Breaking the embargo
It's inevitable, I suppose. Especially when the auto show hits town. Everyone is eager to see what hot new cars will be launched at the show. And auto journalists are in rare form as they try to beat their colleagues to the wire with the latest news. Sometimes this is their only chance to get that "breaking" story. But, in their overzealousness, they do a disservice to those of us who know the meaning of embargo.
They break it, ruining the concept of advanced information for the rest of us. I'm particularly peeved at the moment because a couple of my brethren have already started breaking the auto show embargoes. Which means that automakers are remarkably skittish -- even though they have no reason to distrust this journalist. I've never broken an embargo. Yet here I am, a week out from the media days, and I'm trying to get some advanced information for our new print publication being launched Feb. 7. But now I'm being told that I can't get the photos I need because a couple of my "friends" have ruthlessly ruined it for me. They broke an embargo on the new 2009 Hummer H3T, so other manufacturers are now withholding advanced info until the last possible moment.
Not a fan. And that's putting it politely.
So, though I can't get the photos I need, I do have the photos of the new H3T that Hummer has officially released because of the leaks. Be sure to visit our Auto Show Web site, to check out the photo gallery.
This week Jill is driving an Infiniti QX56. Would you like to see a blog entry on the car du jour? Send Jill an e-mail at jciminillo@suntimes.com.