The Chevrolet Spark Is Remixed for City Living

Enhancements include ride and handling, interior features and connectivity

  

Nashville,  06/28/2012 – The Chevrolet Spark, a mini-car currently sold in 100 markets worldwide, will debut at Tom Bannen Chevrolet Buick GMC later this year with new features specifically targeted to appeal to the urban millennial market.

“Chevrolet is listening to what young drivers want in a car,” said Beau Leslie, New Car Sales Manager of Tom Bannen Chevrolet Buick GMC Nashville.  “We are already seeing interest in the Spark from customers who are looking for an urban car that is easy to drive, park and own.”

To tackle the challenges of urban driving environments, several Spark features are tailored to Middle Tennessee drivers, including:

• Giving the Spark the ability to conquer steep inclines and declines with Hill Start Assist and equipping the Spark with a sixth sense with Panic Brake Assist – both standard on Spark and new to the mini-car segment in North America.
• Hill Start Assist aids drivers in cities known for hilly terrain – such as San Francisco – by holding the vehicle in place while the driver switches from the brake pedal to the gas.
• Panic Brake Assist detects situations where emergency breaking is needed and automatically engages maximum braking force.
  
• Squeezing Spark into the tightest of parking spaces with a length of only 144 inches and 63 inches wide, which is 37 inches shorter and 8 inches narrower than the Chevy Cruze.
• Connecting Spark owners to their friends, music, videos and photos with a radio that features a seven-inch diagonal color touch screen equipped with the Chevrolet MyLink infotainment system, which provides users with access to Pandora and Stitcher, Bluetooth and navigation. MyLink also makes it possible to connect a smartphone or other USB device to play movies, display pictures and download contacts for hands-free calling, allowing for a full in-vehicle media experience.
• Packing extra horsepower under the hood with modifications to the engine displacement and enhancements to the ride and handling, giving the Spark more power and better handling at higher speeds.
• Hooking up the Spark with 15-inch wheels, making it the only vehicle in the segment to come standard with alloy wheels and increasing its performance and style street cred.
• Giving the Spark a facelift with a deeper grille and restyled fog lamps for a sportier, more aggressive style.

The Spark will arrive at Tom Bannen Chevrolet Buick GMC later this year. For more information, please visit www.chevrolet.com/spark.


About Chevrolet

Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world's largest car brands, doing business in more than 140 countries and selling more than 4 million cars and trucks a year. Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient vehicles that feature spirited performance, expressive design, and high quality. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.


MEDIA CONTACT:

Cindy Davis
cdavis@tombannen.com

Call: (615) 851-8000 Click: www.TomBannenNashville.com Visit: 2340 Gallatin Road North, Madison, TN 37115

Tom Bannen Chevrolet has announced its new acquisition of the Buick GMC franchises to its Rivergate location.  The Buick GMC store in north Nashville, known to many as Earl Dunn or Dunn Buick GMC has changed ownership, and has already moved to Tom Bannen’s location just south of Hendersonville.  The new company will operate under the name Tom Bannen Chevrolet Buick GMC Nashville.

"We have a great location in north Nashville and thought it was a natural acquisition," said Andrea Pitt of the purchase.  “The name Chevrolet is synonymous with Tom Bannen in Nashville and really the greater middle Tennessee area.  We are excited to extend the Tom Bannen brand and reputation with the Buick and GMC franchise.  We now represent 97% of the GM vehicle line sold in the Nashville zone!”  GM's record sales numbers were another motivating factor in Tom Bannen Chevrolet’s decision to acquire the business.  In 2011, General Motors Co. regained the title of the world's largest automaker.  GM's worldwide sales rose 7.6% to 9 million vehicles in 2011.

The Dunn family owned the Buick Pontiac GMC dealership for about 30 years, and most Nashville natives recognize Earl Dunn and his family for providing sales and service to customers during that time.

Bobby Harrison was an important acquisition to the sales staff of the Tom Bannen Buick GMC store.  Mr. Harrison sold cars at the previous location for over 30 years.  “I am excited to bring my experience and enthusiasm to this GM Superstore,” said Mr. Harrison.  “Hopefully there will be many of the same familiar faces from the Dunn family now at Tom Bannen Chevrolet Buick GMC Nashville in sales, service and parts.”

"Going forward, I know that the level of service will only increase," was an enthusiastic comment from Ed Zender, the service manager at Tom Bannen.  “As always, Tom Bannen is a family owned store that treats our customer’s like family.  We are glad to be able to include the Buick and GMC franchises to our service and parts department.”

Call: (615) 851-8000 Click: www.TomBannenNashville.com Visit: 2340 Gallatin Road North, Madison, TN 37115

Chevrolet Camaro is the most popular sports car on Facebook

As the U.S.’s best selling sports car for two consecutive years, the Chevrolet Camaro’s popularity goes beyond the road, to being Facebook’s most-popular vehicle, as well.

With more than 1.8 million fans for the official page, the Camaro has more than any other car. Proving that Chevrolet has reached a younger market, of the 1.8 million fans, 60 percent of them are in the age range of 18 to 34.

Carolin Probst-Iyer is the digital consumer engagement manager for Chevrolet, and she comments that “The community that has grown around the Camaro is truly remarkable. With nearly 2 million fans, people are constantly posting new photos and content, which in turn inspires comments and engagement from other fans. As a result, the community provides an invaluable way for us to communicate directly with the most passionate Camaro enthusiasts and to understand what they like most about their favorite sports car.”

Since 2010 the Camaro has been outselling the Ford Mustang, and may do so by over 10,000 units between January and August this year. Chevrolet expects the model to continue to gain more popularity with the 2012 launch of the Camaro ZL1, and the Transformers Edition Camaro coming out this fall. The ZL1 model is going to be released at an impressive 550-hp, making it the most powerful Camaro to date.

History with a Mystery: The Chevrolet Bowtie

Recognized today by global consumers, the Chevrolet bowtie logo was introduced by company co-founder William C. Durant in late 1913. But how it came to be synonymous with the brand is open to wide interpretation.

As the Chevy Centennial celebration kicks off, here's a little history behind the Chevy bowtie.

Durant's version of how the logo came into existence is well known. The long-accepted story, confirmed by Durant himself, was that it was inspired by the wallpaper design in a Parisian hotel. According to The Chevrolet Story of 1961, an official company publication issued in celebration of Chevrolet's 50^th anniversary, "It originated in Durant's imagination when, as a world traveler in 1908, he saw the pattern marching off into infinity as a design on wallpaper in a French hotel. He tore off a piece of the wallpaper and kept it to show friends, with the thought that it would make a good nameplate for a car."

However, conflicting accounts have emerged, each of which is plausible enough to deepen the mystery and suggest it may never be solved. Two of the alternate origins come from within the Durant family itself.

In 1929, Durant's daughter, Margery, published a book entitled, My Father. In it, she told how Durant sometimes doodled nameplate designs on pieces of paper at the dinner table. "I think it was between the soup and the fried chicken one night that he sketched out the design that is used on the Chevrolet car to this day," she wrote.

More than half a century later, another Bowtie origin was recounted in a 1986 issue of Chevrolet Pro Management Magazine based on a 13-year-old interview with Durant's widow, Catherine. She recalled how she and her husband were on holiday in Hot Springs, Va., in 1912. While reading a newspaper in their hotel room, Durant spotted a design and exclaimed "I think this would be a very good emblem for the Chevrolet." Unfortunately, at the time, Mrs. Durant didn't clarify what the motif was or how it was used.

That nugget of information inspired Ken Kaufmann, historian and editor of The Chevrolet Review, to search out its validity. In a Nov. 12, 1911 edition of The Constitution newspaper, published in Atlanta, an advertisement appeared from by the Southern Compressed Coal Company for "Coalettes," a refined fuel product for fires. The Coalettes logo, as published in the ad, had a slanted bowtie form, very similar to the shape that would soon become the Chevrolet icon. Did Durant and his wife see the same ad - or one similar - the following year a few states to the north? The date of the paper was just nine days after the incorporation of the Chevrolet Motor Co.

One other explanation attributes the design to a stylized version of the cross of the Swiss flag. Louis Chevrolet was born In Switzerland at La Chaux-de-Fonds, Canton of Neuchâtel, to French parents, on Christmas Day 1878.

Whichever origin is true, within a few years, the bowtie would emerge as the definitive Chevrolet logo. An October 2, 1913 edition of The Washington Post seems, so far, to be the earliest known example of the symbol being used to advertise the brand. "Look for this nameplate" the ad proclaims above the emblem. Chevrolet customers have been doing so ever since.

Many variations in coloring and detail of the Chevrolet bowtie have come and gone over the decades since its introduction in late 1913, but the essential shape has never changed. In 2004, Chevrolet began to phase in the gold bowtie that today serves as the brand identity for all of its cars and trucks marketed globally. The move reinforced the strength of what was already one of the most-recognized automotive emblems in the world. More than 4.25 million Chevrolets were sold in more than 120 countries and regions during 2010.

The All-New Chevy Sonic Coming to Middle Tennessee in Late 2011

Chevrolet is introducing the all-new 2012 Chevrolet Sonic small car to Middle Tennessee consumers as its newest vehicle. The Sonic boasts a youthful and aggressive design, backed by a turbocharged performance and agile ride and handling, combining to deliver an efficient, fun-to-drive small car.

The Sonic is offered in two body styles: a stylish four-door sedan and a sporty five-door. Each delivers class-leading rear-seat roominess and cargo space. A variety of connectivity features enhance the driving experience.

“We anticipate that the Sonic will dominate the Nashville small car market when it hits our dealership later this year. It’s the perfect blend of great design, a fun driving experience, and performance value,” said Carl McNickle, Tom Bannen Chevrolet.

Sonic’s highlights include:

• Efficient Ecotec 1.4L turbo engine rated at an estimated 138 horsepower (103 kW); available with a six-speed manual transmission
• Standard Ecotec 1.8L engine paired with five-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmissions
• Standard electronic power steering and StabiliTrak electronic stability control with rollover sensing
• Sedan model offers segment-best trunk capacity and rear-seat roominess; hatchback has greater cargo capacity than competitors
• Connectivity includes standard OnStar with six months of Turn-by-Turn navigation. Available features include XM Satellite Radio, USB and Bluetooth functionality and MyChevrolet mobile application with OnStar MyLink vehicle connectivity
• Remote start, heated front seats and sunroof, all rarities in the segment 
• Comprehensive safety features include 10 standard air bags, antilock brakes, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist and OnStar with Automatic Crash Response

Production of the Sonic will begin later in 2011 and is the only small car built in the United States. Chevrolet revealed the 2012 Sonic at the North American International Auto Show.

Announcing the Chevrolet Model Wrap-Up Sales Event

We’re always proud to share that we have a full line-up of award-winning Chevy vehicles, and this year Chevrolet has been gaining even more attention from the press and consumers alike. Chevy has been recognized with five Consumer’s Digest Best Buy awards, five IIHS Top Safety Picks, and the social media space is buzzing with positive feedback! Now it’s time to show our appreciation.
July 6th marks the beginning of the Model Year Wrap Up.  It’s time for customers to get in on our greatest model year yet! Right now, we’re offering extra incentives on the 2011 Chevy Cruze, Malibu, Equinox Traverse, and Silverado. Click on the image for the full details. Call us today at 615-851-8000 to learn more, or click here to search our new inventory now. Visit Tom Bannen Chevrolet today!

Tom Bannen Chevrolet Celebrates 100 Years of Chevy

Tom Bannen Chevrolet Celebrates 100 Years of Chevy

·         Begins 100-day countdown to November 3 birthday

·         Centennial Experience launches at Chevy100.com

·         Fans can vote for their favorite Chevy of all times

·         Local Centennial events and activities to engage owners and fans in Nashville, TN

 Nashville, Tennessee 07/31/2011 – Chevrolet and Tom Bannen Chevrolet will celebrate the countdown to Chevy’s 100^th birthday on November 3 by encouraging local Middle Tennessee customers and fans to tell their Chevy stories, vote for their favorite Chevrolet cars and trucks, and take the birthday party to Nashville with the help of Chevrolet and Tom Bannen Chevrolet.

“Chevrolet has touched the lives of countless owners, families and fans in our community,” said Andrea Pitt of Tom Bannen Chevrolet.  “The Centennial is an opportunity to recognize these connections and celebrate Chevy’s role in our lives.”

In the United States, Chevrolet kicked off the 100-day countdown to its 100^th birthday with the launch of the Centennial Experience at Chevy100.com that will:

·         Help fans to pick their favorite Chevrolet of all time from a list of 16 iconic vehicles, starting with the 1912 Chevrolet Six that helped launch the company, and concluding with the revolutionary 2011 Chevrolet Volt extended-range electric vehicle;

·         Encourage fans to share stories and photos about the roles that Chevrolets have played in their lives via social media channels such as the Chevrolet Facebook page.

·         Direct fans in Nashville to Centennial activities in their communities via a Facebook calendar listing Chevrolet events;

·         Share a vision for the future of Chevrolet.

During the Centennial period, Chevrolet will continue to showcase its future with important U.S. product launches, including the nationwide rollout of the Volt extended-range electric vehicle, the U.S. launch of the Sonic small car, and media previews for the next generation Malibu.  Chevrolet also expects to make several announcements regarding future products.

Also as part of the Centennial, Chevrolet is partnering with the American Cancer Society^® to help support Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walking events.  Together with its employees, dealers, union partners, and suppliers, Chevrolet will support the American Cancer Society’s efforts to save lives by helping people stay well, helping people get well, by finding cures and fighting back against breast cancer.

Music has played an integral part in Chevrolet’s history, so for the Chevy Centennial, internet radio service Pandora has created a dedicated Chevrolet station playing the Top 100 songs that mention the brand.  A few hits include “American Pie” by Don McLean, “Crocodile Rock” by Elton John, “Little Red Corvette” by Prince, and “Tim McGraw” by Taylor Swift.  The station is accessible at pandora.com/chevy100.

As the countdown toward the Centennial progresses, Chevrolet and Tom Bannen Chevrolet will make additional announcements about Centennial events, and provide new material about Chevy’s 100-year history and its current and future products and technologies.   For additional information, please visit Chevy100.com.

About Chevrolet

Founded in Detroit in 1911, Chevrolet celebrates its centennial as a global automotive brand with annual sales of about 4.25 million vehicles in more than 120 countries. Chevrolet provides consumers with fuel-efficient, safe and reliable vehicles that deliver high quality, expressive design, spirited performance and value. The Chevrolet portfolio includes iconic performance cars such as Corvette and Camaro; dependable, long-lasting pickups and SUVs such as Silverado and Suburban; and award-winning passenger cars and crossovers such as Spark, Cruze, Malibu, Equinox and Traverse. Chevrolet also offers “gas-friendly to gas-free" solutions including Cruze Eco and Volt. Cruze Eco offers 42 mpg highway while Volt offers 35 miles of electric, gasoline-free driving and an additional 344 miles of extended range. 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.com