Published : Jan. 14, 2014 - 19:36
Chevrolet Corvette Stingray. (Bloomberg)
General Motors Co.’s Chevrolet brand swept the North American Car and Truck of the Year awards at the Detroit auto show Monday with its Corvette Stingray sports car and Silverado pickup.
The win, which marks the first time Detroit-based GM has taken both awards since 2007, underscores the automaker’s product resurgence following its 2009 U.S. government-backed bankruptcy reorganization. Ford Motor Co. in 2010 was the last to sweep the awards with the Transit Connect van and the hybrid version of its Fusion sedan.
GM, helped by lower debt, reduced labor costs and a focus on only its strongest brands, is emblematic of a revitalized U.S. auto industry that had its best sales last year since 2007. The largest U.S automaker aims to capitalize on the wins with sales, said Mary Barra, the company’s top product development officer and next chief executive officer.
“I hope that people look, and if they haven’t considered General Motors or Chevrolet they’ll get into the showroom because I’m confident if they get into the showroom they’re going to see a lot of vehicles they like,” Barra told reporters at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
“We’re right in the middle of 32 new products between 2013 and 2014, so my hope is that as we continue to get more of these award-winning products out into the market place that we’ll get attention and continue to win customers.” (Bloomberg)