Cadillac CUE, Making the Most of Industry-Leading Technology

May 1, 2013

There are many vehicle infotainment systems on the market today but Cadillac is setting a luxurious standard with its industry-leading technology. The Cadillac User Experience (CUE) debuted last year in the XTS and ATS luxury sedans and SRX luxury crossover.

Unlike other in-vehicle user systems, CUE is designed to reduce complexity and be unique to each driver, from the “simple user” to the fully connected “super user”. For example, most of today’s luxury cars have around 20 buttons controlling the radio and entertainment functions. CUE reduces that to just four buttons.

You’ll immediately feel comfortable with CUE’s design because its home page resembles your smart phone or tablet screen and functions like them with the familiar click-and-drag functions. Along with its clean, uncluttered design, CUE provides Natural Voice Recognition and responsive touch-screen technology. Similar to many smart phones and tablets, CUE is mostly computer-driven so drivers can update their system to get the latest offerings no matter how old their Cadillac is.

CUE’s app-like approach to accessing a vehicle’s traditional features allow for settings to be tailored to specific tastes, also known as “favorites”. Users can save their favorite locations, phone numbers, or customize and save radio tone settings for a personalized music listening experience. CUE interaction designer Cody Hansen discovered this technology comes in handy when you have a sleeping child in the vehicle.

“I’ve used this feature to create a “baby mode”,” Hansen said. “I set the fade all the way to the front and turned down the bass so it won’t wake my daughter when she’s napping. When she wakes up and wants to hear music, I just tap my “regular” favorite and all my settings go back to normal.”

Another benefit, there’s no hassle when it comes to the navigation system. With CUE, users can manually or verbally input the entire destination address on one screen, which saves time and keeps drivers focused on the road. In some cases, the driver can input the partial address and CUE will help fill in the rest. Engineers even addressed security concerns in the development process.

“With ‘Valet Mode’, users can enter a four-digit pin and lock access to the center stack, steering wheel controls, and the storage cubby behind the center stack,” said Hansen.

CUE is elegantly displayed on an 8-inch LCD touch screen, seamlessly integrated into the top of the central instrument panel. A motorized capacitive faceplate is below, concealing a 1.8L storage area.

General Motors Shanghai Auto Show Roundup – Mary Barra

April 29, 2013

Last year, China’s vehicle market, the world’s largest, reached a record 19.4 million units. Analysts expect China sales to grow another 7-8 percent in 2013, and to continue growing strongly for many years to come.

At GM, we and our joint-venture partners are capitalizing on this growth by introducing 60 new models or major upgrades in China between 2011 and 2015, including 17 this year alone.

At the 2013 Shanghai Auto Show, which runs through the end of April, we’re showcasing our strong product pipeline by displaying a record 53 production and concept vehicles under six brands: Buick, Chevrolet, Cadillac, Opel, Baojun and Jiefang. Products range from small cars to luxury passenger vehicles to light-duty trucks.

One of the products on display is the new Buick Riviera concept vehicle, which is making its global debut at the Shanghai show. Designed jointly by GM’s Shanghai GM and Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center (PATAC) joint ventures, the Riviera concept offers a preview of Buick’s future design trends and a range of advanced technologies, including plug-in hybrid electric vehicle propulsion.

Among the vehicles making their debut for sale in China are the Chevrolet Cruze hatchback and Cadillac Escalade ESV.

The Chevrolet Cruze hatchback complements the Cruze sedan, which is one of the most popular Chevrolet models we offer in China. The hatchback is a great example of how we’re using our assets as a global company to serve customers in multiple markets.

The Cadillac Escalade ESV is one of 10 Cadillac models on display in Shanghai. Also on display are the new locally produced XTS featuring the revolutionary Cadillac User Experience, as well as the refreshed SRX luxury SUV, which is Cadillac’s best-selling model in China. Our plans are to bring Cadillac’s entire global portfolio to China, adding one locally produced model per year through 2016.

We’re also showcasing three new Opel models that are coming to China this year: the Zafira Tourer, Astra GTC and the newly launched Insignia Sports Tourer, which will go on sale nationwide early next month. Opel is also displaying its most popular model in the China market, the Antara SUV.

Opel Antara

From the Baojun passenger car brand, we’re showcasing the new 2013 Baojun 630, featuring dynamic design, a spacious interior and great performance, as well as the Lechi, a high-performance mini-car that joined the brand’s lineup in 2012.

Baojun 630

Finally, the Jiefang brand is displaying two new additions to its growing light-duty truck family: the new Jiefang S230 and Jiefang F330. Both models go on sale in China later this year.

Going forward, we are focusing on two of the fastest-growing mainstream segments in China, luxury vehicles and SUVs. GM currently offers five SUVs in China: the Buick Encore and Enclave, Cadillac SRX and Escalade, and Chevrolet Captiva. We plan to introduce another nine new or refreshed SUVs in China within the next five years.

GM has been the sales leader among global automakers in China for the past eight consecutive years. Coincidentally, we sold our millionth vehicle in China during the Shanghai Show. Last year, we reached the one-million milestone on May 7. This year, we hit it two weeks earlier and the fastest in our history.

GM and its joint-venture partners have enjoyed remarkable success in China in recent years. At Auto Shanghai 2013, we’ve made it clear that we intend to continue our journey and remain a leader in China for years to come.

Mary Barra was named Senior Vice President, Global Product Development effective February 1, 2011, responsible for the design, engineering, program management and quality for General Motors’ vehicles around the world. She is a member of the Executive Operations Committee and serves on the Adam Opel AG Supervisory Board.

Chevrolet Cruze Diesel: Why Diesel? Why Now? – Cristi Landy

April 26, 2013

Here at Chevrolet, we are always looking for new ways to meet our customers’ needs. This spring, Chevrolet is introducing our Chevy Cruze with a 2.0L turbo diesel engine—offering a domestic diesel option in the non-luxury car segment as well as viable solution to the need for increased MPG without sacrificing performance. In addition, the engine on the Cruze diesel is one of the cleanest turbo engines General Motors has ever produced.

We’ve seen that diesels are still a niche market for cars, but there is a lot of growth currently happening here in the U.S., and many customers are extremely enthusiastic about diesel. Specifically, we chose to offer the Cruze in North America because we have already seen success with a similar vehicle in Europe. Here in the US, diesel passenger car buyers are limited- we hope to bring new people into the brand by offering a refined and well contented option.

Customers will also be able to tell the difference in performance when they get behind the wheel—it definitely has a different character than the traditional gas engine. The diesel has more torque and better acceleration while maintaining a smooth and quiet ride at highway speeds. People who love a powerful engine will definitely like driving the Cruze diesel—it really is a great reliable and durable technology and quite frankly, is fun to drive.

What’s great about the diesel is that it offers great highway fuel economy, power and torque. So it’s a fantastic option for those who want hybrid-like fuel economy and range without sacrificing performance.

The Cruze Diesel will eventually be available nationwide, but we will start by selling it in 13 key markets where diesel vehicles have already had high sales. We’re happy to offer the Cruze diesel and know we have an enthusiastic group of customers eager to drive one.

We are certainly excited about the entry of the Cruze and think it is going to continue to bring in new customers to the brand. With more than half of all diesel purchases occurring in the passenger car segment, diesel is becoming more popular. We are pleased to be the first domestic passenger car diesel available in the US – and eager to become a leader in the segment.

Cristi Landy is the product marketing director for Chevrolet small cars, which currently include the Volt, Cruze, Sonic and Spark. Landy joined General Motors in 1989 as a product engineer for Saturn. Throughout her career, she has held a variety of positions in engineering, marketing and program management.

OnStar becomes the first non-emergency service company to receive EMD Accreditation

April 17, 2013

Here at OnStar, we take our customers’ safety very seriously, and we are extremely excited to be the first non-emergency service, private company to receive Accreditation as an Emergency Medical Center of Excellence.

Since April 2010, we’ve provided a service called First Assist , which allows specially trained OnStar emergency advisors to use Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) in order to provide necessary medical guidance to people in need while they wait for first responders to arrive.

In order to become a certified emergency advisor, one must complete six months as a non-emergency advisor handling non-emergency calls, four weeks of OnStar emergency training and a one week of training through the International Academies of Emergency Dispatch® (IAED™) that includes CPR and EMD certifications and software instruction by the IAED™.

OnStar obtained Accreditation by meeting the IAED’s™ rigorous 20 points of Accreditation requirements and for the company’s compliance with the Medical Priority Dispatch System ™ (MPDS®).

Being accredited proactively tells our customers that not only are we delivering a lifesaving service, but we are committed to doing so at the highest standard of excellence. Of the 2,780 agencies that use the MPDS® protocol, only 4.25 percent have actually achieved accreditation.

No other OEM in the world is delivering this kind of on-scene, emergency medical dispatch. In many cases, before the car has come to a complete stop during a crash, we’re connected and giving assistance. We’re filling a void for customers that no other automaker has even attempted to do. . We recognize how busy 911 call centers are, and in the spirit of cooperation, if we can absorb some of their burden and offer this service, then everyone benefits. We are filling an emergency response gap too where we can provide a first level of help that can prove to be invaluable

OnStar’s First Assist service is used approximately 1,200 times every month for a variety of emergency situations—from assisting women in labor, people with diabetic emergencies, and helping with choking victims..

All in all, the most important part is that we’re making a difference. Originally advisors had to stay on the line and just say “wait until you hear the sirens”. Now we are able to provide lifesaving instruction to these people in need. I take comfort in knowing that we are doing all that we possibly can to help people in their most desperate moments.

Cathy Bishop is OnStar’s Global Emergency Outreach and Strategy Manager. She is responsible for leading a team charged with strengthening OnStar’s relationship with the emergency services community globally through educational, collaborative and partnership opportunities. She also collaborates with GM Safety and Public Policy to influence improvements in crash safety technology to improve emergency response and treatment for crash survivors. Prior to working at OnStar, Cathy managed a 9-1-1 Call Center in Michigan for 18 years.

2014 Chevrolet Impala Rolls Out to Dealers and Customers

April 8, 2013

As the 2014 Chevy Impala begins to arrive at Chevy dealers, the vehicle will be equipped with a variety of features to fit the many different lifestyles of the owners who will drive it.

The Impala debuted in 1958 and has been Chevrolet’s flagship sedan ever since. The car marked a place in history by setting the standard in comfort and value and quickly became America’s best-selling full size car. Through the years, the Impala has undergone a variety of facelifts while continuing to serve as the ideal family car by providing ample interior space and a sleek, iconic exterior.

“We’ll build on the success the Impala nameplate has generated over its history,” said Chris Perry, vice president, Chevrolet marketing. “We’ve added sophisticated design features, more technology and safety equipment, while conserving Impala’s current strengths like spaciousness and comfort.”

Safety was one of the primary concerns for lead engineer, Todd Pawlik, and his team. In order to avoid crashes, the Impala uses advanced technologies to give visual and audible alerts to help drivers identify potential crash situations – the system even intervenes when a crash threat appears more imminent. Some of the other safety features include full-speed-range adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and rear cross traffic alert.

The exterior of the car features a sleek proportion, sculpted body sides, standard 18-inch wheels and projector-beam headlamps, with HID headlamps and LED daytime running lamps standard on LTZ models.

“Our design team was challenged to create a new classic, but that didn’t mean relying on nostalgia,” said John Cafaro, director of North America passenger car exterior design. “This is very much a contemporary car, with design elements, craftsmanship and attention to detail that complement its advanced technology and performance.”

The technology on the vehicle is one of the most unique parts of the vehicle. The Impala will be the first vehicle with Chevrolet’s next-generation MyLink infotainment system, designed to be easy to use and capable of linking up to 10 devices. MyLink is also making things personal. Using consumer research, including interviews and online voting, MyLink designers developed four specific graphic appearances designed to appeal to the distinctive personalities of Chevrolet customer groups These appearances include a “contemporary,” “edge,” “velocity” and “main street” design.

The 2014 Chevy Impala will be available this spring, and at a starting price of $26,475, the affordability will make it hard to resist. For more information go to: http://www.chevrolet.com/impala-sports-sedan.html