KARL Chevrolet HUMMER

2010 CHEVROLET EQUINOX:
A COMPACT CROSSOVER FOR ALL SEASONS – AND ALL LIFESTYLES

All-new crossover delivers expected segment-best highway fuel economy

DETROIT – Chevrolet unveiled the all-new 2010 Equinox, a compact crossover that blends distinctive design with outstanding efficiency. A new, 2.4L direct injection engine helps the Equinox deliver expected best-in-segment estimated highway fuel economy of 30 mpg (EPA certification pending) – a 25-percent improvement over the previous model. Chevrolet expects nearly two-thirds of customers will choose the efficient, 2.4L engine.

The new Equinox draws its exterior design inspiration from the Chevrolet Malibu sedan and Traverse crossover; and like those vehicles, the new Equinox complements its styling with attention to detail and unexpected features, according to Ed Peper, GM North America vice president, Chevrolet.

The Equinox makes its world debut at the North American Auto Show in Detroit next month. Read more »

I have to chime in here.  The public flocking of the domestic auto companies has been a healthy exercise for all.  And today’s announcement by President Bush was the absolute right thing to do for the auto industry and the country - and history will prove it correct.

Let’s face it; our free and open political system in the USA has caused much of the current dysfunction in the auto industry.  Have you ever asked yourself why Toyota, Honda, BMW, etc chose to build assembly plants here in the USA?  The country with higher labor costs than virtually any other country on the face of the earth?  TAXES and INCENTIVES.  Yes, our own government (mostly state government) set out in a bidding war over the past decade to attract these foreign companies to build assembly plants in their states to attract new jobs.  They gave away property tax abatements, job creation incentives, enterprise zone grants and more. 

The money granted today to GM and Chrysler amounts to an interest expense of about $16,000 per U.S. job at these companies.  That is serious taxpayer money.  However, last year VW got $288,000 per job created at their new plant in taxpayer subsidies.  And Toyota got over $150,000 per job created at their plant in Texas.  It’s time to wake up and recognize we have a problem here in the U.S. when individual states can create such inequities in our national economy. Read more »

HEADLINES YOU WON’T SEE:
U.S. TAXPAYERS GIVE VW $288,000 PER NEW JOB CREATED.
U.S. SENATE TURNS DOWN SUPPORT FOR DOMESTIC AUTO COMPANIES AT A POTENTIAL COST OF $16,000 PER JOB SAVED.
U.S. TAXPAYERS GIVE TOYOTA $150,000 PER NEW JOB CREATED.

Don’t believe it? Read on….

There is no question that the Automotive industry in the United States is going through some challenging times in the current economic climate. And there is also no denying that the CEO’s of the Domestic Automakers could have done a better job dealing with the political and media spotlight on them over the past few weeks. But what is not so apparent in the general main-stream media, is how much the facts are being twisted.

At the core, I take issue with the term “Bailout”. The auto manufacturers are not asking for a ‘bailout’, they are asking for a reasonable loan that is not available in our nation’s financial system today due to the meltdown of our credit markets. The automakers, particularly General Motors, are well on the road to significantly re-inventing their businesses. One look at the vehicles being offered by GM today versus just five or six years ago will confirm it. However, their efforts have been threaten by the collapse of the credit markets, and they have turned to the U.S. Government and U.S. taxpayers for help. Read more »

Sometimes it takes some sobering facts to wake you up. Today I read the following press release from the CDC and it validates why KARL Chevrolet’s support of Fairfield County Safe Kids and the National Safe Kids Organization is so vital to our community. There is no question that our 20+ year relationship with Safe Kids has Saved Lives and made tangible impacts in thousands of kids’ lives.

New CDC Report Finds Motor Vehicles and Falls are Causes of Most Child and Teen Injuries and Deaths in the United States

For Immediate Release: December 10, 2008
Contact: CDC Injury Center Media Relations
(770) 488-4902

An estimated 55 million children and teens from birth to age 19 were treated in emergency departments for unintentional injuries from 2001 to 2006, according to a new report released today by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) .

The report also notes that between 2000 and 2005, unintentional injuries resulted in 73,052 deaths among children and teens. Falls caused most non-fatal injuries (about 2.8 million each year), while most deaths were transportation-related (about 8,000 deaths each year involved a motor vehicle occupant, pedestrian or pedal cyclist). Read more »

This is a great time of year to pause and say ‘thanks’. Even though we are all feeling the effects of the current global economic reality, we have much to be thankful for locally.

New Canaan is so fortunate to have a literal army of volunteers who help support countless worthy local organizations that provide vital services to those in need. There are so many that I could never do them justice here, but you know who they are. Speaking of worthy organizations, it is so very important, now more than ever, to remember to financially support our area non-profit organizations. When the economy weakens, the needs grow greater and the financial support becomes more critical.

On a business note, I want to extend a huge Thank You to Jack Trifero and the other leaders of the New Canaan Village Association who once again organized a very successful Holiday Stroll. Also, kudos to the Chamber of Commerce for the latest edition of one of our very best local traditions; the annual tree lighting. Our local merchants are often the first group approached when local organizations need support. Now, during the holiday season, it is important that you stop and consider keeping your gift spending local. There are so many hidden benefits, not the least of which is convenience!

Every time you spend a dollar locally, you are supporting a local business, which in turn supports our schools, sports teams, and non-profit organizations throughout the year. Read more »