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

Chevy, GMC Announce CNG and LPG Vans for Fleets

DETROIT, Mich. (May 18, 2010) – Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) powered versions of the Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana full-size vans will be offered to fleet and commercial customers beginning later this year, General Motors Co. announced Monday.

The vans have specially designed engines for the gaseous fuels and come direct to the customer with the fully integrated and warranted dedicated gaseous fuel system in place.

“We’re listening to our fleet customers and dealers about offering options that help them achieve their business objectives”, said Brian Small, general manager of GM’s fleet and commercial operations. “The industry commitment to expand the CNG and LPG infrastructure in key fleet markets was an enabler to allowing us to introduce these options now.”

Going beyond the competition, GM’s proven Vortec 6.0L V8 engine receives hardened exhaust valves and intake and exhaust valve seats for improved wear resistance and durability for gaseous fuel systems. Along with dedicated gaseous fuel injection and fuel storage systems, both the CNG and LPG systems are fully integrated into the vehicle, and will meet EPA and CARB certification requirements, and be fully compliant with applicable motor vehicle safety standards.

The initial CNG offerings will be available on 2011 model year cargo vans and built at GM’s Wentzville assembly plant with the specialized Vortec engine installed. The vans are then completed at a separate facility with the dedicated gaseous fuel system and related vehicle calibrations before shipment to the Special Vehicle Manufacturer (SVM), Fleet Customer or GM Dealer.

Both CNG and LPG vans will carry GM's limited new vehicle warranty including the 5-year/100,000 mile transferable GM powertrain limited warranty.

“We’ve made choosing a CNG or LPG van easier for our customers,” said Joyce Mattman, director of GM’s commercial products and specialty vehicles. “No other manufacturer offers a commercial CNG or LPG option that provides a solution with this level of support and availability.”

Leveraging the same Vortec 6.0L V8 with hardened, durable components, a dedicated LPG gaseous fuel system will be offered on 2011 model year cutaway vans to fleet and commercial customers. The cutaways are then configured into cube, delivery, and shuttle bus vans depending upon the customer’s final requirements.

Read More: http://www.gm.com/vehicles/innovation/news/2010/natural_gas_051810.jsp

2011 GMC Acadia SLE

2011 GMC Acadia FWD 4dr SLE
Stock#: 110075
Exterior: Carbon Black Metallic
Interior: Ebony
Miles: New
Doors: 4
VIN: 1GKKRPED2BJ135162
3.6L V6 Cylinder Engine

M.S.R.P. $35,435

3 yr/36,000 Mile Ltd 'Bumper-to-Bumper'
Plus 5 yr/100,000 Mile Powertrain

GM adds compressed natural gas option to cargo vans aimed at fleet users

Compressed natural gas is now a fuel option for General Motors Co.'s full-sized cargo vans.

The fully integrated CNG fuel system option uses GM's 6.0-liter V-8 engine and carries a $15,910 sticker price. It is available on the 2011 Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana.

The vehicles were unveiled today at the Green Fleet Conference in San Diego.

“Natural gas is an abundant and clean alternative fuel,” Beth Stanek, GM's director of federal environmental and energy regulatory affairs, said in a statement. “Based on today's CNG fuel rates and anticipated payback period, fleet investment in CNG can be quite affordable.”

Before the CNG application, the engine is modified to include hardened exhaust valves, and intake and exhaust valve seats for improved wear resistance and durability with gaseous fuel systems.

Read more: http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20101019/OEM/101019844/1186#ixzz130b6Ou8Y

GMC Illinois

IIHS reveals most, least expensive cars to insure by type

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has released a rating of which cars have the highest and lowest insurance claims by category. In general, 2007-2009 SUVs and sports cars fared better than most other vehicle types in minimizing insurance losses.

The top 10 vehicles with the lowest overall insurance losses were the Chevrolet Corvette convertible, Mazda Miata, Chevrolet Corvette coupe, Volkswagen New Beetle convertible, Saturn Sky, Honda Pilot, Hyundai Veracruz, Honda CR-V, Subaru Outback, and Toyota 4Runner.

Among the vehicles with the lowest claims rate for medical payments other than sports cars are the Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra 2500 pickups, Honda Pilot, Audi A6, and Buick Enclave.

The results are relative, expressed on a scale with 100 representing the average car.  Unlike in past reports, IIHS says it adjusted, or standardized, the results to reduce distortions from non-vehicle factors such as operator age, gender, and marital status and vehicle population density. Collision and comprehensive results are also adjusted to standardize the deductible.

Read More: http://blogs.consumerreports.org/cars/2010/10/iihs-reveals-most-least-expensive-cars-to-insure-by-type-chevrolet-corvette-mitsubishi-lancer.html

GMC Dealers

2010 GMC Yukon 1500 SLT

2010 GMC Yukon 4WD 4dr 1500 SLT
Stock#: 100259
Exterior: Pure Silver Metallic
Interior: Ebony
Miles: New
Doors: 4
VIN: 1GKUKCE05AR132016
5.3L 8 Cylinder Engine

M.S.R.P. $47,615

3 yr/36,000 Mile Ltd 'Bumper-to-Bumper'
Plus 5 yr/100,000 Mile Powertrain

GMC Dealers

2011 GMC Terrain SLE-1

2011 GMC Terrain FWD 4dr SLE-1
Stock#: 110430
Exterior: Steel Blue Metallic
Interior: Jet Black
Miles: New
Doors: 4
VIN: 2CTALMEC9B6241897
2.4L 4 Cylinder Engine

M.S.R.P. $24,995

3 yr/36,000 Mile Ltd 'Bumper-to-Bumper'
Plus 5 yr/100,000 Mile Powertrain

GMC Illinois

2011 GMC Acadia SLE

2011 GMC Acadia FWD 4dr SLE
Stock#: 110075
Exterior: Carbon Black Metallic
Interior: Ebony
Miles: New
Doors: 4
VIN: 1GKKRPED2BJ135162
3.6L V6 Cylinder Engine

M.S.R.P. $35,435

3 yr/36,000 Mile Ltd 'Bumper-to-Bumper'
Plus 5 yr/100,000 Mile Powertrain

GMC Dealers Chicago

2011 GMC Sierra 2500HD 4WD Reg Cab 133.7

2011 GMC Sierra 2500HD 4WD Reg Cab 133.7
Stock#: 110043
Exterior: Onyx Black
Interior: Ebony
Miles: New
Doors: 2
VIN: 1GT020CG4BF108723
6.0L 8 Cylinder Engine

M.S.R.P. $37,770

3 yr/36,000 Mile Ltd 'Bumper-to-Bumper'
Plus 5 yr/100,000 Mile Powertrain

Read More: GMC Illinois

GMC considers loaner cars to build brand awareness

DETROIT (Bloomberg) -- General Motors Co.'s GMC and Buick, the fastest-growing brand in the U.S. this year, are considering a courtesy loaner program for customers getting warranty service on their vehicles to build awareness of the company's products.

GM may start the service in the “next couple weeks,” Brian Sweeney, vice president of sales for Buick and GMC, said in a telephone interview. The program would seek to get GMC Acadia owners into a Buick Enclave, for example, and build recognition of more GM vehicles, he said.

“We want to expose customers to other Buick and GMC products,” said Sweeney, who last week met with about 900 dealers that sell the two brands.

Dealers selling Buick need to change and meet the expectations customers have when shopping for a premium car, said Mike Bowsher, co-chairman of the national dealer council for Buick-GMC and president of Carl Black Automotive Group.

“We can't sell Buicks like we did Pontiac,” Bowsher, who runs dealerships in Georgia, Tennessee and Florida, said in a telephone interview. “A lot of us were old Pontiac dealers, and we now have to learn how to handle the Lexus, Ritz-Carlton, Cadillac, Mercedes kind of crowd.”

Read more: http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20101011/RETAIL03/101019965/1147#ixzz129y4I4Zy

GMC Dealers

Review: 2011 GMC Sierra 3500HD SLE

2010 has been a banner year for heavy-duty pickup truck fans, with revamped entries from all three U.S. automakers making their debut this year. Of those, the HD pickups from both Chevrolet and GMC received the most subtle exterior updates, but virtually everything under their skins is new, including a heavily revamped version of the company's 6.6-liter Duramax diesel V8.

When it comes to full-size pickup trucks, the old Burger King tag-line of "Have It Your Way" still rings true. Regardless of where your brand loyalty lies, these types of trucks are available with either gas or diesel engines; as regular, extended or crew-cab and with regular or long beds. All you have to do is figure out what you need the truck for and then check the appropriate boxes on the dealer's order sheet. Somewhere in the middle of this cacophony of choice lies the 2011 GMC Sierra 3500HD.

For 2011, the only notable visual changes to the heavy-duty Sierra are a slightly re-shaped front bumper with a larger air intake slot and a new grille. The grille on non-Denali Sierras like our tester receives a black, three-bar treatment with similar perforations to the chromed, four-bar version found on the premium truck. The rest of the sheetmetal is carried over from the GMT900HD styling that's been around since its debut in 2008, which is not necessarily a bad thing.

Read More: http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/23/2011-gmc-sierra-3500hd-sle-review-road-test/

GMC Illinois

2011 GMC Sierra HD 2500 Denali 4×4 Diesel – Short Take Road Test

The fancy-pants Sierra turns out to be a heavy-duty hot rod.

Numbers are an obsession in the auto industry. Corporate suits worry about build costs, profit margins, and sales volumes; sports-car fans spend more time watching horsepower counts, acceleration times, and top speeds. But heavy-duty truck enthusiasts live and die by numbers, perhaps more than any other segment of the automotive sphere.

To that end, the 2011 GMC Sierra heavy duty—along with its Chevrolet Silverado twin—sees a couple of its key numbers swell to 6635 and 21,700. Those are the highest payload and trailer-weight capacities of the GM HD trucks; the totals for the 2500 truck tested here are 2631 and 16,800 pounds, respectively. But when we finished putting this GMC Sierra Denali 2500 through its paces, it wasn’t these digits that had our spreadsheets smoking.

Quick for a Big Guy

Indeed, a thoroughly overhauled Duramax turbo-diesel V-8 supplies the first pair of staggering numbers: 397 and 765. Those are the 6.6-liter engine’s respective horsepower and torque counts, the former peaking at 3000 rpm and the latter at 1600. Those two figures delivered the digits that simply blew us away—7.3 and 15.7, as in stopwatch ticks to 60 mph and through the quarter-mile, the latter feat occurring at 89 mph. What we have here is a 7560-pound truck that’s quicker than the first Chevy Camaro we ever tested and capable of hauling most of one in the bed or towing four behind it on a trailer.

Read More: http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/car/10q3/2011_gmc_sierra_hd_2500_denali_4x4_diesel-short_take_road_test

GMC Dealers

GMC Announce CNG and LPG Vans for Fleets

DETROIT, Mich. (May 18, 2010) – Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) powered versions of the Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana full-size vans will be offered to fleet and commercial customers beginning later this year, General Motors Co. announced Monday.
The vans have specially designed engines for the gaseous fuels and come direct to the customer with the fully integrated and warranted dedicated gaseous fuel system in place.

“We’re listening to our fleet customers and dealers about offering options that help them achieve their business objectives”, said Brian Small, general manager of GM’s fleet and commercial operations. “The industry commitment to expand the CNG and LPG infrastructure in key fleet markets was an enabler to allowing us to introduce these options now.”

Going beyond the competition, GM’s proven Vortec 6.0L V8 engine receives hardened exhaust valves and intake and exhaust valve seats for improved wear resistance and durability for gaseous fuel systems. Along with dedicated gaseous fuel injection and fuel storage systems, both the CNG and LPG systems are fully integrated into the vehicle, and will meet EPA and CARB certification requirements, and be fully compliant with applicable motor vehicle safety standards.

The initial CNG offerings will be available on 2011 model year cargo vans and built at GM’s Wentzville assembly plant with the specialized Vortec engine installed. The vans are then completed at a separate facility with the dedicated gaseous fuel system and related vehicle calibrations before shipment to the Special Vehicle Manufacturer (SVM), Fleet Customer or GM Dealer.

Read More: http://www.gm.com/vehicles/innovation/news/2010/natural_gas_051810.jsp

GMC Chicago

More SUVs to join General Motors GMC Pickup Truck Division

General Motors recently opened up (just a little) about its plans for the GMC truck/SUV division. 

Future


The most speculative news surrounds the Granite, a proposed Scion xB hatch-box lookalike. If produced, the Granite would share the same platform as the front-wheel drive Chevrolet Cruze -- a significant departure from the maker of large pickups and SUVs. GM management has gone back and forth on deciding whether to produce a vehicle like the Granite; if it's given the green light, it likely won't hit the road until 2013, at the earliest.

Current lineup

GMC's Canyon pickup receives a stay of execution until 2012, when its production is scheduled to end. Although GM is working on a global replacement for the Chevrolet Colorado, there are currently no plans to sell that vehicle in the United States.

No big news for the hot-selling, midsize Terrain SUV, aside from a rumored Denali trim level. Set to be restyled in 2013, a possible hybrid is on the way one year later.

A Denali trim level of the Acadia was added recently, but the large SUV continues mostly unchanged for 2011. A more significant update to the lineup will come in 2012, when the 3.6-liter V-6 is replaced by a 3.0-liter V-6.

Although it was rumored that the next generation of the Yukon and Yukon XL would move to the Lambda platform (that underpins the Acadia), body-on-frame fans won the argument. The next-gen Yukon, due around 2014, will likely share components with the next Sierra pickup. By then, GM may rework its two-mode hybrid system for better efficiency in towing and hauling.

Read More: http://blogs.automotive.com/6673513/crossovers/more-suvs-to-join-general-motors-gmc-pickup-truck-division/index.html

Chicago GMC

GM crafts lineups for next spike at the pump

General Motors Co. is planning for the return of $4-plus gasoline by introducing small or compact cars for each of its brands -- even GMC.

GM continues to predict gasoline prices will eventually rise to levels last seen in 2008, when consumers fled light trucks for smaller vehicles.

Also, federal fuel-efficiency standards will rise to a fleet average of 35.5 mpg in the 2016 model year, compared with 27.3 mpg in 2011.

Read more: http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100809/OEM04/308099996/1216#ixzz0w8yIKmCD

Chicago GMC

2008 Cadillac CTS

2008 Cadillac CTS
Stock#: K2764
Exterior: Black Cherry
Interior: Light Titanium
Miles: 21002
Doors: 4
VIN: 1G6DF577980137954
3.6L V6 Cylinder Engine
Gold: One Owner Vehicle
Silver: Locally Driven

Sale Price $26,988

Illinois GMC

2010 GMC Yukon

2010 GMC Yukon 4WD 4dr 1500 SLT
Stock#: 100610
Exterior: Pure Silver Metallic
Interior: Ebony
Miles: New
Doors: 4
VIN: 1GKUKCE06AR225921
5.3L 8 Cylinder Engine

M.S.R.P. $50,905

GMC Chicago

2010 GMC Sierra 1500

2010 GMC Sierra 1500 2WD Reg Cab 133.0
Stock#: 100744
Exterior: Summit White
Interior: Dark Titanium
Miles: New
Doors: 2
VIN: 1GTPCTEXXAZ255314
4.3L V6 Cylinder Engine

Chicago GMC

2010 GMC Sierra 1500

2010 GMC Sierra 1500
M.S.R.P. $22,235
Stock#: 100767
Exterior: Pure Silver Metallic
Interior: Dark Titanium
Miles: New
Doors: 2
VIN: 1GTPCTEX1AZ255654
4.3L V6 Cylinder Engine

GMC Chicago

2010 GMC Acadia SLT1

2010 GMC Acadia SLT1
M.S.R.P. $38,860
Stock#: 100612
Exterior: Gold Mist Metallic
Interior: Cashmere
Miles: New
Doors: 4
VIN: 1GKLRMED2AJ231763
3.6L V6 Cylinder Engine

Chicago GMC