Canadian Auto News Watch - Thursday April 2, 2015
General Motors Corporate News
Best March ever for Canadian auto sales; Pickups move well
Source: The Canadian Press, The Associated Press, Page: FP5, Edition: National
National Post - Thu Apr 2 2015
Auto sales rise, despite some slips; Four of the top six companies saw declines in
March, while overall Canadian sales are up 2 per cent
Byline: GREG KEENAN, Page: B3, Edition: Ontario
The Globe and Mail - Thu Apr 2 2015
Auto sales hit all-time record for March
Byline: The Canadian Press, Page: S8, Edition: ONT
Toronto Star - Thu Apr 2 2015
March auto sales rise 1.9%, but sales pace moderates
Byline: CBC News
CBC.CA News - Wed Apr 1 2015, 4:18pm ET
US auto sales post a slim gain in March; GM, Honda, Ford down but Toyota and Hyundai
up; US car buyers tap the brakes in March, following torrid run
Byline: Dee-Ann Durbin
Canadian Press - Wed Apr 1 2015
Camaro says goodbye to Canada
Byline: GLEN WOODCOCK, GLENDWOODCOCK@GMAIL., COM, AUTONET, Page: D6, Edition: Final
The Kingston Whig-Standard - Thu Apr 2 2015
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General Motors Product News
Spying on your kids: Unconventional Panel weighs in
Byline: CBC News
CBC.CA News - Wed Apr 1 2015, 12:59pm ET
Driven: 2015 GMC Yukon Denali
Byline: Richard Russell, Page: E5
The Chronicle-Herald - Thu Apr 2 2015
2015 GMC Canyon SLT 4WD lures one back in
Byline: Lesley Wimbush, Source: The Windsor Star, Page: C5, Edition: Early
Windsor Star - Thu Apr 2 2015
Cadillac fires another warning shot
Byline: MARK HACKING, Page: D4, Edition: Ontario
The Globe and Mail - Thu Apr 2 2015
Cadillac CT6, Kia Optima, McLaren 570S among vehicles being revealed at the New
York auto show; Hot cars at the New York International Auto Show
Canadian Press - Wed Apr 1 2015
2016 Cadillac CT6
Permalink: www.msn.com...
msn.com - Thu Apr 2 2015
2016 Cadillac CT6 - Autos.ca
Permalink: www.autos.ca...
autos.ca - Thu Apr 2 2015
2016 Cadillac CT6 - The Car Guide
Permalink: www.guideautoweb.com...
guideautoweb.com - Thu Apr 2 2015
Cadillac CT6 is born
Permalink: www.autogo.ca...
autogo.ca - Thu Apr 2 2015
5 things to know about GM's longer, lighter and sleeker new Chevrolet Malibu midsize
sedan; 5 things to know about GM's revamped Chevy Malibu
Byline: Tom Krisher
Canadian Press - Wed Apr 1 2015
2016 Chevrolet Malibu - The Car Guide
Permalink: www.guideautoweb.com...
guideautoweb.com - Thu Apr 2 2015
2016 Chevrolet Malibu
Permalink: www.msn.com...
msn.com - Thu Apr 2 2015
Malibu redesigned | Autonet.ca
Permalink: www.autonet.ca...
autonet.ca - Thu Apr 2 2015
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General Motors Corporate News
Best March ever for Canadian auto sales; Pickups move well
National Post
Thu Apr 2 2015
Page: FP5
Section: Financial Post
Source: The Canadian Press, The Associated Press
Sales of new cars and light trucks were rose 1.9% last month, compared with a year ago, to make it the best
March ever for automakers in Canada, according to a report by DesRosiers Automotive Consultants.
The increase in sales to 160,274 compared with 157,228 a year ago came as improved truck sales
overpowered a drop in car sales. In a report, DesRosiers said light truck sales were up 5.4% to 95,952, while
car sales slipped 2.9% to 64,322.
Sales for the year to date are up 2.7% compared with the first quarter of 2014. However, DesRosiers struck a
note of caution about the prospects for the rest of the year.
"While the market is off to a positive start for the year, we do caution that, at this time of year, a number of
sales approaches employed by vehicle distributors may result in overestimating the actual retail marketplace,"
the automotive consulting firm said.
"January to March are three of the slowest months of the year for new vehicle sales and because volumes are
so low these sales tactics can impact actual market performance, especially at a brand level. We will wait to
see how the market develops in the key spring selling season."
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) claimed the top spot in Canada with sales of 25,060, up from 24,649 a year
ago, helped by its popular Ram trucks, which made up about 40% of its sales for the month.
Meanwhile, Ford Motor Co. of Canada and General Motors of Canada Ltd. battled for second place.
Ford Canada saw its sales flip to 21,367 for the year, down from 22,390 a year ago, while General Motors
sales dropped to 21,027 from 21,790 a year ago.
Car buyers in the U.S. stepped on the brakes in March, a sign of a long-expected slowdown in the blistering
pace of sales.
March sales were up less than 1% compared with the same month a year ago. U.S. consumers bought 1.5
million new cars and trucks in March, according to Autodata Corp.
The results were mixed, with Toyota saying its sales were up 5% compared with last March. FCA said its U.S.
sales rose 2%. But those gains were offset by lower sales at other major automakers. General Motors' sales
fell 2% and Ford and Nissan both saw 3% declines. Volkswagen's sales plummeted 18%.
March didn't see the kind of big increases the industry has gotten used to. U.S. auto sales spiked 14% in
January, for example, and rose 5% in February. The industry could be getting a taste of what's to come as U.S.
new-car sales reach a natural peak. Sales have been increasing by around one million vehicles each year
since 2009, when sales fell to 10.4 million vehicles in the depths of the recession. But as sales approach the
historic peak of 17 million, the pace is expected to slow. U.S. consumers bought 16.5 million new vehicles last
year.
Alec Gutierrez, a senior market analyst for Kelley Blue Book, said he expects sales to increase around 2.5%
this year, or less than one million cars and trucks. March is usually one of the strongest months of the year, he
said, as buyers spend tax returns and Japanese automakers offer good deals so they can close out their fiscal
years on a high note. "This really shows we're at a point where sales are going to grow at a much slower pace,"
he said.
© 2015 Postmedia Network Inc. All rights reserved.
Illustration:
• Gene J. Puskar, The Associated Press / Canadian vehicle sales hit 160,274 in March.
Edition: National
Story Type: News
Length: 549 words
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Auto sales rise, despite some slips; Four of the top six companies
saw declines in March, while overall Canadian sales are up 2 per
cent
The Globe and Mail
Thu Apr 2 2015
Page: B3
Section: Report on Business
Byline: GREG KEENAN
The beat goes on for auto makers in Canada - another month, another record sales performance.
The streak of year-over-year increases hit the two-year mark in March despite mixed results from the
companies, with some reporting declines and others hitting record highs.
Sales rose 2 per cent to 160,274 from 157,228 in the first month of the crucial spring selling season, according
to numbers released by the auto makers.
The U.S. market, which has also been chugging along in positive territory since 2013, paused last month with a
slight decline.
U.S. analysts said the March figures appear to show that the days of strong growth have come to an end.
Sales hit a 17-million pace on a seasonally adjusted annual rate basis, said Mark LaNeve, vicepresident of U.S.
marketing and sales for Ford Motor Co.
"It's been a terrific five-year run if you go back to 2009, so it is historic in many ways," Mr. LaNeve said on a
conference call with analysts and reporters Wednesday. "You're not going to see the growth curves that we
saw maybe earlier in the decade, so it's going to be really competitive."
Canadian sales rose overall despite declines by four of the top six companies in the sales rankings.
Only FCA Canada Inc. (formerly Chrysler Canada Inc.) and Hyundai Auto Canada Corp. reported sales last
month that were above year-earlier levels. Ford Motor Co. of Canada Ltd., General Motors of Canada Ltd.,
Honda Canada Inc. and Toyota Canada Inc. all reported sales declines.
"It is not often the market sees these four players decline but still manages an overall gain," industry consulting
firm DesRosiers Automotive Consultants Inc. said in its monthly examination of the numbers provided by the
auto makers.
Volkswagen Canada Inc. was the fastest-growing brand in the country last month, posting a 73per-cent gain
that was a record March and the second-best month in its history.
Sales soared 46 per cent for Porsche Cars Canada Ltd.
FCA Canada said its sales rose 2 per cent last month, which ranked first in March and puts the company in the
lead ahead of Ford in the year-to-date sales rankings.
© 2015 The Globe and Mail Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Edition: Ontario
Length: 352 words
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Auto sales hit all-time record for March
Toronto Star
Thu Apr 2 2015
Page: S8
Section: Business
Byline: The Canadian Press
Sales of new cars and light trucks were up 1.9 per cent last month compared with a year ago to make it the alltime best March for automakers in Canada, according to a report by DesRosiers Automotive Consultants.
The increase in sales to 160,274 compared with 157,228 a year ago came as improved truck sales
overpowered a drop in car sales. In a report, DesRosiers said light truck sales were up 5.4 per cent to 95,952
compared with 91,019 a year ago, while car sales slipped 2.9 per cent to 64,322 from 66,209.
Sales for the year to date are up 2.7 per cent compared with the first quarter of 2014. However, DesRosiers
struck a note of caution about the prospects for the rest of the year.
"While the market is off to a positive start for the year, we do caution that, at this time of year, a number of
sales approaches employed by vehicle distributors may result in over-estimating the actual retail marketplace,"
the automotive consulting firm said in a statement.
"January to March are three of the slowest months of the year for new vehicle sales and because volumes are
so low these sales tactics can impact actual market performance, especially at a brand level."
© 2015 Torstar Corporation
Edition: ONT
Length: 197 words
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March auto sales rise 1.9%, but sales pace moderates
CBC.CA News
Wed Apr 1 2015, 4:18pm ET
Section: Business
Byline: CBC News
March auto sales in Canada rose 1.9 per cent to 160,274 cars and light trucks, according to the latest figures
from DesRosiers Automotive.
Auto sales rose year-over-year in March at FCA Canada, Volkswagen and Nissan, but fell at Toyota, Ford,
General Motors and Honda.
While improving consumer confidence has buoyed auto sales for the past 18 months, there are signs of cooling
in March, perhaps related to a downturn in the economy.
But consultant Dennis DesRosiers said in his commentary that Alberta sales, where lower oil prices are
depressing demand, haven't yet dragged down the market.
How well sales do in the rest of the year depends on exchange rates, because so much product is made in the
U.S., he said.
Exchange rate impact
"All the other fundamentals are positive ? the amount of vehicles being driven, the population growth, the
condition of vehicles on the road. The one big negative is the impact of a strong U.S. dollar and it's really hard
to know how that will play out," he said.
FCA Canada (formerly Chrysler Canada Inc.) reported a two per cent rise in Canadian sales to 25,060 cars and
trucks.
Ram pickup truck sales were particularly strong with 8,749 sold in March 2015, compared with 7,544 trucks in
March 2014, a 16 per cent increase.
Volkswagen had a stellar month, with sales up 62 per cent to 6,950 as the Golf and GTI caught on at
dealership.
Nissan announced total Canadian sales for March 2015 of 11,181 units, an increase of 6.8 per cent from the
previous year.
Sales drop at Toyota, GM
But Toyota sales weakened, falling 5.1 per cent to 15,003 cars and trucks, on a drop in car sales. Pickup sales
remained strong, up 7.4 per cent to 8,267.
GM saw the same shift to trucks and crossovers, selling 13 per cent more trucks despite an overall decline in
vehicles sold. GM sold a total of 21,027 vehicles in March 2015, a decrease of 3.5 per cent from March 2014.
Ford sales fell 4.6 per cent to 21,380, knocking it out of the top spot among Canadian automakers. Ford said
shortage of inventory for Edge and Escape hurt its results, but its F-series trucks saw a six per cent rise in
sales.
Honda Canada's Honda and Acura units sold a combined 14,749 vehicles, a four per cent decrease since last
year.
"Traffic to our Canadian dealer network was below what we would expect in March. This was particularly
evident in the Atlantic provinces, as the impact of extreme weather set new car buying as a low priority for
people, as one would expect," said Dave Gardner, senior vice president of operations, Honda Canada Inc.
© 2015 CBC. All Rights Reserved.
Length: 424 words
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US auto sales post a slim gain in March; GM, Honda, Ford down but
Toyota and Hyundai up; US car buyers tap the brakes in March,
following torrid run
Canadian Press
Wed Apr 1 2015
Section: Business,International
Byline: Dee-Ann Durbin
DETROIT - U.S. car buyers tapped the brakes in March, a sign of a long-expected slowdown in the blistering
pace of sales.
March sales were up less than 1 per cent compared with the same month a year ago. U.S. consumers bought
1.5 million new cars and trucks in March, according to Autodata Corp.
Some automakers reported larger gains. Hyundai's U.S. sales jumped 12 per cent over last March after a big
boost in incentives. Subaru's sales were up 10 per cent. Toyota's sales were up 5 per cent, and FCA - the
parent of Chrysler and Fiat - said its sales rose 2 per cent.
But those gains were nearly offset by lower sales at other major automakers. General Motors' sales fell 2 per
cent and Ford and Nissan both saw 3 per cent declines. Honda's sales were down 5 per cent. Volkswagen's
sales plummeted 18 per cent.
For the most part, March didn't see the kind of big increases the industry has gotten used to. U.S. auto sales
were up 14 per cent in January, for example, and 5 per cent in February.
There were several contributing factors. Last March saw a surge in sales after an unusually cold February; by
contrast, this March still had lingering snow in much of the country. This March also had one less weekend than
last March.
Still, March gave the industry a taste of what's to come as U.S. new-car sales reach a natural peak. Sales have
been increasing by around 1 million vehicles each year since 2009, when sales fell to 10.4 million vehicles in
the depths of the recession. But as sales approach the historic peak of 17 million, the pace is expected to slow.
U.S. consumers bought 16.5 million new vehicles last year.
Alec Gutierrez, a senior market analyst for Kelley Blue Book, said he expects sales to increase by around 2.5
per cent this year, or 400,000 cars and trucks. Gutierrez says March is usually one of the strongest months of
the year, as buyers spend tax returns and Japanese automakers offer good deals so they can close out their
fiscal years on a high note. Low interest rates and low gas prices are also enticing factors. But sales were still
flat for the month.
"This really shows we're at a point where sales are going to grow at a much slower pace," he said.
GM - like other automakers - saw big declines in car sales as consumers flocked to SUVs and trucks. Sales of
the compact Sonic dropped 51 per cent for the month, and Cadillac ATS sales dropped 31 per cent. But
Chevrolet Silverado pickup sales were up 7 per cent. GM sold 249,875 cars and trucks last month.
Ford's F-Series pickup truck sales were down 5 per cent as the company continues to change over to its new
aluminum-bodied F-150. Ford has said it won't have normal truck inventory levels on dealers' lots until this
summer. But the company also saw big declines for some of its other top sellers, including the Escape SUV,
which was down 8 per cent, and the Fusion sedan, which saw a 12 per cent sales decline. Ford sold 235,929
cars and trucks last month.
Toyota said its car sales were flat but its truck and SUV sales jumped 12 per cent. RAV4 small SUV sales were
up 28 per cent. Lexus SUV sales were also strong thanks to the new NX small SUV. Toyota sold 225,959
vehicles in March.
Honda's car sales also fell and its SUV sales were flat. The CR-V, a perennial bestseller in the small SUV
market, saw sales drop 4 per cent. Honda sold 126,293 vehicles in March.
FCA sold 197,261 vehicles for its best March since 2007. Jeep sales jumped 23 per cent thanks to brisk sales
of the Cherokee, Grand Cherokee and Patriot SUVs. Chrysler brand sales were also up as sales of its 200
sedan more than doubled. But sales of the Ram pickup fell 2 per cent.
Nissan's truck and SUV sales were up 15 per cent thanks to strong sales of its new Rogue crossover. But that
wasn't enough to offset a 13 per cent decline in car sales. Nissan sold 145,085 vehicles last month.
Hyundai spent an estimated 25 per cent more on incentives compared with last March, according to the car
buying site TrueCar.com. That likely boosted sales. Hyundai's sales were up 12 per cent to 75,019 for its best
U.S. sales month ever. Sales of the newly redesigned Genesis sedan more than doubled.
Subaru also saw big gains, but with a more modest incentive increase of 6.5 per cent. Subaru is benefiting from
recently redesigned vehicles, including the Legacy sedan, which saw sales nearly double over last March.
Subaru sales were up 10 per cent to 49,111.
Volkswagen struggled in March. Sales of its new Golf more than doubled, but the rest of its lineup saw sales
declines. Volkswagen's sold 30,025 cars and SUVs last month.
Copyright © 2015 The Canadian Press
Length: 792 words
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Camaro says goodbye to Canada
The Kingston Whig-Standard
Thu Apr 2 2015
Page: D6
Section: Autonet
Byline: GLEN WOODCOCK, GLENDWOODCOCK@GMAIL., COM, AUTONET
Well, this makes it official: General Motors of Canada is losing production of the Camaro, something that had
been rumoured for years.
In a press release on March 16 in Detroit, GM said the sixth-generation Camaro would be revealed on May 16
and built in the Lansing, Mich. plant that now produces the Cadillac ATS (with which the new Camaro shares a
chassis).
This will be the second time production of this iconic car has been taken away from Canada. The fourthgeneration Camaro (and Firebird) was built in Ste. Therese, Que. From 1993 until the brand was killed and the
plant closed in 2002. When the fifth-generation Camaro was reborn in 2009, production was given to GM
Canada's Oshawa, Ont. facility, where more than half a million Camaros have been built for model years 201015.
I reached out to GM Canada for comment and got this email response from Adria MacKenzie: "We're making
strides on our work with partners regarding future plans for Oshawa Assembly, but as outlined in (Canadian
president and managing director) Steve Carlisle's community update in January, we will not be able to give
definitive answers for two years. We've begun the detailed planning processes for Oshawa that will extend
through 2015 and 2016. We are going to work through that with our partners and do what's needed to ensure
we have the most productive, high-quality and cost competitive operation possible."
You can watch a video of a camouflaged sixth generation Camaro online. It appears to be more compact than
the present version from Canada.
The new Camaro will make its official debut at Michigan's Belle Isle, the 982-acre island park that is home to
the Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix, on May 29-31.
Those hoping to attend must pre-register at www.thecamarosix.com.The event is free but space on Belle Isle is
limited. Priority will be given to fans who agree to bring their Camaros to the event.
"This will be an event Camaro fans will not want to miss," said Todd Christensen, Camaro marketing manager.
"This is only the sixth time we have introduced an all-new Camaro. We wanted to share the moment with the
customers and fans who have helped make Camaro both America's favorite performance car for the past five
years, and a cultural icon since 1967."
About 1,000 fans are expected to attend the Camaro reveal, which will also include: a "Camaro Museum"
display of the most significant vehicles from the brand's history; hot-lap rides around the Belle Isle Grand Prix
course in the 2015 Camaro Z/28; the opportunity to talk with Camaro designers and engineers; Camaro-only
parking for owners.
© 2015 Osprey Media Group Inc. All rights reserved.
Illustration:
• AUTONET PHOTOS
• photo of First generation 1969 Camaro
Edition: Final
Length: 430 words
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General Motors Product News
Spying on your kids: Unconventional Panel weighs in
CBC.CA News
Wed Apr 1 2015, 12:59pm ET
Section: Calgary
Byline: CBC News
General Motors recently announced that it will offer new technology in some of its vehicles to keep tabs on the
under 18 crowd.
The 'Teen Driver' feature allows parents to watch how far their kids have driven and even set a limit on
the speed they can drive.
Teen drivers: Buckle up and lower the volume, Dad's monitoring you
But is this just another example of a trend toward an over-bearing, helicopter-parenting style?
That's the question the Calgary Eyeopener asked its Unconventional Panel on Wednesday.
"This control over our children, I don't think it allows them, when they do mature, to go out into the world to
have the confidence to make good choices," said George Brookman, the CEO of West Canadian Industries.
But Calgary writer Shelley Youngblut thinks the "Teen Driver" feature is a great idea.
"I think maybe benign attention is a way to go. Where I'm paying attention but I'm doing it at a safe distance,"
she said.
That said, Youngblut doesn't agree with parents who use Facebook to keep and eye on their kids.
"I'm a loving parent, but I'm not their friend. And I think a lot of what's happened here is we're mistaking our
relationships for a different kind of relationship," she said.
© 2015 CBC. All Rights Reserved.
Length: 208 words
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Driven: 2015 GMC Yukon Denali
The Chronicle-Herald
Thu Apr 2 2015
Page: E5
Section: Wheels
Byline: Richard Russell
If it were not for the massive chrome grill, an all-black GMC Yukon Denali looks like it could be carrying a set of
secret service agents.
These big GM SUVs are used throughout America for that and other law enforcement purposes.
Their ability to carry five to seven big people, their tough body-on-frame construction and plenty of V8
horsepower make them ideally suitable for that purpose.
The full-size premium SUV is uniquely North American and demand for these out-sized trucks remains high.
The same basic vehicle comes in Chevrolet Suburban, GMC Yukon and Cadillac Escalade guises in both
standard and extra length (XL) versions.
The difference is 36 cm in wheelbase and 51 cm in overall length.
The Caddy is clearly the bell of this ball, but just one tiny step down the luxury ladder is the Denali version of
the Yukon.
While the Suburban and Yukon would carry the protection team, the Denali would have the 'protectee' aboard.
As another way of explaining the difference between the Denali and its lesser GMC sibling, one is for the
workers and one for the owners/boss.
The Yukon rolls off the Texas assembly line in SLE, SLT and Denali trims. All get a serious makeover for the
2015 model year, inside and out along with a new generation of V8 engines.
In addition to the massive in-your-face chrome grill with prominent red GMC logo, the Denali treatment includes
a larger and more powerful engine, new eight-speed automatic transmission, 20-inch wheels and a seriously
upgraded interior.
The revised exterior is clean, crisp and has a more chiseled appearance thanks to sharply defined character
lines, especially in Denali trim and with the optional 22-inch alloys filling out the wheel wells.
Getting in requires a serious hike, made easier on the test vehicle by power extending steps and big grab
handles.
Once up and in place you enjoy a commanding view in all directions. Visibility is excellent in all directions
except closed to the rear - an area covered by the rear-view camera.
From mini to monster, drivers of all sizes can be accommodated.
The heated and cooled seat adjusts in a myriad of directions, the steering wheel for both height and reach and
even the pedals for distance.
Looking around you will observe a high class and well-finished interior. Hard metal surfaces have been
replaced by soft-touch surfaces.
The instrument panel display can be customized and mated with a heads-up display. The center stack is
topped by a 20-cm touch-screen.
Kudos to the interior design team for nice big round knobs for the HVAC and major audio controls! That same
team spent a great deal of time reconfiguring the seats for easier entry-exit from the third row.
There are fold-flat second and third row seats, a new cargo management system and a power rear tailgate with
multiple pre-sets for opening height
Excellent fit and finish, high-grade materials and tight panel gaps are evident throughout.
The standard engine for the 2,650-kg Yukon is the latest version of GM's small block V8. Displacing 5.3-litres
and producing 355 horsepower it is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and boasts a 10 per cent
improvement in fuel economy over the previous standard setup.
The Denali is treated to a 6.2-litre eight putting out 420-horsepower and a whopping 460 lb-ft of torque.
Premium fuel is recommended but not required.
It sends that power through a new eight-speed automatic transmission. It carries an 8,100-lb tow rating; enough
for some pretty serious adult toys!
The big V8 does a nice job of hustling three tons of Yukon.
Shifts from the new transmission are barely perceptible and downshifts readily available when more grunt is
sought.
The test vehicle had the optional four-wheel-drive setup.
Natural Resources Canada says you can expect 11.4 litres/100 km on the highway. My personal experience
through three provinces and 1,500 km was 13.1.
This ride is limo-like smooth and silent - much more so than you might expect from the truck-platform beneath.
Very little wind or road noise makes it into the cabin thanks to improved aerodynamics, large amounts of
insulation and an active noise cancellation system.
Additional chassis stiffness has allowed the engineers to tighten up the magnetic ride control suspension.
It absorbs both major and minor road blemishes with aplomb while keeping the tall vehicle on an even keel
when cornering - as long as you don't push too hard.
This big rig might not appeal to all, but for those shopping in this price and size range it will be hard to beat!
The SPECS
2015 GMC Yukon Denali 4WD
Price:$73,540 base, $84,695 as tested including freight
Engine: 6.2-litre V8, 420 horsepower, 460 lb-ft of torque
Transmission: six-speed auto, 4WD with two-speed transfer case
EnerGuide rating (litres/100km city/highway): 16.2 / 11.4
Length: 5,179 mm
Width: 2,044 mm
Wheelbase: 2,946 mm
Weight: 2,623 kg
Tow rating: 8,300 pounds
Competition: Ford Expedition, Nissan Armada and Toyota
Sequoia
Standard equipment: six-month OnStar and three-month satellite radio subscriptions, voice-activated
infotainment/navigation system with rear view camera and 20-cm screen, wireless connectivity, cruise control,
rear cross-traffic, blind zone, forward collision and lane change alerts, HID headlights, 20-inch machined
aluminum wheels, auto-dimming, heated power folding mirrors, leather seating, heated and cooled front seats,
heated rear seats, power folding third row seat, Bose surround sound system, keyless entry with push button
start, heated, power tilt/telescope steering wheel, power adjustable pedals, three-zone automatic climate
control, 110-volt power outlet, power windows and locks, hands-free lift gate and wireless phone charging
Optional equipment: Touring package ($5,000): power sliding glass sunroof, rear-seat entertainment package
with overhead LCD screen, blue-ray DVD player and two-pair of wireless headphones, 20-in chrome wheels,
heads-up display; Power retractable steps with perimeter lighting ($1,920), 22-inch painted aluminum wheels,
engine block heater ($100), wheel lock package ($60)
© 2015 The Halifax Herald Limited. All rights reserved.
Illustration:
• The 2015 GMC Yukon Denali. todd gillis
• There's plenty of cargo-haul options in the Yukon Denali. todd gillis
• Excellent fit and finish, high-grade materials and tight panel gaps are evident throughout the 2015 GMC Yukon Denali. todd gillis
Length: 943 words
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2015 GMC Canyon SLT 4WD lures one back in
Windsor Star
Thu Apr 2 2015
Page: C5
Section: Driving
Byline: Lesley Wimbush
Source: The Windsor Star
Entombed within a snowdrift, as if topped with a giant, dirty meringue, my pickup hasn't moved from its
backyard spot in almost two years.
Eighteen years ago, when I bought my Dodge Dakota, it was part of a surviving, if not quite thriving, mid-size
pickup segment. But with gas prices rising, and with the many bigcity trips I make regularly, my V8-powered
gas guzzler's drawbacks have far outweighed its advantages.
Apparently, I'm not alone. Thirty years ago, nearly every major brand had a stake in the mid-size truck
segment, but one by one they've pulled out because of falling sales.
Most buyers are probably a lot like me. They may have loved their truck's utility, but the archaic interiors
(honestly, only a contortionist would be comfortable riding in the back seat of my truck), high fuel consumption
and lack of features forced them to consider crossovers or vans. And with the sport utility vehicle segment
gradually forsaking its truckbased roots for front-wheeldrive crossover platforms, the rear-wheel-drive pickings
were getting even slimmer.
But GM thinks there's hope for the mid-size pickup market, and believes it can bring back those buyers by
giving them what they've found elsewhere. And it's banking on a pair of mid-size truck twins to jumpstart that
shrunken segment. When the company unveiled the new Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon in San Diego,
we were there.
It's a funny thing about vehicle launches, although they offer ample opportunity behind the wheel, they're really
a microcosm of unreality compared to real-world driving experience.
Cruising along a sundrenched coastline, towing prehitched and hassle-free loads, with a support team ready to
handle anything from a soft tire to a missing key fob bears about as much resemblance to a typical day in the
life of an average driver as Meet the Kardashians does to reality. It's a honeymoon that's over before the
irritating habits appear.
The real test comes when you actually live with each other.
Bringing home a 2015 GMC Canyon SLT 4x4 emphasized just how crude and rudimentary my own beloved
pickup really is.
There's nothing cute or shrunken about the Canyon's appearance. It's about as tough-looking as GM's fullsized
haulers. There are handy step-ups on the bumpers, front tow hooks, and tie-downs in the rugged, lined bed.
Instead of poorly-executed hard plastics with flashed edges sharp enough to draw blood, the Canyon's crewsize cabin is upholstered in decent materials and genuinely has room for four adults. There's not much storage
room up front, though, and your passenger may not appreciate you claiming the extra cupholder for your
cellphone.
If comfort and technology are largely responsible for buyers flocking to the crossover segment, the Canyon's
got a lengthy list to lure them back. Its cabin is as cushy and offers as many features as any mainstream family
utility vehicle. Aside from the four-way adjustable, heated front seats, there's an eight-inch MyLink touch screen
with Bluetooth, navigation, OnStar, Sirius XM radio, six-speaker sound system and a 4G Wi-Fi hot spot.
There's a full array of safety technology, too, including multiple airbags, rear-vision camera, electronic stability,
traction control, lane-departure and forward-collision warnings, latch child-seat anchors and theft-deterrence
system.
During my week with the Canyon, I managed to load it to the gunwales with dump-run items, and took it for
several road trips. Its compact size and excellent suspension damping make it as quiet and easy to drive as a
crossover - with the added attraction of a genuine pickup bed. It's fairly manoeuverable, but I wouldn't say it's
that much easier to park than a full-sized truck. I averaged 13.9 L/100 km over mixed driving, using both 2WD
and 4WD modes.
My tester came with the 305-hp 3.6-litre V6 engine capable of towing up to 7,000 lbs., but there's a 200-hp 2.4litre fourcylinder for those who need the bed's carrying ability more than they need to tow.
It has more than adequate power for a truck this size, but becomes less responsive in 4x4 mode. Heading into
the bush to try some deep-snow off-roading requires pulling over and putting the Canyon into neutral to engage
4-Lo.
It may be compact, but my tester boasted a locking rear differential, hill-descent control, off-road suspension
package, and an underbody transfer-case shield. It's no urban dilettante.
Overview: Fully capable pickup in a manageable size Pros: Nice handling, lots of features Cons: Not much
interior storage, too large for some buyers What I would change: Put more thought into interior How I would
spec it: 4x4 SLE, and forgo some of the pricier interior goodies
© 2015 Postmedia Network Inc. All rights reserved.
Illustration:
• Lesley Wimbush, Driving / 2015 GMC Canyon SLT 4WD offers a cushy crossover-styled cabin.
Edition: Early
Story Type: News
Length: 757 words
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Cadillac fires another warning shot
The Globe and Mail
Thu Apr 2 2015
Page: D4
Section: Drive
Byline: MARK HACKING
Dateline: NEW YORK
On paper and, indeed, in the flesh, the latest Cadillac looks set to place the iconic American brand right in the
wheel tracks of the three German powerhouses in the sport/ luxury segment - Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz.
The CT6, making its public debut at the New York International Auto Show this week, represents the third
formidable sedan that Cadillac will be introducing this calendar year, behind the ATS-V and CTS-V. But while
the V-Series duo are intended to lure drivers through sheer horsepower and ultimate lap times, the CT6 adopts
a more subtle, refined approach. The key to the new Cadillac: new construction methods, new drivetrain
technologies and lavish appointments.
While tackling the architecture for the CT6, Cadillac engineers spent, collectively, 50 million hours at the
computer screen working on 200,000 structural simulations. In the end, they emerged with 21 patents, a body
made of aluminum panels, and a structure that incorporates aluminum and 10 other materials.
The structure is further described as offering "bank vault" levels of quietness and being "one of the most
advanced in the industry."
Of course, using aluminum to build cars is not a new concept, but the result appears to be paying larger-thanexpected dividends in this case. In press materials, Cadillac makes direct comparisons with the
standardbearing BMW line of sedans: The CT6 is described as having the spatial dimensions of the regularwheelbase BMW 7 Series and a curb weight less than that of the BMW 5 Series.
"We reinvented the approach to structural underpinnings in the quest to develop a unique formula for the
prestige luxury performance sedan," said Johan de Nysschen, President of Cadillac. "Melding that new
approach with the dynamics conveyed in our other award-winning reardriven sedans ... results in something
that has been lost in the segment: the exhilaration of a true driver's car."
In other words, the Audi A8, BMW 7 Series and MercedesBenz S-Class lines are full-size sedans aimed at
straight-laced executives who have long since forgotten the pleasures of driving along a twisty road. And the
CT6 is not - which is ironic when you consider the history of Cadillac for its first 100 years or so.
The CT6 will be available with the choice of three engines: a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder, an all-new
naturally aspirated 3.6-litre V-6 and the go-to choice for true enthusiasts - an all-new twin-turbocharged 3.0litre
V-6. This final offering delivers an estimated 400 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque, serious numbers that
would make this one of the highest output V-6 engines on the market. To round out the story, the twin-turbo V-6
features cylinder deactivation and automatic stop/start systems to help boost fuel efficiency. An eight-speed
automatic transmission should help in this respect as well.
As with the ATS and CTS, the CT6 utilizes a rear-wheel drive platform, which promises engaging driving
dynamics. The V-6 versions come standard with an on-demand AWD system that shuttles power to the front
wheels when needed. The CT6 also features active rear steering, Magnetic Ride Control and an available
Active Chassis System with three different drive modes.
For all the effort that's gone into engineering the Cadillac CT6, the aspects of the car that are most likely to stop
traffic are its exterior design and interior amenities.
The car is low and wide, almost menacing and gangster-ish in execution. The signature Cadillac design
features, such as the vertical LED headlights and angular front grille, are given even more prominence. Inside,
the CT6 continues a newly established tradition for luxurious and high-tech design - and then takes it to the
next level through innovation.
The rear camera mirror blends image projection with (and into) the conventional mirror glass. A video system
records 360 degrees around the car while driving and when the security system is triggered. And the optional
Bose Panaray audio system features a staggering 34 speakers placed strategically around the cabin, including
four under each front seat. (The Cadillac CT6 may just be all about the bass.)
Cadillac has struggled to gain ground on its German rivals in some markets due to pricing issues. In the 2016
Cadillac CT6, General Motors appears to have taken the right steps in the car's construction, engineering and
amenities. The 2016 Cadillac CT6 goes into production at the end of the year.
The writer was a guest of the auto maker. Content was not subject to approval.
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© 2015 The Globe and Mail Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Edition: Ontario
Length: 755 words
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Cadillac CT6, Kia Optima, McLaren 570S among vehicles being
revealed at the New York auto show; Hot cars at the New York
International Auto Show
Canadian Press
Wed Apr 1 2015
Section: Business
NEW YORK, N.Y. - The New York International Auto Show opens this week with a mix of mainstream sedans
and glitzier models from automakers across the globe.
There a handful of new midsize cars and compact cars, including the Malibu from Chevrolet, the Optima from
Kia, Scion's first-ever sedan and a sporty new concept Civic from Honda that may be the highlight of the show
for everyday car buyers.
Lovers of luxury and performance won't be disappointed. Among the introductions are an updated Lexus RX
SUV, a big Cadillac, the return of the Lincoln Continental, and the 570S, a high-performance sports car from
Formula One racing company McLaren priced under $200,000.
Media days are on Wednesday and Thursday. The public starts Friday and runs through April 12. Here are
highlights of some of the models:
BIG CARS:
CADILLAC CT6: GM's latest entry in the big rear-drive luxury sedan category competes with the BMW 7-Series
and the Mercedes S-Class. Caddy's previous full-size model, the DTS, embodied old Detroit luxury - a spongy
boat built for straight-line freeway driving. The CT6 has an aluminum-intensive body with 11 different materials
for strength, performance and efficiency. GM says the car is lighter than the smaller BMW 5-Series. Consumers
can choose from a new 3-Liter twin-turbo V6 with 400 horsepower, plus two less-powerful engines from the
previous generation. Night vision that helps identify people and large animals with heat signatures on a
dashboard display. Pricing and gas mileage weren't announced.
LINCOLN CONTINENTAL: The return of the Continental name after a 13-year hiatus signals Lincoln's renewed
confidence in the U.S. and a fondness in China for big cars with well-known names. The concept car being
shown in New York is painted a deep Prussian blue, an homage to Continentals of the 1950s and 1960s. But
there are few other references to its history. Lincoln's split-wing grille, a feature that dates to the 1940s, has
been replaced by a tight, rectangular mesh grille. The sides are smooth; even the door handles are hidden
within a narrow strip of chrome at the beltline.
COMPACT/MIDSIZE
HONDA CIVIC: For the first time, Honda let its U.S. design team take the lead on the popular compact Civic,
and the result is a new low-riding coupe that should appeal to buyers both in the U.S. and elsewhere. The topto-bottom redesign includes dramatic creases, a short hood and LED tail and headlights. The sedan version will
be in showrooms this fall, with a coupe, hatchback and a high-performance R-Type coming later. Honda last
rolled out an all-new Civic in 2011, and it was widely panned for its bland styling, cabin noise and pedestrian
handling. It was quickly updated in 2012.
SCION iM, iA: Toyota is looking to a new sporty hatchback and a low-cost sedan to revive flagging sales of its
youth-oriented Scion brand. The brand was started in 2003 to lure people 18 to 34 to the aging Toyota family.
The hatchback iM, priced under $20,000, is aimed at those who want a sporty car that can haul things. The iA
sedan, to cost around $16,000, looks more like a coupe but has enough room to tote people. The sedan can
get up to 42 miles per gallon on the highway, while the sportier hatchback gets up to 37 mpg. Both cars hit
showrooms in September.
CHEVROLET MALIBU: If the sculpted new Malibu with a wide stance lives up to its looks, it could be another
formidable entry in the midsize segment, the most competitive part of the U.S. auto market. A longer
wheelbase creates more room inside the redesigned model, including 1.3 inches of additional rear-seat
legroom, a big improvement. GM engineers say new midsize car underpinnings will enable the Malibu to
handle better than the more expensive Buick Regal, which recently bested the BMW 3 Series to win top sports
sedan honours from Consumer Reports.
KIA OPTIMA: Kia is being cautious with the 2016 Optima midsize sedan, not wanting to mess with the car's
success. The new Optima is longer and wider, giving it more interior space and more cargo room in the trunk.
It's also stiffer, for better ride and handling. The big changes are on the dashboard. AndroidTM Auto and Apple
CarPlay allow drivers to access core functions from their phones on the car's display screens. There is a new
1.6-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine with 178 horsepower, and Kia's first-ever seven-speed transmission.
The car goes on sale at the end of this year. The current Optima starts at $21,690.
LUXURY/PERFORMANCE
LEXUS RX: Toyota's luxury brand revamps the top-selling luxury SUV in the U.S. for 2016. The RX gets a new
aerodynamic look, an updated engine and a more spacious and luxurious interior. The sleeker outside makes
the SUV quieter and more sure-footed at highway speeds, according to Lexus. The company says it upgraded
the 3.5-litre V6, pushing horsepower from 270 to 300. A new eight-speed automatic transmission boosts gas
mileage. Lexus sold more than 107,000 RXs last year, up 3.4 per cent from a year ago. The new RX goes on
sale late this year. Pricing and fuel economy were not announced, but the RX 350 now starts around $41,000.
JAGUAR XF: The sexy Jaguar XF sedan gets a makeover to look more like a coupe. Additional aluminum
lightens the car by up to 265 pounds. The second generation of the car also gets a new supercharged V6
engine with 340 horsepower and 380 horsepower ratings. An updated suspension is designed to give the XF a
more comfy ride, yet better handling than the current model. With an eight-speed automatic transmission, it can
go from 0-60 mph in 5.1 seconds. Top speed is electronically limited to 155 mph. The current model starts
around $50,000. The XF goes on sale in the winter of 2015.
PORSCHE BOXSTER SPYDER: With the roar of 3.8-litre, 375 horsepower flat six engine, Porsche introduced
an open-top version of its latest Boxster model. Porsche says the Spyder is the fastest and most powerful
Boxster ever. The car, with wide use of aluminum to make it lighter, can go from zero-to-60 in 3.8 seconds. Top
speed for the two-seat Spyder is 180 miles per hour. The Boxster Spyder starts at $82,100. Orders are being
taken now in the U.S. Expect delivery in four to five months.
MCLAREN 570S: British supercar maker McLaren Automotive, best known for Formula One race cars,
believes its ready to tackle the U.S. market with a decked-out luxury sports cars priced under $200,000. The
570S, a car that McLaren says will merge racing technology with day-to-day driving at a price around $190,000,
goes on sale in November. The mid-engine, rear-drive 570S has a carbon fiber chassis and a 562 horsepower,
3.8-litre turbocharged V8. It can go from zero to 62 mph in 3.2 seconds and has a top speed of 204 mph. Just
what you need for the daily commute.
Copyright © 2015 The Canadian Press
Length: 1117 words
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2016 Cadillac CT6
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2016 Cadillac CT6 - Autos.ca
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2016 Cadillac CT6 - The Car Guide
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Cadillac CT6 is born
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5 things to know about GM's longer, lighter and sleeker new
Chevrolet Malibu midsize sedan; 5 things to know about GM's
revamped Chevy Malibu
Canadian Press
Wed Apr 1 2015
Section: Business
Byline: Tom Krisher
NEW YORK, N.Y. - General Motors tries again to gain traction in the popular midsize car segment with the
introduction of the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu at the New York International Auto Show. Based on looks the car
should be up to the task, but there are a lot of buyers out there consistently loyal to midsize heavyweights
Toyota Camry and Honda Accord no matter what the competition shows off.
Although U.S. buyers have flocked to car-based crossover sport utility vehicles, the midsize segment remained
the biggest part of the market last year with sales of 2.59 million, according to IHS Automotive.
Here is a snapshot of the redesigned Malibu:
LOOKS THE PART
If the sculpted car with a wide stance lives up to its looks, it could be another formidable entry in the most
competitive part of the U.S. auto market. The 2016 Malibu looks like a shrunken version of the highly acclaimed
Chevy Impala, a stylish big car that two years ago was Consumer Reports magazine's top-scoring sedan,
beating more expensive cars such as the Audi A6 and Lexus LS460. The Malibu has a distinctive honeycomb
grille, jeweled LED headlights, and its hood is lower than the previous model for better aerodynamics.
WE'VE BEEN HERE BEFORE
For years, General Motors executives have stood on auto show stages and proclaimed that the company finally
has a car to compete with the best midsize sedans. But each time, the effort fell short and instead buyers drove
Camrys and Accords off dealer lots. Worse, in recent years, cars such as the Ford Fusion and Hyundai Sonata
took some sales from the top two with cutting-edge styling and better performance. "Let's face it. Midsize car,
we've been lagging behind our competitors," says John Cafaro, executive director of design for Chevrolet cars.
GM sold nearly 189,000 Malibus last year, sixth in its class, and less than half the sales of Camry or Accord.
GM hasn't had a top-selling midsize car since the Chevrolet Celebrity in 1986.
GM President Dan Ammann says it will take a marketing blitz similar to the successful "That's not a Buick"
campaign to change perceptions about Chevrolet midsize cars. GM will focus on social media with real people
in its ads, which are easily transferrable to TV and other media, Ammann says.
GOT ROOM
In the current edition of the Malibu you need short legs to be comfortable in the back. A longer wheelbase
creates more room inside the redesigned model, including 1.3 inches of additional rear-seat legroom, a big
improvement. In a recent Cars.com comparison test of 10 midsize sedans, the Malibu finished in the middle,
largely because of its cramped back seat, said Aaron Bragman, Detroit bureau chief.
UNDER THE HOOD
There is a new base 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder with 160 horsepower. It's smaller and lighter than the
previous four-cylinder engine, helping to cut 300 pounds of weight. That should make the Malibu quieter and
more nimble, and GM says highway mileage will rise 1 mpg to 37. There's also a turbocharged 2-Liter fourcylinder with 250 horsepower and an eight-speed automatic transmission. A gas-electric hybrid version gets an
estimated 48 mpg in combined city and highway driving.
HOW'S SHE HANDLE?
GM engineers say new midsize car underpinnings will enable the Malibu to handle better than the more
expensive Buick Regal, which recently bested the BMW 3 Series to win top sports sedan honours from
Consumer Reports.
SO, SON, WHERE DID YOU GO?
The Teen Driver feature lets parents review their child's maximum speed, distance driven, and the number of
times safety features were activated. Those features include forward collision alert, rear cross-traffic and side
blind spot alerts, and a camera that watches out for pedestrians headed into the car's path. 4G LTE Wireless
connections are also available.
Copyright © 2015 The Canadian Press
Length: 619 words
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2016 Chevrolet Malibu - The Car Guide
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Thu Apr 2 2015
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2016 Chevrolet Malibu
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Malibu redesigned | Autonet.ca
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