General Motors Canada has just announced a new sales incentive that’s sure to get folks headed to their nearest Chevy dealership. As part of the new “First to Cruze” program, customers who purchase their new Chevy Cruze before January 10, 2011 will get a free Apple iPad as a part of the CRUZECONNECT package. That package also includes the ability to use the iPad (or other smartphone) to unlock the doors, start the car or access vehicle information thought the OnStar MyLink app.

Alternatively, customers can choose the CRUZECOVERED package that includes winter tires and “deal protection package for Canadian winters.”

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Official release after the jump:

• PRESS RELEASE
• Be among the “First to Cruze” and receive your choice of no-charge packages:

• • CRUZECONNECT – Unlock your doors, start your vehicle, and access important vehicle information all remotely using the OnStar MyLink mobile app and the included iPad™, or

• • CRUZECOVERED – Ready your Cruze for Canadian winter driving with no-charge winter tires

Oshawa, Ontario (October 6, 2010) – At a starting price of just $14,995, the all-new Chevrolet Cruze aims to change the way Canadians look at compact cars. And now, whether you’re a tech-savvy consumer who appreciates the latest in mobile technologies, or someone who wants the ultimate in winter safety protection, Chevrolet’s First to Cruze program delivers even greater value.

Eligible retail customers who place a sold order or take delivery of a 2011 Chevrolet Cruze on or before January 10, 2011, will receive their choice of one of two special packages: CRUZECONNECT or CRUZECOVERED.

CRUZECONNECT

Cruze will offer the industry’s first-ever mobile applications through OnStar which will allow customers to interact with their vehicle through select smartphones or other devices that connect to the internet, such as the Apple iPad. Unlock your doors, start your vehicle, and access important vehicle information all remotely using the OnStar MyLink mobile app and the included 16GB, Wi-Fi-enabled Apple iPad.

CRUZECOVERED

With traction control, ABS, Stabilitrak, and 10 airbags all standard, Cruze is designed for optimal safety protection.  Building on this impressive suite of safety features, Chevrolet will provide customers who choose CRUZECOVERED with no charge winter tires, making it an ideal protection package for Canadian winters.

“A proven success in over 60 countries around the globe, Cruze is designed to deliver the segment-leading attributes most important to compact car customers,” said Marc Comeau, vice president of sales, service, and marketing for Chevrolet Canada. “Cruze offers Canadians more for their money than any other compact car competitor, and our First to Cruze program takes that value to unmatched levels.”

Cruze is expected to deliver best in class* fuel consumption, class-exclusive 10 airbags, and the Best Coverage in Canada.  With two sophisticated and highly efficient 4-cylinder engines, both paired with 6-speed transmissions, Cruze also offers a fun, responsive and refined driving experience.

The Camaro Convertible has been an on-again, off-again model for Chevy. Officially, it is now on-again and in case you don’t believe the rumors, here are a few pics of the car sitting outside GM’s Oshawa, Canada plant – where the new Camaro is assembled.

No doubt the decision to go ahead with the car as a 2011 model was made after the popularity of the hard-top, with 14,000 pre-orders. In fact, the Camaro plant in Oshawa is running at heightened capacity and the summer brake has been delayed in an effort to keep up with demand.

With few convertibles offered any more, GM is poised to grab a big portion of the drop-top market. We would also expect that fleet sales of the convertible to rental car agencies could be high, especially if Chrysler eliminates the Sebring Convertible.

Sales of the Camaro Convertible are also likely to be majority V6 models and as the hard-top gets 30 highway mpg, we can expect similarly high numbers for the open-air machine. No doubt the car’s fuel-economy factored in to the green-lighting of the project by GM’s new bosses.

After reviewing the hard-top, we’re certain a convertible version is a good plan. The car’s comfortable sedan-like ride will work well for top-down cruising and we definitely won’t be able to complain about a lack of head room. With the Camaro’s curb weight in excess of 3,800 lbs, however, expect the drop-top to weight in at over 4,000 lbs.

[Source: Autoblog]

[Photo Credit: Brad Miller]

Days after General Motors announced it would cut it’s number of dealerships in the U.S. by 1,124, GM Canada is following suit. The number of Canadian GM dealerships being closed may sound much smaller at 292, however, with roughly 700 dealerships nationwide, the cuts represent a 42 percent dealership reduction.

GM Canada says the Sales & Service agreements it holds with the dealerships will not be renewed once they expire in October of 2010.

GM Canada says it focused on cutting dealerships in urban areas with higher populations, in an effort to continue to offer GM vehicles in rural communities as well. Considering the country’s large land mass and relatively small population, however, visiting a GM dealership after October 2010 may mean a much longer drive for some rural residents.

“The end result in Canada will be a more competitive dealer network with higher volumes, while continuing to maintain the strongest and broadest dealer network in the country better equipped to serve GM customers,” reads a GM Canada statement.

Official release after the jump:

GM Canada Statement Regarding Canadian Dealer Network Consolidation Activities

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Oshawa, ON, May 20, 2009 — GM Canada, at the request of the Federal and Ontario Governments, accelerated its restructuring and released a revised, more aggressive Operating Plan on April 27^th,  which included plans to reduce the number of GM dealerships in Canada by approximately 42%.  Today, GM Canada will advise Canadian dealers of the specifics of our network consolidation plan, including the identification of dealers whose Sales and Service agreement would not be renewed following expiry in October 2010.  The goal is to accomplish this reduction in an orderly, cost-effective and customer-friendly way.

Due to the unique aspects of our Canadian dealer network, we have focused our network rationalization efforts on key urban markets in an effort to achieve a viable network configuration all across Canada. The end result in Canada will be a more competitive dealer network with higher volumes, while continuing to maintain the strongest and broadest dealer network in the country better equipped to serve GM customers.

General Motors of Canada (GMCL) is headquartered in Oshawa Ontario and employs 12,000 people nationwide.  GM of Canada manufactures vehicles, vehicle powertrains, and markets the full range of General Motors vehicles and related services through approximately 700 dealerships and retailers across Canada.