Thursday, January 31, 2013

GM Relocating Performance Build Center to Bowling Green

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – General Motors will relocate its Performance Build Center, which allows engine aficionados to build their own specialty engines, from Michigan to the Bowling Green Assembly Plant, home of the Chevrolet Corvette.
The move, backed by a $3.5 million investment and slated for the first quarter of 2014, was part of a consolidation of GM Powertrain engineering sites.
The Performance Build Center has been the source for the 6.2L LS3 V8 engine, which powers the Corvette Grand Sport Coupe manual version; the 7.0L LS7 V8 engine for the Corvette Z06 and the 6.2L Supercharged LS9 engine for the Corvette ZR1.
The move will eventually allow Corvette customers to combine the experience of watching their Corvette being assembled with participating in the build of their vehicle’s high-performance engine. Details on which engines would be available for customer assembly will be announced in the future.
“This is exciting news for the Corvette Assembly Plant and the community of Bowling Green,” said plant manager Dave Tatman. “We host thousands of guests each year, many of whom are here to see their Corvette being built. Bringing the Performance Build Center here simply adds to the thrill of purchasing a Corvette and increases satisfaction for our customers and employees."
In 2011, GM announced a $131 million investment for Bowling Green Assembly, including construction of a new body shop and renovations and upgrades throughout the facility. The improvements support production of the next-generation Corvette, which Chevrolet unveiled on Jan. 13, just before the opening of the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
“The fine work by the dedicated members of UAW Local 2164 has been proven in building these sports cars. We are pleased with the investment and the resulting transformation of our plant,” stated Joey Cato, UAW Local 2164 shop chairman.
The final economic impact for the Bowling Green community is yet to be determined but will include approximately 20 created or retained jobs, specifically for the Performance Build Center. In the past year, more than 150 jobs have been added to Bowling Green Assembly and more growth is expected as production of the 2014 Corvette begins.
“General Motors is an important key to the continued economic growth of South Central Kentucky,” said Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear. “This latest investment into the Bowling Green Corvette Assembly plant will not only enhance GM’s commitment to the region but will provide added appeal to the many visitors they host each year. It is beneficial to the local community, the state of Kentucky and all involved.”

General Motors Co. (NYSE:GM, TSX: GMM) and its partners produce vehicles in 30 countries, and the company has leadership positions in the world's largest and fastest-growing automotive markets. GM’s brands include Chevrolet and Cadillac, as well as Baojun, Buick, GMC, Holden, Isuzu, Jiefang, Opel, Vauxhall and Wuling. More information on the company and its subsidiaries, including OnStar, a global leader in vehicle safety, security and information services, can be found at http://www.gm.com.

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Chevrolet Supports Project to Help Truckers Avoid Idling

DETROIT – Chevrolet is supporting a project to help long-haul truckers avoid idling during rest breaks at truck stops through a technology that maintains a comfortable cabin temperature and powers a TV, laptop or microwave without emitting the carbon dioxide emissions that come from engine idling.
The IdleAir project is one of many innovative carbon-reduction projects across America where Chevrolet is making an impact on local communities, jobs and the environment. The brand is supporting various energy efficiency, renewable energy and conservation initiatives in its goal to prevent up to 8 million metric tons of carbon dioxide from entering the earth’s atmosphere. To date, it has secured commitments for nearly 7 million metric tons.
With Chevrolet’s help, IdleAir can further expand availability of its engine-idling alternative. With the service, a driver pulls into an IdleAir space and installs a reusable plastic window adapter that accepts a unit connecting his or her cab to a heating and cooling air vent, TV, power outlets, internet and other conveniences. The truck engine can then be turned off, saving fuel, reducing emissions and keeping power on to the big rig’s amenities.
“IdleAir enables drivers to enjoy a better environment inside and outside of the cabin, without the noise, vibration, and exhaust fumes from idling,” said IdleAir CEO Ethan Garber. “By expanding access to this option throughout America, communities experience cleaner air, reduced noise pollution, local job creation, and an increased tax base for the local economy.”
IdleAir users save a gallon of diesel fuel per truck per hour. Drivers typically rest at night, so IdleAir uses off-peak power and has begun installing solar panels on some of its overhead trusses to provide solar-powered electricity.
“Chevrolet’s significant investment is driving innovation and encouraging unique ways for the country to sustain cleaner energy and, ultimately, reduce the effects of climate change,” said Mark Kenber, CEO of The Climate Group.
Chevrolet was the largest corporate buyer of voluntary carbon reduction credits in the United States by volume for 2011 as tracked by Forest Trends’ Ecosystem Marketplace, a nonprofit source of environmental news and data.
“If we want to leave the world a better place, we need to change the way we do things,” said David Tulauskas, GM sustainability director and manager of the Chevrolet carbon-reduction initiative. “Climate change, population growth, urbanization and other issues require our industry to transform itself. We are going beyond our traditional scope of responsibility – building efficient vehicles – into these community-based carbon-reduction projects to help demonstrate our commitment.”
Other recent project investments include:
  • Bethlehem forest management in Pennsylvania – Collaborating with The Nature Conservancy to manage about 20,000 acres of forest to improve forest ecosystem habitats and produce a long-term supply of timber for local mills.
  • Dempsey Ridge wind farm in Oklahoma – Investing in a 132MW project featuring 66 wind turbines on 7,500 acres of agricultural and grazing land.
  • Gualala River improved forest management projects in California – Managing a 13,913 acre tract by avoiding commercial timber harvesting and allowing existing trees to grow.
Projects must be reviewed, validated and verified before the investment is completed. Actual carbon reductions take place between 2010 and 2014.
About Chevrolet
Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world's largest car brands, doing business in more than 140 countries and selling more than 4.5 million cars and trucks a year. Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient vehicles that feature spirited performance, expressive design, and high quality. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.

Monday, January 28, 2013

CHEVY GRAND-AM AT ROLEX 24: Three Corvette DP Drivers Qualified in Top-10 to Set Starting Field for 51st Running of the Rolex 24 at Daytona

Daytona Beach, FL (January 24, 2013) – Richard Westbrook led the Corvette Daytona Prototype (DP) entries in qualifying for the 51st running of the Rolex 24 at Daytona. The Englishman, who won the first-ever race for the Corvette DP, put the No. 90 Spirit of Daytona Corvette DP in the fifth starting position for the legendary race that begins Saturday at 3:30 p.m. E.T.
Additionally, Alex Gurney qualified the No. 99 GAINSCO/Bob Stallings Racing “Red Dragon” Corvette DP in the eighth starting position, and Stephane Sarrazin was ninth in the final order behind the wheel of the No. 3 8 Star Motorsports Corvette DP.

The remaining Corvette DPs qualified as follows: Christian Fittipaldi, No. 5 Action Express Racing Corvette DP – 11th; Max Angelelli, No. 10 Velocity Worldwide Corvette DP – 12th and Joao Barbosa, No. 9 Action Express Racing Corvette DP – 13th.

In the Grand Touring (GT) class for the GRAND-AM Rolex 24, Robin Liddell qualified the No. 57 Stevenson Camaro GT.R in eighth position in-class. The No. 31 Marsh Racing Corvette, qualified by Eric Curran, will start 23rd in-class.

Matt Bell, No. 9 Stevenson Camaro GS.R, led the Team Chevy contingent in the Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge with an eighth-place qualifying effort.

Other Camaro GS.R qualifying results for the BMW Performance 200 2.5-hour race on Friday afternoon beginning at 1:45 p.m. E.T. were: Bob Michaelian, No. 00 CKS Autosport Camaro GS.R – 22nd; Lawrence Davey, No. 6 Mitchum Motorsports Camaro GS.R – 23rd and Eric Curran, No. 01 CKS Autosport Camaro GS.R – 24th.

Scott Pruett (BMW) won the pole for the Rolex 24. Nick Tandy (Porsche) was the fastest GT qualifier, and Jade Buford (Aston Martin) won the pole for the BMW Performance 200.
Connect with Team Chevy on social media. Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/TeamChevy, follow us on Twitter @TeamChevy, and add+TeamChevy into your Google+ circles.
TEAM CHEVY DRIVER POST QUALIFYING QUOTES:
RICHARD WESTBROOK, NO. 90 SPIRIT OF DAYTONA CORVETTE DP – QUALIFIED FIFTH
HOW WAS YOUR QUALIFYING RUN?

“It’s a 24 hour race so qualifying is not as important as it normally is. The car felt really good. We are no match for the BMW’s at the moment, but I think we will be a lot closer in the race. It’s nice to be the first Corvette and it’s just good to start a 24 hour race at the right end. We didn’t really know where we were going to be after practice, but really happy. Really happy for our new sponsor Visitflorida.com and to be the first Chevy is good.”
HOW HARD IS IT TO GET YOUR CAR SET-UP FOR A 12-TURN ROAD COURSE LIKE THIS?“The main problem is getting it set up for a 24 hour race because you need a car that is good over a distance not just for one lap. That is why qualifying you shouldn’t really take too much notice of the positions because it doesn’t necessarily mean that is the race is going to pan out. We are pretty confident.”
ROBIN LIDDELL, NO. 57 STEVENSON AUTO GROUP GT.R – QUALIFIED EIGHTH
TALK ABOUT QUALIFYING OUT THERE TODAY:

“Well it’s never easy qualifying here at Daytona in this car. At the end of the day we kind of set the car up very heavily towards the race. When we put new tires on we typically struggle with a lot of understeer in the infield. We are quite a long wheel based car, so we struggle with getting the car rotated and powered down. But then the car is very good in the fast section through the bus stop and through the kink on the infield, so we made some time up there and braking into (turn) one. Overall the car felt pretty good. It was pretty much what we expected. Not the fastest car for a qualifying situation, but over the race distance it’s pretty much what we are looking for. I was quite fortunate to get a good tow, a good draft, so I was able to pick up a few spots. I think without the tow we probably wouldn’t have been where we are. I think we are happy because at the end of the day there are a few cars behind us that probably on our right pace should be ahead of us. Right now we are happy, but obviously going into the race the car I think we are in good shape for the 24 Hours we have a good reliable car, a good crew, good teammates, nobody is slow to put in the car. I think in the end that will all play to us over the course of the race.”
MATT BELL, NO. 9 STEVENSON AUTO GROUP GS.R – QUALIFIED EIGHTH
HOW WAS QUALIFYING OUT THERE?

“Well…short (laughs). I think considering our car is pretty much new from the driver’s seat forward, the car was really close to what we need. Maybe not for qualifying, but for the race, we are probably not going to do a lot of changes to it. It was a little bit pushy in certain places. I never really got loose so it’s stable and that is kind of what you want in a race car for an endurance race. I think we are in a pretty good position. We would have liked to have used this session a little bit more for some tuning and tweaking because we haven’t had too many laps in the car. Again, considering what the car has been through and what the team has been through, they really nailed it on set up. Kind of a shot in the dark, but they got it right.”
IS THIS A REALLY TOUGH TRACK TO GET THE CAR WHERE YOU WANT IT ALL THE WAY AROUND IT?“It is a pretty difficult track. It’s a complex place. There is an oval, not a lot of people tune for the oval here, but there are still a lot of high speed sections. The high speed bus stops, high speed braking, high speed into turn one that goes down to a very slow corner. There are the two horseshoes that are very low minimum speed so it can be tricky. Our Camaro is usually very good in the infield. We are a little bit off there we are going to nail it tomorrow I’m sure. That is our cars kind of high point is braking for the infield and pretty much the whole infield. The problem is these newer cars; especially the European imports are just so fast in a straight line that we really have a hard time. It’s a lot easier to make passes with your foot pinned to the floor than it is to try to dive bomb into the bus stop or into turn one. It’s complicated to set up the car, but I think we are pretty close.”

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Chevrolet Goes to Bat for Tigers Fans, Military Families, PAL

DETROIT – For true baseball fans, January means a new season is near. Chevrolet will spread spring fever at the North American International Auto Show, the General Motors Heritage Center and GM’s Renaissance Center headquarters when members of the American League Champion Detroit Tigers visit with fans, employees and customers this week.
The visits, part of the team’s annual Winter Caravan, begin with an invitation-only stop on Thursday at the GM Heritage Center. Tigers players and members of the military and their families will be hosted by Metro Detroit Chevrolet dealers, tour the facility and see GM’s classic and retired concept cars.
On Friday, the Caravan will stop at the North American International Auto Show, where players will participate in a question-and-answer session at the Chevrolet display.
Later that afternoon, the players will travel to the Wintergarden in the GM Renaissance Center where they will be introduced by Tigers broadcasters Mario Impemba and Rod Allen, be welcomed by a GM employee rally and host a question-and-answer session with fans. Employees will collect and donate gently used baseball and softball equipment to benefit Think Detroit PAL, which organizes youth sports programs in the city. Donations to Think Detroit PAL can be made by texting DPAL to 80888 or by visiting www.thinkdetroitpal.org
“As the Official Vehicle of Major League Baseball, we began our countdown to Opening Day in Detroit right after the World Series ended last fall,” said Chris Perry, vice president, Chevrolet marketing. “We’re glad to be able to share our love of baseball with fans and our customers as we launch our own all-star lineup of 13 new or significantly enhanced models in 2013.”
Chevrolet’s participation in the Detroit Tigers Winter Caravan schedule for Jan. 24 and 25 is:
  • Jan. 24: At 1 p.m., the Caravan kicks off with an invitation-only visit to the GM Heritage Center, where players will meet with service members from the Selfridge Air National Guard Base, the National Guard and their families
  • Jan. 25: Two stops:
    • 11:30 a.m. at the North American International Auto Show, where players will answer fans’ questions in the Chevy display (an auto show ticket is required for entry)
    • 2:30 p.m., GM employee rally at the GM Renaissance Center Wintergarden. Shannon Hogan of Fox Sports Detroit will host a “pre-game” show.
Chevrolet has been the official vehicle of Major League Baseball since 2005. Chevrolet also supports youth baseball across the country through two major programs: Diamonds & Dreams, an online promotion that has awarded more than 40 professional field makeovers to deserving youth baseball programs since 2010; and the Chevrolet Youth Baseball program, which has helped raise more than $13 million to aid local teams, affecting more than 2.7 million young people in communities across the country. In 2012, about 1,800 Chevrolet dealers participated.
About Chevrolet
Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world's largest car brands, doing business in more than 140 countries and selling more than 4.5 million cars and trucks a year. Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient vehicles that feature spirited performance, expressive design, and high quality. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.
About The Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers, Inc., a charter member of the American League in 1901, have won four World Series and 11 American League pennants. The team is owned by Michael Ilitch who purchased the ballclub in 1992. Michael and his wife, Marian, jointly own other companies in the food, sports and entertainment industries include: Little Caesars Pizza, Blue Line Foodservice Distribution, the Detroit Red Wings, Olympia Entertainment, Olympia Development, Little Caesars Pizza Kit Fundraising Program, Champion Foods, Uptown Entertainment and Ilitch Holdings, Inc. Marian Ilitch is the sole owner of Motor City Casino Hotel. For more information, visit www.tigers.com.

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Performance Chevys Raise $2.14 Million in Charity Auctions

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. Five Chevrolet performance cars, including the first retail production model of the 2014 Corvette Stingray, raised a combined $2.14 million at the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale collector car auctions that concluded Sunday.
Proceeds benefit the College for Creative Studies in Detroit, Habitat for Humanity Detroit, the American Heart Association, the Guy Fieri Foundation for Inspiration and Imagination and the Achilles Freedom Team of Wounded Veterans.
The all-new Corvette Stingray – Vehicle Identification Number ending in 0001 – sold Saturday to businessman and NASCAR team owner Rick Hendrick for $1.05 million just days after the Stingray’s world debut preceding the North American International Auto Show. The money will go the College for Creative Studies, one of the world’s premier institutions for industrial and transportation design. Corvette goes on sale later this year.
Earlier, an autographed press kit for the Corvette – numbered No. 1 of 2014 – sold on eBay for $4,300 to the Bowling Green, Ky. Chamber of Commerce; proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society. The Corvette is built in Bowling Green.
Four other unique Chevys got bidders rolling at Barrett-Jackson, including:
  • GM Chairman and CEO Dan Akerson’s Regal Turquoise 1958 Corvette sold for $270,000; funds benefits Habitat for Humanity Detroit’s efforts to improve the city’s Morningside Commons neighborhood.
  • A 2012 COPO Camaro Convertible sold for $400,000 aiding the American Heart Association. It is the final of 69 COPO Camaro factory drag-race cars built for 2012. It is one of two convertibles built and the only one painted Inferno Orange Metallic.
  • Celebrity chef Guy Fieri’s personalized 2013 Corvette 427 Convertible Collector Edition sold for $270,000 and benefits Cooking With Kids, a program by the Guy Fieri Foundation for Inspiration and Imagination. Powered by a 505-hp LS7 engine, the 427 Convertible is black with custom yellow stripes – a twist on the yellow-and-black color scheme of his other Chevys.
  • A 2013 Camaro ZL1 Convertible, the third Camaro ZL1 and first Convertible off the assembly line – sold for $150,000. One-hundred percent of the winning bid goes to the Achilles Freedom Team of Wounded Veterans, which helps injured veterans compete in mainstream athletics, including marathons. It’s powered by a 580-hp supercharged 6.2L LSA small-block engine.
About Chevrolet
Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world's largest car brands, doing business in more than 140 countries and selling more than 4.5 million cars and trucks a year. Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient vehicles that feature spirited performance, expressive design, and high quality. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.

Monday, January 21, 2013

Return of the Stingray: The 2014 Chevrolet Corvette

DETROIT – Chevrolet is redefining modern performance with today’s debut of the all-new Corvette Stingray. And only a Corvette with the perfect balance of technology, design and performance can wear the iconic Stingray designation.
The 2014 Corvette Stingray is the most powerful standard model ever, with an estimated 450 horsepower (335 kW) and 450 lb.-ft. of torque (610 Nm). It is also the most capable standard model ever, able to accelerate from 0-60 in less than four seconds and achieve more than 1g in cornering grip. It is expected to be the most fuel-efficient Corvette, exceeding the EPA-estimated 26 mpg of the current model.
“Like the ’63 Sting Ray, the best Corvettes embodied performance leadership, delivering cutting-edge technologies, breathtaking design and awe-inspiring driving experiences,” said General Motors North America President Mark Reuss. “The all-new Corvette goes farther than ever, thanks to today’s advancements in design, technology and engineering.”
The all-new Corvette Stingray shares only two parts with the previous generation Corvette. It incorporates an all-new frame structure and chassis, a new powertrain and supporting technologies, as well as completely new exterior and interior designs. Highlights include:
  • An interior that includes real carbon fiber, aluminum and hand-wrapped leather materials, two new seat choices – each featuring a lightweight magnesium frame for exceptional support – and dual eight-inch configurable driver/infotainment screens
  • Advanced driver technologies, including a five-position Drive Mode Selector that tailors 12 vehicle attributes to the fit the driver’s environment and a new seven-speed manual transmission with Active Rev Matching that anticipates gear selections and matches engine speed for perfect shifts every time
  • An all-new 6.2L LT1 V-8 engine combines advanced technologies, including direct injection, Active Fuel Management, continuously variable valve timing and an advanced combustion system that delivers more power while using less fuel
  • Lightweight materials, including a carbon fiber hood and removable roof panel; composite fenders, doors and rear quarter panels; carbon-nano composite underbody panels and a new aluminum frame help shift weight rearward for an optimal 50/50 weight balance that supports a world-class power-to-weight ratio
  • A sculptured exterior features advanced high-intensity discharge and light-emitting diode lighting and racing-proven aerodynamics that balance low drag for efficiency and performance elements for improved stability and track capability
  • Track-capable Z51 Performance Package including: an electronic limited-slip differential, dry-sump oiling system, integral brake, differential and transmission cooling, as well as a unique aero package that further improves high-speed stability.
“Stingray is one of the hallowed names in automotive history,” said Ed Welburn, GM vice president of global design. “We knew we couldn’t use the Stingray name unless the new car truly lived up to the legacy. The result is a new Corvette Stingray that breaks from tradition, while remaining instantly recognizable as a Corvette the world over.”
The new Corvette Stingray will be built at GM’s Bowling Green, Ky., assembly plant, which underwent a $131-million upgrade, including approximately $52 million for a new body shop to manufacture the aluminum frame in-house for the first time.
“We believe the Corvette represents the future of modern performance cars because it delivers more power, more driving excitement and better fuel efficiency,” said Tadge Juechter, Corvette chief engineer. “The result is better performance by every measure. The 2014 Corvette delivers the fastest acceleration, the most cornering grip, the most track capability, the best braking performance and what we expect to be the best fuel economy ever for a standard Corvette.”
The 2014 Corvette Stingray coupe goes on sale in the third quarter of 2013.
Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world's largest car brands, doing business in more than 140 countries and selling more than 4 million cars and trucks a year. Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient vehicles that feature spirited performance, expressive design and high quality. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.

Friday, January 18, 2013

Chevrolet Expands Global Reach with Record 2012 Sales

DETROIT – Chevrolet, the world’s-fastest growing major automotive brand, sold more than 4.95 million vehicles in 2012, setting a global sales record and driving General Motors Co. (NYSE: GM) global sales to more than 9.2 million vehicles, a 2.9 percent gain compared with 2011.
While the United States was the largest individual market for Chevrolet with total vehicle sales of 1.85 million, more than 60 percent of the brand’s sales came from other markets including Brazil (643,000), China (627,000), Russia (205,000), South Korea (125,000) and India (92,000). All posted strong sales due to new vehicle entries.
“ Chevrolet is in the midst of the most aggressive rollout of new products in its history, which helped us deliver our ninth-consecutive quarter of record global sales,” said Don Johnson, Chevrolet vice president of U.S. sales and service.
Guided by a new global vision, ‘Find New Roads,’ that is rooted in the brand’s legacy of ingenuity, Johnson said Chevrolet is poised for continued growth in 2013 with 13 new or significantly redesigned products being launched in the United States, including the all-new Corvette Stingray, Silverado and Impala , and 12 additional product launches around the world.
Chevrolet is building its global presence by delivering small cars like the Cruze , Sonic/Aveo and Spark , the midsize Malibu , and crossovers and trucks like the Spin , Trax , Orlando and Colorado that are designed for the varied driving conditions and customer preferences around the world.
The Cruze compact sedan led the brand with global sales of more than 755,000 in 2012, making it the best-selling Chevrolet nameplate around the world with nearly 1.9 million sold since its launch in 2009. In the United States, Chevrolet will launch a diesel engine- powered Cruze in the second quarter.
The top 10 Chevrolet sales markets in 2012 were:
Market
Total 2012 Sales
United States
1.85 million
Brazil
643,000
China
627,000
Russia
205,000
Mexico
179,000
Canada
139,000
Argentina
134,000
South Korea
125,000
Uzbekistan
123,000
India
92,000

On a corporate basis, GM sales in North America were up 3.2 percent and 10.1 percent throughout its International Operations over 2011.
General Motors Global Sales Summary
Units 2012
Units 2011
% Change
% of Industry 2012
% of Industry 2011
Point Change
North America
3,018576
2,925,256
3.2
16.9
18.4
(1.5)
Europe
1,607,176
1,750,599
(8.2)
8.5
8.7
(0.2)
South America
1,046,594
1,066,402
(1.9)
18.0
18.8
(0.8)
International Operations*
3,615,931
3,281,245
10.1
9.5
9.5
0.0
Total Global
9,288,277
9,023,502
2.9
11.5
11.9
(0.4)

GM North America = United States, Canada, Mexico and other North American markets
GM in Europe = Western, Central and Eastern Europe plus Russia/ CIS
GM International Operations = Asia-Pacific, North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East
Note: Iran, North Korea, Syria and Sudan are excluded from sales volume and market share calculations; * 4,053,550 including Russia/CIS
About Chevrolet
Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world's largest car brands, doing business in more than 140 countries and selling more than 4.5 million cars and trucks a year. Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient vehicles that feature spirited performance, expressive design, and high quality. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.
About General Motors
General Motors Co. (NYSE:GM, TSX: GMM) and its partners produce vehicles in 30 countries, and the company has leadership positions in the world's largest and fastest-growing automotive markets. GM’s brands include Chevrolet and Cadillac, as well as Baojun, Buick, GMC, Holden, Isuzu, Jiefang, Opel, Vauxhall and Wuling. More information on the company and its subsidiaries, including OnStar, a global leader in vehicle safety, security and information services, can be found at http://www.gm.com.

Thursday, January 17, 2013

First 2014 Corvette Stingray Offered at Barrett-Jackson

  • Proceeds of VIN 0001 to benefit Detroit’s College for Creative Studies
  • Four other performance Chevys in charity auctions this weekend
  • SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – Chevrolet will offer the first retail production model of the 2014 Corvette Stingray – with the Vehicle Identification Number ending in 0001 – at the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale collector car auction this weekend. Proceeds will benefit the College for Creative Studies in Detroit, renowned for its automotive design program.

    “The new Stingray features a modern, dramatic design that will inspire a new generation of Corvette enthusiasts,” said Ed Welburn, GM vice president of global design. “With the proceeds of the new Stingray going to the CCS, the new Corvette will also help cultivate the next generation of designers who may work on modern, dramatic Chevrolets in the future. In fact more than 170 CCS alumni already work in the GM Design studios.”

    The sale is scheduled for Saturday evening, Jan. 19. Bids can be submitted in person at the auction or online at www.barrett-jackson.com.

    The College for Creative Studies is regarded among the world’s premier institutions for industrial and transportation design. CCS’s enrolls more than 1,400 students pursuing undergraduate degrees in 12 majors or graduate degrees in Design and Transportation design.

    Founded in 1906 as the Detroit Society of Arts and Crafts, CCS grew into an arts education organization. In 1933, the Society attracted national attention as one of the first art institutions to recognize the automobile as an art form. It has since been inextricably linked to its home city’s signature industry.

    Along with the 2014 Corvette Stingray, four other unique Chevys will cross the block at Barrett-Jackson’s sale, including:
    • General Motors’ CEO Dan Akerson’s 1958 Corvette, with proceeds to benefit Habitat for Humanity’s initiative to improve Detroit’s Morningside Commons neighborhood. The Regal Turquoise roadster is powered by a 245-horsepower small-block V-8. It is scheduled to cross the block on the evening of Friday, Jan. 18.
    • 2012 COPO Camaro convertible, with proceeds to benefit the American Heart Association. It is car number 69 of the 69 COPO Camaro factory drag-race cars built for 2012 and one of only two convertibles built – and it is the only COPO Camaro painted Inferno Orange Metallic. Its sale is scheduled for the afternoon of Saturday, Jan. 19.
    • Guy Fieri’s personalized 2013 Corvette 427 Convertible Collector Edition, with proceeds to benefit the Guy Fieri Foundation for Inspiration and Imagination. Powered by a 505-hp LS7 engine, Fieri’s 427 Convertible is black with custom yellow stripes – a twist on the trademark yellow-and-black color scheme of his other Chevys. The car also features embroidered seat headrests and fender badges that call out his foundation. It is scheduled to cross the block on the evening of Thursday, Jan. 17.
    • 2013 Camaro ZL1 Convertible – the new open-air version is powered by a supercharged 6.2L LSA small-block rated at 580 horsepower. One-hundred percent of the winning bid will benefit Achilles International, which enables people with disabilities to participate in mainstream athletics. Its sale is scheduled for Sunday, Jan. 20.
    The auctions for all five Chevrolets are scheduled to be carried live on SPEED’s coverage of the Barrett-Jackson auction. The weeklong auction runs through Sunday, Jan. 20.
    About Chevrolet
    Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world's largest car brands, doing business in more than 140 countries and selling more than 4 million cars and trucks a year. Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient vehicles that feature spirited performance, expressive design, and high quality. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.
    About the College for Creative Studies
    The College for Creative Studies (CCS) is located in Detroit. A private, fully accredited college, CCS enrolls more than 1,400 students pursuing Master of Fine Arts and Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees. CCS also offers visual art opportunities for learners of all ages through its Community Arts Partnerships and Continuing Education and Precollege programs. For more information, visit www.collegeforcreativestudies.edu/about.

    Wednesday, January 16, 2013

    Corvette Shines in the Big Apple

    NEW YORK – Sixty years ago tomorrow, spectators lined New York City’s posh Park Avenue, waiting to get a glimpse of the ground-breaking Chevrolet Corvette on display at the General Motors’ Motorama show. On Thursday, the Corvette will be back in The Big Apple, marking the historic milestone with the all-new 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray.
    The all-new Corvette Stingray debuted earlier this week at the 2013 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

    “The all-new 2014 Corvette Stingray is the most advanced and engaging Corvette in the long, prestigious legacy of this uniquely American success story,” said Chris Perry vice president of Chevrolet Marketing. “It is a car woven into the fabric of American culture and it got its start right here in the Big Apple.”
    The introduction of the original Corvette took place at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel on Jan. 17, 1953. That year, more than 1.4 million people saw the curvaceous design and futuristic approach of the Corvette at displays around the United States.
    The enthusiastic response prompted Chevrolet to accelerate production plans and by late June that year, Corvettes were rolling out of a specialized assembly facility in Flint, Mich. Only 300 were built in 1953 – all of them white with a red interior. They represented an auspicious launch for a car that would become synonymous with performance, technology, design and aspiration.
    The 2014 Corvette Stingray remains true to its roots as a two-seat sports car that delivers an engaging driving experience through advanced engineering and lightweight materials. Its technologies are supported by a racing-influenced design and features engineered to work cohesively and deliver the most connected driving experience in the nameplate’s history. It is also the most powerful standard model ever and the most efficient, with 450 horsepower (335 kW) that enables 0-60 times of less than four seconds and projected highway fuel economy greater than 26 mpg.
    The 2014 Corvette Stingray coupe goes on sale in the third quarter of 2013.
    Corvette Fast Facts:
    • The Corvette was originally championed by GM’s legendary styling director Harley Earl, who insisted there was room for an American entry in the European-dominated sports car market. It was also his idea for Corvette to have a fiberglass body.
    • Corvette was named for a small and fast class of naval ships.
    • The 1953 Corvette had a base price of $3,498 and offered only two options – a heater for $91 and an AM radio for $145.
    • Every Corvette model has used innovative materials, from fiberglass in 1953 to advanced carbon-nano technology and carbon fiber on the 2014 Corvette Stingray.
    • A V-8 engine was first available in 1955. That year, it was selected by 90 percent of customers. After that, all Corvettes featured strictly V-8 power.
    • The Stingray name was first used for a prototype race car, the design of which influenced the second-generation Corvette that debuted in 1963. The 1963 Corvette Sting Ray split-window coupe has since been called one of the most beautiful and influential designs in automotive history.
    • Corvette’s legacy of mainstreaming technology previously reserved for high-end luxury cars includes the introduction of fuel injection in 1957, independent rear suspension in 1963, four-wheel disc brakes in 1965, antilock brakes in 1986 and a tire-pressure monitoring system in 1989.
    • Corvette is the longest-running, continually produced sports car in the world.
    • Nearly 2 million Chevrolet Corvettes have been sold since it went on sale in 1953 and in 2012, it accounted for approximately one-third of all sports car sales in America.
    Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world's largest car brands, doing business in more than 140 countries and selling more than 4.5 million cars and trucks a year. Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient vehicles that feature spirited performance, expressive design, and high quality. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.

    Thursday, January 10, 2013

    High-Strength Steels Help Create Tough New 2014 Silverado

    DETROIT – Full-size pickups are unique. Their owners routinely use them in ways that would horrify most car owners. They pull heavy trailers through the mountains, haul tools and supplies down washboard gravel roads, and slog through mud and muck on farms and construction sites. And trucks are expected to perform these tasks for years on end, with a minimum of repairs.

    To help the new 2014 Silverado measure up to these tasks, engineers chose high-strength steels for the backbone of the new trucks – the fully boxed frames and the structure of the cabs that carry and protect the occupants.

    “Chevy owners use their trucks for earning a living and taking care of their families,” said Jeff Luke, executive chief engineer. “To meet the needs of these hard-working men and women, we chose high-strength steels for the key structural elements of the 2014 Silverado. That reduces the weight of these components without sacrificing the toughness and durability customers count on.”

    To ensure that the new Silverado is up to the challenge, key elements of the updated frame, including the main rails and major cross members, are made from high-strength steel. Hydroforming is used to improve strength and reduce mass of the front of the frame.

    The cab structures are all new, and incorporate high strength steel in the A-pillars, B-pillars, roof rails and rocker panels. Ultra-high-strength steel is used in areas of the rocker panels and underbody in anticipation of new shallow-offset crash tests. In all, about two-thirds of the cab structure is made from high-strength steels.

    Even the pickup bed benefits from tougher steels. The 2014 Silverado 1500 features a roll-formed steel pickup box, which is lighter, stronger and more durable than traditional stamped steel boxes used by major competitors.

    Aluminum is used in a number of areas to reduce mass without compromising dependability. The blocks and cylinder heads of all three EcoTec3 engines are cast aluminum, while 4WD crew cab models use forged aluminum upper front control arms and cast aluminum lower control arms and steering knuckles for a mass reduction of 42 pounds. The hoods are also aluminum, saving 17 pounds over a comparable steel panel.

    The strategic use of high strength steels, aluminum and other premium materials enabled engineers to create a new Silverado that is stronger, more capable and more efficient than current models, while still being lighter than comparable models from a key competitor.

    The materials and technologies used for Chevrolet pickups will continue to evolve, as truck customers face fluctuating fuel prices and truck makers engineer for strict new federal fuel economy standards, said Luke.

    “But whether we are engineering full-size pickups like Silverado, or our efficient new midsize trucks, we can’t forget that trucks are workhorses. The materials we select and the powertrains we engineer must be able to get the job done, and save our customers money by holding down overall cost of ownership year in and year out.”

    To help validate its design and materials for the 2014 Silverado, GM’s new full-size trucks will undergo more than 6 million miles of durability testing on proving grounds and tough test roads, equivalent to 240 trips around the earth. In addition, the trucks will accumulate real-world mileage in excess of 7 million miles during final testing, bringing total test miles to more than 13 million.
    Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world's largest car brands, doing business in more than 140 countries and selling more than 4 million cars and trucks a year. Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient vehicles that feature spirited performance, expressive design, and high quality. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.

    Wednesday, January 9, 2013

    Chevrolet Will ‘Find New Roads’ as Brand Grows Globally

    DETROIT – Chevrolet is the world’s fastest-growing major automotive brand and as it continues to expand its global operations it is aligning its engineering, design and retail operations behind a single vision and communications platform – Find New Roads.

    The foundation of this new guiding principle is Chevrolet’s legacy of innovation and commitment to doing the right thing for consumers. Find New Roads will be the touchstone for the brand as it develops new products and technologies for sale in more than 140 markets.

    “Find New Roads embraces the spirit of ingenuity that has been in Chevrolet’s DNA since the beginning and it will continue to guide every aspect of our business moving forward,” said Mary Barra, senior vice president of Global Product Development. “We have sold Chevrolets around the world for almost a century, but this is the first time we have aligned behind one global vision.
    “As we develop new products our designers and engineers will be empowered to find smarter solutions to address customer needs and make their lives better.”

    Since the launch of the Cruze mid-size sedan – the brand’s first truly global vehicle – in 2009, Chevrolet sales have grown about 38 percent.

    “This is the right time to launch this initiative with over 20 vehicle launches globally in 2013,” said Alan Batey, vice president, U.S. Sales, Service and Global Marketing. “We are continuing to grow globally, especially in key emerging markets, and Find New Roads will help us drive even more consistency – both internally with our employees and externally with customers.”

    Chevrolet’s approach to marketing and the retail experience is already aligning with this new global vision. Last year Chevrolet selected Commonwealth, a newly formed advertising agency, to service Chevrolet advertising around the world. The brand also has launched a program to train dealership personnel to approach every aspect of their business differently to improve the retail experience.
    In addition to driving internal consistency for Chevrolet, Find New Roads also will be used in advertising around the world, beginning in the United States this quarter.

    Find New Roads will enable the whole company to rally around a consistent theme for the brand, and at the same time serve as an external message that works in all markets,” said Batey. “The theme has meaning in mature markets like the U.S. as well as emerging markets like Russia and India, where the potential for continued growth is the greatest.”

    Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world's largest car brands, doing business in more than 140 countries and selling more than 4 million cars and trucks a year. Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient vehicles that feature spirited performance, expressive design, and high quality. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.

    Monday, January 7, 2013

    Chevy Takes TuneIn for a Spin at CES

    LAS VEGAS – They may be small cars, but future Chevrolet Sparks and Sonics will pack a world of infotainment choices with the addition of streaming audio powerhouse TuneIn and its global network of 70,000 stations. Today for the first time, Chevrolet will demonstrate TuneIn capability – in a 2014 Spark EV – at the Consumer Electronics Show.
    Enabled by a smartphone app compatible with the standard MyLink Radio on uplevel Spark and Sonic models, TuneIn will give customers all over the world access to global, personalized infotainment controlled through the car radio. It means a customer living in Chicago can dial in a talk radio station in Africa and a customer in South Korea can listen to his favorite electronic music station in Europe or jazz station in New Orleans.
    MyLink is currently standard on the 2013 Spark LT and Sonic RS and LTZ models. It is available on the 2013 Sonic LS and LT. MyLink will be standard on the 2014 Spark EV when it goes on sale in summer 2013.
    “We listened to customers around the world when we developed MyLink for Spark and Sonic, and we believe TuneIn will be a big hit with those who crave customized connectivity and entertainment,” said Cristi Landy, director, Chevrolet small cars and electric vehicles. “Our Spark and Sonic buyers will have a fantastic solution for tuning in to their favorite radio stations from around the world.”
    TuneIn is one of three new smartphone app-based features expected to be available later this year for MyLink-equipped Spark and Sonic models. Others are BringGo, a full-function navigation system; and Siri, Apple’s intelligent assistant (for customers with a compatible iPhone running iOS 6) that allows drivers to get things done just by asking. (Customers should consult their dealer and check the Chevrolet website for updates on when these features will be available.)
    Two other embedded apps, Pandora internet radio and Stitcher Smart Radio, were included with MyLink when it debuted in Spark and Sonic.
    To access TuneIn through the MyLink Radio, a customer needs to download the free TuneIn Radio app to a compatible smartphone and connect the phone with MyLink for safe, seamless connectivity to live local, international and Internet radio. Users can search for programming by location, genre, sports team name, station type or call sign.
    “TuneIn will add another dimension to Spark and Sonic infotainment choices, and demonstrates the ability to continually expand and update MyLink capabilities with new smartphone apps,” said Landy.
    How MyLink Radio for Spark and Sonic works
    The Spark’s MyLink Radio functions as an extension of the owner’s compatible iPhone, Android, or BlackBerry. MyLink also supports select phones with the Symbian operating system from Nokia and certain phones with the Windows Mobile operating system from Microsoft.
    Owners connect their customized music libraries, contacts, videos and photos with the radio using their smartphones, and the vehicle’s Bluetooth, plug-in outlet or USB. Then, they select from options projected onto the seven-inch color touch-screen: Audio, Pictures & Movies, Telephone, Smartphone Link and Settings.
    Each menu selection takes the user though a list of easy-to-select functions while the smartphone is safely stowed.
    Siri Eyes Free Mode
    Spark and Sonic customers with a compatible iPhone* running iOS 6 can direct Siri to perform a number of specific tasks while they keep their eyes on the road and their hands on the wheel. Owners will simply connect their iPhone with the MyLink radio via Bluetooth, pair with the system, and use the steering wheel voice activation button to begin and end sessions with Siri in its Eyes Free mode.
    In MyLink-equipped Spark and Sonic models, owners will be able to use Siri in Eyes Free mode to:
    • Make voice-activated, hands-free calls to Contacts on their iPhone
    • Play songs from their iTunes library, and switch music sources from AM/FM/XM radio to iPod mode
    • Listen to, and compose and send an iMessage or text message to a phone number or anyone in saved Contacts
    • Access Calendar and add appointments
    • Keep the screen of the iPhone from lighting up, even when Siri answers simple questions such as game scores or the dates of national holidays
    • While in Eyes Free mode, Siri will not provide answers to complex questions that require displaying a web page.
    * Siri is available in Beta only on iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, iPad (3rd and 4th generations), iPad mini and iPod touch (5th generation), and requires Internet access. Siri may not be available in all languages or in all areas, and features may vary by area. Cellular data charges may apply.
    BringGo will add full-function navigation, traffic updates
    Consumers who purchase the BringGo embedded smartphone app for MyLink in the Spark and Sonic will have access to:
    • Emergency information such as police, fire and the nearest hospital
    • Thousands of points of interest, such as the nearest department store, restaurant by type, repair shop, etc.
    • Local Search via Google
    • Where am I? locator
    • Live traffic functionality for select crash reports, lane closures and alternative routes
    • 3-D maps
    • Ability to calculate remaining miles of electric range
    • Ability to store native maps to the customer’s smartphone, giving them access to locations and turn-by-turn directions even when phone signal quality is poor. Many GPS-enabled apps do not do this.
    All Spark and Sonic models come with six months of OnStar’s premium Directions and Connections service standard. OnStar brings added safety, security and connectivity to these vehicles, including services such as Automatic Crash Response, Stolen Vehicle Assistance, Vehicle Diagnostics and Roadside Assistance.
    About Chevrolet
    Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world's largest car brands, doing business in more than 140 countries and selling more than 4 million cars and trucks a year. Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient vehicles that feature spirited performance, expressive design and high quality. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.
    About TuneIn
    TuneIn lets people listen to the world’s music, sports, talk and news from wherever they are, with over 70,000 AM, FM, HD and Internet radio stations and more than two million on-demand programs streaming from every continent. To date, TuneIn has raised venture funding from General Catalyst, Sequoia Capital, Google Ventures and Jafco Ventures and is headquartered in Palo Alto, Calif.

    Thursday, January 3, 2013

    GM Sells 1 Million 30 MPG-Plus Vehicles in 2012

    DETROIT – General Motors is the first U.S. automaker to sell more than 1 million vehicles in its home market in a single year that get an EPA-estimated 30 mpg or better on the highway test cycle.
    “Our investments in advanced powertrains are clearly paying off, and our smaller vehicles are resonating with customers,” said Mark Reuss, president of GM North America. “In 2013, we'll introduce new diesel, eAssist and plug-in vehicles in the United States and expand the availability of turbocharged four-cylinder engines.
    “This will give us the most technologically diverse range of fuel-efficient cars and crossovers in the industry.”
    Thirteen GM vehicles have at least one high-volume model that achieves 30 mpg highway or more.
    VehicleEPA Est. Highway Fuel Economy
    1.Chevrolet Sparkup to 38 mpg
    2.Chevrolet Sonicup to 40 mpg
    3.Chevrolet Cruzeup to 42 mpg
    4.Chevrolet Voltup to 98 mpg/e
    5.Chevrolet Malibuup to 37 mpg
    6.Chevrolet Impalaup to 30 mpg
    7.Chevrolet Camaroup to 30 mpg
    8.Chevrolet Equinoxup to 32 mpg
    9.Buick Veranoup to 32 mpg
    10.Buick Regalup to 36 mpg
    11.Buick LaCrosseup to 36 mpg
    12.GMC Terrainup to 32 mpg
    13.Cadillac ATSup to 33 mpg
    Source:
    2013MY EPA Fuel Economy Guide
    • Four Chevrolet cars – the Spark, Cruze, Sonic and Volt – achieve 30 mpg or better in EPA combined city and highway driving.
    • Combined 2012 sales of GM’s mini, small and compact cars are expected to be up about 39 percent, driven by the launches of the Spark and Buick Verano, and the ongoing success of the Chevrolet Sonic, Cruze and Volt.
    • About 40 percent of GM’s vehicles by sales volume are powered by fuel-efficient four-cylinder engines – 10 percentage points higher than in 2010.
    • GM’s two highest fuel-economy four-cylinder models are the 42-mpg Chevrolet Cruze Eco and the 40-mpg Chevrolet Sonic, both of which are powered by a turbocharged 1.4L ECOTEC engine mated to a six-speed manual transmission.
    • Chevrolet and Buick dealers delivered more than 50,000 vehicles that use advanced lithium-ion battery technology. Chevrolet Volt sales totaled more than 23,000 units, making the car the country’s best-selling plug-in vehicle.
    • Combined sales of the Chevrolet Malibu, Buick Regal and Buick LaCrosse powered by eAssist, which delivers EPA-estimated highway fuel economy of up to 37 mpg, totaled more than 30,000 units.
    In 2013, Buick will launch the 33-mpg Buick Encore crossover, Cadillac will introduce the ELR extended-range electric vehicle and Chevrolet will expand availability of eAssist to include the all-new Impala. Chevrolet will also introduce a 2.0-liter clean diesel powertrain for the Chevrolet Cruze and a full-electric powertrain for the Spark.
    The launch of the Spark EV will make GM the first company to build a complete electric motor and drive unit for a modern electric vehicle in the United States. By 2017, GM will have up to 500,000 vehicles on the road with some form of electrification, with a focus on plug-in technology.
    GM will release its December 2012 sales today at 10 a.m. EST.
    General Motors Co. (NYSE:GM, TSX: GMM) and its partners produce vehicles in 30 countries, and the company has leadership positions in the world's largest and fastest-growing automotive markets. GM’s brands include Chevrolet and Cadillac, as well as Baojun, Buick, GMC, Holden, Jiefang, Opel, Vauxhall and Wuling. More information on the company and its subsidiaries, including OnStar, a global leader in vehicle safety, security and information services, can be found at http://www.gm.com.
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    Forward-Looking Statements

    In this press release and in related comments by our management, our use of the words “expect,” “anticipate,” “possible,” “potential,” “target,” “believe,” “commit,” “intend,” “continue,” “may,” “would,” “could,” “should,” “project,” “projected,” “positioned” or similar expressions is intended to identify forward-looking statements that represent our current judgment about possible future events. We believe these judgments are reasonable, but these statements are not guarantees of any events or financial results, and our actual results may differ materially due to a variety of important factors. Among other items, such factors might include: our ability to realize production efficiencies and to achieve reductions in costs as a result of our restructuring initiatives and labor modifications; our ability to maintain quality control over our vehicles and avoid material vehicle recalls; our ability to maintain adequate liquidity and financing sources and an appropriate level of debt, including as required to fund our planned significant investment in new technology; the ability of our suppliers to timely deliver parts, components and systems; our ability to realize successful vehicle applications of new technology; and our ability to continue to attract new customers, particularly for our new products. GM's most recent annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q provides information about these and other factors, which we may revise or supplement in future reports to the SEC.