Cadillacs to Get Satellite Security Systems 02/13/96 The Associated Press reported that GM will equip 1997 Cadillacs with an optional security system that will use satellites to get help to the Cadillac if its air bags are deployed in an accident. After a crash, a cellular phone will call GM operators who will offer a range of services including calling police or tow trucks. The satellite-linked security system is called OnStar and will cost about $1,000 plus a monthly service charge. The GM operators are not just there for emergency response, but will be able to do other things for Cadillac owners, including ordering flowers and making airline reservations. Paul Dever -- The Auto Channel ##--##--##news00141 Chrysler Not Susceptible to Takeover 02/13/96 Reuters reported that Chrysler is breathing easy after Kerkorian's takeover attempt failed. Chrysler has mounted a poison pill defense that will make it difficult for an investor who controls more than 15% of Chrysler stock to take over the corporation. Chrysler officials are confident that the automaker is not vulnerable to takeover attempts. Paul Dever -- The Auto Channel ##--##--##news00142 GM Will Build Brakes in China 02/13/96 Reuters reported that GM's Delphi Automotive Systems has joined forces with Zhejiang Asia-Pacific Machine & Electric Group to form a $20 million brake component and systems building venture in China. GM will retain majority ownership. Zhejiang Asia-Pacific is one of the largest brake manufacturers in China and the dominant drum brake supplier to the Chinese truck automotive market. Delphi Chassis Systems division will join with Zhejiang Asia-Pacific to produce 1.2 million brake drums, starting in March 1996. The plant should employ about 1,000 Chinese. Paul Dever -- The Auto Channel ##--##--##news00143 Chrysler Chairman Happy with Kerkorian Deal 02/13/96 Reuters reported that Robert Eaton, Chairman of Chrysler Corporation, is happy with the way last week's power struggle with billionaire and major Chrysler shareholder Kirk Kerkorian turned out. Kerkorian launched a bid to place his top strategist Jerome York, to a vacant seat on Chrysler's board. Chrysler rejected that appointment and appointed John Neff, former managing director of Wellington Management Co., instead. Kerkorian was expected to battle the corporation, but that fight was averted when Chrysler appointed another long-time Kerkorian associate to the board the following day. In return, Kerkorian agreed not to buy any more stock for 5 years. Paul Dever -- The Auto Channel ##--##--##news00144 GM Dealers to Market Used Cars 02/13/96 Reuters reported that GM is planning to have all of its divisions begin marketing used cars with warranties and at no-haggle prices. The company hopes to announce specific plans during the first have of this year. Currently GM's Saturn and Cadillac divisions have formal used car marketing programs; their used Cadillac certification program, has been highly successful for dealers, helping them to increase their used car sales and increase customer loyalty. GM hopes that brand recognition will give them an edge over other similar ventures that are already springing up or in place. Circuit City's CarMax and a new chain called Driver's Mart are examples of the kind of competition GM will be facing. GM is currently in the midst of a dealership consolidation process which will see more than 2,500 closures consolidations and relocations in the next five years. Their Oldsmobile division will bear the brunt of these changes, as Oldsmobile sales have dropped over 60% since 1986. In spite of dropping sales, Oldsmobile revealed its second new midsize car in as many months. The 1997 Cutlass was unveiled over the weekend. The $15-17,000 price range Cutlass has been designed to recall the divisions past, in spite of the fact that Oldsmobile is consciously trying to change its image to appeal to younger, import-oriented buyers. GM described the new car as an anchor to the traditional Olds buyer. The other new Olds, the Intrigue, is aimed solidly at import buyers. Paul Dever -- The Auto Channel ##--##--##news00145 Dave Letterman Buys a Piece of Team Rahal 02/13/96 The Associated Press reported that David Letterman, host of "Late Show with David Letterman," will become a minority interest owner of Bobby Rahal's racing team. Bobby Rahal and Letterman have been friends for about 10 years, and Rahal appeared on Letterman after winning the Indy 500 in 1986. Letterman, an Indiana native, is a fan of IndyCar racing in general and of the Indianapolis 500 in particular. Because of the feud between CART and the IRL, however, Rahal will not participate in this year's Indy 500. He will race at the U.S. 500 instead, which CART has scheduled to run on the same day as the Indy 500. Paul Dever -- The Auto Channel ##--##--##news00146 Earnhardt Wins Pole Position for Daytona 500 02/13/96 The Associated Press reported that seven-time NASCAR Winston Cup champion claimed pole position for the Winston Series' most prestigious NASCAR event, the Daytona 500. Earnhardt's best speed of 189.510 mph did it for him, placing him ahead of 1991's Daytona winner Ernie Irvan, who clocked 189.366, and last year's pole winner Dale Jarrett, who clocked 189.330. Only the top two speeds claim starting positions for the 42 car race, the rest of the starting field will shake out of time trials through Tuesday, and Thursday's pair of 125 mile qualifying races. The race will run on February 18th. Earnhardt has raced in the Daytona 500 18 times and has finished second three times. 1994 and 1995 brought his most recent second placings, when he followed Sterling Marlin across the finish line both times. All tolled Earnhardt has won 68 Winston Cup events, but never the Daytona 500, even though he has led more laps in the race than any other driver. Paul Dever -- The Auto Channel ##--##--##news00147 Dale Jarrett Wins Busch Clash 1996 02/13/96 The Associated Press reported that Dale Jarrett won the Busch Clash at Daytona last Sunday. Jarrett, driving his Ford Thunderbird Beat Sterling Marlin in his Chevrolet Monte Carlo. Jarret moved from 12th to @nd in the first half of the race, and came from the back row to win the second half of the event. The field of the Busch Clash is inverted after the first half of the race: all the winning drivers from the first half of the race start at the back of the pack on the second half. Jarrett races for Robert Yates, and was driving car no. 88 for the race. Last season Jarrett was driving Yates' No. 28 as a replacement for Ernie Irvan who was injured. Ernie came back and bumped Jarrett down to the No. 88 car. This is the first season Yates has raced two cars full time, and Jarrett's crew is new. Sunday marked the first time the car had been entered in a race. From a total purse of $330,000, Jarret won $62,500; Marlin took home $50,000 for placing second. news00149.htmlCheck out the results of the 1996 Busch Clash Paul Dever -- The Auto Channel ##--##--##news00148 1996 Busch Clash, Final Results 02/13/96 ESPNET reported the results of Sunday's Busch Clash at Daytona. Here they are in table format: 
Rank No	Driver		Car			Winnings
--------------------------------------------------------
1    88 Dale Jarrett	Ford Thunderbird	$62,500 
2     4	Sterling Marlin	Chevrolet Monte Carlo	$50,000 
3     3	Dale Earnhardt	Chevrolet Monte Carlo	$24,000 
4     5	Terry Labonte	Chevrolet Monte Carlo	$29,500 
5    25	Ken Schrader	Chevrolet Monte Carlo	$20,000 
6    10	Ricky Rudd	Ford Thunderbird	$18,000 
7     6	Mark Martin	Ford Thunderbird	$15,000 
8    94	Bill Elliott	Ford Thunderbird	$12,000
9    24	Jeff Gordon	Chevrolet Monte Carlo	$15,500 
10   16	Ted Musgrave	Ford Thunderbird	$10,000 
11   71	Dave Marcis	Chevrolet Monte Carlo	$10,000 
12    1	Rick Mast	Pontiac Grand Prix	$12,000
13   96	David Green	Chevrolet Monte Carlo	$10,000 
14   17	Darrell Waltrip	Chevrolet Monte Carlo	$10,000 
15    8	Hut Stricklin	Ford Thunderbird	$11,500 
16   18	Bobby Labonte	Chevrolet Monte Carlo	$10,000 
17   37	John Andretti	Ford Thunderbird	$10,000

Time of Race:		16 minutes, 13 seconds 
Average Speed:		184.995 miles per hour 
Margin of Victory:	0.19 seconds

First segment winner:	Sterling Marlin

Overall Leaders		Laps Led
---------------------------------------
Sterling Marlin		9 laps 
Dale Jarrett		6 laps 
Dale Earnhardt		4 laps 
Rick Mast		1 lap 
Jeff Gordon		1 lap 
Bobby Labonte		1 lap
Paul Dever -- The Auto Channel ##--##--##news00149