Classic Cars Chevrolet

If you’re like me, you’ve heard a lot in your lifetime about futuristic cars that can drive themselves. It looks like it won’t be long before your next Chevrolet car will be able to do just that!

The Michigan International Speedway has become the new place to test some new vehicles with technology that can communicate with other vehicles and with the road as well. Some cars already have a precursor to this technology such as blind-spot detection and lane-departure warnings, but the new technology is going to go several steps further.

If automakers perfect this new technology, it’s going to greatly reduce (if not eliminate) vehicle collisions and, as a result, traffic congestion as well. In addition to that, the technology will make vehicles more efficient and make warranties more effective because cars will be able to transmit real-time data to manufacturers.

"I have never seen anything with quite the size of the carrot as exists when we’re talking about the connected vehicle and the highway and the different things that we can do," said Dave Cole, the chairman of Ann Arbor’s Center for Automotive Research. The new project will also create tens of thousands of jobs for Michigan if the state becomes the place where these cars will be manufactured.

Can you imagine going to your local Chevy dealer in the next few years and buying a new Chevrolet car that communicates with other cars and the road’s infrastructure? It might sound like Big Brother, but it also promises to reduce traffic-related deaths by thousands.

A recent announcement from General Motors promised to build a U.S.-based plant to build the new Chevrolet Volt batteries. The automaker plans to pump about $30 million into the plant which is currently scheduled to open in 2010 in Michigan.

“We chose Chevy because we can’t be niche with the Volt. We have to make it a mass-production vehicle,” said Ed Peper, GM’s North American vice president of the Chevrolet brand.

The Volt has been designed to go about 40 miles on one charge. GM hopes the new Chevrolet Volt will be one of the products that will bring customers back to the automaker despite the tightening credit restrictions that has contributed to falling sales figures and other problems for domestic automakers. “We are starting to see credit loosen up slightly, not that much yet, but it is particularly important at the low end of the market,” Peper explained.

The new Chevrolet Volt isn’t available at your local dealers just yet, but there are many other Chevrolet cars you can purchase until the Volt is delivered. Check out the inventory at a Chevrolet dealer today and be impressed!

When your teen drives your Chevrolet car, do you worry that they are using their cell phone? That’s a logical concern these days since a large percentage of teens and adults use their phones when they are behind the wheel. That’s why 18 states have passed laws concerning texting and talking.

One Dallas area company has been working on the problem of teens talking on their “cellies” while driving. The company came up with a new device that monitors its traveling speed using GPS technology. If the device “thinks” it is in a car, it becomes disabled. The driver cannot make a call and callers simply receive an automated text message that says the driver cannot answer. For parents who let their teen drivers drive their Chevrolet car, this is good news!

Of course, there are probably ways around this new technology and teenagers are likely to find a way to defeat it. That’s why it is vital for parents to teach their kids about driving safety and the dangers of talking on a cell phone behind the wheel. If you let your teenager drive your Chevrolet cars, take the responsibility of teaching your young driver how to stay safe on the roads. You owe it to yourself, your family and your fellow drivers.

Rumors have been swirling around about the viability of General Motors and its role in the near future of the auto industry due to economic problems. But the most recognized domestic automaker responded to some of those rumors at this week’s International North American Auto Show in Detroit by displaying a sign at its exhibits that read: “Here to stay.”

One major victory for GM is the announcement that it’s going to assemble the battery packs for the upcoming Volt, one of the new Chevrolet cars on tap for the automaker. The Volt is an electric-drive vehicle and those battery packs are going to be built in Michigan, the home state of the auto industry. The announcement represents a “real opportunity” for the state and the region that has been hit hard in recent years by decreasing numbers of available manufacturing jobs.

The announcement combined with the recent money from the federal government seemed to give the automaker a renewed sense of encouragement and enthusiasm. Workers rallied around the stage at one time on Monday and chanted messages like, “Let’s go, GM” and “100 more years!”

Other new Chevrolet cars that engineers are working on include the Chevrolet Spark and the Chevrolet Orlando. Both vehicles are promising superior fuel efficiency and they are slated to hit the North American market in 2011.

If you’re a huge fan of Eddie Van Halen, you may want to check out the two Chevrolet cars he has up for sale. He is letting them go to the highest bidder during the 38th annual Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction in Scottsdale, Arizona next week.

The first of the Chevrolet cars he has up for sale is his 1956 Chevy 210. It is maroon-colored and is also a “Pro Street hot rod built by customizer Jim Van Gordon.” It has a 454 big block engine and more than 600 horsepower. As such, it’s street legal AND ready for the drag strip.

He also has a 1956 Chevy Nomad station wagon. The exterior color is a classic “Cashmere Blue” with white and it once belonged to The Harrah Collection of Reno Nevada. Both cars are being auctioned with “matching, one-of-a-kind EVH Brand ‘Wolfgang’ guitars and a pair of red, white and black EVH striped sneakers.”

“Rock ‘n’ roll and collector cars go hand in hand,” said Steve Davis, president of Barrett-Jackson. “And Eddie’s cars, although from the same year, represent the diversity of the collector car hobby.”

“I hope the new owners enjoy these cars as much as I have and keep the guitars and cars in their families for a long time, because they are all one-of-a-kind,” said Eddie Van Halen about the sale.

When looking back at the news in the auto industry in 2008, you might not think there were many positive stories. But one Chevrolet car provides the bright side for the US auto market for 2008.

The Chevrolet Malibu is becoming one of GM’s most recognized vehicles. In fact, this Chevrolet car won the North American International Auto Show’s Car of the Year Award for both its appearance and its body structure. Here are some of the reasons more people are checking out these Chevrolet cars at local dealers:

• The safety cage construction helps protect the car’s occupants in the event of an accident or rollover. The crush zones are also helpful in protecting occupants in a collision.
• A specially-designed latch system makes it easier to install and take out child safety seats.
• Redesigned safety belts help keep occupants (even children) comfortable while being safely restrained in case of an accident.
• The OnStar system is ideal for emergencies, driving directions and vehicle maintenance. Anything you need while you’re on the road is right at your fingertips.
• A new look makes this Chevrolet car more attractive to young and old buyers alike.

Ahhh….December 26. This is the day when everybody rushes to the mall or department store to return those gifts that they didn’t want. We know it happens every year. That’s why your Chevrolet NJ dealers want to offer tips to help you return your Christmas gifts hassle-free.

• Know the store’s policy. Each store has different policies regarding returns. It’s frustrating to wait in line for hours and find out you need the receipt that you don’t have.
• Some stores may charge a restocking fee. This is usually a percentage of the price of the item that you will not get back. This usually applies to big-ticket items and electronics.
• Some things simply cannot be returned. Find out about things such as intimate apparel and some other clothing items.
• Save the packing materials and anything else that comes with your merchandise for fewer problems when returning merchandise.
• Return the items in a timely manner. Most stores have a 30 or 90 day return policy. Remember that if there’s something you want to return.

Once you make all your returns, visit your Chevrolet NJ dealer and use the money you get back for a down payment on one of the new Chevrolet cars in our inventory. It’ll be a great Christmas gift for yourself and we won’t tell your grandma that you returned that reindeer sweater she bought for you.

If you’re looking for a Chevrolet car that’s full of the latest safety features this season, the 2009 Impala is an ideal choice. Here are some of the safety features you can expect to find on the new models of these Chevrolet cars.

• OnStar – The OnStar system is one of the best features to give drivers peace of mind wherever they are on the road. With an OnStar subscription, drivers can get turn-by-turn directions to their destination, emergency roadside assistance and much, much more.
• Traction Control – This feature comes standard with the 2009 Impala Chevrolet car. The system includes ABS and corner brake control for better handling in nearly every driving situation.
• Airbags – Dual-stage and thorax side-impact airbags are included with the 2009 Impala for increased safety during a collision. The OnStar system also has an Automatic Airbag Deployment Response that alerts emergency personnel in the event of a collision.
• Safety Cage Construction – Throughout the passenger area, the automaker used heavy-gauge steel for increased safety in a collision or a rollover.
• Warranty – With a 100,000 mile or five-year GM warranty, drivers are assured that they can get problems fixed before they become safety issues.

If you’re looking for a versatile Chevrolet car with many choices, the new Malibu is for you. One of the best things about this Chevrolet car is that you can get it in either a fuel-efficient traditional model or a hybrid version of the same car. With all the choices, it might be hard to make a decision. But the Malibu is also one of the safest cars on the market. Here are some ways this Chevrolet car helps you stay safe even before an accident happens.

• Daytime running lights (DRLs) are on even during the day so other cars can see you easier. DRLs have been proven to reduce the number of accidents in recent years.
• The Driver Information Center (DIC) helps you know what’s going on with your vehicle. If it needs an oil change, engine coolant or even gas, this area lets you know. It also gives information about current fuel usage and other data at your fingertips.
• The Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) helps the driver maintain control of the car even when slamming on the brakes.
• The side blind zone alert warns drivers about other vehicles in the blind spot before they try to change lanes.

These are just a few reasons why you should visit your local dealer and see these Chevrolet cars for yourself.

General Motors is ready to showcase several new Chevrolet models at the upcoming North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Here are some of the new Chevrolet models you can expect to see at the show and at your local dealer in the near future.

The New Chevrolet Cruze
This new compact car is supposed to get upwards of 40 miles to the gallon on the highways. This isn’t just any compact car, though. It’s more “refined and attractive than any previous small car,” according to Detroit Free Press writer Mark Phelan.

The 2011 Cruze has also been recognized as a segment favorite at the Paris Auto Show earlier this year. It was the worldwide debut for this new Chevrolet model. Those “in the know” expect it to beat out its competition in the segment without any problem.

The New Chevrolet Equinox
This crossover has a car-like platform combined with the convenience of a sport utility vehicle. With a V6 engine and other features, the newest edition of the Equinox is sure to make an impression at the Detroit show.

General Motors is also planning to debut other models in January at the show, including a replacement for the Malibu and other Chevrolet cars. If you’re in the area next month, stop by and take a gander at all the new cars you’ll see on dealer lots before long.