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Demand for fuel-efficient cars will outlast spike in gas prices

Wednesday, April 04, 2012 - 02:36

April 4 - Mary Barra, SVP of Product Development at GM speaks at the New York International Auto Show and says that, while demand for ''smart cars'' will grow, Americans will continue to buy full-sized trucks.

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Motors is revealing several new vehicles at the New York International Auto Show let's talk now ahead of GM's. Global product development and that is married there great to see Mary thanks so much -- that. What vehicles have been revealed is the Chevrolet Impala a worldwide premiere here. Let's use that car as an example that you telling me about your philosophy of product design wouldn't do that would make me wanna fight you -- Well we know everything starts and ends with the project and so we're really focused and understanding what customers want making sure we have -- expressive design and I think the Chevrolet Impala. -- is it lives up to that it's a beautiful vehicle it's treated Chevrolet. You know that's we're trying to do with every one of our vehicles to make sure it targets the customer that -- and very expressive way. One thing we know customers are clamoring for his fuel efficient vehicles we've seen a bump up in sales of those. Do you think that is up. Permanent design shift -- -- consumers go back to their old ways once gas prices go down. I think what we need to be prepared for is that it's a permanent shift you know who knows if somebody to duplicate predicted that that would be a very valuable thing that. We are dedicated General Motors to making sure we have the most fuel efficient vehicles for each and every segment. Because we wanna keep providing customers choice people don't want -- after necessarily chip from likely that because of that. We wanna make sure that vehicle provides the right fuel academy for your needs in the right size speed and functionality so going folly to think as we saw a slight smaller cars -- really -- -- -- I think we'll continue to see a lot of small cars and we -- understand about especially in the United States full -- -- in many cases are tickled people's work. So it's gonna you know range from a spark to hopefuls extra. About where the colts fans who saw sales doubled recently coming out there not quite the level that you have. Originally. Well you know I think doubled to is it is a great you know I think it represents unity ingenuity -- creativity. General Motors in the united states -- what exactly we can do because it's the only. Vehicle out anything that you -- electric performance with no range anxiety. How were seen sales pick up we're gonna continue to maps -- to -- and having great response in Europe. With the optional launch of the Chevrolet Volt and -- sister vehicle the Oakland Kara. So I think we're gonna continue to see that grow in that we're going to be I wanna go to -- if -- for a moment and ask a couple of questions about ovals on the supervisory board. German labor leaders recently said it would cost billions of GM closes plants in the ruhr industrial -- Germany. Does that mean that some tables. Closed that plant we are maybe.