General Motors's eco-friendly vehicles are becoming good friends with American drivers. GM saw an impressive 10 percent increase in sales in August 2012, Auto World News and Inside Line report, with much credit due to the lineup of eco-friendly cars and SUVs. Inside Line notes the eco-conscious Chevrolet Volt, Cruze, Sonic and Spark had the best sales ever, with the Volt breaking a record with an 837 percent increase over the previous August. An eco-friendly Cadillac, the SRX crossover, is also partly responsible for the division's 11.3 percent increase in sales over August of the previous year, Auto World News says.
You may you be able to check out GM's eco-happy lineup when the International Auto Show comes to Phoenix in November, or you can take a gander at the vehicles at GM car dealerships in Phoenix, AZ.
Chevy Volt
Unlike some vehicles that make you choose between a gas-only or electric-only engine, the Chevrolet website notes its Volt offers an empowered drive by letting you use the two in tandem. It also notes you'll only need to fill up your gas tank about once a month with the average Volt driver typically netting 900 miles from a single tank of gas (provided they remember to charge up the battery regularly). If you want to go electric only, Chevy says you can expect up to travel about 38 miles on the fully charged lithium-ion battery alone.
Related Article: Energy Policy in a Renewable Future
Chevy Cruze
The major eco claim to fame for the Cruze is its mileage. Offering 42 mpg, the Cruze will save you more at the pump. Other notable facts Chevy points out about its eco-friendly compact car include its gads of cargo space and a total of 10 air bags.
Chevy Sonic
Even though the Sonic runs on gas and is a larger sedan than a compact car, Chevy notes it still provides and green ride. The Sonic nets an impressive 40 mpg and boasts efficient handling and the option of a powerful turbo-charged engine. Boasting a smooth ride and quiet driving, the Sonic is "supremely comfortable, refined, and tight," as reported by The Car Connection.
Related Article: Don't Fall for the Hype - China's Renewables Sector is in Disarray
Chevy Spark
The Chevy Spark makes quite a statement, primarily on its looks alone. You've probably already seen this somewhat humorous-looking mini-car cruising down the streets, and you'll see more of them after its latest sales burst. Although other mini-cars are on the market, the Spark beats them out in several categories, including boasting up to 38 mpg, according to US News.
The Chevy Equinox
If you're in the market for an eco-friendly SUV, the Chevy Equinox just may be it. With an estimated 32 mpg on the highway, the crossover SUV gives you a fuel economy that other SUVs can only dream about, the Chevy site says.
Cadillac SRX Crossover
The Cadillac SRX crossover is definitely eco-friendly due to its crossover status and luxury car mileage of 24 mpg on the highway. Another notable mark on the Cadillac website is the SRX's ability to stand out as a truly unique crossover in a market where many of the vehicles look the same. One more perk is its fuel-efficient engine, which is a direct-injection 308 hp V6 and what Cadillac calls "the most powerful engine standard in any luxury crossover."
By Darcy Leutkemeyer
Courtesy Darcy Leutkemeyer - Darcy has a degree in journalism with an emphasis on digital technology.
Dian L. Chu, is a market analyst at EconMatters.EconMatters is made up of a team of financial and market analysts who research, analyze, and write… More
Comments
What? The US government is out buying Chevo Volts in AUGUST, with US tax dollars, prior to an election, and the author here, Dian Chu, is all excited? This is not journalism. This is political propaganda.