Chevrolet Volt at GRAMMY Week

Chevrolet has announced that they will provide a range of Hybrid and FlexFuel E85 ethanol SUVs to transport talent to the Awards telecast and other GRAMMY Week events. The extended range Chevrolet Volt concept car will also be displayed at the event.

Press Release
Chevrolet to Provide Gas-Friendly Vehicles during GRAMMY Week

First Ever Gas-Friendly GRAMMY Fleet to Transport the Music Industry’s Hottest Talent; Chevy Volt Concept Brings

A fleet of gas-friendly vehicles from Chevrolet will bring an eco-friendly presence to the 50th Annual GRAMMY® Awards on Sunday, February 10. As the “official vehicle of the 50th Annual GRAMMY Awards,” Chevrolet will provide both Hybrid and FlexFuel E85 ethanol SUVs to transport talent to the Awards telecast and other GRAMMY Week events. In addition, Chevrolet will “electrify” the red carpet with a show-stopping display of the extended-range electric vehicle Chevy Volt Concept car.

This marks the first time a “fuel-friendly” fleet of vehicles this size has been partnered with,
and branded for a major awards show. The GRAMMY Fleet of Chevy vehicles will consist of a mix of 100 Tahoe Hybrids and FlexFuel E85 ethanol Tahoe and Suburban SUVs. GRAMMY presenters, performers and VIPs will not only arrive at their destinations in a fuel-efficient way, but also in grand style with each vehicle being customized with exterior GRAMMY badging.

“This is an unprecedented venture for an automotive manufacturer to provide a fleet of so many ‘fuel-friendly’ vehicles at a major awards show,” said Jay Flaherty, regional divisional marketing manager for Chevrolet in GM’s Western Region. “We’re delighted to celebrate our partnership with the 50th Annual GRAMMY Awards by providing fuel-friendly transportation for the music industry’s hottest talent.”

The Chevy Tahoe Hybrid – which was recently named Green Car Journal’s 2008 Green Car of the Year® – is one of two all-new hybrid models for 2008 (the other being the Malibu Hybrid sedan) featuring the affordable GM Hybrid System.

The Tahoe Hybrid boasts vastly improved fuel economy over its gasoline-only sibling, thanks in large part to a state-of-the-art hybrid system using GM’s all-new Electrically Variable Transmission (EVT), as well as Active Fuel Management and specific aerodynamic aids and lighter components. The Tahoe Hybrid 2WD achieves EPA city fuel economy of 21 miles per gallon, equal to the city fuel economy of the four-cylinder 2008 Toyota Camry.

Biofuels such as E85 ethanol have tremendous potential to help offset the world’s growing energy demands, and General Motors offers more FlexFuel E85 ethanol-capable models than any other brand (GM currently has 2.5 million FlexFuel E85 ethanol vehicles on the road).
FlexFuel E85 ethanol vehicles – like the Tahoe and Silverado – can run on either gasoline or E85 ethanol – a blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline – or a combination of both.

In addition to helping us reduce petroleum use and promote energy independence, E85 ethanol fuel produces fewer greenhouse gases during the combustion process and can enhance engine performance. It is a cleaner fuel made today from mostly U.S.-grown biomaterial, such as corn. But researchers are working on broadening the supply of ethanol by turning other non-food plant materials such as lumber mill waste, switchgrass, lawn clippings and even garbage into what’s called cellulosic ethanol. Unlike corn-based ethanol, the cellulose in the products used to make cellulosic ethanol must be pre-treated and then broken down into sugars before they can be fermented, a step called cellulosis. The technology required to do this is under development.

The Chevy Volt Concept sedan is powered by GM’s E-Flex electric propulsion system and exhibits the potential to greatly reduce trips to the gas station for many commuters, as well as reduce C02 emissions. More than 75 percent of drivers in the United States commute fewer than 40 miles a day, and for these drivers a fully-charged Chevy Volt will use no gas and produce no tailpipe emissions. It is easily recharged by plugging into a common 110-volt electrical outlet.

A battery-powered, four-passenger vehicle, the Chevy Volt uses a gas engine to create additional electricity to extend its range. The electricity to operate the Volt can come from a number of energy sources – including renewable ones such as wind, solar, geothermal, hydroelectric and biofuels – or from traditional sources such as natural gas, clean coal, nuclear or even gasoline.

The 50th Annual GRAMMY Awards will be held on Feb. 10, 2008 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles. The show is scheduled to be broadcast live by the CBS Television Network at 8 p.m. (ET/PT), supported on radio via Westwood One worldwide, and covered on the Internet at GRAMMY.com. and branded for a major awards show. The GRAMMY Fleet of Chevy vehicles will consist of a mix of 100 Tahoe Hybrids and FlexFuel E85 ethanol Tahoe and Suburban SUVs. GRAMMY presenters, performers and VIPs will not only arrive at their destinations in a fuel-efficient way, but also in grand style with each vehicle being customized with exterior GRAMMY badging.

“This is an unprecedented venture for an automotive manufacturer to provide a fleet of so many ‘fuel-friendly’ vehicles at a major awards show,” said Jay Flaherty, regional divisional marketing manager for Chevrolet in GM’s Western Region. “We’re delighted to celebrate our partnership with the 50th Annual GRAMMY Awards by providing fuel-friendly transportation for the music industry’s hottest talent.”

The Chevy Tahoe Hybrid – which was recently named Green Car Journal’s 2008 Green Car of the Year® – is one of two all-new hybrid models for 2008 (the other being the Malibu Hybrid sedan) featuring the affordable GM Hybrid System.

The Tahoe Hybrid boasts vastly improved fuel economy over its gasoline-only sibling, thanks in large part to a state-of-the-art hybrid system using GM’s all-new Electrically Variable Transmission (EVT), as well as Active Fuel Management and specific aerodynamic aids and lighter components. The Tahoe Hybrid 2WD achieves EPA city fuel economy of 21 miles per gallon, equal to the city fuel economy of the four-cylinder 2008 Toyota Camry.

Biofuels such as E85 ethanol have tremendous potential to help offset the world’s growing energy demands, and General Motors offers more FlexFuel E85 ethanol-capable models than any other brand (GM currently has 2.5 million FlexFuel E85 ethanol vehicles on the road). FlexFuel E85 ethanol vehicles – like the Tahoe and Silverado – can run on either gasoline or E85 ethanol – a blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline – or a combination of both.

In addition to helping us reduce petroleum use and promote energy independence, E85 ethanol fuel produces fewer greenhouse gases during the combustion process and can enhance engine performance. It is a cleaner fuel made today from mostly U.S.-grown biomaterial, such as corn. But researchers are working on broadening the supply of ethanol by turning other non-food plant materials such as lumber mill waste, switchgrass, lawn clippings and even garbage into what’s called cellulosic ethanol. Unlike corn-based ethanol, the cellulose in the products used to make cellulosic ethanol must be pre-treated and then broken down into sugars before they can be fermented, a step called cellulosis. The technology required to do this is under development.

The Chevy Volt Concept sedan is powered by GM’s E-Flex electric propulsion system and exhibits the potential to greatly reduce trips to the gas station for many commuters, as well as reduce C02 emissions. More than 75 percent of drivers in the United States commute fewer than 40 miles a day, and for these drivers a fully-charged Chevy Volt will use no gas and produce no tailpipe emissions. It is easily recharged by plugging into a common 110-volt electrical outlet.

A battery-powered, four-passenger vehicle, the Chevy Volt uses a gas engine to create additional electricity to extend its range. The electricity to operate the Volt can come from a number of energy sources – including renewable ones such as wind, solar, geothermal, hydroelectric and biofuels – or from traditional sources such as natural gas, clean coal, nuclear or even gasoline.

The 50th Annual GRAMMY Awards will be held on Feb. 10, 2008 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles. The show is scheduled to be broadcast live by the CBS Television Network at 8 p.m. (ET/PT), supported on radio via Westwood One worldwide, and covered on the Internet at GRAMMY.com.

Cadillac Provoq Concept Car

The Cadillac Provoq Concept Car will be presented by Cadillac at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) next week in Detroit. The Cadillac Provoq Concept Car will showcase its future design and performance technology. This concept car will be unveiled tomorrow, January 8, at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas.

Press Release
Cadillac To Showcase Future Design And Performance Technology
Cadillac extends its ongoing design and technology momentum with tomorrow’s debut of the Cadillac 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 Cadillac 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.

Dallas Commercial Real Estate Market Does A Rebound

Dallas City in Texas continues to experience steady growth in its real estate industry notably on the commercial side. This is not really a wonder as Dallas is a large city which accommodates several huge industries consisting of the petroleum, transportation, banking, information technology and telecommunications sectors. But despite the growing economy, Dallas remains to be among the most affordable cities in the U.S., according to Forbes.

The Dallas Texas real estate industry has also maintained its momentum since it began experiencing its booming days back in the 1980s. The Dallas commercial real estate including the big buildings and skyscrapers was a major growth factor. In addition, the Dallas metroplex accommodates numerous high-end shopping centers more than that of any other city or state in the U.S.

Experts reveal that the commercial real estate market in Dallas is in great condition compared to the residential properties. In terms of foreclosure, the percentage of Dallas office space, apartment, industrial and retail buildings is very small. This is due to the fact that commercial companies almost always have the financial resources to carry out their expansion and construction projects.

Dallas is seen to continue being a commercial real estate hub in the many years to come. Currently, new construction projects of condos and townhouses are widespread around this booming city. The other good news is that many of the office spaces previously available in Dallas have already been occupied or pre-leased. The central business district of the city has reduced its office vacancy rate to 24 percent as of end of September 2007.

The year 2007 has proved to be favorable for the Dallas commercial real estate sector. Latest reports from Cushman & Wakefield say office tenants that have been expanding and relocating have leased 1.5 million square feet more of office space in the Dallas-Fort Worth area in the first half of the year. The third quarter net leasing has also soared nearly 90 percent from totals in mid-2007. A recent report by Delta Associates showed that Dallas-Fort Worth is seen to accommodate an average of 4.8 million square feet of office space each year until 2010.

As for construction, an estimated 6.9 million square feet of office space is now being built in Dallas-Fort Worth as of the middle of 2007 and this is bigger than in 2006. Of the estimated office space being constructed, more than 40 percent is already pre-leased. Rents have also risen to seven percent from the 2006 rates. Third quarter figures show that office rents averaged $19.42 per square foot while rents for medical office space rose 12 percent to $24.4 percent.

With all these positive developments going on, the future of Dallas commercial real estate is indeed looking bright. Many real estate investment firms are seeing a low vacancy rate and substantial rent gains this 2007. Developers are also projected to provide 2.6 million square feet of office space by the end of the year while building owners are expected to ask for higher rents as a result of lower vacancy. The reduction in vacancies is being attributed to the surge in employment by 3.2 percent covering more than 900,000 jobs by year end.