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General motors is helping to protect a species of Bats in North America that is being threatened by a disease known as White-nose syndrome.  This disease is a fungus that grows on bats as they are hibernating causing them to exhibit unusual behavior and wake up from hibernation early, which causes death.  As a result, over 5.7 million bats in the U.S. and Canada have died from this deadly disease. While there is no known cure for White Nose Syndrome preventative efforts are being made to help control the spread of this disease and keep it from infecting more bats.  One such preventative method is the construction of artificial bat caves which give the bats more surface area from which to hang and spread out. GM and Chevrolet have gotten involved in this effort by providing the use of materials fund on different Chevrolet models for use in construction of the artificial caves.  Scraps from the Chevy Volt have been used to create the bat caves while adhesive from the Corvette stingray is used to create artificial stalactites within the caves. “We need to do what we can to prevent more bats from contracting white-nose syndrome while they are hibernating,” said Rob Mies, executive director for the Organization for Bat Conservation. “Researchers are working around the clock to find a way to stop the transmission from occurring in caves. This disease is occurring at a rapidly escalating rate and if a solution is not found soon, many bat species could face extinction.” GM has been aiding in the preservation of wildlife projects for a number of years.  In fact the company has a total of 26 certified wildlife programs, more than any of ther in the industry.

Chevrolet has officially begun shipping its new 2015 City Express Cargo Van out to dealerships throughout the U.S.  This all-new model offers customers the storing capacity and flexibility of a quality cargo van in a more convenient compact size that can more easily navigate the streets of cities. This new model has been offered as part of a new Business Choice incentive program. Businesses that qualify for this program will receive a $350 Uplift Cash Allowance along with ship-thru service that sends the vehicle to a plant upfitter and then sends it directly to the dealer. Customers will also be given the opportunity to completely customize their van through tools on Chevrolet.com.  Additionally, customers will be able to compare this model to similar vehicles currently available in the market to see how it compares in terms of pricing, economy and safety. “Our existing customers will love getting behind the wheel of the City Express when it’s at their Chevrolet dealership,” said Ed Peper, U.S. vice president, GM Fleet & Commercial. “But we’re most looking forward to giving potential new customers the opportunity to experience one of many Chevrolet commercial vehicles that best fit their needs.”

Representatives from the National Corvette Museum have officially announced plans to repair the damage caused by the massive sinkhole that happened earlier this year. As most remember, this sinkhole created a huge chasm in the middle of the museum pulling several beloved Corvettes inside. All of the Corvettes have been officially removed and those that are repairable are going through the restoration process. A few months ago, Representatives announced that they were considering keeping the sinkhole and turning it into a tourist attraction. This would have involved adding a glass bottom bridge that spanned over the hole and a staircase that led visitors down into the actual hole. That plan has since changed, and the Museum is choosing to go ahead with a full extensive repair of the damage. “We appreciate all of the support, feedback, ideas and prayers throughout this very interesting time in our history. Sunday, November 9 will be the very last day to see the sinkhole up close and in person – so if you’ve been wanting to check it out for yourself you have just over three weeks to do so,” says National Corvette Museum executive director Wendell Strode. The repairs will cost $3.2 million and are expected to begin on November 10 with a completion date estimated for July 2015.  Fans will be able to keep up with the progress of the repairs over the coming months through a webcam view posted on the museum’s website. Original Source: http://gmauthority.com/blog/2014/10/national-corvette-museum-to-close-for-3-2m-of-repairs/

A frame-twisting test was recently performed on the 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD by third-party research firm AMCI, hired by Chevrolet. The vehicle was tested by being driven on a course that involved it going over a staggered ramp. By doing so, the vehicle was put on an uneven tilt, which resulted in one side of the truck hitting the ramp before the other. Afterward, the amount of truck bed displacement was measured to determine the amount of frame-twist the vehicle allowed. The Ford F-250 Super Duty was put through the same test in order for AMCI to create a comparison of the two competitors. The testing results found that the F-250 Super Duty allowed 0.94 inches of twist to its frame and the truck’s tailgate was unable to be lowered when under the frame-twist stress. The Silverado 2500HD, however, only allowed 0.26 inches of twist to its frame and its tailgate was still able to be lowered normally. The Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD’s impressive results can be attributed to the high-strength steel that is the predominant material used in the construction of this model. “The use of high-strength steel in the Silverado HD is what allows the Silverado to handle even the toughest of jobs,” said Jeff Luke, General Motors’ executive chief engineer for full-size trucks. “Paired with a fully boxed frame, high-strength steel is what makes the Silverado come from the family of the most dependable, longest-lasting full-size pickups on the road.”

Galles Chevrolet will be releasing a full Research & Review page on the 2015 Chevy Camaro for our customers from Albuquerque, Los Lunas, Moriarty and Santa Fe, NM.  Customers looking to research this model for possible purchase will find all the information they need on this new page.  This page provides a full vehicle breakdown with information such as trim level options, safety, powertrain options, MSRP, EPA estimates and much more.

Chevrolet’s supermini, the Chevrolet Spark, has reached a sales milestone of one million vehicles sold worldwide.  A total of 71 markets around the world sell the Chevy Spark in countries including Mexico, South Korea, U.S., South Africa and India.  Sales of the Spark in the U.S. have also increased by 10% in 2014. Along with an impressive sales milestone, the Spark also became the only model in its segment to receive a Top Safety Pick Rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). “Our small cars – Spark and Sonic, and the Cruze – attract more new car buyers to Chevrolet than any other vehicles in the lineup, with more than 60 percent of buyers never having owned a Chevy before,” says the Executive Vice President of Global Chevrolet, Alan Batey. We have the 2015 Chevy Spark available here at Galles Chevrolet where we serve customers from Albuquerque, Los Lunas, Moriarty and Santa Fe, NM.  Go online and schedule a test drive today!

General Motors and Chevrolet have combined efforts to sponsor a number of fundraising campaigns throughout the month of October.  All of the money raised through these campaigns will be donated to the American Cancer Society in support of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  Additionally, the outside of the GM Renaissance Global Headquarter Towers in Detroit will be decorated with glowing pink bands.  This year marks the fourth consecutive year that the brands have taken active roles in supporting this cause.  Their efforts have been extremely beneficial, however, as just last year a total of $1.1 million was raised and donated. “The money we raise and support we receive from Chevrolet nationwide helps us save more lives from breast cancer faster and supports our mission to create a world with less breast cancer and more birthdays,” said Jill Elder, vice president of distinguished and corporate partners for the American Cancer Society. Here are some of the GM and Chevrolet sponsored fundraising events: Chevrolet Test Drives - For every customer who takes a test drive from a Chevrolet dealership during October Chevrolet will donate $10m up to $130,000. Apparel Sales - Cruisin’ Sports will be donating 10% of its sales on apparel items that support Making Strides to the American Cancer Society. Team Chevy Motorsport s - For every lap that the pink Chevrolet SS pace car takes during NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race weekends Chevrolet will donate $250.

In celebration of National Name Your Car Day Chevrolet launched a new social campaign that invited customers to help choose the name of a new special-edition Camaro SS.  The new name will then be announced when this model makes its official debut at the SEMA show in Las Vegas next month.  Fans can submit their name suggestion online at either facebook.com/chevycamaro or twitter.com/Chevrolet by using the tag #NameThatCamaro. The special-edition Camaro SS is powered by a 426 hp 6.2L V-8 engine paired with either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. Available features on this model include an available Emerald Green Metallic exterior package and, navigation radio, sunroof, Chevrolet Performance short-throw shifter and dual-mode exhaust. “Chevrolet has made a tradition of offering special-edition models each spring, but this is the first time we’ve turned to the community of Camaro fans to name it,” said Todd Christensen, Camaro marketing manager. “We can’t think of a better way to involve the owners and enthusiasts who have made it the segment’s best-selling sports car for four years running.”

Chevrolet is going to great lengths to try and keep exposure of the new Chevy Volt as minimalistic as possible. In order to help cleverly disguise many of the new design elements of this model, engineers and designers came up with a camouflaged exterior. These types of exteriors are fairly common when manufacturers take in-development models out for testing in order to keep spies from learning too much about the model before its official release. For the Chevy Volt, designers and engineers work together in order to come up with a camouflage solution that would help disguise the vehicle’s design elements without hindering the ability to perform accurate testing. “If it were up to me it would be a shoebox driving down the road,” said Lionel Perkins, GM camouflage engineer. “The design team wants us to cover more of the vehicle and the engineering team needs to have enough of the vehicle’s weight and are exposed so that the tests in the development process are consistent with the product that will come to market.” A few of the most common camouflage designs used in the auto industry include Swirls, Black & White Pattern, Bubble Wrap and a 3D look.

Motor Trend has presented the Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 with its 2014 Driver’s Car Award. In the seven years that this award has been given out, this marks the first time that the recipient has been an American-brand car. In order to be eligible for consideration, a vehicle must have been newly released or have been newly refurbished within the 12 months leading up to the the testing period. All eligible vehicles are then tested out on various scenarios and surfaces including a 4.3-mile hill climb and a high-speed driving test in order to measure each model’s overall driving experience. Motor Trend editors states about the Camaro Z/28 following testing: “The transformation of the fifth-generation Camaro from ‘muscle car that handles pretty well’ to Best Driver’s Car winner is astounding. You feel the superior engineering in how the car responds to inputs both internal and external. From within, the car reacts immediately and precisely to your commands but doesn’t punish your mistakes. From the outside, the Z/28’s suspension attacks bumps and dips with an unbridled passion for keeping the tires on the pavement.” This new aerodynamically designed race car has been given a more aerodynamic design that gives it a unique race car design. The vehicle's curb weight has been lightened in order to maxim power-to-weight ratio. This was accomplished through the use of special materials such as thinner rear window glass and lightweight wheels. The Camaro Z/28 gets its power by a 505 hp 7.0L LS7 V-8 rated engine. The 2015 Chevy Camaro is available at Galles Chevrolet where we serve Albuquerque, Los Lunas, Moriarty and Santa Fe, NM.

Chevrolet recently announced that when the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze makes its official U.S. release sometime during next year, it will have an available first-in class 7-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT). This transmission was the result of a collaboration effort between the Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC); a Chinese joint venture partner and General Motors. Along with being one of the only vehicles to have an available dual-clutch gearbox, this new model with a new transmission will reduced curb weight of the 2016 Cruze works to improve the model’s fuel economy rating by approximately 14-21%. Be sure to look out for more information on the development and release of the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze if you live near Albuquerque, Los Lunas, Moriarty or Sante Fe, NM. Original Source: http://gmauthority.com/blog/2014/09/2016-chevy-cruze-to-offer-all-new-7-speed-dual-clutch-transmission/#ixzz3E4DONrey

In order to improve rear seat child safety, Chevrolet has added additions such as a removable headrest and rear seat passenger side seat cushion to vehicles including the 2015 Chevrolet Colorado and 2015 Chevrolet Impala that will allow for better accommodations for booster seats and proper restraints for larger children sitting in the backseat. By making these improvements, Chevrolet is looking to reduce the ongoing issue of parents removing their children from booster seats sooner than recommended in order to make more room in the rear seats. The height/weight recommendation from most manufacturers is that the child be at least 57 inches and 80 lbs in order to ride in a vehicle without a booster seat. Yet, recent studies have found that about 9 out of 10 parents are removing their children from the booster seats early due to lack of space in the vehicles. Therefore, with these added improvements, Chevrolet is hoping to combat this issue and eliminate the need for parents to remove the booster seat before the recommended requirements are met. Some of these added safety feature accommodations include; shoulder belt comfort guides, rear door safety locks, child restraint LATCH anchorages for all three rear seating positions and a glow-in-the-dark emergency trunk release. “GM conducts a variety of assessments on vehicles to make sure rear seats, safety belts and child restraint LATCH anchors accommodate a wide range of child restraints on the market,” Kleinert said. “Safety belts are developed to work for a range of occupant sizes, including adults, child restraints and children who are too large for child restraints.”