GM videocasts new concept car

neville

Bob Lutz videocast“What do you think of it?” asks General Motors vice chairman Bob Lutz in a post yesterday on the GM FastLane Blog.

At the last count, over 225 customers and car enthusiasts have told Lutz precisely what they think of the Chevrolet Camaro concept car, the vast majority of comments overwhelmingly positive. “Build this and I’ll buy one!” would be a good summary of the informal feedback GM has received so far.

Yesterday’s post was followed by a 10-minute videocast – a first from GM – with Lutz at the North American International Auto Show being interviewed by the Wall Street Journal. The video shows Lutz walking round the concept car with the interviewer, speaking enthusiastically (and with knowledge) about the car and its connectivity with models from previous years – important points for Camaro fans in particular.

With this videocast, the GM FastLane Blog clearly continues to play a significant role in GM’s overall communication activities. As Lutz is on record as saying: “The blog has become an important unfiltered (emphasis on unfiltered) voice for the company, our customers and auto enthusiasts.”

I like the videocast. Compared to the formal communication about the Camaro and the glitzy Flash-based website, the informality of Lutz’ ‘video tour’ sets a terrific tone. An effective use of the medium, I’d say. A great balance to the staged webcast.

GM needs to do a great deal of effective communication right now. The word’s biggest car maker posted a loss of nearly $5 billion in its North American automotive operations in the first nine months of 2005, according to the Wall Street Journal today in a story reporting that GM will slash prices across the board on most of its models.

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8 thoughts on “GM videocasts new concept car”

  1. We’ll see more of these advercasts in the near future as the big corporate sloths copy each other like mad people. Sprite has one. But how effective are they? I’m inclined to believe that the people following the FastLane blog are either GM fans or communications professionals looking for a GM story. Not exactly the folks that GM needs to reach in order to change the attitude towards the output of American auto companies.
    On the subject of the concept car. This is a company that needs to innovate in the cars that real people drive. I drive a Chevy Malibu. It’s a good car but it could be a whole lot better. Where are the Malibu hybrids?
    On the advercasting front. It would also be worthwhile for GM to team up with content providers who reach an audience that aren’t already converted or earning a living by following the company. And no amount of corporate communication or innovation can make up for the lousy experience that customers have at the dealership.

  2. I’m sure you’re right, Rob, re seeing more of this type of communication by other organizations. An advercast, you say. That’s a new word for me! I guess you mean using a video sequence like this one as an advertisement? If so, I wouldn’t call this an advercast. It might indeed be advertising, though, if we accept this definition of advertising on Wikipedia:
    “Generally speaking, advertising is the paid promotion of goods, services, companies and ideas by an identified sponsor. Marketers see advertising as part of an overall promotional strategy. Other components of the promotional mix include publicity, public relations, personal selling and sales promotion.”
    The only bit of that definition that doesn’t seem to fit here is the word ‘paid.’
    As an observer and commentator on how GM is using new media channels like blogs and podcasts, I think this videocast is an effective use of the medium. That doesn’t necessarily mean it’s also effective communication. Much depends on the objectives for this effort and how the results will be measured. Info on that would have to come from GM or their PR agency.

  3. I love the Camaro Concept. I think it looks great. GM needs to build this and have it available early 2007 or late 2006. Ring in 2007 with a Camaro. My question is why not use some design characteristics and build a better looking Impala and Monte Carlo and go back to rear wheel drive. Front wheel drive was preferred because of traction in inclement weather. Whith all the traction control systems available rear wheel drive can get around as well and the torque steer is not there. My current interpretation of the Impala and Monte Carlo is a blown up Cobalt.

  4. Thank You!!! Thank You as a total Fan of Chevrolet Finally a fix for the Ford Mustang. Ok Pony boys !! This Camaro is totally cool!!! Lets try the Corvette motor and build. I will buy ..just let me know colors.

  5. HELLO, MY WIFE AND I HAVE JUST ATTENDED THE 2006 AUTOSHOW. THIS YEARS SHOW WAS PRETTY AWESOME. WHAT MADE THIS SHOW SO AWESOME FOR US WAS THE CONCEPT CAMARO. WE WERE DRUELING WHEN I SAW THIS CAR. MY WIFE AND I COULDN’T STOP STARING AT IT. WE WANTED TO KNOW HOW SOON THIS VEHICLE WOULD GO INTO PRODUCTION. WE ARE REALLY CONSIDERING BUYING A HIS & HERS. PLEASE MAKE OUR DREAMS COME TRUE. WE ARE CAMARO LOVERS. ANY NEW INFO, EMAIL US. THANK YOU.

  6. Hi kids,
    Been telling you this for 25 YEARS NOW! You should have hired me. Top too chopped,compound curves are not , and the front fascia doesn`t follow the lines. Close ,but not quite. I admire the effort though. If you recall the gt40 had a beautiful front end but suffered from “bedonkadunk”. Junk in the trunk. Coke bottles work if you remain faithful to purity of design.aerodynamics have restricted free expression to the point of nausea. Dont be afraid to angle the leading edge of the front end for an agressive line a la 80`s bmw`s on future sedans.
    It seems unfathomable to me that you can`t find designers who have a sense of proportion and beauty. The Impala of new is only slightly less offensive than the old. Are you blind or hamstrung? Let`s open a real dialogue about the raging problems facing your company. I am happy to help on myriad levels of which I have knowledge.
    Lol,
    gofastsandman

  7. I love the concept. GM came through on this Camaro. I wouldn’t be upset if the interior design changed at the guages but the exterior is sensational.

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