I Love Graff Okemos: June 2015

Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Fun Fourth of July Crafts for Kids

OKEMOS, Mich.– For adults, the Fourth of July is all about celebrating independence, grilling and relaxing with family and friends. For kids it’s usually just a day where they get to eat hot dogs and pie, run around with sparklers and stay up a little later than usual. Change things up this year for your little ones– try entertaining them with one of these fun Fourth of July crafts for kids:

Fourth of July Shirts

Let the kids create their own handprint American flag designs

that they can wear everywhere on Independence Day!

Q-Tip Fireworks

Believe us when we say this creative project

is a hit with kids! Plus it's super simple.

Popsicle Stick Flags

Tell the kids to start eating popsicles now– you're

going to need a few sticks for this one!

Patriotic Paper Plate Hat

Your kids can be like Lady Liberty and

feel more patriotic than ever!

Watercolor Paper Plate Flags

This is sure to bring out the artiste in your kids,

not to mention the patriot in them!

On top of fireworks and sweet treats, there are so many ways to make Independence Day even more enjoyable for your kids. In our opinion, these fun Fourth of July crafts for kids are some of the best ideas to make that happen! In fact, doing one of these crafts with your kids is as good of an idea as making your next vehicle one of the New Chevy Cars or New Chevy Trucks at our Okemos Chevy Dealership!

Hank Graff Chevrolet Okemos is committed to providing you with integrity and convenience, all close to home. Let our friendly team of Chevy professionals at Hank Graff Okemos help you – simply call us at (517) 349-8300 or visit our showroom, located at 1748 W. Grand River Okemos, MI 48864. We’re just minutes from Lansing!

Wednesday, June 24, 2015

2016 Chevy Camaro Takes Its Top Off

OKEMOS, Mich.– You’ve seen the 2016 Chevy Camaro, but you haven’t taken in the entire picture yet. Get ready for next spring when the 2016 Chevy Camaro takes its top off and transforms into a convertible.

While you drive the top performance car on the market next spring, enjoy the breeze thanks to an electro-hydraulic power roof system that takes shape after the sleek design of the 2016 Camaro coupe’s body. And don’t worry if it’s too cold out to remove the top, the multilayer construction of the roof keeps things comfortable and quiet for you inside.

“The 2016 Camaro coupe will set the benchmark for the segment in terms of technology, performance and design,” said Todd Chritensen, Camaro marketing manager. “Adding the most sophisticated top in the segment brings another level of refinement.”

We’re talking about one sophisticated convertible top with:

Fully automatic operation and latches that automatically release and secure it
The Capability to open or close at speeds up to 30 mph
Remote opening with the key fob
A hard tonneau cover that deploys automatically to keep appearances up when the top is lowered and stowed

When the 2016 Chevy Camaro takes its top off it will still have the coupe’s stiff, light structure that reduces total vehicle weight by 200 pounds compared to its predecessor. Now, you can also get some sun while you drive.

Are you looking forward to the 2016 Camaro convertible? Us too, but we’re also looking forward to adding other New Chevy Cars or New Chevy Trucks to our vehicle inventory at our Okemos Dealership

2016 Chevy Cruze Debuts at the Fillmore Theater in Detroit

OKEMOS, Mich.– Earlier this week, Chevy gave exciting news for the upcoming 2016 Cruze through a press release explained completely in Emoji.

Honestly, we couldn’t accurately decipher the small cartoony images without getting a headache– let’s just say you really have to think outside the emoji– so we decided to just wait until Chevy released the deciphered version later in the week.

So what’s the big news? After reading through the deciphered version, it turns out the 2016 Chevy Cruze debuts at the Fillmore Theater in Detroit June 24, 2015, at 7 p.m., and Chevy says we’re all going to love it.

According to a Chevy spokesperson, the 2016 Cruze will “change the world,” thanks to a litany of new features that improve vehicle technology, design and efficiency.

The new Cruze’s athletic build will house technology for 7 connected devices with available 4G LTE Wi-Fi, and will be the first in its class to offer Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Those are the fun aspects of the new Cruze, but it’s also efficient with an EPA-estimated 35 mpg highway– that’s definitely better than usual fuel economy! With 10 air bags and available standard OnStar for the first 6 months, the 5-seater 2016 Cruze is also a safe haven for drivers and their passengers.

The 2016 Chevy Cruze debuts at the Detroit Fillmore Theater in Detroit June 24, 2015, but you’ll have to wait to get your hands on it when it hits global markets in spring 2016. In the meantime, try deciphering the emoji press release yourself, and no cheating! Compare your results to the deciphered version here.

Maybe you need your next Chevy before the new Cruze hits markets. In that case, consider one of the New Chevy Cars or New Chevy Trucks at our Okemos Dealership ! These vehicles aren’t the 2016 Cruze, but we guarantee they’ll make you a happy driver.

Tuesday, June 23, 2015

300 Workers Hired to Build Chevy Bolt

OKEMOS, Mich.– General Motors plans to invest $245 million into its Orion Township, Michigan, assembly plant and will have 300 workers hired to build the Chevy Bolt there.

Rather than creating jobs elsewhere, GM and Chevrolet are sticking to their Michigan roots and investing in a community located in the state that birthed the automotive industry.

“Orion Assembly is a breeding ground for manufacturing innovation,” said Cathy Clegg, vice president of GM North America manufacturing and labor relations, in a statement. “It serves as a model to engage the entire workforce at all levels to achieve success.”

As of now 1,580 hourly and 180 salaried workers assemble the Chevrolet Sonic and Buick Verano at the Orion Township plant, but consumer interest for compact cars has waned due to their affinity for larger vehicles.

Loss of interest in compact sedans has resulted in GM cutting down production and being forced to lay off 100 workers at Orion throughout the remainder of 2015, which is why bringing Chevy Bolt manufacturing to this plant will be such a boon to the local community. The Bolt goes on sale in 2017, so GM will have 300 workers hired to build the Chevy Bolt sometime by then, after proper manufacturing equipment is installed with the $245 million investment.

The Bolt is touted for its expected range of 200 miles on one full charge and will be priced at around $30,000. Thanks to GM’s first all-electric vehicle, soon Orion Township will recover lost jobs and tack on 200 more.

Nothing makes us happier than hearing about job creation in our state, especially when GM and Chevrolet produce those jobs. There’s a reason why keep New Chevy Cars and New Chevy Trucks at our Okemos Dealership instead of any other brand!

Hank Graff Chevrolet Okemos is committed to providing you with integrity and convenience, all close to home. Let our friendly team of Chevy professionals at Hank Graff Okemos help you – simply call us at (517) 349-8300 or visit our showroom, located at 1748 W. Grand River Okemos, MI 48864. We’re just minutes from Lansing!

Wednesday, June 17, 2015

Chevy Repurposes Used Volt Batteries

OKEMOS, Mich.– You don’t become the best automaker around by sticking to old habits. That’s why Chevy invested so much into developing an energy efficient vehicle like the Volt. Now they’re taking that efficiency in a new direction as Chevy repurposes used Volt batteries for areas unrelated to driving.

Along with a 74-killowatt ground-mount solar array and two 2kW wind turbines, five Chevy Volt batteries currently produce 100Mwh annually for the GM Enterprise Data Center at its Milford Proving Ground, which is GM’s newest IT building. That amount of energy is equal to the usage of 12 households.

Surprised that five used Chevy Volt batteries could help power an entire new IT building? Here’s how it works: The Volt pulls its power from a band of energy in the battery pack, leaving remnants of useful battery juice, which is used to help power this facility.

Taking action on energy conservation like this has lead Chevy’s new IT building to achieve the LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, a coveted award given to the most innovative and environmentally friendly companies.

Don’t assume Chevy Volt batteries are only good for powering facilities, though. Chevy repurposes used Volt batteries in other creative ways, like turning them into bat houses and nesting boxes for endangered duck species.

Other automakers do their time with energy conservation and environmental awareness, but none of them seem to be on par with Chevy. By now you shouldn’t need us to prove this, but if you need some verification come see how the New Chevy Cars and New Chevy Trucks at our Okemos Dealership represent this automaker’s innovative nature!

Tuesday, June 16, 2015

Practical Father’s Day Gifts for Car Guys

OKEMOS, Mich.– Is your dad a car guy, but you have no clue what to get him for Father’s Day? Fortunately for you, the solution to your problem is contained within that question! Get Dad one of these practical Father’s Day gifts for car guys, and rest assured that he'll feel appreciated:

Routine Maintenance

Usually dads stay on top of things, but sometimes they get busy. It’s not a bad idea to save Dad some time and take his car in for an oil change or any other routine maintenance it may be in need of. Luckily, you can get it all done at Graff Okemos!

New Car Mats

Winter takes a beating on the exterior of your vehicle, but it definitely finds ways to infiltrate the interior as well. Just think, every time Dad got in his car this winter he tracked in wet, salty sludge. Now his mats are caput! Get him some new ones.

Portable Jump Starter

Jumper cables come in handy when your car batter fizzles out, as long as other drivers are around for you to get a jump from. But what if Dad is on the road and hasn’t seen a car for miles? Suddenly, his Chevy breaks down and he needs a jump. Good thing you got him that portable jump starter!

French Fries Holder

Laugh all you want, but this is legit. When Dad stops in at his favorite fast food restaurant and is in a rush, he’s going to need a convenient place to set his fries while he drives. Hence the French fries holder.

Classic Front Lawn Car Wash

Despite all of these practical (possibly goofy) gifts, nothing will EVER replace the classic front lawn car wash. This Sunday, pull Dad’s car onto the front lawn, unfurl the hose and get washin’. This is the most sentimental and FREE way to show Dad you still care about him, and his car.

If you still haven’t gotten Dad a gift yet, don’t waste any more time– Father’s Day is Sunday! Be sensible, go with one of these practical Father’s Day gifts for car guys like your motor-head dad. But maybe you want to do something fun with him this weekend, too. In that case, take him to check out some of the New Chevy Cars and New Chevy Trucks at our Okemos Chevy Dealership this weekend!

Thursday, June 11, 2015

2017 Chevy Bolt Sighting

OKEMOS, Mich.– Nothing gives us more of a jolt than when someone spots a new Chevy prototype, as with a recent 2017 Chevy Bolt sighting Autoblog made during the vehicle’s first test-drive.

The big news behind the 2017 Bolt is that one electric charge is expected to keep the innovative hatchback running for up to 200 miles. It’s uncertain what technology or machinery under the Bolt’s hood could allow for such incredible performance, but after watching this video we've concluded it has to be something good:

Unfortunately, as with all prototypes, the 2017 Chevy Bolt sighting mostly revealed the white and black swirls of camouflage hiding its true image. However, the contours and general shape of the EV are still very apparent. Based on the photos, things are looking good for the Bolt, which will be manufactured at a General Motors factory in Lake Orion, Mich.

Chevy plans to widen its EV consumer segment with the introduction of the 2017 Bolt, which is projected to cost $30,000 after potential tax incentives. For an EV with a range of 200 miles, the price seems well worth it. Chevy is always coming out with game-changers like the 2017 Bolt, and the New Chevy Cars and New Chevy Trucks at our Okemos Chevy Dealership speak to that!