COMPANY PROFILE
2015
Imperial General Motors
www.imperialgm.co.za | +27 (0) 16 421 3800
company profile
The car dealership specialists Editorial: Sarah Dickens
Intent on providing a first class service and in helping its customers choose the car that is right for them, Imperial General Motors currently operates out of six dealerships. With new car models on the horizon offering better technology, better fuel efficiency and a more cost effective alternative – it’s an exciting time to be in the automotive industry…
With 15 years of valuable experience within the South African industry, Premier Motor Holdings remains committed to delivering the highest levels of services to its clients and maintains its mantra, ‘to treat people how we would like to be treated.’ Imperial General Motors has branches across South Africa, in Germiston, Isando, Bloemfontein, Louis Trichardt, Vanderbijlpark, Kimberley and Vereeniging, simultaneously operating a successful truck division. With Opel, Izuzu and Chevrolet models all available at its Vereeniging branch, the latter has enjoyed an especially productive and successful year to date with numerous launches and race wins.
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SUCCESS FOR CHEVROLET The 2016 Cruze is an evolution of the brand’s best-selling global car, fitted with ultra-modern features and the latest technology, including Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. In a statement, Alan Batey, President of General Motors North America, explained: “The 2016 Cruze builds on a very successful program that introduced Chevrolet to new customers the world over. We retained all the attributes that made the original Cruze a hit around the globe and built on them to make this car more sophisticated, more fun and more Chevrolet.” On release, the new model will be offered to more than 40 global markets, reinstating the global reach and resounding reputation the Chevrolet brand continues to hold today.
Imperial General Motors
“The new Cruze is truly one of Chevrolet’s most global vehicles. With content variations dictated mostly by local market demands, customers in every corner of the globe will enjoy the same fundamental dynamics that are making Chevrolet one of the fastest-growing brands around the world,” added Batey. Fitted with an impressive turbo engine helping to ensure a stronger and more powerful performance – accelerating 0-100 km/h in just eight seconds – the new Cruze model has been designed and exported with expert craftsmanship, ensuring customers will get the very best from Chevrolet for their money. “With styling influenced by the acclaimed 2014 Impala and all new Malibu, the 2016 Cruze brings Chevrolet’s new, expressive global design
language to the small car segment,” explained John Cafaro, Executive Director, Chevrolet Design. “The Cruze’s approach to proportion and premium details adds to Chevrolet’s elevation of craftsmanship, content, quality, and a fresh interpretation on an identity that is unmistakably Chevrolet in every market around the world.” Ron Arnesen, Executive Chief Engineer, added: “The Cruze’s chassis system is perhaps the most mass-efficient in the segment. It is at the core of the car’s dynamic driving character, which is designed to deliver fun with an enhanced feeling of connectivity.” A slightly different and sportier addition to the Chevrolet collection is its 2016 Camaro Convertible. Driving comfortably as the 6th
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company profile
© Fingerhut | Shutterstock.com generation of Chevrolet Camaros, it will be the only convertible in the segment to offer a range of perks, including; a hard tonneau cover that will deploy automatically, providing a more refined appearance when the top is lowered and stowed, a fully automatic operation with latches that will automatically release and secure the top, remote opening with the key fob and the enabling the opening or closing at speeds of up to 48kph. In a statement, Todd Christensen, Camaro Marketing Manager, explained: “The 2016 Camaro coupe will set the benchmark for the segment in terms of technology, performance, and design. Adding the most sophisticated top in the segment brings another level of refinement, and driving enjoyment, to the Camaro convertible.” With a real focus on comfort, the architecture of the new convertible has been developed to ensure it does not compromise on driving dynamics, especially when the roof is down. The tonneau cover is not only easy to manoeuvre but is aesthetically pleasing too. Its
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electro-hydraulic power roof system with multilayer construction and built in acoustic and thermal barriers, helps to ensure a peaceful and quiet drive can be enjoyed too. Design Director, Tom Peters, explains the importance of the Camaro’s design: “With many convertibles, you have to affix a tonneau cover manually – if it’s done at all. The Camaro convertible’s automatically deploying hard tonneau not only makes it easier to enjoy convertible driving when the inspiration hits, it ensures the car always looks its best.”
Le Mans 2015 The world’s oldest active sports car race, dating back to 1923, takes place in France on a yearly basis amidst the hot summer days of June. A 24-hour long endurance race, Le Mans has established a reputation as the ‘Grand Prix of Endurance and Efficiency.’ This year’s deserving winners of the GTE Pro category, Oliver Gavin, Tommy Milner and Jordan Taylor, took the title in a No. 64 Chevrolet Corvette C7.R – completing 337 laps for 2,864.50 miles. Now the 8th victory win for the Corvette brand
Imperial General Motors and Corvette Racing in France, it has positioned itself as a worthy and reputable winner, reinstating this title earlier in the year in the Rolex 24 at Daytona and Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring in the TUDOR United Sports car Championship. Of the win, Mark Kent, Director of Chevrolet Racing, said: “This victory adds to what already has been a terrific year for Corvette Racing and the Chevrolet Corvette C7.R. Today’s win at Le Mans goes alongside our successes in the Rolex 24 at Daytona and Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring. It shows the depth of our strengths and determination of everyone at Corvette Racing, GM Powertrain Performance and Racing team, and Pratt & Miller. I’d like to commend all of our partners who contributed to our eighth Le Mans victory.” Jim Campbell, Chevrolet U.S. Vice President, Performance Vehicles and Motorsports, echoed this and explained the sheer support and workmanship that Chevrolet adopts is integral: “I am proud of how the No. 63 and No. 64 drivers, engineers and crew came together to rally around a single Corvette C7.R entry for the race. They prepared thoroughly and had each other’s back all race long. Perseverance, teamwork and execution were keys to the winning effort. “The enthusiasm of the Corvette and Chevrolet owners was overwhelming, and we received messages of support from around the world. The team even did multiple Skype sessions with National Corvette Museum members that were watching the race at the NCM Theatre. It was also great to see a full Corvette Corral here at Le Mans.”
OPEL ASTRA With Opel sold across the showrooms of Imperial General Motors, it is on track to unveil its latest addition later next year – the Opel Astra. “With each generation of Astra we have managed to bring innovative technologies from the upper class into the affordable compact segment and as a result, each generation has raised the bar in terms of safety, comfort and efficiency,” explained Opel Group CEO, Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann. “Following this pattern, the new Astra will once again set standards in the compact class. Amongst others, it will be the first new Opel model to be launched with Opel OnStar’s unique connected service that is ready to help and rescue you 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.” Expected to be introduced into South Africa in
2016, the model will be starring at the Frankfurt Motor Show, 27th - 24th September 2015. Efficient, lightweight, reliable and spacious, the new Astra is certainly a revolutionary and efficient design from Opel. “Three values are decisive for the new Astra - efficiency, innovation and dynamic `performance,” explained Neumann. “Our engineers developed it from the proverbial white sheet of paper. The new Astra is up to 200 kilograms lighter than its predecessor - and its athletic design makes this outwardly visible.” This agile design also ensures a more cost-effective and efficient fuel consumption. As a result of the greatest powertrain offensive in Opel’s history, the new Astra will be powered with the latest generation, state-of-the-art engines.
GREAT SERVICE With a dedicated team of staff across its regional dealerships, Imperial General Motors is always on hand to help select and assist in choosing the car that is right for you and with such a fantastic range on offer, why would you go anywhere else?
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Auto Essentials Radios • Alarm • Gearlocks • Smash & Grab Towbars • B/Tooth Systems A proudly Imperial endorsed accessory fitment centre. Llumar and Matrix approved. We specialise in the fitment of accessories to all vehicles, makes and models and boast the endorsement of most major accessory suppliers including Bosal and Artav. With over 10 years’ experience in our field, our qualified staff undergoes ongoing training to enhance product knowledge and to remain up to date with the latest product trends. e-mail • autoss@webmail.co.za Contact No • +27 (0)11 057 1228 Address • No 1 Stoneridge Drive, Greenstone Hill, Edenvale, Gauteng
Window Film
AFC
Authorised Fitment Centre
Web • www.autoessential.wix.com
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