The Safeway Chevrolet Blog

Chevy Silverado named Consumer Reports Truck of the Year

2010-02-23T15:45:00.002-05:00

Consumer Reports has selected the Chevrolet Silverado full-size truck as its Top Pick honoree among all 2010 pickups. Top Picks are the best all-around vehicles in their categories and must meet CR's road test, reliability and safety requirements.

"The Silverado 1500 ($37,235) returns to the top of the list after a year off," the magazine said. "The crew-cab 4WD model is a well-rounded pickup with a roomy cabin, generous payload capacity, decent ride quality, available full-time 4WD, and, on higher-end models, very good interior fit and finish. The GMC Sierra is a twin of the Silverado. Reliability has been average."

The Silverado was one of two domestic vehicles chosen in the 10 categories that make up CR's Top Picks.
In earning the award, the Silverado replaces the Chevrolet Avalanche, last year's pickup truck Top Pick.

GM Brings Pause and Play Radio to More Vehicles

2010-01-22T12:28:00.004-05:00

Time-shifting programs works great for DVRs, so why not bring it to radio? GM has announced it is bringing its Pause and Play radio feature, currently available in models like the Chevrolet Equinox and Cadillac SRX, to the upcoming Buick Regal and Chevrolet Cruze.

Pause and Play radio lets drivers or passengers stop a live broadcast, record up to 20 minutes of it on an embedded hard disk, and play it back later. It engages with one push of the radio's Reverse button.

It also works with the car off; for example, a driver could pause the radio, shut off the car, fill up at a gas station, get back in, and resume listening to a football game or talk show where it was left, without missing all that time in the middle.

Other cars with the feature include the GMC Terrain and the Cadillac CTS Jukebox and Navigation radio, where the feature first appeared in 2008. Back in October, GM announced that Chevy, Buick, Cadillac, and GMC dealers will begin offering Autonet Mobile's $499 WiFi router as a dealer-installed option on its SUVs and trucks.

Safeway Chevrolet recognized by Automotive News Magazine

2009-12-05T13:24:00.002-05:00

Safeway Chevrolet was recently on the cover of Automotive News Magazine in an article about Social Media's effect on the auto industry. To read the article please go here.

Preview of the Chevy Volt from the Huffington Post

2009-11-30T10:51:00.002-05:00

It was the opportunity to drive yet another futuristic car, Chevrolet's Volt, this effort by General Motors a magnificent piece of work, especially its gas/electric powertrain.
Smooth as silk, so quiet Rolls-Royce has competition for their Ghost models, Volt could be a remarkable car which captures the attention of the American public; but getting people into Chevrolet showrooms is the real trick, isn't it? If they don't visit the dealer, they can't buy the car.
Volt won't go on-sale until November, 2010, but Sunday morning I drove the pre-production version of the car and spent well over an hour with Volt's Chief Engineer, Andrew Farah. Farah's been with the Volt almost since its inception.

To continue the story click here

Fast Facts for Thanksgiving

2009-11-25T16:34:00.001-05:00

250 million
The preliminary estimate of turkeys raised in the United States in 2009. That’s down 8 percent from the number raised during 2008. The turkeys produced in 2008 together weighed 7.9 billion pounds and were valued at $4.5 billion.

45.5 million
The preliminary estimate of turkeys Minnesota expected to raise in 2009. The Gopher State was tops in turkey production, followed by North Carolina (37.5 million), Arkansas (28 million), Missouri (21 million), Virginia (16.4 million) and California (15 million). These six states together would probably account for about two-thirds of U.S. turkeys produced in 2009.

709 million pounds
The forecast for U.S. cranberry production in 2009. Wisconsin is expected to lead all states in the production of cranberries, with 400 million pounds, followed by Massachusetts (190 million). New Jersey, Oregon and Washington are also expected to have substantial production, ranging from 16 million to 54 million pounds.

1.8 billion pounds
The total weight of sweet potatoes — another popular Thanksgiving side dish — produced by major sweet potato producing states in 2008. North Carolina (874 million pounds) produced more sweet potatoes than any other state. It was followed by California (437 million pounds) and Mississippi (335 million pounds).

1.1 billion pounds
Total production of pumpkins produced in the major pumpkin-producing states in 2008. Illinois led the country by producing 496 million pounds of the vined orange gourd. Pumpkin patches in California, Pennsylvania and New York also provided lots of pumpkins: Each state produced at least 100 million pounds. The value of all pumpkins produced by major pumpkin-producing states was $141 million.

Great Article about the 2010 Equinox from AOL Autos

2009-11-12T09:35:00.004-05:00

Oh, man. There aren't cars like this quite often. These are the sorts of things that you remember for a long, long time. We're not talking life-changing, but this is definitely in the category of significantly memorable. Sitting in that row at the ballgame where they hand the free hot dogs out. Hauling in the biggest fish on the boat. Winning the 50/50 raffle at the basketball game.

We've just returned from a week with the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox and we're happy to go on record as putting it up there with all that good stuff. You might think we're crazy, but it's not difficult for us to get excited about a vehicle like a crossover (that strange union of an SUV and a car). Since nearly every manufacturer makes one these days, they tend to get a lot of attention. But the reality is that most haven't been that inspiring. In fact, GM has been in the crossover game for years, too, but nothing they produced ever came this close.

For all the quantum leaps that GM claimed over the last ten or so years, most of it was simply hot air: products that were incremental improvements relative to the rest of the industry (even if, internally, they were massive improvements over GM's previous model). All of these, save the Corvette and its various performance-enhanced versions, could be described as adequate but never exceptional.

It sounds obvious, but: one secret to building great products is actually, first, knowing what great means. After years of GM's insistence that, say, the Pontiac G6 was a great product, a lot of people stopped believing them. Even if they had the tools, could they actually create a product that was, in all honesty, "great?" Many had their doubts.
The answer is, in fact: Yes They Can.

To finish the article please click here.

Mahindra is coming...

2009-11-07T11:29:00.002-05:00

Have you heard about Mahindra? These clean diesel trucks and SUVs will soon be joining the Safeway family. You can learn more by going to Safeway Mahindra's website.

How Safe is the Color of Your Car?

2009-10-02T15:11:00.002-04:00

The color of car a driver chooses reflects their personalityand perhaps their favorite color. But the choice of color in a vehicle can be much more important as well.

According to a study by researchers at the University ofAuckland in New Zealand silver cars are 50 percent lesslikely to be involved in a crash resulting in a seriousinjury as compared to white cars.

The least safe colors are brown, black, and green according to Reuters.
While, yellow, gray, red and blue cars ranked in the middle range.
According to optometrists, red is the most difficult to see color.

Red is the most controversial of colors. Many drivers claim that by driving a red car they get stopped less for speeding and have less accidents. On the other hand, red car drivers complain that because they drive red cars they are stopped more often for speeding and are moving targets for accidents.

White is actually the easiest color to care for. Half of the white car drivers claim that white cars don't look dirty as quick as colored cars, while the other half complain that they have to wash the car more often just to keep them looking clean.

Black, red and most other dark colors absorb more ultraviolet rays than light colored cars so they are more susceptible to sun damage.

At night white is the most visible and red is seen as black.

Owners of both red and black cars say the interior warms up faster than in other colored cars. This is due to the absorption of heat rays from the sun. Depending on season and locale this may be good or not so good.

Accident statistics show that gray cars are the most invisible in foggy conditions.
Lime yellow is best seen on cloudy days and in snowy winter conditions.
No matter what color the car is, keeping a car in excellent working order and keeping it clean are the most important for safety concerns.

Chevy Silverado goes GREEN

2009-08-18T13:57:00.002-04:00

If only General Motors chairman Rick Wagoner had driven a Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid to Washington last November instead of flying via company jet. A two-wheel-drive version of this pickup could have completed the Detroit-to-D.C. journey on one tank of regular, thereby hinting to our elected representatives that GM gets it. In his remarks before Congress, the now former chairman might have noted that his vehicle of choice was not some distant development but instead a real, ready-for-market, cowboy Cadillac steeped in advanced technology.

After huzzahs from the Michigan contingent subsided, Wagoner could have added that neither Honda nor Toyota has a full-size pickup capable of performing a good day's work and matching the Silverado Hybrid's 20-21 combined mpg. His punch line could have been that the Volkswagen New Beetle and the Scion tC - two subcompacts that cringe at the prospect of towing anything - score 20 mpg, the same as a four-wheel-drive Silverado Hybrid, in EPA city mileage tests.

Instead of orchestrating good news in D.C., GM quietly launched the Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra Hybrids in San Antonio, where Toyota builds Tundra pickups and gasoline was available for as little as $1.66 per gallon. Playing along with GM's gambit, I explored the full scope of hybrid pickup truck fuel efficiency. During a 200-mile trip on Interstate 35, I averaged 10 mpg towing a 23-foot Sea Ray boat on a tandem-axle trailer - a 5400-pound payload. While balloon-footing a Silverado Hybrid on a thirty-mile tour of greater San Antonio, I recorded just over 25 mpg.

GM's two-mode hybrid system could be the most complex powertrain ever produced. A 6.0-liter V-8 with Atkinson-cycle and cylinder-disabling technologies is teamed with two 80-hp AC motors and three planetary gearsets to provide two continuously variable ranges and four fixed ratios. When gently accelerating from a stoplight, it's possible to reach 30 mph with the engine napping. At steady highway speeds, half of the cylinders take a break. During a flat-out run from rest to the 99-mph governed limit, acceleration momentarily levels out at 38 and 73 mph so the system can smoothly engage higher ratios.

The 300-pound, 300-volt nickel-metal-hydride battery pack stashed under the back seats is charged by a mix of regenerative braking and electrical current provided by one motor operating as a generator

Little of the Silverado's propulsive juggling act is apparent. When the engine shuts down at a traffic light, only the soft whir of the battery's cooling fan lingers. There's a gentle shake when the engine stirs to life, and electrical whine is occasionally detectable, but otherwise this is the futuristic smooth, silent motoring we've been promised.

The hybrid Silverado is available only as a crew cab with a six-foot bed and either two- or four-wheel drive. Options are very few but include premium trim (with leather seats and navigation) and a power sunroof. Although this hybrid costs about $3500 more than a similar conventional Silverado, our friendly federal government gives back $2200 of that in tax credit. Assuming $2 per gallon and a net mileage gain of 5 mpg, payback is yours in about 40,000 miles.

The Specs
ON SALE: Now
PRICE: $38,995
ENGINE: 6.0L V-8, 332 hp, 367 lb-ft
MOTORS: 2 x 80-hp
ACDRIVE: Rear- or 4-wheel

Ready for a little Spark?

2009-08-18T10:53:00.002-04:00

GM will finally have a microcar to call its own when the small Spark debuts in Europe next year. U.S. sales of the Spark begin in 2011. Yeah we know, Chevy already sells a small car, the Aveo, but that car is basically a rebadged Daewoo. Some might recall Chevy’s Beat concept of 2007, which is the predecessor to the Spark. The Beat was part of a trio of small concept cars that Chevy used to determine which small car buyers like best. The Beat garnered more than two million vote and won its way into production. Details are slim at this point, but the Beat was powered by a turbocharged four-cylinder engine and powers the front wheels. We don’t expect the Spark to get a blower, but it will surely be front-drive and frugal.

Supplier Pricing

2009-07-14T13:43:00.003-04:00

Just a reminder that Safeway Chevrolet is offering SUPPLIER pricing plus either full rebates OR 0% Financing.

Safeway Chevrolet's $500.00 Guarantee!

2009-07-03T12:30:00.002-04:00

Safeway Chevrolet will beat any competitors price by a minimum of $500.00 on the same equipped vehicle. Contact a member of sales for more details. 1-800-895-1224

Blueberry Festival!

2009-06-20T15:34:00.005-04:00

We were set up in front of the Burgaw Antique Store.

People were really impressed with the new Chevy Camaro!

Someone signing up for a years worth of free oil changes!

Kayla passing out Safeway Chevrolet keychains.

Some good looking salesman talking about the Chevy Camaro.

Here's Don talking about the benifits of the Chevy Traverse!

Sorry Mr. Denny! You didn't win the free oil changes. :-)

This gentleman seems puzzled by the keychain.

More people signing up for the free oil changes and the 2010 Chevy Camaro!

The 2009 Blueberry Festival was a great event. We had many people asking about the new Camaro and Traverse. We passed out over 800 keychains and T-Shirts and had about 300 people sign up for the 2010 Camaro drawing or a Years worth of oil changes!

"Dandy" Dons Deal of the Week...

2009-06-17T12:19:00.003-04:00

Camaro!

2009-06-02T12:01:00.001-04:00

Check out this 2010 SS Camaro we just go in stock! Schedule a test drive today by calling 1-800-895-1224.

Matt

Silver Ice Camaro is in!

2009-05-29T13:30:00.004-04:00

The truck just rolled in! Don't miss out as I'm sure this one won't last long either. I will upload a picture of the actual car in just a few minutes!

Did You Know You Can Recieve a Tax Break For 2009 By Purchasing a New Car or Truck From Safeway Chevrolet?

2009-05-28T20:48:00.000-04:00

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service announced today that taxpayers who buy a new passenger vehicle this year may be entitled to deduct state and local sales and excise taxes paid on the purchase on their 2009 tax returns next year.

“For those thinking about buying a new car this year, this deduction may give them a little more drive to make their purchase this year,” said IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman. “This deduction enables taxpayers to buy now and get cash back later on their tax returns.”

The deduction is limited to the state and local sales and excise taxes paid on up to $49,500 of the purchase price of a qualified new car, light truck, motor home or motorcycle.
The amount of the deduction is phased out for taxpayers whose modified adjusted gross income is between $125,000 and $135,000 for individual filers and between $250,000 and $260,000 for joint filers.

IRS also alerted taxpayers that the vehicle must be purchased after Feb. 16, 2009, and before Jan. 1, 2010, to qualify for the deduction.

The special deduction is available regardless of whether a taxpayer itemizes deductions on their return. The IRS reminded taxpayers the deduction may not be taken on 2008 tax returns.

2009 Blueberry Festival

2009-05-27T17:41:00.000-04:00

Come join Safeway Chevrolet at the 6th Annual North Carolina Blueberry Festival in Burgaw NC on June 20th, 2009. We will be there with many of our exciting vehicles like the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro and the 2009 Consumer Reports Truck of the Year, the Chevy Avalanche. Stop by our tent, say hello to Don & our Safeway Chevrolet Girls. While your there you can enter a drawing for lots of prizes & schedule a test drive in the all new Camaro!

2009-05-27T17:37:00.000-04:00

2010 Chevy Camaro

2009-05-27T17:14:00.000-04:00

The first batch of 2010 Camaros have come and gone. The first one wasn't even off the truck before it sold! This is the car the public has been waiting for! Never fear Wilmington, we have more on the way. Next week we will have our first V8 in stock. Don't get left behind. Give us a call today to schedule a test drive. 1-800-895-1224