Chevrolet

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Chevrolet Sonic, 2012: Supple ride in automaker's best-ever economy car

The new 2012 Chevrolet Sonic is the best subcompact car the manufacturer has produced. But, looking at Chevy history, that may not be saying a lot. Its tinny, troublesome 1970s Vega is still remembered by many as being one of the worst small cars from Detroit. However, it’s a different auto world now. The Sonic is derived from General Motor’s German Opel Corsa and provides larger-car refinement and driving kicks. The front-drive Sonic replaces the lackluster Aveo and is Chevrolet's newest small car, although it feels larger inside than it looks from the outside. The Sonic is among the new crop of small, upscale U.S. cars. American automakers have finally learned how to make money with small family cars. Formidable

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Ford pickups reign again as country's best-selling vehicles in 2011

Pick-up trucks continue to rule the automotive industry with the Ford F-Series and Chevy Silverado again claiming the top and runner-up places among the top-10 best-selling vehicles of 2011. The Ford F-Series (F-150 and F-250) now in their 12th generation and perennially the country's best-sellers, combined as the only vehicles in the United States with more than 500,000 units sold in 2011. The F-150 F-250 combined had a 10.7 percent sales increase in 2011 from 2010. The Chevy Silverado had a 12.2 percent increase in the past year. The Toyota Camry remained the best-selling car in the country in 2011, the rest of the top four sellers from 2010 — Honda Accord, Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic, respectively — tumbled

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Chevy, Ford, Buick, BMW among automakers with cars driving into the sunset

So long, Ford Ranger, Buick Lucerne, Dodge Dakota and Mazda Rx-8. Farewell, BMW Active Hybrid 6, Cadillac DTS and Chevrolet HHR. Nice to know you, Mitsubishi Eclipse, Nissan Altima Hybrid and Volvo S40 and V50. Take care Ford Crown Victoria, Mazda Tribute, Cadillac STS, Honda Element, Lotus Elise and California-based electric car start-up, Aptera. As for Saab and Maybach, both are joining the manufacturers' graveyard. In automotive year when perennial best sellers like the Ford F150, Toyota Camry and Honda Civic maintained their dominance, the ever-evolving auto industry experienced its share of change in 2011 — and losses of friends. More manufacturers began to offer hybrid and electric vehicles. Even iconic brands like Rolls Royce and Ferarri announced plans to

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Sears goes Green with electric charging system for Chevy Volt, Nissan Leaf

For more than a century, Sears has built its brand recognition on its appliances and tools. Now the iconic retailer is entering the green car business in a joint arrangement with Evatran to offer consumers reliable installation of Plugless Power electric vehicle charging systems. Plugless power systems recharge electric vehicles (EVs) as quickly as traditional corded options and require the same electrical installation inside a customer's home. Product offerings will initially focus on Chevrolet Volt and Nissan Leaf models but will quickly expand to include additional electric vehicles. Installation will be offered with the sale of each Plugless Power system and priced based on the customer's home and current electrical service. Sears will also offer commercial installation for electric vehicle

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GM will buy back your Chevy Volt — on fire or not

General Motors, in a unique automotive industry maneuver, announced it will buy back Chevy Volts from customers who are unsatisfied, But the automaker insists its hybrid vehicles are safe if the battery is powered down according to proper safety procedures after a serious crash. The offer is unusual since the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) hasn't issued a recall after the recent fire and smoke that occurred in Chevy Volt battery testing and prompted NHTSA to open and investigation General Motors had earlier offered a loaner car to owners concerned with the investigation — an offer that only 34 of the 6,142 Volt owners have accepted, according to Chevrolet. Customers who want to participate in the buy-back program should

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Chevrolet Sonic, 2012: Stepping Up Their Game In Small Car Market

Being on a budget does not mean you have to settle for a boring car. The 2012 Chevrolet Sonic offers great value in the $16,000 neighborhood and is more exciting than previous generation of mundane economy cars. Nowadays, so much more goes into cars that sell in the lower price range such that they offer a great value without having to spend $25,000, or even $20,000 on a car. The 2012 Chevrolet Sonic looks good, performs reasonably well, and impresses beyond its $17,000 sticker price. The base Sonic LS comes well equipped with features like 15-inch alloy wheels, anti-lock brakes, power locks and windows, 10 airbags and keyless entry. LT and LTZ models are equipped with a 1.8-liter engine, USB

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One Chevy Volt burns, another smokes, NHTSA starts probe

Following problems while under close monitoring by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the U.S. Government has started a safety defect investigation of the lithium-ion batteries in General Motors Co.’s Chevrolet Volt. The probe began after one Chevy Volt battery pack caught fire after a crash test. Another crash-tested battery emitted smoke and sparks, according to the NHTSA report. General Motors responded in a statement that the Volt “is safe and does not present undue risk as part of normal operation or immediately after a severe crash.” The latest fires are in addition to a battery fire in a crash-tested Volt six months ago. NHTSA learned of a possible fire risk involving damaged Volt batteries when a fire erupted

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Chevy Volt, Honda Insight top best gas mileage cars in past quarter century

With gas, hybrid, electric and now natural gas vehicles now all vying for better gas mileages averages and the marketing fuel efficiency among manufacturers at its peak, it’s hard to keep track of what carmakers top the list. What might come as a surprise, it’s not all current models make the all-time list of best gas mileage average — at least dating to 1986 — or the last quarter century. Here are the top-10 gas mileage average (internal combustion engines) dating to 1986: 1. Chevrolet Volt (2011–12), Plug-in hybrid, 4 cyl, 1.4 L, auto (variable gear ratios), premium gasoline, 60, city; 58 highway, combined, 62.2. Honda Insight (2000), 3 cyl, 1.0L, manual 5-speed, regular gasoline, 53/49/61.3. Toyota Prius (2010–12), 4

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Chevrolet Camaro, 2012: Iconic sports car gets top NHTSA safety honor

The Chevrolet Camaro built its enduring legacy on performance. Now with the debut of 2012 Chevrolet Camaro Coupe, the iconic vehicle has another major attribute — safety leader. The new Camaro is the first vehicle to receive the highest possible five-star score in every individual safety rating segment of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) New Car Assessment Program since the federal testing procedures were revised for 2011.

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World debut of 2013 Camaro ZL1 Convertible at LA show

The 2013 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Convertible, which like its sibling the ZL1 Coupe, has 580 horsepower and 6.2-liter V8, will make its world debut at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show. "The Camaro ZL1 convertible will be one of the most powerful and most capable, convertibles available at any price," said Al Oppenheiser, Camaro chief engineer. "This is a car that is guaranteed to put a smile on your face every time you drop the top – or hit the gas." The Camaro ZL1 convertible's power is complemented by advanced powertrain and chassis technologies designed to deliver exceptional performance on the road or track. In fact, it's the same balance of acceleration, handling and ride quality that enabled a Camaro

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Chevrolet at 100: iconic cars, Dinah Shore and American Pie

From its iconic models — Corvette to Impala, Bel Air to Camaro — and its inclusion in pop songs sung by Dinah Shore, Don McLean and Bob Seger, Chevrolet has been in public consciousness for exactly a century. Which means, of course, the automaker, co-founded by Louis Chevrolet and William C. Durant on Nov. 3, 2011, is celebrating its 100th birthday today (Nov. 3, 2011). Nearly everyone or someone in nearly everyone's family in the United States has a story to tell about a Chevrolet — a first date to family vacations. Beyond memories of driving experiences, the brand and its importance in popular culture has been absorbed into society with at least three massively popular songs. In 1956 The

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Mitsubishi pummels Chevy Volt, Toyota Prius, gets 126 mpge

Amid all the promotion and hype of the Chevy Volt, Nissan Leaf and other mass-marketed hybrid and/or electric vehichles, the car with the best gas mileage in the United States is the unheralded Mitsubishi i. A comprehensive review of the Mitsubishi i, with debuted in Japan as the i-MiEV, is posted on the online edition of Motortrend. The i-MiEV was initiated in Europe in 2010 and now it's available in the United States. Yet, despite its lofty mileage status, the Mitsubishi i has yet to built a substantial buying appeal. One reason, accpording to the Motortrend site, is the question of whether or not "United States' consumers are ready for "a small, underpowered and range-limited EV?" But for pure economic

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World Series, 2011: Patriotism, Chevys and Ray Charles

Chevrolet will celebrate its 100th birthday November 3, and what better time to promote the occasion than two weeks early during the World Series. During the opening game between the Texas Rangers and St. Louis Cardinals and throughout the World Series, viewers on FOX will see "Then and Now.' The one-minute spot features Ray Charles' singing a live version of America the Beautiful. The voiceover at the end of the commercial is handled by long-time actor-spokesman Tim Allen. Footage shows vintages photos from Chevy's archives, fans, employees and Flickr. The "Chevy Runs Deep" tagline is included, and following a shortened rendition of Ray Charles singing America The Beautiful, Allen concludes the commercial with the words: "For the first 100 years

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Chevy Spark EV set for U.S., global debut in 2013

The Chevrolet Spark EV mini-car will join the manufacturer's expanding fraternity of electric vehicles and beginning in 2013 will be sold in California among other select markets in limited qualities in the United States and globally. "The Spark EV offers customers living in urban areas who have predictable driving patterns or short commutes an all-electric option," said Jim Federico, global vehicle chief engineer for electric vehicles at Chevrolet. "It complements Chevrolet’s growing range of electrified vehicles, including the Volt extended-range EV and the 2013 Malibu Eco with eAssist technology." Feedback from participants in Chevrolet’s electric vehicle demonstration fleets in Shanghai (Sail EV), Korea (Cruze EV) and India (Beat EV) are being incorporated into the Spark EV. A123 Systems will supply

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Chevy Volt gets coveted Consumer Reports recommendation

The Chevrolet Volt has received a recommendation from Consumer Reports magazine adding to the growing list of honors for General Motors' plug-in car, described by the carmaker as a "range-extended electric vehicle." The Volt has also been named Motor Trend Car of the Year and North American Car of the Year. Consumer Reports, highly regarded, anonymously purchases all the cars it tests from dealers rather than using cars provided by manufacturers. The magazine does not accept advertising. The magazine tests cars at its Connecticut track as well as on roads. To be "Recommended" a car must perform well in several tests and must be deemed to have at least average "predicted reliability." "Predicted reliability" is based on surveys taken by

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Jeff Gordon edges Jimmie Johnson in Atlanta NASCAR

Delayed two days by inclement weather, Jeff Gordon claimed the AdvoCare 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Atlanta Motor Speedway over teammate Jimmie Johnson on Tuesday (Aug. 6) by about a half-second. Despite continued poor weather conditions — the event was red flagged for weather with 115 laps to go and laps were ran under caution a couple of other times because of a light mist — Gordon talllied his 85th-career win to assume sole possession of third on the all-time win list. Tony Stewart was third, Kurt Busch fourth and Carl Edwards fifth. Gordon took the lead on lap 44 of the 325-lap race, and dominated much of the rest of the way. ResultsLap length: 1.54 miles(Start position

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