GM claimes Volt drivers have saved super

GM claimes Volt drivers have saved super – GM claimes Volt drivers have saved supertanker of gas Fred Meier, USA Tod… http://ow.ly/1k2f4d

GM claimes Volt drivers have saved super

GM claimes Volt drivers have saved supertanker of gas Fred Meier, USA Today http://ow.ly/1k0dht

GM claimes Volt drivers have saved supertanker of gas – Fred Meier, USA Today

Makers of alt-fuel cars and the government love to create colorful images for how much gasoline the vehicles save and General Motors came up with one today: It says  Chevy Volt owners collectively have saved a supertanker’s worth of gas since the extended-range plug-in went on sale.

That would be about 2.1 million gallons of gas, based on Volt owners driving more than 40 million miles on electricity alone (GM should know, since it monitors the operation of all Volts through their OnStar connection). The Volt can go about 35 miles on the plug-in charge before the gas engine kicks in.

A Chevrolet Volt.

CAPTION

General Motors via Wieck

Based on the OnStar monitoring, Chevy says Volts are being driven about 60% of their miles electric-only, so they’ve also gone about 27 million miles using gasoline. Chevy is keeping a running tally of the use on its website here.

“With each click of the odometer, Chevrolet Volt owners are measuring their contribution to reducing America’s dependence on foreign oil and to preserving the environment,” Cristi Landy, Volt marketing director, said in a statement, adding that they saved about $8 million at the pump, minus the cost of  the electricity.

And therein lie both the virtues of the car — and the rub, at least for folks of average means.

The $8 million will offset the about $535 million owners collectively spent to buy the 13,374 of the $40,000 Volts GM sold from roll out through April this year (plus the cost of chargers in their garages).

Chevrolet Cruze ECO.

CAPTION

By GM, Wieck

But those buyers could have spent half that total if they’d bought the comparable about-$20,000-to-start Chevy Cruze Eco. Even after tax subsidies for the Volt, they’d still be money ahead for years, even with the Volt’s lower fuel cost, since the Eco is no gas hog at 28 mpg city, 42 highway, 33 combined. (And in Drive On use the Eco frequently beat its rated mileage.)

That’s not a knock on the high-tech, innovative Volt — just on the economics. Unless the price premium for plug-in EVs — driven primarily by the $10,000 to $15,000 current cost for a battery with the kilowatt-hours needed for an electric car –  they’ll remain halo cars for carmakers and ecologically virtuous, well-to-do buyers.

In any case, GM figures Volt owners’ 40 million electric miles equal:

• 16,373 cross-country trips (2,443 miles from NYC to L.A.)
• 1,606 trips around the world (24,901 miles each)
• 167 trips to the moon (238,657 miles each)

And the 2,130,000 gallons of gas saved equal:

• 50,714 barrels of gas  (42 gallons per barrel)
• 387 semi-truck tankers of gas (5,500 gallons of gas each)
• One supertanker  of gas (2 million gallons)

[USAtoday.com]

Chevrolet Honors America’s Military! May is National Military Appriciation Month.

Chevy supports our military and wants to recognize and reward the armed services. During

National Military Appreciation Month in May, the GM Military Discount is even better!

During the month of May:

■ The GM Military Discount Continues – Active, Reserve and Retired Military Personnel (Army, Navy,

Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard and National Guard) and their spouses are eligible for a special

Military Discount toward the purchase or lease of a new Chevrolet.

■ Commemorative Honor Badge – Every eligible GM Military-Discount consumer who purchases, leases

or orders a new Chevrolet vehicle in May will receive a complimentary Honor Badge which can be placed on

their new Chevrolet; this Honor Badge will be shipped to customers separately after they take delivery of

their vehicle; customers will be instructed to contact their Chevrolet dealership’s service department to

schedule a convenient appointment to have their Honor Badge installed at no charge

■ Cell Phones for Soldiers Donation – For every eligible Chevrolet vehicle that is

purchased, leased or ordered with a GM Military Discount during National Military

Appreciation Month, Chevrolet will make a $100 donation to “Cell Phones for Soldiers”,

enabling troops serving away from home to keep in touch with their loved ones.

Congratulations to this months Gerry Award Winner Garrie Cagney!

Capture the final model year Avalanche as the classic pickup makes its last run

Ever since the release of the Chevrolet Avalanche, it has captivated truck lovers with a zeal for chasing adventure. Loaded with the capability of a full-size pickup with the convenient interior of an upscale SUV, Avalanche has set a trend among light-duty crew cab pickups through the truck’s dynamic and unique design.

2013 will mark the last year of production for Avalanche. To celebrate the final run of this versatile pickup, Chevrolet will release the 2013 Black Diamond Avalanche. This special edition will be adorned with the Black Diamond badge and will come standard with a rear camera system, body-color exterior components, Ultrasonic Rear Park Assist, remote vehicle starter system, power-adjustable pedals and fog lamps. The truck will also come in the following color choices: Black, Silver Ice, Blue Topaz, Fairway Metallic and White Diamond.

As a truck known for appealing to thrill-seeking enthusiasts who are constantly on the go, it’s only fitting that this edition is named after the term “Black Diamond” signifying the most challenging and most rewarding of downhill runs for skiers.

“More than 580,000 Avalanches have been sold since its introduction in 2001, and Avalanche has won major awards and recognitions throughout its run,” said Mark Clawson, Avalanche Marketing Manager. “So it’s only fitting that Avalanche retires on a high note.”

 

[Chevrolet.com]

Win a Night Downtown Kalamazoo

Ready for another contest?! Win a Night Downtown Kalamazoo for you and a friend! We have two tickets to attend Art & All that Jazz at the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts on Friday April 13th. Dinners on us as well! We’ll provide a $50.00 gift card to Mangia Mangia! To enter write us a review on our google place page, then copy the review to our facebook wall! We’ll select a winner on Wednesday April 11th. Good luck!