New Chevrolets Get Ecological Label

Chevrolet says it will start putting new informational labels on its vehicles to help consumers understand the vehicle's ecological impact. But is it just a marketing gimmick?

Starting in March with the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic, each new model will have a small label on the rear driver-side window. More Chevrolets will get the label starting with the 2013 model year.

The label helps explain the ecological benefits of choosing a Chevy over competing vehicles, or possibly a used car. Facts on the Sonic's label include that it was produced in the U.S. — thus reducing emissions related to transportation — and that the car is 85% recyclable. An independent third-party sustainability agency verifies the information on the labels.

We don't know of any other manufacturers with labels like this, which actually puts Chevrolet's facts into a bit of a vacuum. How will consumers know if other vehicles don't offer the same green benefits? For instance, a car is one of the most recyclable items on the planet, with about 75% to 80% being reused on average. That makes the Sonic's recyclable figure, while still better, seem less impressive.

If other automakers started printing labels like this and there were more comparative analysis and context, we could see how the labels could benefit car shoppers.

Chevrolet’s new environmental labels germinate a good idea, but don’t go far enough

Consumers are well aware of fuel economy and concerned about tailpipe pollution. But it’s much harder to get information on the whole lifecycle environmental impact of cars: how much energy it takes to produce a car, the pollution generated, and recyclability. Now Chevrolet is taking a step toward making this information more readily available.

Starting with the 2012 Sonic, Chevrolet will begin putting what it is calling EcoLogic labels on the windows of all its models.

So far the label is more self-serving and less useful than it could be, listing some minor fuel-saving features on the car, such as variable-valve timing (which other automakers have had for about 20 years) and electric power steering (not exactly uncommon these days). What it doesn’t highlight is what’s left out, such as the makeup of the paint used to spray the car.

This label also lists the estimated percentage of the car’s content that is recyclable (85 percent) and special processes at the factory that reduce its environmental footprint. In this case, the Sonic’s engine and transmission are built in a landfill-free facility, and the final assembly factory is cooled and heated 20 percent by landfill gas. (Some other automakers, such as Subaru’s Indiana plant, produce all their cars at 100-percent landfill-free facilities.)

Most cars today are highly recyclable. The bigger question may be, how much of cars are actually recycled?

To be more meaningful, the label would have to be tied to industry standards that could, for example, rate the car’s and the factory’s environmental qualifications against its peers. Still, as long as consumers view it with a critical eye on Chevrolet’s marketing claims, it seems like the label could be a good first step toward developing such standards to make all cars’ lifecycle environmental costs more transparent.

Already, the revised EPA window stickers now used on all new cars contain much more information than in years’ past, further empowering consumers to make informed decisions.

Introducing The New 2012 Chevy Traverse For Seattle WA Shoppers

Find the amazing 2012 Chevy Traverse at your leading Chevy dealership serving Seattle, Art Gamblin Motors. Once in a while, a crossover comes along that has it all — a beautifully designed exterior, generously appointed interior and a highway fuel economy that offers 24 MPG (FWD). And let’s not forget roominess — Traverse offers a true third row that seats grown-ups comfortably. Add to all this 2012 Traverse’s 5-Star Overall Vehicle Score, and you’ve got a crossover vehicle that accommodates your needs beautifully.

Seattle drivers stay connected with Traverse’s top-notch entertainment and convenience features. It is loaded with features that both help and entertain you and your passengers during the drive. SiriousXM Satellite Radio and NavTraffic available for three trial months, Bluetooth Wireless Technology lets you take calls and connect your music with the touch of a button, USB port, and OnStar Turn-by-Turn Navigation standard for the first six months.

Spacious and Efficient 2012 Chevy Traverse For Sale Near Seattle WA

The 2012 Chevy Traverse for sale near Seattle was designed with you and your loved ones in mind. And when it comes to protecting your precious cargo year after year, Traverse puts your mind at ease. Traverse’s vast array of active and passive safety systems include: StabiliTrak Electronic Stability Control System with traction control, available rearview camera system and Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist, available integrated blind spot mirrors. Six standard airbags come standard in every Traverse, including: dual-stage frontal air bags, driver and front-seat passenger seat-mounted side-impact air bags and head-curtain side-impact air bags for all three rows.

Traverse’s sleek exterior, superb fuel-efficiency, and class-leading capability makes it the top choice when looking for a reliable SUV for you and your family. Its standard Direct Injection 3.6L V6 engine in LS and LT models delivers 281 horsepower, while it delivers 288 horsepower in LTZ. An estimated 17 MPG city/24 highway gives you a driving range of up to 500 highway miles between fill-ups. Traverse gives you the power to carry up to 8 people or haul the maximum amount of cargo in its class on a regular basis, and do it efficiently.

Traverse has the most cargo space in its class. The available split-folding seats in the second and third rows give you the flexibility to adapt the vehicle on the fly. It is also remarkably spacious, wich seating up to eight passengers and a standard third row that’s comfortable for grown-ups. Traverse’s well-appointed interior consists of high-quality materials, optional eight-way power driver seats, leather-appointed first- and second-row seats, heated and cooled front seats, outside driver’s and inside rearview auto-dimming mirrors and a power liftgate. There’s even an available SkyScape power front sunroof and fixed rear skylight.

About Art Gamblin Motors:

Art Gamblin Motors started in 1969 by Art Gamblin, the family’s Buick and Chevy dealership is now owned and operated by his son, Alan Gamblin.  Art Gamblin Motors employs over 50 full and part time employees from the Enumclaw and surrounding communities.  It has grown from a small showroom on Griffin Avenue to two dealerships in Enumclaw.  The main location on Highway 410 includes a Service Department and Body Shop that can repair all makes of vehicles.  The Truck Center across from Safeway specializes in Trucks and SUV’s; It includes Gamblin Quick Lube, a rapid oil change facility. In addition to selling new Chevrolets and Buicks, Gamblin sells and transports pre-owned vehicles all over the United States.

Here’s a chance to win one of 20 new Chevrolets!

Good morning, Camaro Comrades, Firebird Friends and Corvette Cousins!

Do YOU  have room in your garage or driveway for a new Chevrolet??? Here’s a chance to win one of 20 new Chevrolets!

DETROIT –  Chevrolet today announced a first-of-its-kind app which will allow viewers of Super Bowl XLVI to play trivia, interact with each other via Twitter, participate in polls and possibly win one of 20 Chevrolets or thousands of other prizes.

The Chevy Game Time app will be available in the Android Market, the App Store and at http://www.chevy.com/gametime by kick off of the NFL’s NFC Championship game Sunday, Jan. 22.

As participants watch the Super Bowl, they can play along to win prizes from Chevrolet, Bridgestone, Motorola, the NFL and NFLShop.com, Papa John’s Pizza and Sirius XM Radio.

“This is the first time any company has attempted such a large-scale app, which will enhance the game watching experience and help them engage in the online conversation about the Super Bowl,” said Joel Ewanick, global chief marketing officer, General Motors.

“The way people watch TV has changed with smart phones and tablets helping viewers interact while in front of the screen,” Ewanick said. “This app takes that interactivity to a whole new level on one of the biggest days for television viewing.”

Chances to win begin as soon as the player downloads the Chevy Game Time app with instant win opportunities. In addition, players will also receive a unique license plate number. If their plate appears during a Chevrolet advertisement during the game or online, they win a vehicle.

While watching the Super Bowl, players can answer trivia questions or polls relating to the football game, teams, commercials and other related events. By selecting the correct or most common answer, they will be entered into drawings to win one of thousands of prizes.

The Chevy Game Time app is one activity among Super Bowl-related initiatives at Chevrolet. These include advertiser exclusivity for the NBCSports.com game day live stream coverage for desktop and tablet computers; partnering with Twitter and the NFL on Twitter’s ‘Road to the #SuperBowl’ and NFL Huddle site and a range of engagement tactics and fan activations on Chevrolet’s own social channels.

“With these initiatives, the traditional ads on the Super Bowl broadcast and additional initiatives we will announce soon, we expect more than 1.5 billion impressions of our message on game day and beyond,” said Ewanick.