Wednesday, February 27, 2019

Alleviate Worry With the New Vehicle Locate Feature


MT. PLEASANT, Mich -- The myChevrolet mobile app recently received a new feature that will help ease loved ones' worries and make the process of checking-in more convenient. The feature is called Vehicle Locate and it allows Chevy owners to send automated text alerts to friends and family when their connected vehicle enters or leaves a designated boundary area, or arrives at or departs from an address. Owners can also use the feature to pinpoint the location of their connected vehicle at any given time. 

The new mobile app update replaces the Family Link service, which was solely web-based. When you set up the new vehicle locate, you can create boundary areas, as wide as a 20-mile radius or as small as a specific address. You can then select you should receive alerts when your vehicle enters or leaves that designated area. Up to 10 people can receive a specific boundary alert, and each party is given the option to opt in. 

Alejandra Gonzalez, product manager for Chevrolet's remote services said of the new feature: 

"At Chevrolet, we aim to make our drivers' lives easier through smart and purposeful technologies...Vehicle Locate provides both drivers and their loved ones with peace of mind in a variety of different drive-related scenarios." 

The functionality of the new feature goes beyond just keeping families connected. Chevrolet has identified a number of different scenarios where Vehicle Locate makes it easier to stay in touch, including: 


  • The Connected Commuter: A working professional who regularly notifies family or friends once they have left work or are nearing home. Vehicle locate eliminates the need to send a text by automatically sending out a notification.
  • The Concerned Parent: When teenagers start driving, it can be a constant point of worry for any parent. To help minimize worry, parents can work with their new drivers to receive automatic alerts when the vehicle arrives at school or when it leaves a designated radius.
  • The Modern Dater: Blind and online dates can be exciting, but the idea of meeting up with a stranger can also be somewhat concerning. Instead of regularly texting friends and family members updates on your whereabouts, daters can have their vehicle automatically send out a text once it has left the planned restaurant or once the vehicle has arrived back at home.
  • The Helpful Truck Owner: Truck owners often get requests to let friends borrow their vehicle to help move or transport large items. Vehicle Locate can help you keep tabs on your truck and anticipate its return.
Vehicle Locate will be available to Chevy owners that have an eligible 2012 model year or newer Chevrolet vehicle. The service is part of the Remote Access Plan, which also provides mobile app features like remote key fob services to remotely start, stop, lock, and unlock properly equipped GM vehicles, and on-demand diagnostics to troubleshoot common issues. 

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. 



Who Runs the World? Girls.


MT. PLEASANT, Mich -- March is National Women's Month, 31 days dedicated to recognizing the achievements of the innumerable, influential women throughout history. Plus, celebrating the amazing women we're surrounded by in our personal lives as well. In honor of this month-long jubilee, Graff Mt. Pleasant recognizes the amazing women that make our dealership a success, as well as the many incredible women across the world, and throughout time, that have left an impact. Check out this list of our favorite, powerful females, and who knows...we may even do a part 2! 





MARIE CURIE

Marie Curie was a Polish, naturalized-French, physicist and chemist who conducted pioneering research on radioactivity. She was the first woman to win a Nobel prize, as well as the first person and only woman to win twice. In addition, she was the first woman to become a professor at the University of Paris. Her achievements include the development of the theory of radioactivity, techniques for isolating radioactive isotopes, and the discovery of two elements: polonium, and radium. 


EMMA WATSON 

An English actress, model, activist, and UN ambassador, Emma Watson has made amazing strides in the world of modern feminism. As a child actress, she rose to fame through her portrayal of Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter film series. However, she solidified herself as a force to be reckoned with in 2014, when she was appointed as a UN Women Goodwill ambassador. She had a hand in launching the HeForShe campaign, which called for men to advocate for gender equality, and has delivered numerous acclaimed speeches on women's rights and the topic of feminism. 



QUEEN LILI'UOKALANI

Queen Lili'uokalani was the first queen regent and the last sovereign monarch of the Kingdom of Hawai'i. During her reign, she attempted to draft a constitution which would restore power back to the Hawaiian monarchy from the pro-American Bayonet Constitution. She was deposed by American forces in 1893, and her attempt at rebellion in 1895 ended in her arrest and imprisonment. In her later life, she pursued legal recompense from the United States government for seized land, which was never met with success. She was a champion of the economically disenfranchised, an adoptive mother, composer, and accomplished author.  



RUTH BADER GINSBERG 

An associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, and is currently the only female judge serving. She earned her bachelor's degree at Cornell University and became a wife and mother before starting law school at Harvard, where she was one of the few women in her class. She graduated, tied for first in her class, at Columbia Law School, and following law school turned to academia. She has spent a considerable amount of her legal career as an advocate of gender equality and women's rights. She has received considerable attention in American pop culture for her fiery dissents and refusal to step down; leading her to be dubbed "The Notorious R.B.G." 


GABRIELLE BONHEUR "COCO" CHANEL 

Coco Chanel, the founder and namesake of the Chanel brand, was a French fashion designer and businesswoman. She is credited with liberating women from the constraints of the "corseted silhouette" during the post-World War I era, and popularizing a sporty, casual, chic look. A prolific fashion creator, Chanel extended her influence beyond couture clothing, realizing her design aesthetic in jewelry, handbags, and fragrance (her signature scent, Chanel No. 5 is still an iconic product, purchased globally). She designed the famed, interlocked-CC monogram herself, and continued to personally oversee the brand's catalogs until her death in 1971. She passed with infinite style, being quoted announcing "You see, this is how you die.". 

BARBARA WALTERS

Barbara Walters is an American broadcast journalist, author, and television personality. She began her career in the early 1960s as a writer and segment producer of "women's interest stories" on the NBC program The Today Show. As a result of her outstanding interviewing ability and her popularity with viewers, she received more airtime on the program, and eventually became co-host, becoming the first woman to hold such a title on an American news program. In 1976, she made history once again, as the first female co-anchor on a network's evening news with ABC, earning an unprecedented $1 million per year. She has interviewed countless high profile people from across the globe, moderated a presidential debate, created and co-hosted The View, a daytime talk show with an all-female panel, and won countless awards and accolades.


JOAN OF ARC

Nicknamed the "The Maid of Orleans" Joan of Arc is considered a heroine of France for her role during the Lancastrian phase of the Hundred Years War, and was canonized as a Roman Catholic Saint. From an early age Joan claimed to see visions of the Archangel Michael, Saint Margaret, telling her to support Charles VII and to aid in recovering France from English domination. She participated in the Siege of Orleans, and gained recognition when the siege was lifted only nine days later. On May 23, 1430 she was captured and handed over to the English and put on trial for a variety of charges including heresy and cross-dressing. She was declared guilty and burned at the stake at the age of nineteen. However, in 1456 an inquisitorial court examined and debunked the trial, pronouncing her innocent and declared her a martyr. To this day, Joan of Arc remains a popular figure in literature, painting, sculpture, and numerous other cultural works. 

MICHELLE OBAMA 

An American lawyer, writer, university administrator, and former First Lady, Michelle Obama has made massive strides for women in numerous areas. She has worked as an advocate for poverty awareness, education, nutrition, physical activity, and healthy lifestyles. She attended Princeton University and graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts and after graduation became an associate at the Chicago Law firm Sidley & Austin, where she met her future husband Barack. She has also worked as an assistant to the Mayor of Chicago and as the Associate Dean of Student Services at the University of Chicago. She recently released an autobiography detailing her journey to the White House and conducted a book tour, discussing her life experiences and meeting her fans. 


FRIDA KHALO 

Frida Khalo was a Mexican artist who created a large body of work inspired by the nature and artifacts of Mexico. Her unique style explored questions of identity, postcolonialism, gender, class, and race in Mexican society. She was disabled by polio as a child, and in her teenage years was involved in a bus accident that caused lifelong pain and medical problems. In 1927 she joined the Mexican communist party through which she met her husband, fellow artist Diego Rivera. Their relationship was extremely volatile and included a year long divorce, plus numerous affairs. Through most of her life she was known mainly as Rivera's wife, and only achieved her own solo exhibition in 1953, one year before her death. Her work was rediscovered in the 1970s, and became an icon for female artists, feminists, and the LGBTQ community for her uncompromising depiction of the female experience and form. 


MARGARET ATWOOD

A Canadian poet, novelist, literature critic, inventor, teacher, and environmental activist. She has published seventeen books of poetry, sixteen novels, countless essays and various other literary works. She writes on themes including the power of language, gender and identity, climate change, and power politics. She has won numerous awards and honors, including The Man Booker Prize, Arthur C. Clark award, Governor General's Award, Franz Kafka Prize and more. In addition, she invented and developed the LongPen, along with associated technologies that facilitate the remote robotic writing of documents. Many of her works have been adapted for film or television, including: The Handmaid's Tale, Payback, The Year of the Flood, and more. 

Did you see any of your favorite influential ladies on this list? If not, who did we miss? We know it's impossible to include all of the wonderful women who have changed the course of history, so maybe we'll do a part two. Are there any other women-centric blogs you would like to see for International Women's Month? 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. 

Thursday, February 21, 2019

Quotes to Get You in the Mood for Spring


MT. PLEASANT, Mich -- It's been a rough winter, full of below zero temperatures, white-outs, and school closings. While we're not completely through with the cold season, we're certainly finishing up the worst of it. Spring is on its way, and in order to get you into the mood, we've collected a few of our favorite uplifting quotes about the season of rebirth. We hope they inspire, or at least, bring a smile to your face! 


  • "Expect to have hope rekindled. Expect your prayers to be answered in wondrous ways. The dry seasons in life do not last. The spring rains will come again." - Sarah Ban Breathnach 
  • "Spring will come and so will happiness. Hold on. Life will get warmer." - Anita Krizzan 
  • "Some old-fashioned things like fresh air and sunshine are hard to beat." - Laura Ingalls Wilder
  • "Springtime is the land awakening. The March winds are the morning yawn." - Lewis Grizzard
  • "Don't wait for someone to bring you flowers. Plant your own garden and decorate your soul." -Luther Burbank 
  • "An optimist is the human personification of spring." - Susan J Bissonette 
  • "Deep in their roots, all flowers keep the light." - Theodore Roethke
  • "It is spring again. The earth is like a child that knows poems by heart." - Rainier Maria Rillke 
  • "That is one good thing about this world...there are always sure to be more springs." - L.M. Montgomery 
  • "Can words describe the fragrance of the very breath of spring?" - Neltje Blanchan 
  • "To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow" - Audrey Hepburn
  • "Despite the forecast, live like it's spring." - Lily Pulitzer
  • "Spring: the music of open windows." - Terri Guillemets 
  • "April hath put a spirit of youth in everything" - William Shakespeare
  • "Spring won't let me stay in the house any longer! I must get out and breathe the air deeply again!" - Gustav Wahler 
  • "I have nature, and art, and poetry, and if that is not enough, what is enough?" - Vincent Van Gogh
  • "No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn." - Hal Borland
  • "April prepares her green traffic light and the world thinks go." - Christopher Morley
  • "Spring: a lovely reminder of how truly beautiful change can be." - Author Unknown
  • "The earth laughs in flowers." - Ralph Waldo Emerson
  • "Spring is the time of plans and projects." - Leo Tolstoy
  • "Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished." - Lao Tzu 
  • "I must have flowers, always and always." - Claude Monet
  • "Behold my friends, the spring is come; the earth has gladly received the embraces of the sun, and we shall soon see the results of love." - Sitting Bull 
  • "Spring shows what God can do with a drab and dirty world." - Virgil A Kraft
We hope this collection of quotes has you all fired up for the warmer months! Do you have a favorite spring quote that we missed? 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. 


Introducing the Fastest & Most Accessible Camaro Yet


MT. PLEASANT, Mich -- Coming in late February, the fastest, most accessible, and track-capable Camaro yet, the 2019 ZL1 1LE. Available with a 10-speed automatic transmission, this vehicle is optimized for speed and endurance.


During the vehicle's development, Chevy engineers pushed the limits of the automatic transmission to be more than one half second faster than the standard manual on General Motors' 2.9-mile Milford Road Course. However, this vehicle doesn't just save you time at the track, it gives customers a  more engaging driving experience due to a plethora of other performance options like: 

  • Downforce-Producing Aero: unique features include a carbon fiber rear wing, specific air deflectors and dive planes on the front fascia that produce grip-generating downforce to help the car stick harder and drive faster in turns.
  • Adjustable Suspension: Racing derived, lightweight Multimac DSSV dampers front and rear offer exceptional wheel and vehicle control. The front-end ride height is adjustable, along with the camber geometry. The rear stabilizer bar also offers three-way adjustability.
  • Wheels and Tires: Specific lightweight forged aluminum wheels are an inch wider but an inch smaller in diameter, front and rear, than standard ZL1 wheels and are used with new summer-only Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar 3R tires that deliver max lateral grip of 1.10g. 
  • Lighter Weight: The lighter wheels and dampers, along with thinner rear glass and a fixed-back rear seat, contribute to more than 50-pound lower curb weight than a standard ZL1 Coupe.
  • Supercharged Performance & More: The power behind the ZL1 1LE is the 650-horsepower, supercharged LT4 engine. Brembo brakes are included, along with dual-zone automatic climate control, Bose premium audio system, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel.
The new transmission comes with many changes that live up to the requirements of the 1LE performance package. Unique calibrations were made to the transmission, electronic limited slip differential, and performance traction management system. The front and rear Multimac DSSV dampers have been tuned to accommodate the quicker shifts in weight transfer. New hardware includes an updated transmission oil pan and an additional cooling duct for the steering gear. 

All these upgrades are just another way that Chevrolet is upping their game for 2019. Steve Majoros, director of Chevrolet passenger car and crossover marketing said of the new package: 

"Adding an automatic transmission is another example of the Camaro portfolio delivering what customers want. This ultimate 1LE package is just another appealing option that is true to its racing heritage." 

Want to purchase the ZL1 1LE Track Performance Package for yourself? The MSRP is $7,500 and the available 10-speed automatic transmission is an additional MSRP of $1,595. Want more details? Head over to the Chevrolet website now! 

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. 


Friday, February 15, 2019

The 2020 Silverado HD is Here!


MT. PLEASANT, Mich -- It's a boy...it's a girl...it's a 2020 Silverado HD! Join us in welcoming the newest addition to the Chevy truck family. This soon-to-be truck legend is the strongest, most capable Silverado ever made - offering 52% more towing capabilities, class-leading technologies, and an expanded range of customer choices. 


The vehicle's chief engineer, Jaclyn McQuaid spoke out on the truck's release saying: 

"We set out to make the best HD trucks on the market, bar none...we increased towing capabilities across the line, added class-leading towing technologies, and a host of changes to make tasks easier" 

Built at the Flint assembly plant in Michigan this truck is longer, wider, and taller than any of its predecessors, with a wheelbase that's been stretched 5.2 inches on Crew Cab models and is scaled for HD customers. It will also be available with 5 distinct trim levels: Work Truck, Custom, LT, LTZ, and High Country - so that you can choose the truck that fits your life. 

Customers can also choose between two new powertrains. The standard engine is a new 6.6L V-8 gas with direct injection making 401 HP and 464 lb-ft of torque. Then there's the legendary Duramax 6.6L Turbo-Diesel V-8 engine making 445 HP and 910 lb-ft of torque, coupled with the all-new Allison 10-speed automatic transmission.

Some other highlights include:
  • Autotrac active two-speed transfer case on 4x4 models
  • Advanced trailering system technologies 
  • HD-exclusive sculpted exterior design
  • Heavy-duty details designed to make work easier and more intuitive
  • BedStep 
  • Larger cab
Are you excited about the all-new 2020 Silverado HD? Comment and let us know why, or why not. We love hearing from 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. 

Welcome Spring With These DIY Crafts!


MT. PLEASANT, Mich -- We've almost made it out of the winter months! This year, the cold season was unreasonably bitter, and if you're anything like us, you can't wait for the weather to warm up a bit. While we still have a little ways to go, you can definitely get the spring vibes rolling with these cute DIY craft ideas! If you happen to try any of these out, comment and let us know how they turned out. We love hearing from you! 


COLANDER PLANTERS

Forget flower pots! Turn your favorite flowers into this cute DIY display. 

Get the tutorial now: http://bit.ly/2EbfsEF


MASON JAR SOAP DISPENSER 

Add a little springy touch to your kitchen or bathroom sink with this totally adorable soap dispenser! 

Get the tutorial now: http://bit.ly/2X1H5HQ


PATIO PAVERS

Jazz up your patio pavers with this easy and cheap idea! 

Get the tutorial now: http://bit.ly/2TN0Zo4

STENCILED ANIMAL MUGS

How cute are these? You'd never guess they were DIY right? 

Get the stencils now: https://amzn.to/2EdRTLM

CUTE BIRD FEEDER

Make these adorable bird feeders with cookie cutters, mason jar lids, or whatever molds you have around the house. 

Get the tutorial now: http://bit.ly/2SBwowZ


RAINBOW EDGE STATIONARY 

Update your home office with this cute, springy stationary. 

Get the tutorial now: http://bit.ly/2SPfpXz

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. 

Thursday, February 7, 2019

New Chevrolet Campaign Features...LEGO!


MT. PLEASANT, Mich -- Chevrolet just dropped an all-new campaign series, consisting of television, social media, and movie theatre ads today featuring a LEGO brick replica of the 2019 Silverado 1500 High Country and characters from the new big-screen, animated feature "The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part." which hits theatres on Feb. 8

In the ads, Emmet and Lucy escape a mysterious alien invader in a Satin Steel Metallic Silverado 1500 High Country made of LEGO bricks. Want to see more than shown in the ad? Head to your local movie theatre on February 8th for this fun and action-packed sequel, where Emmet, Lucy, and their friends reunite to save their beloved city from a new threat and journey to unexplored new worlds.

Paul Edwards U.S. Vice President of Chevrolet Marketing explained the project this way: 

"From Emmet's custom High Country to the real-life Trail Boss that inspired the full-size LEGO brick model, we have a Silverado for everyone - both LEGO mini-figures and everyday drivers...the new ads are a fun addition to our Silverado campaign and will hopefully attract the next generation of truck buyers to Chevrolet." 

Emmet, Lucy, and the custom LEGO mini-build High Country are featured in similar social media posts on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Unique to Instagram stories, fans can build their own LEGO Chevy Silverado one brick at a time, with a tap-to-assemble opportunity with the film's characters. The 30-second version of the ad will also run in Spanish target markets.

Are you planning on seeing the LEGO movie sequel? Why or why not? 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. 

A Guide to Enjoying Valentines Day While You're Single


MT. PLEASANT, Mich -- Valentine's Day is right around the corner, and if you're not in a relationship, you might be dreading spending the popular romantic holiday alone. Chin up! Just because you're not taken doesn't mean you can't enjoy an awesome V-day on your own! Here's our guide to enjoying Valentine's Day while you're unattached. Relationship status? Self-empowered. 


A SPA DAY IS ALWAYS A GOOD IDEA 

Pro Tip: When you're single on Valentines Day, you get to spoil the MOST special person: YOU! Go all out with a massage, facial, acupuncture treatment or Reiki session, whatever feels good for you, because let's be real, you absolutely deserve it. Not into spas? Head to the gym, take a hot yoga class or go for a nature walk. Do whatever feeds your soul, because you're worth it. 

PAY IT FORWARD

Not only is Valentines Day the holiday of love, but it also falls right in the middle of National Random Acts of Kindness Week! Pass some good karma out, because you never know exactly how much it will impact someone else's life. Check out volunteer opportunities in your area, visit a senior, pay for a stranger's lunch, the possibilities are endless. Plus, you'll be surprised by how fulfilling showing pure, selfless love for others can be. 


HIT UP YOUR SQUAD

If you're lacking a little romance in your life, don't despair! Celebrate the love you share with your amazing friends! Write them a platonic love letter, have a V-Day potluck, go on a friend date, or have a night in with some good old Netflix and popcorn. The best part about spending the holiday with your besties? Guaranteed fun, no expectations. 

WEAR SOMETHING FESTIVE 

Get into the spirit of the day, and wear something that makes you feel good. Turn it up a notch with a cute little black dress, some red heels, and a show-stopping makeup look. Wear whatever makes you feel strong and beautiful. If you have to be with someone else to dress up, well, you're missing the point... EMPOWER YOURSELF! 

DO YOU

It's your day and no one else's, so do what makes you feel happy and content. If the thought of going out into the world and running into happy couples as far as the eye can see makes you feel like cringing, STAY IN! Rock those sweatpants you should have thrown away 10 years ago, and slay that messy bun game. Cook your favorite food, or order a large pizza all for yourself. Cuddle with your dog or cat, and pop in your favorite comedic film. There is no judgment here because it's all about DOING YOU. 

DO SOME INTROSPECTION

A little self-evaluation is always a great idea, and what better day to look at where you've been and where you want to be than Valentines Day? Reflect on how your past loves have made you a better person, celebrate your bravery and strength as a single person, or meditate on what you want in a future partner and put that law of attraction into action. 

TREAT YOURSELF

Stop eyeing that pair of earrings, or those super cute shoes and just buy them! Take yourself out to the nicest restaurant in town and treat yourself to a meal fit for a celebrity. You don't need a partner to feel spoiled, just activate that self-love, and splurge away. It doesn't have to be a super expensive purchase, just something that will make your heart content. 

How are you planning on spending your Valentines Day? Whether you're single or with someone special, we hope that you have an awesome day celebrating all the love that exists in the world. Planning to try any of our suggestions for enjoying the holiday on your own? Comment and let us know! We love hearing from 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.