INTRODUCING THE 2015 IMPALA BI-FUEL SEDAN

First bi-fuel full-size production sedan offered in North America with a total estimated bi-fuel range of 500 miles

Today Chevrolet announced the 2015 Impala bi-fuel sedan – the only original equipment manufacturer-produced full-size sedan in North America capable of running on either cleaner-burning, mostly domestically produced compressed natural gas (CNG) or gasoline.

Compressed natural gas is less costly at the pump and significantly reduces carbon dioxide emissions compared to traditional liquid fuels such as gasoline. A separate CNG fuel tank, mounted in the trunk, enables the driver to switch between fuels at the push of a button. When the CNG tank is depleted, the system automatically switches to gasoline.

“The new bi-fuel Impala marries Chevrolet’s flagship sedan with unprecedented opportunity, offering a new choice for alternative-fueled transportation that burns cleaner from a mostly domestically sourced fuel,” said Dan Akerson, General Motors Chairman and CEO. “GM continues to demonstrate its commitment and leadership in energy diversity by building its presence in the gaseous fuel space, and specifically with CNG – one of the cleanest-burning fossil fuels available.”

Most of the natural gas used in the U.S. comes from domestic or other North American sources. CNG’s abundance makes it a viable economic alternative for drivers living in areas with easy access to CNG filling stations, and it currently costs significantly less than gasoline. A person who drives 24,000 miles a year can recoup the additional investment in the bi-fuel option within a few years at current prices.

CNG vehicles typically have 20 percent fewer greenhouse gas emissions than gasoline-powered cars, according to the California Air Resources Board.      

The bi-fuel Impala is expected to go on sale next summer to retail and fleet customers at Chevrolet dealers in the United States and Canada. It joins Chevrolet’s growing range of manufacturer-engineered and validated CNG vehicles, which includes the bi-fuel Silverado HD full-size pickups and fully dedicated CNG Express full-size cargo and passenger vans. All of these vehicles are backed by GM new vehicle and powertrain limited warranties.

“Along with the Chevrolet Volt, the new Cruze Turbo Diesel and all-electric Spark EV, this is another example of how GM is advancing its multi-faceted vehicle and global sustainability strategy,” said Akerson.

While EPA estimates on the vehicle are not yet finalized, an approximately eight gasoline-gallon-equivalent CNG tank mounted in the Impala’s trunk is expected to provide up to 150 miles of vehicle range for a total range of up to 500 miles.  

The bi-fuel Impala is fitted at the factory with a port fuel-injected 3.6L engine that includes hardened intake and exhaust valves and valve seats, to support the long-term durability needed for CNG combustion. The GM-engineered CNG fuel system is added at a secondary manufacturing location by a GM supplier. Ordering CNG is the same as selecting any other option at the time of purchase  

Redesigned for 2014, the award-winning Impala is new from the ground up, with muscular design elements that provide a nod to the past with modern styling. It is the 10th generation of one of the industry’s most enduring and popular nameplates. Impala has been America’s best-selling full-size sedan since 2004 with sales of more than 169,000 in 2012.

The bi-fuel Impala’s 3.6L V-6 engine has the highest horsepower output in the segment from a naturally aspirated V6 engine, engineered to give a satisfying feeling of immediate performance. When running on natural gas, the engine will deliver approximately 85 percent of the power produced with gasoline. The engine is matched with an advanced six-speed automatic transmission.

The Impala can seat five occupants and offers 10 cubic feet of cargo room in the trunk with the CNG fuel tank installed. The bi-fuel model will be available with 1FL and 1LT trims. Standard vehicle features include:

• Ten air bags – including head curtain side air bags and driver and front passenger knee air bags
• Air conditioning
• Audio system with color infotainment screen
• Bluetooth for phone
• Color driver information display in the instrument panel
• Four-wheel disc brakes 
• Antilock brakes and StabiliTrak electronic stability control system
• Fuel-saving electric power steering.

Chevrolet’s MyLink infotainment system is available with the LT trim.

The bi-fuel Impala is covered by GM’s three-year, 36,000-mile new vehicle limited warranty and five-year, 100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty and vehicle emissions warranty, meeting all Environmental Protection Agency and California Air Resources Board emission certification requirements.

It will be built at GM’s Oshawa, Ontario, plant.

Halloween Safety Tips

Kids love Halloween, it's a perfect holiday!  

This Halloween make sure to keep an eye on the kids at all times.  Cell phones are everywhere, everyone seems to have one.  Make sure that your child has a pre-programmed cell phone with him/her if they go out and be sure that all important numbers are already there and ready for use.

Make Halloween a fun, safe and happy time for your kids and they'll carry on the tradition that you taught them to their own families some day!  If you can't take them yourself, see if another parent or two can. Know the route your kids will be taking, and let them know that they are to check in with you every hour, by phone or by stopping back at home. Make sure that they know not to deviate from the planned route so that you always know where they will be.

Teach your kids about not getting into strangers cars or talking to strangers, no matter what the person says to them. Explain to them as simply as you can the potential for danger. Advise them what to do should this happen, to scream as loud as they can to draw attention and to run away as fast as they can to someplace safe.

Help your young child pick out or make a costume that will be safe. Make sure that it's fire proof or treated with fire retardant. If they are wearing a mask of any kind make sure that the eye holes are large enough for good peripheral vision.   Select costumes that won't get in the way when they are walking, which could cause them to trip and cause injury.  

  

Be sure to show your children know how to cross a street properly. Make sure that if you have more than one child, they know to take the hand of the younger child when they cross a street.   

  

Get on the internet and check your local state website for sex offenders. Almost every state has one, just do a search for your state sex offender site. Look up your zip code and it should have a list of registered offenders in your area that includes street addresses. Make sure that your kids stay away from these houses!   

  

Having a fun and safe Halloween will make it all worth while!  

These tips are intended to serve as suggestions for basic safety practices. No warranty, guarantee, or representation is made as to the accuracy or sufficiency, express or implied, regarding the information and is intended to provide basic guidelines for safe practices using common sense.

Autumn Safety Driving Tips

Sunny days and crisp nights, colorful falling leaves and the last chance to hit the road before winter's ice and snow make autumn the perfect time for a road trip. But amongst all that beauty are some hazards you should know about. Don't let one of them ruin your scenic autumn drive. 

The Dangers of Falling leaves 

As we head into the fall, leaves will begin to accumulate on the roadways, which can cause slippery and hazardous driving conditions. As the temperature falls, wet leaves can turn the roadways as dangerous as ice or snow covered. Also, leaves can cover and hide road markings, making it difficult to navigate.
   
If you hit a patch of wet leaves, you can lose traction. Braking and steering may be difficult. Be aware of this hazard, slow down while braking and steering carefully.    

SAFETY FIRST: 

Keep leaves from accumulating around the wiper area and under the hood. These leaves will find their way into your heater vent system and may damage the heater motor or will eventually decompose. 

  

Adverse Weather

Fall is a time of adverse weather. Sunny days can give way to frosty nights, and sudden showers may leave roads slick. Make sure your wiper blades, tires and brakes are all in good working order. If you find frost on your windshield in the morning, take the time to clean it off so you have full visibility.

Wildlife

Autumn is a time of greater activity in the animal world.  It's mating season for deer, elk, moose and other large mammals. Bears are getting ready to hibernate and while foraging may be distracted. Slow down and be extra alert if you live in an area where these animals roam. Get in the habit of scanning the road ahead. If you see movement or an animal on the side of the road, decrease your speed. Warn motorists ahead of you of a possible hazard by flashing your lights three times.   Check with your insurance company for animal damage for your website.  Most animal damage is covered under comprehensive, check with your carrier to ensure coverage is up to date.