An anonymous source inside GM said that the American giant might develop a cheaper version of Chevrolet Volt, at the expense of a smaller mileage.

While the new Chevrolet Volt have not been launched on the markets yet, Chevrolet is seriously thinking at developing a cheaper version of it. The cheap Volt might be a rival of the hybrid and diesel models with smaller prices and will have a mileage of around 20 miles in full electric mode. Chevrolet Volt can run in full electric mode between 25 and 50 miles, then the internal combustion engine starts to recharge the batteries. The exception is the barrier of 100 mph, when the engine starts automatically.

According to some sources inside General Motors and quoted by Favstocks, Chevrolet might cut off $10,000 from the production price of Volt, only be redesigning in, raising the production numbers, a new battery, or a combination of the three. As well, they might reduce the autonomy in full electric model, a move that would increase the fuel consumption and the CO2 emissions, but would transform Chevrolet Volt into a cheaper car.

For now, GM officials didn’t speak about the rumor. Chevrolet Volt would have a major advantage, at least on the US market, if it has a starting price of $31,000, getting support from the US Government, that would offer a price reduction based on environmental funds specifically collected. On the other hand, increasing Volt’s production might lead to other problems, as the dealerships are already overworked, as the plant producing Volt’s batteries is already working at full capacity.

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Dan Akerson, CEO of General motors, confirmed a hybrid version of Cadillac SRX and announced that the GM plans will built twice more Chevrolet Volt units in 2011 than initially planned.

The officials of Chevrolet US announced that General Motors will double the production number for Volt during 2011. The Americans aim to build 45,000 Chevrolet Volt units  per year in 2012, and for 2011 they want to build not less than 25,000 vehicles. The reason behind the increase in production numbers is the high demand registered by this model and its introduction in more and more Chevrolet and General Motors dealerships.

The end of 2011 will mark Chevrolet Volt’s debut on the European market. The Europeans will also receive its version built by Opel and called Ampera, a vehicle that benefits from the same Voltec drive train. First, the Volt units shipped to Europe will be built at the GM plant in Hamtrack, Michigan, but the Americans might also use a European plant to built Chevrolet Volt in order to reduce the costs.

As about the hybrid version of Cadillac SRX, Dan Akerson said that “is very likely” for the model to enter production. Despite Volt’s success, the model will not be built in a Cadillac version, staying a member of the Chevrolet family for the US market.

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Chevrolet Camaro have become the best-selling sports model in United States. The GM model have overpassed Ford Mustang in annual sales for the first time in 25 years.

For the first time in 25 years, Chevrolet Camaro was sold better than Ford Mustang. Moreover, Chevrolet sold 81,371 Camaro units even though the model was only offered in Coupe version, while Ford sold a total of 73,716 Mustang Coupe and Convertible units. Ford officials have reasons to be upset, because the their F series was the best-selling model in United States in 2010, with 529,349 units.

But both marketing teams have reasons to be happy, because Mustang sales have increased 10.6% in 2010, while Camaro sales increased with 31.9% in the same year. Since 1985 until 2010, Ford Mustang was the best-selling sports model in America, no matter the circumstances. Chevrolet also have a model in the Top 10 car sales in United States, the Silverado, model sold in 370,135 copies, registering a 16.9% increase in sales compared with 2010.

The starting price of Ford Mustang Coupe is of $22,145 in US (tax included), while the top model starts from %37,845. On the other hand, Chevrolet Camaro has a starting price of $22,680 (tax included) and the top of the range costs $33,945. The convertible version of Ford Mustang starts at $27,145 (tax included) on the US market, while the price tag for Chevrolet Camaro Convertible was not yet revealed. Starting 2012, Chevrolet will start selling Camaro in Erope, but the price of the model is still a mystery.

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Chevrolet will reveal the concept of a minivan with full-electric drive train at Detroit Auto Show 2011. The concept is called Amp and it’s strong related to Chevrolet MPV5 Concept presented in Beijing.

It looks like Chevrolet is planing a production version of the MPV5 concept. The model will borrow Chevrolet Volt’s platform, that will reduce the production costs of both models and will have a positive effect on the costs and development period of the new minivan. Chevrolet Amp Concept will be presented at Detroit Auto Show this winter, and there are high chances that the electric minivan to be very similar to the MPV5 Concept unveiled at Beijing Auto Show in April.

The new minivan from Chevrolet could be named Amp. In October last year, the guys of General Motors have registered the Amp and Sonic names. As well, GM have registered ChevyAmp.com, ChevroletAmp.com, ChevroletAmp.net and ChevyAmp.net domains, as well. Once the domains were registered, we can say that the rumors saying that GM will no longer use “Chevy” nickname are a bit off.

Regarding the looks of the new minivan, some say that it will come with a revised front. The changes could be operated for the front air intakes, that would be useless if the concept borrows the electric drive train from Volt, and should be blocked in order to increase the drag coefficient.

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Chevrolet auctioned the first Chevy Volt unit that left the assembly line. The car, for sure, one that will enter the history books of modern cars, was bought for not less than $225,000.

The American automaker today announced that they officially closed the auction for the first Chevrolet Volt unit that left the assembly line. It’s the first production Chevy Volt, and it was sold for not less than $225,000. The American electric car managed to total an impressive numbers of purchase requests.

The final value of the car is no doubt a record, considering that the starting price was set to only $50,000. The money from the auction will be donated to support the educational initiatives of Detroit Public Schools Foundation.

The American automaker puts all its hopes in the new Chevrolet Volt to help them solve their financial problems. Powered by an electric motor of 150 HP, Volt is able to travel a distance of 40 miles only with the energy stored in the lithium-ion batteries.

Chevrolet Volt’s resources help the electric car sprint from o to 60 mph in 9 seconds and hit a top speed of 100 mph. Volt’s autonomy is extended with the help of a 1.4-liter gasoline engine of 84 HP, capable of recharging the lithium-ion battery and so provide energy for the electric motor.

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Chevrolet will unveil at Detroit Auto Show the new generation of their Aveo model, renamed by the American automaker Sonic. The new name will not be fount on the European market for now.

Chevrolet official admitted that the next generation of Chevrolet Aveo will renamed, this action was asked by the Marketing department of the American company. GM decided that the Aveo’s successor will now be named Sonic, in order to prove everyone that it’s a new model, that can’t be compared with the current generation

Chris Oerry, GM Marketing Manager, said that the new model will be a lot different than the current one, with a whole new approach, more suited for the public. Chevrolet Sonic will hit the market starting next year, the first live display being scheduled for next month at Detroit Auto Show.

The next generation of the Chevrolet Aveo, Sonic, will debut in two body versions, hatchback and sedan, scheduled to be born in the Chevrolet plants in United States and South Korea.

The same Perry also said that GM would like “Sonic” name to be used in Europe too, in order to sketch the image of a global mode, just like in the case of Chevrolet Cruze. But it seems that the European Division of the Detroit automaker is not ready for a change like this.

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Chevrolet officials announced they are facing a “huge demand” for Volt and that they’ve asked their partners to help them increase the production capacity of the model.

The General Motors officials announced they will increase the production capacity of Chevrolet Volt in order to be able to answer the unexpected number of demands for this model. The best clients are represented by the fleets, the biggest ordered being of 12,000 Chevrolet Volt units and belonging to GE. GE is one of the companies with the biggest car fleets in United States of Ameriac, so there’s likely that the new Volt units they ordered to replace a big part of the General Electric car park.

Apparently, Chevrolet will build more than 55,000 Volt units in the next two years. The value was figured out from the statements made by GM officials, but Volt’s production capacity was not yet unveiled. Since GE ordered more Chevrolet Volt units than GM will build in 2011, we are expecting a big move from the American automaker during next year, in order to respond to GE’s demand.

It seems that GM got in touch with the Koreans of LG Chem, responsible for producing Volt’s batteries, for increasing the production capacity. For the whole chain to work, LG Chem must supply a higher number of batteries, without the possibility of a partnership between GM and another company, as the Koreans have a six years exclusive contract for Chevrolet Volt units’ batteries.

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Chevrolet will unveil at Los Angeles Auto Show new Camaro Convertible, the convertible version of the famous muscle car. It will be available with two engines, a V6 and a V8.

Los Angeles Auto Show will mark the debut of a very important model for the U.S. market and for General Motors. Chevrolet will display at its stand the convertible version of Camaro model, expected for some time by the fans of this muscle-car segment.

Camaro Convertible will be available in two engine versions, found also on the coupe version: the V6 unit with 310 HP or the SS flagship, powered by a V8 6.2-liter, able to offer 420 HP. The engines will be connected either to a manual transmission with six reports or to an automatic transmission, also with six reports.

The SS version of Camaro Convertible promise an acceleration from 0-60 mph in less than five seconds and a top speed of 155 mph, performances worthy of a muscle-car label.

The global debut at LA Auto Show will be followed by a commercial release until February of next year, the starting price being estimated to$ 30,000 on the U.S. market. An European debut is currently uncertain, however, but the first informations announces the convertible in the first half of 2011.

Also next year, Chevrolet will unveil the special editions Synergy Series and XM Accessory Appearance Package of Camaro Convertible model. The segment fans have already come into contact with the new model through the Neiman Marcus catalog, where the convertible was available in a special version, quickly exhausted.

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Paris Auto Show 2010 will mark the beginning of no more than 30 models.  We present you the most important and exciting list of this auto show premieres, concepts or series models. This year’s edition will be marked by the presentation of a large number of electric and hybrid vehicles, but the vehicles powered solely based on non-renewable energy sources are still present in the stands of automakers.

BMW X3

Hated by many, loved by few but respected by all. This would be the phrase that best characterizes the BMW X3. With the arrival of the second generation, the X5′s little brother has grown larger than the first generation of SUVs from BMW and preserves a unique design, that is not appreciated by most of the public. There are big chances that people who bought the first generation of X3 to be interested by this model.

BMW 6 Series Concept

BMW brings the concept that foreshadows the future of 6 Series Coupe at Paris. The model is clearly based on the F10 5 Series and presents an attractive design, which should make headlines in its class. As in the case of the 5 Series, the 6 Series Coupe appearance combine the elegance with sporty and form one of the most beautiful models in the segment. We waiting the series version.

Chevrolet Aveo

Chevrolet enters on the small segment with an Aveo, strong inspired by Aveo RS concept that debuted at Detroit. While the announced performance is not up to high expectations with the RS concept, the new model design and its characteristics should be a small storm in the B segment, where the fighting is already “bloody”.

Citroen C4

The new design language of the guys from Citroen has left the imprint on C4. The French model of the compact class has changed, and his brother DS4 will accompany at the debut at Paris Auto Show. The new design looks nice, the model received more masculine traits, which gives it an extra character.

Ford Focus ST Concept

The death of the current generation of Focus ST is related to non-compliance with Euro 5 rules, but also by the imminent launch of the new generation of Focus. According to first information, the model develops 250 HP and is equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine with four-cylinder. The Ford officials announced that the model can accelerate from 0-60 mph in 6.8 seconds, so the future looks bright.

Opel GTC Concept

The Opel Astra J debut at the Frankfurt Auto Show last year has led the Opel fans to breathlessly await the coupe version of that model. We remind you that the copy of the picture and the one that will debut at Paris are just concepts, but we expect that the series model to be extremely close to this concept in terms of design.

Peugeot 508

Has finally arrived – say the Peugeot fans, who expected a replacement for 407. The guys from PSA did an experiment with the 508 model, forcing this model to replace both 407 and 607. Both the sedan version and the SW version of 508 will debut at Paris, the hybrid model leaving expected later.

Renault DeZir

This is a new concept of the French from Renault and shows the sporty side of the electric vehicles sporting side. Although there is no information regarding the chances of production of this concept, we hope that certain design features will be introduced in the series models of the French automaker. DeZir is the first project of Laurens van den Acker at Renault, and the first impression is very nice.

Mercedes-Benz CLS

The second generation of CLS begins not as quiet as the first. While the first CLS has created a new segment, the second generation will debut before the public with the new Audi A7 and already has a rival from Porsche. The guys from BMW are expected to launch a competitor, but the guys from Mercedes are confident on CLS.

Volkswagen Passat

New generation of Volkswagen Passat will debut at this edition of Paris Auto Show. The Germans have not yet presented any image with the model, increasing the suspense concerning aspects of their mid-range model. The chances are that the new Passat receives “a face” similar to that present on other Volkswagen models.

These are the most ten cars expected to debut at Paris Auto Show 2010.

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Toyota promises for the public an electric rival for Nissan Leaf and Chevrolet Volt, based on the current Prius. But the model will be much cheaper than its opponents.

The wave of positive feedback that have raised on Nissan Leaf and the future Chevrolet Volt has not left indifferent the guys from Toyota, which are designed to meet his rivals with an electric model. To get good results with minimum costs, Toyota will launch on the market an electric model derived from the hybrid Prius, model already predicted by the “Plug-in” concept.

According to the Japanese officials, the electric derivative of Prius, expected in 2012, and will be the cheapest alternative in the segment. Takeshi Uchiyamada, the head of Toyota’s production, went even further than that, suggesting that the future customers will have great trouble deciding which version will buy, since the electric model will be with only a few hundred dollars more expensive.

Currently there are not much informations about the powertrain of the future electric Prius, but we can expect to an Annex engine, to supply with energy the electric motor, after batteries. But judging by the performance of the two currently models in segment (Volt have a power autonomy of 40.4 miles, Leaf have a power autonomy of 99.4 miles), Prius will have some disadvantage, its resources ensuring a power autonomy of only 12.4 miles.

Compared with the future Volt, the electric Prius in the U.S. will cost about $13,000 less, one more reason to tilt the balance in favor of Japanese. Toyota aims to sell about 20,000 units per year.

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