Article: "GM will offer DUB-branded tires on trucks, SUVs"

[PurdueGuy]

Autoweek article

"GM will offer DUB-branded tires on trucks, SUVs"

http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/arti...30008/1530/FREE

By RICHARD TRUETT, AUTOMOTIVE NEWS

Bring on the bling.

In January, Chevrolet, GMC and Cadillac buyers will be able to customize their full-sized trucks and SUVs with giant, flashy, 20- or 22-inch wheels bearing the DUB logo without leaving a GM showroom.

Late Monday, Oct. 29, at one of the first press events of the Specialty Equipment Market Association, or SEMA, show, Chevrolet General Manager Ed Peper announced a wheel deal with TIS Industries. The company’s parent is DUB magazine, a popular urban lifestyle publication that features customized cars owned by athletes, actors, musicians and other entertainers.

The wheels will fit GM’s full-sized trucks and SUVs, such as the Cadillac Escalade, GMC Yukon and Chevrolet Silverado. The wheel deal could lead to other stylized parts and accessories from TIS, such as grilles, aerodynamic body panels or ground effect kits and electronics, Peper said.

GM is using the SEMA show to display nearly three dozen concept and future production vehicles. At the press event in the Wynn Hotel, GM showed a 1930s low-rider hot rod powered by a 500-hp, 2.0-liter Ecotech four-cylinder engine that runs on E85 fuel, a blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline.

The car won’t make production, said Bryan Nesbitt, GM’s vice president of design for North America. He said the car was created to demonstrate the imagination and skill of GM designers. The car looks like a hand-built custom vehicle, complete with aluminum framed seats and giant mag wheels.

But Chevrolet did show some vehicles that are slated for the showroom.

In August at the Woodward Dream Cruise in suburban Detroit, Chevrolet said it would build the panel version of the HHR retro wagon. Peper said a very limited edition HHR SS panel, or Super Sport model, also would be built. That vehicle will have a 260-hp, 2.0-liter turbocharged engine. Peper would not say how many would be built, but he did say that the vehicle will be available in the 2009 model year. The panel version has fewer windows and different rear doors. It is not unlike a 1950s delivery truck.

The Cobalt SS, currently out of Chevrolet’s lineup, returns next year with more power, more models and possibly a lower price. Chevrolet will build both two-door and four-door versions of the Cobalt SS. Those cars will use the 2.0-liter, 260-hp Ecotech four-cylinder engine that debuted in the Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky roadsters. The old Cobalt SS used a supercharged engine.

In other business: Don’t look for any face-lifts or major styling changes to the Chevrolet HHR. Nesbitt said Chevrolet will keep the vehicle fresh by expanding the range of accessories and trim items available for dealers and consumers.

Nesbitt said GM likely will keep the HHR in its lineup as long as it sells well. The HHR in September overtook the Chrysler PT Cruiser in year-to-date sales. Nesbitt designed the PT Cruiser when he worked at Chrysler.

Said Nesbitt of the HHR: “The question is: How long can it go? What is its life cycle? Well, it’s a good package, with a very usable interior. And it is not a slave to current trends. The accessories will give it life.”

[FAPTurbo]

I guess it'll give GM's some 'Street-Cred' , but I think there's going to be some barftacular looking vehicles leaving showrooms soon...

[Camino LS6]

Agreed.

[AAS]

I guess it'll give GM's some 'Street-Cred' , but I think there's going to be some barftacular looking vehicles leaving showrooms soon...

There already are, it's just usually the dealership to blame!

[gm4life]

Not a bad idea, I don't think. But hey it could change.

[longtooth]

I guess it'll give GM's some 'Street-Cred' , but I think there's going to be some barftacular looking vehicles leaving showrooms soon...

I quite agree.

No one ever went broke giving the people what they want.

And there's no accounting for taste. i.e.: a honda civic with a loose, noisy, nickel-plated muffler. They are legion.

As for Da DUB; so long as it ain't standard.

[vonVeezelsnider]

Bone stock and conservative is the only way a Yukon Denali would ever roll off a lot in my possession. But that's me... some people want to donk their SUV in the same place they shopped for it

[Oracle of Delphi]

Bone stock and conservative is the only way a Yukon Denali would ever roll off a lot in my possession. But that's me... some people want to donk their SUV in the same place they shopped for it

We think a lot a like, my condolences! :AH-HA_wink:

[FUTURE_OF_GM]

I think this is good for business..

Anyone remember the announcement by GM (at SEMA) a few years ago about how GM Accessories would be rolling out a huge line of wheels that would actually be offered on the cars/trucks at the dealer?

It started with the GMT800 wheel line (Which has been downsized with GMT900 I think) and was supposed to filter throughout the line up. As far as I know, it never happened, as I've never witnessed any GM car with 'aftermarket' wheels at the dealership.

Hopefully this will open the door to something like that. Not that I want an Impala with Dubs, but it would be nice to have the choice of an attractive aftermarket wheel.

EDIT: I know GM Accessories offers a few options, but for the most part their choices are very limited.

Edited October 31, 2007 by FUTURE_OF_GM

[ToniCipriani]

Autoweek article

"GM will offer DUB-branded tires on trucks, SUVs"

http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/arti...30008/1530/FREE

Um... tires??

I wouldn't even trust Firestone, let alone DUB.