Ricart Automotive Group

Since Chevrolet announced last week that it may introduce its innovative Beat car into the U.S. market, the buzz has still not yet gone down. The prospect of a small car that is very fuel-efficient and city-friendly is one that U.S. consumers and industry analysts are jumping at. The Beat will first be produced in Asia during the production year of 2009, but that model will only be for distribution outside of the United States.

However, Chevy has said that it is considering plans to develop a ‘next generation’ version of the Beat specifically for sales in the United States. Such a vehicle would take at least two or three years to develop and produce, but the wait is one that could very well be worth it. In addition to fuel economy, a minicar such as the Chevrolet Beat changes the attitude of driving and vehicular transportation.

A minicar is likely to be used more in urban areas. It comes with plenty of room for grocery storage and is very easy to park on crowded urban streets. The Eurocar did well in Europe, but it will be exciting to see a truly American minicar in the near future. But for now, if you’re looking for a fuel-efficient car, come to Ricart Automotive. We offer small cars and even hybrid SUVs.

With the consumer eye ever more on fuel efficient vehicles and other driving technology, Chevrolet is now saying that it, too, may produce a ’small car’ for the United States automotive market in the near future. Chevrolet said earlier this year that it would shift its focus to not only highlight its large Chevy trucks, but to smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles as well. This is part of Chevy’s plan to keep up with the continually-changing auto market here in the United States.

The small Chevy car would be comparable to the Honda Fit or the Toyota Yaris. While Chevrolet says it has several concept cars that would be good for the market, the car that has gotten the most attention is the Chevrolet Beat, a small 2-door hatchback that was first introduced at last year’s International Auto Show, which was held in New York.

By releasing a small car, Chevrolet is showing its attentiveness to consumer needs and desires, as well as a willingness to be an industry leader in the world of fuel-efficient cars. Ricart Automotive is proud to provide such vehicles, which focus on the aspects that our driving customers most need and want. If you’re in the market for a fuel efficient Chevy or other vehicle, head over to the nearest Ricart lot and take one of our 4,000 cars for a test drive today.

Chevrolet Motors is planning to introduce an exciting new vehicle into the market of 2009 model year crossovers. The Chevrolet Traverse was first unveiled to the public at the Chicago Motor Show in February. This vehicle will have room for eight people in its luxury cabin, while having a sportier style and performance than the minivans with which it is expected to complete. The 2009 Chevrolet Traverse is expected to be a strong challenge to he market and will see initial production in the later part of 2008.

Other Chevrolet vehicles continue to sell with considerable popularity. The Corvette has long been a classic among luxurious and stylish convertibles. Cars such as the Impala and Malibu are perfect for a family vehicle that is still sophisticated, while the Tahoe holds more people and packs more punch. The Chevy Cobalt has been quite popular this year among students and drivers of fuel-efficient cars. And the ever popular Silverado and Avalanche are powerful trucks for hard work and hauling.

No matter what type of Chevy vehicle you’re looking to purchase, Ricart Automotive can help you out. We sell a variety of new and used vehicles currently, and look forward to sharing the Chevrolet Traverse with our customers when it becomes available. Visit a Ricart Automotive near you to test drive one of our many vehicles today.

General Motors and Chevrolet have teamed up for a unique but important safe driving initiative in the state of California. Safe Kids USA is foundation dedicated to preventing accidental injury. As a proud program sponsor, Chevrolet has worked to create a branch of Safe Kids USA called Safe Kids Buckle Up. The program is dedicated to child passenger safety, and one of the major ways that goal is pursued is by offering to check child safety seats to ensure that they are properly installed.

Last week, General Motors announced that the Safe Kids Buckle Up program has hit the “one million mark” for the number of child safety seats it has inspected. According to government safety agencies familiar with the initiative, Chevy has helped improve the “culture” of child safety in vehicles. They also estimate that the program has saved hundreds of lives since its inception.

Safe driving is important to Ricart Automotive. We believe in working together to educate drivers and growing children about safe driving etiquette and safe passenger techniques. Come visit a Ricart Automotive lot to learn which vehicles have the highest safety ratings for your family. Whether you seek a new or used vehicle, Ricart Automotive will see you on the road safely.

General Motors recently announced a generous donation that sets a high standard and establishes the company as a responsible global citizen. Just recently, General Motors has made donations of more than $1 million to aid disaster victims in China and Myanmar. The donations are a joint effort of two branches of the General Motors company: GM China and the General Motors Foundation. These two entities in this case represent GM as a whole, setting a generous precedent and example for other corporations in all parts of the world.

Thus far, $850,000 has gone to local relief efforts after China’s earthquake, as dispersed and shared with residents by GM China. Meanwhile, the GM Foundation has given $50,000 to the United Nations World Food Programme working in Myanmar, as well as $200,000 to the China Disaster Response Fund of the American Red Cross. In addition, GM China will be matching employee donations up to $100,000.

These figures represent General Motors’ greater commitment to the people who buy their vehicles and work for their company, everywhere from China to Ohio. If you’re looking for a Chevrolet or other GM vehicle, and you want to support a company you can believe in, come test drive a GM vehicle at Ricart Automotive.

Large passenger van safety is an element of safe driver training that many individuals and companies may overlook. But General Motors, the makers of Chevrolet and other popular vehicles, are making an extra effort to keep all drivers and passengers on the road a little bit safer. GM offers comprehensive training for drivers of large vans. In addition to going over basic safety information, as well as the role of drivers in relation to the appropriate restraint use for occupants, the training even utilizes high technology safety developments.

The GM safety training takes a coaching approach, utilizing web-based lessons, plus CDs of the course videos, which allow for a more realistic, visual and 3-dimensional approach. This step takes GM a step beyond regular training manuals. It introduces drivers to many of the features which with the 12- and 15-passenger vans are equipped. It also acquaints drivers with the major differences between these vehicles and mini-vans, while exposing them to up-to-date safety techniques to protect the safety of their drivers.

Ricart Automotive is proud to carry Chevrolet vehicles from a manufacturer that has made such large strides in the area of driver safety. The first step to having a successful and fulfilling driving experience is to choose a vehicle that suits your needs. But the journey extends beyond that, to every moment that you drive. Safety is important, and Ricart Automotive fully supports this new safety initiative by General Motors.

As part of its continuing effort to create sustainable, fuel efficient vehicles, GM has announced a partnership with Mascoma, an ethanol producer based in Rome, New York.  Mascoma creates ethanol from a variety of plant materials, including switch grass and paper sludge produced by paper mills.

Because the vast majority of United States ethanol is produced from corn, worldwide food shortages and crop price increases have given new incentive to find additional sources for fuel.  By partnering with an industry leader in non-plant ethanol production, GM has taken the steps necessary to ensure its vehicles conform to new and emerging standards for alternative fuel types.

As new fuels are introduced into the marketplace, consumers will feel less of the “price crunch” experienced by fluctuating gas prices. Alternative fuels are a vital part of lessening American dependence on foreign oil.

Ricar automotive is a proud dealer of Chevrolet and other fine General Motors cars and trucks.  Feel free to stop in to test drive a brand-new or used car today.

Chevrolet intends to revolutionize the automotive industry with the introduction of the Chevy Volt, a hybrid car with the capability of traveling up to 40 miles without consuming gasoline. Upon its planned debut in 2010, it will be the first car of it’s type in automotive history.

By combining a primary electric motor with an onboard, secondary gasoline engine, the electric motor only consumes gasoline when it requires recharging during driving. When the car is plugged into a standard electrical outlet and charged for a period of up to 6 hours, the electric motor recharges without the use of gasoline and allows for extended, gas-free driving.

For most Americans, the 40 miles of “electrified” driving provided by the Volt makes up for more than their daily commute, allowing for a cost savings of thousands of dollars per year. The Volt also does not produce harmful emissions while using the electric engine, thus providing untold environmental benefits.

When the Volt hits the streets in 2010, make Ricart Automotive your first destination for test driving a Chevy Volt. It is a car that will make history and could go a long way towards lightening your pocketbook.