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Chevrolet Volt wins Car Of The Year 2012 award in Louis Chevrolet’s home country

2011-11-25

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Zurich.  Just weeks of arriving at Chevrolet dealerships in Switzerland, the Volt has been named Car Of The Year 2012.

The electric car with extended range capability convinced the jury with its revolutionary propulsion concept, allowing motorists to drive electrically without restrictions in terms of range and performance.  Low running costs, long service intervals and an eight year or 160,000 kilometers warranty also scored high with the jurors.

The Swiss Car Of The Year award was given for the first time ever. The prominent jury consisted of 11 car experts, among them former Formula 1 driver Marc Surer and IndyCar driver Simona De Silvestro.

"We are very proud to have won the prestigious Car Of The Year 2012 award in Switzerland, the home country of Louis Chevrolet," said Wayne Brannon, President and Managing Director of Chevrolet Europe.

The Swiss Car of the Year award is the next on a long list of global recognitions the Chevrolet Volt has received this year, including the World Green Car Of The Year 2011.

"The Chevrolet Volt is the first mass-produced car that combines the efficiency and carbon footprint of an electric vehicle with a range and flexibility previously unthinkable in this segment," said Brannon.

Right in time for the brand’s centennial earlier this month, on November 3, Chevrolet started Volt sales in Belgium, Germany, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Switzerland. In April 2012, Denmark, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Portugal and Spain will follow, along with Austria, Finland, Ireland, Malta, Sweden, the U.K. and Ireland. Later that year, the Volt will also be launched in selected Central and Eastern European countries as well as in Poland, Norway and Turkey.

About Chevrolet

Chevrolet is General Motors' largest global brand with annual sales of about 4 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 cars combine passion, bold design and practicality. They provide 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 2010, Chevrolet grew its market share in Europe to 2.5 percent, selling 477,194 cars. Chevrolet has a network of more than 2,700 dealers and service points in Europe. The Chevrolet line-up includes the Spark city car, the small Aveo, the compact four-door Cruze, the Captiva SUV and the legendary Corvette sports car. In 2011, Chevrolet is launching seven new cars: the all-new Orlando family van, the new Captiva SUV, the Corvette Grand Sport Coupé, the all-new five-door and four-door Aveo, the five-door Cruze, the Camaro coupé and convertible and the award-winning extended-range Volt electric car. Chevrolet's biggest markets in Europe are Russia, Italy, Germany, Spain, France and Turkey. Established in the U.S. by Swiss émigré Louis Chevrolet in 1911, the brand is celebrating its centenary in 2011. More information on Chevrolet can be found at www.chevroleteurope.com or media.chevroleteurope.com.