The Chevrolet Volt and the Opel Ampera have won the "Car of the Year 2012" award. Susan Docherty, President and Managing Director of Chevrolet Europe, (center) and Karl-Friedrich Stracke, CEO of Opel/Vauxhall, (right) were both handed the trophy by Hakan Matson of the "Car of the Year" jury (left). Photo courtesy GM

Geneva, Switzerland - March 5, 2012

The Opel Ampera and the Chevrolet Volt electric cars with extended-range capability today won the European “Car of the Year 2012” award voted by a panel of 59 judges from 23 European nations.

The Opel Ampera and the Chevrolet Volt electric cars. Photo courtesy GM

The Ampera/Volt 330 points against the Volkswagen Up with 281 and Ford Focus with 256.

For the first time, the final selection was made in the context of the Geneva International Motor Show.

The Opel Ampera Photo courtesy GM

Opel/Vauxhall CEO Karl-Friedrich Stracke and Chevrolet President and Managing Director for Europe Susan Docherty received the award from Car of the Year panel Hakan Matson.

The Chevrolet Volt Photo courtesy GM

The Ampera and the Volt emerged as the joint overall winner in a field of seven finalists.
Initially, 35 recently launched vehicles entered the contest.

General Motors Vice President U.S. Marketing Chris Perry with the Chevrolet Volt electric vehicle (left). Photo courtesy General Motors / John F. Martin

The selection criteria applied by the judges were based on attributes such as design, comfort, performance and especially innovative technologies as well as efficiency – areas where the Ampera and the Volt excel.

Opel Ampera Photo courtesy Opel International

"Our car demonstrates that electric driving can be fun and reliable without ever compromising the owners’ lifestyle,” Docherty said.
“It is a proud moment for us and an honor to receive this award from Europe’s leading jury of automotive journalists."

Opel Ampera Photo courtesy Opel International

Said Stracke:
“This encourages us further to continue our leadership role in the area of e-mobility.”

Opel Ampera Photo courtesy Opel International

The Volt and the Ampera have won many international awards including the “World Green Car of the Year 2011” and the “North American Car of the Year 2011” award.

Opel Ampera Photo courtesy Opel International

Volt and Ampera also received the maximum 5-star Euro NCAP award.

Actress Izabella Miko poses with a 2012 Chevrolet Volt electric vehicle in the Volt Lounge at Global Green USA’s 9th Annual Pre-Oscar Party on Wednesday, February 22, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. The Chevy Volt is the featured green car of the event, which raises funds and awareness for Global Green's initiatives to fight climate change by creating healthy, green communities. Photo courtesy GM / Chevrolet Volt

The Ampera and the Volt are the first electric vehicles in the market that can go anywhere anytime.

A 16 kWh lithium ion battery powers the 111kW/150 hp electric motor.

Actress Sofia Milos on the green carpet with a 2012 Chevrolet Volt electric vehicle at Global Green USA's 9th Annual Pre-Oscar party on Wednesday, February 22, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. The Volt is the featured green car of the event that benefits Global Green's initiatives to fight climate change by creating healthy green schools, homes and communities.   Photo courtesy Chevrolet News Photo

Depending on the style of driving and road conditions, distance of between 40 and 80 kilometers can be covered in the purely battery-operated mode, completely free of emissions.

The wheels of the car are always powered electrically.

Actors Johnny Galecki (L) and Kelli Garner on the green carpet with a 2012 Chevrolet Volt electric vehicle at Global Green USA's 9th Annual Pre-Oscar party on Wednesday, February 22, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. The Volt is the featured green car of the event that benefits Global Green's initiatives to fight climate change by creating healthy green schools, homes and communities. Photo courtesy Chevrolet News Photo

In extended-range mode, which activates whenever the battery has reached its minimum state of charge, the gasoline engine drives a generator that supplies the electric drive unit.

The range extender enables an operating radius of 500 kilometers.

Recording artist Roxy Darr gets a closer look at a 2012 Chevrolet Volt electric vehicle at Global Green USA's 9th Annual Pre-Oscar Party on Wednesday, February 22, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. The Chevy Volt is the featured green car of the event, which raises funds and awareness for Global Green's initiatives to fight climate change by creating healthy, green communities.   Photo courtesy Chevrolet News Photo

General Motors Co. (NYSE:GM, TSX: GMM) and its partners produce vehicles in 30 countries, and the company has leadership positions in the world's largest and fastest-growing automotive markets.

Actors Adrian Grenier (L) and Sophia Bush on the green carpet with a 2012 Chevrolet Volt electric vehicle at Global Green USA's 9th Annual Pre-Oscar party on Wednesday, February 22, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. The Volt is the featured green car of the event that benefits Global Green's initiatives to fight climate change by creating healthy green schools, homes and communities. Photo courtesy Chevrolet News Photo

GM’s brands include Chevrolet and Cadillac, as well as Baojun, Buick, GMC, Holden, Isuzu, Jiefang, Opel, Vauxhall and Wuling.

Recording artist Vaja on the green carpet with a 2012 Chevrolet Volt electric vehicle at Global Green USA's 9th Annual Pre-Oscar party on Wednesday, February 22, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. The Volt is the featured green car of the event that benefits Global Green's initiatives to fight climate change by creating healthy green schools, homes and communities.   Photo courtesy Chevrolet News Photo

More information on the company and its subsidiaries, including OnStar, a global leader in vehicle safety, security and information services, can be found at http://www.gm.com  


Contacts

Volker Brien
Director Opel Global Product and Brand Communications
Phone +49 6142/7-54 440
Mobile +49 170/786 37 95
volker.brien@de.opel.com  

Marc Kempe
Director, Communications
Phone +41 44 828 29 80
Mobile +41 79 201 57 52
marc.kempe@gm.com  


Source: General Motors

http://media.gm.com/media/us/en/gm/news.html  



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