GM Working on Green Trucks

gmcDid you ever think you’d see the day when big pickup trucks would be hybrids, too? I didn’t either, but it could be right around the corner!

With everybody complaining about fossil fuels and gas prices, truck manufacturers have no choice but to find ways to make even their biggest trucks more fuel-efficient and eco-friendly. And General Motors is on that list, too.

As a matter of fact, GM plans to have a hybrid model of its popular Sierra truck in 2009. Made in Canada, the Sierra hybrid model includes a six-liter V8 engine combined with electric motors. As such, they don’t rely as heavily on fuel as their earlier, less efficient counterparts.

With the new hybrid Sierra, the trucks run on electric motors when the vehicle is in slow traffic.

However, once the speedometer goes over 48 km/h, the gasoline-powered engine takes over, resulting in 25 percent better fuel economy. How does that sound? The best part is that you can start looking for these new hybrid models at your local GMC truck dealer starting later this year when the 2009 models are released. I know I can’t wait!

General Motors isn’t stopping there, though. The American automaker is also working on its Volt model, a plug-in hybrid that runs on electricity. The only obstacle in the way is trying to find durable and cost-efficient lithium-ion batteries to run the vehicle. Release for this vehicle is slated for 2010. Other GM hybrid models include the Equinox SUV, the Tahoe and the Silverado, just to name a few.

Prom Season Brings SADD Demonstrations

HearseProm is supposed to be an event that high school students will remember for their entire lives. Too often, however, prom night becomes a nightmare. While most kids are just out to have a good time, some use the night as an excuse to overindulge in drinking, drugs or other potentially dangerous activities. Students Against Destructive Decisions, a national student organization dedicated to preventing alcohol-related traffic deaths, uses activities and demonstrations to teach the possible consequences.

As the years progress, SADD demonstrations become more and more realistic. Recent years’ demonstrations have included authentic hearses, cars that had been wrecked by drunk drivers and other genuine articles from drunk driving collisions. This year, SADD has gone even further, adding live actors to the mix. Funeral homes, police officers and paramedics team up with high school students to reenact the hours and days immediately following an injurious or fatal collision.

These demonstrations can really make a difference, not only to the observers but to the teenaged actors as well. Being zipped up into a body bag, loaded into a hearse and taken to a funeral home can be eye-opening to even the most jaded teen.

If you are in the funeral industry, you may be able to help with SADD demonstrations in your local area. From loaning out a hearse to volunteering your time as part of a performance, participating is a great way to help out your local community. Contact your local SADD chapter to find out how you can get involved.

If you are in the market for a new hearse or funeral car, we invite you to stop by our convenient dealership in person or on the internet. We would be happy to help you select the best car for your business or personal use.