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In November a story was published about a Sterling Virginia man who attended a toy drive sponsored by Operation Homefront – an organization committed to continued aid for wounded Iraq and Afghanistan veterans returning to their families. Max Poyer and his family were actually at the toy drive to reportedly sign papers to participate themselves in an “adopt a family” program for the holiday season.

“I thought I was coming here to sign some paperwork for the adopt-a-family program for Christmas,” said Beverly Poyer, wife of Retired Army Specialist Max Poyer.

Max Poyer was deployed to Afghanistan in 2007 as a computer technician. Instead, his job on the ground was to clean the bodies of dead soldier, civilians, and enemy combatants. Poyer was then medically discharged from his army duties after a year in Afghanistan. Max was diagnosed with severe Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder upon his return. He is unable to return to employment due to his diagnosis. His family was described as “trying to make ends meet off of their retirement.”

Little did the Poyer family think that when they arrived at the headquarters that they would soon realize they were apart of a ploy. A ploy deep seated in the nature of the men and women of Operation Homefront, which is to give back to those military families who have suffered due to a loved ones injuries while serving in Iraq or Afghanistan. Operation Homefront and the American Shipping and Logistics Group (ASL) had a surprise for the Poyer family, a gently used GMC Acadia for their family.

“There are no words. It’s unbelievable. It’s something that we’ve really needed,” said Beverly. “I feel like I’m going to pass out,” said Max.

“About a year ago, they took on several other children to help out a family member,” explains Dietrich. “It wasn’t by choice, it was more by design. Now they’re a family of eight and they were originally a family of three.”

With the same spirit of giving and helping out families that brought the Poyer family to Operation Homefront headquarters, Max Poyer took on several other children to help a family member. Vivian Dietrich, president of Operation Homefront’s D.C. Metro Chapter stated that “It wasn’t by choice, it was more by design. Now they’re a family of eight and they were originally a family of three.”

With the help and the caring people of Operation Homefront and ASL, they have a new SUV that’s big enough for the entire family.

“Now I can go to my doctor appointments without worrying about my wife and kids at home without a vehicle,” said a relieved Poyer. “It just makes life a little easier. I’m so grateful.”

Would you like to donate a gently used vehicle to Operation Homefront? If so go to their website www.operationhomefront.net. Have a large family and looking for that perfect vehicle to get everyone, everywhere? Come by your Bill Dodge GMC in Westbrook, Maine and see all of our 2012 GMC Acadias, Terrains, and Yukons and check our selection out today!

Here is the video clip!

In Spring Hill, TN, word is finally coming out about what new vehicles the General Motors plant there will assemble first, when work will begin, and other details of the planned restart of the facility promised by the automaker in its new national contract with the United Auto Workers union.
GM and UAW officials from Detroit will announce the plans next Monday at the facility with plant workers and government leaders in attendance. Expected to attend are Cathy Clegg, GM’s vice president for labor relations; Bob King, the UAW international president; Joe Ashton, the UAW vice president representing the GM department; and Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam.

Although union officers at the plant say they still haven’t been told what vehicles will be manufactured there, there has been speculation that the first new products could be the hot-selling Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain compact crossovers. Spring Hill would be an “overflow” production site for those models, whose main manufacturing location is in Ontario, Canada.

Under terms of the new four-year contract approved by UAW members nationwide in late September, Spring Hill is supposed to get two new midsize-vehicle lines. The first line would begin production sometime next year, bringing 600 jobs and an investment of $61 million dollars. The other would come in 2013, adding another 1,110 jobs and a $360 million investment. The investment amounts could differ when officials announce specifics on each of the projects. UAW officials don’t expect to learn details of the second vehicle line until closer to its launch time.

The restart of production on the vehicle assembly line would add to the Tennessee plant’s present workforce of about 1,100. The facility didn’t completely close when the Traverse was relocated. Some employees were kept on to make GM’s four-cylinder engines, along with a variety of stamped metal and plastic parts for vehicles assembled elsewhere.The engine plant is undergoing a nearly $500 million expansion that will add up to 500 jobs.

Originally opened in 1990 to build Saturn vehicles for GM, the plant was converted in early 2008 to assemble the new Chevrolet Traverse full-size crossover utility vehicle. However, in the wake of GM’s bankruptcy reorganization, Traverse production was moved to Lansing, Mich., and the Spring Hill assembly line was placed on standby in November 2009. Nearly 2000 workers were laid off, but about 1,500 of those have already transferred to GM plants in Michigan, Kansas and other areas. Some of them hope to return when the new assembly jobs are available.

Industry experts predicted that GM would restart the Spring Hill assembly operation as soon as auto sales improved and the automaker needed additional capacity, especially because the company spent about $750 million in 2008 to upgrade the facility, making it a modern flex plant capable of building any GM vehicle on very short notice. Many of the laid-off workers who still have no jobs have already run out of unemployment benefits and had almost given up hope that they would be called back.So few are left, though, that GM and UAW officials have said the plant will need to hire new workers from the community to fill some of the jobs created by the addition of the two new product lines.

Stop by your Bill Dodge GMC in Westbrook Maine to test drive the 2011 or the new 2012 GMC, Cadillac, Buick vehicles today. Call us at (888) 293-9690 or stop by the Bill Dodge ‘red roof’ building today at 4 Saunders Way, right off of Larrabee Road.

At a morning press conference on Wednesday in Allen County, IN, General Motor’s Co. came through with its promise to invest in its Fort Wayne Indiana plant that manufactures GMC Sierras and Chevrolet Silverados. The last installment of a $2 billion dollar round of funding for its manufacturing facilities, first touted in May, has put the plant in line for a $275 million dollar boost to prepare it for building the next generation of full sized pickup trucks. This investment will also create or retain 150 jobs to its 3400 person workforce. This comes as great news to a part of the US that is facing many crises during the recent economic downturn.

“This is an important vehicle program for GM and the decision to locate the work in Fort Wayne demonstrates our mutual commitment to making GM a great American company,” said Joe Ashton, UAW vice president, representing the GM Department. Larry Zahner, GM manufacturing manager at the conference was quoted as saying, “We remain committed to providing customers the utility and capability of our world-class full-size pickups.” On Sept. 20 word was “leaked” that there would maybe a major investment in Fort Wayne as part of the GM’s union negotiations with the UAW union that the expansion project had received the green light.

“GM is profitable again and making a major investment in Allen County, which is what the public notices most,” said public relations expert Mark Zucker.  Rep. Win Moses, D-Fort Wayne, also agrees. More than 20 years ago, Moses was mayor when GM broke ground on the Allen County location. At that time, the region was struggling with the “devastating loss of International Harvester,” he said, referring to the 1983 loss of thousands of jobs when the farm machinery manufacturer left the area.  Moses has seen history repeat itself when Navistar decided to move 1,400 truck and engine design jobs out of Fort Wayne area. “We needed this investment,” he said. The $275 million project will bolster GM’s presence in northeast Indiana. Stephanie Jentgen, local GM spokeswoman said to a Fort Wayne newspaper, “We can’t say that it guarantees future investment,” but it likely puts Fort Wayne in the hunt for upcoming similar developments.”

Interested in a new or pre owned GMC Sierra pickup truck. Bill Dodge GMC located at 2 Saunders Way in Westbrook ME makes it convenient to find the right truck for you! We have them all- new, used, or certified pre owned regular, extended, crew cabs; 1500, 2500, or 3500HD Sierras. Call (888) 293-9690 today to schedule your test drive or click here to view our inventory.

Want to know what changes are in store for your favorite GMC truck? Will the Canyon be on the way out? Will your Sierra 1500 have a hybrid sister? Read away at the almost official news on the net concerning one of America’s top truck manufacturers.New features coming for the Canyon is a new trim level – SLE-2. A personal audio link will be available with required audio system. Changes being made to the Canyons are enormous. They are as follows:

• Smaller rear seat headrests
• Door locks, manual no longer available on 3SA model
• Rear-sliding window is now standard on 3SB models and no longer available on Work Truck or 3SA models
• Rear sliding window
• Solar-Ray deep tinted glass is no longer available on 1SA models
• Front bucket seat, cloth
• Front bucket seats are now standard and only available on 3SB and 4SA models
• Mirrors, outside manual, manual folding is no longer standard on 3SA
• Mirrors, outside power-adjustable, manual folding, body-color is now standard on 3SA and 3SB PEGS
• Automatic locking rear differential is now standard on 4WD models and all Crew Cab models – Not available with 2WD 1SA models or 2WD Regular Cab
• Automatic locking rear differential (on 2WD models)
• 3.7L DOHC 5-cylinder SFI engine is no longer available on 1SA models
• 4-Speed automatic, electronically controlled transmission with overdrive is now standard on 1SA Extended Cab models and all 3SA models
• 5-speed manual transmission is only available on 2WD Regular Cab 1SA models
• Audio system, AM/FM stereo is no longer available on SLE models
• AM/FM stereo with CD/MP3 Player is no longer available on 1SA models
• Trailer equipment – Standard on Crew Cab models with 5-cylinder or V8 engine. – Standard on 3SB Extended Cab models – Available on 5-cylinder 3SA Regular and Extended Cab models
• Trailer Equipment (Extended Cab only)
• Power Convenience Package becomes standard on all 3SA and 3SB models includes, Power windows, Remote Keyless Entry, Auto-Dimming Inside Rearview mirrors with compass and temperature display, Power door locks, Power adjustable outside rearview mirrors

The following aspects or options on the Canyon line that have been deleted are:

• 2WD and 4WD Chassis Cab Models TS15603 and TT15603
• Floor Covering, full-width rubberized-vinyl
• Power Convenience Package, delete
• Crew Cab Value Option Package
• Mid Box Prep Package
• Tires, P235/50R18 all-season, blackwall
• Wheels, 4 – 18″ x 8″ (45.7cm x 20.3) Midnight Silver
• 4 – 16″ x 6.5″ (38.1 cm x 16.5 cm) chrome clad wheels
• 4 – 16″ x 6.5″ (38.1 cm x 16.5 cm) chrome clad wheels
• Incomplete vehicle certification
• Sport Suspension Package
• Vinyl Seat Trim
• Merlot Jewel Metallic exterior color
• Gray Green Metallic exterior color

There are reports out on the web that the Canyon maybe axed for the 2012 line up. No official reports are out yet.

The Sierra 1500 has been a truck that has stood the test of time. An ever revolving face on this American standard keeps it up to date and on track with its competitors.

New features are as follows:

• Audio system with Navigation, AM/FM stereo with MP3 compatible CD/DVD player and navigation
• Z71 chrome decal, LPO
• 4×4 chrome decal, LPO
• Exterior color Quicksilver Metallic

There are new changes to the Sierra 1500 for 2012 at this time. GM took the following options off of the Sierra 1500 for the 2012 line:

• Audio system with Navigation, AM/FM stereo with MP3 compatible CD/DVD player and navigation
• Audio system with Navigation, AM/FM stereo with MP3 compatible CD player and navigation
• Exterior color Pure Silver Metallic
• 18″ x 8″ polished aluminum wheels
• Aluminum bed extender, LPO

New features for the 2500HD work horse, sorry, truck are: an audio system with Navigation; AM/FM stereo with MP3 compatible CD/DVD player and navigation, a new exterior color Quicksilver Metallic, Z71 chrome decal, LPO; and a 4×4 chrome decal, LPO. A few minor tweaks to the 2500HD were:

• Vortec 6.0L Variable Valve Timing V8 SFI engine is now includes E85 capability when (E63) Wideside pickup box is ordered
• Power door locks are now standard on all trim levels
• Cruise control is now standard on 1SA (was available in 2011)
• Spare tire lock is now standard on 1SA (was available in 2011)
• EZ-Lift tailgate is now available on 1SA Fleet orders
• Locking tailgate is now available on 1SA Fleet orders
• AM/FM stereo with MP3 compatible 6-disc CD player is no longer available on 3SA
• OnStar now requires power door locks and Remote Keyless Entry on 1SA Retail orders

Gone from the 2500HD are:

• Audio system with Navigation, AM/FM stereo with MP3 compatible CD/DVD player and navigation
• Audio system with Navigation, AM/FM stereo with MP3 compatible CD player and navigation
• Exterior color Pure Silver Metallic
• Aluminum bed extender, LPO

Big brother 3500HD wasn’t spared changes. New features made to the 3500HD are:

• Audio system with Navigation, AM/FM stereo with MP3 compatible CD/DVD player and navigation
• Z71 chrome decal, LPO
• 4×4 chrome decal, LPO
• Exterior color Quicksilver Metallic
• 17″ polished aluminum wheels (available on SLT )

Changes:

• outside high-visibility vertical camper-style mirrors are now standard on 1SA
• Vortec 6.0L Variable Valve Timing V8 SFI engine is now includes E85 capability when Wideside pickup box is ordered
• Cruise control is now standard on 1SA
• Spare tire lock is now standard on 1SA
• EZ-Lift tailgate is now available on 1SA Fleet orders
• Locking tailgate is now available on 1SA Fleet orders
• AM/FM stereo with MP3 compatible 6-disc CD player is no longer available on 3SA
• OnStar now requires power door locks and Remote Keyless Entry on 1SA Retail orders
• Work Truck Preferred Package now includes locking tailgate, EZ-Lift tailgate, Solar-Ray deep-tinted glass and fog lamps.

Deletions:

• Audio system with Navigation, AM/FM stereo with MP3 compatible CD/DVD player and navigation
• Audio system with Navigation, AM/FM stereo with MP3 compatible CD player and navigation
• Exterior color Pure Silver Metallic
• Outside manual-folding Black mirrors
• Aluminum bed extender, LPO
• Body-color grille, LPO
• Chrome grille surround with chrome mesh, LPO.

There you have it; a broken-down, comprehensible  and non-editorialized list of new features, current changes and deletions for the 2012 line of GMC trucks. Visit Bill Dodge Auto Group in Westbrook to check out all of the changes to your favorite model of GMC trucks today!

Starting on the Fourth of July, General Motors Co. (GM) will idle its Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickup productions to draw down its inventory on those models and to prepare the Michigan and Indiana plants for the 2012 year models.

GM’s Flint assembly plant will shut down during the weeks of July 4 and July 11, said Tom Wickham, a spokesman for the Detroit-based automaker. The production at Fort Wayne assembly in Roanoke, Indiana, also will stop during these weeks, said Orval Plumlee, president of United Auto Workers Local 2209. Both plants make Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickups. GM’s truck inventory was 288,000 units at the end of May, up from 275,000 on April 30. The inventory included 258,000 units of large trucks, or 110 days supply, said GM’s vice president of U.S. sales. The industry standard is about 60 days supply.

Mark Reuss, president of GM’s North American operations, said at a June 3 conference that the inventory of trucks was acceptable in the short term and wouldn’t prompt a surge in discounts. “We’re not going to run big incentives to clear inventory,” Reuss said earlier this month. “We’ll adjust inventory on a production basis.” Michael Robinet, an analyst at IHS Automotive in Northville, Michigan commented that “They’re (GM) going to be careful not to build too much of the older model year vehicles and have to discount them heavily in the face of having newer model year vehicles on the same lot.”

Though the price of gas has continued to decrease in recent weeks, the overall cost shifts have reflected negatively on the sales figures for GM’s full-size trucks. The Chevy Silverado, for example, was the brand’s best selling model last month, but experienced a 15.7 percent loss compared to May 2010; the GMC Sierra experienced a 4.9 decrease in sales. GM’s deliveries in the month of May fell only 1.2 percent to 221,192 vehicles, the company said in a June 1 statement. While Johnson said GM is “not anticipating tremendous growth” in the U.S. truck segment, sales may rebound in the second half due to seasonal factors and pent-up demand.

Come by Bill Dodge Auto Group in Westbrook and talk with our helpful sales staff about which new or used GMC truck would best suit your need! We are located just at 2 Saunders way off of Larabee Road in Westbrook, Maine.

GMC has made some major improvements over the last year or so and it really shows when you look at their sales numbers and the increase they have had. Their relatively new compact crossover SUV, the Terrain, is a great example of what the brand has done to make their product better.

Just this last November, the Terrian hit their sales peak. It was their best ever sale month since its introduction in September of 2009. One of the things about the Terrain that helps so much is its appeal to a wider demographic than the other GMC vehicles. Approximately 46% of buyers are women, which is 20% higher than the over all brand. And 54% of buyers are those that traded in non-GM vehicles. So the Terrain is attracting not only a more viable option for men and women, but it’s also brining in customers who would normally go with a different brand.

The Terrain, along with great numbers from both the Acadia and the Sierra, marked the 14^th consecutive month of sales increases for GMC. Their overall retail sales went up 29% over the last year. Considering everything GM has gone through lately, that’s extremely impressive.

The Bill Dodge Auto Group is Maine’s #1 GMC dealer. Our inventory is packed with brand new GMC Sierra’s Yukons, Acadias and, of course, the Terrain. For more information or to schedule a test drive, feel free to give us a call at 854-3200 or just stop by and speak with one of our friendly client advisors.

Detroit is well known for being America’s city for producing domestic cars. It’s also a place where there is a fair amount of crime. These seemed to go together a few months ago when Dave Bing, Detroit’s mayor, had his wheels stolen off of the GMC Yukon Denali he was using.

Apparently, the Yukon was parked just outside his condominium in a secure lot when it was stolen and the wheels removed. It appeared that it was the only car targeted out of the whole lot. Bing’s family only uses it when they need it so it seems unlikely that the thieves did it just because it was being driven by the mayor. Just few days prior, Rv. Jesse Jackson’s rims were stolen off of his Cadillac Escalade. GM obviously makes some irresistible rims for their high performance SUV’s.

Here at the Bill Dodge Auto Group, we have a huge selection of brand new GMC Yukons as well as Cadillac Escalades. Our friendly sales staff will help you find the vehicle with the options you have in mind for you and your family. Feel free to stop in for a test drive or call 854-3200 with any questions.

Despite today’s popular notion of buying cars that are small, fuel efficient and environmentally safe, GM is showing a large increase in demand for full-size trucks. Even though it’s good to buy practically, there is still definitely a need for larger vehicles.

In September, the over-all retail demand rose 39% compared to the previous year; truck sales were a huge part of that with GMC Sierra at a 53% sale increase alone. GM’s Flint, Michigan assembly plant which makes the Sierra and the Silverado has been working at maximum overtime for both shifts and is even considering adding another shift to accommodate the increase in demand for full-size trucks.

February was also an extremely impressive month for General Motors, again, with truck sales leading the way. There was a 70% retail (individual consumer) sales increase compared to last year. This shows that the rejuvenating economy is really driving the demand particularly for small businesses and contractors who had put off replacing their trucks during the economic downturn.

The Bill Dodge Auto Group has an extensive inventory of brand new Sierras in stock. Whether you’re looking for a base work truck or one with all the bells and whistles, we are sure to have just what you’re looking for. Give us a call or stop by to speak with one of our knowledgeable client advisors and test drive the new Sierra today!

About a year ago GM released the GMC Granite concept crossover. It’s a compact crossover that they called an Urban Utility Vehicle. Just a couple months ago they released a new version of this concept called the Granite CPU (Compact Pick Up) at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

Built on the same FWD platform as the original Granite, the CPU offers more versatility in terms of cargo space and capability. It features a clever design with a split rear tailgate and a slide out bed liner. Normally it’s a 4’ bed but adds 2’ when you extend the bed, giving it way more cargo space than expected. The CPU also has a fold-away steel roll bar/rack that can be used for a variety of different functions like hauling a ladder or plywood diagonally or a bike rack, all of which allow for lots of extra space underneath.

This unique design features bold styling in the grill and front fascia, which give it a more substantial, bulky appearance. While this can’t be compared to other mid-size trucks with 4WD and an enormous amount of towing capability, it’s actually a very practical alternative for many people. For those who don’t need full size truck utility but want some versatility paired with decent gas mileage, this would be perfect.

Even though this isn’t likely to hit production lines any time soon, especially since the first Granite hasn’t yet, it still serves as a very useful styling exercise for GMC. The Bill Dodge Auto Group is a proud GMC dealer and has a huge inventory of brand new Sierras (full size trucks) in stock. Our knowledgeable and friendly sales staff is here to help you find exactly what you’re looking for and give you a convenient, hassle-free shopping experience at the same time!

GM trucks were recently tested by the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) and scored highest among The Toyota Tacoma and Dodge Ram 1500. For 2011 the NHTSA revised its test procedures for the vehicle safety rating system for its 5 Star New Car Assessment Program.

Results for this program are determined by the probability of injury in frontal, side and rollover ratings. Part of their revision is the use of different sized dummies to give more accurate, realistic results. They also incorporated a new side impact “pole” test. Then stars are given based on the level of injury risk, 5 stars being the best above average and 1 star being the worst.

The GMC Sierra and Chevrolet Silverado (both essentially the same truck) were the highest rated receiving an overall score of 4 stars. They received 4 stars in passenger safety tests, 5 stars in driver frontal crash protection and 5 stars in side impact tests, including the new pole test. These were all equal to or higher than the scores that the Tacoma and Ram received, making them this year’s safest truck so far.

The Bill Dodge Auto Group is Maine’s source for the best deals on brand new GMC trucks. We have a huge selection to choose from and an experienced, knowledgeable sales staff here to help you find the right one for your needs. Give us a call at 854-3200 or stop by to test drive the new 2011 GMC Sierra!