In a recent press conference, GM introduced a new breed of "Bare Necessities" concepts that it may include as part of its 2012 line-up.
Just as the name implies, this new concept of cars – which includes the Bare Necessities truck and Bare Necessities car – aims to improve efficiency through the reduction of complexity. In other words, the vehicles will offer only the essential operations and elements and none of the frills.
Interestingly enough, while an "entertainment system" is considered a frill, the USB port that would hook up your iPod or iPhone to the car speakers, isn’t.
Nonetheless, the concepts are built using sustainable materials and a minimum number of parts, ultimately achieving the lowest cost-per-mile of operation possible.
In her blog, Theresa Tant, one of GM’s designers, explains the impetus behind the Bare Necessities car, "We knew from our research that people wanted an extremely efficient vehicle that was also low-cost and green. But what was really eye-opening to me was that people seemed to desire extreme efficiency even if it meant making small sacrifices/trade-offs. The idea of a back-to-basics, bare-necessity approach to designing a vehicle made sense."
Eco Minimalist Vehicles
Bare Necessities Concepts by GM Sacrifice Frills for Efficiency
Trend Themes
1. Bare Necessities Concepts - Opportunity for car manufacturers to create efficient vehicles with reduced complexity and essential operations.
2. Sustainable Materials - Demand for vehicles built using sustainable materials that offer low-cost, green transportation options.
3. Extreme Efficiency - Growing desire for vehicles that prioritize extreme efficiency, even if it means making small sacrifices.
Industry Implications
1. Automotive Manufacturing - Disruptive innovation opportunity for car manufacturers to design and produce vehicles with bare necessities and reduced complexity.
2. Sustainable Materials Manufacturing - Opportunity for manufacturers to cater to the rising demand for sustainable materials used in vehicle production.
3. Electronics Manufacturing - Innovative opportunity for electronics manufacturers to develop USB ports and entertainment systems that integrate seamlessly with efficient vehicles.