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Europeans ask Chevy to bring Volt back to Europe

A group of French fans is asking for a jolt of support from General Motors to get the 2016 Chevrolet Volt across the pond. The Association Amperistes et Amis des Vehicules Rechargeables is running a Change.org petition that currently has 383 signatures out of a goal of 500. While the attempt is admirable, it's probably going to take a lot more than several hundred people for the model to make a return to the continent after the poor showing of the Opel Ampera – first-gen Volt's European cousin. The group's major argument for bringing a version of the second-gen Volt to Europe is that consumers need "an intermediate choice between expensive or range-limited pure electric cars and plug-in hybrids with a miserable electric range." Furthermore, such a vehicle would prod the competition to produce similarly efficient electrified models. They also lavish praise on the abilities of the Ampera for its long EV driving range. The supporters aren't entirely kind to GM in the petition, though, and claim the company excluded the original car from marketing efforts there. The Ampera actually enjoyed a strong European launch with more orders than initially expected and briefly topped the best-sellers list among EVs there. It was even named 2012 European Car of the Year. Those halcyon days didn't last long, and by 2014 sales fell off to a trickle. The waning reception caused GM's decision not to introduce a version of the new 2016 Volt there or in Australia. Related Video:

Who sold the most heavy-duty pickups in 2012? PickupTrucks.com investigates

Domestic manufacturers enjoyed a good year for heavy-duty pickup sales in 2012. PickupTrucks.com has taken a close look at exactly how those sales broke down between each manufacturer and between three-quarter and one-ton pickups. Ford sold some 67,786 F-250 Super Duty models last year with the Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD falling just behind at 56,359 units. The Ram 2500 HD came in third at 41,918, while the GMC Sierra 2500 HD earned itself fourth place with 27,616 deliveries. While Ford held onto the top spot in the one-ton market, Ram easily nailed down second place by selling more 3500 HD models last year than General Motors sold Silverado 3500 HD and Sierra 3500 HD trucks combined.
So, did GM manage to sell more trucks than Ford with its two brands? Very nearly. Ford sold a total of 119,338 heavy-duty pickups to GM's 111,555. Ram, meanwhile, moved a distant 77,583. But perhaps more interesting is the diesel take rate in this segment. PickupTrucks.com says 80 percent of all domestic one-ton trucks roll from the dealer lot with a turbo-diesel under the hood. Head over to the site for a closer look at the breakdown.

2015 Chevy Colorado gets its GearOn before Chicago

Complementing the Chevrolet Silverado Midnight Edition at the 2015 Chicago Auto Show is this, the 2015 Colorado GearOn Edition, which as the name might suggest, takes full advantage of the company's truck accessory catalog. Available on the volume LT trim and in both crew and extended cab varieties and with both the short and long-bed options, the GearOn Edition adds plenty of nifty extras designed to increase the truck's versatility and help accommodate bikes, kayaks and other outdoorsy items. The GearOn bars package, divider package and tie-down rings are supplemented an "EZ" lift and lower tailgate, side steps, gloss black 18-inch wheels, a body color grille, and blacked-out Chevy badges. And although it's not specifically called out in the attached press release, the paint on this special edition looks different than anything else in the truck's catalog. We dig it, especially with the black accents. Prices, meanwhile, start at $31,250, which is not even $1,200 more than a Colorado Extended Cab LT 4x4. We'll have more on the Colorado GearOn when it makes its debut later this week at the 2015 Chicago Auto Show, including live images to add to the pair of stocks distributed by Chevy. Until then, scroll down for the press release on the limited-edition truck. Chevy Colorado GearOn™ Edition Brings More Adventure Versatile accessories package maximizes cargo capability; enables more fun DETROIT – Chevrolet today introduced the 2015 Colorado GearOn™ Special Edition, which blends the capability of the all-new midsize pickup truck with the versatility of the GearOn accessory system – and additional popular features. It makes its public debut Feb. 13-22 at the Chicago Auto Show. The Colorado GearOn Special Edition goes on sale this spring with a starting price of $31,250. It's offered on LT models in extended or crew cab configurations, with the long or short cargo bed and available 4WD. "Chevrolet Colorado answers the call for customers who have passions of all types and the GearOn accessory system enables them to bring more adventure wherever they go," said Tony Johnson, Colorado marketing manager. "And with Colorado offering segment-leading efficiency and capabilities, it's a combination that maximizes adventure without compromise." The GearOn accessory system is designed for easy configuration with a multitude of mounting accessories for everything from bikes, kayaks, skis and stand-up paddle boards to a bed-mounted tent.