Chevrolet PH Re-Starts Dealer Operations

The Covenant Car Company, Inc. (TCCCI), the exclusive importer and distributor of Chevrolet automobiles and parts in the Philippines, has announced the resumption of business operations of Chevrolet dealerships in various regions, as select areas transition to the government-mandated Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ) or General Community Quarantine (GCQ), while some cautiously implement a more localized quarantine.

Chevrolet Cagayan de Oro, Chevrolet GenSan, Chevrolet CamSur, and Chevrolet Ilocos Norte reopened last May 4 and 5, while the rest of the dealerships in Luzon, including Metro Manila, Visayas, and Mindanao scheduled the resumption of their sales and aftersales operations today.

Here is the list of Chevrolet dealerships that reopened last May 16, 2020:

Metro Manila

• Chevrolet Alabang
• Chevrolet Commonwealth
• Chevrolet Greenhills-EDSA
• Chevrolet Pasig

Luzon

• Chevrolet Batangas
• Chevrolet Carmona
• Chevrolet Dagupan
• Chevrolet Pampanga

Below is the list of Chevrolet dealerships that resumed business operations on May 18, 2020:

Metro Manila

• Chevrolet Makati (Service Center only)
• Chevrolet North EDSA
• Chevrolet Shaw

Luzon

• Chevrolet Cainta
• Chevrolet Imus Cavite
• Chevrolet Sta. Rosa

Visayas

• Chevrolet Bacolod
• Chevrolet Iloilo

Mindanao

• Chevrolet Davao

Chevrolet Makati’s Sales operations will resume on May 25, 2020, while Chevrolet Otis-Manila, Chevrolet Quezon Avenue, and Chevrolet Cebu-Mandaue will remain temporarily closed until further notice.

TCCCI encourages Chevy customers to schedule their dealership visit ahead of time, as the number of individuals inside the showroom and service area will be strictly managed. Customers may call the dealerships directly or call the 24/7 Chevy Hotline at 5328-2438 to book their appointments.

For Android users, customers may download My Chevrolet Connect App where they can easily book their vehicle service or test drive appointments.

TCCCI together with its Chevrolet dealer partners nationwide, are implementing stringent safety protocols in all showrooms and service centers to ensure the safety of its employees and customers amidst the national concern on the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We are taking all the necessary precautions to ensure the safety of the Chevrolet community. While our business continues to operate, the wellness of our employees and our customers during these extraordinary times remain our top priority,” said Atty. Alberto B. Arcilla, President and Chief Executive Officer of TCCCI.

The Chevrolet dealerships in the country are heightening their regular hygiene and sanitation protocols, and carrying out stricter regulations in sanitizing all Chevrolet vehicles entering and leaving the dealerships.

The following measures are progressively put in place in Chevrolet showrooms and service centers:

• Mandatory temperatures checks of employees and customers entering the dealership premises
• Mandatory wearing of protective equipment, including face mask, for all employees
• Alcohol dispensers or hand sanitizers are readily available in key areas of the dealership, including showroom and service reception areas
• Foot pad disinfectants are made available at the main entrance of the showroom and service workshop area
• Common areas inside the dealership, including customer and service lounges, transaction areas, meeting rooms, and restrooms are sanitized every two (2) hours and before and after business hours
• General cleaning and sanitation of dealerships at least once a week
• Chevrolet vehicles on display and test drive units are sanitized regularly
• Chevrolet vehicles and genuine parts delivered to the dealership are sanitized
• Brand new Chevrolet vehicles scheduled for delivery or vehicles set for service unit release are sanitized

Chevrolet is also implementing additional guidelines for the sanitation of all Chevrolet vehicles that are delivered to the dealership, brought in for service, or are scheduled for customer delivery. To ensure everyone’s safety, the vehicles are sanitized using recognized system products in the automotive industry.

Chevrolet Finishes Off Trailblazer, Captiva SUVs

With Chevrolet pulling out of the Thai market by the end of the year (including manufacturing), the American carmaker has announced the end of sale of its two SUVs manufactured there: the Captiva and Trailblazer.

This comes as Chevrolet continues to hold its “Hot Deal Sale,” which is basically a liquidation sale on remaining inventory. With discounts amounting to about 249,000 Baht (P 393,000~), Thai buyers took the opportunity to snap up all remaining Trailblazer and Captiva SUVs.

The remaining model with stocks is the Colorado pickup truck. However, Chevrolet Thailand says that with discounts of up to 200,000 Baht (P 316,000~), they expect to finish off all remaining inventory there before the end of their fire sale on July 31.

Despite Chevrolet’s decision to pull out of the Thailand market (and subsequently all manufacturing in Southeast Asia), the company is assuring owners that they will continue to provide aftersales service and genuine parts.

The Covenant Car Company, Inc. (TCCCI), the exclusive distributor of Chevrolet vehicles in the Philippines has also assured customers that sales and aftersales will continue unimpeded.

Chevrolet "Tech Eyes" to Help Dealers Solve Complex Vehicle Repairs

Chevrolet service technicians at dealerships across the Philippines will soon be utilizing online “Tech Eyes” support from The Covenant Car Company, Inc.’s (TCCCI) Technical Assistance Center (TAC) engineers to solve complex vehicle repair problems more effectively. “Tech Eyes” is part of Chevrolet’s Complete Care commitment to provide a superior ownership experience for its customers nationwide.

Tech Eyes enables service technicians to conduct remote vehicle diagnosis assisted by aftersales experts and service engineers from TCCCI, the exclusive importer and distributor of Chevrolet automobiles and parts in the Philippines. The program also allows the local team to efficiently troubleshoot repair problems with offshore GM engineers when needed.

The online vehicle diagnostics program modernizes the quality service that Chevrolet dealerships provide Chevy owners. As dealerships and aftersales service facilities operate in a “new normal” under general community quarantine (GCQ), “Tech Eyes” also helps in maintaining physical distancing measures in Chevrolet dealer facilities, ensuring the safety of Chevrolet customers, dealer employees, and TCCCI personnel.

The technical team will make use of scan tool, wireless headphone, HD webcam, high-speed internet, laptop, and Microsoft Teams meeting application to diagnose and fix vehicle issues in real time, including hard-to-detect problems related to software programming, electrical wiring, and problems related to vehicle control modules.

Repairs conducted with Tech Eyes support is expected to achieve efficient completion rates, lessening the time spent of vehicles in services bays, and deliver a higher level of servicing and more attentive client support.

Chevrolet Thailand initiated the Tech Eyes program and is one of the few automotive brands in Thailand to offer such a service. GM has gradually applied this practice to other export markets. The online vehicle diagnostics program will be implemented in the Philippines this May, when dealerships reopen.

Tech Eyes is just one of several initiatives of Chevrolet Philippines in improving its Complete Care aftersales services. Chevrolet Philippines will roll out its Certified Service Caravan, which was piloted in Chevrolet Cebu Mandaue last February 2020.

GM Will Engineer, Make Honda's New Electric Vehicles

General Motors and Honda are jointly developing two all-new electric vehicles for Honda, based on GM’s global EV platform and powered by the American carmaker’s proprietary Ultium batteries.

The exterior and interior of the new EVs will be exclusively designed by Honda, and the platform will be engineered, GM promises, to support Honda’s sporty driving character. Production will be done at GM plants in North America with sales starting sometime 2024 for U.S. and Canada.

GM and Honda have an ongoing relationship around electrification. This includes work on fuel cells and the Cruise Origin, an electric, self-driving, and shared vehicle, which was revealed in San Francisco earlier this year. Honda also joined GM’s battery module development efforts in 2018.

As part of the agreement to jointly develop electric vehicles, Honda will incorporate GM’s OnStar safety and security services into the two EVs, seamlessly integrating them with HondaLink. Additionally, Honda plans to make GM’s hands-free advanced driver-assist technology available.

Chevrolet Promises More Advanced In-Car Connectivity

One hundred years ago, Popular Mechanics magazine predicted that “radio equipment for automobiles is not far away.” They were right. In 1922, Westinghouse installed one of its radios in a “Chevrolet for Campers” concept to the delight of the era’s media. A decade later, Chevrolet introduced factory-installed radios in its cars.

During the past century, Chevrolet and other automakers have introduced a number of technologies to advance in-car listening: record players in the 1950s, 8-track tapes in the 1960s, cassette tapes in the 1970s, compact discs in the 1980s and ‘90s, MP3 players in the 2000s, and now streaming through today’s sophisticated multi-tasking infotainment systems.

In the latest Chevrolet MyLink infotainment system for example, it offers easy access not just to the radio and USB/Aux connected devices, but it also allows for seamless integration with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, enabling hands-free, eyes-on-the-road phone calls and audio streaming.

Going forward, Chevrolet and GM expect to implement even more advanced solutions on future vehicles. Last year, GM announced plans to introduce new in-vehicle technology that will enhance the overall customer experience and make it easier than ever for customers to bring their digital lives into future connected vehicles.

GM’s research shows that many customers prefer an embedded technology experience in the vehicle, and increasingly expect seamless integration between the tech in their hands and the tech in their vehicle.

Listening to customer feedback, GM will work with Google to bring new options for a voice assistant, embedded navigation, and more in-vehicle applications to compatible Chevrolet vehicles in regions around the world beginning in 2021, with a broader level of deployment to follow.

Chevrolet PH Extends Expiring Vehicle Warranty by 2 Months

The Covenant Car Company, Inc. (TCCCI), the exclusive distributor of Chevrolet vehicles in the Philippines joins other carmakers in offering both a grace period for missed Periodic Maintenance Service (PMS) and warranty extensions due to the Enhanced Community Quarantine.

If your Chevrolet vehicle had or has a PMS scheduled in March, and it cannot be serviced due to the Enhanced Community Quarantine, the carmaker is offering a 30-day grace period until the end of April 2020. In addition, they’re assuring customers that missing a PMS in March will not void the warranty coverage.

For vehicles with warranties expiring in March, Chevrolet is automatically extending warranty coverage by two months—double the typical extension announced by other carmakers.

U.S. Auto Manufacturing Grinds to a Halt

The U.S. “Big Three” will now idle their manufacturing facilities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico at least until the end of the month due to COVID-19.

General Motors, Ford, and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles issued statements separately regarding their decision to idle production—marking a costly and dramatic step to battle the pandemic that automakers had hoped to avoid.

Before the complete shutdown, the three automakers initially wanted to just slow down its manufacturing opting to put enhanced safety measures in place. That all changed though when a Ford worker at its Michigan assembly plant tested positive, while the Illinois plant that makes the Explorer suspended operations after its supplier closed after a worker there got the virus.

For FCA, two COVID-19 cases were detected among its workers, and this prompted them to close down their manufacturing through the end of March. And while General Motors hasn’t said if any of its workers contracted the virus, they are doing the same to “keep their plant environments safe” and because “it’s the right thing to do now.” A person did test positive, but at the GM Technical Center.

While not part of the U.S. Big Three, American Honda will also halt production at its five assembly plants and three powertrain plants in North America as will Hyundai at its assembly plant in Alabama and Nissan in Tennessee.

China's Great Wall Motors to Acquire GM's Thailand Manufacturing Facility

China’s Great Wall Motors (GWM) is setting its sights on the ASEAN market with the announcement that they’re the ones buying GM’s manufacturing facilities in Rayong, Thailand. This comes as GM finds continued manufacturing in ASEAN to be unfeasible.

The agreement, still subject to government and regulatory approvals, will include both the Rayong vehicle assembly and powertrain facilities. Both Great Wall and General Motors are targeting end of 2020 to close the deal and hand over the site.

Headquartered in Baoding, Hebei, China, Great Wall Motors sells passenger cars and trucks under the Great Wall brand and also under the Haval and WEY brands.

GWM global strategy vice president Mr. Liu Xiangshang said: “The global strategy of Great Wall Motors has begun to take shape after more than 10 years of development. In the past two years, through the export model transformation and upgrades, Great Wall Motors has accelerated the pace of its strategic global rollout. In 2019, Great Wall Motors’ Tula plant in Russia successfully started production, and the company also reached an agreement with GM to acquire its Talegaon Plant in India in early 2020.

“The acquisition of GM’s Thai Rayong plant will help the business development of Great Wall Motors in Thailand and the ASEAN market. Great Wall Motors will expand through the entire ASEAN region with Thailand as the center, and export its products to other ASEAN countries as well as Australia.

“The ASEAN automotive market is a developing market and a market with great prospects and potential. Entering the Thai market is the first step for Great Wall Motors to enter the ASEAN market, and is also an important step in Great Wall Motors’ global strategy. Great Wall Motors’ investment will create more jobs in the local area, including direct and indirect employment and further enhance skill development in the automotive industry. We will also promote the development of the local supply chain, R&D and related industries, plus contribute more to the exchequer of both the local Rayong and Thailand governments,” said Liu Xiangshang.

Since commencing manufacturing in 2000, the Rayong site has produced nearly 1.4 million trucks and large SUVs for domestic and export markets, as a regional manufacturing hub for mid-size trucks, SUVs and diesel engines.

GM International Operations Senior Vice President, Julian Blissett, said the company had taken the difficult decision to cease manufacturing operations in Thailand after undertaking a detailed analysis of the business case to allocate a future product program to the site.

“With globally-recognized efficiency and achieving key quality benchmarks, the team at Rayong has delivered world-class vehicles for domestic and export markets for two decades,” said Blissett.

“Our decision to cease production at the Rayong site is based on GM’s global strategy and optimization of our manufacturing footprint around the world. In this context, sale of the Rayong plants to GWM is best option to support future vehicle manufacturing at this site.”

Chevrolet PH Assures Adequate Aftersales Support Amidst GM Decision to Shutter ASEAN Assembly

The Covenant Car Company, Inc. (TCCCI), the exclusive distributor of Chevrolet in the Philippines has released an official statement regarding General Motor’s decision to withdraw the Chevrolet brand from the Thailand market, and to sell its Rayong manufacturing facility.

For the sake of transparency, we are publishing their statement in full:

“Following the difficult decision by GM to cease local manufacturing and withdraw the Chevrolet brand from sale in Thailand by the end of 2020, GM wishes to reaffirm its partnership with TCCCI and continued focus on growing the Chevrolet brand and business in the Philippines. 

GM Southeast Asia President, Hector Villarreal, reconfirmed GM’s partnership with TCCCI in the Philippines and the company’s ongoing commitment to ensuring our regional customers’ Aftersales needs are met.  

“The Philippines remains a very important market for GM and Chevrolet, and we will continue working with our valued partners at TCCCI to grow Chevrolet in the Philippines.” 

“Customers can also rest assured we are committed to maintaining Aftersales continuity and the flow of spare parts to our customers in Thailand, Philippines and across the region. A dedicated Aftersales and Customer Care team will remain in Thailand to ensure our customers across the region, including the Philippines, are continued to be looked after,” said Mr. Villarreal.

Now that we have the official statement out of the way, it’s worth noting that the press statement did come with one ominous line:

“More information from The Covenant Car Company, Inc. (TCCCI) will be shared soon.”

Taking this line in context with Chevrolet’s decision to pretty much withdraw its sales and manufacturing footprint in the Southeast Asian region, could mean that the American brand will undergo a transformation, perhaps sourcing its products outside the ASEAN region. It’s highly likely they will look to GM’s massive presence in China in search of new product offerings. They will also likely expand their offering of North American units beyond the Tahoe and Suburban which were previously confirmed for the local market.

UPDATED: Chevrolet to Stop Production in Thailand, To Pull Out of Thai Market by End of 2020

UPDATE: Chevrolet PH has released an official statement. Read it here (2/18).

Today is a sad day for Chevrolet. General Motors, the parent company of the bowtie brand said that they have put up their Rayong, Thailand manufacturing facility up for sale, and that they’re withdrawing altogether from the highly-competitive Thai domestic market by the end of the year.

This news comes at the heels of their decision to also wind down and retire the Holden brand in Australia and New Zealand by 2021.

In a formal announcement made today, GM says that it has managed to sign a binding term sheet with Great Wall Motors of China to purchase the Rayong vehicle manufacturing facility which currently makes the Trailblazer SUV and Colorado pickup truck.

“I’ve often said that we will do the right thing, even when it’s hard, and this is one of those times,” said GM Chairman and CEO Mary Barra. “We are restructuring our international operations, focusing on markets where we have the right strategies to drive robust returns, and prioritizing global investments that will drive growth in the future of mobility, especially in the areas of EVs and AVs.

“While these actions support our global strategy, we understand that they impact people who have contributed so much to our company. We will support our people, our customers and our partners, to ensure an orderly and respectful transition in the impacted markets.”

According to GM, they undertook a detailed analysis of the business case for future production at the Rayong manufacturing facility in Thailand. Low plant utilization and forecast volumes have made continued GM production at the site unsustainable. And without manufacturing, Chevrolet is unable compete in Thailand’s new-vehicle market.

GM has already sold its Talegaon manufacturing facility in India, made restructuring actions in South Korea, and pulled out of the Indonesian market altogether.

Hummer is Coming Back as an EV with 15,591 Nm of Torque

Hummer is coming back. After becoming the poster child of America’s insatiable demand for large, gas-thirsty SUVs, it’s now turning a new leaf. Now, it’ll be General Motor’s GMC division’s first all-electric truck.

The GMC Hummer will be fully revealed in May of this year, but before that they did reveal the truck’s bold grille along with some key specs: 1,000 horsepower, 15,591 Nm of torque, and a 0-100 km/h time of around 3 seconds. All of these metrics delivered with zero tailpipe emissions and vastly reduced noise.

It’ll be built at General Motor’s Detroit-Hamtramck assembly plant in Michigan.

The World's First Chevrolet Corvette C8 Sold for P 152.5 Million

The history-making VIN # 0001 of the first mid-engined Chevrolet Corvette was sold for a whopping USD 3 million (~ P 152.5 million) at the 49th Annual Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction.

The black-on-black Corvette Stingray 3LT with the Z51 performance package was auctioned to help The Detroit Children’s Fund, a nonprofit focused on high-potential investments to provide Detroit school children the opportunity to receive an excellent education.

The winning bid was placed by Rick Hendrick, founder and CEO of Hendrick Companies.

Hendrick will be able to get his mid-engined Corvette earlier than everyone else as assembly of the all-new sportscar hasn’t even started yet. Regular customer deliveries will commence before the end of February.

The all-new 2020 Corvette comes with a 6.2-liter V8 producing 495 horsepower and 637 Nm of torque. It’s the most powerful Corvette ever with a 0-100 km/h time of about 3 seconds. It’s also capable of achieving in excess of 1G on the skid pad.

The Chevrolet Suburban Receives Its Own Hollywood Walk of Fame Star

The Chevrolet Suburban became the first vehicle ever to receive its own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, recognizing the SUV’s 67-year career in Hollywood film and television.

During its acting career the Suburban evolved to become the ultimate character actor, able to play the hero, the villain, or the family alike.

The relationship between the Chevy Suburban and Hollywood began in 1952, when it first appeared on the silver screen. Since then, Suburban has starred in more than 1,750 films and television series. It has appeared in at least one television series every year since 1956, and at least one film every year since 1960. Suburban has also appeared in more than 30 award-nominated films.

The filmography is even more impressive when combined with the Chevy Tahoe. Together, Tahoe and Suburban have appeared in more than 2,500 films and television shows. Since the Tahoe was introduced in 1995, it has appeared in at least one film and television show every year.

Driving Thru at McDonald's Can Win You a Chevrolet Trailblazer or Colorado

Have you driven-thru McDonald’s lately? Now’s probably the best time to do so because you can win a brand-new Chevrolet Trailblazer or Colorado in the process.

From now until December 31, 2019, McDonald’s is giving you more reasons to get excited about ordering your McDonald’s favorites with the Chevy Go-Lucky Promo.

Just order from McDonald’s via Drive-Thru (no minimum purchase required) and get a chance to win a Chevrolet Colorado Storm or Chevrolet Trailblazer Phoenix through an electronic raffle, which will be held on November 28 and January 6.

Visit this website for more details.

Chevrolet is Dead in Indonesia

General Motors, the parent company of Chevrolet will cease vehicle sales in the Indonesian market by the end of March 2020. This was revealed by Hector Villarreal, President of GM Southeast Asia after a comprehensive review of potential future business plans for GM Indonesia.

“Globally, GM is taking tough actions to focus its capital and resources. This difficult decision is consistent with GM’s global strategy to focus on markets where there is a clear pathway to sustainable profitability.

“In Indonesia, we lack the scale and domestic manufacturing footprint to sustainably compete in the volume segments of the market.

“These factors have also made our operations more exposed to broader factors in Indonesia, like softening commodity prices and foreign currency pressures.

“Regrettably, this decision impacts a number of our small team of employees, who GM will support with an appropriate severance package and transition support. We are committed to supporting our stakeholders through the transition.”

“Chevrolet owners can also rest assured that we will continue to honor all vehicle warranties and provide aftersales support. Customers will continue to be able to get their Chevrolet vehicles serviced and repaired at authorized outlets throughout Indonesia,” said Villareal.

Chevrolet’s move to close its Indonesian operations echo Ford’s which shuttered their operations there in 2016.

Drive Home a Chevorlet Trailblazer for As Low as P 38K Down

The Covenant Car Company, Inc. (TCCCI), the exclusive importer and distributor of Chevrolet automobiles and parts in the country, is offering amazing all-in low down payment options on its selection of SUVs, pickups, and small cars from today to December 31, 2019 through its Motorama 2019: Low Down Showdown Promo.

Enjoy all-in low down payment offers on the following vehicles, including the Trailblazer Phoenix and the Colorado Trail Boss:

Chevrolet Trailblazer

• Trailblazer 4x2 LT MT - P 88,000 All-In Low DP
• Trailblazer 4x2 LT AT -  P 38,000 All-In Low DP
• Trailblazer 4x2 Phoenix AT - P 158,000 All-In Low DP
• Trailblazer 4x2 LTX AT - P 128,000 All-In Low DP
• Trailblazer 4x4 Z71 AT - P 98,000 All-In Low DP

Chevrolet Colorado

• Colorado 4x2 LT AT - P 68,000 All-In Low DP
• Colorado 4x2 LX AT - P 68,000 All-In Low DP
• Colorado 4x2 Trail Boss AT - P 78,000 All-In Low DP
• Colorado 4x2 LTX AT - P 118,000 All-In Low DP
• Colorado 4x4 LTZ MT - P 88,000 All-In Low DP
• Colorado 4x4 LTZ AT - P 88,000 All-In Low DP
• Colorado 4x4 High Country Storm AT - P 168,000 All-In Low DP

Chevrolet Trax

• Trax LS AT - P 58,000 All-In Low DP
• Trax LT AT - P 38,000 All-In Low DP

Chevrolet Malibu

• Malibu LTZ AT - P 68,000 All-In Low DP

Chevrolet Sail

• Sail LT MT - P 58,000 All-In Low DP
• Sail LT AT - P 68,000 All-In Low DP
• Sail LTZ AT - P 58,000 All-In Low DP

Chevrolet Spark

• Spark LT MT - P 38,000 All-In Low DP
• Spark Premiere CVT - P 58,000 All-In Low DP

The Chevrolet Motorama 2019: Low Down Showdown Promo includes free comprehensive insurance, 3-year LTO registration, and Chattel Mortgage fees. Qualification for ownership packages is subject to bank approval. The promo is in partnership with China Bank Savings, PNB, RCBC, BDO, Security Bank, Maybank, and BPI Family Savings Bank.

Chevrolet Partners with SAIC on New Joint-Venture Plant for International Markets

The all-new Chevrolet Captiva starts production at a new joint-venture plant in Thailand that will serve both the Thai domestic market and other international markets, likely including the Philippines as well.

The new plant is a joint-venture between Chevrolet and SAIC-GM-Wuling (SGMW), enabling the Captiva to return to global markets. It will also enable Chevrolet to grow its product portfolio, increasing the potential for China market products such as the second-generation Orlando and Tracker to be built in Thailand, and exported from there.

The Captiva will be built with the same “Built-In Quality” or BIQ principle already seen with the Colorado and Trailblazer.

According to Chevrolet, BIQ is fundamentally different compared to the way other automakers operate. Typically, quality inspections are done before vehicles leave the line or plant. This containment approach, known as “quality inspected in,” has several weaknesses. It depends on the ability of quality inspectors to spot problems and requires undoing faults by dismantling and refitting vehicles. To do it that way is time-consuming and costly.

The decision to partner with SAIC-GM-Wuling for the all-new Captiva signals a new era for Chevrolet and will enable both parties to share products, technologies, and manufacturing processes.

The all-new Captiva first originated in Mainland China as the Baojun 530. It is packed with one of the roomiest interiors in the compact crossover segment, enabling engineers to fit seven seats. It also comes with LED headlights and a panoramic sunroof.

Under the hood is a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine with 148 horsepower and 250 Nm of torque. Thanks to a low-inertia turbo that comes into play as low as 1,000 rpm, the peak torque is actually achieved at just 1,600 rpm. Mated to the engine is a CVT with multiple modes. It’s also offered in some markets with a 2.0-liter turbodiesel engine borrowed from the Jeep Compass.

Chevrolet Produces 500,000th Duramax Diesel Engine in Thailand

GM Powertrain Thailand, General Motors’ (GM) first diesel engine plant in Southeast Asia, recently achieved its 500,000th production milestone since production officially started in 2011. It is the first GM facility in the world to produce the four-cylinder Duramax turbo-diesel engine.

Both the 2.5-liter and 2.8-liter Duramax engines currently used in the Chevrolet Colorado and Trailblazer are produced in this facility. They are fairly advanced with a variable-geometry turbocharger, aluminum cylinder head, integrated oil cooler, high-pressure common-rail fuel delivery system for increased output, performance, fuel efficiency and durability. They also feature an EGR cooler for emissions compliance, capable of up to Euro-5 ratings, plus a balancer shaft and laminated lower oil pan for lower NVH (Noise, Vibration and Harshness) during operation.

During the ceremonies, GM revealed that their operations in Thailand is the only facility that fully manufactures the 2.8-liter Duramax diesel engine. Moreover, 20 percent of their total production or around 80,000 engines were exported in 2018 alone.

Chevrolet Celebrates 10 Years Under The Covenant Car Company by Awarding Best Performing Dealers

As The Covenant Car Company, Inc. (TCCCI), celebrates its tenth year as the exclusive distributor of Chevrolet automobiles and parts in the Philippines, they awarded the hard work and excellence of their dealers at the 2018 Chevrolet Grandmasters.

An annual event that recognizes the exemplary commitment of individuals and dealers in serving Chevrolet customers across all aspects from sales, aftersales, and service, the Chevrolet Grandmasters awarded Chevrolet Makati and Chevrolet Iloilo as the 2018 Dealer of the Year – Metro Manila, and Dealer of the Year – Regional, respectively.

“Ten years ago, TCCCI endeavored to re-ignite the passion for Chevrolet. And today, we recognize the remarkable achievement of the entire Chevrolet dealer network and acknowledge the exceptional work of our 2018 Grandmasters who continue to perform towards achieving this objective,” said Atty. Albert Arcilla, President and Chief Executive Officer of TCCCI during the event.

Chevrolet, the most popular and highly-regarded global automotive brand of General Motors, is exclusively distributed by TCCCI since 2009. In the past ten years, Chevrolet has managed to offer an expanded portfolio covering not just US-market products like the Suburban, Camaro, and Corvette, but regional ones like the Colorado and Trailblazer as well.

Vanchana Unakul, General Director for General Motors Southeast Asia Distributor Operations, who also graced the event, shared: “The Philippines is an important market for Chevrolet and General Motors is committed to continue supporting TCCCI and its dealer network in continuing the growth of Chevrolet in the Philippines.”

This is the full list of winners of the 2018 Chevrolet Grandmasters Stewardship Awards.

Service Technician of the Year

• Grandmaster: Carlo R. Manalo of Chevrolet Greenhills – EDSA
• 1st Runner Up: Jovanie Mark B. Camara of Chevrolet Makati
• 2nd Runner Up: Alminio Q. Lagahit of Chevrolet Cebu Mandaue

Parts Consultant of the Year

• Grandmaster: Jenelyn A. Dabuco of Chevrolet Cebu Mandaue
• 1st Runner Up: Rony Boy E. Santelices of Chevrolet Greenhills - EDSA

Service Advisor of the Year

• Grandmaster: Omar C. Manalang of Chevrolet Tarlac
• 1st Runner Up: Jenalene A. Rodriguez of Chevrolet Pasig
• 2nd Runner Up: Candice Christine L. Aquino of Chevrolet North EDSA

Aftersales Manager of the Year

• Grandmaster: Ramiro G. Valladarez of Chevrolet Greenhills - EDSA
• 1st Runner Up: Irene S. Sevilla of Chevrolet Makati
• 2nd Runner Up: Norman B. Satina of Chevrolet Cebu Mandaue

Customer Relations Officer of the Year

• Ginally G. Estrellado of Chevrolet Batangas

Sales Administrator of the Year

• Grandmaster: Jacqueline Jane S. Rojo of Chevrolet Makati
• 1st Runner Up: Rutchell Mae B. Sumaylo of Chevrolet Cagayan de Oro
• 2nd Runner Up: Tricia C. Uyammi of Chevrolet Isabela

Sales Consultant of the Year

• Grandmaster: Loreto L. Baranda, Jr. of Chevrolet Makati
• 1st Runner Up: Maribel S. Pilapil of Chevrolet Batangas
• 2nd Runner Up: Bob Anthony C. Ello of Chevrolet Commonwealth

Group Retail Manager of the Year

• Grandmaster: Ramilo B. Timpad of Chevrolet Cagayan de Oro
• 1st Runner Up: Rex L. Impuesto of Chevrolet Makati

General Sales Manager of the Year

• Grandmaster: Stepfanie Marie F. Wong of Chevrolet Iloilo
• 1st Runner Up: Detmar H. Pfleider of Chevrolet Bacolod
• 2nd Runner Up: Roex R. Pestaño of Chevrolet Makati

Dealer Operator of the Year

• William Irwin I. Tieng of Chevrolet Makati

Meanwhile, here are the winners of the 2018 Chevrolet Grandmasters Departmental Awards.

• Best in Dealer Facilities – Chevrolet Cebu Mandaue
• Best in Marketing – Chevrolet Makati
• Best in Customer Service – Purchase and Delivery Satisfaction: Chevrolet Makati
• Best in Customer Service – Service Satisfaction Survey: Chevrolet Tarlac
• Best in Service (Regional) – Chevrolet Cebu Mandaue
• Best in Service (Metro Manila) – Chevrolet Greenhills - EDSA
• Best in Parts (Regional) – Chevrolet Cebu Mandaue
• Best in Parts (Metro Manila) – Chevrolet Pasig
• Best in Sales (Regional) – Chevrolet Iloilo
• Best in Sales (Metro Manila) – Chevrolet Makati
• Dealer of the Year (Regional) – Chevrolet Iloilo
• Dealer of the Year (Metro Manila) – Chevrolet Makati

Chevrolet Will Have Airless Puncture-Free Tires by 2024

If Michelin and Chevrolet had their way, tire punctures will become a thing of the past. After debuting their airless wheel technology as a concept, the French tiremaker is now moving to a real-world testing environment.

The chosen partner for the tests is Chevrolet’s parent company, GM which will fit them onto a fleet of Chevrolet Bolt EVs. Called the Michelin Uptis or “Unique Puncture-proof Tire System” it will be tested in the Michigan state area en route to a market introduction by 2024.

Airless technology makes the Michelin Uptis Prototype eliminate flats and blowouts. This means Uptis offers significant potential for reducing the use of raw materials and waste while also extending the life of a tire by eliminating the irregular wear-and-tear caused by over- or under-inflation.