General Motors recently used the Los Angeles Auto Show to highlight one of their most anticipated new vehicles, the Chevrolet Volt hybrid. Not only has GM focused intense research and development on this new nameplate, but to show the scope of GM’s gamble, the automaker will be investing $336 million on upgrading the Hamtramck plant in Detroit to build the vehicle.

Production for the Chevrolet Volt is expected to begin in late 2010. The hybrid is unique in that it has a range of 40 miles on electricity alone thanks to its lithium-ion battery. The Volt has features a combustion engine which recharges the battery and does not power the wheels like traditional hybrid vehicles.

The Hamtramck facility was opened in 1985 and employees about 1,200 people. In October, another $230 million had been invested to revamp facilities involving the production of the Volt and the all-new Cruze.

Even despite GM’s recent financial struggles, Chevrolet Baton Rouge expects that the costs will pay off big in the long-run. Already a substantial level of buzz has surrounded the Volt and it hasn’t even reached showrooms yet, which is precisely why countless dealers are eager to see Volts on their lots.

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General Motors just can’t seem to catch a break. In addition to bankruptcy, management reshuffling, and dying brands, GM now has to contend with a recall involving one of their most iconic vehicles.

Some 22,000 Chevrolet Corvettes have been recalled due to potential leaks in the roofs, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The recall involves 2005 to 2007 model year Corvettes with the removal top, along with 2006 and 2007 Corvette Z06 models.

The culprit is an adhesive between the roof panel and the frame that could become undone. If the roof becomes undone completely while it was being driven, it could easily fly off from the vehicle and lead to injury or damage.

As part of the recall, Chevrolet dealers will be installing new roofs on these models free of charge. The new roofs will remedy the issues. For more information, see the GM Owner Center.

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General Motors is hoping to make a name for itself as an innovator following the release of its upcoming Chevrolet Volt plug-in electric car. To better compliment the car’s tech gadgetry, GM’s OnStart telematics unit has devised a new application that will allow Volt buyers to remotely control and monitor many of the vehicle’s functions via smartphones such as the Blackberry Storm, Apple iPhone, or Motorola Droid.

To show off all of the new capabilities that this application delivers, GM used the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas to host a demonstration. Among its functions includes scheduling or starting charging, building status reports on electricity levels, and even enables drivers to warm up the vehicle prior to getting inside. The application will also be able to send text messages to drivers to remind them to plug the Volt in.

Production for the Chevy Volt is scheduled to begin in California later this year and will be available by 2011. Thanks to its plug-in hybrid powertrain, the Volt will likely provide a very different ownership and driving experience compared to other hybrids on the market, but with OnStar’s new application the operation of this vehicle will be even more of a trendsetter.

As an OnStar product, the Volt’s smartphone application will also feature some of the same functions drivers have come to expect from OnStar, including getting emergency assistance, remote door looking and unlocking, and turning the lights on and off to help drivers find their vehicles. Eventually, this smartphone application may become used in other GM vehicles as well.

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Making its official debut at the Detroit Auto Show on Monday, the 2011 Chevrolet Aveo RS Concept will give a sneak peak into GM’s future in the small-car segment. With a stylish European exterior design to compliment its bold interior look, the next Chevrolet Aveo will no doubt offer a bold new direction to compete with the all-new Ford Fiesta.

The next generation Chevrolet Aveo will be longer and wider, and provide more interior room that the existing Aveo model. More luxuries and a more upscale look and feel was the goal with the new Aveo’s interior, and it shows. Styling along the dash follows the same design theme of the all-new Chevrolet Cruze.

Despite its ostentatious styling, the Chevrolet Aveo RS Concept is powered by a compact 1.4-liter four cylinder engine. With the help of a turbocharger this units produces 138 horsepower and it’s mated to a six-speed manual transmission. The car also rides on aggressive 19-inch wheels to complete the sporty look.

Although the Chevrolet Aveo RS is technically a concept, it gives a good introduction to the stylish next-generation Chevrolet Aveo, which is scheduled to start production in early 2011.

For more details of the 2011 Chevrolet Aveo RS Concept see the official press release below.

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Press Release:

Chevrolet Aveo RS Show Car: A Wake-Up Call For The Small-Car Segment

- Dynamic hot hatch designed to appeal to young enthusiasts
- Personalization is built into the design
- Roominess and upscale amenities not usually found in subcompacts
- 1.4L I-4 Ecotec turbo delivers exceptional fuel economy with performance when needed

DETROIT – Chevrolet today announced the world debut of the Aveo RS show car at the 2010 North American International Auto Show. It features a European-inspired hot hatch look designed to appeal to young enthusiasts, and hints at the next-generation Aveo.

Longer, wider and more spacious than the current production Aveo, the Aveo RS showcases the car’s upscale-looking design cues both inside and out, and presents the many personalization options potentially available on the next-generation car.

“We hope the Aveo RS show car will demonstrate that we are as serious about redefining the Aveo and its place in the small-car segment as we were about reinventing the Malibu,” said Jim Campbell, Chevrolet general manager.

First impressions

The Aveo RS show car, finished in electric Boracay Blue, wears global Chevrolet design cues such as the dual element grille, round taillamps and fender flares, but designers turned up the attitude on the show car with low openings and a lower mouth trimmed in a combination of brushed and polished aluminum. Outboard fog lamps are integrated into an exaggerated brake-cooling inlet that flows into the front fender flares, creating an aggressive-looking face.

Exposed headlamps, with their brushed aluminum structural surround, are inspired by the designers’ affection for motorcycles. The sleek side profile is characterized by uninterrupted body side lines, a high beltline and low roofline. The side mirrors with amber-colored turn signal indicators carry the same shape as the car and seemingly disappear into the profile. At first glance, the car actually looks like a three-door hatch because the rear door handles are discreetly located in the “C”-pillar area.

“The Aveo RS show car demonstrates how progressive design can inject personality into a small car,” said Michael Simcoe, executive director, North American Exterior Design. “We want customers to see it and have an emotional reaction to it.”

No performance-minded car earns its street cred without large wheels and tires. The Aveo RS show car’s wheels are 19-inch, five-spoke with a gun metal metallic finish Chevrolet logo. The wheel openings reveal large Boracay Blue brake calipers.

The rear of the show car continues the sport theme, with an integrated spoiler that flows from the roof, a center-mounted exhaust and chrome exhaust tips. The exposed motorcycle-inspired rear taillamps feature tinted aluminum housings and a discreet Bowtie logo.

Spacious and stylish interior

With its matte black interior highlighted by gloss black, metallic and blue accents, the Aveo RS show car reflects as much attention to detail as the exterior. The Boracay Blue theme continues inside, with accent stitching across the dual cockpit instrument panel, front and rear door insert, steering wheel rim, gear shift boot, parking brake, leather seat bolster and even the floor mats. The integrated center stack holds the gearshift, HVAC controls and the sound system, including a USB port. Ice-blue backlighting on the audio display, telltale indicator screen and knobs augments the blue stitching.

The motorcycle inspiration also carries inside, with a round, analog tachometer set within an asymmetrical LCD readout also trimmed in milled metal with round cutouts; and round, aluminum-trimmed side vents.

The interior is as functional as it is stylish, with storage compartments in the center stack and doors. The rear seats fold flat for carrying larger items.

Efficient performer

The Aveo RS show car is powered by the same highly efficient 138-horsepower (103 kW) 1.4L I-4 Ecotec turbocharged engine that will be available in the upcoming Chevrolet Cruze.

A six-speed manual transmission is designed to ensure the car will provide a spirited driving experience.

For the show car, designers created a special engine cover in graphite silver with a brushed aluminum insert. The coolant and power steering fluid fill caps are rimmed in ice blue, and the honeycomb vents flanking the center of the cover are matte-finished in shadow chrome and designed to match the wheel color.

Chevrolet has previously announced the new Aveo will be built at Orion Assembly in Orion Township, Mich., in 2011, a move that will restore 1,200 jobs to Southeast Michigan. Timing for retooling Orion Assembly for Aveo production is anticipated to begin in late 2010.

PRELIMINARY SPECIFICATIONS: AVEO RS SHOW CAR

Model:	Chevrolet Aveo RS show car
Body style / driveline:	five-door, five-passenger front-engine transaxle, front-wheel drive subcompact car
Engine:	1.4L turbocharged DOHC I-4 with VVT (138 hp / 103 kW – est.)
Transmission:	M32 six-speed manual
Wheels:	19-inch

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Read more about the 2011 Chevy Aveo on this blog.

A car that can create its own energy? Yes please! Introducing the 2011 Chevrolet Volt; the newest addition to the electric car family that you can plug-in to charge. The Volt can run up to 40 miles per charge and does not stop there! The Volt initially uses its electric energy but can continue on a gas powered electric generator; so don’t worry, the Volt is not dependent on its plug-in charge.

Relieve your dependence on foreign oil and plug-in your car. It’s that easy. The Chevrolet Volt only requires an 8 hour charge with a 120V household outlet – or a 240V outlet – according to Chevrolet.

Inexpensive to run, eco-friendly, with a sleek look… the Volt sounds too good to be true! It must not drive well, right? Wrong. The Volt is very easy to drive: it is very quiet, rides smoothly and offers the essential creature comforts expected in a Chevrolet at a surprisingly affordable price.

At the 2010 Detroit Auto Show, Chevrolet GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz stated that Chevrolet will eventually be introducing a 100% battery run Volt by expanding the current battery and doing away with the gas engine. For now, let’s take a look at Chevrolet’s Volt.

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Keep your eyes on our blog for more information about Chevrolet and the November 2010 launch of the 2011 Chevrolet Volt.

Chevrolet is bringing back the Z06-style Corvette Grand Sport.  Unlike the 1996 Admiral Grand sport models , the new Corvette Grand Sport will replace the previous Z51 package that comes with many upgrades and features.  If you love driving Corvette sports cars, you can order the Grand Sport with a manual transmission or the six-speed automatic.

Its power comes from the 6.2-liter V8 engine with 436 horsepower.  Imagine driving the Corvette Grand Sport 2 door coupe accelerating to 60mph in 4.4 seconds.  Surely, the Corvette is aggressive on the road as it is on the race track.  Many optional features include Z06-size brakes and exhaust system, which has a rating of 16 mpg.  With its special features, the Corvette offers aggressive looks. Equipped with large tires, wider front and rear fenders, tall rear spoiler, 18-inch front and 19-inch wheels, and a convertible body style.

Wouldn’t you agree, this is a new favorite Corvette on the track?  Looking at many generations of the Corvette models, the 2010 Corvette Grand Sport is a dominating force with more optimal launch in all Corvette models.  The intensity of its performance makes a quality sports car.  With the Z06-style, hopefully it will bring better changes to Corvette owners.

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Read more information about the Corvette Grand Sport on our blog.

Following the Chevrolet Volt’s official launch at the Los Angeles Auto Show, GM announced that California and Michigan would be the first markets where eager consumers will be able to get their hands on the this highly-anticipated all-new extended range plug-in electric vehicle.  In addition to these two states, Washington D.C. residents will also become of one of the initial launch markets for the Volt

One of the biggest factors concerning all future electric vehicles will be infrastructure and how easily drivers will be able to access recharging stations. Naturally, this plays a large role in where the Volt will become available for launch. Chevrolet wanted the Volt to first be available markets where local and state governments, as well as utility partners, were the most progressive in facilitating this new vehicle.

Among the Washington D.C.-area utilities that will be partnering with GM during  the Volt’s launch will be Pepco and Dominion, both of which are committed to establishing a vehicle charging program. Overall, 500 new charging stations are due to be installed in the D.C. area for residential, business, and public use. Consumer feedback will also be used by GM and its utility partners during this initial launch phase to ensure seamless access to electrical outlets in these regions and in future markets.

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It’s one of those things I tend to repeat, if only because I sometimes have trouble believing it myself: The hybrid models of the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra—full-size pickups with curb weights of nearly 5,600 lbs.—can achieve 21 mpg in city driving; a four-cylinder Honda Accord, weighing over a full ton less than those trucks, gets 22 mpg.

How is this possible? The GM products use an advanced two-mode hybrid system that, despite its amazing results, has continued to fly under most people’s radar. The chief problem has been costs. The system is on the pricey side, so the least-expensive Silverado hybrid starts at a steep $38,340. For comparison’s sake, the “regular” Chevy pickup has a base MSRP of $20,850.

This results in a classic vicious circle: The high price pushes down sales, which prevents development costs from being spread out, which keeps the prices high, which pushes down sales. And this despite the fact that the two-mode system also is available on the Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Yukon and Cadillac Escalade.

That’s a key reason General Motors recently announced it was going to become the first mainstream automaker to build electric motors in the U.S. Specifically, GM is investing about $246 million in its Baltimore Transmission facility, which will start building electric motors for the next-generation two-mode hybrid system.

For students of the powertrain arts, remember that a vehicle’s “engine,” very generally speaking, makes its own power, usually by combusting gasoline. A “motor,” on the other hand, uses power being made from an outside source, e.g., the chemical reaction inside a battery, to perform its work.

Either way, expect this news to drive further improvement—and lower costs—in an important GM technology beginning in 2013.

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Maybe this is why GM wanted to sell Opel: The General is now saying it wants more than double the current Chevrolet sales in Europe within the next five years.   With high hopes of the Bow-tie brand reaching the million-unit mark across the pond by 2015.  To get there, GM is taking a page from Ford’s playbook, but with a twist.  Ford is currently finding success by importing global products from Europe to the U.S.  These vehicles include:  the Ford Transit Connect, Ford Focus, and Ford Fiesta.  Also, the General wants to export global products from the U.S.  to Europe.  These cars include: the Chevrolet Volt, Chevrolet Cruze, and Chevrolet Orlando.

A million sales set the bar pretty high, but other recent news, shows GM may be on the right track.  The Cruze has been named a finalist for the World Car of the Year Award, while the Chevrolet Camaro has been short-listed for World Car Design of the Year honors.  Each year, the awards are decided by a panel of international auto journalists and will be presented at the New York International Auto Show in April.

The honor would be another important recognition for the Cruze.  The compact is the first passenger car to earn top marks in both front-and side-impact crash testing from the European New Car Assessment Program.  It’s also received five-star and best-in-class ratings from the Australasian and Chinese programs.

The Camaro, combining a sophisticated mixture of retro cues and cutting-edge design, has been one of GM’s brightest spots this past year.  It outsold the Ford Mustang for eight straight months and the demand for this modern-day muscle-car shows no signs of letting up.   That means both of these vehicles could be in for big honors in the Big Apple this spring.

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Check out more  Chevrolet sales updates here soon.

Talk about hitting a milestone. The Chevrolet Suburban is celebrating an anniversary: 75 years and counting! The 2010 Chicago Auto Show is the venue where the Special Edition Chevrolet will be unveiled.

The all new 2010 Chevrolet 75th Anniversary Diamond Edition Suburban is coated with a White Diamond tricoat exterior, a Cashmere interior and boasts 20-inch chrome-clad wheels. It is dressed up nicely, but don’t let that fool you. This is still the same, dependable Suburban that has been hauling around you, your family, and all your cargo for 75 years.

“At Chevrolet we’re gratified with the customer acceptance of the Suburban, providing the room and utility they want for 75 years running,” said Jim Campbell, Chevrolet general manager. “We look forward to many more years of being the vehicle of choice for families and consumers who desire maximum utility.”

Being a Special Edition vehicle, Chevrolet will only be producing some 2,570 units. So keep an eye out for the 75th Anniversary Diamond Edition Suburban as it goes on sale by early summer.

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More news on Chevrolet and their Suburban.