Auction of first 2015 Corvette Z06 to benefit Karmanos Cancer Institute

(March 11, 2014) DETROIT — The first retail production 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 will be auctioned to benefit the Karmanos Cancer Institute. The Barrett-Jackson auction house will offer the supercar during its Collector Car Auction in Palm Beach, Fla., on April 12.

The auction extends General Motors’ long-standing support of the Karmanos Cancer Institute, one of 41 National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer centers in the country, which last year raised $1 million by auctioning the first 2014 Corvette Stingray Convertible at Barrett-Jackson.

This year, Chevrolet is donating the all-new Corvette Z06 in support of Karmanos Cancer Institute’s 32nd Annual Dinner. All proceeds from the auction will go to the renovation of the Institute’s infusion center, providing a more comfortable and soothing setting for patients to receive chemotherapy treatments.

GM President Dan Ammann and his wife, Pernilla, chief operating officer of Mother New York, (pictured at right) will chair the annual dinner on Saturday, April 26, at the Fox Theatre. This is the fourth consecutive year that a member of GM senior leadership has chaired the event.

The Corvette Z06 has unprecedented levels of aerodynamic downforce, at least 625 horsepower from an all-new supercharged engine, and an all-new, high-performance eight-speed automatic.

“Chevrolet’s donation of the first 2015 Corvette Z06 produced is yet another way that we are showing our continued support of the Karmanos Cancer Institute,” said Dan Ammann. “The funds raised from the auction will help further the exceptional patient care that Karmanos is known for in our community and across the country."

In honor of the annual dinner, the General Motors Foundation recently announced a $400,000 grant to support the Institute’s cancer research. The grant brought GM and the GM Foundation’s support of the Institute to nearly $7.3 million over the last 17 years.

“When it comes to corporate citizenship and philanthropy, General Motors and its employees set the example,” said Gerold Bepler, president and CEO, Karmanos Cancer Institute. “Their generosity goes a long way toward improving the lives of cancer patients and supporting cancer research. Our heartfelt gratitude goes to GM, the GM Foundation, Chevrolet and Barrett-Jackson for their ongoing commitment to help end this disease.”

Those unable to attend the Palm Beach Collector Car Auction may bid online at www.barrett-jackson.com. To register, call 480-421-6694 or email bidders@barrett-jackson.com. Since this is a charity sale, Barrett-Jackson will waive all buyer and seller fees.