Chevy Unveils First Self-Driving Vehicles

DURAND, Mich., –– This summer, General Motors has begun its campaign to launch the automotive world into the future. GM has manufactured and produced 130 self-driving Chevy Bolt EV vehicles in their Orion Assembly Plant in Michigan. Get an exclusive look into the future as Chevy unveils its first self-driving vehicles to the world! The technology may not be available to the public yet, but according to GM, it will be released to the public sooner rather than later! Read on to learn about these unique benefits the self-driving Chevy Bolt EV carries with it!

The self-driving technology in the Chevy Bolt EV is possible in part thanks to LIDAR, a laser radar technology, which helps the vehicle detect its surroundings to ensure the safety of its driver and passengers. Other technology, like cameras, sensors, and radars, will help the vehicle detect any potential hazards at 360 degrees. While this technology will allow the vehicle to drive on its own, it is considered a Level-4 autonomous vehicle. This means that it's able to drive on its own, but still requires an alert driver to sit behind the vehicle in case of emergencies. Drivers can take control during any situation, but the vehicle is able to adapt to most scenarios, including traffic and freeway driving.

GM has made it their goal to become the first car company to mass-produce autonomous vehicles for the public. Last year, they purchased Cruise Automation, a self-driving car software company for $581 million. Since then, they've hired 1,163 engineers and other employees and have been investing aggressively in Cruise Automation's technology. GM will run Cruise Automation like a Silicon Valley startup company, investing almost $150 million quarterly to ensure that this technology is able to be released to the public sooner rather than later.

Additionally, GM has invested $500 million in the ride-hailing app Lyft, and plans to deploy the self-driving Bolt EV through the company's network in the near future. Before they bring this reality into fruition, however, GM has vowed to perfect their self-driving technology. Earlier in the year, they had already produced 50 self-driving vehicles, and now, with 180 to test and manufacture, time and innovation is on their side. 

While the self-driving Chevy Bolt EV isn't available to the public, the Bolt EV and its award winning features are available to purchase today! Browse our inventory to read up on the Bolt EV and other award-winning Chevrolet vehicles to see what we at Graff Durand have to offer you. Get a glimpse of the future as Chevy unveils its first self-driving vehicles! Before you know it, you'll be piloting your very own autonomous vehicle!

Located at 9009 East Lansing Road in Durand, MI 48429, Hank Graff Chevrolet Durand wants to revolutionize your car buying experience. We’ll bring all the transparency and customer satisfaction you need while making the buying experience fun! If you have any questions be sure to contact us at (989) 288-2657 or head over to our website at www.GraffChevyDurand.com! We are proud to serve Durand and the surrounding communities of Owosso, Flint, Genesee Charter Township, Swartz Creek, and Corunna.


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2017 Chevrolet Lineup Wins 18 Awards at Los Angeles Auto Show

DURAND, Mich., –– Chevrolet's 2017 lineup is coming off an impressive week after being recognized for 18 awards at the Los Angeles Auto Show, a brand record for Chevy. The all-new Bolt EV led the way with five awards, including being named to the illustrious Car and Driver 10Best Cars list with the Camaro 1LE, and Corvette Grand Sport. In total, nine different Chevy vehicles were recognized at the L.A. Auto Show, proving that the future is bright at Chevrolet.

The complete list of awards:

Bolt EV

• Car and Driver – 10Best Cars
• Car Connection – Best EV to Buy, Best Hatchback to Buy
• Green Car Reports – Best New Car to Buy
• Green Car Journal – Green Car of the Year
• Hispanic Motor Press – Best EV/Plug-In Vehicle

Camaro

• Car and Driver – 10Best Cars
• Hispanic Motor Press – Best American Muscle

Colorado

• Consumer Guide Automotive – Best Buy (Compact Pickup)
• Hispanic Motor Press – Best Pickup Medium Size

Corvette

• AutoGuide.com – Reader’s Choice Sports Car of the Year
• Car and Driver – 10Best Cars
• Consumer Guide Automotive – Best Buy (Premium Sporty/Performance Car)

Impala

• Consumer Guide Automotive – Best Buy (Large Car)
• Kelley Blue Book – 2017 Best Buy Award (Full-Size Car)

Malibu

• Consumer Guide Automotive – Best Buy (Midsize Car)

Silverado 1500

• Consumer Guide Automotive – Best Buy (Large Pickup)

Tahoe

• Kelley Blue Book – 2017 Best Buy Award (Full-Size SUV)

Volt

• Consumer Guide Automotive – Best Buy (Electric Car)

In addition to the 2017 Chevy lineup winning 18 awards at the Los Angeles Auto Show, the 2017 Bolt EV was named the MOTOR TREND Car of the Year, one of the most prestigious awards in the automotive industry. If you're looking to make a change to a new vehicle like one of the 2017 models listed above, we encourage you to visit our dealership in Durand, MI. We'd be happy to help you find the SUV, truck, sedan or crossover you're looking for. We also want to help you be safe on the road. Make sure to complete your Fall Car Care routine at our Graff Durand Service Center.

Located at 9009 East Lansing Road in Durand, MI 48429, Hank Graff Chevrolet Durand wants to revolutionize your car buying experience. We’ll bring all the transparency and customer satisfaction you need, while making the buying experience fun! If you have any questions be sure to contact us at (989) 288-2657 or head over to our website at www.GraffChevyDurand.com! We are proud to serve Durand and the surrounding communities of Owosso, Flint, Genesse Charter Township, Swartz Creek, and Corunna.

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2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV Nominated for Green Car of the Year

DURAND, Mich., –– Chevrolet's new all-electric vehicle, the 2017 Bolt EV, has been nominated for the Green Car Journal's Green Car of the Year award. This prestigious award is given each year by Green Car Journal, an eco-conscious automotive magazine, to the vehicle that best embodies efficiency, affordability and overall environmental achievement. The 2017 Bolt EV named among four other finalists and the winner will be announced at the Los Angeles Auto Show on November 17th.

The 2017 Bolt's record-setting electric range, an EPA estimated 238 miles, was one of its chief reasons for being nominated as it is the first production electric vehicle to achieve a 200-plus mile driving range. Chevrolet is also aiming to repeat as the title holder, the 2016 Chevrolet Volt won the Green Car of the Year at last year's convention. The Green Car of the Year is selected through a majority vote by an esteemed jury that includes multiple industry leaders and celebrity auto enthusiast Jay Leno.

The 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV

The 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV is designed to be exceptionally aerodynamic and light weight to help its electric motor be as productive as possible. For example, due to having an electric battery motor, the 2017 Bolt does not require air that a conventional motor needs for combustion so the underbody of the car is able to be enclosed and thus more aerodynamic. It doesn't lack style though, as it's expressive proportions and body lines offer a solid, robust stance on the road. The battery's positioning even allows for a flat floor and increased spaciousness in the interior.

The Bolt's 238-mile range allows for five times the mileage needed for the average daily commute of 40 miles. This means you could potentially go multiple of days without having to charge the battery, if you so choose.

Additional features include:

• Electronic precision shift 
• Michelin self-sealing tires 
• 17" painted aluminum wheels 
• 10.2-inch diagonal color touch-screen 
• Rear vision camera 

General Motors and Chevrolet are committed to advancing eco-friendly automotive technology and are proud of their achievement, earning back to back nominations. With the 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV being nominated for Green Car of the Year, they hope that another victory after last year's triumph with the 2016 Volt will serve as major step forward in their mission to bring affordable and capable eco-friendly vehicles to the public.

We recommend following our Fall Car Care steps to keep your safe on the road and ready for the harsh winter weather ahead. Or, stop by our Graff Chevrolet Durand Service Center for assistance.

Come see us at 9009 East Lansing Road in Durand, MI 48429. Hank Graff Chevrolet Durand is revolutionizing the car buying experience. We provide all the transparency and customer service you need, while simultaneously making your purchase experience fun! For any questions contact us at (989) 288-2657 or visit our website at www.GraffChevyDurand.com! We proudly serve Durand, as well as the surrounding communities of Owosso, Flint, Genesse Charter Township, Swartz Creek, and others.

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Chevrolet Bolt EV Recharged for 2017

DURAND, Mich., – The new Chevrolet Bolt EV has been recharged for 2017 and will now offer drivers the ability to potentially stop the vehicle without using the brake pedal. This type of braking system is referred to as regenerative braking or “regen” braking. Although this driving method does not eliminate the need to use the brake pedal completely, this progressive form of brake system will increase energy efficiency.

This form of braking in electric vehicles is a way to save energy by redirecting unused energy back to the engine. This method is also referred to as one-pedal driving. Owners of the 2017 Bolt EV will have four different modes to choose from when engaging in one-pedal driving:

• Operating in Drive and easing off the accelerator
• Operating in Drive and using the new Regen on Demand paddle on the steering wheel
• Operating in Low and easing off the accelerator
• Operating in Low and using the Regen on Demand paddle

Throughout testing, engineers discovered that using one-pedal driving methods can increase range by up to 5 percent and provide 200 miles on the Bolt EV. It seems to us like the newest Chevrolet Bolt EV has been recharged for 2017!

Whatever your preferred driving method, it’s important to take care of your vehicle all the time! With help from our routine maintenance and service FAQ pages, you can you keep your car running for years to come! At Graff Chevrolet Durand, we want to put you in the vehicle to fit your lifestyle and needs! If you can’t find what you’re looking for by searching our online inventory, a sales professional would be more than happy to assist you in your vehicle hunt!

Located at 9009 East Lansing Road in Durand, MI 48429, Hank Graff Chevrolet Durand wants to revolutionize your car buying experience. We’ll bring all the transparency and customer satisfaction you need, while making the buying experience fun! If you have any questions be sure to contact us at (989) 288-2657 or head over to our website at www.GraffChevyDurand.com! We are proud to serve Durand and the surrounding communities of Owosso, Flint, Genesse Charter Township, Swartz Creek, and Corunna.

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2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV Will Debut at CES 2016

DURAND, Mich.–– The International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) will be taking place in Las Vegas today. The 2017 Bolt EV will debut at CES 2016 today, January 6th, using Facebook Live. Chevrolet is the first auto brand to use Facebook to debut a vehicle via Facebook Live.

Although 2017 might seem far away, 2016 will offer the all-new Volt, Malibu Hybrid and Spark EV. The Volt was the first vehicle to establish Chevrolet in electrification expertise. With more affordable EV options than any other auto brand, Chevrolet is a clear leader in electrification.

The Bolt EV will bring connectivity technology and infotainment systems which will make it easy to integrate smartphones and other electronics consumers have come to rely on. The Bolt EV will also offer a stunning GM-estimated 200 mile range and break the barrier of affordable by coming in at under $30,000.

To tune-in for the debut, head to Chevrolet's Facebook page at 4:00pm today, January 6th.

There are so many EV solutions to look forward to, and the Chevrolet Volt out now to enjoy. While the EV options are great, Chevrolet also offers many vehicles with excellent fuel economy like the Cruze. We'd love to show you some options at our dealership. If you're on a budget or are simply looking for something different, we have some great one-owner used cars and used trucks.

Located at 9009 East Lansing Road Durand, MI 48429, Hank Graff Chevrolet Durand is revolutionizing the car buying experience. We provide all the transparency and customer service you need, while simultaneously making your purchase experience fun! Learn more about Hank Graff Chevrolet Durand, or for any questions contact us at (989) 288-2657 or visit our website at www.GraffChevyDurand.com!

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GM Works With LG Corp. to Develop 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV

© General Motors

DURAND, Mich. –– Early in 2015, news broke that General Motors was developing the first long-range and affordable electric vehicle called the Chevrolet Bolt.

The automaker disclosed interest-piquing information claiming the 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV is capable of driving 200 miles on a single electric charge, and has a projected value of $30,000. Now GM is working with LG Corp. to incorporate a number of advanced technologies into the Chevy Bolt, including:

• Electric Drive Motor
• Power Inverter Module (converts DC power to AC for the drive unit)
• On Board Charger
• Electric Climate Control System Compressor
• Battery Cells and Pack
• High Power Distribution Module (manages the flow of high voltage to various components)
• Battery Heater
• Accessory Power Module (maintains low-voltage power delivery to accessories)
• Power Line Communication Module (manages communication between vehicle and a DC charging station)
• Instrument Cluster
• Infotainment System

© General Motors

“Chevrolet needs to be disruptive in order to maintain our leadership position in electrification,” said Mark Reuss, GM executive vice president of Global Product Development, Purchasing and Supply Chain. “By taking the best of our in-house engineering prowess established with the Chevrolet Volt and Spark EV, and combining the experience of the LG Group, we’re able to transform the concept of the industry’s first long range, affordable EV into reality.”

LG Electronics Vehicle Components has invested over $250 million in an engineering and manufacturing facility in Incheon, Korea, to produce the Bolt EV components, according to GM. Meanwhile, production of the 2017 Chevy Bolt will be held at GM’s Orion Township plant in late 2016.

There’s been a great deal of excitement, and even a little criticism over the Bolt name, surrounding GM’s latest innovation with EV technology. But now that GM is working with LG Corp. to develop the 2017 Bolt EV into an even more technologically advanced car than it was imagined to be, we couldn’t possibly anticipate its release more than we do right now. Get ready to see this new Chevy car on the lot at our Chevrolet dealer near Flint, MI, in 2017.

Hank Graff Chevrolet Durand is revolutionizing the car buying experience. We provide all the transparency and customer service you need, while simultaneously making your purchase experience fun! Learn more about Hank Graff Chevrolet Durand, or for any questions contact us at (989) 288-2657 or visit our website at www.GraffChevyDurand.com!

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