News · 5 Sep 2013 · Car Deal Expert Editorial Team
Originally published 2013-09-05. This article is part of the CarDealExpert historical archive — see our latest UK car-finance, insurance and used-car coverage in the menu above.
The Chevrolet SS will not be sold in Israel
The SS (Super Sport) logo as seen on the 1963 Impala. Image: Hugo90/Flickr/CC BY
The Chevrolet SS will not be shipping to Israel because of its moniker’s unintentional and unfortunate allusion to the Nazi Party.
Chevrolet SS stands for “Super Sport”
According to a report in the Hebrew daily Yedioth Ahronoth, The new Chevrolet SS high-performance rear-wheel drive sedan, recently unveiled at the Daytona International Speedway, will not be shipped to Israel because of its shared moniker with the Nazi Party paramilitary group in World War II.
The Nazi SS stood for “Schutzstaffel,” a ruthless group headed by Heinrich Himmler in Hitler’s Germany. The Chevrolet SS, however, stands for the far-less threatening “Super Sport.” Although earlier models in the “SS” line have sold in Israel, the new Chevrolet SS is the first to not also spell out “Super Sport” alongside the initials.
The SS designation refers to GM’s Super Sport performance package. Debuting in 1961, the badge has been attached to many other Chevy models in the past, including the Camaro, El Camino, Monte Carlo and Nova.
[To Get The Most Advantageous Offer For A New Car, Van, Truck or SUV Take A Look At Edmunds Car Sales Today!]
No ‘Pride or success’ for GM
Baruch Shuv, who heads the Organization of Partisans, Underground Fighters and Ghetto Rebels, said, “the use of this name is very inappropriate. … It is not a name that will bring them pride or success.”
About the 2014 Chevrolet SS
The Chevrolet SS debuted last week at the Daytona International Speedway. It is the production version of the Chevrolet SS NASCAR Sprint Cup race car, which was also showcased at the event. The NASCAR version will compete in the Daytona 500 later this month, replacing the Car of Tomorrow.
The production SS packs a 6.2-liter V-8 engine and delivers 415 horsepower. It is loaded with modern safety devices like parallel parking-assist sensors, backup camera and front collision alert.
The anticipated model will hit showrooms in late 2013. It may be time for buyers (Israeli motorists excluded) to start counting their pennies, applying for financing at Personalmoneynetwork.com or exploring auto loan solutions.
The 2014 Chevrolet SS is based on the Pontiac G8. It is manufactured by Holden, the Australian arm of General Motors. Down Under, its was re-branded as the Commodore SS V.
Why not just re-brand?
It is easy to understand why an Israeli citizen might not want to drive a car that displays the hated moniker on its fender, if for no other reason than to avoid disapproving glances. However, one wonders why Chevrolet didn’t simply decide to change the model’s badge for Israeli exports?
From the current CDE newsroom
New Audi RS5 e-hybrid: 639PS plug-in, £89,400 and what UK buyers getAudi RS5 e-hybrid UK price from £89,400: 639PS plug-in V6, 50-plus EV miles and what new buyers get. Orders op...
Audi Nuvolari revealed: the V8 successor to the R8Audi Nuvolari revealed: a 1,001 PS V8 hybrid successor to the R8, 499 units, deliveries from 2027. UK price no...
JLR mild-hybrid power-loss recall: what UK owners must checkJLR mild hybrid recall: which 2019-2024 MHEV Range Rover, Defender and Jaguar models are affected and how UK o...
Buyer action
Where to check next
Use this as the final check before paying a deposit, signing finance paperwork or relying on a headline monthly figure.
