CHEVY OFFERS ITS FIRST REAR-WHEEL-DRIVE, V-8 POWERED PERFORMANCE SEDAN SINCE 1996 – THE 2014 SS.

A V-8 powered, rear-wheel-drive performance sedan, the Chevrolet SS, returns to the US lineup.  Even better? The SS will also be Chevrolet’s next NASCAR Sprint Cup racecar and will first debut in its race configuration at the 2013 Daytona 500. 

Chevrolet has a long history of using the SS (Super Sport) designation on high-performance models of some of its most enduring nameplates, most recently on Camaro models. The limited production version of the Chevrolet SS will debut as part of the 2014 model year and will arrive in dealer showrooms late 2013. 

“As a passionate race fan and performance enthusiast, I am thrilled that Chevrolet will deliver a true rear-wheel-drive NASCAR racecar in the SS that is closely linked to the performance sedan that will be available for sale,” said Mark Reuss, president of GM North America.  “The Chevrolet SS is a great example of how GM is able to leverage its global product portfolio to deliver a unique performance experience that extends beyond the track. I am personally looking forward to driving it.”

The first production vehicle offered with an SS option was the 1961 Impala – 453 were built with the performance upgrades which included a modified chassis and suspension, power brakes, a steering column mounted tachometer and unique wheels and tires. 

The new SS will be the first rear-wheel-drive, V-8 performance sedan in the Chevrolet lineup since the Impala SS ended production in 1996. The storied history and strong emotion tied to past iterations of the SS are sure to fuel passion and intrigue as Chevy makes plans to release the vehicle in 2014. 

Chevrolet was America’s best-selling performance car brand in 2011 with Camaro and Corvette accounting for one out of every three sports cars sold in the United States.  The addition of the SS to the lineup will further strengthen Chevrolet’s position as a leading performance brand.

Chevrolet Volt Saves Supertanker of Gas

Just how much fuel have Chevrolet Volt owners collectively saved since the Volt went on sale? Enough to fill one supertanker, or 2.1 million gallons of gasoline, which equates to more than $8 million in combined fuel savings. That’s thanks to the more than 40 million miles those drivers have traveled on electricity.

Volt drivers spend 60% of their time driving electrically, but utilize the gasoline range extender when they need to travel further than the 35-40 miles they can get on a single charge. You might be thinking, “That’s pretty cool, but what does it all mean?” Well, to break it down for you…

40 Million Total Electric Miles (EV) driven equivalent to:

• 16,373 trips across the United States (2,443 miles from New York to Los Angeles)
• 1,606 trips around the Earth (24,901 miles each)
• 167 trips to the Moon (238,657 miles each)

2,130,000 Gallons of Gas Saved equivalent to:

• 50,714 barrels of gas saved (42 gallons of gas per barrel)
• $8,000,000 saved at the gas pump (based on $3.80/gallon of gas)
• 387 U.S. semi-truck tankers of gas saved (5,500 gallons of gas each)
• One supertanker of gas saved (2 million gallons of gas)

Chevrolet recently introduced a rolling ticker on its website that showcases real-time daily driving statistics for Volt owners based on OnStar data.The ticker shows total number of miles driven, electric miles driven and gallons of gas saved.

Study: Baby boomers driving up new car sales

Who's behind the boom in new-car sales?

Baby boomers. And it's been that way for a while.

People age 50 and up now buy more than 6 of every 10 new vehicles sold -- 62 percent -- according to a new study from J.D. Power and AARP.

That's up from 39 percent in 2001.

"We've seen that trend emerge more clearly over the past four years," said Scott Gruwell, Sales Director with Courtesy Chevrolet in Phoenix. "It seems boomers are buying new and Millennials are buying used."

The 50-plus age group share of the population has grown, from 37 percent in 2000 to 42 percent last year, but their share of new vehicle purchases rose at a much faster rate.

And while their population remained flat, 18- to 34-year-olds' share of the new-car market declined sharply.

One reason why? Gas prices.

"The boomers are very concerned about the rising costs at the pump," Gruwell said. "We see more interest from them in purchasing fuel-efficient vehicles."

The recession also drove the trend.

"Boomers' discretionary income was less affected than Millennials'," Gruwell said. "Frankly, [older buyers] don't have the patience to mess around with [something used] and want the reliability and securing of a new vehicle."

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THE CHEVY VOLT GETS MORE BELLS AND WHISTLES

Ever since Chevy shoppers and fans were first teased with the 2012 Chevrolet Volt, they couldn’t wait to get their hands on it. This was going to be Chevrolet’s first electric plug-in hybrid, something that General Motors has never unleashed onto the public before. Now that it’s spent some time on the U.S. market, it’s time to see how the American automaker can further improve the model.
According to U.S. News, the Chevrolet Volt is expected to receive a few updates for the 2013 model year, including a function that aims to optimize the extended-range electric vehicle for maximum battery efficiency. This function will be titled the “EV Hold Mode,” which will allow Volt drivers to force the car to go into extended range mode – meaning the gas engine is taking over and generating power to the vehicle – to hold the battery pack’s power.

The EV Hold Mode would ideally be used for trips that begin on the highway and eventually switch to city driving. Autoblog states, “switching over to extended-range mode, in which the gas-powered on-board generator is used, would be better in that situation because high speeds drain a plug-in’s battery charge a lot more rapidly than city driving.”

But that’s not all, folks. The 2013 Chevy Volt will get some more updates, including a body-colored roof and liftgate, and a leather and suede insert upholstery option. Additional safety features include lane departure warning and forward collision alert. After hearing about all of these new bells and whistles on the way for the 2013 model year, Orland Park used Chevy Impala shoppers may want to reconsider their purchase. Whatever the case, our sales team members will be here to offer many noteworthy vehicles in our inventory while we wait anxiously for the new Volt to arrive.

Video : Street Art Behind The Scenes

Just how do you equip a Chevy Sonic with paint-spraying robots? (Spoiler: you have to be ridiculously brainy). Find out more from our amazing tech-heads and street artist Jeff Soto in our behind-the-scenes video.

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Capture the final model year Avalanche as the classic pickup makes its last run

Ever since the release of the Chevrolet Avalanche, it has captivated truck lovers with a zeal for chasing adventure. Loaded with the capability of a full-size pickup with the convenient interior of an upscale SUV, Avalanche has set a trend among light-duty crew cab pickups through the truck’s dynamic and unique design.

2013 will mark the last year of production for Avalanche. To celebrate the final run of this versatile pickup, Chevrolet will release the 2013 Black Diamond Avalanche. This special edition will be adorned with the Black Diamond badge and will come standard with a rear camera system, body-color exterior components, Ultrasonic Rear Park Assist, remote vehicle starter system, power-adjustable pedals and fog lamps. The truck will also come in the following color choices: Black, Silver Ice, Blue Topaz, Fairway Metallic and White Diamond.

As a truck known for appealing to thrill-seeking enthusiasts who are constantly on the go, it’s only fitting that this edition is named after the term “Black Diamond” signifying the most challenging and most rewarding of downhill runs for skiers.

“More than 580,000 Avalanches have been sold since its introduction in 2001, and Avalanche has won major awards and recognitions throughout its run,” said Mark Clawson, Avalanche Marketing Manager. “So it’s only fitting that Avalanche retires on a high note.”