We’re pleased to announce that this blog post is the very last new post for Driving the Heartland before we move to the all-new Drive The District.

In addition to the automotive content you’ve come to expect from Driving the Heartland, Drive the District highlights news that connects you to your community, with features on…

ECO: practical greening, or a realistic implementation of eco-conscious living for the everyman or everywoman

TRAVEL: getting places better, i.e. in a way that is itself an experience

TECH: focused on how new technologies impact our daily lives either to engage with a larger community or explore a seldom seen secret in our own backyards

CULTURE: highlighting the hidden gems of our area, and allowing us to dabble in or discover new passions that shift the journey

So join us at www.drivethedistrict.com and on our new Twitter and Instagram channels for updates on the interests that drive us all forward. We look forward to seeing you there!

During his visit to Texas, Akerson sat down with ABC’s KTRK-TV in Houston to talk about the expansion of GM’s operations at its assembly plant in Arlington, TX.

The addition of enhanced capabilities and jobs at the Arlington plant is just one of many improvements on the horizon for GM in the year ahead. In fact, 70 percent of GM’s fleet, including the most popular line of vehicles here in the Lone Star State – trucks – will be updated in 2013.

“Our trucks are great. We are refreshing the entire truck line this year which is a huge undertaking for both GMC and Chevy,” Akerson said when asked about GM’s upcoming truck enhancements. “It is going to be a game changer for the entire industry and particularly for General Motors.”

Akerson also addressed the significant strides made by GM in the last 5 years to lead the way in providing more fuel-efficient vehicles to consumers. Today, more than 60 percent of GM’s lineup reaches 30 mpg or more.

The full interview is available for viewing above or on online on KTRK-TV’s website.

More than 5.4 million GM vehicles are on the roads in Texas* and if you drive around in a Chevy Tahoe, Chevy Suburban, GMC Yukon or Cadillac Escalade, chances are it was made at the GM Assembly Plant in Arlington, TX.

Recently, GM announced it is deepening its roots in the Texas community by building a $200 million stamping facility at its Arlington Assembly plant – part of the $531 million GM has invested there since 2009. To celebrate the facility’s improvement, GM compiled some interesting facts about the company’s 59-year history of manufacturing quality vehicles right here in the Lone Star State.

 The first of four stamping press shipments arrived in Arlington on Friday morning, March 1, 2013 and dozens of employees were on hand to welcome the equipment and celebrate the creation of an additional 180 jobs for hardworking Texans.

 As the remaining portions of the presses are delivered to Arlington throughout the spring and summer, we will continue to examine the rich history of GM in Texas and the company’s commitment to creating jobs, serving the community and building quality vehicles right here in the Lone Star State.

 *based on motor vehicle registration in the State of Texas

• The Solar Energy Industries Association named GM the top automotive user of solar power in the US.
• GM opened a new I.T. Innovation Center in Austin, creating 500 new jobs.
• The Chevrolet Spark became the official vehicle and pace car for The Color Run through 2013.
• The Chevrolet Corvette celebrated its 60^th anniversary.
• GM and the GM Foundation donated $250,000 to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and National Chamber Foundation’s Hiring our Heroes program.
• Chevrolet became Manchester United’s Official Automotive Partner.
• GM committed $200 million to a stamping facility that can add 180 jobs to its Arlington, Texas, plant.
• The hilarious “Under the Blue Arch” ad campaign made its debut.
• The all-new 2014 Chevy Silverado pickup made its debut.
• Chevy Volt owners exceeded 100 million collective electric miles.

And 2013 looks to be just as big. What’s on the horizon for 2013?

• The NASCAR Chevrolet SS race car will be Chevrolet’s newest entry in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.
• The next generation of the Chevy Corvette will make its debut.
• And so much more…

Thank you 2012, and thanks to all of you Chevrolet fans out there! Time really does fly when you’re having fun, and we always have fun at Chevrolet.

The 2012 DFW Jingle Mingle was held at Gilley’s Dallas on December 6. Considered to be the event of the season for marketing, advertising and PR professionals, it was a great party with an even greater cause.

The event raised $10,000 to support the Dream Fund. According to the company’s website, “The Dream FUND, since its inception in 1991, has directed hundreds of thousands of dollars to people in the advertising, public relations and media industries whose lives have hit unexpected difficulties and life-changing events.”

Wanting to support the great cause, Chevrolet was a diamond sponsor of the event. Not only were they able to convince the big guy from up north to trade in his sleigh for a 2013 convertible Camaro, he even agreed to take some pictures with all the good boys and girls!

Attendees were asked to share their favorite sleigh photos with us on Twitter to be entered to win a week long Chevy vehicle loan. We reviewed the list and checked it twice. The winner of the 2012 Jingle Mingle photo competition, receiving a weeklong Chevy loaner, is Dating Dallas 52!

We would like to thank everyone who submitted a photo and came out to this year’s Jingle Mingle. In the meantime, do not cry. Jingle Mingle will be back next year!

Dating Dallas 52 [Pictured on the left] [Courtesy of www.fanbooth.com]

Notable updates on the 2014 Silverado include new interior and exterior designs and a trio of powerful, efficient EcoTec3 engines. It’s a more powerful truck with a quieter, more comfortable and functional cab. Coming out Summer 2013, the 2014 Chevy Silverado is the new benchmark of full-size pickups.

Let us know what you think!

Drum roll please…

The winner of our first ever Fall for Chevy Photo Contest is…

Krystal “The T-Shirt Mama” Hurst!

Krystal will receive a romantic dinner for two and a one night stay at the Gaylord Texan.

Thanks again to everyone for participating and all those who voted!

Pamela Fletcher, GM’s Global Chief Engineer for Volt and Plug-In Hybrid, at the 2014 L.A. Auto Show (Both Photos Courtesy of Green Car Reports)

The design of the Spark EV is much like its brethren. The look and size may say one thing, but the preparation and planning behind the car tells another. With improved aerodynamics, the car adds another two miles to the EV’s range. Two TFT displays on the car’s dash allow passengers to access the EV’s wealth of infotainment. The EV’s SAE combo charger will allow the car to charge up to 80 percent of its battery capacity in just 20 minutes!

The Spark EV will cost around $32,500 with pre-incentives.  For more information from the L.A. Auto show, click here. For information on the upcoming Dallas Auto Show, March 13-17, click here.

Had it not been for the league championship, the headline from Week 12 would clearly be the utter annihilation that Mommy’s Endzone Upgrade laid on the league. She already had the highest total in the league BEFORE Cam Newton dropped 41 points in the Monday Night Football game. Aside from her kicker, the lowest output from someone on her team was 14 points! DOMINATION.

So as the league comes to an end, Big Mo will go on to compete against the rest of the league champions in the Head2Head Sports League. Our favorite bloggers did extremely well. Mommy’s Endzone Upgrade and RainbowUnicornSparkleFairies finished one game outside of the championship. Their efforts qualify them for the overall points competition for the remainder of the season with Head2Head Sports. Plus, with Real Posh Predators‘ second half run, the three bloggers finished in the top 7 overall.

We’d like to thank all those who have participated this season and all those who have followed the action. It has been a great season. We may have only crowned one champion, but we have definitely made some serious fantasy football competition for everyone else in the future.

The increased travel may be the product of a stronger economy, or it could be that the average price of gasoline per gallon in Texas has dropped to $3.16 in most areas.

As you prepare for your trip, be sure to have a full tank of gas, tires aired up and your favorite music collection ready to play. Snacks and in-car entertainment are also a must if you’re traveling with little ones.

Finally, if you think traveling Texans mean less competition come Black Friday, don’t be fooled. More than half of the projected 3.3 million road warriors are also predicted to be shopping this week as well. Stay patient out on the roads, but most importantly travel safely.

Chevrolet hopes you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving!