GM: Smartest marketers in the industry
'Volt Nation' is a lifeline to GM's futureA couple of years ago, if you talked hybrid cars to most fans of GM, they'd tell you the technology was pointless - the benefits just weren't worth the costs. Today, however, GM fans will passionately argue that GM's dual mode hybrid technology isn't just beneficial, but superior to other hybrids, such as the Toyota Prius.
Even better, GM fans will tell you that GM's Chevy Volt is going to change the world. Even though the Volt is probably 3 years away from hitting the streets for a few thousand lucky drivers, there are 10's of thousands of GM fans bugging GM regularly about the Volt. Like the Prius, the Volt has brought a bit of halo effect to GM - not bad for a concept that is still a few years from reality.
I've said it before, but I honestly believe that GM has the smartest marketing division in the auto industry. While many would argue their business is cars, not marketing, the good thing about the Volt and the new perception of GM that GM's marketing is creating, nurturing and developing, is that it is also creating new expectations for a much more fuel efficient GM.
Labels: Chevy Volt electric vehicle concept, Hybrid Vehicles, toyota prius
posted by Dahcredyns at
9:13 AM
8 Comments:
GM needs all the fake publicity it can get.
I know it feels that way, and GM might have even anticipated the halo effect of a concept like the Volt, even planned for the halo effect and how it could help sell anti-Volts, or huge gas guzzlers.
Still, I really don't believe that it can be denied that many GM fans have now raised their expectations of GM when it comes to fuel economy, and the Volt is now raising consumer expectations for future GM product offerings.
Thus, GM must meet or exceed those expectations, or I don't believe they'll survive the backlash.
I'm sorry if Lutz is some kind of icon to you, but the bottom line is that he's the poster child of everything that's wrong with this country. Hot air and empty promises. Mislead the public for the good of your shareholders. Enough!
I enjoy your non-Volt articles but unfortunately they appear to be well less than half of what you write about. I appreciate that you end up with some reality in your articles on GM, but enough already. Don't encourage Lutz. Bottom line is that GM got its collective ass kicked by real cars like the Prius and windbag-Bob can only whine. ENOUGH. Maybe if you stop paying attention to him he'll go away.
Bob Lutz needs to read a book called OUT OF GAS by Dr. Goodstein.
Man, it's very depressing. We've pissed away so much of this precious resource called oil on cars...what an absolute waste and stupid way to use such a precious life-giving source of energy.
I'd doubt Lutz would believe in what's said in that book though....he probably doesn't even believe dinosaurs existed.
GM is about a lot more than Bob Lutz. Bob Lutz hasn't even been with GM that long, and since Lutz has been with GM, they have been more progressive regarding alternative technologies than they were pre-Bob Lutz. That doesn't mean Lutz deserves credit for this change, but that is reality.
More important, aside from Toyota, no other automaker is publicly putting forward any real plan towards the future more than GM - not even Honda.
So hate Lutz. Hate GM. But the reality is that Gm isn't that much worse than any other automaker out there. A few automakers are doing a few good things, but not one automaker is green. Not one automaker is making great strides towards efficiency.
Today, not one automaker is talking alternative technology as much as GM. Yes, GM might be full of shit, but if GM is actually prepared to walk the walk they are currently talking, then GM will soon be giving Toyota a run for the money when it comes to clean and green technologies.
And, aside from Honda, no other automaker is even in the game.
I remember when GM hated Hybrids, and dumped tons of money on fuel-cell research instead. And I think the Volt is following those same lines. I think deep down GM still dislikes the idea of directly coupling electric and ICE motors, and I totally agree. The Volt is how hybrids should have been designed all along: Focus on the electric drivetrain, don't make it secondary. Then make up for the shortcomings of current battery technology with a highly efficient generator. No fancy transfer-cases needed. If all hybrids took this approach, I would have been in love with them from the start :)
Given how narrow minded people are in terms of accepting new technologies, the Volt approach would never have worked and never would even have been considered if it weren't for such catalysts as the Pruis.
I truly astounds me at how limited people's visions are when it comes to where the Pruis stands. It's not and was never meant to be the end-all, be -all of hybrids and the definition of hybrid isn't necessarily an ICE/electric plant...hybrid means hybrid...a mix of TWO technologies that work in unison. That doesn't mean it has to be the current system.
Cars like the Pruis have pathed the way to future vehicles...without them, GM would even look more stupid and retarded than it already does.
Besides, I still believe the Volt is nothing but vaporware...it's all hype.
santi-
I think that GM's idea for the volt will be a great piece of technology, but will it be a cost-effective piece of technology in the next 5 years - I'm not so sure.
In terms of the Prius and hybrids, i have to agree with Noz. A vehicle like the Prius, especially if you can put lithium into the powertrain, will be an unbelievably cost-effective automobile.
Even without lithium, i think the next generation prius will be without equal in terms of cost and fuel economy.
gm knows the volt isn't for everyone. it isn't the undisputed vehicle of the future. that's why gm will is going to develop lithium-powered mild hybrids, dual mode hybrids, dual mode plug-in hybrids, and range extended hybrids.
still, noz, despite your belief that bob lutz is the biggest putz in the auto industry, i still believe that gm is dead serious about its hybrid program.
certainly, gm might be as over-confident about the Volt, or the Saturn Vue plug-in hybrid, as GM was about its fuel cells 10 years ago, but i really believe that gm will deliver these vehicles.
still, will these products cost-effectively resonate with consumers compared to competitive products?
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