DETROIT – Chevrolet has hand-picked 15 advanced

technology enthusiasts and electric vehicle advocates to be the first

consumers to experience the Volt every day under real-world conditions

during a three-month vehicle and charging evaluation program starting in

late October.

This exclusive group of expert consumers – referred to as the

Chevrolet Volt Customer Advisory Board – is one of the final steps

Chevrolet is taking to validate the vehicle, charging and overall customer

experience in preparation for the retail launch late this year.

“We are eager to learn as much as we can from potential customers about

their experience with the Volt,” said Tony DiSalle, Chevrolet Volt

marketing director. “We want to know their thoughts, impressions, and

perceptions. This special group of electric vehicle experts gives us the

opportunity to learn even more as we near market launch.”

Volt Customer Advisory Board members have volunteered to participate

and were selected by Chevrolet based on their resident location, knowledge

of advanced automotive technology, and interest and awareness of electric

vehicles. Each participant is scheduled to receive a pre-production Volt

starting in late October and will keep the car through the end of January

2011. Participants live in Volt retail launch markets including California,

Washington D.C., and New York.

Members of the Chevrolet Volt Customer Advisory board include:

Robert Becker – Electric vehicle enthusiast

Peter Corsell – Chief Executive Officer of GridPoint

Lyle Dennis – Electric vehicle enthusiast

Tom Kuhn – President, Edison Electric Institute

Andy Lipkis – President and Founder, TreePeople

Bill Nye – Celebrity scientist and electric vehicle enthusiast

Eric Rotbard – Electric vehicle enthusiast

Chelsea Sexton – Electric vehicle enthusiast

Colin Summers – Electric vehicle enthusiast

Mark Swain – Electric vehicle enthusiast

Kris Trexler – Electric vehicle enthusiast

Bryan Voltaggio – Celebrity chef and owner of Volt restaurant

Jim Woolsey – Former Director of Central Intelligence and Renewable

Energy and Energy Security Investor

Brian Wynne – President, Electric Drive Transportation Association

Mike Maria – Electric vehicle enthusiast

Volt Customer Advisory Board members will receive product training, a

home electric evaluation and a no-cost installation of a 240-volt charging

station to be used for the duration of the vehicle evaluation program.

Chevrolet will then collect information continuously through OnStar.

The feedback provided by Volt consumer advisors will help Chevrolet

refine the ownership, charging and driving experience, including

information that can help local utility companies develop codes and

standards for electric vehicle owners. Each member will also be assigned a

Volt Customer Relations Manager for personal service and attention.

“It’s great to see Chevrolet tap into both experienced and new electric

vehicle enthusiasts for real-world feedback,” said Chelsea Sexton, electric

vehicle advocate and Volt Customer Advisory Board member from California.

“This is a great opportunity to not only provide meaningful input to the

Volt team, but also to raise awareness using a real, available electric

vehicle instead of a PowerPoint slide.”

The Volt Customer Advisory Board group serves as an extension of

Chevrolet’s final Volt validation employee test fleet program already under

way. To date more than 200 pre-production Volts have been built at GM’s

Detroit-Hamtramck production assembly.

The Chevrolet Volt is an electric vehicle with extended-range

capability. Chevrolet will offer a lease program on the Volt with a monthly

payment as low as $350 for 36 months at Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail

Price with $2,500 due at lease signing, including security deposit based on

current conditions, which could vary at time of delivery. The benefit of

the $7,500 tax credit is included in the reduced lease payment, with the

tax credit going to the lessor. The Volt’s MSRP will start at $41,000

($33,500 net of the full federal tax credit, which ranges from $0-$7,500)

including a destination freight charge of $720. Customer deliveries of the

Volt are scheduled to begin in launch markets late this year with initial

production limited.

The 2011 Volt will be available to Chevrolet customers in California,

New York, Michigan, Connecticut, Texas, New Jersey and the Washington D.C.

area.

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