Windows As Entertainment

GM Designing Interactive Windows

We've heard of tv screens in cars and of course infotainment, but GM is looking to take that concept to the next level: they are turning windows into interactive displays.  

Toyota first showed a demo video of this concept about 6 months ago, but it looks like GM's Research and Development department are entering the arena as well.  

The basic concept is that your windows would display interactive animations, images, etc.  You'd swipe and control it with your finger.  Basically, it's a sci-fi movie in the ilk of Tom Cruise's Minority Report come to life.  

Check out a video demo of it:

"Advanced windows that are capable of responding to vehicle speed and location could augment real-world views with interactive enhancements to provide entertainment and educational value," Tom Seder, GM R&D lab group manager for human-machine interface said.

So far the team has developed 4 apps that would "bcapable of stimulating awareness, nurturing curiosity, and encouraging a stronger connection with the world outside the vehicle," GM said.

Very cool.  Probably very far off, but we can't wait to see it if/when it does come to be.  In the mean time, check our own GM stores in East Aurora, Orchard Park and Hamburg! 

Self Driving Cars by 2020?

The Future Could Be Sooner Than We Think

So most of us heard about the Google Self Driving car and thought "hey, that's cool."  If you're like me you probably didn't consider it a potential reality.  Well, GM is saying differently.  

"Cars that are semi-autonomous will be available by the middle of the decade," said Alan Taub, vice president of research and development at General Motors, in a news statement.  
His statement stems from the research and development going on across the entire industry, not just at GM.  Currently GM offers "adaptive cruise control" on their cars, which is basically a form of autopilot that still requires some driver engagement. 

Beyond that, BMW is launching what's called "traffic jam" assistant, a technology that will guide the car at low speeds through stop and go traffic.  

We've covered other technologies in the same vein as the ones listed above, so click here or here to get a refresher course.  

Either way, exciting stuff all around!  Stay tuned for more info.  

The Cruze Is Tops

THE CHEVY CRUZE CLAIMS THE TOP SELLING CAR SPOT FOR 2011

The Chevrolet Cruze seems to be the car to keep in mind these days. Autoblog.com reports that the Cruze has so far been the best-selling car of 2011.

The Cruze isn’t easy to beat if you’re looking to save on gas either. Comparing other economical car models, the same blog rated the 2011 Cruze Eco as their number one choice.

You can read about all the factors that went into that decision here.

As an added perk for those interested in getting a Cruze of their own in the near future, General Motors has announced that buyers of the 2012 Cruze will have the option of including a better navigation system then was previously available for about half the price.

Autoblog.com reports that the new system will cost less than $1,000 and will now have a touch screen with much better resolution.

So, here’s to the Chevy Cruze! Enjoy the number one spot and keep up the good work!

GM's Military Incentives

Automaker Offers Troops Discounts

Since it's memorial day weekend, it's a good time to remember those who have served our country.  GM is taking that idea one step further.  

GM is normally known for having one of the best military discounts. Discounts extend to active and reserve members and their spouses.  

Discounts vary by region and other factors, but for May there's an added bonus: GM military discounts extend to retirees and their spouses. 

As the GM website says "We Owe Your Our Best" and they certainly deliver on that motto.  

Just to sample one discount, with the right factors and the GM Military Discount, service members can save $7238 on a 2011 GMC Sierra 1500 pick up.  Not bad right?  

Prices and discounts vary by region, to find the available discounts near you visit GM's Military discount page now.  There are also rotating incentives that you can combine with your discount so always check back.  

So a big thank you to everyone who's served, and everyone have a safe weekend! 

Solar Power At GM

Chevy Volt Plant To Bask In Eco Consciousness

So we've all heard about the Chevy Volt.  It was named Motortrend's car of the year, mlost notably for it's fuel economy and green friendliness.  

Well then it only makes sense that GM would add a 264,000-square-foot solar panel to the Volt assembly plant in Detroit.  

"This is about reducing this plant's environmental footprintm" Bob Ferguson, GM's VP of Global Public Policy, told the Detroit Free Press.  

This is just one of many ways GM plants are environemantally conscious. Other features include an oxidizer that scrubs carbon-dioxide output, the aforementioned energy-efficient lighting, and a 16.5-acre wildlife habitat.  Yep, a wildlife habitat.  

The 516-kilowatt project, announced Wednesday by GM and DTE Energy, will generate electricity capable of charging 150 of the electric cars with extended-range capability every day for a year.

GM is one of the leading users of renewable energy in the manufacturing sector, deriving energy for manufacturing operations from solar, hydro, and landfill gas resources. In the United States alone, 1.4 percent of GM energy consumption comes from renewable resources.

“We strive to reduce the impact our facilities have on the environment, and Detroit-Hamtramck continues to make progress in sustainability,” said Ferguson.

There you have it.  Remember, West Herr Chevy of Orchard Park has a Volt in stock.  Come by and see it in action! 

Automakers Want To Save You Money

Ford and GM To Introduce Stop-Start Fuel Saving Engine Technology

Ponder this for a second- 17.2% of a vehicle's fuel is consumed when the engine idles in traffic.

In other terms, that's 69 cents of a $4 gallon.  Both stats are courtesy of the Energy Department and the Detroit Free Press.  A diagram of how eAssist works

Luckily, automakers are attacking this problem with new stop-start engine technology.  

Essentially, the engine will shut down when the car is at a complete stop then restarts when the driver lifts their foot off the brake.  This technology is available already on most hybrids.

GM recently announced the stop-start system (they will call it eAssist) will be standard with the 2012 Buick LaCrosse 4 cylinder.  Ford too will add the feature which also appears in some BMW and Mercedes-Benz models.  

"This technology provides a lot of bang for the buck in terms of overall cost, compared with full hybrids," said Steve Poulos, chief engineer for eAssist.

Poulos said the LaCrosse with the 2.4-liter eAssist engine and a six-speed automatic transmission would achieve 25 city and 37 mpg highway, a 25 percent improvement over the 2011 model

If you drive in a city, it's impossible not to idle.  Until eAssist is more commonplace, go here for a few other ideas on how to save fuel.  

Young Minds Are Thinking Green

GM Sponsors Eco Car Challenge

Top students from around the country gathered to show off their eco friendly ideas.  GM recently sponsored the Eco Car challenge in Ann Arbor, MI and gave student engineers a chance to show off their eco friendly auto concoctions.  GM donated midsize SUV plaforms.  

GM has said they could put some of these ideas into motion.  Shows they're truly listening.  

"In addition to the actual product development, we are also out teaching and educating people about the benefits of hybrid technology and improved efficiency," said Michelle Taylor, a science and technology outreach coordinator from Missouri University.

Journalists were even invited to test out the student's ideas.  A team from Virginia Tech was on hand to answer questions and discuss their entry.  

"Our vehicle is a range-extended split parallel hybrid," said team lead Lynn Gantt. "It uses E85 ethanol and a large electric battery pack. In our model, we've seen petroleum usage reduced by 90 percent and a 30 percent carbon emissions reduction as well."

This type of system allows the driver to select between the all-electric mode or to utilize the E85-powered four-cylinder for assistance. In all-electric mode, the vehicle is capable of traveling 70 miles.

Autoweek journalists that  when you're behind the wheel of the VT-REX in all-electric mode, the only noticeable difference from a regular SUV is the silence. The acceleration, feel and sensations of driving are not lost in this hybrid.

"Like most gasoline engines, when you let off the accelerator, it uses decompression of the engine to slow down. Electric vehicles don't have that," said Gantt. "Through development in our vehicle, we are able to simulate that effect so it feels like a normal car."

The final portion of the three-year competition ends in June with vehicle evaluation at the GM proving grounds in Milford, Mich. Visit www.ecocarchallenge.org for more information.

Pontiacs, Ice Cream and Customer Service

A Unique Customer Complaint That Baffled GM 

You may have heard this story before but if you haven't. buckle up.  This is an actual case that GM dealt with.  

This is the complaint that came in to GM customer service reps:

'This is the second time I have written to you, and I don't blame you for not answering me, because I sounded crazy, but it is a fact that we have a tradition in our family of Ice-Cream for dessert after dinner each night, but the kind of ice cream varies so, every night, after we've eaten, the whole family votes on which kind of ice cream we should have and I drive down to the store to get it. It's also a fact that I recently purchased a new Pontiac and since then my trips to the store have created a problem.....

You see, every time I buy a vanilla ice-cream, when I start back from the store my car won't start. If I get any other kind of ice cream, the car starts just fine. I want you to know I'm serious about this question, no matter how silly it sounds. "What is there about a Pontiac that makes it not start when I get vanilla ice cream, and easy to start whenever I get any other kind?"

Naturally, GM was skeptical.  Who wouldn't be?  But being the solid customer service company they are, they sent an engineer to check it out.  What he found was that the customer was not only completely sane but also completely truthful.  

For some reason, this particular car did indeed not start when going to buy vanilla ice cream.  And only vanilla.  Chocolate?  No problem.  Strawberry?  Started like a dream.  Vanilla?  Not so much.  

The engineer spent over a week running tests and jotting down data.  Then it hit him.  

The man took less time to buy vanilla than any other flavor. Why? The answer was in the layout of the store. Vanilla, being the most popular flavor, was in a separate case at the front of the store for quick pickup. All the other flavors were kept in the back of the store at a different counter where it took considerably longer to check out the flavor.

The car was having vapor lock issues too.  It was happening every night; but the extra time taken to get the other flavors allowed the engine to cool down sufficiently to start. When the man got vanilla, the engine was still too hot for the vapour lock to dissipate.

So GM fixed the vapor lock issue and the customer enjoyed his ice cream without any further problems.

So what's the lesson here?  Creative solutions are sometimes right in front of you and all customer communication is to be responded to, no matter how seemingly bizarre.  

Saying Thank You To Local Workers

West Herr Honored To Be Part of UAW Event

Western New Yorkers often forget that solid, reliable vehicles are constructed in our own backyard.  West Herr employees were reminded as they were invited to attended the United Auto Worker Local 774 luncheon.  Both retired and current workers were in attendance at Hearthstone Manor.  

"This was such a great event and we're honored to be a part of it," said Rich Wilkinson, GM of West Herr Chevrolet in Orchard Park.  "We want to thank the UAW again for inviting us."  Wilkinson was invited along with Melissa Attea, GM of West Herr Buick, GMC, Cadillac in East Aurora.   

Wilkinson said the luncheon was well attended and the food was excellent.  Wilkinson and Attea even got to pull the winning ticket for one of the raffle.  The Grand Prize winner was given a 47 inch flat screen TV, donated by West Herr. 

"The only concern was how to get it in their vehicle," Wilkinson joked.  

Thanks again to the UAW and local 774 for inviting us to their great event and more importantly the great work they do! 

Control Your Car via Smartphone

GM Partnering With Onstar To Revolutionize Auto Features

Make a phonecall, send a text, start your car.  One of those may seem out of of place but soon enough, it will be a reality. 

The General Motors Co. is creating new technology that will allow smart phones to control functions normally controlled by key fobs.  Remote starting, locking, and horn controls are just some of the things smartphone users will be able to control.  GM will partner with Onstar for this project.   

This means drivers will no longer have to be within a certain distance, or even have their keys with them, to control these functions on their vehicles.

“This technology empowers drivers to make decisions about their travels well before they enter the vehicle, meaning their full attention can stay where it needs to be – on the road ahead.” said Chris Preuss, OnStar president.

The system will work through smartphone applications specific to GM brands.  At the onset, it will only be available to iPhone or Android users.  

In addition, the Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick and GMC apps will provide key diagnostic information, including fuel tank level and range, remaining oil life, current and recommended tire pressure and lifetime average miles per gallon . The diagnostic information is current as of the last vehicle start, giving OnStar subscribers an up-to-date health report of their vehicle anytime they need it.

The apps will be available for most 2011 GM vehicles.  For GM cars in the Buffalo area, visit West Herr GM in East Aurora.