Ford and Chevrolet. These names alone evoke images of the world’s most recognizable vehicles and one of the world’s biggest rivalries. For over 100 years, every Chevy and Ford dealer has been like cats and dogs of the Colts and Patriots. These brands compete for drivers’ hearts, minds, and wallets.
One of the best ways for executives to show brand loyalty is to use their company’s products. GM CFO Paul Jacobson has two cool GM products in his divided garage.
Mainstream SUVs continue to evolve into a class of vehicles that blur the lines between comfort, convenience, and ruggedness. You can get a luxury SUV with all the bells and whistles that you expect in an upscale ride, but in the same class, you can also get a brawny vehicle designed to tackle any type of rough terrain. Some SUVs have more rugged features than others. Here’s a look at some of the most rugged 2023 models.Read More
Almost every automotive company in the world is considering making an EV to rival the likes of Tesla, but Toyota, arguably the most successful car company in the world, isn’t too quick to jump on the bandwagon.
There is a reason you don’t see fully electric vehicles at Toyota Dealerships. While Toyota does well in the hybrid car market, they haven’t yet participated in the worldwide movement that is EVs. Companies such as Honda, Ford, Chevrolet, and Hyundai, for starters, are throwing themselves into making EVs like there is no tomorrow. While this seems like a noble pursuit, with EVs being better for the environment and all, there is a major flaw that not everyone is talking about. Data from Toyota has uncovered that EVs are not as good for the environment as we thought they would be. In fact, in the long run, they could cause big problems if gone unchecked, which, right now, they are.
Toyota makes some of the most impressive and reliable cars on the planet. They’ve been around for a long time and they don’t plan on going anywhere anytime soon. Let’s hope their newfound data is just as trustworthy.
The Problem With Batteries
Toyota’s chief scientist, Gill Pratt has a lot to say about EVs. While it’s fun and all to make EVs willy-nilly, Gill Pratt thinks automakers should be diversifying their energy sources, rather than all using the same kind. For starters, companies should still be trying to utilize hybrid and hydrogen energy sources.
In the long haul, batteries, particularly ones made from lithium, won’t last us forever. In fact, they might be worse for the environment than traditional combustion engines! Pratt claims that there will likely be a shortage of batteries, due to a shortage of lithium, paired with the lack of charging stations in America, which will make EV production a challenge for both companies and consumers.
Pratt also states that making so many lithium batteries for these EVs will cause more CO2 output than regular production already does. These are the things consumers don’t know.
Toyota’s Plan
Toyota does have plans to make an EV, though. It’s been announced that Toyota will release a sedan-sized EV for the Chinese automotive market. This car is unlikely to reach global appeal, and Toyota seems fine with that, anyways. While they are in the works for an EV, Toyota doesn’t seem too interested in making one for the world.
Toyota wants to hold out, see what happens, and then decide what they will do. As a seasoned company in the global automotive market, Toyota isn’t too hurried or desperate. Will there ever be a fully electric vehicle in American Toyota dealerships? Maybe in the future, but right now Toyota wants to stick to its guns, which is making reliable cars and trusting its process. You can still find hybrids made by Toyota, but you’ll have to wait for an EV.
Good news for people interested in the Chevy Bolt – GM has decided to continue the multi-thousand dollar discount for purchasing the Bolt EV and EUV through the end of 2022 instead of just August.
But while this may seem like great news, there’s more happening here. From recalls at Chevrolet dealer locations to tax credit changes, there’s a lot to talk about with the Chevy Bolt and its discount.
Chevy Bolt’s Bad Reputation
People keeping up with the latest from General Motors may remember that the company had to recall every Chevy Bolt made between 2019 and 2022. Reports said it was due to battery fires caused by defects in LG’s manufacturing of the batteries.
While GM acted swiftly by removing even brand new Bolts on the lots of Chevrolet dealers and communicating with anyone who’d purchased affected vehicles, this still left many customers unhappy and tanked the reputation of the Chevy Bolt.
Even though the situation has been resolved, GM may have decided to sell the rest of the available 2022 Bolt and Bolt EUVs at a reduced price to smooth things over for customers.
Price Changes and Incentives
So what is the big discount the Chevy Bolt is getting? Just under $6,000 for the Bolt and close to $6,500 for the EUV. This means a base model Bolt would cost $26,000 new, while the baseline Bolt EUV is $28,000. This includes the $1,000 destination fee for delivering the vehicle to a Chevrolet dealer near you.
This discount makes the Chevy Bolt the most affordable EV currently on the market. The new price beats out EVs from manufacturers like Nissan, which used to be known for their affordability.
It’s only guaranteed until December 31st, 2022, so buyers must act quickly to take advantage of the new affordable pricing.
The Future for the Bolt
But that leaves the question of what will happen to the Bolt after this promotional incentive ends.
GM, like Tesla, no longer has the EV tax credit to fall back on to provide incentives for consumers to transition to electric vehicles without paying more out of pocket or reducing manufacturer profit. A new Inflation Reduction Act may help create a new EV-specific credit, but there’s no guarantee that it’s coming any time soon.
This means that the Chevy Bolt’s bad reputation and lack of incentives may hurt its chances of survival in 2023 and beyond. It may be discontinued like the Volt. Or maybe it will survive as a less-desirable EV option.
Either way, it’s important to remember that if you want a Chevy Bolt, this is the best time to get one. They’ve been heavily inspected and repaired after the battery issues they faced, and the current discount available shaves thousands of dollars off the sale price.
Now may be the only good time to head down to your local Chevrolet dealer and find out what you can do to get an affordable Chevy Bolt or Bolt EUV.
Chevy has unveiled Its electrified 2024 Blazer EV, and It’s undeniably everything drivers want out of quality crafted and high-performing electric vehicles.
Many consumers are looking at used cars right now as new inventories continue to fluctuate. However, if safety and affordability are your top concerns, you might be wondering how you can get both with a used car. The truth is, you can definitely get both. Let’s take a look at some safe and very affordable used cars that you can pick up for less than $10,000 in most cases.