By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

The mid-sized sedan segment has probably never been more competitive than it has become in 2012 as a number of all-new models hit the market. Perhaps for that reason Chevrolet decided to get its updated 2013 Malibu into the hands of consumers six months ahead of the original schedule.

The new Malibu went on sale in February with just one drivetrain, a mild hybrid system that General Motors calls eAssist.

By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

Thoughts turn to the great outdoors as a wet spring turns into a blissful summer. Feel the beautiful sun-splashed days and temperate evenings with the smell of night blooming jasmine in air; just a wonderful time to be cruising in a convertible top down.

 And perhaps nothing could surpass a slow drive down a busy city street in a new Chevrolet Camaro convertible. Does it get any better than this? Picture a 2011 Camaro, sans top, with a rumbling muscle car V-8 under the hood; perhaps politically incorrect? Definitely happiness correct! You better believe it.

By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

Although we had not driven General Motors’ revolutionary extended range electric car in the first months of its new life, we had reached the conclusion that its cost far exceeds the benefits it provides in gas savings.

We reasoned that numerous vehicles from established hybrids to the new plug-in hybrids soon to hit the market to the new high-mileage compact vehicles now in showrooms provide considerably more bang for the buck than the Volt, which is also of compact size.

There is still much truth in that opinion, at least for time being.

 By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

Like the 2008 Malibu that set new standards for Chevrolet in the mid-sized sedan segment, the 2011 Cruze easily reaches new heights for the brand in the compact sedan class.

Malibu was heaped with praise during its introduction in 2007 and it has for the most part lived up to its billing. The public has embraced the conservatively styled sedan with their pocketbooks and it has stood the short test of time against such vaunted competitors as the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry and Nissan Altima.

By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

Open-air driving has taken a great leap in popularity over the past couple of years.
 
Traditional convertibles with soft tops have proliferated. There are more models to pick from than in decades. New stuff includes such unusual yet appetizing entries as the Volkswagen Beetle convertible and the PT Cruiser convertible.

By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

The heavy duty configuration behind a truck name connotes ruggedness, a truck designed for rough treatment, blueprinted for hauling big loads and configured for pulling big things.

And without exception this is true. A case in point is the Chevrolet Silverado 2500 Heavy Duty 4-wheel drive.

This is a truck capable of prodigious feats; capable of going far off road. You might think of one of the many Chevy “Like a Rock” commercials to get the idea of what this big boy can do.

By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

For years the Monte Carlo has been the great poseur.

The Chevrolet coupe, the biggest winner in NASCAR history, has come decked out in Dale Earnhardt colors and has also been sold as a Jeff Gordon edition. Marketing muck and worse since the Monte Carlo that has been offered to the public is about as far removed from NASCAR as a go-cart.