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Chevy 'committed to marketing Bolt the right way'

The 2015 edition of the annual AltCar Expo in Santa Monica, CA in September was a relatively quiet affair. Attendance felt light compared to previous years. But that didn't mean there wasn't something happening that might have just as big an impact on the plug-in scene as anything that's ever happened in previous years at the Santa Monica Convention Center. I say this because of what GM's Shad Balch told me about Chevy's plans to market the upcoming Bolt electric car. This is GM's next-gen electric vehicle, which will have a roughly 200-mile range and may cost about $30,000 after tax incentives (maybe). To say he's excited to start selling this car is an understatement. Set aside the obvious challenge Chevy will have with cars named both the Volt and the Bolt, especially when some languages exchange the pronunciation of the letters B and V. Set aside the fact that, for now, Balch is dealing with his own company actively advertising against the product he's trying to get people excited about. Balch, GM's manager of new product and public policy communications, is tremendously positive about the Bolt's chances in the marketplace when it arrives in 2017 or 2018. "Driving an EV is, in every proof point, better than a gas-powered car, except for charging." - Shad Balch AltCar and the concurrent National Drive Electric Week represented the Bolt's West Coast debut, and Balch told me that the car's arrival in California shows how "Detroit recognized that they need to send it out to their number one market." The car's appearance outside of the Motor City was "The most encouraging part for us out here, being in the market ... to be able to explain that we are committed to marketing this car the right way. ... We're trying to make that known as much as possible, because that is the number one criticism that we hear. That's why events like these are so important, because we can't wrap up into a 30-second spot what these cars are capable of. I can't even explain it to you in 10 minutes what it's like. But the thing is, driving an EV is, in every proof point, better than a gas-powered car, except for charging." Now, there's a fairly decent chance that GM will hit the 250,000-vehicle limit for the $7,500 federal tax incentive right about when the Bolt comes to market, so I had to ask how the Bolt gets marketed if the price tag jumps up a few thousand dollars. Balch was straightforward. "Well, we would sell fewer cars," he said. "It's pure and simple. ...

2016 Chevy Corvette Z06 C7.R Edition brings track style to the road

The Chevrolet Corvette has a long history of excelling at endurance racing, and continues to dominate today. To celebrate that legacy, Chevy is bringing some of the look of its track machine to the road with the 2016 Corvette Z06 C7.R Edition. These machines might be gone faster than the racecar's lap time around Le Mans, because the company is building just 500 of them. All of these track-inspired, special editions are based on the 650-horsepower, supercharged Z06 in the top 3LZ trim, and they also come equipped with the Z07 Performance Package that includes carbon-ceramic brakes, adjustable aero elements, and Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires. Offered as a coupe or convertible, these 'Vettes use some tricks to match the style of the C7.R. They're available in the racer's traditional bright yellow livery, but black is optional. Unpainted carbon fiber trim (including material for the hood) and grilles that are painted Spectra Gray Metallic also add to the motorsport look. The car rides on a set of black wheels with Corvette Racing logos on the center caps. Inside, buyers of this limited edition are nestled in Competition Sport Seats that are upholstered in Jet Black leather. Suede microfiber accents with yellow stitching cover the steering wheel, gearshift, instrument panel and doors. Plus, there's some additional carbon fiber trim for good measure. Each car also comes with a cover with C7.R graphics. Chevy isn't disclosing the price for the Z06 C7.R Edition yet, but the limited edition model is slated to hit the market later this year. Related Video: CHEVROLET INTRODUCES 2016 CORVETTE Z06 C7.R EDITION 24/04/15 Track-to-street connection honored with limited production model BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Chevrolet today introduced the 2016 Corvette Z06 C7.R Edition – a road-going, track-capable homage to the Corvette Racing C7.R racecars. It's offered in Corvette Racing's signature yellow livery – or black – with coordinated exterior and interior accents. Only 500 examples of the C7.R Edition will be built and all will include the Z07 Performance Package with carbon ceramic brakes, as well as a specially serialized vehicle identification number. They go on sale later this year. "Corvette Racing's legacy and technology were significant influences on the development of the Corvette Z06 and the new C7.R Edition honors the direct link between the racecar and the production model," said Harlan Charles, Corvette product and marketing manager.

Nissan Leaf sells 3,186 in best month ever as Chevy moves 2,511 Volts

The end of summer seems to inspire people to go out and buy a lot of plug-in vehicles. Last year, for example, the Chevy Volt had its best month ever in August, with 3,351 sales. This year, the Nissan Leaf is going up to the winner's podium, setting its own best-ever record with 3,186 units sold. This beats the Leaf's previous record by 69 vehicles. This beats the Leaf's previous record of 3,117 set in May 2014 by 69 vehicles and is up 31.7 percent from August 2013. Nissan is once again quick to remind us that the popular EV's record sales streak has now been extended to 18 months in a row. This record is simply noting that the current month, in this case August, had the highest sales that that month has ever seen in the US. Over all, US Leaf sales are up 34.1 percent so far this year. In a prepared statement, Nissan's director of Leaf sales and infrastructure, Brendan Jones, said that the Leaf is selling well on both coasts, including cities like Raleigh, Boston and Washington, DC. "It's what we call the 'cul-de-sac phenomenon,' where once someone in a community buys a Leaf, then friends, family, co-workers and neighbors see the benefits of this fun-to-drive electric vehicle firsthand and are sold on the idea of going electric," he said. The Volt also had a good month - its best of 2014 by almost 500 sales – but the 2,511 Volt sales still represent a drop of 25.1 percent from the excellent sales the Volt had this time last year. In fact, August 2014 represents the Volt's best sales month since, well, August 2013. Apparently, there's just something about the end of summer. As always, we are working on our in-depth round-up of green car sales across the country and will have that up soon.