2011 Chevrolet Cruze Eco

NEW CHEVROLET CRUZE ECO ACHIEVES SEGMENT-LEADING 42 MPG ON THE HIGHWAY

Hybrid-Like Fuel Economy Starts at $18,895; Goes on Sale in January DETROIT – The official fuel economy numbers for the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze Eco are in and they’re good. Segment-leading good. It delivers an EPA-estimated 42 mpg on the highway (manual transmission models), with equally impressive city fuel economy of 28 mpg.Cruze Eco’s highway fuel economy beats non-hybrid segment competitors – including 23 percent greater highway fuel economy than the Honda Civic – as well as the Ford Fiesta subcompact and many hybrid models. In fact, it’s better than Ford Fusion Hybrid, Nissan Altima Hybrid and Toyota Camry Hybrid.“Chevrolet Cruze continues to redefine the compact segment, offering class-leading standard safety features, upscale amenities – as well as hybrid-like fuel economy without the price,” said Chuck Russell, vehicle line director. “The Cruze Eco is in a league of its own and will challenge perceptions of the efficiency available in a more affordable non-hybrid.”The Cruze Eco carries an MSRP of $18,895 (including destination charge). It goes on sale in January.To achieve its segment-leading fuel economy, Cruze’s engineers focused on aerodynamic performance, mass optimization and powertrain enhancements. The refinements in each area paid big dividends towards the car’s overall efficiency, while providing engineers with valuable information to help enhance the efficiency of future Chevrolet models.“We left no stone unturned or piece of sheet metal un-weighed,” said Russell. “Our engineers were comprehensive and thorough when it came to evaluating and modifying the aspects of the car’s performance that contribute to fuel economy.”Aero enhancementsAerodynamic improvements over non-Eco manual-transmission models contributed approximately 6 mpg to the Cruze’s EPA-estimated 42 mpg highway fuel economy. Many were developed and refined in more than 500 hours of wind-tunnel testing of the Chevy Volt, which shares a core architecture with the Cruze. Examples include the upper grille, which has more “closeouts” to improve aerodynamics, a lower front air dam extension, a rear spoiler, a lowered ride height and underbody panels that smooth airflow beneath the car.The Eco model also features an all-new technology in the compact segment: a lower front grille air shutter that closes at higher speeds to reduce aerodynamic drag and opens at lower speeds to optimize engine-cooling airflow. Another contributor to reduced drag is the use of ultra-low rolling resistance 17-inch Goodyear tires (used with lightweight wheels), which are also used on the Volt.As a result of the aero enhancements, aerodynamic drag was reduced by 10 percent over a non-Eco model, with a coefficient of drag of 0.298. That places Cruze at the top of the class for mainstream compact cars.Mass optimizationMore than 42 changes were made on the Eco to reduce weight. It weighs in at 3,009 pounds (1,365 kg), compared to the 3,223 pounds (1,462 kg) of the Cruze 1LT. The diet program for the Cruze challenged engineers to look at all aspects of the vehicle’s construction, including hundreds of weld flanges on the vehicle. They were reduced 1 mm to 2 mm in length, which saved several pounds, while the sheet metal gauge thickness was reduced by about 0.1 mm in select components. This saved weight while preserving structural integrity.Lighter wheels and tires are used on the Eco. They’re stylish, polished 17-inch alloy units with Goodyear tires that weigh only 36.5 pounds (16.6 kg) apiece. That’s 5.3 pounds (2.4 kg) less than the 16-inch wheel/tires of the Cruze 1LT for a complete savings to the vehicle of 21.2 pounds (9.6 kg).Efficient powertrainCruze Eco is powered by power-dense Ecotec 1.4L turbocharged engine and a standard six-speed manual transmission. The transmission’s gearing is optimized for the model’s specific 17-inch wheel/tire combination and includes aggressive ratios for first and second gear coupled with a highly efficient, “taller” sixth-gear ratio for highway driving. That means engine rpm is reduced on the highway, which in turn reduces fuel consumption. A six-speed automatic transmission is available, with EPA-estimated fuel economy ratings of 26 city and 37 highway.The Ecotec 1.4L turbo’s power ratings are 138 horsepower (103 kW) and 148 lb.-ft. of torque (200 Nm) between 1,850 rpm and 4,900 rpm. The wide rpm range for the maximum torque – a specific trait of turbocharged engines – helps the engine deliver a better driving experience and performance. The turbocharger is integrated within the exhaust manifold, for reduced weight and greater packaging flexibility.The engine also features premium design elements that give it world-class smoothness and durability while also contributing to the Cruze Eco’s lower curb weight. They include a cast iron block with a hollow frame structure, hollow-cast camshafts and a plastic intake manifold.Comparing the competitorsAs a result of aerodynamic improvements, mass reduction and powertrain optimizaton, the Cruze Eco offers the best fuel economy in the compact segment, while delivering hybrid-like fuel economy without the hybrid price. The following charts show how it compares with primary competitors and popular hybrids.
Cruze Eco vs. segment competitorsModel EPA City Fuel Economy EPA Highway Fuel Economy
Chevrolet Cruze Eco 28 mpg 42 mpg
Toyota Corolla 26 mpg 35 mpg
Honda Civic 26 mpg 34 mpg
Ford Focus 25 mpg 35 mpg
Hyundai Elantra 26 mpg 35 mpg
Cruze Eco vs. hybridsModel EPA City Fuel Economy EPA Highway Fuel Economy Price
Chevrolet Cruze Eco 28 mpg 42 mpg $18,895
Ford Fusion Hybrid 41 mpg 36 mpg $27,950
Nissan Altima Hybrid 35 mpg 33 mpg $26,780
Toyota Camry Hybrid 33 mpg 34 mpg $26,150

Has your credit got you down? Are low rates will pick you up.

Almost one year ago General Motors created a partnership with AmeriCredit Financial, one of the leading sub prime finance companies in the industry. That partnership led to General Motors acquisition of AmeriCredit on October 1, 2010 and many happy new car owners with less then perfect credit. Not since GMAC's sub prime arm Nuvell was in business, have I seen rates this low for customers with bumps and bruises on their credit report. It has been a very positive experience from my side of the desk to see the look on a customers face when I tell them their interest rate is under 7% even with a recent bankruptcy. The new GM Financial/AmeriCredit program has been a blessing for so many. This program makes owning some of the most dependable vehicles on the road a reality without a high price tag, for those customers that have credit problems. A typical customer can purchase a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu 1LT with all applicable incentives and $1000.00 cash down for under $380.00 per month. That same car financed with any other sub prime lender would be over $420.00 per month. Not only are you saving an initial $40.00 per month you also save at the pump with an impressive 33 mpg on the highway which is best in class. I will say this if your credit has got you down, come see how are low rates can help pick you up.

Car Loans are becoming more availble for those with credit problems.

Great news from the front lines of bad credit auto financing!!! The tide is changing it seems sub prime auto finance companies have weathered the storm and are looking for new customers. Through the first quarter of this year I have seen about a 40% increase in the number of loans I have been able to secure for my customers. I attribute this to many factors ranging from reduced delinquencies in sub prime companies portfolios to a somewhat stabilization of the economy. It seems since the start of the year things have been improving on a month to month basis. Down payment requirements are decreasing along with interest rates on these loans. Which is great news for the consumer. Now is time to go shopping for that new or used automobile, if you have been putting it off because of the uncertainty of the economy. General Motors has announced they will be adding 1,600 new jobs and a lot of the manufacturing companies in my area are back to mandatory overtime with third shifts. I am very excited to see all this change.

As always remember today your credit counts, now more then ever.The key to saving time and lots of frustration is being prepared and knowing what to expect when you make that trip to get your next car loan. Check back for more information on auto financing and your credit. If you are in need of a car loan visit our website at http://www.getmeachevy.com/ and apply today.

Great news for potential car buyers.

Great News as reported by the Associated Press. For those customers who have had problems with getting financing secured for an auto loan, it looks like things should start to get a little easier.

TransUnion: Auto loan delinquencies decline in 4Q
(AP) – 4 days ago
NEW YORK — TransUnion said Monday that customers at least 60 days past due on repaying auto loans fell 6 percent during the fourth quarter compared with the same period a year earlier.
The 60-day delinquency rate on auto loans dropped to 0.81 percent. The delinquency rate was unchanged from the third quarter.
Auto loan delinquencies could be improving because of more favorable terms and deals in recent months for new cars, including the government's Cash for Clunkers program, Peter Turek, TransUnion's automotive vice president in its financial services business unit, said in a release.
The improving trends in auto loan delinquencies came as more customers fall behind on repaying mortgages and credit card debt.
The credit data provider said 6.89 percent of mortgage borrowers were at least two months behind on payments during the fourth quarter. It was the 12th straight quarter the delinquency rate rose.
The delinquency rate, which is seen as a precursor to foreclosures, was 6.25 percent during the third quarter and 4.58 percent during the final quarter in 2008.
Mortgage delinquencies and defaults remain a major problem facing the economy. A collapse in home sales and prices, as well as rising defaults, helped push the country into recession. Signs of a recovery in the market have been slow and uneven in recent months.
Credit card delinquencies also rose. Customers at least three months late on making a credit card payment rose to 1.21 percent during the final three months of 2009. However, average credit card debt fell to $5,434 from $5,729 during the same quarter a year earlier.
TransUnion tracks the data by randomly sampling 27 million anonymous consumer records every quarter from its national consumer credit database.

Positive Signs in a credit challenged car loan market

In the third quarter of 2009 I have seen some very positive signs for customers with less then perfect credit. It seems that most of the sub prime finance companies are starting to see their portfolios stabilize and get back to somewhat normal delinquency and charge off rates. Along with this stabilization rates have started to slowly drop and advances are slowly rising. The approval ratio where I am located at, has been steadily rising for the last three months. Auto finance companies are seeing the worst is behind us and gearing themselves up to make auto loans for customers with bad credit affordable again.

For the consumer now is about the perfect time to jump feet first into rebuilding their credit with a car loan. The used auto market is starting to stabilize and actually soften a little. Pricing is dropping for the consumer on the retail end. With these two key components working in the customers favor finding an auto loan with bad or shaky credit might be the least expensive now, as anytime in the last two years.

As always remember today your credit counts, now more then ever.The key to saving time and lots of frustration is being prepared and knowing what to expect when you make that trip to get your next car loan. Check back for more information on auto financing and your credit. If you are in need of a car loan visit our website at http://www.getmeachevy.com/ and apply today.

Bankruptcy Filings Surge Past One Million in First Nine Months of Year

(As reported at fi-magazine.com)
ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Consumer bankruptcies totaled 1,046,449 filings through the first nine months of 2009, making it the first time since the 2005 bankruptcy overhaul that filings have surged past the 1 million mark during the first three quarters of a year, according to the American Bankruptcy Institute (ABI).
The filings for the first three quarters of 2009 (from Jan. 1 to Sept. 30) were the highest total since the 1,350,360 consumer filings reported in the first nine months of 2005. The filings are based on data from the National Bankruptcy Research Center.
"Bankruptcy filings continue to climb as consumers look to shelter themselves from the effects of rising unemployment rates and housing debt," said ABI Executive Director Samuel J. Gerdano. "The consumer filing total through the first nine months is consistent with our expectation that consumer bankruptcies will top 1.4 million in 2009."
The September 2009 consumer filing total reached 124,790, a 41 percent increase from the 88,663 consumer filings in September 2008. The September 2009 filings also represented a 4 percent increase over the 119,874 filings in August 2009, and represent the fourth highest single month since the 2005 law change. Chapter 13 filings constituted 28 percent of all consumer cases in September, unchanged from the August rate.

C.A.R.S. program comes to an end

The governments C.A.R.S. program a.k.a. Cash for Clunkers was even more of a success then expected. I personally helped many people that had not so perfect credit get into new vehicles. However due to technicalities I saw a lot of people not qualify for the program. These folks actually may fair pretty good in the up coming months. Due to the laws of supply and demand customers who have decent vehicles to trade in will receive higher appraised values because of the short supply of inexpensive used vehicles on dealers lots. I have seen GM put extra incentives out to help keep sales surging. Even running a subvented rate program with one of the largest sub prime lenders in the world to help customers with bruised credit be able to afford new cars. Now is a great time to trade that old car in for something a little newer and also get in on some of the excellent auto loans being offered right now.

As always remember today your credit counts, now more then ever.The key to saving time and lots of frustration is being prepared and knowing what to expect when you make that trip to get your next car loan. Check back for more information on auto financing and your credit. If you are in need of a car loan visit our website at http://www.getmeachevy.com/ and apply today.