Chevy & GM Have An Amazing Month

Gas prices are continuing to be on the rise once again after some slow dips, but one has to wonder if that fact alone is what allowed the Chevy Cruze to assist GM in becoming the top automaker last month. GM had already held 4th place among the major automotive groups for increased improvements behind 3 others and 2 of which were American. So is this a a new beginning for American automakers?

The GMC Canyon had explosive growth last month, increasing over 122% over last July, not to mention the GMC Terrain that climbed almost 93% and the Acadia that jumped 87%.  But the Cinderella of the ball was Chevrolet Cruze selling an amazing 24,648 vehicles making it the 2nd best selling Chevy/GM vehicle only playing second to the Silverado. Next up came Buick which owed its success to the Buick Regal, which was the only vehicle in its lineup to show improvement. But that will soon change as the Buick Verano hits the streets and gives it competing power in the C segment.

Needless to say that this growth for American automakers makes it truly a worthy competitor as it churns out economical vehicles with fuel mileage taken into consideration as a primary target for consumers consideration. More and more it’s becoming the first bullet point on the window sticker that car buyers are looking at and luckily GM was well aware of that anomaly. The end result is an amazing month that looks promising for the brands longevity in this tough market.

Top 8 Most Fuel Efficient Cars

As gas prices soar to record highs, many people are traveling less which greatly affects the tourism business. But for those who refuse to cut down on their road trips, a great many are looking for the most fuel efficient vehicles available. FuelEconomy.gov released it’s findings for the most fuel efficient vehicles. We removed the ALL-electric vehicles from the mix since the purchase of those types of vehicles really makes them only a viable option for people with very short commutes and in some cases requires them to alter their lifestyle to even operate them. We left the Chevy Volt on the list since it uses both gas and electric and not at the same time making it a truly unique offering that doesn’t fall in the hybrid territory. Then we also removed the two-seater options like the Wheego, because most people do have families and friends. What’s left is a tidy list of the most “realistic” fuel efficient vehicles available on the market.

2011 Most Fuel Efficient Vehicles
2011 Most Fuel Efficient Cars			MPG
			City	Hwy
Most Efficient Compact Cars
	Chevrolet Volt 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Automatic(CVT), Plug-in EV , Premium	Elec	95	90
		Gas	35	40
	Volkswagen Golf 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Manual(6), Diesel		30	42
	Volkswagen Jetta 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Manual(6), Diesel		30	42
Most Efficient Midsize Cars
	Hyundai Elantra 4 cyl, 1.8 L, Manual(6), Regular		29	40
Most Efficient Large Cars
	Hyundai Sonata 4 cyl, 2.4 L, Manual(6), Regular		24	35
	Honda Accord 4 cyl, 2.4 L, Automatic(5), Regular		23	34
Most Efficient Small Station Wagons
	Audi A3 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Automatic(S6), Diesel		30	42
	Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Manual(6), Diesel		30	42

^{To see the full list with all of the electric cars, two seaters, and even the WORST fuel efficient cars, visit FuelEconomy.gov here.}

Happy 100th Birthday Corvette!

While most individuals that turn 100 would be creeping along with a cane or walker, Chevy gave the Corvette a new suspension and appearance package for the entire 2012 Corvette line to celebrate the auspicious occasion.

It’s called the Centennial Edition and it adds some really sweet brooding highlights both on the inside and outside that is an all black color scheme.  Additions like a red pinstripe on the satin black wheels with red brake calipers that are lightweight aluminum wheels that are specific to each model.  To go with those midnight wheels, the Centennial Edition only offers one paint color choice called Carbon Flash Metallic.

Also on the outside you’ll find a graphic of Louis Chevrolet on the B-pillars, the center caps of the wheels, and the center of the steering wheel and as a nice special touch, the fleur-de-lis symbol that normally sits on tops of the crossed flags badge has been replaced with “100.”

The black and red color scheme is also featured on the inside as well with the doors, instrument panel, and steering wheel wrapped in black leather with red stitching.  And those familiar with the 2011 Z06 Carbon Limited Edition will immediately see the similarities with the seats, steering wheel, shifter and armrests sharing the same suede accents as that model.  The headrest also carries the “100″ logo as well.

All of these Centennial models can be ordered starting this Summer, but details like pricing and when they’ll start appearing on the lots of Atlanta Chevy dealerships is still yet to be shared.  Can’t wait for more info and more photos? Head over to Cnet’s and read Liane Yvkoff’s wonderful coverage and enviable photo gallery right now! http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13746_7-20052594-48.html#ixzz1JFRF9nJE

No HOV Lane For Chevrolet Volt

A lot of people are up in arms about the Chevrolet Volt, but none more than Mark Frost, General Manager of the Jim Ellis Chevy dealership in Atlanta.   While driving his Chevy Volt in Atlanta, he was pulled over for driving in the HOV lane by himself and not in an approved alternative fuel vehicle.  Georgia has a very distinct list of vehicles that are labeled as approved for the HOV lane and the new 2011 Chevrolet Volt is not one of them.

The Volt is unlike other cars in that it can run from batteries or gas and not both at the same time. The car will go 40 miles on a single battery charge and once the battery is depleted, it then uses gas to continue to power the vehicle. Hybrid vehicles use both at the same time and electric cars use only electric and once you run out of battery power, you’re done.  But if the Volt is actually considered an alternative fuel vehicle and even more fuel efficient than cars that are already approved on the list, then why did Mr. Frost get a ticket?

He didn’t have an alternative fuel tag on his car. “You have to have the tag, as it stands right now in the state of Georgia. You have to have the AFV tag,” said DOT spokeswoman Jill Goldberg.  And when she was asked why the Chevrolet Volt wasn’t on the list, the answer is very simple.  The EPA is still trying to figure out how to even classify the new vehicles like the Chevy Volt.  They very simply put are having difficulty trying “to come up with a list that they’re going to approve to have as a national standard,” she said.

For now, Mark Frost has a court date to plead his case next month.  Whether or not he will be required to pay a fine is unknown considering the circumstances, but if he can raise awareness of the Volt, then he has won regardless of the outcome.

The reason is that the EPA is still trying to figure out how to even classify the new vehicles like the Chevy Volt.

Mitsubishi I-MiEV Launches in U.K.

The Mitsubishi i-MiEV officially hit the U.K. as the electric super-mini starts selling in 15 European countries.  The electric car won’t be seen in the United States at the Atlanta Mitsubishi dealerships until Fall of 2011.   That’s the same window that the Chevy Volt is planning to land in most all states, although a few states already offer it now.  The i-MiEV is selling for 23,990 pounds, which is about $38,398 in U.S. dollars.  Whether it will keep the same price point once it hits the states is unknown.  The U.K. government is offering a 5,000 pound plug-in grant ($8,003 US dollars), which is similar to the $7000 dollars that the U.S. offered for people planning to purchase the upcoming Chevy Volt or any other hybrid/electric vehicles for that matter.

 The car offers seating for 4, zero emissions, an expected driving range of 85 miles, and will be made available in 5 colors.  Like the Volt, if your commute is under 80 miles, you may never use gas again.  The question is whether people will opt for a $40,000 electric vehicle when the Chevy Volt has already created an amazing amount of buzz already for about the same price point.  For Mitsubishi to outrun the marketing beast that has been brewing for the Volt, it would have to do an all out advertising blitz to overcome its competition and possibly come in at a lower cost to really compete.   Not to mention the thousands of Volt’s that are pre-ordered even at Atlanta Chevy Dealers already.  While there’s certainly room for competition, Mitsubishi better start moving now.

Chevy Volt Appears in Atlanta Dealership – Electric Car or Hybrid?

It’s not often that there is so much buzz about a car like the hub-bub that has happened surrounding the Chevy Volt.  Motor Trend has already awarded it the “2011 Motor Trend Car of the Year”  and 2011 just started!  There are even debates as to whether to call it an electric car or hybrid.  But as the general manager of Jim Ellis Chevrolet in Atlanta, GA put it, it’s definitely an electric car.    Technically it’s a hybrid because it can run off of both electric and gas and that’s essentially the definition of a hybrid.   But what sets the Volt apart from other vehicles that are indisputably called hybrids, is that with the Chevrolet Volt, you may never need gas again if you’re commute is under 100 miles.

The difference is that the Volt doesn’t use the gas until the battery charge runs out.   Hybrid vehicles use both battery and gas depending on what you’re doing (i.e. – sitting at a light, driving on the highway, in the city, etc.).  The car plugs up to a regular 120 volt and totally recharges in 10 hours and in a mere 4 hours with a dedicated line.  But to never use gas again is very intriguing and in a vehicle that can be realistically driven as a regular car that doesn’t look like a toy car?

The demand for the Volt is amazing and the limited release of the vehicle has caused even more of a “must have it now” frenzy that hasn’t been seen since the release of the iPhone or iPad.   The Chevy Volt made its debut in only a handful of states including California, Washington DC, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut and parts of Texas.   States like Georgia weren’t on the docket to receive Chevrolet Volts to sell until the end of 2011 and that’s what sent Mark Frost up to New Jersey to snag one for himself and put on display in the showroom.  Considering how many Georgia Chevy dealerships exist in Georgia, it was shocking that Jim Ellis Chevrolet in Atlanta was the ONLY Atlanta Chevrolet dealer (or Georgia for that matter) that apparently took that initiative.  And the payoff has been incredible.

Not only has Jim Ellis Chevrolet received multiple local news coverage about the vehicle, but it has also drawn hundreds of potential buyers into the dealership to take a gander and hopefully a test drive.  That type of excitement is what has people reaching for their checkbooks to pre-order this electric vehicle of the future. Is it worth the hype and what competitors are out there to steal its thunder? At this time, there’s nothing quite like it.  Luckily for Atlanta drivers, they have a place that they can come to take a look for themselves.

Chevy Volt Saves Detroit Jobs, Leads Marketing Pack

With the undeniable success of the Toyota Prius, many car manufacturers have been scrambling to re-enact that perfect storm and get on the electric car bandwagon. Many have tried and almost none have succeeded.  That is, until Chevrolet released the Chevy Volt.  The Volt appears to be the electric car to beat and even from a marketing side and the bevy of new jobs that it has created for the Detroit-Hamtramck plant has many touting the Volt as this year’s Christmas miracle.

There has been a lot of talk about the Volt and especially from a marketing side. The Chevy Volt led the pack in brand awareness over its competitors which were the Nissan Leaf and the Ford Focus EV, which is an impressive feat in itself.  A study by the company Npryme asked users what electric vehicles they were aware of that were coming out and Chevy’s Volt edged out the Ford Focus EV 53.1% to 49.1%.  The Nissan Leaf only gathered up a mere 30.8% of notability.  But the hurdle for Chevy will be whether respondents would actually buy the vehicle. When users were asked where they would go to buy an electric vehicle if they planned to do so, Ford received 17.8% of the vote, followed by Toyota at 16.7%, Chevy at 16% and Honda at 12.6%. That’s yet another bruise for Nissan’s marketing department who didn’t even register in the teens.  Toyota enjoys it’s second place finish because of the jumpstart that their EV has enjoyed.  Whether Chevy can overcome the marketing shortcomings remains to be seen, but the current push of the Volt seems to have Chevrolet and GM in general on the right track.

And the Volt has apparently breathed new life into the Detroit-Hamtramck plant that makes the vehicles.  One doesn’t have to dig too deep to find details on the demise of the entire city of Detroit that has suffered miserably into economic collapse. While Detroit’s situation may look grim to most, there are a lot of positive changes happening and the Chevy Volt appears to be one of them adding more manufacturing jobs and an increased positive spirit of things to come. While the demand for the Chevy Volt seems to be a tad slow to adopt, there has been a huge insurgence of interest for the new electric car because of its ability to switch from gas from electric once the charge has been depleted.

The most notable interest was from Rick Hendrick of Hendrick Motorsports.  Those privy to the racing world know that Hendrick Motorsports represents some of the greatest names in racing including Jimmie Johnson, Dale Earnhardt Jr, Jeff Gordon, Mark Martin and others.  Mr. Hendrick purchased the 2nd Chevy Volt off of the line for $225,000 which was technically the first one that Chevrolet made available for purchase to the public.  The car was sold as part of a charity for Detroit’s public schools to help fund science, technology, engineering, and math programs. He purchased the car as a collector, so don’t expect to see it on a NASCAR track anytime soon.

And don’t fret that the pricing of the Volt is anywhere near that amount.  The car retails at $40,280, but right out of the gate the vehicle is eligible for a $7500 tax credit which brings the vehicle’s pricing down to $32,780. When you factor in the savings that the vehicle delivers on gas, the savings are astronomical.  The car can travel over 90 miles on a single charge without touching the gas, so for those with short commutes, it’s a force to be reckoned with.  The Volt is only available in limited markets, but as demand continues to grow, you’re sure to see it arrive at Chevy dealerships around the U.S. in a very short matter of time.

Top 10 Most Fuel Efficient Cars – Non-Hybrid

Between cutting back on your expenses, the crushing weight of the terrible economy, you have to watch every single dollar. And when it comes to buying a car, there are the hybrids and the straight out gas powered vehicles. While there’s an obvious mileage difference in what they can accomplish, there’s also a pretty sizable cost difference.  While there may be thousands of dollars difference in the purchase price, you can bet that at $45 dollars a tank of gas, that difference will add up quick on the backend.   But if you simply can’t afford the upfront purchase price of a hybrid and you still want the best bang for your buck. These are the models that will get it done;

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1) 2010 Smart Fortwo – 36 MPG combined (33 city/41 highway)

At the top of the list is the Smart Fortwo. There are a bunch of prerequisites that come with this car including space limitations. While it’s perfect for the single college kid or eco-conscious childless couple, it is not very roomy and is a crampy ride at best.  Some people love having a vehicle this size, but for those that haven’t starred in any Chocolate Factory movies, it’s a pretty tight experience. That being said, it still wins this contest with gas mileage that is very noteworthy and environmentally friendly.  Whether or not this fits the bill for you is totally your choice. While it certainly won’t pass any decent crash test ratings, at under $12,000 for a new car, it’s almost difficult to pass up or at least take a look at for the budget minded and short-legged height challenged person.

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2) 2010 Audi A3 - 34 MPG combined (30 city/42 highway)

We looked at multiple lists to compile ours and some had the Audi tied with our #3 and #4 contenders below, but further research from independent studies, had the Audi clocking in 42 on the highway which barely squeaked by the VW clan below which clocked in at 41. Audi’s diesel engine really made the difference this year and while the sales for Audi dealerships may not have been record breaking for them, it will certainly change if they can keep up this direction.  The aforementioned engine is about the same as what’s found in the VW Jetta and Golf, but the slight modifications gave it that extra 1 MPG that put it in the #2 slot as opposed to settling for a 3 way tie.

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3) 2010 Volkswagen Golf – 34 MPG combined (30 city/41 highway)
Comments below under #4

4) 2010 Volkswagen Jetta TDI - 34 MPG combined (30 city/41 highway)

Both the Golf and Jetta tied for the coveted slots 3 and 4.   And since the Volkswagen Golf and Volkswagen Jetta share the same diesel engine, it’s probably why they turned in the same numbers.  Interestingly enough, while the Audi above may sit in the number 2 slot, some reviews also give these VW’s 42 on the highway, but some were showing 41 while the Audi had no variations in the reports like VW did.  The Jetta has 3 TDI models under $25K that accomplish these numbers in the 2010 line which include the TDI, Sportswagen TDI and TDI Cup.   The lower end Jettas around the $18K mark sacrifice that mileage dramatically (22 City/30 Hwy).   Same story with the VW Golf TDI.  The Volkswagen Golf is standard fair for the hatchback lovers out there.  Volkswagen will always have its hardcore fans who are almost as rabid as Apple fans and having two vehicles in the top 5 slots is something VW proponents can be proud of to make the others “green” with envy.  Yes, awful, I know.

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5) MINI Cooper – 32 MPG combined (28 City / 37 highway)

The Mini Cooper has a lot going for it and some going against it.  It comes with amazing power and driving prowess and a very British feel to it and along with that comes a very noisy ride. We’ve seen many reports showing this vehicle as very loud on the inside, which is kind of a bummer with all of its accomplishments. There is also very little leg room in the rear seats, although unlike the Fortwo, it at least actually has seats in the back.  There were a lot of other complaints about things such as the factory stereo, but since this is about the gas mileage, it rests here on the list at the midway point.

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6) 2010 Toyota Yaris – 32 MPG combined (29 City / 36 highway)

In reality, the Yaris could be tied for 5th place since they both average out to the same mileage, but there are other issues that let it take a step down that are driving related such as the very slow reacting automatic transmission.  It’s a nice quiet ride for regular drivers, but for speed demons or those with a little heavier foot, the engine can get loud when pushed to its limits.  While those are seemingly minor complaints, they still affect your driving experience and fuel efficiency.  So while fuel economy is the headline of the day, at what cost will you make sacrifices?  Apparently there are some vehicles that actually combine comfort, efficiency and a solid driving experience very well, but Toyota’s Yaris leaves us lacking., but economical nonetheless.

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7) 2010 Mini Cooper Clubman - 32 MPG combined (28 City / 36 highway)

If it wasn’t for the drop in city mileage, the Mini Cooper Clubman could have sat beside his base model, but they were sadly parted by the Yaris claim to better mileage while out on the town. The Clubman is actually a much more comfortable ride than the standard Cooper with its roomy interior. However, it does sacrifice the storage area to accomplish that.  There are also reports very stiff controls and once again, we heard about the Mini Coopers horribly noisy ride.  Our guess is that 2011 models may fix some of the insulation issues to address this problem since it’s the biggest complaint from both users and reviewers.

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8) Hyundai Accent Hatchback - 31 MPG combined (27 City / 36 highway)
See review below #9

9) Hyundai Accent Blue – 31 MPG combined (27 City / 36 highway)

Hyundai keeps there models close together on this chart for obvious reasons.  The Hyundai Accents come with a mixed bag of reviews but all of which is repairable if you choose the right options.  On the driving side of the coin, there is a slightly slow acceleration with the automatic version of the vehicles, but at around $10,000 base price, it’s a good and economical vehicle.  However, once you add things like, um, air conditioning, and other typical things you would normally get on a base model such as power windows, stereo, etc.  you’re up at around $15,000.  The base model of these vehicles is painfully absent of features that you wouldn’t even normally think of holding back.  Air conditioning? Really?  Safety features are another thing that is minimal. It has 6 air bags, but even anti-lock brakes are optional on higher end models. But, got carried away again, we’re focusing on fuel efficiency, that’s just a taste of what you might be up against if you consider either of the Accents.  The base model is called Blue and then the hatchback is essentially a trim level, but because it’s really a truly different vehicle (although the same under the hood), it takes up two slots on the list.

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10) Chevrolet Aveo – 30 MPG combined (27 City / 35 highway)

Last on this list and coming in right behind the Hyundai clan is the Chevrolet Aveo.  There are a lot of reviews for the Aveo and most not so friendly.  The primary reason for its detractors is because of the engine. It’s extremely fuel efficient because of taller gear ratios, but at the cost of some umph on the highway. But if you’re using this vehicle to get around town and the occasional road trip, it’s a completely capable car.  Out of the gate, the Aveo comes standard with a 5 speed manual transmission and only that version accomplishes these numbers.  The automatic version drops considerably to a 28 MPG combined, so expect to lose 2 miles to the gallon by letting the car do the work for you, which is a tad disappointing.

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And there you have it. The top 10 fuel efficient cars that are non-hybrids.  We hope to do a follow up in a day or so featuring the non-hybrid winners and we’ll see who comes out on top. Are there others that should be on the list, but aren’t rated that way? Tell us about it!