General Motors presents more than a dozen debuts at 8th Middle East International Motor Show

Enjoying a starring role on the GM stand, which is located in hall 5 of the Dubai World Trade Centre, are the new generations of the Cadillac Escalade and the Chevrolet Tahoe, both of which are making their Middle East debuts at the show.

Further GM highlights for visitors to the Motor Show will be 11 debuts, including the all-new Chevrolet Aveo, Cadillac BLS and Saab 9-7X. Also presented for the first time in the region are three concept cars including the Sequel, which embodies GM's vision of reinventing the automobile, the GMC Graphyte, which uses a two-mode full hybrid and the Chevrolet T2X, which offers a glimpse of the future design direction of Chevrolet.

"Over the last 2-3 years, our customers have felt the new energy and drive across all the GM brands," commented Terry Johnsson, Managing Director, General Motors Middle East at the Motor Show press day ahead of the official opening tomorrow (December 12th).

"Throughout the world GM is leveraging its resources - people, ideas, systems and technologies - to design, build and sell great cars and SUVs," he added. "In 2006 we have 12 new product launches and many of these are at this year's Show. These will see GM enter entirely new segments and attract a new generation of drivers to our brands."

Middle East debuts for Cadillac Escalade, BTS and V-series
The Cadillac Escalade family is one of the most aspirational nameplates in the industry and the all-new Escalade establishes a new level of refinement and style. The 2007 Escalade features new powertrain, chassis, safety and interior systems and raises the bar with exceptional exterior style, interior refinement, increased performance and enhanced ride and handling smoothness.

The Cadillac Escalade is powered by a new 6.2 litre, all-aluminium V-8 engine with variable valve timing technology which delivers more than 400 horsepower and 417 lb.-ft. of torque making it the most powerful and most efficient luxury SUV in the segment.

Also making its first appearance in the region is the Cadillac BLS, which is unique because it is made in Europe with pure Cadillac DNA. It is a 4-door, premium, mid-sized sedan with expressive design, outstanding ride and the acoustic comfort you would expect from Cadillac.

The Cadillac V-Series was developed by General Motors' Performance Division using Germany's famed Nürburgring race track and is set to revolutionise the high performance, luxury car market. The STS-V and XLR-V are both powered by Cadillac's 4.4L supercharged, dual overhead cam Northstar V8 engine and are members of the exclusive sub-five second 0 to 100km/h club.

The Cadillac DTS is the new incarnation of an enduring symbol of Cadillac luxury, the DeVille. Its signature exterior styling and luxurious interior, powerful, refined ride characteristics and safety and convenience technologies are unmistakably Cadillac. The DTS is equipped with the Northstar 4.6 litre V-8 engine mated to a four-speed auto transmission - a proven combination that assures powerful, sophisticated performance.

All-new Chevrolet Tahoe and Aveo make Middle East premieres
Also making their first appearances in the region are the next generation, all-new Chevrolet Tahoe and Chevrolet Aveo. The stunning new 2007 Tahoe improves further on the segment leading qualities of the existing model in terms of capability, safety and quality and sets new standards of exterior style, interior execution, power, ride and handling.

The Chevrolet Aveo is already a big hit in the region yet the all-new Aveo will serve as a benchmark for exterior and interior craftsmanship. From a styling point of view it is a totally new car, with a more dynamic exterior look. Its attractive interior has been improved significantly through the addition of a series of new comfort and convenience features.

The Corvette Z06 needs little introduction. It is the fastest production Corvette ever and the most powerful car ever produced by GM. Its 7 litre V8 engine delivers 505hp which rockets the Z06 from 0 to 100km/h in only 3.7 seconds and on to a top speed of 318km/h. At the other end of the Chevrolet car range is the new Spark which signals Chevrolet's first foray into the mini car segment.

Aggressive Saab product strategy takes shape with three new models on display
Saab is in the middle of the most aggressive product development program in its history with a strategy to enter market segments where it has never before had a presence. The new Saab 9-7x plays a crucial role in this strategy, bringing unique Saab characteristics to the premium midsize SUV segment. It offers sporty and fun-to-drive performance together with sophisticated styling inside and out.

Another new addition to the Saab range is the all-new 9-3 SportCombi, which takes Saab into the premium, mid-size wagon segment for the first time. It combines distinctive design with sporty driving dynamics and will appeal to customers who require the versatility of a wagon without compromising their desire for driving satisfaction. Also on the Saab stand is the 9-5, which has undergone a thorough refresh that includes exterior sheet metal, interior features and enhancements to the chassis and powertrain.

HUMMER: H3 on display at Motor Show
HUMMER stands for iconic design and unparalleled off-road-performance. On display at the Motor Show is the new HUMMER H3, which delivers authentic HUMMER style & off-road capability yet is roughly the same length as a midsize family sedan. Powered by a 3.5 litre engine, it is the first HUMMER to offer the choice of a manual transmission.

Sequel; GMC Graphyte; Chevrolet T2X concepts give foretaste of the future
The Sequel embodies GM's vision of reinventing the automobile with a fusion of technologies that includes advanced materials, electronic controls, computer software and advanced propulsion. It travels up to 480 kilometres on its hydrogen supply and accelerates to 100km/h in less than 10 seconds.

The GMC Graphyte delivers all the capability of a 4 wheel drive SUV but it uses a two-mode full hybrid system mated with a Vortec 5.3 litre V-8 engine with Displacement on Demand technology giving 25% improved fuel economy.

The T2X offers a glimpse of the future design direction of Chevrolet, combining the body of a compact SUV with the exciting design of a sport coupe. The T2X represents a segment-busting concept that will appeal to nearly everyone but particularly to those who aspire to a sports car look but need the off-road flexibility of an SUV.

"The notion of the automobile simply as a mode of reliable transportation has long gone and GM firmly believes in putting a focus on design and style," added Johnsson. "Over the next 12-18 months we will be launching several fantastic cars and SUVs all of which highlight the spirit of creativity that beats at the very heart of GM. We have enjoyed 24 months of consecutive record monthly sales and the vehicles we have on display show why we are so optimistic for the future."

Having achieved two sales performance milestones already this year, surpassing the 2004 record annual sales of 88,852 at the end of October then breaking the 100,000 unit barrier at the end of November, General Motors is enjoying tremendous growth in the region with the aim of achieving GM's goal of becoming the market leader in the Middle East automotive industry. This success comes thanks to a combination of great cars and SUVs competing in all-new vehicle segments and a great ownership experience.