Green car tax credit expiring December 31st

On January 1st, buyers interested in purchasing hybrid vehicles will no longer be able to take advantage of the green car tax credit that has been available on qualifying vehicles for the past five years.

While many hybrid vehicles have already reached their sales thresholds and therefore no longer qualify for the tax credit (including models manufactured by Ford, Honda & Toyota), the clock is ticking for other models whose eligibility will be expiring at the end of the year. Among hybrids that still qualify for the tax credit are several Consumer Reports Recommended vehicles, including a few with significant dealer cash incentives on top of the government tax credit. For example, in addition to the tax credit that can be subtracted directly from the federal tax, consumers in the market for a new pickup truck have the potential to save over 10% off MSRP with the current customer cash incentives being offered by General Motors on the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra 1500 hybrids.

Here’s a look at the Recommended hybrid models that are still eligible for the tax credit.

2011 GMC Sierra 1500 4x4 Hybrid Crew Cab 3HB	1/3/2011	48,190	45,540	Yes	No	Get the Bottom Line Price	10%+
2011 GMC Sierra 1500 Hybrid Crew Cab 3HB	1/3/2011	45,040	42,563	Yes	No	Get the Bottom Line Price	10%+
2011 GMC Sierra 1500 4x4 Hybrid Crew Cab 3HA	1/3/2011	41,860	39,558	Yes	No	Get the Bottom Line Price	10%+
2011 GMC Sierra 1500 Hybrid Crew Cab 3HA	1/3/2011	38,710	36,581	Yes	No	Get the Bottom Line Price	10%+

Read More: http://blogs.consumerreports.org/cars/2010/12/green-car-tax-credit-expiring-december-31st.html

GMC Illinois

All Terrain concept hints at GMC Sierra HD's brawny future

DETROIT -- GMC is showing off an off-road, heavy-duty pickup concept that hints at bold, muscular styling for the next-generation Sierra HD.

The GMC Sierra All-Terrain HD concept, underpinned by the 2011 Sierra 2500 HD's re-engineered four-wheel-drive chassis, sports a wider track, brawny grille and an extra 3 inches of ground clearance. It was unveiled yesterday at a media preview for next month's Detroit auto show.

The concept was given the same 6.6-liter Duramax diesel engine mated to an Allison 1000 six-speed transmission used in the Sierra HD. A restyle of the Sierra HD is expected in 2014 or 2015.

“You certainly could take it as a hint” of where the next-generation Sierra HD is headed, GMC design manager Carl Zipfel said.

While the massive 35-inch tires, mounted on 20-inch aluminum wheels, and Fox off-road shocks likely would be for “more of a niche or special edition” vehicle, Zipfel said many of the styling features could stick in Sierra restyle.

An all-terrain GMC pickup would compete with the Ford F-150 SVT Raptor and the Ram Power Wagon. It also would offer General Motors Co. an off-road vehicle to replace Hummer.

“It's [for] that premium customer who demands towing and hauling capability and off-road capability in one package,” Zipfel said.

Flared fenders and a streamlined front bumper fully expose the tires and allow for more ground clearance -- 21.1 inches. A beefed-up, forced-induction hood feeds more air to the engine.

The crew cab truck's 5-feet-8-inch bed, taken from GMC's light duty lineup, is nearly a foot shorter that the Sierra HD for better off-road handling. It includes a pair of lighted storage compartments on the sides of the bed.

Motorized, illuminated assist steps for both the cab and cargo bed offer easier access and maximize ground clearance.

GMC didn't say if or when it would green light the pickup.

Read more: http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20101217/OEM/101219855/1403#ixzz18mT3QrUl

GMC Illinois

REVIEWS: 2011 GMC Sierra 3500 HD Crew Cab SLT 4x4

I employed the GMC Sierra to tow my 19-foot Glastron boat, a burden of only 4000 pounds. That was a rather piddling load for this well muscled machine and it barely knew a load was in tow. What amazed me most is how quiet, smooth riding, and generally enjoyable this dual-rear-tired pickup has become. The Duramax turbo diesel is quiet, smoke free, and impressively strong especially from rest. It is supremely well matched to the Allison automatic transmission. Anyone who seriously needs this much capacity will be well served by this mega truck.

Read More: http://www.automobilemag.com/reviews/editors_notebook/1011_2011_gmc_sierra_3500_hd_crew_cab_slt_4x4/index.html

GMC Chicago

Buick and GMC dealers upgrade stores, loaner programs

DETROIT -- Buick and GMC dealers are well along with store renovations, Brian Sweeney, vice president of sales and service for the brands, said today.

About 40 percent of the brands' 2,300 dealerships have started or completed improvements, Sweeney said. Another 30-40 percent will undertake their renovations next year, he said.

General Motors Co. is promoting the largest dealer facilities upgrade program in the carmaker's history. About 700 of the 1,000 GM dealerships that will start or complete the program this year are Chevrolet dealers.

Sam Slaughter, dealer principal of Sellers Buick GMC in suburban Detroit, said customers have complimented the $1.7 million renovations at his store completed last December.

Slaughter built a new showroom, renovated the exterior and transformed the old showroom into a café and customer waiting area with Internet availability.

“Now a guy can bring his car in for an oil change on his lunch hour, grab a sandwich and work on his computer,” Slaughter said.

Return on investment

Teasing out the exact return-on-investment is tough, Slaughter said, because it's difficult to determine what parts the new vehicles, facilities and improved consumer sentiment plays in the car-buying decision.

However, Slaughter said there would have been a cost for not upgrading if customers went elsewhere because they were turned off by looks and feel of the store.

“It's definitely more relaxed here now,” he said.

Buick and GMC have each reported 14 straight months of sales gains on a year-over-year basis. Buick sales were up 36 percent in November, while GMC's rose 30 percent.

Slaughter said he also is participating in a new courtesy loaner program at Buick and GMC.

The brands are providing incentive money for dealers to buy vehicles and put them into loaner service, Slaughter said. The incentives could reach $2,000, he said.

That ensures that loaners are Buick and GMC models rather than those of another GM brand, or worse, that of a non-GM manufacturer, Slaughter said. Participating dealers also get warranty reimbursement for the loaners instead of rental car companies getting that stipend, he said.

Read more: http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20101203/RETAIL07/101209903/1259#ixzz17SyI0SrQ

GMC Illinois