OSHAWA ASSEMBLY PLANT CELEBRATES START OF PRODUCTION OF THE 2011 CHEVROLET CAMARO CONVERTIBLE

By General Motors of Canada - The Oshawa Assembly Plant today celebrated the start of regular production of the hotly-anticipated 2011 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible in a ceremony with employees and invited guests.

"This is an exciting new chapter in the ongoing revival of the tremendously popular Chevrolet Camaro," said Kevin Williams, president and managing director of GM of Canada. "The launch of the new convertible opens Camaro design and performance to a new set of enthusiastic customers, while further demonstrating the flexible capabilities of the award-winning Oshawa Assembly Plant."

The Chevrolet Camaro Convertible is the second of three new vehicles being launched in Oshawa since last September, and two new shifts have been added to support this additional production.

"The entire team here at Oshawa Assembly is dedicated to bringing this stunning vehicle to market with outstanding quality," stated Dan Hermer, plant manager at the Oshawa Assembly Plant.

"New product mandates like the Camaro Convertible are testaments to the calibre of the workforce in Oshawa," added Chris Buckley, president of the Canadian Auto Workers Local 222.

Employees were joined by Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports, to celebrate the milestone. Hendrick, a Camaro enthusiast who purchased the first 2010 Camaro Coupe that rolled off the line, has now also purchased the first Camaro Convertible available for public sale. In both cases, Rick Hendrick acquired the purchase rights through the Barrett-Jackson auction, with all proceeds benefitting local charities.

"I grew up loving the Chevrolet brand, and I've never raced anything else," Hendrick said. "As a Chevy enthusiast, it's been exciting to see the Camaro return as such a world-class, high-performance car. The folks in Oshawa make some of the best products on the road, so the opportunity to meet them and thank them for what they do is a real privilege."

Dale Earnhardt Jr., a driver for Hendrick Motorsports in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, was also present at the celebration and added, "Chevrolet has been a great partner on and off the track, and I'm very happy to be here on this special day. While I still enjoy my 1972 Camaro, I can't wait to take home one of these awesome new convertibles."

The 2011 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible, with an MSRP starting at $33,995, will be on sale at local Chevrolet dealerships across Canada starting in February.

GENERAL MOTORS DEMONSTRATES COMMITMENT TO SUPPLIER DIVERSITY BY PARTNERING WITH WECONNECT CANADA

By General Motors of Canada - WEConnect Canada is pleased to announce that General Motors of Canada has become the latest corporate member supporting the organization's efforts to increase supplier diversity and facilitate access to corporate supply chains for women-owned business enterprises across Canada.

"General Motors' membership in WEConnect Canada demonstrates not only the commitment they have made to supplier diversity, but also emphasizes the value to be found in women-owned businesses," said Mary Anderson, executive director, WEConnect Canada.

"Our role is simply to facilitate the connection between women-owned businesses and the procurement officers of top corporations. Once this connection is made, these businesses can win contracts based on their own merit. General Motors understands the concept and by joining WEConnect Canada, is taking a leadership role in supplier diversity in Canada," commented Anderson.

"General Motors is committed to building successful, sustainable, and profitable business relationships," said Kevin Williams, president and managing director of General Motors of Canada. "By providing opportunities to entrepreneurs who might not otherwise have access, not only do we succeed in helping others, but we strengthen our supply chain with diverse skill sets and innovative thinking."

General Motors has a long history of supporting supplier diversity, establishing a formal supplier diversity program more than 40 years ago.

"At General Motors, we value diversity and will continue diversification in our supply base. We look forward to building stronger business relationships through our membership in WEConnect," said Bob Socia, vice president, global purchasing and supply chain, General Motors Company.

CHEVROLET CAMARO SS CONVERTIBLE TO PACE INDIANAPOLIS 500

• New Camaro SS convertible in white with orange stripes and orange leather-trimmed interior evokes classic 1969 Camaro pace car model
• One of the 50 Festival Committee cars will be auctioned for charity at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale auction on January 22
• 2011 is the 100th anniversary of Chevrolet and the Indianapolis 500

By General Motors Corporation - A special-edition Chevrolet Camaro Convertible will serve as the official pace car of the 2011 Indianapolis 500. Chevrolet and Indianapolis Motor Speedway officials made the announcement at the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale classic auto auction, where a bidder will have the opportunity to purchase the first of 50 Indianapolis 500 Festival Committee cars.

The 2011 Camaro Convertible is the 22nd Chevrolet chosen to pace "The Greatest Spectacle In Racing" and the seventh Camaro. Adding to the rich heritage is the fact that 2011 will mark the 100th anniversary of the first Indianapolis 500, as well as the centennial year of Chevrolet.

Chevrolet will donate full proceeds of the auction to the David Foster Foundation, a charity devoted to supporting families with children in need of life-saving organ transplants. David Foster, the 15-time Grammy-winning music producer and songwriter, founded the organization in his native Canada.

The pace car, along with the matching festival cars, features a Summit White exterior accented with orange stripes and door graphics. The interior is trimmed in orange leather, including front seat headrests embossed with the Indy 500 logo, along with white door panels and instrument panel trim. The instrument panel trim features extensions of the orange exterior stripes.

The color combination is similar to the design used on the 1969 Camaro Indy pace car -- replicas of which have become among the most popular Camaros in the collector world.

"It's an honor for Chevrolet to pace the 100th anniversary of the Indianapolis 500, especially during this landmark year," said Chris Perry, vice president of Chevrolet marketing. "This is also a great opportunity for us to build on Camaro's strong momentum, while supporting an important charity."

The auction for the commemorative edition pace car takes place Saturday evening, January 22, during SPEED's live coverage of the Barrett-Jackson event. The vehicle carries lot number 1284 and bids can be submitted at the auction in person or online.

"The Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Chevrolet name have long been associated with one another beginning with Arthur, Louis and Gaston Chevrolet's participation as competitors in the Indianapolis 500," said Indianapolis Motor Speedway President and CEO Jeff Belskus. "It is fitting in this 100th year for both brands that we reinforce that relationship through this year's Camaro pace car, which resembles what many argue is the most famous pace car in IMS history, the 1969 Camaro. We are looking forward to seeing this car on track, pacing the greatest 33 drivers in the world on May 29."

Pace car details

Equipped with a 400-horsepower (298 kW) V-8 engine and six-speed automatic transmission, the actual pace for the race requires no performance modifications to perform its duty in front of the racing field.

All 50 of the Festival Committees cars will be SS convertible models fitted with the 2SS equipment package, offering the following standard features:

• Four-wheel disc brakes with Brembo four-piston calipers and hydraulic assist
• StabiliTrak electronic stability control
• Competitive/sport mode that enhances on-track performance
• Performance Launch Control (with the manual transmission) that optimizes hard-acceleration launches for quicker, more consistent performance
• Twenty-inch polished aluminum wheels and performance tires
• Head-up instrument display
• Center console with auxiliary gauge package

Along with the 2SS equipment, the cars feature the RS package, which includes HID headlamps and unique tail lamps.

Convertible refinement

The Camaro Convertible delivers coupe-like driving dynamics, with the unmatched fun of open air driving. The Convertible model contains an enhanced structure designed to eliminate the traditional compromises of open cars, such as cowl or steering wheel shake. The goal is a convertible that drives like the coupe. All the powertrain and suspension elements of the existing Camaro Coupe carry over unchanged in the convertible. The top has a smooth, tailored fit, with acoustical foam in the headliner that helps deliver a quiet ride with the top up.

Four strategic reinforcements enhance the already-stiff body structure to eliminate common convertible maladies of cowl and steering wheel shake. They include:

• A tower-to-tower brace under the hood
• A transmission support reinforcement brace
• Underbody tunnel brace
• Front and rear underbody "V" braces

The power-folding top retracts in about 20 seconds. It is built in partnership with the same manufacturer as the Corvette convertible top, and operates in a similar manner. That means it folds in a simple "Z" pattern and latches with a single, convenient handle located at the center of the windshield header. Other convertible models in this segment still offer convertible tops with dual latches, forcing drivers into two-hand operations reaching across the car.

The regular-production versions of the 2011 Camaro Convertible will begin arriving in Chevrolet dealerships in February, opening a new chapter in the Camaro's ongoing 21st century rebirth. Even before the introduction of a convertible model, Camaro ended 2010 as the sales leader in its class in the United States for the first time since 1985.

Chevrolet's pace car heritage

Louis Chevrolet, who founded the brand with William "Billy" Durant in 1911, was a racer, mechanic and pioneering engineer. He raced in the early years of the Indianapolis 500, which also started in 1911, and served a luminary of the event in the years after he retired his racing helmet. That included driving the official Indianapolis pace car, which was developed by Indy 500 founder Carl Fisher, who believed a rolling start was safer than a standing start. The first Indianapolis 500 featured a pace car driven by Fisher.

The first Chevrolet selected as the Indianapolis 500 pace car was the 1948 Fleetmaster Six. The brand would go on to lead the racing pack more than any other manufacturer. The list of Chevy pace cars includes:

• 1948 Fleetmaster Six
• 1955 Bel Air
• 1967 Camaro
• 1969 Camaro
• 1978 Corvette
• 1982 CFamaro
• 1986 Corvette
• 1990 Beretta
• 1993 CFamaro
• 1995 Corvette
• 1998 Corvette
• 1999 Monte Carlo
• 2002 Corvette
• 2003 SSR
• 2004 Corvette
• 2005 Corvette
• 2006 Corvette
• 2007 Corvette
• 2008 Corvette
• 2009 Camaro
• 2010 Camaro
• 2011 Camaro

IF YOU BUILD IT, WILL THEY CHARGE?

A Chevy Volt at a charging station at a Electric Power

Research Institute lab near Knoxville, Tennessee

By Matthew Wald, New York Times - A transition to electric cars isn't just a matter of the cars, but also of the infrastructure that goes with them, including public charging stations. The Electric Power Research Institute and the Tennessee Valley Authority plan to cut the ribbon on Tuesday on a prototype of a new kind of charging station, one that uses solar cells and batteries. But they do not work together in quite the way the public might expect.

The initial installation has six parking stalls, one of them extra wide for handicapped drivers, with carport roofs covered with solar panels. There are three refrigerator-size battery packs in a building that is heated and air-conditioned.

Under the program, called the TVA Smart Solution Initiative, such charging stations are described as "solar assisted" because the panels generate only 12 kilowatts at noon on a sunny day, and the charging stations, when in use, draw 3.3 kilowatts for each vehicle, for a total of nearly 20 kilowatts. Cars will go three or four miles on a kilowatt-hour, and in Tennessee, where all of the charging stations will be installed, the cells atop each space will make enough electricity to move a car about 7,000 miles a year, according to John W. Halliwell, a senior project manager at the institute's research center in Knoxville.

Yet for much of the time, electricity from the cells will flow to the grid because no car will be there to charge. And to recharge the cars, the system draws power from the grid, so the sun does not have to be shining for a driver to charge up.

The batteries and the solar cells themselves are something like shock absorbers for the grid. If drivers want to charge their cars during peak periods on the grid, the charging station's batteries will meet part of that demand so that the impact on the grid is milder. Likewise, the solar cells will chip in with some energy, lessening the load on the grid.

"If with new technologies we can control these resources on the distribution side, we can eliminate the need for potentially very expensive upgrades to the distribution system" said James A. Ellis, the senior manager for transportation and infrastructure at the TVA's Technology Innovation Organization.

At the Electric Power Research Institute, which will be the site of the first charging stations, Mr. Halliwell said, the various elements could be used in any mix. The batteries, of an advanced lead-acid design, have a usable capacity of 30 kilowatt-hours. They will wear out if they get too hot and will not deliver much current if they get too cold, so one question is how much energy it will take to keep them at a comfortable temperature.

Years from now, Mr. Ellis said, batteries that began their life in electric cars but have lost some of their capacity might be suitable for use at the charging stations. In fact, one function of this program is to determine whether such batteries could be useful, although the batteries to be used in the initial trial are not the sort used in cars.

Researchers say they need to know a lot more about charging stations. Will drivers use them to get a full charge or simply park there for as long as they happen to be in the neighborhood, to add a few miles of range? (At 3.3 kilowatts, a typical car would add about 10 miles of range per hour of charging time.) Where are charging stations most likely to get used? Airports? Universities? Shopping center parking lots?

With the Chevy Volt hybrid and the Nissan Leaf all-electric vehicle just hitting the streets, the question remains open.

Another question is economics: there is no mechanism at the moment for charging the driver for the electricity. Because the project is expected to cost $50,000 to $100,000 per space, some purpose beyond electricity sales will probably be needed to make it work, Mr. Halliwell said.

The institute and the TVA hope to have about 125 parking stalls in place, most of them by the end of this year and mainly in the Knoxville, Nashville and Chattanooga areas.

CHEVROLET BRINGS FUN AND FUNCTIONAL EUROPEAN MPV TO CANADA WITH ALL-NEW ORLANDO

By General Motors of Canada - Chevrolet's newest entrant into the Canadian MPV segment, the Orlando, makes its Canadian debut at the 2011 Montreal International Auto Show. The Orlando was one of the star attractions at the 2010 Paris Motor Show, and the European model is on display in Montreal.

Based on the show car concept first seen at Paris in 2008, the Chevrolet Orlando is a true family vehicle, combining 7-seater practicality and interior flexibility with striking crossover style design.

Chevrolet's new compact MPV eschews the bland designs sometimes seen in the segment, and instead adopts a bolder look with its low roofline and crossover inspired silhouette, while retaining the distinctive and recognizable Chevrolet 'face' depicted by the split radiator grille and bow-tie badge.

The Orlando's low swept roof line is complemented by the muscular, protruding wheel-arches, housing 16 or 18 inch wheels.

"We're confident the Orlando brings the great value and fuel efficiency that Chevrolet is known for to the MPV segment, but also something fresh -- function with attitude. It's fitting that we would introduce such an important addition to the Chevrolet line-up here in Montreal, given the importance of small, fuel efficient vehicles to this market. With its fuel efficiency, versatility and strong safety story, the Orlando will bring more new customers to the Chevrolet brand here and across Canada," said Marc Comeau, GM Canada's vice president of Chevrolet Canada.

While the exterior of the new Orlando is sure to draw plenty of attention, the interior also features the latest design cues from Chevrolet such as the Corvette-inspired dual cockpit and ambient blue centre console backlighting. Orlando offers a theatre style seating arrangement with three rows of seats, along with a generous cargo area and flexible storage solutions.

In spite of the sweeping roof-line, designers have succeeded in raising the second and third row of seats, which means Orlando's occupants get an even better view both forwards and to the side. With a wide variety of seating configurations, the Orlando can be quickly transformed into one of the most voluminous vehicles in its class when it comes to cargo capacity.

A multipurpose vehicle like the Orlando requires plenty of interior storage space. Like the Orlando concept car, the Orlando obliges with a range of compartments of different shapes and sizes situated in the center console, front and rear doors, rear cargo area and even the roof.

However, perhaps the most ingenious is a storage area hidden behind the front fascia of the radio, and within easy reach of both the driver and passenger. Seen originally on the Orlando concept car, designers have been able to integrate a usefully large area which is revealed by flipping up the face of the radio, and large enough for items such as an MP3 player, sunglasses and wallets. On equipped models, you will also find the USB port -- ideal for using or re-charging an MP3 player or iPod when on the move.

The Orlando is based on Chevrolet's successful and award winning Cruze sedan, already proven to offer excellent ride and handling. It features Chevrolet's fuel efficient 2.4L direct-injected 4 cylinder engine. It is shared with the award-winning fuel efficient Chevrolet Equinox, with an expected power output of 178hp.

Customers will be able to choose from three trim levels, LS, LT and LTZ. Standard equipment on all models includes power windows, locks, remote keyless entry, StabiliTrak electronic stability control system, and six air-bags, 6-speed manual transmission and 6-speed automatic transmissions are available.

Orlando will be available at Chevrolet Dealers across Canada later this year.

GM BECOMES A TRENDSETTER IN CHINA

By Yang Jian, Automotive News - General Motors captured 9.4 percent of China's passenger vehicle market in the first 11 months of 2010, up from 9 percent in 2009. But the U.S. automaker still trails longtime leader Volkswagen AG in China.

The German automaker, which markets Volkswagen, Skoda and Audi brands, commands a whopping 16.6 percent share of the Chinese passenger vehicle market.

But GM has become a recognized leader among global players operating in China in two important market segments; subcompacts and small commercial vehicles.

GM is the first global automaker to launch a locally developed, inexpensive subcompact that caters to less affluent consumers in China's vast interior regions.

The model, the Chevrolet New Sail, went on sale in January 2010 and was mainly developed by Shanghai-based Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center, a joing venture of GM and Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp.

Prices start at 60,000 yuan, or about $9,066. It was China's top-selling subcompact in November with over 16,000 sales.

The New Sail's success has prompted other automakers to follow suit. Honda Motor Co. and PSA Peugeot Citroen plan low-priced models for China.

GM, along with its Chinese partners, also has become a leader in building small commercial vehicles to take advantage of the country's low-cost production base.

SAIC-GM-Wuling Automobile Co., established in 2002, is a joint venture of SAIC, GM and Liuzhou Wuling Automotive Co. With technology and management support from GM, it is now China's largest micro commercial vehicle manufacturer with sales of more than 1 million minivans and micro trucks through November.

GM has a strong market position in China. It sold 1,022,042 Buick, Chevrolet and Cadillac units through November, up 49 percent from 2009.

With a broad product lineup and a clear management and marketing vision, GM is well positioned to gain strength in 2011.

LONG-TERM TEST: 2011 CHEVROLET VOLT

By Mike Magrath, Insideline.com - We all remember the bright smiling plug icon that GM CEO Fritz Henderson displayed above the 2011 Chevrolet Volt. It didn't take long for the parallels to W's "Mission Accomplished" to come rolling in and it took just barely longer for Henderson to be replaced by Ed Whitacre, Jr. (don't worry, Fritz is still doing just fine for himself). That was back in 2009 believe it or not, and here we are, finally, with a 2011 Chevrolet Volt. The Volt no longer claims to get 230 mpg -- the official EPA rating is 93 MPGe/37 mpg. Easy, right?

Well, actually, no. Simply figuring out a way to accurately and effectively record/report the Volt's fuel economy has us rethinking methods we've used for years. And that's sort of the point. The Volt isn't a volume car. It's an engineering exercise in both vehicular technology and human behaviour. Ripping people off the pump cold turkey can't work. The range anxiety and the withdrawal is too great. Weaning them slowly -- 35 miles at a time -- off the good stuff, well, that could work.

The Volt isn't a car easily explained or fully examined in a few short weeks of road testing. No, this one demands a full year, so as soon as we could, we paid cash for a 2011 Chevrolet Volt.

What We Bought

There were no restrictions on the purchase of our long-term Volt. The only thing was to find one and get it for sticker as soon as humanly possible. This unfortunately meant that when we found a 2011 Chevrolet Volt, we couldn't pass on one that was the Volt-specific, contest-winning colour, Viridian Joule ("joule" of course being a homophone here for both the unit of power and the precious gem) Tricoat -- a $995 option. This VJT Volt also had the Premium Trim package, which includes leather seats, premium door trim, heated front seats and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Other options included the rear camera and park assist ($695) and a set of 17-inch polished alloy wheels. (Those of you who read our blogs frequently already know how we feel about polished wheels.)

Compared with many of our test cars, these options seem light. That's because the 2011 Chevrolet Volt comes very well equipped -- as a car costing $41,000 (including the $720 destination charge) should. Standard are four-wheel antilock disc brakes; keyless entry; automatic headlights; heated outside mirrors; air-conditioning; DVD-based navigation; five years of OnStar; Bluetooth; and a Bose audio system with steering-wheel radio controls, a 30GB hard drive, a USB port and XM radio (with traffic and weather).

All pretty common stuff for a $40K car, no? Less common, however, is the Voltec powertrain. This is where the magic happens. The Volt -- as you know but we still need to cover -- is a series-parallel hybrid with a 111 kW electric motor and a 1.4-liter, port-injected, iron-block, four-cylinder gasoline engine hooked up to a planetary gearbox. A lithium-ion battery pack rated at 16 kWh powers the electric motor that moves the wheels, and the gas engine charges the battery -- except at high speeds, but that's for another day. The tech part aside, this drivetrain is good for 35 miles of range on electricity only and another 344 miles after the Volt fires up its gasoline engine. While other true elecric cars are limited to about 100 miles, the Volt's dual-nature -- almost hybrid -- powertrain relieves range anxiety by allowing the driver to go anywhere he could in a normal car. But while you'll perhaps see 93 MPGe in electric mode, you'll only manage 37 mpg without electrons. Annual fuel costs are $601 on electricity only and $1,302 without plugging in at all.

At least, that's what the good people at the EPA say. And that's just not good enough for us, not with a car this important. That's why we have a charger at our office. We're going to figure out what this thing really does over the long haul and what it really costs to run.

Our new 2011 Chevy Volt carries a sticker price of $44,695 and that is what we paid. Total out-the-door tax/title price: $49,752.96. How? Well, we broke one of our cardinal rules: We told them who we were in advance. In fact, we called AutoNation -- a network of more than 200 dealers -- and spoke with some of their executives we knew. Told them we were looking for a Volt, didn't have a pre-order, and were hoping they could help us out. And help they did. This Viridian Joule Volt was pulled from one of the first deliveries to Power Chevrolet in Valencia, California. So, um, thanks!

Why We Bought It

Why we bought it. This is almost a joke field for the Chevrolet Volt. There is no reason we wouldn't buy one.

To understand the Volt's importance you need to have but a basic knowledge of engineering, economics, public policy, foreign relations, natural resources, pollution and business savvy. It sounds complicated and, really, it is. Here's a cheat sheet. Pollution: Bad. Reliance on non-renewable foreign-sourced energy source: Bad. Being a car company without a green car: Bad. An American company offering the first real alternative that the majority of Americans could tolerate: Good!

We bought the 2011 Chevrolet Volt because we test cars. We test them when they do something like offer a bigger engine, or switch from an iron block to an aluminum block. And let me tell you, if they do something like add direct injection or switch to overhead cams, you know we're testing that one. If a Corvette ever ditches leaf springs or a Mustang gets an independent rear, there's a good chance we'll buy it. This is on a new level. This is like coming to show-and-tell with a light saber when everyone else is rocking geodes. It's a new technology and it's our job to see what the Volt is like to live with on a daily basis once the PR smoke clears.

The amount of time and money that GM has spent building the Chevrolet Volt is nothing compared to what the automaker has done to convince people that this extended-range EV thing is a viable -- if expensive so far -- alternative that will save the polar bears and the forests for the children. We've got 12 months to put 20,000 miles on our 2011 Chevrolet Volt. We'll be plugging it in as often as possible, driving it as far as possible, and, most importantly, figure out if this thing works -- and for whom.

It's going to be an interesting year with one of the most hotly anticipated vehicles of the last decade. The game is changing. This is just step one, but we're here every step of the way starting today.

Current odometer: 860 miles
Best gasoline fuel economy: 39.0 mpg
Worst gasoline fuel economy: 33.6 mpg
Average gasoline fuel economy: 35.8 mpg
EPA combined gasoline: 37 mpg

Best electricity consumption: 29.8 kwh/100 miles
Worst electricity consumption: 46.6 kwh/100 miles
Average electricity consumption: 36.3 kwh/100 miles
EPA combined electricity: 36 kwh/100 miles

Best electric range: 41.6 miles
Worst electric range: 26.7 miles
Average electric range: 31.0 miles
EPA combined range: 35 miles

A NEW CHEVROLET SOLD EVERY 7.4 SECONDS IN 2010

• 4.26 million vehicles sold in more than 130 countries
• Strong fourth quarter with more than 1.14 million sales
• "BRIC" markets account for one-third of sales
• U.S. market delivers 16-percent sales growth
• Global Cruze sales reach half-million mark

BY GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION - Chevrolet sold 4.26 million vehicles globally in 2010, an average of one every 7.4 seconds. As a result, Chevrolet's share of global vehicle industry sales grew by 0.35 points as the brand accounted for about 5.8 percent of all vehicles sold worldwide in 2010. Of the top five global vehicle brands, only Chevrolet grew its total market share last year.

Building on its strong global sales performance in the first three quarters of 2010, Chevrolet sold more than 1.14 million vehicles in the fourth quarter:

• In October, customers purchased 361,236 Chevrolet cars, crossovers and trucks worldwide, an increase of 16 percent on an annual basis.
• November topped that performance with 368,103 vehicles sold, up 27.1 percent over November 2009, making it the best November ever for Chevrolet globally.
• December concluded the year with 416,826 global sales, marking the 15th consecutive monthly increase and best December ever for Chevrolet.

"Chevrolet's dedication to compelling designs, quality, durability and great value is a winning formula that resonates with consumers around the world," said Joel Ewanick, GM global chief marketing officer. "We will continue to listen to our customers and do our utmost to deliver what it takes to bring them into the Chevrolet family."

Increased sales performance in key growth markets

Major contributors to Chevrolet's strong sales performance in 2010 were the BRIC countries of Brazil, Russia, India and China. They were responsible for about 33 percent of the brand's sales, an increase of 2 percentage points over 2009. Chevrolet's combined strength in these strategically important growth markets is unmatched by any competitor.

• In Brazil, Chevrolet set an all-time record of 657,697 vehicles sold in 2010. Chevrolet has enjoyed year-over-year sales increases in Brazil for five consecutive years. With about 365,000 sales just five years ago, the bow tie brand grew an impressive 78 percent.
  
• In Russia, 116,233 Chevrolets were sold, up from 104,398 vehicles in 2009. Chevrolet remained the most popular global brand and the Chevrolet Niva one of the most popular products from a global manufacturer sold in Russia.
  
• In India, Chevrolet sales surpassed 100,000 units for the first time. Sales for the year reached 110,350 vehicles, up 60 percent from the previous year. The milestone was achieved primarily by the positive customer response to the Beat and Spark mini-cars and Cruze compact car.
  
• In China, Chevrolet experienced unprecedented sales growth of 63 percent in 2010 to 543,700 vehicles. Leading the way was the Cruze, with sales of nearly 190,000 vehicles. Demand was also strong for the New Sail small family car, which generated sales of more than 125,000 vehicles following its introduction in January.

The potential for Chevrolet's continued growth is demonstrated by the fact that eight of the brand's top 10-selling countries in 2010 were emerging markets -- Brazil, China, Uzbekistan, Mexico, Russia, India, Argentina and Colombia. With the United Sales and Canada, these 10 countries accounted for 85 percent of all Chevrolet sales.

In Europe, Chevrolet increased its share in 21 countries, resulting in a best-ever overall market share of 2.5 percent for the bow tie brand. Chevrolet sold more than 477,000 vehicles in 2010, an improvement of 12 percent over 2009.

In the United States, Chevrolet's largest market, the brand represented more than 70 percent of GM's overall sales. In 2010, Chevrolet sales in the U.S. grew 16 percent, to 1.57 million vehicles.

New cars, crossovers and trucks in 2010

Major new Chevrolet product introductions in 2010 included the Volt extended-range electric vehicle, Cruze compact car and Silverado heavy-duty, full-size pickup in the United States; New Sail small car and new Spark mini-car in China; Viva pickup in Brazil and Orlando compact minivan in Europe.

While the start of Volt sales positions Chevrolet as a technology leader, Cruze continues to play a significant role in the global growth of Chevrolet. Since its initial introduction in the first half of 2009 in Europe and China, global sales have surpassed the half-million mark. In 2010 alone, Chevrolet sold 334,976 Cruzes, making it the best-selling passenger car nameplate for the brand. With sales just beginning in the fourth quarter of 2010, the United States is expected to become one of the largest markets for Cruze.

The five best-selling Chevrolet nameplates in 2010 were:

1. Silverado full-size pickup truck, 435,269 units
2. Cruze compact car, 334,976 units
3. Aveo small car, 322,234 units
4. Malibu midsize car, 221,550 units
5. Impala full-size car, 183,551 units

Reflecting the worldwide expansion of the brand, Chevrolet will issue global sales releases consolidated on a quarterly basis. Beginning with the fourth quarter and full-year 2010 review, the releases will be available about two weeks after the end of each quarter.

CHEVY VOLT ELECTRICALLY EQUIPPED FOR WINTER DRIVING

By General Motors Corporation - When the first Chevrolet Volts purchased by retail customers rolled off the delivery trucks in New Jersey recently, they were met with the season's first major blast of winter weather. The new owners quickly found out the world's first extended-range electric vehicle came fully winterized.

One of the goals in developing the Volt was to create a plug-in electric vehicle suitable for everyday use regardless of weather. Typical northern winters take an even bigger toll on battery-powered vehicles than on traditional internal combustion-powered cars and trucks.

Engines produce plenty of waste heat that can be used to warm the air in the cabin and keep things comfortable. The inherently greater efficiency of an electric powertrain means less wasted energy, but it also means that the battery has to be used to power a resistive heater to produce that warm air-electrical energy could otherwise be used to propel the vehicle, which is one of the reasons why electric vehicles have a significantly shorter driving range in cold weather.

"It requires as much energy to heat the interior of a car on a cold day as it does to drive at a constant speed," said Susan Stevenson, General Motors benchmarking engineer for heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems.

The Volt has several features designed to minimize the drain on the lithium ion battery while still affording occupant comfort. The exclusive OnStar MyLink smartphone app or the MyVolt.com website can remotely start the Volt and warm the cabin while it is still plugged in and drawing power from the grid, leaving the battery with a full charge to maximize the electric driving range.

"The coldest weather I've experienced so far with my Volt was 18 degrees during a drive to the Poconos and I've had no complaints," said Jeffrey Kaffee, the first retail customer to take delivery of a Volt in mid-December. "Most of the time I just use the Eco mode instead of the Comfort mode and it's been no trouble whatsoever."

Less energy is consumed maintaining the cabin temperature than heating it up, but even on the road the Volt has more to contribute. Heated seats available on the Volt require less energy to keep passengers warm and comfy than it does to heat the full volume of air in the car.

The Volt also can use the engine to generate some extra heat and electrical energy in sub-freezing temperatures. In sub-freezing temperatures, the engine will periodically cycle on and off, heating the coolant to create a reservoir of thermal energy that is then used to warm the cabin air.

Using engine heat this way enables faster window defrosting and rear seat heating than taking energy from the battery. Under light driving loads, the engine and generator also can put some electrical energy back into the battery during these heating cycles to extend the electric driving range.

"Volt drivers in Southern California will likely never experience this in their day-to-day commute, but if they pack up their gear and head into the mountains for some skiing, they will appreciate the enhanced cabin comfort made possible by this unique powertrain" said Andrew Farah, vehicle chief engineer for the Volt.

Even with all of the energy optimizations, the same mechanical factors that lower fuel mileage for traditional vehicles contribute to a shorter electric driving range in winter. Cold temperatures increase the viscosity and resistance of lubricants in transmissions and axles while roads covered in snow or slush increase rolling resistance causing the powertrain to work harder and drain the battery.

But the Volt's engine generator dramatically reduces the fear of being stranded. When the lithium ion battery is depleted, the industry-first extended range capability allows the car to continue on for up to 340 additional miles.

"Volt engineers spent many frigid weeks in places like Kapuskasing, Ontario and Fairbanks, Alaska testing and calibrating the climate control system to make sure that drivers and passengers remain comfortable while still enjoying plenty of gasoline-free electric driving even in the harshest winter weather," said Farah.

Founded in Detroit in 1911, Chevrolet celebrates its centennial in 2011 as a global automotive brand with annual sales of about 3.5 million vehicles in more than 130 countries. In the U.S., the Chevrolet portfolio includes: iconic performance cars, such as Corvette and Camaro; dependable, long lasting pickups and SUVs, such as Silverado and Suburban; and award-winning passenger cars and crossovers, such as Malibu, Equinox and Traverse. Chevrolet also offers "gas-friendly" solutions, such as Chevrolet Cruze Eco with an EPA-estimated 42 miles per gallon highway, and the Chevrolet Volt offering 35 miles of electric driving and an additional 344 miles of extended gasoline range, according to EPA estimates. Most new Chevrolet models offer OnStar safety, security, and convenience technologies including OnStar Hands-Free Calling, Automatic Crash Response, and Stolen Vehicle Slowdown.

VOLT TECHNOLOGY WILL GO INTO MINIVAN

By Mike Colias, Automotive News - The technology in the Chevrolet Volt will show up in a minivan version "in the next few years," General Motors Co. CEO Dan Akerson said today at the 2011 Automotive News World Congress.

He also said that by the second generation of the Volt, GM will "focus on cost reduction" of the Volt's technology.

Speaking to reporters following his speech, Akerson also said a plug-in version of the Cadillac SRX is likely within a few years.

GM officials previously had said they intend to extend the Volt's technology to other vehicles, but declined to identify which ones.

Akerson also said he expects Volt production to top 25,000 units this year. That's up from an original estimate of 10,000 and from a 20,000-unit forecast Akerson had given recently.

"We have been pleased and a bit surprised with the initial demands, initial orders for Volts," Akerson said. We don't want to miss the opportunity."

Akerson also said GM is "looking at acceleration" of other vehicle programs to make up ground lost during the automaker's 2009 bankruptcy. He declined to specify which projects are being fast-tracked.

"The facts are, with the bankruptcy we lost roughly a year in terms of development," Akerson said. "That's why '12 and '13 are more pivotal for us here in the United States."

On Monday, GM's North American president, Mark Reuss, said the company is fast-tracking the development of some truck programs, but he wouldn't specify which ones or say how much the pace has changed.

GM delayed the redesign of its full-sized Chevy and GMC pickups because of the bankruptcy. The redesigned trucks are expected in 2013.

Akerson said GM's sales this year will be "more heavily concentrated" in growth markets overseas, because product launches in North America still are weighed down from the lingering effects of bankruptcy.

In his remarks to reporters, Akerson said the Volt would be followed by minivan and hatchback vehicles using the same technology, but the Volt itself is a hatchback. A GM spokesman could not immediately clarify the meaning of Akerson's remarks.

Akerson also said he expects at least 10 percent of GM cars and trucks to be hybrids, plug-in hybrids or electrics within "10 or 15 years". He said he would like at least one electric or plug-in hybrid in the line-up for each of GM's four brands: Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick and GMC.

PROMISE KEEPER -- GM DELIVERS VOLT, AND IT PERFORMS AS ADVERTISED

By Bob Gritzinger, AutoWeek.com - Not long before the 2007 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, General Motors conducted a hush-hush session for auto writers at its suburban Detroit technical center. The subject: the impending world premier of the Chevrolet Volt concept and, more specifically, the idea of a new kind of automotive propulsion featuring all-electric drive backed by an onboard electrical generator.

At the time, GM made some promises:

• The Volt would deliver 40 to 45 miles of pure electric driving.
• The electric batteries powering the Volt's drive motors would be supported by an on-board generator by a gasoline or diesel-fueled internal-combustion engine, effectively giving the Volt the range of a normal internal-combustion powertrain.
• The Volt would be in production no later than the end of 2010.

Despite intervening history that might have torpedoed such an ambitious project at most companies -- a global economic collapse and an industrywide sales swoon that led to quick-rinse bankruptcy, the departure of GM product chairman and Volt champion Bob Lutz and three CEO turnovers -- GM's engineers delivered on all of those promises. Or at least they're close enough for government work.

As promised, 2011 Volts will hit the market on schedule, initially in seven states by December, with wider distribution in 2011. For $41,000 US ($33,500 US for those who qualify for a $7,500 federal tax credit), you get a car with an EV drive system in which the first 25 to 50 miles come from a battery charged from a standard 120-volt outlet or a 240-volt power plug. After the EV range is depleted, a 1.4-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine cranks up to power an onboard generator to send more juice to the drive motor and to maintain a base level of charge in the car's 400-pound, T-shaped, 16-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack. That extends the car's range by about 310 miles. Promises kept.

A handful of pocket-protector types whine that GM's final product isn't truly an all-electric vehicle. But for the vast majority of Volt buyers, it is irrelevant whether a small amount of mechanical power from the internal-combustion engine transfers through an electric motor directly to the drive wheels, somewhat like a parallel hybrid. For most folks, the Volt performs as advertised; it runs on stored battery power or on range-extending, onboard-generated electric power, without any of the worries of having a drained battery that might leave you sitting by the side of the road. As long as you don't run the 9.3-gallon gasoline tank dry, you'll never be stranded.

We think it's more important to note that when the car isn't running in pure EV mode, it doesn't come close to providing the kind of fuel economy we've come to expect from diesels and hybrids such as the Toyota Prius. Straight math shows that fuel economy is 38 to 40 mpg; more scientific analyses put it at upward of 100 mpg, but that would require driving a lot of miles on electricity from your household outlet.

Aside from the powertrain, the car's beauty lies in its normalcy. It rides comfortably and quietly, steers adequately, brakes sensationally and handles without too much battery-weight-induced roll. Only when the battery runs down and the driver's right foot demands hard acceleration (or in power-producing "Mountain Mode," which adds to the battery reserves) does the onboard gasoline engine run at peak revs, with its muffled sound permeating the cabin. Most of the time when the engine is running, the speed is deliverately matched to the pedal position, not to provide varying power but to simulate the sounds a driver would expect from a normal internal-combustion-engine vehicle. If you have the audio system on, chances are you'll never hear it.

Because of the electric drive, the usual transmission gear changes don't exist, so there's just plenty of smooth, strong power on demand. It's a lot like driving a high-torque, four-cylinder, gasoline-engine sedan similar in size to the Chevy Cruze, with which the Volt shares under-pinnings.

Inside, Volt engineers clearly couldn't contain their enthusiasm, adding a variety of whiz-bang graphic displays, one framed by a center stack made from what appears to be the same high-quality white plastic found in many Apple products. It looks sharp, but nestling the shift lever into the tight confines of the center stack is an idea that should have stayed with the concept. And we wouldn't mind having a normal fuel gauge and a three-seat second-row bench (made impossible by the battery pack), but that's just our old 20th century thinking.

Is there a Volt in your future? If you're like 80 percent of Americans who drive less than 40 miles back and forth to work each day, all of your power should come from household recharging, so you'll never spend another dime on gasoline for your daily commute. If you drive farther, forcing the gasoline engine to extend your range, fuel economy is hardly class-leading, but 38 mpg is nothing to sneeze at for an EV capable of going on a cross-country road trip without having to worry about locating the next power outlet.

$75,000 2011 CAMARO CONVERTIBLE IN NEIMAN MARCUS "CHRISTMAS BOOK"

By Nelson Ireson, Motor Authority - The 2011 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible isn't due for mass retail sale until next spring, but a special-edition run of 100 convertibles is being built for the Neiman Marcus "Christmas Book," a high-end shopping list for the holidays. The book and the car are on display in Neiman Marcus' flagship store in Dallas.

Exterior paint in "Deep Bordeaux" and "ghosted" rally stripes mark the car out as unique, with the tri-coat metallic paintjob shifting colors with the light. A color-matched cloth top and windshield frame complete the exterior treatment. Inside, the Neiman Marcus Edition Camaro Convertible gets leather accents, amber-and-black-colored leather seats, red accents on the console, steering wheel, and shifter, plus more Deep Bordeaux accents on the dash and door panels.

Based on the 2011 Camaro SS Convertible, there are no performance or mechanical upgrades made to the Neiman Marcus Camaro Convertible, but as one of just 100 cars, it's likely to be a collector three or four decades from now.

CHEVROLET CREATES WAVES WITH THE ALL-NEW 2012 SONIC

Small car with aggressive, youthful design in five-door and sedan models ... Available Ecotec 1.4L turbo with an estimated 138 hp (103 kW) ... Engineered for agile, athletic ride and handling ... Smart connectivity features including MyChevrolet smart phone app ... Only small car built in America

By General Motors Corporation - Chevrolet displayed the all-new 2012 Sonic at the North American International Auto Show. Its youthful, aggressive design is backed by turbocharged performance and agile ride and handling, combining to deliver an efficient, fun-to-drive small car.

The Sonic is offered in two body styles: a stylish four-door sedan and a sporty five-door. Each delivers class-leading rear-seat roominess and cargo space. A variety of connectivity features enhance the driving experience.

"The all-new Chevrolet Sonic blends the practicality of a small car with the passion for driving that Chevrolet veghicles like the Corvette are known for," said Chris Perry, vice president of Chevrolet marketing. "Its combination of great dfesign, fun driving experience and the latest connectivity features create a serious competitor with a fun spirit."

Production of the Sonic begins later in 2011 at the General Motors Orion Assembly Center in Michigan, which received a $545-million investment in upgrades and retooling, and will help restore approximately 1,000 jobs in the metropolitan Detroit area.

"Chevrolet is the only company building a small car in the United States," said Perry. "We believe the Sonic will bring substance to the segment, with progressive styling, performance and value that will change perceptions of what a small car can be in America."

Sonic's highlights include:

• Available efficient Ecotec 1.4L turbo engine rated at an estimated 138 horsepower (103 kW) -- 18 horsepower (14 kW) more than Ford Fiesta -- that delivers competitive fuel economy. It's the same engine used in the Chevrolet Cruze in a smaller, lighter package for a greater feeling of performance
• Standard Ecotec 1.8L engine paired with five-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmissions
• Ecotec 1.4L turbo available with a six-speed manual transmission
• Ride and handling tuned by Chevy Corvette engineers; standard electronic power steering and StabiliTrak electronic stability control with rollover sensing
• Sedan model offers segment-best trunk capacity that is greater than most compact cars; hatchback and sedan offer better rear-seat roominess than Ford Fiesta. With a rear seat that folds nearly flat, the Sonic hatchback has greater cargo capacity than Fiesta
• Connectivity includes OnStar with six months of Turn-by-Turn navigation. Available features include XM Satellite Radio, USB and Bluetooth functionality and MyChevrolet mobile application with OnStar MyLink vehicle connectivity
• Remote start, heated front seats and sunroof, all rarities in the segment
• Comprehensive safety features include 10 standard air bags, antilock brakes, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist and OnStar with Automatic Crash Response

Progressive exterior design

From every angle, Sonic sedan and five-door models convey strength, stability, and refinement. A wide, planted stance, with wheels-at-the-corners proportions, conveys performance. Progressive, raked body lines suggest movement even when the car is stationary.

Aggressive cues, including fender flares and motorcycle-inspired round headlamps, are blended with global design cues -- a dual-element grille and round taillamps -- for a design instantly recognizable as Chevrolet. The leading edge of the hood forms a character line above the headlamps, which flows in a sleek side profile characterized by uninterrupted body side lines, a high beltline and low roofline. The side mirrors carry the same shape as the car and seemingly disappear into the profile.

The sedan and five-door models are distinctively different. The five-door carries a tight, two-box shape with aggressive, driving feature lines, while the sedan's "notchback" profile has a more upscale and mature presence. At first glance, the five-door model looks like a three-door hatch because the rear door handles are discreetly located in the "C"-pillar area. The rear of the five-door continues with unconventional details, including exposed, motorcycle-inspired rear taillamps.

Details that reinforce Sonic's quality and attention to detail include chrome grille surrounds and matte black honeycomb grille inserts on all models, while a range of large wheel sizes, including 17-inch alloy wheels, reinforces its sporty demeanor.

Inspired interior

Sonic's cabin complements the motorcycle-inspired exterior with a detailed instrument cluster featuring a large, round analog tachometer set within an asymmetrical LCD readout, with a large digital speedometer display.

Additional interior highlights include:

• The mid-instrument panel surface is available in two colors (dark titanium and brick) and flows seamlessly into the upper doors, with premium low-glass finishes
• The automatic shift knob has a "cobra head" design, while the manual shifter has a chrome-finished knob
• Tubular outboard climate outlets protrude from the instrument panel surface
• The interior includes storage compartments in the center stack and doors. The rear seats fold flat for carrying larger items. Front bucket seats are standard and heated front seats are available

Cruze-based powertrains

Chevrolet Sonic models are powered by efficient, power-dense, small-displacement engines, including the Ecotec 1.4L turbo and the Ecotec 1.8L -- the same engines used in the new Chevrolet Cruze. Three transmissions are available: a five-speed manual and six-speed automatic with the 1.8L and a six-speed manual with the 1.4L turbo.

The Ecotec 1.4L turbo-s power ratings are estimated at 138 horsepower (103 kW) and 148 lb.-ft. of torque (200 Nm) between 1,850 rpm and 4,900 rpm. The wide rpm range for the maximum torque -- a specific trait of turbocharged engines -- helps the engine deliver a better driving experience and performance. Premium design elements give the engine world-class smoothness and durability. Features include:

• Low-mass hollow-frame cast iron block
• Dual overhead camshafts with variable valve timing
• Chain-driven cams
• Roller-finger camshaft followers
• Piston-cooling oil jets and integrated oil cooler
• Variable-flow oil pump
• Electronically controlled thermostat

The 1.4L's turbocharger is integrated within the exhaust manifold, for reduced weight and greater packaging flexibility in small vehicles. A reinforced crankshaft and stronger connecting rods deliver additional strength to support the engine's pressurized power and torque over a wide rpm band.

The naturally aspirated Ecotec 1.8L engine has many of the same featurs of the Ecotec 1.4L turbo. It is a compact and durable four-cylinder engine designed for low maintenance, low emissions and fuel efficiency. Its two-stage variable intake manifold allows approximately 90 percent of peak torque to be available from 2,400 rpm to 6,500 rpm. It is estimated at 135 horsepower (101 kW), along with 123 lb.-ft. of torque (167 Nm) at 3,800 rpm.

Engineered for agile, athletic ride and handling

The Sonic brings agility and a fun-to-drive feel that is rare in the segment. Engineers who also work on the Corvette tuned the Sonic's confident ride and handling, giving it a more direct and athletic feel, while balancing the vehicle for the broad range of driving conditions in North America.

All models feature a MacPherson strut front suspension with coil springs and stabilizer bar, and a semi-independent, torsion beam axle-mount compound link-type rear suspension -- featuring a robust, tubular V-shape beam -- with gas-charged shocks. The front and rear tracks are identical at 59.4 inches (1,509 mm), for well-planted stability and excellent balance.

Electronic power steering is standard and features a wear compensator that continually adjusts the system interaction with the steering gear to ensure precise steering action over the life of the system.

Sonic's body structure is designed to be one of the stiffest in the segment. Its rigidity enabled engineers to tune the ride and handling more precisely. Sonic's unique "flat top frame" cradle, for example, assures optimal stiffness in the front chassis portion of the vehicle. The rear axle is essentially a straight axle without contour for packaging restraints and reduced noise, vibration and harshness.

A range of wheel sizes is available, including 17-inch wheels and sport tires. Power-assisted front disc and rear drum brakes are standard, along with a four-channel antilock braking system. The four-sensor system -- one at each wheel -- incorporates electronic brake force distribution, which balances braking performance based on such factors as road conditions and the weight of passengers and/or cargo.

2011 CHEVROLET CAMARO PREVIEW

By Nelson Ireson, Motor Authority - Unable to sit idly by and watch the new 2011 Ford Mustang soak up the limelight, the crew at General Motors today announced changes for the 2011 Chevrolet Camaro, including the horsepower rating of the base-model V-6. The highlight? Camaro comes just over the top of the Mustand with 312 horsepower in the six-pot entry model.

That's just enough to put the Camaro back at the top of the paper pile, though at 278 pound-feet of torque, the Camaro is still second fiddle to the Mustang's 280 pound-feet rating. The awkward part of the power increase? It's purely a numbers game: the engine is the same, GM has just certified it for bigger numbers. Looking at it the other way, all those 2010 Camaro buyers shouldn't feel left out in the cold, as their engines produce a hair more (8 horsepower, to be precise) than their rated figures.

"The 304 horsepower in the 2010 Camaro was actually a conservative rating on our end," said Tom Sutter, GM V-6 chief engineer. "But we knew already that this award-winning engine produced at least the amount of power we stated, but now we've gone the extra step in certifying the engine for this application and have verified an additional 8 horsepower."

Other key changes for the 2011 Camaro include the Synergy Green color to be offered on all models of the Camaro for a limited time, and GM's heads-up display will come standard on the higher-trim 2LT and 2SS models. The HUD will include a metric ton of information, including speedometer, tachometer, compass, outside air temperature, current gear, OnStar turn-by-turn, audio and phone functions and more. The display is the same as the unit offered on the Corvette, and the Camaro is just the second Chevrolet vehicle to offer the feature.

As for the Synergy Green paintjob, it'll be a $325 option and available for a "limited run" during the 2011 model year. The synergy Special Edition will still be limited to the 1LT trim, but the paint color will be available across the range.

CHEVROLET VOLT WINS 2011 NORTH AMERICAN CAR OF THE YEAR

By General Motors Corporation - The Chevrolet Volt has been named the 2011 North American Car of the Year.

The North American Car of the Year is selected by a jury of 49 automotive journalists from Canada and the United States, representing newspapers, magazines, websites, television and radio shows.

For 2011, the Volt garnered more juror votes than the Nissan Leaf or Hyundai Sonata, which were also finalists.

This is the third time Chevrolet has won the North American Car of the Year, and the fourth time for General Motors. Most recently, the Chevrolet Malibu was the 2008 North American Car of the Year.

"It's a great honor to be recognized as the North American Car of the Year," said GM CEO Dan Akerson. "Since development began, we believed the Volt had the potential to transform the automotive industry. Today, the Volt is the first electric vehicle to win the prestigious North American Car of the Year award, and the first vehicle ever to receive the industry's highest automotive, technology, and environmental recognitions."

The North American Car of the Year is the latest in a series of major awards presented to the Volt, which previously was named:

• Motor Trend 2011 Car of the Year
• Green Car Journal 2011 Green Car of the Year
• Car and Driver 10Best for 2011
• Ward's AutoWorld 10 Best Engines for 2011
• AUTOMOBILE Magazine 2011 Automobile of the Year
• 2010 Breakthrough Technology, by Popular Mechanics

"Such recognition provides customers with credible, expert endorsement of new models," said Akerson. "This is particularly important for vehicles like the Volt that feature significant new technologies. Being named the North American Car of the Year will help convince customers that the Volt is truly a breakthrough vehicle, delivering the benefits of electric driving without the range anxiety associated with pure electric vehicles."

The Volt is an electric vehicle that can operate under a range of weather climates and driving conditions with little concern of being stranded by a depleted battery. The Volt has a total driving range of up to 379 miles, based on EPA estimates. For the first 35 miles, the Volt can drive gas- and tailpipe-emissions-free using a full charge of electricity stored in its 16-kWh lithium-ion battery. When the Volt's battery runs low, a gas powered engine/generator seamlessly operates to extend the driving range another 344 miles on a full tank.

In December, the first Volts were delivered to retail customers in California, Texas, Washington D.C. and New York. Due to strong public interest, Volt U.S. production is being raised to 45,000 Volts in 2012 from 30,000.

BATTLE OF THE STEEDS: CHEVY CAMARO SALES TOP FORD MUSTAND IN 2010

By Suzanne Kane, Family Car Guide - With the 2010 sales numbers now in, it's interesting to note that two longstanding rivals, Chevrolet Camaro and Ford Mustang, are back to racing neck-and-neck for customer bragging rights. Whether you're a Camaro or Mustang aficionado, you've got to appreciate the competitiveness at work here. What such warfare bodes for the consumer is, ultimately, better products.

To the bottom line: Chevy Camaro snagged the sales trophy from Ford Mustang with 2010 final numbers of 81,371 to 73,716. Mustang has held the crown since 1985, according to industry reports. Camaro's 2010 sales numbers thus end FoMoCo Mustang's two-plus decade run. That's a pretty big deal to the companies -- and fans of each car. After all, the Camaro vs Mustang rivalry dates back to the 1960s.

Some of the sales success has to be attributed to the resurrection of the Camaro after a nine-year hiatus. The redesigned Camaro returned to the U.S. market in 2009 as a 2010 model. Pent-up consumer demand, former die-hard Camaro owners, along with a new cadre of would-be buyers most likely accounted for the bulk of Camaro's sales -- maybe that extra 7,600 or so that allowed Camaro to take the lead over Mustang. And the win is even more impressive given that only a Camaro coupe was available in 2010. The 2011 Camaro convertible goes on sale this spring.

In a news release, General Motors said that "Camaro is on track to gain 8 percentage points in the sports car market, from 30 percent in 2009 to an estimated 38 percent in 2010."

One thing is certain. In the never-ending battle for supremacy, Chevy Camaro and Ford Mustang will continue to charge ahead. Giving consumers what they want -- stylish, powerful, fuel-efficient, safe, and iconic vehicles will remain the benchmark for these two competitors for years to come.

Be sure to check out Bengt Halvorson's review of the 2011 Ford Mustang in The Car Connection for an inside look at why editors rate Mustang an 8.2 (out of 10). In a review of the 2011 Chevrolet Camaro, The Car Connection editors rate Camaro at 7.5 (out of 10). And in Motor Authority, Nelson Ireson talks about the rivalry gaining more intensity, with a convertible out this year for Camaro, a much-improved Mustang, and the 2011 Dodge Challenger -- a third steed with compelling credentials amping up the muscle-car race.

THE YEAR OF LIVING ALTERNATIVELY

2011 shaping up to be a big year for electric,

hydrogen and diesel powered vehicles

By Andrew McCredie, Vancouver Sun - Clinging to the past rather than embracing the future has long been the death knell for automakers.

That lesson has obviously been learned by today's global automakers, as there isn't one without a hybrid or alternative-powered vehicle either on the road or on the drawing board.

The long-awaited electric-gas hybrid Chevrolet Volt will be in British Columbia GM dealerships by summer, and the Nissan Leaf, heralded by the Japanese automaker as the "world's most affordable, zero-emission electric car," goes on sale here in the fall.

The recent L.A. Auto Show featured more than 100 new alternative-powered vehicles.

In addition, the world's largest consumer of all-things oil, the United States, is promoting an energy policy that for the first time ever seriously encourages the development and expansion of alternative energy systems. That the U.S. government's motivation behind this is based more on energy security than environmental impact might seem misplaced and even a little disingenuous, but in the end the result will greatly enhance both. One of those end-justifies-the-means deals.

Of course, it will take years and years for North American drivers to wean themselves off the gasoline pump. To that end, the other over-arching them at the 2010 L.A. Show was development of extremely fuel-efficient gasoline engines, a trend that will continue well beyond 2011.

What underscores all of this is that rather than one solution replacing the internal combustion engine, there will be a regional approach to providing alternative-fuelled vehicles. Here's a look at a trio of alternatives sure to make a lasting impact in the 12 months ahead.

Electricity

Far and away the top dog in the alternative-energy source kennel, electricity is ideal for Metro Vancouver drives.

In British Columbia, where our extensive hydro-powered network makes the production of electricity both clean and cheap, a vehicle such as the all-electric Nissan Leaf is a great replacement for a gaspowered vehicle. However, in places that create electricity from coal plants, albeit so-callwed "clean-burning," electric vehicles aren't much of a solution in terms of environmental impact, nor in terms of cost-per-kilometre.

Electric vehicles also have a very limited range in comparison to similar-sized gaspowered vehicles, and already "range anxiety" has entered the lexicon. Cold weather and hilly terrain are two variables sure to affect the Leaf's purported range of 160 kilometres on a full charge, with some estimates knocking off some 40 per cent due to such driving conditions.

Still, interest in the Leaf, and the gas-electric Volt, is very high in Canada, and those early adopters seem just fine with being cast as guinea pigs for the rest of us. Critics like to point out the high-price of the Leaf and Volt when compared to similar sized gas-powered vehicles, even with government rebates.

True enough, but it's important to remember that in the early days of the internal combustion engine, automobiles were only for the very wealthy, who themselves served as guinea pigs for that emerging technology.

Hydrogen

Honda has demonstrated the real-world viability of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles with its FCS Clarity program in California.

The pilot project began in 2007 with 200 production models being built over the course of three years, and currently there are a number of Californians using the Clarity as their daily driver. New hydrogen fuelling stations are popping up between San Francisco and Los Angeles, with plans for many more in the near future.

According to published data from 2009, hydrogen made from natural gas costs between $5 US and $10 US per kilogram, and while that is double the equivalent of gasoline, fuel cell vehicles double the efficiency of internal combustion engines. So far, according to Honda, the Clarity averages 100 kilometres per litre of hydrogen.

Considering North America has some of the richest natural gas fields anywhere in the world, hydrogen-powered vehicles could go a long way in America's stated goal of energy security.

Diesel

It may seem odd to include diesel fuel in a discussion about alternative fuel, but in North America it's poised to become a much bigger player in the future than it is today. Europeans have long embraced diesel fuel, and diesel engine advancements in terms of emissions and efficiencies have made the crude oil derivative a viable alternative to regular gasoline.

And as fuel prices continue their global march northward, diesel produced from natural gas becomes a very distinct possibility. And possibly a very profitable one.

Just last month South African company Sasol announced it would spend $1 billion US to buy a half-interest in a Canadian shale gas field with the sold intent of turning natural gas into diesel and other liquids.

According to the New York Times, "Sasol figures that natural gas needed for a gallon of diesel, plus operating costs, comes to about $1.50 US a gallon."

In comparison, a gallon of diesel made from crude oil currently costs more than $2 US before refining. Ergo, as the price of a barrel of oil rises, so too does the cost of diesel made from oil. So, don't discount diesel produced from natural gas as an alternative fuel for North America's future.

The automotive world is poised for the biggest changes this coming year and 2011 is the year of driving alternatively.

FIRST TEST: 2011 CHEVROLET CAMARO CONVERTIBLE

How to Build a Better Camaro: Cut Off the Roof

By Scott Evans, Automotive News - Oh come, ye armchair engineers. Tell us that removing a stressed member as important as the roof is bad. Regale us with stories of chassis flex and cowl shake.

We will listen. Then we will politely disagree and point to the 2011 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible as evidence. Counterintuitive though it may be to the number crunchers, cutting off the roof has made the Camaro a better car.

Of course, Chevrolet didn't simply Sawzall-off the roof and kick the Camaro to the showroom. If you'll recall, the original Camaro Convertible Concept debuted four years ago, a year to the day after the original Camaro Concept. A topless car was always in the cards, but then, so was bankruptcy.

After multiple delays, sun worshipers will finally be able to buy Camaro Convertibles very soon. And what a happy crowd it'll be, because the convertible takes everything good about the Camaro and amplifies it. It looks better, sounds better, and is a better car to drive, all of which is directly attributable to the new hat.

Sure, the engineering business is difficult, but really the hardest part of designing any convertible is making it look good. We all remember the old Nissan 350Z and Audi A4 convertibles, cars that were obviously not originally intended to be seen without their roofs.

Getting the roof of the Camaro Convertible to look right was a massive undertaking given the car's eccentric design, and Chevrolet pulled it off. In fact, it looks better than the coupe. Where the coupe's roof is pulled tight over the big, flat rear fenders, the convertible's roof meets the haunches more naturally and better fills the space on the rear deck. Folded, the cloth roof hides nicely below the Coke bottle enders and can be covered by an optional tonneau that, frankly, isn't worth the effort or the estimated $200 price tag. (To be fair, though, it's marginally better than the Mustang's cover.) Hiding the AM/FM antenna in the new rear spoiler is a neat trick, and the effort to put into keeping the roof looking smooth and not like an emaciated horse is noticeable and appreciated. For now, that roof is available only in black and tan, but Chevy hinted to us that other colors could be offered down the road.

Naturally, ridding yourself of the roof greatly improves outward visibility. What's more impressive is that, even with the roof up, the Camaro Convertible is easier to see out of than the coupe. As you'd expect, the rear window is far smaller on the convertible, but you'd be hard-pressed to notice the difference in actual visibility.

It's simply more forgivable since it's a drop-top. Over your shoulders, the deletion of the thick B-pillars makes lane-changes a far less panic-inducing endeavor. Rear-seat passengers will appreciate that the quarter windows even roll down now.

There's still the issue of forward visibility, though. As the coupe and convertible are identical from the windshield forward, those massive A-pillars are still there, necessary for rollover protection, and they'll do everything they can to prevent you from looking through the corner. Meanwhile, the massive OnStar-equipped rearview mirror will do its best to block your view to the right.

Once the wind is in your hair, you won't care. To go topless, grab the single center-mounted latch, pull it down, and give it a twist to the right. Then simply push and hold the nearby roof-control switch and the car will do the rest in about 16 seconds. If you checked the appropriate boxes, you can then affix the optional tonneau cover and a folding wind deflector, the latter of which will forfeit the rear seats, both of which will take up space in the already downsized trunk. To make room for all the necessary roof parts, trunk space drops from 11.3 cubic feet in coupes to just 10.2 in the convertibles. Fold the roof, and you're left with only 7.9 cubic feet of space. As in the old Cadillac XLR, a pull-out screen protects the soft roof from your cargo, which you can stash under and around the folded roof, after you get it through the same tiny trunk opening.

Putting the roof back up is a bit more of a chore. If you've got the tonneau cover in place, that's got to go back in the trunk. Then the roof needs to come up, and it's a much slower process in reverse; in our tests it took about 25 seconds to get the roof up and latched and the windows closed. Short traffic lights and heavy downpours will be your enemies. They certainly were ours. Our early build tester arrived during what's been called the "storm of the decade" for Los Angeles and, naturally, the roof leaked in two places along the windshield header. As if that wasn't enough, the rear window decided to dislodge itself from the soft top. Is this really the same top supplier that builds the Corvette Convertible's roof?

Such is the price of any convertible, if not typically so costly. The price you won't pay is in chassis rigidity. No, numbers people, it's not as rigid as the coupe and we never expected it to be. Chevrolet's engineers are eager to boast, however, that it is stiffer than a vaunted BMW 3 Series convertible. They have to disclose, of course, that it took more than little blue pills to get the job done.

The Camaro Convertible features new V-braces under the front and rear of the car, a new transmission brace, a new front shock tower brace, and a new sheer panel below the driveshaft. All the bracing, along with the various folding roof parts, adds some 253 pounds to the curb weight of an already hefty car. On the plus side, it does help shift the weight balance rearward slightly and closer to a 50/50 split.

Good news is the difference isn't noticeable from behind the wheel. The Camaro coupe always felt a bit too heavy going down the road, and we're happy to report the convertible isn't any worse. In fact, Chevrolet says it's been working on the Camaro's handling, and both the convertible and the coupe have revised damper settings for better on-center feel and less understeer. Those damper changes don't do much to affect the ride, which is still rather firm as befits a sports car. To our fingers, the convertible's steering had a bit more heft and better communication with the tires than the last coupe we drove. It's just too bad you still have to feel it through that uncomfortable, overstyled steering wheel.

The real effects of the weight gain and chassis modifications can be found on the track. Our V-8-powered SS model hurled itself to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds, 0.2 seconds slower than the lst SS coupe we tested. The ragtop followed up with a 13.2-second quarter-mile sprint at 109.2 mph, just behind the coupe, which did the deed in 13.1 seconds at 100.8 mph. Sixty-to-0 braking took just 107 feet, one foot shorter than the lighter coupe's 108-foot performance. On the skipad, the convertible was able to pull 0.89 g, a bit worse than the coupe's 0.93 g, and ran through our figure-eight course in 25.9 seconds at 0.61 g compared with the coupe's 25.2-second lap at 0.73 g.

Confidence in the ride allows you to better enjoy the experience. Chevy says it hasn't touched the exhaust, but everyone here thinks the convertible is louder and nastier than the coupe. But it's likely that thin top letting in more noise, and that's not a complaint.

The tradeoff is increased road and wind noise, but we'll take it. We didn't have a chance to sample the optional wind deflector, but we could live without it. We're also happy to report that interior measurements have changed by only fractions of an inch, so friends you stuff into the back won't suffer any more than they would otherwise.

The Camaro Convertible may be fashionably late to the game, but the timing couldn't be better. In 2010, the Camaro finally bested the Mustang in retail sales for the first time in 25 years, but the buzz has begun to wear off a bit, allowing Mustang to catch up in monthly sales.

It's admirable that the Camaro hung onto the lead this long, really, with only a coupe to go against Mustang's coupe, convertible, and GT500. Now, Chevy intends to level the playing field with the convertible and upcoming Z28.

It may not be that simple, though. Camaro Convertibles will be available in the Lt and SS trims, not the base LS trim. This means prices will start at $30,000 US for a V-6 and $37,500 US for a V-8, some $2,000 US more than V-6 and V-8 Mustang Convertibles. Will it hurt sales? Probably not, as Camaro coupe buyers have already been paying $500 US more to start than Mustang buyers.

Being a better car than the Camaro coupe certainly won't hurt either.