Comments on: An Introduction to the Eco Initiative http://thelab.gmblogs.com/an-introduction-to-the-eco-initiative/ The Lab is a blog where General Motors' Advanced Design team shares possible future design and technology projects directly with the public and invites feedback Fri, 12 Mar 2010 18:11:08 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: <fb:name linked="false" useyou="false" uid="559625210">Brian Colvin</fb:name> http://thelab.gmblogs.com/an-introduction-to-the-eco-initiative/#comment-2313 Brian Colvin Sun, 21 Feb 2010 16:51:15 +0000 http://designlab2009.stage1.mslideas.com/?p=51#comment-2313 Ed, when you post links to your blog over and over and over and over, people ignore them. It's too much shameless promotion. We are here to discuss GM's eco-initiative, not Ed's blog. I'm sure others have posted links, but yours are so many and so often, it's actually quite annoying and taking away from the actual meaning of the site. I clicked on one of your links, and it was a link to your blog. I'm not going to again. I think you are simply trying to drive traffic. I'm sure your feedback would be appreciated, if it was actually posted here. But 9 out of 10 of your posts are one line and a link. Ed, when you post links to your blog over and over and over and over, people ignore them. It’s too much shameless promotion. We are here to discuss GM’s eco-initiative, not Ed’s blog. I’m sure others have posted links, but yours are so many and so often, it’s actually quite annoying and taking away from the actual meaning of the site. I clicked on one of your links, and it was a link to your blog. I’m not going to again. I think you are simply trying to drive traffic.

I’m sure your feedback would be appreciated, if it was actually posted here. But 9 out of 10 of your posts are one line and a link.

]]> By: ed http://thelab.gmblogs.com/an-introduction-to-the-eco-initiative/#comment-2307 ed Sat, 13 Feb 2010 17:55:35 +0000 http://designlab2009.stage1.mslideas.com/?p=51#comment-2307 Your right Brian, it does appear as if I have made too many references to my website. 1) This website "presents" in Multi-media, words, pictures and even videos, . . . but restricts "Replies," to only "Words!" Some people are "WordSmiths," they understand ideas by reading manuals. Some people are "Picture orientated," they understand ideas . . . by seeing pictures(multiple-viewpoints), Colors, . . . Video's, Blueprints, CAD, flowcharts(timing & sequence of events), etc Some people need a "Marriage" of both "Pictures" and "Words" to present their ideas. . . . (it reaches both "Right" and "Left" brained people) If I wish to express an Idea, . . . "21 great questions for developing Innovative new products," . . . that a design team used to come up with their "Innovative" product. . . . You have no way of "Seeing" the product and . . . thus "Value" the "Questions" that created it. So I was forced to use another website to express those ideas. 2) the lack of voices being heard, from "Green" people, . . . looking for basic renewable energy transportation, . . . VS the "MacMansion on wheels" comments, . . . that auto websites seem to normally attract, . . . prompted the number of my responses. 3) only India/China companies like Tata/Wuling, . . . seem Innovative enough to make New, Cheap and Green. . . . Those 3 things, don't seem to be important to GM in the USA, . . . although I believe very passionately, . . . that is where the USA marketplace has been underserved for far to long and . . . the backlash will come from, for the industry. Finally . . . That will be my final word on this website. Your right Brian, it does appear as if I have made too many references to my website.

1) This website “presents” in Multi-media, words, pictures and even videos,
. . . but restricts “Replies,” to only “Words!”

Some people are “WordSmiths,” they understand ideas by reading manuals.

Some people are “Picture orientated,” they understand ideas
. . . by seeing pictures(multiple-viewpoints), Colors,
. . . Video’s, Blueprints, CAD, flowcharts(timing & sequence of events), etc

Some people need a “Marriage” of both “Pictures” and “Words” to present their ideas.
. . . (it reaches both “Right” and “Left” brained people)

If I wish to express an Idea,
. . . “21 great questions for developing Innovative new products,”
. . . that a design team used to come up with their “Innovative” product.
. . . You have no way of “Seeing” the product and
. . . thus “Value” the “Questions” that created it.

So I was forced to use another website to express those ideas.

2) the lack of voices being heard, from “Green” people,
. . . looking for basic renewable energy transportation,
. . . VS the “MacMansion on wheels” comments,
. . . that auto websites seem to normally attract,
. . . prompted the number of my responses.

3) only India/China companies like Tata/Wuling,
. . . seem Innovative enough to make New, Cheap and Green.
. . . Those 3 things, don’t seem to be important to GM in the USA,
. . . although I believe very passionately,
. . . that is where the USA marketplace has been underserved for far to long and
. . . the backlash will come from, for the industry.

Finally . . . That will be my final word on this website.

]]> By: Brian http://thelab.gmblogs.com/an-introduction-to-the-eco-initiative/#comment-2300 Brian Wed, 10 Feb 2010 22:31:52 +0000 http://designlab2009.stage1.mslideas.com/?p=51#comment-2300 Sheesh ed, The self promotion of your website is ridiculous. Give it a rest PLEASE. You are ruining the site for the rest of us. Sheesh ed,

The self promotion of your website is ridiculous. Give it a rest PLEASE. You are ruining the site for the rest of us.

]]> By: ed http://thelab.gmblogs.com/an-introduction-to-the-eco-initiative/#comment-2296 ed Mon, 08 Feb 2010 17:04:21 +0000 http://designlab2009.stage1.mslideas.com/?p=51#comment-2296 Let's start with a blank piece of paper! http://forums.treehugger.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=14246#p98797 Let’s start with a blank piece of paper!

http://forums.treehugger.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=14246#p98797

]]> By: ed http://thelab.gmblogs.com/an-introduction-to-the-eco-initiative/#comment-2295 ed Mon, 08 Feb 2010 16:59:31 +0000 http://designlab2009.stage1.mslideas.com/?p=51#comment-2295 Where's that "Blank piece of paper?" http://forums.treehugger.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=14246#p98830 Where’s that “Blank piece of paper?”

http://forums.treehugger.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=14246#p98830

]]> By: ed http://thelab.gmblogs.com/an-introduction-to-the-eco-initiative/#comment-2288 ed Sun, 07 Feb 2010 01:35:43 +0000 http://designlab2009.stage1.mslideas.com/?p=51#comment-2288 Simplifying, Doesn't Necessarily Make vehicles Simple http://forums.treehugger.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=14246 Simplifying, Doesn’t Necessarily Make vehicles Simple

http://forums.treehugger.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=14246

]]> By: sculptor http://thelab.gmblogs.com/an-introduction-to-the-eco-initiative/#comment-2253 sculptor Sat, 30 Jan 2010 00:40:08 +0000 http://designlab2009.stage1.mslideas.com/?p=51#comment-2253 I suspect that "peak oil" is an industry ploy to keep prices high...they've been sporadically claiming this since the 1970s, while more reserves have been "proven", and with drilling 7 mile wells becoming more common, there is more available than ever before. Meanwhile: Is there any hope of getting a diesel electric in a heavy duty pickup truck within my lifetime? sculptor, rod I suspect that “peak oil” is an industry ploy to keep prices high…they’ve been sporadically claiming this since the 1970s, while more reserves have been “proven”, and with drilling 7 mile wells becoming more common, there is more available than ever before.

Meanwhile:
Is there any hope of getting a diesel electric in a heavy duty pickup truck within my lifetime?

sculptor, rod

]]> By: Brian http://thelab.gmblogs.com/an-introduction-to-the-eco-initiative/#comment-2251 Brian Fri, 29 Jan 2010 22:34:14 +0000 http://designlab2009.stage1.mslideas.com/?p=51#comment-2251 Are you aware that there is enough oil underground in the world to meet increased demand for at least the next 250 years? The reason for oil price spikes (at least in the US) is because there has been very little investment or development of new refineries in the US in the past thirty years. Supply and demand. Demand was exceeding companies ability to keep up, therefore the prices went up. Want gas prices to stay down? Write to your local reps and tell them to make oil companies increase their ability to refine oil. Prices are also affected by OPEC and Wall Street. It has very little to do with the amount of oil on earth. It's just business. Are you aware that there is enough oil underground in the world to meet increased demand for at least the next 250 years?

The reason for oil price spikes (at least in the US) is because there has been very little investment or development of new refineries in the US in the past thirty years. Supply and demand. Demand was exceeding companies ability to keep up, therefore the prices went up. Want gas prices to stay down? Write to your local reps and tell them to make oil companies increase their ability to refine oil. Prices are also affected by OPEC and Wall Street. It has very little to do with the amount of oil on earth. It’s just business.

]]> By: Brian http://thelab.gmblogs.com/an-introduction-to-the-eco-initiative/#comment-2250 Brian Fri, 29 Jan 2010 22:27:05 +0000 http://designlab2009.stage1.mslideas.com/?p=51#comment-2250 Combine great STYLE and Economy, and you will get these customers. 13 inch wheels or plastic hubcaps do not fit under into the former. Personally, I've looked at the KIA soul, if I was able to take out a loan and make the payments right now, that is where my money would go. However, I'd prefer to see it with a suspension lift, 4WD or at the least AWD and off road wheels/ tires. As I mentioned under your basic truck section, you guys can have a home run if you do it right. People just can't afford what they used to, incomes and jobs are shrinking or disappearing. The fact that you guys are even looking in this direction gives me hope. Combine great STYLE and Economy, and you will get these customers. 13 inch wheels or plastic hubcaps do not fit under into the former.

Personally, I’ve looked at the KIA soul, if I was able to take out a loan and make the payments right now, that is where my money would go. However, I’d prefer to see it with a suspension lift, 4WD or at the least AWD and off road wheels/ tires. As I mentioned under your basic truck section, you guys can have a home run if you do it right. People just can’t afford what they used to, incomes and jobs are shrinking or disappearing. The fact that you guys are even looking in this direction gives me hope.

]]> By: kenz300 http://thelab.gmblogs.com/an-introduction-to-the-eco-initiative/#comment-2235 kenz300 Sun, 24 Jan 2010 17:22:09 +0000 http://designlab2009.stage1.mslideas.com/?p=51#comment-2235 If PEAK OIL theory is true, then the US consumer will see much higher gasoline prices going forward. With our suburban life style we commute long distances. Will American family budgets allow a larger percentage of family income to go to pay for transportation costs ? If resources are not limitless than we need to look for alternatives. Should all new gasoline powered vehicles be flex fuel capable? If oil becomes more of an issue than ethanol may help provide fuel we are unable to get elsewhere. Should more vehicles be hybrid to increase mileage? Toyota is moving to make its fleet hybrid. Are we moving toward electric? Nissan is making a big push with the Leaf and others are also producing first generation electrics to be in production soon. GM has not made much of a push into flex fuel for small and mid size vehicles. GM has not made much of a push into REAL hybrids for small and mid size vehicles. GM has made a splash with the Volt. Will the price point of theVolt keep it from becoming a success? Is the LAB moving GM forward fast enough? The competition is moving very fast. Hyundai offers the most fuel efficient vehicles. Their market share has shot up. Ford is taking Market Share? Think eco boost. Toyota is moving to expand the Prius line to multiple vehicles. Is the LAB pushing GM to change fast enough to keep up with the competition or is GM falling farther behind? Is market share for GM increasing or decreasing and who is gaining market share? Why? If PEAK OIL theory is true, then the US consumer will see much higher gasoline prices going forward.

With our suburban life style we commute long distances. Will American family budgets allow a larger percentage of family income to go to pay for transportation costs ?

If resources are not limitless than we need to look for alternatives.

Should all new gasoline powered vehicles be flex fuel capable? If oil becomes more of an issue than ethanol may help provide fuel we are unable to get elsewhere.

Should more vehicles be hybrid to increase mileage? Toyota is moving to make its fleet hybrid.

Are we moving toward electric? Nissan is making a big push with the Leaf and others are also producing first generation electrics to be in production soon.

GM has not made much of a push into flex fuel for small and mid size vehicles.

GM has not made much of a push into REAL hybrids for small and mid size vehicles.

GM has made a splash with the Volt. Will the price point of theVolt keep it from becoming a success?

Is the LAB moving GM forward fast enough?

The competition is moving very fast.

Hyundai offers the most fuel efficient vehicles. Their market share has shot up.

Ford is taking Market Share? Think eco boost.

Toyota is moving to expand the Prius line to multiple vehicles.

Is the LAB pushing GM to change fast enough to keep up with the competition or is GM falling farther behind?

Is market share for GM increasing or decreasing and who is gaining market share? Why?

]]>