GM's Street-Fighting Transformer Vehicles Rev Up

DETROIT — Until now, moviegoers only got a quick glimpse of the Chevrolet Camaro that stars in Paramount's upcoming Transformers movie via a trailer that hit theaters late last year. The brief clip also offers teaser images of the GMC TopKick truck, Hummer H2 and Pontiac Solstice that will star in what is likely to be the blockbuster film of the summer.

But General Motors took the edge off this weekend, releasing several images of its four Transformer vehicles. The Chevrolet Camaro is undoubtedly the über-Transformer, dubbed "Bumblebee," a major character in the saga of aliens who take mechanical forms when on earth. GM said it will "roll out a fully integrated marketing and promotional effort around the film in the near future, including a major Chevrolet promotion."

Insiders say this effort may include specially badged vehicles to commemorate the film, as well as the usual line of toys, posters and other movie-related accessories.

GM vehicles are not merely static displays in Transformers. They are clearly embedded in the story line. "Autobot Jazz" converts from a hardtop Pontiac Solstice. "Autobot Ratchet" is a Hummer H2 that has been modified to serve as a rescue vehicle. "Ironhide" changes from a GMC TopKick medium-duty truck.

The movie will hit theaters July 4.