Tag: expands

GM expands axle pin recall to include more pickups, SUVs

Filed under: SUV, Truck, Recalls, Safety, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GM, GMC

2011 GMC Sierra

It would seem that General Motors has discovered that the defective axle cross pins responsible for a recent recall were installed in more vehicles than originally thought. The automaker has expanded the recall to cover a total of 26,751 vehicles, up from the 1,262 units in the original notice. As of right now, certain 2011 Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Avalanche, Colorado, Silverado, Suburban and Tahoe models as well as GMC Canyon, Sierra and Yukon models are included in the newest recall.

As with before, the vehicles were built with rear axle cross pins that may not have been heat treated. As a result, the pieces could fracture and move out of position. If this happens, the defect could actually cause the rear axle to lock up while driving. Needless to say, the problem could easily cause an accident.

GM will replace the pins free of charge, though the recall isn’t scheduled to get underway until January 25. The company says that while one owner did experience a loss of power to the rear axle as a result of the defect, no accidents have been reported. Hit the jump to take a look at the full recall notice.

[Source: NHTSA]

Continue reading GM expands axle pin recall to include more pickups, SUVs

GM expands axle pin recall to include more pickups, SUVs originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 17 Jan 2011 12:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chip Ganassi Racing expands to four-car Indy mega team

Filed under: Motorsports, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs

You’d have to search long and hard to find a racing team as successful as Chip Ganassi Racing. The team has won four Champ Car titles (before the series shut down), three Indy Racing League titles and one Grand-Am championship.

This year alone, CGR took home both the IndyCar and Rolex Grand-Am titles, and won the Indianapolis 500, the Brickyard 400 and the Daytona 500 in the process. Names like Franchitti, Dixon, Stewart and Montoya race under the Ganassi banner. And this coming season, the team has taken a big step forward by expanding its IndyCar team by two drivers to make for a four-car mega team.

Joining two-time champions Scott Dixon and Dario Franchitti this season in a parallel team will be Graham Rahal and Charlie Kimball. Rahal is the son of Indy 500 legend Bobby Rahal, and himself became the youngest ever race winner in the series’ history when he won the season-opener at St. Petersburg in 2008 – his only victory to date. Kimball, meanwhile, is moving up the ladder from the Indy Lights feeder series having competed overseas in the Formula 3 Euro Series, Formula Renault 3.5 and A1GP.

Both drivers are American in an increasingly foreign-dominated grid, and bring much-needed sponsorship cash along with them at a time when some big name teams are struggling to make ends meet.

[Source: Autosport | Image: Jonathan Ferrey/Getty]

Chip Ganassi Racing expands to four-car Indy mega team originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 23 Dec 2010 18:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Formula 1 expands to 20-race calendar for 2011 as Rome signs on for 2012

Filed under: Motorsports, Europe

Is bigger better, or is less more? Chew on that one while the FIA releases the calendar for the 2011 Formula One World Championship. Packed with 20 grands prix, it’s the largest the series has ever seen. And it’s only going to get bigger.

Starting earlier and ending later than the season currently underway, the 2011 calendar starts in Bahrain next March and ends in Brazil late November, a position which Interlagos regains from Abu Dhabi, which in turn moves to the second-to-last position after two years as the season closer. Near the end of the season in late October will be the inaugural Indian Grand Prix, still subject to homologation of the new circuit. Malaysia and China, Spain and Monaco, Germany and Hungary, and Japan and Korea will each be back-to-back.

Meanwhile, a new, five-year contract was signed at Monza this past weekend to hold a grand prix on the streets of Rome, scene of the Shell commercial pictured above and a Renault F1 roadshow exhibit in 2005. The new race could come as soon as the 2012 season, pending European approval. The race is set to run in addition to – not instead of – the Italian Grand Prix, which will continue to be held at Monza. The last time Italy hosted two grands prix was in 2006, which featured the final running of the San Marino Grand Prix at Imola.

The United States Grand Prix is set to race in Austin, Texas, also in 2012. However, neither the Chinese, Japanese nor Turkish grands prix are currently contracted beyond next season.

[Sources: Autosport, F1-Live]

Formula 1 expands to 20-race calendar for 2011 as Rome signs on for 2012 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 14 Sep 2010 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Harley-Davidson expands 2011 lineup with three new offerings

Filed under: Motorcycle

2011 Harley-Davidson Sportster SuperLow – Click above for high-res image gallery

Shoppers at Harley-Davidson dealers across North America will be faced with the choice of three new models this year, as the 2011 lineup marks the release of the Sportster SuperLow, XR1200X and Road Glide Ultra. This hat trick of new releases increases Milwaukee’s total offerings to an impressive 32 unique (that is… as long as you want a V-twin and two or three wheels) models.

If your confidence is in need of inspiration, as H-D words it, than the new SuperLow may be just what you’re looking for. Sporting a design and build that highlight ease of handling and a low stand-over height, the SuperLow may drag pegs through the turns, but it should also help keep confidence high at stoplights. The second model, named the XR1200X (which we previously covered here) claims to “hone Sportster performance to its very limit” offering standard adjustable suspension, floating front brake rotors, and a high compression version of the 1200cc Evo engine packaged in the XR chassis. The matte-black finish of the engine and drive components complete the no-nonsense look of the XR1200X.

Rounding out the new releases is the Road Glide Ultra, which has its sights set further on the horizon while wielding a frame-mounted fairing. The new cockpit encases a four-speaker Harmon Kardon Audio system (with iPod connection), as well as a cruise control feature, amongst other luxuries. More touring amenities include the King Tour Pack, luggage carrier and standard ABS… we expect Route 66 has another thing coming.

Four new CVO variations will be available in limited quantities for the 2011 model year, several of which we recently had an opportunity to put through their paces, so stay tuned for the imminent full ride reports on all the new bacon from hog-central Harley-Davidson. For now, you can see more pictures and read the press release after the break.

Gallery: 2011 Harley-Davidson Sportster SuperLow

[Source: Harley-Davidson]

Continue reading Harley-Davidson expands 2011 lineup with three new offerings

Harley-Davidson expands 2011 lineup with three new offerings originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 28 Jul 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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OnStar expands smartphone control to most 2011 General Motors vehicles [w/Video]

Filed under: Technology, GM

OnStar mobile applications – Click above for high-res image gallery

Early this year, General Motors’ OnStar telematics unit unveiled a smartphone application it had developed for the Chevrolet Volt that allows drivers to remotely manage the charging, locking and unlocking of their vehicle and pre-warm or cool it while plugged in. OnStar is now extending that basic concept to nearly the entire General Motors lineup for 2011.

One of the key hardware differences between OnStar and Ford’s Sync technology is that GM integrates cellular radios into the car while Ford relies on the driver’s existing phone connected via Bluetooth or a cable. This allows Ford to offer services like turn-by-turn directions without charging a subscription fee. OnStar has long struggled to find a way to convince customers to continue paying the subscription after the initial complimentary period expires.

The integrated cellular radio allows OnStar to offer services like remote starting, car location and lock/unlock from anywhere that can’t be done with Sync or just a short-range key fob. The applications will also provide access to vehicle data like tire pressures and oil levels, and allow owners to call an OnStar adviser or schedule service appointments with a dealer. The applications will be available for Androids and iPhones. You can check out a video after the jump.

Gallery: OnStar mobile applications

[Source: General Motors]

Continue reading OnStar expands smartphone control to most 2011 General Motors vehicles [w/Video]

OnStar expands smartphone control to most 2011 General Motors vehicles [w/Video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 22 Jul 2010 12:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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