2012 Chevrolet Sonic: First Photos of the North American Version of the Aveo

[Updated] It appears that the wait for Chevrolet's Aveo replacement is almost over as we have the first official photos of the North American-spec model. Confirming previous rumors, General Motors ditched the Aveo moniker in favor of a new name as the small car will be called the Chevrolet Sonic on this side of the Atlantic. The company noted that the model for markets outside the U.S., Canada and Mexico, which was first seen at the 2010 Paris Motor Show, will retain the Aveo name.

"The Sonic represents a new beginning for Chevrolet in the small car segment and so we felt it was time to give it a new name,” said Chris Perry, vice president, Chevrolet U.S. Marketing. “The new car is roomy, stylish and fun to drive, and Sonic is a youthful, energetic name that helps convey what this vehicle is about."

The five door hatchback version pictured here doesn't appear to be any different than the Aveo seen in Paris. We're still short on intel, but we gather it won't be long before General Motors releases full details on the N.A. Sonic, which will be manufactured at the firm's Orion Assembly in Michigan starting from 2011.

GM has not yet shown the sedan version of the Aveo / Sonic, but you can get a sneak peek of the car in these official patent drawings in our previous post.

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NAHC Picks Chevrolet Camaro as 2010's "Collectible Car of the Future"

From all the new cars and trucks launched in America this year, the vehicle to turn most heads in 2035 will most likely be the Chevrolet Camaro. Or at least that is the prediction of the Friends of the National Automotive History Collection (NAHC), which decided that GM's muscle car is the 2010's "Collectible Car of the Future".

Charles K. Hyde, chairman of the NAHC Board of Trustees, said: "This selection is unique among all the 'Vehicle of the Year' awards, because it is selected by 'car buffs' who know what future collectors will value. We asked our members to predict which of this year's new vehicles will turn heads in the Woodward Cruise of 2035."

The members of the organization selected the Camaro from a total of 13 all-new vehicles launched in 2010.

Tom Peters, Camaro chief designer commented: "Our mission with the 21st century Chevy Camaro was to draw on the passion and heritage, expressing it in a new and modern car with design, technology and quality to carry the legacy forward. It's simple; the new Camaro puts smiles on the faces of car enthusiasts of all ages."

Last year's vote went to the Ford Flex making it the first crossover to win since the creation of the awards in 1995. Over the years, NAHC has picked a variety of vehicles including the Chrysler Sebring Convertible as 1996's "Collectible Car of the Future". No, seriously; from all the vehicles launched that year, NAHC's members found that Chrysler's rent-a-cabriolet would rate the highest among future collectors in 2020. What can you say... Below is the full list of NHAC's previous winners.

NAHC Previous winners are:

2008 - Dodge Challenger

2007 - Dodge Viper SRT10

2006 - Pontiac Solstice

2005 - Ford Mustang

2004 - Chrysler 300

2003 - Dodge Viper

2002 - Ford Thunderbird

1996 - Chrysler Sebring Convertible

1995 - Buick Riviera and Oldsmobile Aurora

*None selected from 1997 to 2001

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2012 Buick Verano Pricing Estimates, Preliminary Engine Specs and Trim Levels Leaked

The last time we heard about General Motors' forthcoming Buick Verano was back in October when the company teased the U.S. version of the already revealed in China, Excelle GT, with a single cropped picture. Now, the folks over at GM Inside News forum managed to get their hands on the car's preliminary specs through a leaked online order study destined for Buick dealers.

According to the official document, the Verano will be available with the 2.4-liter Ecotec four-cylinder engine, coupled to a six-speed automatic transmission. Peak output will be 180 hp and 172 lb-ft (233 Nm) of torque. Customers will have the option to choose between four trim levels, each building up on the previous version.

The base version is codenamed “1SB Cloth Base” and comes with a cloth interior. It has an estimated MSRP ranging from $20,900 to $21,500.

Next up is the “1SD Cloth Mid-Level” that adds a variety of features such as remote start, dual-zone automatic air conditioning and sound system with Bluetooth connectivity. The MSRPs range between $22,100 and $22,700.

The third variant is the “1SG Cloth Mid-Level”, which ups the luxury ante with power adjustable driver seat, heated mirrors, rear park assist and dimming inside rear view mirror. Base price for this variant is estimated to be in the $23,300 - $23,900 range.

Last but not least, Buick will offer the range topping “1SL Leather Up-Level”, boasting heated seats and steering wheel, keyless entry system, premium Bose sound system and 18-inch alloys. This version is estimated to cost up to $26,200.

If true, Buick will be charging mid-size sedan money - think Honda Accord and Hyundai Sonata- for a car that belongs in the subcompact category along with its Chevrolet Cruze twin and the Ford Focus. Of course, being that we're still more than six months away from the Buick Verano's market launch in the States, one should take these prices for what they are: estimates and not final prices.

By Csaba Daradics

Source: GM Inside News , Via: Worldcarfans

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U.S. Government Buys 1 out of 4 Hybrid Models Produced by GM and Ford

Hybrid vehicles have been on sale for more than a decade now, but despite all the efforts, they have not yet won broad acceptance in the United States. Two years ago, President Obama’s administration set out to to simultaneously support auto workers and a national transition to fuel efficient technologies by heavily investing in a government fleet of hybrids. According to a report from Bloomberg, Uncle Sam bought almost one out of every four hybrid cars produced by Ford Motor and General Motors since President Obama took office in early 2009.

The outcome, though, wasn't what they would have wanted it to be, as hybrid sales remain on a downward slope for the third consecutive year. Nevertheless, the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) will continue to buy hybrid vehicles in the hope that the public will eventually follow suit.

“At some point, the reality is that for this technology to be accepted, it needs to be done without a government crutch,” said Jeff Schuster, director of forecasting at J.D. Power & Associates in Troy, Michigan. “But without a huge gas-price increase or further government demand, the natural demand just isn't to be there.”

In the first two years of the Obama administration, GSA bought some 14,584 hybrids, or about 10 percent of the 145,473 vehicles acquired by the agency the same period. In 2008, hybrids accounted for just 1 percent of total government fleet purchases. Most of the cars were bought from Ford and GM. The prices for these models ranged from $23,072 to $47,079, with the report claiming that the government paid an average of $5,281 less for the cars than dealerships sticker prices.

According to data acquired by the news agency, GSA purchased about 14 percent of Ford Escape hybrids and around 29 percent of all Ford Fusion hybrids manufactured since Obama took office. In the past two years, the U.S. government bought only 17 Prius models and 5 Honda Civic hybrids.

The eco-friendly fleet purchasing trend will continue in the future with the GSA announcing that it will add all-electric vehicles such as GM’s Chevy Volt to the government fleet. President Obama has set a goal of 1 million plug-in vehicles on the road by 2015 and has committed more than $11 billion for this purpose.

A recent J.D. Power report said global sales of hybrids are expected to rise from 954,500 units this year to 5,2 million in 2020.

Source: Bloomberg / Businessweek

All-New Buick GL8 Minivan Fully Revealed, Only for China

After selling more than 330,000 units of the original Buick GL8 since 1999, General Motors unveiled an all-new version of its MPV model featuring several key improvements and innovations, destined exclusively for the China market. Built by the firm's Shanghai GM joint venture, the new GL8 is said to offer an "unmistakable Buick experience" - always according to the automaker.

“The new GL8 was developed by Shanghai GM in cooperation with the Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center (PATAC) in Shanghai with the specific needs of our customers in mind”, said Terry Johnsson, Shanghai GM Vice President of Vehicle Sales, Service and Marketing. “It offers everything that consumers have come to expect from Buick, including a dynamic, smooth, quiet and comfortable ride. Like its predecessor, the new GL8 is the right product at the right time.”

Based on the 2009 Buick Business hybrid concept model and boasting the “classic waterfall grille”, the GL8 features several sharp edges running from front to rear, giving it a modern look. Large, tear-shaped headlamps cut into the fenders, while LEDs incorporated into the tail lamps and rear bumper.

With a wheelbase measuring 3,088 mm (122 inches), the MPV provides a spacious cabin for up to 7 passengers. Being a luxury oriented people carrier, the GL8 features all the usual amenities such as genuine leather seats, panorama sunroof, electric sliding door and lift door, high-quality Bose sound system, 7-inch touch screen up front and 10.2-inch HD display for the next two rows. OnStar is also on the menu.

The engine range kicks off with a 2.4-liter Ecotec four-pot and tops out with a 3.0-liter V6 SIDI direct injection powerplant. A six-speed automatic is standard on all variants.

For enhanced safety, ESP will do its best to prevent accidents and certain models can also be specified with 6 airbags.

The new GL8 will hit the Chinese market in January 2011, for a retail price of between RMB 288,000 and RMB 388,000 [US$43,300 - 58,300]. In parallel, Shanghai GM will offer an updated 2011 model of the current generation, featuring the 2.4-liter engine and six-speed automatic, targeting the upper-medium segment. General Motors claims that this dual-model strategy will result in better market coverage.

By Csaba Daradics

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