Monthly Archives: September 2011

Pulling Back the Curtain…

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By James Bell
Head of GM Consumer Affairs

Hello! My name is James Bell and I am General Motors’ new Head of Consumer Affairs. For those of you that have followed or worked for GM for many years, this new position might raise some eyebrows. After all, a company with GM’s rich history and respected pool of talent has fielded a person in this specific role for decades, right? Well, I am very proud to say that this page in our history begins with me.

I hope to bring a keen sense of respect for the most precious part of our business – the families that have owned, currently own, or are considering owning our vehicles in the future. My entire career in the automobile business has ultimately revolved around consumers – understanding their demands, investigating new trends and solutions, and helping them make smart decisions. As a long-time observer of the automobile industry and widely confirmed “car guy,” I plan to use this unique platform to share my honest thoughts and experiences in ways unexpected by an employee of GM.

As I approach the end of my second month on the job, I cannot help but feel like “Charlie” in the proverbial “Chocolate Factory.” Thus far I have had unexpected experiences and learned more than ever imagined possible “behind the curtain” here in Michigan at the Milford Proving Grounds, Vehicle Engineering Center in Warren, Global Powertrain Headquarters in Pontiac, GM Customer Assistance Center in Saginaw, and hanging around at Flint Truck Assembly. And we are just getting started…

Volt Ownership Web Chat

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Join us this Friday, Sept. 30, for a web chat with Joe Wiesenfelder of Cars.com, Chevrolet Volt Marketing Director Cristi Landy, and Volt owner Patrick Wang. Joe just hit 10,000 miles with his Volt and Patrick owns Volt with vehicle identification number 10.

2012 Chevy Sonic – Take Two, They’re Small (but Sweet!)

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By Dale Murrish, GMPT Cranktrain Analysis

Rizwan Khan and Dave White look on as the engine simulation team checks out the Sonic’s intake system.

Recently, General Motors Powertrain (GMPT) Engine Design & Analysis had its annual picnic. People enjoyed food and conversation, played outdoor games including an eight-team volleyball tournament. After the picnic, the Superchargers, tournament winning engine simulation analysts, checked out a Captured Test Fleet 2012 Chevy Sonic sedan. Fittingly, it had the most fuel efficient and fun to drive powertrain: a 1.4L Turbo with six speed manual transmission. The team spent 15 minutes poking around the engine bay, since the 1.4 Turbo is a benchmark engine for a future engine program. Engineers to the core, they couldn’t resist taking apart the intake system.

The Superchargers load the Sonic’s spacious trunk: A.J. Kosanka, Ed Haefner, Ian May, Gerry Clark, Dave White, Rizwan Khan. Not pictured: Guan Wu

They know from their engine simulation experience that the Sonic’s downsized turbo strategy works. No longer is there a need to give up fuel economy for performance. Both the standard 1.8L naturally aspirated engine and the 1.4 Turbo have 138 hp. But the Turbo has more torque and gets its peak power at a lower rpm. The turbo can be run at a lower rpm for the same performance, and the gearing can be chosen so it is faster AND more fuel efficient! Of course, having more gears helps both performance and fuel economy.

Though they spent most of their time bending over the engine, they agreed to load a cooler in the surprisingly large trunk and all piled in to the car, finding plenty of leg and head room in the back seat. They determined it doesn’t have enough width for four across (only three seat belts), so using one for out of town tournaments is out of the question.

Comfortable but we’ll need to take two if we’re going to drive to a tournament

If invited to another tournament, the team could take a Lansing-made Chevy Traverse and all ride together (24 mpg). Or they could take a pair of Sonics, built at the Orion plant just a few miles up the road. They couldn’t decide whether they preferred the hot hatch or the sedan with its spacious trunk. They agreed they could double their driving fun and take one of each, getting around 40* mpg on the highway. In typical country hospitality fashion, they concluded that a good tag line for this car might be “Sonic – Take Two, They’re Small (but Sweet!)”

*official EPA estimates not out yet

 

GM Employee and Military Teams Gear Up For The Chevrolet Fireball Run

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By Ashli Bobo
GM Grassroots Communications

The Chevrolet Fireball Run begins its race across the Southeast on Sept. 25! Fireball Run is a “mission style” journey that kicks off in Melbourne, Fla., and ends in Gulf Port, Miss., on Oct. 2. The weeklong expedition will span 18 cities and 3,500 miles. There are 46 teams participating in Fireball Run, including two GM employee and two military teams that will take part in the journey on Chevrolet’s behalf.

Each Fireball Run team is tasked with a mission to distribute 1,000 posters of a missing child on their trip. They will also make stops on their route to participate in interactive games and motorsports competitions. Stay up to date with Fireball Run photos and video and cheer on our teams by visiting Driving the Southeast.
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Battery Technology Webchat Today

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Battery technology has come a long way these past few years and continues to make great strides, but how well do you really understand it and what kind of work is currently being done? Today Seth Fletcher from Popular Science and GM’s director of Global Battery Systems Bill Wallace will panel a webchat on that very subject. You’ll be able to ask them about battery technology and get some of your other Volt-related questions answered as well. The chat will be today from 2:30 – 3:30 p.m ET. You can join on ChevroletVoltAge.com or by joining the chat box below. We look forward to answering your questions!