2007 Chevrolet Uplander Ls Mini Passenger Van 4-door 3.9l on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Nissan Leaf, Chevy Volt sales both down in June

The best news you can slice out of today's sales reports for June 2015 is that things have to get better at some point. Most likely, sales of the Nissan Leaf and the Chevy Volt will see a big increase once the second-generation models of both vehicles arrive (the Volt later this year and the Leaf, well, at some point after that). For now, though, the best-selling EVs in the US are both suffering compared to where the numbers were at last year. The numbers are also suffering compared to last month, which was the best of the year so far for both vehicles. Looking just at June, though, Leaf sales totaled 2,074 units, down 11.6 percent from a year ago (the EV sold 2,347 units in June 2014). The world's best-selling EV is now down 22.9 percent for the year so far (12,736 in 2014 vs. 9,816 in 2015). Things are a bit worse over at Chevy, where news about the pretty-much-better-in-all-ways second-gen Volt is coming out with great frequency. Nonetheless, people are still buying the outgoing Volt, snapping up 1,225 units in June. That's down 31.1 percent from the 1,777 sold in June 2014. So far in 2015, the Chevy has sold 5,622 Volts, a drop of 34.7 percent from the 8,615 Volts sold in the first six months of 2014. As always, we're working on our full tally of green car sales for June and will bring that to you shortly. For now, discuss the sales of these two plug-in pioneers in our Comments, below. News Source: GM, Nissan Green Chevrolet Nissan Hybrid ev sales

Reuss says GM diesel plans are still on pace

General Motors is not going to let Volkswagen's diesel emissions scandal ruin its plans for a new line of efficient, torquey oil-burners, the company's Executive Vice President Mark Reuss said at a recent press event. "No way," Reuss responded when asked about cancelling the upcoming diesel-powered Chevrolet Cruze and other vehicles. "The Cruze Diesel is too good not to do it." Slated for 2017, the compact is just the latest member of a diesel offensive that initially kicked off with the first Cruze Diesel and most recently saw the introduction of the oil-burning Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon. Reuss also reassured those in attendance that there was "no delay" in development of Cadillac's diesel lineup. Cadillac is working on a line of four- and six-cylinder turbodiesels for Europe. They'd make their way into the US market, too, eventually. "It's a question of timing," Reuss said, according to Car and Driver. Volkswagen's diesel emissions scandal has caused automakers across the globe to at least reanalyze their diesel strategy. Jaguar Land Rover, which is preparing several diesel-powered models for the US market, went on record late last month to reaffirm its commitment to diesel. Related Video: Featured Gallery 2014 Chevrolet Cruze Turbo Diesel: Quick Spin View 14 Photos News Source: Car and DriverImage Credit: Copyright 2015 Seyth Miersma / AOL Green Cadillac Chevrolet GM Diesel Vehicles

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.