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Chevrolet
to introduce the Spark EV at 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show
Photo
credit: General Motors
The
Chevrolet Spark EV is expected to look very similar to this concept
vehicle.
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LOS
ANGELES -- General Motors has big plans for the 2012 Los
Angeles Auto Show. One of those plans is the world debut of the
Spark EV all-electric vehicle. It will be powered by a lithuim-ion
battery supplied by A123 Systems with an electric motor producing
up to 114 horsepower. It is expected to have a driving range of
81 miles under normal conditions. The Spark EV will also come with
regenerative braking, which allows it to charge itself when stopped
at red lights or stop signs. This will be GM's first all-electric
vehicle since the EV1 project was scrapped in 2003.
"We
have several exciting things planned," said David Barnas, GM's
Group Manager of Global Design for U.S. Auto Shows. "Our major
news for the L.A. Auto Show is for Chevrolet and it will serve as
the global introduction for the Spark EV. It is the first all-electric
vehicle for Chevrolet so we're excited about that. We'll also a
number of auto show introductions and a number of consumer-oriented
activities. The primary news for us is the global debut of the Spark
EV."
Can
you discuss the number of concept cars GM will have on display?
"In
the Chevrolet display, we'll have two concept cars that debuted
at the North American International Auto Show earlier in the year,"
he added. "This represents the first time that they'll be in
Los Angeles and southern California. That would be the Chevrolet
Tru and the Chevrolet Code concept cars. These are two 'youth-oriented'
concepts that we are trying to solicit feedback from younger buyers
in terms of what they're looking for in the automobiles moving forward.
Interestingly enough, both those vehicles were designed at our design
center in North Hollywood."
What
will be some of the big reveals for GM's other three brands -- Buick,
Cadillac and GMC?
"We
really don't have any specific concept cars for GMC, for Buick or
for Cadillac at the L.A. Auto Show this year," the group manager
of global design for U.S. auto shows explained. "We do have
exceptional products that will be on the show floor and real key
for each brand. Specifically, for Cadillac, the Cadillac ATS and
the Cadillac XTS sedans will be on the show floor. Those are all
new in the marketplace over the last six months or so. The entire
Buick line-up will be on the show floor including the Verano, the
Regal and the LaCrosse as well. GMC's complete line-up will be on
the show floor as well."
Are GM's
four displays going to be about the same size as last year or bigger?
"They
will be pretty much dimensionally the same," Barnas said. "Our
footprint in L.A. is fairly similar to last year. We've just adjusted
the size of each of the displays to accommodate the various models
and needs for each of our individual brands. For show goers in Los
Angeles, it will be clearly recognizable for all four of our brands
for Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, and for Cadillac. We're cycling into
the 2014 model year here. We'll have a selection of 2014 model year
vehicles, and also 2013 model year vehicles as well."
What can
the media expect to see on the two press days?
"Our
primary news is the global reveal of the Spark EV, that will be
in the Chevrolet press conference," he added. "As of this
time, we are not bringing in celebrities. As we like to say, for
most of our products, the cars are the stars. Our emphasis will
really be on our great product offerings for each of our four brands
in Los Angeles."
What can
folks look forward to on public days?
"We
have a host of great product and a level of interactivity for consumers
as well," the
group manager of global design for U.S. auto shows explained. "We're
actively soliciting input from show goers on the Chevrolet youth
concepts in terms of which one resonates the most as we move forward
with those vehicles. We'll have the Camaro Hot Wheels production
model that will be on the show floor. That car just debuted at the
SEMA Show in Las Vegas. It will be in the Chevrolet exhibit along
with a Hot Wheels race track around the car as well for a level
of interactivity. We'll also have a Spark model from the SEMA Show
as well to connect with the aftermarket. There will be a Chevy MyLink
display as well. There will be a Cadillac CUE display."
How
many GM vehicles will be participating in the ride-and-drive activity
outside?
"We
expect to have two Chevrolet Volts participating during the media
days and ride-and-drive," Barnas said. "We're excited
about that opportunity."
Several
news outlets are reporting that GM will be releasing 13 new or redesigned
models in the next year. How many of them will be on display in
L.A.?
"We
are at the very beginning of a product offensive right now,"
he added. "Obviously, the Chevrolet Spark will be making it's
debut in Los Angeles in a couple of weeks. That will be one of the
new models that we'll have available in the marketplace heading
into next year. We have a lot more product stories coming in the
future. We're very excited about it. The L.A. Auto Show is very
significant within the industry. For us, it's a way for us here
at GM's it's a way for us to connect to the hugely important, always
important, California marketplace. For us, we look at L.A. as being
one of the top tier auto shows, not only in the United States, but
in the world as well."
For
more information or to purchase tickets to the Los Angeles Auto
Show, visit www.laautoshow.com.
Related
Story: Futuristic
technology to be unveiled at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show
Photo
credit: General Motors
The
interior electronics and displays are compacted into a single stack,
reminiscent of a motorcycle with a large speedometer as a centerpiece.
Photo
credit: General Motors
The
Spark EV will run entirely on electricity, therefore producing zero
emissions.
Graphic
credit: General Motors
Adding
to Chevrolet's already impressive portfolio of fuel efficient
vehicles, the all electric Spark EV will run on a nanophosphate
lithium-ion battery pack supplied by A123 Systems.
Photo
credit: General Motors
David
Barnas is GM's Group Manager of Global Design for U.S. Auto
Shows.
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