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December sales for Chevy Volt, Nissan Leaf are what you expected

It was another month of as-expected sales for the two pioneering plug-in vehicles in the US. The Nissan Leaf is basically treading water and the new-generation Chevy Volt is getting back to old habits with a big increase in sales compared to where the car was last year. It wasn't a surprising month, but there wasn't any reason to expect a surprise. In fact, we don't suspect this trend to veer too far from where it's at right now until gas prices shoot up or Nissan introduces a new Leaf. Neither of those things is likely to happen any time soon. Let's start with the mediocre news. Nissan reported today that Leaf sales for December 2015 totaled 1,347 units. That's a 56.6-percent drop from where the Leaf was a year ago, and contributed to the all-electric vehicle's 42.8-percent drop in 2015 sales compared to 2014. This past year, 17,269 people bought Leafs, down from 30,200 who did so in 2014. The Volt sold 2,114 copies last month, bringing the plug-in hybrids 2015 total up to 15,393. That's an 18.1 percent drop from the 18,805 Volts sold in 2014. We shouldn't see the past year as a total flop for the Volt, though, since the much-improved second-generation model was introduced late in the year. In fact, if we just look at December 2015 and compare it to the last month of 2014, we see the Volt was able to post a 41.9-percent increase. It'll be quite fun to see where the Volt's numbers go in 2016. As you probably know, we'll have our complete wrap up of green car sales for you soon. Stay tuned. News Source: Nissan, Chevy Green Chevrolet Nissan Electric Hybrid ev sales

GM looks to combat high theft rates on SUVs with added tech

The Cadillac Escalade has been at or near the top of most-stolen and insurance-loss lists for more than seven years, until it dropped to number six earlier this year. In 2011 it was fitted with a host of new security features to address its easy-to-override features and that has brought the number of thefts down, but when eight of the ten most stolen rides are large SUVs from General Motors, no one will argue that something else needs to be done.
Thus, GM has fitted this same theft-deterring tech to the 2015 Suburban, Tahoe and Yukon. The Suburban and Tahoe will get the steering lock that the Escalade and Yukon already get, plus bolted-down third-row seats to deter thefts like this, stronger door lock cylinders and shields, and side-cut keys to inhibit picking.
Additional security measures in a Theft Protection Package can be purchased for $395, consisting of sensors on the greenhouse glass and interior, an incline/tilt sensor and added "key control systems" to make it more difficult for the men in black balaclavas to steal what you bought.

Chevy bringing updated Equinox to Chicago

An updated Chevy Equinox will be revealed at next week's Chicago Auto Show, the automaker confirmed Friday in a press release. The debut of the updated, 2016 Equinox comes on the heels of the midsize crossover – pictured above in its current, 2015-model-year form – posting its best January sales month ever. No details have been released, but Chevy did send out the teaser image you see at right, showing an updated front fascia with new headlamps and LED running lights. This update for the Equinox can't come soon enough. The midsize crossover segment is huge right now, and Chevy's player has largely been unchanged since the second-generation Equinox debuted in 2009. When asked about when we might see a tweaked version of the GMC Terrain – the Equinox's sibling – a General Motors spokesperson could not confirm any specific timing. In any case, we'll bring you all the official details of the new Equinox when it shows its updated face, next week. Featured Gallery 2015 Chevrolet Equinox View 14 Photos News Source: Chicago Auto Show Chicago Auto Show Chevrolet Crossover