Thursday, September 16, 2010

Nearly Two-Thirds of Equinox and Traverse Buyers New to Chevrolet
























Brand Capturing Owners of Discontinued GM Marques and Non-GM Products


DETROIT - Nearly two out of three buyers for the Chevrolet Equinox and Traverse have traded in non-Chevrolet vehicles so far this year. In addition, nearly half of buyers traded in a non-GM vehicle.

Cadillac, Buick, and GMC trade-ins account for only 9 percent of purchases for both vehicles. The crossovers are helping Chevrolet retain owners of discontinued GM brands, which were offered in 11 percent of Equinox trade-ins and 9 percent of Traverse trade-ins.

The remaining 45 percent of Traverse buyers and 44 percent of Equinox buyers traded in a non-GM vehicle.

"Equinox and Traverse are attracting owners of competitive vehicles, including Fords, Toyotas, and Hondas to Chevrolet showrooms," said Alan Batey, vice president, Chevrolet Sales and Service. "For these buyers, Equinox and Traverse offer the flexibility and fuel efficiency they have been looking for in a crossover, as well as the design, performance and value that define Chevrolet."

Combined, Chevrolet sold more than 120,000 Equinox and Traverse models during the first six months of 2010 - an increase of approximately 80 percent calendar-year-to-date.

Introduced in late 2008 as an all-new model for 2009, Traverse is equipped with a 3.6L V-6 with direct injection and variable valve timing and six-speed automatic transmission. For front-wheel-drive models, Traverse delivers an EPA-estimated 24 mpg highway - more than any eight-passenger crossover.

Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com named Traverse one of the Top 10 Best New Family Vehicles for 2009, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety named Traverse a 2009 Top Safety Pick, and Consumer's Digest named Traverse a Best Buy for 2009 and 2010.

The 2010 Equinox was introduced as an all-new model in the summer of 2009. Equipped with the standard 2.4L Ecotec direct injected I-4 engine and six-speed automatic, the front-wheel-drive Equinox delivers a segment-best 32 mpg highway, according to EPA estimates.

Consumer's Digest named Equinox a 2010 Best Buy, and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety named Equinox a 2010 Top Safety Pick. Since 2009, Chevrolet has announced three production increases for the Equinox to meet consumer demand.

The growth of Traverse and Equinox sales also solidified General Motors' position as the leading automaker for crossover sales. Combined crossover sales for Chevrolet, Buick, Cadillac, and GMC increased 81 percent calendar-year-to-date, and have increased more than 30 percent for nine consecutive months.



Brand Capturing Owners of Discontinued GM Marques and Non-GM Products


DETROIT - Nearly two out of three buyers for the Chevrolet Equinox and Traverse have traded in non-Chevrolet vehicles so far this year. In addition, nearly half of buyers traded in a non-GM vehicle.

Cadillac, Buick, and GMC trade-ins account for only 9 percent of purchases for both vehicles. The crossovers are helping Chevrolet retain owners of discontinued GM brands, which were offered in 11 percent of Equinox trade-ins and 9 percent of Traverse trade-ins.

The remaining 45 percent of Traverse buyers and 44 percent of Equinox buyers traded in a non-GM vehicle.

"Equinox and Traverse are attracting owners of competitive vehicles, including Fords, Toyotas, and Hondas to Chevrolet showrooms," said Alan Batey, vice president, Chevrolet Sales and Service. "For these buyers, Equinox and Traverse offer the flexibility and fuel efficiency they have been looking for in a crossover, as well as the design, performance and value that define Chevrolet."

Combined, Chevrolet sold more than 120,000 Equinox and Traverse models during the first six months of 2010 - an increase of approximately 80 percent calendar-year-to-date.

Introduced in late 2008 as an all-new model for 2009, Traverse is equipped with a 3.6L V-6 with direct injection and variable valve timing and six-speed automatic transmission. For front-wheel-drive models, Traverse delivers an EPA-estimated 24 mpg highway - more than any eight-passenger crossover.

Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com named Traverse one of the Top 10 Best New Family Vehicles for 2009, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety named Traverse a 2009 Top Safety Pick, and Consumer's Digest named Traverse a Best Buy for 2009 and 2010.

The 2010 Equinox was introduced as an all-new model in the summer of 2009. Equipped with the standard 2.4L Ecotec direct injected I-4 engine and six-speed automatic, the front-wheel-drive Equinox delivers a segment-best 32 mpg highway, according to EPA estimates.

Consumer's Digest named Equinox a 2010 Best Buy, and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety named Equinox a 2010 Top Safety Pick. Since 2009, Chevrolet has announced three production increases for the Equinox to meet consumer demand.

The growth of Traverse and Equinox sales also solidified General Motors' position as the leading automaker for crossover sales. Combined crossover sales for Chevrolet, Buick, Cadillac, and GMC increased 81 percent calendar-year-to-date, and have increased more than 30 percent for nine consecutive months.

Sunday, August 29, 2010

Are Arguing Kids in the Car More Dangerous Than Drunk Drivers?



Could fights between your brood be causing you to be more likely to have an accident?

EBPY9TJQSEQW An article on British car Web site Whatcar is citing a report by the Transport Research Laboratory for insurance company Direct Line that suggests arguing children can be such a distraction for drivers, that it's almost as bad as driving while drunk.

The study found that reaction times of drivers fell by 13 percent when fighting children were in the car. That's the same number as that of drivers who are the British legal limit for alcohol consumption (1ooml). That could add four meters--about 12 feet--to a highway stop.

Other findings? Instances of hard braking increased by around 40 percent when kids were going at it with each other. Stress levels also increased by a third, and previous research showed that increasing stress levels could lead to more accidents.

Distracted driving is a real concern, but most of the focus has been on cell-phone use while driving and other distractions. Not much attention has been given to the problems caused by other distractions, such as little Johnny placing his hand on little Suzie's side of the back seat, thus initiating World War III in an SUV.

The best thing for parents to do is keep the little ones entertained. Whether it's the license plate game, "I spy", or a sing-a-long, it's better the kids be distracted than you.

No wonder the market for rear-seat entertainment centers is so strong !