Ross Downing Chevrolet Blog!

Silverado HD Bests the Competition with 21,700 Pound Towing and 6,635 Pound Payload Ratings

In short:

Maximum 5th wheel towing has been increased to 21,700 lbs - Best In Class
Maximum conventional towing has been increased to 17,000 lbs - Best In Class
Maximum payload has been increased to 6635 lbs - Best In Class

Plus, we already own Best In Class torque and HP ratings with the enhanced DuraMax (397 HP/765 LB FT Torque)

At the end of the day, the All-New Silverado HD owns all of the "power, payload and pulling" bragging rights vs.n the All-New 2011 Ford Super Duty.

Read the full press release below:

DETROIT – Through ongoing development and testing, the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado HD capability ratings have been increased to 21,700 pounds of towing, and 6,635 pounds of payload. Based on these ratings, the Silverado HD will offer heavy-duty truck buyers the most power and most capability available in the segment.

According to Rick Spina, GM Full-size Truck global vehicle line executive, the increased ratings are a result of exceeding the original performance targets for the Silverado HD:

“Our focus has consistently been on delivering customers the most capable heavy-duty trucks in the market. The first set of capability tests confirmed that the team had exceeded the payload and towing targets by a significant margin. Ongoing testing demonstrated a clear opportunity to increase the true capabilities of these trucks. Even pulling a combined weight of nearly 15 tons seems easy behind the wheel of a 2011 Silverado HD 3500 with the proven Duramax Diesel.”

To certify increased payload and towing capacities for the 2011 Silverado HD, engineers conducted a battery of tests.

- Based on extensive testing at maximum gross combined weight rating (GCWR) to validate the durability of the powertain, drivetrain, and brake components, the GCWR is increased to 29,200 pounds.

- Based on further testing in varied terrain, grades, and climates while pulling the maximum trailer weight to confirm predictable and stable handling, the maximum 5th-wheel towing capacity was increased to 21,700 pounds, and conventional towing capacity increased to 17,000 pounds.

- After higher-strength steel for cargo box cross sills was specified, the team conducted additional testing hauling maximum payloads to test the stronger cargo box and rear-axle components. As a result, the maximum payload has been increased to 6,635 pounds.

Based on these improved capacities, the 2011 Silverado HD possesses segment-leading capability in horsepower, torque, conventional towing, 5th-wheel towing, and payload.

Starting production next week, it becomes the most capable heavy duty pickup on the market.

“We encourage consumers to test drive the Silverado HD against competitive models,” said Spina. “Based on our test results, we are confident the Silverado HD will prove to be the best choice for real-world towing and hauling needs.”

Today we received the following article from Robert G. Smith, OnStar / XM Area Sales Manager—Beaumont/New Orleans. We thought it was worthy of sharing with our readers!

Detroit, Mich. – GM and OnStar’s Stolen Vehicle Slowdown (SVS) service helped safely recover a 2009 Chevrolet Impala belonging to State Senator Terry Burton, stolen in Jackson, Mississippi.

At approximately 1:27 p.m. EDT on Thursday, May 6, Senator Burton realized his Chevrolet Impala was stolen and immediately called OnStar to report the vehicle stolen.

Once OnStar advisors verified with law enforcement that the Impala was stolen and the senator had requested assistance, they were able to quickly locate the Impala and alert the Hinds County Sheriff Department officers of its location. When officers had the vehicle in sight, they requested that Stolen Vehicle Slowdown be initiated and the vehicle was safely slowed to a stop.

“This technology is extremely helpful to not only our officers, but to the public as well,” said Hinds County Sheriff Malcolm McMillin. “I was very pleased with the experience and the fact that OnStar was able to help us curtail a high-speed chase, which too often has disastrous results.”

Since launch in October of 2008, OnStar’s Stolen Vehicle Slowdown service has been deployed nearly 60 times.

“I am very impressed with OnStar’s ability to not only locate a stolen vehicle, but to slow it down and ultimately recover it. I am pleased my Impala was returned to me without damage, but even more grateful that no one was injured during the commission of this crime,” said Senator Burton.

According to the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration, 334 people were killed in the U.S. in crashes that resulted from police pursuits in 2008. Stolen Vehicle Slowdown helps eliminate high speed pursuits, and greatly reduces the chance of damage to property or personal injury.

“We are so pleased OnStar was able to assist Senator Burton in the safe recovery of his vehicle and quickly diffuse a high-speed chase,” said OnStar President Chris Preuss. This instance exemplifies the power of the OnStar service, and how our technology, our relationships within the law enforcement community, and our specialized group of highly trained advisors work together to provide the ultimate in-vehicle safety and security system.”

How Stolen Vehicle Slowdown Works
Once an OnStar subscriber has reported a stolen vehicle to law enforcement, he or she can call OnStar and request Stolen Vehicle Assistance. An OnStar Advisor will use advanced Global Positioning Satellite technology to pinpoint the exact location of the stolen vehicle which will be provided only to law enforcement.

Once law enforcement officials have the stolen vehicle in a clear line of sight to know conditions are safe, they can request that the OnStar Advisor remotely slow it down. OnStar will then send a signal to the vehicle’s engine, reducing engine power and gradually slowing the vehicle to idle speed while all other vehicle systems, including power steering and brakes, remain fully operational.

OnStar has offered Stolen Vehicle Assistance services with GPS location since 1996. It now receives approximately 500 Stolen Vehicle Assistance requests from subscribers each month, and has helped in nearly 50,000 requests over the past thirteen years. OnStar’s suite of services also includes Automatic Crash Response, Emergency Services, Remote Door Unlock, Roadside Assistance, Crisis Assist, OnStar Turn-by-Turn Navigation, Hands Free Calling and OnStar Vehicle Diagnostics.

OnStar’s Stolen Vehicle Slowdown was put into production in October of 2008 and is exclusively on GM vehicles in the U.S. and Canada. The service is included in the OnStar subscription that comes standard for one year on eligible Model Year 2009 and newer OnStar-equipped vehicles. Subscribers who prefer not to have the Stolen Vehicle Slowdown capability on their vehicle may contact OnStar to opt out of the service at any time. The rest of their OnStar services will remain active and unaffected. For more information regarding OnStar’s services, please visit http://www.onstar.com/.

About OnStar
OnStar, a wholly-owned subsidiary of General Motors, is the leading provider of in-vehicle safety, security and communication services. OnStar is available on more than 30 MY 2010 GM models. OnStar is standard for one year on nearly all new GM retail vehicles in the United States and Canada. OnStar provides services to more than 5.5 million subscribers in the U.S. and Canada. Shanghai OnStar Telematics Co. Ltd., a joint venture between OnStar, LLC, Shanghai Automotive Industry Sales Co., Ltd. and Shanghai General Motors, provides services in China. More information about OnStar can be found at www.onstar.com. OnStar Stolen Vehicle Slowdown is a recipient of the 2010 Edison Award for Best New Product in the technology category.

-end-

M.V.P. = Market Value Pricing
Ross Downing is committed to present EVERY customer a competitive Market Value Price on all our pre-owned vehicles.

We understand that over 80% of our customers use the internet to research. However, we feel that ALL of our customers should benefit from the research obtained on the internet. Our M.V.P. (Market Value Pricing) is achieved by reviewing 40,000 pre-owned websites on a daily basis. We use this information to price your vehicle competitively and at the lowest price possible. The result is the best price for you, no negotiating needed, so you can buy with confidence!

We feel a vehicle's value is determined by it's demand and availability. Not by what we paid for it, or how long we have owned it. Therefore, we do NOT inflate our pre-owned prices in hopes of winning a negotiating contest.

After being in business for over 36 years, we realize that M.V.P is the best approach to pricing pre-owned vehicles for our customers. It is our way of making EVERY customer benefit from the power of the internet and feel like an MVP!

E-Marketing Manager Ross Downing Chevrolet Hammond, LA

Ross Downing Chevrolet is proud to announce a new contest we are hosting! We want to send you and a friend to see Kenny Chesney, Brooks & Dunn, Jason Aldean, Jake Owen and Justin Moore at the LSU Stadium! We even scored some floor level seats for you! So here is what you need to do to win!

HOW TO ENTER:
1. Become a Fan of the Ross Downing Facebook Page.
2. Submit a photo to our wall showing us how "COUNTRY" you are. GET CREATIVE!
3. Include a Guitar in your photo and get 1 extra entry.
4. Include a Cowboy Hat in your photo and get 1 extra entry.

(EXAMPLE - Picture of you with a guitar and a cowboy hat = 3 entries!)

PRIZE: Win TWO field floor tickets to the Bayou Country Superfest @ LSU Stadium. Tickets are for the 2nd Day of the festival - Sunday May 30th. Winner will be selected by random drawing from all photo submission entries.

DEADLINE:
12pm (noon) CST on Monday, May 24th

RULES:
1. Do not submit photos taken by someone else without their permission. If the photo is a snapshot taken by a friend and you are the part of the photo that is fine.
2. It does not matter when the photo was taken.
3. Do not submit photos that contain illegal drugs, nudity, profanity, violent acts, etc.
4. Ross Downing has the right to remove any photo we deem inappropriate.
5. Persons submitting photos with inappropriate content will not be entered to win.
6. Contest is only open to U.S. Residents only.
7. Ross Downing Chevrolet Employees and their immediate family members are not eligible to win.
8. You must be a fan of the Ross Downing Facebook Page to be eligible to win.
9. One entry per person.
10. Must be 18 or Older to enter.

E-Marketing Manager Ross Downing Chevrolet Hammond, LA

Our own Kim Dominick gives you a quick walkaround of the2010 Chevy Equinox 2LT. She shows off standard features, safetyfeatures and options available!

E-Marketing Manager Ross Downing Chevrolet Hammond, LA

Name: Thomas Stewart
Position: Salesperson
Email: thomas@rossdowningchevy.com
Phone: 888.221.8185 x275

How long have you been selling cars? 18 years
How did you get into the car business? Jack Bankston asked to try it. Been in it ever since.
What is the funniest or strangest thing that has ever happened while selling cars? I had a woman go into labor!
What is your favorite car? Chevy Crew Cab Z71
What do you currently drive? Chevy Regular Cab Z71
Where did you grow up? Albany
Where did you go to school? Albany High School
Have you ever lived anywhere besides Louisiana? No. Why would I?
What did you want to be when you grew up? Didn't know. Still don't.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time? Hunting and Fishing. (I am good @ both!)
What do you listen to in your car? Talk Radio
Do you sing while driving? Yes, sometimes.
How long have you been Mayor of Albany and why did you run for the position? I have been Mayor for 19 years and I ran for the position to change the world!
What might others be surprised to know about you? That I am good at what I do!
What advice would you like to give to customers who are searching for a new or used vehicle?
Buy what YOU want.

My two cents on Thomas:
His business card title is "Extraordinary Turkey Hunter". LOL!

Amy Dalton E-Marketing Manager Ross Downing Chevrolet Hammond, LA