Monthly Archives: September 2012

Are you Ready for Some Tailgating?

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As soon as the hint of fall is in the air, football fans around the country break out the grill, tent, and yard games to prepare for one of America’s favorite pastimes – tailgating.  Whether it’s professional or collegiate, nothing is more important to a good football game than the tailgate –besides the final score of course.

Tailgate hosts also know that their vehicle is a major player in these festivities. To improve your chances of having a great tailgate, James Bell, head of consumer affairs at General Motors, teamed up with tailgating expert Gameday Steve, of InsideTailgating.com, to share these exclusive tips for  the ultimate tailgating experience.

Here are some of James’ exclusive vehicle tips:

Transform your vehicle into the ultimate tailgate destination:

Have fun with it! Hang the team banner from an open tailgate or draped over a window, which will also keep a vehicle from heating up on a sunny day. Don’t be afraid to show off your team’s colors and invest in some entertainment accessories. Part of the fun is hosting a quick game of catch or offering an extra hot dog or two.

Some tailgating features you may not know your new model vehicle has:

  • Front, rear and cargo power outlets – The 2013 GMC Acadia and other GM vehicles come equipped with 12-volt power outlets in these areas.
  • Rear hatch audio system control – The Acadia also features volume and seek controls for the audio system right inside the rear hatch, so listening to your favorite sports radio system is made easier.
  • Battery run-down protection – This technology monitors your battery voltage and shuts power to 12-volt accessories when it drops too low. This leaves just enough power to turn the engine over so your battery can recharge.

Here are some of Gameday Steve’s picks for gear, gadgets and games:

A portable satellite dish, like this one from Winegard Carryout (http://www.winegard.com/carryout/)

A tailgate game, like the new basket pong ( http://www.basketpong.com/)

A portable party grill, like the Blacktop 360 Grill (www.blacktop360.com)

Leave your questions for James or Gameday and share your tailgate tips, or favorite team, below.

Chevrolet Volt Owners Get Plugged-In

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Chevrolet Volt owners from across United States today gathered at nine Chevrolet dealerships to celebrate going electric.

Chevrolet Marketing Manager John Hughes (right), talks with Chevrolet Volt owners Saturday, September 22, 2012 at Capitol Chevrolet in San Jose, California.

During the event, Chevrolet hosted an online live-broadcast where the Volt’s chief engineer, Andrew Farah, answered owner questions and discussed topics ranging from the electrification of the Volt to the future of the electric vehicles.

Chevrolet Volt Marketing Director Cristi Landy addresses the gathering Saturday, September 22, 2012 at Serra Chevrolet in Southfield, Michigan.

“Our Volt owners are our best brand ambassadors, and we wanted provide them the unique opportunity to interact with and have their questions answered by Andrew Farah, the Volt chief engineer,” said Cristi Landy, Chevrolet small cars marketing director. “With our Volt owners having driven approximately 80 million miles, National Plug in Day was the perfect time to say ‘thank you’ for their support.”

Participating dealerships include:

 

  • Capitol      Chevrolet – San Jose, Calif.
  • Capitol      Chevrolet – Austin, Texas
  • Ferman      Chevrolet – Tampa, Fla.
  • Harry      Criswell Chevrolet – Gaithersburg, Md.
  • Hendrick      Chevrolet – Cary, N.C.
  • Jimmie      Johnson Chevrolet – San Diego, Calif.
  • Keyes      Chevrolet – Los Angeles
  • Phillips      Chevrolet – Frankfort, IL
  • Serra Chevrolet      – Southfield, MI

 

National Plug in Day, on September 23, was created to bring attention to the environmental, economic and other benefits of plug-in electric vehicles.

For the first 38 miles, the Volt can drive gas and tailpipe-emissions free using a full charge of electricity stored in its 16.5-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 65 million miles since the vehicle launched late 2010. Roughly two-thirds of those miles were powered by grid electricity.

Chevrolet Volt owner Luke Downs (l to r) talks with Capitol Chevrolet Volt Technician Dale Collins and Capitol Chevrolet's Roger Pillow Saturday, September 22, 2012 at Capitol Chevrolet in Austin, Texas

Mini-Car Myths Debunked

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For decades, mini-cars have been associated with international streets but are now building a presence in the U.S. Chevrolet has recognized the country’s interest for these sporty, fuel efficient vehicles and brought them to our streets in more than a mini way. The 2013 Chevrolet Spark joins the Cruze and Sonic in American dealerships.

The Spark, a four-passenger, five-door hatchback, is gaining momentum with American drivers as the fastest selling vehicle in July 2012 with an average 4 days-to-turn, after being on Chevy dealership lots for less than three months. Still, the mini-car segment is plagued with some misconceptions and here’s a look at how Chevy’s new entries confidently refute them.

The Myth: Mini-cars aren’t safe

The Reality: Spark features the same advanced safety technologies available on the rest of the Chevrolet passenger car lineup

The Spark protects both driver and passengers with 10 standard air bags, including duel-stage frontal air bags, seat mounted side air bags, and side curtain air bags that extend over the front and rear seating rows. A strong body frame made of high strength steel makes up more than 62 percent of the Spark’s underbody and 42 percent of its upper body.

The Myth: Mini-cars are cramped and uncomfortable

The Reality: Spark’s interior is spacious with room to fit four adults comfortably.

The Spark offers a cargo area of 11.4 cubic feet behind the rear seat – that’s 20 percent more than the Fiat 500 and 225 percent more than Scion’s IQ. With the rear seats folded down, drivers have 31.2 cubic feet of space. That is enough space to hold a laptop backpack, 25” rolling luggage bag, and 30” hardside suitcase with a golf bag thrown on top.

Myth: Mini-cars are more aerodynamic

Reality: Physics play a role in fuel economy

You can change a lot, but you can’t change physics. Mini cars are tall and, well, mini – not the best shape for reducing drag. However, engineers designed the Spark to maximize a driver’s urban lifestyle, making it maneuverable, easy to park and achieving the lowest estimated fuel cost of any Chevy small car, except for the Volt electric car with extended range capability.

The Myth: Mini-cars handling and vehicle performance leaves something to be desired

The Reality: Spark doesn’t just look fun to drive, it actually is

Spark’s body frame structure is tight and stiff for sportier driving dynamics, delivering a comfortable and exciting driving experience.

The electric power steering and MacPherson strut front suspension are designed to deliver taut, tight handling characteristics that better connect the driver with the road and provide outstanding overall stability. Spark also has a tight turning circle of only 32.5 feet (9.9 meters), which enhances its maneuverability in urban areas.

The Myth: The design and features of mini-cars are boring

The Reality: Spark dares to stand out in a crowd with the newest color trends and latest technology

The first thing you’ll notice about Spark is its eye-catching color palette that includes Salsa Red, Jalapeno, Denim, Lemonade and Techno Pink.

The Spark is the first Chevy to not offer a factory installed CD player, replaced with the progressive Chevrolet MyLink system – standard on 1LT and 2LT models. The MyLink system is designed to integrate with the driver’s Smartphone via Bluetooth or USB. Once connected, the system becomes an extension of the user’s device, giving them access to stored music and applications such as Pandora internet radio Tune-In and Stitcher. MyLink also includes the recently introduced BringGo application – an embedded smartphone app that delivers full-function navigation.

For more information on the 2013 Chevy Spark, please visit www.chevrolet.com/Spark

 

The 2013 Chevrolet Spark is Fit to be Dyed

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With thousands of races happening in the Unites States each year, runners have no shortage of choices when they lace up their running shoes. The Color Run™, a nationwide series of urban 5K races, adds color to the 5K space by blitzing participants with every color of the rainbow as they run.

With 20 races across the U.S. this year and more scheduled for 2013, thousands of participants are doused from head to toe in different colors at each kilometer. Participation in and buzz for The Color Run have exploded since its debut last year and it is already known as the happiest 5K on the planet, with nearly a half-million “likes” on Facebook.

Spark is a city car that knows a thing or two about color as it is offered in bold hues such as Jalapeno, Salsa Red, Lemonade, Denim Blue and Techno Pink, which is one of the reasons why Chevrolet recently announced that the all-new 2013 Spark will join the Color Run as the official pace vehicle.

“The Spark and The Color Run are perfect running mates because both appeal to style-conscious, high-energy urbanites that don’t live life in neutral,” said Cristi Landy, marketing director, Chevrolet Spark.

Pacing The Color Run events is a specially designed Chevrolet Spark with a multicolor paint scheme over a white base that replicates the look of a color-saturated runner at the finish line. The theme continues inside with splashes of bright color throughout an already-color-coordinated interior.

“Our team wanted The Color Run Spark to look like an authentic race participant, and we believe this pace car will energize and inspire the crowd to take a closer look,” said Kathy Sirvio, the General Motors senior design manager who worked on the production version of the Spark.

The Color Run is good for the body and the soul. Race organizers partner with a charity in each city such as the Police Unity Tour and Tuesday’s Children. Tuesday’s Children has made a long-term commitment to meet the needs of individuals impacted by the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.

“We created the tag line ‘The happiest 5K on the planet’ when we saw how happy The Color Run made people; now the Chevrolet Spark’s involvement is going to help us bring more happiness to runners and charity partners in more cities,” said Travis Snyder, executive director for The Color Run. “We also love the fact that our events lead people to have a more healthy and active lifestyle.”

Spark has paced nearly 20,000 runners between its two runs in Brooklyn and Washington, D.C. and there’s still time to catch Spark-paced Color Run races across the country. See below for a list of upcoming cities where you can join in the fun.

Portland, Ore. (Sept. 29)

Miami (Oct. 21)

Houston (Nov. 11)

Orlando (Dec. 2)

St. Petersburg, Fla. (Dec. 15)

There are additional regional appearances and the 2013 schedule will be announced later.

Check out all the Color Run Fun: http://widgets.mslideas.com/chevy_spark/

GMC Kicks Off NFL Season With Times Square Takeover

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Are you ready for some football? GMC has announced that it will celebrate its role as the “Official Vehicle of the NFL” by parking 33 Sierra pickups—one with NFL logos and the others with the logos of one the 32 NFL teams—out in the middle of Times Square.

How much GMC capability is on display in those photos? Using a Sierra 1500 extended cab with the popular 5.3L V-8 and a standard bed length as an example, 33 trucks equals:

  • 62,964 pounds of payload — the weight of 67,162 footballs weighing 15 ounces each, as required by the NFL rule book.
  • 320,100 pounds of towing capacity — the weight of 1,067 NFL lineman at 300 pounds each.

The sponsorship move by General Motors has come with praise from various publications. Adweek’s Anthony Crupi recently posted an article sharing enthusiasm that GMC now has a strong sponsorship opportunity with the NFL, saying that “The automaker will focus on new beginnings, plotting a kickoff campaign steeped in experiential and social media.”

Throughout the 2012 NFL season, GMC’s “Never Say Never” campaign will include weekly contests allowing fans to vote on their favorite plays, interact with football stars on social media, and have opportunities to win a GMC vehicle of their choice, or tickets to Monday Night Football games and even the Super Bowl.

Football fans can learn more and get involved at www.nfl.com/gmc.