Think Big : Designing the message

Want to hook customers? Remember that good design isn't simply about the product, it' about the entire business.

Behind every great customer experience is a tight coupling of product, service brand expression and business system. Designing for business - both the product and the message that go with it - is essential because a great experience should not be a veneer or hollow shell built to disguise an otherwise unremarkable product or service. A customer experience is the sum of many things working in concerto to create something true, authentic,, and compelling. User delight must be designed into every element. Not just the user-facing offering , but the product line, information systems, service and support, marketing communications - everything that will influence what customers hear, see, and feel.

Click here to read the full story and other marketing concepts at Ideacircus

2007 Chevrolet Aveo LT 4-Door Review (USA)

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD
With carey Russ

2007 Chevrolet Aveo LT 4-Door

Subcompact sedans may not be high-profile dream machines, but they do meet a need. As inexpensive transportation, both in price and operating cost, a subcompact sedan works for people with modest budgets who want a new car, not a used one. And a subcompact can also work well as a dedicated commute vehicle, especially if it's roomy enough inside for a four-person carpool.
With rising fuel costs, subcompacts have been getting more attention in this country recently, and Chevrolet has the Aveo as its entry in this competitive segment. Like many of its competitors, the Aveo is offered in hatchback or sedan form. 2007 sees significant upgrades to the Aveo, and this bodes well.
I drove one of the original Aveo hatchbacks when it was new a couple of years ago. In its first year, it was decent but not great, lacking suspension refinement. Subsequent refinements to the engine, suspension, and safety systems improved it, and having Chevy's extensive distribution network behind it helped make it popular. But the 2007 model is improved further, and the Aveo is now a solid contender in the subcompact class.

from : www.theautochannel.com, 21 Jan'2007
Klick : http://theautochannel.com/F/news/2007/01/21/034703.html

The Australian : Holden Captiva

Holden's SUV line-up has suffered a big gap for several years – but now has a vehicle worthy of the place, writes Robert Wilson

SELL the sizzle, not the steak, is one of the oldest maxims of marketing. Now Holden at last has something to get the juices flowing among those with an appetite for SUVs.

For two years Holden's SUV offering has been meaty but unappealing. The Adventra was a modified Commodore wagon, and while a reasonable choice for a trans-Outback expedition it never captured the imagination of suburbia – where most SUVs are sold.

With hindsight, it's not hard to see why. The Adventra's undoubted dirt road touring ability was the steak, but where was the sizzle? Without the tough styling and high driving position of other SUVs it seemed a bit undercooked in most potential buyers' eyes.e imagination of suburbia – where most SUVs are sold.

The Australian..

Strong Earnings Seen For GM

Market Scan R.M. Schneiderman, 01.16.07, 11:47 AM ET


Ailing auto giant General Motors should see solid earnings over the next two quarters, according to a Monday report by Goldman Sachs. "GM's outlook and strategy update at the Detroit Auto Show on January 11 reinforced our expectation for positive earnings momentum in the fourth quarter of 2006 and the first quarter of 2007," said Robert Barry, an analyst for the research firm.

The reason: cost savings from job and benefit cuts as well as stronger-than-expected SUV pricing and sales. "Anecdotally, GM management seems to have more spring in its step - no doubt in anticipation of what is set to be its strongest lineup in years," said the analyst. He added that the company's planned fleet sale cuts should also weight positively on earnings.

Nonetheless, he cautioned that GM (nyse: GM - news - people ) still faces long-term problems and that foreign competition may continue to eat away at marketshare."We do not think GM's current product cadence strength and related benefits will drive a sustainable 'turnaround,'" said Barry. He has a "neutral" rating on the company.

GM is set to report earnings on Jan. 30

Read the article at Forbes.com..

The order books have opened -New Chevrolet Captiva from only £16,995 on-the-road

By Nigel Bernhard (The Autocannel.com)
London, January 15, 2007

With an impressive equipment list, stylish good looks, up to seven seats and brilliant all-round flexibility, you could be forgiven for thinking that the Captiva would cost a lot more than it does – yet prices start at just £16,995 on-the-road.

What’s more, even the entry-level model is superbly equipped – the front-wheel drive 2.4-litre LS 5-speed manual comes with air conditioning, a six-speaker radio-CD with MP3 capability and remote controls, electrically-adjustable mirrors, tailgate with separate opening rear window, front, side and roof airbags, 16-inch alloy wheels, five full-size three-point seatbelts, charcoal-coloured roof rails, remote two-stage central locking and a Thatcham-approved security system with deadlocks.

Click for the the rest of the article..

AutoWeek Editors Choice Awards : Chevy Volt

The Best of Detroit 2007 North American International Auto Show

"MOST SIGNIFICANT" : Chevrolet Volt

“The idea behind the car—a pure electric powertrain that gets its energy from plugging in at home or work, or from an on-board generator powered by a small gasoline engine—is surprisingly simple,” said Gritzinger. “GM says they’ll be ready to build this car by 2010 or 2012, and unless battery companies can’t come through, Volt and GM’s E-flex System could spell the beginning of the end of America’s addiction to foreign oil.”

The Volt's interior..
The Awards article at Autoweek.com..

GM Indonesia : Fresh face for 2007 confirmed

JAKARTA: Tahun 2007 ini tampaknya akan menjadi milik SUV mengingat banyaknya model baru yang dipasarkan di segmen ini. Setelah Daihatsu Terios dan Toyota Rush dirilis ke pasar, kini giliran PT General Motors Indonesia (GMI) bersiap memasarkan produk andalannya, New Chevrolet Captiva.

Saat dikonfirmasi, Pulic Relation Manager PT GMI Kiki Fajar memastikan pihaknya akan segera mendatangkan pengganti Chevrolet Blazer bagi pencinta model sport utility vehicle (SUV) di Indonesia pada tahun ini. Model yang dimaksud adalah New Chevrolet Captiva, mobil sport multiguna dengan kapasitas mesin 2.000 cc.

“Kami rencanakan awal semester II atau sekitar Juli akan merilis New Chevrolet Captiva di Indonesia. Kemungkinan kami akan mengimpornya secara CBU [completely built-up] dari Thailand,” ungkapnya, akhir pekan lalu.

Sejak PT GMI menghentikan produksi Blazer di pabriknya di Pondok Ungu, Bekasi, pada Maret 2005, perusahaan ini belum memiliki model mobil SUV baru di Indonesia.

Coba bandingkan si Chevy Captiva (kanan) dengan BMW X5 (klik link ini untuk gambar), boleh juga kan.

Baca artikel lengkapnya di KampoengNews..

Lutz: GM’s Image is Changing

Images aren't easy to change, but there's little doubt that General Motors' got a real boost from this year's North American International Auto Show, said the automaker's outspoken car czar, Bob Lutz. It has received wide praise for its new models, as well as kudos jurors on the North American Car and Truck of the Year jury who picked the Chevrolet Silverado as top truck and the Saturn Aura as best car during the opening session of the Detroit Auto Show.

"That shows that perceptions about General Motors are changing, especially among the media," said the septuagenarian executive, adding that positive coverage will help GM improve its image among potential buyers. "You can't do that with advertising anymore, even with all the money in the world." There's an internal payoff, as well, stressed Lutz. With the GM team "energized," he suggested, "that drives performance."

Even so, the vice chairman admitted there are some speedbumps in GM's path. Another surge in oil prices could hurt sales of the new Silverado and other full-size trucks. And while the company has trimmed about $9 billion out of its fixed, annual costs, it still has a severe cost penalty compared to competitors like GM. So-called "legacy" costs including retiree health care, puts the Detroit maker several thousand dollars behind the likes of Toyota in terms of what it costs to build a vehicle like the new Aura.

Read the full article at The Carconnection.com ..

Car Awards of the year

After last year's double victory by Honda winning both awards, this year is GM's turn to win both with the "Saturn Aura" and the "Chevrolet Silverado".

This was however not an expected outcome. Since the creation of the awards in 1994, the American manufacturers have managed to bring home seven "car of the year"-awards, and 9 "Truck of the year"-awards. the jury is comprised of 49 journalists representing both Canada and the U.S.

Nominees 2007 North American Car of the Year Nominees 2007 North American Truck of the Year :
Chrysler Sebring Acura MDX Dodge Caliber Acura RDX Honda Fit Audi Q7 Hyundai Elantra BMW X5 Infiniti G35 Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Jaguar XK/XKR Chevrolet Silverado Lexus LS 460 Dodge Nitro Mercedes-Benz S-class Ford Edge Nissan Altima GMC Acadia Nissan Versa Honda CR-V Saturn Aura Hyundai Santa Fe Toyota Camry Jeep Wrangler Mazda CX-7 Saturn Vue Green Line Toyota FJ Cruiser

List of the winners since 1994 :
1994 : Mercedes Classe C / Dodge Ram
1995 : Chrysler Cirrus / Chevrolet Blazer
1996 : Chrysler minivan / Ford F150
1997 : Mercedes SLK / Ford Expedition
1998 : Chevrolet Corvette / Mercedes Classe M
1999 : Volkswagen Beetle / Jeep Grand Cherokee
2000 : Ford Focus / Nissan XTerra 2001 : Chrysler PT Cruiser / Acura MDX
2002 : Nissan Altima / Chevrolet TrailBlazer
2003 : Mini / Volvo XC90
2004 : Toyota Prius / Ford F150
2005 : Chrysler 300 / Ford Escape Hybrid
2006 : Honda Civic / Honda Ridgeline

Read the original at www.leblogauto.com (French)...

Other articles on the awards :
www.mobilku.com...
www.businessweek.com/autos/autobeat...

Chevrolet SS Concept

Concept : Contemporary Chevy Muscle

The 2003 Chevrolet SS concept showcases a new generation of Chevy muscle, with dynamic design, race-proven technology and balanced performance.

A modern interpretation of Chevrolet's Super Sport heritage, the Chevy SS is a contemporary four-door family sedan turned sports car. It packs rear-wheel drive with a high-technology version of the legendary small-block V-8, and high-performance suspension and brakes to match.

"It's a vehicle to be shared with your family or with your buddies," said Franz von Holzhausen, the SS's exterior designer. "It builds on Chevrolet's great performance heritage, while updating the SS concept for a whole new generation."

Read the story at www.rsportscars.com..

Chevrolet Borrego

Chevrolet developed the Transformer-like Borrego concept vehicle to target youthful, active drivers

Targeting youthful, active drivers, Chevrolet has developed the Transformer-like Borrego concept vehicle. With partner Subaru supplying the drivetrain, it's hard not to see the Borrego as a 21st-century Brat, though the Gen-Y target audience never heard of that bite-sized pickup.

In cargo mode, the Borrego is a two-seater with a six-foot bed. Activate the Avalanche-inspired midgate via remote control to create four-place seating, reducing the cargo box to three feet. A roof panel that is stored under the cargo bed is then installed to cover these two new seats, and the rear window can be raised again, if desired. Self-inflating seals keep the compartment watertight regardless of whether it's set up for two passengers or four.

Read the full story at www.motortrend.com...

Revisited : The GM Concept Cars

From Radical to more radical..

One of our most popular articles has been our coverage of some of the GM Concept cars of the 1950s and 1960s. In this expanded and revised article, we renew our acquaintance with some of those fantastic looking cars - and add a whole lot more, some shown in rare colour pictures.

1938 Buick Y-Job Concept Car

The 1938 Buick Y-Job is generally considered the industry's first concept car. Created by General Motors Styling and Buick Engineering, it was designed by Harley J. Earl, GM's first design chief, and built on a production Buick chassis modified by Charlie Chayne, then Buick's chief engineer. Buick called it "Y" because so many makers dubbed experimental cars "X." Styling and mechanical features of the "Y Job" showed up on GM products, particularly Buick and Cadillac, throughout the '40's...

Read the full article (Autospeed Magazine) with concepts from the thirties till now...

Ini Dia! Gudang Buku Otomotif

OtoBooks

Kesulitan mencari buku manual mobil kesayangan Anda? Atau, membutuhkan buku panduan restorasi mobil vintage? Sambangi saja OtoBooks di kawasan Bona Indah, Lebak Bulus, Jakarta, atau kontak ke 0812 966 6270. "OtoBooks yang dimulai pada 2000 ini berawal dari hobi," ujar Herman Haryadi, sang pemilik toko buku. "Namun seiring peningkatan minat konsumen, kini menjadi komersial." Koleksi OtoBooks terbilang lengkap, dengan lebih dari 1.500 judul buku. Sebut saja buku manual Land Rover, Toyota Hardtop, BMW, sampai buku model sepeda motor Harley Davidson. Sejumlah pelanggan dari luar kota juga sangat terbantu lantaran OtoBooks menyediakan layanan pengiriman.

Sumber : Hang Tuah Blog (Click link)