Chevrolet Donates Water-Damaged Cars For Training

Chevrolet is donating 300 vehicles damaged by water during Superstorm Sandy for use in training first responders in Georgia.

Detroit-based General Motors Co. announced Thursday that the cars, crossovers and SUVs would go to Guardian Centers in Perry, Ga.

“We could not sell them, so instead of crushing them, Chevrolet is using these vehicles to help train those who respond to just such disasters,” Chris Perry, U.S. vice president of Chevrolet Marketing, said in a statement.

Designed as a purpose-built training solution for all phases of disaster preparedness, Guardian Centers offers a fully operational, modern cityscape simulator for first responders to test their plans, skill sets, equipment and leadership. The vehicles are expected to help provide a realistic environment to simulate real-world incidents and natural disasters.

“The vehicles we received from Chevrolet are an essential component of full immersion disaster response training in a metropolitan environment,” Geoff Burkart, founder and CEO of Guardian Centers, said in a statement. “This level of realism and effectiveness cannot be overstated.”

The vehicles will be used in conjunction with role players for wide area searches, traffic congestion in emergency situations, counter terrorism, public order and mass casualty exercises.

Also in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, Chevrolet donated 24 full-size Express passenger and cargo vans to Habitat for Humanity for use in its restoration efforts in the hardest-hit areas of the super storm.

Courtesy of CBS Detroit

 

Car-Care Tip: Driving sensibly may be key to driving more efficiently

Driving sensibly may be key to driving more efficiently. Aggressive driving (speeding, rapid acceleration and braking) wastes gas. It can lower your gas mileage by 33 percent at highway speeds and by 5 percent around town. Sensible driving is also safer for you and others, so you may save more than gas money.



Courtesy of FuelEconomy.gov

Kudos to our Service Department and Courtney!

Kudos to our Service Department and Courtney! "Courtney is always very pleasant and friendly. You can get your vehicle in the same day you call. I always have a great experience when the truck needs maintenance." -Darrin N.

Kudos to our service department for this 5-star review!

Kudos to our service department for this 5-star review! "Courteous customer service. Work was all done in a timely fashion. They washed my car and everything. Woo hoo!!! Got a clean white car back in perfect running condition. Thanks." -Jaimie W. To read more great feedback from our customers, be sure to check out our review page: http://bit.ly/Z7Qgpr

Pre-Owned Special: 2012 Chevrolet Silverado

With over $3,000 off in deductions and Customer Cash, this Silverado is priced to sell quickly! Hurry in, this offer ends 2/28/13. Visit Lou Bachrodt Chevrolet today: http://bit.ly/155P8SW

Introducing the 2014 Chevrolet SS

We race what we build and we build what we race. The new Chevrolet SS is a rear-wheel-drive V8 sedan with enough comfort and style to match its unparalleled performance. Watch the transformation from race car to production vehicle.

Justin's 5-star review on Cars.com

Justin, we appreciate your 5-star review on Cars.com! "I was in a tight spot with my prior vehicle and no one would help me except for them, my sales person was Prosper, and he did not tell me what I wanted to hear he was only concerned about me. He was the first sales person that showed concern for his customer, thanks" -Justin. To read more reviews, be sure to check out our Cars.com review page: http://bit.ly/Z7Qgpr

Give your car a little extra TLC this Valentine's Day!

Give your car a little extra TLC this Valentine's Day! Oil-change, tune-up, tire-rotation, you name it-we do it! Click here to schedule your next service appointment online.

Results: Straight from the Heart Donor Day

The results are in! Thanks to our volunteers and donors, we were able to collect over 130 units of blood during Straight from the Heart Donor Day's event! That's the equivalent of 393 lives SAVED.

ANOTHER 5-star review!

Keep up the great work, Team! "The service department was great to me while I owned a 2007 Silverado. I drove the truck 208,000 miles and was never let down. I took the truck in for all service work at the dealership. This time I am buying a 2013 Chevy Cruze for better mileage." -William C. To read more reviews, be sure to check out our review page: http://bit.ly/Z7Qgpr

5-Star Review: Thank you, Ron!

Thank you, Ron, for this 5-star review! "Had a 10am appointment and got there early and they got to us right away. We were interested in a Chevy Cruze and they gave us many colors and styles to compare. Car that we were buying was going to be mainly for use by my wife so the salesman worked closely with her to make sure that any questions she had he made sure they were answered to her liking. They got the financing at the best rate for us and gave us a good explanation on any other options that where available to us to purchase with our car. After the financing went thru the car was cleaned and gotten ready for us to take home and again the salesman went over everything with us making sure that we had no questions before we left. We were treated very well and enjoyed our car buying experience." To read more fantastic reviews, check out our review page: http://bit.ly/Z7Qgpr

Winter Storm Orko: Driving Tips

Lou Bachrodt encourages all of our fans to drive safely, especially in the conditions winter brings! Below are some helpful driving tips in snow and ice.


AAA recommends the following winter driving tips:

• Avoid driving while you’re fatigued. Getting the proper amount of rest before taking on winter weather tasks reduces driving risks.
• Never warm up a vehicle in an enclosed area, such as a garage.
• Make certain your tires are properly inflated.
• Never mix radial tires with other tire types.
• Keep your gas tank at least half full to avoid gas line freeze-up.
• If possible, avoid using your parking brake in cold, rainy and snowy weather.
• Do not use cruise control when driving on any slippery surface (wet, ice, sand).
• Always look and steer where you want to go.
• Use your seat belt every time you get into your vehicle.

Tips for long-distance winter trips:

• Watch weather reports prior to a long-distance drive or before driving in isolated areas. Delay trips when especially bad weather is expected. If you must leave, let others know your route, destination and estimated time of arrival.
• Keep at least half a tank of gasoline in your vehicle at all times.
• Pack a cellular telephone with your local AAA’s telephone number, plus blankets, gloves, hats, food, water and any needed medication in your vehicle.
• If you become snow-bound, stay with your vehicle. It provides temporary shelter and makes it easier for rescuers to locate you. Don’t try to walk in a severe storm. It’s easy to lose sight of your vehicle in blowing snow and become lost.
• Don’t over exert yourself if you try to push or dig your vehicle out of the snow.
• Tie a brightly colored cloth to the antenna or place a cloth at the top of a rolled up window to signal distress. At night, keep the dome light on if possible. It only uses a small amount of electricity and will make it easier for rescuers to find you.
• Make sure the exhaust pipe isn’t clogged with snow, ice or mud. A blocked exhaust could cause deadly carbon monoxide gas to leak into the passenger compartment with the engine running.
• Use whatever is available to insulate your body from the cold. This could include floor mats, newspapers or paper maps.
• If possible run the engine and heater just long enough to remove the chill and to conserve gasoline.

Tips for driving in the snow:

• Accelerate and decelerate slowly. Applying the gas slowly to accelerate is the best method for regaining traction and avoiding skids. Don’t try to get moving in a hurry. And take time to slow down for a stoplight. Remember: It takes longer to slow down on icy roads.
• Drive slowly. Everything takes longer on snow-covered roads. Accelerating, stopping, turning – nothing happens as quickly as on dry pavement. Give yourself time to maneuver by driving slowly.
• The normal dry pavement following distance of three to four seconds should be increased to eight to ten seconds. This increased margin of safety will provide the longer distance needed if you have to stop.
• Know your brakes. Whether you have antilock brakes or not, the best way to stop is threshold breaking. Keep the heel of your foot on the floor and use the ball of your foot to apply firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal.
• Don’t stop if you can avoid it. There’s a big difference in the amount of inertia it takes to start moving from a full stop versus how much it takes to get moving while still rolling. If you can slow down enough to keep rolling until a traffic light changes, do it.
• Don’t power up hills. Applying extra gas on snow-covered roads just starts your wheels spinning. Try to get a little inertia going before you reach the hill and let that inertia carry you to the top. As you reach the crest of the hill, reduce your speed and proceed down hill as slowly as possible.
• Don’t stop going up a hill. There’s nothing worse than trying to get moving up a hill on an icy road. Get some inertia going on a flat roadway before you take on the hill.
• Stay home. If you really don’t have to go out, don’t. Even if you can drive well in the snow, not everyone else can. Don’t tempt fate: If you don’t have somewhere you have to be, watch the snow from indoors.

Courtesy of AAA

Straight from the Heart Donor Day

Saturday, February 9, 2013

Straight from the Heart Donor Day with Rockford’s Country Q98.5,

 Lou Bachrodt Auto Mall and First Northern Credit Union Host

Saturday, Feb. 9, from 7:30am to 3:30pm, Lou Bachrodt Auto Mall, First Northern Credit Union and Q98.5 will host a blood and marrow drive.  This annual event is aimed at raising awareness and encouraging blood and marrow, organ and tissue, donation.  The event takes place inside the showroom at Lou Bachrodt Auto Mall.

“We are so pleased to be able to carry on this wonderful event.  This has become an annual event that the blood center really counts on, and I am happy to welcome them to Lou Bachrodt Auto Mall. It’s an amazing thing to be a part of,” says General Manager, George Schaffner of Lou Bachrodt Auto Mall.

Q98.5’s Q Crew will be broadcasting live from 10am-2pm.  There will be special edition, souvenir t-shirts and other prizes while supplies last.  There will be food throughout the day.  Attendees can also register to win assorted prizes including tickets to Country Thunder in July.

Attendees will also be able to meet with representatives from UIC’s College of Pharmacy and receive assorted health screenings. The Winnebago County Safe Kids Coalition will be offering car seat safety checks onsite as well. Circle of Wellness will be on hand providing chair massages for donors.

The need for donation is significant:

·         Each day, approximately 40,000 units of blood are needed to save the lives of thousands of Americans

·         Nearly 98,000 people in the United States are waiting for life-saving organ transplants.

·         Approximately 38,000 patients each year are diagnosed with leukemia or other blood diseases that are potentially treatable with marrow cell transplants – but just one in three will find a donor match within their family.

Chevrolet Debuts 2014 Cruze Clean Turbo Diesel

CHICAGO – Chevrolet is entering the U.S. and Canadian diesel car markets this summer with a 2.0L turbo-diesel version of its hottest-selling sedan, the Cruze, featuring the cleanest diesel passenger car engine General Motors has ever produced.

Clean diesels generate at least 90 percent less Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) and particulate emissions when compared to previous-generation diesels.

Built in Lordstown, Ohio, the 2014 Cruze Clean Turbo Diesel delivers a combination of segment-leading features and efficiency. Based on GM testing, the Cruze Clean Turbo Diesel has demonstrated estimated best-in-segment range and 42 mpg on the highway with spirited performance and the durability diesel owners value around the globe.

“Chevrolet has a diverse portfolio of products and technologies to meet the needs of the most discerning customer, whether it’s driving across town gas free in a Spark EV or cross-country  in a clean turbo diesel,” said Chris Perry, Chevrolet vice president of marketing.

The compact sedan’s new 2.0L turbo-diesel engine produces segment-leading estimated 148 horsepower (110 kW) and estimated 258 lb-ft torque (350 Nm) with 0-60 performance of 8.6 seconds, which is better than the Volkswagen Jetta TDI automatic and competitive with German diesel cars that dominate the U.S. market.

Cruze Clean Turbo Diesel’s emissions will be below stringent U.S. environmental standards including Tier 2 Bin 5 emissions standards.

“Cruze Clean Turbo Diesel fills an important role in Chevrolet’s diverse four-cylinder lineup, and is primed to win over diesel devotees and compact car buyers with its performance, torque and fuel economy,” said Perry. “We leveraged engineering expertise from around the globe to develop a world-class, low-emissions engine to give U.S. and Canadian customers a car that’s both fun to drive and practical at the pump.”

With a starting price at $25,695, including a $810 destination charge (excludes tax, title, license, and dealer fees) Cruze Clean Turbo Diesel comes with a six-speed automatic transmission, four-wheel antilock disc brakes, 3.20 final drive ratio, 140-amp alternator, 800 cold-cranking amps battery, 17-inch alloy wheels, ultra-low-rolling resistance all-season tires, rear spoiler, Aero Performance Package and leather-appointed seating.

Other standard features include Chevrolet’s infotainment system MyLink, a two-year maintenance plan, and a five-year 100,000 mile powertrain warranty.

“Cruze Clean Turbo Diesel is the most sophisticated passenger car diesel engine GM has ever produced,” said Jens Wartha, GM global program manager and chief engineer for the Cruze’s diesel engine. “We merged European diesel expertise with the real world driving preferences of North American consumers.”

GM has sold nearly 2 million Chevrolet Cruze models globally since it was launched in mid-2010.  GM produced more than half a million small diesel-engine cars across Europe, Asia, Africa and South America last year, including Cruze. In Europe, approximately 40 percent of Cruze models are diesel-powered.



Courtesy of GM News