Disclosure: This post is part of a compensated opportunity with SheBuysCars.com. All opinions expressed are my own. I was provided travel expenses to attend the 2015 Washington Auto Show.
2016 Chevrolet Volt
For as long as I have had children and probably before, I have wanted to go to the Washington Auto Show. Always on the lookout for fun activities, the Washington Auto Show looked like a fun way for my family to learn about new cars. But when they were little, we were busy…very busy. My husband worked full time, coached two high school sports, and went to graduate school at night, while I was worked more or less full time with almost no childcare. Those day were rough. We were lucky if we got to the zoo or a children’s museum every once in a while.
About 11 years ago, life eased up considerably when my husband got his PhD and I took a leave of absence from work. Gone were frantic nights and weekends of cramming in work assignments. We had free time. Life was grand. Except the kids were of an age where each was involved in activities and sports. My oldest played on a recreation, travel, and school volleyball teams. My middle swam and played volleyball as well as played the clarinet. Even my youngest had gymnastics, soccer, lacrosse, and Cub Scouts. Our weeknights were filled with practices while our weekends were packed with basketball games, swim meets, volleyball tournaments, and Scout camp outs.
2016 GMC Yukon XL Denali
I’d just about given up on ever getting to the Washington Auto Show when I was contacted by She Buys Cars. Would I go to the Washington Auto Show for a day of talking about women and cars they asked me. I gave an enthusiastic “Yes!” I did not have to be asked twice. When I heard that I would have a sneak peek at the newly redesigned Chevrolet Volt, I was ready and raring to go. I had heard quite a bit about electrified vehicles (the Chevrolet Volt also has a gas tank) and wanted to learn more.
The Washington Auto Show
The last time I was at the (Walter E.) Washington Convention there were volleyball courts as far as the eye could see. On Media Day, those volleyball courts and players were replaced by rows and rows of cars. It was a sight to behold. The Washington Auto Show covers two entire floors of the Washington Convention Center. Each car manufacturer has an area; the Chevrolet area took up a considerable section of the upper level.
A Volt Panel Discussion: Kevin Kelly, GM’s Manager of Electrification; Britta Gross, GM’s Chief of Advanced Vehicle Commercialization Policy; Pam Fletcher, GM’s Executive Chief Engineer of Electrified Vehicles; and Pablo Valencia, GM’s Battery Manager.
I was invited to Media Day, the day before the Washington Auto Show opened to the public. Media Day was packed. I attended:
- A breakfast with press, bloggers, lobbyists, and automotive reps.
- A press conferences hosted by the Washington Automotive Press Association and the International Motor Press Association.
- A informative guided tour of both floors of the Washington Auto Show.
- An innovation panel moderated by Kim Carpenter of GM, and panelists Pam Fletcher, GM’s Exceutive Chief Engineer of Electrified Vehicles; Reed Kroloff, Principal of jones/kroloff; and Erin Cooper, Research Analyst, World Resources Institute.
A first look at the 2016 newly redesigned Chevrolet Volt.- A Volt Panel Discussion at lunch moderated by Kevin Kelly, GM’s Manager of Electrification, and panelists Britta Gross, GM’s Chief of Advanced Vehicle Commercialization Policy; Pam Fletcher, GM’s Exceutive Chief Engineer of Electrified Vehicles; and Pablo Valencia, GM’s Battery Manager.
- A Women in Automotive Panel moderated by SheBuysCars’ Scotty Reiss, and featuring panelists Britta Gross, GM’s Chief of Advanced Vehicle Commercialization Policy; Melanie Batenchuk, Washington Automotive Press and blogger at Be Car Chic; and Tori Barnes, GM’s Executive Director of Federal Affairs.
- A Brand Party at the GM display on the floor of the Washington Auto Show.
It was a packed, exciting, and inspiring day talking about cars, specifically the Chevrolet Volt; the role of women in automotive industry; and the powerful influence that Chevrolet Volt owners have had on the 2016 newly redesigned Chevrolet Volt. I left knowing MUCH more about Chevrolet than when I arrived. In fact, did you know that:
- Chevrolet will introduce five new cars with 25 technologies that improve safety, performance, and fuel efficiency for customers.
- That every Chevrolet — from Spark to Silverado and Corvette — will offer easy-tuse technologies like 4GLTE, MyLink, and Active Fuel Management.
- In 2014, Chevrolet won more industry awards in the U.S. than any other car company.
