Photo credit: Curtis Walker

The new nav unit measures in with a 5.2-inch screen and will include the usual array of features. One extra special ability is the video input so you can plug anything into it and see it displayed on the big and bright screen, including items such as backup cameras.

It does lack a battery, so it will always have to be juiced, but it's okay Nuvi 5000 baby, I still love you. [Navigadget]
(Image)

Rick, you've got the G8 coming and hitting shores now, Camaro coming next year — what other options are being discussed for the Commodore — excuse me — Zeta platform?

I can think of at least two other potential products that have been and remain on the table. One has a reasonably high likelihood, and one maybe not as high likelihood...due to fuel economy concerns.

Not at this time. I think the general discussion going forward...as we look at these products will be challenging ourselves whether we need an eight in these products going forward. Hey, when you develop products...we've got to hold ourselves to a higher standard on these. I saw some early data...not sure if it was just a region of the country...but it definitely skewed towards the four's. That's a big change from the old generation.

That's not to say the Camaro...for younger buyers maybe a six or a turbo-charged six may hold a higher cache...

Electric Avenue
The Convergence of Electronic and Automotive Technologies

Remarks by Rick Wagoner
General Motors Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
to the 2008 Consumer Electronics Show

The Venetian
Las Vegas, Nevada

• Thank you, Gary [Shapiro], for your very kind introduction.

• As Gary said, GM is the first automaker in 41 years to host a keynote presentation at CES... let me tell you, this is a terrific honor for us.

• At GM, we have a long history of automotive firsts... from the electric starter and automatic transmission... to the catalytic converter and OnStar... to the spectacular concept car that just delivered me onstage... the Chevy Volt!

• Those of you who know the Volt - which GM introduced in Detroit at the North American International Auto Show almost exactly one year ago - know that it's a lot more than just a great looking car.

• The Volt is a powerful example of beauty and brains... because as good as it looks on the outside, it's the technology under the hood that's truly revolutionary.

• We're now over a year into our production engineering for the Volt... and we're moving as fast as we can to bring it to market.

• You may have seen the Volt chassis at the GM display in the Grand Lobby of the Convention Center the past two days. The car you see onstage will join that Chassis starting tomorrow... so, please stop by and take a closer look.

• I'll have a lot more to say about the Volt... especially the technology that drives it... later in my presentation.

• For now, let me just say that we at GM are excited about being the first automaker to take the stage at the world's biggest and most impressive technology conference.

• Let me tell you why we're here.

• The electronics industry has undergone unbelievable change since Lee DeForest started it all with the invention of the first electronic amplifier, way back in 1907... one year before the founding of General Motors, by the way.

• It's good to know that, when GM hits 100 later this year, we'll be in the company of others who, like us, refuse to grow old.

• The electronics industry stays young by continually reinventing itself.

• From DeForest's "audion," as it was called, and vacuum tubes of every shape and size... to transistors and integrated circuits... semiconductors and supercomputers... Internet and wireless communications... the breakthroughs keep coming.

• At GM, we intend to stay young by reinventing the automobile... with a lot of that based on electronics.

• The fact is, the auto and electronics industries have traveled similar paths for a long time... sometimes arm-in-arm.

• Way back in 1912, GM introduced the industry's first electric starter... which replaced the old hand-crank starters you've all seen on the History Channel.

• We don't even think about electric starters today, but they truly revolutionized the automobile.

• And it was the first of many electronic innovations that transformed automobiles from rough-and-tumble horseless carriages... to the sophisticated machines that we know and drive today.

• In fact, if the automobile were invented today, I'm pretty sure it would debut right here at CES... because more and more, that's exactly what today's cars and trucks are - highly sophisticated consumer electronics.

• The electronics content of the typical automobile has increased by almost 50 percent over just the last five years.

• And you can't think about new consumer electronics for long without imagining what automotive applications they might have.

• At the same time, it's hard to think about today's cars without thinking about the electronics they already incorporate... and not just radios, DVD players, GPS devices, and navigation systems... but also the things you can't see... like airbags, antilock brakes, engine control modules, and the latest major safety breakthrough, electronic stability control, like GM's StabiliTrak system.

• So the auto and electronics industries go way back. At GM, we think we'll be even closer going forward.

• For almost 100 years, GM has been in the business of automotive innovation. Now, our intent is to bring you the future of transportation.

• We'll do this by working more closely than ever with the consumer electronics industry... using electronics to reinvent the automobile... and we can think of no better place than right here at the Consumer Electronics Show, to tell you about some of the exciting things we have going on at GM.

* * * * * * *

• If the clearest intersection between the automobile and consumer electronics used to be the radio, today it's telematics... and in GM's case, that means OnStar... the unquestioned leader in telematics today.

• By the way, that leadership would not have been possible without the support and partnership of a lot of you here today.

• Over the past 12 years, your passion and expertise have helped bring OnStar to life... and we look forward to continuing and growing that kind of mutually beneficial relationship with you in the years to come.

• We're always open to your ideas to bring electronics to the auto industry... in fact, here with me today are a number of GM's top technology experts. They're sitting in the front row... and you're going to see a number of them on video during my remarks.

• They'll also be here in the room when I finish up, so please seek them out if you have questions or ideas.

• But back to OnStar, its value to our customers is very clear: it provides safety, security, and "peace of mind" through a suite of OnStar-exclusive features... all of which can be accessed through a powerfully simple user interface.

• On average, OnStar is now interacting with about 85,000 subscribers per day.

• In an average month, we respond to about...

• 1, 750 automatic crash notifications.

• 11,000 calls for emergency service.

• and 35,000 roadside assistance calls.

• "Good Samaritan" subscribers call for help on behalf of their fellow motorists about 6,000 times a month.

• OnStar also handles about 29 million minutes of hands-free calling per month... and responds to about 800 stolen vehicle location requests.

• To date, OnStar has had more than 82 million subscriber interactions... one interaction about every two seconds.

• There are thousands of examples of OnStar proving itself as a life-saving technology... here's just one.

VIDEO: OnStar commercial

• Clearly, OnStar helps us establish stronger relationships with our customers.

• We hear from many subscribers like the couple in the video... who insist that every future car they purchase must have the safety and security features that only OnStar provides.

• OnStar has led to a number of unexpected benefits for GM, as well... like using the system's diagnostics feature to validate our vehicles... like driving down warranty costs... like leading to more than 400 GM patent applications so far.

• One huge benefit that OnStar has brought to GM... and again, one we really didn't anticipate... has been learning from the faster engineering and development cycles of the consumer electronics industry.

• In fact, our OnStar technology platform is about to roll out its eighth generation in just 12 years... which, as I suspect you all know, is somewhat faster than our normal automotive development cycle.

• But probably the greatest thing about OnStar is what's great about electronics... we keep finding new ways to take advantage of the technology. A good example is our "Automatic Crash Response" feature.

• When we started OnStar, the system alerted us if your airbag was deployed, we called your vehicle to see if you were ok, and directed emergency services to your exact location.

• We thought that was a pretty amazing use of technology way back in 1996.

• By the way, we've responded to nearly 1 million emergency situations since then.

• And OnStar's service is not dependent on a cell phone or other dashboard device that could be damaged in a crash. Our system is imbedded in the vehicle... is very well protected... and works following even the most severe collisions.

• But as time went on, we worked with emergency responders and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, who told us that if we could figure out a way to tell them how serious a crash was before they got to the scene, they could prepare for what they were likely to find.

• So, working with a key supplier, we developed a more sophisticated system that tells us not only when an airbag deploys, but also what part of the vehicle was hit, how hard it was hit, how many times it was hit, even whether the vehicle rolled over.

• And now the OnStar advisor can convey all that information to the emergency responders as they travel to the scene... improving the chances of a better outcome for those involved.

• Another great OnStar feature is Turn-by-Turn Navigation, which lets drivers - even back seat drivers - ask for directions from a live advisor, who downloads complete step-by-step directions to your car. The advisor then signs off, and OnStar directs you to your destination.

• In keeping with OnStar's guiding principle, we've made the service very easy to use. There are no DVDs to mess with, no maps to read, no hand-held devices to juggle. Everything you need is already in your car.

• Push the blue OnStar button, get directions, and you're on your way.

• I have to say, all this goes way beyond anything I ever thought we'd ever do at GM - I mean, we're not just saving lives... we're actually saving marriages.

• One more OnStar feature I'll mention... our newest one... is what we call "Stolen Vehicle Slowdown," which we'll make available starting later this year on nearly 1.7 million 2009 model-year cars and trucks.

• Stolen Vehicle Slowdown is an enhancement to OnStar's Stolen Vehicle Location Assistance, which uses GPS technology to pinpoint the location of stolen vehicles... which we've done more than 30,000 times.

• Well, sometimes, when the police find the vehicle, the person who stole it is still in it... and doesn't want to get caught. Imagine that!

• Well, the bad guy takes off... the police give chase... and all too often, the situation ends tragically. In fact, there are about 30,000 police chases a year in the U.S... which lead to about 300 crash-related deaths.

• At OnStar, we partnered with law enforcement to address this problem... by designing a service that works for everyone... well, everyone except the car thief.

• It all begins with OnStar pinpointing the location of a stolen vehicle and providing that information to the police.

• Then, once the police have a clear line of sight of the stolen vehicle, they can request that OnStar send a signal to slow the vehicle down... which we do by gradually reducing power to the engine.

• Our research shows that about 95 percent of our OnStar subscribers will want Stolen Vehicle Slowdown on their cars and trucks.

• And if they decide later that they don't want it for any reason, they can opt out at any time without affecting the rest of their OnStar services.

• So, what else is new at OnStar? What do we have coming?

• Take a look at some of the technologies we have on the horizon.

VIDEO: New and upcoming OnStar features.

• These applications, and a lot more, are possible... and not just in the U.S. and Canada, where our primary focus has been to date... but around the world.

• In November, we signed an agreement to bring OnStar to China, which represents a great opportunity to offer the benefits of OnStar to a huge new audience.

• And I suspect China's not the last place OnStar will be going. More to come in that department.

• In short, OnStar has been, and continues to be, more than a terrific business for GM, and our customers... it's been a massive learning experience for us, and another great example of where and how the auto and electronics industries intersect today.

• Now, where will they intersect tomorrow?

* * * * * * *

• If OnStar and telematics are connecting cars to the outside world... then one of the next big developments in automotive electronics is connecting cars with other cars. Connecting them electronically, that is... to keep them from connecting physically.

• In recent years, advances in electronics have allowed for technologies like anti-lock brakes, traction control, electronic stability control, and obstacle detection.

• At GM, we're working our way up this advanced technology ladder to help our drivers avoid accidents and improve traffic flow.

• In fact, we're now offering a Lane Departure Warning System and a blind-spot alert system on the 2008 Buick Lucerne and 2008 Cadillac STS and DTS.

• We're preparing to take it even further through the use of GPS and advanced transponder technology that we believe will revolutionize the driving experience.

• We call it V2V, or vehicle-to-vehicle communications.

• V2V starts with collision avoidance and builds from there. And the key difference between V2V and sensor-based "vision" systems is in the electronic communications.

• Today's vision systems send out a signal that determines the speed and location of the vehicle ahead of you, and directs your car accordingly. It's excellent technology.

• These next-generation systems promise to be considerably better... because they'll be significantly less costly, yes... but more importantly, because they'll use transponders to "talk" with other vehicles within a quarter mile of your vehicle.

• So, if six cars ahead, somebody in a transponder-equipped vehicle steps on the brakes... in your lane or the lanes on either side of you... your transponder will immediately know that, and start slowing down your car before you're even aware you may need to stop.

• This type of technology, unheard of 15 years ago, has the potential to minimize traffic jams and, more importantly, greatly reduce highway accidents and fatalities... with minimal or possibly even no roadway infrastructure required. And it's progressing.

• This past November, for example, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, or DARPA, sponsored a contest for "sophisticated autonomous vehicles." Translation: they held a race for robot cars.

• Well... 37 years ago, GM built the lunar rover for the Apollo Space program. Why not try something a little more down to earth?

• And so, we teamed up with Carnegie Mellon University, Caterpillar, Continental, and others to outfit and race what has to be the most tricked-out Chevy Tahoe this side of... well, this side of the moon.

• The Carnegie Mellon Team named the Tahoe "Boss," after Charles "Boss" Kettering, the first head of GM's research division... who personally invented the electric self starter I spoke of earlier.

• Let's see how the modern-day "Boss" made out.

VIDEO: DARPA Urban Challenge.

• Some pretty exciting possibilities there. I think Boss Kettering would be proud.

• So, just to put this in perspective, autonomous driving means that, some day, you could do your e-mail, eat breakfast, apply your make-up, read the newspaper, watch a video... all while commuting to work.

• In other words, you could do all the things you do right now while commuting to work... except you could do it safely!

• It's still a ways off... but the technology demonstrated by "Boss" and V2V represents the latest example of electronics driving big advances in autos.

• Incidentally, we couldn't fit Boss into the room this afternoon, but we did get him into Vegas... and you can see him tomorrow afternoon and Thursday in the Gold Lot at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

* * * * * * *

• So, lots of work today with electronics, lots of work for tomorrow, and some big ideas for even further out.

• Now, let me turn to an issue of more immediate concern... especially with oil hitting $100 a barrel last week... and that's the role of the automobile in energy security and environmental protection... and the role that electronics, and electricity, can play in reinventing the automobile to address these concerns.

• As we look at the global energy and environmental picture today and consider the future of the automobile, one fact stands out above all others... the auto industry can no longer rely almost exclusively on oil to supply the world's future automotive energy requirements.

• This matter is getting plenty of attention here in the U.S. recently... but make no mistake... this is a global issue.

• Energy supply, sustainable growth, CO2 emissions, fuel economy... these are topics of concern all around the world... as I have learned firsthand in discussions with national and city leaders from Mumbai and Sao Paulo, to Shanghai and Washington.

• For the global auto industry, it is critical - both as a business necessity, and an obligation to society - that we develop alternative sources of propulsion to meet the world's demand for our products... a demand that is growing at a very rapid rate.

• Consider that 2007 was the sixth consecutive year of record sales for the global auto industry - about 70 million units worldwide.

• In the next five years, we project that global sales will grow to 85 million units a year... and that 80 percent of that increase... 12 million new cars and trucks... will be in developing countries like China and India.

• This clearly shows the enormous opportunity our industry has... but also highlights how important it is that we address the challenge of sustainability.

• And as we've worked to address this, it's become very clear to us that no one solution is going to be best for every part of the world.

• So our strategy at GM is simple: use advanced technology to offer a broad range of cleaner and more efficient vehicles, powered by different sources of energy, to best meet the needs of local consumers all around the world.

* * * * * * *

• How do we do this?

• Well, first I should note that a lot of the recent big improvements in internal combustion engines, both gas and diesel, rely heavily on advances in electronics... things like direct injection...variable valve timing... cylinder deactivation... and others.

• Beyond improvements to conventional engines, a huge opportunity to reduce the growth in oil consumption, reduce U.S. oil imports, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions lies in the fuel used by our cars and trucks... and it's increasingly clear that ethanol offers tremendous potential in this regard, over a surprisingly short timeframe.

• Why?

• Well, in part, because there are already so many Flex-fuel vehicles on the road right now that could be running on ethanol, if it were more readily available.

• At GM, alone, we have more than 2.5 million Flex-fuel vehicles on the road just in the U.S... and we have plans to expand our Flex-fuel offerings to 50 percent of our production by 2012.

• Incidentally, in 2008, we'll offer 25 Flex-fuel models around the world, and produce more than one million new Flex-fuel vehicles globally.

• Now, if all of the Flex-fuel vehicles that GM, Ford, and Chrysler have already built in the U.S., plus those that we have committed to build over the next 10 years, were to run on E-85, we could displace 22 billion gallons of gasoline annually. That's billion with a "B."

• And if all manufacturers in the U.S. made that same commitment, we could save 37 billion gallons of gasoline annually.

• That's more than four times the oil savings that the new energy legislation will achieve... and, very importantly, it would actually reduce America's oil consumption by more than 10 percent versus today's levels... and CO2 emissions, as well.

• How do we accomplish this? Three straightforward steps:

• First, continue to grow ethanol production - and we're pleased to see that the new energy legislation includes provisions for this.

• Second, invest heavily in the development of advanced "cellulosic" ethanol, which can be made from fast-growing, non-food plants like switchgrass... or even from agricultural and municipal waste.

• And third, increase the woefully low number of E-85 pumps in our nation's gas stations. Right now, there are about 170,000 gas stations in the U.S., but less than 1 percent of them offer E-85 pumps.

* * * * * * *

• Another technology that's receiving a lot of attention these days is the gas-electric hybrid.

• It's not very well known outside of Detroit, but at GM, we've actually been in the hybrid business now for five years. And we didn't start small. In fact, we started very big.

• Our thinking was simple: you save a lot more gasoline when you improve the fuel economy of a big bus versus a small car. And so we developed the industry's first two-mode hybrid... which is still the most advanced system in the business.

• In 2003, we began supplying our two-mode hybrids to transit systems in North America and Europe. In fact, I'm pleased to announce today that we will deliver our 1,000th hybrid bus right here in Las Vegas later this month.

• More recently, we've been aggressively expanding our hybrid presence into passenger vehicles.

• By the end of this year, GM will be selling eight different hybrid models in the U.S. In fact, we'll introduce 16 new hybrid vehicles over the next four years - an average of one every three months.

• We're particularly excited about two hybrids we've just recently introduced... the Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon hybrids... which use the two-mode hybrid system we developed for transit buses.

• Why?

• Because they can get 50 percent better city fuel economy than their gasoline counterparts... which already get the best fuel economy in their class.

• Hard to believe, but Tahoe and Yukon two-modes can get the same city fuel economy as the 2008 Toyota Camry with a base four-cylinder engine. But the Tahoe seats eight, churns out 332 horsepower, and can tow up to 6,200 pounds.

• This performance earned the Tahoe two-mode the "Green Car of the Year" award at the Los Angeles Auto Show last November.

• And even the author of hybridcarblog.com... no friend of SUVs he... noted in a recent post that the Tahoe two-mode is as fuel-efficient as the tiny BMW Mini Cooper.

• Another new hybrid we're very excited about is our next-generation Saturn VUE Green Line. It'll get an impressive 27 percent overall fuel economy improvement, with a hybrid price premium of less than $2,000.

• The VUE hybrid continues to prove that you don't have to be rich to be green.

• And beyond that, we've already announced our intention to build a "plug-in" version of our Saturn VUE hybrid.

• Our team is hard at work to get this technology to market as soon as we can. Expect an announcement on the VUE plug-in hybrid very soon.

* * * * * * *

• Looking further out, we see tremendous opportunities with hydrogen fuel-cell electric vehicles.

• Fuel cells have been used to power spacecraft since the 1960s, and today there's a huge effort to develop fuel cells that are strong enough, and small enough, and economical enough, to power today's modern automobiles.

• Since 2002, when we introduced a groundbreaking fuel-cell concept vehicle called AUTOnomy, we've been making steady progress toward our goal of developing fuel-cell vehicles for real-world customers.

• Our latest fuel cell concept, the Chevy Sequel, is powered by our fourth-generation fuel cell stack. It's simpler, more efficient, and smaller than previous generations... yet delivers 25 percent more power.

• Last spring, Sequel made history when we drove it 300 miles on a single tank of hydrogen, in real-world conditions, from our fuel-cell research facility near Rochester to Westchester County, New York.

• And the hydrogen we used was derived from hydro power at Niagara Falls... a clean, renewable source... so this was a true zero-emissions run.

• Today, we're in the process of putting Sequel's technology on the street... by building it into our Chevy Equinox SUVs. You may have seen a few of these cruising the strip over the last several days.

• The Equinox Fuel Cell has a 150 mile range, refuels in 5-8 minutes, and is a full-fledged electrically-driven ZEV... zero emissions vehicle.

• In the next few weeks, we'll begin delivering more than 100 of these vehicles to customers in Southern California and the East Coast. Together, they'll constitute the world's largest fuel-cell test fleet.

* * * * * * *

• Now, all of these technologies... more fuel-efficient conventional engines, bio-fuels, gas-electric hybrids, and hydrogen fuel cells... are important, and all are possible, thanks largely to advanced electronics. But what's really exciting is when we bring them all together... with concepts like the Chevy Volt onstage with me now.

• In fact, fair to say that no concept in my GM career has created more excitement than the Chevy Volt... here in the U.S., and in fact, all around the world.

• Volt is our first demonstration of a new family of electrically driven propulsion systems that we call E-Flex.

• The "E" in E-Flex stands for "electric," because all E-Flex vehicles will be driven by electricity... and E-Flex is "flexible," because it is easily adapted to different sources of electricity.

• The electricity used to energize E-Flex vehicles can come directly from the power grid... or from a small motor running on ethanol or gasoline, like the Chevy Volt... or from a small diesel engine, like the Opel Flextreme concept we unveiled in Frankfurt in September... or from a hydrogen fuel cell, like the Volt concept we showed in Shanghai last April.

• So, how does E-Flex work?

• Well, like so many other electronic devices, everything begins with the battery. Take the Chevy Volt.

• Running off the battery, which customers can charge in a standard electrical outlet, the Volt operates as a traditional battery-electric vehicle, with a driving range of about 40 miles.

• And when you consider that three-quarters of American drivers travel less than 40 miles in their daily commute... clearly, Volt will have a huge impact on America's petroleum dependence.

• And if the driver of a Volt needs to travel beyond 40 miles, the engine/generator kicks in to supply the electricity to keep the vehicle moving, as well as recharge the battery.

• This allows the vehicle to drive several hundred additional miles... still with a composite fuel economy of around 150 miles per gallon.

• The whole of General Motors is behind this project. In fact, we have over 200 engineers working on the Volt alone, and another 400 on E-Flex and its various ancillary programs. Here are two of our team leaders.

VIDEO: The promise of electrically driven vehicles.

• The key to getting Volt on the road is advanced lithium-ion battery technology.

• Our internal tests have shown that individual Lithium Ion cells, scaled-up to a pack level, will deliver the required power and range.

• We've run prototype packs through a number of tests since last fall... including some pretty severe ones... and the results to date are very encouraging.

• The next step is to begin testing the battery packs in drivable cars... which we will begin shortly.

• Importantly, the vehicle side of the Volt program is being engineered in parallel with battery development. (In fact, I saw the latest and, I suspect, just about final major iteration of the production Volt design theme just before Christmas.)

• Typically, we develop new technology - like the battery and propulsion systems - before we kick-off a production-vehicle program. But, the Volt is being developed with the maximum sense of urgency we can muster.

• In fact, the Volt is just the beginning of our commitment to E-Flex and electrically driven vehicles... and today, I'm very pleased to introduce the next exciting step in our E-Flex development program... the world premier of GM's latest fuel-cell concept vehicle... and the first vehicle introduction ever at CES... ladies and gentlemen... the Cadillac Provoq!

• The Cadillac Provoq is the latest example of GM's E-Flex propulsion system... combining our new fifth-generation fuel cell with a lithium-ion battery... to produce an electrically driven vehicle that uses no petroleum, and has no emission other than water.

• The Provoq is the first vehicle to extend the E-Flex propulsion system beyond our small-car architecture... to a new, global, luxury cross-over architecture.

• The concept's fifth-generation fuel cell technology is half the size of its predecessor, yet is able to produce more power and performance.

• The concept will drive 300 miles on a single fill of hydrogen. Hydrogen stored below the cargo floor will mix with oxygen to generate electricity. A lithium-ion battery pack will store additional electrical energy, and also provide peak power for enhanced performance.

• The electricity generated by the fuel cell will be distributed fore and aft to give the Provoq all-wheel-drive traction and great driving dynamics.

• It'll have a top speed of 100 mph... and its 0-60 speed of 8.5 seconds is more than 30 percent faster than our previous-generation fuel cell system. And with instantaneous torque to the wheels, it'll feel even faster.

• At its core, Cadillac is all about luxury, design, and technology... so it's fitting that our premium brand should be propelled by the most advanced propulsion system in the industry.

• The Provoq signals GM's intent to lead the industry with advanced-propulsion technology... in many forms... across multiple brands... from Chevrolet... to Cadillac.

• In addition to its fuel cell and E-Flex advances, Provoq offers other exciting features which demonstrate that great style and environmentally conscious transportation can go hand in hand... supported by advances in electronics. Features like:

• A solar panel integrated into the roof to help power onboard accessories, such as interior lights and a high-performance audio system.

• An active front grille... with louvers that close at highway speed to enhance aerodynamics... and open at low speed to provide maximum cooling to the fuel cell stack.

• Both brake-by-wire and shift-by-wire technology... which minimize the concept's need for mechanical systems... reduce the vehicle's overall weight... and provide for greater interior storage space.

• Left and right, fender-mounted charging ports to allow for overnight, plug-in charging of the lithium-ion battery pack.

• And, very importantly, the fuel cell powertrain does not intrude on the passenger or cargo room. The Provoq seats five and incorporates all the comfort, convenience, and infotainment features that Cadillac customers demand.

• Ladies and gentlemen... the Cadillac Provoq represents another important step in GM's commitment to energy-wise, environmentally conscious, electrically driven vehicles... and the promise of truly sustainable transportation.

* * * * * * *

• So, to wrap up...

• OnStar, V2V, autonomous driving, advanced propulsion and electrically driven vehicles... all point to a convergence of the auto and electronics industries that is literally transforming the automobile... and the global auto industry.

• As we face the reality of rapidly growing global demand for our products... in light of society's legitimate energy and environmental concerns... there can be no doubt that electronics will play an even bigger role in our industry's second century, than it did in our first.

• And when we connect the dots...

• from mechanically driven, to electrically driven...

• energized by petroleum, to energized by electricity...

• powered by internal combustion, to powered by electric motors...

• mechanically and hydraulically controlled, to electronically and digitally controlled...

• operated in isolation, to fully connected...

• we at GM believe we have the ability to create cars and trucks that are cleaner, safer, "smarter," and more exciting than ever before.

• We believe the future of the automobile is extraordinarily bright... and truly electronic.

• And we look forward to claiming that future with the consumer electronics industry... and with all of you.

• Thank you for having me here today... enjoy the rest of the show!

***

HD radio is like a regular AM or FM radio all juiced up with MP3-quality music and sound. The compressed digital signal eliminates the static traditionally associated with standard radio and like satellite radio it can include textual information such as song titles, traffic, weather and the like. Unlike sat rad, it's advertising-based, and thus "free." Basically it works the same way as traditional radio, but listners must have a special receiver capable of accepting these signals. and Ford is the first US automobile manufacturer to provide such factory-installed. BMW's been offering HD radio on its entire line since 2007, Jaguar's offering HD radio in the 2008 XJ Sedan, and Hyundai says the Concept Genesis sedan will get it too.

Many will raise an eyebrow at this decision because HD radio has been somewhat of a neverending Betamax. HD radio first burst on the scene nearly six years ago. And still to this day not all radio stations provide an HD stream of content. Hell, it has taken Ford six years to decide to include it factory-installed. And right after the launch of its Sync system? Oh well. At this point, if you ever find yourself bored in a Ford vehicle, you should probably retire from driving completely. [Press Release]

Bumblebee is rocking a new vanity plate—one that read FXPERTS—likely because he was cut a big check by the folks at Dolby to stand in their booth posing for tons of hot and sweaty technology journalists. Can you sexually assault a giant robot? Wert? What's the verdict?

Some of the reported technologies include a capacitive parking aid — that's the kind that can sense the proximity of the vehicle to other objects — (not quite the Lexus self-park unfortunately), wireless charging for gadgetry, an OLED display and 3D navigation. Not bad. There's also a motion-sensing light that can tell when you're reaching for a map. Ooh, it's haunted! Check out Visteon's interactive site for more of the innovations. [Visteon Innovate, via DVICE]

Cruise on over to Gizmodo if you want to see more pictures of this naked concept. Cruise over to Fleshbot for naked everything else. [Gizmodo]

"The concept can drive 300 miles (483 km) on a single fill of hydrogen - with 280 miles (450 km) from hydrogen and 20 miles (32 km) on pure, battery electric energy...a pair of 10,000 psi (700 bar) composite storage tanks beneath the rear cargo floor hold 13.2 pounds (6 kg) of hydrogen to feed the fuel cell stack, located under the hood. There, hydrogen mixes with oxygen to generate electricity - up to 88 kW continuous power. A lithium-ion battery pack can store up to a total of 9kWh of electrical energy and also provides a peak of 60 kW of power for additional performance...the electricity generated by the fuel cell is distributed to a 70 kW co-axial drive system for the front wheels and individual, 40 kW wheel hub motors on the rear wheels, giving the Cadillac Provoq its all-wheel-drive traction and great driving dynamics. Its 0-60 mph (approximately 100 km/h) speed of 8.5 seconds is a more than 30-percent improvement over the previous-generation fuel cell system and with instantaneous torque to the wheels, it feels even faster. Provoq has a top speed of 100 mph (160 km/h)."

CADILLAC PROVOQ FUEL CELL CONCEPT DELIVERS CLEAN, PETROLEUM-FREE PERFORMANCE AND SIGNATURE DESIGN

LAS VEGAS - Cadillac unveils a new vision for the future of luxury transportation with the innovative Provoq fuel cell concept - a hydrogen fuel cell crossover vehicle that continues GM's commitment to displace petroleum through advanced technology.

The Cadillac Provoq fuel cell concept is the latest example of GM's groundbreaking E-Flex propulsion system, combining the new fifth-generation fuel cell system and a lithium-ion battery to produce an electrically driven vehicle that uses no petroleum and has no emission other than water. The concept's fifth-generation fuel cell technology is half the size of its predecessor, yet it has been developed to produce more power and performance.

"Cadillac is a natural fit for GM's next step in developing the E-Flex platform," says Jim Taylor, Cadillac general manager. "Cadillac, at its very essence, is about premium luxury, design and technology, so it's fitting that Cadillac would be propelled by the most elegant solution. This signals Cadillac's intent to lead the industry with alternative-fuel technology."

Fuel-cell variant of the E-Flex system
The concept can drive 300 miles (483 km) on a single fill of hydrogen - with 280 miles (450 km) from hydrogen and 20 miles (32 km) on pure, battery electric energy.

A pair of 10,000 psi (700 bar) composite storage tanks beneath the rear cargo floor hold 13.2 pounds (6 kg) of hydrogen to feed the fuel cell stack, located under the hood. There, hydrogen mixes with oxygen to generate electricity - up to 88 kW continuous power. A lithium-ion battery pack can store up to a total of 9kWh of electrical energy and also provides a peak of 60 kW of power for additional performance.

The electricity generated by the fuel cell is distributed to a 70 kW co-axial drive system for the front wheels and individual, 40 kW wheel hub motors on the rear wheels, giving the Cadillac Provoq its all-wheel-drive traction and great driving dynamics. Its 0-60 mph (approximately 100 km/h) speed of 8.5 seconds is a more than 30-percent improvement over the previous-generation fuel cell system and with instantaneous torque to the wheels, it feels even faster. Provoq has a top speed of 100 mph (160 km/h).

"This is a vision of what comes next - a fuel cell electric vehicle that delivers the driving characteristics Cadillac customers want and allowing them to do it without using a single drop of petroleum, while emitting only water vapor," said Larry Burns, GM vice president for research and development. "This is proof that alternate fuels and advanced technologies create even greater opportunities to satisfy the luxury buyer."

Key features
With sleek, signature Cadillac bodywork, the Provoq concept redefines luxury crossovers, offering uncompromising passenger and cargo space to match its performance and cruising range. Additional vehicle features include:
 Solar panel integrated in the roof to help power onboard accessories, such as the interior lights, audio system and more
 Brake-by-wire technology
 Front grille louvers that close at highway speed to enhance aerodynamics, and open at low speed to provide maximum cooling to the fuel cell stack

Purposefully dynamic design
The Provoq has a sleek, athletic shape that builds on the second generation of Cadillac's design renaissance, led by the 2008 CTS, with dynamic and purposeful features that support the hydrogen fuel cell powertrain and contribute to the vehicle's overall efficiency.

"All the people- and cargo-carrying capability customers expect in crossovers and SUVs is available in the Provoq, along with the premium attributes expected in a Cadillac," said Ed Welburn, vice president, Global Design.

Highlights include:
 Active front grille, with grille louvers that open when the fuel cell stack requires cooling
 Full underbody aerodynamic cover
 Left- and right-hand charging ports incorporated in stylish front fender vents
 Flush door handles that feature push-to-release operation
 Wind tunnel-shaped outside mirrors with integral turn signals
 Center high-mounted rear stop lamp incorporated into full-width, wraparound spoiler
 Signature vertical taillamps with subtle fin design
 Side glass mounted flush with pillars
 Wheels with clear-covered space between the spokes, creating a sleeker profile while maintaining Cadillac's signature bold wheel design
 Low-drag roof rack

"From the strong, shield grille and vertical headlamps to the crisp body lines, the Provoq is instantly recognizable as a contemporary Cadillac," said Hoon Kim, exterior lead designer. "Like the new CTS, it is bold and expressive, but there is enhanced shape between the edges - it's a new proportion for crossovers, with a fast, almost coupe-like rear.

"Everything about the vehicle reinforces the notion that great style and environmentally conscious transportation can go hand in hand," said Kim. "We didn't sacrifice proportion, stance or Cadillac's iconic design cues; we used them to support the efficiency of the vehicle.

"They are the features customers expect," he said. "The adaptability of the E-Flex architecture enabled the designers to create a great-looking vehicle, regardless of its alternative-fuel powertrain."

Kim points to the fender-mounted charge ports as prime example. They allow overnight, plug-in charging that extends the driving range. The ports have a satin-chrome appearance that incorporates an amber light to indicate the system is charging and a green light to indicate when charging is completed.

"The ports are functional, but rather than hide them, they are design elements of the Provoq," he said. "Sweeping body lines that culminate at the top and bottom edges of the ports suggest forward thrust, even when the vehicle is stationary."

The vertical, neon-lit taillamps blend style with functionality, too, as their finned shape was designed to make the Provoq as aerodynamically efficient as possible.

Indeed, the Provoq has short overhangs and a sporty ride height that is complemented by large, 21-inch wheels.

The wheels are wrapped in custom Michelin tires incorporating Green-X technology. These low-rolling resistance tires feature a tread pattern that mimics the "H20" notation for water.
The tire designers and engineers at Michelin North America enthusiastically accepted GM's challenge to create a custom low-rolling resistance tire to complement the energy efficiency and reduced environmental footprint of the Cadillac Provoq. During the past 15 years, the tire maker has developed four generations of Michelin green energy-saving tires, and the team's no-compromises approach to the project helped reduce the Provoq's overall fuel consumption without sacrificing road performance, grip and safety.
When used in conjunction with the other energy-efficient solutions featured on the Cadillac Provoq, the benefits of Michelin green energy-saving tires include:
 A reduction in the consumer's overall cost of ownership
 An extended vehicle range through a more efficient use of on-board energy and its storage capacity
 A reduction of vehicle impact on the environment through lower CO2 and particulate emissions.

Uncompromising interior
Like the exterior, the Provoq's interior blends style with function. It seats five and incorporates the comfort, convenience and infotainment features Cadillac customers seek. Most importantly, the fuel cell powertrain does not intrude on passenger or cargo room.

The hydrogen fuel tanks are mounted beneath the cargo floor, with the storage batteries located at the center of the chassis. The fuel cell stack is located under the hood, giving the Provoq the interior layout of a conventional crossover - including a full cargo area and a 60/40-split folding rear seat.

"The interior is roomy, well-equipped and offers the space people want in a crossover," said Matt Erdey, interior lead designer. "There are no compromises inside the Provoq to accommodate the fuel cell powertrain and fuel tanks - a factor that proves the technology and real-world feasibility are growing closer together."

There may not be compromising reminders of the powertrain in the interior, but the Provoq carries the instantly identifiable hallmarks of a contemporary Cadillac interior, with an expressive, well-crafted design.

"It picks up the cues, refinement and attention to detail of the new CTS and takes them to the next level," said Erdey. "A contrasting color scheme, extensive use of ambient lighting technology and elements such as cut-and-sewn, hand-wrapped leather with French seams are elements seen in current Cadillac models, but they are amplified in the Provoq. "

The interior has a contrasting, dark gray and light gray color scheme, with chrome and satin-chrome accents throughout. Ambient lighting extends across the instrument panel and into the door panels, as well as the foot wells, sills and under the seats.

A unique instrument cluster with large, reconfigurable LCD displays offers a multitude of vehicle information readouts, including fuel cell information and vehicle performance. Like the CTS, the Provoq has a prominent center stack that houses the audio and climate systems, as well as a navigation system that rises out of the top of the instrument panel. Also like the CTS, there is an integrated hard drive that stores navigation maps, thousands of songs and more.

Between the front bucket seats is a large center console with a fully enclosed storage compartment that is home to ports for USB-connected devices and other electronics. The console also has a cell phone holder with built-in Bluetooth and inductive charging. The compact shifting mechanism on the console uses shift-by-wire technology to engage the gears, resulting in more storage space within the console.

A variety of recycled and recyclable materials were used, as well. Highlights include:
 The headliner is wrapped in a fully recyclable soy-based material
 The carpet is made of recycled polyester and jute
 Leather used to cover the seats and instrumental panel is free of harmful chemicals
 Xorel material used on the door panels and instrument panel; treated to perform as a carbon-fiber-type material
 Chrome trim made with less-harmful materials

The earth-friendly interior components blend seamlessly with the more conventional materials inside the Provoq, enhancing the vehicle's integrated, customer-focused environment. The same goes for the cargo area, which features an auxiliary power outlet and a load floor that is level with the hatch opening.

"The integration of the features and technology is remarkable," said Erdey. "If you didn't know there was a hydrogen fuel cell stack under the hood, you'd never know it was anything but a roomy, functional crossover."
# # #

Cadillac To Showcase Future Design And Performance Technology

DETROIT - Cadillac extends its ongoing design and technology momentum with tomorrow's debut of the Provoq Concept, a vision for a petroleum-free future of luxury transportation. GM CEO Rick Wagoner will present the Cadillac Provoq concept vehicle January 8 at the influential Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, beginning a showcase of Cadillac's future performance technology and design that will continue at next week's North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit.

The Provoq Concept continues Cadillac's remarkable heritage of landmark concept vehicles, this time in a vehicle free from petroleum fuel and emissions, the ultimate luxury. Provoq will make its world premiere at one of the world's leading technology showcases at CES, appearing again at one of the foremost automotive stages in Detroit on Jan. 14.

Cadillac accelerates into Detroit with another dramatic demonstration of its design and performance technology, the world premiere of the 2009 CTS-V. Cadillac's high performance V-Series represents the ultimate expression of the brand's performance and luxury, and the much-anticipated new CTS-V will include many significant technical and design enhancements aimed at placing it within the elite group of the world's most capable cars.

The 2009 CTS-V extends the momentum created by Cadillac's 2008 CTS Sport Sedan, which is earning wide acclaim from critics and consumers alike. Since September, CTS sales are up 59.5% in the U.S. CTS was recently named 2008 Motor Trend Car of the Year, headlining a long list of accolades that also includes positions on Car and Driver magazine's 10Best list and as a finalist for 2008 North American Car of the Year.

Also appearing in Detroit next week will be the Escalade Hybrid, featuring a fuel-saving Two Mode Hybrid system combining a gas engine with electric battery power. The Escalade Hybrid, beginning production in mid-2008, extends the desirability of the leading large luxury SUV. [Source: GM]

"I don't know why he wouldn't."

POPULAR FORD SYNC SYSTEM UPDATED, EXPANDED; '911 ASSIST' CONNECTS EMERGENCY MEDICAL HELP

• Ford-Microsoft SYNC system to be available in nearly all Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles later this year
• New "911 Assist" feature will help quickly connect vehicle occupants directly to a local 911 emergency operator following an air bag deployment in a SYNC-equipped vehicle - with no monthly fees
• Since SYNC is updatable, customers with 2008-model-year SYNC-equipped vehicles will be able to have their systems improved with the new applications

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 6, 2008 - Ford Motor Company and Microsoft announce today that the award-winning Ford SYNC™ in-car connectivity system will be available to even more customers and with even more functionality later this year.

In his keynote address at the 2008 International CES in Las Vegas, Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates announced that Ford will expand SYNC to nearly all Ford, Lincoln and Mercury cars and trucks by the end of 2008. Gates also confirmed a new "911 Assist" feature that will help drivers connect with emergency assistance in the event of an air bag deployment.

Introduced in the fall of 2007 and developed jointly by Ford and Microsoft, SYNC provides customers the convenience and flexibility to bring digital media players - Apple iPods, Microsoft Zunes and other MP3 players - and Bluetooth-enabled mobile phones into their vehicle and operate the devices via voice commands or with the buttons on the steering wheel or radio.

SYNC has been very popular. The new technology - which is exclusive to Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles - topped 30,000 unit sales in its first three months on the market. In fact, Ford says SYNC is on track to reach 1 million sales in early 2009.

The technology is available today on 12 Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles. Later this year, it will be offered on nearly every new Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicle.

In addition to the new 911 Assist feature, SYNC is being updated this year to create, on demand, easy-to-understand reports that owners can use to monitor the health of their vehicles.

Because SYNC is a software solution, owners of 2008 models equipped with SYNC already on the road will be able to have their systems updated with the new functions, as well.

"From the start, we pursued an updatable software solution with SYNC, using the consumer electronics business as our model," said Derrick Kuzak, Ford's group vice president of Global Product Development. "The ability to add functionality and update the system to work with new devices is what makes SYNC unique in the industry right now. It is a strategy that will benefit our customers over time by ensuring their systems do not become outdated."

911 Assist
Research shows that safety continues to be a leading driver of purchase consideration, and Ford is already a safety leader. In fact, Ford Motor Company has earned more National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) five star safety ratings and more Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety Picks than any other manufacturer.

But, in the event of a serious accident with an air bag deployment, the ability to directly contact the local 911 emergency operator could be a critical need - for both vehicle occupants and the first responders. Beginning later this year, SYNC can help.
When a phone is properly paired, turned on and connected to SYNC - which is designed to happen every time the driver enters the vehicle with his or her cell phone - the system will be ready to assist in placing a call to a local 911 emergency operator should an air bag-deploying accident occur.

Before initiating the emergency 911 call, SYNC will provide a 10-second window to allow the driver or passenger to decide whether to cancel the call. If not manually cancelled within the 10-second window, SYNC will place the emergency call. A pre-recorded message will play when the call is answered, and occupants in the vehicle will then be able to communicate directly with the 911 operator.

"Being connected means being able to get the help you need, when you need it," Kuzak said. "With SYNC, and specifically with the 911 Assist feature, we will be providing our customers an extra layer of security and peace of mind."

The key advantage of SYNC 911 Assist is speed, as calls are placed directly to local 911 operators. A SYNC-assisted call should reach 911 operators faster than competitive systems, as there are no handoffs and no need to speak to a call-center operator. Further, there is no additional monthly fee for this feature, as SYNC utilizes a customer's existing mobile phone.

Once the call is connected, 911 operators can respond to the situation exactly as they would with any 911 call. Emergency services can even determine the medical priority and dispatch the appropriate assistance based on the situation. If necessary - if vehicle occupants are non-responsive, for example - the location of the vehicle can be determined through voice-signal triangulation or, on some phones, the GPS location feature.

The new SYNC 911 Assist feature is expected to be high on every "customer want" list. It will become available later this year, and earlier SYNC software and vehicles will be updatable to support this additional application.

FORD SHOWCASES FUTURE OF IN-CAR SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS AT INTERNATIONAL CES 2008

• Popular Ford SYNC system upgrades and other new in-car communications technologies to be unveiled at consumer electronics show on Sunday
• Announcements include Ford's new SIRIUS Travel Link™ navigation system, which gives drivers and passengers up-to-the-minute information on current gas prices, traffic, coast-to-coast weather conditions, sports scores and movie listings
• New SIRIUS Travel Link system is coupled to Ford's next-generation navigation - developed with industry leader Xanavi
• The system includes full music "jukebox" capability - with space for up to 2,400 tracks and Gracenote® technology for album cover art and music voice control
• All-new 2009 Lincoln MKS luxury sedan - on sale this summer - is first vehicle with Ford's full suite of new in-car communications technologies
• Every new Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicle will be available with Ford's award-winning SYNC system by year end; 85 percent of Ford's retail volume will be offered with SYNC - including Bluetooth connectivity

DEARBORN, Mich., Jan. 4, 2008 - Building on the success of SYNC, Ford Motor Company unveils the next generation of in-car communications at the International CES on Sunday.

The company will announce what comes next for SYNC -developed in partnership with Microsoft - as well as introduce International CES attendees to Ford's new SIRIUS Travel Link™ navigation system.

"Ford's goal is to deliver the smart, connected in-car experience that customers today demand and to lead the industry into a new era of in-vehicle connectivity," says Derrick Kuzak, Ford's group vice president of Global Product Development, who will attend the International CES, the world's largest consumer trade event and showcase for new technologies.

"Ford is answering the call with the best technology solutions from companies like Microsoft and SIRIUS, connecting customers with mobile devices, important information they need on the road and bringing the experience to life with the latest in navigation technology and branded audio," Kuzak adds.

SYNC is one of the rising stars in the auto industry today and is on track to reach 1 million sales in early 2009. SYNC connects people and their favorite portable devices while in the vehicle, including media players and Bluetooth-enabled mobile phones.

In addition to new SYNC features to be revealed at the International CES, Ford has confirmed that nearly every new Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicle will be available with SYNC by year end, when approximately 85 percent of company's retail volume will be offered with SYNC - including its Bluetooth connectivity.

Ford SIRIUS Travel Link™ navigation system
At the International CES, Ford also will announce it is moving in-car connectivity further forward with the launch of a next-generation navigation system, available for the first time ever with SIRIUS Travel Link.

With Travel Link, drivers and passengers will have access to up-to-the-minute information and entertainment content through the vehicle's navigation system. This includes: current gas prices from an estimated 120,000 filling stations; local, real-time traffic information for 78 markets; coast-to-coast weather conditions with five-day forecasts; sports scores, and movie listings.

Travel Link works through the existing SIRIUS satellite and repeater infrastructure - offering uninterrupted, coast-to-coast coverage. Specifically, the Ford SIRIUS Travel Link system provides information on:

• Traffic Data: SIRIUS Travel Link combines real-time traffic speed and flow data with accident and incident information to allow the user to navigate around congested areas.

• Weather: SIRIUS Travel Link shows coast-to-coast weather data, current conditions and five-day forecasts, detailed storm cell information, hurricane and tropical storm tracking, local wind speeds, and even ski resort conditions.

• Fuel Prices: Drawing on information from more than 120,000 gas stations, SIRIUS Travel Link sorts fuel options by price, distance or alphabetically. If requested, the navigation system can route users to the gasoline station with the lowest fuel price.

• Sports: No matter your passion - NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, NASCAR, NCAAF, NCAAB, and golf - SIRIUS Travel Link provides scores and schedules and can be personalized for the user's selected teams.

• Movies: With listings from more than 4,500 movie theaters, SIRIUS Travel Link helps consumers plan ahead by providing movie times, theater addresses, ratings and run lengths. Using the Ford navigation system, the data can be sorted by distance. If requested, the navigation system can route users to the selected movie theater.

"Having this information in a car is game-changing," said Doug Wilsterman, SIRIUS senior vice president and general manager for automotive OEMs. "This is technology that drivers will use everyday."

When introduced this summer, the all-new 2009 Lincoln MKS will be one of the first vehicles with Ford's full suite of new in-car communications technologies, including Travel Link. The service will be offered on multiple Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury vehicles by the end of the year.

A six-month introductory subscription to the SIRIUS Travel Link service - combined with the SIRIUS Satellite Radio audio service - will be included in every Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicle equipped with Ford's next-generation navigation system.

In-Car Communications Popularity Soars
American consumers increasingly expect to stay connected and enjoy instant access to information, studies show. Approximately 243 million Americans have mobile phones today and four of every five adults have regular access to the internet.

By 2009, trends indicate there will be as least 250 million portable media players in use.

A third of U.S. consumers are very interested in having Internet access in their vehicles, and the number is close to 50 percent for survey respondents between the ages of 16 and 25, according to a 2007 J.D. Power Automotive Emerging Technologies study.

"Consumers are increasingly demanding seamless connectivity between their house and office and car," noted Sheryl Connelly, Ford Global Trends and Futuring manager. "They want to be able to access information 'just in time' or on-demand, because they are used to having access to it wherever they go. More than anything, they want to stay connected and informed."

# # #

"Much of the technology already exists for vehicles to take the wheel: radar-based cruise control, motion sensors, lane-change warning devices, electronic stability control and satellite-based digital mapping. And automated vehicles could dramatically improve life on the road, reducing crashes and congestion. If people are interested...the company plans to test driverless car technology by 2015 and have cars on the road around 2018.

Uniden will be unveiling an overkill of devices — six new GPS units at CES, some of which will include the radar detection feature. There isn't a lot of detail yet out about the radar detector, but one would expect it to integrate nicely with the mapping software to locate and remember potential speed traps. Other included features are Bluetooth, text-to-speech, night view and we're assuming a selection of other goodies. [Gizmodo]

Still don't believe me that the consumer electronics show is big? How about this diddy: GM's Chairman and Chief Executive Rick Wagoner will be delivering a keynote at the event.

The entire spectrum of car electronics will be shown off at CES. Everything from the Ford Sync system to items as small as iPod accessories for the car.

Warm up those finger and F5 button. January is going to be a long month of refreshing the site to see the latest and greatest from CES and the Detroit Auto Show. [WSJ] (Image)

Cobra Electronics has a new serpent on the road for all you snakes (like us) who need a little extra help to "see" the "man" when they've got a plan to catch your ass for speeding. It's their XRS line of radar detectors and Cobra's calling it the first "user-installable remote radar detector with GPS locator featuring Red Light and Speed Camera Location Database." In English we think it means you'll be able to mount the main detector unit in an out-of-the-way place, like behind the rearview mirror at the top of the windshield. To control the unit, they've provided a remote controller for you to clip onto your sun visor or you know, pocket protector or something. But the coolest part's the last included feature — the red light and speed cam location database. It's based on a fixed list of red light and speed camera traps across the country as well as an allowance for the driver to input up to 1,000 location-based alerts. Unfortunately, it doesn't yet include a feature for automatic updates from the internet or satellite. Still, we'd be sold on one if it merely played "Eastbound & Down" whenever the fuzz-buster went off. Of course, if it doesn't work (Meow), you can always try this. Full press release and a close-up pic of the kit after the jump. – Ray Wert

Remote Detector Keeps Drivers Under the Radar

Industry Leader Cobra Electronics Offers First User-Installable Remote Radar Detector With GPS Locator Featuring Red Light and Speed Camera Location Database

LAS VEGAS (January 5, 2007) — Cobra Electronics (NASDAQ: COBR) today announced the launch of the first-to-market, easy-to-install wireless remote controlled radar/laser detector with GPS locator. The product's sleek design makes the new device virtually invisible—helping to deter theft—while Super-Xtreme Range Superheterodyne (S-XRS ) Maximum Performance 12 Band Technology with LaserEye ensures the detection of the fastest radar and laser guns, including POP Mode. The XRS R7 and CES Innovation Award honoree XRS R9G IntelliLink remote detectors provide "under the radar" detection at an "on the radar" price.

"Once again, Cobra Electronics is pioneering detection with our new line of remote products," said Tony Mirabelli, senior vice president, marketing and sales for Cobra Electronics. "Last year we were the first to offer a full-color video display; this year we're the first to offer an easy-to-install radar detector that truly challenges the performance of detectors at higher price points. It's our innovation that allows Cobra to stay ahead in the highly competitive radar detection category."

The XRS R7 and XRS R9G feature a wireless main detector unit and a remote control display unit. The XRS R9G offers the added benefit of a GPS locator—the first of its kind in the United States to be paired with a radar detector. The locator includes a fixed red light and speed camera location database. In addition, the driver can input up to 1,000 location-based alerts.

In order to maintain the unit's discreet appearance, both the GPS locator and the main radar/laser detector unit mount behind the rearview mirror at the top of the windshield. This placement not only reduces the unit's visibility, it also improves its detection range. All of the components are installed inside the vehicle, protecting it from the elements and heat of the engine. The lithium-ion rechargeable batteries allow the pocket-size remote to operate up to 40 hours and include a two-hour quick charge option. The product's sleek IntelliLink 2.4 GHz wireless remote controlled design makes it possible to customize mounting locations as well as easily remove it from the car, further deterring theft.

In addition to the products' new design and enhanced performance, the XRS R7 and XRS R9G offer features Cobra drivers have come to rely on. The full-color Extreme Bright DataGrafix video display offers alert screens such as car battery voltage, signal strength and an eight-point digital compass. Similar to the other XRS detectors, the R7 and R9G provide drivers with IntelliMute , a speed sensing Auto Mute system to prevent false alerts; Voice Alert , which clearly annunciates signals and alerts being detected; SmartPower to automatically shut off the unit when the vehicle's ignition is turned off; and StrobeAlert , which alerts the driver of approaching emergency vehicles.

The XRS R7 user-installable remote radar detector has an MSRP of $349.95. The XRS R9G, including a GPS locator with red light and speed camera database, has an MSRP of $449.95. Cobra's new line of 2007 radar detectors will arrive in major retailers the second quarter of 2007.

Along with its new remote radar detectors and complete line of radar products in a wide range of prices and features, Cobra's 2007 mobile navigation, two-way radio, citizens band and marine products will be on display at this year's CES in Las Vegas, January 8-11 in the Central Hall, booth # 9841, at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Additionally, Cobra's radar, mobile navigation and two-way radio products will be on display at CES Unveiled, January 6 in the Sands Expo and Convention Center.

About Cobra Electronics

Cobra Electronics is a leading global manufacturer of communication and navigation products, with a track record of delivering innovative and award-winning products. Building upon its leadership position in the GMRS/FRS two-way radio, radar detector and citizens band industries, Cobra identified new growth opportunities and has aggressively expanded into the mobile navigation and marine markets over the last few years. The Consumer Electronics Association, Forbes and Deloitte & Touche have all recognized Cobra for the company's innovation and industry leadership. To learn more about Cobra Electronics, please visit the Cobra site at www.cobra.com.

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