Chevrolet Equinox: Still The Fastest-Selling Vehicle In Its Class

For all its many benefits and features, the Chevrolet Equinox doesn’t quite have the same reputation for speed as cars like its Chevy teammate, the Corvette. But it turns out the Equinox is far and away the fastest compact crossover on the road today—at least in terms of sales. Customers are snapping up Equinoxes at a faster rate than many of its in-segment competition. In fact, last month saw the Chevy crossover spend an average of just 15 days on a dealer’s lot before being purchased, half the time of its rivals.

Of course, this makes plenty of sense, since not only is the Equinox a sales leader, but it’s also the most fuel-efficient vehicle in its segment. Holstering a responsive 2.4-liter Ecotec engine that’s mated to an advanced six-speed automatic, it achieves 22 mpg city/32 mpg highway, which is the same city rating as a Toyota Camry and a better highway mark than a Ford Escape, even the hybrid version.

Used Cars Chantilly said the Chevy delivers best-in-class rear legroom, too, courtesy of its MultiFlex seating system. This allows the rear seat to slide back and forth almost 8 inches to optimize not only legroom, but cargo room as well. In fact, with the rear seat pulled all the way forward, the Equinox can carry more than 31.4 cubic feet of groceries, sports equipment or just about anything else. Which comes in handy, because the Equinox carries a long list of third-party awards as well. These include earning a Top Safety Pick rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, being named a 2010 Best Buy by Consumer’s Digest and getting recognized as Best in Class by the AutoPacific 2010 Ideal Vehicle Awards.

So it’s unsurprising that “We don’t expect sales to slow any time soon,” according to Kerry Whelan, owner and president of Buff Whelan Chevrolet in Sterling Heights, Mich. “Almost everyone who test drives an Equinox leaves with an Equinox because of how well it drives, its interior design, and its fuel economy.”

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Chevy Brings Volt Demo Vehicles To Dealerships

Consumers have been intrigued by GM’s extended-range EV, the Chevrolet Volt. But until now, few have been able to get behind the wheel. Luckily, the wait is almost over as Chevrolet dealerships in initial launch markets of California, Connecticut, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Texas, Virginia and Washington, D.C. will be receiving dedicated Volt demonstration vehicles for customer test drives over the next few weeks.

According to the GM research, the innovative Volt is helping to drive new customers to dealer showrooms floors. The impressive fuel efficiency achieved by the Volt has also exposed customers to other fuel-efficiency Chevy products, like the Malibu and the Equinox.

“We know the best way to experience the Volt is to get behind the wheel and drive it. Now dealers will have the ability to allow consumers to form their own opinions of the Volt through test drives and demonstrations,” said Cristi Landy, Chevrolet marketing director.

Over the next few months, 550 demonstration Volts will be delivered to Chevy dealers. Certified Preowned Chevrolet Virginia said by year’s end, more than 2,500 U.S. dealers will receive a dedicated Volt specifically for test drives. Unwavering interest in the Volt has also led to the expedited nationwide launch of the Volt later this year.

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Chevy Silverado HD Is Motor Trend Truck Of The Year

It looks like Chevy customers have won the daily double: Shortly after Motor Trend recognized the amazing Chevrolet Volt as the magazine’s 2011 Car of the Year, it was the all-new Chevrolet Silverado HD that took home top honors as the Motor Trend 2011 Truck of the Year.

A key reason: It turns out that the Chevy HD roster weighs significantly less than the Ford Super Duty competition all down the line, eliminating many of the purported horsepower/torque advantages being trumpeted by the Silverado’s arch-rival. In fact, according to MT, the Chevrolet models boasted better power-to-weight ratios, a nicer ride with better handling and on-road feel, as-tested MSRPs up to $13,000 less than the Ford’s, better acceleration, and even better observed fuel economy. Oh, and “the entire crew universally preferred the shifting smoothness of the Allison (diesel) and Hydra-Matic (gas) transmissions over the Fords’ six-speeds.”

Other factors called out by the magazine as Silverado HD benefits include:

* A payload rating of up to 21,700 lbs.
* The addition of 32 hp and 105 lb.-ft. of torque to its 6.6-liter Duramax diesel, which now makes 397 horses and 765 lb.-ft. of twist—and 63 percent less NOx emissions than the 2010 model
* A higher front-axle weight rating
* Fully boxed frames with more cross sections, more high-strength steel and hydroformed front sections
* An attractive interior with easy-to-use controls

“On the outside, the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado HD appears to have been given a subtle makeover, but it’s what’s under the skin that makes this truck a winner,” said Angus MacKenzie, editor in chief for Motor Trend. “Chevy engineers focused on three key areas—powertrain, frame, and suspension—to deliver a truck with significantly improved capability and more refinement.”

The bottom line according to MT: “The trucks in this category may be expensive, but the Chevrolet heavy-duty line offers a value that’s tough to ignore. No wonder it’s this year’s Truck of the Year.”

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Next-Generation Volt Could Get Big Price Cut

The next-generation of the Chevrolet Volt could see as much as $7,500 taken off the base price. Thanks to expanding production levels and use of a more advanced battery, the next Volt could receive a 17 percent discount over the current model.

When federal tax incentives are factored in, the next Volt could easily come in below the $30,000 mark. That would make it far more competitive, especially considering that Nissan’s all-electric Leaf is priced from $32,780.

“As with any new technology – from plasma TVs to cell phones – the production costs lower with learnings gained with each generation,” said GM spokesman Robert Peterson. “We expect to see similar cost savings, either through the development or improvement of technologies, or reduced production costs.”

As for the current model, GM CEO Dan Akerson wants to see production of electric-drive vehicles increase. The automaker plans to build 25,000 Volts this year, and another 120,000 Volts next year. Another vehicle may soon receive the Volt’s innovative electric powertrain.

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