GM Canada and the CAC Support the Development of Good Coaches that Inspire Canadian Youth to Enjoy an Active Lifestyle

Oshawa (Ontario), December 17, 2008 –According to the Coaching Association of Canada (CAC), good coaching is fundamental to community sport.  In addition to building Olympic dreams, coaches play a critical role as they share the positive aspects of an active lifestyle and teach young Canadians everything from teamwork and character building to the fundamental skills of the sport. To support the development of coaches in Canada, General Motors of Canada and the CAC are proud to award an additional 51 grants of $2,000 each for coaching skill development.

List Attached

“Coaches have an enormous impact on the development of young Canadians,” said Marc Comeau, GM of Canada’s vice-president of sales, service, and marketing.  “With support from the CAC, these grants were designed to invest in coaches in communities across Canada.  We believe that ongoing coach development at the grass roots level is essential whether they are training beginners or Olympians.”

“The CAC is pleased to be partners with GM through the Making Dreams Possible Program. To date this program has touched more than 10,000 coaches and over 125,000 athletes in 131 communities across the country. This program immediately impacts coach development and education and will ultimately benefit Canadian sport as more coaches are introduced to the National Coach Certification Program (NCCP),” commented Jean-Marie De Koninck, Chair, CAC Board of Directors.

Coaching is fundamental to the successful development of youth in sports and we truly appreciate the support we have received this year .We are very proud to have been selected for this fine award and will use the funds received to further develop our coaches in our minor hockey association” said Bill Forman, Coach Coordinator, 100 Mile Minor Hockey Association. “Well trained coaches are of upmost importance when it comes to developing athletes and we have lots of plans for the funds we will receive this year.”

Making Dreams Possible is a program developed by GM in cooperation with the Coaching Association of Canada, the governing body of Canada’s coaching education program and is designed to support coaches of Olympic and Paralympic Sports at the high performance and community levels. 

Community Coaching Grants
GM’s Making Dreams Possible program will provide a minimum of 100 grants of $2,000 each annually for coach development in local communities. Applications can be submitted by head coaches, technical directors or the presidents of local sports clubs.  These grants will be used to fund special projects that develop the skills and abilities of community level coaches. 

High Performance Grants
GM also provides 10 grants of $10,000 each annually to high performance athletes and their coaches.  Applications must be submitted by the high performance athletes and their coaches for these elite grants.

 

The next wave of local sport club and high performance applications closes at 11:59 pm on Sunday February 15th, 2009, with grants to be awarded in April.

About GM Canada
GM Canada is a proud National Partner of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games and Official Sponsor of the Canadian Olympic Team competing through 2012.  GM has an overarching philosophy that includes its support of initiatives such as the Chevrolet Safe and Fun Hockey program and is also the official sponsor for the nation’s premier developmental alpine racing series – the Pontiac GMC Cup –supporting elite amateur ski racers in Canada for more than 40 years. 

About the Coaching Association of Canada
The Coaching Association of Canada (CAC) is a not-for-profit amateur sport organization with the mission of enhancing the experiences of all Canadian athletes through quality coaching. CAC and its partners deliver a leading edge coaching system whose goal is to have an impact on 1,000,000 athletes through the training of 100,000 coaches each year in the National Coaching Certification Program. Visit www.coach.ca for more information about coach education and training.
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Contacts:
Patty Faith
GM Canada
(905) 644-2728

Michèle Dion
Communications Coordinator
Coaching Association of Canada
613-235-5000, ext. 9-2384


Club

Sport

City

Province

100 Mile Minor Hockey

Hockey

100 Mile House

BC

Chilliwack Centre of Excellence

Kayak - Whitewater

Chilliwack

BC

Golden Ears Judo Club Society

Judo

Maple Ridge

BC

Grouse Mountain Tyee Ski Club

Alpine Ski

North Vancouver

BC

Kelowna Skating Club

Figure Skating

Kelowna

BC

Kimberley North Star Racers

Alpine Ski

Cranbrook

BC

Nickel Plate Cross Country Ski Club

Cross Country Ski/Paranordic

Penticton

BC

Saanich Minor Hockey Association

Hockey

Victoria

BC

Sovereign Lake Nordic Club

Cross Country Ski

Vernon

BC

Twisters Gymnastics

Gymnastics

Abbotsford

BC

Vancouver Freestyle Ski Club

Freestyle Skiing

North Vancouver

BC

Whistler Nordics Ski Club

Cross Country Ski

Whitstler

BC

Alberta Ski Academy

Alpine Ski

Edmonton

AB

Canuck Stuff Volleyball Club

Volleyball

Calgary

AB

Ortona Gymnastics Club

Gymnastics

Edmonton

AB

Skimeisters Alpine Racing Club

Alpine Racing

Calgary

AB

Marian Gymnastics Club

Gymnastics

Saskatoon

SK

Prince Albert Gymnastics Club

Gymnastics

Prince Albert

SK

Prince Albert Sharks Swim Club

Swimming

Prince Albert

SK

Regina Ski Club

Alpine Racing

Regina

SK

Saskatoon Track and Field Club

Athletics

Saskatoon

SK

Water Polo Saskatoon Inc.

Water Polo

Saskatoon

SK

Burlington Skating Centre

Figure Skating

Burlington

ON

Caledon Ski Club

Alpine Ski

Caledon

ON

Gloucester Synchronized Swim Club

Synchronized Swimming

Ottawa

ON

Highlands Trailblazers Inc.

Cross Country Ski/Biathlon

Duntroon

ON

Kitchener Waterloo Rowing Club

Rowing

Kitchener

ON


Club

Sport

City

Province

London Synchro Club

Synchronized Swimming

Komoka

ON

Niagara Regional Athletics

Athletics

Niagara Falls

ON

Oshawa Turul Soccer Club

Soccer

Oshawa

ON

Russell Soccer Club

Soccer

Russell

ON

Saltfleet Go Ahead Soccer Club

Soccer

Stoney Creek

ON

Special Friends of Gymnastics

Gymnastics

Windsor

ON

Tumblers Gymnastics Centre

Gymnastics

Orleans

ON

Walden Cross Country Fitness Club

Cross Country Ski/Biathlon

Naughton

ON

Association de Soccer de Blainville

Soccer

Blainville

QC

Club de gymnastique l'Envol de Lévis

Gymnastique

Levis

QC

Club de patinage de vitesse Montreal-Gadbois

Speed Skating

Montreal

QC

Club de plongeon l'Envol

Diving

Laval

QC

Club de ski de fond Montériski

Cross Country Ski

Ste-Julie

QC

Club Dollard Synchro

Synchronized Swimming

Dollard-des-Ormeaux

QC

Équipe de ski zone de l'Estrie

Alpine Ski

St-Lambert

QC

Équipe Division Laurentienne de Ski

Alpine Ski

St-Sauveux

QC

Montreal Athletics Regional Club

Athletics

Lachine

QC

Sport-études Lanaudière, ARPAL

Figure Skating

Terrebonne

QC

Antigonish Stoirm Volleyball Club

Volleyball

Antigonish

NS

Cole Harbour Bel Ayr Minor Hockey Association

Hockey

Dartmouth

NS

Halifax Aqua Nova Synchro Club

Synchronized Swimming

Halifax

NS

Shooting Star Basketball Association

Basketball

Windsor

NS

TAISO Gymnastics Training Centre

Gymnastics

Lower Sackville

NS

Cygnus Gymnastics Training Centre

Gymnastics

St.John's

NL

 

GM Canada October 2008 Sales Results

(Data is not adjusted for the difference in selling days;
October 2008 had 26 selling days vs. October 2007 with 25 selling days)

Oshawa, Ontario (November 3rd , 2008) – For October 2008, General Motors of Canada dealers delivered 28,380 units, off 6.4% from last year’s strong October sales rate.

Marc Comeau, GM of Canada’s vice-president of sales, service, and marketing said, “Despite continued uncertainty in the U.S. marketplace, Canadian industry sales remain on track for the year.  At GM we continued to see solid performance from our award winning new models like the Pontiac Vibe which saw its sales rate double in October, and the Chevrolet Malibu and Malibu Hybrid, up a combined 64.2%.” 

Comeau added, “October continued the trend of consumers purchasing more fuel efficient small cars and crossovers and we remain well positioned with a string of recent launches like the all new Chevrolet Aveo, Pontiac G3 Wave, the Saturn Astra and the Chevrolet Traverse.”

 

October Sales Highlights

  • Pontiac Vibe, recently named AJAC’s (Automobile Journalists Association of Canada) “Best New Small Car over $18,000” saw sales double for the month, up 104.3%.
  • Chevrolet Malibu continues the momentum for the 10th consecutive month, up 64.2% in October and 80.3% Calendar Year to Date.
  • Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra extended cab pick ups, with Active Fuel Management fuel saving technology, are up a combined 9.8% and 1500 series crew cabs are up a combined 8.3%.
  • Buick Enlave remains strong, up 22.6% in October.
  • Pontiac G6 and Chevrolet Impala saw double digit gains, up 52% and 42.4%, respectively.

 

GENERAL MOTORS OF CANADA SALES

 

MONTH OF OCTOBER 2008

 

2008

2007

% CHG

TOTAL CARS

12,737

13,486

-5.6%

TOTAL TRUCKS

15,643

16,841

-7.1%

COMBINED VEHICLES

28,380

30,327

-6.4%


 

CALENDAR YEAR-TO-DATE: October 31st  , 2008

 

2008

2007

% CHG

TOTAL CARS

158,555

163,246

-2.9%

TOTAL TRUCKS

157,282

186,103

-15.5%

COMBINED VEHICLES

315,837

349,349

-9.6%

General Motors of Canada (GMCL) is engineering and manufacturing advanced environmental technologies ranging from Active Fuel Management (cylinder deactivation) and hybrid systems to E85 biofuel and fuel cell vehicles – more than any other auto company right here in Canada.  Headquartered in Oshawa Ontario, GMCL employs more than 15,000 people nationwide.  GM of Canada manufactures vehicles, vehicle powertrains, and markets the full range of General Motors vehicles and related services through 732 dealerships and retailers across Canada.  Vehicles sold through this network include Chevrolet, Buick, Pontiac, GMC, Saturn, Hummer, Saab and Cadillac.

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For further information, contact:
Patty Faith
(905) 644-2728
patty.faith@gm.com

 

GM Canada, Ontario and OPG Charging Forward With Electric Cars

Toronto, Ontario (September 18, 2008) - GM Canada was joined in Toronto today by Ontario Transportation Minister Jim Bradley and Ontario Power Generation (OPG) Chief Nuclear Officer Tom Mitchell to unveil the new production version of the Chevrolet Volt extended range electric car slated to start production by General Motors in 2010.

The three partners announced new Ontario based R&D and public education initiatives that will help prepare the way in Ontario for a new, fast approaching, fleet of safe, highway-ready electrically powered vehicles. The event marked the first public viewing anywhere for the new production version of the Chevrolet Volt since its world debut at GM’s 100th Anniversary event in Detroit on September 16.

“The Chevrolet Volt extended range electric car really embodies the excitement we feel at GM as we look forward to our next 100 years in the automotive business,” said David Paterson, GM Canada Vice President, Corporate & Environmental Affairs. “Partners like the Province of Ontario and OPG play an important role today in paving the way for these exciting new electric car technologies that are right around the corner.”

“Working together to communicate the environmental benefits of the innovative Chevrolet Volt makes sense for both OPG and GM, in that both companies are dedicated to a future that includes cleaner vehicles supported by cleaner electricity,” said OPG Chief Nuclear Officer, Tom Mitchell.  

“Ontario's roads are ready right now for electric vehicles like the Chevrolet Volt,” said Ontario Transportation Minister Jim Bradley.  “Clean, safe transportation options are critical in response to the energy and environmental challenges we are facing, not just here in Ontario, but around the world.”

OPG and GM announced a new public education advertising campaign to raise public awareness of the environmental benefits of cleaner electricity powering new battery driven electric vehicles in Ontario.

GM Canada also announced it will work with OPG and others in the electricity sector on studies to assess the CO2 reduction potential of off-peak evening recharging of electric vehicles like the Chevrolet Volt. 


With provincial and federal support, GM confirmed it is proceeding in Oshawa, Ontario with a new $40 million initiative in advanced technology R&D projects focused on the electrification of the car and other fuel efficiency improvements. This significant automotive advanced technology work, the largest project of its kind in Canada, will be conducted with selected Ontario based suppliers such as OPG and with Ontario universities including the University of Ontario Institute of Technology in Durham Region.

About the Chevrolet Volt
The Chevrolet Volt is leading a new era of electrification of the automobile by creating a new class of vehicle known as the Extended-Range Electric Vehicle, or E-REV. 

The Chevrolet Volt uses electricity to move the wheels at all times and speeds. For trips up to 65 kilometres, the Chevrolet Volt is powered only by electricity stored in its 16-kWh, lithium-ion battery. When the battery’s energy is depleted, a gasoline/E85-powered engine generator seamlessly provides electricity to power the Chevrolet Volt’s electric drive unit while simultaneously sustaining the charge of the battery. This mode of operation extends the range of the Chevrolet Volt for several hundred additional kilometres, until the vehicle’s battery can be charged. Unlike a conventional battery-electric vehicle, the Chevrolet Volt eliminates “range anxiety,” giving the confidence and peace of mind that the driver will not be stranded by a depleted battery.

About General Motors of Canada
General Motors of Canada (GMCL) is engineering and manufacturing advanced environmental technologies ranging from Active Fuel Management (cylinder deactivation) and hybrid systems to E85 biofuel and fuel cell vehicles – more than any other auto company right here in Canada.  Headquartered in Oshawa Ontario, GMCL employs more than 15,000 people nationwide.  GM of Canada manufactures vehicles, vehicle powertrains, and markets the full range of General Motors vehicles and related services through 732 dealerships and retailers across Canada.  Vehicles sold through this network include Chevrolet, Buick, Pontiac, GMC, Saturn, Hummer, Saab and Cadillac.

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2009 Chevrolet Traverse Earns Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) Top Safety Rating

Oshawa, Ontario (August 27, 2008) - The all-new 2009 Traverse crossover, available at Chevrolet dealers this fall, starts at $34,655 MSRP.  The Traverse is a stylish, well-equipped crossover that can still carry part of the hockey team and their gear, but with fuel consumption typical of smaller vehicles.  

“The Traverse is the right vehicle at the right time offering great styling, leading fuel economy, a comprehensive roster of standard and available equipment and the exceptional value expected of a Chevrolet,” said Marc Comeau, vice president of sales, service and marketing for GM of Canada.  “It is perfectly suited to the active lifestyles of Canadian families looking for an efficient, no compromise transportation option.” 

Product highlights include:

  • Optimized aerodynamics that enhance fuel economy and reduce wind noise
  • Four-wheel independent suspension system
  • StabiliTrak electronic stability control system
  • Six standard air bags, including side curtain deployment over all three seating rows
  • Offered in LS, LT and LTZ models, in both front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive configurations
  • Seating for up to eight adults
  • Smart Slide seat feature, allows easy one-handed movement of the second-row seats to provide easy access to the third-row seats
  • Rear-seat entertainment system with second-row controls (optional)
  • OnStar with Turn-by-Turn Navigation and Direction Download and eNav (with navigation system)
  • XM Satellite Radio including NavTraffic real-time traffic feature (with navigation system)
  • Family of 17-, 18- and 20-inch wheels
  • Bluetooth hands-free phone connectivity (optional)

Traverse was recently awarded the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) Top Safety Pick for 2008.  This significant safety award results from the Traverse meeting the Institute’s highest rating for performance in its demanding front, side and rear impacts in addition to providing standard Stabilitrak, GM’s electronic stability control system.

With seating for up to 8 adults, the Traverse (FWD) achieves an impressive 8.4 L/100km of highway and 12.7 L/100km city fuel consumption thanks in large part to its sophisticated 3.6L engine with direct injection and variable valve timing technologies.  Producing 281-horsepower it delivers better-than-expected fuel consumption and a 25-percent reduction in cold-start emissions. The 3.6L engine is mated to the fuel-saving Hydra-Matic 6T75 six-speed automatic transmission. 

General Motors of Canada (GMCL) is engineering and manufacturing advanced environmental technologies ranging from Active Fuel Management (cylinder deactivation) and hybrid systems to E85 biofuel and fuel cell vehicles – more than any other auto company right here in Canada.  Headquartered in Oshawa Ontario, GMCL employs more than 15,000 people nationwide.  GM of Canada manufactures vehicles, vehicle powertrains, and markets the full range of General Motors vehicles and related services through 732 dealerships and retailers across Canada.  Vehicles sold through this network include Chevrolet, Buick, Pontiac, GMC, Saturn, Hummer, Saab and Cadillac.
                                                                        - 30 -

For media enquiries contact:
Tony LaRocca
905-644-1804
tony.larocca@gm.com