Follow up: 1st 2011 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible Auctioned off for $205,000

We knew that the 1st 2011 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible would bring a premium price for auction bidders at Barrett-Jackson, but didn't know it would be $205,000! WOW, congratulations to the lucky owner of the 1st 2011 Chevy Camaro Convertible sold to the public. Congratulations to the YMCA of Southern Nevada for the generous donation of the entire $205,000!

Maybe we can talk the boss into auctioning off our first 2011 Camaro Convertible?

www.jimbutlerchevrolet.com

[Source: Autoblog.com]

1st 2011 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible; Barrett-Jackson Auction

Yep, one of the first 2011 Chevy Camaro Convertible will not be delivered to Jim Butler Chevrolet in St. Louis. Instead the guys at Chevy are sending the first 2011 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible to the infamous Barret-Jackson Auction in Las Vegas. This unique 2011 Chevy Camaro will be auctioned off to the highest bidder with the entire winning bidding going to the YMCA of Southern Nevada (see official press release from GM below).


On the brighter side, this means that the 2011 Camaro Convertible will be here before you know it. So drop on in and put a deposit down or just ask one of our sales representatives to send you more information.


www.jimbutlerchevrolet.com
[Source: Chevy]

Camaro Convertible Auction to Benefit Nevada Charity

LAS VEGAS – Car collectors on Friday will vie to become one of the first owners of the 2011 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible, several months ahead of its arrival in dealerships and even before the production car is shown to the public.

The winning bidder will receive the second 2011 Camaro Convertible produced for consumer sale. The car on the auction block in Las Vegas will be the Camaro Convertible Concept that has traveled the world's auto shows. The first production model will be used for historical purposes.

The production version will make its debut later this fall, prior to start of production in early 2011.

Chevrolet is partnering with Greg Heinrich, owner of Fairway Chevrolet in Las Vegas, to offer one of the first Camaro convertibles at the Barrett-Jackson Auction on Friday (Sept. 24) at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino. Proceeds from the winning bid will go to the YMCA of Southern Nevada.

LAS VEGAS – Car collectors on Friday will vie to become one of the first owners of the 2011 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible, several months ahead of its arrival in dealerships and even before the production car is shown to the public.

The winning bidder will receive the second 2011 Camaro Convertible produced for consumer sale. The car on the auction block in Las Vegas will be the Camaro Convertible Concept that has traveled the world's auto shows. The first production model will be used for historical purposes.

The production version will make its debut later this fall, prior to start of production in early 2011.

Chevrolet is partnering with Greg Heinrich, owner of Fairway Chevrolet in Las Vegas, to offer one of the first Camaro convertibles at the Barrett-Jackson Auction on Friday (Sept. 24) at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino. Proceeds from the winning bid will go to the YMCA of Southern Nevada
LAS VEGAS – Car collectors on Friday will vie to become one of the first owners of the 2011 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible, several months ahead of its arrival in dealerships and even before the production car is shown to the public.

The winning bidder will receive the second 2011 Camaro Convertible produced for consumer sale. The car on the auction block in Las Vegas will be the Camaro Convertible Concept that has traveled the world's auto shows. The first production model will be used for historical purposes.

The production version will make its debut later this fall, prior to start of production in early 2011.

Chevrolet is partnering with Greg Heinrich, owner of Fairway Chevrolet in Las Vegas, to offer one of the first Camaro convertibles at the Barrett-Jackson Auction on Friday (Sept. 24) at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino. Proceeds from the winning bid will go to the YMCA of Southern Nevada

The 2011 Chevy CRUZE is already making itself heard! Coming to Butler Chevy Soon!

Before the 2011 Chevy Cruze has even hit our showroom there are already reviews and comparisons being made with the Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic. Guess what? We are winning! The Mobile Electronics Competition Association (MECA) did their own little review of all three of the vehicles........

For the competition, MECA judges used three evaluations: a sound-pressure test to measure sound volume, real-time analysis to measure audio fidelity, and the judges’ evaluations of the listening experience.

“Audiophiles believe that rating audio performance requires critical listening as well as measuring output,” said Steve Stern, MECA president. “Sound provides a baseline rating of the potential of a sound system, but does not necessarily equate to a great-sounding system. Only the human ear can gauge how natural and believable the listening experience is.”

The competition included three, comparably equipped cars with factory-installed audio systems, including:

• 2011 Chevrolet Cruze 2LT with the Pioneer nine-speaker sound system available as a $445 option on Cruze LT and LTZ models  
• 2010 Toyota Corolla LE, with a six-speaker sound system available starting at $490 on Corolla LE models
• 2010 Honda Civic EX, with a six-speaker, 160-watt sound system included on EX models and above

For the tests, all three sound systems were set to the factory presets.

For the sound-pressure test, judges used a decibel meter to measure sound volume. The Cruze took first place, delivering 112.9 dB of pressure without distortion, compared to 105.6 dB for Corolla and 105.2 dB for Civic. That seven decibel advantage represents nearly double the volume of competitors’ systems.

The real-time analyzer gauged audio fidelity by measuring how accurately the systems recreated preset frequency tones. The Cruze finished third, with 14 points out of a possible 40, compared to 22 points for Civic and 24 points for Corolla.

For the subjective evaluation, judges listened to the same music selections in each car for consistency, and awarded points based on system noise, tonality, realism, staging, and placement. The Cruze took first place, with an average of 74.83 points out of a possible 100, compared to 69.75 for Corolla, and 58.83 for Civic.

““The most important measure of an audio system is how well it recreates the experience of listening to a live performance,” said Stern. “From that perspective, the Cruze was clearly the best of the group, delivering more presence, more realistic sub-bass, and silky smooth midrange.

“In our competitions, stock systems typically score between 55 and 65 points,” Stern said. “With nearly 75 points, the Cruze delivers the performance we would expect in a luxury car – not an $18,000 car.”

That evaluation is music to the ears of Matt Kirsch, lead audio engineer for the Cruze.

“We set out to deliver a far better audio experience than a typical compact car,” said Kirsch. “As such, we used more speakers and more power to fill the Cruze with sound. We also spent a great deal of time tuning the sound system for ambiance and clarity, so sitting in the Cruze sounds like sitting in the front row at a concert hall.”

[Source: Media.GM.com]

Chevy Suburban celebrates 75th Anniversary! Jim Butler Chevy-Saint Louis

CHICAGO – In 1935, the United States’ population was a little more than 127 million. A first-class stamp cost 3 cents, Technicolor was introduced to motion pictures and the Detroit Tigers defeated the Chicago Cubs in a tough World Series. It was also the year Chevrolet introduced the Suburban.

In the seven and a half decades since its introduction, the Suburban became an icon and the industry’s longest-running model. In fact, Suburban is the first vehicle to reach 75 years of production and Chevrolet is commemorating the milestone with a new 2010 75th Anniversary Diamond Edition model.

“Times have changed, but the Suburban remains a fixture in the industry for private and professional customers who need truck-like towing capability with maximum passenger and cargo space,” said Jim Campbell, Chevrolet general manager. “The Suburban’s core capabilities and dependability have remained constant for more than seven decades and generations of people know that a Suburban will haul people and their gear.”

The original Suburban could seat eight, while easily removable seats provided a large, 75-inch-long by 77-inch-high (1,905 x 1,956 mm) cargo area. The 2010 Suburban seats up to nine, but offers up to 137.4 cubic feet (3,891 L) of cargo space when the second-row seats are folded and third-row seats are removed.

History of an icon

The idea for the Suburban was born out of a need for a heavier-duty, truck-based wagon. Through the early 1930s, most manufacturers offered car-based wagons for professional use. Open models with windows and rear seating were known as depot hacks, and were used to ferry passengers and their cargo around train stations and boat docks. Enclosed models, typically without rear seats, were known as sedan deliveries.

Bodywork for these early vehicles often consisted of wood sides and canvas tops; and while they were versatile, their car-based chassis and damage-prone bodies were compromises. Chevrolet began experimenting with an all-steel wagon body mounted on a commercial chassis in the mid-1930s, and the Suburban Carryall was launched in 1935.

Car-based commercial vehicles, including sedan deliveries, remained in production, but the heavy-duty chassis of the Suburban increasingly found favor with professional customers. In the post-World War II years, its popularity with private customers who appreciated its uncompromising capabilities increased steadily.

The Chevrolet Suburban hit the mainstream in the early 1990s, with the overall popularity of sport-utility vehicles. But while many customers were new to the Suburban then, it had garnered a legion of longtime owners who had purchased multiple examples over the years – using them to haul Little League teams and their equipment, tow a horse trailer or seat a work crew on the way to a job site.Here’s a timeline of significant moments in the Suburban’s first 75 years:

1935: Suburban Carryall introduced with a signature two-door body style that would last through 1967. Power came from Chevrolet’s stalwart “Stovebolt” inline-six that produced 60 horsepower (45 kW) for the half-ton chassis.

1937: New, streamlined exterior styling carried Art Deco cues, and horsepower from the Stovebolt six increased to 79 (59 kW).

1942: Production of almost all civilian cars and trucks halted during America’s involvement in World War II, although many Chevy trucks – including the Suburban’s body style – were pressed into military duty.

1947: The first significant redesign of the Chevrolet’s truck line – including Suburban – since before the war. Torque from the inline-six engine was 174 lb.-ft. (217 Nm) at only 1,200 rpm, giving the Suburban excellent towing capability.

1950: Suburban models are offered with either a tailgate/top-opening rear window configuration or conventional “barn doors” at the rear.

1955: Revolutionary new styling is introduced midway through the model year. Known as the “second series” design, it features a wraparound windshield and the elimination of running boards – the body is flush with the fenders for the first time. The second series model also introduces the ubiquitous small-block V-8.

1957: Factory-installed four-wheel drive is offered for the first time, with the famous NAPCO-supplied “Powr-Pak” system.

1960: Chevrolet institutes the C/K designations to denote models with 2WD (C) and 4WD (K). Front-end styling is also new.

1967: All-new styling of Chevy’s half-ton trucks is introduced, including Suburban. It carries a unique three-door arrangement with a single door on the driver’s side and front and rear doors on the passenger side. This configuration makes the Suburban popular with ambulance companies.

1973: A new generation of Chevy trucks is launched, with Suburban offered in a conventional four-door body style introduced for the first time. Its 129.5-inch (3,289 mm) wheelbase was only 0.5-inch (12.7 mm) shorter than the 2010 model’s. Also debuting is the Suburban three-quarter-ton model, which could be had with a 454 big-block engine that delivered 335 lb.-ft. of torque (455 Nm).

1975: Increased focus on interior comfort and amenities in the 1973 models bring more customers to Suburban for use as a personal vehicle. Chevrolet responds with more comfortable seats and greater amenities, including simulated buffalo hide vinyl upholstery, wood grain dash inserts, fully trimmed door panels and more.

1981: Updated styling brings stacked rectangular headlamps for the 1980s. The 4WD system adds automatic locking hubs and the 454 big-block is still offered, giving customers great towing capability.

1987: Electronically controlled fuel injection and a four-speed overdrive transmission bring greater efficiency.

1992: An all-new Suburban features sleek styling with flush glass and composite headlamps. The 5.7L small-block V-8 powers 1500 models, while the 454 (7.4L) engine is still available in the 2500 series. Other updates include four-wheel anti-lock brakes, Insta-Trac on four-wheel-drive models and a suspension system designed to provide a more carlike ride.

1998: OnStar and the full-time AutoTrac all-wheel-drive system are added. In Australia, right-hand-drive versions of the Suburban are offered through GM’s Holden brand.

2000: Launched in 1999 as a 2000 model, the next-generation Suburban brings new styling, new interiors and new powertrains. The engines include the Vortec 5.3L and 6.0L V-8s that were from the same Gen III V-8 “LS” family that debuted a couple of years earlier as the LS1 in the Corvette. Other new features include four-wheel disc brakes and a load-leveling suspension system.

2007: The latest generation of the Suburban is introduced, featuring a wind tunnel-shaped exterior and the elimination of traditional chrome front and rear bumpers. More efficient, comfortable and capable than ever, the Suburban continues to offer customers of all walks of life uncompromising capability and versatility.

2010: The 75th anniversary is marked with a limited-edition model, the 75th Anniversary Diamond Edition Suburban.

[source: GM News]

Jim Butler Chevrolet Goes To Bat for Fenton Athletic Association

Jim Butler Chevrolet Goes To Bat for Fenton Athletic Association as Part of Chevy Youth Baseball Initiative Sweeping Nation

Jim Butler Chevrolet provides Fenton Athletic Association with new equipment, monetary donation, instructional clinics; Additional funds via Chevy Vehicle Giveaway

Fenton (August 26, 2010) –  Jim Butler Chevrolet announced today it has invested its support in Fenton through a partnership with Fenton Athletic Association.  Jim Butler Chevrolet has 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 Jim Butler 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 Brad Sowers, General Manager and Dealer for Jim Butler Chevrolet. “Youth baseball has always played an important role in Fenton so we are thrilled to support our kids in a meaningful way.”

Jim Butler Chevrolet will present Fenton Athletic Association with equipment kits complete with equipment bags, baseball buckets, dry-erase coach’s clipboards and Chevy Youth Baseball t-shirts.

In addition, a one-time monetary donation check will be presented by Jim Butler Chevrolet to Fenton Athletic Association.  The league also will have an opportunity to raise additional funds for their use as part of a Chevy Youth Baseball Fundraiser.  Sponsored leagues across the country will each receive 2,000 fundraiser entry tickets to distribute for a suggested donation, and the league will keep 100% of proceeds raised.  At the end of the fundraiser, there will be five winners of a Chevy Equinox or Chevy Malibu vehicle of choice (up to $30,000 in value), and in each participating market there will be a secondary prize of a home entertainment center valued at $1,000.

Chevrolet is recognized on the national level as the “Official Vehicle of Major League Baseball.”  “At some point, we hope the kids or their parents will consider a Chevrolet as an official vehicle of their household,” said Sowers.  “Our vehicles are ideal for transporting families, teams and their gear.”

Chevrolet has expanded its support of MLB to the youth baseball players in communities across the country through the Chevy Youth Baseball program. The Chevy Youth Baseball program began in Atlanta in 2006. Now in its fifth season, the grass roots initiative has activation in more than 20 states and seeks to establish a positive connection between local dealers and the communities they serve.   Since its beginning, more than $7 million dollars has been raised by Chevy for community youth baseball leagues.

All NEW 2011 Chevy Cruze-Eco model- Jim Butler Chevy

At the 2010 New York Auto Show, Chevrolet debuted another trim level for the upcoming Cruze sedan, the 40-mpg Eco model. Simliar to the XFE trimmed Chevy vehicles that produced better gas mileage, offered FlexFuel technology, and still maintained engine power, a combination of these new technologies allows the Cruze Eco to hit that lofty 40 MPG number. The really cool part is Chevy is planning on producing 70% of Cruzes with the the 1.4-liter variable-valve timing turbo I-4, which is the foundation for he Eco model. How does Chevy plan on using the same engine for 70% of the Cruzes without making 70% of the Cruzes the Eco model.....Well that is because the engine isn't the only tweak that helps this Chevy make the astounding MPGs.

To start the front fascia on the Eco has a new, wind tunnel-massaged front fascia complete with a first-in-class "Aero Shutter." The engine cooling air inlet area below the grill opens and shuts during different types of driving. During stop-and-go driving the aero shutter is open. However, at higher speeds (or highway speeds) when cooling the turbocharged engine isn't as much of an issue, the shutter shuts, allowing for a more efficient air stream and a lower drag coefficient.

There's also a slim lower chin spoiler and "tire blockers," which we typically call spats. Moving on to the rear, there's a new fascia back there that's also been wind tunnel tested for more reduced drag. Surface area is further decreased by lowering the car by 10 mm compared to other Cruzes. There's a full-body underpanel to keep air from getting hung up on stuff like the exhaust and suspension components, as well as ultra low resistance tires shared with the Volt. Finally, there's an ultra-tall 6th gear (the Cruze Eco is manual-only) that allows the rpms to greatly drop when the vehicle is at cruising speed.

As you may imagine, Chevy has also done its very best to reduce mass as much as possible, going to as far as to shave welds down by a millimeter. But here's the thing: while working on the body in white, Chevy discovered that the mass-saving measures they made to the Eco could easily be applied to other Cruze models, which means that the not-quite-yet-on sale Cruze will have across the board improved mileage. The Chevy Cruze should go on sale in the 3rd quarter of 2010 with the Eco making it out of the gate by the 4th quarter of this year.

Even though the Cruze is positioning itself as a high mileage vehicle, Chevrolet has made the decision not to totally decontent the Eco. According to Chevy, people's tastes are changing and they want high mileage vehicles to have lots of creature comforts. For instance, the Eco ships with 17-inch forged aluminum wheels.
[Source: Autoblog]

We Won! Jim Butler Chevrolet wins the GM Mark of Excellence Award

We are proud to announce that Jim Butler Chevrolet has won the 2009 GM Mark of Excellence award. The Mark of Excellence is a special honor from General Motors that recognizes our excellent customer service, progressive growth in sales, and then it rates us against all other dealerships in our Region. This is not the first time Jim Butler Chevrolet of Saint Louis has one the award, in fact it is at least the 3 time and most importantly it is one of our personal goals at the dealership to win this great honor consecutively.

What the award means to the employees at Jim Butler Chevrolet?

The honor means that we have excelled past all the customer’s expectations and they have not only recognized this themselves but they have also voice their opinion in the customer service follow-up surveys. We’d like to congratulate every employee at Jim Butler Chevrolet on this achievement and thank all of our customers for their loyalty.