With Dodge and Ford having already enjoyed the spotlight in this segment, Chevy has to be back with a bang.  Is this car worth the bit of attention?  The answer is an emphatic yes!

The 6.2 liter V8 under the hood screams power – this beast is capable of rocketing from zero to sixty in right around four and a half seconds.  With more horses and much better time zero to sixty than either the new Mustang or the new Challenger – Chevy clearly made their point where most people want to see it, in sheer power. Continue reading »

The current recession is permanently changing the business landscape.  Companies that have been profitable for many years are going out of business.  The impact has been more pronounced in some industries than others, with big ticket and luxury items being the hardest hit. The automobile industry is suffering so much that the federal government is stepping in. All of this begs the question: Who will be left standing when it’s all over?

The top five auto manufacturers have been around for a very long time.  All have made it through tough economic times, many through the Great Depression. Ford, founded in 1903 is the old-timer, while newcomer Honda started making cars in 1963. It seems obvious that a company that survives for decades, even a century, must be pretty strong and flexible. They’ve adapted to changes in demand, technology and politics and continued to grow overall.

Will there be a 2013 Mazda Miata?

But things have changed. GM and Chrysler have accepted help from the federal government and will need more.  So far Ford hasn’t asked for assistance, but who knows?  Everything depends on how long this recession lasts. Eventually consumers will start buying cars in greater numbers again, but can the automakers survive until then?

Part of the answer depends on which companies are well-run and efficient. Like many companies in other industries, auto manufacturers who once weathered the great depression have become fat during the long periods of plenty. If they can adapt quickly, everyone will benefit in the long run.

Another related piece of the puzzle is about who can innovate quickly. While sales have fallen drastically, there are segments of the market that are doing relatively well. Hybrids, which should have been an economically viable option long before now, are popular. So are well-built cars that last longer and require fewer repairs. Automakers that excel in these areas will have more sales now, which will help them hang on. When the economy picks up again, their sales will be much better than those who lag behind.

So who is doing well right now? Toyota tops the list with 92,775 vehicle sales in the first two months of 2009. Ford comes in second at 84,072.  Rounding out the top 5 are Chevrolet at 75,025, Honda at 63,916 and Nissan at 47,890.  While these figures are around 40-50% lower than the same period last year, if they can reduce their costs enough, these automakers may live to see the end of the recession.

If you thought Cadillac cars were from a dinosaur age specialized for old people, prepare to be enlightened with the new Cadillac CTS. With this new extravagant showpiece Sedan, a positive word can be said about GM’s Cadillac. The Cadillac CTS has a jaw dropping European inspired interior design and a chiseled wide exterior design that will make heads turn. Every Cadillac CTS comes equipped standard with an eight speaker Bose audio system, dual zone climate control, and 17-inch wheels. It also has all-wheel drive and profuse backseat space. This one of a kind Sedan is fast too. The CTS has quick underfoot, and is taut and responsive. It has a 263horse VVT V6 Engine or an optional 304horse direction-injection version. Automatic transmission is sleek and offers manual override. This Cadillac is outfitted with many options and optional features to choose from, including: iPod integration, a 40GB hard drive for the entertainment system, swiveling headlights, a sunroof and a remote start system. The Sport package also includes steering- wheel mounted shifters. Overall, GM’s new Cadillac CTS continues to amaze with its first-rate refinement, powerful engines, striking interior and exterior, and sharp handling.

Visit Cadillac of Orange County for the best deals on a new or certified Cadillac CTS.

As of this posting there are only 85 days till the 2010 Camaro hits show room nationwide. And it cannot happen soon enough. It all started with the redesigned flash-back Ford Mustangs! These cars generated so much buzz that Dodge had no other choice than to bring back their muscle cars of old; the Challenger and Charger. With sale of muscle cars going through the roof, even in this time of despair, Chevy is releasing the newly redesigned Camaro soon!

Better late than never, Chevrolet is modeling the Camaro after the success of the Mustang and Charger. With throw back styling and a monster V-8; the baby boomers who grew-up with the first generations of these cars are now at a point in their life where they can afford these muscle cars.

The Camaro, which has been absent in the Chevy Vehicle line-up for a few years, comes back full charge. The Body design is based off the old late 60’s car. Of course you can get a LS, LT, or SS model. These cars will feature modern engines with cylinder deactivation to boost fuel economy. 20-inch rims and huge brakes are available options. And the SS model will feature a 420-horsepower V-8 engine.

The best part about the new 2010 Camaro is the price. The base model V-6 cars will be in the low $20k range with the SS model costing around $30k. This is a great bang for the buck and I look forward to seeing Camaro’s everywhere this summer!

Most car dealerships do nothing but try to entice you to buy a car you cannot afford.  Well Singh Chevrolet Riverside not only has great deals but a whole page devoted to Effective Gas Saving Tips.

Below are just a few of the many ways to keep that money in your pocket:

Properly Inflate Tires: Under inflated tires can cost your 1-2 miles per gallon.  This is the most common problem affecting drivers on the road.  You should check your PSI level once a week at least. This is also a good time to check your tread wear.  Your tires are the only thing connecting you to the road after all!

Slow Down: Gently accelerating tells your car that there is no hurry and in turn you will use the least amount of gas possible.  But even MORE IMPORTANTLY reducing your freeway speed will net you a 15%  increase in gas mileage.  Why?  Because at higher speeds there is more wind resistance!

Limit Carrying Unecessary Items:  The lighter the car the better gas mileage it will get.  When you add up all that extra stuff in your trunk or in the back of your car; it really adds up.  And if you can shed some pounds by doing a little cleaning, your engine will not have to work as hard.

Get your Chevrolet Car Serviced: A regular tune-up will have your car running in tip top shape.  That means that not a drop of fuel will be wasted in the combustion process!

You can find many more Gas saving techniques at my blog.

Looking for an Inland Empire Chevrolet Dealer?  Singh is a Riverside Chevy Dealership, stop by for a great deal on a new or used car.