Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Volt Generates First Time Interest in Chevrolet.

Chevy-volt-cruze-mule
Nearly seven in 10 buyers trade in non-GM vehicle

DETROIT – The Chevrolet Volt is winning new customers to the brand from the competition with the Toyota Prius topping the list of most traded-in vehicle followed by the Toyota Camry, Honda Civic and BMW 3 Series.  

“I owned a Prius for six years and loved it. I was one of the first to sign-up for the plug-in (version),” said Steve Glenn of Santa Monica, Calif.   “While I was waiting for it to ship, I learned that the Volt would qualify for the HOV stickers, so I did a test drive. I fell in love then. It’s faster, better appointed and gets far better gas mileage than the Prius (or the plug-in). I've driven it over 1,000 miles and I've only used five gallons of gas.”

Access to high-occupancy vehicle lanes, also known as carpool lanes, is a desired commuter perk in traffic-clogged California.

“Volt is a game changer for us in northern California,” said Shaun Del Grande, president, Del Grande Dealer Group in San Jose. “On a daily basis new customers are coming into our dealership to check out the Volt because of its breakthrough technology and superior fuel economy.  Our dealership is seeing new customers who are trading in Prius and Civic models, and we’re just getting started with electric vehicles.” 

In a recent survey, Volt owners expressed their passion for the vehicle with 93 percent stating that they would buy the car again. 

“Nearly seven in 10 Volt buyers are new to Chevrolet,” said Volt marketing manager Cristi Landy.  “With new customers coming to the brand because of the Volt, our dealers have a great opportunity to establish lasting relationships and introduce them to our entire Chevrolet product line up.”

The Volt has a total driving range of up to 379 miles, based on EPA estimates. For the first 35 miles, the Volt can drive gas and tailpipe-emissions free using a full charge of electricity stored in its 16-kWh lithium-ion battery. When the Volt’s battery runs low, a gas-powered engine/generator seamlessly operates to extend the driving range another 344 miles on a full tank. Volt owners have travelled more than 10 million miles since the vehicle launched late last year. Roughly two-thirds of those miles were powered by grid electricity.

Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world's largest car brands, doing business in more than 140 countries and selling more than 4 million cars and trucks a year.  Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient vehicles that feature spirited performance, expressive design, and high quality. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.

Source: Chevrolet

Great review for Kenny Ross Nissan!

Two 5 Star Reviews for Kenny Ross Ford!

Thank you for this 5 Star Review!

5 Star Review for Kenny Ross Toyota Scion!

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

First Ford Focus Electric models en route to dealerships.

03-2012-ford-focus-electric-fd

The 2012 Ford Focus Electric is officially on its way to dealerships. Outlets in California, New Jersey, and New York – 67 in all – are going to be the first to receive the electron-fueled Focus, with about six cars each winding up on lots. To help dealers build more excitement for what's likely to be a slow-starting sales story, the dealers will hold one of the Focus EVs as a demonstrator.

Even if fewer than 5,000 Focus Electric models find buyers this year, Alan Mulally won't be disappointed. While Ford ultimately expects electrics and hybrid vehicles to account for up to 25 percent of its sales volume by 2020, the company is moving deliberately. Rather than develop and tool an entirely new platform, Ford's move to modify the Focus for electric propulsion is said to allow some semblance of a profit margin, but it's going to take time for consumers to warm to the idea of a $40,000 Focus, even if a third of that price is the battery, and Ford appears to be keeping this in mind.

After the initial 350 or so cars are delivered to the pilot stores, the rest of the Ford dealers across the nation will start getting the Focus EV before spring turns into summer.

 

Source: Autoblog.com

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http://www.dealerrater.com/dealer/Kenny-Ross-Chevrolet-Cadillac-review-7734/

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

2013 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 to pace 96th Indianapolis 500.

2012-corvette-zr1-indy-pace-car

INDIANAPOLIS – A 2013 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 will lead the starting field of the 96th Indianapolis 500 to the green flag Sunday, May 27 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. With 638 horsepower, the Corvette ZR1 is the most powerful production car ever to pace the race.

This will be the 23rd time a Chevrolet has paced "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing" and the 11th time a Corvette is serving as the Pace Car. Both are event records. The 2013 model year will mark the 60th anniversary and the final year of production for the current generation Corvette.

"Corvette embodies pure performance, so the ZR1 is a perfect car to pace the most prestigious auto race in the world," said Jeff Belskus, Indianapolis Motor Speedway Corporation president and chief executive officer. "Chevrolet is a great partner of the Speedway, and we share in the excitement of the upcoming 60th anniversary of the iconic Corvette brand. It's even more meaningful to see a Chevrolet pacing the field at Indy since Chevy has returned as an engine supplier for the IZOD IndyCar Series for the first time since 2005."

"This is a truly momentous year for Chevrolet when it comes to performance, with our continued success on and off track, and especially with our return to the IndyCar Series, powering some of the fastest cars on the circuit," said Jim Campbell, GM vice president of Performance Vehicles and Motorsports. "I can't think of a better way to mark the 60th Anniversary of Corvette than having it lead the starting field of the Indianapolis 500."

A supercharged, 6.2-liter LS9 engine generating 638 horsepower helps to create the ZR1's performance. Of all mass-production companies, Chevrolet is the leader in using carbon fiber. The lightweight material is used for structural components, including the front fenders, hood, roof, front splitter, rocker panels and floor pans. With a curb weight of 3,353 pounds, the ZR1 features a power-to-weight ratio of just 5.2 pounds per horsepower. The ZR1 also features advanced technology such as Magnetic Selective Ride Control, Launch Control system with Performance Track Management, a four-channel ABS system and Brembo carbon-ceramic disc brake rotors.

As a result, the ZR1 is the fastest Chevrolet ever produced, capable of accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in 3.4 seconds, and capable of reaching a top speed of 205 mph. The ZR1 lapped the famed Nurburgring' Nordschleife ("north loop") in 7:19.63.

The first Chevrolet selected as the Indianapolis 500 pace car was the 1948 Fleetmaster Six. The brand would go on to lead the racing pack more than any other manufacturer. In addition to the Fleetmaster Six, the list of Chevy pace cars includes:

  • 1955 Bel Air
  • 1967 Camaro
  • 1969 Camaro
  • 1978 Corvette
  • 1982 Camaro
  • 1986 Corvette
  • 1990 Beretta
  • 1993 Camaro
  • 1995 Corvette
  • 1998 Corvette
  • 1999 Monte Carlo
  • 2002 Corvette
  • 2003 SSR
  • 2004 Corvette
  • 2005 Corvette
  • 2006 Corvette
  • 2007 Corvette
  • 2008 Corvette
  • 2009 Camaro
  • 2010 Camaro
  • 2011 Camaro
  • 2013 Corvette

Corvette 60th Anniversary Package

The Corvette Pace Car features an exterior paint scheme and full body length stripe similar to that of the 60th Anniversary Package being made available on all 2013 Corvette models. The 60th Anniversary Package features an Arctic White exterior with a Blue Diamond leather-wrapped interior with suede accents. Convertible models will have a blue top.

Additional content includes a ZR1-style rear spoiler, special badging, gray-painted brake calipers and the "60th" logo on the wheel center caps, steering wheel and seat headrests. An optional graphics package adds full-length racing stripes in Pearl Silver Blue, including a tonal stripe stitched into the convertible top, extending the graphic theme over the roof.

For 2013, all Corvettes will feature 60th Anniversary badges on the fascias and the "waterfall" panel on convertible models, as well as 60th logos in the instrument panel gauge cluster and on the sill plates.

The 96th Indianapolis 500 is scheduled to start at noon (ET) Sunday, May 27. The driver of the Pace Car will be announced soon.

Source: Chevrolet

Brand new 5 Star Review!

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Friday, May 4, 2012

CINCO DE MAYO: Celebration!

Cinc

Head south of the Allegheny County border for a family-friendly evening of authentic Mexican culture at Washington’s Old Mexico restaurant. Old Mexico 250 Oak Spring Road Washington, PA 15301 (724) 250-7899 Hours: Mon to Sat – 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sun – 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Check out this new 5 Star Review!

Dealerrater
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Thursday, May 3, 2012

Ford rescue concept truck to help tornado victims.

Ford-f550-fire-rescue-001

From show floor to evacuation route, one concept vehicle got the chance to test it's meddle in the real world.

The Ford F-550 Super Duty Rescue Truck was created to demonstrate extreme rescue capabilities not actually use them. It first went on display in February at the Chicago Auto Show.

But on April 3, with just two miles on its odometer, this concept vehicle found itself in the thick of a real-life rescue mission. A series of devastating tornadoes had ripped through Arlington, Texas, overwhelming every fire-rescue department in the region. Destruction was everywhere.

Worse yet, many of the neighborhood streets were filled with debris ranging from roofs to cars and the big fire trucks couldn't maneuver through them.

That's when Brad Snyder, vice president of marketing at NewScope Marketing in Grandbury, Texas, got a call the Arlington emergency services director for help. The director knew the local volunteer fire department had advised Snyder on building an extreme rescue vehicle for Ford Motor Co. and now the city needed its help.

"When we proposed the truck to Ford, one of the things Ford required was that everything on the truck actually work," Snyder said Tuesday. That's not always the case with concept vehicles, which often could not even qualify to ride on a U.S. highway.

"We never intended to put it into service," Snyder said. But put it to work they did. Keep on reading to find out how.


Snyder personally got behind the wheel and taking it to some of the hardest hit spots in Arlington. Unlike the big fire-rescue vehicles, the F-550, powered by Ford's 6.7-liter Powerstroke diesel, was able to move through the rubble.

"We assisted with tagging houses and making sure no one was still inside some of them," Snyder said. All told, Snyder helped with more than 100 houses in the Arlington area.

The truck is equipped with thermal imaging devices that can pickup a person's body heat nearly a half-mile away. Additionally, there a big lighting rig on the truck, which Snyder said was used to light both sides of a street during the night when no one else had power.

There's also a full generator big enough to run a house, as well as lots of medical supplies and emergency gear firefighters could use to clear debris and dig out survivors. Snyder also provided food and water to fire fighters and others in need.

"It also has a Doppler radar, which came in handy, so we could keep an eye on the weather around us," Snyder said.

The truck, which would cost about $150,000 to buy, worked from about 4 p.m. until 2 a.m. and then headed back to the NewScope garage, Snyder said. It will return to its cushy job touring car shows after it's cleaned up.

Source: Autoblog.com

Another wonderful 5 Star Review! Thank you to the customer.

Dealerrater
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Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Feel like dancing? Check out West Coast Swing Dancing

May 3, 2012 7:00 pm - 11:00 pm (Thursday)
Pittsburgh Dance Center
4765 Liberty Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15224