(Note: This article has been transposed from Microsoft Word into Lotus
Notes....hopefully the punctuation will not appear as "question marks." If
it does, my apologies. Feel free to share this article with your fellow
club members..........)

An American Revolution.


I just returned from what may be one of the most exciting days in my career
at Chevrolet. I spent several hours with my co-workers at Chevrolet Motor
Divison, GM Powertrain, GM Design, and Campbell-Ewald, our Advertising
Agency. I've seen the future, and what a future it is! While I cannot
share everything with you, (boy, do I wish I could!) I thought I'd share
some bits ? because I know how many of you enjoy a look into the future.


I truly believe that most, if not all those that visit the various Camaro
websites really want to see Chevrolet re-establish itself as "American
Excellence." To some, Chevrolet already represents this. Unfortunately,
one look at buying habits will tell you that many do not.


Looking back at model years 1968-1970, it would be hard to imagine a
greater product lineup. The cars from that era are revered for their style
and initial affordability ? and for the statement they made.
It appears to many that we lost our way?and for many reasons. I won't go
into those reasons as that's another story.


Chevrolet is embarking on a series of product launches of historic
proportion. Malibu, Colorado, SSR, and Malibu MAXX are currently at your
local Chevy Dealership?.and very shortly, the Equinox and Aveo will join
them. We'll be unveiling the 2005 Corvette as well as a premium small car
family called Cobalt at the North American International Auto Show in
Detroit and the Los Angeles International Auto Show. Right behind these
exciting products comes a "redefining" HHR ? a "cross-over" vehicle that
combines a modern definition of the 1949 Suburban ? with today's
technology; and the Chevy Uplander that combines "cross-over" "sport
utility" and "mini-van" into a family vehicle with the best Digital
Entertainment system in the industry. Beyond that? Much, much more. In
fact, 90% of our passenger car portfolio will be new in the next 4
years?and that doesn't include some 'new' products on the horizon.


Chevrolet will have the broadest vehicle lineup in the entire industry ?
bar none ? with American Ingenuity of Bold Style, exceptional value,
leading edge technology, and great American performance ? that together
spell "Leadership."


In reality, we're making great in-roads in terms of sales leadership.
Three years ago, we found ourselves 800,000 units behind our friends in
Dearborn. This year, it's less than 200,000 units?.and as recent as this
past month, we're only 40,000 units behind in retail leadership. Impala
deliveries, alone, are up 40% this year over last. While no manufacturer
is standing still, I strongly believe that the products you see coming to
market right now coupled with those that will be announced in the coming
months, will change the way many Americans look at today's Chevy.


GM and Chevrolet will continue to announce technology that was unheard of
just a few years ago, and while I can't tell you about some proprietary
technology just yet, let me tell you about just a few. GM is the industry
leader in hydroform technology with over 20 patents. We're the leader in
vehicle stability systems. By the end of this year, we'll have over 10
million vehicles on the road with our engine-oil algorhythm program ---
that monitors engine-oil life and tells you when it's time to change your
oil. This system has the potential to save over 50 million gallons of oil
next year. Malibu is the first Chevy to receive our Automatic Collision
Notification system ? a system that will automatically notify OnStar when a
vehicle crash occurs that meets specific parameters ? even though the
airbag may NOT have been deployed due to the nature of the collision ? so
that emergency teams may be dispatched. You'll see this great safety
innovation make its way across our product portfolio. OnStar in and of
itself is a technology matched by no one else. The benefits of this system
are truly outstanding, and very shortly, you'll be invited to experience
OnStar ? with a VERY compelling offer for doing so. (more about that after
January 1) Equinox and Malibu MAXX have ingenious rear seat design that
allows the rear seat to be moved forward or backward over 6 inches. In
fact, Malibu MAXX offers similar rear seat legroom to that of the Lincoln
Continental. Malibu is the first vehicle in the industry to offer remote
start as a regular production option. And while it may be a simple item,
the new Malibu ? and many more of our future products, will have a simple
"Easy Pass ? Electronic Toll" holder on the windshield?.a great convenience
to those of you who live in areas where tolls are required to travel on
certain roads. Our powertrains which are sourced from over 40 global GM
plants will have 20 new variants in the next three years. Variable Valve
Timing is only the beginning??you'll see systems such as "Displacement on
Demand" among other things that will truly show that GM Powertrains are the
best overall powertrains in the world. The LS2 engine that will debut in
the 2005 Corvette is the next generation of the legendary small-block Chevy
? and the performance of this powertrain is simply incredible ? with NO
loss in fuel economy from the LS1.


Chevy design will once again establish an emotional connection ? and
interiors will be more compelling.


I started this note off with the words "An American Revolution" for a
reason. Chevrolet has had, perhaps, some of the most memorable ad
campaigns in the history of the auto industry. "See the USA in your
Chevrolet" and "The Heartbeat of America" still capture the hearts and
minds of millions ? decades after those ads were shown on Television.
Thinking about where Chevrolet is headed ? with Bold new Styling, "gotta
have" products, historic performance (the 2005 Corvette Coupe is capable of
180+ mph ? and that's just the beginning, my friends?..) Segment leading
entries, and an attitude of "acceptable rebellion" you might say we really
are in the beginnings of "An American Revolution." To get a better idea of
what we mean by this, please be watching on New Year's Eve to see the first
of many new Chevrolet Commercials. ( "Car Carrier" is perhaps one of the
most memorable Chevy Commericals ever?.and YES, the picture of that red
2005 Corvette was captured in San Francisco while filming the
commerical.......) I'll be posting programming and times so that you can
be watching ? or to allow you to set up your VCRs ? for a most memorable
commercial.


Now?you may say "Scott! big deal! ? an Easy Pass Holder! It's gonna take
a lot more than an Easy Pass Holder to change my mind!!!" -- please refer
to the beginning of this note -- that I've already said there is much I'd
like to tell you ? however, I'm prohibited from doing so. So I'll say
this: Fasten your safety belt??.you've only seen the very beginnings of
"An American Revolution."

As we approach the yearend and the Holidays, I'd be remiss if I didn't
mention: On behalf of all the men and women at General Motors, please, I
beg you: Don't drink and drive. Furthermore, buckle up?and that goes for everyone in the vehicle with you?each time, every time, no excuses.

May the Holiday season bring you much joy and happiness and may the new
year bring you all that is good.

Scott

Originally posted by Meccadeth
"Easy Pass Electronic Toll"

I don't understand? Is this something that lets you get on Toll Roads for free or something?

Originally posted by 90rocz
I agree, I don't need or want "Onstar"; the Expense, Complications, and Implications of the "Two way mirror"...we've become to reliant on luxuries as this and makes us complacent(sp?)...save that expense and use it to redesign a working class Legend, Sportscar...the Camaro!..