Autoblog

Chevy filling its NAIAS stand with 5 models not sold in US

Jeffrey N. Ross — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 10:13:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Minivan/Van, Sedan, Crossover, Chevrolet

When the Detroit Auto Show opens to the public next week, we're sure the Chevrolet booth will get plenty of attention thanks to the all-new Corvette and Silverado, but visitors will also be able to see a handful of cars not even available in the US. A day after introducing us to a new global marketing campaign titled "Find New Roads," General Motors has announced that it will be bringing five popular global products to the Chevy stand in Detroit to "show off the depth of Chevrolet's global product lineup."

Although it isn't clear what sort of play General Motors has in mind by bringing international products to Detroit, we do know that the five products will be the Chevrolet Spin, Onix, Sail, Orlando and Trax. In terms of which car we could see coming here, if any, it would probably be the Spin - a small people mover (pictured above) currently sold in China and South America. The Orlando and Trax have already been shot down for US consumption, the Sail is a small sedan riding on the same platform as the Spark and Sonic and the recently introduced Onix is planned to be a Brazil-only vehicle.

We'll have to wait until next week to see what kind of plans Chevy has for these products in regards to the US market, but until then, you can see each of the five cars above and read more in the press release posted after the jump.

Continue reading Chevy filling its NAIAS stand with 5 models not sold in US

Chevy filling its NAIAS stand with 5 models not sold in US originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Jan 2013 10:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM unveils Sail EV Concept in China

Zach Bowman — Sun, 26 Dec 2010 09:31:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Hatchback, Electric

General Motors jumped into the Guangzhou Motor Show with 23 production and concept vehicles, the most interesting of which was the Chevrolet Sail Electric Concept Vehicle. The pint-sized EV was worked up through a partnership between Shanghai GM and the Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center. While the new EV uses the recently-introduced Sail for most of its bones, it ditches the internal-combustion engine in favor of an electric motor and lithium-ion batteries. Under the hood, an 87-horsepower motor spits out 162 pound-feet of torque. According to GM, that amount of grunt is enough to kick the Sail Electric Concept Vehicle to a top speed of around 80 mph.

And what about range, you ask? Word is that the tiny EV can cruise up to 93 miles before needing to be recharged. That's not enough to cruise across a continent on a whim, but it would likely handle day-to-day commuting without leaving you stranded. As of right now, there's no indication as to whether GM will actually produce the Sail EV or anything like it, but it's no secret that The General wants to greatly expand its electric vehicle lineup here in the United States. We wouldn't be surprised to see something similar sitting on dealer lots in a few years. Hit the jump for the full press blast.

[Source: General Motors]

Continue reading GM unveils Sail EV Concept in China

GM unveils Sail EV Concept in China originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 26 Dec 2010 09:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: GM and SAIC gearing up to take on Tata Nano

Zach Bowman — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 16:01:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Sedan, Wagon, China, Plants/Manufacturing, GM, India, Tata, Rumormill

2011 Chevrolet Sail

General Motors has saddled up with Chinese automaker SAIC in an attempt to bring a Nano-fighting value car to the Indian market. GM says that it will rely on SAIC mostly for its low cost manufacturing techniques instead of parts or components due to hefty tariffs on goods imported from China. That also means The General may also be able to skip out on some of the quality woes associated with the Chinese automotive universe by relying on the pool of parts already available in India.

The car is supposed to be smaller than the current Spark and hit the market at around $5,000. That's on the north end of how much Tata asks for the Nano, but GM still feels it can compete against the world's most affordable car. According to Gasgoo, the pint-sized econobox may actually borrow elements from the Chevrolet Sail. Evidently, the car has already spent its fair share of time under the baleful glare of Indian focus groups.

If it does take off, the GM/SAIC creation will be India's very first joint-venture vehicle.

[Source: Gasgoo]

Report: GM and SAIC gearing up to take on Tata Nano originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 29 Jun 2010 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New Chevrolet sets Sail for China

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 14:30:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Sedan, China, Chevrolet

2010 Chinese-market Chevy Sail - Click above for image gallery

The Chinese-market Chevrolet Sail has had quite a life, at one time being a rebadged Opel, at another time being built in China, at another time being called the Buick Sail. The 2010 model has been spotted - which was at one time thought to be the new Chevy Lova - and it's plastic fantastic. Honestly, when we look at it we don't even think Aveo, we think Cavalier, and then feel bad for anyone who might have to live through that experience.

But that's our own flashbacks; the car has sold well and appears to have a solid reputation in China, and the 2010 version should continue the trend. Engine options are said to number two: a 1.2-liter with 78 horsepower, and a 1.4-liter with 96 hp. They will work through a five-speed manual or perhaps a four-speed auto in an upper trim. The price in China is expected to be less than $9,390.

Gallery: 2010 Chevy Sail

[Source: Autohome (translated) via Autoblog Spanish (translated)]

New Chevrolet sets Sail for China originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 29 Dec 2009 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bavaria's new Flagship: Cruiser 55 sailboat by BMW DesignworksUSA

Noah Joseph — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 08:01:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., BMW

Bavaria Cruiser 55 by BMW DesignworksUSA - Click above for a high-res image gallery

The term "flagship" gets thrown around a lot in the auto biz, but this time the term really fits the mold. Styled by the the automaker's design firm, the BMW DesignworksUSA Bavaria Cruiser 55 became the largest vessel in Bavaria's fleet when it launched this past weekend at the Palma Boat Show in Majorca, Spain.

Even in the rapidly reproaching disciplines of automotive design and naval architecture - recent examples of whose collaboration have included Viper-powered, Porsche-designed speedboats and a nautical Volkswagen Caddy - this isn't the first time the BMW design studio has dipped its toes in the water, having designed the Deep Blue 46 motoryacht for the same firm and the even larger 60-foot sailing vessel for Belgian shipyard Zeydon. This latest design benefits from lessons learned in automotive design, while incorporating some of the latest features in naval architecture. Follow the jump to read more in the press release and click the thumbnails below to view the images in high resolution.

Gallery: Bavaria Cruiser 55 by BMW DesignworksUSA

Continue reading Bavaria's new Flagship: Cruiser 55 sailboat by BMW DesignworksUSA

Bavaria's new Flagship: Cruiser 55 sailboat by BMW DesignworksUSA originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 28 Apr 2009 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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