Smart Driving Could Save $100 a Month at the Pump

OnStar data shows mileage of drivers in identical cars can vary by 75 percent

DETROIT - With the official start of the summer driving season fast approaching, Chevrolet is reminding consumers of some easy ways to maintain their vehicles and drive smarter to help improve fuel economy and save money at the pump.

To demonstrate 10 common mistakes drivers make that hurt their fuel economy, General Motors fuel economy engineers Ann Wenzlick and Beth Nunning drove identical Chevrolet Cruze LTs with an EPA estimated at 24 mpg city and 36 mpg highway, on a typical workday commute. For the route, they drove both cars for 20 minutes, including city and highway driving as well as stopping for coffee.

The results show that sweating the small stuff could save drivers as much as $100 a month in fuel costs. Wenzlick averaged 37 miles per gallon using efficient driving habits in a properly maintained Cruze. Driving inefficiently and ignoring common maintenance, Nunning managed only 21 miles per gallon. The difference means Nunning would get 250 fewer miles per tank of gas, while Wenzlick would save $100 a month - or $1,200 a year - assuming 15,000 miles and $4 a gallon for gas:

Ann Wenzlick drive

37 mpg

575 mi per tank

$1,621 per year

Beth Nunning drive

21 mpg

325 mi per tank

$2,857 per year

Savings

40 percent

250 mi per tank

$1,236 per year


"Ann and Beth's results support data from OnStar that shows the fuel economy of drivers in identical cars can vary by 75 percent," said Roger Clark, manager of the GM Energy Center. "With a well-maintained car, the best drivers get up to 25 percent more miles per gallon than average. When you combine a poorly maintained car with inefficient driving habits, the fuel economy of the worst drivers can be 50 percent below average.

"The fuel economy of every vehicle is greatly affected by how you drive, and how you care for your vehicle," Clark said. "Often, relatively small changes to your driving habits and vehicle maintenance can make the difference between being on the bottom, or the top, of the fuel-economy scale."


Five Driving Tips to Save at the Pump

Here are five things Ann Wenzlick did to drive more efficiently in her Cruze:

  1. Get out of the drive-through lane.
    "While Beth waited in the drive-thru with her car running, I shut off the engine and went inside for my morning coffee. Idling for 15 minutes burns through an average of a quarter of a gallon - adding another $1 to the cost of your latte."
  2. Take it easy
    "In the city, I accelerated smoothly while Beth demonstrated one of the most common mistakes we see on the road: Jumping on the gas at every light, only to hit the brakes as she caught up with the traffic ahead. Such aggressive driving isn't going to get you home any faster, while driving smoothly can improve your mileage by 20 percent."
  3. Driving 70, not 80.
    "On the highway, I drove 70, compared to Beth's 80. Again, a 10-mph difference likely won't add much time to your daily commute, but it will save you up to four miles per gallon on the highway."
  4. Use cruise control
    "I tried to maintain a constant speed during our drive, while Beth's fluctuated with traffic. Try using cruise control when possible, and maintaining a constant speed over time, which is much more efficient than speeding up and slowing down over and over again."
  5. Roll up the windows
    "One of the most common questions we get is 'Is it better to drive with the A/C on, or off' At slower speeds, turning off the air conditioning can save you a little, but I always roll up the windows on the highway. Beth was driving with her windows down, and the increased air pressure acted like a parachute trying to slow her down - consuming much more energy than air conditioning ever will."

Five Vehicle Mistakes That Hurt MPG:

Here are things that contributed to Beth Nunning's poor fuel economy:

  1. Low tire pressure
    "All four tires on my car were five pounds under their recommended air pressure. That's not enough to change how the Cruze drives, but it does make the engine work much harder to turn the wheels. Check your tires at least once a month, as a tire that is 10 pounds under pressure can cut your fuel efficiency by more than 3 percent."
  2. Using roof ornaments
    "To show support for my Detroit Tigers, I put up window flags on my Cruze for every home game. But, when the boys hit the road, the flags will come down. At highway speeds, up to a third of your fuel is used to overcome wind resistance, so even small changes to your vehicle's aerodynamics will have a big impact in fuel economy."
  3. Carrying extra junk in the trunk
    "I had six bags of water-softener salt in the trunk I bought on sale at the hardware store. But, according to EPA estimates, every 100 pounds of weight can reduce fuel economy by 2 percent. While I saved at the checkout, that 240 pounds of salt added almost 5 percent to my fuel costs for the trip."
  4. Ignoring the "check engine" light
    "I called OnStar to run a remote diagnostics check on my Cruze, because the check engine light was on. Turns out the light was on because the gas cap was loose. But more serious engine problems can cut your fuel economy by up to 40 percent."
  5. Not bundling errands
    "An engine at operating temperature is up to 50 percent more efficient than a cold engine. So, when possible, it's much better to run five errands in an afternoon, than running one errand every day of the week.

Regular Vehicle Maintenance Tips That Can Save Money in the Long-run:

  1. Make your tires last
    Properly inflated tires will improve your fuel economy, and they will last longer. Also rotate tires at manufacturer-recommended intervals.
  2. Use the recommended grade of motor oil
    Motor oil that says "Energy Conserving" on the performance symbol of the American Petroleum Institute contains friction-reducing additives that can improve fuel economy.
  3. Check your owner's manual for the most effective octane level for your car.
    For most cars, the recommended gasoline is regular octane. In most cases, using a higher-than-recommended octane gas offers no benefit - and costs more.
  4. Batteries can make or break you
    Check battery life, replace or charge your current battery and make sure battery cables are free of corrosion. Many breakdowns occur because batteries aren't delivering full cranking power.
  5. Get regular engine tune-ups and car maintenance checks.
    According to the EPA, tune-ups improve performance as well as gas mileage. Check your owner's manual for recommended maintenance schedules and follow them. This will avoid fuel economy problems due to worn spark plugs, dragging brakes, low transmission fluid, or the transmission failing to go into high gear.
  6. Be skeptical about any gizmo that promises to improve your gas mileage. The EPA has tested supposed gas-saving devices - including "mixture enhancers" and fuel line magnets - and found that very few provided any fuel economy benefits. The devices that did work provided only a slight improvement in gas mileage. In fact, some products may damage your car's engine or cause a substantial increase in exhaust emissions.



Ed Welburn on 100 years of Chevrolet Style and Innovation
Celebrates brand's design heritage in its newest market

  • Legendary GM designers
  • Top 10 Chevrolet designs

Over the past 100 years, Chevrolet has been responsible for some of the most significant and groundbreaking designs in automotive history. From its utilitarian yet stylish pick-up trucks through to the cutting edge looks of each generation of Corvette, via cars like the BelAir which helped define the era they appeared in. The bowtie logo has adorned some of the most iconic shapes of motoring. Even some of Chevrolet's designers, such as Harley Earl and Bill Mitchel, have gone on to become as legendary as some of the cars they penned.

The very first Chevrolet - the Classic Six of 1912 - was highly regarded for its elegance and sophistication and, a century later, the brand continues to turn heads, with cars like the Volt and Camaro, among others, celebrated for their innovation and appearance. As Chevrolet embarks on its second century, it remains a leader in coming up with advanced designs at affordable prices. Who knows which cars will become automotive icons in the next 100 years?

The man with the enviable job of setting Chevrolet on this path is Ed Welburn, global vice president of design at General Motors. He stepped into the shoes of his "absolute heroes", GM designers Harley Earl and Bill Mitchell, back in September 2003, but despite the awe-inspiring responsibility of following those who have become legends, he admits that "I'm having more fun now than at any other time during my career at GM."

Born in Philadelphia in 1950, Ed's father co-owned a body shop. "In those early days, I was surrounded by cars," he remembers. His intense interest in all things automotive meant that, at the age of 11, he even wrote to GM to ask about a future job as a car designer. A helpful letter back suggested what he should study at school, and gave details of the internship program. Ed paid attention to those details, and won a place; after graduating from Howard University in Washington D.C., he was hired full-time by GM. From the early 1970s onward, he worked at several GM design divisions.

One of his most important creations was the streamlined Aerotech, an out-and-out speed machine that achieved a top speed of 417 km/h in 1987. It got him noticed both inside and outside of GM. "For me, it was one of my most significant projects. I worked on the marketing and communications for it, not just with the engineers, in a way I had never done before. I've had a passion for aerodynamics ever since."

Following the Aerotech, Ed's rise through the GM ranks was rapid and impressive, culminating in his appointment as the corporation's chief designer a few years into the 21st century.

Here he looks back at what he regards as the ten most noteworthy and iconic designs from Chevrolet's history...

1912 Chevrolet Classic Six

The Classic Six was the first car to bear the Chevrolet name after William Durant and Louis Chevrolet came  together to found a company building cars using the famous Swiss race driver's last name. It was a large, luxurious and powerful machine, boasting the biggest capacity engine of any Chevrolet up until the 'big-block' V8 era of 1958. The imposing vehicle carried a price tag of $2150, which made it much more expensive than most of its contemporaries. Very much Louis Chevrolet's dream car, it was designed in collaboration with his friend, the French engineer Etienne Planche. Unveiled in 1911, it was launched in 1912, but lasted only until 1914 after the company's focus shifted towards more affordable machines, something that prompted Louis Chevrolet to resign as he disagreed with Durant's policy. A total of 5,987 were constructed. "This was the first Chevrolet, so it's very significant," says Ed of the Classic Six. "Louis Chevrolet used all his experience and background to create it and make history."

1932 Chevrolet Deluxe Sport Coupe

Adversity sometimes results in greatness, and that was truly the case with the 1932 Deluxe Sport Coupe. Launched amid the Depression, in a year when Chevrolet sales had dropped 50 percent compared to the previous year, the Sport was one of Chevrolet's prettiest pre-WWII cars, an attractive yet compact vehicle with a curvaceous rear that lived up to its title with sporting looks and performance. The car was a strict two-seater... well, inside at least. If you wanted to carry more passengers, they had to make do with the rear rumble seat in the trunk. Lots of fun in the sun, rather less so in the rain. "It was a cool design," believes Ed. "It says so much about Chevrolet: a lot of the words you can use to describe it also relate to current cars. It had spirit, was affordable and contemporary. Customers felt they were getting a lot of car for their money, something that still holds true today."

1936 Chevrolet Suburban

The Suburban wasn't just a significant model for Chevrolet, it was an important vehicle for the car industry as a whole. Arguably it was the first Sport Utility Vehicles (SUV), a tough, no-nonsense load carrier featuring a station wagon body on the chassis of a small truck. Actually christened the Suburban Carryall - for it could pretty much carry anything - its origins could be traced back to 1933 and a wooden eight-seater body on half ton truck frame, intended for National Guard and Civilian Conservation Corps units. When made available to the public, it gained an all-metal body fitted with either rear panel doors or a tailgate. "They were doing a crossover between a car and a truck," says Ed of the vehicle that gave birth to what is now the longest continuous name to be used on a car. "And it's got a cool interior, too, a real neat one. One might consider it the first crossover, and it's very much related to the Captiva."

1948 Chevrolet Pick-Up

Trucks (in the small commercial vehicle sense) and vans are as big a part of the Chevrolet story as its cars. And the 1948 range was one of the most significant series the company produced. Arriving in summer 1947, they were the first GM automobile products to have a completely post-war design, making them among the most up-to-date vehicles anywhere. Not a bad claim to fame for something meant to be utilitarian and hard-working! The mainstay of the range was the versatile and practical half-ton pick-up, which saw service all around the world. "You just have to smile when you look at one," is Ed's opinion of the friendly looking load-lugger. "It's a real workhorse of a truck. The shape was just beautiful, but it still did its job well. It was clean, basic and affordable."

1953 Chevrolet Corvette

"It was the first Corvette," says Ed of the Chevrolet that grew into an automotive legend. Created by the similarly legendary GM styling chief Harley Earl, 1953's Corvette two-seater sports car was intended to shake up Chevrolet's image, as well as battle the wave of sporty European imports flooding into the U.S.A. One of its more novel features was its fiberglass construction. Initially though, the car wasn't a big hit, and it was only with the styling tweaks of a few years later that it became a true success. "It was a design for years that I didn't care for that much," admits Ed. "But now I absolutely love it. I'll never forget the first one I saw. I must have been about seven, and walking down a tree-lined street. One came around the corner, rumbled along through the fallen leaves and then was gone. And I was, like, 'Wow, that was cool!'"

1955 Chevrolet Bel Air

Chevrolet completely revamped its cars for 1955, with what it dubbed the 'Motoramic' look for the top-of-the-range Bel Air plus the introduction of the fabled 'small-block' V8 engine. Exhilarating performance and a flamboyant, confident and colorful style were what made the 1955 Bel Airs - coupes, convertibles and station wagons - stand out from the crowd. Such was the distinctiveness of General Motors cars from the period 1955 to 1957 that they received their own nickname, 'Tri5'. "In my opinion, the '55 Bel Air is the best of the Tri5s," asserts Ed. "It was such a departure from 1955, so fresh, so contemporary. This was a car that looked more expensive than it actually was, something that could also be said about the Cruze today."



1963 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray

"What an amazing car," says Ed of the 1963 Corvette Sting Ray, the model that took the Corvette range to new heights. Based on a show car penned by GM design chief Bill Mitchell, the angular and svelte Sting Ray was more sophisticated and civilized  than previous Corvettes, yet in maturing, it didn't forget that its main purpose in life was to be exhilarating, both in how it looked and how it drove. Distinctive features of the car - which continued to be built out of fiberglass - were the electrically-operated pop-up headlamps and, on the coupe, a split rear window that would go on to become its main motif. "I've lectured on this car many times," says Ed. "Everything was new; in fact it was so new, they had to give it a new name, Sting Ray. Every Corvette since then has been influenced by it, even the current models. The dual cockpit interior is still part of the Corvette and the Chevrolet interior design today."

1967 Chevrolet Pick-Up

Big, brusque and purposeful, Chevrolet's new generation of pick-up trucks for 1967 were tough machines designed to get the job done. Powerful and practical, with no-nonsense styling, they were marketed as general transportation as well as work vehicles, something that extended their appeal and profile into the mass market. "It's a very iconic American design," believes Ed. "You see that pick-up, and you also see a guy with blue jeans and a toolbox in the back! Many of the words I've used to describe the earlier pick-up also relate here."

1989 Chevrolet Pick-Up

The importance of pick-up trucks within the Chevrolet portfolio was still high at the end of the 20th century, and the fourth generation of the C/K series -  with stacked headlamps and square-cut, rugged appearance - were almost a celebration of this significance. Naturally, their main reason for being was to work and be useful, carrying loads. However, a growing use as pure 'lifestyle' machines meant that Chevrolet also offered a Sports package, something which contributed to impressive sales for these vehicles. Perfect for express deliveries, even better for just looking great on the roads. "It's a very clean design and still looks contemporary today," says Ed. "It sold in incredible numbers. We're working on future Chevrolet pick-ups and the guys have photos of this one on the wall for inspiration."

2010 Chevrolet Camaro

Ed is a big enthusiast of all Camaros and even owns a classic 1969 example himself. "But I decided to put the 2010 Camaro on this list before the '69. It connected with people worldwide. When we introduced the car as a concept, there were grown men and women with tears in their eyes. It's valued all round the world." When Ed and his team were working on the new Camaro, "I brought my one into the studio to inspire them. I told them, I want you to beat this!" Although there are echoes of the first 1967-1969 Camaros in the current car's muscular styling - such as the kick-up in the flanks beneath the rear side windows - Ed is keen to stress that the 2010 incarnation is "not a throw-back design, but very forward-looking. I'm always thinking of the future, but you have a great heritage with Chevrolet. You need to build on that; I wouldn't want to build a retro Camaro." He cites the confident and optimistic thrusting design of the new Camaro as "a positive sign to GM employees and customers. It lit a fire within the company."

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All-New Chevrolet Malibu Set for Global Premiere
Next-Generation midsize car to be sold in nearly 100 Countries on Six Continents

DETROIT/SHANGHAI - The all-new Malibu will transcend time zones and embrace the diversity of cultures around the world when Chevrolet simultaneously unveils it live at the Shanghai Auto Show and on Chevrolet's Facebook page.

Chevrolet provided a sneak peak glimpse  today of its Malibu show car. Chevrolet will unveil the new Malibu live starting at 8:30 p.m. EDT on April 18 at http://www.facebook.com/chevrolet. The Web reveal will also be streamed live on iPad and iPhone mobile devices.

Consumers are encouraged to post questions during the reveal on Twitter using #MalibuReveal or on Chevrolet's Facebook page in the Malibu tab. Members of the Chevrolet team will be on hand to answer questions during a live moderated question-and-answer session following the web reveal.

The timing of the Web reveal coincides with the April 19 auto show debut of the new Malibu in Shanghai. The Malibu show car will also be shown at the New York International Auto Show, which is open to the public April 23 through May 1.

"This Malibu takes Chevrolet's established and award-winning nameplate to new places and introduces it to new audiences around the world," said Rick Scheidt, vice president of Chevrolet. "Whether the Malibu is sold in North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, or Australia, it has been engineered from the ground up to meet the needs of customers around the world."

The Malibu will feature a global family of fuel-efficient and powerful four-cylinder engines, along with six-speed transmissions that also contribute to efficient performance. The Malibu was designed to stand out in all markets around the globe, while its European-inspired driving characteristics were engineered to challenge the best in its class. The new Malibu is Chevrolet's first midsize car to be sold globally. It will be sold in nearly 100 countries on six continents and built in multiple locations, including China and two facilities in the United States.

"We look forward to offering the new Malibu to our customers across China," said Kevin Wale, president and managing director of the GM China Group. "The Malibu fully embodies Chevrolet's tradition of dynamic styling, superior handling and outstanding fuel efficiency. It will address growing domestic demand in the upper-medium segment, especially among younger car buyers."

The Malibu was Chevrolet's - and GM's - best-selling car in the United States in 2010, with sales of nearly 200,000 vehicles. It is among Chevrolet's most-decorated vehicles in the United States, earning more than 40 industry awards since 2008. The Malibu was the only midsize car in the industry to win the Consumers Digest Automotive "Best Buy" award the last three years - 2011, 2010 and 2009. The Malibu has also been named a "Top Safety Pick" by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety the last two years.

With the new Malibu, Chevrolet continues to position itself for worldwide growth. GM's largest brand is in the midst of introducing a global family of fuel-efficient cars including the Cruze, Volt, Sonic/Aveo, Spark and Malibu. These new cars compete in the four largest vehicle segments in the world, which accounted for 54 percent of all non-luxury sales in 2010. The global segment that Malibu will compete in represented 9 percent - more than 5.7 million vehicles - of global sales in 2010.

Last year, Chevrolet sold 4.26 million vehicles globally, or an average of one vehicle every 7.4 seconds. Eight of the top 10-selling markets for Chevrolet in 2010 were emerging markets - Brazil, China, Uzbekistan, Mexico, Russia, India, Argentina and Colombia. Emerging Markets are expected to account for more than 50 percent of Chevrolet global sales by 2012.

More than 600,000 Malibu cars have been sold globally since 2008, when it was named the North American Car of the Year. The 2013 Malibu represents the eighth generation of the nameplate, which was introduced in 1964. 

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Chevrolet Cruze Fuels 17 Percent Rise in GM March Retail Sales
2011-04-01

  • First quarter retail sales surge 38 percent, total sales rise 26 percent to 592,545 units
  • March total sales up 11 percent; fleet sales penetration 27 percent
  • March incentives decline sharply from February

DETROIT - March capped a successful quarter for General Motors in the United States. Retail sales surged 38 percent for its four brands, driven by demand for Chevrolet's all-new Cruze compact sedan. In spite of a decline in incentives, dealers reported 206,621 total sales during March, an increase of 11 percent. This total included a 17 percent increase in retail sales, compared to March 2010.

March's retail sales increase was spurred by a 34-percent rise in passenger car retail sales, led by a 287 percent gain in retail sales of the Cruze over the car it replaced.

March deliveries to fleets declined 1 percent and represented 27 percent of the company's total sales ' the ninth straight month that fleet sales comprised less than 30 percent of total sales.

For the first three months, total sales increased 26 percent to 592,545 units compared to a year earlier. As a result, each of GM's brands - Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac- gained retail and total market share during the quarter.

"Our plan was to get out of the gates quickly in the first quarter and we succeeded," said Don Johnson, vice president, U.S. Sales Operations. "Consumers responded favorably to the value of our broad lineup of fuel-efficient cars, trucks and crossovers."

In the first quarter, fleet sales represented 24 percent of the company's total sales volume, compared to 30 percent in the first quarter of 2010.

GM's Newest Vehicles Continue to Drive Retail Gains - up 54 Percent in March

Combined retail sales for vehicles launched since June 2009 - Chevrolet Equinox, Silverado HD, Cruze and Volt; Buick LaCrosse and Regal; GMC Sierra HD and Terrain; and Cadillac SRX, CTS Wagon and CTS Coupe - increased 54 percent during March and were up 74 percent for the first three months of the year.

"March sales demonstrated our newest models continue to win over customers," Johnson said.  "Vehicles like the Chevrolet Cruze and Equinox put us in great position to benefit from consumer's increasing desire for fuel-efficient vehicles."

Passenger Cars

Total sales of GM passenger cars improved 15 percent during March, led by the sale of 18,018 Cruzes. Retail sales of GM passenger cars rose 34 percent for the month. The Cruze, Chevrolet Camaro Convertible and Buick Regal all have achieved record retail sales since being launched. For the quarter, retail sales of GM's passenger cars were up 49 percent, also led by the Cruze, up 203 percent.

Crossovers

The Chevrolet, GMC and Cadillac brands each set March total and retail sales records for crossover sales during the month, driven by a 20 percent increase in combined retail sales by the Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain.  The two also set March records for retail sales.  For the quarter, retail sales of GM's complete lineup of industry-leading crossovers were up 30 percent.

Pickups

Total combined sales of Chevrolet Silverado and Avalanche, and GMC Sierra  increased 11 percent in March, with retail sales also rising 11 percent versus a year ago. For the quarter, retail sales for GM's full-size pickups rose 38 percent, while total sales improved to 130,866 units - a 31-percent increase.

Incentives

During March, purchase incentives declined on a per unit basis.

"We've said all along that our plan for the year was to be at or near industry average on incentives as a percent of average transaction prices, as we were last year," Johnson said. "Our actions in March were consistent with that plan and we will continue to be prudent in our go-to-market approach."

Month-end dealer inventory in the United States stood at about 574,000 units, which is about 57,000 higher compared to February and about 149,000 higher than March 2010.

Brand Key Facts:

  • Chevrolet: Chevrolet dealers delivered 148,197 total vehicles in March, an 11-percent increase versus last year. Retail sales for Chevrolet were up 18 percent. Cruze retail sales were 287 percent higher than the compact car it replaced. Silverado retail sales rose 10 percent, while Equinox retail sales increased 18 percent.
  • Buick: Buick reported 15,663 total sales, a 21-percent increase compared to March 2010. This includes a 24-percent rise in year-over-year retail sales, led by improving demand for the all-new Regal. This marks the 18th consecutive month of year-over-year sales gains for the brand.
  • GMC: GMC reported total sales of 30,597, an 11-percent increase compared to the same month last year. This marks the 18th consecutive month of year-over-year sales increases. Retail sales were 11 percent higher than last year, driven by continued strong retail demand for the Terrain (up 26 percent) and Sierra (up 15 percent).
  • Cadillac: Cadillac reported total sales of 12,164 for March - 5 percent higher than last March, with retail sales increasing 14 percent. February was the 14th consecutive month of year-over-year total and retail sales gains. CTS retail sales continued to set the pace for the brand, rising 51 percent, driven by strong demand for the all-new CTS Coupe.
  • Fleet sales for GM's four brands were 56,465 for the month, a 1-percent decrease for the month, with sales to rental fleets down 11 percent during the same period. Sales to commercial customers rose 1 percent for the month, the 12th consecutive month of commercial fleet sales gains. Fleet accounted for 27 percent of GM total sales during the month. 

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Chevrolet Volt Wins Gold Medal in 2011 Edison Awards
OnStar Mobile App takes Silver in Remote Driving Aids segment

"Being selected as an Edison Award winner validates our drive to develop an all-new transportation solution," said Tony Posawatz, Chevrolet Volt Vehicle Line Director.  "Innovation has been at the heart of the Volt from its onset; from the development of the Li-ion battery to the drive unit and the driver connectivity."

At the same ceremony Tuesday evening in New York City, the OnStar Mobile App won the silver award as the 2011 Best New Product in the Transportation in the Remote Driving Aids Segment. In the Volt, the app allows users to control vehicle charging functions and view charge level, electricity rate tables and electric vehicle data along with other features.

The OnStar Mobile App allows users to access current vehicle diagnostics, such as fuel levels, oil life, tire pressure, miles per gallon or next scheduled maintenance. It also lets users control certain vehicle functions, such as remotely starting the vehicle, locking and unlocking the doors, and sounding the horn and lights.

OnStar recently expanded the availability of the app, certifying 14 Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac vehicles from 2010, with more certifications expected in the future. The app has been downloaded by nearly 60,000 active users to date and has more than 1 million interactions.

The Edison Gold Medal for the Volt highlights the innovative engineering that resulted in the production of the world's first electric vehicle with extended range capability. With a full charge, Volt drivers can travel 25-50 miles completely emissions- and gasoline-free and then continue for several hundred more miles.

Complementing its groundbreaking propulsion system, engineers in the General Motors wind tunnel helped to develop the most aerodynamic vehicle in Chevrolet's history. Reducing the energy needed to overcome air resistance added an estimated eight miles of electric range and 50 miles of extended range to the Volt.

The Edison Gold Medal for the Volt joins the Motor Trend, Automobile Magazine and Green Car of th  e Year awards, Popular Science Best of What's New and Ward's 10-Best Engine designations awarded earlier.

For OnStar, this was its second consecutive Edison award. OnStar's Stolen Vehicle Slowdown, a technology designed to reduce dangerous high-speed chases, received a Silver Edison Award for Best New Product in the Technology category in 2010.

The Edison Awards are voted on by roughly 2,000 members of the not-for-profit Marketing Executives Networking Group, America's top executives and academics nominations based on societal impact, marketplace innovation, marketplace success and market structure innovation of new products launched in the past year. The awards symbolize the persistence and excellence personified by Edison whose innovations and new product developments earned him 1,093 U.S. patents.


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2011 CHEVROLET AVEO: DRIVING FUN AND FUEL EFFICIENCY

With EPA-estimated highway fuel economy of 35 mpg (manual-transmission models), the Chevrolet Aveo is great at squeezing the most from a gallon of gas. It does it with a rare combination of driving fun, smart design and amenities that are hard to match in the segment.

The 2011 Aveo lineup includes the sedan and Aveo5, a sporty five-door hatchback. Their "tall car" design delivers roomy interiors characterized by thoughtful details and refinement, as well as the ability to accommodate passengers more than 6 feet tall in each of the five seating positions. The cars also pack many standard and available features not found on many competitors, including:

  • OnStar with Turn-by-Turn navigation standard on all models
  • XM Satellite Radio available
  • Standard seat-mounted side-impact air bags
  • Auxiliary input jack included on all radios
  • GM oil life monitoring system.

The oil life monitoring system employs a sophisticated algorithm to determine when it's time for an oil change. This can reduce maintenance costs and the amount of waste oil through potentially fewer oil changes, when compared with conventional mileage-based oil-change intervals.

Changes for 2011 include standard cabin air filtration and two new exterior colors: Silver Ice Metallic and Summit White. For the 2012 model year, Chevrolet is gearing up to introduce an all-new Aveo.

Aveo lineup

Aveo sedan and Aveo5 are available in LS, 1LT and 2LT models. Each model offers many standard features such as standard side-impact air bags and a wide range of optional equipment.

Aveo LS standard features include:

  • Power rack-and-pinion steering
  • Variable intermittent windshield wipers
  • Dual-stage frontal driver and passenger air bags and seat-mounted side-impact air bags
  • Body-color outside rearview mirrors and door handles
  • AM/FM stereo with auxiliary input jack (for an iPod or other device)
  • Driver's seat with fold-down armrest, manual height adjuster and manual lumbar adjuster
  • Fully reclining front seats
  • 60/40 split-folding rear seats with height-adjustable head restraints for outboard passengers
  • Tilt steering wheel
  • Front head restraints with convenience hooks
  • Rear window defogger
  • Sunglass holder
  • Driver and front passenger seatback map pockets
  • Interior fuel door and trunk releases.

Aveo sedan powertrain, chassis and suspension options include an Aisin four-speed automatic transmission with Hold Control Mode that gives the driver the ability to manually shift gears, and four-channel anti-lock brakes (ABS) with electronic brake force distribution. Additional LS options include:

  • Engine oil pan heater for easier starting in extreme-cold climates
  • Provisions for dealer-installed air conditioning system.

The uplevel Aveo 1LT offers the standard features on the LS model, as well as the following:

  • Air conditioning
  • AM/FM stereo with CD/MP3 player and six-speaker premium sound system
  • Floor mats.

Aveo 1LT options include the four-speed automatic transmission, ABS, XM Satellite Radio, a trunk-mounted rear spoiler with CHMSL and a power and convenience package that includes power windows, locks, remote keyless entry, alarm system and cruise control.

The 2LT includes the standard equipment of the 1LT model, and adds key comfort and convenience features, including:

  • Heated power outside rearview mirrors
  • Power windows, locks, remote keyless entry, and alarm system
  • Cruise control
  • Deluxe cloth seat fabric
  • Steering wheel-mounted audio controls
  • XM Satellite Radio.

Other 2LT standard equipment includes 15-inch wheels, fog lamps, and, on the Aveo sedan, chrome exterior door handles. 2LT options include the four-speed automatic transmission, leatherette seating (including a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob), ABS, rear spoiler and a premium power sunroof.

The Aveo5 offers the same standard equipment and options as the sedan, with the following differences:

  • Aveo5 has a standard rear wiper/washer
  • Aveo5 offers standard 60/40 flip-and-fold seats; Aveo sedan 60/40 seats fold, but do not flip
  • Aveo sedan has standard inside trunk release.

Theater-style rear seating provides a commanding view for all passengers. A fully reclining front passenger seat and a 60/40-split folding rear seat expand Aveo sedan's interior cargo capacity, enabling long items, such as skis, to be carried between the trunk and passenger compartment. The trunk offers 12.4 cubic feet (350 L) of storage space. The spacious Aveo5 hatchback offers up to 37.2 cubic feet (1,053 L) of cargo space with the rear seats folded.

Driving experience

All models use a MacPherson strut front suspension with coil springs and stabilizer bar, and an independent, torsion beam axle-mount compound link-type rear suspension with gas-charged shocks. Power-assisted, variable-rate rack-and-pinion steering is standard. The steering gear is mounted on the front suspension cross member for precise action and stability.

Power-assisted front disc and rear drum brakes are standard; a four-channel ABS system is available. The four-sensor system - one at each wheel - incorporates electronic brake force distribution, which balances braking performance based on such factors as road conditions and the weight of passengers and/or cargo.

Fifteen-inch, five-spoke aluminum wheels are standard on Aveo sedan LT and available on LS (including Aveo5). Fourteen-inch steel wheels with a bolt-on wheel cover are standard on LS, while 15-inch wheels and wheel covers are standard on 2LT models.

Powertrain

The Ecotec 1.6L powers the Aveo lineup and it features variable valve timing for optimal power and fuel efficiency. It is rated at 108 horsepower (80.5 kW) and 104 lb.-ft. of torque (143 Nm). Technologies such as electronic throttle control and an electrically controlled thermostat to help maximize performance and efficiency across the rpm range. It also features an integrated oil cooler with piston spray nozzles.

The engine also has long-life and environmentally friendly features, including a timing belt designed to last 100,000 miles and replaceable cartridge-type oil filter rather than a conventional, spin-on metal can filter.

A smooth-shifting, five-speed manual transmission is standard on all models and an Aisin four-speed automatic transmission is available. It features a segment-exclusive Hold Control Mode that helps reduce wheel spin and traction loss on slick roads by allowing the driver to select and hold a higher gear, reducing torque to the wheels. It enables sportier driving operation by allowing the driver to control shift points similar to manual transmission operation.

Aveo meets the ULEV II emissions standard, which - along with its outstanding fuel economy - makes it one of the cleanest, most economical vehicles available in North America.

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About Coughlin Automotive of Pataskala - This is the land of Chevy's!  We have 200+ new Chevrolet cars and trucks (diesel trucks too)  to choose from as well as 150+ used cars and trucks of all makes and models.  We are more than happy to pull from any of our ten store's inventories if we don't have what you need. Or, if that doesn't work you can fill out a Car Finder Form  and we'll find it for you :)      

Coughlin Chevrolet in Pataskala is here to meet all of your automotive needs. We offer Licking County's largest inventory of new and used cars including Chevrolet's 2011 Silverado , Camaro, Corvette, Tahoe, Impala and Equinox models as well as 8 models that get over 30MPG!
               
We pride ourselves on our selection, prices, and the fact that you will always receive excellent customer service. The service you expect and deserve. It's not a new way to buy a car ... it's the right way - the Coughlin Way. Coughlin Chevrolet in Pataskala has one of the highest "Customer Satisfaction Ratings" in the Columbus, Ohio area.

Please explore our website, or use the map for directions to our showroom. Our showroom is located at 9000 East Broad Street in Pataskala, Ohio.

About Chevrolet - Founded in Detroit in 1911, Chevrolet celebrates its centennial as a global automotive brand with annual sales of about 4.25 million vehicles in more than 140 countries. Chevrolet provides consumers with fuel-efficient, safe and reliable vehicles that deliver high quality, expressive design, spirited performance and value. The Chevrolet portfolio includes iconic performance cars such as Corvette and Camaro; dependable, long-lasting pickups and SUVs such as Silverado and Suburban; and award-winning passenger cars and crossovers such as Spark, Cruze, Malibu, Equinox and Traverse. Chevrolet also offers "gas-friendly to gas-free" solutions including Cruze Eco and Volt. Cruze Eco offers 42 mpg highway while Volt offers 35 miles of electric, gasoline-free driving and an additional 344 miles of extended range. Most new Chevrolet models offer OnStar safety, security and convenience technologies including OnStar Hands-Free Calling, Automatic Crash Response and Stolen Vehicle Slowdown. More information regarding Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com

About General Motors  - General Motors (NYSE: GM, TSX: GMM), one of the world's largest automakers, traces its roots back to 1908. With its global headquarters in Detroit, GM employs 202,000 people in every major region of the world and does business in more than 120 countries.  GM and its strategic partners produce cars and trucks in 30 countries, and sell and service these vehicles through the following brands: Baojun, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, Daewoo, Holden, Isuzu, Jiefang, Opel, Vauxhall, and Wuling. GM's largest national market is China, followed by the United States, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, and Italy.  GM's OnStar subsidiary is the industry leader in vehicle safety, security and information services.  More information on the new General Motors can be found at www.gm.com.


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