New Wheels For Reds

While Sir Alex Ferguson makes himself heard in press conferences, from the dug-out and in the dressing room, he might drive past you this Christmas and you won’t even notice.

Sir Alex recently took possession of an extended range electric vehicle, the Chevrolet Volt, as part of the club’s partnership with the global car manufacturer. The Volt can travel up to 50 miles emission free in virtual silence before the on-board generator kicks in to add a further 300 miles of extended range.

The United manager is delighted with the car and is looking forward to making many journeys in it. "I think the Volt is absolutely phenomenal," he said. "A friend of mine drove one in the States and kept going on and on about it, so when I had the opportunity to drive one I wanted to try it because it’s the car of the future. I’m very pleased with it.”

The Chevrolet Volt is available in Europe's largest automobile markets and won the prestigious European Car of the Year 2012. The Volt can drive up to 50 miles using a full charge of electricity stored in its 16.50 kWh lithium-ion battery. When the Volt's battery runs low, a gas-powered generator seamlessly operates to extend the driving range another 300 miles on a full tank.

Chevrolet Volt owners in the U.S. have collectively driven more than 100 million all electric miles since the vehicle went on sale two years ago. The average Volt owner travels more than 65 per cent of their time in the car in pure electric mode as the car was designed – only using the gasoline-powered generator for longer trips. By charging regularly, Volt owners can drive approximately 900 miles and go a month and a half between fill-ups.

Chevrolet is currently United’s Official Automotive Partner and will become the club's shirt sponsor from the start of the 2014/2015 season. A number of players and other staff will also receive Chevrolets as part of the partnership agreement between the club and General Motors. These include Reds' legend Sir Bobby Charlton who was recently given a seven-seater Chevrolet Captiva.