1997 Chevrolet Tahoe Ls on 2040-cars

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How two-state Chevy Spark EV outsold 50-state Volt last month

Is it really just about price? Last month, the Chevy Spark EV got a sizable price drop of $1,500 alongside a lowered lease price of $139 a month (down from $199). Those numbers, particularly that cheap lease, had a tremendous impact on how many all-electric Sparks GM sold last month. There were 920 Spark EVs sold in April, and the Spark EV is available in only two states: California and Oregon. Sales will start in Maryland in the third quarter of 2015, but there are no pre-orders taking place there, so all 920 were West Coast sales. To be more precise, there were about 864 Spark EV leases signed last month, since 94 percent of those 920 sales were retail leases. As Annalisa Bluhm from Chevrolet communications told AutoblogGreen, that level was, "simply insane." "In those states which offer Spark EV, you can get a 1LT Spark EV for less than a 1LT Spark, with more features" Bluhm said. "Factor in that you will save approximately $82 per month by abstaining from gas, and it's easy to see why people went crazy for the Spark." Let's put 920 into perspective. For one thing, it's crazy up from the 151 Spark EVs sold in March 2015 and the 97 sold in April 2014. It's also almost as many as GM sold all last year, and way more than two years ago. The General sold 653 Spark EVs in 2013 and 1,146 in 2014. To throw in a comparison with GM's longstanding plug-in champion, the aging Volt, the Spark EV came out ahead in the monthly tally for the first time ever. In April, the Volt sold 905 units. The plug-in hybrid's best-ever sales month was August 2013, when it sold 3,351 units. Counting all models and powertrains, Chevy sold 3,743 Sparks in April. So, does this success mean that Chevy is looking to bring the Spark EV to more markets? Bluhm said that GM is considering other states and is always looking at the business case, but has "nothing to announce yet." Related Video: The video meant to be presented here is no longer available. Sorry for the inconvenience.

GM files for Z71 Trail Boss trademark

Try as they might to keep their plans a secret, automakers have their hands tipped through a variety of methods – be they through loose lips, spy shots or patent and trademark applications. That's how we know, in this instance, that General Motors is working on (or at least considering) an off-road machine wearing the name Z71 Trail Boss – the name which our compatriots at AutoGuide.com tell us that GM has registered for use on light-duty trucks. Now if that alphanumeric designator sounds familiar, it should. GM has long used it to designate the off-road packages on many of its body-on-frame trucks from Chevy and GMC. These days you can order a Z71 package on the Chevy Colorado, Silverado, Tahoe and Suburban and on the GMC Canyon, Sierra and Yukon. The package typically includes components like a beefed-up suspension bits, high-capacity air cleaner and underbody protection plates. The Trail Boss designator would seem to suggest something further reaching than a suspension package, though. Just what it would entail we don't know; minds immediately start running toward Chevy or GMC going after the Ford F-150 Raptor, but we'll likely be looking at something closer to the Trailhawk packages Jeep offers on the likes of the Renegade and Cherokee. Featured Gallery 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe Z71 View 16 Photos News Source: AutoGuide.comImage Credit: Chevrolet Chevrolet GM GMC Truck SUV Off-Road Vehicles patent trademark

2023 Chevy Equinox price goes up a few hundred bucks

Chevrolet and GMC have uploaded the configurators for sibling crossovers the 2023 Chevy Equinox and 2023 GMC Terrain. Both get a few changes to improve performance, and new paints. GM jettisoned the turbocharged 1.5-liter gas engine making 170 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque in both vehicles. Replacing it is a different turbocharged 1.5-liter gas engine making 175 hp and 203 lb-ft. The Equinox sends its power through a six-speed transmission, the Terrain fits a nine-speed transmission. On the Equinox, fuel economy in standard front-wheel drive trims holds steady, but the AWD trims lose one mile per gallon in their city and combined EPA ratings. On the Terrain, FWD trims lose one mile per gallon across the board, the AWD trims lose one mile per gallon in the city only. Both models also upgrade to an electro-hydraulic brake system, leaving vacuum-assisted braking behind. The Equinox color palette drops Cherry Red Tintcoat, Seaglass Blue Metallic and Silver Ice Metallic for replaces with Harvest Bronze Metallic, Radiant Red Tintcoat, and Sterling Gray Metallic. Buyers who want the razzle dazzle of the Equinox's optional Blackout and Redline Edition Packages are out of luck at the moment, both appearance flourishes unavailable to order. The Terrain's paint menu drops Cayenne Red Tintcoat, Hunter Metallic, and Quicksilver Metallic for Deep Bronze Metallic, Sterling Metallic, and Volcanic Red Tintcoat. All-wheel drive can be added to any Equinox and Terrain trim for $1,600, save for the Terrain AT4 and Denali that come standard with AWD. Prices for the 2023 Chevy Equinox after the $1,395 destination charge, and their differences from 2022, are: Equinox LS: $27,995 ($300) Equinox LT: $29,095 ($300) Equinox RS: $32,095 ($100) Equinox Premier: $33,195 ($300) New pricing for the 2023 GMC Terrain can only be seen when you visit the configurator's Summary page. The initial Build & Price page shows MSRP before the $1,500 premium on every trim to that pays for the mandatory OnStar with Connected Services plan. After the $1,395 destination charge, the new prices are: Terrain SLE: $31,295 Terrain SLT: $35,295 Terrain AT4: $37,395 Terrain Denali: $39,995