Chevy Celebrates the Colorado's 4th Birthday

MT. PLEASANT, Mich -- November 2019 marks the 4th birthday of the Chevrolet Colorado. A segment redefining truck that took the US market by storm. To celebrate, Chevy is expanding the Colorado family with two 2019 special editions, the off-road Z71 Trail Runner and the street-focused RST. 

The Colorado has pushed GM up through the ranks as the most successful truck company for the past four years, selling 634, 505 more pickups than the closest manufacturer from 2013 until the first three quarters of 2018. "The success of Colorado helped reignite the midsize truck segment. It changed what customers expected from a midsize truck, brought new customers to Chevrolet and has inspired competitors to follow Chevy's lead" said Sandor Piszar, director of Marketing for Chevrolet Trucks. 

The Colorado's success has been fueled by one of the broadest lineups in the midsize segment - featuring three powertrains and configurations, in addition to a wide range of models and special editions. Both of the 2019 special releases feature the flow-through "CHEVROLET' lettered grille, first seen on the Colorado ZR2 Bison, which is also available as an accessory for an MSRP of $395 plus installation and tax. 

The Z71 Trail Runner features the Z71 off-road package and adds the ZR2's underbody protection. Additional changes include a stamped aluminum front and mid skid plates, functional rocker protection and Goodyear Duratrac tires. While the RST ramps up the street features offered on the Tahoe, Suburban, and all-new Silverado. With LT trim, monochromatic exterior offset, a black beltline, body side moldings, a black tailgate bowtie, Colorado and RST badges. It's also the first Colorado to offer 20-inch wheels, finished in a low-gloss black. 

The 2019 Colorado releases join numerous other GM special editions and fully redesigned models for this upcoming year. Which release has been your favorite so far? Comment and let us know! 

At Hank Graff Mt. Pleasant we strive to provide our customers with a car buying experience that is accommodating, stress-free and fun! Visit us at our Chevrolet dealership located at 4580 E Pickard Rd in Mount Pleasant, Michigan 48858 or our Buick GMC Cadillac dealership located at 116 N. Mission St in Mount Pleasant, MI 48858.

Last Minute DIY Thanksgiving Decorations

MT. PLEASANT, Mich -- Thanksgiving is only a couple of days away! Do you have your decorations set? If not here's a list of easy, last-minute DIY decor ideas that range from elegant to rustic. Fill your home with a late-fall vibe that's sure to impress every person on your guest list. 

1. CHALKBOARD PUMPKINS 

Repurpose your leftover Halloween gourds by coating them with chalkboard paint and using them to highlight your Thanksgiving menu. 

2. SPICE TIN FLORAL ARRANGEMENTS

Hit up your local thrift or vintage shop and grab some old spice tins that feature rich Autumn hues. Decorate the dinner table, dessert display, or living room with these bold, warm arrangements that lend a comforting, rustic feel. 

3. GILDED FRUIT CENTERPIECE

Elegant and modern, this centerpiece takes your table display up another level. Cover artificial pomegranates (found at your local craft store) with adhesive size and let dry until tacky. Apply sheets of copper leaf until covered and repeat. Display on a tray, cake plate, or in a decorative bowl. 

3. AUTUMN-INSPIRED CANDLEHOLDERS

Create easy fall displays with repurposed candleholders! Hit up your local vintage or thrift store for candleholders of miscellaneous shapes and sizes, spray paint black, and arrange small pumpkins or gourds on top. 

4. FILLED GLASS CONTAINERS 

Fill footed glass containers with fall-toned ribbons, nuts and beans. Embellish with bows, and arrange on a copper tray for a shiny and sophisticated finish. 

5. COZY VOTIVE HOLDERS

Wrap glass votive holders in three or four overlapping layers of corn husks and tie in place with a raffia ribbon. Slip in a guinea feather for added decorative flair.

6. PRINTABLE GIVE THANKS SIGN

Print this cute sign and throw it into a reclaimed wood frame for the easiest and cutest Thanksgiving decoration ever! 

Download here: https://bit.ly/2Fz0203

6. DIY PUMPKIN VASE 

Trade in the traditional glass vase for a faux pumpkin. 

Get the full tutorial here: https://bit.ly/2oEh41e 

7. THE THANKFUL TREE

Invite family and friends to write messages of thanks on paper leaf ornaments and tie them to branches anchored in a a sand-filled vase. Save the ornaments for a keepsake, or to discuss at next year's holiday meal.

8. THE ULTIMATE AUTUMN CENTERPIECE

Layer cornhusks on a glass cake plate and then arrange various gourds, pumpkins, leaves and decorative corn on top for the easiest centerpiece imaginable. 

9. THE PERFECT THANKSGIVING MANTEL 

Give your mantel an Autumn makeover that is way easier to pull together than it looks. Get all the tips from Midwest Living

Full tutorial here: https://bit.ly/2KaAy7T

What was your favorite DIY Thanksgiving decoration idea? If you give any of these a go, make sure you take pictures and tag us in them on social media. We love seeing your holiday decor. Happy Thanksgiving! 

At Hank Graff Mt. Pleasant we strive to provide our customers with a car buying experience that is accommodating, stress-free and fun! Visit us at our Chevrolet dealership located at 4580 E Pickard Rd in Mount Pleasant, Michigan 48858 or our Buick GMC Cadillac dealership located at 116 N. Mission St in Mount Pleasant, MI 48858. 

The 2019 COPO Camaro: Powerful Past, Fast Future

MT. PLEASANT, Mich -- Chevy celebrates 50 years of the COPO Camaro legacy, a special order, performance model tradition, by unveiling the 2019 COPO Camaro at SEMA. The 2019 is a bonafide vintage throwback, featuring a special blue metallic exterior that pays homage to the original Laguna Blue offered in 1969, an orange engine block, chrome valve covers, and a black high-rise intake manifold. 


The COPO Camaro program got it's start in 1969 and was headed up by an Illinois Chevrolet dealer, Fred Gibb, who utilized the company's special order program to build the first recognized performance Camaro. The goal? To produce a car with more competitive edge in Stock Eliminator drag racing. Gibb installed the ZL1 427 engine which weighed 100 pounds less than the standard iron-based 396 Big Block engine, and created the perfect drag strip monster. 

Getting this project approved by Chevrolet was a large ordeal for Gibb. In order to make the engine eligible for NHRA competition, at least 50 models of the car were required to be offered for sale to the public. This might not sound like a large obstacle, but at the time, the suped-up muscle car was pricey, twice the cost of a standard Camaro kind of pricey. Surprisingly, he sold 13 models, and the other 37 were redistributed to other dealers. Word about the COPO Camaro spread quickly, and dealers began ordering models of their own. 

Since then, the COPO Camaro has become a yearly release tradition and has continued to advance the ever-growing hype around performance vehicles. The 2019 COPO Camaro includes a distinctive and model-specific front-end design, a revised version of the supercharged, LSX-based 350 engine featuring a 2.65L Magnuson supercharger in addition to a 302 cubic inch engine.

In keeping with tradition, only sixty-nine 2019 COPO Camaro race cars will be built. You can register for a chance to purchase one of your own here: https://bit.ly/2yXVIl1

What do you think of the 2019 COPO Camaro? Would you want one of your own? Comment and let us know!

At Hank Graff Mt. Pleasant we strive to provide our customers with a car buying experience that is accommodating, stress-free and fun! Visit us at our Chevrolet dealership located at 4580 E Pickard Rd in Mount Pleasant, Michigan 48858 or our Buick GMC Cadillac dealership located at 116 N. Mission St in Mount Pleasant, MI 48858. 

Everything You Need to Know About No-Shave November

MT. PLEASANT, Mich -- Thanksgiving, football, and Christmas shopping is what usually comes to mind when you think November, but it's also No-Shave November! In the fall of 2009, the Hill family decided to honor their father who had passed away from colon cancer by creating the No-Shave November project. It started as an easy way for their Facebook followers to donate funds to cancer research, and in recent years has exploded into a nationwide celebration. Here at Graff Mt. Pleasant we're here to give you all the facts and information you need to do No-Shave November right.

The basic idea of No-Shave November is pretty self explanatory, forgo your usual grooming routine and embrace your hair for the many cancer patients that lose theirs due to intense treatments. However, in order to participate in No-Shave November in it's intended form, there's a little more work involved. 

Donate the cash you would usually use on razors, shaving cream, or salon grooming towards one of the three organizations funded by the No-Shave November project: Prevent Cancer Foundation, Fight Colorectal Cancer, and the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Spread awareness on social media by posting a photo of your new furry look with a few of the following hashtags:


#noshavenovember

#beard

#movember

#cancer

#men 

#beardgang 

#support



Rock some official No-Shave November project apparel that can be found on their website here: https://bit.ly/2APsiqP 

Download this super awesome poster to put above your desk, or on your local coffee shop's bulletin board https://bit.ly/2zwHZ48

These simple steps may not seem like they create much of a difference but every small act counts! In the course of this initiative's short history they've raised over $2 million dollars towards men's cancer research, and that's how we enact change. By banding together, and spreading awareness...one unshaved beard at a time.

Are you participating in No-Shave November? If so, tag us in your beard pics on social media!

At Hank Graff Mt. Pleasant we strive to provide our customers with a car buying experience that is accommodating, stress-free and fun! Visit us at our Chevrolet dealership located at 4580 E Pickard Rd in Mount Pleasant, Michigan 48858 or our Buick GMC Cadillac dealership located at 116 N. Mission St in Mount Pleasant, MI 48858.

Coach Receives First Chevy Cares Award at 2018 World Series

MT. PLEASANT, Mich -- The official vehicle of Major League baseball and the automotive sponsor of America's PLAY BALL initiative, Chevrolet has been encouraging communities to rally at the ball game since 2006. Last week, the Chevy Youth Baseball program presented their inaugural Chevy Cares award during a special, on-field ceremony at the World Series. 

The award was initiated by Chevrolet to shine a spotlight on those who dedicate their lives to train and invest in youth baseball programs in their hometown. This year's recipient, Mike Van Cleave, who was nominated by his local Chevy dealership, has dedicated over 45 years of mentorship to the young athletes of San Diego. At the age of 8, he joined the Clairemont Hilltoppers, and throughout the years has served as their coach, umpire, and board member. Today, his responsibilities for the team include uniforms and equipment, field maintenance, scheduling, and fundraising. 

Paul Edwards, U.S. Vice President of Chevrolet Marketing said "Mike goes above and beyond in his selfless dedication to youth baseball and the children on his team and in his community - His commitment and values are the same that drive all of us at Chevrolet every day to put our customers first and contribute in a meaningful way to the communities where we live and work." 

Congratulations from all of us, Mike. We appreciate your years of service to America's young athletes. Enjoy that Traverse! 

At Hank Graff Mt. Pleasant we strive to provide our customers with a car buying experience that is accommodating, stress-free and fun! Visit us at our Chevrolet dealership located at 4580 E Pickard Rd in Mount Pleasant, Michigan 48858 or our Buick GMC Cadillac dealership located at 116 N. Mission St in Mount Pleasant, MI 48858.

Give Thanks for Vegan Thanksgiving!

MT. PLEASANT, Mich -- November is National Vegan Awareness Month! In recent years, this entirely plant-based diet has garnered quite a few avid followers, and along with them, it's own share of controversy. We're sure at least one of your loved ones has adopted the zero animal product diet, so we've decided to give you a few ideas for Vegan holiday recipes to create the perfect, inclusive Thanksgiving dinner. Let's hear some thanks for vegan Thanksgiving! 

1. VEGAN ROASTED GARLIC AND HERB DINNER ROLLS

Rolls are an essential component of any holiday feast, they fill the house with that homey "warm bread smell" and are perfect for sopping up gravy and transforming your Thanksgiving leftovers. These vegan rolls from Foodal are buttery, delicious, and animal-product free! 

Get the recipe here: https://bit.ly/2yG8tRe  

2. VEGAN STUFFING

You just can't have a holiday dinner without stuffing, to put it plainly, it's a major faux pas. This hearty mushroom-laden stuffing tastes just as good, if not better than the turkey version, and the best part? It's guilt-free! 

Get the recipe here: https://bit.ly/2DdHLDm

3. VEGAN MUSHROOM GRAVY

Gravy is a commonly overlooked dish when it comes to accommodating vegans at holiday meals. It may seem like a simple sauce, but it ties the whole meal together. Substituting mushrooms for turkey is your best bet for veganizing your gravy recipe, they lend such a deep, earthy flavor that you won't even miss the meat! 

Get the recipe here: https://bit.ly/2zkokUU

4. VEGAN MASHED POTATOES

Think the creamy mashed potatoes of your dreams are impossible without the dairy? Think again. These fluffy taters will have you under their vegan spell. 

Get the recipe here: https://bit.ly/2Jvey79

5. VEGAN GREEN BEAN CASSEROLE

This veganized version of the classic green bean casserole won our taste buds approval with it's homemade "fried onions" they're so frickin' good you'll want to put them on everything! Hearty and filling this warming casserole is insanely delish! 

Get the recipe here: https://bit.ly/2Jv3zL0

6. VEGAN MAC-STUFFED SWEET POTATOES 

Swap out the traditional, sickeningly sweet marshmallow-topped sweet potato casserole for this fun and delicious side. Flavorful and smoky, this dish is sure to add that wow-factor to your holiday spread. 

Get the recipe here: https://bit.ly/2ERdjQU

7. CINNAMON PECAN ROASTED BUTTERNUT SQUASH

These sweet, autumn side dish is like having dessert for dinner. Simple,  and oh, so good. It's sure to become on of your favorite side dishes. 

Get the recipe here: https://bit.ly/2qlhAlP

8. MAPLE CRANBERRY SAUCE

Easy and delicious, this cranberry sauce is vegan, paleo, GF, and free from refined sugars! The additions of maple and orange lend it a deeper flavor, and it only takes 15 minutes to make!

Get the recipe here: https://bit.ly/2QdTO6F

9. KUNG PAO BRUSSEL SPROUTS

Asian-inspired veggies for Thanksgiving? You betcha. Surprise your guests with this out-of-left-field dish that's sweet, salty and a little spicy. These saucy veggies make the perfect appetizer, serve the leftovers with rice for the perfect "after black-friday shopping" snack

Get the recipe here: https://bit.ly/2gwm4EA

10. VEGAN TURKEY ALTERNATIVES 

Last, but not least...the main event! What can you possibly offer your vegan guests in place of the traditional turkey course? Fortunately, there's a dizzying array of meatless "turkey" and "roast" options for those following a plant-based diet, and you'd be surprised how delicious some of them can be! Check out this list of meatless products that are the perfect holiday dinner meat alternative. 

Click here: https://bit.ly/2gpSgVK

We hope this blog was helpful in giving you ideas for feeding your plant-based guests this holiday. If you try any of these recipes, feel free to comment and let us know how they turned out for you!

At Hank Graff Mt. Pleasant we strive to provide our customers with a car buying experience that is accommodating, stress-free and fun! Visit us at our Chevrolet dealership located at 4580 E Pickard Rd in Mount Pleasant, Michigan 48858 or our Buick GMC Cadillac dealership located at 116 N. Mission St in Mount Pleasant, MI 48858. 

Trio of Vintage Concept Cars With Crate Engines Unveiled at SEMA

MT. PLEASANT, Mich -- Among the other pre-released sneak peeks GM has been giving us for their 2018 SEMA exhibits, are a trio of vintage concept cars, that showcase the 2019 Chevy crate engines and the installation possibilities they create for builders. 

“Chevrolet Performance’s expanding crate engine lineup offers something for every enthusiast and his or her dream project,” said Jim Campbell, GM's U.S. vice president of performance vehicles and motorsports. Although the only photo currently released is the above pictured LT-5 6.2L powered Chevelle Laguna, vintage enthusiasts have welcomed the new performance line with open arms. 

The other concept models on display are reported to consist of the 1967 C/10 sporting the all new ZZ6 EFI 5.7L V-8 crate engine and the 1978 Silverado equipped with the L96 6.0L V-8. These new crate engines add to a 50 piece performance inventory, giving enthusiasts solid performance options they can count on to power their projects. Many are offered as connect and cruise combinations, with matching transmissions and emissions-legal E-ROD systems. 

In addition to the new crate engines, Chevrolet Performance is releasing new parts, accessory kits, and transmissions for their 2019 catalog. 

Are you loving this period look driven by modern technology? Comment and let us know! Stay tuned for more GM news every week. 

At Hank Graff Mt. Pleasant we strive to provide our customers with a car buying experience that is accommodating, stress-free and fun! Visit us at our Chevrolet dealership located at 4580 E Pickard Rd in Mount Pleasant, Michigan 48858 or our Buick GMC Cadillac dealership located at 116 N. Mission St in Mount Pleasant, MI 48858.