Isuzu could also use the Toyota Camry – but then again, just about every automaker would be quite happy with a sedan as popular as the Camry. It’s Toyota’s however, and they don’t seem inclined to sell the rights to Chevy anytime soon. What they are doing is lowering prices on the base CE 2007 model to $18,850, while boosting standard features. The base model comes with a four-cylinder engine and a five-speed manual transmission. Prices on mid-level and top-tier Camrys were increased slightly, along with the number of included features and equipment. The Camry LE – the one most people buy – starts at $21,080, a $125 jump. The most popular LE comes with a four-cylinder engine and five-speed automatic transmission. The V6 model gets a $260 increase. Buyers of the most expensive Camry, the XLE, can expect a new sticker price of $25,005 – and increase of $1,600 from the 2006 model.

I wonder if Stefan Ericksson is driving a Camry now that he’s crashed his Ferrari. Eriksson, a failed executive at a now-defunct hand held gaming company called Gizomondo, totaled his Ferrari Enzo on PCH last week, a crash that gained international attention -- and much notoriety -- for Eriksson. Also known as "Fat Steffy" in Sweden thanks to his involvement with Sweden's Uppsala mafia, “Steffy” has steadfastly maintained that a mystery German was actually driving when the Enzo, racing an SLR McLaren and going about 120 mph, caught air and t-boned a telephone pole.

It’s a shame. As Bode Miller learned during the winter Olympics, you’ve got to go AROUND the pole in order to win the race -- not through it.