HarleyEarl

It makes you wonder, does GM have ownership of the name 'Avalanche'?.

Gemballa GTR 650 Avalanche Text & Photos courtesy Gemballa GmbH edited 12-16-2005 English | Deutsch The Dream Car for 2006 With the new GEMBALLA GTR 650 Avalanche, based on the Porsche 997 Carrera, the Leonberg, Germany Porsche conversion specialist GEMBALLA has created THE absolute dream car for the 2006 sports car year, optionally on 19” or 20” wheels. This ultimate German sports car will be available to a selected clientele starting next year. With this refined, ultra-sporty and equally reliable automobile, GEMBALLA is continuing in its very own great tradition of sports car construction. The GEMBALLA Avalanche, Mirage and Cyrrus models from the 80’s didn’t earn their legendary reputation for no reason. The performance of the 2006 dream car is already the first attention-getter. The GEMBALLA GTR 650 Avalanche’s motor boasts a breathtaking 650 hp. Part of the motor’s conversion by the GEMBALLA engineers included eliciting an impressive 820 Nm torque, guaranteed to bring a satisfied smile to the driver’s lips already at 4800 RPM. In comparison, the standard Porsche 997 model features maximum 400 Nm torque at 4600 RPM. The difference puts the GTR 650 Avalanche’s sprinting qualities in a class all their own. The GTR 650 Avalanche reaches the 200 km/h mark in only 11.2 seconds, and its top speed leaves doubters in the dust: The irrepressible GTR 650 Avalanche engine delivers a maximum tempo of up to 335 km/h. But peak performance wasn’t the only item at the top of the GEMBALLA engineers’ spec sheet. The Porsche conversion specialists placed just as much emphasis on the safety and durability of the Avalanche. Titanium piston rods, an intake system specially developed by GEMBALLA, three intercoolers and a special turbo configuration ensure GEMBALLA pleasure for a long time to come. And its lucky owner only has to share this pleasure with one passenger, because for safety reasons, from 650 hp the GTR 650 Avalanche is only available as a two-seater. Massive eight-piston brake calipers and accordingly sized 380 millimeter diameter perforated disk brakes make sure the Avalanche also slows to a safe stop. The GTR 650 Avalanche sits on 19” wheels with tires sizes of 235 (front) and 315 (rear). The new 20” racing wheels are also optionally available, with tire sizes of 245 (front) and 325 (rear). For the particularly ambitious driver who would like to push the GTR 650 Avalanche’s envelope, for example on the ‘Nordschleife’, GEMBALLA also offers an optional roll bar. The new Avalanche’s body and interior are equally as exclusive and unique as its driving performance and safety components. All of its add-on components are made of carbon. Fenders and sidewalls are all metal. And the future owner of the GTR 650 Avalanche can also look forward to GEMBALLA sport seats, a GEMBALLA sport steering wheel and aluminum pedals. Starting at 240,000 Euros, the new GEMBALLA dream car becomes tangible sports car euphoria.

Prodrive P2 premiers at Autosport International Text & Photos courtesy Prodrive 12-16-2005 Subaru Impreza Sti core Prodrive is using the 2006 Autosport International show at the NEC in Birmingham for the world premier of its unique new road car, P2. The two seater sports car has been developed by the motorsport and automotive technology specialist, which runs the Subaru World Rally and Aston Martin Racing teams, to showcase its innovative technologies and engineering skills and to demonstrate its ability to design and build a unique road car in less than a year. At its core, P2 uses an Impreza STi engine, transmission and four wheel drive system. To this, Prodrive has added its own active handling system, ATD, and an engine turbo anti-lag system developed from its Subaru World Rally Cars, helping to give the lightweight car a predicted power to weight ratio approaching 350 bhp/tonne. Styling has been in the hands of Peter Stevens and the entire design, engineering and build of the car has been carried out at Prodrive’s facilities at Banbury and Warwick in the UK. While there are currently no plans to put the car into production, if it were produced in volume Prodrive expects the car would be priced at approximately £40,000, putting it in its own niche sector. P2 will be unveiled by Prodrive chairman, David Richards, on the Prodrive stand on the first morning of the Autosport International show, Thursday 12 January.

I pretty well agree with him. He's having some fun at a fun time of year.

FEDS praise fuel-friendly GMs (Source Sun Newspaper) OSHAWA, Ont. (CNW) - Natural Resources Canada's Office of Energy Efficiency has awarded GM three 2006 EnerGuide Awards for the most fuel-efficient new vehicles in the large van and station wagon categories. This year, the Chevrolet Express Cargo, GMC Savana Cargo and Pontiac Vibe received EnerGuide Awards. To date, GM has won more EnerGuide awards than any other automotive company. Throughout the lifespan of the progam, GM has won more than double the EnerGuide awards than the nearest competitor. "We're proud to be designing and building a broad protfolio of industry-leading fuel-efficient vehicles," said Marc Comeau, vice-president, sales, services and marketing, GM Canada. "We currently have more modesl with fuel-efficiency ratings of with better than 7L/100km than any of our competitors." As an industry-leader in fuel-efficiency, GM continures to introduce technologies such as Displacement on Demand, hybrids, six-speed transmissions and ehanol flex fuel vehicles on the road in North America. GM was the first automaker to offer hybrid trucks for sale in Canada.

by Peter M. DeLorenzo The Autoextremist Stocking Stuffers - Were you naughty or nice? Detroit. Shopping for your favorite car guy or gal? Wondering who was naughty or nice in 2005 - the auto year from Hell? We'll be glad to sort it all out for you with our Autoextremist Stocking Stuffers! For Helmut Panke, a continued relentless focus for his organization (even though BMW is now the King of the World), fewer electronic gizmos by half, fewer design mistakes, the immediate end to the BMW minivan program and a Black M6 with a license plate that reads "CARCZAR." For Porsche's Wendelin Wiedeking, a stern reminder that he isn't running Chevrolet and that Porsche will never be a volume player (no matter how he slices it and how much the German and American automotive media attempt to canonize him and inflate his already considerable ego). And now that the Cayenne is dead in the water and piling up like cord wood all over the country, he better get ready to crack that considerable Porsche War Chest open and slap $10,000 in dealer cash on the hood of each and every one of them. For his stocking, Wiedeking gets a bag of Kingsford briquettes and a V-6 Cayenne with a license plate that reads "TRUCKR." For Dieter Zetsche, a container-ship-sized dumpster where he can deposit his marketing and PR departments, a change of scenery for his engineers (start with issuing them an advanced Lego set that functions without electronics of any kind), the return of "Engineered like no other car in the World" as the Mercedes-Benz theme line, a reduction of Mercedes-Benz model offerings in the U.S. by 25 percent and a reduction of the German arrogance as practiced by Mercedes-Benz by 100 percent. Dieter gets a M-B McLaren SLR (we hear there are plenty of the slow-selling supercars laying around) with a license plate that reads "FORSALE." For Wolfgang Bernhard, a few miracles in his quest to fix Volkswagen (and miracles are about the only thing he can hope for at this point), a real plan to get VW rolling again in the U.S. market (hint: it has absolutely nothing to do with the "Moonraker" project), a miracle ad campaign from Crispin Porter + Bogusky (because at this point it's your one best chance to stop VW's negative buzz from building any further) and most important, the time to get it all done. Wolfgang gets his ME Four-Twelve Chrysler supercar back with a license plate that reads "WHOOSH." For Toyota's Jim Press, a reduction in smug, condescending Toyota arrogance by 100 percent and an immediate cessation of Toyota's bad habit of talking out of both sides of its corporate mouth (i.e., We're Mr. Green Jeans environmental zealots one week, Mr. Monster pickup truck pushers the next). And a formal admission that no matter how many plants they build in this country, how many Americans they employ and how much lobbying money they spend in Washington, Toyota will never be an American company, no matter how they try to spin it. Press gets two bags of Kingsford briquettes in his stocking and a Toyota I-SWING with a license plate that reads "USA-1." For Nissan's Carlos Ghosn, a new job as the "vision-engineer"/entertainment director on the S.S. Cost Cutter. It's a new, no-frills "fun" ship that summarily jettisons longtime crew members as it cruises from port to port along the Nashville river, picking up cheaper crew members along the way. Ghosn's innovative new cruise concept features BYO food, booze, towels, etc., with self-serve Laundromat facilities on board. Bookings seem to be nonexistent, but Ghosn assures everyone who will bother to listen that he will transform the cruise industry, he'll have a sellout by its maiden voyage next summer - and with the tax breaks that the state of Tennessee will give him he won't need any passengers anyway. Carlos doesn't need a license plate, but his dinghy is named "Color me Ghosn." For Bill Ford, a revival plan that actually works (and one for the Lions too), less bureaucratic intervention from his own people, a more receptive ear in Washington, more bread-and-butter product hits (green or otherwise), and a bright red GT500 Shelby Mustang convertible with a license plate that reads "ADIOS." For Tom LaSorda, a new media angle, because the manufacturing "salt of the earth" story can only be taken so far, more product hits, a wholesale marketing department overhaul (as in start over) and a big "time-out" from the whole Dieter thing. Oh, and a one-off, short wheelbase, two-door Charger with a blown Hemi in it with a license plate that reads "WRKNMN." For GM CEO Rick Wagoner, a more blunt-speaking tone to go along with his tougher, no-B.S. attitude, a 90-day moratorium from journalists asking him if he's going to "step down," more product hits and the first supercharged Corvette ZO6 "Blue Devil" (in Duke Blue Devil Blue, of course) - with a license plate that reads "THERICK." Oh, and a free lunch from The Autoextremist at Athens Coney Island in Royal Oak. For the boys and girls at Chevrolet, continued momentum for your new stuff and a drop-dead gorgeous Camaro concept at Cobo Hall in January (hint: it's killer). Better ads, because they're not as good as you think they are - you need a new definition of "American Revolution" because the current one's already out of gas. For the boys and girls at Lincoln, yet another cool Lincoln concept debuts at the Detroit show, but it's not good enough - then again, when you've survived on "Smoke and Mirrors" marketing for so long nothing is good enough. Here's hoping you finally get serious money to bring a proper, rear-wheel-drive, big-time Lincoln back into production. You need it - desperately. For the boys and girls at Jaguar, who are in desperate need of a new idea - stand back and give Jaguar a long, hard look, because what you're doing now isn't cutting it. What's Jaguar's raison d'etre? Do you know? Because from where we sit it looks like your short of a few clues. Where is the signature Jaguar that you can hang the brand's future on for the next decade? That's right, it's not there - no matter how hard you squint while looking at the "new" XK. Dip into the holiday cheer and let your minds go - and maybe you'll see things in a new light. Otherwise, it's time to let someone else have stewardship of one of the greatest names in automotive history. For the boys and girls at Saturn, the gift of time - until the new Aura sedan hits. If you can hang on, you'll have a legitimate hit on your hands (although we think the revised Vue is one of this year's pleasant surprises). The Sky is just gravy. For the boys and girls at Hummer, continued momentum for the H3 and standard diesel power for the H2. And don't lose that attitude. For the boys and girls at Nissan headquarters in California, peace of mind and best of luck in your various new gigs. And to those few who will make the move to Nashville, get ready to meet all of your new co-workers - from Detroit. For the boys and girls at Saab, more credibility, continued product momentum, and we'll just forget about your new theme line and hope the next one is better. For the boys and girls at Mercedes-Benz, a big dose of reality and a smooth transition to a world that doesn't revolve around you. Don't worry - it won't be too bad, after all, Avis made a career out of being #2. For the boys and girls at Porsche, boatloads of cash in order to convince people to even look at the Cayenne again - and tight supplies of the Cayman, which will replace the 911 and the Boxster as the Porsche in the U.S. For the boys and girls at BMW, pills to keep your heads from swelling too much, zero public pronouncements from Chris Bangle (we've heard enough already), fewer models and no people mover. And let's see if you have the stuff to lead, after playing the role of the perennially hungry chaser for so long. For the boys and girls at Buick, substantial success for the Lucerne (our "sleeper" hit of the year) and enough momentum until the Enclave crossover hits. For Pontiac, much better advertising (we dislike the TV, and the print is barely acceptable) and a reason for being in the long-term future of GM - because badge-engineering isn't the answer (see Torrent). For the boys and girls at Ford, more product hits, less internal hand-wringing and whining - and when can we order our Shelby GR-1 Coupe? For the boys and girls at Chrysler, best of luck in reducing your inventory buildup and enough time to hang on until your new stuff hits - you'll need it. And for everyone else in the biz, may your stockings hold plenty of new ideas, some much-needed creative thinking and even a few surprises to keep you on your toes - along with peace and happiness too. Thanks for listening, we'll see you back here next Wednesday for our much anticipated blockbuster year-end issue. Automotive consultant Peter M. DeLorenzo founded Autoextremist.com - an Internet magazine devoted to news, commentary and analysis of the automotive industry, automotive marketing, strategy and product development - on June 1, 1999. Since then, Autoextremist.com has become a weekly "must-read" for leading professionals within and outside the industry, including top executives at the car companies, suppliers, dealers, journalists, financial analysts, enthusiasts, and people directly involved in motorsports. Prior to launching the site, Peter spent more than two decades in automotive advertising and marketing, holding top-level positions as Creative Director and Executive CD at ad agencies in Detroit and New York. In addition to his editorial opinion work on Autoextremist.com, Mr. DeLorenzo regularly consults for enlightened automobile companies and is a national commentator on the auto industry. The opinions expressed by Mr. DeLorenzo are his and his alone and do not necessarily reflect those of his clients.

The coupes of this era weren't my favorite...I still liked the droptops. The coupe got a bit baroque.

I agree completely.

Socks.

Friday, December 16, 2005 Tahoe GM gets earlier start on '07 SUVs Automaker cites new engineering approach as it begins output weeks sooner than predicted. Brett Clanton / The Detroit News DETROIT-- General Motors Corp. has begun producing a new lineup of full-size SUVs earlier than expected after saying last spring it would speed up the program to help restore profits and boost lagging sales. The automaker started producing the 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Yukon and Cadillac Escalade in the last week of November, one week ahead of an already accelerated timetable aimed to begin output five weeks early. Gary White, GM vice president over full-size trucks, said the automaker was able to shave off the time after prototype testing was completed early. The SUV program further benefited from a new engineering approach that stresses the use of more common parts among GM vehicles, he said. "Really, we did all the things we needed to do two years ago to be able to move faster at the end," White said in an interview Thursday. The same efficiencies will let GM move up the launch of its redesigned full-size pickups -- the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra -- by three months to October 2006, he said. GM Chairman Rick Wagoner decided to speed the SUVs to market earlier this year as part of his effort to resurrect the automaker's North American operations. GM's North American automotive division lost $4.8 billion in the first nine months of 2005 amid falling sales, rising material costs and increased competition. But the large SUVs face challenges in a U.S. market is rife with smaller, more nimble and more fuel-efficient alternatives to traditional truck-based SUVs. "Any expectation for those vehicles has to be somewhat muted," said Erich Merkle, industry analyst with IRN Inc. in Grand Rapids, who believes GM's large SUV sales will remain flat with the new entries. While GM said the large SUV market is unlikely to reach around one million annual sales -- as it did at its 2002 peak, the company expects to remain the dominant player in the highly profitable segment. To woo buyers, GM made a raft of improvements to the new SUVs, adding more upscale interiors, new safety features and revamped powertrains that improve fuel economy to an average 20 miles per gallon. But even with the stepped-up production schedule, GM's SUVs cannot be sold in dealerships until early next year. A legal requirement bars automakers from selling 2007 models until at least Jan. 1, 2006.

Munster kids rev up GM Web site Students critique company approach, headed to Detroit BY SHARON PORTA Times Correspondent This story ran on nwitimes.com on Friday, December 16, 2005 12:31 AM CST MUNSTER | Most U.S. auto manufacturers n General Motors Corp. included n have had a difficult time appealing to and connecting with customers in the youth market. To help build a relationship among those elusive 18 to 24 year olds, GM has solicited the help of students from Munster High School. According to GM, this demographic group, which is expected to account for one in five vehicles purchased by 2010, has a greater acceptance of import vehicles because they think the quality of domestic vehicles lags behind imports. GM developed the Axis web site to remedy this perception. Although it is aimed at the youth market, the web site isn't getting many hits, and GM wants to know why. Since October, the 24 students in the AP Composition and Language class at Munster High School, taught by Rob McCall, have been critiquing the web site. Today they are traveling to Detroit to present those findings to GM executives. Originally, the GM executives were going to come to Munster for the presentation. But now the gang will be loaded into buses this morning for the drive to Detroit. "We thought with the kids going to GM, they would get a broader experience," McCall said. "This assignment goes outside the walls of the high school, into real life." GM had learned of Munster High School's interest in problem-based learning, and contacted McCall earlier this year. "AP Comp is all about critical thinking and problem solving," McCall said. "The students have to find a solution to a problem and be able to communicate that solution. Like teens today, these students are very critical. But the skills they have worked on and developed are very worthwhile." The students have researched different aspects of the problem in groups, developed an individual paper, group paper and a group presentation with a solution. Student Shobha Pai, 18, said at first the project seemed overwhelming. But when the tasks were divided among five groups of students, they became more manageable. "We used our writing skills to pull the presentation together, and it's a great opportunity for public speaking," Pai said. Kay Jarboe, in GM's youth marketing department, said the project is helpful to the company in two ways. "We want to do something with youth on general business development," Jarboe said. "These students will be using their presentation skills and thinking outside the box. This helps us help to develop future GM employees. It also lets us see what kids are thinking." Nick Stolarz, 18, said that although the web site is built to appeal to youth, it's not effective at marketing GM products. "There is information about concerts and contests but nothing about GM and their cars," Stolarz said. "If their goal is to get their name out there, they aren't doing the job."

News Lease guide forecasts high residual value for Pontiac Solstice ARLENA SAWYERS | Automotive News Posted Date: 12/16/05 The Pontiac Solstice will keep its value better than any other new 2006 domestic-brand vehicle, Automotive Lease Guide predicts. The guide, which sets residual value standards for the industry, predicts the Solstice will hold 54.0 percent of its sticker price after three years. The roadster has a base price of $19,995, including shipping. Among domestic vehicles, the Solstice is second only to the 2006 Dodge Viper. The guide projects the Viper to retain 60.0 percent of its sticker price after three years. A residual value of more than 50 percent is considered outstanding. The guide predicts that two other new 2006 cars - the Ford Fusion and Dodge Charger - both will hold 45.6 percent of their resale value after three years. A residual value is a projection of a vehicle's worth at the end of a lease, typically three years. It is expressed as a percentage of sticker price. Residual values help determine monthly payments for new-vehicle leases. Higher values allow lower payments. They also can improve perceptions of a vehicle or brand. Another closely watched vehicle, the redesigned 2006 Honda Civic, has a resale value of 53.0 percent after three years, the guide predicts. 'Curb appeal' Raj Sundaram, president of Automotive Lease Guide in Santa Barbara, Calif., calls the Solstice "well packaged and well priced." "It's got curb appeal," Sundaram told Automotive News. "The best thing is its reasonable volume target." General Motors spokesman Jim Hopson says Pontiac expects to sell about 16,000 Solstices in the 2006 model year. It has the capacity to take annual Solstice sales to about 20,000 units, Hopson adds. The guide is scheduled to release its annual residual value rankings by brand on Wednesday, Dec. 14. It predicts that 2006 vehicles from nonluxury brands will retain an average of 44.5 percent of sticker price after three years. That's 2.0 percentage points more than the guide's 2005 prediction. It's 2.5 points more than the 2004 prediction. Honda and Toyota retain their guide rankings as the top nonluxury brands. The guide projects Honda's residual value at 53.0 percent, unchanged from the 2005 prediction. Toyota's brand residual projection is 51.8 percent, one percentage point below its 2005 projection. As a brand, Pontiac is expected to hold 42.1 percent of its sticker price after three years, up from a projection of 36.9 percent for 2005 models. Hopson attributes that improvement in part to Pontiac's strategy of curbing fleet sales. Buick at bottom Buick is at the bottom of the brand rankings. Its projected residual value for its 2006 vehicles is 37.9 percent. Still, that's up from 35.5 percent for Buick's 2005 models. GM's Hopson says new vehicles such as the Lucerne sedan should enable Buick to boost its residual values further in the next 12 to 18 months. Automotive Lease Guide predicts that 2006 luxury-brand vehicles, on average, will retain 49.4 percent of their sticker price after three years. That is 0.5 percentage points below the guide's prediction for 2005 luxury brands and 0.4 points above the 2004 prediction. Among luxury brands, Land Rover shows considerable improvement. Its 2006 residual projection is 51.2 percent, up from a projection of 49.6 percent for its 2005 models. The Chrysler group would like a higher residual value for the Dodge Charger, spokesman Kevin McCormick says. But he notes that the value the guide assigns the Charger is higher than those given previous Dodge sedans. "We've made some dramatic improvements," McCormick says. "The whole LX platform has done a good job in the residual-value market."

Very funny!.....

Blu and Balthazar, is there anything you car nuts don't know?....you are both right, it's an Aussie Plymouth Ute. They had Desoto, Dodge and Plymouth versions. Very interesting. They had these before the famous El Camino and Ranchero? Also Balthazar, I'm liking your signature...it's very Buick and very artsy too.

I predict this is going to be a popular suv. They should have done this years ago. It's very appealing.

What the heck is this?

As always, the real car will probably be much nicer...but that windshield treatment doesn't seem to suit RR.

you guys are real assmen!

Uh, huh...that's the ticket....ya, come to daddy, oh ya....

What's your opinion on GM (and others) vehicle introductions. Should they be in September or randomly throughout the year?

FOR RELEASE: 2005-12-15 Chevrolet Taps New Year's Eve/Times Square To Launch All New 2007 Chevy Tahoe The revolution races on with introduction of all new Chevy Tahoe, signaling Chevrolet's continued barrage of new products in '06 Groundbreaking partnership with NYC, Countdown Entertainment and Times Square Alliance gives Chevrolet unprecedented presence in Times Square, including all new custom Chevy stage Major sponsor of "NBC's New Year's Eve With Carson Daly, Presented by Chevrolet" featuring live musical performance by Mary J. Blige DETROIT - Chevrolet will be continuing its tradition of revolutionary product launches when GM's largest division joins over 750,000 (estimated) New Year's Eve revelers in Times Square to usher in 2006. Chevrolet will take advantage of the world's largest stage with an unprecedented Times Square takeover to launch the all new 2007 Chevy Tahoe. The all new Tahoe will play a starring role in the Times Square festivities when a pair of matching Tahoes will be elevated above the crowd by custom 20' tall hydraulic scissor lifts. Accompanied by special lighting effects and flanking the One Times Square building and the official ball drop, the Tahoes will rise to punctuate the performance of special musical guest Mary J. Blige, who will perform on Chevy's 20' by 30' custom stage in the heart of Times Square. "What's bigger than New Year's Eve, Times Square and the Chevy Tahoe?" said Ed Peper, Chevrolet General Manager. "Since 2001, Chevy Tahoe has been America's best-selling full-size SUV. The 2007 model deserves a dramatic entrance and delivering superstar Mary J. Blige to the Chevy stage in Times Square on New Year's Eve in the all new Tahoe is the perfect introduction." The musical performance by Mary J. Blige will be broadcast live on "NBC's New Year's Eve With Carson Daly, Presented by Chevrolet," which airs at 11:30 p.m. EST. Blige, whose seventh studio album titled "Breakthrough" debuts on December 20, will perform two songs live from the Chevy stage. "New Year's Eve has played a key role in Chevrolet's marketing strategy since we launched the 'An American Revolution' campaign on December 31, 2003," said Kim Kosak, Chevrolet general director of advertising and promotions. "NBC's New Year's Eve broadcast has been a collaborative effort with Chevrolet and we are thrilled to present the entire show live from Times Square with special performances by superstar Mary J. Blige live from the Chevy Stage. This is a terrific opportunity to emotionally connect with millions of viewers during one of the biggest nights of the year." Additional Chevrolet New Year's promotions and marketing activities include: Chevy messaging on major outdoor Times Square properties including the ABC Studio Supersign and Reuters Jumbotron and the ball drop video monitors Chevy's iconic gold bowtie emblem will adorn the podium on the Mayor's stage, where Mayor Bloomberg will push the button that drops the Waterford Crystal Times Square New Year's Ball Chevrolet will blanket Times Square with timed gold confetti and provide revelers with commemorative wearables, including Chevy New Year's Eve jester hats and headbands Media buys include sponsorships of the New Year's Eve broadcasts on ABC, Fox, Telemundo, Telefutura and Galavision, as well as New Year's Day sponsorships of NFL match-ups and BET programming Chevy Tahoe-branded bags, conveying the message "New Year. New Tahoe," will deliver the New Year's Day newspaper in 29 key U.S. markets In addition to Chevrolet's featured presence in Times Square, New Year's Eve will also mark the launch of a new Chevy brand advertising campaign. A new television spot under the "An American Revolution" banner titled "Hand Off" will break during New Year's Eve broadcasts. In the spot, a mysterious black box is handed off from driver to driver in a variety of Chevy cars and trucks filmed against a backdrop of New York City settings like the Brooklyn Bridge and Central Park. The surprise ending reveals the all new Chevy Tahoe and makes the connection between Chevrolet and New Year's Eve. The spot is particularly noteworthy because the final scene will be customized for other Chevrolet-sponsored media broadcast events throughout the year, including the Olympics. "An American Revolution" was the platform for Chevy's unprecedented launch of ten all new cars in trucks in a 20-month timeframe including the Cobalt, HHR and all new Impala. And 2006 will be the "Year of the Truck" as Chevrolet gears up for the launch of a completely refreshed truck line. The all new Suburban, Avalanche and Silverado will join Tahoe as the "Revolution" races on in 2006. The 2007 Chevy Tahoe has been engineered to deliver a smoother, quieter ride, more responsive handling and a more refined interior. The Vortec 5300 V8 engine with Active Fuel Management technology helps balance 320 horsepower with unsurpassed fuel economy (16 city/22 highway) and allows for seamless transition from eight cylinders to four and back again to give Tahoe drivers the power they expect. About Chevrolet Chevrolet is one of America's most well-known and successful automotive brands. With the largest dealer network in the United States, Chevy is the leader in full-size trucks and the leader in sales of vehicles priced $35,000 and above. In addition, Chevrolet delivers more-than-expected value in every vehicle category, offering cars and trucks priced from $9,995 to $52,000. Offering dynamic yet timeless designs, Chevy owners demand great looks that don't go out of style, high performance per dollar, and features expected in more expensive vehicles. Chevrolet's global headquarters is at the GM Renaissance Center in Detroit. For more information, go to www.chevy.com.

The Phantom goes topless for 2007 By Phil Lienert Email Date posted: 12-15-2005 Official confirmation that a Rolls-Royce drop top was in the works came months ago, and now we have the first shots of a prototype in action. The Phantom-based convertible is expected to join the company's lineup in 2007, with the upcoming Bentley Continental GT convertible as the next closest competition, give or take a couple hundred thousand dollars. Since BMW took over the company nearly three years ago, sales of Rolls' single Phantom model haven't quite met with the parent company's expectations. The recent stretched version of the Phantom has increased the brand's appeal in the Middle East, but the company needs a slightly more dynamic product — along the lines of this Phantom-based convertible — in order to broaden its American consumer base and further pin Maybach into the corner. Rolls-Royce's spin-off of its primary model will draw a great deal of its inspiration from the 100EX concept which appeared at the 2004 Geneva Motor Show to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the beginning of the Rolls-Royce partnership. The Rolls-Royce convertible, as well as the 100EX, were both created by the company's former head of exterior design, Marek Djordjevic, at BMW's Design Works studio in California. This two-door, four-seat vehicle will eschew the concept's jaw-dropping 9.0-liter V16 in favor of the standard Phantom's more manageable 6.75-liter V12. The convertible will also share its aluminum spaceframe chassis with the Phantom. The bold reverse-opening suicide doors, clear in these photos, will migrate from the 100EX concept to the production convertible. The Rolls-Royce convertible will be hand-built at the company's Goodwood factory in the U.K. starting in 2007.

Michael J. Dunne From China, in no uncertain terms When it comes to Li Shufu, you can throw out images of inscrutable Chinese. The founder and chairman of Geely Motors makes no secret about his ambitions: “By 2015, Geely Motors will produce 2 million vehicles a year,” he declared this autumn. “Two-thirds will be for export.” Li comes from Zhejiang Province, a hotbed of capitalism located just south of Shanghai. Since the 1980s, Zhejiang farmers-turned-entrepreneurs like Li have made fortunes by exporting huge volumes of simple items like coat buttons, cigarette lighters, and even Christmas tree lights. For Li, cars are a natural step up from the more basic products. “Just like selling lighters, we’ll ship Geelys all over the world.” China’s car export industry today is still taking baby steps. Car exports will reach an estimated 28,000 cars in 2005, less than 1 percent of the nation’s total car production. Countries like Syria, Belgium, Egypt and Algeria - where car buyers are not the most fastidious lot - are the main importers of the Chinese cars. When the subject turns to Chinese exports, most people first think of Chery Automobile and its association with Malcolm Bricklin. But, Geely is the vanguard - at least so far. The company sold 5,000 cars overseas in 2004. This year, Geely will export 12,000 cars to more than 30 countries. Much of Li Shufu’s optimism is fueled by success at home. Sales through October were up 43 percent to 114,871 units. That volume is good for 4.7 percent share of the China market. By comparison, Toyota and Mazda are each at 4 percent and Ford has captured just 2 percent. Geely this quarter announced plans to open new plants in China’s less-developed interior provinces of Hunan and Gansu. This move is consistent with the company’s overall strategy to “build affordable cars for the masses.” Conquering overseas markets will not be as easy as the game at home. Geely met its first major setback just last month. Chinese press this week reported that Geely has been “clubbed over the head with a big stick” by Malaysia, its Southeast Asian neighbor. Earlier this year, Geely had built a green field plant outside of Kuala Lumpur at the invitation of the Malaysian government. But when the first Geely models - the Merrie and Free Ship - rolled off the line two weeks ago, Geely was forbidden from selling inside Malaysia. Authorities in Malaysia apparently fear that Geely products - with prices starting at $3,800 - would cut down Malaysia’s Proton and Perodua national cars at the knees. Geely was informed that it could use Malaysia as a base for production and export, but not for sales in the domestic market. “This is completely different from our original understanding of the rules,” said a Geely spokesman. Today, Geely management in Malaysia finds itself pacing around an idle plant. Geely is learning that to win overseas, you may need to satisfy two kinds of customers - both car buyers and the people who make the rules. Li remains undeterred: “There are always so many problems. But I never doubt the vision.” Michael J. Dunne is founder of Automotive Resources Asia, a market information company specializing in Asian car markets.

I like your fresh thinking. Something very appealing about it. Kind of boutique gas stations. I agree about luxury not just about the car, but about the buying experience, the attentive service, little extras that make people feel pampered. Now that's luxury...you are right on the money.