TWO FOR THE ROAD - MEETS WITH GM CEO RICK WAGONER OF GENERAL MOTORS

Rick Wagoner, GM CEO

Bill and I were able to meet with Rick Wagoner, GM CEO of General Motors, at a press conference organized by Jeff Holland of GM communications. Mr. Wagoner was in Arizona to celebrate the opening of Brown and Brown's new Buick, Pontiac and GMC dealership in Gilbert.

The Press asked a few questions about the Big Three and GM's ranking with regard to Toyota. Rick was diplomatic in his answer, citing the few cars that made the difference, and congratulated Toyota on a job well done. Another topic of interest was the future of dealerships; closing some and combining brands and models under the GM badge.

However, the true focus of the interview was where GM stood with alternative fuels. Mr. Wagoner was able to give the press a good idea as to a timeline and commitment. Here is a capsule version of Mr. Wagoner's response to the Phoenix press association and other press related articles that same week.

GM is releasing an average of one new hybrid model every three months for the next two years that includes the Saturn Vue and Aura Green Line, and Chevrolet Malibu. This year, we've introduced the Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon two-mode hybrid (the only hybrid system developed and built in the U.S. at our Baltimore, MD transmission plant) that get a 50% improvement in city mileage over gas versions. This level of performance earned the Chevy Tahoe two-mode hybrid the "Green Car of the Year" award at the LA Auto Show. For next year, we'll be launching three additional two-mode hybrid versions of the Cadillac Escalade, and Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra full-size pick-ups.

In addition, GM is significantly expanding its development work on electrically driven vehicles like the Chevy Volt and Chevy Equinox fuel cell vehicle. This year GM launched Project Driveway, the world's largest test fleet of fuel cell vehicles, that will have 100 Chevy Equinox fuel cell vehicles distributed in California, New York and Washington, DC. Also this year, two advanced battery development contracts were announced and in August, GM and A123Systems announced an additional agreement to speed development of batteries specifically designed for the Chevy Volt's extended range electrical powertrain.

Photo of Cathy Droz, Jeff Holland , Bill Zervakos at Brown and Brown Buick Pontiac GMC dealership

Tell us what do you think of General Motors timeline and alternative fuel choices.

Two for the Road USA drives Lexus’ potent IS-F Sports Sedan

Cath and I had the pleasure of going to Lake Las Vegas with Lexus to drive the all new IS-F sports sedan. There’s a lot to say about this car and I’ll have that up soon but I thought readers might find the story behind the story of the development of the IS-F interesting so here’s what we found out about how of this killer car came to fruition.

Most people don’t know that when the idea of Lexus was first conceived some 20 years ago, the project was coded “Circle-F.” The Circle-F designation evolved into the name Flagship One, or F1, which became the code for their very first car, the LS 400. The LS of course stood for Luxury Sedan and the 400 represented the 4.0-liter engine. So, according to Lexus, taking it to the next level, the “F” now symbolizes Lexus’ special “flare” as well as a separate brand designation within Lexus. And the first production car to carry the “F” as part of the formal identification is the IS-F Sports Sedan.

I think it’s important to mention that the development of the IS-F was far from the normal deliberate process that epitomizes Lexus, but rather by a lone engineer that had a dream to produce an all-wheel-drive supercar with huge horsepower, racetrack handling and great stopping power. The problem, Lexus didn’t buy into the idea so, an engineer that had been with Toyota for over 30 years who had been involved with performance cars like the turbocharged Toyota Supra, took things into his own hands and designed the IS-F pretty much after hours with a very limited team and an even more limited budget.

Basically what happened was that Yukihiko Yaguchi wanted to build a car that he wanted to drive and own that would be a take-no-prisoners Sports Sedan that would combine comfort, sophistication and performance to compete or beat the best that the world had to offer. He got tired of waiting for an okay, so he decided to figure out a way to build it, and he did. While it’s easy to romanticize about an engineer having the spunk to challenge a company like Lexus and completely circumvent product planning and come up with a winner, well let’s just say Yaguchi earned his stripes. Non-the-less, it is a remarkable story.

Yaguchi pitched his concept to product planning which is unheard of, and after a lot of negotiating, he received approval to go ahead with the project. That was the good news, the bad news was, there was no budget for the project. That didn’t deter Yaguchi because like a true gear-head Yaguchi recruited his own special “Skunk Works” team to work under the radar in their spare time and between assignments and the result is one incredible Sports Sedan that I absolutely loved driving.

This is what Lexus PR said about testing the IS-F in their press info. “To be certain performance targets were met on the IS F, it was tested at racetracks that count, at tracks that have challenge and heritage. Those test tracks include the legendary Nurburgring Nordschleife, in Germany’s Eiffel Mountains; Circuit Paul Ricard, in the South of France; Circuit Zolder, in Belgium; Laguna Seca Raceway; and at Fuji Speedway, in Japan.
In fact, the “F” logo design comes directly from the shape of Turn One at Fuji Speedway, the home circuit of IS F.
The “F” might also mean “fast,” or “fun,” “fascinating,” or “formula,” suggesting a precise recipe for excellence. But as much as anything else, it’s also a symbol of our “focus” on satisfying every element of the market.
Most importantly, it could also mean “finally.” If it means that, it’s only because it signifies our relief that there’s now a serious, fire-breathing enthusiast’s car that embodies all of the Lexus flagship DNA.”

I’ll have a lot more about the Lexus IS-F on our website, Two for the Road USA soon.

Boomer and X with JFK Car on Channel 3

With all the automotive auctions in Arizona this week; causing traffic jams and media frenzies, Boomer and X were asked to drive over to Channel 3 in a historical classic car from

RM Auctions of Canada.  www.rmauctions.com

 

From the Biltmore Hotel to Channel 3, Cathy and Melanie had the privilege to ride in the back of this 1962 Lincoln Continental Limo that belonged to President John F. Kennedy.  This White House vehicle had only a glass partition separating the driver from the passengers and a large phone secured in an armrest.   There were no seatbelts, no cup holders and it was not bulletproof.   

 

Kennedy rode in this vehicle in New York City just 7 days before he was assassinated in Dallas, Texas.  This vehicle went up for sale at the internationally known RM Auctions at the Biltmore Hotel, in Phoenix, Arizona. 

 

Only three were made that year by Ford Motor Company for the White House.   One has been destroyed and the other belonged to his wife, the first lady Jackie Kennedy Onassis (called the "bubbletop" Limo) which was sold last year at the RM auction for$700,000. 

 

 

There are no guesses on what this limo will bring at the auction, but how can you put a price on a piece of history?

 

Channel 3's Your Life A-Z Host, Lisa Haffner, was as impressed and charming as always.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Start the year off right. Easy ways to stay in shape in the new year.

Two for the Road USA meet Coach Jack Lengyel

"WE ARE MARSHALL"

Cathy and Bill had the pleasure of meeting Coach Jack Lengyel at the office of KKNT Radio in Scottsdale, Arizona this Christmas season. Yes, the coach that Hollywood made a movie about called "We are
Marshall " in 2006.

Jack was portrayed by the handsome actor Matthew McConaughey in the film. The story is about the tragic loss of almost the entire Marshall University Football team; in an airplane crash back in l970. The school and the town were devastated by the loss of their team, several parents, and coaches.

One of the football players, who was not on the plane, decided to get the University behind him to put a new football team together to honor his fallen teammates. However, the University President was unable to hire a coach to reconstruct the team. Not until Jack Lengyel asked for the job, after reading about the tragic story in the newspaper, did the town and University have a purpose again.

Jack told Two for the Road that he didn't dress as wild as McConaughey did in the movie, and he wasn't as
quirky as they portrayed him.

If you get to view the movie, and then meet Jack, you will see that outgoing personality, warm smile and his ability to make you feel like you're the only person in the room when he is talking. A genuine nice family man, who lives in Arizona.

What a wonderful gift we received in meeting Jack this season.

This blog entry may have nothing to do with the automotive industry, but it does have to do with rebuilding; and we know how that relates to the auto manufacturers. Maybe Mullaly and Lutz should watch the movie, maybe they can aspire to be a sort of Lengyel? Let's hope so.

TWO FOR THE ROAD USA AT THE PHOENIX INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW

BARRETT JACKSON MUSTANG – SYNC - WARRIORS IN PINK

Bill and Cathy were guests of Ford Motor Company and the Barrett Jackson organization at the Phoenix Auto Show the day before Thanksgiving 2007.

There were three very impressive arrivals at the Auto show that day. The first was the unveiling of the 2008 GT Ford Shelby Mustang bearing the ever so subtle Barrett Jackson name on the rear of the black with red stripped convertible.

Only 100 Barrett Jackson Mustangs have been allocated to Arizona Ford dealers. Price estimated at $40,000.

www.barrettjackson.com

The second was the introduction of the SYNC powered by Microsoft.

The miracle of technology, available in 12 Ford, Lincoln and Mercury products starting the first of the year named SYNC was demonstrated to us by Ford’s knowledgeable and hip Ford employees Like Stacy Anderson. She's one of the energetic Ford reps touring the country introducing this new Ford technology to High School and College campuses. Some of the exciting features are full voice control of phone and music players, text messaging (hands free) and iTunes Downloads to mention just a few. Ford is excited about their new factory-installed, in-car communications and entertainment system that is designed to change the way consumers use media players and mobile phones in their vehicles. www.syncmyride.com

Last but not least is Ford’s continued involvement in the fight against beast cancer with their warriors in Pink campaign. Besides the beautiful women of the game show ‘Deal or no Deal “, American Idol winner and phenomena Kelly Clarkson joins Ford’s fight by appearing in their campaign.

Ford has supported Komen for the Cure for 13 years and has dedicated more than $90 million in cash and in-kind donations to save lives and help end breast cancer. Last year, their line of apparel generated more than $1.1 million in sales, all net proceeds going to Komen.

www.fordcares.com

Two for the Road Drives the 2008 Malibu

There's been an awful lot of hoopla from GM about "the car you can't ingnore" and I'm here to tell you, I'm a believer. I always find it interesting when a manufacturer sets the bar high when unveiling a new or re-modeled vehicle. It's a very high risk-reward gamble and after spending some time in Tennessee as the guest of General Motors, Cathy and I are pretty sure they got it right with the new Malibu. The redesign has been a 3-year plan for lead exterior designer Tim Kozub, who's sketch you see at the top of the blog, and as you can see by the video below, the finished product isn't far off the drawing. With models ranging from the 4-cylinder LS to the V6 powered LTZ and a hybrid version the Malibu will appeal to a very eclectic group. We enjoyed driving the V6 and the hybrid and we'll have a lot more to talk about in the near future. In the meantime, enjoy the video to get an idea of what this car is all about, and go to; www.twofortheroadusa.com for more information.

Two for the Road USA at the Gibson Guitar Plant

While Cathy and I were in Tennesse with General Motors for the launch of the all-new Malibu, we were treated to a tour of the Gibson plant to see exactly how these beautiful guitars were made. We were very suprised to find out that much of the process is still done by hand and even more surprised to find out that they refuse to allow any blemishes at all in their guitars. If they are flawed in any way, they are destroyed. It's kind of nice to know there are still businesses that strive for perfection in their products. Here are some pics we took during the tour. For more information, visit www.twofortheroadusa.com