Chevrolet Making Moves To Make Towing Safer

As stated in a recent Chevy press release, about 1.2 million horse, RV and work trailers are sold each year in the United States. And though it’s an obvious fact, these trailers are usually pulled by either full-size trucks or SUVs. As an award-winning industry leader in trailering, Chevrolet has decided to help trailer manufacturers and the industry leaders to gain a better understanding of the direction truck and trailering is going.

The brand has recently announced they will be partnering with the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) and the National Association of Trailer Manufacturers (NATM) in order to produce an integrated and even more convenient trailering experience for trailer owners around the US.

“This partnership with Chevrolet is part of the trailer industry’s continued commitment to improving safety,” Pam Trusdale, executive director, NATM stated. “We are confident that we can collectively improve not only the towing experience for consumers but also public safety, which is why NATM is excited about working with Chevrolet.”

Chevy will be helping trailer manufactures in the development of technologies that will completely enhance the combined trailer and truck safety and industry safety standards. In addition to this, the partners will work together to increase the communication between the truck and trailer, assuring the driver is always aware of what’s going on behind them.

“Our owners are often towing something, from an RV to construction equipment, that is more valuable than their truck,” stated General Motors future truck executive chief engineer, Tim Herrick. “Unequivocally, they tell us that they are looking for a better towing experience. Safer, easier, with more integration between their trailer and their truck.”

Look out for more built-in advanced towing options on future Chevrolet models at Mid-MO Powerhouse in Jefferson City! 

More Updates On The Highly Anticipated Mid-Engine Corvette

A couple of months ago, we posted about the possibility of a mid-engine Corvette becoming a reality...and according to a new string of spy photos, this is no joke. Though the snapshots are not top quality, they show us more than we knew before, so we’re not complaining.

In the new photos, we can see a (very camouflaged) prototype C8 in its actual body this time around, giving us a pretty good idea of the car’s profile- and confirming that the engine is most certainly located in the back. What we can’t see yet are the major details, which is to be expected, as the new ‘Vette still seems to be a developmental mule.

Word on the street is that a small-block V-8 engine will bring the power, pumping out between 450 to 500 horsepower when paired with a new, Tremec-sourced seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. But we still have lots of questions…Price? Performance? Name?

The mid-engined Corvette is expected to make its debut at the Detroit auto show in January 2018, so we have quite the wait but we’re looking forward to all the details!

In the meantime, be sure to stop in Mid-MO Powerhouse in Linn, MO to check out our current inventory of the C7 Corvette!

If You're A Chevy Truck Enthusiast, The New Truck Legends Program Is For You

Are you a dedicated Jefferson City Chevy Truck enthusiast? If so, you’ll love this! This past Wednesday, Chevrolet launched a program called “Truck Legends”, which recognizes and honors Chevy truck owners who have more than 100,000 miles on their trucks or have purchased/leased more than one new Chevy Truck in their lifetime. The program is currently open to only Texas residents, however, the brand plans to roll out nationwide in 2017.

“We know there is a story behind every mile, every truck and every customer,” Sandor Piszar, Chevrolet truck marketing director stated. “The Truck Legends program is our way of saying ‘thank you’ to our loyal customers and curating some of their stories.” He went on, “In 2018 we will celebrate the 100th anniversary of our first Chevrolet truck, and that event would not be complete without recognizing the customers who have made Chevrolet part of the fabric of America. The stories from our Truck Legends will play a key part in celebrating the next hundred years of Chevrolet trucks.”

As a Truck Legends member, you will receive Truck Legends memorabilia, such as hats and decals. Dealerships that participate in the program may offer benefits, such as free carwashes, discounts on oil changes or Chevrolet truck accessories at a discounted price. In addition to this, Chevrolet will occasionally offer Truck Legends members once-in-a-lifetime experiences like tickets to a sold out game, front-row seats at a concert or sneak peeks at new Chevrolet models.

Trucks eligible for the Truck Legends program include:

• Silverado and Silverado HD (and past C/K trucks)
• Colorado (and past S-10 trucks)
• Tahoe
• Suburban
• Avalanche 

As mentioned, the program is currently open to only Texas residents, however, will be launched nationwide in 2017. At that point, owners will be able to sign up at ChevyTruckLegends.com!

The Chevy Colorado Has A Role In A New Military Spec Vehicle

Earlier this week, General Motors and the U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC) made an announcement about an up-and-coming military spec vehicle that will be based on the Chevrolet Colorado and powered by hydrogen fuel cells- a fuel cell (often compared to a battery) that uses both hydrogen and oxygen as fuel to produce electricity and water. The electricity produced will be used to power the vehicle and the water will either be ejected or captured.

Though there is a push for electric vehicles throughout the entire automotive industry, the military segment is especially significant. A fuel-cell vehicle makes very little noise and the electric motors will reach their maximum torque almost instantly. This allows it to maneuver through rough terrain quietly. As far as charging goes, the fuel-cell vehicle does not require a station- just a supply of hydrogen. It even has the ability to be used as an electric generator and source of water.

The fuel-cell vehicle will be revealed this October at the Association of the United States Army fall meeting, located in Washington, D.C. Though the military has not stated whether or not they will use this type of vehicle in active duty, GM did state that a commercially viable fuel-cell vehicle is in the works for the 2020 time frame.

Only time will tell with this one. Who knows, maybe this technology will end up on future Chevy models!

Be sure to stop by Mid-Missouri Powerhouse in Jefferson City to check out our current Chevrolet lineup!