EVSAutoBlog

Got that Sinking Feeling....?

2009-09-22T13:33:00.011-05:00

Introducing EVS's NEW UNDERGROUND PARKING LOT (Thanks Troy)! Not really, but as I arrived to work this morning - this is what I saw. Two Cash for Clunkers pick-up trucks (pictured above) had their flatbeds pointing to the sky, thanks to an unexpected parking lot flood.

Apparently last night, a water main broke under the parking lot that runs between Walmart and EVS. It flooded the surrounding area and unfortunately left Walmart without the use of their restrooms today. Below is a picture of the parking lot last night, as the flooding got worse and worse.

No vehicles on the lot were damaged, except for the two Cash for Clunkers trucks that luckily will be destroyed anyway. Crews were already on scene this morning to pull the trucks out of the sink hole, patch up the parking lot and clear any debris that was left over.

All this excitement! Not a bad way to start the day, I guess.

2009 Corvette Caravan Stops at EVS

2009-09-03T15:49:00.008-05:00

On Tuesday September 1^stat 10:30 a.m. the 2009 Caravan of Corvettes made its stop here at EVS. Celebrating the 15^th anniversary and 3 million dollar expansion of the Corvette Museum in Bowling Green KY, this Caravan is one of many nationwide that made its way to the historic celebration.

EVS Superstore hosted a luncheon for the participants at the dealership from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. It was their only stop in Wisconsin before heading to their next stop in Illinois.

“This was a HUGE deal” says Rick Conti, New Car Manager at EVS Superstore. Rick “Corvette” Conti is the resident Corvette expert at EVS, known for his new vehicle blog www.corvetteconti.com.

Check out the video below of the day's activities!

Facility will create more than 100 new, advanced technology jobs

2009-08-14T14:09:00.003-05:00

BROWNSTOWN TOWNSHIP, Mich. – General Motors Company will invest $43 million in Brownstown Township, Mich. to manufacture lithium-ion battery packs for the Chevrolet Volt and other extended-range electric vehicles. It is the first lithium-ion battery manufacturing plant in the U.S. operated by a major automaker, and demonstrates GM’s commitment to deliver more fuel-efficient vehicles to consumers.

The plant will provide more than 100 advanced technology jobs and will be part of a wholly owned subsidiary of General Motors called GM Subsystem Manufacturing LLC. Local and state incentives, along with Recovery Act funding announced last week by the U.S. Department of Energy, are helping to make the facility possible.

The investment includes renovation and lease costs for the 160,000-square-foot landfill-free facility, new machinery and equipment, and special tooling. With the exception of specialized battery machinery and equipment, GM is reusing equipment from other GM facilities. Equipment installation at the Brownstown site is under way and production will start in the fourth quarter of 2010 to support the launch of the Chevrolet Volt.

“Developing and producing advanced batteries is a key step in GM’s journey to become the leader in electric vehicles,” said Fritz Henderson, GM president and CEO. “This state-of-the-art battery manufacturing site reinforces our commitment to achieve that goal and to deliver clean, fuel-efficient vehicles to our customers.”

Henderson also noted the importance of this new technology to the nation’s and Michigan’s overall economic growth.

“Advanced battery development is a critical component that will strengthen the long-term competitiveness and technology leadership of the United States,” he said. “At our Brownstown facility, GM will help deliver domestically produced and affordable energy sources for American consumers while creating U.S.-based manufacturing jobs.”

The GM Brownstown Battery Assembly facility will include three primary assembly areas: battery module pre-assembly, final assembly and the battery pack main line. The pre-assembly area is where cells are processed and installed into one of three battery modules, which comprise a single battery pack. The module final assembly area is where final assembly and testing of the three modules required for each battery pack takes place. In the battery pack main line area, the battery receives its final dressing including attachments of hoses, straps and electrical connections. The main line is also where battery pack final testing, verification and packaging for shipment takes place.

“The GM Brownstown Battery Assembly plant will use flexible manufacturing layouts as well as equipment, which will enable the plant to quickly respond to volume or product changes in the market,” said Gary Cowger, GM group vice president, manufacturing and labor relations. “We’ll use a number of tools to ensure quality in every phase of the battery assembly process.”

The Chevrolet Volt will be GM’s first extended-range electric vehicle to receive the new plant’s lithium-ion battery. The Volt’s 16-kWh battery is the heart of GM’s Voltec electric propulsion system and consists of 150 unique parts. GM designed and engineered all but eight parts.

The Volt, which is scheduled to start production in late 2010 as a 2011 model, can travel up to 40 miles on electricity from a single battery charge and can extend its overall range to more than 300 miles with its flex fuel-powered engine-generator. The Volt is expected to be the first mass-produced vehicle to claim a triple-digit composite (city/highway) fuel economy rating. It achieves city fuel economy of at least 230 miles per gallon under the current draft U.S. Environmental Protection Agency fuel economy test procedure for plug-in electric vehicles.

In June, GM opened the largest and most technologically advanced battery lab in the United States on its Technical Center campus in Warren, Mich. The new GM Brownstown Battery Assembly plant will work closely with GM’s Global Battery Systems Lab in Warren, which is dedicated to GM’s advanced battery development and testing for electrically driven vehicles.

"The capability to develop, test and manufacture advanced batteries in-house is a tremendous competitive advantage," said Bob Kruse, executive director of GM’s Global Vehicle Engineering for hybrids, electric vehicles and batteries. “With the Brownstown battery plant we can control the entire development and production of this important technology."

Chevy Volt - 230 MPG!!!!

2009-08-11T11:54:00.004-05:00

In a major announcement by General Motors CEO Fritz Henderson, it has now been confirmed that the 2011 Chevrolet Volt will be rated at 230 MPG city. GM claims this will be the first mass-produced vehicle to achieve triple-digit fuel economy numbers. Fritz also states that GM is confident the new Volt will get a "triple digit" number for highway fuel economy as well. To charge the Volt to a full charge will cost about 40 cents!

Using development testing based on a draft U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) procedure for plug-in electric vehicles, the Chevrolet Volt is expected to achieve 230 miles per gallon or better in city driving (25 kW hours per 100 miles). The Volt, scheduled to begin production late next year as a 2011 model, can travel up to 40 miles on electricity from a single battery charge and can extend its overall range to more than 300 miles with its flex-fuel engine-generator.

The EPA test procedure for plug-in electric vehicles, which is still being finalized, assumes a single charge each day. According to U.S. Department of Transportation data , nearly eight of 10 Americans commute fewer than 40 miles a day.

“From the data we’ve seen, most drivers could operate purely on grid electricity in a Chevy Volt,” Henderson said. “A car that gets more than 100 miles per gallon is a significant step in the reinvention of the auto industry and GM is and will continue to be a leader in that reinvention."

Ford Hits Top Spots in CARS Program

2009-08-05T09:51:00.004-05:00

After browsing the web, I came across on article on Yahoo Autos. Seems Ford is number one in the CARS Program - both for Trade-Ins and Ups. The 1998 Ford Explorer was the big winner in the "I need to get rid of this thing" category. Actually, the Ford Explorer took the top 4 spots and even the 7th & 8th. Interesting...... But that's ok, because the New Ford Focus took the top spot as the most purchased New car in the program. And why shouldn't it? With great standard features and the available SYNC® - who wouldn't want to drive home in a New Focus.

Six Steps to "Cash for Clunkers"

2009-07-30T12:56:00.007-05:00

So...there's a lot of information floating around out there about the government's "Cash for Clunkers" program. It's all very confusing (heck, I work at a dealership - and it confuses me!). While searching the web today, I came across an article that summed up the CARS program pretty well - I think. I found it very helpful and hopefully you'll get some useful info out of it too! The article was written by Tara Baukus Mello and was found on Bankrate.com.

Highlights

"Cash for clunkers" is in full swing, but not all consumers can take part.
Consumers can get a $3,500 or $4,500 credit on the purchase of a new car.
About 16,000 franchised new car dealers are registered for the CARS program.

The government's "cash for clunkers" program, officially called the Car Allowance Rebate System, or CARS for short, is in full swing, but only some consumers will be able to participate thanks to the eligibility requirements for potential buyers, their current vehicles and the vehicles they plan to buy or lease.

The program was designed to help consumers buy or lease a more environmentally friendly car, pickup or SUV when they trade in a less fuel-efficient one. Consumers can get a $3,500 or $4,500 credit toward the purchase of a new vehicle depending on the fuel economy improvement between the two vehicles, according to the government's Web site cars.gov. This credit is considered the buyer's trade-in value, and their clunker is sent off to be crushed. Here's the lowdown on the process.

Step 1: Determine if you qualify.
The person trading in the clunker must have been the vehicle's owner on the registration and the title for at least one year prior to the date of purchase, according to the program's requirements. The title must be "clear," so if there is a lien holder, you must first clear the lien before participating in the program. Consumers can only participate in the program once.

For a vehicle that has two names on one title, such as a married couple, only one person can take advantage of the program. If there are two cars with two names on each title, each person can receive a credit for each clunkers.

Step 2: Determine if your vehicle qualifies.
Vehicles that are traded must be no more than 25 years old and must get no more than 18 miles per gallon as a combined average fuel economy under the EPA's new estimated mile-per-gallon calculations. There are different requirements for a cargo van or very large pickup, referred to as a work truck in the program. To find the combined mile-per-gallon rating for your car, pickup or SUV, go to the EPA's FuelEconomy.gov site and select the model year, make, model and engine of your vehicle, and make sure the red number above the word "combined" is 18 or less.

Step 3: Determine if the new vehicle you want to purchase or lease qualifies.
The CARS program only applies to new, not used, vehicles that are being purchased or leased for a five-year term or longer, and have a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $45,000 or less, the program's requirements state.

If the new vehicle is a passenger car, it must get at least 22 miles per gallon in combined average fuel economy, while Category 1 trucks -- light-duty pickups, some SUVs and minivans -- must have a combined fuel economy rating of at least 18 miles per gallon. Category 2 trucks -- large light-duty pickups and some vans -- must get at least 15 miles per gallon combined, according to EPA estimates. The combined fuel economy ratings for all new vehicles ares listed on the vehicle's window sticker or can be calculated at FuelEconomy.gov. Be sure you know the make, model, engine and transmission of the new vehicle to obtain the correct mile-per-gallon number.

Step 4: Decide if it makes financial sense to participate in the program.
Consumers will receive $3,500 toward the purchase or lease of a new vehicle if it gets at least four, but less than 10, miles per gallon more than the old vehicle. They will get $4,500 if the new vehicle gets a least 10 miles per gallon higher than the old vehicle. The manufacturers have excellent calculators on their Web sites to determine how much credit you can receive for your car. Once you know how much credit you'll receive, calculate the value of your clunker using one of the many popular auto information Web sites such as Edmunds.com, Kelley Blue Book or NADAguides.com.

However, if your vehicle is worth more than the amount of the credit, you may want to try to sell it in a private-party sale. "if it's in the range of the credit, you might be better off just using the CARS program," says Karl Brauer, editor-in-chief at Edmunds.com. "For many people, the time and energy involved in selling your car privately isn't worth the extra $500 they could make."Remember, these credits are in addition to any rebates and incentives the manufacturer is offering, so this can amount to a five-digit savings or more off the new vehicle when you combine the credit with the manufacturer's rebates.

"Don't think you 'did well' if the only discount you received was the CARS credit," says Brauer. "Almost all automakers are offering some other type of rebate currently and you want to make sure you get all of the discounts offered on your vehicle."

Step 5: Decide on a dealer.
At the time of publication, about 16,000 of the 20,000 franchised new car dealers were registered to participate in the CARS program, but the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the government agency that is administering the program, says that consumers should use its searchable database to locate a dealer to ensure the dealer they choose is participating.

Consumers do not need to register for the program. To participate, they simply reach an agreement to buy or lease a new qualifying vehicle with any participating dealer and then tell the dealer they want to trade-in their old vehicle under the CARS program. Any third party who reaches out to a consumer to try to "match" them with a dealer for the program may be committing fraud, and consumers should be cautious, the NHTSA and attorneys general in Ohio and Illinois warn.

With the majority of dealers participating in the program, you have plenty of choices as to where to take your business. Some dealers may be more willing to negotiate the price of the new vehicle than others, so choose carefully.

Brauer advises, "To get the best deal, do research online to determine the new vehicle's invoice price as well as all the credits, rebates and incentives the new vehicle qualifies for. Then negotiate the purchase price with the dealer before mentioning you have a clunker that qualifies for the CARS credit."

Step 6: Complete the transaction paperwork and drive home.
Consumers should make sure that the transaction paperwork clearly outlines the terms of the sale, the applicable credits (including the $3,500 or $4,500 CARS credit and any manufacturer's rebates) and the applicable fees to ensure they are being charged appropriately. The CARS credit is deducted from the purchase price of the vehicle at the time of the sale or lease commencement. The dealer gets reimbursed via the program after it sends the old vehicle to be crushed.

The CARS program will end on Nov. 1, 2009 or when the $1 billion allocation runs out, whichever comes first. Updates on the program as well as more details can be found at cars.gov or by calling (866) CAR-7891.

The information provided does not reflect on EVS in any way. We can not verify or confirm that any of this information is accurate and therefore can not be held accountable for it.

2011 Chevrolet Cruze FAQs

2009-07-14T10:02:00.012-05:00

2011 Chevrolet Cruze

Frequently Asked Questions

When will the Cruze be in American showrooms?

Production will begin in April 2010 at GM’s Lordstown, OH, plant and will arrive in showrooms shortly thereafter.

What other markets will be selling the Cruze?

It will be offered first in European markets in spring 2009, followed by our other global regions. Eventually, it will be sold in more than 100 countries.

Will it be called Cruze outside of the U.S.?

Yes, it will be called Cruze in every market where it will be sold.

Where will you build the Cruze?

The Cruze will be built in Asia, Europe and North America (Lordstown).

Where specifically has the Cruze been designed and engineered?

Taking advantage of our global operations, the Cruze has been designed and engineered by our global talent in Europe and Asia.

Is this vehicle based off of your Delta Architecture?

The Cruze is based on GM’s global compact car architecture.

What engines will be available with the Cruze in the U.S.?

Engine offerings in the U.S. will include a 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with full variable valve timing that optimized performance and fuel economy across the RPM band. The Cruze will also be offered with an efficient 1.8L four-cylinder engine with dual continuously variable camshafts.

What type of connectivity options will the Cruze offer?

Cruze will have conveniences such as Bluetooth®, USB inputs and OnStar® available.

Any plans to pull production ahead?

We are constantly looking for ways to bring great new products to market as quickly as possible. The Cruze is slated as a MY2011 and will go into production in April 2010 in North America (Lordstown). In the meantime we continue to sell the fuel-economy leader in its segment, the Cobalt XFE, with its 37 highway mpg.

How much will the Cruze cost?

Pricing will be announced just prior to arriving in dealer showrooms.

H1 Hummer for Sale

2009-07-03T10:43:00.005-05:00

2004 H1 DIESEL HUMMER - 24,000 MILES!
EVS SALE PRICE $74,900
EMAIL RICK @ EVS HERE for more information and pictures!

Camaro Out Sells Mustang!

2009-07-03T09:47:00.002-05:00

DETROIT — The Chevrolet Camaro outsold the Ford Mustang for the first time since 1993.

The reborn Camaro throttled the restyled Mustang, 9,320 to 7,362. The last time the Camaro beat the Mustang in a U.S. monthly sales race was October 1993, when Chevy sold 10, 985 Camaros and Ford sold 5,680 Mustangs.

“The Camaro’s success emerged as GM — which has been operating in Chapter 11 bankruptcy since June 1 — posted a 33.4 percent monthly sales decline in June and a 40.4 percent plunge for the first half of the year. The last time the Camaro outsold the Mustang for a full year was 1985. That year, Chevrolet sold 199,985 Camaros, while Ford moved 157,821 Mustangs.

Mark LaNeve, General Motors vice president of vehicle sales, service and marketing, said nearly every Camaro sale in June was at retail, and sales for the month were nearly double the number GM expected.

Camaro was selling best in California, LaNeve said, and GM has only a six-day supply of the vehicle. Some dealers have reported selling the cars right off the delivery truck, — making the sports coupe one of the few vehicles in the industry hot enough to do that.

Ford has restyled the Mustang for 2010, making it look smaller and upgrading the interior but keeping the same powertrains. The Camaro is all new and features a base V-6 engine that delivers almost as much horsepower as the V-8 in the Mustang. Camaro’s entry-level V-6 comes with direct fuel injection, 304 hp and an EPA rating of 29 mpg on the highway. The Camaro’s base price is $23,040 and the Mustang’s is $21,845. Both prices include shipping. ”

CARS - Cash for Clunkers

2009-07-01T14:11:00.005-05:00

I guess you've been hearing a lot about this "Cash for Clunkers" promotion from GM. So, to help you learn more about this new program - I've added the information below. Or you can visit the CARS website by CLICKING HERE!

1.5 Millionth Corvette Produced!

2009-06-16T14:30:00.006-05:00

Corvette fans all know, The very first Chevrolet Corvette built way back in 1953 was Polo White with a red interior and a black top. It was practically made by hand, cost $3,498 plus tax and shipping, and the only options were an AM radio and a heater.

Fifty six years later, the 1.5 millionth Corvette is white with a red interior and black top as a 2009 Corvette. But this one was made in a dedicated assembly plant, not for sale. How about this picture of the 1st , 500,000th, 1,000,000th and the 1.5 Millionth Corvettes - WOW!

I'm sure we are all glad that history is being made, in a positive way! Congrats Chevrolet!!

New Incentives Won't Be Here Long!

2009-05-29T12:39:00.008-05:00

GM has come out with a lot of great incentives on all the brands you love - but they won't be around long. EVS is happy to share with you some awesome savings on vehicles like the '09 Chevy Silverado, the '09 Chevy Aveo, the '08 & '09 Pontiac G6 and more.......

We're OPEN Memorial Day!

2009-05-22T13:30:00.005-05:00

Hello again! Just reminding all of you that EVS Saukville, Random Lake & Port Washington are all open this Monday - Memorial Day.

It's a perfect opportunity for you to stop in and check out the awesome incentives going on right now!

Happy Memorial Day to everyone and remember to take some time out and honor those who we have lost and those who are currently in the armed forces.

So It Begins....

2009-05-20T13:13:00.005-05:00

Welcome to the first ever (I think) EVS blog. Created by us, to provide you with dealership information and incentives, vehicles of the week, GM news and whatever else we can think of to share with you.

This being our first blog, it may take us awhile to get up and running - but we are excited to provide with a little something extra and a little something different then what is on your typical dealer website.

So check back often and see what's new with us or the automotive world. Thanks for your support and thanks for visiting the EVSAutoBlog and BUYEVSCARS.COM!