Smaller Cars Give GM Safety Center Bigger Role

The “barrier building” at General Motors Co.'s Milford Proving Grounds didn't always have a roof. In fact, it wasn't always a building. For a long time, it was just a barrier – a 140,000-pound rock strapped to the bedrock under Milford.

It is an unmovable object, a stone that has endured 17,269 collisions (and still counting). And it has never budged an inch. It's the centerpiece of what GM calls the barrier building and a building block for the automaker's Vehicle Safety and Crash Worthiness Lab.

GM has been smashing up vehicles since the 1930s and started using the barrier block in 1962. In 2006, GM upgraded its facility to the tune of $33 million and added a $10 million rollover crash facility. All told, safety engineers conduct more than 50 different tests and evaluate reams of data produced at the facility.

Now, GM is finishing its testing on the Chevrolet Cruze, a compact car set to arrive in September. As smaller cars take on a bigger role in the U.S. auto market, places like GM's safety center will play an even more important role, as engineers look for ways to make a little car hold up to a bigger one in a collision. GM expects a five star crash rating when the Cruze undergoes independent testing. It knows this based upon its performance in Milford.

Albert Ware, the lab director, said the initial safety testing is done through computer modeling and then results are verified through physical crash testing. “The depth of testing is incredible,” he said.

Phillips Chevrolet has Illinois' Largest Chevy Inventory! We have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, and are one of the Largest Chevy Dealers in the United States. Visit us at www.phillipschevy.com.

GM's Onstar will tap Google to Guide Chevy Volt

General Motors Co.'s OnStar telematics unit is bringing Google mobile navigation technology into the car.

Chevrolet Volt drivers whose smartphones use Google's Android operating system will be able to use their phones to pinpoint their vehicle's location on Google Maps. They can then request a destination by speaking it into the phone, and have the desired destination sent directly to the car.

OnStar would then guide the driver to the destination using turn-by-turn spoken directions.

The new feature builds on a Volt smartphone application that OnStar announced in January. The previously announced application offers mobile control of battery charging, remote locking and unlocking of doors, and other features.

The application will be available when the Volt plug-in hybrid launches in the fall. It works on the Motorola Droid, which is an Android phone, as well as on Blackberry Storm and the Apple iPhone. The new navigation “tab” will debut later and is only for Android phones.

Industry observers believe GM will extend the smartphone functions beyond the Volt.

A senior analyst with the research firm Strategy Analytics called the development a daring, but revolutionary move for OnStar. He said GM's objective is to eventually allow third-party applications to run on OnStar.

Phillips Chevrolet has Illinois' Largest Chevy Inventory! We have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, and are one of the Largest Chevy Dealers in the United States. Visit us at www.phillipschevy.com.

Phillips Chevrolet Goes to Bat

Phillips Chevrolet is supporting Frankfort through a partnership with Frankfort Square Baseball League. Phillips Chevy provided baseball equipment, instructional clinics, a monetary donation, and an opportunity to raise an additional $10,000 in funds through a Chevy vehicle giveaway-fundraiser. The effort by Phillips Chevrolet is part of the Chevy Youth Baseball initiative sweeping the nation from March through July 2010.

“Chevrolet has a long history with baseball at the national level. We wanted to bring that excitement and commitment to youth baseball, in the communities where our customers and their families live,” said Mike Maheras, General Sales Manager for Phillips Chevrolet. “Youth baseball has always played an important role in Frankfort so we are thrilled to support our kids in a meaningful way.”

Phillips Chevrolet will present Frankfort Square Baseball League with equipment kits complete with equipment bags, baseball buckets, dry-erase coach's clipboards and Chevy Youth Baseball t-shirts. The sponsorship includes clinics with experienced instructors from former MLB/MiLB players and coaches or the Ripken Baseball professional staff.

Phillips Chevrolet has Illinois' Largest Chevy Inventory! We have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, and are one of the Largest Chevy Dealers in the United States. Visit us at www.phillipschevy.com.

Meet White Sox Pitcher Jake Peavy

Stop by Phillips Chevrolet located at 33 W Lincoln Hwy in Frankfort, IL on June 5th from 12:00pm-1:15pm and you can meet White Sox pitcher, Jake Peavy! You don't want to miss out! He will be signing autographs!

While you're there, register to win a chance to throw out the first pitch at the Chicago White Sox game on Friday, July 30th vs the Oakland A's. We will draw the winning name on July 17th.

Phillips Chevrolet has Illinois' Largest Chevy Inventory! We have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, and are one of the Largest Chevy Dealers in the United States. Visit us at www.phillipschevy.com.

Chevy Offers iPod Baseball App

Chevrolet is offering iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad owners a chance to play a fully 3D simulation baseball game and a chance to win a trip to attend the 2010 All Star Game with Chevy Baseball, a new application from Freeverse.

Users can play multiple three or nine inning games with life-like control of pitching and hitting via the accelerometer and simple tap to throw fielding mechanics. The app also allows players access to the Chevy Dugout where fans can learn more about select Chevy vehicles like the all-new 2010 Chevrolet Camaro and Equinox as well as enter for a chance to win a trip to the 2010 All Star Game.

"We think the Chevy Baseball App is a take on two American icons delivered in a modern way," said Jim Campbell, U.S. vice president, Chevrolet Marketing. "The program is designed to give baseball fans the opportunity to experience some of the magic of America's favorite pastime, and provides information on our cars, crossovers and trucks from Chevrolet.”

Phillips Chevrolet has Illinois' Largest Chevy Inventory! We have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, and are one of the Largest Chevy Dealers in the United States. Visit us at www.phillipschevy.com.

2011 Chevrolet Cruze Engines Use Eco-Friendly Cartridge Oil Filter

The 2011 Chevrolet Cruze will make proper oil filter disposal and recycling easier. The Ecotec 1.4L turbo and 1.8L four-cylinder engines will use a cartridge-style oil filter which is easier to recycle and service compared to the conventional steel canister-style oil filters.

Recycling canister style filters requires that the metal housing and other elements, like the rubber seal, be cut away or separated, whereas the compact cartridge style is made of only paper and plastic. Because of this, proper disposal of the oil filter is easier for recycling centers.

Another benefit of the cartridge-style filter is that it can be changed easily and is virtually drip free from the top of the vehicle. This lessens the chance of oil dripping to the ground or driveway and possibly making its way into the water system when performing oil changes. That's just another reason to choose the all new 2011 Chevy Cruze as your next car.

Phillips Chevrolet has Illinois' Largest Chevy Inventory! We have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, and are one of the Largest Chevy Dealers in the United States. Visit us at www.phillipschevy.com.

CHEVY JOINS “NO PHONE ZONE” CAMPAIGN

Chevrolet joined the “No Phone Zone” campaign, created by Oprah Winfrey and Harpo Studios, to prevent distracted driving. General Motors Chairman and CEO Ed Whitacre, along with UAW employees from GM’s Lansing Delta Township assembly plant, announced Chevrolet’s support of the campaign in a taped segment during “The Oprah Winfrey Show” dedicated to the first national “No Phone Zone” Day.

The campaign is dedicated to honoring the lives lost due to distracted driving, educating the public about the dangers of distracted driving and activating people to make a difference in their communities. As part of the campaign, drivers are encouraged to take the “No Phone Zone” pledge. The pledge asks motorists to commit to:

Not text while driving
Not text while driving, and use only hands-free calling
Not text or use the phone while driving, and pull over to a secure location if they need to make a call

In addition to Whitacre’s appearance on “The Oprah Winfrey Show”, Chevrolet will lead an internal campaign to encourage the more than 77,000 General Motors employees in the U.S. to take the “No Phone Zone” pledge. Chevrolet will also sponsor more than 400 public service announcement (PSA) broadcasts for the “No Phone Zone” campaign.

Phillips Chevrolet has Illinois' Largest Chevy Inventory! We have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, and are one of the Largest Chevy Dealers in the United States. Visit us at www.PhillipsChevrolet.com.

Phillips Chevy & Do the Griff

This past Sunday, May 2, Phillips Chevrolet in Frankfort, Illinois was a sponsor for the Third Annual Do the Griff 4 mile run to benefit the local school district. We sponsored the Chevy Corvette that was the pace car for the event!

It was a beautiful 4 mile run through historic Frankfort's Butternut subdivision adjacent to Lincoln-Way East. Appropriately for this event, the final lap was run around the East school track.

Great students, athletes, parents, school administrators, teachers, and local community members came out to support this either as a runner or to cheer the runners on.

Proceeds raised from sponsorships and entry fees benefit the students of Lincoln-Way East High School & other local schools.

Phillips Chevrolet has Illinois' Largest Chevy Inventory! We have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, and are one of the Largest Chevy Dealers in the United States. Visit us at www.PhillipsChevrolet.com.