Chevrolet goes digital at Texas

Chevrolet is making a big move at the south by Southwest Interactive conference now thaing place in Austin,Texas,and it's just the beginning of the GM brand's planned 30% commitment to digital this year.

This program is one of the first major social-media and technology campaingns form a Dtroit Three automaker other than Ford Motor Co. since the industry look a nosedive in 2008

But Barger said Chevy's social-media, augmented reality and mobile programs at the conference are not intended to steal the digital-savvy spotlight from Ford. Instead, they're test pilots for Chevrolet, which Barger said plans to commit about 30 percent of its marketing money to digital this year.

Chevrolet is launching an extensive digital campaign at the music, film and interactive festival, including a tie-in with Austin-based Gowalla, where users check in from their phones around the city to get messages and offers from the GM brand. For example, those flying into Austin can check in at the airport for a free ride downtown in a Chevrolet Ewuinox.

Eco-cars go up, gas stations go down

Japan- The increment of eco-friendly vehicles could close about 2/3 of the nation's 40,000 gas sttations in the next decade.

Around 2,000 gas stations have been closing annually in recent years, but it seems that the rate of closing of gas stations may increased as eco friendly (cars that use less fuel) cars are increasing rapidly.

"If the eco-friendly vehicles accumulate half of new car purchases and 20% of all vehicles in fiscal 2020, annual demand for gasoline will plunge to 40.88 million kiloliter,29% down from fiscal 2008,while the demand for light fuel oil will fall 15%," estimation of The Federation of Petroleum Product Dealers Associations(Zensekiren).

If electric and gas electric hybrid cars catches more than Zensekiren expects, filling stations could face even difficult problem.

The Governments have started searching ways to stop gas stations from falling .

Ford to replace Crown Victoria police car

The legendary Crown Victoria police car will be soon replaced with a new front drive sedan that shares underpinnings with the Ford Taurus.

Ford Motor Co. said today the new car will help to increase Crown Victoria's safety and performance record. Production begins in late 2011 when Crown Victoria production ends.

Police agency asked for a new kind of weapon in the battle for people safety and Ford is responding with purpose built vehicle-engineered and built in America.

Ford also announced the new model will be offered to police agencies.

The Ford Police Interceptor contains two powertrains:3.5 liter V-6 with an estimated 263 hp and the Ecoboost 365-hp twin-turbocharged, direct injection 3.5-liter V-6 .The 365-hp engine model is equipped with all- wheel drive.

General Motors Corp. news

General Motors corp. says, its plunge into social-media marketing is to build up long term relationship with consumers rather than to provide an immediate sales boost.

"Very rarely can i go to my bosses and say i sold 'X' amount of vehicles due to (a campaign)."Christopher Barger,, GM's director-global social media ,tells Ward's.

The real objective is to make good relationship with consumers, he says "Once we do that
, we'll be fine. We can stack up with anybody, this just gives us a chance."

Barger believes GM's latest endeavor,dubbed "See the USA in a Chevrolet: A SXDW Road Trip'"will do just that.

SXSW is held in various venues throughout Austin in conjunction with a social-media conference at the Austin Convention Center.

UK agreed to provide loan to Opel/Vauxhall

London-United Kingdom agreed to provide $140 million loan to Opel/Vauxhall to help secure the company's operation in the UK and the rest of Europe.

" Vauxhall can be the UK's automotive manufacturing base," said Business Secretary in a statement.

Opel CEO Nick Reilly thanked the UK government for its support on it, saying " today marks an important step for the future of Vauxhall."

Vauxhall has one part in north of London situated at Luton ,two in England and the other in Ellesmere Port in the northwest. There are 4,700 employee.

"The company has been in discussion with the government for many months and it successfully completed," Opel/Vauxhall said in statement.

Toyota awarded it's 3 top suppliers

Toyota Motor Corp.nominated three suppliers for award of exceeding expectations.Toyota Motor Engineering and Manufacturing North America Inc, has chosen 3 suppliers ,during the company's annual supplier business meeting, the company said this week.

Mahle Inc, Johnson Controls Inc and Denso International America Inc ,were awarded .
Johnson Controls Inc was awarded for supplier diversity where as Denso Int. and Mahle were awarded in the quality category.

Johnson Controls got no. 3 position ,no.10 and 40 by Denso and Mahle respectively, on the Automotive News list of the top 150 North American Suppliers in 2008.
Johnson Controls sales was $7 billion, Denso $3.3 billion and Mahle $1.18 billion.

New top designer,Campbell retires at the end of this month

Bruce Campbell, the designer of Nissan Motor Crop. will retire as the company's top U.S. designer by the end of this month, the company said.“I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Bruce for his passionate contribution to Nissan Design during his 31-year tenure since the establishment of NDA,” Shiro Nakamura, senior vice president and chief creative officer-design and brand management, Nissan Motor Co. Ltd., and president, NDA, says in a statement. Campbell has been with Nissan for 30 years. He joined Nissan in 1980, creating the design of Gobi concept truck,'Hardbody' pickup, Xterra SUV .He also saw the design of current Maxima Sedan, 370Z sports car and Rogue cross/utility vehicle.

Vice president of Nissan Design Europe, Alfonso Albaisa will replace Campbell as vice president of Nissan Design America.Albaisa previously worked at San Diego studio and was prticipated in many U.S design projects, including Maxima, Altima and Rogue.