Chevrolet small to midsize cars at the 2010 NAIAS detroit auto show

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2010 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit
Chevrolet Aveo RS concept car, Cruze, Spark and Volt
New ambassadors to the small-to-midsize car segments

Chevrolet Aveo RS concept car, Cruze (top left) and Volt (right).

Chevrolet Aveo RS concept car, Cruze (top left) and Volt (right).

12 Jan. 2010 - A new year is starting for everybody, but it is a particularly challenging one for Chevrolet, the leading brand of General Motors, which managed to avoid bankruptcy last year.

But the changes are here today, or very soon in some cases. With its new small and compact models, Chevrolet is showing at the 2010 North American Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit (16 to 24 January) an interesting renaissance between the mini-car and the midsize segments, in addition to the Volt electric car.

Small to midsize

The American market will now be looking at a new face of Chevrolet, for the first time since the last year's crisis. That's beside the other Chevrolet passenger cars (Cobalt, Malibu, Impala, Camaro and Corvette) as well as the crossovers (Equinox and Traverse) and the traditional truck models.

Communicating with the Chevrolet Volt via a BlackBerry smartphone.

OnStar’s Mobile Application allows Volt drivers to communicate with their vehicle from Droid by Motorola, Apple iPhone and BlackBerry Storm smartphones.

With the Aveo RS show car (hinting at the next-generation Aveo production car, which comes to the U.S. next year), it is the European-inspired hot hatch design which is positioned under the Cruze midsize car (to be available in the U.S. later this year), all above the all-new Spark five door mini car (U.S. sales of the Spark begin in early 2012).

Aveo RS

The Aveo RS show car provides a glimpse of what designers have in mind for the future production car.

“The current Aveo is a major player in Chevrolet's global small-car portfolio,” said Jim Campbell, Chevrolet general manager. “Our intent with the Aveo RS show car is to demonstrate Chevrolet's vision and design potential for a small car we think customers will love.”

Focusing on Aveo’s target audience of young buyers, Chevrolet gave the show car a sporty appearance inside and out, with an aggressive front fascia.

The Aveo RS show car features the same small-displacement 1.4L Ecotec turbocharged engine (103 kW, 138 bhp, 140 ps) that will be available in the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze. In the Aveo RS show car, the 1.4L turbo is mated to a six-speed manual transmission.

Chevrolet Volt front view.

Chevrolet Volt production begins late this year.

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. Retooling Orion Assembly for Aveo production is anticipated to begin in late 2010. More about the Aveo RS show car.

Volt

As far as the Chevrolet Volt is concerned, production begins late this year (pricing has not yet been announced).

Chevrolet Volt charge level indicators.

Volt: charging levels and other information for the driver.

Chevrolet recently announced that Michigan joined California as a key initial Volt launch market, partnering with Detroit-based utility DTE Energy and other key Michigan stakeholders as part of a larger, real-world development and demonstration program to introduce customers to electric vehicles and establish vehicle charging programs. The Volt can operate gas-free (petrol-free) before switching to extended-range capability when the battery runs low (more details below).

Chevrolet Volt plugged for charging.

Chevrolet Volt plugged for charging.

“Launching in California and Michigan gives us important West Coast and Midwest platforms that will allow us to introduce the Volt more effectively into broader regions across the U.S.,” said Maria Rohrer, Chevrolet marketing director for Volt.

Chevrolet will deliver more than 100 Volts to several utilities beginning in 2010 – including DTE Energy – as part of an extended research and demonstration fleet program. As part of the program, 500 charging stations will be installed for residential, business and public use. They will be used to learn more about the installation process, vehicle charging, and to gain customer feedback.

“A key factor in the widespread success of electric vehicles will be the ability of utilities to supply ‘fuel’ on demand and at a reasonable cost,” said Steven E. Kurmas, president and chief operating officer of DTE Energy’s electric utility, Detroit Edison. “Working with the auto industry, the Department of Energy and other stakeholders, DTE Energy and electric utilities nationwide are fully committed to developing a robust charging infrastructure that will support electric vehicles and make the transition to electric transportation a success."

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The program is made possible with a grant of more than $30 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds from the Transportation Electrification Initiative administered by the U.S. Department of Energy.

Chevrolet is also working with other Michigan entities outside of the Detroit area to begin making Michigan ready for plug-in vehicles. Utilities we are working with include the Lansing Board of Water & Light and Consumers Energy.

Chevy announced a similar partnership last month with the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) and California utilities Pacific Gas and Electric, Southern California Edison and Sacramento Municipal Utility District.

Onstar

In an effort to expand the Volt ownership experience, Chevrolet and OnStar unveiled last Tuesday the auto industry’s first working mobile smartphone application last week. It will give Chevrolet Volt owners 24/7 connection and control of vehicle functions and OnStar features remotely.

OnStar’s Mobile Application takes technology beyond the battery and allows Volt drivers to communicate with their vehicle from Droid by Motorola, Apple iPhone and BlackBerry Storm smartphones. It uses a real-time data connection to perform tasks such as displaying the charge status and setting grid-friendly charge modes. The application:

- Displays charge status – plugged in or not, and voltage (120V or 240V)
- Provides flexibility to “Charge Now” or schedule charge timing
- Displays percentage of battery charge level, electric and total mileage ranges
- Allows owner to manually set grid-friendly charge mode for off-peak times when electricity rates are lowest

Communicating with the Chevrolet Volt via a Motorola smartphone

Communicating with the Volt via a Motorola smartphone.

- Sends text or e-mail notifications for charge reminders, interruptions and full charge
- Displays miles per gallon, electric-only miles and odometer readings
- Shows miles per gallon, EV miles and miles driven for last trip and lifetime
- Remotely starts the vehicle to pre-condition the interior temperature

The smartphone application for Volt will be available at launch. Demonstration applications are now available at OnStarMobileDemo.com.

The Chevrolet Volt is an electric vehicle with extended-range capability. It is designed to drive up to 40 miles (64 km) on electricity without using gasoline (petrol) or producing tailpipe emissions. When the Volt’s lithium-ion battery is depleted, an engine/generator operates to extend the total driving range to about 300 miles (483 km).

Cruze

Already on sale in Asia and Europe, the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze compact sedan will be available in America, with practical amenities such as Bluetooth, USB and navigation.

Chevrolet Cruze midsize sedan, profile view.

The Cruze will be built in Ohio beginning in the third quarter.

Chevrolet says that the Cruze will offer midsize roominess, safety and equipment with the fuel economy and expected price of a compact car. The U.S. production version of the Cruze was unveiled last fall.

Cruze is expected to deliver good fuel economy with a new Ecotec 1.4L I-4 turbo with variable valve timing – including up to 40 mpg (US gallons, equivalent to 48 UK mpg, 5.88 litres / 100 km, or 17 kms / litre) on the highway with the most economical version. The all-new Cruze will be built in Lordstown, Ohio beginning in the third quarter.

Spark

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The U.S. production version of the Chevrolet Spark will go on sale in early 2012. With its five-door body, it will be the smallest member of Chevrolet’s family of cars. More details on the U.S. version of the Spark will be announced at a later date.

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