GM India to Launch Chevrolet Beat Electric Next Month

Following a bonanza for the electric and hybrid cars manufactured in India, General Motors (GM) is all set to showcase an electric version of its small car Chevrolet Beat next month. In the coming future, the car may become the second electric car after Reva to be launched in the country, provided the government follows up with more incentives for alternate fuel vehicles, GM said.

“We are glad that the government has woken up to the need to encourage alternate fuel and electric vehicles,” said Karl Slym, president and managing director, GM India. “We will showcase an electric version of our mini car next month. Though we have not decided whether to launch it here or not, if the government follows up the budget with more incentives, it will only help us decide.”

The government announced full exemption from customs duty, special additional duty and countervailing duty on some specified parts of hybrid vehicles such as battery pack and chargers as also for spare battery packs for electric vehicles.

Further, excise duty has been halved for hybrid kits and their parts.

In the past, GM had tied up with Reva electric car company to develop an electric version of its other small car Spark.

The project met with an untimely death after Reva was acquired by utility vehicle major Mahindra & Mahindra and the two companies went their separate ways.

GM sold 88,568 units in April-January 2010-11, up 37% over the previous year. It has 235 dealers in the country.

Currently, India has only one hybrid vehicle the Toyota Prius.

Via: hindustantimes.com

General Motors India Result: June Sales Up by 112%

General Motors India has registered an impressive growth of 112% in sales in June 2010, compared to the corresponding period last year. It sold 9539 units in June 2010 against 4492 units in June 2009.

The June 2010 sales comprised 2,911 units of the Chevrolet Spark, 3,415 units of Chevrolet Beat, 1,423 units of the Chevrolet Tavera, 773 units of the Chevrolet Cruze, 398 Units of Chevrolet Aveo, 387 units of Chevrolet Aveo U-VA, 139 units of the Chevrolet Captiva and 93 units of Chevrolet Optra.

The increase in the sales was primarily driven by the tremendous response to the recently launched and much sought after Chevrolet Beat and Chevrolet Cruze and the extremely popular Chevrolet Spark. Chevrolet Beat and Chevrolet Cruze have become the industry benchmarks in their respective segments and a winner among consumers in India, with their best-in-class design, performance and other product attributes. Chevrolet Spark continues to register impressive sales, clearly validating it as the one of the most sought after car in its segment in terms of styling, performance and fuel efficiency offering a value for money proposition.

Commenting on the performance, Mr. P. Balendran, Vice President, GM India said, "We are excited by the continued overwhelming response to Chevrolet Beat, Spark and Cruze. Introduction of best-in-segment cars from the 300 series, increase in customer outreach through distribution network, our unique value proposition like Chevrolet Cashless Ownership offer and our promise to deliver quality and performance are the factors that have led to the impressive sales."

Chevrolet recently completed seven years of its successful journey after its foray into the Indian market. Launched in 2003, Chevrolet has become one of the most popular and the fastest growing automotive brands in the country, having sold over 3,00,000 cars in India. With a wide array of products and services, Chevrolet has brought unmatched product quality and unparalleled performance to the Indian consumers. To celebrate this important milestone and strengthen its ever increasing customer base, General Motors India has undertaken several initiatives like Chevrolet Free Mega Service Camps, the Mega Gold Rush Scheme for customers, several fun-filled activities around the Beat, gala evenings, special movie shows and a slew of dealer driven activities across the country to engage with its valued customers.

It may be recalled that the company has ramped up production by adding the second shifts at Halol and Talegaon plants recently to meet the increased demand of its products. The company is also rapidly expanding its sales and service network to support the increasing market demand of its cars. It intends to take the network to 300 sales points and an equal number of authorized service outlets by the end of this year from the current 206 sales points and 200 authorized service outlets across the country.

Source: General Motors India

Corvette Launches Z06 Race Car: Carbon Limited Edition in 2011

When the 2006 Corvette Z06 was introduced, it represented the closest connection to the Corvette race cars ever. The 2009 Corvette ZR1 closed the gap between racing and production even further. This year, Corvette continues its tradition of track-to-street technology transfer with the 2011 Corvette Z06 Carbon Limited Edition.

"Designed to further incorporate technology developed through racing, the Corvette Z06 Carbon Limited Edition is a tribute to the 50th anniversary of Corvette's first race in the 24 Hours of LeMans," said Jim Campbell, Chevrolet General Manager. "With a limited production of 500 units, this car is a must-have for the true Corvette collector and driving enthusiast."

The Corvette Z06 Carbon Limited Edition is another example of the expanded Corvette line-up. Five years ago, customers had the choice of a Corvette coupe or convertible. With the addition of the Z06, Grand Sport coupe and convertible and ZR1, Corvette enthusiasts now have more choices than ever.

"For track use, the Z06 Carbon is the best balanced Corvette yet. It combines the lightweight and naturally-aspirated Z06 engine with the road-holding and braking of the ZR1," said Tadge Juechter, Corvette Chief Engineer. "For technical tracks like Laguna Seca, the Z06 Carbon could shave up to three seconds off the Z06 lap time."

This limited edition Z06 will boast Brembo carbon ceramic brakes with specific dark gray metallic calipers. These powerful brakes were first introduced on the ZR1. Black 20-spoke 19-inch front/20-inch rear wheels complement the car's Michelin PS2 tires. Other mechanical features include Magnetic Selective Ride Control for the first time on the Z06 and enhanced cooling. The car also features a special carbon pattern engine cover.

The Corvette Z06 Carbon will be available in two colors: Inferno Orange and the all-new Supersonic Blue. Black headlamps and mirrors, a ZR1-style body color spoiler, body color door handles, carbon fiber raised hood, and black carbon fiber rockers and splitter enhance the Z06's dynamic design and reduce mass and aerodynamic lift. For track events, customers can also install the Euro-styled racing numbers that come with each car.

The Z06 Carbon's ebony leather and suede interior is complemented by blue or orange seat stitching to match the exterior color chosen. Other features include a unique steering wheel emblem, sill plate and logoed headrest. The suede used on the steering wheel, shifter, seat inserts, armrests and doors add to the luxury of this limited edition Z06.

An optional Z07 performance package that includes the mechanical upgrades introduced on the Z06 Carbon can be added to a regular 2011 Z06. This package also includes Competition Gray 20-spoke wheels and all the chassis and cooling upgrades.

The CFZ Z06 carbon fiber package includes black carbon fiber rockers, splitter and roof panel with the full-width body color spoiler. It can also be purchased with or without the Z07 package on regular Z06 models.

The 2011 Corvette Z06 Carbon Limited Edition, as well as the new Z07 and CFZ Z06 option packages will be available in late summer.

Courtesy: General Motors

GM to Hawk New Vehicles on EBay in California

General Motors has some cars to show you.

The government-rescued automaker announced on Monday that it is starting a trial in which consumers can buy new cars through eBay, the online sales site, allowing them to purchase Chevrolets, Buicks, GMCs or Pontiacs without setting foot in a dealership.

The program is being limited initially to California, but the company hopes to extend it across the country.

The company pitches the effort as a sign of renewed innovation at the automaker, which underwent a bankruptcy filing earlier this year and has been kept afloat with a $50 billion investment by U.S. taxpayers. For years, industry critics have said that the old way of buying cars should be scrapped, with haggling at the dealership replaced by online, fixed-price sales.

"GM and our dealers are reinventing the car buying experience," Mark LaNeve, GM vice president of U.S. sales said.

GM may be the first automaker to so fully embrace online sales, but analysts say the program's popularity will depend on its execution.

Currently, eBay lists many cars for sale, but a large majority of those are used. This latest program makes more new GM vehicles available online.

When the site, gm.ebay.com, begins operation Tuesday, consumers will be given the option to "buy it now," without haggling, or begin a more traditional sales negotiation by making an offer on a car. They can also simply do research: They can compare prices across models and dealerships, determine the value of their trade-in and check whether they qualify for the federal "Cash for Clunkers" program.

New GM's coming again?

"GM died today"

GM makes it official...

...and files for bankruptcy.


From the AP story lede:
"WASHINGTON – General Motors, the humbled auto giant that has been part of American life for more than 100 years, will file for bankruptcy protection on Monday in a deal that will give taxpayers a 60 percent ownership stake and expand the government's reach into big business."