It would be a very busy Valentine for employees working at the Oshawa plant in Ontario this year. Why? Because just two days after, that red-letter day would be the start of production of the much-awaited Chevrolet Camaro.

The Chevrolet Camaro, a "pony car" manufactured by General Motors in North America, was first released in September 1966 and it has been designed to compete with Ford Mustang.

According to Leftlane, these Camaros are expected to be available by late 2008, contrary to previous reports that General Motors will start its production later this year. Meanwhile, a more convertible Camaro is set to hit the automotive market by December 2009.

Chevrolet targets to sell 100,000 Camaros annually at a minimum price of $25,000 for the V-6 and $40,000 with the V-8 - a rate comparable to that of Ford Mustang.

With a Corvette-inspired engine, the 2009 Camaro concept was used in Transformers’ "Bumblebee". What’s the use of an Acura Integra water pump to this sporty coupe that features a 3.9-liter V-6, 6.0-liter V-8 engine, 250 V-6, 400 V-8 horsepower, 260 pound feet V-6, 400 V-8 torque, six-speed manual, six-speed automatic transmissions? Also, consumerguide.com revealed that these Camaros will look to be slightly lighter than the 2002 Camaro but will retain the trademarks of the original one including a long hood, short-deck, low-roof profile and small rear seat.

Inspired by the 1969 Chevrolet Camaro, the 2009 Chevrolet Camaro will be the fifth of the Camaro generation, thus, it projects a retro look with a set of four rectangular ancillary gauges at the forward base of its center console.

Now, that’s good news.

At the Consumer Electronics Show, one car is a sure star and that is the Tahoe. And what car do you think could upstage a self-driving car?

Ever dreamt of riding a car without worrying how to maneuver and how to get to your desired destination? Your dream is just a few steps away.

The experimental self-driving sport utility vehicle from Chevy dubbed “The Boss” was developed by General Motors in partnership with Carnegie Mellon University. It is named Boss after the nickname of GM Research and Development founder Charles Kettering and it is the undisputed top star of the Consumer Electronics Show so far this week, with network TV news segments and long lines of very impressed reporters, writes Mike Wendland, Free Press Technology columnist.

General Motors Chairman Rick Wagoner is expected to unfold the details of the SUV Tuesday in his keynote speech. According to GM, the vehicles is equipped with all sorts of technology that includes radar, motion and heat sensors, laser vision, GPS, mapping and navigation gear, and more. The automaker is proud to unveil a vehicle that recognizes road shape, curves, obstacles and can even dodge and swerve around road hazards.

The Detroit-based automaker has set up a convention center at CES to showcase its recent magnum opus. The technology is so striking that I couldn’t help but wait to see it on the roads. Actually, I want to experience the amazing technology that GM is offering. And it keeps me wondering, when will my dream turn into reality? I hope not too long.

The Tahoe, since its introduction in the market, serves as an important model for GM. This is why the automaker finds ways to make it even better. Using quality distributor cap, engines, radiator, filters, and other traditional auto parts isn’t enough. Groundbreaking innovation is the key.

To note, GM unveiled a hybrid version of the Tahoe last fall. But it didn’t stop there. It won’t stop with the self-driving Tahoe either.

The Corvette Racing Team is all set to continue their winning tradition in the upcoming 2008 season. The team’s two-car factory road racing team will have its comeback to the 24 Hours of Le Mans as well with a mission to grab their sixth GT1 championship of the planet’s most celebrated sports car event. I guess it’s about time they heat up those cooled Corvette radiators and burn rubber again!

"Corvette Racing was conceived as a long-term program to showcase the performance, technology, and value of Chevrolet’s world-class sports car," said Mark Kent, the director of GM Racing. "Since the team’s competition debut in 1999, Corvette Racing’s success in top-tier road racing has produced a strong return on our investment, paying dividends in marketing, engineering, technology transfer, personnel development and other areas of our business. Corvette is now a performance icon that’s recognized around the world, and Corvette Racing’s continued participation in the ALMS and the 24 Hours of Le Mans will be an important element in the global celebration of GM’s 100th anniversary in 2008."

According to my source, Corvette Racing has earned seven straight GT1 team and manufacturers’ championships and six consecutive drivers championships in ALMS contest.

"Experience teaches us that motorsports is cyclical, and the GT1 category is currently in transition. Would we like to see more competition in GT1 in the ALMS? Absolutely! But in the absence of season-long competition, we are absolutely committed to controlling our own destiny. We are pushing hard to develop our chassis and powertrain, to refine our race strategy, and to continuously improve every element of the program. We know that the competition at Le Mans will be intense, and we will use the ALMS series to hone the race cars, the drivers, and the team to prepare for it," added Wesoloski.

Check out the 2008 Corvette Racing Schedule courtesy of www.corvetteracing.com:
 
DATE VENUE TV

March 15 - Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring, Sebring, FL
April 5 - Acura Sports Car Challenge of St. Petersburg, St. Petersburg, FL
April 19 - Grand Prix of Long Beach, Long Beach, CA
April 26 - Lone Star Grand Prix, Houston, TX
May 19 - Utah Grand Prix, Salt Lake City, UT
June 14-15 - 24 Heures du Man, Le Mans, France
July 12 - American Le Mans Northeast Grand Prix, Lakeville, CT
July 19 - Acura Sports Car Challenge of Mid-Ohio, Lexington, OH
August 9 - Generac 500 at Road America, Elkhart Lake, WI
August 24 - Grand Prix of Mosport, Bowmanville, Ontario, Canada
August 30 - Detroit Sports Car Challenge, Detroit, MI
October 4 - Petit Le Mans - Braselton, GA
October 18 - Monterey Sports Car Championships, Salinas, CA