Europe
2010-07-15
U.S. President Checks Out Electric Car During Visit to Michigan
U.S. President Barack Obama got his first exposure and seat time Thursday in the Chevrolet Volt electric vehicle with extended range capability during a visit to the Compact Power battery plant in Holland, Mich., U.S. LG Chem, the parent of Compact Power, is making the battery cells for the Volt, which goes on sale late this year in selected U.S. markets.
The Volt has a range of over 500 kilometers and is powered with electricity at all times. For up to the first 60 kilometers, the Volt is powered solely by electricity stored in its 16-kWh lithium-ion battery, using no fuel and producing no emissions. When the Volt's lithium-ion battery runs low, an engine/generator seamlessly operates to extend the driving range by just under 500 kilometers on a full tank of gas.
The Volt battery pack will be assembled in Brownstown Township, Mich., and shipped to the Detroit Hamtramck Assembly Plant for mating with the Volt. Chevrolet announced earlier this week that U.S. customers will be granted a standard eight-year, 100,000 mile (160,000 kilometer) warranty on the Volt battery.
About Chevrolet
Chevrolet is General Motors' largest global brand with annual sales of about 3.5 million vehicles in more than 130 countries. It is the fourth biggest global car brand in terms of sales and also one of the fastest growing brands in the world. Chevrolet Europe delivers attractive, distinctive design, practical, economical cars and outstanding value for money. After re-launching the brand in Europe in 2005, Chevrolet more than doubled its sales to over 500,000 in 2008. In 2009, Chevrolet held its market share in Europe at 2.3 percent, selling 426,000 cars. Chevrolet has a network of 2,900 dealers and service points in Europe. The Chevrolet line-up includes the all-new Spark city car, the small Aveo, compact Cruze sedan, Captiva SUV, mid-size Epica and the legendary Corvette sports car. In 2011, Chevrolet will launch the Orlando, an all-new family van, the Camaro coupe and convertible, the new Aveo and the Cruze hatchback as well as re-launching the Captiva SUV with four new engines. Chevrolet's biggest markets in Europe are Russia, Italy, Germany, France, Spain and the U.K. Established in the U.S. by Swiss émigré Louis Chevrolet in 1911, the brand is preparing to celebrate its centenary with the launch of the ground-breaking Chevrolet Volt extended-range electric vehicle. More information on Chevrolet can be found at http://www.chevroleteurope.com or http://media.chevroleteurope.com.
US President Barack Obama (l tor r) stands alongside a Chevrolet Volt electric vehicle with extended range as Holland, Michigan, Mayor Kurt Dykstra and Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm get a closer look at the vehicle following a groundbreaking ceremony for Compact Powers new advanced battery factory in Holland, Michigan, Wednesday, July 15, 2010. The plant will build battery cells for electric vehicles including the Chevrolet Volt.
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