Chevy

Why Chevy Volt sales matter less than you think

commentary If anyone thought the Chevy Volt would "save" General Motors, take a look at the first-year sales figures.

The auto giant yesterday reported that it sold 1,139 Chevy Volts in November, bringing its total to date to 6,142. That means, barring a massive purchase by a fleet owner, GM will miss its first-year goal of selling 10,000 electrically driven Volts, a target the company now expects to hit early next year. (Nissan has sold 8,720 all-electric Leafs.)

Detractors will no doubt say first-year Volt sales prove that electric vehicles are not ready for … Read more

Chevy Volt scores highest satisfaction rating in Consumer Reports survey

The Chevrolet Volt may be facing a lot of heat in the press due to the recent NHTSA investigation, but current owners have nothing but good things to say about their plug-in hybrids.

Consumer Reports says that the Chevrolet Volt scored the highest rating in their annual owner satisfaction survey, with 93 percent of buyers saying they would purchase the vehicle again. The four-seater plug-in hybrid with a 40-mile electric range edged out the Dodge Challenger and Porsche 911 to take the top spot on the list. Both sports cars boast a consumer satisfaction score of 91.

However, the product … Read more

Feds open inquiry into Volt battery safety

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on Friday opened a formal investigation into the safety of the battery packs in the Chevy Volt following a series of collision tests.

In three tests since May, the NHTSA has found that damage to the Volt's battery resulted in a fire after a side collision and a rotation of 180 degrees, a test meant to simulate impact with a pole or tree followed by a rollover. In each case, the line which carries coolant to the batteries was ruptured.

In the initial test, battery temperatures rose following the simulated crash and rollover, … Read more

Car Tech Live 242: Is the Volt on fire...or just catching fire? (podcast)

The Chevy Volt gets the feds look at the safety of all electric cars, Nissan makes a fast charge cheaper (sort of), Toyota puts Intel Inside, and Mercedes reworks the lowly windshield wiper.

Subscribe with iTunes (audio) Subscribe with iTunes (video) Subscribe with RSS (audio) Subscribe with RSS (video) EPISODE 242

SHOW NOTES

2012 Chevrolet Sonic: A new fuel sipper

Chevy's new Sonic model sips gas and shows that an economy car does not have to feel cheap.

Bloodthirsty competition in the small-car market is giving consumers excellent value. The Sonic is Chevy's attempt to keep up with the competition.

Features such as iPod integration and a Bluetooth phone system make the Sonic worth looking at, but it falls a little short when compared with other cars in its class. Most of its edge comes from OnStar, the included telematics system that can provide navigation, emergency services, and even stolen car recovery.

An optional turbocharged engine, complemented by a six-speed manual, helps the Sonic achieve impressive fuel economy.

Check out the 2012 Chevy Sonic. … Read more

GM responds to Chevy Volt fires

GM ended up in the hot seat after a Chevrolet Volt caught fire three weeks after the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration crash-tested the vehicle, reportedly leading the transportation organization to question the safety of lithium ion batteries.

The fire, which damaged several vehicles parked near the defunct Volt, may have started in the plug-in's battery. The NHTSA subsequently launched an investigation into the safety of electric battery technology. GM released a statement this afternoon responding to the news and concerns that its vehicles could be fire hazards.

"First and foremost, I want to make this very clear: … Read more

EVs meet the 'real car' test with ease

DEARBORN, MI--It doesn't take long to realize that the Nissan Leaf and Chevy Volt drive at least as well as their gasoline counterparts.

I had the chance yesterday to take a few electric cars out for a ride as part of the Business of Plugging In conference here. Electric cars certainly aren't for everyone, but one walks away from driving a few EVs feeling that they're greener, high-tech, and very comfortable to drive.

In years past, there were wacky three-wheeled vehicles and custom electric scooters available for rides at this conference, but this year it was all … Read more

Chevy drivers at GM Korea set Guinness World Record with vehicle logo

In preparation for Chevrolet's centennial celebration, set for November 3, 2011, GM Korea gathered 1,143 of its customers in Pyeongchang, Gangwon, to create the largest Chevrolet bow tie and set a new Guinness World Record.

The motorcar mosaic was made up of Spark, Aveo, Cruze, Orlando and Captiva models and measured 688 feet (209.9 meters) in length and 221 feet (67.6 meters). The design was recognized as the Largest Car Logo.

The Chevy brand launched in Korea on March 1, 2011, with a nationwide brand unveiling event in Seoul. Since then, GM Korea has introduced several … Read more

Chevy Orlando makes art car for Quinze & Milan

Belgian design company Quinze & Milan will show a "creative reinterpretation of the new seven-seater" Chevy Orlando at the Superbrands London exhibition occurring September 22 to 25.

The seven-seater Orlando is no longer made for the U.S. market, but it was chosen be in the designers' showcase for the 100th anniversary of Chevrolet.

Making it look a bit like the Volkswagen Polo Harlequin, Quinze & Milan used its QM Foam product on the interior and exterior of the Chevy crossover. The design company said in a press release that the modded car demonstrates QM Foam's versatility … Read more