The all-new 2012 Chevrolet Orlando, like other Chevrolet models recently launched in various market segments, doesn’t follow convention. Orlando’s design – part MPV, part crossover – breaks the rules of a historically conservative segment; it makes a statement and stands out from the crowd. Pricing on the 2012 Chevrolet Orlando begins at an MSRP of $19,995 for the LS model, $22,295 for the LT and $29,735 for the well equipped LTZ model.
Orlando demonstrates how innovative design can transform the once ordinary confines of the family vehicle to create a totally different experience for driver and passengers alike. That is made clear by a quick look at some of the vital statistics, starting with overall length. Orlando is remarkably compact for a vehicle that can transport up to seven people in comfort and it continues the transformation underway at Chevrolet, reaffirming the commitment to building refined, fuel-efficient vehicles using small-displacement, four-cylinder engines. It is expected to deliver the best fuel efficiency of any non-hybrid 7 passenger vehicle – including 10.1 L/100km in the city and 6.7 L/100km on the highway.
“The new Orlando builds on the transformation of Chevrolet’s fuel efficient and versatile product portfolio, offering a family-friendly vehicle in a key segment in the Canadian market,” said Kevin Williams, president and managing director of General Motors of Canada. “With its expected segment-leading fuel efficiency and standard 7-passenger seating, Orlando should be a popular choice with Canadian families.” More
Oshawa, Ontario (Monday, January 31, 2011) – The Oshawa Assembly Plant today celebrated the start of regular production of the hotly-anticipated 2011 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible in a ceremony with employees and invited guests.
“This is an exciting new chapter in the ongoing revival of the tremendously popular Chevrolet Camaro,” said Kevin Williams, president and managing director of GM of Canada. “The launch of the new convertible opens Camaro design and performance to a new set of enthusiastic customers, while further demonstrating the flexible capabilities of the award-winning Oshawa Assembly Plant.”
The Chevrolet Camaro Convertible is the second of three new vehicles being launched in Oshawa since last September, and two new shifts have been added to support this additional production.
“The entire team here at Oshawa Assembly is dedicated to bringing this stunning vehicle to market with outstanding quality,” stated Dan Hermer, plant manager at the Oshawa Assembly Plant.
“New product mandates like the Camaro Convertible are testaments to the calibre of the workforce in Oshawa,” added Chris Buckley, president of the Canadian Auto Workers Local 222.
Employees were joined by Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports, to celebrate the milestone. Hendrick, a Camaro enthusiast who purchased the first 2010 Camaro Coupe that rolled off the line, has now also purchased the first Camaro Convertible available for public sale. In both cases, Rick Hendrick acquired the purchase rights through the Barrett-Jackson auction, with all proceeds benefitting local charities.
“I grew up loving the Chevrolet brand, and I’ve never raced anything else,” Hendrick said. “As a Chevy enthusiast, it’s been exciting to see the Camaro return as such a world-class, high-performance car. The folks in Oshawa make some of the best products on the road, so the opportunity to meet them and thank them for what they do is a real privilege.”
Dale Earnhardt Jr., a driver for Hendrick Motorsports in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, was also present at the celebration and added, “Chevrolet has been a great partner on and off the track, and I’m very happy to be here on this special day. While I still enjoy my 1972 Camaro, I can’t wait to take home one of these awesome new convertibles.”
The 2011 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible, with an MSRP starting at $33,995, will be on sale at local Chevrolet dealerships across Canada starting in February.
More than $1.2 million dollars donated to Canadian coaches through the Making Dreams Possible program
Some 31,000 coaches, and over 284,000 athletes in 194 communities across Canada have benefitted from the program
Oshawa (ON), December 15, 2010 – Today, Chevrolet presented an additional 50 community sport clubs from across Canada with Community Club Coaching Grants of $2,000 each for coach training and development activities. Since its inception in 2006, the Chevrolet Making Dreams Possible program has provided more than $1.2 million to support Canadian coaches at all levels of competition.
“Chevrolet is proud of its long history of supporting the development of Canadian athletes big and small,” said Marc Comeau, vice-president of marketing for Chevrolet Canada. “Making Dreams Possible is designed to help coaches get the right kind of training, resulting in children having positive first experiences that encourage a lifetime love of sports.”
“CAC is committed to educating, supporting and connecting coaches and our partnership with Chevrolet through the Making Dreams Possible program allows us do just that,” stated John Bales, chief executive officer of the Coaching Association of Canada. “We believe in the value of coaches and are excited that once again 50 community sport clubs, their coaches, and their athletes will receive the support they deserve.”
Over the past four years, Chevrolet’s direct support of coach education and development through this program has impacted nearly 31,000 coaches and over 284,000 athletes in 194 communities across the country.
One of the clubs receiving a grant today is the Stittsville Minor Hockey Association (SMHA).
“The Chevrolet Making Dreams Possible grant will provide assistance to the SMHA by allowing all new coaches to attend an ‘Introduction to Coaching’ course. This will provide new coaches with the skills necessary to succeed, and in turn, will allow us to provide a consistent level of instruction – enabling coaches to build on their skills to match the children’s progression through the hockey ranks,” said Peter Valters, coach mentor of the SMHA. “An indicator of success (for us) is to have the children return each year and qualified coaches are critical to reaching that goal.”
A complete list of recipients is attached.
About Chevrolet’s Making Dreams Possible Program
Making Dreams Possible is a program developed by Chevrolet in partnership with the Coaching Association of Canada, the governing body of Canada’s coaching education program and is designed to support coaches of Olympic and Paralympic sports at the high performance and community club levels.
Chevrolet’s Making Dreams Possible program will provide a minimum of 100 grants of $2,000 each annually for coach development in local communities, and ten grants of $10,000 each annually to high performance athletes and their coaches. These grants will be used to fund special projects that develop the skills and abilities of high performance and community level coaches. Visit www.coach.ca/makingdreamspossible for more information.
About CAC
The Coaching Association of Canada unites stakeholders and partners (national, provincial and territorial sport associations) in its commitment to raising the skills and stature of coaches, and ultimately expanding their reach and influence. CAC (via the NCCP, NSOs and provincial and federal governments) empowers coaches with knowledge and skills, promotes ethics, fosters positive attitudes, builds competence, and increases the credibility and recognition of coaches. Visit www.coach.ca for more information about coach education and training.
Oshawa, Ontario – Chevrolet announced today that its all-new small car will be called the Chevrolet Sonic in North America.
“Following the successful formula of the award-winning Chevrolet Cruze, which has changed the way people look at compact cars, the new Sonic takes aim at energizing Canada’s small car segment,” said Marc Comeau, vice president, Chevrolet Canada. “The new car is roomy, stylish and fun to drive, and we felt that the Sonic name conveys the youth and energy that this vehicle is all about.”
The Sonic small car is the next important step forward reflecting Chevrolet’s commitment to deliver a range of smaller, fuel-efficient and fun to drive cars that are ideally suited to the Canadian market and particularly at home within urban environments.
The vehicle will continue to be called Aveo in other parts of the world, where it will be sold in more than 50 countries.
Vancouver – Vehicle fleets in B.C. are going green thanks to a new partnership between BC Hydro and Chevrolet Canada. BC Hydro will work with Chevrolet to help place fifteen Chevrolet Volts into the fleets of B.C.-based organizations late next summer, with at least two of those vehicles being added to BC Hydro’s own fleet.
The partnership is aimed at promoting consumer adoption of plug-in electric vehicles and building awareness of the environmental benefits of the cars.
“Electric vehicles will play an important role in B.C.’s clean energy future. When powered by B.C.’s hydroelectricity, electric vehicles can greatly reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transportation,” said Energy Minister Steve Thomson. “British Columbia is playing a lead role in creating a culture of acceptance for environmentally-friendly transportation solutions and we are pleased to be able to work with automotive industry leaders, like Chevrolet, to accelerate the arrival of plug-in vehicles to our province.”
With extended-range capability, the Volt has a total driving range of about 580 kilometres. For the first 40 to 80 kilometres, the vehicle drives gas-free and produces zero tailpipe-emissions by using electricity stored in the battery. When the battery runs low, an engine-generator seamlessly engages to provide electricity, extending the Volt’s driving range by about 500 kilometres.
“We are pleased to work with BC Hydro as a leading partner to prepare to launch the Chevrolet Volt, an award-winning product that delivers an electric vehicle solution without compromise,” said Kevin Williams, president and managing director of GM of Canada. “Unlike any other electric vehicle, the Chevrolet Volt eliminates range-anxiety with its extended range capability, and gives customers the freedom to drive green without the fear of being stranded with a depleted battery.”
With B.C.’s hybrid adoption rate being 2.5 times higher than other provinces, BC Hydro anticipates that our province will have one of the highest electric vehicle adoption rates in North America.
“There is significant interest in electric vehicles in B.C., and as the primary fuel supplier for these cars of the future, BC Hydro has been involved in numerous initiatives to learn more about how electric vehicles will interact with our electrical system,” said Bev Van Ruyven, deputy CEO and executive vice-president, BC Hydro. “As we work towards key clean energy goals, we will continue to advance sustainability and conservation and encourage British Columbians to use energy and all other resources wisely.”
To prepare for the arrival of electric vehicles, BC Hydro has taken the lead in the development of codes and standards, worked with Natural Resources Canada to develop guidelines for charging infrastructure guidelines and participated in a North America-wide research and development collaboration regarding plug-in vehicles with General Motors, the Electric Power Research Institute and 34 top North American utilities to facilitate integration of plug-in hybrid vehicles into the grid.
Recently, the Chevrolet Volt has been recognized with a number of awards in advance of its retail launch in the U.S. this month, including:
Car and Driver’s 10 Best
Green Car Journal’s 2011 Green Car of the Year
AUTOMOBILE Magazine 2011 Automobile of the Year
Motor Trend 2011 Car of the Year
10 Best Engines for 2011 by Ward’s AutoWorld magazine.
Last week, Chevrolet released plans for the introduction of the Volt to Canada in the third quarter of 2011, and named Vancouver, Victoria, Montreal, Quebec City, Oshawa, Toronto and Ottawa-Gatineau as launch markets. Canadian pricing for the Volt has not yet been announced.
Hydro-Québec, first company in Canada to acquire 20 electric vehicles with extended range
Montreal, Quebec (Thursday, December 2, 2010) – Hydro-Québec and Chevrolet Canada today announced a new partnership by which Hydro-Québec will integrate 20 Chevrolet Volts into its fleet, starting in 2011.
“We are very pleased with this acquisition as it will enable us to include extended range technology in our portfolio of electric vehicle road tests,” said Thierry Vandal, president and CEO of Hydro-Québec. “Over the coming years, the addition of vehicles propelled by clean, renewable energy will have a major impact on Québec’s environmental balance sheet.”
Indeed, by integrating the Volt into its fleet, Hydro-Québec intends to assess its environmental benefits, specifically in terms of greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions.
Quebeckers will likely spot many of Hydro-Québec’s Chevrolet Volts during the second half of next year as they will mostly be used by customer service representatives and by regional community relations staff.
“We are happy to work with Hydro-Québec to promote vehicle electrification and prepare the market for the launch of the Chevrolet Volt,” said Marc Comeau, vice president of sales, service, and marketing at Chevrolet Canada. “With its extended range capability, the Chevrolet Volt eliminates range-anxiety and gives customers the freedom to drive green without the fear of being stranded with a depleted battery.”
As the world’s first electric vehicle with extended range capability, the Volt has a total driving range of about 580 km. As per Chevrolet, the Volt is the only electric vehicle that can operate under a full range of climates and driving conditions without the limitations of a traditional battery electric vehicle. For the first 40 to 80 km, the Volt drives gas-free and produces zero tailpipe-emissions by using electricity stored in its 16-kWh lithium-ion battery. When the Volt’s battery runs low, a 1.4-litre gas-powered engine/generator seamlessly engages to extend the driving range about 500 km on a full tank.
Volt can be charged via a standard 120 volt plug. However, those who would like to experience faster charging times could choose to install level 2 charging stations that are fed by 240 volts of electricity. Most homes that are heated via electricity, as is the case in Québec, can support the addition of a level 2 charging station without having any major electrical work done. Hydro-Québec will act as a liaison between Chevrolet Canada, master electricians and the Corporation des maîtres électriciens (CMEQ) to ensure that future Volt drivers who wish to install such home charging stations can do so simply and efficiently.
The Volt has already garnered numerous awards in advance of its year-end launch in the U.S. including:
AUTOMOBILE Magazine 2011 Automobile of the Year
Car and Driver 10Best
Green Car Journal’s 2011 Green Car of the Year
Motor Trend 2011 Car of the Year
Earlier today, Chevrolet named Montreal, Quebec City and Gatineau as launch markets for the Chevrolet Volt in the second half of next year, along with Oshawa, Ottawa, Toronto, Vancouver, and Victoria. Canadian pricing for the Volt has not yet been announced.
Oshawa, Ontario (Thursday, December 2, 2010) – Chevrolet announced today that Montreal, Quebec City, Toronto, Oshawa, Ottawa-Gatineau, Vancouver and Victoria will be the initial launch markets for the Chevrolet Volt in Canada. Arriving at Canadian dealerships in the second half of 2011, the Volt is an award-winning electric vehicle with extended range that offers Canadians the ability to dramatically reduce their vehicle greenhouse gas emissions.
“The Chevrolet Volt is a game-changer, offering consumers an electric vehicle without compromise,” said Kevin Williams, president and managing director of GM of Canada. “These seven cities represent some of our largest automotive markets in Canada, where customers and major fleet operators are known to be leaders in adopting groundbreaking environmental technologies.”
The initial Volt launch markets will play a key role in validating’ market readiness for electric vehicles in Canada, where relatively low-carbon electricity generation provides dramatic greenhouse gas benefits compared to conventionally-powered vehicles.
GM is also working with key utilities across the country to prepare each regional market in advance of the retail market deployment. It is anticipated that before the end of the 2012 model year, the Volt will be more broadly available for sale at dealerships nation-wide, although Volt-authorized service points will be available across Canada during the initial launch.
The Chevrolet Volt is the only electric vehicle that can operate under a full range of climates and driving conditions without limitations or driver concern of being stranded by a depleted battery. As the world’s first electric vehicle with extended range capability, the Volt has a total driving range of about 580 km. For the first 40 to 80 km, the Volt drives gas- and tailpipe-emissions-free using electricity stored in its 16-kWh lithium-ion battery. When the Volt’s battery runs low, a 1.4-litre gas-powered engine/generator seamlessly engages to extend the driving range about 500 km on a full tank.
The Volt has already garnered numerous awards in advance of its year-end launch in the U.S. Some of those awards include, but are not limited to:
AUTOMOBILE Magazine 2011 Automobile of the Year
Car and Driver 10Best
Green Car Journal’s 2011 Green Car of the Year
Motor Trend 2011 Car of the Year
The Volt was first shown as a concept in January, 2007 at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. In June of that year, GM’s Board of Directors approved the start of product development for the Volt and the Voltec electric propulsion system.
In September, 2008, the production version of the Volt debuted during GM’s Centennial celebration. Today, the Volt is being produced at Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly, with the first US retail customer deliveries in December.
Canadian pricing will be announced closer to launch.
Customers interested in purchasing a Volt are encouraged to visit our website at www.chevrolet.ca where they can sign-up for regular product updates.
Oshawa, Ontario (November 12, 2010) – The official fuel consumption numbers for the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze Eco are in and they deliver on Chevrolet’s best-in-class promise, with a Natural Resources of Canada (NRCan) highway fuel consumption rating of 4.6 L/100km for manual transmission models.**
In fact, Cruze Eco’s highway fuel efficiency beats non-hybrid & diesel competitors and matches the 2011 Honda Insight hybrid based on NRCan results. It also wins out over the smaller 2011 Ford Fiesta and provides 17 percent greater highway fuel efficiency than the 2011 Honda Civic.
“The AJAC award-winning Chevrolet Cruze continues to redefine the compact segment, offering class-leading standard safety features, upscale amenities – as well as hybrid-like fuel economy without the price,” said Marc Comeau, vice president of marketing for Chevrolet in Canada. “The Cruze Eco is in a league of its own and will challenge perceptions of the efficiency available in an affordable compact car.”
The Cruze Eco carries an MSRP of $19,495* and can be ordered today at Chevrolet dealers across Canada.
To achieve its segment-leading highway fuel efficiency, Cruze’s engineers focused on aerodynamic performance, mass optimization and powertrain enhancements. The refinements in each area paid big dividends towards the car’s overall efficiency, while providing engineers with valuable information to help enhance the efficiency of future Chevrolet models.
Aero enhancements
Aerodynamic improvements over non-Eco manual-transmission models reduced the highway fuel consumption rating by 0.8L/100km to 4.6L/100km. Many were developed and refined in more than 500 hours of wind-tunnel testing of the Chevy Volt, which shares a core architecture with the Cruze. Examples include the upper grille, which has more “closeouts” to improve aerodynamics, a lower front air dam extension, a rear spoiler, a lowered ride height and underbody panels that smooth airflow beneath the car.
The Eco model also features an all-new technology in the compact segment: a lower front grille air shutter that closes at higher speeds to reduce aerodynamic drag and opens at lower speeds to optimize engine-cooling airflow. Another contributor to reduced drag is the use of ultra-low rolling resistance 17-inch Goodyear tires (used with lightweight wheels), which are also used on the Volt.
As a result of the aero enhancements, aerodynamic drag was reduced by 10 percent over a non-Eco model, with a coefficient of drag of 0.298. That places Cruze at the top of the class for mainstream compact cars.
Mass optimization
More than 42 changes were made on the Eco to reduce weight. It weighs in at 1,365 kg (3,009 lbs), compared to the 1,462 kg (3,223 lbs) of the Cruze LT Turbo. The diet program for the Cruze challenged engineers to look at all aspects of the vehicle’s construction, including hundreds of weld flanges on the vehicle. They were reduced 1 mm to 2 mm in length, which saved several pounds, while the sheet metal gauge thickness was reduced by about 0.1 mm in select components. This saved weight while preserving structural integrity.
Lighter wheels and tires are used on the Eco. They’re stylish, polished 17-inch alloy units with Goodyear tires that weigh only 16.6 kg (36.5 lbs) apiece. That’s 2.4 kilos (5.3 lbs) less than the 16-inch wheel/tires of the Cruze LT Turbo for a complete savings to the vehicle of 9.6 kg (21.2 lbs).
Efficient powertrain
Cruze Eco is powered by power-dense Ecotec 1.4L turbocharged engine and a standard six-speed manual transmission. The transmission’s gearing is optimized for the model’s specific 17-inch wheel/tire combination and includes aggressive ratios for first and second gear coupled with a highly efficient, “taller” sixth-gear ratio for highway driving. That means engine rpm is reduced on the highway, which in turn reduces fuel consumption. A six-speed automatic transmission is available, with NRCan fuel consumption ratings of 7.8 L/100km city and 5.1 L/100km highway.
The Ecotec 1.4L turbo’s power ratings are 138 horsepower (103 kW) and 148 lb.-ft. of torque (200 Nm) between 1,850 rpm and 4,900 rpm. The wide rpm range for the maximum torque – a specific trait of turbocharged engines – helps the engine deliver a better driving experience and performance. The turbocharger is integrated within the exhaust manifold, for reduced weight and greater packaging flexibility.
The engine also features premium design elements that give it world-class smoothness and durability while also contributing to the Cruze Eco’s lower curb weight. They include a cast iron block with a hollow frame structure, hollow-cast camshafts and a plastic intake manifold.
Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario (Friday, October 29, 2010) – Chevrolet Canada was today honoured by the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC), which named the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze as the “Best New Small Car over $21,000.”
“To win top spot in the category that represents the biggest segment in Canada, after a head-to-head comparison with the best of the competition, is critically important for any manufacturer and marks a key milestone for the new product executions from Chevrolet,” said Kevin Williams, president and managing director, GM Canada. “Our challenge to Canadian compact buyers is this: Put the Cruze on your shopping list and compare it against the current segment leaders. We are confident that, just like the AJAC judges, you will find it to be a clear winner.”
With sales success in 60 countries around the world, the Cruze is a testament to Chevrolet’s ability to compete and win with small, fuel-efficient and fun-to-drive cars that are ideally suited to the everyday driving needs of consumers.
This latest award for the Cruze results from recent back-to-back driving evaluations of 48 new vehicles at the AJAC Test Fest evaluation – the foundation of the Canadian Car of the Year Awards (CCOTY) program. Seventy (70) of Canada’s top automotive journalists judged this year’s competition which aims to provide consumers with sound, comparative information on new vehicles.
The Cruze, which launched in Canadian dealerships earlier this week, stands alone in the segment with 10 standard airbags and delivers excellent fuel efficiency, top-quality infotainment plus a host of other comfort and safety features which are ideally suited to the needs of compact buyers. With a starting price of just $14,995, plus a free Apple iPad or winter tires for orders placed before January 10, 2011, the all-new Chevrolet Cruze aims to change the way Canadians look at compact cars.
Oshawa, Ontario (November 2, 2010) — Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac posted retail sales increases in October, up 5.8 percent for the month and 24 percent calendar-year-to-date, continuing to outpace Canada’s retail market growth by a substantial margin. New launch vehicles have played an important role in this growth and this trend is expected to continue thanks to the impressive showing at the recent “TestFest” competition held by the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC), where each brand claimed segment winners: Chevrolet Cruze, Buick Regal, and Cadillac CTS-V Coupe.
“We continue to bring stylish, fuel-efficient and fun-to-drive new cars to market, and consumers and critics alike are recognizing that our new lineup can compete with the best and win,” said Marc Comeau, GM of Canada’s vice-president of sales, service and marketing. “With our award-winning lineup of vehicles connecting with Canadian customers, we are confident that we will continue to grow retail sales of our four core brands in line with our targets.”
October marked the Canadian launch of the all-new, much-anticipated Chevrolet Cruze, already an international success in over 60 countries. Last week, Cruze went head-to-head with the best of the competition and won, claiming the AJAC award for Best New Small Car (over $21,000). Cruze designers set out to establish new benchmarks in the compact segment for fuel economy, refinement and standard safety features, and customers are reacting very positively with a strong first week of orders and sales.
The Buick Regal, launched earlier this summer, also continues to build momentum, winning the AJAC award for Best New Family Car (over $30,000). Based on the award-winning Opel Insignia, the 2009 “European Car of the Year,” Regal is a modern performance sedan to rival the best in its class and brings a whole new dimension to the Buick lineup.
Finally, the Cadillac CTS-V Coupe, also launched earlier this summer, was honoured with the AJAC award for Best New Sports / Performance Car. The all-new CTS-V Coupe is a luxury sports coupe aimed squarely at driving enthusiasts, boasting the performance and luxury of exotics at a price range that discerning Canadians can embrace.
November marks the start of the Chevrolet Season’s Best Event and the Buick GMC Holiday Bonus Event, offering holiday bonus cash on most new vehicles in addition to low financing rates and no payments for 90 days. Combined with the innovative Smart Purchase financing option, or attractive lease offers for Buick and Cadillac products, now is a great time to visit a Chevrolet, Buick, GMC or Cadillac showroom to check out GM’s leading range of award-winning, high-quality, fuel-efficient vehicles.
October 2010 Retail Sales Highlights
Chevrolet cars continue to grow sales, up almost 37 percent, driven by increases from fuel-efficient small cars: Aveo, Cobalt and Cruze.
Buick sales were up almost 21 percent, led by strong car sales including LaCrosse, up 39 percent, as well as the all-new Buick Regal.
GMC crossovers also posted gains, with the Ingersoll-built Terrain up 34 percent. Acadia was up almost 17 percent.
Cadillac sales were up 3 percent, led again by the SRX, posting 8 percent growth, its tenth consecutive month of increases.
Total GM fleet and retail sales were down 6.1 percent compared to last October when major clearance efforts were underway for discontinued brand inventories such as Pontiac.
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