Jim Ellis Chevrolet Atlanta

Feds end Chevy Volt investigation, say car is safe
By Associated Press
January 20, 2012


DETROIT- The government ended its safety investigation into the Chevrolet Volt on Friday after concluding that the Volt and other electric cars don't pose a greater fire risk than gasoline-powered cars.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration began studying the Volt last June after a fire broke out in one of the cars three weeks after it was crashed as part of a safety testing. Two other fires occurred later related to separate safety tests, and NHTSA opened an official investigation into the vehicle on Nov. 25.

The agency and General Motors Co. know of no fires in real-world crashes.

GM and federal safety officials say they believe the fires were caused by coolant leaking from damaged plastic casing around the batteries after side-impact collisions. The coolant caused an electrical short, which sparked battery fires seven days to three weeks after the crashes.

GM announced earlier this month that it will add steel plates to about 12,000 existing Volts to protect the batteries in the event of a crash. The company has sold around 8,000 Volts and 4,000 are still for sale. GM is repairing the vehicles for free. NHTSA didn't order the recall, as it sometimes does after a safety investigation.

GM said Friday that NHTSA's decision to close the investigation is consistent with the results of its own internal testing. It said the steel plates will provide additional protection and minimize fire risk in the days and weeks after a crash.

NHTSA said Friday that it "continues to believe that electric vehicles show great promise as a safe and fuel-efficient option," and that based on available data, electric cars don't appear to be riskier than gas-powered ones.

But the agency said electric cars do have some specialized components, and the agency has developed guidelines for firefighters and other responders on how to handle electric cars after a crash.

Chevy Volt, Malibu Earn 5-Star Euro Safety Rating
By Chevrolet in the News
November 28, 2011


As Chevrolet continues to extend its global reach by launching cars like the Chevy Volt  and all-new 2013 Chevrolet Malibu in Europe, the brand also continues to extend its global reputation for safety: Each of those vehicles earned 5-star ratings- the highest possible- in the latest round of the European New Car Assessment Program (Euro NCAP). Similar to those of the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration 5-star program, the Euro NCAP ratings provide valuable information for potential buyers.

"The results confirm that both vehicles meet today's highest safety standards," said Wayne Brannon,president and managing director of Chevrolet Europe, who also noted: " The Volt's safety performance and propulsion concept highlight the reliability and practicality that is inherent to its outstanding design."

In fact, the Volt became the first EV from any U.S. automaker to receive five stars in all facets of the Euro NCAP evaluations. It's yet another notable accomplishment for the car, which, in this country, also has been named a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and achieved a 5-star rating in NHTSA's NCAP testing.

The completely redesigned Malibu - which will become the first Malibu ever to be sold in Europe - has not been tested yet by the IIHS or NHSTA, but Chevrolet has high expectations for its U.S. safety performance, too. That makes sense, because also high is the level of standard and available safety equipment on the U.S. Malibu, including:

• Standard dual-stage driver and front-passenger air bags, driver and front-passenger pelvic/thorax side-impact air bags, driver and front-passenger knee air bags, and roof-rail air bags with rollover protection
• Standard four-channel anti-lock brakes with full-function traction control, four-corner electronic stability control, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist system, corner brake control, hydraulic brake fade assist and drag torque control
• Available second-row head/thorax side-impact air bags
• Available lane-departure warning system with forward collision alert
• Available rearview camera system

And GM's OnStar safety and security system, with Automatic Crash Response, is standard as well.

The 2012 Chevrolet Volt, featuring an EPA-certified all-electronic driving range of 35 miles and the ability to go hundreds of more miles relying on its onboard internal-combustion range extender, is on sale now. The 2013 Malibu Eco, which relies on GM's eAssist light-electrification system for expected EPA ratings of 26 mpg city/38 mpg highway, is slated to launch in February of 2012, with the other members of the new Malibu family to follow in the summer.

New Chevy City Car to Spark a Driving Revolution
by Chevrolet in the News
November 14, 2011

Developed to appeal to both city drivers and first-time buyers, the all-new 2013 Chevy Spark is set to make its U.S. debut on Nov. 16 at this year's Los Angeles Auto Show. It marks Chevy's first foray into the city-car segment in this country, and the brand plans on setting the pace with the Spark, thanks to the car's unique focus on both fun and features.

While boasting nimble dimensions specifically tailored for the urban environment, the Spark also provides a big list of benefits, including the kind of connectivity and infotainment functionality that's usually reserved for larger cars. This includes the only seven-inch touchscreen in its class capable of displaying smartphone-based navigation, media and contacts for hands-free calling, as well as the Chevy MyLink system, which is standard on the Spark 1LT and 2LT models. Chevy MyLink offers access via a paired smartphone to apps like Pandora and Stitcher Internet radio, and it can even play videos and display digital photo albums when the Spark is parked.

"This level of infotainment and connectivity was unheard of in this segment, until now," said Chris Perry, vice president, global Chevrolet marketing and strategy." We know Spark buyers do not want to give up personalization just because they drive a smaller car."

And while the Spark is no doubt a tidy package, it offers more cargo and passenger room than rivals like the Fiat 500, Scion iQ and Smart Fortwo, along with:

• Standard air conditioning and power windows
• A motorcycle-inspired gauge cluster
• The segment's only five-year/ 100,000 mile powertrain warranty
• GM's OnStar safety and security system
• Ambient interior lighting
• A peppy 1.2 -liter I4 engine capable of 85 hp
• 10 airbags
• A wide range of personalization and customization features
• Standard electronic traction control
• Heated seats
• Exterior finishes that range from Salsa, Jalapeno, Denim, Lemonade and Techo Pink to more traditional colors like Grey Area, Black Granite, Silver Ice and Summit White

In addition, the Spark showcases some surprisingly dramatic sheet metal, with its wheels pushed out to the corners for an aggressive stance. A key enabler of the Spark's sporty looks? Chevy designers integrated its rear door handles into the C-pillar area to create an appearance that mimics that of a three-door "hot hatch" - while still allowing room inside for four occupants. The Spark's integrated rear spoiler adds to the effect, and also improves aerodynamics for enhanced fuel efficiency.

Drivers who choose up-level Spark models can up the ante even further, with exterior details like matching rocker-panel moldings and chrome brightwork that accents the car's beltline, liftgate handle, "poke-through" exhaust outlets and fog-lamp housings.

"Spark is for buyers who want much more than a 'cute' small car - they want a car that can be personalized, is dynamic and fashionable, and delivers a lot of value for the money," added Perry. "Spark's vibrant exterior and interior colors make a fashion statement, but it is also affordable, safe, maneuverable and very fuel-efficient."

More information about the Spark, including pricing and EPA information, will be released closer to the car's on-sale date in the summer of 2012.