Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Chevrolet EN-V Concept on Display at Tokyo Motor Show
TOKYO - General Motors Japan Ltd. is displaying the next-generation Chevrolet EN-V concept vehicle at the Tokyo Motor Show’s “Smart Mobility City 2011” from Nov. 30 through Dec.11. It is the first Asian showing of the concept under the Chevrolet brand.
The two-seat EN-V made its global debut last year at World Expo 2010 Shanghai. EN-V stands for “Electric Networked-Vehicle.” It maintains the basic principles of personal mobility and freedom, while addressing the global challenges of traffic congestion, parking, safety, and energy consumption.
The Chevrolet EN-V embodies the contemporary American Chevrolet brand and provides an ideal solution for petroleum- and emission-free urban transportation that eliminates traffic congestion and accidents while being more fun and fashionable than ever.
GM, which is committed to the conservation of natural resources through the electrification of the automobile, decided to display the Chevrolet EN-V at the Tokyo Motor Show as it best fits the concept of “Smart Mobility City 2011,” which is designed to showcase “next-generation automobiles and the social systems with which they interact to highlight the roles and responsibilities of the automotive industry amidst growing concern over the global environment and resources.”
Monday, November 28, 2011
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Sons Reunite Father with His ’65 Impala After Two Decades
Chevrolet commercial and Internet video documents emotional homecoming
DETROIT – Herb Younger thought his cherished 1965 Impala SS was out of his life forever when he sold it in the 1980s to pay for his children’s education. Now his car is back with him, an emotional reunion captured on video for all to see.
Chevrolet, keeping with its theme of showcasing authentic moments, created a 60-second TV spot and long-form online version of the real-life homecoming.
Younger bought his Impala new in 1964 and amassed nearly a quarter century of family memories before selling it.
Two decades later, his sons decided to reunite their father with his Impala. After five years of tracking Vehicle Identification Number leads through several states, they finally located their dad’s Impala in Canada and purchased it over the telephone. The car was still in pristine condition.
“It’s not just a car. It’s all the memories and feelings,” said Jared Younger. “It brings all that back.”
To capture the moment when Younger was reunited with his car, Chevrolet and Goodby, Silverstein & Partners conspired with Jared and his brother, Derek, and posed as a film crew documenting three generations of an American family. Little did Herb know, his Impala would come rumbling into view at a park where he was playing with his grandchildren. His recognition was instant. This was not a car like his. This was HIS car.
“The moment when he realizes his car has come back to him is priceless, and is a prime example of the emotional connection many people have with their Chevys,” said Chris Perry, vice president, Global Chevrolet Marketing and Strategy. “The story is moving because it's true – and there's no better way to prove that Chevy runs deep.”
“‘My Dad's Car’ tells a story that is common among Chevy owners, who tend to confess to carrying a lifetime love of the brand," said Jamie Barrett, executive creative director at Goodby, Silverstein & Partners. “In the case of the Younger family, we got lucky and were able to capture the emotional reunion between Herb Younger and his lost-but-never-forgotten 1965 Impala SS.”
Friday, November 18, 2011
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Untitled
“Sports car and endurance racing is an outstanding platform for manufacturers like us to test and learn. The design of this race car incorporates iconic Corvette styling cues and will be immediately recognized by sports car enthusiasts and fans of GRAND-AM Road Racing,” Campbell said. “We are excited to see the Corvette DP compete in the legendary Rolex 24 at Daytona next January.” The new Corvette Daytona Prototype will participate in a GRAND-AM test at Daytona International Speedway on Wednesday, Nov. 16. “GRAND-AM’s new Daytona Prototype concept is aimed at allowing manufacturers to showcase their brand in an exciting, cutting-edge fashion,” said GRAND-AM President Tom Bledsoe. “Chevrolet, with its new Corvette DP, has done just that. The anticipation of seeing this new Daytona Prototype compete is building each and every day. This announcement has immediate and far-reaching implications with the potential to change the face of sports car racing.” Four teams will campaign the Corvette Daytona Prototype in 2012: No. 90 Spirit of Daytona Racing; No. 10 SunTrust Racing; No. 99 GAINSCO/Bob Stallings Racing, and the Nos. 5 and 9 Action Express Racing teams. “The 2012 Corvette Daytona Prototype was developed by a multi-faceted effort involving Chevrolet, Corvette Designers, Pratt & Miller and GRAND-AM. Chevrolet also worked closely with chassis builders Riley, Coyote and Dallara,” said Mark Kent, GM Racing director. “The IMSA GTP Corvette Prototype campaigned by Hendrick Motorsports in the '80s was the inspiration for this new Chevrolet Corvette Daytona Prototype. And, like the GTP Corvettes, the new Corvette Daytona Prototype contains numerous styling cues from the street version of the Chevrolet Corvette.” Corvette has a storied history of racing-related feats in Daytona. Zora Arkus-Duntov – the father of the Corvette and chief engineer working on the Corvette in the ’50s and ’60s – set a flying-mile speed record of more than 150 miles per hour in a Corvette on Daytona Beach, one of a number of record runs on the beach for him. When Daytona International Speedway opened in 1959, Arkus-Duntov turned the fastest laps – 155 miles per hour – in a Corvette SS. More recently, in 2001, a Corvette driven by Ron Fellows, Johnny O’Connell, Chris Kneifel and Franck Freon was the overall winner in the Daytona 24-hour. Another Corvette finished fourth that year, with Dale Earnhardt Sr., Dale Earnhardt Jr., Andy Pilgrim and Kelly Collins
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
2013 Chevrolet Spark Mini Car is the Key to the City
Nimble, affordable, five-door hatch lets urban drivers live larger in tight spaces
- Available Chevrolet MyLink infotainment system includes seven-inch color touch screen
- Choice of vibrant exterior and interior colors makes Spark stand out in a crowd
- Fuel-efficient, affordable and maneuverable for young city dwellers
- Integrated safety system including 10 air bags and OnStar
LOS ANGELES – The 2013 Chevrolet Spark mini car, to be revealed Wednesday, November 16th at the Los Angeles International Auto Show, is the only car in its segment to offer a seven-inch color touch screen radio capable of displaying smart phone-based navigation, media and contacts for hands-free calling.
A sporty four-passenger, five-door hatch updated for United States and Canadian consumers, Spark is designed to excite first-time buyers and city dwellers with its bold styling and colors, affordability, the safety of 10 standard air bags, fuel efficiency and maneuverability.
Though compact, Spark offers more passenger and cargo room than other mini cars such as the Fiat 500, Smartfortwo and the Scion iQ. Equipped with the 1.2L four-cylinder engine and five-speed manual transmission, Spark will offer competitive fuel economy.
Chevrolet’s exclusive MyLink infotainment system, which features the personalized connectivity of Pandora and Stitcher internet radio, will be offered on 1LT and 2LT models when Spark goes on sale in the United States and Canada in mid-2012.
In addition to MyLink, Spark is the only car in its segment to provide the added value of a five-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty and the safety and security of OnStar.
“Spark is for buyers who want much more than a ‘cute’ small car – they want a car that can be personalized, is dynamic and fashionable, and delivers a lot of value for the money,” said Chris Perry, vice president, global Chevrolet marketing and strategy. “Spark’s vibrant exterior and interior colors make a fashion statement, but it is also affordable, safe, maneuverable and very fuel-efficient.”
The original version of the Spark is already on sale in Europe, Asia, Australia, Mexico and South America, where it has received several styling and safety awards.
Designed for those who live large and loud
Just as the Chevrolet Cruze helped strengthen Chevrolet’s position in the small car segment with its more-than-expected value, the Spark is designed to challenge preconceived notions of how an affordable mini car can look, feel and drive.
While the Spark looks like a three-door hatch, designers cleverly disguised the rear doors by integrating the handles into the C-pillar area. The technique gives Spark its sporty appearance without sacrificing four-door comfort and utility. An integrated spoiler over the rear hatch door enhances Spark’s dynamic appearance while also improving the car’s aerodynamics, for fuel efficiency.
Spark’s wheels-at-the-corners stance is further emphasized by standard 15-inch alloy wheels. Other exterior styling enhancements include a new grille and front fascia, a longer rear fascia, and modified headlamps and taillamps. Redesigned outside rearview mirrors also improve aerodynamics.
Uplevel features include matching rocker panel moulding, chrome brightwork at the beltline and liftgate handle trim, detail around the poke-through exhaust outlet and around the fog lamps.
Attention-grabbing exterior finishes include Salsa, Jalapeno, Denim, Lemonade and Techno Pink, as well traditional hues such as Grey Area, Black Granite, Silver Ice and Summit White.
Inside, the Chevrolet MyLink infotainment system, included on 1LT and 2LT Spark models, provides a seven-inch color touch screen. With MyLink, Spark buyers can bring their customized music libraries into the vehicle and use their smart phones and Bluetooth connectivity to access both Pandora and Stitcher internet radio and navigation. When the vehicle is stopped, owners can project video and even personal photo albums onto the screen.
SiriusXM Satellite Radio also is available on uplevel Spark models
“This level of infotainment and connectivity was unheard of in this segment, until now,” said Perry. “We know Spark buyers do not want to give up personalization just because they drive a smaller car.”
Air conditioning and power windows are standard across the Spark lineup. Color-coordinated interiors feature a lower instrument panel – with a motorcycle-inspired gauge cluster – and lower center console for maximum visibility and storage. Decorative inserts in the front door and instrument panel add a premium touch, as does the ice blue ambient lighting and faceplates across the door pockets and dash. Heated leatherette seats and leather-wrapped steering wheel are included on Spark 2LT.
Efficient powertrain saves fuel, money
In the United States and Canada, the Spark will be powered by a 1.2L dual-overhead cam four-cylinder engine with variable valve timing that delivers an estimated 85 horsepower (63 kW). It is mated to a standard five-speed manual transmission for competitive city and highway fuel economy. A four-speed automatic transmission will also be available.
The dual-overhead cam 1. 2 L was developed using best practices from GM Powertrain technical centers.
It combines competitive performance with sophisticated technologies such as dual continuous variable cam phasing, electronically controlled thermostat and low-friction engine oil to give customers an engine that is low- m aintenance, with reduced emissions and outstanding fuel economy.
Ride and handling
Spark’s body-frame integral structure is tight and stiff for improved driving dynamics. The electronic power steering, MacPherson strut-type front suspension and anti-lock braking systems are designed to deliver taut, tight handling characteristics that better connect the driver with the road and provide outstanding overall stability. StabiliTrak electronic stability control is standard.
Spark is equipped with vented front disc and rear drum brakes with low-compressibility brake pads for optimal stopping performance and good pedal feel. Low-rolling resistance tires use a silica compound and revised tread design for a solid road feel and improved fuel efficiency.
Safety features include 10 air bags
Spark was designed with occupant safety in mind, and has won safety awards in both Europe and Korea.
Its safe design begins with a structure composed of 60 percent high-strength steel.
In addition to crash-avoidance technologies such as StabiliTrak and ABS, Spark is equipped with 10 standard air bags, including both driver and passenger front knee air bags to reduce the risk of lower extremity injuries in frontal crashes. Dual-stage frontal air bags, seat-mounted side air bags and side curtain air bags that extend over the front and rear seating rows are also standard.
Other safety technologies include rollover sensing system; three-point safety belts in all four seating positions; seat belt pretensioners in the front driver and passenger seats; the LATCH child seat attachment system; releasable pedals; adjustable head restraints; and a collapsible steering column.
Spark also is equipped with the OnStar safety and security system, which uses GPS and cellular phone technology to automatically call for help in the event of crash.
Courtesy of Chevrolet News
# # #
2013 CHEVROLET SPARK: PRELIMINARY SPECIFICATIONS
Overview
| Model: | Chevrolet Spark |
| Body style / driveline: | five-door, four-passenger, front-engine; front-wheel drive |
| Construction: | body-frame integral |
| EPA vehicle class: | mini car |
| Manufacturing location: | South Korea |
| Key competitors: | Fiat 500, Smartfortwo, Scion iQ |
Engine
| Ecotec 1.2L I4 DOHC VVT | |
| Type: | transverse-mounted, four-cylinder dual overhead cam gasoline engine with variable valve timing |
| Displacement (cc): | 1249 |
| Bore & stroke (in / mm): | 70.50 x 80.00 |
| Block material: | cast iron |
| Cylinder head material: | aluminum |
| Valvetrain: | overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder, variable intake manifold |
| Fuel delivery: | multi-port fuel injection |
| Ignition system: | coil-on-plug with long-life (100,000-mile) spark plugs |
| Compression ratio: | 10.5:1 |
| Horsepower (hp / kW): | 85.2 / 63.5 @ 6400 (est)* |
| Torque (lb-ft / Nm): | 81.7 / 110.8 @ 4200 (est)* |
| Recommended fuel: | regular unleaded |
| Max. engine speed (rpm): | 6500 (man) |
| Emissions controls: | close-coupled catalytic converter |
Transmissions
| 5-speed manual (std) | 4-speed automatic (opt) | |
| Gear ratios (:1) | Front-wheel-drive five-speed with integrated differential | four-speed front-wheel-drive, electronically controlled, automatic overdrive transaxle with an electronically controlled torque converter clutch |
Chassis / Suspension
| Front: | MacPherson strut-type |
| Rear: | Compound crank rear suspension |
| Steering type: | electronic power steering |
| Steering ratio: | TBD |
| Steer wheel turns, lock-to-lock: | TBD |
| Turning circle, curb-to-curb | 32.5 / 9.9 |
Brakes
| Type: | front: vented disc |
| Rotor diameter (in / mm): | front: 9.3 / 256 |
| Anti-lock braking system (ABS): | four-channel w/ brake assist |
Wheels / Tires
| Wheel size and type: | 15-inch aluminum alloy (std) |
| Tire size and type: | 185/55R15 all-season |
Dimensions
Exterior
| Wheelbase (in / mm): | 93.5 / 2375 |
| Overall length (in / mm): | 144.7 / 3673 |
| Overall width (in / mm): | 62.9 / 1597 |
| Overall height (in / mm): | 61/ 1522 |
| Track | |
| Front (in / mm): | 55.7 / 1405 |
| Rear (in / mm): | 55.5 / 1405 |
Interior
| Seating capacity: | 4 |
| Headroom | |
| Front (in /mm): | 39.4 / 1010 |
| Rear (in / mm): | 37.3 / 947 |
| Legroom | |
| Front (in / mm): | 42 / 1067 |
| Rear (in / mm): | 35.2 / 893 |
| Shoulder room | |
| Front (in / mm): | 50.7 / 1295/ |
| Rear (in / mm): | 49.7 / 1255 |
| Hip room | |
| Front (in / mm): | 48 / 1198 |
| Rear (in / mm): | 47.5 / 1207 |
| Cargo volume | |
| Behind rear seat (cu ft / L): | 11.4 / 323 |
| Behind front seat, rear seat (cu ft / L): | 31.2 / 883 |
Capacities
| EPA passenger volume (cu ft / L): | 86.3 / 2444 |
| Fuel tank (gal / L): | 9.25 / 35 |
| Engine oil (qt / L): | TBD |
| Transmission fluid (qt / L): | 2.11 / 2.0 (man) |
| Cooling system (qt / L): | TBD |
| Curb weight base (lb / kg): | 2269 / 1029 (man) |
Monday, November 14, 2011
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Chevrolet Traverse Seeks Sibling Peace on Longer Rides
DETROIT – In a family vehicle like the Chevrolet Traverse crossover, abundant storage can help keep the peace among young rear-seat passengers on long drives. General Motors designers and engineers used the latest 3D virtual reality technology and customer feedback to make it so.
GM Director of Design Quality Matthew Davis says the key lies in understanding where a customer wants certain features to be located. Customers were asked very early in the Traverse’s development about what they carry in their car and where they want to store it. A decade ago, customers wanted places to store CDs and Gameboys. ®, Today, the convenient storage of smartphones, MP3 players and electronic tablets is what matters.
With 116.4 cubic feet of storage, the Traverse offers the most cargo space in its segment along with seating for up to eight.
Customer feedback helped engineers develop an optional family-friendly second-row armrest which unfolds into a tray table while leaving ample storage space for rear-seat passengers.
Recognizing that drivers and passengers riding “shot gun” need a variety of things within arm’s reach, designers created the front center armrest to slide fore and aft, and multiple storage bins can be raised out of the way for unobstructed access to the covered storage bin within the center console.
Keeping the little ones in mind, the design and engineering team considered customer feedback when positioning the cup holders molded in the doors. They were designed to fit various shapes and sizes of bottles and Sippy cups while remaining within reach of children sitting in the rear with or without a car seat.
In a family-friendly focus group, children were asked to say where they wanted the DVD screen located, and their input was used in determining its position.
Designers and engineers used a high-powered 3D virtual reality system called Cave Automated Virtual Environment, or CAVE, to develop interior dimensions and design ideas.
“We’re looking for ideas on where we can store items inside the vehicle while maintaining a clean, uncluttered interior with fresh industry leading design appeal,” said Davis. The CAVE allows his team to explore ideas and make changes to the vehicle’s interior in virtual reality, well before production.
The efforts have been noticed in automotive and other reviews of Traverse, such as one in 2010 by parents.com, the website of Parents magazine.
“You can get a week's-vacation worth of luggage into the rear cargo well, and with the seats folded down this vehicle could almost double as a delivery van,” parents.com said in rating Traverse among its best family cars.
“My job is to act as the voice of the customer, so getting customer input early is essential,” said Davis, the design quality director. “As a dad, I’m keenly tuned in to what kinds of storage features are needed in a vehicle.”
Courtesy of GM news
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Can't enough of Chevy? You can get your fill of Chevrolet tunes with this Centennial inspired Pandora station.
“99 In the Shade,” Bon Jovi
“All the Best,” John Prine
“American Pie,” Don McLean
“Amy's Back in Austin,” Little Texas
“Ball and Chain,” Social Distortion
“Blitz,” Audio Adrenaline
“Blue (Da Ba Dee) (Remix),” Eiffel 65
“Blue Jeans,” Silvertide
“Captain Jack,” Billy Joel
“Chattahoochee,” Alan Jackson
“Chevrolet,” ZZ Top
“Chevy Van,” Sammy Johns
“Chrome,” Trace Adkins
“Contact,” Citizen Cope
“Crazy About Her,” Rod Stewart
“Crocodile Rock,” Elton John
“Dare to be Stupid,” “Weird Al” Yankovic
“Don't Forget to Remember Me,” Carrie Underwood
“Dr. Feelgood (Live),” Motley Crue
“Drive South,” John Hiatt
“El Camino,” Ween
“El Tejano,” Cowboy Troy
“Everytime It Rains,” George Strait
“Fall in Love,” Kenny Chesney
“Family Reserve,” Lyle Lovett
“Fightin' Words,” Trace Adkins
“Girls with Guitars,” Wynonna Judd
“Go 'Head,” Mystikal
“Go Lil' Camaro Go,” The Ramones
“Going Back to Cali,” LL Cool J
“Here I Am,” Lyle Lovett
“Here's to You,” Rascal Flatts
“How Bizarre,” OMC
“Hustlin',” Rick Ross
“I Can Only Think of One,” Dierks Bentley
“I Go Back,” Kenny Chesney
“I Got You,” Dwight Yoakam
“I Learned That From You,” Sara Evans
“I Won All the Battles,” Tracy Lawrence
“I'll Be Your Johnny on the Spot,” Ween
“I'm Customized,” The Cramps
“I'm Just a Girl,” Deana Carter
“I've Got a Rock N' Roll Heart,” Eric Clapton
“If I Stay,” Tracy Byrd
“Jesse Went to War,” Marcy Playground
“Joe Rey,” Fountains of Wayne
“Keeping the Faith,” Billy Joel
“Less Than Zero,” Elvis Costello
“Let You Go,” The Clarks
“Little Red Corvette,” Prince
“Lost in the Flood (Live 2000),” Bruce Springsteen
“Lucky 4 You (Tonight I'm Just Me),” SheDaisy
“Make Me a Chevy,” The Promise Ring
“Metropolis,” Trace Adkins
“Miss Popularity,” Jordan Pruitt
“Movin' Out (Anthony's Song),” Billy Joel
“Mud On the Tires,” Brad Paisley
“Natural Beauty,” Neil Young
“Neutron Dance,” The Pointer Sisters
“Night Moves,” Bob Seger
“One Bud Wiser,” Gretchen Wilson
“Paint the Town Redneck,” J.M. Montgomery
“Pickin' Wildflowers,” Keith Anderson
“Picture Perfect,” Nelly Furtado
“Putting the Damage On,” Tori Amos
“Racing In the Street,” Bruce Springsteen
“Rapid Roy (The Stock Car Boy),” Jim Croce
“Real Gone,” Sheryl Crow
“Renegade,” Tim McGraw
“Repetition,” David Bowie
“Ridin' In My Chevy,” Snoop Dogg
“Riding With Private Malone,” David Ball
“Right Time of the Night,” Jennifer Warnes
“She's In Love With the Boy,” Trisha Yearwood
“Small Town Girl,” Kellie Pickler
“Something On,” The Tragically Hip
“Song of the South,” Alabama
“Still Love You,” Rod Stewart
“Superstar,” Sheryl Crow
“Suzy and Jeffrey,” Blondie
“Tannin Bed Song,” Shawn Mullins
“The Greeting Song,” Red Hot Chili Peppers
“Under Assistant West Coast Promotion Man,” Rolling Stones
“Three Marlenas,” The Wallflowers
“Thunder Road,” Bruce Springsteen
“Thundering Hearts,” John Mellencamp
“Tim McGraw,” Taylor Swift
“Twentieth Century Fox,” 38 Special
“Unappreciated,” Cherish
“Uneasy Rider,” Charlie Daniels
“Union Sundown,” Bob Dylan
“Water,” The Who
“West Texas Highway,” Lyle Lovett
“When I Think About Leaving,” Kenny Chesney
“When You Close Your Eyes,” Night Ranger
“Where Have All The Cowboys Gone?” Paula Cole
“Why Do We Want What We Know We Can't Have?” Reba McEntire
“You Never Know Just How Good You've Got It,” Tracy Byrd
“You Win My Love,” Shania Twain
“Young Blood,” Rickie Lee Jones
To listen to these songs, click here
Monday, November 7, 2011
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Chevrolet Dealers Celebrate a Century of Sales and Service
DETROIT – After being awarded the Chevrolet franchise in 1915, brothers Harold A. Benson and Ray Benson and their cousin Roy Benson drove nearly 300 miles from New York City to a tiny New Hampshire town in their first Chevrolet. Nearly 100 years later, and as one of the oldest Chevrolet dealerships in the United States, Benson Auto in Franklin, N.H. is still selling Chevrolets to loyal customers from their original North Main Street location.
“My grandfather and father instilled in me that if you put the customer first, and are honest with them, they’ll come back to you,” said Corey Benson, fourth-generation president of Benson Auto. “We are proud to be a Chevy dealer and owe much of our success to the many generations of customers that continue to do business with us.”
Chevrolet’s retail sales force has evolved significantly from ordering a Chevrolet from the catalog at the local gas station to today’s network of approximately 3,000 dealerships in 50 states.
Shortly after the first Chevrolet was built in a rented garage near downtown Detroit in 1911, co-founder William C. Durant recognized the need to establish a distribution system to sell vehicles. Building off his plan to sell Buicks, Durant’s Chevy dealer network began as a collection of buggy and bicycle shops, one-stall garages, feed stores and various other turn-of- the-century entrepreneurs looking to take a chance on the emerging automobile culture spreading throughout the country.
One of these was Hare Chevrolet that started off building wagons in Noblesville, Ind. before the Civil War and qualified for a Chevy franchise in 1921. As the oldest transportation company in America, Hare Chevrolet is run by sixth-generation sisters, Courtney Cole and Monica Peck, and is a Noblesville institution.
“When my great, great, great grandfather started selling automobiles, he kept the horse-and-buggy business because he was unsure the automobile would be a sustainable form of transportation,” said Peck, co-owner of Hare Chevrolet. “We are now in our fourth dealership location, and are thrilled to be part of the Chevy history, though we know that it is the people and rich history that have helped our success.”
Over the years, local Chevy dealers have become social institutions and community leaders. They sponsor local youth sporting leagues, including the Chevy Youth Baseball and Chevy Youth Soccer initiatives; local charities, and conduct child safety clinics. Dealer principals and personnel lead Kiwanis Clubs and host car enthusiasts meetings. Such engagement has helped secure purchase loyalty of generations of families in their hometowns.
“Giving back to the community is just a core value of Hare’s business,” said Peck of Hare Chevrolet. She’s not alone.
To unify the dealer image, Chevrolet in the 1990s started uniform dealership image programs with the goal of making stores across the United States recognizable to customers with a modern appearance to draw in new customers. As part of Chevrolet’s most-recent Facility Image program, Chevy expects 80 percent of the dealer network to complete changes by the end of 2014.
In addition, Chevrolet is harnessing the power of the sun to install solar-powered electric charging stations for its Volt electric cars at dealerships in North America. The Green Zone initiative will generate electricity equivalent to 12 full vehicle charges per day with excess electricity created helping supplement the dealership’s power needs.
Serra Automotive in Grand Blanc, Mich. was one of the first dealerships to install a solar canopy. Serra Automotive President Joe Serra sees it as competitive advantage.
“The question isn’t whether to install a solar canopy, it’s where and how many,” he said. “It’s a win for us because the electricity generated will help reduce operating costs, and it’s a win for the environment since solar power helps reduce our carbon footprint.”
With the explosion of the Internet in the 1990s and 2000s, more and more customers arrive at dealerships armed with all the information needed to make an informed vehicle purchase with a click of a mouse. Chevy dealers realized early on the value of establishing an online presence. Today, Chevy dealers engage consumers through Twitter, Facebook and online chats.
Jim Ferman, a fifth-generation owner of Ferman Chevrolet in Tampa that qualified for a Chevy franchise in 1921, said customer service remains important regardless of the technology explosion.
“I was taught the golden rule, that if you take care of your customer, they’ll take care of you,” Ferman said. “We earn our customer’s loyalty everyday and have never forgotten that.”
Throughout history, Chevrolet dealers have survived economic downturns, the Great Depression and many recessions.
“While it is difficult to identify the oldest Chevrolet dealer in the United States, we think it is wonderful to have so many long term dealerships that have been part of our journey,” said Alan Batey, Chevrolet vice president of sales and service. “The key for our future is to pay attention to the details and do the basics brilliantly for every customer, every time.”
Courtsey of GM news
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Camaro is SEMA’s Hottest Car for Second Consecutive Year
LAS VEGAS – For the second year in a row, the Chevrolet Camaro is the “hottest car” at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas. The SEMA Award recognizes the most accessory-friendly vehicle, based on the volume of aftermarket parts exhibited at the annual showcase of automotive performance and personalization.
The SEMA Award was first handed out in 2010, which not only makes Camaro a two-time winner, but the only car to receive the award. Its selection reflects the aftermarket industry’s enthusiasm and continued investment in America’s most popular sports car.
Camaro posted 6,119 sales in October, again leading the segment and topping the next-closest competitor nine of 10 months so far in 2011 – with sales up nearly 7 percent in the first 10 months of this year.
“After more than two years on the market, the Camaro continues to inspire creativity and Chevrolet is thrilled to see that expressed in all the wonderfully personalized examples here at the SEMA Show,” said Chris Perry, vice president, Global Chevrolet Marketing and Strategy. “Camaro has always been a car customers love to personalize and we are doing all we can to support them and the aftermarket industry with parts and accessories that help turn their dreams into reality.”
Along with the examples displayed by aftermarket manufacturers and customizers at the SEMA Show, Chevrolet brought its own contingent of customized Camaro concepts to Las Vegas, demonstrating the diverse range of personalization and performance possibilities. They include:
COPO Camaro – A conceptual exploration of a factory-built Stock Eliminator race car and the spiritual successor to the legendary special-order models from 1969.
Camaro Hot Wheels® – This full-scale interpretation of a Hot Wheels toy is inspired by the “Custom Camaro” model, which was part of the original release of 16 Hot Wheels toys in 1968 – including a modern take on the chrome-style “Spectraflame” exterior finish.
Camaro Red Zone – A design statement in the new-for-2012 Crystal Claret exterior color and achieved with current and future accessories – and it debuts a new, heritage-inspired stripe graphic that will be available soon.
Camaro Synergy Series Concept – Using the best of the best Camaro accessories matched with a distinctive silver exterior with red accents, it’s the latest in the Synergy concepts that have debuted at SEMA. Chevrolet will be listening to the reaction it receives at SEMA, as it could be brought to production.
Camaro 1LE Concept – The legendary 1LE designation returns to the Camaro as a concept intended to carve up road courses. While only a concept, it borrows production components from both the Camaro SS and forthcoming Camaro ZL1 to deliver a competition-ready package.
Camaro ZL1 Carbon Concept – This concept incorporates all the technology and performance of the Camaro ZL1 – which goes on sale in 2012 – with an added layer of carbon fiber to add a decidedly sinister-looking element of form to a car that’s all about function.
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