Chevrolet Volt Wins The Grand Prix De l'Environnement 2009

PARIS, France – February 11, 2009: The Chevrolet Volt was awarded the Grand Prize for Environment at the 24th Festival Automobile International in Paris for its ground-breaking technology.

For 24 years, the Festival Automobile International has recognized automotive innovation in an industry that arouses emotion and passion. In this year’s presentation, the festival organizers nevertheless underlined the fact that the present economic crisis undoubtedly will change our perception of the automobile and the way we use our car. “Designers, engineers and marketing people in the automotive business will have to come up with new valid responses to this new paradox: to conceive an automobile answering new expectations and new requirements without compromising on charm,” said Remi Depoix, President of the Festival.

With those new themes in mind, the members of the jury composed of industry representatives, artists and media executives presided by architect Jean-Michel Wilmotte and four-time Formula One world champion Alain Prost awarded the Chevrolet Volt the “Grand Prix de l’Environnement 2009”.

The Chevrolet Volt uses GM’s ground-breaking electric propulsion system, called Voltec, for extended-range electric vehicles. For trips up to 60 km, the Volt will run only on lithium-ion battery power charged via a standard 230v outlet. For longer distances, the car will continue to drive on electricity that is generated by a small internal combustion engine. Electricity drives the wheels at all times and speeds.

“It is a great honour to receive this award on behalf of General Motors and all those who have worked on this pioneering project. The Chevrolet Volt redefines automotive transportation,” said Brent Dewar, GM Europe Vice President, Sales, Marketing & Aftersales. “Using the Voltec propulsion system, the vehicle offers our customers several hundred kilometres of electric driving thus responding to today’s and tomorrow’s energy and environmental challenges.”