Posts Tagged ‘Chevrolet’
Used Trucks and SUVs Continue Rebound
Wednesday, November 11th, 2009
Almost every one of the most popular used trucks and SUVs on AutoTrader.com saw double-digit percentage price increases in October. The most improved vehicle was the Chevrolet Tahoe, which was up 27 percent from last year. The Dodge Ram 1500 and Ford F-150 also had price increases of over 20 percent since October 2008.
Similar trends emerged in the new vehicle market, with most truck and SUV models showing single digit increases. However, the F-150 and Chevrolet Silverado had 20 and 14 percent increases respectively.
“There continues to be renewed interest in these larger vehicles from consumers who need these vehicles for their work, because they have large families or some other true utility reason,” said Chip Perry, president of AutoTrader.com.
“In the past two years, record gas prices and a challenged economy caused many of these people to put off purchase of a new or used truck or SUV,” he explained.
“But for car buyers who really need large vehicles, they can only put off the purchase for so long,” Perry continued. “This rising demand coupled with low inventories could lead to continued price increases on these vehicles over the coming months.”
In a month where AutoTrader.com continued to witness an increase in views on the site over last year, the company had 13.6 million unique monthly visitors, up 6 percent from 12.9 million in October 2008.
“Consumers tell us over and over that the Internet is the number one medium from which they get information about vehicles and find dealers they want to do business with.” Perry remarked.
Photo courtesy of fdtate under the Creative Commons License.
Tags: AutoTrader.com, Chevrolet, Chevrolet Tahoe, Dodge, Dodge Ram, F-150, Ford, Silverado
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Chevrolet Caprice Resurrected for Police Fleets
Tuesday, October 6th, 2009
With the Ford Crown Victoria going out of production, police fleets around the country need a new car for future patrol cars. Now Chevrolet has provided one answer: The new 2011 Chevy Caprice Police Patrol Vehicle. The new Caprice is a full-sized rear wheel drive sedan that will be available in both V-6 and V-8 models, with a range of specialized equipment for law enforcement.
Chevrolet announced the rollout at the annual International Association of Chiefs of Police convention in Denver. The Caprice PPV will be available for order by law enforcement agencies next year and will begin production in 2011.
The Chevy Caprice has a history in law enforcement. The old Caprice joined America’s police forces in 1976, and continued to serve until it was scrapped in 1996 when GM discontinued body-on-frame designs.
The new Caprice PPV has been augmented for law enforcement duty with modern equipment and new features:
- 6.0L V-8 with fuel-saving Active Fuel Management technology and E-85. (V-6 engine will also be offered, beginning in the 2012 model year)
- Optional front-seat-only side curtain air bags.
- Two trunk-mounted batteries, with one dedicated to powering various police equipment.
- Designed for five-passenger seating, providing the upper-center section of the dashboard is used for equipment mounting without the concern of air bag deployment interference.
- Compatibility with in-dash touch-screen computer technology.
- Special front seats designed for the long-term comfort of officers, including space to accommodate the bulk of a typical equipment belt.
The new Caprice is based on GM’s global rear-wheel drive family of vehicles that includes the Camaro. It has the longest wheelbase of the series (118.5 inches) plus a four-wheel independent suspension that allows for super-responsive driving characteristics critical to police.
The Caprice’s 6.0L V-8 is rated at an estimated 355 horsepower (265 kW) with an estimated 384 lb.-ft. of torque, and is backed by a six-speed automatic transmission that is performance-calibrated for police duty.
Photo courtesy of netcarshow.com
Tags: 2011 Chevy Caprice Police Patrol Vehicle, Active Fuel Management, Camaro, Caprice PPV, Chevrolet, Chevy Caprice, Crown Victoria, Denver, E-85, Ford, Ford Crown Victoria, GM, International Association of Chiefs of Police
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Crown Victoria Turns in its Badge
Tuesday, September 8th, 2009
Ford Motor Co. recently met with the heads of several of the nation’s largest police fleets in Dearborn, MI to talk about the future of police vehicles.
The Crown Victoria, an invaluable asset to police fleets for years, is being discontinued. Ford has not sold the Crown Vic to consumers since 2007, but will continue to produce the cars as fleet vehicles until 2011. Although the Crown Victoria is on its way out, Ford is committed to remaining an integral part of America’s police force.
Ford’s major offer to the nation’s police fleets has been the new Taurus sedan. While it may seem like an excellent opportunity for an upgrade, the Taurus and other newer cars lack some of the features that made the Crown Victoria so effective. The Crown Vic was a body-on-frame car, which made it extremely tough and easy to repair in the event of a collision. It has a column shifter, which frees up the center console area for guns and electronic equipment. It also boasts enough rear space for a spacious trunk while still accommodating two suspects in the back seat.
In addition to these major features, most aftermarket police equipment is built specifically to fit inside a Crown Victoria. When some fleets attempted to switch their fleets over to Chevrolet Impalas, they found that their communications equipment would not fit in the vehicles. The Crown Victoria also has rear-wheel drive, which allows for greater handling and more even weight distribution.
With these features missing from many of its current models, Ford has yet to decide on what vehicle will be chosen to replace the Crown Victoria when it finally retires.
“We’ve got some big decisions to make, and we’re making them,” said Jim Farley, head of global sales, marketing and service for Ford. “We have no intention of walking away from our share of that market.”
Other companies are anxious to take over Ford’s contract with police fleets; other big automakers are eyeing the prize, but the Canadian Auto Workers and some small start-ups are also looking to provide law enforcement agencies with the perfect police cruiser. Ford however, is determined to stay in the game, and not just for the money: Ford Americas President Mark Fields says “Every municipality has police, so you have Ford product everywhere across the country. It reinforces that Ford is part of the community.”
Photo courtesy of banspy under the Creative Commons License.
Tags: American police force, Chevrolet, Chevrolet Impala, Crown Victoria, fleet, fleet vehicles, Ford, Ford Motor Co, Impala, Taurus
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Lower Vehicle Prices One Good Effect of Down Economy
Thursday, September 3rd, 2009
The auto industry has been hit hard by the economic downturn of the last year, but the need for a rebound in sales has led to a new incentive for consumers: lower sticker prices on new cars. Automakers have been cutting prices for the 2010 model years with such zeal that the new versions of some vehicles actually cost less than their predecessors.
Mercedes-Benz has cut the price of its E350 sedan by $3,300 to $49,475. Nissan is introducing price cuts to the Sentra sedan of between $130 and $1080 depending on the version. And Chrysler is going the furthest with its cuts, lowering the MSRP on almost all of its models. For example, the 2010 Town & Country minivan is down $1,030 from 2009 to $29,215.
The lower “manufacturers suggested retail price” isn’t the lowest customers can expect to pay, either. The final deal is worked out between the dealer and the customer, which could work greatly in favor of buyers who are interested in low-demand vehicles the dealers are trying to unload.
The main reason for the price cuts is simple competition. The demand for new cars is the lowest it has been in decades, and lowering the price of newer models can serve to increase the visibility of the product on the road and move slow sellers off of dealer lots.
Before you rush out to acquire one of these cheaper new cars, be advised: not all of the price cuts are strictly competitive. The 2010 Chevrolet Equinox has gotten a price cut but has also lost its six-cylinder engine in favor of a smaller four-cylinder. The 2010 Cadillac SRX is also much smaller than its predecessor in exchange for a price cut.
Photo courtesy of rutlo under the Creative Commons License.
Tags: auto industry, automakers, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Mercedes-Benz, MSRP, Nissan, Sentra, Town & Country
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Eliminating the Blind Spot
Wednesday, September 2nd, 2009
A vehicle’s blind spot is one of a drivers greatest liabilities. Every year, more than 826,000 vehicles are involved in accidents caused by a blind spot. While these accidents are very rarely fatal, they have a high incident of injury and can cause major property damage. For the small fleet owner, this effect can be devastating in lost time, repair, and medical costs.
Much research and development has gone into creating systems that eliminate the dangers that blind spots pose. Ford has introduced an option on newer models known as the Blind Spot Information System (BLIS), which uses radar to scan an area beside the car for any objects between the bumper and the side-view mirror. If an object is present, a small light on the mirror illuminates to alert the driver to the presence of something in their blind spot.
Several new Ford and Chevrolet models are also equipped with a small extra mirror integrated into the side-view mirror called the BlindZoneMirror. Each mirror is tailored to the specific model of vehicle it is attached to and has won a 2009 Automotive News PACE award, which honors “superior innovation and technological advancement.”
While technological solutions are helpful, it is still important that drivers are aware of how to monitor their blind spot. George Platzer, the inventor of the BlindZoneMirror, has also developed a manual system that allows a driver to eliminate the blind spot completely: First, the driver leans his head against the driver’s side window and adjusts the mirror so that the side of the vehicle is just barely visible. Then he leans to the center of the vehicle (between the front seats) and does the same with the passenger-side mirror.
Once the mirrors have been properly adjusted, a vehicle approaching from behind should appear in the side-view mirror before disappearing from the rear view. Then it should appear in the driver’s peripheral vision before leaving the side-view mirror.
Ford chief safety engineer Steve Kozak wholeheartedly approves of the method: “If we could train everyone in the United States to do it that way, then I think we would probably be a lot better and we wouldn’t need a system like [BLIS],” he said.
Make sure your drivers understand the importance of checking their blind spot.
Photo courtesy of nimish gogri under the Creative Commons License.
Tags: 2009 Automotive News PACE award, blind spot, Blind Spot Information System, BlindZoneMirror, BLIS, Chevrolet, fleet, Fleet Owner, Ford, side-view mirror, small fleet owner
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GM’s Vision for the Future
Tuesday, August 18th, 2009
The newly-resurrected General Motors recently announced its plans for new vehicles to debut between now and 2011. Ten Chevrolet models, another ten Buick and GMC models, and five new Cadillacs will make their way onto the market in the next two years. This announcement comes only months after GM declared bankruptcy and transferred ownership primarily to the United States government.
The most talked-about vehicle in the new GM lineup is the 2011 Chevrolet Volt, a plug-in electric hybrid. Recent tests estimate the city fuel economy of the volt at 230 miles per gallon. The Volt is capable of traveling up to 40 miles on one charge of its battery and can extend its range to over 300 miles with its hybrid gasoline engine. The Volt is likely to be marketed as a commuter vehicle, as studies from the US Department of Transportation show that 80 percent of Americans commute fewer than 40 miles a day. With the Volt’s fuel efficiency, vehicle owners could commute to and from work purely on electricity.
The rest of GM’s branches also have big plans: Cadillac is planning to release a new luxury sport sedan as well as the CTS Sport Wagon and SRX crossover, both of which offer lower emissions and greater fuel economy than previous models. Buick also plans to release a new luxury vehicle with the LaCrosse as well as a compact SUV with a fuel economy of over 30 miles per gallon, to be followed later by a hybrid version. GMC will also release a more efficient crossover SUV.
GM’s plan also involves a new approach in its relationship with customers. A combination of online communication and face-to-face meetings with customer will better inform GM of customer satisfaction and concerns. An addition to the FastLane blog, “The Lab” is a microsite that will allow customers to have input on future designs and qualify for later studies.
With more fuel-efficient vehicles entering the market, FleetCards USA reminds you that we have a fuel plan to suit your needs whatever they may be. For more information on customizing your plan, click here.
Photo courtesy of dsix under the Creative Commons License.
Tags: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chevrolet Volt, FastLane blog, FleetCards USA, fuel efficiency, General Motors, GMC, Miles Per Gallon, US Department of Transportation
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Minivans Rule Used-Vehicle Market for May
Monday, June 8th, 2009
Their affordability and utility are not just for moms
Sales within the used-vehicle market flattened out through May with car values depreciating 0.8 percent overall. Just five of Kelley Blue Book’s 20 segments continued to appreciate. Among them, minivans were the biggest gainer at 2 percent appreciation, according to Vehicleremarket.com.
It was reported that Kelley Blue Book expects sales on hybrid vehicles, subcompacts, and compact crossovers to peak or depreciate in coming months.
Strong mid-size and full-size Fords such as the Fusion and Five-Hundred contributed to a 0.1 percent segment gain.
Full-size Fords performed well, however, the Chrysler 300 dropped 4.5 percent and the Pontiac G8 sank 4.0 percent, slightly dragging the category down 1.0 percent.
Truck segments appeared stable with pickup trucks sales flat, crossovers down 0.8 percent, SUVs increased 0.6 percent, and vans up 0.9 percent.
The mid- and full-size SUV segment was up .4 and 1.7 percent in May, respectively.
Crossover values dropped 0.8 percent because of declines in its compact, luxury, and hybrid lines.
Minivans improved 2 percent, which was more than any other segment during May. The article summed up the sales lift by saying “The relative affordability and utility offered by minivans are the main drivers providing lift in this segment…and it is difficult to beat the value offered by minivans, especially when cross shopping against more expensive crossovers and SUVs.”
Top minivans performers were the Dodge Caravan, Chevrolet Uplander, and Nissan Quest.
Check out the value of your fleet vehicles at Kelley Blue Book
Tags: Chevrolet, Chevrolet Uplander, Chrysler, Chrysler 300, Dodge, Dodge caravan, Ford, Ford Five-hundred, Ford Fusion, hybrid, Kelley Blue Book, Minivan, Nissan, Nissan Quest, Pontiac, Pontiac G8, subcompacts, SUV, used-vehicle, vehicleremarket.com
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Is Your Auto Warranty At Risk?
Thursday, May 21st, 2009
With Chrysler beginning bankruptcy proceedings and GM’s financial problems continuing to loom over the auto industry, local auto dealers across the country are awaiting a fate that is seemingly out of their hands.
Chrysler is scheduled to release a list of dealers it will admit in to the new company later this week. GM is planning to notify dealers as to which brands they plan to continue – including Buick, Cadillac and Chevrolet – this week as well.
As a result, dealers are facing closure though many dealers are banding together to fight back and the legal battle could delay Chrysler’s government-imposed bankruptcy by at least a month.
These dealers have aligned themselves with the National Automotive Dealers Association to meet with Congress and members of President Obama’s auto task force to see what can be done to put a stop to the impending dealer consolidation.
This could have a tremendous impact if you are running a fleet of vehicles purchased from a dealer that is put out of business, because under federal bankruptcy laws, money owed by Chrysler and potentially GM for warranty work or rebates could just disappear.
This story is likely to drag out in court for weeks if not months. For more information check out the full article entitled Auto Dealers Fight Against Closures here
Photo copyright of hesskennedy under the Creative Commons License
Tags: auto dealers, auto industry, bankruptcy, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler, congress, fleet, GM, national automotive dealers association, president obama
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R.I.P. Pontiac
Monday, April 27th, 2009
GM Slashing 23,000 Jobs, Entire Brand
To avoid bankruptcy, General Motors confirmed today that it will cut 23,000 U.S. factory jobs as well as its 83-year-old Pontiac line by next year, according to CNNMoney.com.
The move will take GM down from 47 factories to 34 by the end of next year, to allow for a government mandated restructuring and much-needed focus on its core brands: Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac.
The article quoted Kevin Smith, editorial director for Edmunds.com as saying, “There was a time, a long way back now, when you knew exactly what Pontiac stood for. Pontiac’s lack of focus as a brand may finally have brought its demise. That’s just death in a marketplace where there’s so much competition and so much quality,” he said.
Once hailed as GM’s “Excitement Division,” the brand with long-gone glorified models — like the 60’s Tempest GTO and late 60’s and 70’s Firebird Trans Am — added decades of gas-guzzling muscle, machismo and, yes, mustaches to America’s roads.
Now with GM backed into a corner and ready to slash 40% of its dealer network, a proposed $27 billion bondholder debt-for-stock swap on a table, and no clear hero to save the day or the industry, one has to wonder: What would The Bandit do? And could he do it in a Buick?
Tags: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, CNN, Edmunds.com, General Motors, GMC, Pontiac
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