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Chevy Volts ready to ship, just need official EPA mileage stickers

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Government/Legal, Chevrolet, GM, Electric

2011 Chevrolet Volt – Click above for high-res image gallery

The first batch of production Chevy Volts are ready to ship, they’re just waiting on the EPA to issue an official mileage label. General Motors global product chief Tom Stephens told Automotive News that the required sticker certifying the Volt’s miles per gallon rating is expected “any day,” and that’s a requirement before the vehicles can head out the door.

As we reported a few weeks ago, when the 2011 Fuel Economy Guide was released by the EPA and DOE, the Volt just missed being included in the publication because, as the EPA stated, “no 2011 model year electric or plug-in hybrid electric vehicles have completed testing as of publication of this list.” The Toyota Prius was again listed as the most fuel efficient available in the U.S., but we’ll soon be able to see where the Volt stands in terms of official fuel economy.

The Volt, named the Motor Trend 2011 Car of the Year, can run 25 to 50 miles on battery only and an additional 310 miles when assisted by the gasoline engine. GM is pushing through with its plans of producing 10,000 Volts through 2011 and 45,000 in 2012.

Gallery: 2011 Chevrolet Volt

[Source: Automotive News – Sub. Req’d]

Chevy Volts ready to ship, just need official EPA mileage stickers originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 17 Nov 2010 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chevy Volt configurator powers up

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Chevrolet, GM, Electric

It’s hard to believe that the time to purchase a Chevrolet Volt is finally almost here, and the latest evidence of this fact comes in the form of Chevrolet’s official online vehicle configurator. Taking a quick look at the “build and price” options reveals few options for the seven markets eligible to purchase a 2011 Volt. That’s probably a good thing since a new Volt starts at $41,000, (or $32,780 after U.S. government tax breaks).

If you want to spec out more than a base Volt, you can choose from one of three uplevel paint jobs, $695 for a rear camera with Park Assist (an option we very much recommend after experiencing the Volt’s compromised rear visibility), $595 for polished aluminum wheels or $1,395 for a Premium Trim package with heated leather seats and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. All optioned out, the Volt jumps to $44,680. If that price tag feels like a bit of a tall order, keep in mind that the Volt can be leased for $350 a month for 36 months with $2,500 due at signing, an option that we suspect will be very popular. Head over to the Volt configurator to build your own. Hat tips to Richard and Clayton!

Gallery: 2011 Chevrolet Volt: First Drive

2011 Chevrolet Volt

[Source: Chevrolet]

Chevy Volt configurator powers up originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 Oct 2010 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Chevy Cruze used to play live action game of Pac-Man

Filed under: Sedan, China, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Chevrolet, GM

Chevrolet Cruze Pac-Man

2011 Chevrolet Cruze playing a full-size game of Pac-Man – Click above to watch video after the jump

The 2011 Chevrolet Cruze is a nimble, compact sedan that could potentially turn into a top seller for General Motors. Apparently, it’s also a fan of classic video games. Well, at least the Chinese ad agency that dreamed up this interesting ad for it certainly is. A large room serves as the stage for a full-size representation of the Pac-Man universe. A white Chevy Cruze plays the part of Mr. Pac-Man while a series of Black Cruzes represent the ghosts.

The video is well made but could use a little more substance beyond the driving and background music. However, the song will be with you all day. A bit of a warning though, the song has a few swears in it, which is funny because either the ad agency didn’t notice them or just doesn’t care. Also, the ghosts should be multi-colored, and it would have been really hilarious if they were old Cavaliers.

Check out the commercial after the jump. If you end up enjoying the music, the name of the band is The League and the song is called “F* RNR”.

Warning: Possible NSFW language.

Gallery: 2011 Chevrolet Cruze: First Drive

Photos by Zach Bowman / Copyright (C)2010 AOL
[Source: Youtube]

Continue reading Video: Chevy Cruze used to play live action game of Pac-Man

Video: Chevy Cruze used to play live action game of Pac-Man originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 25 Oct 2010 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: New slogan ‘Chevy runs deep’ coming this fall [w/poll]

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Chevrolet, GM

Chevy Bowtie

General Motors wants you to know that, um… Chevy runs deep. We won’t pretend to know exactly what that means but we’re preparing ourselves to get used to hearing it. Apparently, it’s a new slogan that The General plans to use for marketing purposes starting this fall for the Chevrolet brand, though it won’t be used for all advertisements and won’t be attached to the Volt.

We feel the need to point out that this scheme runs exactly opposite from what the previous marketing executives had in mind for the Golden Bowtie, namely that those working for the company always call it ‘Chevrolet’ in lieu of the more slang ‘Chevy.’ But that was under the previous administration, which was recently replaced by Joel Ewanick and Chris Perry.

Ewanick and Perry are said to have formed the slogan with help from Goody, Silverstein and Partners, which was awarded the Chevrolet marketing account after the brand’s short stint with Publicis Worldwide and a 91-year relationship with Campbell-Ewald.

What do you think? Is this new slogan a winner? Is it better than the last few attempts by the brand to reinvent its marketing material in the States?

View Poll

[Source: Detroit Free Press]

Report: New slogan ‘Chevy runs deep’ coming this fall [w/poll] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 25 Oct 2010 17:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumormill: Chevy working on Aveo-based crossover

Filed under: Crossover, Chevrolet, GM, Rumormill

Chevrolet Aveo

2011 Chevrolet Aveo – Click above for high-res image gallery

According to the blokes over at Autocar, Chevrolet’s Korean arm is furiously working on turning the latest Aveo into a five-door, five-passenger crossover. This CUV version of Chevy’s subcompact, which just recently began production in Seoul, South Korea with sales slated for early 2011, will reportedly sport a stretched version of the platform and will be offered in both front-wheel and all-wheel-drive flavors.

Upscale interior bits and pieces are apparently being borrowed from the European Opel parts bin, which should mean good things for the Gamma II-based cute ‘ute. Other higher-end specs include a next-gen digital display grafted into the dash that is apparently going to filter across the rest of the Chevrolet lineup.

In related news, the British magazine is also reporting that the four-door sedan version of the new Aveo is likely to be shown off at the next Detroit Auto Show in January. Will a crossover join in on the Aveo’s time in the spotlight? We’ll be there in DSLRs in tow either way.

Gallery: 2011 Chevrolet Aveo

Gallery: Paris 2010: Chevrolet Aveo

Paris 2010: Chevrolet Aveo

[Source: Autocar]

Rumormill: Chevy working on Aveo-based crossover originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 25 Oct 2010 15:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Remembering the Chevy Vega as it turns 40

Filed under: Classics, Etc., Chevrolet, GM

Chevrolet Vega

The car that almost destroyed General Motors? That’s the title of a story recently published by Popular Mechanics all about the Chevrolet Vega. To be honest, there are a number of vehicles to which we could assign that ignominious title, but it’s hard to argue with the disaster that was the Vega.

2010 marks the 40th anniversary of the Chevy Vega (and, incidentally, the AMC Gremlin and Ford Pinto). Unlike other American subcompacts of the day, the Vega was actually a pretty decent-looking little car, and its front-engine, rear-wheel-drive architecture was something Americans were comfortable with, so it sold rather well. All was not well in Vega Land, however.

You’d think a few Vegas would still be running around, considering that nearly two million were sold before GM halted production after the ~~1972~~ 1977 model year. That’s just not the case, for two big reasons. First, the Vega’s bodies were stamped from almost impossibly thin steel to save weight and costs, and they rusted very badly because of it. Second, and perhaps most damning, the car’s innovative-for-the-time aluminum engine, which went without cylinder liners in favor of coated bores, failed at an alarming rate due in part to a cooling system that was inadequately designed. In any case, blown engines common, as were high oil usage and blown head gaskets.

Was the Chevy Vega the car that most directly sent General Motors into the downward spiral that ultimately culminated in its recent bankruptcy? For an interesting take on that story, head over to Popular Mechanics for the entire article.

[Source: Popular Mechanics]

Remembering the Chevy Vega as it turns 40 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 23 Oct 2010 09:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chevy Volt tagline: “More Car Than Electric”

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Marketing/Advertising, Hatchback, Chevrolet, Electric

2011 Chevrolt Volt

2011 Chevrolet Volt – Click above for high-res image gallery

General Motors has been advertising its “extended-range electric vehicle” since 2007, but does anyone remember the first video commercial for the Chevrolet Volt? It first aired back in late 2007 and featured a dog licking a person’s foot. The gist? You care about the environment and save water on showers by having Fido lick your feet; Chevy cares about the environment and so it’s working on the Volt (watch the 30-second spot here).

In the very near future – i.e., during the World Series – GM will begin airing a series of new commercials using the Volt’s just-revealed new tagline: “More Car Than Electric.” We got a sneak preview of these commercials during a Volt media event last week (and promised we wouldn’t reveal anything about the visuals or the voiceovers) but thought that the slogan might generate some discussion.

Is it convincing? Does it do what it needs to do? We’ll soon get an idea of how the general public reacts, but what’s your first take?

Gallery: 2011 Chevrolet Volt

[Source: GM]

Chevy Volt tagline: “More Car Than Electric” originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 19 Oct 2010 12:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PSA: Rented Chevy Corvette not the best for doing beach donuts [w/video]

Filed under: Etc., Videos, Humor

A Corvette goes for a swim in San Diego – Click above to watch video after the jump

How does a Corvette convertible – one rented from Hertz no less – end up in the salty brine at Pacific Beach in San Diego? The kindness of buzzed strangers, apparently. According to NBC San Diego, a visiting couple met a man in a bar, and after hearing that he had never driven a Corvette before, they offered him some seat time.

With the new acquaintance behind the wheel and the couple in the passenger seat, witnesses say the driver did a couple of donuts in the sand and then zoomed straight into the surf. Not known for its off-road traction, the Corvette got stuck, upon which the driver got out and ran. The couple was held and released, while the Corvette…well, we’re sure Hertz is working on that right now. Follow the jump for some witness video of the aftermath.

[Source: NBC San Diego, YouTube]

Continue reading PSA: Rented Chevy Corvette not the best for doing beach donuts [w/video]

PSA: Rented Chevy Corvette not the best for doing beach donuts [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 18 Oct 2010 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: GM exec says 60,000 Chevy Volts may be built in 2012

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Chevrolet, GM, Electric

2011 Chevrolet Volt – Click above for high-res image gallery

We’ve known all along that General Motors planned to ramp up production of the 2011 Chevrolet Volt, with 10,000 to 15,000 sales in the first year of production. But what of 2012? The Detroit News is reporting that Doug Parks, GM’s electric vehicle executive, said at the Business of Plugging In conference that in 2012 the Volt will “be in this max rate of 60,000.” Parks insists that The General can move that many Volts in 2012, and possibly more. Given the fact that the Volt’s 2012 production was moved from 30,000 to 45,000, we’re thinking there’s a solid chance GM hasn’t stopped adjusting it’s production figures.

In other Volt news, GM is hoping to get official efficiency figures from the Environmental Protection Administration within the next month. Parks said at the conference that the company expects the Volt will fall somewhere in the 25-50 mile range in electric-only mode. GM has said since the Volt concept was unveiled in 2007 that it was shooting for 40 miles in EV mode, though Parks is hoping the Volt will over-deliver. As far as miles per gallon go, Parks says the Volt is hitting mid to high 30s combined while the gasoline engine is charging the batteries.

Gallery: 2011 Chevrolet Volt

[Source: Detroit News]

Report: GM exec says 60,000 Chevy Volts may be built in 2012 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 18 Oct 2010 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Chevy designers talk about Neiman Marcus edition Camaro Convertible

Filed under: Car Buying, Convertible, Videos, Chevrolet, GM, Design/Style

Neimen Marcus edition Camaro Convertible

Chevrolet designers discuss the Neiman Marcus Camaro Convertible – Click above to watch video after the jump

The annual Neiman Marcus Christmas book is typically filled with ultra-expensive high-end luxury items and limited-edition vehicles. This year, the Camaro Convertible gets to grace the catalog’s glossy pages. One hundred examples of the Neiman Marcus Camaro Convertible will be offered at the wallet-wilting cost of $75,000 each. The cars all wear a model-exclusive Deep Bordeaux paint scheme and feature the 426-horsepower SS V8 powertrain underneath. The interior features also features special leather trim only available with this low-run droptop. Two of the designers on this project share their motivation in a less-than-two minute clip we have for you after the jump.

If you’re interested in purchasing one of your very own, you had better be ready to pick up your phone at noon on October 19, 2010. If you do happen to be one of the lucky few, your car will be delivered in the spring of 2011.

Gallery: Neiman Marcus Edition Chevrolet Camaro Convertible

Gallery: 2011 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible

2011 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible

[Source: General Motors via YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Chevy designers talk about Neiman Marcus edition Camaro Convertible

Video: Chevy designers talk about Neiman Marcus edition Camaro Convertible originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 14 Oct 2010 16:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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