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Chevy Silverado gets star-studded treatment at SEMA

Chevrolet has quite a presence ready for the 2015 SEMA Show, including custom takes on the Camaro and Spark. As one of the company's most popular models, the Silverado isn't left out of the fun, either, thanks to a trio of concepts to highlight what's possible for the aftermarket event. Camouflage is supposed to blend in, but the naval-inspired, Razzle Dazzle design on the Silverado Special Ops Concept should make the truck pop under the lights at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Based on a Silverado 1500 Z71, the pickup is conceived as a "rescue vehicle special-operations forces." To get behind enemy lines, it packs extra LED lighting, wheel flares for off-road tires, and a GearOn utility rack in the bed. Plus to help get away, Chevy Performance fits an air intake, exhaust kit, and concept six-piston brakes. The Silverado Realtree Bone Collector Concept (above) also wears camo for SEMA, but it's for enjoying the outdoors rather than getting out of battle. Camouflage company Realtree and The Bone Collector host Michael Waddell help with the design for this custom truck that features 22-inch black wheels, a front push bar, LED light bar, and assist steps all from Chevy Accessories. With leather upholstery, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto inside, the drive to and from the woods should be comfortable, as well. The Silverado 3500HD Kid Rock Concept rounds out this trio and features patriotic styling from the eponymous rock star. "I wanted the design for the truck to be bold, but with features and elements that wouldn't be out of reach for working-class guys," he said about the design, and Kid Rock even visited the factory in Flint, MI, to meet members from UAW Local 598 for some inspiration. The result features a custom chrome grille with a Born Free logo and chrome exhaust stacks. For added excitement, two Gibbs Sports Quadskis are hooked up on the trailer behind it. Related Video: Chevrolet Introduces Silverado Special Ops Concept Military-inspired truck reinforces capability with go-anywhere style LAS VEGAS – Chevrolet's 2016 Silverado Special Ops concept imagines a unique rescue vehicle for special-operations forces. It is based on the Silverado 1500 Z71, which features a new front-end design and new technologies built into its strong, high-strength steel body structure and fully boxed frame, and draws its design inspiration from naval design aesthetics.

Camaro-based Trans Am SE Bandit Edition borrows Burt Reynolds

For some reason, modifying modern Chevrolet Camaros into the lurching, reincarnated shells of the Pontiac brand is still a thing. If you're the perverse sort that likes this kind of thing, you should check out the latest product from the Trans Am Depot, which comes complete with an endorsement from the star of Smokey and the Bandit, Burt Reynolds. Yes, the new Trans Am SE Bandit Edition has been signed and endorsed by the man himself, but what's important here is not the signature on the dash, it's the bits of Camaro that have been modified. Aesthetically, that means a Bandit-and-Frog-approved set of T-tops, a front-opening hood with a very large, prominent shaker scoop, an equally large and prominent screaming chicken, and Trans Am-inspired front and rear fascias. And naturally, Burt Reynolds' signature adorns the dash. There are plenty of reminders in the cabin about this car's Hollywood inspiration, too. Bandit decals can be found on the front headrests and center console lid, there are chicken wings on the Camaro-spec plastic door inserts, and the black-and-tan color scheme matches nicely with the exterior look. And power? Well, Sheriff Buford T. Justice would have a lot more trouble keeping up with this Trans Am than he did with the original. The 7.4-liter LSX V8 has been paired with a 2.9-liter supercharger which is good for 840 horsepower. It's fast and loud, and even if you can't get behind the look (we can't), at least this Camaro-in-Trans Am's clothing can impress with its performance. The Bandit Edition is limited to just 77 units with prices starting around $115,000. You can check out the official video from Trans Am Depot, which comes with a decent helping of Burt Reynolds, up top. Related Video:

Chevy Volt has worst sales month since August 2011, Nissan Leaf also down

January is traditionally a time when new car shoppers take a break. For the last few years, if we isolate our focus to just the first two major plug-in cars in the US market, we see that the first month of the year was lower – often dramatically lower – than the 11 that followed. So, when you see the Chevy Volt dropped and Nissan Leaf sales figures for January 2015, don't be too surprised. The Volt sold only 542 units last month, that model's lowest since August 2011. That also represents a 41 percent drop from January 2014, and it reinforces the thought that if anyone out there is interested in a new Volt, they're going to be waiting for the new model to drop later this year. While we do expect sales to climb in February and into spring, we won't be surprised if the general Volt trend remains quiet until the second-generation arrives. On the Leaf side of the ledger, January's low sales numbers were still about twice as high as the Volt's – the Leaf sold 1,070 units last month, the lowest since February 2013 – but it did break a streak for the Japanese automaker. Usually, each month represents at least an increase over the same month a year ago, but that wasn't the case this time. In January 2014, Nissan sold 1,252 Leafs. Still, Brendan Jones, Nissan's director of electric vehicle sales and infrastructure, issued an upbeat statement: "We saw a significant increase in demand in December from Nissan Leaf customers looking to take advantage of federal and state incentives at the end of the tax year, which pulled some sales ahead. We're confident that EV sales will continue to rise over time due to increasing emission regulations and other reasons for purchase of EVs such as lower operating costs, reducing dependence on foreign energy sources, environmental concerns and a great driving experience." The numbers will tell us soon enough. News Source: General Motors, Nissan Green Chevrolet Nissan Electric Hybrid ev sales brendan jones