Dub-pattas nu op alle GM SUVs leverbaar

Liefhebbers van aftermarket velgjes en versieringen kunnen hun handjes samenknijpen. Op de SEMA heeft GM een samenwerking met TIS Industries (gerund door de oprichters van DUB magazine) aangekondigd. Dit houdt in dat je vanaf 2008 op elke SUV van ‘The General’ in de showroom 20 of 22 inch DUB-lichtmetaal kan laten zetten.

De combinatie DUB – Amerikaanse auto’s heeft in het verleden al aardig wat eye-candy opgeleverd, zoals de ‘DUB’ Dodge Charger of deze hele vette Escalade.

Volgens GM zet deze deal de deur open voor meer producten dan alleen maar velgen, zoals bodykits en electronica. Liefhebbers van DUB zullen dit waarschijnlijk met lede ogen aanzien en het als een ‘sell-out move’ bestempelen, maar dat zal TIS waarschijnlijk worst wezen.

TWO BIG WHEELS JOIN FORCES: GENERAL MOTORS TO COLLABORATE WITH TIS INDUSTRIES AND THE CREATORS OF DUB MAGAZINE ON EXCLUSIVE D20 VEHICLE ACCESSORIES

LAS VEGAS – General Motors and TIS Industries,
operated by the creators of DUB Magazine, announced today at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show that they will team up on a D20 collection of aftermarket wheels exclusively for GM trucks and SUVs with the hope of eventually including additional vehicle personalization accessories for GM cars and trucks.

The collaboration brings the trend-setting power of Myles Kovacs and the team behind DUB Magazine, considered the leading urban automotive lifestyle authorities because of their successful
integration of music, celebrities and car culture – with the industry-leading quality and massive reach of General Motors.

GM will offer 20-inch and 22-inch wheels featuring the new “D20” brand created by Kovacs and his creative team in what the two companies hope is the first step in a long-term collaboration between GM and the creators of DUB Magazine. The D20 and D22 wheels will be sold exclusively through GM dealers nationwide and will begin hitting dealer showrooms in the first quarter of 2008. Both companies hope the current agreement for D20 wheels will lead to co-branded Street Tuner Chevrolet Tahoe with DUB D22 Wheels Gallery: Street Tuner Chevrolet Tahoe with DUB D22 Wheels
and co-designed special grilles, ground effects kits and electronics.

“Vehicle personalization gets hotter every year, and while much of that is driven by wheels and tires, it has become so much more,” said Eric Cunningham, director of marketing for GM Accessories. “DUB co-founder and president Myles Kovacs and his team at TIS Industries and DUB Magazine are design innovators, and they have amazing credibility among urban automotive enthusiasts and important celebrity influencers.
“This collaboration gives us a tremendous creative edge as we tap into the eyes, ears and creativity of the DUB Magazine team to enhance our accessories portfolio and meet the demands of GM’s diverse customer base, everyone from moms to tuners.”

The vehicle customization business generates more than $37 billion a year and is growing at an annual rate of 4 percent to 5 percent, according to SEMA. GM designs accessories at its GM Accessories Design Studio, which opened in 2005. The studio, an industry first, connects the accessory and vehicle designers to help ensure a factory-quality fit and finish as well as an integrated, tailored appearance.
“Flip through the pages of DUB Magazine and you’ll see a lot of great GM vehicles embraced by some of the biggest names in music, sports and entertainment,” said Kovacs. “Our team is impressed that GM integrates accessory development with its design studio, as well as its insistence on quality and safety. Clearly GM takes customization as seriously as we do, so we think our great brands complement each other.” For DUB Magazine, TIS and GM, that means reaching new customers.

TIS is known for products that appeal to what it calls ‘innovators’ – drivers who want to make a powerful statement of style. “What we see in this relationship with GM and in the new D20 brand is a chance to reach a whole new segment of consumers,” Kovacs said. “D20 is for those who want the style we bring, but who also want to know that their accessories were designed specifically for their vehicle, and backed by GM.”

A great example of this vehicle integration can be found in GM’s wheels and tire combinations that will be at the center of a comprehensive product portfolio. GM has developed and matched specific tires and wheels for each GM vehicle application.

“D20 branded GM wheels, together with the tires specifically approved for each combination, will give our customers a known quality, backed by extensive engineering, testing and verification that the wheel and tire system they’re purchasing will deliver performance and handling within the vehicle’s defined characteristics,” Cunningham said.

Because they meet GM’s rigorous standards for safety and durability, all accessories offered by GM brands are backed a General Motors warranty. Accessories permanently installed on a new GM vehicle at the time of delivery are covered under the GM New Vehicle Limited Bumper-to-Bumper Warranty, and can be included in the financing of the vehicle, making them both convenient and affordable. GM accessories permanently installed by a GM dealer after vehicle purchase are covered for the balance of the new vehicle warranty, and no less than 12 months or 12,000 miles.