General Motors of Canada Limited

Local Kids play in Vancouver's largest sandbox following its unveiling, Thursday, August 2, 2007, at Kitsilano Beach. The site is home to the planet's most environmentally friendly and sustainable concept vehicle, the Electric Chevrolet Volt, carved out of sand. (MARKETWIRE PHOTO/General Motors of Canada Limited)

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - Aug. 2, 2007) -

Editors Note: A photo for this release will be available on the CP picture wire via Marketwire.

Representatives from the City of Vancouver, Vancouver Park Board, and World Champion Sand Sculptor Peter Vogelaar gathered today at Kitsilano Beach in Vancouver to officially open Chevy Beach - a massive environmentally-themed sand carving exhibit.

Chevy Beach is home to a full scale sand replica of the planet's most environmentally-friendly and sustainable concept vehicle - the Chevrolet Volt. The plug-in Chevrolet Volt will eliminate trips to the gas station and produce zero emissions for the average Canadian who typically drives 64 kilometers a day or less.

"Come play in Vancouver's largest sand box. It's so big you can actually fit a car in it!" said Peter Vogelaar, World Champion Sand Sculptor and Chevy Beach architect. "What better way to commemorate such an important vehicle and environmental sustainability than by creating a tribute out of sand."

About Chevy Beach

Chevy Beach measures more than 800 square feet, or the equivalent of a 1 bedroom apartment in Vancouver, and is built with over 50 tonnes of sand. A team of five professional sand sculptors, including two former World Champions, dedicated more than 160 hours to create the impressive sculptures including the Chevrolet Volt replica, trees, rocks, and an incredible sand castle.

"The Chevrolet Volt is one of the most environmentally conscious vehicles ever designed," said Jason Stainton, Marketing Manager, General Motors Canada. "GM offers more green choices for consumers and has taken an active role in developing environmental technologies ranging from active fuel management and hybrid systems to E85 biofuel and fuel cell vehicles. By showcasing this important vehicle to Vancouverites we are demonstrating GM's commitment to caring for our environment."

About the Chevrolet Volt Concept Electric Vehicle:

The plug-in Chevrolet Volt will redefine the urban driving experience by eliminating trips to the gas station and producing zero emissions for the average Canadian who typically drives 64 kilometers a day or less. If drivers need to travel more than 64 kilometres, a range extending power source (which creates electricity from gasoline, ethanol, hydrogen or biodiesel fuels) seamlessly kicks in to recharge the lithium ion battery pack when required, for an impressive driving range of more than 1,000 kilometres.

The Chevy Beach exhibit is open daily at Kitsilano Beach until
Monday, August 6th.

General Motors of Canada (GMCL) is engineering and manufacturing advanced environmental technologies ranging from Active Fuel Management (cylinder deactivation) and hybrid systems to E85 biofuel and fuel cell vehicles - more than any other auto company right here in Canada. Headquartered in Oshawa Ontario, GMCL employs more than 19,000 people nationwide. GM of Canada manufactures vehicles, vehicle powertrains, and markets the full range of General Motors vehicles and related services through 743 dealerships and retailers across Canada. Vehicles sold through this network include Chevrolet, Buick, Pontiac, GMC, Saturn, Hummer, Saab and Cadillac.