GM drops Chevrolet in Europe

General Motors is dropping its Chevrolet brand in Europe, to concentrate efforts on its Opel and Vauxhall brands, writes Brian Byrne.

The move is seen as a success for strong lobbying from the German Opel brand, which has been a struggling loss-maker for GM for years.

The Chevrolet business will be wound down by the end of 2015, according to GM. The Corvette will remain on sale in limited outlets, and a push to grow Cadillac in some markets will be continued.

Most Chevrolets sold in Europe have been sourced in Korea, in the GM operation formerly Daewoo.

It has been difficult to differentiate similar models from the two brands, especially Opel's bread and butter Astra, as premium and budget offerings.

Louis Chevrolet, Co-Founder of Chevrolet honoured

A large metal sculpture in honour of automotive pioneer Louis Chevrolet, co-founder of the Chevrolet brand, was unveiled and inaugurated in the Swiss city of La Chaux-de-Fonds on Wednesday of this week. Louis was born in the town and spent the first years of his life there.

The abstract work was commissioned to mark the car brand's 100 year jubilee in November 2011. It has been formally handed over to Louis Chevrolet's native city by Dr Thomas Sedran, President and Managing Director o Chevrolet Europe.

The inverted bust of Louis Chevrolet was created by Geneva-based artist Christian Gonzenbach and is made of mirror-polished stainless steel so reflects its surroundings. It was made by a specialist team in a foundry in the Taiwanese capital of Taipei. It is the largest of its kind in Switzerland, over five meters high and weighing eight tonnes.

Chevrolet is known as one of the most iconic American car brands around the world.

GM hopes Yanks will Cruze to diesel

GM in the US is finally aiming at converting compact car drivers to diesel, writes Brian Byrne.

They have launched a diesel version of the Chevrolet Cruze — which is related to Opel's Astra here — with a 2.0 diesel engine offering 140hp and 700 miles on a tank.

And the press response to it is already very good, which the company hopes will translate into sales despite the $5,000 extra which the oil-burner costs over the equivalent petrol model.

The company benchmarked it against an import diesel, the VW Jetta, and so far the automotive journos are saying the Cruze beats the Jetta in pretty well every respect.

Is America finally going to embrace what Europe has done for more than a decade?

Meanwhile, the return of Chevrolet to the Irish market is still stalled.

Corvette shines in Big Apple

Sixty years ago today, spectators lined New York City's posh Park Avenue waiting to get a glimpse of the ground-breaking Chevrolet Corvette on display at the General Motors' Motorama show. It was introduced at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel on 17 January, 1953.

It is a car woven into the fabric of American culture.

Today, the Corvette is back in the Big Apple, marking the historic milestone with the all-new 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray.

The Stingray debuted earlier this week at the 2013 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. It stays true to its roots as a two-seat sports car with an engaging driving experience. It's also the most powerful standard model ever and the most efficient with 450bhp that enables 0-100km/h in less than four seconds and a fuel economy in excess of 26mpg.

This beautiful coupe goes on sale in the third quarter of 2013.

The Sting Ray is back

New Corvette Stingray

This is the car that wowed the Detroit International Auto Show this week, from an American perspective anyhow.

The Corvette Stingray revives a variant of America's supercar from 1963, with an extremely sexy look that is underpinned by an all-new chassis and new powertrain.

The 6.2 V8 outputs 450hp and the 0-60mph is less than four seconds.

In the original car, the name was in two words, Sting Ray. The power output was 360hp, later increased to 375hp. The former engine offered a 5.6sec 0-60mph.

Trax for Paris debut

This is Chevrolet's new compact SUV, the Trax, which will debut at the upcoming Paris Motor Show, writes Brian Byrne.

The 5-seat vehicle offers a chunky style and car-like handling, and is just over 4.2 metres in length.

On-demand 4WD will be available, as will automatic transmission.

The Trax will be powered in Europe by a choice of 1.4 or 1.6 petrol units, the smaller one turbocharged, or a 1.7 diesel. The auto and AWD will be available with the 1.4 and 1.7 engines.

Chevrolet to partner Liverpool FC

Chevrolet is entering into a four-year agreement with Liverpool Football Club to become its Official Automotive Partner.

The partnership runs to the end of the 2015/16 Barclays Premier League and European campaigns, and includes visibility for the brand at Anfield, Liverpool's home ground; editorial opportunities within the Club's print and digital publications and fan sites; and player appearances for commercial opportunities.

Chevrolet is also an official sponsor for the Club's Pre Season North American Tour which has already seen Liverpool play Toronto FC last Saturday. Liverpool will play Italian giants, AS Roma tomorrow at Fenway Park in Boston, and on 28 July will play English Premier League rivals, Tottenham Hotspur in Baltimore.

Chevrolet say their relationship with Liverpool FC 'extends beyond the traditional boundaries of sponsorship and is about engaging with supporters'. "Everything we do will be aimed at keeping them at the centre of the game."

Liverpool FC players are pictured above in Boston, Massachusetts with a Chevrolet Cruze.

First View: Chevrolet Cruze SW

"

Whenever I drive in Germany I'm struck by the number of wagons on the roads, writes Brian Byrne. It's possibly linked to their love of the outdoor lifestyle, which requires lots of stuff to be carted around, but estate versions of every car model that offers them are abundant.

Compare and contrast with Ireland, where the estate is a quite small proportion of the car variants sold, anywhere between six and nine percent, depending on brand and model. Premium makers tend to have a higher percentage of estate buyers.

But maybe there's a hint of a change. The wagon versions of mainstream family compacts like the Hyundai i30 and Kia's cee'd are all selling above average against the standard hatches. Partly, I suspect, because they look more like slightly longer hatchbacks than the vanny traditional estates which used to be offered in the genre. In other words, sportier, not like the favoured vehicle of yore of what used to be called a commercial traveller.

Such thoughts were prompted over the last few days at the international press launch of the Chevrolet Cruze SW. It won't be available in Ireland until sometime towards the end of the year, but it could also help to reshape the Irish perception of the estate car.

Chevrolet is only beginning to get moving here again after a few years of hiatus when the Irish importer disengaged and a new arrangement was made with the UK-based Chevrolet subsidiary of GM Europe. Ten dealers have been appointed, six more applications are being evaluated, and plans are progressing to give the Chevrolet brand a good push for the 2013 market.

My experience with the Cruze SW has been my first extended run with a Chevrolet product since the new arrangement was finalised a couple of months back. I wasn't surprised to find it an encouraging one.

We haven't had the Cruze here until now. It’s very similar to its cousin Opel Astra and is a very successful compact model in the US and Australia, and showing promise in European markets where the Chevrolet brand is one of the few on a growth run (the others being Hyundai and Kia, coincidentally also from Korea where most of the Chevrolet products sold here are built).

The connections with Opel models are clearly visible in the interior, such as the sat-nav and other instrumentation. The SWs I drove over the last couple of days were well trimmed, with close-woven fabric on sections of the dashboard providing a nice textured lift to the plastic.

The estate elements add more cargo space and flexibility, which I'll explore further when the car actually goes on sale in Ireland. Suffice to say for now that there’s some 1,478 litres of cargo capacity with the rear seatbacks folded.

I had the chance to try two powertrains, a 163hp 2.0 diesel, and the 140hp 1.7 diesel which will be the mainstay motor in the Irish market. Both seem very good, but I preferred the smaller one even though it did require more gearshifting to keep it at the top of its game in the scenic and twisting hilly roads above the Rhine. The 6-speed gearbox managing both was pleasant and crisp.

I was expecting the car to handle well, and I wasn’t disappointed. In this configuration, it isn’t ever going to be called on to perform like its WTCC namesakes, but the composed attitude on the launch routes suggested the possibilities of a little fun where safely doable.

On the highway at the speeds permitted in Germany the Cruze SW is a steady and competent vehicle well able to keep up with the powerful travellers in the faster lanes.

It isn’t a great time to be selling cars in Ireland, and it’s an even more difficult one to be relaunching a brand virtually from standstill. But the Cruze in its various forms is certainly a valid proposition in the key compact family market. The segment is competitive, but so is the car.

This will be worth watching.

Cruze wagon at end of year

The Chevrolet Cruze station wagon will arrive in Ireland towards the end of the year, offering another option to a revived dealership network for the brand in Ireland, writes Brian Byrne.

Power will be a new 1.7 diesel with 130hp output and pulling 300Nm of torque, and in Band A for Irish tax purposes.

With the rear seats down, the cargo capacity of the Cruze SW is up to 1,478 litres.

The car is currentlt on its international press launch programme in Cologne, Germany.

Chevrolet in Ireland was formerly a franchise held by the Nissan importers here, but is now directly under the control of Chevrolet UK & Ireland, a wholly owned subsidiary of GM Europe.

Chevrolet 'for everyday heroes'

Chevrolet is a brand 'for the everday hero', according to Mark Terry, MD for Chevrolet UK & Ireland. And as such, particularly in austere times, it has to be 'sensitive' about value for money and providing its customers with assurances about their purchases, writes Brian Byrne.

Which is one reason why a relaunched Chevrolet in Ireland is offering a 5-year warranty on the range just introduced through a revitalised dealer network.

The 'everyday hero' label can apply right across the age profile from the young first-time buyer through the mothers doing schol runs to older people perhaps looking to downsize their cars, and Mark Terry's strategy is to quietly target them all. He doesn't reckon on achieving instant large volumes of sales, but figures there's opportunity in a market somewhat in 'disarray'.

"Chevrolet is 101 years old and has a good, upstanding name. And there's a really good product range now, a great set of vehicles which will appeal to a new set of customers."

For the bread and butter buyer which will be the mainstay of any penetration which Chevrolet will make in Ireland, the key models are Spark, Aveo, Cruze and Orlando. But emotional strings will be pulled with the power image of the Camaro from the brand's US 'muscle car' heritage, while techies will look with interest at the Volt extended range electric car. Even if their budgets or needs don't rise to either of those.

"All of our promotion will be based on lifestyle and emotion, because for our everyday heroes their car is an emotional purchase as well as a practical one. Customers want to feel good about life, and Chevrolet is all about that."

Once the decision was taken to rebuild Chevrolet in Ireland under the direct umbrella of GM Europe, a number of housekeeping matters had to be attended to. In the first instance, appointing Tom McQueirns (above left with Mark Terry) as Country Director brought on board Irish motor industry experience going back to the 1990s, including bringing Daewoo and later Chevrolet to the Irish market.

"We also had to re-establish the network, and ten of the original Chevrolet dealers have come on board, while we're actively talking with three more. Once all that is done, we'll then see about new dealers where we don't have coverage."

Spare parts and warranty provisions have also been put in place over the recent months to cater for Chevrolet owners who bought from the previous franchise.

By the very nature of the relatively low volumes likely in the initial period of rebuilding brand awareness, Chevrolet's dealer profile is primarily in the multi-franchise outlets. But Terry is confident that, down the road, there will be solus dealerships for the brand.

"In the current climate, money for development is scarce. As the market grows, we will make investments."

Tom McQueirns is Country Director for Chevrolet Ireland

Chevrolet have appointed Tom McQueirns as Country Director, Chevrolet Ireland, writes Trish Whelan.

Tom has extensive motor industry experience and a past association with the brand having previously worked for the company that brought Chevrolet and Ssangyong vehicles into the country, along with a short tenure at Nissan.

A qualified chartered accountant, McQueirns also has a BSc in Management acquired at Trinity College, Dublin. He will be responsible for overseeing development of the Chevrolet brand and dealer network across Ireland as well as managing sales and aftersales functions throughout the country, and will liaise directly with the Chevrolet team in the UK.

Mr McQueirns is looking forward to taking up his new position on 25 June, and will be based in Dublin.

Commenting on the appointment, Chevrolet UK and Ireland Managing Director, Mark Terry said: "It's a real pleasure to welcome Tom back into the Chevrolet family. He has a proven track record and a great in-depth knowledge of the Irish motor industry which makes him the ideal person to drive our brand forward as we relaunch in Ireland."

Tom McQueirns is pictured above (left) with Mark Terry at the announcement of the Ireland model range at Druid's Glen, Co Wicklow, on Monday.

Chevrolet names Irish dealer network

The first 10 dealers to sell the newly relaunched Chevrolet brand across Ireland have been named, following the decision to distribute the vehicles directly through Chevrolet UK and Ireland, writes Trish Whelan.

The dealers approved to sell Chevrolet cars at the time of the brand's launch yesterday are:

Clonee Motor Centre, Clonee; Ennis Road Motors, Limerick; FM Autocentre, Carlow; Hinchy's Garage, Knocklong; Randles Brothers, Tralee; Waterford Motor Village, Waterford; Windsor Airside, Airside, Swords: Windsor Deansgrange, South Dublin; Windsor Bray, Bray; and Windsor Galway in Galway.

All are existing Chevrolet dealers who have transitioned from the private importer that previously brought Chevrolet cars into Ireland.

The new Chevrolet product range for this country was unveiled to the media at an event in Druid's Glen, Co Wicklow yesterday. The Spark small car has an on-the-road price of €11,995; other cars also now on sale are Aveo, Cruze, Orlando and Captiva.

Chevrolet relaunches in Ireland

Chevrolet has launched five cars in Ireland, ranging in price from €11,995-€45,995, writes Brian Byrne.

The models are Spark (above), Aveo, Cruze, Orlando and Captiva, which will spearhead the return of the highly respected US brand to the Irish market.

The Volt extended range electric car will be launched here in early 2013.

Chevrolet will have an Irish Country Director based in Dublin, and the supply of cars and spare parts is being managed by the UK-based Chevrolet UK & Ireland. Ten dealers from the old Chevrolet network have been reappointed, and discussions are in progress with three more.

New mini SUV from Chevrolet

This is the Chevrolet Trax mini SUV, which will go on sale in Europe in the spring of next year, writes Brian Byrne.

The car will debut at the Paris Motor Show in December.

Chevrolet says it will have an interior to a standard found in more premium level vehicles.

It's arrival will follow the planned introduction of the new Chevrolet Malibu and Cruze Wagon vehicles to Europe.

Chevrolet Volt is different to other electric cars

The Chevrolet Volt electric car I drove in the UK recently, really took my fancy. Mostly because of the way it drives, and the fact that it provides 'worry-free' driving, writes Trish Whelan.

This car is special because it is powered by a 110kW electric drive unit and a range-extending 1.4, 86bhp petrol engine, unlike other electric cars. So this opens a new chapter in the history of electric motoring. 

There will never be a manual version as it would be pointless and expensive. 

The battery had been fully charged prior to us setting off for the return trip from Cambridge to the event centre at Milton Keynes, and there was plenty of petrol in the tank. 

This is a very smart looking car from every angle, both inside and out. There's plenty of room for four in comfort - there are just four seats. 

Press the Start button, select Drive on the transmission, let off the handbrake and the car silently moves away. You won't hear a sound at this stage. 

I get to test drive the Chevrolet Cruze

Given the winning form of the Chevrolet Cruze team last year in the WTCC in their factory-built cars, and their continued successes this year, it was a thrill for me to actually get the chance to drive the car myself, writes Trish Whelan.

I'd been invited by Chevrolet in the UK to test drives both their Cruze and Volt cars on a two-day drive around the flat Cambridgeshire countryside.

While the Cruze has been available in the UK in 5-door hatchback and saloon models, this occasion was to try a new and more efficient 1.7 VCDi turbodiesel engine outputting 130PS and 300Nm with C02 emissions of just 117g/km which across the pond qualifies buyers for free road tax for the first year. It has a combined fuel economy of 62.7mpg.

Chevrolet returns to Irish market

Chevrolet UK has taken over responsibility for directly distributing the Chevrolet range of cars across Ireland.

They will re-launch the brand, with new products and a new dealer network, geared up to further develop the growth of Europe's fastet growing mainstream car brand, writes Trish Whelan.

The model range for Ireland, along with Irish specifications and prices, and details of their initial dealer network, will be announced at a special Chevrolet event here on 21 May.

The initial range here will include Spark, Aveo, Cruze, Orlando 7-seat MPV and the 7-seat Captiva SUV with 4WD.

In a recent interview with Mark Terry, Managing Director for Chevrolet UK and Ireland, he said they have already appointed 10 of the previous Chevrolet network, and are working with a further nine to see how they assist them to be able to join. A key factor is that dealer facilities must be able to accommodate 8-vehicle showrooms within the next few years to display the Chevrolet range.

"General Motors and Chevrolet have been given a great opportunity to step into the market, and really make things happen. We run a very good operation in the UK and can translate that in an Irish way," he said. "We want to do this sensitively and with great care - and are keen to take the existing network, who are experts in the field, and work with them."

An aftersales service is now available in the ten previous dealerships who have already been signed up as part of the new network.

Chevrolet will appoint an Irish based, professional country manager to oversee the Irish operation.

Mark is pictured with the Chevrolet Cruze at a recent UK addition of a new 1.7 VCDi engine to the Cruze range. He has experience of the Irish motor industry having previously been employed with  Scanveco Ltd, part of the OHM Group.

Chevrolet UK to take on Irish importer role

Chevrolet UK is taking on direct responsibility for selling cars and parts in the country through Chevrolet UK and Ireland.

From today, 1st March, the Chevrolet sales network in Ireland will be fully backed by the existing Chevrolet UK business, one of the brand's national sales companies, and not a private importer. Chevrolet sees the Irish market as a further opportunity to grow its market share.

"Over two-thirds of the previous Chevrolet network in Ireland have signed up to partner our business," said Mark Terry, MD for Chevrolet UK and Ireland.

Initially, four models will be offered to the Irish market - the Spark, the New Aveo (pictured above), the Cruze (both 4- and 5-door), and the Captiva. New models, including the Cruze Station Wagon that debuts at Geneva next week, will join the line-up later.

Wagon version of Cruze

Chevrolet will launch a wagon version of its Cruze compact at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show, writes Brian Byrne.

Although the brand is close to dormant in this country, the arrival of the latest variant of the Cruze to European markets should significantly enhance its presence.

The Cruze is selling well in many countries, in Australia as well as European ones and in America.

The launch of the car will also signal the arrival of Chevrolet's new 1.7 diesel, to be available through the range from this summer.

The wagon is longer than the hatchback version.

Volt gets North American COTY 2011

The Chevrolet Volt has been named the 2011 North American Car of the Year. The car is an extended range electric vehicle, where the primary power is via the electric motor, which can be recharged on long journeys by an on-board petrol engine.

The North American Car of the Year is selected by a jury of 49 automotive journalists from Canada and the United States, representing newspapers, magazines, websites, television and radio shows.

For 2011, the Volt garnered more juror votes than the Nissan Leaf or Hyundai Sonata, which were also finalists.

This is the third time Chevrolet has won the North American Car of the Year, and the fourth time for General Motors. Most recently, the Chevrolet Malibu was the 2008 North American Car of the Year.