Saturday, April 05, 2008

Spring 2008 update

It’s time to air this place out for Spring, and bring everyone up to date on the latest gossip about the Chevy Equinox.  Was Paris Hilton seen driving one?  Did Brangelina take one to Malawi?  Does the ‘Nox cost more than an ounce of plutonium?  Is Chevy still building the Equinox, and is anybody buying them?  I had to know, and set off to do some hard-nosed Internet investigating (after a quick stop at eBay to buy a few pounds of chocolate covered gummy bears… now you know my weakness). 

After my shopping interlude, I started my research at a site called CarSeek. I found CarSeek through their full, individual reviews of the 2007 and 2008 Equinox models, and after reading them both, I think the folks at CarSeek covet your ‘Nox!  Reviews of both years’ models were extremely positive, and enough to make any Equinox owner feel 10 IQ points smarter and 15 pounds thinner.  The future of the model seems brighter when independent feedback is so positive.  There are many, many well-written vehicle reviews on the CarSeek site, and I want you to know that it’s okay to look at pictures of a Saab or a Toyota while reading about things like “aerodynamic headlights”.  It’s not cheating on your Equinox to educate yourself about other types of vehicles, and it’s normal to be curious.  I think it’s even acceptable to ask for a quote on another model of car without hurting your ‘Nox’s feelings, but that’s a delicate issue between you and your car.  If you did decide to price a cute little Mazda Miata, you can request a quote on CarSeek.com and it will come to you in email.  I asked for a quote on a 2008 Equinox LTZ, and I had first email contact in literally 30 seconds, and a full quote is supposed to arrive within a couple of hours.  Whoosh… the Internet tubes are fast today!  I’ll let you know what pricing is like in my part of the country as soon as I have the information.

CarSeek really appeals to my inner-reader, and I spent quite a bit of time enjoying the handy, informative articles about things like self-parking cars.  (It’s cool and it’s creepy).  The site also has an extensive selection of news stories related to the automotive industry, although there are no big news surprises right now.  People are buying fewer cars, and the industry expects fewer profits.  I hope the Equinox is a solid producer for Chevrolet and that it help carry them through the unavoidable financial downturn.  I do wish they’d produce a hybrid Equinox, even if times are slow.  If you need a primer on hybrids, as I did, CarSeek will hook you up.

This kind of turned into a blog entry about CarSeek rather than an entry about Brangelina, for which I apologize.  Seeing as I’ve gone this far, I’d might as well add that CarSeek offers online car insurance quotes and, most importantly, new vehicle car loans (even for those of us who have a few, um, pimples on our financial history).  In short, if you’re looking for a nice bit of reading about all things automotive, stop by CarSeek.com.  Go for the reviews and articles, stay for the financial quotes and the blueberry cheesecake.  It’s a nice way to spend an afternoon, even if you didn’t intend to shop for a new car.

Posted by Admin on 04/05 at 12:49 PM
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Cloud Rider Custom Grills for Chevy Equinox

Thursday, January 18, 2007

Chevy Equinox news for January 2007

Here are some recent news stories about, or featuring, the Chevy Equinox:

The stories below are just about the new Equinox Sport:

Posted by Admin on 01/18 at 06:01 AM
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Thursday, November 30, 2006

Chevy Equinox in ChallengeX

This is an old news story, but it’s a chance to visit some interesting websites and to view some fascinating photos of Chevy Equinoxs which were for modified for fuel efficiency and emissions in a competition called ChallengeX.  On the main ChallengeX website there are links to webpages for the 17 competing teams, and many of the sites have photo galleries.  The sites are worth visiting if you want a glimpse of the potential future of the Equinox. Here the team website links.

Posted by Admin on 11/30 at 06:23 AM
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Wednesday, November 29, 2006

Electric technologies to drive GM

David Shepardson / Detroit News Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON—General Motors Corp. today will tout its commitment to using advanced technologies to power vehicles with electricity and its research into plug-in hybrids—a cornerstone of its turnaround plan.  In a speech at the Los Angeles Auto Show, GM Chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner will outline a product plan based on “energy diversity” using a variety of advanced technologies and fuels that emphasizes the use of electricity to power vehicles.  Wagoner also will talk about plans to use an advanced two-mode hybrid system on some larger 2008 model vehicles.

The two-mode hybrid—which GM, BMW and DaimlerChrysler AG will jointly produce—will have an extended driving range on battery power and feature a gasoline or diesel engine that powers the car when the battery is low.  Ultimately, the two-mode hybrids could be converted to plug-in hybrids with advances in battery technology, GM officials said.

In his 25-minute speech, Wagoner will talk up the company’s belief in the promise of plug-in hybrids and will reference an upcoming announcement at the Detroit auto show, officials told The News.  Next month, GM is expected to show off a concept plug-in hybrid—dubbed the I-car within the company, or iconic vehicle.

Wagoner won’t commit to building a plug-in until the company can overcome technical hurdles and improve battery technology. He will say production timing is specifically linked to technical improvements, according to people familiar with his speech. But GM officials believe the hurdles are “surmountable.” GM has quietly been making significant investments in battery technology, working with its suppliers and battery manufacturers.

“We’re trying to make a statement that says we are part of the solution,” to oil woes and environmental concerns, Troy Clarke, GM’s president for North America, said Tuesday night at a GM media event where golfer Tiger Woods helped the automaker unveil the Buick Enclave crossover. “We have the right technology and we know what customers want.”

GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz, head of product development, said this month it will take three to four years “to convert from ‘power’ lithium batteries to ‘energy storage’ lithium cells,” which would allow vehicles to travel farther distances.  GM is “studying plug-in hybrids, and will have more to say about those soon. The whole key there is the development of significantly improved battery technology,” Lutz said on a company Web blog in September. “But rest assured I truly believe that electric-drive vehicles have a real future.”

Wagoner’s speech today will emphasize the challenges the industry faces and note that no one could have predicted where the industry was headed in 2001. He will note the national security implications of not moving to eliminate U.S. dependence on foreign oil.  Ultimately, GM sees hydrogen fuel cells as the likely solution to ending the country’s reliance on oil. GM believes the key is in using electricity—through hybrids, batteries and fuel cells.  GM has made strides in hydrogen technology. It hopes to have 1,000 hydrogen vehicles on the roads by 2010, including 100 Chevy Equinox fuel cell SUVs next year. Its most advanced hydrogen vehicle, the concept Chevy Sequel, can travel 300 miles before refueling.

Plug-in hybrids are gas-electric vehicles that can recharge their batteries with an extension cord and a normal wall outlet.  Like conventional gas-electric hybrids, which have two drivetrains, a plug-in hybrid also can recharge its batteries through a regenerative brake system while on the road. The range on plug-in cars has typically been no more than 20 or 30 miles on battery alone.  But most vehicle trips are under 30 miles, which would remove the need to use any fuel in many trips.

Bruce Belzowski, assistant research scientist at the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute, said the jury is still out on what technology will win out in the years to come.  “People are placing bets across the range,” Belzowski said. “There are no sure winners.”

Posted by Admin on 11/29 at 06:32 AM
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Chevy Equinox 2007

Here’s a link to Chevy’s homepage for information about the 2007 Equinox:  2007 Chevrolet Equinox Overview

Posted by Admin on 11/29 at 06:22 AM
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