave Lyon, executive director of North American Interior and Global Cross-Brand Design. “The exterior has an unmistakable industrial look, but the interior is warm and personalized.”

Power for the Granite concept comes from a 1.4L turbocharged engine that is part of GM’s new family of small-displacement, highly efficient four-cylinder engines. It is matched with a six-speed transmission.

via //ryanokeefe

With 2011 coming up fast GMC had to step up with an all new Acadia Denali; contrary to our first reaction of “really guys?!” it’s pretty fancy looking. So what makes 2011′s Acadia Denali-worthy? Pricing for one, materials too. SLT-2 models start at $38,490 in FWD form and $40,490 for “off-road.” Who is really going off-roading in an Acadia? There’s a lot of faux-wood, leather and 20″ rims on both versions oh and that nice “Denali” badge. Acadia is not all might – there’s still an EPA estimated 24 MPG on this puppy.

Don’t worry fellas – there’s still brawn in Denali – “Acadia Denali is powered by a 3.6L direct injection V-6 engine with VVT that optimizes performance and fuel economy, while also reducing emissions – including a 25-percent reduction in cold-start emissions. Engine performance is enhanced by the advanced six-speed automatic transmission. The maximum towing capacity is a class-leading 5,200 pounds (2,364 kg).”

Press Release: ” DETROIT – Today GMC unveiled the 2011 Acadia Denali in Detroit. The first Denali was launched in 1999 on the Yukon brand and helped define the luxury SUV segment. With nearly half of all Yukon sales being Denali models, expanding the Denali line to include the Acadia was a logical extension. Acadia Denali will provide GMC customers with all the amenities the Denali is known for in a fuel-efficient crossover.

“The GMC Denali models have come to stand for luxury and exclusivity, and that’s just what customers will get in the new Acadia Denali,” said Lisa Hutchinson, GMC product marketing director. “The decision to develop an Acadia Denali was made quickly within the new GM in response to customer and dealer demand for a Denali version ever since the launch and success of the Acadia.”

The Acadia launched in 2007 as the first crossover from GMC, with segment-leading fuel economy and innovative features. An exclusive SmartSlide System allows easy access to an adult-sized third row with available seven- or eight- passenger seating configurations. Fold-flat second- and third-row seats allow flexible passenger and cargo configurations of the best-in-class interior space. Acadia’s refined styling, impressive fuel efficiency, and confidence-inspiring safety features made it an immediate success and ideal platform to build upon for a Denali model.

The 2011 Acadia Denali goes on sale in the third quarter of 2010. It is available in both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive models, as well as seven- and eight-passenger configurations. The standard 3.6L direct injected V-6 contributes to an EPA highway rating of 24 mpg with FWD models.

The Acadia Denali will stand out with its signature Denali design cues highlighted by the mono-color exterior and chrome honeycomb grille, a feature on all GMC Denali models. It also wears a number of specific exterior design cues, including:

* Unique lower front and rear fascias
* High-intensity discharge headlamps
* Body-color lower cladding and rocker moldings
* Body-color rear fascia and fender flares
* Unique body-side moldings with chrome accents and Denali badges
* Dual chrome exhaust tips

Further distinction comes with 20-inch, two-tone chrome-clad wheels. The six-spoke wheels feature black chrome spoke inserts set against bright chrome.

The Acadia Denali is offered in five exterior colors: Quicksilver Metallic, Summit White, Carbon Black, Red Jewel Tintcoat and White Diamond Tricoat.

Luxury amenities

Acadia Denali delivers all the luxury and refinement that are hallmarks of the Denali line. It includes a number of exclusive design, comfort and convenience features including:

* Premium acoustics – laminated glass, triple door seals, and liquid applied sound deadeners
* Perforated leather seats with matching leather door panel trim
* Heated and cooled driver and passenger seats
* Leather-wrapped steering wheel with mahogany wood inserts
* Complementary wood grain finish on the instrument panel and center stack
* Enhanced accent lighting in the footwells
* Chrome, lighted sill plates with the Denali logo
* Dual SkyScape sunroof system, with sliding front sunroof and fixed rear section
* Head-up display (HUD)

Additional content includes:

* Tri-zone automatic climate control
* Navigation system including XM NavTraffic (available)
* Bluetooth connectivity
* OnStar
* Rear-seat DVD entertainment system, with roof-mounted flip-down screen (available)
* Premium audio system with USB port and Bose 10-speaker sound system
* XM Satellite Radio
* Rearview camera system
* Eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with memory
* Remote vehicle start

GMC capability

Acadia Denali is powered by a 3.6L direct injection V-6 engine with VVT that optimizes performance and fuel economy, while also reducing emissions – including a 25-percent reduction in cold-start emissions. Engine performance is enhanced by the advanced six-speed automatic transmission. The maximum towing capacity is a class-leading 5,200 pounds (2,364 kg).

A long, 118.9-inch (3,021 mm) wheelbase and wide 67.28-inch (1,709 mm) front/rear tracks give it a lower center of gravity and enable smooth, stable ride and handling for driving comfort. Independent front and rear suspensions enhance smoothness and deliver a more responsive driving experience. The front suspension features a MacPherson strut design, with a direct-acting stabilizer bar and aluminum knuckles, while the rear suspension uses a compact, state-of-the-art linked “H” design. Isolated mounting points help reduce noise and vibration.

The suspension is tuned specifically for the Acadia Denali’s 20-inch wheels and the available AWD system enhances dry-road handling and provides increased traction on wet, snow and ice-covered roads. Four-wheel disc brakes with ABS are standard, as are the following features:

* StabiliTrak electronic stability control system with rollover mitigation technology
* Traction control system
* Tire pressure monitoring system

Acadia Denali is covered by GM’s five-year/100,000-mile Powertrain Warranty and three-year/36,000-mile Bumper-to-Bumper warranty – the best coverage in America.”

Photo: Brenda Priddy & Company

There’s a new three-bar perforated grille, which shares styling with the 2010 GMC Terrain crossover. Feel free to drool over the un-camouflaged 2011 GMC Sierra 3500 dually, including a new hood that features reverse-power-dome styling with prominent center mounted louvers. It says “Duramax 6.6-liter” on the louver sides, along with the logo for the Duramax’s six-speed Allison transmission.
The Sierra HD, along with its GM corporate twin, the Chevrolet Silverado Heavy Duty, will also feature an all-new chassis and a next-generation 6.6-liter “LML” Duramax V-8 clean diesel engine.
Duramax diesel. The new DI gas engine could arrive by 2013.

Thanks news.pickuptrucks.com