chinocharles.com » toyota http://blog.chinocharles.com Building castles in the air Mon, 14 Sep 2009 16:31:07 +0000 en hourly 1 The 230 MPG Domestic Car: Introducing the Chevy Volt http://blog.chinocharles.com/2009/08/the-230-mpg-domestic-car-introducing-the-chevy-volt/ http://blog.chinocharles.com/2009/08/the-230-mpg-domestic-car-introducing-the-chevy-volt/#comments Tue, 11 Aug 2009 15:26:41 +0000 Charles http://blog.chinocharles.com/?p=185 Its news like this that makes your chest puff out a bit. It has been a long time since I’ve been truly impressed with anything done by a domestic car manufacturer. I mean, I’ve been a fan of Ford’s latest offerings and their direction, but there wasn’t that “wow” story… until today.

Enter the Chevy Volt.

Chevy is now claiming that their new hybrid car will get an EPA-rated 230 MPG.  230 MPG! Kind of makes you want to dance on an Escalade… in tack-soled shoes.  The Volt will get 40 miles on the electric charge alone, and then a small gasoline generator will kick in and take you the rest of the way.  Estimated total range is about 340 miles.

The implications of this car are insane.  If you charged it off solar power and drove less than 40 miles per day, it would literally give you a day-to-day carbon footprint of 0.  If it sells well and the profit margin is there, it could do more than rescue GM from the brink.  It could reestablish them as an auto superpower.  The platform and idea could be applied to other cars.  It could turn opinion on the automotive bailout 180 degrees.  It could affect public opinion on our president.  Could Chevy even trump Toyota?

The estimated price tag is $40,000.  It is highly likely that the government would offer some kind of tax credit for buying a vehicle with this kind of mileage.  So, the question is would you buy it?

I would.

]]> http://blog.chinocharles.com/2009/08/the-230-mpg-domestic-car-introducing-the-chevy-volt/feed/ 1 Pictures: Import Alliance 2009 in Nashville, Tennessee http://blog.chinocharles.com/2009/07/pictures-import-alliance-2009-in-nashville-tennessee/ http://blog.chinocharles.com/2009/07/pictures-import-alliance-2009-in-nashville-tennessee/#comments Fri, 31 Jul 2009 06:49:38 +0000 Charles http://blog.chinocharles.com/?p=163 Here is a selection of pictures I have received from the show.  Big thanks to Randy (bikegerm) from Yarisworld!  Enjoy!

]]> http://blog.chinocharles.com/2009/07/pictures-import-alliance-2009-in-nashville-tennessee/feed/ 2 Import Alliance 2009: Nashville, Tennessee http://blog.chinocharles.com/2009/07/import-alliance-2009-nashville-tennessee/ http://blog.chinocharles.com/2009/07/import-alliance-2009-nashville-tennessee/#comments Mon, 13 Jul 2009 14:35:06 +0000 Charles http://blog.chinocharles.com/?p=60 IA

What: Import Alliance car show
Where: Nashville Superspeedway
When: July 25th and 26th, 2009

Import Alliance is a car show that started a few years ago with a decent number of participants.  Today it is claiming to be the largest car show in the country.  Last year 1900 cars were there.  That is a lot of cars!  I will be attending this year with my Turbocharged 2007 Toyota Yaris.  I also may try to set something up to interface my Flickr account with my blog so that I can live blog pictures from the event.  That would be neat.  I’ll look into it this week and post on whether or not it is feasible.

In the meantime, check out these cool IA links:
The Official Import Alliance Site
About Import Alliance
Import Alliance Videos on YouTube
Summer 2008 Event Gallery

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