First 2015 Corvette Z06 Goes for $1 Million at Auction

DETROIT--April 14, 2014: The auction of the first regular retail production 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 has helped raise more than $2.5 million for the upcoming Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute 32nd Annual Dinner, which will be held April 26 in Detroit.

Donated by Chevrolet, the supercar went for $1 million at the Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction in Palm Beach, Fla. on April 12. The winning bid came from Hendrick Automotive Group Chairman and Hendrick Motorsports owner Rick Hendrick, an avid Corvette collector and preservationist.

Proceeds from the auction will assist with the renovation of the Karmanos Cancer Institute's infusion center, providing a more comfortable and soothing setting for patients to receive chemotherapy treatments.

"We thank Rick Hendrick for his ongoing, generous support that will help Karmanos Cancer Institute provide better care and treatment for cancer patients," said General Motors President Dan Ammann. "We are humbled by all those who are supporting the Annual Dinner and who are giving generously to help us exceed last year's fundraising total of $2.5 million."

Ammann and his wife, Pernilla, chief operating officer of Mother New York, will chair the 2014 Annual Dinner, hosted by Cadillac, at Detroit's Fox Theatre. This is the fourth consecutive year that a member of GM senior leadership has chaired the event.

Chevrolet's donation of the 2015 Z06 demonstrates the brand's outstanding commitment to the Karmanos Cancer Institute. Last year, Chevrolet raised $1 million through the auction of the first 2014 Corvette Stingray Convertible that was also purchased by Hendrick. In addition, GM and the GM Foundation's support of Karmanos totals nearly $7.3 million over the last 17 years.

"The remarkable support from our chairs, Pernilla and Dan Ammann, GM, the GM Foundation, Host Sponsor Cadillac and Chevrolet is unprecedented," said Gerold Bepler, M.D., Ph.D., president and CEO of Karmanos. "We are also extremely grateful to Barrett-Jackson, Rick Hendrick and all of our sponsors for making this a tremendous year in the fight against cancer. We will continue the fundraising momentum behind the Annual Dinner to assure that our cancer patients have the best possible chance of beating their disease."