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Nissan Leaf keeps plug-in vehicle sales crown for 6th straight month

And Nissan makes it 14 in a row. For the 14th straight month, the all-electric Leaf has had "record sales," according to Nissan's marketing team. What that means is that for that particular month (in this case, April) no matter what year you look at, the car sold more than it ever did before. For April 2014, the 2,088 Leafs sold represents a 7.8-percent increase from 2013. Nissan's director of EV sales and marketing, Toby Perry, said in a statement that the "new market" of Cincinnati made the top 25 list for Leaf sales areas in April, so the car's popularity continues to ebb and flow across the US. Over at Chevy, the Volt sold 1,548 units in April, reaching a year-to-date total of 5,154. The Leaf is outpacing that with 7,272 YTD sales. In 2013, the Volt outsold the Leaf by about 500 vehicles, but Leaf sales are up 33 percent year-over-year while Volt is down 7.1 percent. The Leaf has also outsold the Volt for six straight months. But we're excited for every eco-car sale, and that's why we'll have our monthly detailed write-up of the rest of the plug-ins, hybrids and diesel vehicles available soon. Until then, discuss. Green Chevrolet Nissan Electric Hybrid PHEV ev sales

Top Gear names BMW i8 Car of the Year, Corvette, Ferrari, Mercedes also win big

The lads at Top Gear have released their listing of the finest cars of the past year, handing the ultimate honor to BMW's revolutionary i8 plug-in-hybrid supercar. "The i8 is a milestone in the annals of automotive history and a glorious statement for an exciting and positive future. The i8 delivers - and then some," the British mag wrote. The i8, though, was far from the only hybridized car to take victories. James May and Richard Hammond both highlighted hybrids as their personal cars of the year, with May saluting the Ferrari LaFerrari and the Hamster, unsurprisingly, heaping praise on the Porsche 918 Spyder. Jeremy Clarkson, meanwhile, opted to shock many by selecting not only an American car as his best of 2014, but giving the honor to of all things, a Corvette. Clarkson wasn't the only person to honor the USA's iconic sports car, with the new, 650-horsepower Z06 variant being named TG's Muscle Car of the Year. Other big winners include Mercedes-Benz, which TG honored for S-Class Coupe (Luxury Car of the Year), the new AMG GT (Sports Car of the Year) and the not-for-US C-Class Estate (Family Car of the Year). The 458 Italia Speciale A snagged a second win for Ferrari. The best of the rest include the Citroen C4 Cactus, Renault Twingo, Volkswagen Golf R, Lamborghini Huracan and Audi TT. Take a look below for the celebratory press blast from BMW. The BMW i8 wins Top Gear Car of the Year The BMW i8 has been named as Top Gear magazine's global Car of the Year 2014. The plug-in hybrid performance vehicle beat off some stiff competition from a host of other premium and luxury manufacturers to win the overall award. The editorial team of Top Gear commended the BMW i8 for its breadth of abilities. Its 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine combined with an electric motor gives searing acceleration and driver enjoyment but all wrapped in a package that takes BMW's EfficientDynamics philosophy to the extreme courtesy of CO2 emissions less than 49g/km and a 135mpg combined cycle figure. Charlie Turner, Editor in Chief at Top Gear magazine, said: "The BMW is a milestone in the annals of automotive history and a glorious statement for an exciting and positive future. The i8 delivers – and then some. It's the kind of car we should celebrate, a beautiful vision of the future, delivered now.

Chevy updates Silverado HD with new towing equipment

Enamored by the updated Chevy Silverado released just the other day, but need something a little more heavy duty? Chevy isn't going to keep you around waiting for long, as it has now revealed a new Silverado HD as well. While the new Silverado 1500-series has been distinguished over the outgoing version principally by its revised styling, the updated Silverado HD is more about its enhanced equipment. It's got a new Digital Steering Assist system (on some models) designed to enable easier and safer towing. There's a new gooseneck/5th-wheel trailer prep package that enables Chevy's new heavy duty truck to tow as much as 23,200 pounds. And the interior equipment is augmented as well by a new MyLink system with seven- or available eight-inch display, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability, wireless phone charging and more. Buyers will be able to choose between two versions (2500HD and 3500HD), four trim levels, three cab sizes, two cargo box lengths, and numerous powertrain and drivetrain configurations for a staggering array of combinations. There'll also be several special editions and packages, like the Z71 for off-road use and Custom Sport Edition for a sleeker look, as well as chassis cab and CNG versions. Scope out the full details in the press release below and the fresh batch of images in the gallery above. Related Video: 2016 Chevy Silverado HD Offers Digital Steering Assist Control-enhancing system, phone integration and 5th wheel package lead updates 2015-09-24 DETROIT – Chevrolet Silverado HD trucks are engineered to make the toughest jobs easier, and new technologies for 2016 complement features such as integrated cruise control, powertrain grade braking and diesel exhaust braking to enhance control. New Digital Steering Assist power steering on some double cab and crew cab models helps make hauling and trailering easier and more confident, with electronic controls that enhance road holding and stability on the highway – particularly on crowned roads – regardless of whether the truck is loaded. It also offers greater responsiveness and an improved steering feel. Digital Steering Assist is not available on Work Truck models or regular cab. There's also a new Gooseneck/5th Wheel Trailering Prep Package, with a spray-in bedliner, that makes Silverado HD models ready to tow larger trailers right from the factory.