KARL Chevrolet HUMMER

In case you’ve missed it, there’s been a rash of recalls announced by automakers lately.  From the headline news, you’d think it was only Toyota.  But while Toyota has clearly owned the headlines, there have been recalls announced by many automakers, including Honda, Susuki, Ford, and the latest from Nissan as reported by the New York Times in the article below.  Even GM has announced a recall recently.

How can you keep up?  Did you know you can sign up for email recall notification through the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration … just click here to sign up for notices on your specific vehicle!  You should also know that each time you bring your vehicle to KARL for service, we check for any open manufacturer recalls to ensure your vehicle is kept in top shape.  Just another advantage of using KARL. Read more »

GM Tops Family Cars List

While families all around Fairfield and Westchester Counties have known it along, now the officials at Kelley Blue Book, one of the nation’s best known independant automotive experts, agree!  The Chevrolet Suburban, Equinox and Traverse all made the Top 10 Family Cars for 2010 list from the editors of the Kelley Blue Book.

“Here’s great news for the U.S. automakers GM and Ford: Six of their vehicles dominated the list of the Top 10 Family Cars for 2010 as determined by the editors of the Kelley Blue Book and the Web site kbb.com,” reports the San Francisco Chronicle.

Three of them are Chevrolets — an SUV and two crossover utility vehicles — and three are Fords — one crossover and two sedans, including a gasoline-electric hybrid.

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On a snowy February afternoon, I have to ask myself two questions …

First, when it snows, why are our Sales Consultants always more eager than usual to close a sale? 

Second, is March just trying to get a head start? 

Well, on the first count, I can tell you that since we all work as a team to clear away snow and dig out EVERY vehicle we have in inventory, our Sales Consultants are extra motivated at this time of year to make every sale they can.  It just means one less vehicle for us to clear snow off of!  So the next time you get frustrated clearing snow off one or two cars in your driveway; try thinking of us clearing snow off of over 200 vehicles!

  Read more »

After a year in which Ben Bernanke was named Time Magazine’s Person of the Year, much of our focus has certainly been about the economy.  There have been many phrases coined to sum up the economic realities of the past couple of years, but the one that seems to stick is the ‘de-levering’ of the US Economy.  De-levering is a catch-phrase that could mean many things, but taken at its core, I believe it relates to a massive effort to reduce debt across all levels of our economy.  From large corporations, to local small businesses, to every household in America.

Why, you ask?  Well, the truth is, many consumers are realizing that they don’t need to spend a premium on their transportation needs.  They’ve taken a hard look at total costs – taking into account everything from:

Ø      initial purchase price

Ø      monthly payments

Ø      insurance premiums

Ø      property taxes

Ø      maintenance costs

And they’ve come away realizing that in many cases they were spending far more than they thought.

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On January 12, 2010, an earthquake rocked the capital city of Port-au-Prince in Haiti and instantly this poverty stricken and desolate land became the center of much of the world’s media attention.  It is sad that it takes an epic event like this to shine a light on one of the neediest countries on our earth, but this is reality.

While the public outpouring of support, both thoughts and prayers as well as financially, is a sign of the true goodwill in all of us, I’d like to take a moment in the midst of this crisis to point out how critical charitable giving is on a year round basis.  Whether its home or abroad, in our backyard or around the globe, there are always needs far greater than any of our own at any moment in time.  As Americans, as members of the human race, we each need to look in the mirror and ask ourselves if we do enough for others.  And we need to ask this question every day; not just when the media shines a bright light on the latest natural disaster or epic event.

Why?  Because without constant vigilance, the truly needy only become more disadvantaged over time.  They need us.  Not just in times of crisis; but each and every day.

Allow me to share a story that may give the idea of charitable giving a new meaning.

Read more »

UPDATE: Due to the inclimate weather, the “Hope Lights Lives” Luminary Lighting Scheduled for December 13th has been postponed. The lighting will take place next Sunday, December 20th.

Nothing signifies HOPE more than a single illuminated candle – unless of course there are thousands of illuminated candles! KARL Chevrolet is proud to once again serve as the New Canaan distribution center for the 2009 “Hope Lights Lives” Luminary Campaign. Tomorrow evening, December 13, 2009 at 5:00pm, neighborhoods throughout lower Fairfield County will be illuminated by literally thousands of white luminaries in what has become one of the areas most visible and unique fundraisers.

This year’s campaign promises to be the most expansive yet, as dozens of additional neighborhoods in Darien, Greenwich, New Canaan, Norwalk, Rowayton, Stamford, Weston and Wilton have already pledged their support by agreeing to set out luminaries on the lighting night. Here at KARL, we distributed almost 600 luminary kits containing a dozen candles each. That’s almost 7,200 luminaries that will light up neighborhoods all around New Canaan tomorrow night. Mark your calendar and take a ride – early Sunday evening will certainly provide some beautiful sites around the area.

Family Centers is a private, nonprofit organization offering education and human services to children, adults and families in Fairfield County. More than 1,000 professionals and trained volunteers work together to provide a wide range of responsive, innovative programs. Through our five Centers of Excellence, more than 17,000 children, adults, families and communities receive the care, encouragement and resources needed to realize their potential. The annual lighting of luminaries signifies area neighbors HOPE for a bright future for all those seeking assistance from Family Centers.

Photo (from L-R): Stephanie Radman, Carolyn Escherich, Ned Thunem (volunteer from NCHS S.L.O.Bs), and Steve Karl all assist in the effort at KARL Chevrolet in New Canaan to help distribute Luminary Kits fof the 2009 “HOPE Lights Lives” campaign to benefit the Family Centers organization. 

THE 2011 CRUZE: CHEVROLET UNVEILS U.S. VERSION OF THE POPULAR, FUEL-EFFICIENT GLOBAL COMPACT SEDAN

• 2011 Chevrolet Cruze at a Glance:
• Popular global car refined for America
• Expected segment-best fuel economy – up to 40 mpg highway – with new family of small-displacement engines, including Ecotec 1.4L I-4 turbo
• Progressive design with exceptional levels of refinement, quietness and build quality
• More spacious interior and greater cargo room than Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla
• Ten standard air bags help make it one of the safest cars in its class
• Built at Lordstown, Ohio assembly plant
• On sale in third quarter of 2010
• Five-year/100,000-mile powertain warranty – the best coverage in America

LOS ANGELES – Chevrolet unveils the U.S. production version of the 2011 Cruze compact sedan at the L.A. Auto Show on Dec. 2. It is a global car refined for America, delivering many segment-leading features and details that challenge preconceived notions about what a compact car can be in North America.

The Cruze also affirms Chevrolet’s commitment to building refined, fuel-efficient vehicles, with new, small-displacement four-cylinder engines. It is expected to deliver segment-leading fuel economy with a new Ecotec 1.4L I-4 turbo with variable valve timing – including up to 40 mpg on the highway with a high-efficiency model. Read more »

The time is drawing near when we will find out which U.S. markets will be the first to see Chevy VOLT deliveries.  Tomorrow, December 2^nd, at the opening of the LA Auto Show, GM has said they will announce the initial retail markets for the Chevy VOLT in November 2010.

For several years, we have been anticipating the arrival of the Chevy VOLT – the first mass-produced Extended Range Electric Vehicle (EREV for short).  Unlike a pure Electric Vehicle which is limited by the range of its batteries, the Chevy VOLT is an Electric Vehicle with a small gasoline engine that acts as an onboard generator that can recharge the batteries when they get low.  Thus, you will be able to drive the VOLT for approximately 40 miles on a charge, and if you go further than that, the generator kicks in and begins charging the battery. 

Yesterday, Lyle Dennis, founder and editor of the website GM-VOLT.com, got his first drive in a VOLT while in charge sustaining mode.  It was an exciting day for Lyle and he shares his experience with us at GM-Volt.com - take the time to read his comments!

Read more »

November 16th-December 22nd
Karl Chevrolet Hummer New Canaan

Karl Chevrolet Hummer once again will be a sponsor for Toys for Tots with the U.S. Marines collecting toys for children ages 6 months to 13 yrs old. It’s hard to think of a child waking up Christmas morning with no presents even one or two can bring such a happy smile to a child’s face.. Read more »