GM supplying MTV with fleet of custom E85 vehicles and Chip Foose Tahoe Concept
General Motors has teamed up with the 2006 MTV Video Music Awards to supply the event with a fleet of 60 E85 capable Chevy Tahoe, Avalanche and Suburban vehicles. The fleet will be used to transport "talent" (we use that term loosely) to the event and also get the word out about the first E85 refueling station in New York City that will be announced later this month. Each fleet vehicle is lightly customized with billet grilles, Chevy Accessory wheels and bright kit running boards on the Tahoes only. Designers stopped short of using MTV's Moon Man award as a hood ornament.
To commemorate the event, GM also hired designer du jour Chip Foose to build the Tahoe Concept. The company is billing Foose's creation as the first customized E85-capable vehicle. The Tahoe Concept features Foose details like a black powder-coated billet grille, lowered ride height, custom black wheels and a special two-tone paint job with a thin Tangier orange stripe.
Fuel for the fleet vehicles being used during the show will be provided by Sprague Energy and the vehicles will refuel at the New York City Dept. of Sanitation, hopefully after they've dropped off their pop star cargo at the red carpet. After the VMAs are over, Chevy will sell all 60 "MTV Video Music Awards Chevy E85" vehicles at dealerships in the New York area. That's right, you could own the Tahoe that delivers Ashley Simpson to Radio City Music Hall.
(More pics and GM's press release after the jump)
[Source: GM]
Press release:
Chevrolet Drives "Green" to 2006 MTV Video Music Awards by Going "Yellow"
A Customized Fleet of E85 Ethanol Compatible Chevy SUVs and
NEW YORK – Chevrolet will demonstrate that "yellow is the new black" when it comes to style at the 2006 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs), Thursday, August 31. As the "official vehicle" of the VMAs, Chevrolet will provide a customized fleet of 60 E85 compatible SUVs to transport talent to the Awards telecast at Radio City Music Hall and provide production support in and around New York City.
Chevrolet and MTV are partnering around the 2006 VMAs to help educate viewers on E85 ethanol technology in an effort to raise awareness about reducing greenhouse gas emissions and curbing dependence on fossil fuels. The specialty fleet will be branded to promote the show as well as GM's Flex Fuel technology, which is at the center of a "Live Green, Go Yellow" initiative. This marks the first time a manufacturer has provided a fleet of E85 vehicles that have been customized specific to a major awards show.
"Going green never looked so good," said Ed Peper, Chevrolet general manager. "The 2006 MTV Video Music Awards is a great opportunity for us to showcase our Flex Fuel, E85 ethanol-compatible vehicles, as well as spread the word about Chevrolet's product portfolio that boasts nine out of 10 cars with over 30 mpg fuel economy."
In addition to the Fleet of Chevy Flex Fuel vehicles, a one-of-a-kind "pimped out" 2007 Chevy Tahoe Concept will make its red carpet debut at the VMAs. The Concept vehicle, which was designed by award-winning automotive designer Chip Foose and Unique Performance Concepts, will transport a celebrity to the awards show.
Chevrolet has also designed a multiplatform program centered around the 2006 MTV Video Music Awards to include: the branded fleet, customized Tahoe Concept, in-program content (Chevy will present the pre-show "Top of the Rock" concert and provide the "Chevy Fly-Cam" with aerial shots of red carpet arrivals) and on-line/off-line advertising.
New creative was designed to pump up awareness about Chevrolet's line-up of fuel-saving vehicles. Television ad spots themed in tandem with a recently-launched web site – reduceuruse.com – are tagged "How would you spend your time away from the pump?"
The web site invites consumers to upload consumer generated video of unique activities they would enjoy if they did not have to spend as much time at the gas station "fueling up." Humorous postings to date include a man watering his garden while dressed in a Speedo, a giant bouncy ball clash and an electronic football enthusiast. Each video clip can be further shared on consumers' MySpace pages, blogs and beyond. Reduceuruse.com is also an informational resource about Chevy vehicles and fuel efficiency, including the nine out of 10 Chevy cars that have an EPA estimated 30 or more highway MPG.
The "MTV Video Music Awards Chevy E85" vehicles will consist of 2007-model year Chevrolets, including the Tahoe, Avalanche and Suburban. The lightly-customized fleet is highlighted by a custom billet grille, 2006 MTV Video Music Awards badging, Chevy Accessory Wheels equipped with Goodyear Eagle tires and chrome center caps, bright kit running boards (Tahoes only), and a special cover trailer hitch receiver (Tahoes and Suburbans only).
The interiors of the fleet vehicles exude quality, precision and comfort. Features (varying among models) include OnStar, XM Radio, CD/MP3-compatible audio systems, a Rearview camera system, Touch-screen navigation system, DVD rear-seat entertainment system with an 8-inch screen, Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist, industry-exclusive power-release fold-and-tumble second-row seat, heated first- and second-row seats and more. Under the hoods, a powerful factory-issued next generation Vortec 5.3L V-8 engine delivers segment-leading horsepower (320 hp/340 lb.-ft. torque) and the segment's leading fuel economy combined with E85 ethanol compatibility.
The fleet will run on E85 ethanol. Sprague Energy will supply E85 to the New York City Department of Sanitation where GM will refuel for the VMAs. E85 is not currently available to the public in New York, and later this month GM and the National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition plan to announce new station openings supporting E85 and GM Flex Fuel vehicles.
The "MTV Video Music Awards Chevy E85" vehicles will be available for sale after the awards show at Chevrolet dealerships in the New York area. A commemorative plaque will accompany each sale.
The Tahoe Concept showcases classic Foose details, including a black powder-coated billet grille with the legendary Chevy bowtie at the center. Foose lowered its stance and gave it a two-tone paint scheme of silver birch (upper portion) and black (lower portion) with a thin Tangier orange stripe along the top of the door cladding that wraps around the vehicle. Exterior touches include Foose badging, dual stainless steel exhaust tips, chrome side molding, and more. Inside, a stainless instrument panel shines, while the Foose logo is stitched into the headrests and stamped onto the doorsill plates.
Chip Foose, star of the TV series "Overhaulin," who has numerous awards to his credit including the 2005 Riddler Award at Detroit's Autorama, was inducted into the Grand National Roadster Show Hall of Fame in 2003, and in 1997 became the youngest member ever inducted into the Hot Rod Hall of Fame. His storied career began under his father's design tutelage and by age 12, Foose already had five years experience and had also painted his first car. With his father and Project Design he helped design and build street rods, customs, studio vehicles and show cars for films such as Blade Runner, Robo Cop and Gone in 60 Seconds.
The 2006 MTV Video Music Awards will be held on August 31, 2006 at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. The show will be available to a potential viewing audience of more than 1.3 billion people via MTV's global network of 50 channels reaching 481.5 million households around the world as well as through syndication. Its convergent and original online programming will reach the entire interactive community, via MTV's 43 Web sites around the world.
Get a WordPress.com Blog
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Split 4:32PM (8/24/2006)
Can't put much more lipstick on that pig...
Reply
Buck Q. Fitch 4:32PM (8/24/2006)
I like Chip Foose but I really don't think he even tried here.
Reply
WillDaThrill 4:48PM (8/24/2006)
Foose does awesome work but the two tone thing is starting to define his work like Boyd's hot rods define him. I'd agree with Buck, I don't think he really tried either.
Reply
Juan 5:01PM (8/24/2006)
I've liked everything Foose has done on Overhaulin', but that Tahoe sort of looks like a conversion van now. Hopefully that wasn't what he was going for.
Reply
Corey 5:15PM (8/24/2006)
It takes a "designer" to make this crap?
Reply
Big Al 5:19PM (8/24/2006)
Based on everything Foose has done so far ( I mean , the guy has won THREE Ridler awards), I think he delievered what Chevy wanted, and I imagine they kept him on a pretty short leash. If you watch Overhaulin', he tends to stylize the project based on what the customer wants, which is not always what he would want.
I'll blame Chevy for this one.
Reply
Jon 5:29PM (8/24/2006)
Great product placement.Like putting a "Drink Coca Cola" sticker on Darth Vader's helmet.
Reply
Phillip 5:34PM (8/24/2006)
Foose probobly had alot of cost confinements. After all there are 60 of these things. He does normally style his vehicles to a greater degree.
Reply
fizzandpop 5:44PM (8/24/2006)
Like 90% of uninspired or just plain bad desgns, Foose probably had some one far less qualified and talented than him telling him what to do. They're called clients.
Reply
Lithous 6:05PM (8/24/2006)
My guess is that they had to be pretty close to stock for no other reason than these will be sold to the public afterwards at dealerships and warranted as any other vehicle they sell. If Foose lowered it an inch off the ground or something or made a some stylistic change that caused excessive wind noise or something and the buyer was at the dealer every other day trying to get the underbody fixed for damage going over a speed bump or getting the wind noise resolved that could be more head ache than it is worth. Foose probably focused on wheels and paint.
What I'd like to know is the story after the vehicles are delivered on Overhaulin' and driven awhile. Who fixes the 400HP engine they put in when there is a problem? Is there any warranty what-so-ever? My guess is no (or maybe for a short time if they feel like it wasn't ragged on?). GM is going to sell (and warranty) these so it is a whole nother ball game. Ask Foose for a 6 year/ 100K mile bumper-to-bumper warranty (to be sold for under $2K) on his other creations.
Reply
DL 7:17PM (8/24/2006)
Celebrities buy big SUVs. Maybe this will start a trend of E85 Suvs as the next big thing. Gotta hand it to GM.
Reply
Road Rage 8:20PM (8/25/2006)
The Factory 20's would look better than those black wheels. Foose is one of the best but this Tahoe misses the mark!
Reply
Luis Longo 7:24PM (8/24/2006)
"That's right, you could own the Tahoe that delivers Ashley Simpson to Radio City Music Hall. "
What dude would like that?
By the way, the whole thing another
desperate way to try to sell GM'S SUVS
i bet they have troubles even selling
those 60 special edition... poor stocks.
Reply
Luis Longo 7:29PM (8/24/2006)
Posts #1 #2 #3 #4 #5 especially #6
What makes Jim Foose one of the greatest in
todays automotives designs, is the fact, that
he goes for what the costumers want.
Once Again, it was ordered by GM.
Bottom Line Thats why is such a Crappy design.
Reply
Buck Q. Fitch 9:02PM (8/24/2006)
Jim Foose? Come on, man.
Reply
Lithous 9:19PM (8/24/2006)
I guess those 200K jobs Toyota brags about on a TV commercial (as if they are direct employees, so look for the mis-informed to start telling us how Toyota has 200K U.S. employees in comments on autoblog in the near future, I'm warning you now) aren't enough to save America from doom and gloom...
http://www.marketwatch.com/News/Story/Story.aspx?dist=newsfinder&siteid=mktw&guid={E18E95AF-DBFF-4EE4-ACF7-530A3CD714D3}&symbol=
Yeah, talk about GM's debt, the American consumer borrowed 2/3 of GM's debt JUST IN HOME EQUITY LOANS. GM is so much like the average American (except GM actually makes some things best in the world like SUVs, at least it is something, unlike 99.999% of Americans who aren't even in the ball park in a world competition).
Luis, we all can't be as great as you at what we do (as one can only assume from the way you constantly bad mouth GM otherwise you're like a fan in the stands yelling at a pro that they suck and all. Of course that usually entails alcohol but that is neither here no there). Tomorrow I must look you up in the patent office. Someone with trash talk to the level of yours must be up there with Edison and Land, I'm sure of it.
Reply
Luis Longo 1:02AM (8/25/2006)
LITHOUS
I know you own a GM product, so what?
Half America does... The point is
that you are the typical suck-up
of the company just cause you bought
one of them, and no offense, companies
love your type of costumer, by the way,
and everyone here agrees Who Doesnt
Think that GM's ""NEW"" boxy designs
are crappy?
Lets keep the
baseball example, you are the guy that
bought the Yankees' Hat, and now you think
that you are one of them, so you take any
critic to the team as a personal critic...
Same way with cars, you bought a GM car
now you think every critic to the actual
disaster and actual bankrruptcy of the
company is a personal offense...
I got a Cayenne, and i dont support
every stupidity that Porsche make.
Bottom Line
You dont suck, your ride does.
Reply
JB 7:17AM (8/25/2006)
I'm gettin' a little Foosed out.
Reply
jjaxon 9:28AM (8/25/2006)
HEY LUIS ... GM SUCKS?? i am unbiased as far as automobiles go.. ive looked at them all japanese,german,korean,swede, i havent bought one yet but after visiting the CHEVROLET dealer im very impressed with the CHEVROLETS. For the price i dont think they can be beaten. I drove an Impala .. excellent car.. in my mind much better than the toyaota camry or honda accord for the price..
Reply
Lithous 10:25AM (8/25/2006)
Luis,
You couldn't be more off. I understand you don't have the time to read past autoblogs but it has nothing to do with I buy GM so I take what you say personally. It is the other way around. I think GM is pretty underrated and they have done a ton for the country and they have done a ton of things in the car industry that others (especially American companies) haven't done. So therefore I buy GM.
GM had a hydrogen fuel prototype in the 1960's. In the 80's they decided to build a whole new car company from total scratch and it was such a good idea that Toyota stole it (Scion, starts with an 'S' and ends witn an 'n' and has same syllables. Sells small cars, with less hassle at the dealer. The only difference is that people are so brainwashed that Toyota is great that they don't see the cool things GM does. Those S-Series cars can easily last 250K miles if maintained. Plastic body panels is great for snowy or salty places so your car doesn't look like crap in a few years.). In the 90's GM created the EV-1. GM is getting ready to introduce two different hybrids which the two-mode version started with GM's designs and is being used by two German companies (hmmm, German engineering didn't start as the basis, very interesting). Toyota had no problems partnering up with GM for hydrogen fuel cell collabaration either. Outside the U.S. GM is doing really well. It is just uneducated America (see any developed nations test score comparisons) that don't understand much. I guess Consumer Reports will be late to the game in declaring Toyota as not as good as perceived. Toyota sure is starting to realize it. They are slowing model development down because of problems (http://money.cnn.com/2006/08/25/news/international/bc.autos.japan.toyota.reut/index.htm?cnn=yes).
Ford was first with a hybrid (of the American Two) but Ford was totally looking short term. GM is a *little* (out of 15 car companies 2 have their own system they developed, hardly that late to the game) late but they have two systems and guess what, with the VUE GreenLine coming out this month GM beat the Japanese for producing hybrid vehicles in the U.S. It is always good to produce the latest technology. IMO, it is because of GM producing hybrids here and not the way Ford did it (buying it from a Japanese supplier) that Toyota will start producing hybrids here. It looks bad if they don't have an American assembled hybrid. And you don't think Toyota wraps themselves in the American flag and thinks doing so is vital? Look at their commercials.
Again, you are backwards. I am not offended because I have a GM I have a GM because I understand what they are really about.
BTW, what boxy vehicles are you writing about? Their boxiest vehicles (Hummer) sell like hot cakes. Most of the other stuff is far from 1980's boxy vehicles. Or maybe it is because they aren't making the tired jelly bean look so therefore they are boxy, is that it?
Reply