Chevrolet Starts U.S. Market Launch of Volt with Customer Advisory Board
2010-10-04
Chevrolet has hand-picked 15 advanced technology enthusiasts and electric vehicle advocates in the U.S. to be the first consumers to experience the Volt every day under real-world conditions during a three-month vehicle and charging evaluation program starting in late October. This exclusive group of expert consumers – referred to as the Chevrolet Volt Customer Advisory Board – is one of the final steps Chevrolet is taking to validate the vehicle, charging and overall customer experience in preparation for the retail launch in the U.S. late this year. The Volt will go on sale in Europe in late 2011.
"We are eager to learn as much as we can from potential customers about their experience with the Volt," said Tony DiSalle, Chevrolet Volt marketing director. "We want to know their thoughts, impressions, and perceptions. This special group of electric vehicle experts gives us the opportunity to learn even more as we near market launch."
Volt Customer Advisory Board members have volunteered to participate and were selected by Chevrolet based on their resident location, knowledge of advanced automotive technology, and interest and awareness of electric vehicles. Each participant is scheduled to receive a pre-production Volt starting in late October and will keep the car through the end of January 2011. Participants live in Volt retail launch markets including California, Washington D.C., and New York.
Members of the Chevrolet Volt Customer Advisory board include:
- Robert Becker – Electric vehicle enthusiast
- Peter Corsell – Chief Executive Officer of GridPoint
- Lyle Dennis – Electric vehicle enthusiast
- Tom Kuhn – President, Edison Electric Institute
- Andy Lipkis – President and Founder, TreePeople
- Bill Nye – Celebrity scientist and electric vehicle enthusiast
- Eric Rotbard – Electric vehicle enthusiast
- Chelsea Sexton – Electric vehicle enthusiast
- Colin Summers – Electric vehicle enthusiast
- Mark Swain – Electric vehicle enthusiast
- Kris Trexler – Electric vehicle enthusiast
- Bryan Voltaggio – Celebrity chef and owner of Volt restaurant
- Jim Woolsey – Former Director of Central Intelligence and Renewable Energy and Energy Security Investor
- Brian Wynne – President, Electric Drive Transportation Association
- Mike Maria – Electric vehicle enthusiast
Volt Customer Advisory Board members will receive product training, a home electric evaluation and a no cost installation of a 240-volt charging station to be used for the duration of the vehicle evaluation program. Chevrolet will then collect information weekly through OnStar, GM's in-vehicle safety, security and communication service.
The feedback provided by Volt consumer advisors will help Chevrolet refine the ownership, charging and driving experience, including information that can help local utility companies develop codes and standards for electric vehicle owners. Each member will also be assigned a Volt Customer Relations Manager for personal service and attention.
"It's great to see Chevrolet tap into both experienced and new electric vehicle enthusiasts for real-world feedback," said Chelsea Sexton, electric vehicle advocate and Volt Customer Advisory Board member from California. "This is a great opportunity to not only provide meaningful input to the Volt team, but also to raise awareness using a real, available electric vehicle instead of a PowerPoint slide."
The Volt Customer Advisory Board group serves as an extension of Chevrolet's final Volt validation employee test fleet program already under way. To date more than 200 pre-production Volts have been built at GM's Detroit-Hamtramck production assembly.
The Chevrolet Volt is an electric vehicle with extended-range capability. The four-seater can drive up to 60 km electrically and a small fuel-powered generator sustains the battery charge to extend the range to more than 500 km. "Volt is the best solution on the planet today for worry-free electric driving," said Wayne Brannon, president and managing director of Chevrolet Europe. "We are very excited about the forthcoming start of sales in the U.S. The information and learnings during the first year of sales will be very valuable for us as we prepare the Volt launch and distribution in Europe."
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.
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