Copple Chevrolet GMC

Chevrolet's near-term focus:  Cars, not trucks


Chevrolet will focus on cars-at least for the next 18 months-as GM's biggest brand seeks to build a reputation for fuel economy.

The next generation Chevrolet Malibu mid size sedan will launch in early 2012.  The Spark mini-car will hit the United States later next year from South Korea.  The redesigned Chevy Impala larger sedan is slated for the first quarter of 2013. 

Truck launches will follow,  Redesigned versions of Chevy's Tahoe and Suburban SUVs are expected in the first half of 2013 as 2014 models.  The next generation Silverado pickup is scheduled to arrive later in 2013. Click here to learn more... 

The brand new 2013 Malibu has been the talk of GM and automotive websites for the past 2 weeks.  From the new interior design to the all new stylish exterior design the new Chevy Malibu is one you will not want to miss out on.  The new Malibu will be arriving on our lot early to mid 2012, so be ready.  If you would like more information on the 2013 Chevy Malibu you can contact us or call us at 888-806-2330 to buy your 2013 Malibu.

Learn more about the 2013 Chevy Malibu 

M has give the green light to the GMC Granite, a 2010 North American International Auto Show concept, for production.  Our well placed source says it will be built with the suicide-style rear passenger doors.  Best guess is model year 2013 or '14 with production beginning no earlier than late 2012.  The production model will be built on GM's C segment Delta platform that underpins the Chevy Volt and Cruze, Buick Verano, Opel/Vauxhall Astra, and Chevy Orlando.  The Orlando is the compact multipurpose vehicle that GM has rejected for the US market.  It will be sold in Europe, Asia, and Canada, and will share its floor plan with the Granite.

See pictures and Read More about the GMC Granite! 

Hyundai Motor Co.  recalled more than 190,000 Elantra sedans in the United States and Puerto Rico for a defect that could allow the passenger air bag  to malfunction.

Honda Motor Co. is recalling about 21,700 2011 Honda Civic cars because fuel could leak in a rollover crash!

Click here to read the full article. 

WASHINGTON (AP) - Two large manufacturers renowned for their quality issue massive recalls recently.  Toyota Motor Corp.  recalled 2.17 million vehicles in the United States to address accelerator pedals that could become entrapped in the floor mats or jammed in driver's side carpeting, prompting federal regulators to close its investigation into the embattled automaker.

Read more.....

General Motor's 1.4 DOHC I-4/111kW Drive Motor: Game Changer

Timing as they say in the watch business is everything.  In the case of this year's Ward's 10 Best engine testing, the Chevrolet Volt had the good fortune of arriving at our offices in mid-November, the day after we finished evaluating the Nissan Leaf electric vehicle.

Don't get the wrong impression.  Our time with the Leaf was uplifting.  But some of us had limited exposure to the strange new world of electric vehicles, so we needed to adjust our thinking about automobiles and how they work.  We needed to be baptized at the altar of electrification.  There were white-knuckled moments in the Leaf for certain Ward's editors who couldn't quite understand how 2 linear miles (3.2 km) can consume 10 miles (16 km) worth of electricity.

Yes range anxiety is a hurdle taller than a high-tension wire that Americans must clear if the era of EV's is expected to have any legs. 

And for that reason the Volt's propulsion system is a magnificent achievement that marries the best attributes of all electric vehicles with those of fun to drive, fuel efficient gasoline cars.

Sometimes Ward's editors debate passionately whether an engine belongs on the list.  Not true for the Volt.  Everyone recognizes it as a game changer.

Murphy, Tom "By Any Name, They're tops Ward's 10 Best Engines Include 'Propulsion Systems' Ward's Dealer Business February 2011 22-25 

Chevy Volt made the top 10 cars for 2011 in the Car and Driver Magazine:

Chevy Volt

NO PLUG? No Problem,

To put it simply, the Chevy Volt was far and away the biggest surprise to every editor at this year's 10 best event.  None of us imagined that nestling into the glass cockpit would bring the words "automotive bliss" and "electric vehicle" together in the same sentence. 

The article in the January 2011 edition of Car and Driver magazine went on to say that you would have to be sitting in the Library of Congress to detect the switch over from EV mode to gas-electric hybrid operation.  And maximizing the electric range by curtailing full throttle or full brake episodes brings it own kind of driver engagement.  Best of all, it efficiency is unmatched, as long as interstate travel is omitted.  One editor drove the Volt 101 miles in 18 hours (including a 10.5 hour charge) and only used one gallon of gas.  That's some seriously eye-opening arithmetic.  

Read the full article in the January 2011 Car and Driver Magazine on page 50. 

The Volt metrics:
Vehicle type:  front engine, front-wheel drive, 4 passenger, 5 door hatch 
                      back
Base Price: $41,000
Powertrain: AC permanent-magnetic synchronous electric motor, 149 hp,
                   273 lb-ft; DOHC 16 valve 1.4 liter inline 4cyl, 84hp (est), 93 
                   lb-ft (est); combined system, 149 hp
Transmission: continuously variable automatic
Dimensions:
     Wheelbase: 105.7 in
     Length: 177.1 in
     Width: 70.4 in
     Height: 56.3
     Curb Weight: 3800lb
     Fuel Economy: TBD MPG

Cars Tested:

Acura TSX wagon, Audi A8, Audi S4, BMW Z4 sDrive35is, BMW 3 Series/M3, BMW 5 Series, BMW 5 Series GT, BMW 740i/Li, Buick Regal, Cadillac CTS/CTS-V, Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport, Chevy Cruze, Chevy Volt, Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, Ford Fiesta, Ford Fusion Hybrid, Ford Mustang/Shelby GT500, Honda Accord, Honda CRZ, Honda Fit, Hyundai Elantra, Hyundai Equis, Hyundai Sonata, Infiniti G25, Infiniti IPL G Coupe, Mazda 3 / Mazdaspeed 3, Mercedes-Benz E-class cabriolet and wagon, Mercedes Benz E350 Blue Tec Mercedes-Benz F-Cell, Mini Cooper Countryman, Nissan Juke, Nissan Leaf, Porsche Boxster / Boxster Spyder / Cayman, Porsche Panamera V-6, Saab 9-5, Scion tC, Smart Fortwo Electric Drive, Subaru Impreza WRX/WRX STI, Toyota Avalon, Toyota Corolla 2.5, Volkswagon Golf / GTI, Volkswagen Jetta, Volvo S60.

Contact Copple Chevrolet GMC to learn more about the Chevy Volt.   
  

Detroit-General Motors Co. CEO Dan Akerson is accelerating his company's push into electrified vehicles with plans to expand the Chevrolet Volt technology into a minivan within a few years and with another hike in his plan for Volt output. 

Akerson told the Automotive World Congress that he expects GM to roll out "several different variants" of the Volt, including an MVP.  A plug in hybrid version of the Cadillac SRX luxury crossover also likely by 2012 or 2013, he said.

In several public appearances in conjunction with the Detroit Auto Show, Akerson espoused his view that the Volt plug-in hybrid, launched last month, is a technological breakthrough with the potential to elevate GM's reputation for innovation.

Akerson said he expects Volt production to exceed 25,000 units this year.  That's up from an original estimate of 10,000 and a 20,000 unit forecast Akerson had given in recent weeks  Read the full article.

Colias, Mike "GM plans more Volts, electrified minivan" Automotive News 17 January 2011: 26 

DETROIT - The Chevrolet Cruze offers buyers more value for the dollar than any compact car along with more standard equipment, more miles per gallon, and award-winning safety ratings.  Read more....