Chevrolet Cruze Named “2011 Canadian Car of the Year”

TORONTO – Chevrolet was honoured today at the Canadian International Auto Show when the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC) named the Chevrolet Cruze as the “2011 Canadian Car of the Year”. The award followed rigorous head-to-head evaluations performed by over 70 of Canada’s leading automotive journalists on 144 new vehicles entered in this year’s competition.

“We are very proud to receive AJAC’s 2011 Canadian Car of the Year honours for the all-new Chevrolet Cruze, which reflects a major refocusing of investment on smaller vehicles and fuel efficient technologies,” said Kevin Williams, GM of Canada’s president and managing director. “The Cruze represents our line in the sand: We’re playing to win - and delivering the goods - in the small car business.”

The Cruze affirms Chevrolet’s commitment to building refined, fuel-efficient vehicles using new, small-displacement, four-cylinder engines, with the 1.4L turbo engine and six-speed manual transmission combination on the Cruze ECO model* and the 1.8L engine with six-speed manual transmission on the Cruze LS** both delivering best in class highway fuel economy.

Featuring a segment-leading 10 standard airbags, surprising amenities and leading edge connectivity, including Chevrolet’s My Link application by OnStar, the Cruze aims to change the way Canadians look at compact cars.

Since its launch, the Cruze has been winning the hearts of customers around the globe, with over half a million already sold. In its first 3 months on the Canadian market, Cruze is off to a flying start, increasing GM’s compact sales volume by over 32% versus the prior year period.

The Cruze logged more than 6 million kilometres in quality and durability testing worldwide, making it one of the most real world-tested GM products prior to launch. Cruze also has achieved five-star safety ratings in every market where it is being sold.

For more information on the Chevrolet Cruze, please visit: www.chevrolet.ca

About Chevrolet in Canada:

Founded in 1911, Chevrolet celebrates its centennial as a global automotive brand with annual sales of about 4.25 million vehicles in more than 140 countries. From today’s Cruze Eco which consumes just 4.6 L/100 km on the highway to the Volt coming this fall, which provides up to 80 kilometres of electric, gasoline-free driving and an additional 500 kilometres of extended range, Chevrolet offers gas-friendly to gas-free solutions. Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient, safe and reliable vehicles that deliver high quality, expressive design, spirited performance and value. The Chevrolet portfolio includes award-winning passenger cars and crossovers such as Cruze, Malibu, Equinox and Traverse and a host of new, smaller, highly efficient models to come including the all-new Orlando and Sonic (fall 2011) and Spark (2012). Chevrolet also provides iconic performance cars such as Corvette and Camaro as well as dependable, long-lasting pickups and SUVs such as Silverado and Suburban. Most new Chevrolet models offer OnStar safety, security and convenience technologies including OnStar Hands-Free Calling, Automatic Crash Response and Stolen Vehicle Slowdown. More information regarding Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.ca


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* Based on NRCan’s 2011 Fuel Consumption Ratings for the midsize vehicle categories. Excludes hybrid and diesel models. Your actual fuel consumption may vary.

** Based on NRCan’s 2011 Fuel Consumption Ratings for the compact vehicle categories. Excludes hybrid and diesel models. Your actual fuel consumption may vary.