Chevrolet Aveo CNG Car Launches in India - General Motors

General Motors India today launched the CNG version of its Chevrolet Aveo mid-size sedan at a ceremony presided over by its President and Managing Director Mr. Karl Slym. The Chevrolet Aveo CNG is a bi-fuel vehicle with a full-size petrol tank that is one of the most environmentally friendly cars available in India.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Slym said, "The launch of the Aveo CNG is a testament to the importance that GM India attaches to green technology and environmentally friendly mobility solutions. Its running cost is approximately 54 percent lower than a similar vehicle powered by petrol and 25 percent lower than a similar vehicle powered by diesel. Because of the lower operating economics and the growing number of CNG stations being built across India, this new offering is expected to appeal to both individual and fleet customers. Under normal driving conditions, the Aveo CNG has a range of 180 to 200 kilometres on a full tank of CNG and is BS IV compliant."

                                            Chevrolet Aveo CNG Car Photo

The Chevrolet Aveo CNG is equipped with next-generation computer-controlled CNG injection technology from Italy. In an industry first, all "critical to quality" CNG kit components are fitted at the factory - including the CNG injectors, selector switch, modified wiring and suspension - to ensure high-quality and trouble-free service. In addition, the body is reinforced to carry the additional mass of the cylinder. Sequential injection represents the most advanced level of evolution of CNG kit technology. The ECU (Electronic Controller Unit) calculates the opening times of the injectors for each cylinder and acts separately on each gas injector with the highest precision.

New Chevrolet Aveo CNG Car Features include:
1. The sequential injection kit offers precise fuel delivery control through electronic injectors, ensuring efficient combustion.
2. The engine offers stable performance in CNG mode.
3. The Aveo has a CNG-compatible engine. Hardened valve seats and anodized pistons are used in the proven 1.4-litre VGIS (Variable Geometry Intake System) petrol engine. This ensures no engine damage or reliability issues in CNG mode.
4. Minimum service is required owing to the Aveo CNG's advanced electronic operation.
5. The suspension has been reinforced to support the additional mass of the CNG cylinder in the trunk.

GM India engineers have done extensive testing and validation of the Aveo CNG. The Chevrolet Aveo CNG comes with a three-year/100,000-km standard warranty, which is an industry first in the mid-size sedan segment, and a service interval of 5,000 km or six months (whichever comes first). During the run of the Aveo in pure CNG mode will not impact the vehicle warranty.

It may be recalled that the Chevrolet Aveo finished first in its segment in the prestigious J.D. Power Initial Quality Study (IQS) two years in a row because of its class-leading quality attributes. It has also been rated best in class in terms of fuel economy by journalists across the country. In addition, the Aveo has won several awards since its introduction.

The Chevrolet Aveo is a global product that incorporates the latest technology and meets the highest standards of quality. It has been re-engineered for India based on extensive testing across the country to meet the specific needs of local customers, driving conditions and regulations. Its class-leading performance and long list of features make it an ideal city car. The Aveo is being sold in more than 140 countries around the world, including several European markets and the United States.

Source: General Motors India

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Chevrolet Cruze One Final Test Drive - Upcoming New Car in 2011

Mark Reuss slipped behind the wheel of the metallic-red Chevrolet Cruze, buckled his seat belt and adjusted the seat and mirrors. Surveying the car’s instrument cluster and control console, he ran his fingertips across the dashboard, checking its surface texture and the consistency of fit between trim panels.


Mr. Reuss is a career G.M. engineer and accomplished amateur racecar driver, who was made president of the automaker’s North American business last December. On a chilly afternoon at G.M.’s proving ground north of Detroit this week, he was casually clad in a fleece jacket, blue jeans and western boots, but the expression on his face was dead serious as he turned the ignition on and listened to the Cruze’s turbocharged 1.4-liter engine come alive.

                                                Chevrolet Cruze  Photo

“I’m taking in a lot of data here — the sound of the engine cranking, the intuitiveness of the controls, the ‘human factors’ that determine how well the vehicle and driver interact,” he explained. Observing this ritual from the Cruze’s passenger seat, I was struck by Mr. Reuss’s preflight attention to detail and his quiet intensity as he prepared for the final engineering-evaluation drive of G.M.’s new small car.

The Cruze is expected to enter production this summer, as a 2011 model. Its introduction is critical for G.M., which hasn’t fielded a truly competitive small car in the United States since, well, since perhaps ever. Previous efforts, including the current Chevrolet Cobalt and its predecessor, the Cavalier, fell woefully short in terms of refinement, quality and customer satisfaction against the more polished Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla, the segment’s perennial sales leaders.

With Ford about to release its new Fiesta and Focus small-car duo in the United States, as well as an upcoming wave of crisply designed, low-priced, well-appointed fuel sippers from Hyundai, Volkswagen, and others, there is enormous pressure on G.M. to “get this car absolutely right in every regard,” Mr. Reuss said.

I was among a small group of journalists invited by G.M. to ride shotgun with the engineers as they shook down the Cruze in earnest one final time before production begins. We participated in the last of four evaluation runs made by Mr. Reuss and the engineers during the course of the Cruze’s 32-month development — a process that is used for every new car and truck. These weekly events are called “knothole drives,” signifying the engineers’ tight focus on rectifying issues as early as possible. Each week (usually Fridays) the team assaults a 10-mile loop of rural public roads near Ann Arbor, Mich., with a different new vehicle and a few of its direct competitors.

The test loop, which is covered multiple times during the six-hour events, is favored by the G.M. engineers for its variety of road surfaces, elevation changes, twisty curves and lack of traffic.

Mr. Reuss and I led a convoy of eight cars — three Cruzes in different trim levels and stages of development, and a Civic, Corolla and Mazda 3 for comparison. After each lap of the loop, we stopped at a country market with a window sign reading “Walt’s Crawlers for Sale” to switch cars and drivers. A 2009 Cobalt played tail-end Charlie “to show us how far we’ve come,” said Tom Stephens, G.M.’s global vehicle–development chief who also attends the weekly drives.

Upon exiting the proving ground, Mr. Reuss began putting the Cruze through its paces. Past a roundabout, he cranked and nudged the steering wheel left and right to gauge its precision. He was on and off the gas, accelerating and braking, while giving me a seat-of-the pants commentary on everything he was experiencing: engine performance, transmission shifts, pedal feel, handling, ride comfort and cabin noise levels at various speeds.

Mr. Reuss obviously is a very skilled driver and intimately familiar with the test route. He quickly gained my confidence while hustling us briskly through the first set of tight corners — reeling off highlights from the Cruze’s development history as we drove past red barns and freshly plowed fields.

Six hours later, we were back at the proving ground. I shared the Cruzes and competitors with eight G.M. engineers, all of them specialists in key areas like chassis dynamics and noise, vibration and harshness. I listened to their debriefing as they identified the few minor issues still needing attention before the Cruze was cleared for production.

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Chevrolet Spark Electric models Launch in India on Schedule

General Motors signed an MoU with Reva Electric last year, to produce electric car models in India. General Motors showcased the Chevrolet Spark Electric model at the Delhi Auto Expo 2010. The model was designed for Indian customers. According to a recent statement from General Motors India, the Chevrolet Spark Electric will be on schedule.

Chevrolet Spark Electric will be available to customers by the end of 2010 or early 2011. The all new Chevrolet Spark Electric would be the first electric four- door car in the country. Speaking on the launch, Reva deputy chairman Chetan Maini said "The GM Chevrolet Spark Electric project is on schedule and we are likely to be ready with a pilot version of the e-Spark by the end of 2010." On the sidelines of the All India Management Association awards in New Delhi, he added, "General Motors will initially produce 5000 units of Chevrolet Spark Electric".

Speaking on the launch, Karl Slym, GM India president & managing director said, "I am sure other models would end up having alternative proportions eventually whether it's the Beat or Chevrolet Volt. It's (e-Spark) not just a test exercise. I can assure there will more and more electric vehicles on the road eventually and we (GM) will have to be amongst that."

In addition to the launch of the Chevrolet Spark Electric, General Motors is also contemplating to upgrade its hatchbacks and sedans to electric platform. Based on the response to the Chevrolet Spark Electric next year, it would finalize the course of action for the next generation of electric models.

                                               Chevrolet Spark Electric Car Picture

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