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From: https://www.kiamedia.com/us/en/media/pressreleases/16815/all-new-kia-sorento-embarks-on-a-cross-country-journey-from-california-to-new-years-eve-in-new-york-1

Heralding the arrival of the all-new 2021 Sorento, Kia Motors America is accelerating the countdown to the New Year with a coast-to-coast tour of the U.S. The fourth generation Sorento, Kia’s newest SUV will haul the “2021” New Year’s Eve numerals from the brand’s headquarters in Irvine, CA, to Times Square in New York City for installation at the top of One Times Square. At select points along the route, National Geographic will document the Sorento’s journey as well as bring the stories from these locations to life through photography and video.

“New Year’s Eve is typically seen as a fresh start and a new beginning, and that holds true this year more than ever. With its rugged capability, the Kia Sorento will bring a little piece of the energy and fun of New Year’s Eve in Times Square to people nationwide. This will also be a reminder that we’re all in this together and that the New Year brings new opportunities and excitement,” said Russell Wager, director, marketing operations, Kia Motors America.

The road trip will culminate in Times Square, where for three days after arriving, the “2021” numerals will be part of a larger vehicle display before being installed at the top of One Times Square for the iconic New Year’s Eve Ball Drop, with Kia as the Official Countdown Sponsor. On December 31, a new creative campaign featuring the all-new Sorento will debut during Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2021, on ABC. And to recognize and thank them for their hard work and dedication, Kia will host frontline workers and their families in Times Square so they can ring in the New Year. The frontline workers will be shuttled to and from the festivities by a fleet of Sorento SUVs.

With the “2021” numbers in tow, the Sorento departed Kia’s Orange County headquarters with arrival in Times Square set for December 21. Along the way, the Sorento will stop at Kia dealerships in Nevada, Arizona, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York.

Throughout the road trip and including all activities in Times Square, Kia will adhere to CDC recommended protocols regarding face masks and social distancing guidelines.

By Bernie Woodall

updated 2/23/2012 3:48:44 PM ET

General Motors Co is adjusting its plug-in hybrid Chevrolet Volt to meet strict California requirements for a $1,500 state rebate and allow drivers to use special carpool lanes there, the carmaker said on Thursday.

Volts sold in California starting later this month will have an additional emissions system fan to help curb tailpipe emissions and some software changes not available on Volts sold outside California, GM said.

The change comes at a time when Volt sales have been slow for a car seen as a game-changer for GM. California is the biggest U.S. auto market in general, and the biggest market for alternative fuel vehicles.

A fourth of the 7,671 Volts GM sold in 2011 were sold in California.

GM said that it did not include the additional equipment for California Volts until now because it did not want to delay the vehicle’s launch. Sales began in December 2010.

California has 1,400 miles of roads with lanes designated for cars carrying two or more people. Volt drivers along with drivers of other advanced-battery and zero-emissions cars can use these lanes even if the cars are carrying only the driver.

GM says that cars on congested Southern California roads that use the high-occupany vehicle lanes can save about 36 minutes a day in commuting time.

The ability to drive in the “HOV lanes” in California was a boost to sales of the Prius hybrid when Toyota Motor Corp ramped up sales of the market’s dominant hybrid car. But standard hybrids like the Prius are no longer eligible for special stickers to allow access to HOV lanes for cars without passengers.

Toyota will next month begin selling a plug-in Prius that will get about 15 miles on battery charge alone.

This new version of the Prius will be eligible for the $1,500 California rebate and the HOV lane stickers.

California plans to issue up to 40,000 HOV lane stickers in 2012.

GM said that single-occupancy Volts are also eligible for access to carpool lanes in New York, Florida and Georgia.

GM is not saying how much it will cost to add the new equipment to each California Volt. The costs will not be passed onto the customers because GM wants a national sales price for the Volt, a spokesman said.

The Volt retails at $39,900 before a $7,500 federal tax credit and the $1,500 California rebate.

GM lowered the retail price of the Volt from $41,500 on its 2012 models.

Shipments of the “low emissions package” Volts started last week from GM’s Detroit-Hamtrack plant.

The Volt operates for about 35 miles on battery power when fully charged. Under this mode, there are no tailpipe emissions. When battery power is low, a gasoline engine powers a generator that creates power to run the electric engine, allowing the Volt to have a range of about 380 miles, based on U.S. government estimates.

The All New Kia Sorento, The All New Year And The Cross Country Trip

GM changing Volt for California carpool lanes

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