Coughlin Chevrolet Buick Cadillac of Marysville

SAN JOSE, CA - Starting today, participating Chevrolet dealers in launch markets will begin taking customer orders for the 2011 Chevrolet Volt, the industry's first electric vehicle with extended-range capability.
 
Chevrolet is so confident in the overall value of the Volt that the brand 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 Chevrolet Volt are scheduled to begin in launch markets late this year with initial production limited.
 
"The Chevrolet Volt will be the best vehicle in its class?because it's in a class by itself," said Joel Ewanick, vice president of U.S. marketing for General Motors, who made the announcement at the Plug-In 2010 conference. "No other automaker offers an electrically driven vehicle that can be your everyday driver, to take you wherever, whenever. The Volt will be packed with premium content and innovation, standard."
 
The Volt will be initially available to Chevrolet customers in California, New York, Michigan, Connecticut, Texas, New Jersey and the Washington D.C. area. To be among the first to purchase a Volt, customers can visit their nearest participating Chevrolet Volt dealer. A Volt dealer locator will be available later today at http://www.getmyvolt.com. The dealer will begin the order process, which will be followed up by contact from a dedicated Volt advisor who will be available to answer any questions and keep the customer apprised of the progress of their order. For customers needing general Volt information, Chevrolet will have a team of Volt advisors available to answer questions starting today at 1-888-VOLT-4-YOU (1-888-865-8496).
 
The Chevrolet Volt is the only electric vehicle that can operate under a range of weather climates and driving conditions with little concern of being stranded by a depleted battery. Volt has a total driving range of about 340 miles and is powered by electricity at all times. For up to the first 40 miles, the Volt drives gas- and tailpipe-emissions-free using electricity stored in its 16-kWh lithium-ion battery. When the Volt's battery runs low, a gas powered range-extending engine/generator seamlessly operates to extend the driving range another 300 miles on a full tank.
 
Depending on their tax situation, Volt owners can qualify for up to $7,500 in U.S. Federal income tax credit, as well as other potential state and local tax credits, depending on location. Owners in certain states may qualify for the added convenience of High-Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane access.  
 
While the Chevrolet Volt will come standard with a 120-volt charge cord that will provide owners with the ability to charge their Volt directly from a standard home electrical outlet, a total of 4,400 Volt buyers in launch markets could be eligible for a free 240-volt charging station, including home installation.  The installations are part of a program developed by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to install approximately 15,000 240-volt home charging stations across the U.S.
 
Technologies Keep Volt Customers Connected
 
When it comes to advanced technology, Volt customers are on the leading edge. The 2011 Chevrolet Volt has standard technology features that link and entertain in innovative ways, starting with standard seven-inch touch screen navigation and an energy-efficient Bose premium audio system.
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The Volt is the first GM vehicle to offer five years of OnStar Directions and Connections service, which includes Automatic Crash Response, stolen vehicle assistance and connected navigation, all standard.  Volt will expand on OnStar's foundation of leading-edge safety and security technology through the introduction of an OnStar-enabled mobile app that connects the vehicle to the owner's smartphone.
 
"We wanted to make the Volt ownership experience unlike anything we've done at Chevrolet, because the Volt is unlike any vehicle we've offered," said Tony DiSalle, director of Chevrolet Volt product marketing. "We want customers to fully enjoy the Volt lifestyle by providing unprecedented connectivity to their vehicle through the Volt mobile app."
 
Unprecedented Warranties Bring Value and Peace of Mind
 
Volt owners will be provided outstanding battery and vehicle limited warranties. The Volt's 16-kWh lithium-ion battery is covered by an industry-leading transferable warranty of eight years or 100,000 miles. In addition, Chevrolet will provide:
 
·         3-year / 36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper coverage
·         5-year / 100,000-mile roadside assistance and courtesy transportation
·         5-year/100,000-mile limited gas engine coverage
·         6-year/100,000-mile corrosion protection coverage 
 
 
The Volt also has an array of standard safety features, including eight air bags -- dual-stage frontal, side-impact, knee, and roof-rail side-impact-and StabiliTrak electronic stability control with Traction Control.  The Volt is constructed of 80 percent high-strength steel for additional safety and protection.
 
Chevrolet will also provide customer assistance via a Volt advisor available 24/7 by phone or Internet. Dealers will also provide on-site dedicated Volt service and sales experts who will be able to address inquiries.
 
NOTE: Later today, Volt marketing director Tony DiSalle and Volt vehicle line director Tony Posawatz will host a live video webchat at 4 p.m. ET/1 p.m. PT from Plug-In 2010 to answer consumer questions about Volt pricing.  Media and consumers can join the conversation on Chevrolet Voltage and the Chevrolet Volt Facebook page.

The Licking County Family YMCA's Western Branch is two thirds of the way to meeting its fundraising goals, almost assuring the facility will remain in Pataskala.

Through Jan, 20, the YMCA had raised $100,000 of the needed $150,000.

Pledges from Coughlin Auto Group and two anonymous donors, among others, enabled the non-profit organization to raise the money.

"I'm not worried at all (about raising the remaining money)," said Edward Bohren, executive director of the Licking County Family YMCA. "This helps us build momentum to get that final $50,000 we need."

Bohren and other YMCA officials kicked off the fundraising campaign late last year.

The organization sought to raise the $150,000 to replace a damaged roof at the Western Branch's facility at 355 W. Broad St. In addition, it wanted to repave the facility's rough parking lot, install an air-conditioner in the Wellness Center and add some equipment.

YMCA representatives announced at a November public meeting that if they could not raise the money to make the needed improvements -- on rainy days, buckets catch water in parts of the Broad Street facility -- they would have to consider leaving Pataskala. They set June as the fundraising deadline.

Western Branch Program Director Dana Ruble credited an anonymous grant writer with helping the YMCA secure $24,000 of the $100,000 it has raised to this point.

The grant came from the Columbus Foundation, and the act of kindness touched Ruble.

"(The grant) didn't come from us," she said. "Someone actually did this -- and writing a grant is not easy. I'm speechless."

The YMCA filled a void when it first located in Pataskala in 2000. The organization initially operated out of a trailer on Ohio 310 and used area churches and other sites for programming space. It later moved to the former Jersey Elementary in Jersey Township before buying its current site on Broad Street, which had been a manufacturing facility. A family's pledge of $1 million enabled the move.

Membershipwise, the Western Branch has grown from catering to dozens in its infancy to more than 1,200 today.

The facility offers numerous youth and adult programs, in addition to a Day Camp, before- and after-school care and a spacious Wellness Center, filled with workout equipment.

YMCA leaders undertook a larger-scale fundraiser close to four years ago, with the idea of raising millions to completely renovate the Broad Street facility.

While that campaign stalled and the YMCA had to return the money it raised, Bohren expressed hope the new campaign will help the organization make the needed repairs at its Western Branch, enabling it to attract more members and offer more programs.

Ruble, meanwhile, said people do not have to donate money to contribute to the Western Branch's restoration effort. Materials or labor also would help, she said.

"We definitely still have needs, but I'm really excited to be two-thirds of the way (toward our fundraising goal)," Ruble said.

*Source: Chad Klimack, http://NewarkAdvocate.com