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Chevrolet Chicago Press Conference

2011-02-09

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RICK SCHEIDT  (U.S. Vice President, Chevrolet Marketing)

Good morning everyone… it's great to have you with us.

I hope you enjoyed that classic Camaro footage. 

It just seemed appropriate to celebrate a little Chevrolet heritage

as we launch into our Centennial year.

We're planning to have a lot of fun this year -- especially since 2010 was such a great year for Chevrolet.

We sold a total of 4.26 million vehicles in 2010, raising our global market share to 5.8 percent of all vehicles sold worldwide. 

Of the top five global brands, Chevrolet was the only one to grow its total share.

Here in the U.S. we increased sales 16 percent making Chevrolet

the second-largest brand in this market.

And that positive momentum has continued in 2011, with January sales up 19 percent year-over-year. 

That includes a 33-percent jump in retail sales, as demand remains strong

across the lineup -- but especially in cars.

All of this made Chevrolet the top selling brand in the U.S. in January.

One of our top-performers is the all-new Cruze. 

Already a success around the world, Cruze is off to a great start here in the U.S. 

We sold over 13,600 last month as customers are discovering the value that it represents.

As you know, the Chevrolet Volt has been honored with several significant awards, including North American Car of the Year… and we couldn't be more proud. 

It's the only electric car that can be your only car… and it's helping to change perceptions of what an electric car can be.

Of course, Camaro is all about putting smiles on people's faces. 

That was as true with the first generation Camaro as it is today.

In fact, our 21^st Century version of this iconic sports car is putting smiles on a whole lot of customer's faces. 

In its first full year of production, Camaro outsold the Mustang Coupe, Mustang Convertible and GT500 combined last year. 

And that's with just one model.

For 2011 we're bringing a lot more fun to the party with the Camaro Convertible, which will be arriving in dealer showrooms soon. 

And we couldn't be more proud that the Camaro Convertible was selected to be the official Pace Car of this year's Indianapolis 500 -- the 100^th anniversary of the first running of the Indy 500.

The 2011 Pace Car is a modern tribute to the 1969 Camaro Pace Car -- arguably the most memorable pace car of all time.  

In fact, some of the most popular Camaros in the collector world are the Pace Car replicas Chevrolet issued that year.

Today, we're announcing that racing fans and Camaro enthusiasts can soon buy their own piece of modern history. 

This spring, we will produce a special run of 500 replicas of the new Indy Pace Car Camaro Convertible.

Complete with the orange rally stripes and door graphics, the replicas are outfitted with track-ready enhancements of the SS package, and a 400-horsepower V-8 engine with the choice of a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission.

With 2011 marking the 100^th anniversary of the Indy 500 AND Chevrolet's

100^th year… it was an opportunity we just couldn't pass up.

You see, Chevrolet has enjoyed a strong connection to the brickyard --

a connection that goes back to when our founder, Louis Chevrolet raced his hand-built cars on what was then still a dirt track… years before there was an Indy 500.

Racing and performance have been a big part of our company ever since.

Chevrolet is the winningest brand in NASCAR, and has collected more NHRA Pro Stock Manufacturers Cups than any other brand.

We recently announced that Chevrolet will return to Indianapolis in the 2012 IZOD IndyCar Series with a new twin-turbocharged, direct-injected

V-6 racing engine.

So Chevrolet's performance heritage is alive and well as we launch into

the 2011 season and our centennial year.

And that performance character isn't limited to the professional circuits. 

The Corvette Z06 and ZR1 are testament to that.

Until now, the reborn Camaro has been mainly about the great heritage-inspired design and overall appeal of the car.

But ever since we started working on today's Camaro we've been asking ourselves…

How could we take this car to its fullest performance potential? 

Today we're ready to answer that question… with the ultimate

high-performance Camaro.

ED WELBURN (GM Vice President, Global Design)

Good morning everyone!

ZL1.

The most powerful, most high-tech and highest-performing Camaro we've ever built.

There have been many fast Camaros and Mustangs… but none of them

come close to this level of high-tech content.

It's the most technically advanced Camaro ever, so we've chosen a name from the most elite and exclusive Camaro in history.

The ZL1 name is derived from the all-aluminum racing engine developed

in the late Sixties and installed into a handful of regular-production 1969 Camaros.

Only 69 were ever built, but they've achieved mythical status among enthusiasts… representing the pinnacle in Camaro performance.

Until now.

The 2012 Camaro ZL1 was designed to reach optimal lap times on top road racing circuits… and excellent driving dynamics on the street.

Here's how we did it…

Of course, it couldn't be a ZL1 without an impressive powertrain:

· The LSA 6.2L Supercharged V-8… estimated 550 HP.

· 6-speed manual trans with short-throw shifter (Tremec TR-6060).

· Heavy-duty limited-slip differential and enhanced rear axle to handle

the extra torque.

· And something you may have noticed: a dual-mode exhaust.

But today's ZL1 is more than just an extremely powerful car. 

It also carries the latest in performance technologies to make it a world-class sport car.

· It has a completely revised suspension tuning.

· Next-gen Magnetic Ride Control -- already the fastest-reacting suspension system in the world

· Includes two driver-selectable modes: Tour & Sport

· 14” Brembo brakes -- 6-piston front / 4-piston rear

· Electric, variable ratio power steering

· All the coolers in-place to make it track-ready

(engine, transmission, differential).

· And the independent rear suspension also provides the comfort for riding around town.

We also made several modifications to the exterior that are designed to improve the performance of the ZL1… modifications that also communicate the distinct character of the car.

· A raised aluminum hood with carbon-fiber inserts makes room for the supercharger.

· An air extracter in the hood releases air from below to create downforce.

· Other aero devices  were developed

in the wind tunnel

to reduce lift and

keep the car

grounded and stable

in high-speed maneuvers.

The Aero package includes:

-An aggressive front fascia with splitter,

-Wheel opening deflectors,

-Side rocker extensions,

-A rear diffuser and  spoiler

· This Camaro also has lightweight, forged aluminum wheels

(20 x 10 front / 20 x 11 rear).

· And Goodyear Supercar F2 tires -- custom made for Camaro.

Of course, the interior has its own unique personality as well…

· There are significant updates to the instrument panel, including the available suede inserts

· Also, heated leather high-performance seats

· 6-way power controls for driver & passenger.

· There is a new, leather-wrapped, flat bottom steering wheel and

   leather- wrapped shift knob.

· And 4-pack auxiliary gauges with boost readout

I said it before and I'll say it again…

The Camaro ZL1 is the most technically advanced Camaro ever produced.

It is the culmination of years of accumulated knowledge by the Camaro team... along with the Corvette development team and our Performance Division -- with team members from all three working on this car.

Hours upon hours were spent on our own test tracks in Milford… as well as some of the better tracks around the country, including

Road America and Spring Mountain.

The result is a Camaro that's right at home on all of them.

Packed with the ultimate performance technologies… the ZL1 has tremendous acceleration… with precise handling, steering and braking to match its great power.

Designed to surpass its namesake in every possible way… the new Camaro ZL1 will bring a whole new kind of smile to people's faces when it arrives in early 2012.

We have lots of people with us today that are eager to tell you all about it.

Al Oppenheiser, Camaro Chief Engineer is here, along with Tom Peters from Design.

So come on up and take a closer look.