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GM bringing Efijy, WTCC, Antara, T2X, Carmen Electra to Detroit
While we were pretty sure GM would grace Detroit with the Opel Antara and Holden Efijy, we didn't expect the WTCC, the T2X... and Carmen Electra. But GM announced this week all five would be in icy, snow-bound Michigan next month.
As you well know, the Antara will be the new Saturn Vue and the WTCC and T2X hint at future Chevrolet style. So where does the sumptious Efijy fit into GM's North American plan? GM's press release announcing the North American debut of these concepts doesn't give any indication where in Cobo Hall the Efijy will be displayed. If we had to guess, the Efijy's Corvette V8 would score it a parking spot in the Chevrolet booth. But that's nothing more than pure speculation.
As for Carmen Electra, she and Mario Lopez will be there to give the whole GM stand an air of celebrity. Or something.
Read GM's entire press release after the jump.
General Motors Announces North American Debut of Four Global Concepts
Celebrities Carmen Electra and Mario Lopez Also Confirm Attendance at GM Style
DETROIT – In addition to an array of classic GM Designs, including the 2006 Camaro Concept (an instant classic) and the 1951 Buick LeSabre Concept (an iconic classic), four global concepts never before seen in North America will "drive the runway" with celebrity guests including Carmen Electra and Mario Lopez during January's GM Style.
The Holden EFIJY, Chevrolet T2X, Chevrolet WTCC and Opel Antara GTC will make North American debuts on Jan. 6, 2007, in a pavilion on the Detroit Riverfront and then featured in GM's exhibit at the North American International Auto Show the following week. These four vehicles showcase GM Design's creative talent from four of their 11 studios around the world.
"Collectively these concepts represent GM Design's global vitality, while capturing the spirit of the brands they represent," said Ed Welburn, General Motors vice president of global Design. "Great design transcends borders, and these award-winning GM concept vehicles are proof of that."
The four vehicles have arrived in Michigan from all corners of the world and are being primped for their Detroit debut along side some of Hollywood's most notable stars.
Carmen Electra and Mario Lopez have confirmed they will join previously announced Cheryl Hines, Vivica A. Fox, Petra Nemcova, Danny Masterson, and Rachel Zoe at GM Style.
With an impressive body of work that encompasses television, film, comedy and theatre, Carmen Electra has emerged as one of Hollywood's most versatile personalities.
Most recently seen on the "Dancing With The Stars," Mario Lopez is a veteran of numerous television series including the popular sitcom "Saved By The Bell" and FX Network's "Nip/Tuck."
About GM Global Concepts:
Holden EFIJY – Unveiled at the 2006 Australian International Motor Show in Sydney, the Holden EFIJY is a wild 21st Century "hot rod" reincarnating one of Australia's most famous cars, the FJ Holden.
EFIJY is a radical pillarless custom coupe boasting V8 power, a Chevrolet Corvette underbody and state-of-the-art automotive technology throughout. The 'Soprano Purple' paintwork highlights its curvaceous 5.2-meter (17+ ft.) body, reinterpreting the classic design cues of the iconic 1953 FJ Holden.
Chevrolet T2X – Developed by the GM Daewoo Design Center in Inchon, Korea, and unveiled at the 2006 Seoul Motor Show, the Chevrolet T2X combines the body of a compact sport utility vehicle with the exciting design of a sport coupe.
The light silver body of the T2X has a bold, masculine front with prism-style headlamps. Its taut yet emotional surface is highlighted by a dynamic side character line that rises up toward the rear. With 20-inch wheels that are situated outside the vehicle's body, the T2X has a very athletic stance.
Chevrolet WTCC – Developed by a GM team around the globe, the Chevrolet WTCC Race Car Concept was first seen at the 2006 Paris Motor Show. It is the vision of a new generation of touring car -- a design icon that bends the present World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) regulations.
Opel Antara GTC – With its four-wheel drive Antara GTC (Gran Turismo Crossover) Concept, Opel demonstrates just how dynamic and athletic an SUV can actually be. First seen at the International Motor Show in Frankfurt in Sept. 2005, the three-door design shows a particularly sporty interpretation of an SUV. Viewed from the side, attention is captured by the frameless windows that drop right down and contribute to the coupe-like silhouette.
About GM Style
The first-ever invitation only GM Style will showcase 17 GM vehicles paired with celebrities and the latest fashions. GM will construct a pavilion just east of the Renaissance Center on the Detroit Riverfront to host this salute to style. The pavilion, the first of its kind, will be longer than a football field, climate controlled and able to accommodate a runway for cars and stars.
About GM
General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM), the world's largest vehicle manufacturer, employs about 318,000 people globally. Founded in 1908, GM has been the global automotive sales leader since 1931. GM today has manufacturing operations in 33 countries and its vehicles are sold in 192 countries.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
7of7 1:02PM (12/21/2006)
You Autobloggers are in Detroit, right? Icy and snowbound are the last things I'd use to describe Michigan at the moment. It's been in the mid 50s and sunny for most of the last week.
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Pinkerton 1:05PM (12/21/2006)
At first glance, I thought they were calling the car pictured the Carmen Electra (a Buick?). I mean, look at those pretty headlights.
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general morons 1:08PM (12/21/2006)
carmen electra??? GM really has no frickin clue. The idea of using a severly flawed and idiotic wanna be actress actually makes sense to promote crappy cars from a mismanaged company. It's not t hard to understand why Toyota is eating GM's lunch.
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Owen 1:27PM (12/21/2006)
I think both the T2X and the WTCC are some pretty hot peices of automotive a$$.
As long as the the T2X was truly as rugged as stylish and didn't succumb to cute-ute-itis. With wrangler capabilities (as good as IFS can be) and modern styling I think it would be a hit with the younger market. The H3 has the offroading goodies, but is a little pricey and the styling/stigma turns many off to the product, outside of the hummer/colorado, GM has NOTHING for the adventure crowd. The WTCC appeals to the same market that toyota is trying to target with scion (although marketing econoboxes as hip and trendy and youthful has had mixed results at best, with the tC improving the demographic somewhat) but in my opinion is a better design all around, it's a very unique car with some great styling cues. I guess we'll see if they can pull it off like they did with the sky/solstice...
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yeahright 1:35PM (12/21/2006)
Absolutely, unbelievably pathetic. GM has sunk so low it's now hiring a cheap pornstar to shill for its products. The bizarre thing is, that Holden would attract a crowd all on its own. But no, they have to cheapen the whole exercise by bringing in a sleazy no-talent hosebag.
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Owen 1:31PM (12/21/2006)
One thing that bothers me about the T2X though is that it reminds me of the vehicross, a very competent vehicle that was doomed by 3 things, poor gas mileage, awkward rear seats, and a high sticker price... If the price is low enough, and it's offered with an array of engines (with manual transmissions) and very low range gear boxes, it'll be a hit.
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Mr_Oak 1:50PM (12/21/2006)
It's not t hard to understand why Toyota is eating GM's lunch.
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I agree with you on Carmen Electra. However, Toyota ate Chrysler and Ford's lunch. GM is going to be just fine.
They are about to launch a couple of products that Toyota has no answer for. The new CTS and the Camaro. These cars will do huge numbers for GM. The Saturns are cars that people don't have to be ashamed of being seen in. The Buick CUV is going to be another hit. After the thaw, Suns and Solstices, for which Toyota also have no answer, are going pick up again.
Remember, the Camry and the Corolla are the bread and butter cars for Toyota. Yesterday I saw Toyota ads offering $500.00 back on every Corolla. Now that gas prices are down, the panicky public are not so willing shell out the $5,000.00 extra for Hybrids. The Camry is now going to be attacked from all sides, the Saturn Aura, the new Malibu, the Impala, and the Lucerne. All cars aimed at the Camry demographic.
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Richard Warren 2:17PM (12/21/2006)
#6 You're just jealous, how many movies have you been in?
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001182/
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TheSwener 2:38PM (12/21/2006)
Come on, Autoblog, I expected better.
...you list 5 models in the post, but you only link to pictures for 4 of them, where's Carmen?
:)
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mark g. davis 2:57PM (12/21/2006)
The show will not be at Cobo, but in a big temporary structure being erected right now in a parking lot next to the RenCen.
From the press release:
The Holden EFIJY, Chevrolet T2X, Chevrolet WTCC and Opel Antara GTC will make North American debuts on Jan. 6, 2007, in a pavilion on the Detroit Riverfront and then featured in GM’s exhibit at the North American International Auto Show the following week. These four vehicles showcase GM Design’s creative talent from four of their 11 studios around the world.
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Garlin 3:56PM (12/21/2006)
The picture of the chevrolet Efigy strongly reminds me of the TUCKER automobile of the late 1940s.
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yeahright 3:41PM (12/21/2006)
Richard,
I take it back. She's the hardest-working thespian in Hollywood! And she'll do anything for a buck, which is kinda appropriate.
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Richard Warren 3:58PM (12/21/2006)
#11 LOL!
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Christopher 4:39PM (12/21/2006)
It's a Holden Efijy Garlin. It's based on the Holden FJ. The only Chevrolet thing is the chassis, everything else is a one-off piece with the engine being a highly modified version of HSV's LS2.
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uncle john 6:08PM (12/21/2006)
6. Absolutely, unbelievably pathetic. GM has sunk so low it's now hiring a cheap pornstar to shill for its products
I agree. Jenna Jameson would be a MUCH more expensive ( and credible) porn star.
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Fabulo 6:27PM (12/21/2006)
Mario Lopez? Pfffffffrrtrtrtrtrwahahahahahaha
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BOB 12:46AM (12/22/2006)
THAT HOT ROD LOOKS AN AWFUL LOT LIKE THE MERCURY IN "REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE"
YOU ONLY SHOW THE FRONT VIEW -- MAY AS WELL SHOW THE REAR END. LOPEZ DID SO ON NIP TUCK, AND ELECTRA HAS COME CLOSE. (ANYONE WHO WOULD MARRY DENNIS RODMAN IS A GREAT SPOKEPERSON FOR CHEVROLET AND APPLE PIE AMERICA.)
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