>>Chevrolet Expands Lineup With Captiva

Chevrolet Expands Lineup With Captiva

Following a dismal year, General Motors is looking to expand their lineup offering to bring the company back to profitability. Aside from revitalizing the slumping Saturn brand, General Motors is also expanding Chevrolet’s lineup with the new Chevy Captiva 4x4.

The Captiva signals the entry of six new models for General Motors’ most profitable division. The Detroit, Michigan based car manufacturer announced that they will be coming up with six new auto models for the next few years. These will be part of General Motors’ restructuring plan.

During the New York International Auto Show (NYIAS) held earlier this year, General Motors showcased three possible replacement for the aging Matiz. The Groove, Beat, and Trax are the concept cars which were seen as the next additions to General Motors’ lineup in the near future. With the 4x4 Captiva already planned for production, Chevrolet is reported to be developing a new model - possibly either the Groove or the Beat to place below the Captiva in its lineup.

As part of the company’s expansion, the Camaro will be resurrected for the 2009 model year. The popularity of the said car model in the past is seen as a great way to attract new car buyers into the Chevrolet fold. The Camaro is expected to generate interest in the brand which will eventually lead car buyers to be introduced to other auto models that Chevrolet has to offer.

Along with its expansion plan, Chevrolet also announced that they will be working with Vauxhall instead of the Asian carmaker Daewoo. Currently, small Chevrolet cars use platforms developed by the Korean car manufacturer. In the future though, Chevrolet will be sharing platforms with either Vauxhall or Opel. Vauxhall recently launched the Antara which is also being marketed by Opel under the same model name.

In Europe, the production of the Captiva will be handled by the Ukrainian Illichivsk factory. The vehicle will be equipped with standard features such as the anti-lock braking system for all wheels. This feature enhances the safety of the vehicle which can be complemented by efficient brake parts such as those found at Active Brakes Direct.

The Captiva will also come with a traction control system. This feature is designed to prevent or eliminate traction loss as a result of excessive throttle. The system is usually anchored on electro-hydraulic technologies. The system can retard or even suppress combustion in either one or multiple cylinders. It can also reduce the amount of fuel supplied to the combustion chambers. The system can also engage the brakes to ensure maximum traction.

The Captiva will also be equipped with an electronic stability program. This system helps the driver in controlling the vehicle by determining the driver’s steering wheel input and the reaction of the vehicle. If the system detects a possibility that the driver will lose control of the vehicle, it will take action to override and correct the driver’s input.

Another safety feature that the captive will be equipped with is the Active Rollover Protection. It enhances the safety of the occupants of the active by using sensors which can detect if there is a possibility that the vehicle will tip over. The system can then take actions to prevent rollover like engaging the brakes on a select wheel or wheels as the case may be.

Anthony Fontanelle is a 35-year-old automotive.buff who grew up in the Windy City. He does freelance work for an automotive magazine when he is not busy customizing cars in his shop. You can visit Active Brakes Direct for more information.

Article Source: http://www.ArticleBiz.com

By: Anthony Fontanelle