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GM says over 40% of new China launches in next five years will be EVs

SHANGHAI — General Motors is planning an electric car offensive in China with more than 40% of its new launches in the country over the next five years set to be electric vehicles (EVs), the U.S. carmaker said on Wednesday. GM's electric vehicles, many of which will be all-electric battery cars, will be manufactured in China with almost all parts coming from local suppliers, the company said in a statement released at its Tech Day event in Shanghai. Reuters reported earlier on Wednesday that GM was planning to overhaul its Chinese line-up to stem a slide of sales after more than two decades of growth in a country that contributes nearly a fifth of its profit. GM's new China boss Julian Blissett told Reuters that new technologies, such as EVs and cars with near hands-free driving for highways, would play a key role in GM's China initiatives, which are part of a push to get annual sales in the country back to the 4 million peak it hit in 2017. GM did not say in its statement how many new or significantly redesigned models it was planning to launch in China over the next five years. "China will play a crucial role in making our vision a reality," GM CEO Mary Barra said in the statement, referring to its initiative to create what it describes as a future of "zero crashes, zero emissions and zero congestion" through electrification and smart-driving technologies. GM has said it plans to invest more than $20 billion in electric and automated vehicles globally by 2025. It was not clear how much of that investment will be spent in China. (Reporting by Norihiko Shirouzu in Shanghai; Editing by David Clarke) Related Video: Green Buick Cadillac Chevrolet GM Electric China

Minor updates coming to 2017 Chevy Volt

The 2016 Chevrolet Volt has just appeared at dealerships, but already the talk has turned to the mildly updated 2017 model going on sale in a few months. The new Volt has already won the 2016 Green Car of the Year award and is sparking a noticeable uptick in sales over the outgoing model. Chevy is now planning to keep interest in the second-generation Volt strong with some tweaks and increased availability. The main equipment change to the 2017 Volt will be the option of adaptive cruise control on both the base LT and uplevel Premier, according to CarsDirect. While the Volt already offers safety technology such as blind-spot monitoring and forward collision warning, adaptive cruise has been conspicuously absent. But the largest change will be that the 2017 Volt gets nationwide availability. GM decided to focus on strong markets for the original Volt when it chose where to introduce the new model. Buyers interested in the second-generation model have until now been limited to making purchases in states such as California, Maryland and the Northeast. This will all change soon. Conversely, you can have a 2016 Nissan Leaf now in all 50 states, or a 2016 Toyota Prius very shortly. But in our first drive of the Volt, we found it to be, "an efficient, no-compromise EV" and worth the wait for those who don't live in the states with the strictest emissions laws. Perhaps the reason the 2016 Volt is already being given an injection of dealer incentives is because of its relatively short lifespan. The 2017 Chevy Volt should arrive on dealer lots by spring 2016. Featured Gallery 2016 Chevrolet Volt: First Drive View 24 Photos News Source: CarsDirect via Green Car Reports Green Chevrolet Electric Hybrid ev sales

Chevy Silverado WT gets its own murdered-out trim pack

Media days for the 2015 Chicago Auto Show ended last week, but that hasn't stopped Chevrolet from adding just one more thing. The Bowtie brand showed off three new trim packages for its trucks in the Windy City – the Colorado GearOn and the Silverado Midnight and Custom – but protests from consumers over the price of these equipment packs has led the company to release a new trim group for its most affordable fullsizer, the Silverado WT. The $1,595 Black Out pack will be available on both the regular- and double-cab Silverado WT and offers a few simple, stylistic upgrades. Five-spoke, 20-inch black wheels are the headlining item, although Chevy will also include "deep tinted glass" and black bowtie badges both fore and aft. Available only in black (the company even paraphrases old Mr. Ford in its press release), the new package adds just enough to class up the otherwise dreary looking Work Truck. Chevy has only released one image for the time being, available up top. Dealers, meanwhile, are currently taking orders. Check below for the brief press release. Chevrolet Silverado Work Trucks Get Blacked Out DETROIT – Chevrolet is adding a $1,595 Black Out package for regular- and double-cab 2015 Silverado 1500 WT models. It includes 20" black painted aluminum wheels, P275/55R20 all-season blackwall tires, deep tinted glass and black bowties. Prices start at $28,895. The package is available for order now, and customers can have any color they want, as long as it is black. Editors' Note: Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price excludes tax, title, license, dealer fees and optional equipment. Includes dealer freight charges and option package discounts. Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world's largest car brands, doing business in more than 140 countries and selling more than 4.8 million cars and trucks a year. Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient vehicles that feature engaging performance, design that makes the heart beat, passive & active safety features and easy-to-use technology, all at a value. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.