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Month: August 2024

Daily 5 for Aug. 29: GM hopes to bolster its fleet business by branding BrightDrop vans as Chevrolets

Daily 5 for Aug. 29: GM hopes to bolster its fleet business by branding BrightDrop vans as Chevrolets

Welcome to today’s edition of the Daily 5.

Back in July, we ran a report about GM’s BrightDrop electric delivery van business folding into the GM Envolve fleet and commercial unit. The idea was greater efficiency. Our story also said that after pausing production last fall, GM had resumed building BrightDrop’s Zevo 400 and Zevo 600 vans at its CAMI plant in Ingersoll, Ontario.

Today, there comes news that BrightDrop vans will become part of Chevrolet, as the automaker hopes to capitalize on Chevy’s larger dealership network and land new fleet customers.

The Zevo 400 and 600, numbered by their approximate cargo space, will be rebranded as the Chevrolet BrightDrop 400 and 600 starting with the 2025 model year, and both will continue to be built at the CAMI assembly plant.

GM is looking to bolster the software side of its business, too, and has added another former Apple Inc. leader to its software services group, hiring Tim Twerdahl as vice president of product management. read more

Want cheaper college? Pay interest while in school

Want cheaper college? Pay interest while in school

By Eliza Haverstock, Kat Tretina | NerdWallet

A typical four-year degree can cost $115,000 or more, according to a 2023 College Board report. Borrowing money to pay for college adds to the total cost, due to interest.

Federal student loan interest rates range from 6.53% for undergraduate borrowers to 9.08% for parents. Private student loans have an even greater range, and the rate you get generally depends on your credit.

To lower the overall cost of your education, consider making optional student loan payments while you’re in school or during your grace period. Even if you can only afford a small amount, every payment you make will decrease the amount of interest that accrues. You could save thousands over the life of your loan.

“Interest begins accruing on most private student loans and some federal student loans as soon as students receive the money, even if payments aren’t due,” says Jill Desjean, senior policy analyst with the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators. read more