GM Rally Showcases 16 New and Upcoming Cars and Crossovers at North American International Auto Show

General Motors opened the North American International Auto Show with a road rally of 16 new and upcoming cars and crossovers – including four global premieres – that underscores GM’s ongoing commitment to emotionally compelling design, leading fuel efficiency and advanced technology.

In addition to the four world premieres – the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox, 2010 Cadillac SRX, 2010 Buick LaCrosse and Cadillac Converj concept – Chevrolet announced it will produce and bring to the U.S. the highly fuel-efficient Spark four-door mini car and seven-seat Orlando multi-purpose vehicle.

The production version of the Spark will be unveiled at the Geneva Auto Show in March. Sales of Spark will begin in early 2010 in Europe, followed by other global regions. Originally seen as the Chevrolet Beat concept, the car drew nearly 2 million consumer votes asking GM to build it. Spark will hit U.S. showrooms in 2011. “The Chevrolet Spark will bring great style, roominess and versatility to the segment of extremely fuel-efficient small cars in the U.S.,” said Troy Clarke, president of GM North America. “The decision to add the Spark to Chevrolet’s portfolio reflects the brand’s commitment to being a fuel efficiency leader in the industry.”

A production version of the Orlando show car, introduced last fall at the Paris Motor Show, will also join Chevrolet showrooms in the U.S. in 2011. “The Chevrolet Orlando show car combines the versatility of a sport-utility, a family van and a wagon in a single vehicle,” Clarke said. It has the added benefit of excellent fuel economy, because of its car-based architecture.“More details on GM’s global plans for Orlando will be announced in the near future.”

The Cadillac Converj concept propels Cadillac’s acclaimed design into the future of luxury driving. The concept is a well-appointed grand touring coupe with a bold design, a host of interactive technologies and eco-friendly, renewable materials throughout. The four-passenger Converj concept is intended to show how GM’s revolutionary Voltec electric propulsion system can meet the desires of luxury consumers.

“In many ways, today marks a new beginning for General Motors, as we dramatically accelerate and expand the restructuring that we’ve been driving in North America, and around the globe, for the past several years,” said GM Chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner.

“Buried in all the financial news of recent months, is that we’ve made tremendous progress in recent years in making cars and trucks that consumers really want to buy,” Wagoner said. “At the same time, we’re committed to leading the industry on the most important issue we face over the next generation: the development of alternative-fuel propulsion.”