GM Asks the World: 'What's Next?' - VIDEO STORY

EDITOR'S NOTE: It's funny how marketing executives think. GM was a very early Internet adopter (along with The Auto Channel) in 1995/6 with a website called "GM Buy Power." While it may not have had the success or impact that GM hoped for, at least they were there. From the way that this video and text story present GM's new online venture you'd think that this was their initial foray into online marketing. I guess the people that conceived of this effort are too young to recall what happened way back in the gay 1990's. Anyway, this is a pretty good video. Enjoy.

DETROIT, January 4, 2008: What should power the world's vehicles in 20 years? How can personal transportation become more sustainable in an age of increasing global competition for resources? What role will the automotive industry play in developing markets?

Decisions on issues like these will largely shape transportation in the 21st century. To speed the process, GM will mark its 100th anniversary by launching a global dialogue through an initiative called GMnext.

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"We're starting our second century at a time of fundamental change in the auto industry," said GM Chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner. "We'll use GMnext to introduce some of our ideas for addressing critical issues concerning energy, the environment and globalization. In the process, we also hope to spark a broader, global discussion on these important topics."

To initiate that dialogue, GMnext will spotlight GM's introduction of next-generation vehicles and technologies, including new applications of the E-Flex drive system and continued work on GM's line of Plug-In and Two-Mode hybrids.

The medium for the dialogue will be a dedicated Web site, GMnext.com. The site is designed to encourage feedback and interaction among participants. In addition to GM news, positions and commentary, it will feature opinions and insights from the general public, from industry observers outside GM, and from the global media, both traditional and social.

A series of GMnext-themed activities will be held, beginning in January, and capped by GMnext Days, a week-long global celebration in September of 2008 that will reflect on the company's first century and highlight plans and products that will begin to define its second century. Plans for GMnext Days will be announced in the near future.