Friday, June 12, 2015

Chevrolet Is Throwing Its Hat Into The Self-Driving Concept Car Game

Chevrolet Is Throwing Its Hat Into The Self-Driving Concept Car Game

MT.PLEASANT, Mich. – Chevrolet is throwing its hat into the self-driving concept car game! Recently, a sharp-edged self-driving vehicle was developed at General Motors' Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center joint venture in Shanghai. 

The vehicle itself looks liking something out of a science fiction movie, and was revealed ahead of the Auto Shanghai show in Shanghai this past spring. The low-slinging body and bubble-like windshield are packed with sensors and roof-mounted radar that can read the three dimensional mapping that allows cars to navigate through traffic and steer clear of various objects. Hubless motors fit into the wheels, while dragonfly doors define the smooth side of the vehicle. 

The concept vehicle comes with a ton of cool features, including the Chevy Intelligent Assistant, which enables the owner to start the vehicle through recognition of the iris in his or her eye. See? Strait out of a science fiction film! In self-pricing mode, the vehicle's front seats can swivel 180-degrees to face the rear seats, which creates a more intimate setting. The driver can switch back into manual mode through the gesture control feature.

Chevrolet is throwing its hat into the self-driving concept car game, but GM has not revealed how far the self-driving concept car is from full-scale production. However, GM is showing that the auto company is paying attention to what is quickly becoming the industry's assumed next frontier. It's so exciting to represent a company that is always on the cusp of integrating new technology into the public domain! For more information on ANY of Chevrolet's models, feel free to stop by and pay us a visit! 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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Thursday, June 11, 2015

Cadillac The Second Brand To Confirm The Integration Of Apple CarPlay And Android Auto

Cadillac The Second  Brand To Confirm The Integration Of Apple CarPlay And Android Auto


MT.PLEASANT, Mich. – General Motors has announced that Cadillac is the latest car brand planning to integrate Apple CarPlay and Android Auto into new models. Certain models of the carmaker's 2016 lineup will begin including the systems in the next few weeks. Cadillac has other infotainment upgrades planned as well.

We have blogged about the all-new Apple CarPlay and Android Auto systems in the past, with Cadillac being the second brand to confirm the integration of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto after Chevrolet. Plan on seeing them roll out in Cadillac models equipped with CUE (Cadillac User Experience) infotainment system and an 8-inch touchscreen. All 2016 models equipped with the CUE system will be outfitted with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto except for the SRX, which is currently in limbo pending the launch of an all-new 2016 version.

Aside from the addition of Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, Cadillac also has plans to update CUE for the upcoming 2016 model year, which includes a faster processor. This processor will enable faster setup, voice recognition, navigation searches and media playing. The navigation component will also get an upgrade with redesigned map screens and a simplified command structure, including one-touch controls.

Chevrolet was the first General Motors brand to announce their plans to integrate this new technology into their system, which makes Cadillac the second brand to confirm the integration of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto! We can only hope that ALL of General Motors' models will integrate this exciting communications and infotainment system! If you would like to learn more about Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, check out this blog post about the new system! If you would like to schedule a test-drive for any of our amazing GM vehicles, feel free to give us a call or stop by! 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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Saturday, June 6, 2015

Summer Car Care Tips

Summer Car Care Tips

MT. PLEASANT, Mich.– To say winters here in Michigan are hard on our vehicles is an intense understatement. What many Michiganders don't know is that summer can be JUST AS TOUGH on your vehicle as winter. Intense heat can destroy batteries, and put stress on the tires and cooling system. Thanks to the lowest summer gas prices since 2009, many Americans will be hitting the road this summer for vacation. By making sure your vehicle is running smoothly you can avoid breakdowns or car problems that will definitely put a thorn in your summer plans. To insure a safe trip you may want to check out these summer car care tips:

  • The greatest cause of summer breakdowns is cooling system failure. The cooling system should be completely flushed out and refilled every two years. Be sure that you understand the level, condition and concentration of the coolant should also be checked periodically, especially when it first starts to warm up after the long winter. 
  • Your brakes have been working hard all winter, make sure they're okay! Your brakes have kept you from sliding off the road since January, so make sure they are up to par before you head out this summer. If you notice pulsations, grabbing noises or longer stopping distances, bring your vehicle to a certified technician ASAP. 
  • Maintain and check up on your air conditioning. Nothing, and we mean NOTHING, is worse than the air conditioning going out in the middle of the summer. Driving around in a car when it's 80+ degrees out is hard enough on your vehicle. Take out the air conditioning and good luck trying to go anywhere fast. Even a marginally operating system will fail in the hot weather, so have your air conditioning checked out by a qualified technician. 
  • Check your windshield wipers. Your windshield wipers have been working overtime since January. A dirty windshield causes eye fatigue and can also pose a safety hazard. Replace worn windshield wiper blades and have plenty of windshield wiper fluid handy. 
  • Heat zaps life away from your battery.  Many car owners believe that battery problems only occur in the winter, which could not be further from the truth. Heat and vibration are the two WORST things for a car battery, and ultimately lead to engine failure. If your car's battery is more than three years old, have it checked by a certified technician before heading out on the road. 

By making sure you vehicle is good to hit the road, you can avoid any awkward waiting-on-the-side-of-the-road-for-a-tow-truck events. If you would like to schedule a service appointment with any of our certified technicians, feel free! We would love to check out your car to make sure it's safe and ready to hit the open road. Schedule an appointment online today! 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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Friday, June 5, 2015

Chevy Will Bring The 2016 Sixth-Gen Camaro To Lansing

Chevy Will Bring The 2016 Sixth-Gen Camaro To Lansing

MT. PLEASANT, Mich. - General Motors announced last week that Chevy will bring the 2016 sixth-gen Camaro to Lansing, Michigan, to be built in Michigan's capital city. Chevrolet will hire back 500 second shift jobs at the plant to help build the new muscle car.

The 2016 Chevy Camaro will end its summer promo tour at the Los Angeles Auto Show before coming home to Lansing to begin production in November. It will be available to buyers near the end of the 2015 fourth quarter, and consumers are counting down the days till they can get their hands on Chevy's new muscle car.

Currently, the fifth-gen Camaro is being built across the border in an Ontario plant. While GM is excited the new Camaro will be built in Lansing, they are also investing over $170 million into Lansing's facility for new equipment that includes new paint systems to accommodate new Camaro-only colors: Summit White, Bright Yellow and Red Hot. Currently, General Motors also builds the Cadillac ATS and CTS models at the Lansing Plant.

The mayor of Lansing, Mayor Virg Bernero, stated, "Gearing up for full-scale production of the legendary Chevy Camaro is a new high point in the more than two decades of extraordinary partnership between the City of Lansing, General Motors and the UAW." This investment into the Lansing plant is just a small part of the current $2.8 billion investment that General Motors is putting into a multitude of its facilities across the country. These include a $439 million investment at the Corvette plant in Kentucky and a $1.2 billion investment at its truck facility in Indiana.

The all-new sixth-generation Camaro was revealed in Detroit last month, and since then has been going toe-to-toe against the 50th Anniversary Edition Mustang and the Dodge Challenger Hellcat. Chevy will bring the 2016 sixth-gen Camaro to Lansing in the fall and you can bet that Hank Graff of Mt. Pleasant will have the best inventory around! 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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Saturday, May 30, 2015

Chevrolet Has Recently Announced Its Next Big Reveal: The 2016 Chevrolet Cruze

Chevrolet Has Recently Announced Its Next Big Reveal: The 2016 Chevrolet Cruze


MT.PLEASANT, Mich. – Chevrolet has recently announced its next big reveal: the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze. The all-new Chevy Cruze will offer both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, as blogged about previously, and will debut in Detroit on June 24th.

Beginning at the start of 2015, Chevrolet has been on a whirlwind pace of overhauling their entire lineup. It started at this year’s Detroit Auto Show with the reveal of the 2016 Volt. The 2016 Malibu and Spark had their big reveal in New York, while the much anticipated 2016 next-gen Camaro was released in grand fashion on Belle Isle in May. After those four revels, Chevrolet has recently announced its next big reveal: the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze.   

While we don’t know exactly what the 2016 Cruze will look like in its e
ntirety, spy shots show that the U.S-spec model will has a similar overall shape as China’s Cruze (pictured above), but will look more like a mix between the Volt and Malibu designs, intriguing right? The Cruze has been immensely successful for GM a Chevrolet, both domestically and abroad, since its introduction into the U.S market in 2010. We at Hank Graff Mt. Pleasant cannot WAIT to see the 2016 Cruze, as well as its innovative Apple CarPlay and Google Android Auto!

Here at Graff Mt. Pleasant, we'll be posting updates and news on the 2016 Cruze as it comes down the line! If you would like to chat more about Chevy’s 2016 lineup, give us a shout-out! 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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Friday, May 29, 2015

General Motors Partners With Apple And Google To Stop Distracted Driving

General Motors Partners With Apple And Google To Stop Distracted Driving
Apple CarPlay in the 2016 Chevy Cruze
MT. PLEASANT, Mich. – This week, General Motors partners with Apple And Google to stop distracted driving with Apple CarPlay and Google Android Auto. The communication system will link directly to Chevrolet's 7-inch MyLink infotainment system on 14 new models later this year. This makes it possible for both iPhone users as well as Android users to have access to this new technology, however due to testing issues, Android Auto is still a few months behind and will not be available until AFTER Apple's CarPlay.

Finally, someone is coming up with a great way to fight distracted driving! We do not have to go over the statistics and facts about how bad texting and driving is so we won't, and it looks like General Motors has finally said that enough is ENOUGH! So how does it work? The two smart-phone systems integrate the iPhone or Android functions with the Chevy vehicle in the central display. Android Auto is built completely around Google, Google Now and Google Maps but also has access to streaming apps such as Spotify. Apple's CarPlay uses Siri as well as the iPhone's phone, messaging and map functions as well as iTunes and Maps.

General Motors partners with Apple And Google to stop distracted driving and this marriage between smart phones and automakers is long coming and completely obvious, as GM notes that there are more than 2.3 billion smart phones currently in use globally. GM CEO Mary Barra said in a statement this week, "For most of us, our smartphones are essential. Partnering with Google and Apple to offer CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility across the widest ranges of models in the industry is a great example of how Chevrolet continues to democratize technology that's important to our customers."

If you would like to talk more about Apple CarPlay and Google Android Auto, feel free to stop by or give us a call! 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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Friday, May 22, 2015

Memorial Day Dessert Recipes

MT. PLEASANT, Mich. - Memorial Day Weekend is right around the corner, and that means summer is right around the corner as well. Memorial Day has been celebrated ever since the end of the American Civil War and is a nationally celebrated as a day of remembrance to all those who have died while serving the United States of America. Many across the nation also celebrate this holiday by having the family over for a BBQ, patriotically themed, with an Independence Day feel. We found some delicious Memorial Day dessert recipes that will go well with your Memorial Day BBQ, check them out! 
Memorial Day Dessert Recipes
Perfect for Memorial Day OR Independence Day, these will be a hit with EVERYONE! 

Memorial Day Dessert Recipes
These could even double as "edible decorations". 

Memorial Day Dessert Recipes
Anything with edible cookie dough in it is a win for us! 

Memorial Day Dessert Recipes
Healthy and light, perfect for an easy BBQ dinner!

Memorial Day Dessert Recipes
Nothing says "Welcome to the best BBQ EVER" than this trifle, TRUST US! 

How delicious do these look? These Memorial Day dessert recipes are so simple, and will be the star of your BBQ! Do you have any BBQ recipes that you love? Share them with us on our Facebook wall! All of these recipes, and tons more, can be found on our Pinterest page! Interested in the HOTTEST car of the summer? Visit Graff Mt. Pleasant to see how you can reserve your 2016 Camaro, or test-drive the 2015 Camaros we have here! 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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