Our first 2010 Equinox has landed. Equipped with the LTZ package with a 6 cylinder motor not only does it look good, it drives even better. Hurry down and see for yourself!

More information has been released for the “Cash for Clunkers” program. It DOES NOT matter what you get for MPG in your daily driving. MPG calculations and estimations are taken from www.fueleconomy.gov . Here is a great article on MSN with a nice table of what qualifies and the amount on voucher.
http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/SavingandDebt/SaveonaCar/cash-for-clunkers-the-rules.aspx

The Fine Print on “Cash For Clunkers (inc Dealers must register)
All you need to know about new-vehicle vouchers

Chrissie Thompson

Automotive News | June 19, 2009 - 2:54 pm EST

Dealers must register to participate in the “cash for guzzlers” program passed Thursday by the Senate and expected to receive President Barack Obama’s signature.

The legislation says the government must establish a procedure for registering dealers within 30 days of Obama’s signing.

But the program can apply to new vehicles purchased or leased between July 1 and Nov. 1, 2009, so dealers and consumers can start considering participation now.

The legislation, designed to help lift U.S. light-vehicle sales from 27-year lows, provides vouchers of $3,500 to $4,500 to consumers who trade in their rides for new vehicles that are more fuel-efficient. Congress allocated $1 billion to fund the program.

Trade-ins:

• Must be in “drivable condition”

• Must have been continuously insured and registered to their owners for at least one year

• Must be less than 25 years old

• Must have combined fuel economy of 18 mpg or less

• Must be turned in for scrappage

Other rules:

• One voucher per person, and one voucher per trade-in for vehicles with multiple registered owners.

• Qualifying leases must be at least 5 years long.

• Vouchers may be combined with other federal, state or local incentives or vouchers.

• Vouchers may not offset rebates or discounts offered by dealers or automakers.

• Vouchers do not count as income for tax or government assistance purposes.

• Dealers may not charge any additional fees to customers who use the vouchers.

• Dealers must tell customers the true scrappage value of trade-ins.

• Those to whom dealers give the trade-ins for scrappage may sell any of the vehicles’ parts, other than the engine blocks and combined drive trains.

• Dealers may keep $50 of anything they receive for scrapping the vehicle to help with program administration.

All dealers in the program must accept the vouchers and turn in participating trade-in vehicles, including their engine blocks, for scrapping. The government will establish procedures for turning in the vehicles, the legislation says. The federal government will then send the vouchers to dealers in electronic payments within 10 days of receiving information about the sale.

Of the $1 billion available for the program, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration can spend up to $50 million on administration costs. No more than 7.5 percent of the funds for the program can go toward purchases of the largest class of light trucks.

http://www.autonews.com/article/2009…906199969/1078

Here is a great video about  GM’s sale of the Saturn brand to Roger Penske, who currently distributes Smart Cars in the U.S . 

http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/video/default-ap.aspx?cp-documentid=152410a3-9b4e-45af-94e8-24b8dcab620b%26tab=Wall Street Journal

When concern for improved fuel economy is at an all time high, why would GM cut hybrid models?  They were lightyears away  from the efficient systems that GM is competing against.  Not all models are getting the cut; the 2-mode hybrid systems on the full size suvs (Tahoe, Yukon, Escalade) and trucks(Silverado, Sierra) will still be produced.  They utilize systems that are very different then the models getting the axe because they can operate on electric motors alone and allow the vehicle to propel itself up to speeds of 30 MPH on electric motor only.  The “Mild Hybrid” system on the models that will no longer be produced is  up to an additional $4,000 dollars over the standard gas vehicle and improves the fuel economy only slightly. This system does not run on electric only and saves fuel only by shutting off the fuel and engine at idle, such as when stoped at a  traffic signal.  In place of these “mild hybrid” systems GM plans to concentrate resources on much more fuel efficient vehicles such as their plug in electric  vehicles such as the Chevy Volt.

http://usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/cars-trucks/daily-news/090615-GM-Cancels-Most-Hybrids/

Bankruptcy,Chapter 11, and going out of business are things I hear much to often especially in the past month.   While it is true that GM is using Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection to cleanse themselves of debt, there is still a lot of misconception about what Bankruptcy is.  Are you wondering what it means to GM and  customers that currently own or plan to purchase a GM vehicle? Bankruptcy does NOT mean they are going out of business. Chapter 11 allows and is designed for companys to restructure, not liquidate like Chapter 7.  So Yes GM is still in business with 4 core brands: Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick, and GMC.  The other brands will be sold off.  GM designed a site for all those that want more info HERE.

Yes, after a long while, and many nights of great frustration, the new site is starting to take shape.  Based on WordPress Web Blog I hope this new site is much more interactive and allows me to stay in contact with everyone.