By Jonathon Ramsey, Autoblog.com - Where else would you expect the 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray to show up first?  Although this time it isn't exactly in Jay Leno's Garage, Leno instead playing an away game at Brown's Classic Auto in Scottsdale, Arizona.  Nor does Leno drive the car, instead taking an 11-minute walkaround of the new American sports car with General Motors design head Ed Welburn, the same man who recently brought by a string of classic Corvettes to the talk show host's California compound.

It is, admittedly, a love-fest for the American sports car now featuring 450 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque, but one that also features admissions about previous Corvette seats like "they were kinda rough", and the explanation that labeling the coupe "Stingray" means not having to call it "the base Corvette".  On top of that, Welburn also explains the proper application of the term "dashboard".

WHY DOES THE 2014 CORVETTE STINGRAY HAVE SO MANY VENTS? HERE'S WHY

By Jeffrey Ross, Autoblog.com - Just looking at the new 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, it's not hard to see that the car's design was created with aerodynamics at the forefront, but Chevrolet designers point out exactly what went into designing the iconic coupe in a pair of recently released videos.  The videos show the Corvette going through early design phases, including clay models and wind tunnel tests, as well as talking to the car's chief engineer, Tadge Juechter.

The aero tuning of the car is the most interesting.  This includes extra attention paid to the lower air dam and vented hood to help reduce drag and lift, while the rear quarter inlets are for differential and transmission cooling.  Juechter said that some of these aero-tuned elements were inspired from GM's involvement in racing.

CORVETTE TAKES TO THE BIG APPLE TO CELEBRATE 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF ORIGINAL LAUNCH

By Jeffrey N. Ross, Autoblog.com - Exactly 60 years to the day that the automotive world first laid its eyes on Chevrolet Corvette, the newly introduced seventh-generation model is appearing in New York City to mark the historic date.  Unveiled at the General Motors Motorama car show on January 17, 1953, the Corvette has since become an icon of the sports car world both in the US and around the globe.

The 2014 Corvette Stingray had its official debut this week at the 2013 Detroit Auto Show, and we are sure it will end up being the most popular car for visitors to ogle.  What's more, it was our top Editors' Choice, after all.  For those of you who won't be able to see it in Detroit or New York, the new Corvette will be going on sale this fall.

Below is a GM press release that contains some interesting facts about the Corvette, including its original starting price of just US$3,498.

All-new Corvette Stingray comes to New York City 60 years to the day after Motorama debut
NEW YORK - Sixty years ago tomorrow, spectators lined New York City's posh Park Avenue, waiting to get a glimpse of the ground-breaking Chevrolet Corvette on display at the General Motors' Motorama show.  On Thursday, the Corvette will be back in The Big Apple, marking the historic milestone with the all-new 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray.

The all-new Corvette Stingray debuted earlier this week at the 2013 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

"The all-new 2014 Corvette Stingray is the most advanced and engaging Corvette in the long, prestigious legacy of this uniquely American success story," said Chris Perry vice president of Chevrolet Marketing.  "It is a car woven into the fabric of American culture and it got its start right here in the Big Apple."

The introduction of the original Corvette took place at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel on Jan. 17, 1953.  That year, more than 1.4 million people saw the curvaceous design and futuristic approach of the Corvette at displays around the United States.

The enthusiastic response prompted Chevrolet to accelerate production plans and by late June that year, Corvettes were rolling out of a specialized assembly facility in Flint, Mich.  Only 300 were built in 1953 -- all of them white with a red interior.  They represented an auspicious launch for a car that would become synonymous with performance, technology, design and aspiration.

The 2014 Corvette Stingray remains true to its roots as a two-seat sports car that delivers an engaging driving experience through advanced engineering and lightweight materials.  Its technologies are supported by a racing-influenced design and features engineered to work cohesively and deliver the most connected driving experience in the nameplate's history.  It is also the most powerful standard model ever and the most efficient, with 450 horsepower (335 kW) that enables 0-60 times of less than four seconds and projected highway fuel economy greater than 26 mpg.

The 2014 Corvette Stingray coupe goes on sale in the third quarter of 2013.

Corvette Fast Facts:
 

• The Corvette was originally championed by GM's legendary styling director Harley Earl, who insisted there was room for an American entry in the European-dominated sports car market.  It was also his idea for Corvette to have a fiberglass body.
• Corvette was named for a small and fast class of naval ships
• The 1953 Corvette had a base price of US$3,498 and offered only two options -- a heater for US$91 and an AM radio for US$145
• Every Corvette model has used innovative materials, from fiberglass in 1953 to advanced carbon-nano technology and carbon fiber on the 2014 Corvette Stingray
• A V-8 engine was first available in 1955.  That year, it was selected by 90 percent of customers.  After that, all Corvettes featured strictly V-8 power
• The Stingray name was first used for a prototype race car, the design of which influenced the second-generation Corvette that debuted in 1963.  The 1963 Corvette Sting Ray split-window coupe has since been called one of the most beautiful and influential designs in automotive history
• Corvette's legacy of mainstreaming technology previously reserved for high-end luxury cars includes the introduction of fuel injection in 1957, independent rear suspension in 1963, four-wheel disc brakes in 1965, antilock brakes in 1986 and a tire-pressure monitoring system in 1989
• Corvette is the longest-running, continually produced sports car in the world
• Nearly 2 million Chevrolet Corvettes have been sold since it went on sale in 1953 and in 2012, it accounted for approximately one-third of all sports car sales in America

GM'S REUSS SAYS REAR-WHEEL DRIVE SCION FR-S RIVAL "ON THE LIST"

 

By Steven J. Ewing, Autoblog.com - According to Australian site CarSales.com.au, General Motors North American boss, Mark Reuss, has expressed high interest in creating a small, rear-wheel-drive coupe to rival the Scion FR-S and Subaru BRZ.  If something like this ever came to production, it could take the shape of the Chevrolet Code 130R concept car (pictured) that debuted at last year's Detroit Auto Show.

"It's on the list.  It would be a great entry for us," Reuss told CarSales.com.au, adding, "I don't know if they (Toyota) are making any money but it is a very attractive car."

A production version of the 130R would likely ride on a small, rear-drive platform like GM's Alpha architecture, which currently underpins the Cadillac ATS and will eventually be used in the next Chevrolet Camaro.  "We would do something with the knowledge of Alpha and the background, but we wouldn't take Alpha and try and shrink it," said Reuss.

We've heard faint whispers about exactly this scenario previously, and the fact that it's still on the table is a good sign.  Of course, if development hasn't started yet and a project like this gets the green light, there's no telling how far off a small, rear-drive coupe from GM could be.  And considering how popular the Scion and Subaru twins have proven (at least in their early life), GM would be wise to get the ball rolling sooner rather than later.

CHEVY MALIBU EMERGENCY REFRESH TO INCLUDE ROOMIER REAR SEATS, IMPALA STYLING TWEAKS

 

By Jeremy Korzeniewski, Autoblog.com - The Chevrolet Malibu is failing to sell at the pace General Motors would like, prompting the automaker to make the decision to refresh the midsize sedan just one year after a complete redesign.  According to a report from Newsday, the main gripes from consumers center around the car's tepid styling and lack of room in the rear seat.

Naturally, styling is subjective, but the report indicates GM plans to bring the Malibu's styling more inline with its larger Impala sedan, making changes mostly to the front fascia.  As far as rear-seat room goes, it's worth noting that the 2013 Malibu actually has less legroom than the old 2012 model; 937 mm (36.9 inches) versus 955 mm (37.6).  Shoulder and hip room, though, increased by two and three inches, respectively, with the redesign.

In any case, without major structural changes, there's no way the Malibu will reach the rear legroom levels set by such large so-called midsize sedans like the Honda Accord (978mm) (38.5 inches) or Volkswagen Passat (993 mm) (3.91) due to the fact that it's sized to be a global car and not one specifically for the US market.  And, considering the impending existence of the 2014 Impala, we don't expect any major structural changes to affect the Malibu's interior offerings.

It's somewhat unusual for an automaker to make such significant changes to a car after only one year of production.  But with all of the hype surrounding the emergency refresh of the 2013 Honda Civic, this sort of thing could become more common moving forward.

FIRST 2014 CHEVROLET CORVETTE SELLS FOR $1.1 MILLION

 

 

By Viknesh Vijayenthiran, Foxnews.com - The 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stinray with VIN ending in #0001 has sold at auction for an incredible $1.1 million, more than 20 times the expected cost of the latest 'Vette.

Of course, getting to own the very first example to be sold to the public has its premium, and all proceeds from the sale will be going to benefit the College for Creative Studies in Detroit.

Nevertheless, the amount paid is still staggering.

The final bidder at the Barrett-Jackson auction held yesterday in Scottsdale, Arizona, was NASCAR team owner and avid Corvette collector Rick Hendrick.

The weekend's auction has been a busy one for Hendrick; he also dropped $270,000 on a rare 1958 Chevrolet Corvette owned by GM CEO Dan Akerson, and another million dollars on the 1968 Owens/Corning L88 Corvette race car.

Corvettes have done very well at auction in the past, so the latest figures shouldn't be all that surprising.  The very first C6 Corvette ZR1 went for a million dollars back in 2008 and more recently the first C6 Corvette 427 Convertible went for $600,000.  By comparison, the first 2013 SRT Viper only garnered $300,000 at auction, making it a relative bargain compared to these 'Vettes.

Hendrick will now have to wait until Corvette production officially kicks off at the car's plant in Bowling Green, Kentucky, in the third quarter of the year.  The red example seen here was the same showcased at the opening of the 2013 Detroit Auto Show last week and is destined to be used solely for testing and promotional duties.

The launch of the 2014 Corvette, or C7 as it's called by fans, marks 60 years since the first Corvette made its debut at GM's Motorama exhibit in New York City back in 1953.  It also marks the revival of the legendary Stingray nameplate and the setting of a new benchmark for entry-level performance.

The new Corvette Stingray is destined to be the most capable 'base' Corvette yet.  Its new LT1 6.2-liter V-8 engine is promised to deliver at least 450 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque, enough for a 0-60 mph time of just 3.9 seconds, yet it will still return bettern than the current model's 26-mpg gas mileage thanks to a host of technology.

STINGRAY RETURNS TO CORVETTE LINE-UP

 

By Charles Renny, Autonet - An icon is set to become an icon.  The latest Corvette from Chevrolet (codenamed C7 to designate the seventh generation) delves back to the Halcyon days of Corvettes when Chevrolet wasn't in racing, but built America's only sports car.  The 1963 Stingray taught men of every age the meaning of lust, just as the 2014 Stingray has men of all ages fighting to get a photo of the car at the 2013 North American International Auto show in Detroit.

In its new form, the Stingray uses styling cues from previous generations so effectively that it may be all new yet hauntingly familiar.  The frame is an aluminum/magnesium mixture that provides superior strength as well as being lighter.  Carbon fibre panels and aluminum suspension components help keep the weight down. 

The result to the weight loss details and the installation of an all new 6.2 litre V8 that puts out 450 horsepower and 450 ft.-lb. of torque means that the "Ray" will get from 0 to 100 km/h in a touch under four seconds and pull lateral G forces of more than 1 G.  In addition, Chevrolet claims this is the most fuel efficient Corvette ever built.

If cruising isn't your thing and you want a track capable car instead of a boulevard cruiser, the Ferrari fighter version of the Stingray is known as the Z-51.

While the ordinary Stingray is full of advanced technologies, the Z-51 pushes the technologies to their limits.  The power steering is electric, as is the limited slip rear differential.

Part of the package is being able to adjust items such as these to provide better performance.

The Stingray will be built at the Corvette assembly plant in Bowling Green, Kentucky.  The plant has just under-gone a $131 million upgrade including approximately $52 million for a new body shop to manufacture the new aluminum frame "in house" for the first time.

2014 CHEVROLET CORVETTE C7 STINGRAY FOR GRAN TURISMO 5 AVAILABLE TOMORROW FOR FREE

 

By Jeremy Korzeniewski, Autoblog.com - Even though you can't yet mosey to your nearest Chevrolet dealer to snag a 2014 Corvette Stingray -- the on-sale date will be sometime in the third quarter of 2013 -- you don't have to wait much longer to pilot one in the virtual world.  Starting tomorrow, January 14, Gran Turismo 5 owners will be able to download the new 'Vette for free from the PlayStation Store.

The C7 Corvete has been available in prototype form, complete with form-fitting black camouflage, for over a month in GT5, and the prior six generations of the Corvette are also all available to drive in the game.  Now, though, the full Stingray experience will allow gamers to peer at the newest 'Vette in virtual high resolution inside and out, hit 60 miles per hour in under four seconds and pull more than 1g on race tracks all around the world, including the world-famous Nurburgring.

Read all about it in the press release.

2014 Corvette Stingray Hits the Track in Gran Turismo 5
DETROIT -- As Chevrolet takes the wraps off the all-new Corvette Stingray, fans of Sony Computer Entertainment's PlayStation3 (PS3) system will have the first chance to push the car to the limits in the critically acclaimed Gran Turismo 5 racing game.

Nearly 500,000 people have driven the camouflaged Corvette prototype since it was introduced to the game in November of last year.  Chevrolet and Polyphony Digital Inc., the developers of the Gran Turismo franchise, collaborated to provide an authentic driving experience in the Corvette Stingray -- the seventh generation of the iconic sports car.

"Getting behind the wheel of the all-new Corvette Stingray -- the most powerful and sophisticated standard Corvette ever -- is sure to be a thrilling experience," said Chris Perry, vice president of Chevrolet Marketing.  "Through this unique collaboration with Gran Turismo, Chevrolet is able, for the first time, to give performance car enthusiasts access to such an exclusive driving experience the day after the Corvette Stingray's world debut."

During the creation of the virtual Corvette Stingray, careful attention was paid to the tiniest details of the new design inside and out, as well as to the enhanced performance driving characteristics -- down to the shift schedule for the seven-speed manual transmission with Active Rev Matching.

The Corvette Stingray will produce an estimated 450 horsepower and 450 lb-ft of torque.  It can accelerate from 0-60 in less than four seconds and will achieve more than 1g in cornering grip.  It will also be the most fuel-efficient Corvette ever, expected to exceed the EPA-estimated 26 mpg of the current model.

"The Polyphony team has had an unforgettable experience getting to know the Corvette Stingray, inside and out, and bringing it into Gran Turismo 5," said Kazunori Yamauchi, president of Polyphony Digital Inc.  "We're excited to share our experience with fans and let them feel, explore and drive the Corvette in a way that wasn't possible until now."

All six previous generations of the Corvette have been available to players of the Gran Turismo series.  The Chevrolet nameplate remains one of the most popular vehicles to race.

The Corvette Stingray will be available as a free download through the PlayStation Store on PlayStation3 on Tuesday, January 15, and can be driven on some of the world's renowned race tracks, including the Daytona International Speedway and the Nurburgring -- one of the track surfaces used to evaluate the new Corvette Stingray's driving dynamics.

The Gran Turismo series has sold more than 68 million games since its inception and remains the highest-selling PlayStation-esclusive franchise of all time.

For more information about the all-new Corvette Stingray, visit www.one13thirteen.com.  Enthusiasts can join the conversation about the next-generation Corvette and keep track of new announcements on Facebook (facebook.com/corvette) and Twitter @Chevrolet (#Corvette).

CORVETTE ZRI-POWERED FISKER KARMA DEBUTS IN DETROIT

 

By Jeremy Korzeniewski, Autoblog.com - There's nothing wrong with the Fisker Karma that a honkin' Chevy V8 engine won't fix.  At least according to Bob Lutz, it seems.  Called the VL Automotive Destino, this machine is the brainchild of industrialist Gilbert Villereal and the aforementioned Lutz, and is intended to compete with such well-regarded performance sedans as the Porsche Panamera and Aston Martin Rapide.

As you can see, there are some significant styling changes made in the conversion from Karma to Destino, notably in the front and rear fascias, including exhaust tips out back and a new hood that's raised to accommodate what lies underneath.  The interior is also reskinned and can be further customized by the buyer.

But it's the engineering work under that shapely skin that's truly noteworthy.  Replacing the electric motor, battery pack and turbocharged range extender is one 638-horsepower supercharged LS9 V8 borrowed from the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 driving the rear wheels through either a manual or automatic transmission.  Power numbers are identical to the ZR1 and while fuel economy is not yet known, we can expect it to be a bit lower than the Corvette's 15 mpg (15.6L/100km) city and 24 mpg (9.8L/100km) highway.

The Destino will be built at VL Automotive's headquarters in Auburn Hills, Michigan, and it will be delivered through still-in-development distribution network starting this summer.  Pricing is expected to be around US$180,000, which is significantly more than the Karma's slightly over $100,000 base price.

Read the press release below.

"Destino" Premiers at the 2013 North American International Auto Show
DETROIT - Destino made its world premier today at the North American International Auto show as the newest four-door performance car in the world market of exclusive automobiles.  Based on an award-winning design by Henrik Fisker and powered by the internationally applauded Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 powertrain, Destino is the result of collaboration by industrialist Gilbert Villereal and former General Motors Vice Chairman Bob Lutz.

"The goal in designing and engineering this automobile is to provide true motoring enthusiasts with an exquisite work of automotive art that performs at a world-class level.  Attention to detail is a paramount concern, as is reliability and ease of maintenance," according to Lutz.  "We have made styling modifications to differentiate our design and reengineered the chassis to accommodate the 638bhp ZR1's handcrafted LS9 engine with either a manufal or automatic transmission.  The result is truly an American designed, engineered and manufactured four-door performance car that rivals such models as the Porsche Panamera and Aston-Martin-Lagonda Rapide.

"We are developing our distribution network now and will deliver Destino on a first-come, first-served basis.  Customers will have the option of customizing the exterior color and interior trim," Lutz said.

Destino has an overall length of 202.8 inches and a 124.4 inch wheelbase.  Overall height is 52.4 inches.

Destino will be manufactured in Auburn Hills, Michigan under the auspices of VL Productions.  Destino is scheduled for retail sales in the second half of 2013 following certification and validation.  Prototypes are currently in testing.

GM, ISUZU PLANNING NEW TRUCK DEVELOPMENT

 

By Jeffrey N. Ross, Autoblog.com - General Motors and Isuzu had a long and drawn-out break up that resulted in the loss of Isuzu passenger cars in North America, as well as heavy-duty truck operations for GM.  Now it appears that both automakers are in talks to produce pickup trucks once again, after signing a memorandum of understanding for a new joint venture.  There are really no details to go with this announcement, although The Miami Herald indicates that this could be a move to expand in emerging markets.

It is unclear if this move will have any effect on the next-generation Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon, which will be built in Wentzville, MO.  Production for the Colorado was confirmed in 2011, and the closely related GMC version was confirmed back in September.  At one point, GM owned as much as 49 per cent of the Japanese automaker but sold off the remaining 7.9 per cent of its ownership by 2006.

Read the brief statement released by Isuzu.

Isuzu-GM Joint Development of Next-generation Pickup TruckTOKYO - Isuzu Motors Limited (TSE 7202) and General Motors Company (NYSE: GM, TSX: GMM) signed a memorandum of understanding to begin talks on the potential joint development of next-generation pickup trucks.

CHEVY FILLING ITS NAIAS STAND WITH 5 MODELS NOT SOLD IN UNITED STATES

 

By Jeffrey N. Ross, Autoblog.com - When the Detroit Auto Show opens to the public next week, we're sure the Chevrolet booth will get plenty of attention thanks to the all-new Corvette and Silverado, but visitors will also be able to see a handful of cars not even available in North America.  A day after introducing us to a new global marketing campaign titled "Find New Roads", General Motors has announced that it will be bringing five popular global products to the Chevy stand in Detroit to "show off the depth of Chevrolet's product lineup."

Although it isn't clear what sort of play General Motors has in mind by bringing international products to Detroit, we do know that the five products will be the Chevrolet Spin, Onix, Sail, Orlando and Trax.  In terms of which car we could see coming here, if any, it would probably be the Spin -- a small people mover (pictured above) currently sold in China and South America.  The Orlando and Trax have already been shot down for US consumption, the Sail is a small sedan riding on the same platform as the Spark and Sonic and the recently introduced Onix is planned to be a Brazil-only vehicle.

We'll have to wait until next week to see what kind of plans Chevy has for these products in regards to the NA market, but until then, you can read more in the press release below.

Chevrolet Puts the International in NAIAS 2013
Five global vehicles among 38 on display at North American International Auto ShowDETROIT - Chevrolet will showcase its global portfolio offered in 140 countries during the North American International Auto Show next week.  For the first time, the Onix, Spin, Trax, Sail and Orlando -- five models developed and sold outside the United States -- will be included.

Two all-new Chevrolets -- the 2014 Silverado and the Corvette -- also will debut at the show.

"NAIAS kicks off the global auto show season and gives us a unique opportunity to show off the depth of Chevrolet's global product lineup," said Mary Barra, senior vice president of Global Product Development.  "The appearance of these five global vehicles further reinforces Chevrolet's commitment to tailor vehicles to our customers' needs around the world."

The following will be displayed on the second floor of Chevrolet's exhibit.

Trax:  All-new Small Sport Utility VehicleThe Trax is Chevrolet's entry into the growing small SUV segment and is designed to deliver the flexibility, fuel economy and car-like handling that urban explorers around the world require.  A muscular exterior design and wide stance is complemented by interior details executed to standards usually found in more expensive vehicles.

Trax has room for five passengers and class-leading cargo space.  Mexico and Canada were the first markets to sell the crossover in the fourth quarter of 2012.

Orlando: Redefining Family TransportationOrlando's design -- in part MPV, part crossover -- breaks the rules of a historically conservative segment, offering an alternative to many family vans and crossovers on the market.  Orlando can transport up to seven people in comfort and is expected to deliver the best fuel efficiency of any non-hybrid seven-passenger vehicle.

The Chevrolet Orlando is produced by General Motors South Korea and was launched in Canada in October 2011.

Sail:  Developed in China for Emerging MarketsThe new Sail is a small car designed for young Chinese families who want an affordable, spacious, durable and safe vehicle with good fuel economy.  The Sail offers a choice of class-leading 1.2-liter S-TEC II and 1.4-liter S-TEC III Engines.

The Sail was the first passenger car created in China by a Sino-foreign joint venture.  It was developed by Shanghai GM and the Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center.  In addition to being sold in China, the Sail is exported to emerging markets such as Chile, Peru and Bolivia.  It is manufactured and shipped in kits for assembly in India, Colombia and Ecuador.

Spin:  Compact MPV for the Urban MotoristThe Spin, which will be manufactured at GM's facility in Bekasi, Indonesia, and will go on sale in Thailand and Indonesia in 2013 is a seven-passenger MPV designed with a compact footprint for the congested confines of urban consumers.

Onix:  Small Hatchback Tailored for BrazilThe all-new Onix, a small hatchback debuted at the Sao Paulo Auto Show in October 2012.  It offers five-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmissions and a choice of 1.0-liter and 1.4-liter engines, both equipped to run on 100 percent ethanol or a flex-fuel mixture of gasoline and ethanol.  It features Bluetooth capability along with the Chevrolet MyLink system, a segment first in Brazil, that allows the user to bring songs, photos, videos and mobile phone applications for display on a seven-inch color LCD screen.

Onix is offered in LS, LT and LTZ trim levels, each of which can be customized in "Joy", "Race", and "24 Hours" themes with adhesives and appliques with.  Off-the-shelf art is also available.

The Onix is produced at Gravatai in Rio Grande do Sul and went on sale in Brazil in November last year.

In addition to the five global vehicles, Chevrolet will debut the 2014 Corvette and Silverado.

The 2014 Corvette delivers more power, more driving excitement and better fuel efficiency than its predecessors. 

The 2014 Chevrolet Silverado is new from hood to hitch and is engineered to be the strongest, smartest, and most capable Silverado ever.  Among the many updates for 2014 are a new trio of powerful, efficient EcoTec3 engines; a stronger, quieter, more comfortable cab; revised steering, suspension and brakes; ingenious solutions for managing cargo in the bed and true truck capability for towing and hauling.

CHEVROLET INTRODUCING 'FIND NEW ROADS' GLOBAL TAGLINE

By Jeffrey N. Ross, Autoblog.com - Between the global success of the Chevrolet Cruze and the poorly received "Chevy Runs Deep" tagline, Chevrolet will be aligning all of its marketing behind a new global campaign called "Find New Roads".  Looking at the big picture, Chevrolet says this new tagline will be used to create "one global vision" as it prepares to launch 20 new models this year worldwide, and the North American market will be the first to see the new campaign sometime during the first quarter of this year.

More importantly, Chevy says that this tagline will be a crucial element in developing new products and technologies.  We'll wait to see if this means that North America will be seeing more global products like we saw with the introduction of Ford's One Ford plan, but Chevy's spokesperson Christi Vazquez told us, "We have had success with global products like the Cruze and Sonic/Aveo and will continue to develop products with global markets in mind."

Read more about the new tagline in the press release below.

Chevrolet Will 'Find New Roads' as Brand Grows Globally
Aligns around the world behind singular visionDETROIT - Chevrolet is the world's fastest-growing major automotive grand and as it continues to expand its global operations it is aligning its engineering, design and retail operations behind a single vision and communications platform -- Find New Roads.

The foundation of this new guiding principle is Chevrolet's legacy of innovation and commitment to doing the right thing for consumers.  Find New Roads will be the touchstone for the brand as it developes new products and technologies for sale in more than 140 markets.

"Find New Roads embraces the spirit of ingenuity that has been in Chevrolet's DNA since the beginning and it will continue to guide every aspect of our business moving forward," said Mary Barra, senior vice president of Global Product Development.  "We have sold Chevrolets around the world for almost a century, but this is the first time we have aligned behind one global vision.

"As we develop new products our designers and engineers will be empowered to find smarter solutions to address customer needs and make their lives better."

Since the launch of the Cruze mid-size sedan -- the brand's first truly global vehicle -- in 2009, Chevrolet sales have grown about 38 percent.

"This is the right time to launch this initiative with over 20 vehicle launches globally in 2013," said Alan Batey, vice president, U.S. Sales, Service and Global Marketing.  "We are continuing to grow globally, especially in key emerging markets, and Find New Roads will help us drive even more consistency -- both internally with our employees and externally with customers."

Chevrolet's approach to marketing and the retail experience is already aligning with this new global vision.  Last year Chevrolet selected Commonwealth, a newly formed advertising agency, to service Chevrolet advertising around the world.  The brand also has launched a program to train dealership personnal to approach every aspect of their business differently to improve the retail experience.

In addition to driving internal consistency for Chevrolet, Find New Roads also will be used in advertising around the world, beginning in the United States this quarter.

"Find New Roads will enable the whole company to rally around a consistent theme for the brand, and at the same time serve as an external message that works in all markets," said Batey.  "The theme has meaning in mature markets like the U.S. as well as emerging markets like Russia and India, where the potential for continued growth is the greatest."

CHEVROLET WILL 'FIND NEW ROADS' AS BRAND GROWS GLOBALLY

By General Motors Detroit -- Chevrolet is the world's fastest-growing major automotive brand and as it continues to expand its global operations it is aligning its engineering, design and retail operations behind a single vision and communications platform -- Find New Roads.

The foundation of this new guiding principle is Chevrolet's legacy of innovation and commitment to doing the right thing for consumers.  Find New Roads will be the touchstone for the brand as it develops new products and technologies for sale in more than 140 markets.

"Find New Roads embraces the spirit of ingenuity that has been in Chevrolet's DNA since the beginning and it will continue to guide every aspect of our business moving forward," said Mary Barra, senior vice president of Global Product Development.  "We have sold Chevrolets around the world for almost a century, but this is the first time we have aligned behind one global vision.

"As we develop new products our designers and engineers will be empowered to find smarter solutions to address customer needs and make their lives better."

Since the launch of the Cruze mid-size sedan -- the brand's first truly global vehicle -- in 2009, Chevrolet sales have grown about 38 percent.

"This is the right time to launch this initiative with over 20 vehicles launches globally in 2013," said Alan Batey, vice president, U.S. Sales, Service and Global Marketing.  "We are continuing to grow globally, especially in key emerging markets, and Find New Roads will help us drive even more consistency -- both internally with our employees and externally with customers."

Chevrolet's approach to marketing and the retail experience is already aligning with this new global vision.  Last year Chevrolet selected Commonwealth, a newly formed advertising agency, to service Chevrolet advertising around the world.  The brand also has launched a program to train dealership personnel to approach every aspect of their business differently to improve the retail experience.

In addition to driving internal consistency for Chevrolet, Find New Roads also will be used in advertising around the world, beginning in the United States this quarter.

"Find New Roads will enable the whole company to rally around a consistent theme for the brand, and at the same time serve as an external message that works in all markets," said Batey.  "The theme has meaning in mature markets like the U.S. as well as emerging markets like Russia and India, where the potential for continued growth is the greatest."

EXPECT GREATER DIFFERENTIATION IN GM'S NEXT-GENERATION SUVS

By Zach Bowman, Autoblog.com - General Motors says its next-generation Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Yukon and Cadillac Escalade models will offer shoppers improved interior differentiation.  Car and Driver recently caught up with Chris Hilts, GM's creative manager of interior design, who said that the cabins will all feature unique instrument panels, consoles, center stacks and switchgear moving forward.  Apparently GM is now aware that consumers may be bothered by the fact that today's US$85,000 Escalade has effectively the same cabin as a US$45,000 Tahoe.  Hilts says SUV buyers want more refinement than their pickup purchasing counterparts -- and those same buyers also want their SUVs to have more exterior differentiation between the company's Silverado and Sierra pickup lines.  Shocking.

That all sounds good to us, but we've heard this song and dance before.  GM made big waves about how different the new-for-2013 Silverado and Sierra would look from each other, but judging by what we've seen so far, GM's stylists are painting in shades rather than with the full spectrum.

GM, VOLKSWAGEN FACE OFF FOR CHINA SALES TITLE IN 2013

 

By Zach Bowman, Autoblog.com - Automotive News reports General Motors and Volkswagen will vie for the sales title in China next year.  Buyers in the country have been keen to snap up Audi sedans, and the cars' popularity amongst Chinese bureaucrats has helped bolster Volkswagen in the region.  Next year, analysts project the German automaker will sell 2.7 million vehicles in China through 2013, thanks in part to new or revised versions of the Volkswagen Santana and Golf as well as the Skoda Octavia and Audi Q3.

Meanwhile, analysts project GM will move some 2.7 million units in China next year.  The automaker plans to roll out the all-new Cadillac XTS as well as three new Opel models.  Overall, China may see passenger vehicle sales jump by as much as 10 per cent in 2013, pushed by a rebounding economy and better consumer confidence.

And what about Toyota?  We've already heard the Japanese automaker will likely take the global sales crown next year, but analysts predict the company won't be at the top of the food chain in China.  Toyota and other Japanese automakers are still suffering from consumer resentment spurred by a territorial dispute between China and Japan, and those woes will likely carry over into next year.

GM PLANS TO MAKE APP DEVELOPMENT EASIER

 

By David Sedgwick, Automotive News - To speed the introduction of new infotainment features, General Motors is offering software developers an online kit to create new programs for its vehicles.
GM, which made its announcement today at the 2013 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, says it hopes to roll out new infotainment applications in its 2014 models.

Software developers will be allowed to download a new set of application programming interfaces, or APIs, to create new uses for GM's infotainment systems.

To illustrate potential uses, the automaker demonstrated applications from four new software partners:  The Weather Channel, Slacker, TuneIn and iHeart Radio.

iHeart Radio allows motorists to tune in live radio broadcasts from the Clear Channel's network of 1,500 stations.  Slacker Radio offers a choice of free music channels featuring content selected by disc jockeys, and TuneIn offers live radio channels featuring music, talk and sports.

No distractions
Software developers will submit their apps to GM for approval, a process that could be completed within three months or so.  GM will ensure the app is safe and doesn't distract the driver, said Kathleen McMahon, GM's senior manager of infotainment program management.

"GM is committed to making sure that vehicles can be driven safely," McMahon said.  "Distracted driving is a serious issue."

Company spokesman Scott Fosgard says that after GM OKs a new app, car owners will have the option of downloading it into their vehicles.  Some apps will be free, while others might be available for a fee.  GM is still sorting out that issue, he said.

GM has planned to set up an online app store ever since it rolled out its first infotainment system, but implementation has been slow.

Car buyers can download Pandora, an online music service; Stitcher, which supplies news and talk radio; and Gracenote, which provides information about music played in the vehicle.  And that's about it.

McMahon says the initiative announced today will speed things up because software developers will be allowed to use HTML5 Java Script, a widely used programming language.

Some programs, like The Weather Channel or TuneIn, will simply be adaptations of apps already developed for smart phones or tablets.  Others could be designed specifically for GM vehicles, McMahon said.  For example, an app might help the motorist save fuel by analyzing the most efficient route to his destination.

GM'S ED WELBURN BRINGS VINTAGE CORVETTES BY JAY LENO'S GARAGE

By Autoblog.com - There's still a couple more weeks until we get our first official look at the next generation of the Chevrolet Corvette with the all-new C7, but Ed Welburn, Vice President of General Motors Global Design, recently hung out with Jay Leno to show off a quartet of classic 'Vettes of historic importance.  Corvette fans will definitely want to check out the latest episode of Jay Leno's Garage.
Three of the four cars reside in the GM Heritage Center, and the fourth is owned by none other than GM president Dan Akerson who plans to auction off his mint 1958 Corvette at Barrett-Jackson next month to raise money for the Habitat for Humanity in Detroit.  Leno also got to check out a fully restored 1953 Corvette, of which less than 1,000 were ever built, in addition to the highly desirable 1963 split-window.  The true gem of this collection, though, is the 1959 Stingray racecar that was driven by Elvis Presley, heavily influenced the styling of the C3 'Vette (as well as the C7 according to Welburn), first use of the "Stingray" name on a Corvette and Leno referred to it as "the rarest, most valuable Corvette there is."

IS CHEVY GIVING BEYONCE A C7 CORVETTE DURING SUPER BOWL HALFTIME SHOW?

By Chris Tutor, Autoblog.com - Could Beyonce really become one of the first people to take delivery of a C7 Corvette?  After all, she reportedly only learned to drive two years ago.  If The Detroit Bureau sources are to be believed, the pop star will be given the keys to a 2014 Corvette during the Super Bowl halftime show.

The idea isn't too far-fetched despite General Motors vowing not to advertise during the upcoming game.  The rumour is given more credibility after Chevrolet spokesman Mike Albano told The Bureau that, "We've got a history of being involved with the Super Bowl."

The plan is reportedly to place a hand-built, one-off C7 on the 50-yard line during the halftime show, then gift the car to the singer.  It's a shrewd marketing move.  GM gets its time in front of Super Bowl viewers without officially changing its plan to avoid buying expensive ad time during the game.  Product placement during sporting events is old hat to GM.  The company has parked its vehicles on the field during Olympic opening ceremonies at least once before.

Just remember Beyonce, take some precautions as a still-green driver with a powerful new car; adjust your mirrors, re-position the seat and put on your seatbelt before putting keys in the ignition.  Mostly though, watch out for jealous Corvette drivers.

GM, PSA SCRAP LARGE CAR PROGRAM, MOVE FORWARD WITH SMALL ENGINE DEVELOPMENT

By Autoblog.com - The partnership between General Motors and PSA Peugeot-Citroen isn't expected to produce any results until 2016, but it has created plenty of news (and speculation) since it was formed back in February.  Now, GM is laying out some of the specifics of the deal while Automotive News Europe is reporting plans have been scrapped to produce a shared platform for a midsize sedan.

In "definitive agreements" between the two automakers, GM says that three new vehicle platforms are still on track; one of these will bring a new compact minivan to GM's Opel and Vauxhall brands and a compact crossover to Peugeot, and the other platform will be for B-segment minivans for both entities to share.  ANE says that the proposed shared platform for the Opel Insignia and Citroen was cancelled due to the lack of a sound business case.

In addition to cars, the joint venture will also be an opportunity for both automakers to develop "high-performance, efficient" gasoline engines and to create joint purchasing to allow both companies to potentially save money (this aspect of the agreement is still pending legal clearance from anti-trust approvals).

GM's official statement is posted below.

PSA Peugeot Citroen and General Motors Report Further Progress on their Global Strategic Alliance 

• Major Product Development and Purchasing agreements signed
• Expansion of scope to also include powertrain
• Strengthening ties and cementing the Alliance

DETROIT/PARIS -- PSA Peugeot Citroen (PSA) and General Motors (GM) today confirm the signature of major agreements in the execution of their Global Strategic Alliance.  Consistent with the terms of the Master Agreement dated February 29, 2012, the Alliance partners have signed definitive agreements related to three of the initial vehicle projects as well as to the purchasing joint venture.

Three Common Vehicle Platform Development Projects

The first common vehicle projects selected encompass platform / architecture developments in the following segments:

1. A joint program for a C-MPV1 for Opel/Vauxhall and a C-CUV2 for the Peugeot brand
2. A joint MPV3 program for the B-segment for both Groups
3. The co-development of an upgraded low CO2 B-segment platform to feed Opel/Vauxhall and PSA's next generation of cars in Europe and other regions

Additional joint vehicle projects to further strengthen the Alliance are under review and in due course will be subject to future announcements.

The first vehicles resulting from this cooperation are expected to be launched in 2016.  The Opel/Vauxhall, Peugeot and Citroen models will be highly differentiated and fully consistent with their respective brand characteristics.

Creation of Purchasing Joint Venture

The Alliance partners have signed a definitive agreement to create a joint purchasing organization in Europe supported by a purchasing joint venture.  This new organization will draw on the combined purchasing reach of both companies to realize purchasing synergies.  This is still subject to anti-trust approvals.

Further Global Initiatives

Based on the success of their collaboration, the partners also announce their intention for new additional global initiatives to broaden the scope of their Alliance and seize future opportunities; co-development of a next generation of high-performance, efficient small gas engines derived from PSA's global small petrol engine program (EB engine) and exploration of product and industrial initiatives in Latin America or other growth markets.

1. Multi-purpose vehicle for the C segment
2. Crossover utility vehicle for the C segment
3. Multi-purpose vehicle

CHEVROLET HEADED TO TOKYO AUTO SALON WITH SONIC, CAPTIVA CONCEPTS

By Jonathon Ramsey, Autoblog.com - We're piecing this together as best we can from the original Japanese with the help of Google Translate, but it seems Chevrolet is headed their with three special vehicles.  Embracing the customization of American metal through the themes of cool, fun and freedom, the showpiece will be a Camaro Giovanna Edition but there's no information on it.  Based on its name, though, we would not be shocked if it's fitted with Giovanna aftermarket wheels.

It will be joined by the Chevrolet Captiva Freedom Rider in Carbon Flash Metallic hue and the Chevrolet Sonic Street Icon Package in red.  The "stylish and playful" Sonic is all about skateboarders and "the street generation", while the Captiva works the two-wheeled crowd with its Thule bike rack and painted-to-match bicycle.

The Salon goes down from January 11-13.  We'll be looking forward to that Camaro and to see whether that Captiva grille really is as meshtastic as it looks in the above picture.

SOME CHEVY DEALERS CEASING VOLT SALES DUE TO COSTLY TOOLS

By Michael Harley, Autoblog.com - Automotive dealerships are accustomed to training sales and service professionals when new models arrive, but the plug-in hybrid Chevrolet Volt -- and its pricey additional tool and equipment costs -- is frustrating some low-volume retailers to the point of dropping the model from the showroom.  A recent report says that a few discontented dealers have stopped carrying the innovative sedan because General Motors is requiring a more significant investment in the near future, and the specialized costs (in excess of CAD$5,000) aren't offset by the model's slow sales at those establishments.

This time last year, Chevrolet had 2,614 stores in the US, certified to sell its Volt (out of 3,079 dealerships).  A full 70 per cent of the sales were generated by the 300 highest-volume dealers -- leaving 2,314 dealerships to fight for the remaining 30 per cent.  Some of those non-metro stores, like Jim Barnard Chevrolet in Churchill, NY, have sold just five units in the past two years (they are understandably opting out).

Yet some dealerships, like John Holt Chevrolet-Cadillac in Chickasha, OK, are soldiering forward.  Even though they have sold only five Volts since its introduction, the owners have chosen to make the investment as sales are on the upswing (Volt sales have more than tripled this year) and GM is introducing other plug-in hybrids with similar technology (Cadillac ELR) in the near future.  "I figured I'd be foolish not to buy the damn CAD$5,300 tool," said owner Holt.

GM TO BUY BACK 200 MILLION SHARES FROM U.S. TREASURY FOR US$5.5B

By Autoblog.com - General Motors announced in a press release today that it plans to buy 200 million shares of its own common stock back from the US Department of the Treasury, for US$27.50 per share -- some US$5.5 billion in total.  The transaction is expected to close before the end of the year.  The move by the U.S. Treasury marks a significant first step in a plan to divest itself of GM holding entirely over the course of the next 12 to 15 months, "subject to market conditions."

After this large buyback, the American Treasury will still hold some 300 million shares of the automaker's stock -- roughly equal to a 19-per cent stake.  Treasury officials say that sale of the rest of the shares will begin as early as next month, "through various means and in an orderly fashion."  The American government plans to fully divest itself of GM shares over the next 12 to 15 months.

The US$27.50 per share figure represents an eight-per cent premium over the current share price, and was agreed upon after negotiations between GM and Treasury officials.

Previously, the U.S. government had seemed reluctant to sell off its post-bailout stake in GM, as to do so at current market prices would mean a large loss of investment for the Treasury.  Reports have varied, but the "break even" point for the American government has usually been pegged at roughly US$50 per share.

According to the Treasury's own press release (see below), the American government invested a total of US$49.5 billion in 2008 and 2009 to help secure GM.  With this latest buyback added in, the agency has "more than US$28.7 billion" of its original investment.

Three years ago, the Canadian Federal Government and Ontario Provincial Government contributed CAD$10.8-billion toward an unprecedented bailout of the North American auto sector, which account for around 9 per cent of GM's shares.  Ontario's Finance minister, Dwight Duncan stated in November that the Canadian government should get out of the auto business.

Find press releases from both the U.S. Treasury Department and GM below.

Treasury Announces Intent to Fully Exit GM Investment Within the Next 12-15 MonthsWASHINGTON -- Today, as part of its continuing efforts to wind down its investments in the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP), the U.S. Department of the Treasury announced its intent to fully exit its investment in General Motors (GM) within the next 12-15 months, subject to market conditions.

Tresaury currently holds 500 1 million shares of GM common stock.  Treasury intends to exit that investment through the following means:

• GM will purchase 200 million shares of GM common stock from Treasury at $27.50 per share. This transaction is expected to close by the end of the year.
• Treasury intends to sell its other remaining 300 1 million shares through various means in an orderly fashion within the next 12-15 months, subject to market conditions. 
• Treasury intends to begin its disposition of those 300 1 million common shares as soon as January 2013 pursuant to a pre-arranged written trading plan.  The manner, amount, and timing of the sales under the plan are dependent upon a number of factors.

Earlier this week, Treasury announced that it expected to make significant additional progress winding down TARP's bank programs in 2013.  Last week, Treasury sold its final shares of AIG common stock.  Overall, to date, through repayments and other income, Treasury has recovered more than 90 percent ($381 billion) of the $418 billion in funds disbursed for TARP.

"The auto industry rescue helped save more than a million jobs during a severe economic crisis, but TARP was always meant to be a temporary, emergency program.  The government should not be in the business of owning stakes in private companies for an indefinite period of time," said Assistant Secretary for Financial Stability Timothy G. Massad.  "Moving to exit our investment in GM within the next 12 to 15 months is consistent with our dual goals of winding down TARP as soon as practicable and protecting taxpayer interests."

In 2008 and 2009, Treasury invested a total of $49.5 billion to help stabilize and restructure GM -- as part of a broader rescue of the American automotive industry during a severe economic crisis.  Including GM's purchase of common stock from Treasury announced today, Treasury has recovered more than  $28.7 billion of its investment in GM to date through repayments, sales of stock, dividends, interest and other income.

According to independent estimates, the rescue of the American auto industry helped save more than 1 million jobs.  Moreover, since June 2009, the auto industry has added a quarter of a million new jobs. 

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any shares of GM common stock, nor shall there be any offer, solicitation or sale of shares of GM common stock in the United States, any state thereof or any other jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful absent registration or qualification under applicable securities laws or an applicable exemption from such registration or qualification requirements.

GM to Buy Back Stock from U.S. Treasury Department -- U.S. Intends to Fully Exit GM Investment Within 12-15 MonthsDETROIT -- General Motors today said it will purchase 200 million shares of GM common stock held by the U.S. Department of the Treasury for $5.5 billion, or $27.50 per share.  The share buyback is part of the Treasury's plan, also announced today, to fully exit its entire holdings of GM stock within 12 to 15 months, subject to market conditions.

Treasury has announced its intention to sell its remaining shares of common stock into the market through various means and in an orderly fashion.  Treasury intends to begin its disposition of its remaining shares as soon as January 2013, consistent with a pre-arranged written trading plan.  In addition, Treasury has agreed to relinquish certain governance rights that were included in the U.S. Treasury Secured Credit Agreement with GM.

"This announcement is an important step in bringing closure to the successful auto industry rescue, it further removes the perception of government ownership of GM among customers, and it demonstrates confidence in GM's progress and our future," said Dan Akerson, chairman and CEO of GM.

Dan Ammann, senior vice president and CFO added, "A fortress balance sheet has been a pillar of GM's financial strategy and has enabled us to undertake today's actions.  GM's balance sheet will remain very strong, with estimated liquidity of approximately $38 billion at the end of 2012, following the closing of the share buyback."

The repurchase price of $27.50 per share represents a 7.9 percent premium over the closing price on December 18, 2012.  The share buyback is expected to close by the end of the year.  This transaction will be accretive to earnings per share, as GM's total shares outstanding on a fully diluted basis will be reduced by approximately 11 percent.  In association with this share buyback, GM expects to take charge of approximately $400 million in the fourth quarter, which will be treated as a special item.

After the repurchase, Treasury will continue to own approximately 300 million shares of GM common stock, or approximately 19 percent of the outstanding shares on a fully diluted basis.  Government ownership of GM stock was the result of the auto industry rescue that began under President George W. Bush in 2008 and which was expanded by President Barack Obama in 2009.

The industry in general, and GM in particular, have rebounded sharply since the rescue.  Since the rescue, GM has announced investments of more than $7.3 billion in the U.S. and created or retained more than 20,000 jobs.

"We come to work every day grateful that taxpayers from the US and Canada stepped forward to rescue our industry, and determined to show this extraordinary help was worth it," Akerson said.

THE 2014 CHEVROLET CORVETTE PEEKS ITS NOSE OUT FROM AN UNLIKELY CORNER

By Zach Bowman, Autoblog.com - What looks to be an official General Motors service bulletin for the 2014 Chevrolet Corvette has leaked out onto the internet thanks to spy shooter Chris Doane's Facebook page.  The image above clearly shows what we assume is the nose of the next-generation sports car -- more specifically, the front brake cooling deflector kit installation information.  From the line drawing, it appears as if the 2014 Corvette will feature a familiar front profile with tall fenders that slope inward to the hood.  Speaking of the hood, aggressive air inlets dominate the bodywork toward the front.  The car's trademark gills look to have grown in size as well, with a dramatic inset tucked just behind the front wheel well.

From what we can see, the 2014 Corvette will abandon its low and wide headlamp arrays for more vertical pieces that extend well into the lower fascia.  The face looks good, even in black and white.  And while there seems to be more than a little Ferrari influence in the design, you certainly won't hear us complain.