Chevrolet Volt Arrives in China, Joins Expo 2010 VIP Fleet
First electric vehicle with extended-range capability
Embodies GM’s vision of future urban transportation
Shanghai – General Motors celebrated the official arrival of the first drivable Chevrolet Volts in China today and delivered two Volts to the Shanghai Expo Bureau for use as part of its VIP transportation fleet at World Expo 2010 Shanghai.
Volt at Expo Park
Volt at Expo Park
Volt at Expo Park
The Volt is GM's landmark electric vehicle with extended-range capability. The two Volts will shuttle special guests to and from Shanghai's Expo Park and demonstrate GM's pathway to its vision of sustainable urban transportation.
"GM, along with our joint venture partner SAIC, has already introduced the future of urban transportation to more than 1 million Expo 2010 visitors," said Kevin Wale, President and Managing Director of the GM China Group. "The Volt embodies our vision for tomorrow, which is a world free from petroleum dependency and vehicle emissions. It also demonstrates GM's commitment to World Expo 2010 Shanghai as a global automobile partner."
The Volt's participation in the Expo 2010 VIP fleet will allow government officials, industry leaders and members of the academic community to experience the vehicle and technologies, stimulating increased dialogue regarding the future of sustainable mobility.
China is the initial market outside the United States to receive the Volt, which will be available in the domestic market in 2011.
"GM has made a long-term commitment to bringing our industry-leading technology to China," said Wale. "This is enabling us to provide the best mobility solutions for addressing the transportation challenges associated with the growth in demand for personal mobility."
The Volt is the only electric vehicle that can operate under a range of climates and driving conditions with little concern of being stranded by a depleted battery. For up to the first 60 kilometers, the Volt drives gas- and tailpipe-emissions-free using electricity stored in its 16-kWh lithium-ion battery. When the Volt's battery runs low, a gasoline-powered range-extending engine/generator seamlessly operates to extend the driving range another 450 kilometers on a full tank. The Volt is powered by electricity at all times.
The Volt will be available in China with OnStar. In addition to providing a full range of in-vehicle safety, security and communication services, it will feature the industry's first working smartphone application system. Developed by Chevrolet and OnStar, it will provide Volt owners 24/7 connection and control of vehicle functions and OnStar features remotely. The Chevrolet Volt OnStar smartphone application is designed to enhance the overall Volt ownership experience, with interaction and control never before offered in any electric vehicle.
General Motors, one of the world's largest automakers, traces its roots back to 1908. With its global headquarters in Detroit, GM employs 208,000 people in every major region of the world and does business in some 157 countries. GM and its strategic partners produce cars and trucks in 31 countries, and sell and service these vehicles through the following brands: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, GM Daewoo, Holden, Jiefang, Opel, Vauxhall and Wuling. GM is the joint global automobile partner of World Expo 2010 Shanghai along with SAIC. More information on the new General Motors can be found at www.gm.com.
