HarleyEarl

It's great Chevy is involved in racing...any racing. It creates some excitement about the brand.....it's not just about conveyances from A-B...it's about passion, fun.

I love this commercial for Citroen. http://www.i-am-bored.com/bored_link.cfm?link_id=6550

FOR RELEASE: 2006-01-18 Saturn Revitalization: Product and Marketing Jill Lajdziak Saturn General Manager Hyatt Regency Hotel Thank you. And thank all of you (to audience) - for inviting me to share a little bit about what marketing means at Saturn. Before I discuss some of our specific tactics, I want to spend just a couple of minutes to share with you where our brand is headed - so you'll clearly understand the approaches we're taking. First, it's important to understand that Saturn is positioned as a conquest brand within the General Motors portfolio of brands. This past year, Saturn Retailers delivered more than 200,000 cars and SUVs to some of the most satisfied owners in the industry The lion's share of these buyers would not have considered a General Motors product if not for Saturn. In fact, our research shows that 70 percent of our customers would not have consider another GM product if they had not bought or leased one of our Saturn vehicles. So. . . the "promise" of Saturn is alive and well. We are delivering on our mission to deliver "plus business" to General Motors. Over the past 15 years, we've accomplished this with a somewhat limited portfolio. However -- in order to build our brand over the next decade -- it's imperative that we grow our range of product offerings - so that we can better address the very diverse needs of our target market. And grow we will. This year alone, we'll double the number of segments in which we compete. The SKY will be launched first - and will foreshadow the new design language for our brand. It's a beautifully designed two-seat roadster that will become available this spring. Later in the year, we'll bring to market our new midsize - the AURA. As you can see, this new Saturn looks great on the outside -- but I have to tell you - it also has one of the most refined interiors you'll find on any vehicle - in any segment in the industry. We'll also bring the VUE Green Line model to market in the summer timeframe. I encourage all of you to stop by our display at the North American International Auto Show to get a close look at this environmentally friendly SUV. The response we received to this vehicle during press week was outstanding - and we can't wait to bring it to market! Toward the end of the year, we'll roll out the new OUTLOOK - the first Saturn capable of carrying eight passengers. I can't share a photo of this vehicle quite yet - because we haven't unveiled it to the public. I can tell you, however, that it is every bit as contemporary and imaginative as the SKY and AURA. There are not many brands that will double their portfolio in a single year...It is quite an undertaking. As I've traveled the country, meeting with journalists to discuss our plans for the Saturn brand, I received some solid advice from an editor of one of the major auto enthusiast magazines. He told me, "You're getting a beautiful portfolio, but remember, you've already got an industry leading brand. Don't lose it as you grow." That's the magic we need to make happen...showcase the product without losing the brand equity. Now, let me show you how we're seeding the idea of our growth on television... We think that spot does a great job of highlighting our imaginative persona - and effectively communicates the revitalization of our product portfolio. But our brand is about much more than just product. It is also about the exceptional personal relationships that we build - no matter where people touch our brand. Saturn is a brand that's honest. Saturn is a brand you trust - before, during and after the sale. It is a brand that's been built on the power of strong, lasting relationships. Our culture encourages every team member - regardless of job title or responsibility -- to go the extra mile to ensure that customer expectations are both met and exceeded. That's why we incorporate a high degree of targeted, one-to-one interaction into our marketing mix. I'll give you a few examples . . . In terms of promotions, we work very closely with our retail partners, and we look to extend the Saturn brand promise outside the retail environment. These are shots of what we call our "mobile event teams." These teams are built around event marketers who are full-time extended members of our marketing team. They live, eat and breathe our brand on a year-round basis -- so that they're able to extend our brand character to everyone they come into contact with. At 300 - 400 events a year, People not only see the new product, they experience Saturn on a very interpersonal basis. Some of our mobile events leverage a very unique and inviting property - the Saturn Sky Dome. The dome encourages event attendees to interact with our vehicles in a very engaging manner. This unique technology presents a Saturn vehicle as a blank canvas on which we can project imagery to both educate and entertain. And of course, our brand-savvy mobile event team members are there to add the Saturn human touch as well. We've incorporated this technology into our display down at the auto show - so again, I encourage you to stop by and take a look if you get an opportunity to get down to Cobo this week. That's what we're doing in terms of event marketing. But we're also well aware that most car shoppers now utilize the web to help identify which brands and vehicles they're most interested in shopping. That's why we're taking a high-touch approach on in the internet as well. If you visit Saturn.com, you may very well be approached by a live chat agent who will offer to help you find what you're looking for. Just as is the case with our event marketing specialists, our web chat agents live Saturn on a full-time basis. Therefore, they are well-equipped to convey the warmth and honesty of our brand through our web site in a highly interpersonal manner. We've received incredible feedback in the time we've been running this pilot - through many thank-you letters and emails. In fact, very recently one new Saturn owner even took the time to document their new car purchase in a scrapbook and sent a copy back to our interactive agent to thank them for their assistance during their shopping experience. I love getting feedback like this because it continually reminds me what we're all about - exceeding expectations. These are just a few examples of the approaches that we're using to help foster customer enthusiasm, positive word-of-mouth advertising and the most satisfied owners in the industry. At Saturn, "one size fits all" marketing is out the window. Our mission is to attract customers to our brand who wouldn't otherwise consider a General Motors product. That's been our objective since the beginning - and will continue to be well into the future. At Saturn we're all about innovation - imagination and creativity. But not just in our products . . . but also in the way that we touch each and every person who comes into contact with our brand. People expect outstanding experiences from Saturn. It's our legacy. It's our promise. And we simply can't let that promise be unfulfilled. Thank you very much. I'm looking forward to taking to you further during the roundtable.

This car is for the Canadian market. Pontiacs have always been more popular than Chevys here, therefore it exists. I have no problem with this vehicle or the Pursuit. These are needed here.

I agree also....and even go further and have as a fixed roof and open bed...make it more pickup in appearance. And then lower the price slightly...

I like Vegas and Astres alot. Wish they didn't have such a bad reputation.

Even though I'm a big GM fan, I still want this car to be built. I want lots of great cars on the market, and more competition...it makes everyone better.

I heard rumors that the next Saturn Vue is based on this too...and not much different looking.

I personally like split bench seats with column shifter in larger luxury cars.....love the expanse of floor space....convenient spot for my laptop right next to me...just has more of a living room sofa thing...I hope GM always has them.

I knew of someone with a red one with black interior.....just sensational. I loved it.

Is that hints of the Sky I see under that cover?

I am really liking more and more, the combination metal and wood interiors.....beautiful! Here is the XLR...gorgeous. It's how the STS and other Caddies should be done. Cadillac needs to glam up it's interiors....American glamour, baby...that's the ticket.

The whole Toyota preoccupation lately is getting so old.

Now that's amazing.....there can't be many of these around.

January 18, 2005 Regular or Premium: choosing the right fuel grade by Jim Kerr Deciding what grade of gasoline to use in your vehicle has been a question asked by many readers. Should I use regular, or is it worth spending more for the premium grade fuel? While premium grade fuel may contain a few more additives, most vehicles will operate fine on regular grades. There are some vehicles out there where premium fuel is specified by the manufacturer. What happens if regular fuel or gasohol is used in these vehicles? Premium fuels have a higher resistance to pinging or detonation in the engine's combustion chamber than regular fuels do. Higher compression ratios, higher heat loads and higher vehicle loads all create an environment in the engine where the fuel tends to self ignite before the spark plug can properly fire the mixture. When this occurs too much, severe engine vibrations occur internally that can break piston rings, pistons and even damage bearings. We sometimes hear this as a rattling sound from the engine compartment when the vehicle is accelerated hard. When looking at vehicle fuel requirements in the owner's manuals, it will state whether regular fuel can be used, premium fuel is recommended, or premium fuel is required. It also often has this printed right at the fuel filler. If the specifications say premium fuel is recommended, you can use regular fuel for many driving conditions, especially if you are not placing high heat or acceleration loads on the vehicle. If any pinging does occur, the engine knock sensor will detect this and cause the ignition timing to retard. This will reduce the pinging, but can decrease performance and fuel economy. If premium fuel is required, use what the manufacturer recommends. Typically, when the manufacturer shows fuel requirements, they also list the minimum octane rating. It may typically be 87 octane if regular fuel is required or 91 octane rating for vehicles requiring premium fuel. Gasohol, a common name given to gasoline with small percentages of alcohol added to them has a higher octane rating than the gasoline by itself. This is because the alcohol evaporates quickly in the combustion chamber and absorbs heat that would cause pinging or detonation. Therefore, any gasohol type fuel with an octane rating equal or higher than the premium fuel will work fine in vehicles requiring premium fuel grades. Using fuel with alcohol in it does tend to lean the fuel mixture, but the oxygen sensor in the exhaust system detects that the engine is operating slightly lean and enriches the air/fuel mixture slightly, so the engine will burn slightly more fuel. However, there is probably more difference in fuel economy made by other driving factors such as outside temperatures, tire pressures, or road conditions than the fuel would make. Using gasohol in engines such as cars from the 70's or earlier, older snowmobiles, motorcycles or lawn equipment that do not have oxygen sensors will cause the engine to operate lean. If the air fuel mixture was already on the rich side, then it will actually run better, but if the air fuel ratio was already lean, then leaning the fuel mixture further can cause pistons to melt. The carburettor may need to be adjusted to compensate for the different fuel. All auto manufacturers allow gasohol with up to 10% alcohol in the fuel in vehicles equipped with oxygen sensors built in the last 15 to 20 years, so using gasohol is not a problem. As a point of interest, you may notice that some manufacturers such as GM, Ford and Chrysler are also marketing vehicles compatible with E85. This fuel is 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline. Currently, there are only a couple filling stations in Ottawa that are supplying this fuel, but the situation could change rapidly as ethanol production is ramped up to offset gasoline shortages in the future. E85 is used instead of straight ethanol for a couple reasons. First, the addition of gasoline to the ethanol makes it unfit for human consumption (a potential problem with pure ethanol). Secondly, alcohol does not evaporate as easily as gasoline at very low temperatures, so adding gasoline makes the engine easier to start when the thermometer drops. When pulling up to the pumps, check out the octane rating for each grade of fuel shown on the pumps. For most of us, regular grades will work just fine. Don't spend money on premium grades unless your car really needs it.

The 1973 Pontiac Astre. Place a bar in the middle of a Vega grille...voila, instant Pontiac. Notice the tent option. Inspiration for the Aztek?

The Chevrolet SSR ends production on March 17th of 2006. Very little demand. Too bad.

New Opel GT at 2006 Geneva Motor Show Text & Photo courtesy Opel 01-18-2006 Legendary Name Celebrates Comeback The classic slogan "Nur Fliegen ist schöner" ("Only flying is more exciting") went down in the history of advertising, and applied to a car which has become a classic itself, the Opel GT. Now the Opel brand is reviving the legend with a new sports car that echoes the successful concept of its predecessor. The new two-seat GT features an exciting design with sharply cut lines, rear-wheel drive and a potent four-cylinder turbo engine with gasoline direct injection. The new roadster will celebrate its world premiere at this year's Geneva Motor Show. The career of the original GT began with a bolt out of the blue. When Opel presented a two-seat sports car at the 1965 Frankfurt Motor Show it came as a complete surprise, especially as the GT was a total departure from the prevailing design trend in Europe at that time. The curvacious lines were inspired by a new style of US-design, the so-called "coke-bottle shape". The styling cues included a low front-end with pop-up headlights, pronounced rounded wheelarches, a narrow waist in the area of the doors, and even shapelier rear wheelarches ending in an abrupt tail-end. Over 100,000 units were produced between 1968 and 1973, and the GT has since become a coveted collector's item.

Car News briefs: Cross Lander Ute expected this year AutoWeek | Published 01/17/06, 4:33 pm et Free pass for Cross Lander Importers of the inexpensive Romanian built Cross Lander 244X sport/ute won a three-year exemption from federal airbag requirements. Cross Lander won the exemption through May 2008 because the vehicle as initially configured weighed more than 5500 pounds, which would have excluded it from the requirement. However, an engine supply problem forced a powertrain switch that reduced the weight below the 5500-pound threshold. As a result, the company requested and won the airbag waiver and plans to move ahead with sales of the vehicle in the United States this year.

Sometimes aftermarket stuff can look better than factory....here's a Cadillac STS.

I got thinking maybe I've been too harsh on this car.....maybe it is time to lighten up...have cars fun again, a sense of humor. It's been so long.

Chrylser will make a final dicision in the final quarter of 2006 on the Firepower. It's still on the agenda. Corvette competitor?

I like that copper color on the CTS. It isn't 'anachromatic' to me.

I agree. This is comical. Especially on a 4-door....really quite silly. I mean I'm glad Chrysler is taking some chances, but this may be over the line with the nostalgia/retro thing.

2007 Dodge Charger SRT8 Super Bee announced. 425 hp.