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Throwback Thursday!

#ThrowbackThursday: Chevy fans should recognize this classic model. Any guesses as to what year?

 

John Legend: The 2014 Chevy Impala

John Legend's music is made to #love, much like the 2014 Impala.

New Reviews!

It seems like our last two customers will be returning to do business, based on the reviews that they left. Check them out! http://bit.ly/15Ugw6W

 

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Rawlings Baseballs: Discover the Craft | Chevrolet

Ever wondered what goes into making a baseball? Nothing is above scrutiny, much like #Chevrolet engineering.

5 Star Review on Cars.com!

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Chevrolet Announces Three-Year Sponsorship With U.S. Soccer Federation

SEATTLE – Chevrolet and the United States Soccer Federation announced a three-year sponsorship deal today that makes Chevrolet the Official Partner of U.S. Soccer and helps the brand leverage the sport’s surging popularity in the U.S., where a soccer player lives in 30 percent of households.

“As fans well know, soccer is much more than the world’s favorite sport; it’s a communal experience and way of life,” said Molly Peck, director of Chevrolet Advertising and Sales Promotions.

“Our new U.S. Soccer partnership complements Chevrolet’s Global Soccer footprint that includes Manchester United and One World Futbol Project sponsorships. By bringing our customers closer to these initiatives, we’ll share the love of soccer all over the world, whether it’s parents driving youngsters to a Chevy Youth Soccer team practice, transforming the lives of children around the world through the power of play, to cheering on favorite teams at the FIFA World Cup next year in Brazil.”

U.S. Soccer, which is celebrating its first 100 years throughout 2013, is the governing body of all forms of soccer in the country and manages numerous teams that compete globally and regionally year-round, including the U.S. National Men’s and Women’s Teams, Youth National Teams, Men’s and Women’s Olympic teams and the Development Academy with 80 elite youth clubs throughout the U.S. Its sanctioning authority strengthens the grassroots Chevy Youth Soccer program, which involves nearly 1,000 dealers and 850,000 youth throughout the U.S.

“Chevrolet has an impressive history as a global brand and we’re excited to begin this partnership,’ said U.S. Soccer President Sunil Gulati. “We are looking forward to working closely with such a committed and supportive company across all of our National Teams, especially our Youth National Teams and Development Academy.”

The U.S. Soccer partnership was developed and finalized between Chevrolet and Soccer United Marketing.

Through the Founding Sponsorship of One World Futbol Project, Chevrolet is donating 1.5 million virtually indestructible One World Futbols to youth in war-stricken zones, refugee camps, disaster areas, and underprivileged communities around the world. The One World Futbol never goes flat and never needs a pump, even when punctured, providing endless play to children who need it most.

Already the No. 1 sport in the world, soccer’s popularity in the U.S. is growing, especially among coveted millennial consumers – those aged 12-24 – ranking second only to the NFL. Many of these 80 million Americans grew up playing youth soccer. The expansion of social and digital media also has allowed American soccer fans to stay abreast of overseas leagues, teams and players and be part of global communities.

Last year, Chevrolet announced a deal that made it the Official Automotive Partner of Manchester United – one of the most widely supported football teams in the world. Beginning in 2014, the Chevrolet bowtie will appear on Manchester United jerseys for seven years.

Source: gm.com

We Put In-Car Espresso Maker to the Test

Coffee drinkers are a dedicated bunch. But are they dedicated enough to brew on the go?

The idea of an espresso machine designed for the car is so absurd that we had to say yes when Importika, the U.S. distributor of the recently imported Handpresso Auto, reached out and asked if we wanted to test the new cupholder espresso maker. Perhaps most surprising is the French company's 

crazy contraption actually makes a decent shot of espresso on the go.

Let's back up a minute.

The manufacturer does not recommend using the Handpresso Auto while driving. And frankly, neither do we.

An espresso machine even as tiny as the Auto creates pressure and heat to make the familiar, potent shot of hot coffee. Pressure and hot liquid are best kept in a car's engine and not so close to your lap.

Handpresso pitches the $199 Auto as a solution to boosting energy during a grueling drive or road trip. Just pull over in a scenic area, plug in the cupholder espresso machine and within a few minutes you're back on the road filled with a delicious, creamy caffeinated espresso and a burst of energy. See Handpresso's promotional video here. Good luck trying that on Chicago's Eisenhower Expressway unless you have a personal barista in the passenger seat. 



Handpresso's Auto is roughly the size of an extra-large fast-food drink. It actually didn't fit that well in the cupholder when we tested it in a Honda Accord Crosstour. Readying the Auto is fairly simple following the illustrated instructions — the text instructions are less useful — and Easy Serving Espresso (E.S.E.) pods are the flavor vehicles. They fit neatly inside the Auto. Just unscrew to pour in water and place the pod. The pods are sold separately in packs of 18 for around $15 a box. Importika supplied us with dark and medium roasts of Illy-branded E.S.E. pods. 



The 140-watt Handpresso Auto sources power from a DC outlet (cigarette lighter), so those thinking the Auto is ideal for a quick midday pick-me-up in the office are out of luck without a power converter. The other reason the Auto isn't ideal in an office environment is because it's loud.

We wonder if there's an attachment for a tire valve stem because the compressor sounded beefy enough to fill a truck tire, and definitely loud enough to make us take a few cautious steps back when we used it for the first time.



There's just one button to press to start brewing, but the cars we tested it in needed engines running to supply enough juice for the process to begin. From start to finish, the gadget takes roughly two minutes to churn out the finished espresso. It was hot enough that steam rose but not too hot where we couldn't drink immediately. Additionally, little spurts of foam spit from the container once the pour completes.

A nice touch. An espresso aficionado on our staff referred to the finished product as "legit." 



However, Cars.com's multimedia senior editor noted the temperature varied on subsequent batches during a weekend camping trip, ranging from not very hot to piping hot. Even though buyers shouldn't use the Handpresso Auto while driving, there are still uses for the micro espresso machine — like when there isn't a coffee shop within 50 miles. Taking the Handpresso Auto camping adds a classy touch to the outdoors, and it could even add a new layer of sophistication to tailgating. You'd have to be a regular of both to warrant the cost as well. And expect to receive a new type of ridicule from fellow campers or tailgaters when you disappear to sneak an espresso shot. 

Source: cars.com

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Bob Brown Chevrolet | Pace Car

Mark Reuss takes time to discuss what it means to him to drive the 2014 Corvette Stingray pace car.

Chevrolet reveals new, roomier 2014 Malibu

Chevrolet just took the wraps off the new 2014 Malibu, which is now roomier and more fuel efficient in a bid to try to push its way back to the top of the auto industry's biggest sales segment, midsize sedans.

The Malibu, which had seen sales droop in recent months against even tougher competition, will get more knee room in the back seat and a new version of the 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, with new fuel-saving technologies.

With updated styling, General Motors hopes Malibu will sell on looks again as well. Buyers will note the change right away from its new front end. The appearance now is closer to its big sister, the redesigned 2014 Impala full-size sedan. The changes are a very quick refresh of the Malibu that was redesigned for 2013.

"The 2014 Chevrolet Malibu builds on the strengths established by the all-new 2013 Malibu to make it a stronger choice for customers," said Mark Reuss, GM's president for North America. "The midsize sedan segment is the most contested in the industry and we're not sitting still with the 2014 Chevrolet Malibu."

The new Malibu goes on sale in the fall.

One of its biggest draws will be the new engine. Chevy says that with variable valve lift and the ability to shut off at stop lights, it will have estimated gas mileage of 23 miles per gallon in the city and 35 mpg on the highway. That's a 5% improvement in the city and 3% more on the highway.

More back seat space was achieved my making the front seat backs slightly thinner. It is becoming a common practice in the auto industry.

The new Malibu faces Ford's redone Fusion, which comes in hybrid and plug-in versions as well, a new Mazda6, an aging Hyundai Sonata and perennial top sellers Toyota Camry (redone for 2012), Honda Accord (new for 2013) and Nissan Altima (also new for 2013). The segment accounts for roughly one in four new vehicles sold in the U.S. so success in it is essential for mainstream brands.

 

Source: usatoday.com

Bob Brown Chevrolet | Two Positive Reviews on Google+ Local

 

 Jan B. Urbandale, Iowa Jun 02, 2013

QualityExcellentAppealExcellentServiceExcellent

We just bought a new Chevy Silverado in March for Steve and we decided it was time to start looking for my wifes's new vehicle which was going to be about a year out. Jan was completely confused on what she wanted. I was going out to Bob Brown's to have them look at something on the truck and we stopped by to look at Tahoe's. Jan found a red Tahoe that she sort of fell in love with and wanted to sit in it to try it out. We went to Jason Christensen and had him come out with the keys and once again Jason did his magic of selling us a vehicle. It is beyond my understanding how Jason can sell someone a vehicle but act like he isn't selling you anything. He cares, and he is just an honest to goodness, down home good guy. No BS just answers your questions and talks with you. He knows what he is doing and he knows his product. Everyone that we dealt with at Bob Browns from the receptionist to the shop & parts department & finance was wonderful. We will soon be bringing our fudge to Jason as a thank you to such a wonderful business. Make sure that he knows you know about the fudge and make sure he shares it when he gets it. Thank you for such a happy experience! Jan & Steve B

 

Bill V. Urbandale, Iowa Jun 02, 2013

QualityExcellentAppealExcellentServiceExcellent

Excellent customer service!!! The staff was curteous, knowledgeable, friendly and efficient.