The Tide puts Norfolk on the map of light-rail service

The recent start up of Norfolk’s new light rail system, The Tide, has created quite a buzz in the Hampton Roads area.  The line that carries passengers from downtown Norfolk to the boundary with Virginia Beach has been an immediate hit with the commuting public and caused the city planners at Princess Anne Courthouse to think about extending the line into Virginia Beach.

The rail line debuted August 19, 2011.  It has eleven stations and goes 7 miles starting at Eastern Virginia Medical Center and ending at Newtown Road, providing access to downtown Norfolk, Norfolk State University, Tidewater Community College (Norfolk Campus) and numerous dining, shopping, and entertainment facilities.   It also features four park-and-ride lots where parking is free.

This new service is a big step in reducing the traffic congestion between Virginia Beach and Norfolk.  If Virginia Beach can find the political will – and the money – to fund extension of the line to the resort beach area, that will complete the original vision for this light-rail service and bring real relief to the traffic problems that plague the daily commute between these closely-bound cities.

Not to mention the improvement to the quality of life for those who live and work in the metro area.  Quality of life that includes not just travel, but the quality of the air itself.  For advocates of cleaner transportation technology, this is a boon.   And it dovetails nicely with the efforts of automobile manufactures such as Chevrolet to provide non-polluting vehicles.  The electric Chevrolet Volt is a great example of that.  It’s pretty neat to think that owners of the Volt can drive to The Tide park and ride lot in the morning, hop on the train, return, and drive back home that evening without ever burning fossil fuel. 

Now that’s cool!

For info on The Tide, go to: http://www.gohrt.com/services/the-tide/.

For info on the Chevrolet Volt, go to http://www.colonialchevroletnorfolk.com/.

Chevrolet Volt Winning over Customers

Have you seen the new Chevy Volt yet? It’s here and it’s going to change the way you think about electric cars.

The early adopters and electric-vehicle fans have so far accounted for most of the Volt’s sales, but once you start seeing them on the streets, you’ll pause to take a second look. Chevrolet is offering the Volt is offered in one very well-equipped standard trim level. We make it easy for you!

The Volt has all the space, comfort, convenience and safety features which people expect from a premium five-door sedan. It offers a variety of interior color, lighting and trim options and easy-to-use technologies such as configurable displays, OnStar Mylink Mobile App for Chevrolet, and MyVolt.com web portal enhance owner experience. If you want to know more about the Volt, just get in touch with Colonial Chevrolet in Norfolk. We’ll be more than happy to give you information about the Volt, or even go for a test drive. Also check out our special offers on new cars. We’ve also got a great selection of pre-owned and certified pre-owned vehicles of all makes!

The Volt derives power from the GM’s revolutionary Voltec propulsion system, comprising a 16-kWh lithium-ion battery pack and electric drive unit which provides pure electric range between 25 and 50 miles and a 1.4L gasoline-powered engine extends the range up to an additional 344 miles on a full tank of fuel by operating the vehicle’s electric drive system until the car can be plugged in and recharged or refueled.

Chevrolet Silverado HD Wins 2011 Motor Trend Truck of the Year Award!

Colonial Chevrolet, your most reliable Chevrolet car dealership in Norfolk, Virginia, is proud to announce that the Chevrolet Silverado HD has swept the award for 2011 Motor Trend Truck of the Year.  This is the second successive award for Chevrolet after the Volt was named the 2011 Car of the Year by Motor Trend.

We boast over Chevrolet’s success, and why shouldn’t we? Since 2006, this is the first time that one automotive brand has won both the Motor Trend Car and Motor Trend Truck of the Year award in the same year.

The juries evaluated two Silverado’s -- one was an extended-cab gas SRW and the other a crew-cab diesel dually. They compared two Ford Super Duties, two Sierra HDs and two Silverado’s in a back-to-back comparison, both on highway straights as well as twisty roads, and the Silverado came out as the unanimous winner of the award.

The Chevy engineers have worked hard and upgraded the Silverado HD for 2011. Although the exterior looks identical with the earlier versions, the underlying mechanics have been improved, pretty much to make the engine more powerful and stronger.

If you are looking for a reliable Chevrolet car dealership in or around Norfolk, Virginia, then visit Colonial Chevrolet today. Don’t forget to have a look at our vast inventory of both new and pre-owned cars. You may also schedule your Chevrolet service appointment online or by calling Colonial Chevrolet. 

Chevrolet Silverado HD Wins 2011 Motor Trend Truck of the Year Award!

Colonial Chevrolet, your most reliable Chevrolet car dealership in Norfolk, Virginia, is proud to announce that the Chevrolet Silverado HD has swept the award for 2011 Motor Trend Truck of the Year.  This is the second successive award for Chevrolet after the Volt was named the 2011 Car of the Year by Motor Trend.

We boast over Chevrolet’s success, and why shouldn’t we? Since 2006, this is the first time that one automotive brand has won both the Motor Trend Car and Motor Trend Truck of the Year award in the same year.

The juries evaluated two Silverado’s -- one was an extended-cab gas SRW and the other a crew-cab diesel dually. They compared two Ford Super Duties, two Sierra HDs and two Silverado’s in a back-to-back comparison, both on highway straights as well as twisty roads, and the Silverado came out as the unanimous winner of the award.

The Chevy engineers have worked hard and upgraded the Silverado HD for 2011. Although the exterior looks identical with the earlier versions, the underlying mechanics have been improved, pretty much to make the engine more powerful and stronger.

If you are looking for a reliable Chevrolet car dealership in or around Norfolk, Virginia, then visit Colonial Chevrolet today. Don’t forget to have a look at our vast inventory of both new and pre-owned cars. You may also schedule your Chevrolet service appointment online or by calling Colonial Chevrolet. 

Summer Car Care Tips for a Safe Driving Experience

Summer means fun in the sun and vacations road trips for most families.  Colonial Chevrolet knows that taking an extended road trip can actually take a toll on the family car. Extreme heat and long drives can be tough on tires. Most people driving in summer complain of leaky radiators, cracked hoses, underinflated tires and dirty filters. All these factors can significantly reduce the fuel efficiency, or worse, can lead to a total breakdown. So if you are planning a vacation with your family this summer and want your loved ones safe on road, be sure to get your vehicle ready for the trip in order to avoid any unnecessary hassles and road accidents. Here is a quick summer car care checklist to ensure you spend more time with your family during the vacation rather than changing a flat tire on road.

If you haven't had your car in for routine maintenance in the last few months, get it into a repair shop or to an auto service center for a full safety inspection a week or so before you leave for vacation. This will allow enough time to fix any problems the technician may have uncovered.

 Be sure to ask your Certified Auto Technician to check the following:

1.       Check your tires as tire pressure changes with the rising temperatures. Request your mechanic to check for tire tread depth and condition. Don’t forget to have the spare tire pressure checked as well.

2.       Get your air conditioning system checked.

3.       Also insist that your car technician examines the windshield wipers, lights, belts, filters and hoses.

4.       Check your car batteries. 

Even if your car technician confirms everything is fine, there is always a possibility of car trouble while on vacation. So it is always important to keep yourself equipped with an Emergency Road Kit to save you from those dreaded moments when you have car trouble in the middle of the road, especially if there is no nearby car repair service available. 

Make sure your Emergency Road Kit include:

• Flashlights and flares
• Multipurpose tools including pliers, screwdriver, wire cutters, an awl, a knife, file, a saw, and a bottle opener
• A First Aid kit
• Water
• Jumper cables
• Tire inflator
• Extra fluids (oil, coolant, transmission)
• A jack (ensure that the vehicle jack is operational and all the tools are present)
• Gloves
• Rags/paper towels
• Blanket

Other Useful Tips

·         Pack as lightly as possible as this can help avoiding unnecessary weight on your tires, and can help you save some gas! And be careful not to block your view in the mirror while driving.

·         Follow the highway speed limits not only for your safety, but to save some extra fuel as well.

·         Finally, follow all the road safety rules and enjoy the open roads and the sunny sky with your loved ones!

To find a reliable Auto Service Center in your area visit Colonial Chevrolet of Norfolk VA, Colonial Chevrolet is a new car dealership in Norfolk, Virginia proudly serving the tidewater area; Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Portsmouth, Chesapeake, Suffolk, Eastern shore, Franklin, Williamsburg, Newport news and Hampton.   You can even take advantage of our Service and Parts coupons online.

Everyone knows that there are always situations that cannot be anticipated. That’s why there is Hendrick Autoguard Assurance Edge Motor Club Program – a comprehensive motor club program that provides you with peace-of-mind knowing that help is just a phone call away. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Hendrick Autoguard Assurance Edge Motor Club Program provides the following emergency and non-emergency benefits:

• 24-Hour Roadside Assistance
• Emergency Travel Expense Reimbursement
• Vehicle Rental Reimbursement
• $1,000 Vehicle Theft Reward
• Emergency Message Relay
• Tire Hazard Protection Reimbursement
• Wheel Hazard Protection Reimbursement
• 
  

The Hendrick Autoguard Assurance Edge Motor Club Program is available for five years on new vehicles and three years on pre-owned vehicles.

The Hendrick Autoguard Extended Service Agreements are available for vehicles up to 10 years old.

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Win 32" Flat Screen TV at Colonial Chevrolet!

Colonial Chevrolet, one of the leading new and certified pre-owned Chevrolet vehicles and used cars dealers in Norfolk, Virginia, is giving you a chance to take home a 32 " Flat Screen TV.

Here’s how to enter for your change to win this 32” Flat Screen TV:

Go to our TV Contest Giveaway page and simply click on our Facebook “Like” button and your'e entered to win a 32" Flat screen TV. There has never been an easier way of winning a TV!  When we reach our 500th “Like”, we draw a name giving you a chance to win with Rick Hendrick Colonial Chevrolet. 

So what are you waiting for; show us some love by liking us and enhance your chances of winning this TV.  While you are entering to win a chance to win the TV, visit our website and browse through all our New and Pre-owned Chevrolet cars, there is no better place to shop in the Norfolk VA area than at Colonial Chevrolet. We have an all comprehensive range of new Chevrolet as well as pre owned cars. Also check out our amazing special offers that are available on the new Chevrolet cars.

Chevrolet Volt to be Available Across the Nation by End of 2011

Since the launch of the Chevrolet Volt, a lot of people have expressed their interest in buying this environmentally friendly car. Rick Hendrick Colonial Chevrolet, your nearest Chevrolet car dealer in Norfolk, VA, is proud to announce that the new Chevrolet Volt would soon be available in our showroom and you can take delivery of this multiple award winning electric car during the third quarter of this year.

The Chevrolet Volt is an electric car and, based on EPA estimates, boasts a total driving range of up to 379 miles. With a fully charged Chevrolet Volt, you get the first 35 miles totally gas- and tailpipe-emissions-free. And when the Volt’s battery runs low, a gas-powered engine/generator comes into action and extends the driving range by another 344 miles on a full tank.

The Chevrolet Volt has won many prestigious awards and recognitions including 2011 North American Car of the Year, Motor Trend 2011 Car of the Year, Green Car Journal 2011 Green Car of the Year, AUTOMOBILE Magazine 2011 Automobile of the Year, Ward's AutoWorld 10 Best Engines for 2011, Car and Driver 10 Best for 2011, and 2010 Breakthrough Technology, by Popular Mechanics among others. And if these awards were not enough to generate curiosity about the Chevrolet Volt, the State of the Union speech just added fuel to ignite people’s interest in environment friendly electric vehicles.

You can soon take a look or test-drive the Chevrolet Volt by visiting Rick Hendrick Colonial Chevrolet in Norfolk. Additionally, you can also browse through our new Chevrolet or used vehicle inventory. We look forward to serving you and to helping you find a car that will bring happiness to you and your family.