GM Officially Announces Plans for Electric Pickup

MT. PLEASANT, Mich -- It's official: GM is planning on building an electric pickup. This new has been highly speculated for several months but was recently confirmed by GM CEO, Mary Barra, on a call with investors, following her report of the corporation's 2019 first-quarter earnings. 

Recently, GM and Plymouth-based electric vehicle start-up Rivian had been in talks with the intention of collaborating on an electric project together, but that appeared to fall apart rather quickly as rival Ford Motor Co. announced it would invest $500 million in the small company to develop all-new, battery-electric vehicles for the Ford portfolio. 

GM has made it clear through numerous talks and press releases that it is in the early stages of a plan to release 20 new electric vehicles by 2023, and since pickups are a key profit-driver for GM as well as their Detroit competitors, it only makes sense that an electric truck would be in the works. To further add to the seriousness of this announcement, GM has been slowly working behind the scenes to restructure its leadership to prepare for this electrification pivot - promoting former electric-vehicle development chief Pamela Fletcher to the senior leadership team in September, in addition to former global product chief Mark Reuss to president of GM earlier this year. 

Mary Barra led into the announcement stating that: 

"GM has an industry-leading truck franchise and industry-leading electrification capabilities. I assure you we will not cede our leadership on either front...we intend to create an all-electric future that will include a complete range of EVs - including full-size pickups." 


She then went on to say that she would share more details when it became "competitively appropriate". All other GM spokespeople have declined to comment. 

How do you feel about the idea of an electric pickup? Is it a hit or a miss for you? 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.

GM's High Truck Sales Allow Financing for Self-Driving Cars

MT. PLEASANT, Mich -- General Motors is pushing ahead in the electric/self-driving car game, and their self-given deadline to deploy a fleet of autonomous vehicles for ride-sharing is fast approaching! 

In a press conference in February, when asked about the corporation's progress on the project, Mary Barra stated that GM was "continuing to make rapid progress with the technology" and that they were "the only player out there with the hardware and the software under one roof". 

But that kind of progress comes with a fair amount of spending, so how is the corporation able to afford this project? They're relying on their core business: trucks. GM reported a net profit of $2.1 billion for the first quarter, up from $1.1 billion a year ago! 

Numerous skeptics on Wall Street, and from other automakers have come out with statements that express doubt towards GM's ability to hold to their established timeline, but the Detroit carmaker is not backing down from their promises. Do you think GM will be able to meet their deadline of releasing a self-driving fleet of vehicles by late this year/early next? Why or why not? 

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.

Access Yelp On-the-Go in Your Buick

MT. PLEASANT, Mich -- Your Buick can now make on-the-go reservations at a variety of restaurants with just a few taps on your infotainment touchscreen. This feature is part of a recent update to Buick marketplace, the industry's first in-vehicle commerce platform - and is just another way Buick is using connectivity to enhance vehicles and create new and convenient customer experiences. 

Within the Marketplace app, Yelp reservations, allows customers to search for restaurants in a 25-mile radius of their vehicle's location and reserve a table for up to 10 people. Users can segment their search by types of cuisine, such as Seafood or Mexican, and view the restaurant's rating and general price range. The app also lets drivers call a restaurant directly. Sam Russell. director of Buick Marketing commented on the new feature saying: 

"Whether drivers want to make a dinner reservation on the go, or get recommendations for restaurants in a new city, the newly added Yelp Reservations brings simple convenience to the car, making new features like this available for vehicles already on the road enhances our vehicles with unexpected new benefits for our customers." 

With more than 160 million reviews, Yelp is a trusted resource for connecting consumers with great local businesses. With the availability of Yelp Reservations, Buick drivers can learn about the best restaurants nearby and easily book a table at participating restaurants. Vice President of Products at Yelp, Natarajan Subbiah said of the new integration: 

"Getting a table at an amazing restaurant should be easy, and we're excited to be making that possible by bringing Yelp Reservations directly into vehicles across the country. By embedding the Yelp Reservations booking experience into Buick Vehicles, drivers have a fun, easy way to discover and secure a table at the best restaurants in their area." 

Buick Marketplace is available on all 2017 and newer models in the U.S. depending on vehicle trim level. In addition to Yelp Reservations, Marketplace also allows Buick drivers to place mobile food and drink orders, pay for fuel at gas stations, and find dealer offers for vehicle service and the latest vehicle accessories, all from the convenience, safety, and security of their vehicle's touchscreen. 

Utilize Yelp Reservations on your Buick Marketplace to discover your next amazing dining experience today! Have feedback on this new feature? 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. 

Round Two of Chevrolet and LEGO

MT. PLEASANT, Mich -- In 2017, a partnership between Warner Bros. and Chevrolet was forged to bring the LEGO Batmobile from Chevy to life. At the opening of the North American Auto Show, these brands released a new partnership: an exact, life-size replica of the all-new, 2019 Silverado 1500 LT Trail Boss, which will eventually make an appearance in mini-build form in the Lego Movie sequel, coming to theatres on February 8th. 

The life-size project was built by eighteen specially-trained LEGO master builders. Hand-selecting and placing each of the 334, 544 blocks took over 2,000 hours, but all that sweat and time was worth it. The finished model features such realistic details as working lights and graphic design features straight off the real-life Silverado. Full LEGO Silverado specs are listed below.

• The model is 72 inches high, 240 inches long, and 96 inches wide
• It weighs 3, 307 pounds
• The most common brick used was the 2x8 stud brick
• It was designed and assembled in the LEGO Group's model shop in Enfield, Connecticut

Chevrolet is thrilled about this fun collaboration, with Sandor Piszar, director of Chevrolet truck marketing stating: 

"Chevrolet is once again thrilled to be working with Warner Bros. to integrate the brand and one of our most iconic products - Silverado - into the 'LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part'...the themes of determination and teamwork in the new movie align perfectly with our Chevy brand values, and we are sure that the all-new Silverado has the features, technologies, and strength that would help Emmett, Lucy and their friends as they take on exciting new challenges." 

Want to learn more about this project? Watch the video below, and make sure you stop by the Chevy display at the North American Auto Show to see the full-size LEGO Silverado for yourself. 

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. 

GM "Cruises" Into the Future of Self-Driving Cars

MT. PLEASANT, Mich -- In recent years GM's Cruise has emerged as an industry leader in autonomous vehicle technology, growing from 40 to 1,000 employees at it's San Francisco headquarters, and with recent investments by Honda and SoftBank reaching a valuation of $14.6 billion. They're now ready to take the next step in commercializing self-driving vehicles, led by their fearless new CEO Dan Ammann. 

As GM president, Ammann spearheaded the 2016 acquisition of Cruise, and completely forged and oversaw the relationship between the companies. As someone deeply familiar with Cruise's business, technology and team, he was a perfect choice for CEO. In a recent press conference he sad "I am excited to dedicate 100% of my time and energy into helping the Cruise team realize our mission of deploying this technology at scale" 

The goal of this operation is, as explained by GM CEO Mary Barra, to "Transform mobility through the safe deployment of self-driving technology and move us closer to our vision for a future with zero crashes, zero emissions, and zero congestion." 

Part of this new era for GM Cruise includes an autonomous ride-hailing service that is set to launch in 2019. The company has not officially released a statement indicating what city will be selected for the maiden voyage of this service, but all signs indicate that Cruise's hometown of San Francisco will snag the honor. 

What do you think of the strides currently being made towards launching autonomous vehicle technology? Would you use the new GM Cruise self-driving, ride-hailing service? Why or why not? 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. 

The Brands of General Motors Team Up to Provide Assistance to Hurricane Florence Survivors

MT. PLEASANT, Mich. -- Hurricane Florence, which made landfall in the Carolinas on September 14th, is reported to have caused an estimated $38 billion in property damage, making it the 6th costliest hurricane to have affected the United States to date. In the wake of the devastation, thousands of people are left to pick up the pieces and rebuild, but they won't have to go it completely alone.

In order to help customers in the area recover quickly, General Motors has mobilized all brands underneath its banner - including OnStar, GM Financial, Customer Sales, and Aftercare - to launch several special relief efforts.

These efforts include:

• Complementary Crisis Assist from OnStar to customers with properly equipped GM vehicles (2006 and newer) in affected areas. They are providing such emergency services as routing assistance, survival resource information, Hands-Free Calling minutes and 4G LTE Wi-Fi data via AT&T. On top of that, enrollment in OnStar is not required.

• GM Financial is assisting impacted customers with payment arrangements and waiving most related fees. Eligible customers who must replace a vehicle destroyed in the storm may qualify for a 90-day deferred first payment on a new vehicle.

• GM Genuine Parts and ACDelco is providing expedited delivery of service parts to help speed up vehicle repairs.

• New and used vehicles are being sent to the region to help meet expected replacement demand, including demand for pre-owned vehicles, courtesy transportation, and insurance rentals.

• Those replacing a vehicle damaged by the storm in the region are eligible for $1,000 in purchase assistance for almost all 2018 and 2019 models under the GM brand, in addition to other incentives such as GM's military and first responder discounts. Customers who are leasing are eligible for $500 lease allowance, on top of the aforementioned incentives.

• Residents of North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and Georgia must present an insurance claim form indicating vehicle damage as a result of Hurricane Florence. The offer is valid until the end of October, excludes select trim levels, and is not available with some other offers.

“The entire GM family of brands and services has come together to aid those experiencing the devastation caused by Hurricane Florence – this is personal for us as many of our families, friends, dealer partners, and employees are among those directly impacted,” says Alan Batey, president of GM North America.

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.

GM Helps to Foster the Future of Women in Engineering

MT. PLEASANT, Mich. -- General Motors engineer Keysha Camps is helping to build the future of women in engineering by teaching a group of twenty high school girls in Detroit the skills they need to succeed. The Mercy Midnight Storm (after the Mercy Education Project from which they hail) is the all-girl robotics team headed up by Camps, who she says are the future of autonomous vehicle technology.

The Mercy Midnight Storm is first all-girl robotics team out of Detroit to be part of FIRST Robotics (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) and competes against other Michigan high schools in various competitions. An initiative for youth around the world, FIRST strives to drive interest and education in the fields of science and technology through accessible and innovative programs.

The mentorship of Camps to the girls on the team is extremely important, as women make up only 14% of American engineers and one-in-four bachelor's degrees in engineering are awarded to women. Camps aims to shatter this glass ceiling by being a positive female role model to girls with an interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers and encouraging them to break down gender barriers in these predominately male fields.

Camps says that she initially decided to join the FIRST organization because she was inspired by the numerous non-profits operating in the city aimed at improving the lives of youth. Her efforts with the Mercy Midnight Storm reflects the example set by GM CEO Mary Barra, who herself holds a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering along with an MBA.

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.

Cadillac Continues Rollout of Super Cruise Feature For Other Models

MT. PLEASANT, Mich. – The rollout of the Cadillac Super Cruise, a hands-free freeway driver assistance feature, continues on with the feature becoming available further in 2020 on all different Cadillac models. After it is implemented in Cadillac models, the feature will make its way onto other GM (General Motors) cars. If you are driving on the freeway, such a feature could provide a great deal of increased safety and calm the nerves of many drivers out on the road. The Super Cruise feature is made up of high precision GPS, a state-of-the-art driver attention system, a network of radar and camera sensors, and precision LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) map data. The system requires an active OnStar service plan with functioning emergency services. The system allows drivers to go over 130,000 miles of limited-access freeways in Canada and the USA. This system allows for the drivers to remain focused and it also detects when a driver needs to be more attentive to the road. This does not serve as a reason for drivers to not pay attention to the road. They still need to remain vigilant while driving. GM Global Product Development, Purchasing, and Supply Chain Executive Vice President Mark Reuss said this reflects the brand’s commitment to innovation.

“The expansion of Super Cruise and V2X communications technology demonstrates Cadillac’s commitment to innovation, and to making customers’ lives better,” Reuss stated. “GM is just as committed to ushering in a new era of personal transportation, and technologies like these will enable it.”

That is not the only thing that Cadillac is implementing in their quest to be the most innovative automotive brand out there. The auto brand is looking at offering V2x communications in a high volume crossover, which they can eventually expand across the many different models Cadillac offers. What is intriguing about this development is how Cadillac had introduced vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communications on the CTS sedan, using Dedicated Short-Range Communications (DSRC) technology, in 2017. They are seeking to utilize the Basic Safety Message as a base on which to build an extension to the roadway between other roadway users such as pedestrians and cyclists and the infrastructure itself. This will establish a V2X ecosystem, and different vehicles will be notified of traffic light statuses, changing work zones, hazardous road conditions, and more. Drivers will be notified of possible threats in time to avoid a crash with a range of around 1,000 feet. Cadillac President Steve Carlisle said this shows that the automotive brand is the leader for GM in the area of cutting-edge innovation.

“Cadillac is proud to be the leader for the company’s innovation,” Carlisle said. “Groundbreaking technologies like these continue to provide unparalleled comfort and convenience for our customers.”

Cadillac continues to make new and exciting decisions about their motor vehicles. Should you be interested in one of their cutting-edge vehicles, Graff Mt. Pleasant can help you discover one of the best vehicles out there. There are many options for you to choose from and our friendly staff of automotive professionals will help you make the selection to best suit your needs and budget.

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 Safest GM Vehicles Available

MT. PLEASANT, Mich., – Every year, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety releases their top picks for vehicle safety. These vehicles obtain this title when they receive the highest rankings in crashworthiness tests, front crash prevention, roof strength, head restraints, and overlap strength. Every vehicle is given these rigorous tests each year, but few receive high rankings. Take a look at the safest GM vehicles available. These vehicles have passed through thorough inspections, earning Top Safety Picks in their individual vehicle categories for their outstanding dedication to vehicle safety.

2017 Chevrolet Volt - Top Safety Pick+, Small Car

The 2017 Chevrolet Volt received a Top Safety Pick+ as one of the highest ranked vehicles in the Small Cars category. The 2017 Volt is equipped with optimal crash prevention, and its wide variety of safety features allow drivers to remain secure on the road, whether they're backing out of their driveway or merging onto a highway. If you'd like to learn more about the 2017 Chevrolet Volt, download the Volt brochure or browse our Volt inventory for a closer look at one of the top-rated vehicles in safety this year!

2017 Chevrolet Bolt - Top Safety Pick, Small Car

An industry leader in electric vehicles, the 2017 Chevrolet Bolt earned a Top Safety Pick for high marks on its structure, safety cage, roof strength, and optimal front crash prevention. The 2017 Bolt comes with a suite of additional safety features available to owners that maximizes drivers' safety on the road. Take a look at our 2017 Bolt Inventory to see what this revolutionary electric vehicle has to offer!

2017 Chevrolet Malibu - Top Safety Pick, Midsize Car

Earning outstanding rankings for its front crash prevention with and without Low Speed Automatic Braking technology, the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu stands out on its own as a Top Safety Pick in its category. This impressive, fuel efficient vehicle received good rankings for its standard safety features, including its overlap front, seats, and restraints. Take a look at the variety of trim levels and optimal safety features the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu has to offer by downloading a 2017 Malibu brochure today!

2017 Buick LaCrosse - Top Safety Pick, Large Car

The 2017 Buick LaCrosse is one of three vehicles to earn a Top Safety Pick ranking as a Large Car. After getting behind the wheel of this one-of-a-kind vehicle, you'll see why! Its head restraints, front, and sides of the vehicle have allowed the 2017 LaCrosse to earn its Top Safety Pick as one of the safest vehicles of its class. Read up on the safety features of the 2017 Buick LaCrosse at its model overview page to view features, pricing, and reviews!

2017 Buick Envision - Top Safety Pick+, Midsize Luxury SUV

One of the highest ranking midsize luxury SUVs of its class, the 2017 Buick Envision has everything a vehicle owner could want and more with its advanced safety technology and features. Earning outstanding rankings for its optimal front crash prevention and its specific headlight features, it is clear to see why the 2017 Buick Envision is ranked so high. Get behind the wheel of a 2017 Envision today by scheduling a test drive to experience optimal safety, fuel efficiency, and more!

Take a look at the IIHS Top Safety Picks for yourself to see how the rest of General Motors' lineup stacks up against the competition! You can also see what these vehicles have to offer for yourself at our vehicle lineup, featuring pricing, reviews, details, inventory, and more. Ensure the safety of your passengers with the safest GM vehicles available and take one out for a test drive today! If safety is something you value in your vehicle, take a look at the vast range of Chevrolet safety features available for your vehicle so you're prepared for any situation!

At Graff Buick GMC Cadillac, 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.

Websites: Chevrolet: HankGraffMtPleasant.com and Buick GMC Cadillac: GraffBGC.com

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GM Produces First Self-Driving Chevrolet Vehicles

MT. PLEASANT, Mich.–– The future is right around the corner. Last month, GM announced that it had finished production of 130 self-driving Chevrolet Bolt vehicles. GM believes that this will help them gain a foothold in the race to create autonomous vehicles. Get a firsthand look into the future of driving as GM produces the first self-driving Chevrolet vehicles! While the timetable for these vehicles hasn't been released to the public, this technology's inception will revolutionize driving for everyone in the future. Read on to learn more about Chevrolet's cutting-edge autonomous vehicle's features!

The self-driving Chevy Bolt EV vehicles were revealed at the Orion Assembly Plant last month. GM has vowed to be the first car company to produce mass-marketed self-driving vehicles to the public, and with the revelation of the autonomous Bolt EV, are showing that they're capable of mass producing these vehicles. These Bolt EV vehicles are Level-4 autonomous vehicles, which means they're able to drive themselves in most situations, but need someone alert and ready behind the wheel to take control in case of any emergencies.

The Bolt's LIDAR, or laser radar technology, gives the vehicle a 360 degree view of its surroundings to allow it to adjust its speed and brake accordingly. They are equipped with sensors, radars, and cameras to keep their drivers safe in any situation, but can still be driven like a normal vehicle if need be. 

"Each LIDAR has 32 lasers and spins 360 degrees, providing a detailed view of the world to the car," said Kyle Vogt, CEO of Cruise Automation, a company acquired by GM last year that develops the software necessary to operate self-driving cars. “There are even a couple of cameras that are dedicated just to seeing traffic lights to make sure you don’t run red lights.”

GM's CFO, Chuck Stevens, has vowed to run the self-driving department like a Silicon Valley startup company, investing over $150 million per quarter in the technology to make sure it's available to the public soon. They have also hired over 1,000 new engineers to help produce and innovate this technology at an accelerated rate to market it to the public. While other vehicle companies like Ford and BMW have promised to publicly sell autonomous vehicles by 2021, GM hopes to have their self-driving cars on the road sooner than that with additional help from their investments and engineering prowess.

The Chevy Bolt EV is available to consumers today, with its award-winning capabilities and state-of-the-art technology. While it may not have self-driving technology yet, you can learn more about its features with our model overview. You can download the brochure, read up on its capabilities, and check prices, too! Last month, GM produced its first self-driving Chevrolet vehicle, and soon, this futuristic feature will be available to you! The future will be in your hands before you know it!

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.

Websites: Chevrolet: HankGraffMtPleasant.com and Buick GMC Cadillac: GraffBGC.com

The 2016 Cadillac SRX Crossover Combines the Best of Everything

If you are looking for a crossover vehicle with room, the latest safety and technology features, and unique style then look no further! The 2016 Cadillac SRX Crossover combines the best of everything giving you an unforgettable driving experience.

Here are just some of the features you will find in the 2016 Cadillac SRX:

Technology Features – Top technologies provide convenience and comfort for your driving experience including:

• A memory package that records up to two different driver presets, which remember seat placement and mirror positioning.
• A chilled glove box to keep drinks cold.
• A power lift gate also provides easy loading and unloading with a simple touch.       

Drivers will experience the effortless performance of the 3.6L V6 engine with reassuring 308 hp for smooth acceleration. Also available is sport suspension and all-wheel drive for control in all types of weather.

Interior Comfort and Bold appearance – The sharp image of the Cadillac SRX is carried through inside and out. The triple-sealed doors insulate the SRX from outside sounds and road noise, making the driving experience peaceful and personal. The ultra-view sunroof expands over both rows of seating provides an open feel for every passenger. The ultimate features in comfort are the heated and ventilated front seats giving a cozy ride no matter the weather.

Safety driven – Safety is always priority. The Cadillac SRX is constantly monitoring your vehicle’s movements with state of the art radar sensors and cameras. Side blind zone alerts make sure you are always aware of objects in your blind spots. The front and rear park assist systems help you park smoothly and safely. Safety alert seats provide pulses on each side of the driver’s seat making you aware of a potential crash risk.

The 2016 Cadillac SRX combines the best of everything you’re looking for in a crossover. Contact us at Hank Graff Mt. Pleasant for more vehicle details or visit us and we’ll set you up with a test drive.

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.

Websites: Chevrolet: HankGraffMtPleasant.com and Buick GMC Cadillac: GraffBGC.com

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GM Just Introduced it’s New Car-Sharing Program, Maven

MT. PLEASANT, Mich. – GM just introduced it’s new car-sharing service called Maven in Ann Arbor, and soon you’ll be able to rent a car for a few hours or an entire day with just a push of a button.

Select students and faculty members will be the first to use GM’s new car sharing program, Maven. In the next few weeks, though, Maven, a phone app, will be made available to more than 100,000 people in Ann Arbor before expanding to other major cities including New York and Chicago.

With Maven you’ll be able to locate, reserve, unlock, start, and stop the vehicle. Throughout Ann Arbor, there will be 21 parking lots that make it easy to find a vehicle.

There are a few benefits to using Maven, including:

• Free to join (limited time offer)
• No fuel costs
• Cars with tons of features & amenities
• Latest technologies
• Hourly and daily rates
• Insurance included
• Safe & Reliable

There are plenty of vehicle options for you to choose from as well. For a smaller car, you can reserve the Chevy Volt or Spark. For a midsize sedan option the Chevy Malibu is available, and for a larger SUV option the Chevy Tahoe is available. Each vehicle is priced differently according to size, but costs range from $6–12 for hourly payments, or $42–84 for daily fees.

The Maven platform is as simple as following these steps:

1. Get the app.
2. Choose your car.
3. Take a drive.
4. Just hit end.

If you’re interested in signing up or learning more, check out the Maven link here: https://www.mavendrive.com.

Want to drive your own Chevy? We can help you out at Graff Mt. Pleasant! Stop by our dealership today and we’ll find you a great vehicle to take home. 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.

Websites: Chevrolet: HankGraffMtPleasant.com and Buick GMC Cadillac: GraffBGC.com

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Buick Introduces the Stylish Avista Concept

MT. PLEASANT, Mich. – Buick just introduced the stylish Avista concept at the North American International Auto Show, and it's beautiful! This car is a 2+2 coupe––a seating arrangement that makes room for the driver and one passenger in the front plus two smaller seats for occasional passengers in the rear––that really highlights the design and performance ability of Buick.

Buick's stylish Avista concept was introduced promoting the idea of fluidity. The design is very sleek and flowing to suggest motion, resembling Buick’s similar design with the Avenier concept and production version of the 2017 LaCrosse.

Vice president of Golbal Buick Sales, Service and Marketing, Duncan Aldred, says, “The Avista embodies the dynamic soul of Buick. It is a modern expression of the brand’s heritage of sophisticated performance, communicated with beautiful elegance.”

The grille of the Avista features Buick’s new winged tri-shield insignia set against a three-dimensional mesh background. The front and rear of the car also use Buick’s signature wing-shaped lighting with “soft curtain” details that create halo-like lighting around the lamps’ edges, making it look like a three-dimensional shape and sculpture.

Other exterior feature include:

• 110.7in wheelbase and 63in front/ 62,9in rear tracks for sporty proportions
• 20in aluminum wheels with color-toned accents
• Front fender vents with chrome accents

The performance part of the vehicle comes into play with a 400 horsepower twin-turbocharged V6 engine with rear wheel drive and a driver-focused cockpit that offers a comfortable and connected center of control. Complimenting the engine is an eight-speed automatic transmission along with Magnetic Ride control to give the driver more precise motion control.

Inside the Buick Avista concept, you’ll find a center console that uses touch screen controls and extends to the rear seating. There are side storage compartments built into the front of the console that are enabled by the Electronic Precision Shift.

The interior design echoes with the Superior Blue color, and is paired with Mist Gray leather seating inserts, console trim, and door trim. There are also carbon fiber and aluminum accents throughout the vehicle to reinforce the performance-oriented driving experience. Lastly, the fading pattern on the seats, console, and doors are inspired by the waves of a beach.

To enhance passengers' riding experience in the Buick Avista––because it’s not all about the driver––designers hooked into the passengers’ senses with next-generation QuietTuning and air-quality control, which includes advance noise cancellation technology, iconic air purifiers, and aromatherapy.

If you’d like to get a better look at the Buick Avista concept, you can visit the Detroit Auto Show this week. You can get your own Buick now at Graff Mt. Pleasant. Head over to our dealership and we’ll find the perfect vehicle for you to take home! 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.

Websites: Chevrolet: HankGraffMtPleasant.com and Buick GMC Cadillac: GraffBGC.com

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GM is Taking the Lead in Solar Energy For the Automotive Industry

MT.PLEASANT, Mich. – According to the Solar Means Business report released by the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), GM is taking the lead in solar energy for the automotive industry.

Not only is GM taking the lead in solar energy for the automotive industry, but it’s also ranked No. 20 in the top 25 solar-powered companies in the U.S. GM joined SEIA in 2013 to advocate for a stronger US solar industry. GM has added 10 solar arrays since then and also helped launch the Business Renewables Center.

In the next few months, GM has plans to add more than 2 megawatts of solar energy to its facilities. One of the additions will be a 466-kilowatt array at their Rochester Operations facility in New York. Another will be here in Michigan with an 800-kilowatt array at the Warren Transmission plant.

Adding to these solar arrays, GM is installing an 850-kilowatt array at their Bowling Green plant, home of the Chevrolet Corvette, in Kentucky. It will be the largest solar installation done by any car company in Kentucky. The array will generate 1.2 million kilowatt hours of energy annually, enough to make about 850 Corvettes.

Overall, GM has an industry-leading 11.4 megawatts of solar arrays powering through 16 U.S. facilities. These arrays generate about 15 million kilowatt hours of energy, which eliminates about 11 million pounds of coal burned.

You can make a green footprint with us by buying one of our used cars for sale near Isabella County. Come by Graff Mt. Pleasant today and we’ll help you find a great car to take home!

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.

Websites: Chevrolet: HankGraffMtPleasant.com and Buick GMC Cadillac: GraffBGC.com

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GM Launches New Car Sharing Program

MT.PLEASANT, Mich. – A big change in the city for New Yorkers! It’s not worth having a car in the city because of the hassle and cost, but GM launched a new car-sharing program called Let’s Drive NYC, and it's the perfect solution.

GM has paired with The Ritz Plaza, a 479-unit apartment building, and Icon Parking, owner of 200 parking structures in the city, to design their new car-sharing program, Let’s Drive NYC.

The only people eligible to use GM’s new car-sharing program are the residents of The Ritz Plaza. Each has a GM-developed app on their phone that will reserve a vehicle and parking for them within the city. Options for vehicles are 10 Chevrolet cars including eight Trax and two Equinox, but more are to be added later.

Considering the lease payments of the residents, The Ritz Plaza has given credit for three hours of rental per month. Any additional time will cost renters less than $10 an hour and up to $75 for a 24-hour reservation. 

The Ritz Plaza is proud to make the lifestyle of its residents better and easier with GM, a leader with an urban mobility strategy. GM also has car-sharing programs with partners in China and Germany so they can better understand and continue to address problems with urban transportation.

We’ll have to wait a little longer until we get a car-sharing program of our own in Michigan, but until then check out our new Chevy cars for sale. We can also take care of your oil changes and any other auto service you need at our dealership near Big Rapids.

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.

Websites: Chevrolet: HankGraffMtPleasant.com and Buick GMC Cadillac: GraffBGC.com

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GM Could Potentially Boost Production of Full-Size SUVs

General Motors©

MT. PLEASANT, Mich. - Many automotive insiders agree that the 2015 Cadillac Escalade, 2015 GMC Yukon, 2015 Chevrolet Suburban and the 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe are responsible for somewhere around $3 billion of General Motors' annual profit. Due to this extreme success, GM could potentially boost production of full-size SUVs.

These celebrated GM vehicles are produced in the Arlington, Texas plant and according to GMAuthority.com , the plant will be producing an additional 48,000 - 60,000 vehicles for the 2016 model year. This tip came quickly after a plant spokesperson confirmed the addition of overtime shifts being added on Saturdays at Arlington, which began back on August 1. Currently, the factory can produce an average 1,200 vehicles per day.

The news that GM could potentially boost production of full-size SUVs goes hand-in-hand with the $1.4 billion investment announcement for the Arlington plant. Many believe that the recent drop in gas prices nationwide is one of the main reasons the Crossover, Small SUV and Full-Size SUV segments have become so popular and sold so well in the last year and half.

If you would like to check out any of these General Motors SUVs, feel free to check out our online inventory, or stop by for a test drive! At your local Alma Area Used Car Dealer, we have tons of beautiful new and used vehicles on site that are ALWAYS available to be taken out for a test drive! Visit us at your Graff Mt. Pleasant Chevy 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.


Websites: Chevrolet: HankGraffMtPleasant.com and Buick GMC Cadillac: GraffBGC.com

Follow us on: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Google+, and YouTube