While we are usually focused on the big meals at Thanksgiving and Christmas, we all know dessert plays just as a big a role. Traditionally, pumpkin pie is one of the big stars…whether anyone eats it or not. Here are some ideas for Thanksgiving (and Christmas) desserts that are NOT pumpkin pie.

Our favorite non-pumpkin pie dessert? There’s so many, but the Samoa Cheesecake is definitely a winner. What are some of your non-pumpkin pie dessert favorites?

Tags: dessert, ideas, options, pumpkin pie, Thanksgiving
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1977 K5 Blazer-E features Chevrolet Performance eCrate package, expected to be available second half of 2021

 At SEMA360, Chevrolet will showcase a 1977 K5 Blazer converted to all-electric propulsion. The K5 Blazer-E is a functional proof of concept of the upcoming Electric Connect and Cruise package Chevrolet Performance plans to sell in the second half of 2021.

During the virtual event, Chevrolet Performance will survey SEMA members interested in building their own electric projects to help finalize Chevrolet’s initial eCrate offering.

“As GM introduces a new fleet of electric vehicles, it creates an exciting opportunity to bring EV technology to the aftermarket,” said Jim Campbell, GM U.S. vice president of Performance and Motorsports. “Our vision is to offer a comprehensive line of Connect and Cruise systems from Chevrolet Performance – delivering a solution for every customer ranging from LSX V-8s to eCrate conversions.”

Building the K5 Blazer-E

Chevrolet first previewed the eCrate conversion concept with the Chevrolet eCOPO Camaro in 2018, followed by the Chevrolet E-10 in 2019. Learnings from those vehicles helped inform Chevrolet’s Electric Connect and Cruise strategy.

The new K5 Blazer-E retains as much of the stock Blazer as possible and approximately 90 percent of the new parts installed for the eCrate package are factory components from the Chevrolet Bolt EV.

To convert the 1977 K5 Blazer, the team first removed from the Blazer the original 175-horsepower 400 cubic-inch V-8, three-speed automatic, fuel system and exhaust. Then, the team installed a Bolt EV electric motor, delivering 200 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque, paired with a Chevrolet Performance electronically controlled four-speed automatic. The rest of the Blazer drivetrain remains untouched, including the transfer case, driveshaft and axles.

Power is supplied by a 400-volt Bolt EV battery pack with 60 kilowatt-hours of usable energy installed in the cargo area. Using production controllers and wiring harnesses preserves many Bolt EV features, including shock protection, battery heating and cooling, battery-overcharge protection and even regenerative braking.

The aftermarket components include an electric power steering kit, an electric pump providing vacuum to the stock brake system, and an electronic controller to drive inputs to the vintage Blazer gauges – such as displaying the battery’s state of charge on the original fuel gauge.

eCrate Installer Certification Program

To prepare for the eCrate launch, Chevrolet Performance is certifying Electric Connect and Cruise installers. Participating Chevrolet dealers and aftermarket companies will receive the training, tools and equipment needed to work with high-voltage systems and charging stations to service customers’ vehicles.

Lingenfelter Performance Engineering in Brighton, Michigan will be the first company to pilot the training and certification program. This experience will help inform the certification process for future installers.

The 60-kWh Electric Connect and Cruise package, expected to be available in the second half of 2021, includes:

• 60-kWh battery pack
• 200-horsepower electric motor
• DC-to-AC power inverter to drive the electric motor
• DC-to-DC power converter to power low-voltage systems
• Wiring harnesses, controllers and water pumps for battery heating and cooling

Chevrolet Performance is also evaluating additional eCrate packages with higher-performance options and new battery configurations to fit a wider range of aftermarket applications. Longer term, the team will work to integrate GM’s modular Ultium battery system technologies.

“Minutes after Chevrolet showed the E-10 concept, customers started calling to ask how soon they could build their EV project,” said Russ O’Blenes, Chevrolet director of engineering, Performance and Racing. “The K5 Blazer-E demonstrates what is possible for customers who want to convert their vintage truck to a daily driver with the instant torque and unique driving experience of an EV. For customers who want more extreme performance, the modular eCrate system will have virtually limitless applications.”

More information about Chevrolet’s aftermarket offerings featured at SEMA360, including new performance parts for the 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban and full portfolio of crate engines, can be found at Chevrolet.com/SEMA.

Tags: blazer, chevrolet, chevy, ecrate, electric connect, technology, technology package
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Chevrolet shared a glimpse of the 2022 Bolt EUV Power Flow Screen, which will give owners critical information about their electric vehicle, including regen braking use and battery charge level. The Bolt EUV will be the first electric vehicle from Chevrolet to feature Super Cruise¹, the industry’s first true hands-free driver assistance system for compatible highways. The refreshed Bolt EV and the Bolt EUV will go into production in summer 2021.

Tags: 2022, bolt, chevrolet, chevy, electric, euv, ev
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The elections of 2020 are heated, contemptuous, and stressful. But among all the robo-texts, angry social media posts, and half-truths, is something to truly celebrate: it is the 100^th anniversary of the 19^th Amendment that gave women the right to vote. 

Only 100 years ago, the women’s suffrage movement was fighting to give women the right to vote in American elections. Only 100 years ago, American women were given the right, as citizens, to have their voices in heard in who and what represented them (although it was not all women right away).

Y

ou can take a quiz to test your suffrage knowledge, virtually immerse yourself in the centennial celebration, learn about the movement and achievements of women’s suffrage, and more at the Centennial Celebration website.

So, despite how you feel leading up to the election or after the results have been determined, remember that this year there is something to celebrate no matter what.

And, as always, remember to vote before November 3! Find your nearest ballot drop box HERE.

Tags: 19th amendment, 2020, election, suffrage, vote, women
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As the end of 2020 approaches (thank goodness), the beginning of flu season begins.

With Covid-19 still a serious health issue, it is more important than ever to get a flu shot this year for several reasons:

• The flu puts the respiratory system under a lot of stress. Covid-19 very often also affects the respiratory system in serious ways. These two viruses if contracted simultaneously or even one after the other would be very dangerous
• Every year thousands of people require medical attention or even hospitalization because of the flu. With the current Covid-19 situation, more medical resources are already being used and, as a result, the combination of flu and Covid-19 cases would strain our healthcare system.
• Now is the time! Flu activity is currently low, so now is the perfect time to get it heading into flu season.

There are many free or low-cost places to get a flu vaccine, so don’t let the fear of cost stop you from protecting yourself and your loved ones.

Find out more about influenza, the flu vaccine, and flu season during a Covid-19 pandemic.

Tags: covid-19, flu season, flu shot, influenza, shot, vaccine
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How cool is the idea of using a 3D printer for parts?! It works!

Corvette C8.R, INDYCAR, Silverado race truck and NASCAR Camaro equipped with 3D-printed parts

Two mid-engine Corvette C8.Rs debuted at Rolex 24 at Daytona on Jan. 25, 2020, each equipped with 75 3D-printed parts.

3D printing has taken on a powerful role in Chevrolet Motorsports, both on- and off-road. This season, the Corvette C8.R, INDYCAR, NASCAR Camaro and Silverado race teams have accumulated more than 80,000 miles of competition in vehicles built with 3D-printed parts.

“Chevrolet has a long history of technology transfer between our motorsports and production teams, and this is a perfect example of our approach,” said Jim Campbell, GM U.S. vice president of Performance and Motorsports. “GM’s 3D-printing capability speeds up our learning cycles and, in turn, these racetrack experiences help our additive manufacturing team move one step closer to using 3D-printed parts in production vehicles.”

Two all-new mid-engine Corvette race cars – both C8.Rs – debuted at Rolex 24 at Daytona on Jan. 25, 2020, each equipped with 75 3D-printed parts, including the oil tank, tank inlet and cap, air conditioning driver cooling box and integrated hydration system, power steering pump bracket and headlight assemblies. Fifty of these parts were designed or printed in-house by GM.

Since then, the C8.Rs have accumulated nearly 8,000 miles of competition in seven races. Corvette Racing has had a dominant 2020 season, taking home five first-place wins and three 1-2 finishes, including the punishing 2020 Cadillac Grand Prix of Sebring.

The INDYCAR program has also had great success leveraging 3D printing for the Chevrolet Indy V6. Components in the Chevrolet INDYCAR V6 exhaust system are 3D printed, which helps eliminate failure points in traditional manufactured components while increasing design freedom and reducing cost. Chevrolet INDYCAR engines have run over 60,000 miles since the season kicked off at Genesys 300 at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth on June 6, 2020.

The Silverado off-road race truck debuted at the Best in the Desert Method Race Wheels Laughlin Desert Classic in October 2019. The Silverado competes in the 1200 Stock class, which limits changes to suspension, underbody and installation of race-safety equipment. As such, the Silverado has three 3D-printed parts made in-house by GM, including a rear damper shield made with carbon-fiber reinforced plastic, which protects the rear dampers from the rocky desert terrain.

Since October 2019, the Silverado race truck has accumulated 900 miles of competition in six races.

Chevrolet also switched to the Camaro ZL1 1LE for the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series, replacing the Camaro ZL1. Chevrolet engineers optimized the aerodynamic performance through extensive, full-scale wind-tunnel testing. Over 500 3D-printed prototype parts were used in testing to develop the new ZL1 1LE body. Additionally, the Camaro ZL1 1LE is equipped with a 3D-printed gear cooling duct, which has accumulated nearly 18,500 miles of competition in 27 races.

“By utilizing 3D-printed parts, Chevrolet Motorsports is demonstrating the many benefits of additive manufacturing, including manufacturing efficiencies, mass reduction, parts consolidation, creativity and cost savings,” said Audley Brown, GM director, Materials Engineering, Additive Design and Manufacturing. “3D-printed parts can offer equal strength and durability to cast or milled components, which is critical for product development and design.”

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For a century, the tailgate has had one primary job. Time to update its resume. Introducing the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado, featuring the new, available Multi-Flex Tailgate* with six unique functional configurations. Stay tuned for more updates on the 2021 Chevy Silverado on Sept. 21.

*Late Model Year Availability: Early 2021

ABOUT CHEVROLET

Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is one of the world’s largest car brands, doing business in more than 100 countries and selling more than 4.0 million cars and trucks a year. Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient vehicles that feature engaging performance, design that makes the heart beat, passive and active safety features and easy-to-use technology, all at a value. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at chevrolet.com.

Tags: 2021, chevrolet, chevy, mulit-flex, silverado, tailgate, truck
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2021 Silverado 3500 HD will boast an available, best-in-class, up to 36,000 pounds of max towing capacity

2021 Silverado HD Carhartt Edition

Building upon the strength of Chevrolet’s heavy-duty truck lineup, the Silverado HD receives significant updates and enhancements for the 2021 model, including an available max tow rating of up to 36,000 pounds¹ and a multitude of trailering technology features to expand its towing leadership.

Increased Max Towing Capability

No trucks work harder than Silverado HD, from moving equipment to the job site to towing a prized possession. For 2021, Chevrolet engineers increased the max towing capacity 500 pounds for an available best-in-class max tow rating of up to 36,000 pounds on Silverado 3500 HD Work Truck, Regular Cab, dual-rear-wheel, two-wheel-drive models equipped with the 6.6L Duramax diesel and 10-speed Allison transmission and Max Tow Package. Hardware updates to the suspension and packaging changes to the wheels helped achieve the new tow rating, which is certified to SAE J2807 standards.

Enhanced Trailering Tech for More Views and Towing Confidence
The Silverado HD sets the bar for towing technology, offering up to a class-leading available 15 unique camera views² and eight cameras for towing confidence. For 2021, Chevrolet further separates itself from the competition with enhanced trailering technology also available on the 2021 Silverado 1500, including:

• Trailer Length Indicator²: When making a lane-change maneuver with the turn signal activated, a red overlay twice the length of the compatible trailer is shown on the center console screen, which can help show when other vehicles are present.
• Jack-Knife Alert²: Tracks the position of the compatible trailer in relation to the vehicle and provides an alert if a potential jack-knife situation is imminent.
• Cargo Bed View enhancement: Cargo Bed Zoom View and Bed Hitch Guidance are now available, which help to align and hook up a gooseneck/fifth-wheel trailer.
• Rear Trailer View now features guidelines and Trailer-Angle Indicator²: Enhanced to include assisting guidelines when backing a compatible trailer into place and a Trailer-Angle Indicator shows the relationship between the truck and trailer³.
• Rear Side View enhancement²: Provides a split view, automatically biased based on the trailer’s angle, of the left and right sides of the truck and compatible trailer. This view was previously only available while driving forward and is now available in Reverse for better visibility when positioning a trailer.

Special Editions
Chevrolet trucks have a long tradition of offering a variety of special editions to meet customers’ interests and demands, and for 2021 the Silverado HD welcomes four unique versions to the HD lineup.

• Carhartt Special Edition: The Carhartt Special Edition is offered exclusively on the LTZ and features all-weather floor liners with the Carhartt badge, along with exclusive two-tone Jet Black and Carhartt Brown perforated front and rear leather seating surfaces featuring unique stitching and Carhartt embroidered headrests. Outside, the Carhartt Special Edition comes exclusively in Mosaic Black Metallic with Carhartt pinstripe detailing, Carhartt badging on the doors and tailgate, 20-inch wheels with all-terrain tires and a soft roll-up tonneau cover embossed with the Carhartt logo. Body-color grille bar and chrome inserts, along with body-color front and rear bumpers, further add to the distinctive exterior styling and the truck’s overall presence.
• Midnight Edition: Available on black LT and LTZ trims, Midnight Edition offers an intimidating blacked-out appearance from tip to tail, including the grille bar, grille inserts, skid plate, Silverado badging and standard black 18-inch aluminum wheels with aggressive mud-terrain tires, or available black 20-inch wheels.
• Z71 Sport Edition: Available on LT and LTZ trims, the Z71 Sport Edition offers an aggressive monochromatic look with color-matched bumpers, grille bar and black door handles. Exclusively available in Red Hot, Summit White or Northsky Blue exterior paint, it also features black accents, including Silverado badging, skid plate, mirror caps, hood vent and black 18-inch wheels with mud-terrain tires or black 20-inch wheels with all-terrain tires.
• Z71 Chrome Sport Edition: Available on LT and LTZ trims, Z71 Chrome Sport Edition features body-color bumper and grille bar with chrome accents to door handles, skid plate, grille insert, assist step and badging. Only available in Summit White and Black, Z71 Chrome Sport Edition comes with 20-inch machined aluminum wheels with Grazen metallic accents, or 20-inch polished aluminum wheels on LTZ.

Midnight Edition, Z71 Sport Edition and Z71 Chrome Sport Edition will all be available in late 2020. The Carhartt Special Edition starts production fall 2020.

More Available and Standard Equipment

• Bed View Camera⁶ display located in a rearview mirror screen insert now available on Work Truck, Custom and LT.
• Bed View Camera display located in the infotainment screen now standard on High Country and available on LTZ and LT.
• SiriusXM radio⁴ and OnStar⁵ now available on Work Truck and standard on LT.
• Safety Confidence Package⁶ available on Work Truck and Custom. Package includes Forward Collision Alert⁶, Automatic Emergency Braking⁶, Driver Information Center and Steering Wheel Audio Controls.
• Wireless Phone Projection on Apple CarPlay⁷ and Android Auto⁸ standard for LTZ and High Country, and available on LT.
• Front center console with storage now standard on Work Truck and Custom.
• Two new exterior colors available:
  • Mosaic Black Metallic
  • Cherry Red Tintcoat

The 2021 Silverado HD models began production in September and are arriving at Chevrolet dealerships throughout fall 2020.

Tags: 2021, chevrolet, silverado
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The Chevrolet Corvette C8.R, Corvette Racing’s first-ever mid-engine GT Le Mans challenger in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, is now available on iRacing. As part of the 2020 Season 4 build, iRacers can purchase the new car to compete in events throughout the service, including iRacing’s IMSA Online SportsCar Championship.

“Corvette Racing is on a roll this season with the C8.R, and we are excited for iRacing fans to experience the exhilarating mid-engine performance of this car in the virtual world,” said Jim Campbell, GM U.S. vice president of Performance and Motorsports.

“We’re excited to continue our long-standing relationship with Chevrolet as we welcome the Corvette C8.R to iRacing,” said Steve Myers, iRacing executive vice president and executive producer. “The C8.R has already proven to be incredibly popular in the real world, and our users have been requesting it ever since it made its public debut last year. We’d like to thank General Motors, Pratt & Miller and Corvette Racing for their support in bringing the C8.R to the virtual world, and we look forward to iRacers getting their hands on it for the first time this week!”

The 2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray made history as the first-ever mid-engine car to carry the Corvette name, and the Corvette C8.R was designed to live up to that legacy. There is a deeper level of technology transfer between the race car and production Corvette than ever before, which helps contribute to many of its advancements. The C8.R produces approximately 500 horsepower from a 5.5-liter V-8 engine and made its racing debut in the 2020 Rolex 24 at Daytona.

Dominant out of the box, the new entry took a victory in just its third race with drivers Antonio Garcia and Jordan Taylor, launching Corvette Racing into a three-race winning streak that included back-to-back 1-2 finishes at Sebring International Raceway and Road America. Within iRacing, the C8.R joins a diverse fleet of Chevrolets available to users, from both current and vintage NASCAR cars and trucks to past Corvette sports cars that have won iconic events at Daytona, Sebring and Le Mans.

The world leader in the online racing simulation and gaming market, iRacing was founded in 2004 by Dave Kaemmer and John Henry. Kaemmer was co-founder of Papyrus Design Group, developer of award-winning racing simulations, including Grand Prix Legends and NASCAR Racing 2003 Season. Henry is principal owner of the Boston Red Sox and Liverpool Football Club, as well as co-owner of NASCAR’s Roush Fenway Racing. iRacing has developed dozens of formal partnerships in the motorsport industry to help create the most authentic racing simulation in the world, and stages dozens of championships each year across multiple racing disciplines. The Corvette C8.R will be available for use in multiple series open to the public, including the IMSA iRacing Online SportsCar Championship.

Corvette Racing and the Chevrolet Corvette C8.R continue the quest for the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Sept. 25-27 with a visit to Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. Visit the Chevrolet Racing news page for more information about Corvette Racing and the Chevrolet Corvette C8.R.

Tags: chevrolet, corvette, racing
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The available six-function tailgate is the most capable in Silverado’s history

2021 Chevrolet Silverado Multi-Flex Tailgate

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 offers a truckload of new mechanical and technological updates, including the addition of an available Multi-Flex Tailgate, impressive trailering capacity and enhanced tech.

Increased Tailgate and Bed Functionality
The Multi-Flex Tailgate offers Silverado customers six unique functions, allowing for easier access to bed cargo, enhanced loading solutions and a standing workstation. With a weight capacity of 375 pounds (170 kg), different configurations for the Multi-Flex Tailgate activate using a key fob or two tailgate-mounted buttons, one for the full gate and another for the second-tier loading and storage options. Combined with the Silverado Durabed – featuring impressive cargo space, LED lighting, a 120-volt outlet and 12 fixed tie-downs – Multi-Flex makes the 2021 model the most functional and capable Silverado ever. The Multi-Flex Tailgate will be available in early 2021 on all new Silverado 1500 models.

Improved Trailering Capability on Silverado’s Most Efficient Engine Options
Chevrolet has long been one of the leaders in trailering, providing the power and the technology to instill customer confidence while towing¹. The 2021 Silverado will feature increased conventional trailering capability for two of its most efficient engines, compared to the 2020 model year.

• The 2.7L Turbo adds thousands of pounds of trailering capacity to every configuration. The popular Crew Cab Short Box model increases its rating by 2,500 pounds to a max capacity of 9,300 pounds in two-wheel drive. A newly available Regular Cab Long Box model provides the maximum 2.7L tow rating of 9,600 pounds and ups Silverado’s overall max payload to 2,280 pounds in 2WD.
• The 3.0L Duramax turbo-diesel adds an additional 1,900 pounds of trailering capacity to nearly every configuration and provides the maximum capacity of 9,500 pounds to 2WD models. The 3.0L Duramax engine also receives a $1,500 MSRP price reduction for 2021 models, so customers benefit from both increased towing capacity and industry-leading EPA-estimated fuel economy of 33 mpg highway in 2WD at a great value.

Chevrolet is confident these engines meet or exceed most trailering needs, as 96 percent of light-duty pickup owners tow less than 10,000 pounds, according to data from MaritzCX an InMoment Company. Additional testing and validation revealed the 2.7L Turbo possesses better-than-expected cooling performance, while the 3.0L Duramax improvements are attributed to the better-than-expected rear axle durability. Chevrolet engineers recertified both engines to the SAE J2807 standard with impressive results. A full list of trailering specifications can be found here.

Enhanced Trailering Technology for Additional Views and Confidence
The latest generation Silverado planted its flag at launch by offering up to 15 unique camera views² – the most of any competitor – to help make trailering simpler. Now, 2021 models will up the ante and offer new or enhanced trailering technology, including:

• Trailer Length Indicator (new for 2021): When making a lane-change maneuver with the turn signal activated, a red overlay twice the length of the compatible trailer is shown on the center console screen, which can help show when other vehicles are present.
• Jack-Knife Alert (new for 2021): Tracks the position of the compatible trailer in relation to the vehicle and provides an alert if a potential jack-knife situation is imminent.
• Cargo Bed View enhancement (new for 2021): Cargo Bed Zoom View and Bed Hitch Guidance are now available, which help to align and hook up a gooseneck/fifth-wheel trailer.
• Rear Trailer View now features guidelines and Trailer-Angle Indicator: Enhanced to include assisting guidelines when backing a compatible trailer into place and a Trailer-Angle Indicator shows the relationship between the truck and trailer³.
• Rear Side View enhancement: Provides a split view, automatically biased based on the trailer’s angle, of the left and right sides of the truck and compatible trailer. This view was previously only available while driving forward and is now available in Reverse for better visibility when positioning a trailer.

More Available and Standard Equipment
The 2021 Silverado 1500 adds more customer-friendly content at all price points to an already compelling truck lineup, including:

• Custom and Custom Trail Boss are now standard with Custom Convenience Package and Infotainment Package, which include EZ Lift power lock and release tailgate, bed LED cargo area lighting, remote start, available SiriusXM radio⁴, available OnStar⁵ and more.

• Work Truck, Custom and Custom Trail Boss now offer 40/20/40 split-bench front seat and a new Safety Confidence Package (late availability), which includes Forward Collision Alert⁶, Automatic Emergency Braking⁶, Front Pedestrian Braking⁶, steering wheel audio controls and 4.2-inch driver information center.
• Custom Trail Boss and LT Trail Boss are now available with 20-inch black wheels with Goodyear Territory MT Tires (late availability).
• LT and RST now come standard with the All Star Edition content, which includes the Convenience Package, Trailering Package and an auto-locking rear differential.
• LTZ now comes standard with the LTZ Convenience Package, Safety Package⁶ and 20-inch polished wheels.
• Wireless phone projection through Apple CarPlay⁷ and Android Auto⁸ capability is standard on LTZ and High Country and available on LT, LT Trail Boss and RST.
• A first for Chevrolet, Adaptive Ride Control is now available on High Country models with 22-inch wheels to provide enhanced ride comfort.
• New available packages – All Star Edition Plus, Texas Edition Plus and LTZ Premium Texas Edition – add additional convenience and safety content onto already popular models.
• Three new exterior colors are available:
  • Mosaic Black Metallic (late availability)
  • Oxford Brown Metallic
  • Cherry Red Tintcoat (available at extra charge)

The 2021 Silverado 1500 will begin production in September and arrive at Chevrolet dealerships throughout fall 2020.

Tags: 2021, chevrolet, chevy, multi-flex, silverado, tailgate, video
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