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2017 Chevy Bolt EV arrives in late 2016 with 200-mile range

For those keeping track, the production 2017 Chevy Bolt that was just revealed at CES in Las Vegas is, well, pretty much just what we were expecting. As promised, GM claims the EV crossover-ish hatch will have a 200-mile range, and be "affordable." While pricing hasn't been announced, we've posited in the past that "affordable" is code for around $30,000 after incentives. The Bolt will use a couple of features, both novel and expected, to enhance range. The EV is expected to use information on the owner's driving history, the weather outside, the terrain, and even the time of day to help manage and predict range. The nav system will optimize routes to conserve range, if needed, and show nearby charging stations. That should ease, if not eliminate, range anxiety. Another range-conserving feature is a low-draw Bluetooth system. Speaking of charging stations, there's no word so far about how long it'll take to recharge a Bolt, or the capacity of the battery pack. Inside, the large center-mounted MyLink screen measures a full 10.2 inches, and provides a display for the wide-angle rear camera with a birds-eye view capability. OnStar provides 4G LTE and a wifi hotspot to occupants, and the sorts of efficiency and driving habit apps you'd expect will be available. It seems like remote start and cabin preconditioning will be standard. Interestingly, the Bolt will feature "Gamification" features intended to promote efficient driving by pitting Bolt drivers against each other for green driving awards or rankings. Details on are sparse on this feature, but then again, information on the Bolt in general is a little sparse right now. If you want to know things like detailed specs, the specifics of chassis componentry, or even trims and options, you'll have to wait. Check out our first quick spin of a prototype Bolt in Las Vegas for a preview of what GM's EV is like on the road. Chevrolet Introduces 2017 Bolt EV First long-range, affordable EV with customer-focused connectivity LAS VEGAS – Chevrolet is introducing the 2017 Bolt EV at the Consumer Electronics Show, fulfilling its promise to offer a long-range, affordable electric vehicle for the masses. The Bolt EV, which will go into production by the end of 2016, will offer more than 200 miles of range on a full charge. It also features advanced connectivity technologies designed to enhance and personalize the driving experience.

Man spent $75 on a truck that lasted 38 years

Absurd as it is, some buyers today are worried about getting their car to last throughout the term of their seven-year car loan. Minnesota resident Bob Sportel has the opposite issue: his Chevrolet truck seemingly won't die. Sportel needed a cheap ride to get to work when he took a job at a farmer's co-op 38 years ago, so he bought a rusty 1957 Chevy pickup for $75 from a farmer; at the time, the 20-year-old truck was almost as old as Bob was. After nearly four decades of daily driving and an estimated 300,000 miles, Sportel is still driving the truck today. Bolts secure a fender, Bondo secures the lights, what looks like a whole roll of duct tape keeps him sitting on the bench seat instead of in it. For a 58-year-old pickup that's never seen a garage or a new coat of paint – but did get its oil changed four times a year – that's not bad; Sportel thinks his repair bill hasn't got above $1,000 for the entire time he's owned the truck. He still has no plans to get rid of it, saying, "It just becomes a part of you." You can watch his story in the video above. News Source: KARE11.com Chevrolet Truck Classics Videos

2023 J.D. Power Initial Quality Study shows there's less quality than last year

Vehicle inventory, vehicle pricing, and the supply chain are finally showing improvement. Vehicle quality, on the other hand, is still going the wrong way. That's the takeaway from the 2023 J.D. Power Initial Quality Study that found overall problems exceeded last year's record high. The study surveyed owners of 2022-model-year vehicles to assess the average rate of problems per 100 vehicles (PP100) during the first 90 days of ownership. The average figure for the 32 ranked manufacturers in 2020 was about 166 problems per 100 vehicles. In the 2021 IQS, that dropped to an average of 162. For 2022, the average jumped to 180 problems. For 2023, the PP100 is up to an industry average of 192 — an increase of 30 problems per 100 vehicles in just two years. Let's get to the good news first: Dodge reclaimed the crown of having the lowest number of problems per 100 vehicles at 140. Buick won last year with 139 PP100, falling to third this year. Dodge was the first American automaker to top the IQS in 2021. Its return as the least problematic gives parent company Stellantis three wins in four years after Ram was crowned in 2021. It also gives U.S. brands a four-peat after Buick topped the chart in 2022 by having owners report the fewest problems. This year's top 10 is Dodge, Ram, Alfa Romeo, Buick, Chevrolet, GMC, Porsche, Cadillac, Kia, and Lexus. Stellantis gathered a few feathers for its cap, in fact. Maserati showed the largest improvement year-on-year, followed by Alfa Romeo, and Alfa Romeo posted the lowest PP100 among the premium class, beating Porsche and Cadillac. Alfa Romeo has been vocal about working to improve quality, mentioning Lexus as a target. Last year the Japanese brand finished sixth, the Italians finished near the bottom, between Jaguar and Mitsubishi. This year Alfa jumped to third, Lexus dropped to tenth. Ram was the third-best on the list of improvers from 2022 to 2023.   The individual model with the lowest PP100 is the Nissan Maxima. Now for the troublesome bits. In the words of Frank Hanley, senior director of auto benchmarking at J.D. Power, "The industry is at a major crossroad and the path each manufacturer chooses is paramount for its future.