Chevy Lives! (Kind Of)

Don McLean can rest easy. General Motors isn't entirely killing the use of "Chevy." After a public outcry following today's leak of an internal memo barring the popular shorthand for Chevrolet, GM clarified its unified global brand name in a statement:

We love Chevy.  In no way are we discouraging customers or fans from using the name. We deeply appreciate the emotional connections that millions of people have for Chevrolet and its products. In global markets, we are establishing a significant presence for Chevrolet, and need to move toward a consistent brand name for advertising and marketing purposes. The memo in question was one step in that process. We hope people around the world will continue to fall in love with Chevrolets and smile when they call their favorite car, truck or crossover “Chevy.”

GM's VP of sales Alan Batey explains the branding move in the video, above. Bottom line: You (and McLean; you, too, Madonna) can continue to refer to Chevrolet as "Chevy," as can GM employees. You just won't see GM (unless that's now barred, too?) use the nickname in its advertising.