Stock Veteran Says GM Will Buy Tesla in 2014, Auto Exec Doubts It

As one of the most advanced electric vehicle manufacturers, Tesla Motors is no doubt being closely monitored by volume carmakers wishing to gain a firmer foothold in the electric vehicle segment. General Motors, for instance, has openly admitted to creating a special unit to monitor Tesla Motors.While that doesn’t necessarily mean GM wants to buy Tesla, there are some analysts who believe that this is the case and that a transaction could happen as soon as next year.
In an interview with CNBC, Yra Harris of Praxis Trading made a bold prediction that GM could try to buy Tesla Motors next year. The trader said Tesla is a perfect fit for the Detroit carmaker and that such a deal could make sense for both companies.
For GM, owning Tesla would give it access to advanced plug-in technology as well as a premium high-tech brand to its stable. In exchange, GM would help Tesla grow further thanks to its established global retail and service networks.
While there were previous rumors about other companies being interested in Tesla (such as Apple), a carmaking giant like GM or even Ford would likely be a better fit for the company founded by Elon Musk.
However, not everyone agrees with Harris, with former Mazda North America CEO Charles Hughes telling CNBC that the acquisition of Tesla by GM or Ford wouldn't work for any of the two Detroit-based carmakers. You can find out why from the second video posted below.

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GM Marks the Start of 2014 Corvette Stingray Production with Special Premiere Edition

Chevrolet announced on Friday that it will build a limited run of 500 units of a special 2014 Corvette Stingray Coupe named the Premiere Edition, with all units being top-of-the-line 3LT models. With this model, GM will basically kick off production of the 2014 Corvette Stingray.All limited-run editions feature a Laguna Blue Tintcoat exterior with a Brownstone suede interior along with a suede-wrapped interior trim and carbon fiber packages.
On the outside, distinctive elements include a visible carbon fiber roof, variable tuned performance exhaust system and the Z51 Performance Package with Magnetic Selective Ride Control.
Unique extras include “stinger” hood stripe, “Stingray”-logo interior sill plates and wheel caps and even a custom Corvette-branded luggage from Thule. Chevrolet says all Premier Edition models will have a unique vehicle identification number (VIN) starting with 300001, as well as an exclusive dash plaque to remind owners they drive a special Corvette.
There are no changes under the hood where you will find the standard 6.2-liter, 455-horsepower LT1 V8 engine.

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GM Releases European Pricing for New Corvette Stingray, Starts from £61k in the UK

At the same time Buick announced MSRPs for the 2014 LaCrosse in the States, across the pond, GM's Chevrolet brand released prices for the all-new 2014 Corvette Stingray Coupe.

You can catch a glimpse of the starting prices for the seventh generation Corvette in a selection of European countries (not all were available at the time we wrote this piece) in the list below, but we'll mention here that the coupe costs £61,495 (equal to US$96,000 / €71,700 at today's exchange rates) in the UK, and €69,990 (US$93,700 / £60,000) in Germany.

All European Corvette Stingrays will come fitted as standard with the Z51 package (worth $2,500 in the States) that includes a number of features such as an electronic limited-slip differential, aero package, larger wheels and brakes, and sportier suspension and steering system,  plus the magnetic ride control suspension ($1,795), performance traction management and performance exhaust systems ($1,195).

All of the aforementioned features and systems are optional in the States were the Corvette starts from $51,995 (€38,900 / £24,800).

Thanks to the standard sports exhaust system that adds 5hp, the European Corvette Stingray's 6.2-liter V8 engine is rated at 460hp (466PS) and at 6,000 rpm and 630Nm (465 lb-ft) of torque at 4,600 rpm. A standard 7-speed manual gearbox with active rev matching sends all those ponies to the rear wheels, with Chevrolet quoting a 0-60mph (96km/h) time of less than four seconds.

European sales of the Corvette Stingray will begin in the fall of 2013.

2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray PricesCroatia: €69,990 [US$93,700]
France: €69,990 [US$93,700]
Germany: €69,990 [US$93,700]
Italy: € 70,990 [US$95,000]
Spain: € 79,990 [US$107,000]
United Kingdom: £61,495 [US$96,000 / €71,700]
United States: US$51,995* [€38,900 / £24,800]
*U.S. model does not include the Z51 package, magnetic ride control suspension, performance traction management and performance exhaust systems

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GM Prices New Commodore-Based 2014 Chevrolet SS V8 from $44,470

Do you miss the Pontiac G8 and can't find a decent used example? GM has you covered as it has re-introduced the revised version of theHolden Commodore-based sports sedan in the States in the guise of the new 2014 Chevrolet SS, pricing of which was announced today before it goes on sale in the fourth quarter of 2013.

Available exclusively in the United States (sorry Canada) with a 6.2-liter V8 paired to a 6-speed automatic (sorry manual gearbox fans), the SS carries an MSRP of $44,470, including a $995 destination charge, which makes it cheaper than a similarly powered BMW 5-Series model, but on the same level as the smaller and less powerful 300hp 335i sedan ($44,075 with destination).

And if you're wondering, the rear-wheel drive and soon to be replaced by a newer and sexier looking model 2013 CTS with the 318hp 3.6L V6 starts at $44,235.

The rear-wheel drive-only Chevrolet SS easily beats both these models in power with its LS3 6.2-liter V8 that's rated at 415 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque (563 Nm) for a 0 to 60 mph (96km/h) time of about five seconds – despite the difference in power, the smaller 335i completes the sprint in 5.4 sec. with a manual gearbox and in 5.1 sec. with an auto transmission.

Chevrolet will only offer a single trim level for the SS, with the only options available being a power-operated sunroof ($900) and full-size spare tire ($500).

Among other standard features included in the package are Automatic Parking Assist, Chevrolet MyLink with a color touch screen and navigation, color head-up display, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated and ventilated front seats with memory, Side Blind Zone Alert and Lane Departure Warning, Brembo front brakes and 19-inch wheels in 245/40 tires up front and 275/35ZR at the back.

The new SS will be available only in five exterior colors namely, Mystic Green, Silver Ice Metallic, Red Hot 2, Phantom Black Metallic and Heron White, with all interiors in Jet Black.

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Chevrolet Unveils 2014 Malibu with Cosmetic, Space and Engine Tweaks

When an automaker releases a facelift for a model that has only been on the market for less than a year, it means it’s not happy with the way the public and the press alike received said car. This is the case with General Motors and the 8th generation Chevrolet Malibu that was introduced in the States in the second half of 2012.

General Motors rushed to update the Malibu for the 2014 model year with some light styling changes, while also improving interior space, and tweaking its powertrains and chassis.

Of course, GM won’t admit in a press release that some things weren't right with the Malibu, but instead it says that it did what it did with the facelift because it isn't resting on its laurels:

“The 2014 Chevrolet Malibu builds on the strengths established by the all-new 2013 Malibu to make it a stronger choice for customers,” said Mark Reuss, president, General Motors North America. “The midsize sedan segment is the most contested in the industry and we’re not sitting still with the 2014 Chevrolet Malibu.”

So, what does the 2014 model year bring to the Malibu? Well, on the outside, Chevrolet designers re-did the sedan's two-piece front grille that is now influenced by the Impala featuring a more prominent lower grille and a revised top part that connects with the hood. In addition, the rear light clusters gain a different design.

Moving on inside, the greatest change concerns the redesigned front seatbacks and the new cushion sculpturing and materials used on the rear seat bench, which help increase rear knee room by 1.25 inches (31.7 mm). The center console was also revised and now sports a longer armrest along with a pair of cup holders and dedicated storage for two cell phones.

Under the hood, the base 2.5-liter Ecotec four-cylinder engine gains a standard start/stop technology contributing to an estimated 5-percent increase in city fuel economy, while the automatic transmission was also revised. The inline four delivers 196hp and 186 lb-ft (253 Nm) of torque, and returns 23 mpg city and 35 highway.

The 2014 Malibu’s available 2.0-liter turbocharged delivers nearly 14 percent more torque than its predecessor at 295 lb-ft (400 Nm), and an output of 259hp. According to GM, "the result is a stronger feeling of acceleration from a stop and a greater feeling of power on demand in almost all driving conditions."

In addition to the engine updates, GM took a look at the chassis and made changes to the suspension with recalibrated dampers and rebound springs, as well as to the electric power rack-and-pinion variable-effort power steering, and the braking system.

Rounding out the improvements for the 2014MY are the new Side Blind Zone Alert and Rear Cross Traffic Alert safety features. Pricing for the revised Malibu will be announced at a later date.

So, what do you think; is Chevrolet on the right or wrong path with these updates? Tell us in the comments below.

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