Today we launched a pretty cool way for you to be involved in the development process of the Chevy Volt while competing for a chance to be among the first ever to test drive a Chevy Volt pre-production car.  It’s a color contest that allows you the consumer the opportunity to officially name the Volt only silver exterior with an emerald hue (pictured at right) we debuted on the Volt during the car’s public reveal last September.

One thing we know in this industry is that color choice is really important in purchase decisions. According to a recent GM study, we found that 39 percent of consumers will walk out of a dealership and purchase from another brand altogether, if they can’t get a vehicle in the color they desire.  So color choice is undoubtedly key, says my colleague Chris Webb over at Chevrolet’s Global Color and Trim department.

So go ahead and think of a creative name that conveys what the Volt represents in Eco innovation, technology, and the Chevrolet spirit. To enter the contest, simply click on the “Submit Your Name Here” link below beginning at 8 a.m. ET on October 22 and follow the instructions to submit your color name. You can submit a name through 8:00 a.m. ET November 4. We’ll then review the entries and pick three finalists to enter a final round of consumer voting.

Check back on November 16 to find out which three finalists we selected and vote for your favorite name through December 1.  Who knows, maybe you will be the one to join us in Los Angeles for a final “vote-off” and a chance to drive a pre-production Chevy Volt.

Complete contest rules follow. I look forward to partnering with your creativity on this process, and can’t wait to read the innovative color names sure to be coming our way.

Best of luck!

-Maria Rohrer, Director, Global Volt & Global Marketing Operations at Chevrolet

Volt Color Naming Contest

Official Rules

NO PURCHASE IS NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN.

The Volt Color Naming Contest (the “Contest”) starts on October 22, 2009 at 8:00 AM Eastern Time (“ET”) and ends on November 4, 2009 at 8:00 AM ET (“Contest Period”).

ELIGIBILITY: Contest is open to legal residents of the fifty (50) United States and District of Columbia, 18 years of age or older or of the age of majority in their state of residence, whichever is older and have a valid driver’s license. Employees of General Motors Company (“Sponsor”), Weber Shandwick (“Administrator”), Poll Daddy, and their respective parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, promotion and advertising agencies, and members of their immediate family (spouses, parents, children and siblings and their respective spouses, regardless of where they reside) and persons living in the same household, whether or not related, of such employees, are not eligible to enter or win. Void where prohibited by law. Contest is subject to all applicable federal, state and local laws.

HOW TO ENTER: During the Contest Period, come up with a color name for the 2010 Chevrolet Volt that captures its spirit and follow the directions to complete the entry form and submit it at ChevroletVoltage.com (collectively, with entry form, “Entry”).  All Entries must be received by 8:00 AM ET on November 4, 2009 to be considered. An Entry submitted by an entrant must be substantially different from any other Entry submitted by the same entrant. In the event more than one entrant submits the same color name, the entrant who submitted that color name first will receive an Entry and all other Entries will be void. Entries generated by script, macro or other automated means and Entries by any means which subvert the entry process are void. All Entries become the sole property of the Sponsor and will not be returned.

REQUIREMENTS OF ENTRIES: Entry must (i) be entrant’s own original work,  (ii) be in English (iii) cannot be previously published or submitted in connection with any other contest, (iv)  be in keeping with the Sponsor’s image and (v) not be offensive or inappropriate, as determined by the Sponsor in its sole discretion, nor can it infringe upon any person’s personal or property rights or any other  third party rights.  Sponsor reserves the right to disqualify any Entry that it determines, in its sole discretion, is offensive or inappropriate, not in keeping with Sponsor’s image or that is otherwise not in compliance with these Official Rules.

By submitting an Entry, entrant hereby grants permission for the Entry to be posted on PollDaddy.com and ChevroletVoltage.com or other Sponsor websites. Entrant agrees that Released Parties (as defined below) are not responsible for any unauthorized use of Entries by third parties. Released Parties do not guarantee the posting of any Entry. Entrants agree that they will not use the Entry for any other purpose, including, without limitation, posting the Entry to any online social networks.

JUDGING PHASE: All eligible Entries received by Sponsor will be judged by a panel of qualified judges based equally on the following criteria: originality, creativity, and ability to capture the Chevrolet spirit. The three (3) Entries with the highest scores will be deemed the potential Finalists. In the event of a tie, an additional, “tie-breaking” judge will determine the Finalist(s) based on the criteria listed herein. Sponsor reserves the right to select fewer than three (3) Finalists if, in its sole discretion, it does not receive a sufficient number of eligible and qualified Entries. All color names submitted by Finalists will be subject to review by Sponsor to ensure that the color name is available and does not violate the rights of any third parties and otherwise meets with Sponsor’s policies and other requirements for selection of vehicle color names. If Finalist color name does not meet any of the aforementioned requirements, the Entry will be deemed void and, Sponsor reserves the right to select a runner up Finalist, time permitting and subject to verification of eligibility and compliance with these Official Rules.

FINALIST NOTIFICATION: Judges’ and Sponsor’s decisions are final and binding on all matters relating to this Contest. Potential Finalists will be notified by telephone, mail and/or email and may be required to complete an Affidavit of Eligibility, Liability and Publicity Release (unless prohibited by law) and any other documents required by Administrator including but not limited to, a background check, which must be returned within three (3) days of date appearing on prize notification. Return of notification as undeliverable, failure to sign and return requested documentation within the specified time period, the inability of Administrator to contact a potential Finalist within a reasonable time period or noncompliance with these Official Rules by any potential Finalist will result in disqualification and, at Administrator’s and Sponsor’s sole discretion, a runner-up Finalist may be selected. If any potential Finalist is an eligible minor in his/her jurisdiction of residence, Administrator reserves the right to award the prize in the name of his/her parent or legal guardian who will be responsible for fulfilling all requirements imposed on Finalists set forth herein. Each Finalist must be available to travel on the dates specified by Sponsor or such Finalist will be disqualified and, at Sponsor’s sole discretion, a runner up Finalist will be selected. All prize awards are subject to verification of eligibility and compliance with these Official Rules.

VOTING PHASE: Finalists’ Entries will be featured at www.ChevroletVoltage.com between 8:00 AM ET on November 16, 2009 and 8:00 AM ET on December 1, 2009 (“Voting Period”). During the Voting Period, Finalists will be permitted to post the link of the voting page on their social networking sites if they wish to do so. During the Voting Period, individuals who are at least thirteen (13) years of age will be invited to www.ChevroletVoltage.com to select their favorite finalist. Eligible minors should obtain the permission of their parents or legal guardians prior to voting. Limit one (1) vote per person and per IP address during the Voting Period. Votes received from any person or email address in excess of the stated limitation will be void. Finalists are prohibited from obtaining votes by any fraudulent or inappropriate means, including, without limitation, offering prizes or other inducements to members of the public, as determined by Administrator and Sponsor in their sole discretion. Subject to verification of eligibility and compliance with these Official Rules, the finalist that receives the highest number of valid votes, as determined by Sponsor, will be deemed the winner. In the event of a tie, a “tie-breaking” judge will determine the winner based on the Judging Criteria.  Use of script, macro or any automated system to vote or with the intent to impair the integrity of the voting process is prohibited and all such votes will be void.

FINALIST PRIZES (3): A trip for Finalist and a guest to Los Angeles, California to attend the 2009 LA Auto Show on dates to be determined by Sponsor. Trip consists of roundtrip, coach class air transportation from a major U.S. gateway airport nearest winner’s residence to Los Angeles, California, three (3) days and two (2) nights standard hotel accommodations (one (1) room, double occupancy), admission to the 2009 LA Auto Show for one (1) day (exact day to be determined by Sponsor), a $400 gift card. If any Finalist resides within a 100-mile radius of destination, ground transportation will be provided in lieu of air transportation and no compensation or substitution will be provided in lieu thereof. Approximate Retail Value (“ARV”): $2,400.  Actual value of prizes may vary based on point of departure.  Any difference between stated value and actual value will not be awarded. Gift card is subject to certain terms and conditions specified thereon. Trip must be taken on dates specified by Sponsor or prize will be forfeited and Sponsor will have no further obligation to such Finalist.  Sponsor reserves right to change dates. Each Finalist and guest must travel together on the same itinerary and are responsible for obtaining all required travel documents prior to travel.  Guest must be of legal age of majority in his/her jurisdiction of residence (and at least 18), unless the child or legal ward of Finalist and must sign a liability/publicity release prior to issuance of travel documents. If guest is child or legal ward of Finalist, Finalist must sign and return release on behalf of such child or legal ward. Travel must be made through Sponsor’s agent, on a carrier of Sponsor’s choice. Certain travel restrictions may apply.  All federal, state and local taxes and all other costs associated with prize acceptance and use not specified herein as being provided, including ground transportation, luggage fees, meals, souvenirs, and gratuities are the sole responsibility of the Finalists. Finalists and each of their respective guests must comply with all venue rules and regulations. Failure to do so may result in forfeiture of such portion of prize.

WINNER NOTIFICATION: Judges’ and Sponsor’s decisions are final and binding on all matters relating to this Contest.  Potential winner will be announced at a luncheon on December 1, 2009. Potential winner will be required to execute any additional documents required by Sponsor, which must be returned within two (2) days of date appearing on notification. Failure to sign and return requested documentation within the specified time period or noncompliance with these Official Rules by the potential winner will result in disqualification and, at Sponsor’s sole discretion, the prize may be awarded to a runner-up. If potential winner is a minor, his/her parent or legal guardian will be required to execute and return all required documents on behalf of such child or legal ward.

Prize (1): The winner will have a color of a 2010 Chevy Volt named his/her color and will also have the opportunity to submit a guest blog of his/her experience driving the pre-production Chevy Volt for posting on ChevroletVoltAge.com, subject to  winner’s compliance with any blogging code of conduct or guidelines issued by Sponsor. Sponsor does not make any warranties or representations regarding the number of vehicles that will be manufactured using winner’s color name. Sponsor does not guarantee the posting of any blog entry. The winner will also receive the opportunity to drive the Volt (subject to execution of any releases and other documents required by Sponsor) and talk with members of the Volt team. In the event Sponsor is unable to provide the opportunity to drive the Volt and talk with members of the Volt team, no compensation or substitution will be provided in lieu thereof; however, remainder of prize package will be awarded and Sponsor will have no further obligation to winner.

GENERAL PRIZE CONDITIONS: Finalists and winner may not substitute, assign or transfer prize or redeem any prize for cash. Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to substitute a prize (or portion thereof) with one of comparable or greater value, at its sole discretion. All prize details are at Sponsor’s sole discretion. Total ARV: $2,400.

GENERAL CONDITIONS: By participating, each entrant agrees: (a) to abide by these Official Rules and decisions of Sponsor and judges, which shall be final and binding in all respects relating to this Contest; (b) to release, discharge and hold harmless Sponsor, Weber Shandwick, Poll Daddy, and their respective parents, affiliates, subsidiaries, and advertising and promotion agencies, and the respective officers, directors, shareholders, employees, agents and representatives of the forgoing (collectively, “Released Parties”) from any and all injuries, liability, losses and damages of any kind to persons, including death, or property resulting, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, from entrant’s participation in the Contest or any Contest-related activity or the acceptance, possession, use or misuse of any awarded prize (including any travel/activity related thereto); and (c) to the use of his/her name, voice, performance, photograph/video, image and/or likeness for programming, advertising, publicity and promotional purposes in any and all media, now or hereafter known, worldwide and on the Internet, and in perpetuity by Sponsor and its designees, without compensation (unless prohibited by law) or additional consents from  entrant or any third party and without prior notice, approval or inspection, and to execute specific consent to such use if asked to do so.  By participating, entrant also agrees not to release any publicity or other materials on their own or through someone else regarding their participation in the Contest without the prior consent of the Sponsor, which it may withhold in its sole discretion.

OWNERSHIP/USE OF ENTRIES: By submitting an Entry, each entrant agrees Sponsor shall own the Entry submitted (including all rights to the color name embodied therein) and that it and its designees shall exclusively own all trademarks and other intellectual property rights in and to the color name and may exploit, edit, modify, and distribute the Entry and all elements of such Entry to name any vehicle color and in any and all media now known or hereafter devised, worldwide, in perpetuity without compensation or notification to, or permission from, entrant or any third party.  Winner and any other entrant (if applicable) agrees that he or she shall execute any documents required by Sponsor to perfect Sponsor’s rights in and to the color name.

MISCELLANEOUS: Released Parties are not responsible for lost, late, incomplete, damaged, inaccurate, stolen, delayed, misdirected, undelivered, or garbled Entries; or for lost, interrupted or unavailable network, server, Internet Service Provider (ISP), website, or other connections, availability or accessibility or miscommunications or failed computer, satellite, telephone or cable transmissions, lines, or technical failure or jumbled, scrambled, delayed, or misdirected transmissions or computer hardware or software malfunctions, failures or difficulties, or other errors or difficulties of any kind whether human, mechanical, electronic, computer, network, typographical, printing or otherwise relating to or in connection with the Contest, including, without limitation, errors or difficulties which may occur in connection with the administration of the Contest, the processing or judging of Entries, the tabulation of votes, the announcement of the prizes, or in any Contest-related materials. Released Parties are also not responsible for any incorrect or inaccurate information, whether caused by site users, tampering, hacking, or by any equipment or programming associated with or utilized in the Contest.  Released Parties are not responsible for injury or damage to any person's computer related to or resulting from participating in this Contest or downloading materials from or use of the website.  Persons who tamper with or abuse any aspect of the Contest or website, who act in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner or who are in violation of these Official Rules, as solely determined by Administrator, will be disqualified and all associated Entries will be void. Should any portion of the Contest be, in  Administrator’s sole opinion, compromised by virus, worms, bugs, non-authorized human intervention or other causes which, in the sole opinion of the, Administrator corrupt or impair the administration, security, fairness or proper play, or submission of Entries, Administrator reserves the right at its sole discretion to suspend, modify or terminate the Contest and, if terminated, at its discretion, select the potential Finalists and/or winner from all eligible, non-suspect Entries received prior to action taken using the judging procedure outlined above. CAUTION: ANY ATTEMPT TO DELIBERATELY DAMAGE THE WEBSITE OR UNDERMINE THE LEGITIMATE OPERATION OF THE CONTEST MAY BE IN VIOLATION OF CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAWS AND SHOULD SUCH AN ATTEMPT BE MADE, ADMINISTRATOR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO SEEK DAMAGES AND OTHER REMEDIES (INCLUDING ATTORNEYS’ FEES) FROM ANY SUCH INDIVIDUAL TO THE FULLEST EXTENT OF THE LAW, INCLUDING CRIMINAL PROSECUTION.

Request for Finalists’ List: For a list of Finalists (available after December 2, 2009 send a self-addressed, stamped, envelope by December 9, 2009 to: Volt Color Naming Contest Finalists, Jacquie Goetz 360 W. Maple Rd. Birmingham, MI 48009.

ADMINISTRATOR: Weber Shandwick, 360 W. Maple Road Birmingham, MI 48009

SPONSOR: General Motors Company, Chevrolet Motor Division, 100 Renaissance Center, Detroit, MI 48265.

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