The Future is Electric

Talking Fuel Cells at the Santa Barbara Green Car Show

GM Western Region Team — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 23:29:56 +0000

This past weekend we got an early start on Earth Day festivities by taking our zero emissions, Chevy Fuel Cell to Santa Barbara for the Green Car Show at the Community Environmental Council’s 40^th Anniversary Earth Day Festival. For two days we hung out with the beautiful beach community’s locals and talked about not just our Chevy Fuel Cell (which was a big hit!) but also the Chevy Volt EV’s arrival in California showrooms later this year. Many thanks to all the event organizers for including Chevy. We are thrilled to have been part of your biggest Earth Day event to date, and congratulations on welcoming more than 28,000 earth-minded attendees to an outstanding festival over the weekend!

For more on the Chevy Fuel Cell, check out our video below and read about the next-gen Fuel Cell vehicle system:

Chevy Wants You to Be a Sassy City Chick on April 22

GM Western Region Team — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 18:14:35 +0000

Many women can attest to some of the less glamorous aspects of attending a sample sale, like waking up early on a weekend to fight over the season’s hottest styles. That’s why we’re excited to partner with Sassy City Chicks, a group that is changing the discount shopping experience, offering great bargains in an upscale environment while allowing shoppers to relax and unwind with complimentary spa services and refreshments, not to mention a chance to try out our most stylish new Chevy vehicles.

This Thursday, April 22, Sassy City Chicks is having their L.A. Fashion Bash at the Petersen Automotive Museum, which will feature our Chevy Lounge. We’ll be there hosting a designer “trunk show,” showcasing designer duds in actual Corvette and Chevy Equinox trunks, and offering attendees the opportunity to take a ride to some free sassy snacks in a sleek, stylish Camaro, Equinox or Malibu.

If you’re in the L.A. area and are interested in attending, be sure to take advantage of our exclusive promo code, “CHEVY5,” at check-out to get a 2 for 1 VIP ticket for just $5 (normally valued at $20). Psst – VIP tickets come with an exclusive swag bag!

Click here to buy your ticket!

- Kristen Rubi

Governor Schwarzenegger sizes up the Chevrolet Volt

GM Western Region Team — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 16:25:23 +0000

Earlier this week, we took the Chevrolet Volt plug-in electric vehicle up to Sacramento for a short press conference with Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (@Schwarzenegger). It was a first time appearance for the Volt in Sacramento and, based on the reaction from the throngs of state workers and joe passers-by, you would have thought Chevrolet brought with it a balanced budget full of tax cuts.

Needless to say, Sacramento is anxious and excited for EVs like the Volt to hit the streets. Bob Babik, GM’s head of Vehicle Emissions Issues, gave the Governor a tour of the vehicle and made brief remarks about Chevrolet’s plan to roll-out the vehicle in California. Bob reiterated the need for rapid implementation of policies, including consumer incentives, to be in place before the Volt goes on sale at the end of this year. Not surprisingly, the Governor was pretty familiar with the Volt’s advanced technology features – he sized it up and declared it a fit for his 6’1″ frame and went on to explain how clean vehicles like the Volt are needed in order for California to achieve its environmental goals.

After their remarks, I yanked out the charge cord (the Volt was charging from a 120v outlet at the State Capitol building) so the Governor and Bob – and two CHP officers – could take the Volt for a spin off the East Steps. The Governor was all smiles when he handed back the keys. It was a good day in Sacramento.

You can watch the video of Governor Schwarzenegger’s remarks here and see his own TwitPic from the event here. For more pictures from the day, check out our Flickr stream here.

- Shad Balch

GM Appoints UCLA Professor to Board of Directors

GM Western Region Team — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 19:45:21 +0000

DETROIT – General Motors Company announced yesterday the appointment of Dr. Cynthia A. Telles to its board of directors.

Dr. Telles, 57, has been on the faculty of the University of California, Los Angeles School of Medicine Department of Psychiatry since 1986. She is currently the Director of the UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute Spanish-Speaking Psychosocial Clinic. Among many corporate, non-profit, and public service board memberships, Dr. Telles was recently appointed to the White House Commission on Presidential Scholars by President Obama.

‘The addition of Dr. Telles to GM’s board of directors ensures that the company will continue to benefit from a diversity of perspectives and experience in our mission to provide consumers with the world’s best vehicles,’ said CEO and Board Chairman Ed Whitacre.

(click to view entire release)

GM Doubling Size of Most Technologically Advanced Automotive Battery Lab in the United States

GM Western Region Team — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 20:01:28 +0000

WARREN, Mich. – General Motors is doubling the size of the largest and most technologically advanced automotive battery lab in the U.S. to expedite the development of electrically driven vehicles for consumers.

The $8-million investment will improve on-site testing of all current and new battery cell, module and pack technologies by enlarging the Global Battery Systems Lab on the GM Technical Center campus by 30,000 sq. ft. to 63,000 sq. ft. The addition will be located adjacent to the existing lab inside the Alternative Energy Center facility. Areas previously used for engine testing will be renovated for battery development, with construction beginning this month and scheduled for completion in the summer.

“GM is building on its commitment to lead the development of electric vehicle technology – from battery cell design to the charging infrastructure – and today’s investment furthers our work in this area,” said Micky Bly, GM executive director, global electrical systems, hybrids, electric vehicles and batteries. “This addition will benefit consumers by helping us put cleaner, more efficient vehicles, including the Chevrolet Volt electric vehicle with extended range, on the road more quickly and affordably.”

(click to view entire release)

Baseball and Chevrolet: Two American Classics Building Communities Together

GM Western Region Team — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 20:15:45 +0000

DETROIT – For 2010 Chevrolet is in the game with a number of partnerships and promotions reaching communities across the United States and continuing a strong history of involvement in baseball.

“Nothing is as American as baseball, hot dogs, apple pie and Chevrolet,” said Jim Campbell, U.S. vice president Chevrolet marketing. “We are proud to continue the tradition as the ‘Official Vehicle of Major League Baseball®.’ With our dealers we also hope to help prepare some future stars for the Majors with our support of youth baseball.”

Chevrolet has expanded its support of youth baseball players in communities across the country through the Chevy Youth Baseball program. Since its beginning in Atlanta in 2006, Chevy Youth Baseball has benefitted more than one million youth baseball players and their families.

(click to view entire release)

Cadillac CTS-V Sport Wagon Show Car Debuts At The New York Auto Show

GM Western Region Team — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 05:50:10 +0000

NEW YORK – Cadillac today unveiled the CTS-V Sport Wagon show car, foreshadowing the next addition to its V-Series performance line. It combines the performance and luxury of the landmark CTS-V Sport Sedan with the dramatic design of the CTS Sport Wagon.

“The CTS-V Sport Wagon is a natural extension of both the V-Series and the CTS lineup, offering an uncompromising performance car to enthusiasts who want the extra room of a wagon,” said Don Butler, vice president for Cadillac marketing. “The V-Series Sport Wagon is another hallmark of the dramatic presence and power of Cadillac vehicles.”

(Click to view entire release)

Chevrolet Cruze Eco: Hybrid-Like Fuel Efficiency Without The Price Tag

GM Western Region Team — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 06:35:11 +0000

NEW YORK – At the New York Auto Show, Chevrolet reveals the compact 2011 Cruze Eco. This high-efficiency model is powered by a 1.4L Ecotec turbocharged engine with variable valve timing that achieves an estimated 40 mpg on the highway when combined with a six-speed manual transmission. Cruze Eco is expected to deliver the best fuel economy in the compact segment, while offering midsize car presence.

“The Cruze Eco delivers hybrid-like efficiency without the price tag,” said Jim Campbell, U.S. vice president Chevrolet marketing. “Along with the Volt electric vehicle, it demonstrates how Chevrolet is working to bring new products to market that range from gas-friendly to gas-free.”

(Click to view entire release)

Western Automotive Journalists Media Day 2010

GM Western Region Team — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 16:58:38 +0000

For the past three days, I have been in beautiful Monterey, CA as part of the Western Automotive Journalists (WAJ) Media Day 2010. During the event, journalists got the chance to get up close and personal with the latest cars and take them on a scenic tour to the historic town of San Juan Bautista and evaluate them at the Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

This year, the cars we featured included the Cadillac CTS-V, Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon, Chevrolet Camaro SS, Chevrolet Camaro RS, Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Malibu, Corvette GS, GMC Terrain, GMC Acadia, and Buick Lacrosse.

Journalists were pleased with all the vehicles but were especially enthusiastic with the Cadillac CTS-V and Sport Wagon, Camaros, and Buick Lacrosse and praised how well they handled on the road.

Check out some photos from the WAJ Media Day 2010 event here.

- Richard James

GM’s executive director of Global Fuel Cell Activities visits LA this week; Reveals Chevy’s next gen fuel cell vehicle system

GM Western Region Team — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 01:05:31 +0000

GM’s Charles Freese, executive director of Global Fuel Cell Activities met with media at GM’s fuel cell hub in Burbank this week to share the newest advancements in Chevy’s hydrogen fuel cell technology. Freese announced that the next gen system shrinks in size, weight and cost, paving the way for a production-intent fuel cell system that can be ready for commercial production in 2015.

After the announcement, Freese handed over the keys to a Chevy fuel cell EV to former Project Driveway participant and clean air advocate Stephanie White. Because of the tremendous success of Project Driveway, White will get to keep the vehicle for six months – longer than any other mainstream deployment.

After the afternoon festivities, Freese was off to Santa Monica to share FCEV news with Korean media and actor James Kyson-Lee, who’s currently test driving the FCEV as part of Project Driveway. For more on James Kyson-Lee’s experience, click here.