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GM program sees dealers taking on way more loaner cars

Given the volume of vehicles we're talking about, this is a significant development for GM's bottom line. Bring your car into the dealership for service, and you may need a loaner car in exchange. And with so many recalls being carried out, that means a lot of loaners – especially at General Motors dealerships. That could be one of the reasons why GM is massively expanding its loaner fleet program. While many Chevrolet and Buick-GMC dealerships have an on-site rental car location operated by a third party like Enterprise (which may or may not provide a GM vehicle), others manage their own loaner fleets. But while the range of dealerships operating such fleets was once small, reports Automotive News, the number has been growing rapidly: from the locations responsible for only 20 percent of those brands' sales two years ago to about 90 percent today. The impetus for that growth comes down to a massive expansion of GM's Courtesy Transportation Program. The initiative encourages dealers to ramp up their loaner fleet to a maximum size determined by GM, with a mix determined by the dealer itself, so that a showroom in Texas can be bolstered with a fleet of pickup trucks and a dealer in California can employ more Volt and Camaro Convertible loaners. The dealership gets a $500 credit for each vehicle its puts in its fleet, and can use those vehicles as loaners for service customers, as multi-day test drivers or to rent out separately. The vehicles remain in the dealer's fleet for 90 days or 7,500 miles, then they can be sold as used, but with new-car incentives. The dealer gets a fleet of loaners, customers get to use the loaners, try out a new car overnight or buy a barely used car with attractive incentives, and GM gets to clock more sales. But therein lies the kicker: the automaker counts the dispatch of the loaner new vehicle to the dealership as a new-car sale, which could end up distorting its sales figures. Counting loaner vehicles as sold vehicles is something of an industry-standard practice, but given the volume of vehicles we're talking about, this is a significant development for GM's bottom line. One dealership - Paddock Chevrolet in Kenmore, NY, for example - had no loaner fleet two years ago, but now runs a fleet of 50 vehicles. Multiply that by the 4,000 or so dealers GM has across America and you're talking about the potential for hundreds of thousands of these sorts of sales.

Hot air balloons caught in high winds drag fullsize SUV

A sudden storm front whipped up enough wind to send some hot air balloons flying into the air in Wisconsin over the weekend. One ballon proved so energetic that it was able to drag a fullsize SUV across a field and into a stand of tents. The freak accident occurred at Balloonfest in Waterford, Wisconsin. Spectators were horrified as balloons dragged handlers to the ground and launched with terrified pilots clinging to their baskets. Organizers had started packing up the colorful balloons due to ominous storm clouds when the wind kicked up. "Happened just like that; it was crazy," Nathan Fricke, crew member, told Fox 6. Winds were clocked at 40 to 50 miles per hour. A balloon caught in the wind dragged a large SUV (we think a Suburban or Yukon XL) hundreds of feet and into a cluster of tents on the edge of the staging area where balloons were on display for festival goers. Considering that the SUV surely weighs well over 5,000 pounds, it's lucky that no one was injured in the incident. News Source: Fox6Now Weird Car News Chevrolet GM GMC SUV

2020 GMC Sierra HD caught in double-cab, low-trim gas-engine guise

Naturally when the 2020 GMC Sierra HD was revealed, GMC picked the flashiest, most-impressive Denali model with the big crew cab configuration and diesel engine. But obviously not all will be equipped that way, so it's exciting to see a lower trim model like the truck above. This 2020 GMC Sierra HD is a more modest SLT trim model equipped with the gas V8 and lacking the MultiPro tailgate. Styling doesn't take a hit with the shorter shape, and arguably, it looks more athletic without so much metal between the wheels. The length is the only real difference, with the rest of the sheetmetal just as chisled on the bigger version. Interestingly, this gas-powered Sierra HD still has a big hood scoop from its diesel sibling. On the current GM heavy duty trucks, only the diesel models get a scoop, and it's specifically for getting more cool air to the intake. The Silverado HD may continue this differentiation, but GMC is clearly keeping it for all models. When the Sierra HD goes on sale this summer, it will be available with either a 6.2-liter gasoline V8 like in this truck, or a 6.6-liter turbodiesel V8 making 445 horsepower and 910 pound-feet of torque, the same as the current model. All models get bedside steps, and the MultiPro tailgate is available either as standard or an option with all trims. Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.