I missed both the Chevrolet Malibu test drive and Project Driveway. The former was canceled due to the recent California fires while I arrived too late to attend the latter.
At the dinner, I chatted with Peter (Tae) Kang, Project Manager for the all-new Aveo 5; Bob Walczyk, Product Manager - Tahoe/Suburban/Avalanche; and several other guests. Kang covered how GM would be presenting the Aveo to minority Asian groups while Walczyk discussed some possible future developments of Onstar. The vehicle communication, monitoring, and tracking service, for example, plans to unveil a feature where directions are directly downloaded into a car’s built-in GPS system.
But a more interesting – and controversial -- service would allow subscribers the ability to locate up to five “friends” via their Onstar accounts. All of us hesitated on the usefulness of such a feature though I’ve seen similar offering from aftermarket GPS vendors. At this time, the idea’s up in the air.
Bob Lutz, VP Chairman of Global Product Development, was the keynote speaker. This was my first time to see, and hear, the man whom almost every enthusiast considers either GM’s salvation or fall. I’m not in either camp, viewing automakers from the standpoint of a consumer.
And GM seemed to be offering a lot for the general buyers. Some of the more interesting points covered by Lutz included:
- Diesel development, specifically for mass-market vehicles, is looking to be too expensive at this time. GM will continue to focus on presenting a broad range of alternative power and fuel technologies from hybrids to flex-fuel (E85).
- The Chevrolet Volt Concept is working “as expected”, with the test vehicles – based on the all-new Chevy Malibu – to commence early next year. After a joke about Toyota’s insistence that only it has the proper design on hybrids, Lutz grew serious when asked about its progress. He states that design issues, not the batteries, may affect the Volt’s development timeline.
- GM’s hybrid development, unlike most automakers, is based on the theory that vehicles with the least fuel economy needs them the most. I admit I have mixed feeling on the theory: most Americans who buy full-sized SUVs prioritize mileage differently than car owners. But with more buyers wanting crossover/SUV/truck utility and good fuel economy in one vehicle, GM does have a good point. This was later reinforced with my interview with Carl Hillenbrand, Product Manager – Silverado Hybrid.
The dinner ended with a chance to, again, chat with Kang and catch up with professional acquaintances. I looked forwarded to GM’s presentation at the show the next day and was not disappointed.
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