2014 was come, we wanted to take a moment to look back at some of our favorite moments from the past year. From new product reveals like the Chevrolet Stingray and Chevrolet Colorado to the announcement of Mary Barra being named CEO of General Motors, it’s been an exciting year at GM. We're proud to be able to provide you with behind-the-scenes info and updates on what’s happening within the company and look forward to sharing even more in the new year.
Here’s a look at the 10 most-read stories of 2013. Check them out, and have a safe and happy New Year!
1-Chevrolet Unveils 2014 Corvette Stingray Premiere Edition
The end of June marked the 60th anniversary of Corvette production, which started in 1953. To commemorate the impending launch of the all-new, seventh-generation Corvette, we revealed the 2014 Corvette Stingray Premiere Edition at the National Corvette Museum’s 60th Anniversary event in Bowling Green.
Chevrolet is only planning to produce 500 of these top-of-the-line 3LT models, all of which will feature a Laguna blue tint coat exterior, visible clear coated carbon-fiber roof, and the Z51 Performance Package with Magnetic Ride Control and Performance Exhaust. Premiere Edition models will also be outfitted with unique accessories, including Torque style wheels in chrome, “stinger” hood stripe, “Stingray” – logo interior sill plates, floor mats, and wheel caps and a 5 piece custom Corvette branded luggage from Thule.
The name Stingray has been reserved to mark only special generations of Corvette. It was first used on the 1959 Stingray Racer, and again in 1963 with the launch of the second-generation Corvette Sting Ray in production. So it was particularly exciting to reveal this Premiere Edition vehicle to welcome the return of the seventh-generation Corvette Stingray.
Each of the 500 Premiere Edition vehicles will get a unique vehicle identification number, beginning with 300001, as well as an exclusive numbered dash plaque commemorating the limited-edition model. While pricing is not yet available, customers who are interested in the Premiere Edition should contact their Chevrolet dealer.
Since Corvette made its debut in 1953, approximately 1.5 million Corvettes have been produced. The past six decades are a true testament to the way in which Corvette has been woven into the fabric of American culture as the sports car of choice that offers the best in today’s technology, performance, and Design.
The excitement and anticipation we have seen for the Corvette Stingray has been amazing and in many ways has brought back the passion that is Corvette. Above all we are very excited about the 2014 Corvette Stingray and we look forward to celebrating many more Corvette anniversaries.
2-2014 Chevrolet Impala Rolls Out to Dealers and Customers
As the 2014 Chevy Impala begins to arrive at Chevy dealers, the vehicle will be equipped with a variety of features to fit the many different lifestyles of the owners who will drive it.
The Impala debuted in 1958 and has been Chevrolet’s flagship sedan ever since. The car marked a place in history by setting the standard in comfort and value and quickly became America’s best-selling full size car. Through the years, the Impala has undergone a variety of facelifts while continuing to serve as the ideal family car by providing ample interior space and a sleek, iconic exterior.
“We’ll build on the success the Impala nameplate has generated over its history,” said Chris Perry, vice president, Chevrolet marketing. “We’ve added sophisticated design features, more technology and safety equipment, while conserving Impala’s current strengths like spaciousness and comfort.”
Safety was one of the primary concerns for lead engineer, Todd Pawlik, and his team. In order to avoid crashes, the Impala uses advanced technologies to give visual and audible alerts to help drivers identify potential crash situations – the system even intervenes when a crash threat appears more imminent. Some of the other safety features include full-speed-range adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and rear cross traffic alert.
The exterior of the car features a sleek proportion, sculpted body sides, standard 18-inch wheels and projector-beam headlamps, with HID headlamps and LED daytime running lamps standard on LTZ models.
“Our design team was challenged to create a new classic, but that didn’t mean relying on nostalgia,” said John Cafaro, director of North America passenger car exterior design. “This is very much a contemporary car, with design elements, craftsmanship and attention to detail that complement its advanced technology and performance.”
The technology on the vehicle is one of the most unique parts of the vehicle. The Impala will be the first vehicle with Chevrolet’s next-generation MyLink infotainment system, designed to be easy to use and capable of linking up to 10 devices. MyLink is also making things personal. Using consumer research, including interviews and online voting, MyLink designers developed four specific graphic appearances designed to appeal to the distinctive personalities of Chevrolet customer groups These appearances include a “contemporary,” “edge,” “velocity” and “main street” design.
The 2014 Chevy Impala will be available this spring, and at a starting price of $26,475, the affordability will make it hard to resist
3-UNVEILED: The 2015 Escalade is Miles Beyond the Rest
This past week Cadillac pulled the sheets off of the all-new 2015 Cadillac Escalade to reveal a familiar-looking SUV with more than a few surprises up its sleeve.
A closer look at the 2015 Cadillac Escalade shows that the fourth-generation of the vehicle is elevated in design and technology, inside and out. The quieter vehicle is perfectly crafted for today’s connected luxury riders as it combines new levels of design with the latest tech-tools to enhance experience and safety.
The all-new Escalade rolls off the assembly line next spring in Arlington, Texas. Some of its most exciting features fall into three categories: technology, design, and safety:
Technology
Capacitive touch. Cadillac’s advanced system for connectivity and control (CUE) is now standard, featuring state-of-the-art voice recognition with touch controls common with the world’s most popular tablets and mobile devices.
Blue-Ray DVD rear entertainment system. This system includes a nine-inch, roof-mounted screen on Escalade and two nine-inch screens on Escalade ESV.
Magnetic Ride Control, the world’s fastest-reacting suspension system, delivers precisely controlled driving performance.
Design
LED headlights and taillights with individual crystal lenses.
Cut-and-sewn and wrapped materials, with wood trim options for elegance and authenticity.
Dramatically quieter. The interior is quieter thanks to a stronger new body structure, new and enhanced acoustic material and Bose Active Noise Cancellation technology.
Heated and cooled seats are now standard on second-row bucket seats.
Upgraded luxury car seats. The seats were designed to be more comfortable and sculpted in appearance with a reclining second row.
More headroom and legroom. The front seating area offers more than 1.5 inches (44 mm) more headroom and more than four inches (101 mm) of additional legroom compared to previous models.
Cargo versatility and hands-free liftgate. The second- and third-row seats fold flat for greater cargo versatility – and a segment-first hands-free liftgate includes programmable height settings.
Safety
Front and Rear Automatic Braking. Helping drivers avoid front and rear low-speed collisions via a progression of alerts that extend to complete braking, if necessary.
Forward collision alert. The system notifies an inattentive driver when a front collision is imminent.
Front-center side airbag engineered to protect the driver and front passenger from slamming into one another in a side crash.
These are only a few of the features that will make drivers feel safe and tech-savvy all while living in the lap of luxury. It’s the Escalade drivers know and love, but it’s unlike any generation before it.
4-Vehicle Electrification Options for Every Consumer
Each and every day, I work with some of the best and brightest people at GM to create electric vehicle technologies that provide our customers with fun to drive cars and reduce their need for petroleum. It’s exciting to see that electrified vehicles of various technologies are gaining attention and market share. We’re seeing various terms used to describe these technologies, including PHEVs, EREVs, pure EVs and, yes, hybrids. It can be confusing to understand how these technologies provide real-world benefits to car buyers. Let me take a shot at trying at clearing things up. Here goes . . .
Let’s break down GM’s electric vehicle options and explain why you want to buy one. We have three electric-based options: eAssist, extended range electric vehicles and electric vehicles.
Assist
On average, eAssist provides a 25 percent fuel economy improvement over a traditional internal combustion engine vehicle. We estimate annual fuel costs on an eAssist would be about $1900/year, saving $2500 over five years when compared to average new vehicle. eAssist is available on the Buick Lacrosse and Regal, as well as the Chevrolet Malibu and 2014 Impala. The technology is perfect for individuals who want a large sedan with compact car fuel economy.
We refer to eAssist as a light electrification solution. eAssist aims to redefine what it means to be a “conventional” powertrain by making some of the basic benefits of electrification available on mainstream vehicles. What we did was add a small electric motor and a lithium ion battery to the engine to provide more power and give the car a little “boost”, under heavy accelerating. The boost comes from energy that is captured during braking and stored in the battery. eAssist technology also turns the engine off when the vehicle is idle to save fuel. Why have your engine running if you don’t need it? The engine will automatically restart when the brake is released.
Extended Range Electric Vehicles (EREVs)
Extended Range electric vehicles (EREVs) are powered by both electricity and gas. An EREV operates as an electric vehicle for a certain number of miles, then relies on an electric generator powered by a gas engine after the electric battery runs low. If you want to enjoy pure electric driving during your daily commute but still want the flexibility of traveling longer distances, then an EREV is the perfect solution.
An EREV features a big battery and a small engine. Some of you may think “two sources of energy so it’s a hybrid, right?” Not quite, as an EREV like the Chevrolet Volt runs solely on electricity from the battery for about the first 40 miles. Once the battery is depleted, the engine automatically turns on to provide unlimited range. It’s that simple. To recharge the battery, plug the car into a standard 120 or 240 volt outlet. If the charge is never fully depleted, EREV owners never have to fill up at a gas station. On average, Volt customers visit a gas pump every 900 miles or about every 6 weeks. The annual fuel cost would be about $900, saving you $6850 over five years.*.
Cadillac will launch an EREV later this year, the ELR. It is a beautiful, luxurious coupe wrapped around an enhanced version of our award winning EREV propulsion system. If you want to enjoy pure electric driving during your daily commutes but still want the flexibility to travel longer distances, an EREV is the perfect solution.
Pure Electric Vehicles
Now, let’s talk about pure electric vehicles. The Chevy Spark EV, which recently went on sale in California and Oregon, runs purely on electricity. It does not use any petroleum. The range is greater than that of the Volt — about 82 miles. To recharge the Spark EV, you can plug in to a 120 or 240 V outlet, or, in the near future, a DC fast charge station. DC fast charging allows the vehicle to charge 80 percent in just 20 minutes. So in theory you pull into a coffee shop that has a DC fast charge station, order a soda (for those of you that know me), check your email, check in on your kids on Facebook and you’re ready to go.
This car is targeted at urban and suburban commuters and will initially be sold in California and Oregon. We anticipate a Spark EV owner would have an annual fuel cost of $500, saving you about $9000 over five years.**.
There you have it. Three options to save fuel, reduce the dependence on petroleum, reduce emissions and have a great driving experience. It all depends upon your needs in terms of vehicle size and your daily commute.
* Average fuel and energy rates based upon information obtained from The U.S. Department of Energy.
5-Mobile Apps That Help to Curb Texting and Driving
A growing danger on roadways today is distracted driving – particularly texting while driving. It is a dangerous habit that more than 44% of teenagers admit to partaking in, according to a 2013 study by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Drive the District, an innovative digital destination powered by General Motors, recently explored several mobile apps that help curb the temptation to text behind the wheel. While some apps are hands-free alternatives to typing out a text, others remove the option to compose a message until the car slows below a certain speed. Either way, drivers’ eyes are off of their phones and back on the road.
6-GM opens fourth IT Innovation Center
Every day, we work to improve GM, to make our company more efficient, more responsive and more customer-centric. Our enterprise-wide focus on speed, simplicity and accountability are changing the way we do business, and that includes business functions like Information Technology.
GM’s IT function is in the midst of a huge, multi-year transformation to better support company-wide efforts to reduce costs, increase innovation, and deliver winning products around the world. As part of this transformation, GM IT is moving from a heavily outsourced to a predominantly insourced model, which will help us achieve world-class performance at lower costs. To drive innovation, we’re also creating four U.S.-based software- and systems-development centers staffed by GM employees. We call them Innovation Centers, and I’m pleased to announce that we opened our fourth center earlier this week in Chandler, Arizona, in the Phoenix-metropolitan area.
We have already started recruiting and hiring software developers, database administrators and system analysts for the Chandler center. They will join the more-than 1,000 employees we’ve already hired at our other three centers in Warren, Michigan; Austin, Texas; and Roswell, Georgia. Over the next three to five years, we expect to hire more than 4,000 new IT workers to staff all four centers.
Why four centers? Recruiting talented IT professionals is intensely competitive. At GM, we compete with many of the world’s top companies for talent, including Apple, Google, Boeing, GE, and many others, not to mention all of our automotive competitors.
To hire the best and the brightest, we need to create employment opportunities that differentiate our company from the competition, and location is one such advantage. We chose the locations of our four Innovation Centers by looking at IT talent-rich areas that also offer a strong community, lower cost of living and a high-tech industry presence.
Combined, the four new GM centers have access to more than 7,000 students majoring in IT-related fields at more than150 colleges and universities. We will target recruitment efforts at up to a dozen key universities within each of the four geographic regions. In addition, each of the four locations is rich in existing IT talent. Seventy-five percent of U.S.-based IT professionals are now located within 500 miles of one of our centers.
Our four Innovation Centers will support all aspects of business at GM. Employees will support web technologies, dealer systems, factory systems, vehicle technology and much more. Our goal is to create and deliver world-class IT products and services to the entire company, and to accelerate the development and implementation of innovative IT solutions for existing and future business. In the long-run, our vision is to enable and accelerate the company’s transformation by providing the best IT in the global auto industry.
We’ve taken a big step by opening our four new Innovation Centers. Now the real transformation of GM IT begins in earnest.
7-All-New 2015 Chevrolet Colorado Unveiled
Today, Chevrolet unveiled the all-new 2015 Chevy Colorado, a vehicle that is set to redefine the midsize truck market and offer “real truck” capability and versatility to customers who don’t necessarily need a full-size truck.
The Colorado is built with the DNA of a true Chevy truck, and was developed with distinctive design, comfort and connectivity features customers will love.
“Our strategy is simple: meet the needs of the broadest possible customer base, and let them choose precisely the right truck to meet their needs,” said Mark Reuss, General Motors executive vice president and president of GM North America. “The all-new Colorado benefits from the solid foundation established by the Silverado, and it reinvents the midsize truck while reinvigorating the segment at the same time.”
Chevrolet expects Colorado to be the most powerful truck in the segment, allowing owners to haul and tow more. Each of the two available engines are tuned, tested and validated; and optimized for power and efficiency. And Chevy will also offer a diesel engine in the Colorado’s second year – a proven Duramax 2.8L I-4 turbodiesel already offered in global markets.
When properly equipped, the Colorado is expected to offer a class-leading payload capacity, and trailering capacity of more than 6,700 pounds. That’s more than enough capability to throw a weekend’s worth of camping gear in the bed and tow a boat to your favorite lake!
And because it’s a true Chevy truck, the Colorado leaves nothing on the table when it comes to innovative solutions for hauling and accessing cargo. Three configurations of the 2015 Colorado are offered: Extended cab with a 6-foot bed, Crew cab with a 5-foot bed and Crew cab with a 6-foot bed.
With the tailgate down, the 6-foot bed allows 8-foot-long items to be hauled within the vehicle.
The interior is comfortable, cleverly equipped and well connected. A bold, upright instrument panel with large instruments and a central driver information center is similar to Silverado, while features including a center console with a floor-mounted shifter are similar to those found in midsize cars and crossovers.
The new Colorado’s technologies are aimed at complementing owners’ lifestyles with connectivity and other features that support their daily and recreational lives.
Standard and available features designed to keep the Colorado’s occupants safe before, during and after a crash, including: six standard air bags, standard rear-vision camera system and StabiliTrak stability control system.
The Colorado delivers the capability expected of a Chevy truck – including segment-leading payload and trailering. Like the Silverado, the Colorado is built on a fully boxed perimeter frame, which provides the strength to support its capabilities, as well as a confident, smooth and quiet ride.
The 2015 Chevrolet Colorado goes on sale in fall 2014.
8-GM Performance Vehicles are Tested at the Track
All Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick and GMC vehicles go through many hours of testing before they start production at one of the assembly plants. Testing begins with computer generated models and goes through everything from aerodynamic wind tunnels and water leak tests to climate torture tests. Even the paint is put through testing to ensure it stands up to whatever a customer or Mother Nature will put it through.
The GM performance vehicles — such as the Chevrolet Camaro, Chevrolet Corvette, and Cadillac CTS Vsport — also receive a special level of testing as customers demand the highest level of reliability from them; especially when it comes to racing. Car and Driver Magazine recently profiled the GM “24-hour test” that high-performance vehicles go through. Click the link below to read more about the special testing given to these special vehicles:
How the “24 Hours of GM” Chases the Bugs Out of GM’s Performance Cars
Also, check out some of our favorite track footage from GM performance vehicles by watching the videos in the gallery.
9-Developing the Perfect Color
Our team at Chevrolet is very excited for the launch of three new stirring colors for the 2014 Chevrolet Sonic. After years of watching color trends make a big splash back into the minds of our customers, our team came together in a strong way and we definitely feel that the Sonic is going to shine with these new shades. One thing about our Sonic buyers is that they especially note the exterior palette as an important factor in their purchase process, so we really wanted to provide a refresh to the Sonic brand and cater to our customers.
These three unique, expressive colors definitely deliver to those who want something are looking to jump out of the mold:
The first in the series, Deep Magenta Metallic, is a chromatic plum and will be a limited edition color available only from August until October. We often give internal names to colors we develop and we called this one “ladies and gentleman” because it’s a deeper, more masculine pink. It also has a throwback to hot rods, because the color darkens as it reaches the bottom of the vehicle.
The second in the series and also a limited edition color is Cool Blue, which will be available from November until March. Internally, we called this one, “blue a-go-go.” It’s a play on the Richard Petty Blue, except we gave it an urban feel by grading the color so it’s less chromatic and bright and more grayish.
The third color will be a permanent addition to the Sonic palette and will be available the first quarter of 2014. Dragon Green, which we internally called, “green o’clock,” is a very bright, chromatic green with a performance and racing-type flavor.
The limited edition colors really cater to those who want something not everyone else will have. We envision the driver to be someone who is younger, perhaps an athlete who is into an extreme sport such as snowboarding. Logos and gear in extreme sports are very bright in order to stand out in their environments, much like these colors will draw attention to and highlight the Sonic.
On a stylistic point, all three of these colors are designed for a smaller vehicle. You obviously wouldn’t see them on a full-size truck. They showcase the Sonic’s form and highlight the chrome accents on the exterior in a way traditional colors may not.
I mentioned we’ve been developing the new colors for years and this is because colors are normally developed four years in advance, so it’s important we watch market trends closely to determine what will be relevant by the time it launches. In the case of Deep Magenta Metallic, we saw the success of the Luscious Kiss Pink Chevrolet Spark in South Korea (Techno Pink in the U.S) and watched the pink trend develop into a brighter, more chromatic and more masculine pink. We thought the Sonic would be a great place to show off the new pink.
Usually we watch a color start in lower cost items such as fashion and sunglasses. If it starts to make its way into higher end fashion, furniture and consumer products throughout the year, then we know it’s probably a good cue for automotive.
When developing new colors, it’s important to understand how pigments and colors shift depending on the vehicle. We paint full-size vehicles to test the colors to make sure it works with each specific vehicle’s body styling, feature lines and chrome accents. The same color can look completely different on one vehicle than another.
For example, we once painted a Corvette and a Camaro the same bright green color and it was quite astonishing how different the same palette looked on each vehicle because of how it interacted with the unique design of each model. The headlamps sit so deep on the Camaro compared to the Corvette that it looked like two different colors when you viewed it from the front.
Overall, color is making its way back into the automotive market and in a strong fashion. When the economy was down, consumers were sticking by less exotic colors because they wanted to retain a higher resale value or they were keeping their cars longer. Now with the upturn, people are happier and more inclined to buy expressive shades. Hopefully we’ll start to see more than just black, white, silver and gray while sitting at a red light.
10-New Chevrolet and GMC Trucks Continue to Impress
The all-new Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra 1500 are at the top of the class. The two trucks were revealed at the North American International Auto Show in December and have been making fierce impressions on truck enthusiasts ever since.
By far, the biggest asset of the trucks is the EcoTec3 engines where engineers worked to find a perfect combination of three technologies—direct injection, cylinder deactivation and continuously variable valve timing. These technologies allow for maximum torque while maintaining fuel economy. Both the Silverado and Sierra 1500 come in a 4.3L V6, 5.3L V8 and 6.2L V8.
“This is technology no other truck maker can match, and we offer it in every one of our EcoTec3 engines, for every one of our customers,” said Jordan Lee, Small Block chief engineer and program manager. “It is not an extra cost feature. You get our best and most sophisticated technology regardless of trim level.”
Not only did GM engineers take careful consideration while designing, but put the trucks through a series of rigorous durability testing to ensure the Silverado and Sierra 1500 are equipped and ready for any off road driving or heavy towing needs. At the same time, engineers ensured the passenger is comfortable by producing a quiet and smooth ride unlike any other truck.
“If the exterior and running gear didn’t sell you on the all-new 2014 GM trucks, the interior just might. These trucks look like a truck but ride like a luxury automobile. The interior is loaded with features to provide a quieter ride, like triple door seals, use of sound-absorbing materials and on the 6.2L V-8 active noise cancellation technology,” said Mark Polk, owner of RV Education 101® and RV Consumer, after checking out the new trucks at the 2013 North American International Auto Show. “The door pillars were moved forward to allow for more leg room in the back seating area and the truck is quieter, roomier and more comfortable than ever before.”
Behind the scenes, safety was something the engineers took very seriously. The Silverado and Sierra 1500 have a variety of advanced safety features.
“We have late departure warnings, forward collision protection and active seat awareness,” Maria Rohrer, Director of marketing for Chevrolet trucks, in an interview with Mark Polk.
With all of these new features, the Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra 1500 will be able to fit the needs of many consumers, and will be available for purchase this summer.
Here’s a look at the 10 most-read stories of 2013. Check them out, and have a safe and happy New Year!
1-Chevrolet Unveils 2014 Corvette Stingray Premiere Edition
The end of June marked the 60th anniversary of Corvette production, which started in 1953. To commemorate the impending launch of the all-new, seventh-generation Corvette, we revealed the 2014 Corvette Stingray Premiere Edition at the National Corvette Museum’s 60th Anniversary event in Bowling Green.
Chevrolet is only planning to produce 500 of these top-of-the-line 3LT models, all of which will feature a Laguna blue tint coat exterior, visible clear coated carbon-fiber roof, and the Z51 Performance Package with Magnetic Ride Control and Performance Exhaust. Premiere Edition models will also be outfitted with unique accessories, including Torque style wheels in chrome, “stinger” hood stripe, “Stingray” – logo interior sill plates, floor mats, and wheel caps and a 5 piece custom Corvette branded luggage from Thule.
The name Stingray has been reserved to mark only special generations of Corvette. It was first used on the 1959 Stingray Racer, and again in 1963 with the launch of the second-generation Corvette Sting Ray in production. So it was particularly exciting to reveal this Premiere Edition vehicle to welcome the return of the seventh-generation Corvette Stingray.
Each of the 500 Premiere Edition vehicles will get a unique vehicle identification number, beginning with 300001, as well as an exclusive numbered dash plaque commemorating the limited-edition model. While pricing is not yet available, customers who are interested in the Premiere Edition should contact their Chevrolet dealer.
Since Corvette made its debut in 1953, approximately 1.5 million Corvettes have been produced. The past six decades are a true testament to the way in which Corvette has been woven into the fabric of American culture as the sports car of choice that offers the best in today’s technology, performance, and Design.
The excitement and anticipation we have seen for the Corvette Stingray has been amazing and in many ways has brought back the passion that is Corvette. Above all we are very excited about the 2014 Corvette Stingray and we look forward to celebrating many more Corvette anniversaries.
As the 2014 Chevy Impala begins to arrive at Chevy dealers, the vehicle will be equipped with a variety of features to fit the many different lifestyles of the owners who will drive it.
The Impala debuted in 1958 and has been Chevrolet’s flagship sedan ever since. The car marked a place in history by setting the standard in comfort and value and quickly became America’s best-selling full size car. Through the years, the Impala has undergone a variety of facelifts while continuing to serve as the ideal family car by providing ample interior space and a sleek, iconic exterior.
“We’ll build on the success the Impala nameplate has generated over its history,” said Chris Perry, vice president, Chevrolet marketing. “We’ve added sophisticated design features, more technology and safety equipment, while conserving Impala’s current strengths like spaciousness and comfort.”
Safety was one of the primary concerns for lead engineer, Todd Pawlik, and his team. In order to avoid crashes, the Impala uses advanced technologies to give visual and audible alerts to help drivers identify potential crash situations – the system even intervenes when a crash threat appears more imminent. Some of the other safety features include full-speed-range adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and rear cross traffic alert.
The exterior of the car features a sleek proportion, sculpted body sides, standard 18-inch wheels and projector-beam headlamps, with HID headlamps and LED daytime running lamps standard on LTZ models.
“Our design team was challenged to create a new classic, but that didn’t mean relying on nostalgia,” said John Cafaro, director of North America passenger car exterior design. “This is very much a contemporary car, with design elements, craftsmanship and attention to detail that complement its advanced technology and performance.”
The technology on the vehicle is one of the most unique parts of the vehicle. The Impala will be the first vehicle with Chevrolet’s next-generation MyLink infotainment system, designed to be easy to use and capable of linking up to 10 devices. MyLink is also making things personal. Using consumer research, including interviews and online voting, MyLink designers developed four specific graphic appearances designed to appeal to the distinctive personalities of Chevrolet customer groups These appearances include a “contemporary,” “edge,” “velocity” and “main street” design.
The 2014 Chevy Impala will be available this spring, and at a starting price of $26,475, the affordability will make it hard to resist
3-UNVEILED: The 2015 Escalade is Miles Beyond the Rest
This past week Cadillac pulled the sheets off of the all-new 2015 Cadillac Escalade to reveal a familiar-looking SUV with more than a few surprises up its sleeve.
A closer look at the 2015 Cadillac Escalade shows that the fourth-generation of the vehicle is elevated in design and technology, inside and out. The quieter vehicle is perfectly crafted for today’s connected luxury riders as it combines new levels of design with the latest tech-tools to enhance experience and safety.
The all-new Escalade rolls off the assembly line next spring in Arlington, Texas. Some of its most exciting features fall into three categories: technology, design, and safety:
Technology
Capacitive touch. Cadillac’s advanced system for connectivity and control (CUE) is now standard, featuring state-of-the-art voice recognition with touch controls common with the world’s most popular tablets and mobile devices.
Blue-Ray DVD rear entertainment system. This system includes a nine-inch, roof-mounted screen on Escalade and two nine-inch screens on Escalade ESV.
Magnetic Ride Control, the world’s fastest-reacting suspension system, delivers precisely controlled driving performance.
Design
LED headlights and taillights with individual crystal lenses.
Cut-and-sewn and wrapped materials, with wood trim options for elegance and authenticity.
Dramatically quieter. The interior is quieter thanks to a stronger new body structure, new and enhanced acoustic material and Bose Active Noise Cancellation technology.
Heated and cooled seats are now standard on second-row bucket seats.
Upgraded luxury car seats. The seats were designed to be more comfortable and sculpted in appearance with a reclining second row.
More headroom and legroom. The front seating area offers more than 1.5 inches (44 mm) more headroom and more than four inches (101 mm) of additional legroom compared to previous models.
Cargo versatility and hands-free liftgate. The second- and third-row seats fold flat for greater cargo versatility – and a segment-first hands-free liftgate includes programmable height settings.
Safety
Front and Rear Automatic Braking. Helping drivers avoid front and rear low-speed collisions via a progression of alerts that extend to complete braking, if necessary.
Forward collision alert. The system notifies an inattentive driver when a front collision is imminent.
Front-center side airbag engineered to protect the driver and front passenger from slamming into one another in a side crash.
These are only a few of the features that will make drivers feel safe and tech-savvy all while living in the lap of luxury. It’s the Escalade drivers know and love, but it’s unlike any generation before it.
4-Vehicle Electrification Options for Every Consumer
Each and every day, I work with some of the best and brightest people at GM to create electric vehicle technologies that provide our customers with fun to drive cars and reduce their need for petroleum. It’s exciting to see that electrified vehicles of various technologies are gaining attention and market share. We’re seeing various terms used to describe these technologies, including PHEVs, EREVs, pure EVs and, yes, hybrids. It can be confusing to understand how these technologies provide real-world benefits to car buyers. Let me take a shot at trying at clearing things up. Here goes . . .
Let’s break down GM’s electric vehicle options and explain why you want to buy one. We have three electric-based options: eAssist, extended range electric vehicles and electric vehicles.
Assist
On average, eAssist provides a 25 percent fuel economy improvement over a traditional internal combustion engine vehicle. We estimate annual fuel costs on an eAssist would be about $1900/year, saving $2500 over five years when compared to average new vehicle. eAssist is available on the Buick Lacrosse and Regal, as well as the Chevrolet Malibu and 2014 Impala. The technology is perfect for individuals who want a large sedan with compact car fuel economy.
We refer to eAssist as a light electrification solution. eAssist aims to redefine what it means to be a “conventional” powertrain by making some of the basic benefits of electrification available on mainstream vehicles. What we did was add a small electric motor and a lithium ion battery to the engine to provide more power and give the car a little “boost”, under heavy accelerating. The boost comes from energy that is captured during braking and stored in the battery. eAssist technology also turns the engine off when the vehicle is idle to save fuel. Why have your engine running if you don’t need it? The engine will automatically restart when the brake is released.
Extended Range Electric Vehicles (EREVs)
Extended Range electric vehicles (EREVs) are powered by both electricity and gas. An EREV operates as an electric vehicle for a certain number of miles, then relies on an electric generator powered by a gas engine after the electric battery runs low. If you want to enjoy pure electric driving during your daily commute but still want the flexibility of traveling longer distances, then an EREV is the perfect solution.
An EREV features a big battery and a small engine. Some of you may think “two sources of energy so it’s a hybrid, right?” Not quite, as an EREV like the Chevrolet Volt runs solely on electricity from the battery for about the first 40 miles. Once the battery is depleted, the engine automatically turns on to provide unlimited range. It’s that simple. To recharge the battery, plug the car into a standard 120 or 240 volt outlet. If the charge is never fully depleted, EREV owners never have to fill up at a gas station. On average, Volt customers visit a gas pump every 900 miles or about every 6 weeks. The annual fuel cost would be about $900, saving you $6850 over five years.*.
Cadillac will launch an EREV later this year, the ELR. It is a beautiful, luxurious coupe wrapped around an enhanced version of our award winning EREV propulsion system. If you want to enjoy pure electric driving during your daily commutes but still want the flexibility to travel longer distances, an EREV is the perfect solution.
Pure Electric Vehicles
Now, let’s talk about pure electric vehicles. The Chevy Spark EV, which recently went on sale in California and Oregon, runs purely on electricity. It does not use any petroleum. The range is greater than that of the Volt — about 82 miles. To recharge the Spark EV, you can plug in to a 120 or 240 V outlet, or, in the near future, a DC fast charge station. DC fast charging allows the vehicle to charge 80 percent in just 20 minutes. So in theory you pull into a coffee shop that has a DC fast charge station, order a soda (for those of you that know me), check your email, check in on your kids on Facebook and you’re ready to go.
This car is targeted at urban and suburban commuters and will initially be sold in California and Oregon. We anticipate a Spark EV owner would have an annual fuel cost of $500, saving you about $9000 over five years.**.
There you have it. Three options to save fuel, reduce the dependence on petroleum, reduce emissions and have a great driving experience. It all depends upon your needs in terms of vehicle size and your daily commute.
* Average fuel and energy rates based upon information obtained from The U.S. Department of Energy.
5-Mobile Apps That Help to Curb Texting and Driving
A growing danger on roadways today is distracted driving – particularly texting while driving. It is a dangerous habit that more than 44% of teenagers admit to partaking in, according to a 2013 study by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Drive the District, an innovative digital destination powered by General Motors, recently explored several mobile apps that help curb the temptation to text behind the wheel. While some apps are hands-free alternatives to typing out a text, others remove the option to compose a message until the car slows below a certain speed. Either way, drivers’ eyes are off of their phones and back on the road.
6-GM opens fourth IT Innovation Center
Every day, we work to improve GM, to make our company more efficient, more responsive and more customer-centric. Our enterprise-wide focus on speed, simplicity and accountability are changing the way we do business, and that includes business functions like Information Technology.
GM’s IT function is in the midst of a huge, multi-year transformation to better support company-wide efforts to reduce costs, increase innovation, and deliver winning products around the world. As part of this transformation, GM IT is moving from a heavily outsourced to a predominantly insourced model, which will help us achieve world-class performance at lower costs. To drive innovation, we’re also creating four U.S.-based software- and systems-development centers staffed by GM employees. We call them Innovation Centers, and I’m pleased to announce that we opened our fourth center earlier this week in Chandler, Arizona, in the Phoenix-metropolitan area.
We have already started recruiting and hiring software developers, database administrators and system analysts for the Chandler center. They will join the more-than 1,000 employees we’ve already hired at our other three centers in Warren, Michigan; Austin, Texas; and Roswell, Georgia. Over the next three to five years, we expect to hire more than 4,000 new IT workers to staff all four centers.
Why four centers? Recruiting talented IT professionals is intensely competitive. At GM, we compete with many of the world’s top companies for talent, including Apple, Google, Boeing, GE, and many others, not to mention all of our automotive competitors.
To hire the best and the brightest, we need to create employment opportunities that differentiate our company from the competition, and location is one such advantage. We chose the locations of our four Innovation Centers by looking at IT talent-rich areas that also offer a strong community, lower cost of living and a high-tech industry presence.
Combined, the four new GM centers have access to more than 7,000 students majoring in IT-related fields at more than150 colleges and universities. We will target recruitment efforts at up to a dozen key universities within each of the four geographic regions. In addition, each of the four locations is rich in existing IT talent. Seventy-five percent of U.S.-based IT professionals are now located within 500 miles of one of our centers.
Our four Innovation Centers will support all aspects of business at GM. Employees will support web technologies, dealer systems, factory systems, vehicle technology and much more. Our goal is to create and deliver world-class IT products and services to the entire company, and to accelerate the development and implementation of innovative IT solutions for existing and future business. In the long-run, our vision is to enable and accelerate the company’s transformation by providing the best IT in the global auto industry.
We’ve taken a big step by opening our four new Innovation Centers. Now the real transformation of GM IT begins in earnest.
7-All-New 2015 Chevrolet Colorado Unveiled
Today, Chevrolet unveiled the all-new 2015 Chevy Colorado, a vehicle that is set to redefine the midsize truck market and offer “real truck” capability and versatility to customers who don’t necessarily need a full-size truck.
The Colorado is built with the DNA of a true Chevy truck, and was developed with distinctive design, comfort and connectivity features customers will love.
“Our strategy is simple: meet the needs of the broadest possible customer base, and let them choose precisely the right truck to meet their needs,” said Mark Reuss, General Motors executive vice president and president of GM North America. “The all-new Colorado benefits from the solid foundation established by the Silverado, and it reinvents the midsize truck while reinvigorating the segment at the same time.”
Chevrolet expects Colorado to be the most powerful truck in the segment, allowing owners to haul and tow more. Each of the two available engines are tuned, tested and validated; and optimized for power and efficiency. And Chevy will also offer a diesel engine in the Colorado’s second year – a proven Duramax 2.8L I-4 turbodiesel already offered in global markets.
When properly equipped, the Colorado is expected to offer a class-leading payload capacity, and trailering capacity of more than 6,700 pounds. That’s more than enough capability to throw a weekend’s worth of camping gear in the bed and tow a boat to your favorite lake!
And because it’s a true Chevy truck, the Colorado leaves nothing on the table when it comes to innovative solutions for hauling and accessing cargo. Three configurations of the 2015 Colorado are offered: Extended cab with a 6-foot bed, Crew cab with a 5-foot bed and Crew cab with a 6-foot bed.
With the tailgate down, the 6-foot bed allows 8-foot-long items to be hauled within the vehicle.
The interior is comfortable, cleverly equipped and well connected. A bold, upright instrument panel with large instruments and a central driver information center is similar to Silverado, while features including a center console with a floor-mounted shifter are similar to those found in midsize cars and crossovers.
The new Colorado’s technologies are aimed at complementing owners’ lifestyles with connectivity and other features that support their daily and recreational lives.
Standard and available features designed to keep the Colorado’s occupants safe before, during and after a crash, including: six standard air bags, standard rear-vision camera system and StabiliTrak stability control system.
The Colorado delivers the capability expected of a Chevy truck – including segment-leading payload and trailering. Like the Silverado, the Colorado is built on a fully boxed perimeter frame, which provides the strength to support its capabilities, as well as a confident, smooth and quiet ride.
The 2015 Chevrolet Colorado goes on sale in fall 2014.
8-GM Performance Vehicles are Tested at the Track
All Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick and GMC vehicles go through many hours of testing before they start production at one of the assembly plants. Testing begins with computer generated models and goes through everything from aerodynamic wind tunnels and water leak tests to climate torture tests. Even the paint is put through testing to ensure it stands up to whatever a customer or Mother Nature will put it through.
The GM performance vehicles — such as the Chevrolet Camaro, Chevrolet Corvette, and Cadillac CTS Vsport — also receive a special level of testing as customers demand the highest level of reliability from them; especially when it comes to racing. Car and Driver Magazine recently profiled the GM “24-hour test” that high-performance vehicles go through. Click the link below to read more about the special testing given to these special vehicles:
How the “24 Hours of GM” Chases the Bugs Out of GM’s Performance Cars
Also, check out some of our favorite track footage from GM performance vehicles by watching the videos in the gallery.
9-Developing the Perfect Color
Our team at Chevrolet is very excited for the launch of three new stirring colors for the 2014 Chevrolet Sonic. After years of watching color trends make a big splash back into the minds of our customers, our team came together in a strong way and we definitely feel that the Sonic is going to shine with these new shades. One thing about our Sonic buyers is that they especially note the exterior palette as an important factor in their purchase process, so we really wanted to provide a refresh to the Sonic brand and cater to our customers.
These three unique, expressive colors definitely deliver to those who want something are looking to jump out of the mold:
The first in the series, Deep Magenta Metallic, is a chromatic plum and will be a limited edition color available only from August until October. We often give internal names to colors we develop and we called this one “ladies and gentleman” because it’s a deeper, more masculine pink. It also has a throwback to hot rods, because the color darkens as it reaches the bottom of the vehicle.
The second in the series and also a limited edition color is Cool Blue, which will be available from November until March. Internally, we called this one, “blue a-go-go.” It’s a play on the Richard Petty Blue, except we gave it an urban feel by grading the color so it’s less chromatic and bright and more grayish.
The third color will be a permanent addition to the Sonic palette and will be available the first quarter of 2014. Dragon Green, which we internally called, “green o’clock,” is a very bright, chromatic green with a performance and racing-type flavor.
The limited edition colors really cater to those who want something not everyone else will have. We envision the driver to be someone who is younger, perhaps an athlete who is into an extreme sport such as snowboarding. Logos and gear in extreme sports are very bright in order to stand out in their environments, much like these colors will draw attention to and highlight the Sonic.
On a stylistic point, all three of these colors are designed for a smaller vehicle. You obviously wouldn’t see them on a full-size truck. They showcase the Sonic’s form and highlight the chrome accents on the exterior in a way traditional colors may not.
I mentioned we’ve been developing the new colors for years and this is because colors are normally developed four years in advance, so it’s important we watch market trends closely to determine what will be relevant by the time it launches. In the case of Deep Magenta Metallic, we saw the success of the Luscious Kiss Pink Chevrolet Spark in South Korea (Techno Pink in the U.S) and watched the pink trend develop into a brighter, more chromatic and more masculine pink. We thought the Sonic would be a great place to show off the new pink.
Usually we watch a color start in lower cost items such as fashion and sunglasses. If it starts to make its way into higher end fashion, furniture and consumer products throughout the year, then we know it’s probably a good cue for automotive.
When developing new colors, it’s important to understand how pigments and colors shift depending on the vehicle. We paint full-size vehicles to test the colors to make sure it works with each specific vehicle’s body styling, feature lines and chrome accents. The same color can look completely different on one vehicle than another.
For example, we once painted a Corvette and a Camaro the same bright green color and it was quite astonishing how different the same palette looked on each vehicle because of how it interacted with the unique design of each model. The headlamps sit so deep on the Camaro compared to the Corvette that it looked like two different colors when you viewed it from the front.
Overall, color is making its way back into the automotive market and in a strong fashion. When the economy was down, consumers were sticking by less exotic colors because they wanted to retain a higher resale value or they were keeping their cars longer. Now with the upturn, people are happier and more inclined to buy expressive shades. Hopefully we’ll start to see more than just black, white, silver and gray while sitting at a red light.
10-New Chevrolet and GMC Trucks Continue to Impress
The all-new Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra 1500 are at the top of the class. The two trucks were revealed at the North American International Auto Show in December and have been making fierce impressions on truck enthusiasts ever since.
By far, the biggest asset of the trucks is the EcoTec3 engines where engineers worked to find a perfect combination of three technologies—direct injection, cylinder deactivation and continuously variable valve timing. These technologies allow for maximum torque while maintaining fuel economy. Both the Silverado and Sierra 1500 come in a 4.3L V6, 5.3L V8 and 6.2L V8.
“This is technology no other truck maker can match, and we offer it in every one of our EcoTec3 engines, for every one of our customers,” said Jordan Lee, Small Block chief engineer and program manager. “It is not an extra cost feature. You get our best and most sophisticated technology regardless of trim level.”
Not only did GM engineers take careful consideration while designing, but put the trucks through a series of rigorous durability testing to ensure the Silverado and Sierra 1500 are equipped and ready for any off road driving or heavy towing needs. At the same time, engineers ensured the passenger is comfortable by producing a quiet and smooth ride unlike any other truck.
“If the exterior and running gear didn’t sell you on the all-new 2014 GM trucks, the interior just might. These trucks look like a truck but ride like a luxury automobile. The interior is loaded with features to provide a quieter ride, like triple door seals, use of sound-absorbing materials and on the 6.2L V-8 active noise cancellation technology,” said Mark Polk, owner of RV Education 101® and RV Consumer, after checking out the new trucks at the 2013 North American International Auto Show. “The door pillars were moved forward to allow for more leg room in the back seating area and the truck is quieter, roomier and more comfortable than ever before.”
Behind the scenes, safety was something the engineers took very seriously. The Silverado and Sierra 1500 have a variety of advanced safety features.
“We have late departure warnings, forward collision protection and active seat awareness,” Maria Rohrer, Director of marketing for Chevrolet trucks, in an interview with Mark Polk.
With all of these new features, the Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra 1500 will be able to fit the needs of many consumers, and will be available for purchase this summer.
