Chevrolet’s GPS Cruze Control

THE COCKPIT of the Cruze is loaded with technological innovations. Photos by Alvin Uy

For Chevrolet, 2011 can be considered a banner year both locally and internationally. It celebrated its 100th birthday locally with a number of milestones, events and new model introductions as well as capping off the year with another stellar sales figure for its yearend report.

From the makers of iconic cars like the Camaro and the Suburban, its introduction of the Chevrolet Cruze in the market was also met with anticipation and success. The Cruze model was awarded last year as the “Philippine Car of the Year 2011” by the Car Awards Group, an automotive award-giving body composed of members of the media covering the auto industry. The Covenant Car Company Inc. (TCCCI), the country’s exclusive distributor of Chevrolet vehicles, parts and accessories, has recently began equipping GPS Navigation and Entertainment Systems in its Chevrolet Cruze model at no extra cost, celebrating the brand’s 100 years and extending its warranty from three years to five years.

One can literally cruise and navigate in confidence with its GPS Navigation and Entertainment systems for all its LS automatic gas, LT automatic gas and LT diesel variants beginning last June. This feature, the first and currently the only one in its class, features an Intelligent Voice Guide, Route Plan, and Advanced POI Management Support, allowing the driver to navigate and manage the roads with more ease while its Bluetooth support and provisions allow for music connectivity with its easy-to-use graphical interface designed to ensure easy and intuitive fingertip controls.  Pairing with an able GPS system is a choice of six-speed automatic transmission with manual mode matted with a 1.8 liter ECOTEC engine with DCVCP and VVT built for performance and fuel economy, the Cruze’s suspension and chassis performs and handles very well and is rated by NCAP with a 5-star safety rating. So it comes as no surprise that the Cruze has led Chevrolet to a back-to-back win in the World Touring Car Championships in driver and constructor titles in 2010 and 2011.

Good year

THERE’S plenty of reasons why this car was chosen Car of the Year by the Car Awards Group Inc.

Last year, Chevrolet Philippines posted a sales growth of 36.4 percent year-on-year (YoY) and its Cruze model was awarded 2011 Philippines Car of the Year and Best Compact Sedan at the Manila International Auto Show while scoring points in gaining customer satisfaction in JD Power’s recent survey.

It has been only two years since TCCCI became Chevrolet’s exclusive importer and distributor here and the 36.4-percent  sales growth was a nice feather on TCCCI’s cap as Chevrolet Philippines celebrated its centennial year last November at SM Mall of Asia. With 2,763 units sold from January to December 2011, it continued to show robust growth from a 54.3-percent  growth from 2,025 units posted from the year before. Aside from the Cruze, its new 5-door Spark mini hatch model added to its stellar sales performance. Globally, it has been estimated that one Chevrolet vehicle is sold in every 6.9 seconds with over 4.25 million cars in 120 countries last year.

In 2011, TCCCI’s dealer network was also increased, opening five new dealerships in Greenhills, North EDSA, Otis-Manila, Cebu and Tacloban, aside from its existing 11 dealerships. Its upcoming sites include the soon-to-open Chevrolet Cagayan de Oro plus four additional dealerships slated for 2012. Despite its growing dealer network, TCCCI managed to improve its after sales services, ranking No.1 by JD Power Survey as “Best After-sales Service” car brand in the country.

TCCCI’s president and managing director lawyer Albert Arcilla attributes Chevrolet’s growing market to its team of dedicated specialists and dealer partners.

“On behalf of the entire team, rest assured that we take your trust in the brand and our management group to heart and will treat it as our covenant to constantly keep you, our customers, happy and satisfied,” Arcilla said.

For 2012, Chevrolet fans can look forward to two new models in its lineup, namely the Colorado pickup and Sonic sub-compact sedan.