2013 CHEVROLET SPARK MINI CAR IS THE KEY TO THE CITY

• Available Chevrolet MyLink infotainment system includes seven-inch color touch screen


• Choice of vibrant exterior and interior colors makes Spark stand out in a crowd


• Fuel-efficient, affordable and maneuverable for young city dwellers


• Integrated safety system including 10 air bags and OnStar
  

By General Motors Corporation - The 2013 Chevrolet Spark mini car, to be revealed Wednesday, November 16 at the Los Angeles International Auto Show, is the only car in its segment to offer a seven-inch color touch screen radio capable of displaying smart phone-based navigation, media and contacts for hands-free calling.

A sporty four-passenger, five-door hatch updated for United States and Canadian consumers, Spark is designed to excite first-time buyers and city dwellers with its bold styling and colors, affordability, the safety of 10 standard air bags, fuel efficiency and maneuverability.

Though compact, Spark offers more passenger and cargo room than other mini cars such as the Fiat 500, Smartfortwo and the Scion iQ. Equipped with the 1.2L four-cylinder engine and five-speed manual transmission, Spark will offer competitive fuel economy.

Chevrolet's exclusive MyLink infotainment system, which features the personalized connectivity of Pandora and Stitcher internet radio, will be offered on 1LT and 2LT models when Spark goes on sale in the United States and Canada in mid-2012.

In addition to MyLink, Spark is the only car in its segment to provide the added value of a five-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty and the safety and security of OnStar.

"Spark is for buyers who want much more than a 'cute' small car -- they want a car that can be personalized, is dynamic and fashionable, and delivers a lot of value for the money," said Chris Perry, vice president, global Chevrolet marketing and strategy. "Spark's vibrant exterior and interior colors make a fashion statement, but it is also affordable, safe, maneuverable and very fuel-efficient."

The original version of the Spark is already on sale in Europe, Asia, Australia, Mexico and South America, where it has received several styling and safety awards.

Designed for those who live large and loud: Just as the Chevrolet Cruze helped strengthen Chevrolet's position in the small car setment with its more-than-expected value, the Spark is designed to challenge preconceived notions of how an affordable mini car can look, feel and drive.

While the Spark looks like a three-door hatch, designers cleverly disguised the rear doors by integrating the handles into the C-pillar area. The technique gives Spark its sporty appearance without sacrificing four-door comfort and utility. An integrated spoiler over the rear hatch door enhances Spark's dynamic appearance while also improving the car's aerodynamics, for fuel efficiency.

Spark's wheels-at-the-corners stance is further emphasized by standard 15-inch alloy wheels. Other exterior styling enhancements include a new grille and front fascia, a longer rear fascia, and modified headlamps and taillamps. Redesigned outside rearview mirrors also improve aerodynamics.

Uplevel features include matching rocker panel moulding, chrome brightwork at the beltline and liftgate handle trim, detail around th poke-through exhaust outlet and around the fog lamps.

Attention-grabbing exterior finishes include Salsa, Jalapeno, Denim, Lemonade and Techno Pink, as well traditional hues such as Grey Area, Black Granite, Silver Ice and Summit White.

Inside, the Chevrolet MyLink infotainment system, included on 1LT and 2LT Spark models, provides a seven-inch color touch screen. With MyLink, Spark buyers can bring their customized music libraries into the vehicle and use their smart phones and Bluetooth connectivity to access both Pandora and Stitcher internet radio and navigation. When the vehicle is stopped, owners can project video and even personal photo albums onto the screen.

SiriusXM Satellite Radio also is available on uplevel Spark models.

"This level of infotainment and connectivity was unheard of in this segment, until now," said Perry. "We know Spark buyers do not want to give up personalization just because they drive a smaller car."

Air conditioning and power windows are standard across the Spark lineup. Color-coordinated interiors feature a lower instrument panel -- with a motorcycle-inspired gauge cluster -- and lower center console for maximum visibility and storage. Decorative inserts in the front door and instrument panel add a premium touch, as does the ice blue ambient lighting and faceplates across the door pockets and dash. Heated leatherette seats and leather-wrapped steering wheel are included on Spark 2LT.

Efficient powertrain saves fuel, money: In the United States and Canada, the Spark will be powered by a 1.2L dual-overhead cam four-cylinder engine with variable valve timing that delivers an estimated 85 horsepower (63 kW). It is mated to a standard five-speed manual transmission for competitive city and highway fuel economy. A four-speed automatic transmission will also be available.

The dual-overhead cam 1.2L was developed using best practices from GM Powertrain technical centers.

It combines competitive performance with sophisticated technologies such as dual continuous variable cam phasing, electronically controlled thermostat and low-friction engine oil to give customers an engine that is low-maintenance, with reduced emissions and outstanding fuel economy.

Ride and handling: Spark's body-frame integral structure is tight and stiff for improved driving dynamics. The electronic power steering, MacPherson strut-type front suspension and anti-lock braking systems are designed to deliver taut, tight handling characteristics that better connect the driver with the road and provide outstanding overall stability. StabiliTrak electronic stability control is standard.

Spark is equipped with vented front disc and rear drum brakes with low-compressibility brake pads for optimal stopping performance and good pedal feel. Low-rolling resistance tires use a silica compound and revised tread design for a solid road feel and improved fuel efficiency.

Safety features include 10 air bags: Spark was designed with occupant safety in mind, and has won safety awards in both Europe and Korea.

Its safe design begins with a structure composed of 60 percent high-strength steel.

In addition to crash-avoidance technologies such as StabiliTrak and ABS, Spark is equipped with 10 standard air bags, including both driver and passenger front knee air bags to reduce the risk of lower extremity injuries in frontal crashes. Dual-stage frontal air bags, seat-mounted side air bags and side curtain air bags that extend over the front and rear seating rows are also standard.

Other safety technologies include rollover sensing system; three-point safety belts in all four seating positions; seat belt pretensioners in the front driver and passenger seats; the LATCH child seat attachment system; releasable pedals; adjustable head restraints, and a collapsible steering column.

Spark also is equipped with the OnStar safety and security system, which uses GPS and cellular phone technology to automatically call for help in the event of a crash.

CHEVY SPARK REVEALED AHEAD OF LOS ANGELES SHOW

By Dan Roth, AutoBlog.com - On Wednesday, the 2013 Chevrolet Spark will be unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The small hatchback has been tweaked for the North American market, and the hope is that the Spark takes off like wildfire with buyers. Chevrolet thinks the Spark will find favor with buyers living in cities, as well as first-time purchasers.

To that end, the entry-level Spark has been designed carefully. Obvious forethought went into the packaging of the virtually hidden rear passenger doors (not unlike its larger cousin, the five-door Sonic), and color choices with names like Salsa, Jalapeno, Denim, Lemonade, and Techno Pink are clearly aimed at a customer looking for something imaginative. Unique to our Spark will be a redesigned front fascia with distinct foglamp housings and airdam. The grille stretches further down the nose, too, and out back there are taillamps and bumper designs specific to the United States and Canadian markets.

Beyond the aesthetic alterations, important Spark details include a 1.2-liter dual-overhead cam four cylinder that spins 15-inch alloy wheels with 85 hp through a standard five-speed manual transmission or optional four-speed automatic. Chevrolet MyLink is available in the Spark with a seven-inch touchscreen. Mylink features Bluetooth phone integration, and Pandora or Stitcher can be piped through yur smartphone and directly into Mylink. Standard air conditioning and power windows, along with a motorcycle-inspired gauge cluster (there's that Sonic influence again) and color coordinated interior serve to spiff things up. It seems the message has sunk in that small cars don't have to be brutally decontented.

CHEVROLET SHARES A BIT OF ITS TUNNEL VISION FOR CAMARO ZL1

By Zach Bowman, Autoblog.com - The engineers behind the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 are our kind of people. They were the ones who stepped up to the immeasurable task of transmuting the Camaro from its current state as a straight-line princess into a hairpin street fighter. While America has typically fallen back on the old "no replacement for displacement" adage when it came time to win races, the engineers responsible for the ZL1 left no stone unturned. Suspension, brake performance and weight balance all played a huge role in the vehicle's development, and, as the company's latest video on the sports car reveals, so did aerodynamics.

Every piece of aero equipment on the ZL1, from the front splitter to the under-belly trays, rockers, rear spoiler and wheel spats are all functional pieces. The company says that there's over 100 hours of wind tunnel development on the ZL1, and the result is the first vehicle in General Motors history to boast neutral or negative lift.

If GM can pull this sort of magic off on the porkly Camaro, we can't wait to see what the company has in store for the next generation Chevrolet Corvette.

2012 CHEVROLET SONIC SEDAN: WHEN IT COMES TO THE SUBCOMPACT SEGMENT, CHEVY IS BACK IN TOWN

By St Louis Today - With the flexing of Japanese sales muscle in the 1970s, the U.S. small-car segment really began to blossom. It's been confounding Detroit ever since.

The parched landscape of U.S.-brand small cars includes names like Chevette, Pinto, Vega, Aspire ... you get the idea.

But Motown finally seems to have cracked the compact nut, as evidenced by Ford's Focus and Fiesta, Chevy's Cruze and, just arriving, the bowtie brand's new Sonic.

The third Chevy, following Malibu and Cruze, to show that GM, after years of truck intensity, is again serious about cars, the subcompact Sonic is notable in that it competes in a category in which GM heretofore had shown little interest. The only subcompact built in the U.S., Sonic is available in sedan and hatchback versions, each offered in LS, LT and LTZ trim.

Far from being least expensive in class, the well-equipped Sonic starts at $14,495, a price that includes 15-inch alloy wheels, a best-in-class 10 air bags, traction and stability control, ABS, air, AM/FM stereo with auxiliary input, power locks, trip computer, folding rear seat, auto headlights, hill-hold with the manual transmission, six months of OnStar with navigation and tilt/telescoping wheel.

We drove a top-of-the-line LTZ sedan that boasted all of the above, plus power windows and mirrors, faux-leather trim (a convincing forgery), cruise and 17-inch wheels. The only option on our car, which bottom-lined at $17,995, was a turbo.

Sharing Cruze drivetrains -- a 1.8-liter four or a 1.4-liter turbocharged four -- Sonic feels peppier than the larger and heavier Cruze. Its blown engine makes the same 138 hp as its naturally aspirated brother, but the turbo supplies a significant boost in torque: 148 lb.-ft. compared to 125 in the 1.8.

The result is livelier performance in sto-and-go driving. In fact, with 138 hp and 148 lb.-ft. of grunt, the Sonic turbo is as potent a ride as you'll find in the class. It also offers some of the best economy, with an EPA rating of 29 city and a lofty 40 hwy.

The base engine bolts to a five-speed manual or a six-speed automatic. The turbo gets six speeds either way. We drove a turbo manual -- the auto turbo doesn't arrive until February -- and found the shifter smooth and precise, belying its econo-car lot in life. In about 350 miles of mixed city/hwy driving, we got 35 mpg.

On the road, the car feels tightly bolted together and the cabin is quiet. Also, interior fit and finish is impressive -- as good as anything in the class, and better than most. Only the tiny gauge package, designed to mimic motorcycle instrumentation, is an odd duck. It crams a lot of digital info into a small display screen on its right while, on the left, it shows a large, round analog tachometer. That tach features a bright red needle that refuses to dim when the rest of the display is dulled at night. I found that retina-searing nighttime needle distracting.

Otherwise, switchgear is intuitive, passenger room is good, with a fine back seat by segment standards, and interior storage is generous.

Finally, the car looks good, with its capless multi-lens headlight assemblies and numerous character lines in profile.

Sonic is handsome, frugal and well-equipped. Look out Honda Fit, Toyota Yaris and Hyundai Accent. Chevy is back in town.

DETAILS OF VOLT FIRE OFFERED TO CLARIFY ELECTRIC VEHICLE SAFETY

By Los Angeles Times - Federal safety regulators released more details about the Chevrolet Volt fire that has caused officials to look into post-crash protocols for electric vehicles.

The fire occurred more than three weeks after the plug-in hybrid sedan was crashed as part of the agency's New Car Assessment Program in May.

Officials from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said the crash damaged the Volt's lithium ion battery and that damage eventually caused the fire.

"That incident -- which occurred at the test facility and caused property damage but no injuries -- remains the only case of a battery-related fire in a crash or crash test of vehicles powered by lithium-ion batteries, despite a number of other rigorous crash tests of the Chevy Volt separately conducted by both NHTSA and General Motors," regulators said in a statement.

NHTSA said it believes that electric vehicles have no greater risk of fire than any other vehicles.

But since electric vehicles represent new technology just coming to the market, regulators want to develop protocols for post-crash situations to make sure that consumers and emergency responders don't get hurt and that damaged vehicles are stored in a manner that would prevent a fire at a later time.

The agency has asked all electric vehicle manufacturers to provide information on the protocols they have established for discharging and handling their lithium-ion batteries -- including any recommendations for reducing the fire risk.

"Ultimately we hope the information we gather will lay the groundwork for detailed guidance for first-responders and tow truck operators for use in their work responding to incidents involving these vehicles," the agency said.

The Volt is designed to run purely off its batteries for about 40 miles. When the batteries run low, a gasonline engine kicks in and functions as a generator, powering the electric motors and extending the range of the sedan to more than 300 miles.

Other electric cars currently for sale include the Nissan Leaf and the Tesla Roadster. Several other automakers, including Toyota, Ford and Mitsibushi plan to launch sales of electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids in the coming months.

General Motors Co., which owns the Chevrolet brands, said the Volt is safe. It said it is working "cooperatively with NHTSA as it completes its investigation."

GM'S AKERSON: FIRST-HALF $6.3 BILLION PROFIT NOT GOOD ENOUGH

By David Welch, Automotive News - General Motors Co. CEO Dan Akerson is pushing for more cost reductions to send a message to the automaker's employees: GM's $6.3 billion first-half profit, its best in at least 20 years, isn't good enough.

Chief Financial Officer Dan Ammann made several presentations in recent months to explain that more cuts are needed because GM's 6 percent margins -- calculated by Morgan Stanley Investment Banking using earnings before interest and taxes -- led only tsunami-stricken Toyota Motor Corp. and French carmakers Renault SA and PSA Peugeot Citroen.

GM, poised to take back the global sales crown, wants to beat Ford Motor Co.'s and Volkswagen AG's 7 percent margins, said Jim Cain, a spokesman.

Ammann and Akerson are scrutinizing product programs, squeezing marketing spending and trying to consolidate the family of engine and vehicle platforms used to make cars. GM is even turning down thermostats in some offices.

"Ford's North American margins are easily two percentage points better than GM's," Adam Jonas, an auto-industry analyst at Morgan Stanley, said in a telephone interview. "We think that gap can narrow."

In the first half of the year, GM posted an operating margin of 5 percent compared with 7.5 percent for Ford and 7.8 percent for Volkswagen, according to information compiled by Bloomberg. GM's third-quarter earnings, which will be announced tomorrow, will show if the company is making progress.

Analyst Estimates: Four analysts surveyed by Bloomberg predicted, on average, that GM's third-quarter net income would fall to $1.6 billion, down from $2.16 billion a year earlier.

Higher prices for commodities as well as engineering and marketing costs have eroded profits this year. In the fourth quarter, Jonas expects GM's earnings to fall in North America.

Inventories rose from 67 days worth of vehicles in September to 82 days in October. That may result in higher incentives or production cuts during the quarter, Jonas said.

Target: Vehicle Architectures: One target is reducing the number of architectures that form the basic foundation of GM vehicles. The company wants to pare its architectures to 14 by 2018 from 30 now by building more high-volume vehicles using the same architecture, Mary Barra, the company's senior vice president for global product development, said in a phone interview.

In 2010, 31 percent of GM's sales came from vehicles built on a handful of core architectures such as compact and mid-size cars, GM said at an investor presentation in August. Ford gets more than 70 percent of sales from its core architectures, Jonas said.

With the Chevrolet Cruze compact now on sale, GM's sales from core-architecture vehicles is in the mid-40 percent range, Barra said. GM's current family of global mid-sized cars, such as the Chevrolet Malibu, Buick Lacrosse and Opel Insignia share one architecture.

GM used to use three different architectures globally for mid-sized cars. Consolidating to one mid-sized car platform reduced engineering and capital costs by 30 percent, she said.

Fewer Engine Models: The company is also trying to use fewer engine models. GM has reduced its engine platforms to 16 from 20 in 2009. GM's target is 10 by 2018.

GM further is more disciplined with product planning. The company had wasted $1 billion a year in engineering costs annually by starting and then shelving or delaying future models, Barra said.

The company has already firmed up its product plan by approving core products in all regions, she said. GM can use the savings to add more new models or boost profits, Barra said.

"We're not talking just a couple hundred million dollars," Bruce Clark, a New York-based analyst for Moody's Investors Service, said in an Oct. 28 phone interview. "We're talking about substantial savings over the long term. It's a very rich area to mine."

Shifting Engineers: The automaker has also cut the number of engineers assigned to internal processes and moved "a couple hundred" of them to vehicle programs, Barra said. She declined to provide a more specific figure and also didn't rule out future job cuts.

Akerson is also looking to cut marketing costs. In April, he asked Global Chief Marketing Officer Joel Ewanick to review marketing strategy. Ewanick said in a telephone interview that he flew about 250,000 miles looking at GM's global marketing operations for ways to more efficiently market its brands.

More than 50 agencies were doing creative work for Chevrolet, Ewanick said. GM looked at companies such as Apple Inc., Coca-Cola Co. and rival Ford. None had as many agencies working for them as Chevy, he said.

Ewanick has started a review and has asked four major global agencies to give GM proposals on how the company would manage the Chevy account. The company wants to drop the number of agencies to fewer than 10, he said. While Chevy could go with one agency, Ewanick said that isn't likely.

"We spent too much on production work, fees and bricks and mortar and not enough on marketing," Ewanick said. "Anybody of our size has already done this. Over a five-year period, it should enhance the bottom line. It's significant."

Lowerint The Temperature: The company is looking everywhere. In late October, GM sent a memo to its engineering staff saying they were lowering the thermostat to 66 degrees Fahrenheit (19 degrees Celsius) from 68 degrees at three engineering centers outside of Detroit to save $1 million a year.

"A lot of the cost focus at GM is about discipline," said Jim Hall, principal of 2953 Analytics Inc., a consulting firm in suburban Detroit. "The company has to make a statement to employees. If you don't, then corporate entropy will creep back in."

CHEVROLET CAMARO ZL1 UNDERGOES OVER 100 HOURS OF WIND TUNNEL TESTING

Often times people think that cars are just all about horsepower. Throw some more
into it, add a couple of letters and a number to the model name, and sell
it as a new model where everyone is just drooling over the performance.

By Jason Siu, Autoguide.com - But Chevrolet knew there's more to just bragging about the 580-hp in the new Camaro ZL1, they knew they had to thoroughly improve the aerodynamics to start making it a real impressive machine.

The ZL1 is the fastest Camaro ever, with over 100 hours of testing and tuning the car's front bumper, hood, front splitter, front tire deflectors, belly pans, rocker panels and rear spoiler. The result is a thoroughly tuned machine inside and out, and we can't wait to see it perform once its on sale in 2012.

SELL 10,000 VOLTS? UH ... OK, BOSS

By Automotive News - General Motors is sticking to its 2011 U.S. sales goal of 10,000 Chevrolet Volts -- even though it would have to sell as many in the final two months of the year as it did in the first 10.

GM sold 1,108 Volts in October, a 53 percent increase from September and its best month since launching the plug-in hybrid last December. Sales have accelerated after a July overhaul of the Detroit plant where the car is built that boosted production sharply. Through October, sales totaled 5,003.

"I've never given up on a sales target in my life," Don Johnson, GM's vice president of U.S. sales, told analysts and reporters on a conference call. "Given the momentum we've got right now, I'm not going to give up on it now."

His motivation might be linked to the man who set the 2011 target late last year: GM CEO Dan Akerson. And when the boss says 10,000, that's what you shoot for.

GM'S CLIMB BACK TO GLOBAL NO. 1 REFLECTS TECTONIC INDUSTRY SHIFT

A GM employee works on the underside of a
Chevrolet model at the automaker's manufacturing
plant in Talegaon, India in May 2010. India has
emerged as a new battleground as GM, VW and
Toyota fight for global sales and profits.

By David Welch, Automotive News - It's not just Toyota Motor Corp's recalls last year or Japan's earthquake driving General Motors Co. back to being the world's largest automaker.

Nor is it completely to GM's credit. What's really happening is a historic shift in the car business. This year, GM is poised to retake the mantle as No. 1 automaker that it fumbled away to Toyota in 2008 as the Detroit giant careened toward bankruptcy.

With 6.79 million sales through September of this year, GM leads Toyota by 1 million vehicles. Germany's Volkswagen AG is the surprising second with 6.17 million vehicles sold this year.

GM's revival has cut short what seemed like Toyota's destiny to take the throne from the old, complacent king. That victory lasted three years, giving way to a battle royale that now includes VW.

The industry has taken a tectonic shift as GM rebounds and Toyota reflects on whether its race to be No. 1 was wise, said Harvard Business School professor Willy Shih.

"It's a rather remarkable recovery given the shape GM was in two years ago," said Shih, who has written on restoring American competitiveness. "GM lost a generation of customers. To win some back is an achievement."

GM said global sales have risen 9.2 percent this year and has earned fatter profits than it has in more than 20 years. The Detroit-based carmaker earned $6.17 billion last year and $8.47 billion in the first nine months of this year.

'Not a goal': The Obama Administration's Auto Task Force, which oversaw GM's $50 billion bailout, figured the company could make big profits once freed of its massive debt and high labor costs.

The group didn't see GM retaking Toyota this soon after its June 1, 2009, bankruptcy filing, said former member Harry Wilson, now chief executive officer of consulting firm Maeva Advisors LLC in Scarsdale, New York.

"It's not something we counted on," Wilson said. "Being biggest was not a goal for us. It was being profitable so they could survive and grow."

The U.S. government still owns almost a third of GM. The government would have to sell its stake at an average of $53 a share to break even. GM shares closed down almost 11 percent, or $2.73, to $22.31 at 4 p.m. ET in New York Stock Exchange trading amid a broad decline in equity markets.

GM hasn't solved all of its problems. In the U.S. market, the company spent $3,070 per vehicle on incentives last month, second only to Chrysler Group LLC among mainstream automakers, according to market-research firm Autodata Corp. in Woodcliff Lake, N.J.

The automaker also has been sacrificing margins for sales in China. GM's China deliveries rose 10 percent in October from a year earlier helped in part by price cuts on its Wuling minivans.

Lower EBIT: GM's earnings before interest and taxes relative to sales lags behind those of Ford and VW, according to an analysis by Morgan Stanley.

CEO Dan Akerson is pushing for cost reductions to improve GM's EBIT margins. Net income fell in the third quarter to $2.11 billion from $2.16 billion a year earlier.

The culprits were losses in Europe and lower production of GM's more-profitable trucks and SUVs and higher production of lower-price small cars, Chief Financial Officer Dan Ammann said in a media briefing. In Europe, GM hasn't posted an annual profit in over a decade.

GM also has been helped by Toyota's bad luck, said longtime industry watcher Maryann Keller, principal of a self-named consulting firm in Stamford, Conn.

The earthquake in March disrupted production in Japan and allowed GM, VW and other competitors to snap up plenty of buyers. Floods in Thailand shut down suppliers, making it difficult for Toyota to recover production lost earlier in the year.

Toyota's Challenges: Still, GM may be able to keep the sales crown even after Toyota recovers from the effects of the earthquake and floods because Toyota buyers have had reasons to look around, Keller said.

Last year, Toyota recalled millions of cars because of problems with floor mats and a sticky accelerator pedal. That damaged its reputation as the vanguard for quality, she said.

Toyota's sales of 8.42 million vehicles in 2010 exceeded GM's by 30,000. It has sold 5.77 million through September this year, 8.8 percent fewer than a year earlier. Winning market share back won't be as easy for Toyota as it was over the past two decades, when Detroit's Big Three all had financial problems and quality issues, Keller said.

"Toyota won't gain back all of the share it lost this year," she said. "It was easy for the Japanese to steal buyers when their primary competitors in the U.S. put out low-quality cars. The competition has gained on them."

There are simply too many good brands selling quality cars for any player to dominate, Keller said. Besides the three giants, Renault SA, Nissan Motor Co., Ford Motor Co., Hyundai Motor Co. and Kia Motors Corp. all are selling competitive cars and have the financial strength to invest in technology, new models and marketing.

Alliance partners Renault and Nissan have sold a combined 4.93 million vehicles through September this year. Hyundai and its partner Kia have delivered a total of 4.73 million. Ford has sold 4.27 million. Volkswagen has a stated goal of becoming the world's largest carmaker.

On October 14, Christian Kingler, group board member for sales, said the Wolfsburg, Germany-based automaker will likely sell 8 million vehicles this year.

If GM maintains its global growth rate in the fourth quarter, it will sell about 9.16 million cars. GM has had a few things to brag about, as well.

The company has proved itself nimble enough to become the top seller in China with joint ventures selling luxury Buicks, bread-and- butter Chevrolets and subcompact cars with native Chinese partner Wulling.

U.S. Gains: The company has also rebounded in the U.S. market.

In 2009, the company and its overseers at the U.S. treasury Department debated shuttering all but two of its eight brands, including Buick and GMC, which would have left only Cadillac and Chevrolet in the United States.

After much deliberation, GM closed Hummer, Pontiac, and Saturn and sold Saab. Through October of this year, sales of the once-stodgy Buick brand are up 20 percent on the strength of its new Regal sedan.

GMC sales are up 24 percent with sales of the Terrain SUV up 54 percent. GM's total U.S. market share has risen to 19.8 percent through October from 19 percent a year earlier, according to Autodata.

Some of the credit for GM's recovery at home goes to the management team led by former Chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner, who was fired by the Treasury Department in 2009, said Jeremy Anwyl, CEO of Edmunds.com, a consumer-research website based in Santa Monica, Calif. Wagoner hired retired Vice Chairman Bob Lutz, who led a product renaissance.

'Some Credit': "Wagoner gets some credit for this," Anwyl said. "He invested in China more than 10 years ago. A lot of the product that is selling in the U.S. goes back four to six years."

Under the old management team, GM developed hot sellers like the Lacrosse, Terrain, Chevrolet Equinox SUV, the Chevy Cruze compact and the Chevy Volt plug-in hybrid.

Through October, the Cruze was America's best-selling compact sedan.

While the Volt sells in small numbers, it has given GM a technology story to tell. GM's strength in emerging markets should keep it on top of the heap, said Jim Hall, principal of 2953 Analytics Inc., a consulting firm in Birmingham, Mich.

The Detroit automaker is well-positioned in China and in India.

"GM is in a better position in China than Toyota. That could do it for them," Hall said. "To keep the lead in the long term, GM will have to match VW's growth here and push more sales in China."

India's Importance: India will be another big battleground, said Jeff Schuster, senior vice president of forecasting for LMC Automotive, a research firm based in Oxford, England.

The market is dominated by local players.

GM ranks third with 3.4 percent of the market, just ahead of Toyota, with 2.8 percent, and VW with 2 percent, he said.

The Indian car market will buy 3 million cars this year and may grow to 5.5 million by 2015, Schuster said.

A big question for all three automakers is whether being No. 1 is a good idea, Keller said.

"You'll have a three-way battle and you can't pick a clear winner," Keller said, adding, "The only thing that matters is being No. 1 in profit."

CHEVROLET SEMA DISPLAY REVEALS SONIC BOOM

By Damon Lavrinc, Autoblog.com - Chevrolet has rolled a dozen customized Sonic models into SEMA, and while it hasn't released details on every single variant of its entertaining subcompact, one of the modified hatches caught our eye.

If Chevy decided to launch a one-make race series for the Sonic, the Super 4 Concept would be the blueprint. Sporting a SCCA-approved roll cage, racing seat, five-point harness, fire suppression kit and a detachable steering wheel, the Super 4 is as close to race-ready as the Sonic can get. The 1.4-liter turbocharged four-pot hsn't been modified aside from a new intake and exhaust, but adjustable coilovers are fitted at all four corners and the braking hardware has been upgraded to four-piston front calipers with two-piece drilled rotors and two-piston piston rears with one-piece rotors, replacing the stock drums. Sticky rubber is wrapped around 18x7.5-inch wheels while a carbon fiber lower splitter, rocker panels and rear diffuser, along with a Concept Z-Spec spoiler round out the package.

Being SEMA, a brace of Sonics wouldn't be complete without a hi-fi-infused version, and the Boom concept from Kicker answers the call.

CHEVROLET CENTENNIAL: 100 YEARS OF ICONIC CARS

By Stephanie Rutkowski, ABC News - Chevrolet celebrates its centennial anniversary November 3, 2011. The Chevy division of General Motors prides itself on its rich place in U.S. auto history and its standing as an affordable global brand.

Auto racer Louis Chevrolet co-founded the Chevrolet Motor Co. with William C. Durant in 1911, with the goal of creating a racer's dream car. The Series C "Classic Six" vehicle premiered in 1912, and sold for $2,150. Louis left the auto-making industry in 1913 to focus on racing, but granted Durant the rights to continue using the Chevrolet name on future models.

Chevrolet aims to design cars that possess a spirit of their own -- a car with personality and spunk that can inspire new and old generations of Chevy owners alike -- a car that you can, as Dinah Shore sang, "see the USA in."

General Motors' vice president of design, Ed Welburn, will never forget the first time he saw a Chevy. He was about 6, walking down a leaf-lined street with his mother in a suburb of Philadelphia. A '55 Corvette whipped around the corner, kicking up fallen autumn leaves, and just as quickly as it came it was gone.

The Corvette's sleek, sporty frame had a lasting impact on young Welburn, and a few years later, at age 11, he wrote a letter to General Motors expressing his interest in designing cars and seeking career advice. GM wrote back offering advice on what he should study and details of their internship program, advice that he took to heart. Welburn went on to intern at GM, and after graduating from Howard University in Washington, D.C., he was hired full-time. The 2010 Chevrolet Camaro is just one of the car designs on which Welburn worked.

On the past century, Chevrolet has produced several iconic cars and trucks that have revolutionized General Motors' reach. Chevy has also secured a place in US pop culture history, popping up in the songs of Don McClean, The Beach Boys, Bruce Springsteen, Prince and Young Jeezy.

1936 Chevrolet Suburban: The first Chevrolet Suburban Carryall not oly changed Chevy's lineup, it influenced the entire industry of car design. The 1936 Suburban was the first crossover vehicle with the feel of a passenger car and the room of a truck. The Suburban was a pioneer in the SUV market.

"Like a Rock": Trucks have played a major role in Chevy's history, starting with the first truck model in 1918. Ed Welburn, General Motors' global vice president of design, describes the spirit of Chevy's pickup as "honest," "an everyday hero."

1953 Corvette: The '53 Corvette model marked the industry's first fiberglass body. This first Corvette was intended to shake up Chevrolet's offering and rival European sports cars.

1955 Bel Air: Hitting the roads alongside the rock n' roll explosion of the 50s, the sleek design of the '55 Bel Air Sport Coupe appealed to a younger market. Because of its sporty, contemporary body, Ed Welburn says, the Bel Air "looked like it would be more expensive than it is."

As the Chevy brand continues to grow nationally and globally, the company places strong emphasis on fuel efficiency and fuel alternatives. The Chevy Volt premiered in 2007, with a rechargeable electric driving system and backup gas tank.

New Chevy models for 2012 include the 2012 Cruze Eco and the 2012
Chevy Sonic.

What can we expect from Chevy in the next 100 years? Only time will tell if there will ever be an actual transforming Bumblebee Camaro on the market one day.

CHEVROLET CAMARO CONCEPTS STORM THE GENERAL MOTORS BOOTH

By Jeremy Korzeniewski, Autoblog.com - It just wouldn't be SEMA without a whole slew of Chevrolet Camaro coupes and convertibles staring us in the face, and this week's Vegas show doesn't disappoint. General Motors' own booth features four rather interesting specimens.

First comes the Camaro ZL1 Carbon Concept, which boasts a sinister Ashen Gray look with a smattering of carbon fiber bits and pieces. Power comes from the same 580 horsepower and 556 pound-feet of torque supercharged V8 that's set to debut in 2012 in the ZL1.

Up next is the Camaro Red Zone Concept. Based on the convertible version of the Chevrolet pony car, this machine wears a coat of Crystal Claret that's newly available for 2012 along with Chevrolet Accessories silver Ice interior pieces. The exterior features Accessory wheels and a full body kit, all available straight from the dealer. Finally, that stripe package you see will soon be availble to Camaro owners.

The silver convertible is the Camaro Synergy Series Concept, and it's wearing a coat of Silver Ice plus black Synergy decals with red line inserts. Chevrolet Accessory black-painted wheels join a body kit and body-color grille.

Finally, there's the Camaro 1LE Concept. As with other 1LE packages, this one has a suspension kit that is intended for road race circuits. It's Victory Red exterior is set off by a flat black hood and hash mark extensions. Most of the underpinnings will be available on the ZL1 for 2012, including the magnetic ride suspension.

GM ROLLS OUT A LIFE SIZED CAMARO HOT WHEELS MODEL AT THE 2011 SEMA SHOW

While General Motors devoted a huge portion of their 2011 SEMA Show display to their sporty new compact Chevy Sonic. The Chevrolet Camaro was also out in full force with one of the most impressive versions being the gorgeous green-chrome unit shown above -- designed in the style of a vintage Hot Wheels racer.
By Patrick Rall, Torque News - The Chevrolet Camaro Hot Wheels Concept might look like another bright green Camaro, but if you look closely you'll notice that this green paint is actually a high gloss green chrome with a variety of conceptual (not currently for sale) and GM accessories to give it a completely unique look. From the front to the back, this Camaro Hot Wheels Concept is unlike any other concept Camaro we have seen before and that starts up front with the grille from the ZL1 sporting the familiar Hot Wheels logo. Next, the hood gets a black aluminum hood insert with eight prominent heat extractors -- all of which is finished in a black satin stripe that runs the length of the car. Across the back, the Chevrolet Camaro Hot Wheels Concept gets some unique "Euro style" smoked taillights, a rear fascia with an integrated diffuser and exhaust bezels and the spoiler from the ZL1 super Camaro. The exterior is finished off with more Hot Wheels logos with a ground effects package in satin black, while a set of 20" satin black wheels with a red stripe complete the package.

Inside, the Chevrolet Camaro Hot Wheels Concept gets gobs of black leather with torch red accents, Hot Wheels sill plates and seat logos, a Chevrolet Accessories pedal kit and red ambient lighting. This Camaro show car also features all of the leather bits and premium sound system items of the traditional Camaro SS.

Finally, the Chevrolet Camaro Hot Wheels Concept receives some performance enhancing items beginning with a Brembo brake package with six piton front calipers, four piston rear calipers and two piece rotors. A GM-licensed Pedders suspension kit adjusts the handling and stance of this green chromed out muscle car with additional help from a Chevrolet Accessories strut tower brace and last but most certainly not least, the Hot Wheels Camaro gets a Chevrolet Accessories exhaust system that adds some sound and performance. This is all based on the 6.2L LS3 V8 packing 426 horsepower mated to a proper 6-speed manual transmission -- the same items found in the current Camaro SS.

While we are unlikely to see the elaborate show car package seen on the Chevrolet Camaro Hot Wheels Concept offered in fully built production form, many of the items are currently offered at your local Chevy dealership so a Camaro SS owner could build this car -- although the green chrome paint will cost you a pretty penny.

GM AND COSTCO HOOK UP TO SELL 2011-'12 TRUCKS AND SUVS

Just the Facts:

• In a first for General Motors, the Detroit automaker has hooked up with Costco to sell 2011-'12 trucks and SUVs, including the 2012 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Acadia



• Costco members will get GM "preferred pricing" through the limited-time program -- about equivalent to the discount that GM offers its suppliers' employees



• The warehouse club said on its website that it is giving a $500 Costco cash card to members who complete a survey after the purchase.

By Insideline.com - In a first for General Motors, the Detroit automaker has hooked up with Costco to sell 2011-'12 trucks and SUVs, including the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Acadia.

Eligible vehicles also include the 2011 and 2012 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe and Traverse, along with the GMC Sierra, Yukon and Yukon XL.

The Costco program can be combined with other GM rebates and incentives. The program runs now until January 3.

To participate, Costco members must register with the program online. "A promotion specialist will contact you to discuss the offer in more detail and provide you with your authorization and PIN, as well as the participating dealership's contact information," said Costco in the description of the program.

Members will receive the $500 Costco incentive in 6-8 weeks after completing a member satisfaction survey.

Inside Line says: GM starts to move the metal outside of the traditional dealership setting.

CHEVROLET ORLANDO: SPORTY SPACE ON A MODEST BUDGET

By Steph Willems, EMC - Following last year's aggressive re-entry into the resurgent compact car market with its Chevrolet Cruze sedan, General Motors is again looking to satisfy downsized tastes in the age of pricey gasoline.

October marks the launch of both the subcompact Chevy Sonic sedan and hatchback, designed (in America) to replace the slow-selling Aveo, and a new Cruze-based family vehicle called the Orlando that defies easy categorization.

The EMC got its hands on a 2012 Orlando from Jim Tubman Chevrolet last week to put the new age grocery getter through its paces.

So, what exactly is the Orlando?

From the outside, its looks seem to fit somewhere between an SUV, crossover, wagon and minivan. Peering inside the vehicle (and its accompanying sales literature), the Orlando's intent is clear -- to hold as many kids as a minivan -- or as much stuff -- but without looking, driving or sucking fuel like a minivan.

Underneath the seven-passenger Orlando -- billed as the most space-efficient and fuel-efficient seven-seater on the market -- lies the architecture of the Chevy Cruze, namely its GM Delta II platform.

That same global platform is utilized in both the Cruze and the new Chevy Volt, as well as the upcoming Buick Verano compact sedan. Having tested the Cruze during last year's launch, the Orlando exhibits the same structural stiffness and planted handling characteristics as its sedan stable mate, only with much, much more cargo room.

Driving through the city over the course of a couple of days confirmed the Orlando can be a compromise for people who need the room of a van, but don't want to erase driving fun from their lives. Nor do they want to spend lots of time and money at the pumps to achieve this feat.

The only engine offered in the Orlando is the 2.4-litre, direct-injection four cylinder found in the Verano, the larger Chevy Equinox and in 'mild hybrid' eAssist form in the Buick LaCrosse, Regal and the future Chevy Malibu Eco. With 174 horsepower and 171 pounds-feet of torque, the engine is easily up to the task of hauling around the Orlando's 3,500-3,600 pound curb weight.

In fact, it feels downright sporty, as a comparison, the Cruze's topline engine is a 138-horsepower 1.4-litre turbo unit, and that vehicle only undercuts the weight of the Orlando by 400 pounds.

Our mid-level LT tester came equipped with an optional six-speed automatic transmission with manual shift mode, also available (and the only choice on the base LS) is a six-speed manual gearbox that sounds like a lot of fun. Nothing on the road today will give you the option of hauling seven people while rowing your own gears.

The automatic does a good job of making use of the Orlando's on-tap power. The vehicle launches with authority, upshifts are subtle and there is little hesitation before downshifting when the Orlando is pressed harder. While most automatics want to hold the highest gear possible for as long as possible (usually leading to a delayed, abrupt two-gear kickdown), the six-speed in the Orlando has a tendency to position itself for the bursts of acceleration needed in city driving, quickly dropping a gear a few seconds after the driver lifts off the throttle to bleed off some speed.

A savvy passenger noticed this and actually commented on it. The driver of an automatic Orlando certainly isn't driving a penalty box.

The LT and base LS come with 16-inch aluminum wheels, 60-series tires and four-wheel disc brakes -- all found on the Cruze -- while the top-level LTZ model brings 18-inch wheels and 45-series low-profile tires, no doubt improving performance even more -- presumably for times when the kids aren't along for the ride.

For anyone used to driving a regular commuter car, the volume-seller LT model is sporty enough, and will probably feel like a performance upgrade.

Because of the Orlando's higher seating position, visibility out the front of the vehicle is good, aided by a low dash and door sills. A big plus is that the seating position isn't so high the driver feels acrophobic, like in a towering van or SUV -- it's more like being behind the wheel of a tall sedan with a low centre of gravity.

Driving along, the Orlando feels and handles like a largish car, which is essentially what it is. Only when shoulder checking does one realize how much utilitarian vehicle there is behind you.

Both rows of rear seats can be folded flat in seconds, making for a lengthy, 56.3 cubic foot cargo floor, folding the rearmost row makes for the conventional five-seats-plus-cargo-bay setup most crossover and wagon drivers are used to. The three middle row headrests do compound rearward visibility, so the quick-fold function is a useful one.

GM lists the Orlando as having a fuel consumption of 6.7L/100 km on the highway, which translates into 42 mpg -- a figure not achievable in a seven seat van or SUV. The Orlando's base price of $19,995 also undercuts the price of most alternatives.

The ubiquitous Dodge Grand Caravan is listed at the same price, but gets 36 mpg highway, is larger and is very much a van.

The interior of our whit test vehicle came with black cloth seats, and an attractive black dash that alternated between matte and shiny surfaces. The seats were firm but comfortable, and could slide back far enough to accommodate the tallest basketball player.

The tilting/telescopic steering wheel -- straight out of the Cruze parts bin -- completed the requirements for a comfortable driving position. On the wheel were controls for the Sirius XM Satellite Radio (available on all models) as well as the cruise control.

If you plan on having the Orlando serve double duty as an office space, the 2LT model comes with Bluetooth hands-free phone connectivity and a USB port -- something bored kids could make use of if the scenery just doesn't cut it anymore.

While the Orlando isn't a gizmo-laden luxury hauler or a rock-crawling go-anywhere 'ute (it is a front-wheel drive only), it does excel in the role it was created for -- being efficient in terms of space, value, ride and comfort.

RACER RICKY CARMICHAEL GUSSIES UP A CHEVROLET SONIC

Mostly it was just beautiful. The black paint was accented by neon green accents
on the wheels and Ricky's signature on the sides. The colors, he says, "make the car hop".

By Chris Woodyard, USA Today - Chevrolet is calling it a Sonic "all activity vehicle," and who are we to argue? Designed with a hand -- and a signature -- from Motocross champion Ricky Carmichael, the black Sonic had a place for a mountain bike, wakeboard and other sports equipment.

Carmichael was there to show it off earlier this week before the opening of the SEMA aftermarket auto parts trade show in Las Vegas. The subcompact is one of 20 Sonics that were all customized to varying degrees in hopes of inspiring others to try their own designs.

Carmichael is the 15-time American Motorcyle Association (AMA) champion, three-time X-Games gold medalist and now a NASCAR racer, driving a Chevy Silverado. His NASCAR truck, No. 4, is emblazoned in the seats along with the Fox log, one of his sponsors.

TOMBSTONE ADDED ON CHEVROLET ANNIVERSARY

Indianapolis, Indiana - On Thursday's 100th anniversary of the Chevrolet automobile, Indianapolis Motor Speedway officials announced the placement of a headstone on the Indianapolis gravesite of Arthur Chevrolet.

Louis Chevrolet, who founded the auto brand that bears his family name, is buried in Holly Cross and Saint Joseph Cemetery in Indianapolis alongside his younger brothers Gaston, the 1920 Indianapolis 500 winner, and Arthur.

But Arthur Chevrolet died without family or the means to pay for a gravesite marker, so since 1946 his burial site lacked a headstone.

The Speedway arranged for David Ring, an Indy 500 fan who owns a funeral business, to have the stone placed at Arthur Chevrolet's burial site adjacent to those of his brothers, who did have markers bearing their names.

"When I heard that Arthur did not have a headstone I worked with IMS to arrange for one to be created and placed," Ring said.

Louis Chevrolet, born to Swiss parents, grew up in France and worked in a French car factory. He emmigrated to the United States and opened his car factory, then sent for his younger brothers to join him.

Louis Chevrolet raced in the Indianapolis 500 four times, his best showing a seventh-place finish in 1917.

Arthur Chevrolet raced twice in the Indy 500, finishing 36th in the 1911 inaugural race and 18th in 1916.

Gaston Chevrolet won the 1920 Indy 500 but was killed later that year in a race at Beverly Hills, California.

CHEVY SONIC: SMALLER CAR, BIGGER EFFORT

By Steph Willems, The EMC - The second half of GM's massive October dual launch is the smallest of Chevrolet's new offerings, the Sonic.

Built in America to replace the late, unlamented Aveo, the Sonic is offered as a four-door sedan or five-door hatch, with the choice of two engines and three transmissions.

This differs from the one-engine/two transmission combo offered by the Aveo, which was based on the Korean-built Suzuki Swift and was regarded as basic transportation at best.

The new Sonic shares no parts -- or personality -- with the old Aveo, a model GM is eager for consumers to forget.

As the division's entry-level model, the Sonic has the hefty responsibility of taking market share back from the many Japanese and Korean vehicles that have dominated the sub-compact market for years. With driving preferences turning to small, fuel-efficient vehicles due to high gas prices -- as well as renewed competition from Ford -- the choices are many for consumers and the stakes high for GM.

To do battle with the competing subcompacts, Chevy needed to focus not just on achieving a low starting price, but also on matching the fit and finish, comfort and drivability of the newer crop of subcompacts -- which include the Nissan Versa, Toyota Yaris, Honda Fit, Hyundai Accent and Ford Fiesta.

In other words, reclaim the brand's competitiveness in the small car world.

The base LS form, the Sonic brings a 1.8-litre, 132-horsepower four-cylinder engine mated to a five-speed manual transmission, with a sedan coming in at $15,855 after freight.

Basic amenities include ABS brakes, traction control, six airbags, and a tilt/telescoping steering wheel. Convenience options are many; among them a six-speed automatic transmission with a manual shift toggle located on the thumb side of the gearshift knob.

While base trim would most emulate the value of the previous Aveo and be competitive with the competitors, it is the higher trim levels that would excite driving enthusiasts. The LTZ with a 1.4-litre turbo four that produces the same horsepower at lower RPM's and considerably more torque.

A standard six-speed manual tranny adds to the fun, while 17-inch wheels increase the already nimble nature of the vehicle.

The Sonic's biggest styling signature is its quad, motorcycle-inspired headlights, which are offset from each other for an aggressive front end appearance. The word 'menacing' comes to mind.

This is bolstered by a similarly-themed gauge display, which consists of a round tachometer with attached digital speedometer/gauge layout set in a rectangular metallic housing.

Driving a five-door tester of the LT2 trim level with optional automatic gave a taste of what buyers of the volume model can expect.

Front seat comfort and legroom is substantial, helped by the telescoping wheel. The two-tone dash layout seen in larger Chevy models is continued in the Sonic, diving drivers more to look at than an expanse of black or grey plastic. It gives an upscale feel to the interior, as does the over/under dual glove compartments.

Rear legroom is as ample as a midsize car from the 90s; rear-seat passengers won't have to ask the front seat passenger to hug the dashboard to achieve necessary legroom. This driver fit with the front seat halfway back, and he stands 6'4".

In the five-door visibility is aided by long rear seat windows, making shoulder-checks easier.

Driving along, there was considerable road noise at highway speeds; however, in all types of driving the Sonic was agile thanks to precise steering feedback and capable brakes.

The 1.8-litre engine in our tester was no powerhouse, but the Sonic's lightweight, agility and the transmission's gearing allowed for aggressive launches and not much sluggishness on the highway. It was also able to cruise city streets with the engine barely above idle RPM, which accounts for the competitive gas mileage.

We were able to cruise as low as 46 km/h in 6th gear; the manual function allows for starts in 2nd gear as well.

While we were unable to test the LTZ model, there's little doubt the turbo/6-speed stick combo would make it a fun pocket rocket for driving enthusiasts.

Even the base engine and five-speed would likely make a lively vehicle for the cost-conscious car buyer.

While the Sonic can be as spartan or optioned-out as the owner wants, depending on their reason for purchasing, there will soon be a way for Sonic owners to personalize their vehicle with specialized paint schemes, graphics and accessory packages thanks to a partnership with 3M. Available through dealerships, the paint 'body wraps' are expected later this calendar year.

With the introduction of this vehicle, GM hopes all memories drivers might have of the old Aveo will be replaced by pleasant driving memories of being behind the wheel of a Sonic. The Sonic seems ready for the challenge.