When you drive a Todd Wenzel vehicle, we want you to have a premium experience. That’s why we are excited to announce that starting today, all new and certified used vehicle buyers will be automatically enrolled in our brand new Todd Wenzel Platinum Program! This program offers our customers a buying and ownership experience unlike any other dealership in West Michigan. The exclusive benefits include:
FREE vehicle detail by appointment every time your vehicle is in service.
FREE service pickup and delivery within a 50 mile radius of our dealership.
New loaner vehicle available by reservation with any service appointment.
$19.95 oil changes for as long as you own your vehicle.
Exclusive promotions and special offers reserved only for our Platinum VIP customers.
Lowest Price Guaranteed – find a better price on a new or certified used vehicle and we’ll beat it.
Guaranteed highest trade-in value – we will give you more for your trade-in than any other dealer.
Rebate Protection – if GM increases their rebate offer within 30 days of your purchase, we will credit the difference to you.
FREE Certified Vehicle Maintenance Plan on every certified used vehicle. This two-year/30,000 mile standard vehicle maintenance plan includes oil changes based on your vehicles Oil Life Monitor System, tire rotations and Multi Point Vehicle Inspection. Plus a comprehensive 12-month/12,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty.
Are you ready to be treated like a VIP? Visit Todd Wenzel Chevrolet in Hudsonville or Todd Wenzel Buick GMC in Grand Rapids!
In the final two weeks of our experiment, Ric and Leandro share their observations through written and video journals. Ric has definitely adjusted his driving style when he’s behind the wheel and Leandro is pleasantly surprised by the creature comforts the Volt affords. After a month of running on electric power and saving big at the pump, they regrettably return the vehicle to Todd Wenzel Chevrolet. Thank you Ric and Leandro, for sharing your Volt Experience with us!
From Ric A favorite feature of the Volt is the touch screen display over the central console. It is VERY EASY to change or select any display feature available, but I find myself changing very little while focusing on my driving.
I have virtually retrained my driving style to eliminate “jack rabbit starts” and screeching halts at braking. I find myself taking it a bit more easy in my overall driving habits, particularly due to the fact that every move I make is shown in simple graphics on the display screen. I feel a bit guilty if I am wasting energy by flooring the gas pedal or pumping on the brakes rather than downshifting into “low” for slowing or going through curves or when cornerning.
On my continued trips out of town for court appearances or meetings, the Volt consistently pleases me…a two hour trip to the east side of the state costs just a few dollars in gas and electricity…a far cry from the $100 plus fill up cost of my Mercedes SUV, diesel powered and very expensive to operate. I have not forgotten to turn off the car when parking since my first mistake during week number 2.
We have had continued mild weather, and there has not been enough snowfall to coat the roads, at least in West Michigan. I was looking forward to seeing how the Volt handles on snowy roads. Entering into my final week of the Volt Experience, I might get a chance to see how it handles in the snow.
Trips to the mall and to various retail outlets over the past week after Thanksgiving has given me a lot of opportunities for short trips, always on electric power. The Volt still draws stares and comments from fellow drivers and shoppers. It’s with a sense of pride and environmental responsibility that I have enjoyed this unique vehicle for the past month.
This past Sunday afternoon, we went to Squires Tree Farm in Rockford for a Christmas tree. Not wanting to mess up the spacious interior with pine needles or the roof with pine pitch, a friend accompanied us and we put our tree in the back of his GMC pick up truck. Two 7 foot Frasier fir Christmas trees were gulped up in the spacious truck bed, and I was glad that we did not try to use the Volt as a truck. But for shopping trips and lots of packages, whether to Costco or to Macys, the Volt has an amazing amount of cargo space, plus room for additional passengers, or one lucky Scottish Terrior named Barney who loves the ride!
The battery problems are dealt with by GM with a buy-back program, but in a recent Grand Rapids Press article, one featured owner has no plans of returning the vehicle. If I were an owner at this point rather than driving the Volt as a demo, I would most certainly stick with the Volt. It’s been a great experience.
From Leandro For a month I drove the Volt from Grand Rapids to GVSU in Allendale. In the beginning I was quite nervous because I did not understand the fact that the car would stop running on battery power and switch to electricity generated by gas after 36 miles. That happened the first time I drove it and it went so smoothly I almost did not realize it. I find many people like the design of the Volt, as I got lots of compliments from people at GVSU and while driving around Grand Rapids. I feel fortunate for having had the opportunity of driving the car of the future.
The overall experience could not have been better. While I was driving it I felt secure. It did not take me long to figure out how the car works, because it shares similarities with my other car, a Chevy Equinox. It is really cool to drive and you feel you are not contaminating the planet! The Volt hardly makes any noise when it’s running on battery power, and when it switches to gas there is a vibration, but it’s minimal.
The navigation system is nice, and so is the sound of the stereo. The touch screen has the same logic of my iPad, so it is quite handy. The car has two digital screens, but only one is touchable. I thought that issue was going to be somehow distracting, but that did not happen at all.
I was concerned to hear about the battery issues, but our experience was without issue. The car worked as promised 100%. It is a great car to travel in…I drove pretty fast regularly and I did not feel the Volt was any slower than other cars. Of course, as an electric car, it takes a couple of seconds longer to increase the speed, but nothing considerable at all.
The interior space is great, and there is room for 4 adults. The electronic system is also great, for example you can program the car to heat up the seats every time you start the car. The graphics of the screens are tasteful and sleek, which is exiting to watch. I would buy it no question at all!
Week 2 of the Volt Experience has our driver enjoying his electric vehicle and avoiding the pump!
Week Two:
Routine trips around Grand Rapids challenged me to keep the battery charged as I tried to avoid gassing up.
My daily commute to my office 3 miles from my home resulted in a nearly seamless electricity experience.
I always thought it humorous to see the Volt in my garage each morning, orange 110v power cord plugged in and fully recharged each morning. I’m not sure why it looked so funny other than it’s such a novel sight to see a car plugged into an electric source.
Just a normal workday for Ric. The Volt got him to a live interview on legal topics for the Fox 17 Morning Show.
The weather stayed unseasonably warm, no threats of snow and very little icy roads through the week. The Volt continues to handle well and continues to impress me with it’s silent ride, consistent power, and overall great transportation consistency. When the battery runs out of charge and the gas engine takes over, it is imperceptable and seemless. I rarely notice when the change-over takes place unless I remind myself to look at the graphic display showing power usage. The overall mileage averages about 140 mpg which is unheard of.
Ric Roane at Todd Wenzel Chevrolet with the Volt he's driving for the next 30 days as part of the Volt Experience
Ric Roane, friend of our dealership and attorney in Grand Rapids, has parked his personal vehicle for the next 30 days to participate in the Volt Experience. We’ve asked him to put the Chevy Volt to the test – to complete missions around the city – and report his stories, observations, photos and videos.
Read on to see how week one with the Volt proves to be a pleasant surprise for Rick…
Day One
Picked up the 2012 Chevy Volt at Todd Wenzel Chevrolet in Hudsonville. After an hour orientation with Bob and I think I can operate this complex vehicle. I’m quite excited. Driving carefully away from the dealership, the control and video panel displays my every move and habit…no more jack rabbit starts or slamming on of brakes. The battery is fully charged and has a capacity of 35 miles. It’s about 30 miles to my house, and I decide to take the expressway rather than surface roads. Pulling onto the e-way, the car has great power and pick up as I merge into traffic. I set the cruise control at 65 miles and cars whiz past me, but I happily drive on electricity the whole way home. Bit by bit, the battery gauge shows depletion and I pull off at my regular exit. My nightly routine usually includes a stop at the grocery store on the way home for just the right item for dinner. I pull into the Family Fare parking lot, dash in for a few things, and come back out to the Volt, gleaming black under the florescent lights of the parking lot. The gauge shows 2 miles of battery life left, and I am one mile from home. I pull into the garage and shut the car down at 1 mile remaining. Using the handy 110v power cord, I plug the Volt into my wall outlet for the night. One display feature tells me that the car will be fully charged by 8 am on 110, or by midnight on 240v which I do not have (yet). What a ride!!!
Ric's Volt, looking sharp under the lights at Family Fare
Day Two
Eight a.m. and it’s time to leave for my three mile one way commute to work. Sure enough, the battery has fully charged and is ready to go. I drive down Fulton Street into downtown. The Volt handles beautifully, giving power when needed. I am re-learning how to drive, using the low gear for slowing down, cornering and coming to stop lights. I park in the Ellis lot at my office in the Warner/Fifth Third buidling and wish that I could plug the car in to an EV charging station as I work all day. Something to put on my to do list…ask Mike Ellis to insltall an EV Charging Station in the parking garage.
Day Three
I have a two day seminar in Plymouth, MI, a 141 mile drive away. I carpool with one co-worker, and she is fascinated by the technology and the concept of a green drive across the Motor State…I called ahead to the conference center asking if they have an EV Charging Station on premises. They do not, but suggested that I fill out a suggestion card and leave it for their management. I ask politely when are they going to get into the 21st Century…The back cargo space has enough room for two suitcases, two briefcases, and two suit bags, with plenty of room to spare. Of course, we are on gasoline power most of the way to Plymouth.
Day Four
I grab three conference attendees and we head out for dinner after a day long conference. We drive through the neighborhoods into the commercial district of Livonia, and park at Mitchell’s Seafood restaurant. The Volt is the only in the crowded lot. The valet attendant is fascinated by the car, and it gets a lot of additional stares from other diners. After dinner, we head back to the conference center. The temperature has dropped dramatically and I turn on the defroster and heat and the car warms us up in about 1 minute.
Day Five
Conference ends at noon and we head back to GR on gasoline power. I am becoming more familiar with the features, and particularly enjoy the display of power usage and the navigational system which is light years ahead of the Nav system in my 5 year old Mercedes SUV.
Day Six
Sunday and the weather is 60. We did yard work and left the car in the garage all day long. Fully charged but we drove nowhere all day. That was a really green day!
Day Seven
Roadtrip to Court in Charlevoix. Smooth on the expressway, great mileage, gas power the whole way. I stopped to refuel and spent $28.00 for a 9 gallon of premium. A far cry cheaper than filling the 27 gallon tank on the Mercedes SUV with Diesel which topped $4.19 a gallon this week. I parked the car at the lot at the courthouse, and 3 hours later came out and the car was running. It is so quiet that somehow I forgot to turn it off and it sat there, running in silence all that time. Dumb, but it worked out.
Where will Ric and the Volt show up next? What are his favorite features? Stay tuned for more updates from Ric and his Volt Experience!
Todd Wenzel Chevrolet in Hudsonville will be celebrating 100 Years of Chevy on Saturday November 5th from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.
Stop by to see vintage Chevrolets and our 2012 vehicle line-up, including the amazing Centennial Edition Corvette, all new Chevy Sonic and the electric Volt. While you’re browsing, enjoy a complimentary slice of apple pie, glass of apple cider or a delicious donut treat from Post Family Farms.
We’ll be raffling off special Centennial edition prizes from 1:00 – 3:00 while JQ99 broadcasts live from our showroom. Plus, West Michigan Whitecaps mascot, Crash will be here from 1:30 – 2:30 helping us raffle off 2012 Whitecaps tickets!
Did you know that there are more than 600 songs that mention Chevrolet, Chevy or the name of a Chevy vehicle in their lyrics? How many can you think of?
The good news is that you don’t have to spend too much time trying to remember, because Chevy has teamed up with Pandora and created a dedicated station featuring the Top 100 songs mentioning this iconic brand. This effort is just one of the many ways Chevy is celebrating its 100th anniversary, which is officially on November 3, 2011.
Among the Top 100 songs are “American Pie” by Don McLean, “Crocodile Rock” by Elton John, “Little Red Corvette” by Prince and “Tim McGraw” by Taylor Swift. To access the station, simply visit www.Pandora.com/chevy100. And let us know your favorite song!
Recognized today by global consumers, the Chevrolet bowtie logo was introduced by company co-founder William C. Durant in late 1913. But how it came to be synonymous with the brand is open to wide interpretation.
As the Chevy Centennial celebration kicks off, we want to give consumers a little history behind the Chevy bowtie.
Durant’s version of how the logo came into existence is well known. The long-accepted story, confirmed by Durant himself, was that it was inspired by the wallpaper design in a Parisian hotel. According to The Chevrolet Story of 1961, an official company publication issued in celebration of Chevrolet’s 50th anniversary, “It originated in Durant’s imagination when, as a world traveler in 1908, he saw the pattern marching off into infinity as a design on wallpaper in a French hotel. He tore off a piece of the wallpaper and kept it to show friends, with the thought that it would make a good nameplate for a car.”
However, conflicting accounts have emerged, each of which is plausible enough to deepen the mystery and suggest it may never be solved. Two of the alternate origins come from within the Durant family itself.
In 1929, Durant’s daughter, Margery, published a book entitled, My Father. In it, she told how Durant sometimes doodled nameplate designs on pieces of paper at the dinner table. “I think it was between the soup and the fried chicken one night that he sketched out the design that is used on the Chevrolet car to this day,” she wrote.
Our body shop can customize your Chevy bowtie!
More than half a century later, another Bowtie origin was recounted in a 1986 issue of Chevrolet Pro Management Magazine based on a 13-year-old interview with Durant’s widow, Catherine. She recalled how she and her husband were on holiday in Hot Springs, Va., in 1912. While reading a newspaper in their hotel room, Durant spotted a design and exclaimed “I think this would be a very good emblem for the Chevrolet.” Unfortunately, at the time, Mrs. Durant didn’t clarify what the motif was or how it was used.
That nugget of information inspired Ken Kaufmann, historian and editor of The Chevrolet Review, to search out its validity. In a Nov. 12, 1911 edition of The Constitution newspaper, published in Atlanta, an advertisement appeared from by the Southern Compressed Coal Company for “Coalettes,” a refined fuel product for fires. The Coalettes logo, as published in the ad, had a slanted bowtie form, very similar to the shape that would soon become the Chevrolet icon. Did Durant and his wife see the same ad – or one similar – the following year a few states to the north? The date of the paper was just nine days after the incorporation of the Chevrolet Motor Co.
One other explanation attributes the design to a stylized version of the cross of the Swiss flag. Louis Chevrolet was born In Switzerland at La Chaux-de-Fonds, Canton of Neuchâtel, to French parents, on Christmas Day 1878.
Whichever origin is true, within a few years, the bowtie would emerge as the definitive Chevrolet logo. An October 2, 1913 edition of The Washington Post seems, so far, to be the earliest known example of the symbol being used to advertise the brand. “Look for this nameplate” the ad proclaims above the emblem. Chevrolet customers have been doing so ever since.
Many variations in coloring and detail of the Chevrolet bowtie have come and gone over the decades since its introduction in late 1913, but the essential shape has never changed. In 2004, Chevrolet began to phase in the gold bowtie that today serves as the brand identity for all of its cars and trucks marketed globally. The move reinforced the strength of what was already one of the most-recognized automotive emblems in the world. More than 4.25 million Chevrolets were sold in more than 120 countries and regions during 2010!
Our annual Classics and Camaro’s show is coming up on Saturday, July 16 at Todd Wenzel Chevrolet! Join us from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. as we showcase beautifully restored classic cars and custom Camaros.
Just look at some of the amazing vehicles from last year…
We have a great day planned for everyone – The Winchester’s What The Truck will be on-site serving lunch to our participants, JQ 99 will be broadcasting live from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. with morning show hosts Chris and Emilee, and the Grand Rapids Social Diary will be here to capture amazing photos of all the cars and participants. We’ll even have an ice cream truck serving up the sweets, raffle items, giveaways and so much more! And remember, this is a FREE event!!
If you have a classic car you’d like to show off you can easily register on our website. We hope to see you on the 16th!
Yesterday was an exciting day at Todd Wenzel Chevrolet! Our store was chosen as the location for a General Motors photo shoot! GM’s agency, Jack Morton Worldwide, was on-site shooting photos that will be used in dealership training materials across the country! We’re told that the photos taken yesterday will be released later this year. Here is a sneak peak behind the scenes….
Demonstrating a new vehicle delivery, and vehicle overview
Setting up a shot in the service lane
Reviewing a repair order with the customer
We had a great time with the Jack Morton staff. They shot throughout the day in all areas of our newly renovated facility, and it was so interesting to see how a project of this scope comes together. We can’t wait to see the finished product!
Did you know that May is National Military Appreciation Month? In honor of this, Todd Wenzel Chevrolet is happy to announce the expansion of the GM Military Discount Program – which will now include military retirees and active military spouses, in addition to active duty military personnel.
Recognized as the best program in the industry, it is available to the U.S. Air Force, Army, Navy, Marines, National Guard and Coast Guard. The discount is available on most Chevrolet, Buick and GMC models with discounts typically ranging between $500 and $4,000 off the suggested retail price of the vehicle purchased.
Plus, those who utilize their discount this month to purchase, lease, order or take delivery of a new vehicle will also receive an exclusive Chevrolet Honor emblem at no charge!
We salute our Armed Forces and military retirees and encourage you to leave a comment to say thank you to the men and women that serve our country. Thank you for all that you do!
As the saying goes, good things come in small packages. The Cruze may be a compact car, but it offers an outrageous amount of features. Here are five that we think are just brilliant:
OnStar MyLink
This mobile app lets you connect with your vehicle, giving you real-time information whenever you want it – like your fuel level, fuel range (how long can you really drive before you run out of gas?), and remaining oil life. It also gives you serious control by allowing you to lock or unlock your doors from any distance, start your vehicle remotely, even activate your horn and lights if you need help finding your vehicle.
MyLink Mobile App
Hands-free calling
How great is this? Synch your Bluetooth® phone with your car, and you can take all your calls with one simple touch of a button on the steering wheel. Standard in the 2LT and LTZ, and available in every other Cruze model.
USB Port
The USB port connects your MP3 player to the audio system. You can even plug in a music-loaded flash drive into the USB port. Love it!
Turn-by-Turn Navigation
Get upcoming turns and street names displayed on the Driver Information Center or hear directions from the automated voice, and keep your eyes on the road.
OnStar Vehicle Diagnostics
Have you ever received an email… from your car? Well, now you can, every month. Vehicle diagnostics is like a report card from your car. It updates you on the condition of your key operating systems – how the engine and transmission are doing, how much oil life is left, what your tire pressure is – and alerts you if there is a problem.
Have a favorite? Let us know what features your vehicle has that you can’t live without!
There are a number of exciting new GM vehicles making their debut at this years’ North American International Auto Show in Detroit, which opens to the public on Saturday. If you have plans to go, be sure to check these out!
Chevrolet Volt
2011 Chevy Volt
This week, the much anticipated Chevy Volt was named North American Car of the Year, by a panel of 49 automotive journalists. Powered by electricity, the Volt can run up to 50 miles before the gas kicks in; and the 16-kWh lithium-ion battery pack is backed by an 100,000 mile/8-year warranty.
The dashboard is like nothing we’ve seen, with two LCD screens that display speed, battery power, range to recharge or re-fill as well as an efficiency gauge that gives you real-time feedback. The unique center console also has a seven-inch high-resolution screen with touch-sensitive control.
Volt dash with two LCD screens
Here’s a peak inside the Volt…pretty cool, huh?
Volt infrastructure
Buick Verano
2012 Buick Verano
The all new Buick Verano combines a compact, sporty profile with a wildly elegant interior. It has a powerful yet efficient Ecotec 2.4L six-speed automatic powertrain. Look for it later this year!
Buick Verano interior
Chevrolet Convertible Camaro
2011 convertible Camaro
What can we say? This is one HOT car! It features a lined canvas top, with a glass rear window (with defroster), and operates by releasing a single latch and pushing a power button. Available with the 3.6-liter V-6 or 6.2-liter V-8. It’s in production and will go on sale in February.
Chevrolet Sonic
The stylish little sonic will be available as a hatchback or sedan.
2012 Chevy Sonic
The hip instrument panel was motorcycle-inspired. Comes standard with ten airbags, traction and stability control, Bluetooth and is compatible with My Chevrolet Mobile apps. A turbocharged 1.4L will also be available. The Sonic will be made in Orion Township, MI beginning this fall.
Interior view of the all new Chevy Sonic
GMC All Terrain HD Concept
We saved the biggest, and baddest for last! At more than six feet, nine inches tall, the All Terrain HD is larger than life.
GMC All Terrain HD
GM borrowed power from the new Sierra HD pickups. So under the hood you’ll find a 6.6-liter Duramax turbo-diesel V-8, that produces 397 horsepower and 755 pound-feet of torque. The All Terrain HD has a five-passenger crew cab with a five-foot, eight-inch bed that’s floodlit for nighttime convenience. WOW!
If you can’t make it to Detroit, remember the Michigan International Auto Show will be in Grand Rapids February 3-6. We’ll be there to show off what’s new and answer your questions. For show info, click here.
Our renovations to both our Buick GMC and Chevy facilities are complete!
Our Chevrolet facility in Hudsonville
Our Buick GMC facility in Grand Rapids
The four month project, completed by Wolverine Construction of Grand Rapids, resulted not only in updated exteriors, but also updated interiors for both facilities. Our hope is that our customers will enjoy an automotive experience unlike any offered from other local dealers. Take a look at some more shots from a recent photo shoot…
Showroom at Buick GMC
Showroom at the Chevy facility
Our customers will now enjoy premium lounge areas with all the amenities; including large screen televisions, refreshments, snacks, workspaces with free internet, and children’s playrooms stocked with DVD’s and a Nintendo Wii.
Service lounge in our Chevy showroom
Kids lounge at TW Chevy, with Nintendo Wii
Lounge area at Chevy
New, modern furnishings, and even a customer concierge at the Grand Rapids location, ensure you are comfortable, cared for, and feel at home.
Lounge area in our Buick GMC showroom
A second lounge area at Buick GMC, this is in service
From a service standpoint, the new facilities offer additional service lanes and additional oil change bays to help reduce or eliminate wait time. Plus, a comprehensive parts and body shop – with the equipment and expert technicians on-hand to create custom interiors and unique exterior paint treatments.
Service consultants on hand to greet you upon entering our service area
Two new quick lube oil change bays at Chevrolet
Our body shop experts can help you create a custom look for your vehicle!
Additionally, customers will now be able to comfortably collect and learn about their new vehicle purchase from the indoor vehicle delivery areas!
Indoor new vehicle delivery areas at both locations
The enhancements aren’t over yet though…we’ll reveal a few more unique service offerings in early 2011! In the meantime, we invite you to stop in for a tour!
The first commercially available Chevrolet Volt is up for auction with all the proceeds to benefit math and sciences education in Detroit. Currently, the bid is$185,000!
If you want to be the first to own this exciting vehicle, you can register to bid at the Volt Charity Auction website. The auction closes December 14.
If you’d like to learn more about the Volt, or have your name put on our waiting list, please leave your comment below.
We are excited to have the new 2011 Cruze at our Chevrolet store! It’s such a sharp vehicle, and comes standard with a number of features that are typically not found at this price point. This video gives you a great overview.
We also want to let you in on a very special Sign and Drive lease program we just announced on a 2011 Cruze 1LT until the end of October. This means zero down payment and zero due at signing (except for your taxes, title, and license fees). The lease is $279/month for 48 months, and includes 12,000 miles/year.
What a great way to drive a brand new vehicle that is the talk of the town! If you’ve never leased a vehicle before and have questions, or if you would just like additional info, please let us know.
Better watch out speed demons because Chevrolet is launching an all new 2011 Caprice PPV. That’s short for “Police Patrol Vehicle” and this Caprice is going to be one of the toughest vehicles on the road. In a recent article, the Detroit News Autos Insider said the Caprice is the fastest among the 2011 PPV’s.
Chevy: “Our goal was to be the leader”
In preliminary testing, the Caprice placed first in the 0 to 60 mph along with the 0 to 100 mph and had a top speed of 148mph! Dana Hammer, Chevrolet manager of law enforcement vehicles said, “We have the fastest car, best brakes, largest interior and most comfort.”
The Caprice plans to accommodate police officers to the fullest with a 355-hp, 6.0L V8 Engine; curtain air bags; a high-output alternator; auxiliary coolers for engine oil, transmission fluid and power-steering fluid; 18 inch steel wheels; four-wheel disc brakes and heavy duty brake pads; and police calibrated stability control. Two batteries are mounted in the trunk; one for the engine and the other for the computer, lights and radar guns.
Be on the look out, these machines will be on the road in 2011. And if you want one, you’ll have to consider a career change, as there are no plans to offer a civilian version of the Caprice. For more updates and information, check out the links below.
Since it’s introduction in 1935, the Chevrolet Suburban has been towing, trailering and transporting everything from campers to kids and even Presidents (although the Presidental Suburban does have a heavy coat of armor).
This week, we celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Suburban. Impressively, the Suburban is the longest continuously running model of any vehicle, in 75 years. Which means production has never stopped. It has served generations of hard-working families.
75 years of Chevrolet Suburban
GM estimates it has sold over 2 million Suburbans since it’s introduction back in the ’30s. To commemorate this milestone, Chevrolet introduced a 75th Anniversary Diamond Edition Suburban. Production has been limtied to 2,500, and 600 have already sold.
Take a look at how it’s appearance has evolved over the years. Do you have a favorite?
Every now and then, there are funny little stories that go on within our dealership walls that we like to share. This is one of them.
Yesterday around 2:30pm we had a sightly distressed customer pull into our Chevrolet dealership. He came into our service department and spoke with one of our service advisors, Tim Boynton. The customer stated “Man, I got a problem… I got a truck full of chicks”. Keeping in the joking manner Tim replied “well how old are they”. Now elaborating further, the customer explained “well they’ve just hatched and I’ve got to get them into air conditioning right away”.
2500 baby chicks in a truck
His truck had barely made it into the dealership and the air conditioning had also died. After reviewing the options, it was evident that a quick fix wasn’t going to work and the truck was going to need lengthier repairs so it was time for Plan B. In just these few short minutes, the turkeys were already looking distressed so we had to act fast. General Manager, Bob Scollon went out and grabbed a Yukon XL and instructed everyone to get the turkeys on board with the AC cranked. In just a few minutes the turkeys were cooled down and in their new temporary home for the drive up north.
Twice a year the farmer comes from Mancelona, MI (near Traverse) to a farm in Zeeland to pick up 2500 baby turkeys to take up north, raise them on organic feed and then sell them. Once loaded up, the customer stated that maybe after 10 years it’s time for a new truck and he knows just the place to get one.
We hope to see this customer again soon and are happy that we were able to help out.
We are happy to let you know that we are the only authorized Nickey Chicago Super Camaro retailer in the state of Michigan. This strategic partnership provides Camaro enthusiasts with the ability to build a unique Hi-Performance vehicle and distinguishes us as one of only a select few of the hand-picked Nickey Chicago retailers in the country.
“We’re excited to be the exclusive dealer for Nickey in our state. We think it offers a different application to other local Camaro upfitters,” said Todd Wenzel.
“Without question, Todd Wenzel and staff really know how to take care of their customers and make certain that they are 100 percent satisfied with all aspects of their buying experience. I would know as I am a Todd Wenzel customer too!” said Stefano Bimbi, President of Nickey Chicago.
The 2010 Camaro combines classic styling inspiration with modern performance. And while we offer enhancements such as hand-painted stripes, custom wheels, and special emblems on-site, customers who seek a more distinctive, custom Camaro turn to Nickey. The opportunity to select from a menu of unique performance and styling upgrades results in a Super Car tailor-made for the Camaro devotee.
About Nickey Chicago Nickey Chicago is a legendary Chevrolet performance car dealer, recognized worldwide for creating the very first domestic Super Car with the introduction of the 1967 Camaro. Today, Nickey Chicago uses the same performance formulas which established them as the leader in the Hi-Performance car world. New generation Nickey Super Camaros are available for immediate delivery and are offered, in Stage I, Stage II and Stage III configurations. Each of the new Nickey Camaros are custom built, serialized Limited Editions.
GM is making strides towards becoming the “New GM.”
GM’s president and CEO Fritz Henderson posted information about GM’s sale on its blog, GM FastLane. According to Henderson, GM received court approval for a sale of a large portion of GM’s assets to the U.S. Department of Treasury. The sale is expected to close soon after the appeal process.
With the “New GM” emerging, many changes and decisions have been made.
“We have, in effect, been fixing our bike while we ride it. Now the repair work is almost done, and we’re steering the company back onto a path to viability and success,” Henderson commented in the blog.
The “New GM” is set to include four core brands: Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac. These brands will continue to produce new cars for dealerships, both TW dealerships among them.
When you drive a Todd Wenzel vehicle, we want you to have a premium experience. That’s why we are excited to announce that starting today, all new and certified used vehicle buyers will be automatically enrolled in our brand new Todd Wenzel Platinum Program! This program offers our customers a buying and ownership experience unlike any other dealership in West Michigan. The exclusive benefits include:
Todd Wenzel Chevrolet in Hudsonville will be celebrating 100 Years of Chevy on Saturday November 5th from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.
Did you know that there are more than 600 songs that mention Chevrolet, Chevy or the name of a Chevy vehicle in their lyrics? How many can you think of?
We have a great day planned for everyone – 
