In 2011, one of the best-known American car brands, Chevrolet, is turning 100. To mark the moment, the company which owns the brand, GM, announced this week the start of what is planned to be a very special year.
For Chevy, it all started in November 1911, when Swiss-born racer Louis Chevrolet and GM founder William C. “Billy” Durant got together to avenge the latter's departure from the company he founded.
The result was the quite expensive (it sold for about $50,000 in today's money) Series C Classic Six, a car powered by a 4.9l six-cylinder engine which produced 40 horsepower and allowed for a top speed of about 65 mph.
So far, GM did not go into the details of what it has planned for the year in terms of festivities. But, as far as models and new releases are concerned, we are to expect an avalanche of interesting Chevy machines.
The first car to hit the market will be the Sonic model, the rebadged Aveo presented at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS). The Sonic will be followed by the Spark, another of the brand's successful models in foreign markets.
Aside for the above-announced launches, GM promised a whole range of concepts to be presented this year, probably most of them inspired or building on the Volt and its technology.
“Chevrolet enters its second century with great momentum. The next 100 years will see Chevrolet help remake the automobile to complement the needs of evolving societies and changing resources – all with its iconic style, performance and value,” the car maker says in a statement.
For Chevy, it all started in November 1911, when Swiss-born racer Louis Chevrolet and GM founder William C. “Billy” Durant got together to avenge the latter's departure from the company he founded.
The result was the quite expensive (it sold for about $50,000 in today's money) Series C Classic Six, a car powered by a 4.9l six-cylinder engine which produced 40 horsepower and allowed for a top speed of about 65 mph.
So far, GM did not go into the details of what it has planned for the year in terms of festivities. But, as far as models and new releases are concerned, we are to expect an avalanche of interesting Chevy machines.
The first car to hit the market will be the Sonic model, the rebadged Aveo presented at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS). The Sonic will be followed by the Spark, another of the brand's successful models in foreign markets.
Aside for the above-announced launches, GM promised a whole range of concepts to be presented this year, probably most of them inspired or building on the Volt and its technology.
“Chevrolet enters its second century with great momentum. The next 100 years will see Chevrolet help remake the automobile to complement the needs of evolving societies and changing resources – all with its iconic style, performance and value,” the car maker says in a statement.