Great new work by TBWA from the states on the value of zero...GO Nissan! Redefine our understanding of driving a car...

Advertising Agency: TBWA, USA
Chief Creative Officer: Rob Schwartz
Creative Director: Tito Melega
Associate Creative Directors: John Figone, Garman Yip
Executive Director of Integrated Production: Richard O’Neill
Senior Producer: Elizabeth Giersbrook
Production Company: Anonymous
Content Director: Malcom Venville
Executive Producer: Dave Morrison
Line Producer: Jon Benet
Production Supervisor: Alex Fisch
Assistant Production Supervisor: Frederick Shannon
Director of Photography: Tobais Schiliessler
Art Directors: Peter Kohn, Michelle Schrauwers
Editorial Company: Lost Planet
Editors: Hank Corwin, Saar Klein
Assistant Editor: Chris Kursel

IntelliLink System From Buick and GM Available on 2012 Models

The gadget world has taken over the automotive industry and General Motor’s Buick knows this aspect very well. GM and Buick will introduce their IntelliLink system on all 2012 models.

For a long time Ford was considered a pioneer and in the same time a leader when it came to telematics or infotainment in the automotive industry, but many automakers have started to catch up and design systems of their own in order to surpass Ford’s.

Chevrolet designed MyLink and now it was GM's and Buick's turn to catch up with the IntelliLink System. Both GM’s IntelliLink System and Buick IntelliLink System operate and function identically, the only real differences being in terms of design.

The systems go far beyond the capabilities of Bluetooth technology or wireless phone operation incorporating features such as a seven-inch touch-screen, voice controls of various vehicle functions, steering wheel-mounted controls, as well as streaming audio through Pandora and Stitcher SmartRadio.

IntelliLink system

Other additions of the systems are a standard rear-vision camera system, XM satellite radio, custom programmable rear liftgate (used for setting heights in order to avoid contact with garage doors), remote vehicle start and several advanced functions in the stereo to help identify and find music

The system is meant to help the driver focus on the road rather than on the central console of the car, but we have a hunch that with gadgets like these that are packed with technology and multiple functions, it’ll be hard to keep the eyes on the road at all times.

In the GM model range, the first to incorporate the IntelliLink System will be the terrain segment while Buick will add the system on their 2012 Regal, LaCrosse and Verano models.

Mitsubishi i to Be Deployed in Hawaii First

It has been a busy week for Japanese manufacturer Mitsubishi, who has been hard at work trying to let the world know that it is ready to launch the North American spec i electric vehicle. In the last days of the week, the manufacturer announced the pricing for the model and a new partnership with NRG in Texas to promote the new model. 

It was only on Saturday, however, that Mitsubishi announced the first US state to get the new model. The Japanese will deploy the i at first in Hawaii where pretty much all the needed conditions for a successful launch are met: a viable charging infrastructure and state rebates.

For the citizens of Hawaii, the purchase of an i will send them back $27,990 for the base ES model, not including the $4,500 state rebate and the $7,500 federal tax credit. That means that a Mitsubishi electric vehicle can be purchased for as little as $16,000, undoubtedly one of the smallest prices on the market for any EVs.

"We thank Mitsubishi Motors for choosing Hawaii as one of the first states to receive the new "i" electric car. Electric vehicles use a fraction of the fuel needed by traditional cars, so each EV on the road means we're reducing our dependence on imported oil and increasing our ability to reach Hawaii's goal of 70 percent clean energy within a generation," said Estrella Seese, Acting Energy Program administrator, Hawaii State Energy Office.

The model is powered by an electric motor which develops 66 hp and a battery system that gives it a range of 85 miles. The EV can be recharged from a 120V power socket in a huge 22.5 hours. When using a 220V plug, however, that time reduces to 6 hours.


Source: autoevolution.com

Microsoft to Announce Partnership with Toyota

A move of gargantuan proportions is in the making in the US and Japan this week, as two of the biggest companies in their respective field, Microsoft and Toyota, are about to announce a partnership like no other.

The cryptic message sent by the two companies to the international media states only this: “Microsoft Corp. and Toyota Motor Corp. will host a media videoconference tomorrow, featuring Steve Ballmer, CEO of Microsoft, and Akio Toyoda, president of Toyota Motor Corp., to discuss a collaboration between the two companies.“

No details and no other information was released, but some sketchy details seem to have been leaked to the Japanese press.

According to Nikkei, the big project the two are working on will be aimed at creating a global standard for the new breed of vehicles on the market. In words we can all understand, a smart grid technology of some sorts will be used to better harness and use the energy needed for EVs and PHEVs.

Apparently, Toyota and Microsoft are and will be working on a software which will be used to monitor vehicle battery levels and log the amount of electricity generated from renewable energy.

Even if these details are not enough for us to get the bigger picture, it's clear that Toyota has decided to make the green cars the way of its future. Probably, the collaboration between Microsoft and the world's largest auto maker will be more complex than described above. All details, as said, will become available later on Tuesday. Stay tuned for updates.


Source: www.autoevolution.com