Thursday, September 29, 2016

Chevrolet Reaches Out to Loyalists With Truck Legends

 

In an interesting marketing strategy to better organize its truck buyers, Chevrolet is creating an exclusive Truck Legends club. Membership is open to anyone with a pickup truck or SUV with more than 100,000 miles on the odometer, or anyone who's purchased or leased two Chevy trucks in their lifetime. Granted, that leaves the "exclusive" club open to just about anyone who's owned a Chevy, but it could be an interesting and valuable way to bring Chevy loyalists closer to the truckmaker and collect some interesting stories.

Membership to this Chevy club does require registering at its website, which means giving some of your personal information and telling about your current or past pickups. In return, Chevy will offer members some interesting gifts and rewards that range from mileage decals to free car washes and discounted oil changes. It'll even offer some once-in-a-lifetime experiences, such as front-row seats at sold-out MLB games or getting a personal behind-the-scenes tour of upcoming models.

The Chevy Truck Legends program is open now for registration, but it's not clear how the stories about your pickups will eventually be used beyond making you more or less eligible to win different prizes. We're hoping Chevy will make those pickup and SUV stories available so we can all enjoy them.

The customer program will first focus on Texas owners and participants but will roll out nationwide in 2017.

Source: http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2016/09/chevrolet-reaches-out-to-loyalists-with-truck-legends.html


Tuesday, September 27, 2016

Aluminum Removable Tool Tray, No Plastic! - Highway Products



Tool trays made of plastic will crack, bend and break. These durable aluminum tool trays sit high on the tool box for easy access. The easy-to-grip handle enables you to remove the tray or you can slide it to the side. This simple, yet functional design allows you to organize smaller items that would normally get lost on the bottom of your tool box.

Sunday, September 25, 2016

Chevrolet Joins Trailering Leaders to Create Integrated Experience


Industry Collaboration Key to Improved Trailering

 

DETROIT — Each year, approximately 1.2 million horse, boat, RV and work trailers are sold in the United States. These trailers are primarily pulled by fullsize trucks and SUVs, and Chevrolet believes there is an opportunity to help trailer manufacturers and industry leaders better understand the future direction of truck and trailering technology.

As an award-winning industry leader in trailering, Chevrolet is partnering with the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) and the National Association of Trailer Manufacturers (NATM) to create a more integrated trailering experience for trailer owners.

“Our owners are often towing something, from an RV to construction equipment, that is more valuable than their truck,” said Tim Herrick, General Motors future truck executive chief engineer. “Unequivocally, they tell us that they are looking for a better towing experience. Safer, easier, with more integration between their trailer and their truck.”

By working directly with the industry, Chevrolet will help trailer manufacturers develop technologies that improve combined trailer and truck safety and industry safety standards. The partners will also work to increase communication between truck and trailer to provide the driver with more information and help alert customers to prevent trailer tampering or theft.

“This partnership with Chevrolet is part of the trailer industry’s continued commitment to improving safety,” said Pam Trusdale, executive director, NATM. “We are confident that we can collectively improve not only the towing experience for consumers but also public safety, which is why NATM is excited about working with Chevrolet.”

 “Safety and ease of use are key considerations for families that use RV trailers,” said Bruce Hopkins, RVIA vice president, Standards. “We’re pleased to partner with Chevrolet and NATM on this project to create a safer, simpler and easier towing experience.”


About Chevrolet
Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world's largest car brands, doing business in more than 115 countries and selling more than 4.0 million cars and trucks a year. Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient vehicles that feature engaging performance, design that makes the heart beat, passive and active safety features and easy-to-use technology, all at a value. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.

About the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association
With offices in Reston, VA and Elkhart, IN, the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association is the leading trade voice representing the $50 billion RV industry. RVIA represents approximately 400 manufacturers and component suppliers producing 98 percent of all RVs made in the United States. As owner of the National RV Tradeshow and California RV Show, the association promotes and protects the RV industry and its members by focusing on government affairs, standards development, technical education, networking events, and industry research and trends. In addition, RVIA partners with leading RV dealers to expand the RV lifestyle through the Go RVing advertising and promotional campaign.

About the National Association of Trailer Manufacturers
National Association of Trailer Manufacturers (NATM) is the Association of light- and medium-duty trailer manufacturers and suppliers to the industry. Founded in 1987, NATM is dedicated to improving trailer safety and performance. The Association seeks to promote awareness of safety and provide a voice for trailer manufacturers and their suppliers when issues of trailer safety and regulation are considered by Congress and relevant government agencies. NATM’s dedication to improving trailer safety is achieved in a myriad of ways, but primarily through the Compliance Verification Program. The Program is mandatory for all trailer manufacturer members, and requires biennial verification that members have the manufacturing processes in place to build trailers that meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) and industry best practices. To find out more about NATM please visit www.NATM.com.

Friday, September 23, 2016

PTO Driven Underdeck Systems



Experience the power, streamline design and cost savings of Vanair's Underdeck Systems of mobile air compressors and generators.

Thursday, September 22, 2016

It Floats! - Full Floating Rear Axle Explained (1936)


Prelinger Archives: Chevrolet Truck Department

This is without a doubt the best video I've ever seen to explain the full floating rear axle. It would have been only better by comparing it to a semi-floating rear axle. Even though it is 1936 and a long time ago, the design is essentially the same. Thank you the the Prelinger Archives for putting this on YouTube and for Chevrolet for having it made.

Wednesday, September 21, 2016

Monday, September 19, 2016

2016 Silverado LTZ Trailering Mirror Features



Mike Olin of the Paradise Chevrolet Fleet team explains how the trailering mirrors work and all the different features that come with this mirror package.

If you have any questions, contact the Paradise Chevrolet Fleet Department at 951-252--2980, and you can visit our Fleet website at http://www.paradiseworktrucks.com and find a wealth of information about truck bodies and Chevrolet product.

Saturday, September 17, 2016

Chevy’s Truck Legends offers benefits for loyal customers

 

Chevrolet has launched Truck Legends, an exclusive community recognizing loyal Chevy truck customers.

Currently, Truck Legends is open to all Texas residents who have more than 100,000 miles on their Chevy truck or have purchased or leased more than one new Chevy truck in their lifetime. The program will roll out nationwide in 2017.

Truck Legends pays tribute and offers benefits to customers who Chevy reports have helped to make its pickups the fastest-growing truck brand for 2016.

“We know there is a story behind every mile, every truck and every customer,” said Sandor Piszar, Chevrolet truck marketing director. “The Truck Legends program is our way of saying ‘thank you’ to our loyal customers, and curating some of their stories.”

Truck Legends comes in preparation of an important milestone for Chevy.

“In 2018 we will celebrate the 100th anniversary of our first Chevrolet truck, and that event would not be complete without recognizing the customers who have made Chevrolet part of the fabric of America,” Piszar said. “The stories from our Truck Legends will play a key part in celebrating the next hundred years of Chevrolet trucks.”

Truck Legends members will receive exclusive Truck Legends memorabilia. This includes Chevy Truck Legends hats, Truck Legends decals and, if applicable, decals celebrating mileage milestones ranging from 100,000 to 1 million miles.

Participating dealers may also offer additional benefits to members, ranging from free car washes to discounts on oil changes and Chevrolet accessories for their trucks.

Chevrolet will periodically offer Truck Legends members once-in-a-lifetime experiences leveraging Chevrolet’s other partnerships. These experiences could range from front-row seats at concerts, to attending sold-out Major League Baseball events, to getting a sneak peek at new Chevrolet models.

The Truck Legends program is free to join for individuals who have more than 100,000 miles on their Chevrolet truck or have purchased or leased two or more new Chevy trucks in their lifetime. Eligible vehicles include:
  •     Silverado and Silverado HD (and past C/K trucks)
  •     Colorado (and past S-10 trucks)
  •     Tahoe
  •     Suburban
  •     Avalanche
Texas owners can sign up for the program by creating a profile at ChevyTruckLegends.com.
- See more at: http://www.hardworkingtrucks.com/chevys-truck-legends-offers-benefits-for-loyal-customers/#sthash.c7Sn3gmR.dpuf

Thursday, September 15, 2016

Stories From the Road - Christy Webber



Watch Christy Webber and Jason Sloat explain how tough trucks and expert customer service from General Motors Fleet help Christy Webber Landscapes maintain parks, stadiums and public buildings across Chicago.

Sunday, September 11, 2016

Tommy Gate - Tuckunder Development Video



The Tommy Gate Tuckunder Development Video depicts the hard working staff at Woodbine Manufacturing Company and the production of the Tuckunder Series hydraulic lift. It was filmed on location in Woodbine, Iowa.

Friday, September 9, 2016

2016 Silverado 3500HD Crew Cab Landscape Dump



Here's a quick tour of a Silverado Crew Cab diesel chassis with a 10' Landscape Dump body installed with dual under bed boxes. This is a perfect rig to get your crew to and from the job, with a large truck bed for relatively light things like grass and bush clippings, small tree branches, as a landscaper might have need for, but it can also be used as a debris body for other kinds of bulky, but relatively light materials.

If you have any questions about this vehicle or any other work type truck, contact the Paradise Fleet team at 951-252-2980, and you can see more about various truck bodies on our Fleet website at http://www.paradiseworktrucks.com

Wednesday, September 7, 2016

Adrian Steel Bin Package In Chevy Van



Here is a general service Adrian Steel bin package installed by Commercial Van Interiors offering a great solution for many contractors.

To learn more about the various van interior packages available, contact the Paradise Chevrolet Fleet team at 951-252-2980, and you can visit our Fleet website and learn more about truck bodies, cargo vans,  and how you can get your work done more efficiently and effectively at http://www.paradiseworktrucks.com

Monday, September 5, 2016

GM Recycles 2 Million Flint Water Bottles into Fleece

Material becomes coats for the homeless, 
car parts and air filters

 

DETROIT – General Motors is adding 2 million water bottles from Flint, Michigan residents into its Do Your Part water bottle recycling initiative. The company partnered with Schupan Recycling to collect the bottles. The plastic is washed, flaked and turned into fleece to make three products: Chevrolet Equinox V-6 engine covers, insulation for The Empowerment Plan coats for the homeless, and air filters for 10 GM plants. 

The program engages a supply web of 11 organizations and reduces landfill waste. The resulting social impact contributes to the initiative’s progress and expansion.

GM supplier Filtration Services Group involved the N.E.W. Life Center in Flint to make air filter panels from the 9,000 square feet of fleece created since Do Your Part launched in April. After at-risk individuals participate in programs dedicated to employment preparation or life change, this nonprofit training center employs them to further develop their skills.

GM is donating enough insulation for The Empowerment Plan’s seamstresses — formerly homeless women — to make 6,500 coats that transform into sleeping bags that are given to those in need at no cost. The nonprofit trains their employees in lean manufacturing and teaches them soft and hard skills to propel them to bigger and better opportunities.

“We’re committed to proving to employers that formerly homeless people can be a skilled talent pool,” said Veronika Scott, founder and CEO of The Empowerment Plan. “The end product is more than a coat: It empowers women to take control of their lives and provides the path to long-term, sustainable jobs.”

Scott says GM’s insulation provides the warmth needed for the homeless to withstand cold nights. Each coat contains 31 water bottles. The GM Foundation also supports The Empowerment Plan, providing it with $220,000 since 2013.

An estimated 1.2 million bottles from five GM facilities throughout metro Detroit and Flint supplemented the significant volumes coming from the Flint community. The company recently added its Romulus Powertrain plant to the program. While many employees bring reusable water bottles to work, all of GM’s facilities provide water bottle recycling. Employees at these Michigan sites know exactly what the bottles will become when they throw the bottles in the recycling bins.

“People want to do the right thing,” said John Bradburn, GM global waste reduction manager. “The Do Your Part recycling initiative is a way our employees and communities can connect their individual actions to broader social and environmental causes.”

Learn more about these water bottles’ transformation at doyourpart.gm.green.

General Motors Co. (NYSE:GM, TSX: GMM) and its partners produce vehicles in 30 countries, and the company has leadership positions in the world's largest and fastest-growing automotive markets. GM, its subsidiaries and joint venture entities sell vehicles under the Chevrolet, Cadillac, Baojun, Buick, GMC, Holden, Jiefang, Opel, Vauxhall and Wuling brands. More information on the company and its subsidiaries, including OnStar, a global leader in vehicle safety, security and information services, can be found at http://www.gm.com

Saturday, September 3, 2016

Different Cab Configurations Explained



Whether you need a basic regular cab truck, a double-cab (what we used to call an extended cab), or a crew-cab truck to seat six adults, we carry a wide selection to help you get the right cab for your needs. The double-cab can carry people in the second seat, but there isn't much room for adults to sit normally, so that is great for added inside storage, and carrying passengers once in a while and for short distances. The crew-cab offers full comfort for six adults and wide doors for easy entry and exit. The regular cab can seat three adults, and would be most comfortable with one or two.

If you have any questions, contact the Paradise Chevrolet Fleet team at 951-252-2980, and you can find more information about trucks on our Fleet website at http://www.paradiseworktrucks.com

Thursday, September 1, 2016

Chevrolet Colorado Resets the Bar for Midsize Segment

Chevrolet Colorado Resets the Bar for 
Midsize Segment
2017 model updated with all-new V-6 and class-exclusive eight-speed automatic

 

DETROIT – For 2017, the Chevrolet Colorado offers an all-new V-6 engine and class-exclusive eight-speed automatic. It is the latest major update for Colorado, which entered the market for model year 2015. Chevrolet is on track to sell more than 160,000 Colorados in the first 24 months on the market, reigniting the midsize segment.

“Customers made the Colorado an overnight success and it remains one of the industry’s hottest-selling products,” said Anita Burke, Colorado chief engineer. “That fast success has justified our continued investment in midsize pickups, introducing new features for our customers such as the class-exclusive diesel engine, advanced technologies like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and now a class-leading V-6 and eight-speed automatic powertrain combination.”

Class-exclusive powertrain combination 

The most significant update for the 2017 Colorado is an all-new V-6 engine and eight-speed transmission, creating a combination that’s unmatched in the midsize segment.

According to Stan Ludlow, chief engineer for the 2017 Colorado, the engine and transmission were calibrated to emphasize performance and refinement while optimizing fuel economy: “The Colorado is currently the most fuel-efficient pickup truck in America, with an EPA-estimated 31 mpg highway when equipped with the diesel engine. As such, for the new V-6 and eight-speed combination we focused on improving everyday driving performance. Drivers will immediately notice that it pulls harder when accelerating from a stop or passing on the highway; it is more confident pulling a trailer up a steep grade and it is more refined cruising at a constant highway speed.”

This second generation of Chevrolet’s double-overhead-cam engine architecture retains the same 3.6L displacement as before, with an updated suite of advanced engine technologies. This includes improved variable valve timing for intake and exhaust, improved direct injection and for the first time, Active Fuel Management (cylinder deactivation), which disables two cylinders under light throttle applications. Horsepower and torque increase to an SAE-certified 308 hp (230 kW) at 6,800 rpm and 275 lb-ft (373 nM) at 4,000 rpm.

The engine is mated to the class-exclusive eight-speed automatic. The GM-developed Hydra-Matic 8L45 is roughly the same size and weight as the 6L80 six-speed automatic it replaces. However, the eight-speed automatic offers a wider 7.0 overall gear ratio spread than the 6L80 transmission’s 6.0 ratio. This results in a numerically higher first gear ratio, helping drivers start off more confidently with a heavy load or when trailering, and numerically lower rear axle ratios that reduce engine rpm on the highway for improved efficiency.

Extensive use of aluminum and magnesium, combined with similar packaging to the outgoing 6L80 transmission, equates to no increase in overall weight for Colorado models equipped with the new 8L45 transmission.

The 2017 model year updates, including the new V-6 and eight-speed combination, will arrive at dealerships in the fourth quarter of this year. 

Two years of sales and awards success
After two years on the market, the Colorado has proven to be a smart bet:
-    Chevrolet is on track to sell more than 160,000 Colorados in the first 24 months on the market (September 2014 through August 2016)
-    Today, Colorado accounts for 23 percent of the midsize segment
-    Since the Colorado was introduced, the total midsize segment has nearly doubled, from 1.5 percent of total vehicle sales in 2014 to 2.4 percent of total sales in the 2016 calendar year
-    Averaging 36 days to turn, Colorado remains one of the fastest-selling vehicles in the segment
-    Colorado has been the most awarded midsize pickup over the past two years, including earning back-to-back Motor Trend Truck of the Year awards


Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world's largest car brands, doing business in more than 115 countries and selling more than 4.0 million cars and trucks a year. Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient vehicles that feature engaging performance, design that makes the heart beat, passive and active safety features and easy-to-use technology, all at a value. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com