In 1911, William C. Durant founded the Chevrolet Motor Car Company along with Louis Chevrolet, after had been ousted from General Motors. In 1912, Chevrolet built the Classic Six, a five-passenger touring sedan with a top speed of 65 miles per hour, electric lights and a soft top. Chevrolet's famous "bowtie" badge occupied pride of place on Chevy cars in 1914. Durant created the signature logo, inspired by the wallpaper pattern of his Paris hotel room. Chevrolet launched the "490", an enormous success, in 1915 and by 1918 Durant bought his way back into GM to regain control. Chevrolet became a division of GM, and soon earned largest volume honors due to its profitability by the mid-1920s. In 1934, Chevrolet introduced independent front suspension, taking the bite out of rough roads for buyers of Chevy.

By the 1950s, Chevrolet vehicles had power brakes, seats and windows, as well as some luxury features. The Corvette made its debut in 1953 as a production car with a fiberglass body. The Corvair compact, with all-round independent suspension, the compact Nova and the hugely popular Camaro made an entrance in the 1960s. Smaller cars like the Vega, Chevette, Caprice and Malibu debuted in the 1970s. Chevy introduced the Cavalier in a highly competitive market increasingly dominated by imports and foreign cars. Chevy introduced some of its best-known labels with midsize and full-size models which continue to dominate American roads today. Chevrolet has a wide range of vehicles, from subcompact hatchbacks to huge vans and SUVs, to suit all categories of buyers. The Chevrolet lineup today includes new Chevrolet cars, such as the Aveo, Cobalt, Corvette, HHR, Impala, Malibu; new Chevrolet trucks such as the Avalanche, Colorado, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500 HD, Silverado 3500; new Chevrolet SUVs such as the Avalanche, Equinox, HHR, Suburban, Tahoe, Trailblazer and new Chevrolet vans such as the Express Cargo Van, Express Passenger Van and Uplander.

Chevrolet Avalanche ($32,460-$43,875)
The 2008 Chevrolet Avalanche is available with rear-wheel drive or full-time 4-wheel-drive, and comes in LS, LT, and LTZ trims. Standard on 2WD Avalanches is a 320-hp 5.3-liter V8 engine. 4WD models get a 310-hp version of the same engine. Optional on LT and LTZ models is a 366-hp 6.0-liter V8. GM's Active Fuel Management teams with a 4-speed automatic transmission.

Chevrolet Aveo ($9,350-$13,920)
The 2008 Chevrolet is Chevrolet's smallest car and is available as a 4-door sedan or a 4-door hatchback called Aveo5. The Aveo sedans are available in LS and LT trims. Aveo Hatchbacks come in SVM and LS trims. Both sedans and hatchbacks are equipped with a 103-hp 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine teamed with a 5-speed manual or an optional 4-speed automatic transmission.

Chevrolet Cobalt ($12,400-$21,430)
The 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt compact is available as a 2-door coupe or 4-door sedan. LS and LT trims are equipped with a 148-hp 2.2-liter 4-cylinder engine. The Cobalt SS is renamed as the Sport, and gets a 171-hp 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine. The high-performance SS Supercharged makes an exit. A 5-speed manual transmission is standard and a 4-speed automatic is optional.

Chevrolet Colorado ($13,910-$28,55)
The 2008 Chevrolet Colorado comes in Regular, Extended, and Crew Cab body styles, offered in LS and LT trims with rear-wheel drive or part-time 4-wheel drive. Regular and Extended models get a 6-foot cargo bed; Crew Cabs have a 5-foot bed. A 185-hp 2.9-liter 4-cylinder engine is standard. A 242-hp 3.7-liter 5-cylinder engine is standard on 4WD Crew Cabs and optional on other Colorado models. Four-cylinder models use a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic; five-cylinder versions use an automatic only.

Chevrolet Corvette ($42,503-$77,820)
The 2008 Chevrolet Corvette is a two-seat sports car, available as hatchback coupe and convertible with a manual folding soft-top. The Corvette gets a new base engine with more power. Base models get the new 430-hp 6.2-liter V8 engine; an optional exhaust system increases horsepower to 436. Transmission is a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic. The high-performance Corvette Z06 comes as a coupe only and gets a 505-hp 7.0-liter V8 engine teamed with a 6-speed manual.

Chevrolet Equinox ($21,320-$29,445)
The 2008 Chevrolet Equinox adds two new models, to its lineup. The Equinox is a midsize crossover which seats five and comes in LS, LT models as well as new LTZ and Sport models. The LS, LT, and LTZ are powered by a 185-hp 3.4-liter V6 engine and a 5-speed automatic transmission. Sports models get a 264-hp 3.6-liter V6, 6-speed automatic transmission, firmer suspension tuning, and unique trim. All models are available with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.

Chevrolet Express Vans ($21,645-$31,809)
The 2008 Chevrolet Express Cargo Van is available as a cargo van with rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive (1500) in 1500, 2500 and 3500 duty levels. Five engines are available. Light-duty G-Series vans have a 4.3-liter V-6 that makes 195 horsepower; a 4.8-liter V-8 makes 258 hp or 279 hp; while the 5.3-liter V-8 makes 301 hp; a 6.0-liter V-8 generates 323 hp. Some cargo vans can be equipped with a 250-hp, 6.6-liter diesel V-8.

Chevrolet HHR ($15,325-$19,215)
The 2008 Chevrolet HHR adds a high-performance SS model and more safety amenities. The front-wheel-drive HHR is available in LS, 1LT, 2LT and SS trims. A two-seat "panel" delivery version is also available. A 149-hp 2.2-liter 4-cylinder engine is standard across the board. A 172-hp 2.4-liter 4-cylinder is optional on the LT trim. SS models have a turbocharged 260-hp 2.0-liter 4-cylinder. A 5-speed manual transmission is standard, and a 4-speed automatic is optional on all models.

Chevrolet Impala ($20,330-$28,735)
The 2008 Chevrolet Impala is a midsize sedan, and can seat up to six passengers. This 4-door sedan is available in LS, LT, LTZ, and SS trims. LS and LT 3.5 models are equipped with a standard 3.5-liter, V6, 211-hp engine; LT 3.9 and LTZ Impalas have a 233-hp 3.9-liter V6 with GM's Active Fuel Management. Both V6 engines can run on E85 ethanol-blended fuel. The SS is equipped with a standard 5.3-liter, V8, 303-hp engine with Active Fuel Management. Impalas all come standard with 4-speed automatic transmission.

Chevrolet Malibu ($16,365-$26,795)
The 2008 Chevrolet Malibu midsize sedan comes in LS, LT, and LTZ trims. A gas/electric Hybrid model is expected to make its debut later in the year. LS and LT models are equipped with a 169-hp 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine that teams with a 4-speed automatic transmission; a 6-speed automatic for the 4-cylinder is expected later in 2008. Optional on LT and standard on the LTZ is a 252-hp 3.6-liter V6 that couples with the 6-speed automatic. The Hybrid version will combine the 4-cylinder gas engine with an electric motor and will get a 4-speed automatic.

Chevrolet Silverado 1500 ($15,840-$278,485)
The 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is offered in regular, extended, and crew cab body styles. The 2008 Chevrolet Silverado offers a choice of two interiors: "pure pickup" and "luxury inspired." Several engines come along with different cab and bed configurations: a 195-hp 4.3-liter V6; 295-hp 4.8-liter V8; 315-hp 5.3-liter V8; and 367-hp 6.0-liter V8. The 5.3-liter V8 can be equipped to run on E85 ethanol fuel. The 6.0-liter V8 and 5.3-liter V8 come with GM's Active Fuel Management. The only transmission is a 4-speed automatic. Rear-wheel drive is standard; two 4WD systems are available.

Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD ($21,825-$40,730)
The 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD is offered in regular, extended, and crew cab body styles in WT, 1LT, 2LT and LTZ trims. The standard engine is a 6.0-liter V-8 that produces 353 horsepower and 373 pounds-feet of torque. A 6.6-liter turbo-diesel is optional; it makes 365 hp and 660 pounds-feet of torque. Both engines are mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. Rear-wheel-drive is standard; two 4WD systems are available.

Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD ($28,415-$41,195)
The 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD is offered in regular, extended, and crew cab body styles in WT, 1LT, 2LT and LTZ trims, with two cargo box lengths. Silverado 3500 trucks get a 6.0-liter V-8 that produces 353 hp and 373 pounds-feet of torque. A 6.6-liter turbo-diesel is optional; it makes 365 hp and 660 pounds-feet of torque. Both engines are mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.

Chevrolet Suburban ($36,865-$50,405)
The 2008 Chevrolet Suburban continues unchanged for 2008 as half-ton Suburban 1500 and three-quarter-ton Suburban 2500. Suburbans are available in LS, LT, and LTZ trims, with rear-wheel drive or with GM's full-time Autotrac 4-wheel drive. The Suburban 1500 gets a 320-hp 5.3-liter V8; a 366-hp 6.0-liter V8 is optional. Suburban 2500s are equipped with a 352-hp 6.0-liter V8 and a 6-speed automatic transmission.

Chevrolet Tahoe ($33,980-$48,490)
The 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe comes in LS, LT, and LTZ trim levels with rear-wheel drive or with GM's full-time Autotrac 4-wheel drive. A gas/electric hybrid model is available for 2008. A 295-hp 4.8-liter V8 engine is standard on the 2WD Tahoe LS. A 320-hp 5.3-liter V8 is optional on the 2WD model and standard on other Tahoe models. Standard transmission is a 4-speed automatic. Tahoe Hybrids receive a 332-hp 6.0-liter V8 that pairs with an electric motor. The 5.3 and 6.0 liter engines have GM's Active Fuel Management.

Chevrolet Trailblazer ($24,280-$37,385)
The 2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer is a five-passenger midsize SUV available in LT and sporty SS trims. The LT gets a 285-hp 4.2-liter inline 6-cylinder engine; a 300-hp 5.3-liter V8 with Active Fuel Management is optional. SS models receive a 390-hp 6.0-liter V8 without Active Fuel Management. A 4-speed automatic transmission is standard and available with rear-wheel drive. The LT model offers 4-wheel-drive; SS models offer all-wheel-drive without low-range gearing.

Chevrolet Uplander ($20,205-$33,250)
The 2008 Chevrolet Uplander is a crossover sport van with SUV styling cues, seven-passenger seating capacity, and low step-in height and sliding side doors. The Uplander is available in regular and extended-wheelbase models, as well as a cargo van. A 3.9-liter V-6 generates 240 hp when teamed with a four-speed automatic transmission. E85-compatible versions of the engine are also available.