A strategic growth plan designed to usher in several new models between 2013-2015 has been unveiled by General Motors (GM).According to the company, by the end of 2013, 70 percent of GM's nameplates will be new, redesigned or refreshed.Available information explained that for the 2014 model year alone, nameplates that represent 52 percent of GM's United States sales volume will be redesigned or refreshed.Bank of America analyst John Murphy, explained that the 52 per cent of GM's target is the highest percentage among major automakers.By early 2013, Chevrolet will round out the makeover of its car line up with the launch of the redesigned Impala large sedan. Then the focus will shift to GM's most profitable vehicles: trucks.GM's full-sized pickups, the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500, according to Reuters are due by late spring, to be followed by the next generation of its large Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs): the Chevy Suburban and Tahoe, GMC Yukon and Cadillac Escalade.In August, Cadillac will start selling the ATS compact sedan.A redesigned CTS should follow in 2013.In a related development,GM said it plans to increase research and development in Canada significantly by 2016, meeting a commitment to boost those activities as part of the automaker's 2009 government bailout.GM will spend $750 million over the next five years, or $150 million a year until 2016, GM spokeswoman Adria MacKenzie said.Most of the funds will be spent on environmental technologies and reducing vehicle weight, GM said.In 2009, when it received $10.5 billion (Canadian) from the federal and Ontario governments, GM promised to spend about $1 billion between then and 2016 on research and development in Canada.GM said it will now invest $834 million (C$850 million) in automotive research and development in Canada between 2009 and 2016.The money will go towards improving the innovation and competitiveness of Canadian automotive suppliers, funding start-ups and investing in new types of automotive technology.The announcement was made at GM Canada's regional engineering centre in Oshawa, in southern Ontario, and attended by Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Finance Minister Jim Flaherty.Meanwhile, the 2012 Chevrolet Suburban is a full-size SUV is offered in 1500 and heavy-duty 2500 models. Both are available in the base LS and mid level LT trims, while the top-shelf LTZ model is available as a 1500 only. The Suburban comes standard with an eight-person seating capacity, but an available 40/20/40 front bench increases that to nine.The LS comes standard with 17-inch alloy wheels, side assist steps, roof rack side rails, power front bucket seats with a centre console, a 50/50-split third-row seat, tri-zone manual climate control, full power accessories, Bluetooth, steering-wheel-mounted audio controls, rear-seat audio controls with head phone jacks, and an eight-speaker sound system with a CD player, satellite radio, an auxiliary audio jack and an iPod/USB interface.The LT adds foglights, roof rack crossbars, a locking rear differential, heated mirrors, rear parking sensors, leather upholstery, heated front seats, tri-zone automatic climate control, power-adjustable pedals, remote vehicle starting and an upgraded Bose sound system with a six-CD changer.The Suburban LTZ gets 20-inch polished alloy wheels, a power liftgate, rain-sensing wipers, a rear air suspension, a blind-spot warning system, upgraded leather upholstery, a heated steering wheel, driver seat memory settings, upgraded front seats with heating and ventilation, power-folding heated second-row seats, an auto-dimming rear view mirror, a hard-drive-based navigation system, a rear view camera and a premium 10-speaker Bose surround-sound system with digital music storage.Many of the features that are standard on upper trim levels are available on the LS or LT via packages or individual options. Other major options for the Suburban include 22-inch wheels, a sunroof, power-retracting running boards, a heavy-duty towing package (with an integrated trailer brake controller, trailer sway control and hill start assist), an off-road package and a twin-screen rear-seat entertainment system.Chevrolet offers two engine choices for the 2012 Suburban.The 1500 model comes with a 5.3-litre V8 that makes 320 horsepower and 335 pound-feet of torque.A 6.0-litre V8 that pumps out 352 hp and 382 lb-ft of torque is standard on the 2500. Both V8s are mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.With either the 1500 or 2500 model, buyers have a choice of either rear- or four-wheel drive.The 4WD Suburban is offered with a choice of either a traditional two-speed transfer case or a single-speed unit without low-range gearing (not available on LTZ).The 2012 Chevrolet Suburban's list of standard safety features includes four-wheel antilock disc brakes, stability control, GM's OnStar emergency communications system, front-seat side airbags and a three-row side curtain airbag system with a rollover sensor. A blind-spot warning system is also available on the LTZ trim.
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