• Los Angeles Times, Thursday, December 17, 2009 11 AM

Oh, dear. As David Colker reports, it sounds like such a nice idea. General Motors' OnStar announced that users of the service will be able to track the merry old soul on Christmas Eve. The service is via NORAD, which has provided updates by phone for more than 50 years.

Good enough. But then GM placed a video on YouTube showing Santa visiting the company and learning about the technological wonders it can put on his sleigh, including GPS, diagnostic devices and hands-free calling "while taking a call from Mrs. Claus."

The less-than-enthusiastic performance of Santa as well as the voiceover "would embarrass a community theater troupe," Colker writes, adding, "Yes, Virginia, there is a new General Motors. Not too different from the old General Motors." Ouch.

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