Among the US automakers current incarnations GM is interesting to watch. A new web site at fastlane.gmblogs called 'thelab' invites comment and exchange of ideas with GM designers on new vehicle developments. Make a comment and the designer of the vehicle project weighs in with a reply. Currently two minimalist designs, a car and a truck; are up with videos and design storyboards.
For the curious, might be worth a giggle.
What my favourite US auto insider/commentator "autoextremist" thought of the lab idea:
"Our growing national obsessive compulsion to “share” everything isn’t helping either. How we as a society went down this road of thinking that informing everybody about everything in our lives - no matter how mundane or pathetic - is not only acceptable but cool will be fodder for another column, but it seems that this affliction has grabbed hold of one car company in particular, and it’s not pretty.
GM is taking this corporate soul searching stuff to a new, unprecedented level, and it’s getting ridiculous. They’re blogging, they’re sharing, they’re airing dirty laundry, they’re engaging in public hand-wringing and mea culpas - in short, the “new” GM is bordering on becoming the annoying neighbor at the party who just won’t shut up.
GM’s latest effort involves something called “the Lab,” a website on gmblogs where GM designers will “share” some of their designs so that the community “out there” can hold hands, pontificate and provide instant feedback that will be better than the traditional clinics. Or something like that.
Really, boys and girls? You actually believe this is a good idea? Really?"
http://autoextremist.com
http://fastlane.gmblogs.com/
http://thelab.gmblogs.com/
Also: here's a story on Gm's "what to do with Opel, who gets to buy."
http://blogs.reuters.com/commentaries/2 ... over-opel/