The Chevrolet Cruze is the top-selling compact car in the U.S. for four months now.

Courtesy Chevrolet is having a hard time keeping the Cruze in stock due to its high demand. This year to date, dealers across the country have sold more than 160,000 Cruzes and only have a 30-day supply of the sedans, roughly half of the industry standard.

Courtesy Chevrolet has had great figures with the Cruze since it debuted. Who wouldn't want the best eco car with the gas prices soaring?

Chevrolet dealers across the country have seen a 16% jump in their brand being purchased after the Cruze came onto lots.

Courtesy Chevrolet's sales are expected to keep reaching higher once the all-new sleek Sonic and extended range Volt role out to the dealership in the very near future.

2013 Chevrolet Malibu Gets High Marks in Aerodynamic Testing

As gas prices fluctuate, General Motors is determined to deliver more fuel-efficient vehicles to consumers. But achieving more MPG isn’t as simple as utilizing smaller engines. For the all-new 2013 Chevy Malibu, aerodynamics played a crucial role in its efficiency.

The latest Malibu has a drag coefficient comparable to a Corvette and nearly as efficient as the Volt electric car. Combining its sleek design with its fuel-saving eAssist technology, the Malibu ECO is able to achieve an estimated 26 mpg city and 38 mpg highway based on GM testing. Those are impressive figures for a full-size sedan.

“With the new Malibu, the design and aero teams collaborated to achieve maximum fuel efficiency for our customers without compromising the car’s visual appeal,” said John Cafaro, Chevrolet Malibu exterior design director. “The aero and aesthetic evolved simultaneously – working together, we sculpted the car in a way that makes it more slippery, applied innovative technologies like eAssist and active shutters, and we intentionally designed components such as the rear deck lid and outside rearview mirrors to help maximize fuel economy.”

When developing the new Malibu, engineers shaved 60 counts of fuel economy-robbing wind drag from the model it replaces, the equivalent of adding up to 2.5 mpg more highway driving range. Aero engineers and designers also conducted more than 400 hours of wind tunnel testing to ensure optimal fuel economy.

“Aerodynamics is driven by science.” said John Bednarchik, Chevrolet Malibu lead aerodynamic engineer. “While car designers favor wheel flares, sharp creases and other details that add style to a car, what catches the eye may disrupt the airflow, creating unwanted air turbulence and increasing drag. The new Malibu balances design needs with aerodynamic efficiency to truly benefit the customer.”

Vehicle aerodynamics remain a primary driver of overall fuel economy, especially at highway speeds. So, it’s good to know that so much attention has been placed on each and every curve of the all-new Chevy Malibu.

CEO Confirms Chevy to sell Diesel Cruze in the US

General Motors will sell a diesel version of the Chevrolet Cruze compact car in the U.S., GM CEO Dan Akerson says.

Planned for introduction in 2013, it would be the first Detroit passenger-vehicle diesel since the 2006 Jeep Liberty CRD sport-utility, and the first diesel car from Detroit since the 1980s.

A U.S. diesel Cruze has been the subject of heavy speculation, but was unconfirmed until now.

"I drove it the other day. It is great," Akerson said in an interview with USA TODAY. "These new diesels are quiet. Should make it in the low- to mid-40s, and that's with an automatic," the CEO said, referring to the likely fuel economy rating with an automatic transmission.

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The only U.S.-market compact car with a diesel now is the Volkswagen Jetta. With an automatic transmission, it is rated 30 mpg in town, 42 on the highway.

Diesel engines get 20% to 40% better mileage than similar-size gasoline engines, alluring to automakers trying to meet tightening U.S. fuel-economy regulations. But diesel fuel in the U.S. lately has averaged 5% to 10% more than regular gas. Also, diesel engines are costlier than gas engines, and require complex emissions gear, boosting the price of diesel vehicles.

GM's gasoline-engine Chevy Cruze Eco with automatic is rated 39 mpg on the highway, so a diesel would have to deliver significantly better than that to justify a higher-price car burning more expensive fuel.

"Generally, I think it's a good thing, but maybe way ahead of what the market's ready for," says Jack Nerad, executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com. Not only is diesel fuel more expensive, it's not sold by every service station, he notes. "And a lot of people still have the misconception that diesel is smelly, loud, sooty — what city buses were 20 years ago."

Nevertheless, Nerad says, a diesel Cruze is smart marketing: "The fuel economy number they can point to probably is a good one."

GM wouldn't hint at pricing or give other details about the diesel Cruze because it is more than a year off. A Jetta diesel with automatic is $24,865.

Diesel backers believe a diesel in a popular, mainstream car such as Cruze finally could be a breakthrough in the historically diesel-averse U.S., convincing other automakers to modify their overseas diesels to meet U.S. regulations and offer the diesels here, too.

GM is at least considering packaging the diesel in a hatchback version of Cruze sold overseas.

Akerson offered some other hints of GM's powertrain future, citing electric vehicles and those fueled by clean-burning compressed natural gas (CNG): "We're going to introduce battery-only vehicles…CNG vehicles. Stay tuned. This is not the old GM."

Nissan's Leaf is the only mainstream battery car sold in the U.S. GM's Chevy Volt is an extended-range electric that goes about 35 miles on batteries, then switches on a gasoline engine to generate more electricity for the batteries so Volt can keep running when a plug-in recharge isn't available.

Diesels are common in much of the world because many countries heavily tax fuel to encourage sales of fuel-efficient vehicles such as diesels. Gasoline prices in major European countries this month, for example, have averaged around $8 a gallon, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Diesel runs from slightly more to 15% less.

Cruze was the best-selling car in the country last month. Japanese companies normally dominate the top-seller list, but were short of cars because of interruptions in parts flow after the March 11 earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

For the first six months of this year, Cruze is the seventh-best-selling car.

OnStar Connects Family Members While They’re On The Road

OnStar has launched a new optional service called Family Link, linking subscribers to their loved ones when driving an OnStar-equipped vehicle.

This new service enables users to log onto the Family Link website to view a map with their loved one’s exact location at any time (pictured above). Subscribers can set up email or text message notifications to let them know the location of their loved one’s vehicle. They can choose the day, time and frequency of the alerts.

“Our subscribers have asked us for a solution to help them stay connected to their family when they’re on the road,” said OnStar President Linda Marshall. “What parent hasn’t asked their teenaged driver to call or send a text when they arrive somewhere, only to not hear from them? Family Link’s Vehicle Locate feature lets a parent check on their child’s progress or help determine when he/she might be home safe and sound.

The OnStar Family Link service is currently in a pilot phase and is accessible by invitation only. Approximately 10,000 active U.S. OnStar subscribers will be invited to the program.

Subscriber interest and comments from the pilot program’s users will guide decisions for launch and pricing of this service. Regardless, OnStar believes the service will provide greater peace of mind for subscribers while their loved ones are on the road.


via Chevrolet in the news

ALL NEW 2012 Polaris Ranger Crew Diesel at your Texas Polaris Dealer



2012 Polaris Ranger Crew Diesel in Texas

In 2011, Polaris entered the diesel Side-by-Side segment, with the introduction of the new RANGER Diesel. The RANGER Diesel shared the same full-size chassis as the RANGER XP 800 with the same attributes that made the RANGER line the hardest working, smoothest riding vehicles on the market. For 2012, Polaris is introducing its second diesel model and third vehicle to its multi-passenger line up,  the diesel crew.

This model shares the same 904cc, three-cylinder YANMAR® diesel engine as the RANGER Diesel, with the ability to carry six adults in total comfort. The engine is rubber-mounted to transfer minimal vibration to the operator, and provides low-speed torque to work harder. The fully-sealed, fixed center distance clutch driveline keeps water out of the clutches and provides better performance than competitive models.

RANGER CREW Diesel’s work ethic also includes a 55 amp alternator that gives the operator the ability to run many hard working, higher electrical load accessories, such as plows, extra lights, cab heaters and fans at the same time. It boasts a monstrous one-ton towing to tackle the toughest jobs and comes standard with a 2-inch hitch receiver to tow accessories with ease. Its 1,000 lb/454.5 kg capacity rear dump box has gas-assist dumping operation and accommodates many hardworking PURE Polaris accessories that go on and off in seconds.

RANGER Side-by-Sides are known to be the Smoothest Riding vehicles on the market and the RANGER CREW Diesel is no exception. Its long wheelbase combined with its fully-adjustable suspension creates a very smooth ride, even when fully-loaded. The vehicle’s suspension is the only four-corner adjustable suspension system that features Dual A-Arms with exclusive top-mounting-point adjustability. For recreational riding, the user can adjust to a softer setting or adjust stiffer for heavy-duty work. With a suspension travel of 9.6 in/24.4 cm up front, 9 in/22.9 cm in the rear and a ground clearance of 11.5 in/29.2 cm, the RANGER CREW Diesel provides a very comfortable ride.

To complement the suspension and travel, the RANGER CREW Diesel features On- Demand True All-Wheel Drive with VersaTrac that keeps you moving, automatically engaging all four wheels when you need more forward traction and reverting back to two-wheel drive when you don’t. When in two-wheel drive, the VersaTrac Turf Mode switch unlocks the rear differential for easier, tighter turns that won’t tear up the grass.

Inside the cab, the vehicle has the ability to carry six adults comfortably due to its superior comfort and ergonomics, including a slide-through cab design for easy entrance and exit that also provides lots of legroom. Leaned seatbacks provide extra comfort during travel and 10-inches/25.4 cm of tilt steering-travel provides plenty of steering wheel position options for the driver. For 2012, The RANGER CREW Diesel will be available in Sage Green.

Hardest Working Features

• 904cc, 3 cylinder, Yanmar® Diesel Engine
• 55 amp Alternator
• 1750 lb./793.8 kg payload, 1000 lb./454 kg cargo capacity, one ton/907.2 kg towing
• On Demand AWD
• High/Low beam headlights
• Heavy duty front end protection, inset lights and the most protection for critical components.
• Front full-bench under-seat storage and rear under-seat removable storage
• Full instrumentation
• Pallet-size rear dump box with gas-assist
• ROPS Certified Cab
• Lock & Ride®
• Cargo System

Smoothest Riding Features

• Easy-buckle driver and passenger safety nets
• Adjustable Dual A-Arm
• Front Suspension
• On-Demand, true all-wheel drive
• 9.6 in/24.5 cm front travel, 9 in/22.9 cm rear travel
• 11.5 in/29.2 cm Ground Clearance
• Seating for six
• Carries six adults comfortably with leaned seatbacks and lots of legroom
• 2 in/5.1 cm more leg room for rear passenger

Ranger Crew Diesel Inventory
Texas Polaris Dealer

GM to spend $328M at Flint to make next-generation pickups

GM made it official today that it will spend $328 million to refit its assembly plant in Flint, Mich., the General's historic home, to build the next generation of its key, profit-driving full-size pickups expected in 2013.
Flint is where 2,047 workers now build mostly heavy-duty versions of Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra. GM says the money will keep or create 150 jobs. GM also builds versions of the trucks in Fort Wayne, Ind., and Silao, Mexico.

For a while, in the dark days of bankruptcy/recession/high gas prices, a next generation of the big trucks seemed in doubt as GM scaled back development. No more. "We remain committed to providing customers the utility and capability of our world-class full-size pickups," said Cathy Clegg, GM vice president of labor relations in a statement today. She said the new generation will be trucks that "offer better fuel efficiency than ever before without sacrificing features and functionality."

The $328 million and 150 jobs announced today are another part of the $2 billion GM earlier promised to spend in eight states over 18 months, creating or retaining about 4,000 jobs. Flint already got a piece with spending announced for the engine plant there and big chunks of the money and jobs are going to Detroit-Hamtramck to expand Volt production and build the new-generation Malibu and Impala.
via usa today

Pickup Makers agree to standard test for towing ratings

It's a victory for truth, justice and anybody who ever towed a trailer up a steep hill.

Major makers of pickups and SUVs have agreed to a standard test to rate their vehicle's towing capacity. By the end of the 2013 model year, most truck buyers should know -- for the first time -- how a vehicle performs vs. the competition.

"We wanted our customers to know that 10,000 pounds of towing capacity means the same things for all trucks," said Robert Krouse, the General Motors engineer who chaired the Society of Automotive Engineers committee that created the new standard.

This is a really big deal for millions of drivers. Towing capacity measures how heavy a trailer a vehicle can safely haul. The rating is as important to many pickup and SUV buyers as fuel economy or horsepower are to minivan or sports-car shoppers.

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The big difference, and the reason the SAE standard is a breakthrough, is that, until now, automakers could pretty much make up the numbers they claimed for towing capacity.

Each company designed its own test, and -- surprise! -- their trucks always aced the tests. Imagine the EPA didn't exist, and car companies could just make up fuel-economy figures to boost sales.

It's been caveat emptor, and catch me if you can on towing. Makers would boast about the pounds their pickups and SUVs could tow, and their exhaustive testing used to determine the towing capacity.

But when a new truck claimed a higher number, the other manufacturers would rewrite their spec sheets. Their trucks' towing capacity -- coincidentally ... magically! -- increased to match or beat the new kid on the block.

It was a farce, but there was nothing a customer could do, short of bringing a 10,000-pound trailer to their test-drive.

The new standard solves that problem. Created with input from leading truck, trailer and hitch makers, it assures that every truck tested fulfills the same performance requirements.

"Before, you couldn't say who had the best towing capacity, because you didn't know how it was tested," says Mike Levine, editor of Pickuptrucks.com. "This is the first time a customer can do an actual apples-to-apples comparison."

The test is demanding, and automakers expect published ratings to decrease:

The SAE test includes real-world tasks such as acceleration, braking, towing up a steep grade in 100-degree temperatures, understeer and stability. In addition to validating a truck's working credentials, it assures a basic level of safety for the driver and for others on the road.

With the demanding test, automakers expect their tow ratings to decrease by anything from a few hundred to more than a thousand pounds. They're willing to take the hit, because it's in their interest as well as the customers' to have credible towing figures.

Toyota is the first to use the standard. It already applied it to the Tundra. The Tundra's claimed towing capacity decreased, but its credibility grew.

Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford and GMC full-size pickups are expected to adopt the test during the 2013 model year, which begins Jan. 1, 2012. Nissan will use the standard someday, but won't say when or on which vehicles.

Every truck tested to the standard can say its towing capacity is SAE rated. That's the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval when it comes to vehicle performance. The SAE is the leading independent body for vehicle standards and tests.

The towing standard is not mandatory. No manufacturer has to use it. If they don't, though, the figures they claim for towing capacity will be less credible and more open to challenge than their competitors'.
usa today

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