Ludhiana, September 5, 2004: "Buying an Optra is an ambition fulfilled", "Neil Armstrong experienced the Moonwalk, I did the Optra", "Possessing an Optra is having a Beauty with Brains", "It delivers what it promises", "A Dream come true", "It looks, feels and drives excellent" and "It is a cost effective car and true value for money."

These are some of the gushing comments made by Chevrolet Optra customers who participated in the Ludhiana-Simla Chevrolet "Optra Max Mileage Magic Rally" organised by General Motors India on Saturday as part of its ongoing celebrations to mark the first anniversary of the introduction of the Chevrolet brand in India. The rally was part of a series of special activities hosted by the company across India under the Chevy banner - "For a Special Journey Called Life."

Aimed at bringing the Chevrolet family together and to strengthen the relationship between General Motors India and its customers in Punjab, the fun filled event gave participants across the state a challenging opportunity clock the best fuel mileage on their Optras.

At the end of the rally, Mr. Rajeev Agrawal, National Manager Product Planning General Motors India, presented cash awards to the top four winners of the mileage challenge. Mr. Lati Bawa of Ludhiana, who clocked the best fuel mileage of 22.40 kmpl, Mr. Upendra Verma of Patiala (22.33kmpl) under 1.6 category and Mr. Ashok Sharma of Ludhiana (22.293 kmpl) and Salil Chadha of Chandigarh (22.12 kmpl) under 1.8 category received cash prizes of Rs. 21,000/- & 15,000/-, respectively. The average fuel mileage in all the 47 cars was 19.8 kmpl.

Earlier, Mr Agrawal flagged off the rally at Ludhiana on Saturday It then took a pre-designated route towards Simla before halting at Chandigarh to refuel at to calculate the mileage clocked by the participants. The rally then proceeded to Simla for a gala evening.

The Chevrolet Optra, a gracefully proportioned vehicle with a distinctive European flair, was penned by world-renowned Italian design house Pininfarina. Manufactured domestically by GM India, the four-door notchback luxury sedan is available in 1.6 and 1.8-liter variants.

The Optra and Forester have won seven major automobile awards over the past year. The Optra received the prestigious BBC World "Wheels" Car of the Year, BBC World "Wheels" Viewers' Choice, and Best Car in its Segment. The Forester won the CNBC Autocar - Viewers' Choice & Best Value for Money and CNBC Autocar - Best Driver's Car & BS Motoring - Import Car of the Year.

GM India is a wholly owned subsidiary of General Motors Corporation. Besides the Chevrolet Tavera and Optra, GM India manufactures the Opel Corsa, Corsa Sail and Swing at its facility in Halol, Gujarat. GM India also sells the imported Opel Vectra in addition to the Chevrolet Forester.