NTEA 2018 Showcases Silverado 4500HD, 5500HD, and 6500HD Introductions

Around the showroom here at Chuck Hutton over the last year, there has been much talk about customer-focused trucks, and the features that are the highest on the list when a new purchase is made. Having the simple quality of being easy to drive has become more and more important lately, as we notice a larger number of customers coming in that are looking to feel completely at ease while they are behind the wheel. Access to easy service is also a necessary quality that folks are on the hunt for: “walk up” access to the engine for home repair has been sought after more commonly. During the first week of March at the NTEA Work Truck Show, Chevy released its first-ever Silverado Class 4, 5, and 6 chassis cab trucks. These are 3 immensely capable conventional cab models, and will be the most customer-focused trucks of any major competitor.

The valued input from fleet managers, technicians, upfitters, and truck drivers as well as dealers all were factors in the development of these versatile and able new Silverado trucks. They will be available in 2WD as well as 4WD, and will be powered by a 6.6 – liter 350 horsepower Duramax diesel engine, serving up 700 lb – ft of torque. Taking into consideration the well-proven power of existing Allison transmissions as well as the Duramax diesel engine, a medium duty truck line exists that will appeal to competitive owners, as well as those who are very loyal to Chevy.

The Silverado will now be the most connected commercial truck available, thanks to options that include OnStar and Commercial Link, the built-in 4GLTE Wi-FI Hotspot, wireless phone charging ability, Bluetooth, and support for Android Auto as well as AppleCarplay. During last year, GM Fleet delivered nearly 300,000 units to Commercial and Government customers, which is the most on record since 2008. This allowed us to gain nearly 1.4 percentage points of the entire market share, and this new 3-pickup strategy was built around the Colorado mid-size pickup, as well as the Silverado ¼ ton and 1-ton models.

One of the best solutions that we feel we are now able to offer customers here in Memphis at Chuck Hutton Chevy is offering trucks such as this that are no longer difficult to drive. There are many models out there that have poor downward perspective for the driver, combined with poor low-speed maneuverability due to narrow wheel cuts. This can make for a very difficult to drive truck, and Chevy has been striving to provide up to 50-degree wheel cuts, as well as a countered hood that is able to fully optimize the driver's perspective of the road below him.

Another trait that really gives us a sense of pride for these new trucks is the solving of a very common noise problem, as aftermarket air suspensions that you won't find in a Ford or a Ram are triple-sealed, with insert doors to help reduce road and other wind noise. Huck bolts are incorporated throughout the frame, for a very high level of clamping force. We hope that you are able to come visit us at Chuck Hutton this month, and check out the 7 cab-to-axle options, ranging from 60 to 162 inches, along with five unique axle-to-back-of-frame lengths, all sized in 8-inch increment. We are proud to offer the best in durability, rugged appeal, and trucks that are very long lasting, and are excited about the release of these four new models. We are happy to be your constantly on-point location for top-notch sales and service in Memphis, and there will be no shortage of truck excitement in our ranks this spring!

Planning on Hitting the Road? Check out this Chevy-Engineered Map of America's Fine Points!

As signs of spring are definitely showing here in Memphis, we are definitely taking notice of our favorite customers that are getting ready to purchase vehicles they love to travel in. It may be Niagra Falls, the famed Cedar Point Amusement Park in Ohio, or a family trip back East to see all-American landmarks such as the Liberty Bell: sometimes it is the route you take itself that poses a bit of a question. The excitement of professional baseball games, world-class museums, and locations such as the Mall of the Americas always have the ability to stir a sense of pride, as well as anticipated adventure.

Chevy recently enlisted the expertise of data scientist Randy Olson to help travelers make the most of their plans, while on the hunt for the best route to traverse through every single state. When we conducted a survey about travel and what ranks high with parents, time that is spent exploring new destinations, and locations that stood out from the crowd were two of the highest-ranked qualities for family road trips. Highlighting great U.S. Landmarks such as the Gateway Arch and Walt Disney World in Orlando, the data on this map provides users with an efficient route between these world-class destinations, and paves the way for drivers to enjoy the locations with the least amount of backtracking.

The map's design allows those who are hitting the road to begin at any location, and drive as much, or as little as they want to for the day. Chevy is the only brand to earn J.D. Power Dependability Awards for cars, trucks, and SUVs three years in a row, solidifying our brand's promise to make sure you are safe on the road at all times. The national survey commissioned by Chevy found that parents will typically have on board an average of 6.6 mobile devices while on the road. Since the Chevy Traverse, Equinox, and Trax have stellar technology options to assure that everyone on board stays connected with the best in available 4G LTE Wi-Fi.

One of the coolest features of this partnership with this very knowledgeable navigation guru was for those who are looking to take shorter trips. You may want to explore the West Coast or Northeast in particular, where you can see the Pike Place Market in Seattle, or maple syrup trees check the beautiful hills of Vermont. If you have just secured a lease or purchase from us here at Chuck Hutton, one of the most interesting destinations on this map is the Portland Head Lighthouse, in Cape Elizabeth, Maine. Situated on the beautiful rocky shores of Fort Williams Park, this area offers picnic facilities, hiking, sports and recreation areas, and historic fort structures. To check out this map and plan an epic vacation of your own, just click here:

Chuck Hutton's Spotlight on Electric: Chevy Bolt Production to Ramp Up

With the beginning of Spring looming pleasantly over us here in Memphis, we have shifted our attention as of late to how automakers worldwide are making drastic changes to help the environment. During the annual CERAWeek energy conference in Houston, GM Ceo Mary Barra announced that due to heightened demand globally, Chevy Bolt EV production will be heavily increased. Taking place at the Orion Assembly plant north of Detroit, a target of around 30,000 units per year total is the desired outcome.

There is a large amount of importance regarding the need to remove barriers that exist blocking consumer acceptance of electronic vehicles. Our staff here at Chuck Hutton believes that the energy industry and its stakeholders should partner with car manufacturers to develop a large network for charging, that makes consumers more confident to drive their EV's everywhere. Last year, Chevy proudly announced plans to expand production of electric cars, adding two new vehicles based on the Bolt EV platform within the next year and a half, and 18 more within the next 5 years.

The base LT trim for the Bolt comes standard with 17-inch alloy wheels, a rearview camera for added safety, HID headlights, single-zone automatic climate control, keyless entry/start, an 8.0-inch re-configurable display, and Chevy's MyLink infotainment system with a 10.2-inch touchscreen. If you schedule time to visit us for a test drive, don't miss out on viewing the Premiere Trim Level: you gain leather upholstery, a 360-degree view camera system, a heated steering wheel, ambient lighting, heated front and rear seats, blind spot warning, rear parking sensors, and rear-cross traffic alerts.

Last year's Bolt EV received a score of “good” on all crash tests except for the headlight module, and also gleaned a “Superior” rating on the front crash prevention test after avoiding 12 as well as 25 – MPH collisions. It then received the Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS for the year, further solidifying its position as a vehicle that has your entire precious cargo as its number one priority. When its time to hit the road with a bit of extra gear, you'll enjoy the 16.9 cubic feet of cargo space, located behind the 60/40 split-folding rear seats. If all of the seats are folded down entirely, this space is expanded to 56.6 cubic feet.

U.S.News's car blog categorized this year's Bolt as having “zippy performance and a spacious interior”, and gave it props for its long range, fast charging time, and more than ample abilities in the power department. This is the car for 2018 that boasts one of the longest ranges for electric currently available: at 238 miles, you can completely revamp the battery overnight with the use of a 240-volt charger. There are literally hundreds of dollars you can save annually on fuel costs, and the Bolt is the answer to any Memphis commuter's New Year's resolution to make decisions that consistently benefit the planet!

Trucks.com Highlights One Hundred Years of Performance: 2018 Silverado Centennial

The year was 1918 when the Chevy brand's very first pickup hit the market, and just last month, professional curator Leslie Kendall of Los Angeles's Petersen Automotive Museum commented that the differences between past and present models are “night and day”. During the month of March here at Chuck Hutton Chevy, we are all paying homage to that very important date in Chevy history: it was one hundred years ago this January that the 490 light delivery model was introduced. It was basically a stripped-out passenger car of sorts, that replaced its body with a pickup bed, as well as the addition of stronger springs to haul crops. This early model put to use a 4-cylinder engine, that then produced a now seemingly minuscule 24 horsepower.

In the entire spectrum of the truck realm, there are many stark contrasts between the past and present, and it is very true that the present Silverado model is quite the remarkable advancement. A 5,300-pound truck that comfortably seats five passengers and has the ability to tow six tons, it now derives power from a 5.3-liter V8, and produces 355 horsepower. It also holds the bragging rights of the top-selling vehicle in the GM portfolio, and accounted for 585,000 total models sold last year. Since that time long ago when Chevy introduced the now very primitive-seeming 490, the brand we love to represent every day has sold an estimated 85 million trucks.

During December, the Texas Motor Speedway was the location for the Chevy Truck Centennial Event, where very loyal customers were able to test the towing capabilities of new trucks, as well as try their hand at climbing demanding inclines with the new off-road Colorado ZR2. Many attendees have owned several Chevy truck models in their lifetime, and have consistently raved about the brand's incredibly high level of dependability, while conveying a rugged toughness. One very loyal and longstanding Silverado owner from Round Rock, Texas adamantly claimed that “if he won any other truck in a lottery, he would sell it and buy a Chevy”. Great features like full leather interior, vibrant large touchscreen, and standard WiFi connection are all a grave difference from the interiors of historic trucks that would appear in a museum hall.

It is very amazing to think that it was just a bench seat gracing the interior in that very first Chevy model, and is also true that the modern breed of pickup is among the most well-appointed vehicles that exist on the road. The rise in technology and luxury options have been a large factor in a shift in preference from smaller passenger cars, to larger light trucks. Our sales and service staff marvels at the elements of luxury that now encompass the Silverado and many other models, and they still have amazing work and towing potential.

Car and Driver heftily claimed this year that “after 100 years of building pickups, Chevy's formula is nearly perfect”, and gave the Silverado high praise for its hard-working stature and ability. Every Silverado model now has a backup camera, and the eAssist package is now optional on the LTZ, and not just the LT trim. Check out what the off-road package offers while you are visiting us here at Chuck Hutton of Memphis for a test drive: front-running features like Body-color grille surround and headlamp bezel, as well as 18-inch wheels with all-terrain tires are included. One other great feature is automated emergency braking: it slows the vehicle when it senses an impending collision, further protecting you and your crew during your journey.