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Chevrolet Grows GM Infotainment Team at SXSW®

AUSTIN, Texas – Chevrolet is doubling its investment in the General Motors Connected Customer Specialists team by adding 25 young, tech savvy technology experts, bringing to 50 the number of individuals working with dealers and customers across the United States.

The team helps train and certify dealership employees, who demonstrate infotainment and OnStar to customers before, during and after their purchase of a GM vehicle. Many of them will help owners understand how to get the most out of their Chevrolet MyLink system.

This investment builds on an industry first of coupling customer connectivity with highly skilled support. The specialists have equal parts technology smarts and customer skills to help everyone - from technology natives to newbies - get more from their systems.

“Our Connected Customer Specialists have backgrounds in consumer electronics and the service industry to better ensure our customers have a great ownership experience with their state-of-the-art technology,” said Jim Moloney, general director, Customer & Relationship Services. “This investment reflects our commitment to combining the world’s best vehicles with the highest levels of customer service in any industry.”
Technology Teams in Action
In support of today’s announcement, Chevrolet kicks off SXSW® with a behind-the-scenes look at its latest technology offerings and sustainability research projects that are helping the automaker Find New Roads. The “Texas Technology” day includes a look inside:

• The nation’s only GM Infotainment Center solely dedicated to supporting Chevrolet MyLink and other in-vehicle technology systems,
• Pecan Street Inc.’s Mueller community, home to the most Chevrolet Volts in a concentrated residential area, and
• The new Pike Powers Lab

“Chevrolet’s current investment in technology not only provides our customers on-the-go access that safely keeps them in touch with their daily lives, but also acts as a sounding board for future advancements that will continue to enhance their overall experience with their vehicles,” said Chris Perry, vice president, Chevrolet Marketing.

Technology That Takes Care of You
The GM Infotainment Center – dedicated to infotainment support – will provide an inside look at how the Connected Customer Specialists help consumers learn more about their in-vehicle technology, via training dealer representatives to become Certified Technology Experts in their own community.

The “Texas Technology” day offers a look at the latest Chevrolet Infotainment systems and how technology can help enhance consumers’ overall driving experience. Specialists and technology experts will answer questions and demonstrate the next-gen Chevrolet MyLink, Siri, an intelligent assistant that helps get things done just by asking, and other smart phone app integrations like the OnStar RemoteLink.

The “Living Laboratory”
Pecan Street is a research and development organization based in Austin that has created a smart grid research community, where residents have agreed to be part of a “living laboratory” of smart grid technology for sustainable living. The community has the nation’s most residential electric vehicles in a concentrated area, about 85 percent of which are Chevrolet Volts.

Additionally, Pecan Street recently opened a new laboratory called the Pike Powers Lab, the nation’s first non-profit smart grid research lab.

The lab will give researchers, Chevrolet, and other partnering companies improved access to data while allowing them to test different real-world scenarios through home simulation. The partnership with Pecan Street currently allows researchers from both companies to study how the residents’ Volts interact with the smart grid on a daily basis and how charging habits differ based on variables.

Using OnStar, Chevrolet recently introduced a concept app called EcoHub, that allows Volt owners in the Mueller community to see exactly how much it costs them to charge their vehicle and compare that against their overall home energy use. The app also allows users to see the current impact of all Volts on the market, with a live ticker showing total miles driven, total EV miles driven and total gallons of fuel saved.

Join the conversation on Facebook at facebook.com/chevrolet and via Twitter @Chevrolet and #ChevySXSW.

About SXSW
The South by Southwest® (SXSW®) Conferences & Festivals (March 8-17, 2013) offer the unique convergence of original music, independent films, and emerging technologies. Fostering creative and professional growth alike, SXSW® is the premier destination for discovery.

Year after year, the event is a launching pad for new creative content. New media presentations, music showcases and film screenings provide buzz-generating exposure for creators and compelling entertainment for audiences. Conference panel discussions present a forum for learning, business activity thrives at the Trade Shows and global networking opportunities abound. Intellectual and creative intermingling among industry leaders continues to spark new ideas and carve the path for the future of each ever-evolving field, long after the events’ conclusion.

GM Investing in Tire Tech to Improve Fuel Economy

General Motors is investing in the new National Tire Research Center with hopes to help produce new low-rolling resistance tires that will help the automaker’s fuel efficiency. 

The General contributed $5 million to the new tire research facility, that is located in Halifax County, Va. GM engineers and scientists will begin work on the new tires in January, 2013.

Tire design alone can add up to seven percent better fuel economy for a vehicle, based on tread pattern, construction, material quality and processing techniques. The facilities $11.2 million tire testing equipment, known as Flat-Trac LTRe, is capable of replicating real-world driving condition, and top speeds of 200 mph. It will also replicate handling, ride, torque, and braking capabilities on various surfaces.

“This facility’s test equipment is like going from a basic telescope to the Hubble – it opens up a whole new world of possibilities,” said Frank Della Pia, a former GM vehicle dynamics manager and the current executive director for the tire research center.

Hot Wheels Camaro Headed into Production

It’s no joke, either: Beginning early next year, Chevrolet will offer a very limited number of Chevy Camaros fully decked out as life-size Hot Wheels cars, complete with a wild metallic paint scheme and red-accented wheels. It’s the first time any automaker has ever sold production vehicles with the Hot Wheels seal of approval, and it makes perfect sense that Chevy is setting the pace. After all, the Chevrolet Camaro was one of the original 16 Hot Wheels toys introduced by Mattel back in 1968.





“Millions of us grew up playing with Hot Wheels,” said Chris Perry, vice president of Chevrolet Marketing. “Offering a special production model of the Camaro Hot Wheels is an opportunity to bring those memories to life, for kids of all ages.”

Needless to say, drivers will be able to make plenty of new memories, too, thanks to features like:

• A choice between coupe and convertible models, with either a potent 323-hp LFX V6 or a ferocious V8 that delivers 426 hp
• Six-speed manual or automatic transmissions
• A Kinetic Blue exterior with flame graphics, Hot Wheels logos, and a two-tone, matte-finished hood graphic
• Ground effects enhancements, including a front splitter and new rockers
• A Camaro ZL1 rear spoiler (coupe models only) and upper grille
• 21-inch black wheels with red accents
• Chevy’s MyLink infotainment system with a seven-inch touchscreen

“It’s been nearly 20 years since I started designing cars for Hot Wheels and I have yet to drive one home,” said Felix Holst, vice president of creative for the Mattel Wheels Division. “Personally, I can’t wait to open the doors and see the Hot Wheels Camaro sitting in the garage.”

2013 Malibu Turbo...The mid sized sedan thats fun to drive.

After already showing off two impressive new powertrains—a next-gen 2.5-liter Ecotec I4 and a proven 2.4-liter unit paired with eAssist technology—the 2013 Chevy Malibu is now on the verge of introducing its third: A turbocharged 2.0-liter I4 that can release 259 hp and 260 lb.-ft. of torque. The 2013 Malibu Turbo itself will be released in the near-term future, with an MSRP that starts at $27,710 (including a $995 dealer freight charge).

Based on the mid-range Malibu LT, the Turbo model includes a well-sorted range of standard gear, too. The car’s exterior is brightened up with bigger 18-inch aluminum wheels, while the cabin upgrades to a dual-zone automatic climate-control system, an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat (with powered lumbar support), an enhanced steering wheel with integrated audio/cruise controls and tilt/telescoping column, ice-blue ambient lighting, and a Chevy MyLink media setup. The latter feature provides drivers with a seven-inch color touchscreen, Bluetooth technology and a USB port. The brand even adds in a remote start feature.

Drivers who want to pair the Turbo’s increased power with a more premium package can opt for the LTZ trim, which opens at $30,925 and welcomes LED taillamps and leather-appointed seats with a heated front row.

Getting down to the heart of the matter, the 2013 Malibu Turbo, with a standard six-speed automatic transmission, also delivers dynamic performance—both on the road and at the gas station. Not only will the car carry drivers from 0-60 in just 6.3 seconds, with a top speed of 155 mph, but it also achieves EPA marks of 21 mpg city/30 mpg highway. Here, credit goes to powertrain technologies like a twin-scroll turbocharger, air-to-air intercooler, an aluminum cylinder head and aluminum pistons, direct injection, and the proverbial much, much more.

“The all-new turbocharged engine showcases just how capable the new Malibu is, and the turbocharged Malibu is perfect for customers who want a midsize sedan that is fun to drive under a wide range of real-world conditions,” said Mark Meyers, GM global vehicle performance manager.

Chevy offers first V8 Rear Wheel Drive Performance Sedan since 1996

A V-8 powered, rear-wheel-drive performance sedan, the Chevrolet SS, returns to the US lineup. Even better? The SS will also be Chevrolet’s next NASCAR Sprint Cup racecar and will first debut in its race configuration at the 2013 Daytona 500.

Chevrolet has a long history of using the SS (Super Sport) designation on high-performance models of some of its most enduring nameplates, most recently on Camaro models. The limited production version of the Chevrolet SS will debut as part of the 2014 model year and will arrive in dealer showrooms late 2013.

“As a passionate race fan and performance enthusiast, I am thrilled that Chevrolet will deliver a true rear-wheel-drive NASCAR racecar in the SS that is closely linked to the performance sedan that will be available for sale,” said Mark Reuss, president of GM North America. “The Chevrolet SS is a great example of how GM is able to leverage its global product portfolio to deliver a unique performance experience that extends beyond the track. I am personally looking forward to driving it.”

The first production vehicle offered with an SS option was the 1961 Impala – 453 were built with the performance upgrades which included a modified chassis and suspension, power brakes, a steering column mounted tachometer and unique wheels and tires.

The new SS will be the first rear-wheel-drive, V-8 performance sedan in the Chevrolet lineup since the Impala SS ended production in 1996. The storied history and strong emotion tied to past iterations of the SS are sure to fuel passion and intrigue as Chevy makes plans to release the vehicle in 2014.

Chevrolet was America’s best-selling performance car brand in 2011 with Camaro and Corvette accounting for one out of every three sports cars sold in the United States. The addition of the SS to the lineup will further strengthen Chevrolet’s position as a leading performance brand.

The Real Story Behind The Chevrolet Bow Tie

You may have heard the legend of how Chevrolet's co-founder Billy Durant came up with its famous bow-tie logo when he saw the design on wallpaper in a Paris hotel. Except the legend isn't true. Here's the real story.

William C. Durant, the co-founder of Chevrolet, loved to develop logos for his products.

And for years, the story of the Chevrolet bow tie emblem was consistent. The 50 Year Anniversary issue of The Chevrolet Story, printed in 1961, tells the story:

"This was also the year (1913) that the famous Chevrolet trademark was first used on the cars. The distinctive trademark has appeared billions of times on products, advertisings and sales literature as the mark of dependability, economy and quality in motor transportation. It originated in Durant's imagination when, as a world traveler in 1908, he saw the pattern marching off into infinity as a design on wallpaper in a French hotel. He tore off a piece of the wallpaper and kept it to show friends with the thought that it would make a good nameplate for a car."

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Billy Durant's widow, Catherine, however, claims that's not actually how he came up with the Chevy logo. According to Mrs. Durant — in an interview by Lawrence R. Gustin, who interviewed her for his book "Billy Durant," in 1973 — the bowtie emblem was first seen by her husband in an illustrated Virginia newspaper, while they vacationed in Hot Springs, Virginia around 1912.

 Mrs. Durant said:
 "We were in a suite reading the papers, and he saw this design and said, ‘I think this   would be a very good emblem for the Chevrolet' "

Given that there were two competing explanations for the bowtie, it seemed that finding proof of one over the other would be nigh impossible.

That is until Chevrolet historian Ken Kaufmann came across the key that unlocked the truth. Kaufmann, while reading old issues of the Atlanta, Georgia-based The Constitution from 1910 to 1917, came across an ad for Coalettes brand coal. The date of the ad? November 12th, 1911 — nine days after Durant incorporated the Chevrolet Motor Company.

We'll let Kaufmann take it from here:

Notice some of the similarities between the Coalettes and Durant designed Chevrolet Bowtie! Both started with a ‘C', had nine letters, had the suffix ‘let', and were hard to pronounce-in a French way. Both emblems had a dark background with white boarders and white letters. The main difference was the Coalettes letters were slanted and used a stylistic type face, while Durant used a more formal Roman type face and squared off the center bow, three letters wide.

It looks like the reason the Southern Compressed Coal Co. designed the bowtie logo in the first place was to highlight the large, middle ‘E', to help the public pro-nounce this coined word easier. Maybe, this is where Durant got the idea, "Pronounced Shev-Ro-Lay. " I looked up the suffix ‘—-let' or ‘-lette' in the dictionary and was surprised to find it means little or small. 

Therefore, the coined word Coalettes means "Little Coals." I would think the Southern Compressed Coal Co. had the Coalettes name and bowtie emblem registered as a trademark and will look through the trademark registrations at the Patent Office in the future.

 So, basically, General Motors might owe whoever owns the current rights to the Southern Compressed Coal Co. logo a decent pile of change. Good to know.