2013 Chevrolet Corvette 427 Convertible Sells for $600,000

The first 2013 Corvette 427 Convertible Collector Edition – the fastest and most capable convertible in Corvette’s history – sold for $600,000 in the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale collector car auction Saturday.
The Corvette 427 Convertible, which arrives at U.S. Chevrolet dealers this summer, blends elements of the Z06 and ZR1 models. The Vehicle Identification Number ending in 001 was sold in the auction.
Its heart is the 427-cubic-inch (7.0L) LS7 engine from the Corvette Z06. Rated at 505 horsepower (377 kW) and 470 lb.-ft. of torque (637 Nm), it is the most powerful engine ever installed in a production Corvette convertible – and, like the Z06, the 427 Convertible is only available with a six-speed manual transmission.
Early 427-powered Corvettes, particularly convertibles, offered from 1966 to 1969 are some of the most-coveted and collectable Corvettes ever produced.
Chevrolet and Hendrick Motorsports teamed up for the auction, with four-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion Jeff Gordon and team owner Rick Hendrick, to raise a total of $700,000 for the AARP’s Drive to End Hunger food relief program.
The Drive to End Hunger is part of a multi-year sponsorship for Gordon’s No. 24 Chevrolet. It calls on racing fans, corporations and charitable organizations to raise money, build awareness, and engage Americans who face the threat of hunger.
Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world's largest car brands, doing business in more than 140 countries and selling more than 4 million cars and trucks a year. Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient vehicles that feature spirited performance, expressive design, and high quality. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.

GM USA

Volt Owners May Soon Get Charged with Renewable Energy

Chevrolet Volt electric car owners could soon charge with renewable energy using a new solution from OnStar.
The technology is enabled as OnStar receives a signal from PJM Interconnection that shows the percentage of available renewable energy on the grid. Data from this forecast is downloaded to the OnStar cloud, or Advanced Telematics Operating Management System (ATOMS). OnStar uses this signal to simultaneously manage the charging of many Volts and to match the renewable energy availability. A mobile app could also be used to alert customers when renewable energy is available.
OnStar and Google are working together to demonstrate the technology on the 17 Chevrolet Volts in Google’s “Gfleet” based at the company’s headquarters in Mountain View, Calif.
“This demonstration shows that in the near future customers will have a real signal of demand for renewable energy,” said Nick Pudar, OnStar vice president of planning and business development. “As customers configure their Volts to favor renewable energy for their charging cycle, this real demand signal will influence utilities to tap into renewable sources."
The demonstrations are taking place this week at the 2012 DistribuTECH Conference and Exhibition in San Antonio. DistribuTECH attendees can see live demos at Booth 1543. OnStar will also be demonstrating the company’s Demand Response and Time-of-Use Rate solutions.
PJM data shows that peak time for renewable energy generation from wind is generally between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. With this in mind, it would be possible for customers to use OnStar’s Smart Grid solutions to further reduce their carbon footprint and save money by charging during these off-peak times.
“Solutions like this one will ultimately lead to increased renewable energy generation and allow Chevrolet Volt owners to be a key part of that energy transformation,” said Pudar.
If the renewable energy service goes into production, customers interested in using it would simply need to sign up. OnStar would then regulate their charging using the renewable energy signal.
The renewable energy technology is the latest addition to OnStar’s suite of Smart Grid solutions. OnStar has also developed intelligent energy management technology solutions including:

• Demand response – This solution connects utilities to companies that have intelligent energy management products. These companies can use OnStar to manage energy use for Volt customers who opt in for the service. This future service allows the customer to save money on energy costs while enabling more efficient use of the electric grid.
• Time-of-Use (TOU) rates – OnStar can receive dynamic TOU pricing from utilities and notify Volt owners of the rate plan offers via email. Owners will be able to use OnStar to load the rate plans directly into their vehicle and access them to schedule charging during lower-rate periods.
• Charging data – OnStar also sends and receives EV data that helps utility providers without having to interface with the vehicle’s electric vehicle supply equipment. This includes location-based EV data that identifies charging locations and determines potential load scenarios.

About OnStar
OnStar, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Motors, is the global leading provider of connected safety, security and mobility solutions and advanced information technology. With more than 6 million subscribers in the U.S, Canada and China, OnStar is currently available on more than 45 MY 2012 GM models, as well as available for installation on most other vehicles already on the road with OnStar FMV. More information about OnStar can be found at www.onstar.com.
About PJM Interconnection
Founded in 1927, PJM Interconnection ensures the reliability of the high-voltage electric power system serving 60 million people in all or parts of Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia. PJM coordinates and directs the operation of the region’s transmission grid, which includes 62,000 miles of transmission lines; administers a competitive wholesale electricity market; and plans regional transmission expansion improvements to maintain grid reliability and relieve congestion.

GM USA

Play to Win with Interactive Chevy App for Super Bowl XLVI

Chevrolet today announced a first-of-its-kind app which will allow viewers of Super Bowl XLVI to play trivia, interact with each other via Twitter, participate in polls and possibly win one of 20 Chevrolets or thousands of other prizes.
The Chevy Game Time app will be available in the Android Market, the App Store and at chevy.com/gametime by kick off of the NFL’s NFC Championship game Sunday, Jan. 22.
As participants watch the Super Bowl, they can play along to win prizes from Chevrolet, Bridgestone, Motorola, the NFL and NFLShop.com, Papa John’s Pizza and Sirius XM Radio.
“This is the first time any company has attempted such a large-scale app, which will enhance the game watching experience and help them engage in the online conversation about the Super Bowl,” said Joel Ewanick, global chief marketing officer, General Motors.
“The way people watch TV has changed with smart phones and tablets helping viewers interact while in front of the screen,” Ewanick said. “This app takes that interactivity to a whole new level on one of the biggest days for television viewing.”
Chances to win begin as soon as the player downloads the Chevy Game Time app with instant win opportunities. In addition, players will also receive a unique license plate number. If their plate appears during a Chevrolet advertisement during the game or online, they win a vehicle.
While watching the Super Bowl, players can answer trivia questions or polls relating to the football game, teams, commercials and other related events. By selecting the correct or most common answer, they will be entered into drawings to win one of thousands of prizes.
The Chevy Game Time app is one activity among Super Bowl-related initiatives at Chevrolet. These include advertiser exclusivity for the NBCSports.com game day live stream coverage for desktop and tablet computers; partnering with Twitter and the NFL on Twitter’s 'Road to the #SuperBowl' and NFL Huddle site and a range of engagement tactics and fan activations on Chevrolet's own social channels.
“With these initiatives, the traditional ads on the Super Bowl broadcast and additional initiatives we will announce soon, we expect more than 1.5 billion impressions of our message on game day and beyond,” said Ewanick.
Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world's largest car brands, doing business in more than 140 countries and selling more than 4 million cars and trucks a year. Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient vehicles that feature spirited performance, expressive design, and high quality. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.

GM USA

Chevy Spark and Sonic RS Buyers Get MyLink, Their Way

The 2013 Chevrolet Sonic RS and uplevel models of the 2013 Chevrolet Spark will be equipped with Chevrolet’s MyLink infotainment system that works by bringing owners’ smartphone capabilities into the vehicle.
The seven-inch (diagonal) touch screen color radios in the Sonic RS and Spark will be produced by LG Electronics, it was announced today at the Consumer Electronics Show. Show goers will be able to test drive the MyLink system for Sonic RS and Spark at a special display.
“The whole philosophy of MyLink is about letting our customers personalize how they bring information and music into their vehicles,” said Sara LeBlanc, GM global infotainment program manager.
“Customers all over the world told us they’ve set up their smartphones exactly how they want them, and the ideal car radio should extend the capabilities of their smartphone rather than try to duplicate them,” she said. “We listened to our customers and gave them a system that is safe, simple and connected.”
With MyLink in the Sonic RS and Spark, the smartphone, in effect, functions in the same way a hard drive would in an embedded infotainment system. Owners of compatible devices can bring their own media into the vehicle through a USB or by docking the smartphone phone using the radio’s Bluetooth connection (Visit gm.com/Bluetooth to see which phones are compatible.). There also is a dedicated plug-in outlet for certain personal music devices and smartphones that do not use USB or Bluetooth connections.
Once the compatible smartphones are integrated, owners can access their personal playlists, photo galleries, phone books and other stored media and data.
To operate the system, the owner selects from options projected onto the touch screen: Audio, Pictures & Movies, Telephone, Smartphone Link and Settings. Each menu selection takes the user though a list of easy-to-select functions.
Phone calls can be made without dialing: The owner can select a name from the stored directory, touch the call function and project the call through the vehicle speakers. Additional media applications will work only when the vehicle is parked.
When the Sonic RS and Spark go on sale, apps for U.S.-based Pandora and Stitcher internet radio will be will be available. Chevrolet MyLink functionality varies by model. MyLink on Sonic and Spark RS does not include integrated voice recognition or Gracenotes capability.
The 2013 Chevrolet Spark goes on sale this summer. MyLink is planned to be standard on the 1LT and 2LT models. The 2013 Sonic RS will be available in the fourth quarter of this year.
Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world's largest car brands, doing business in more than 140 countries and selling more than 4 million cars and trucks a year. Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient vehicles that feature spirited performance, expressive design and high quality. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.

GM Media

Enhancing the Volt

I wanted to share some developments with you about our response to the NHTSA investigation into the Chevrolet Volt resulting from a fire several days after a severe crash test.
If you’ll remember, NHTSA began testing the Volt battery after one of the vehicles it crash tested in May caught fire three weeks after the test. Testing and analysis revealed the fire was the result of a minor intrusion from a portion of the vehicle into a side section of the battery pack. The intrusion resulted in a small coolant leak inside the battery, approximately 50 ml (one-quarter of a cup) of fluid.
Over the past few weeks, GM engineers have completed development and validation on a set of proposed enhancements and shared them with NHTSA staff.
We ran a series of internal tests and all successfully resulted in no battery pack intrusion or coolant leakage, thereby eliminating the chance for a post-crash electrical fire for this test condition.
Through the first 11 months of 2011, Volt owners accumulated more than 20 million miles without any incident similar to the NHTSA tests. That said, we are choosing to go the extra mile to ensure our customers’ peace of mind. GM will conduct a Customer Satisfaction Program and implement structural and coolant system enhancements to further protect the Volt battery from the possibility of an electrical fire occurring days or weeks after a severe side crash.
First, we’re going to strengthen an existing portion of the vehicle’s safety structure that protects the battery pack in the event of a severe side collision. The enhancements add to the robustness in protecting the battery and its coolant lines in the event of a severe side crash. Beginning in February, dealers will begin making these modifications for current Volt owners. When production resumes at the Volt plant this month, we’re integrating similar structural enhancements into the body shop manufacturing process.
In addition to these structural modifications, we’re going to make enhancements to the battery coolant system, including:
-Installing a sensor in the reservoir of the battery coolant system to monitor coolant levels.
-Adding a tamper resistant bracket to the top of the battery coolant reservoir to help prevent potential coolant overfill.
-The Volt’s battery cooling system is sealed and protected, but again we’re taking these steps to provide peace of mind for customers.
These enhancements should prevent battery pack intrusion and coolant leakage thereby eliminating the risk of a post crash electrical fire in the NHTSA’s test side impact pole test. They will also be helpful to the automotive industry as the adoption of electrification technologies expands.
Our actions have nothing to do with the battery pack itself. None of these changes will touch the battery cell or pack. As a result we will not change any part of the manufacturing process at our Brownstown, Michigan, battery pack assembly plant.
I’m proud of the work our team members have done to get these steps in place as quickly as they did. It was an unprecedented response by today’s GM. Our commitment is to provide our customers with the best ownership experience in the industry and we’re focused on delivering that every day.
That’s how we intend to win with Volt, and with every other vehicle we design, build and sell.

GM’s U.S. Sales Increase 5 Percent in December

Full-year sales increase 14 percent; market share grows!

General Motors Co. (NYSE: GM) today reported total U.S. sales of 234,351 vehicles in December, up 5 percent compared with December 2010. Sales for the calendar year were up 14 percent year over year to more than 2.5 million units and the company gained market share.
“GM’s balanced portfolio of fuel-efficient cars, trucks and crossovers helped us make the most of the U.S. economy’s slow but steady recovery in 2011,” said Don Johnson, vice president, U.S. Sales Operations. “Importantly, we were able to grow all four of our brands and reestablish Chevrolet as a force to be reckoned with in the passenger car business. This gives us a very solid foundation to compete in a market that we expect to keep growing.”
In December, retail deliveries were up 2 percent compared with a very strong December 2010, and accounted for 81 percent of GM sales. Deliveries to fleets were up 17 percent.
GM’s total passenger car sales for the month increased 12 percent. Crossover sales decreased 14 percent. Sales of trucks, which include full-size pickups, vans and SUVs increased 13 percent.
Highlights for the month include a 42 percent year-over-year increase in Chevrolet Sonic sales (compared with the Aveo), a 54 percent increase in Chevrolet Cruze sales, a 20 percent increase for the Chevrolet Camaro and a 13 percent increase for the Chevrolet Malibu. The Chevrolet Volt sold more than 1,500 units, making December its best month ever.
Other highlights include double-digit sales increases for the Cadillac SRX, Chevrolet Avalanche, Colorado, Silverado, Tahoe and Suburban, and the GMC Yukon XL. In addition, Chevrolet Equinox had its best sales month of the year in December.

Sales Highlights	Dec. 2011 Total Sales (vehicles)	Total Sales Change vs. Dec. 2010	Dec. 2011 Retail Sales Change vs. Dec. 2010	2011 Total Sales (vehicles)	2011 Total Sales Change vs. 2010	2011 Retail Sales Change vs. 2010
Chevrolet	161,158	8.9%	5.3%	1,775,812	13.4%	19.4%
GMC	41,960	(0.5)%	(4.1)%	397,986	18.8%	16.0%
Buick	14,974	(12.4)%	(8.4)%	177,633	14.3%	14.7%
Cadillac	16,259	(2.7)%	4.9%	152,389	3.7%	10.5%
Total GM	234,351	4.7%	2.1%	2,503,820	13.7%	17.6%

GM ended December with about 580,000 units in dealer stock, including approximately 180,000 full-size pickup trucks, as planned.
GM expects full-year 2012 light vehicle sales to be in a range of 13.5 million to 14.0 million units. In previous years, GM’s forecasts were based on total vehicle sales, which included medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, or about 300,000 additional units.
“Over the course of the fourth quarter of 2011, clear signs emerged that U.S. consumers are more confident and that other underpinnings of our economy are either stable or slowly improving,” Johnson said. “When we add improving economic fundamentals to pent-up demand and an aging vehicle fleet, it’s now clear that auto sales should continue to grow in 2012, barring a shock to the system.”

Inventory	Units @ Dec. 31, 2011	Days Supply (selling days adjusted)	Units @ Nov. 30, 2011	Days Supply (selling days adjusted)
All Vehicles	583,407	67	623,666	86
Full-size Pickups	181,070	73	202,720	105

Industry Sales	Dec. 2011 SAAR (est.)	2011 (est.)	2010
Total Vehicles	13.9 million	13.1 million	11.8 million

General Motors Co. (NYSE:GM, TSX: GMM) and its partners produce vehicles in 30 countries, and the company has leadership positions in the world's largest and fastest-growing automotive markets. GM’s brands include Chevrolet and Cadillac, as well as Baojun, Buick, GMC, Holden, Isuzu, Jiefang, Opel, Vauxhall and Wuling. More information on the company and its subsidiaries, including OnStar, a global leader in vehicle safety, security and information services, can be found at http://www.gm.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
In this press release and in related comments by our management, our use of the words “expect,” “anticipate,” “possible,” “potential,” “target,” “believe,” “commit,” “intend,” “continue,” “may,” “would,” “could,” “should,” “project,” “projected,” “positioned” or similar expressions is intended to identify forward-looking statements that represent our current judgment about possible future events. We believe these judgments are reasonable, but these statements are not guarantees of any events or financial results, and our actual results may differ materially due to a variety of important factors. Among other items, such factors might include: our ability to realize production efficiencies and to achieve reductions in costs as a result of our restructuring initiatives and labor modifications; our ability to maintain quality control over our vehicles and avoid material vehicle recalls; our ability to maintain adequate liquidity and financing sources and an appropriate level of debt, including as required to fund our planned significant investment in new technology; the ability of our suppliers to timely deliver parts, components and systems; our ability to realize successful vehicle applications of new technology; and our ability to continue to attract new customers, particularly for our new products. GM's most recent annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q provides information about these and other factors, which we may revise or supplement in future reports to the SEC.


GM USA

GM Foundation Matching Gift Program Boosts United Way

Donations up to $100,000, dollar for dollar, will help Network of Excellence schools

The General Motors Foundation today announced that it will match up to $100,000, dollar for dollar, in donations to United Way for Southeastern Michigan by Dec. 31, 2011. To give, visit: http://www.liveunitedsem.org/doubleyourgift.
“One of the most important challenges in our community today is the education of our young people – ensuring that kids enter kindergarten ready to learn and that at the very least they obtain a high school degree,” said Michael J. Brennan, president and CEO of United Way for Southeastern Michigan.
“A year ago, we received unprecedented grant funding from the GM Foundation to establish a ‘Networks of Excellence’ initiative that supports seven turnaround high schools in the region and the development of Early Learning Communities in each of those schools,” Brennan said.
Early indicators show the model is succeeding in reducing chronic absences and improving graduation rates.
“But there is so much more left to be done and we are grateful that the GM Foundation is giving United Way another boost through its generous year-end match program,” Brennan said.  
“Whether United Way receives $50 or $5,000, every dollar matters. The GM Foundation’s match is intended to inspire individual, community and corporate donors to double the value of their gift to United Way between now and the end of the year,” said GM Foundation President Vivian Pickard.
 "Our commitment to match grants from the community will help enable the United Way to bolster education and other programs to bring a better quality of life to those in need,” she said.

About the General Motors Foundation
Since its inception in 1976, the General Motors Foundation has helped to strengthen communities across the United States through investments in Education, Health/Human Services, Environment/Energy and Community Development.  Over the past ten years, the foundation has donated more than $350 million to send students to college, educate parents on how to keep children safe in and around vehicles, promote diversity and support vital non-profit organizations.  For more information, please visit www.gm.com/gmfoundation.
About General Motors
General Motors Co. (NYSE:GM, TSX: GMM) and its partners produce vehicles in 30 countries, and the company has leadership positions in the world's largest and fastest-growing automotive markets.  GM’s brands include Chevrolet and Cadillac, as well as Baojun, Buick, GMC, Holden, Isuzu, Jiefang, Opel, Vauxhall and Wuling. More information on the company and its subsidiaries, including OnStar, a global leader in vehicle safety, security and information services, can be found at http://www.gm.com/.

About United Way for Southeastern MichiganUnited Way for Southeastern Michigan mobilizes the caring power of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties to improve lives in measurable and lasting ways throughout the region. The organization is led by a diverse group of volunteers from business, labor, government, human services, education and the community. United Way provides opportunities to invest in the metropolitan Detroit community through its annual Campaign and is a leader in convening partners to impact local residents each year by increasing economic self-sufficiency, protecting children and youth at risk, strengthening families, empowering neighborhoods and communities, and promoting health and wellness. Additional information is available at http://www.liveunitedsem.org/.

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