At the meeting, GM officials reviewed their priorities. "We're focusing on four key things," said GM President and Chief Operating Officer G. Richard Wagoner, Jr.:

• Leveraging our capabilities as a single GM global automotive unit
• Driving for stretch results
• Pursuing goals with a sense of urgency
• Product success around the globe

The four regional presidents of GM's automotive operations also echoed their commitment to drive stretch performance in their respective organizations and to build upon the recent success of well-targeted, new product introductions.

"We're building on the foundation we put in place over the last few years as we implemented common processes and systems, shortened lead times for product development, and focused our product portfolios," Wagoner said. "We are now accelerating the pace and intensity of our initiatives, with special focus on new innovative product entries, in order to drive a higher level of performance in the marketplace and on the bottom line."

For the first time in 15 years, Renault should, according to provisional figures, be the best-selling marque in Western Europe, with Mégane scoring a notable success, moving up to the number two position in the European sales league for passenger cars. Sales were up sharply in most European countries, and Renault was also once again the number one car group in the French market, widening its market share by almost two percentage points. The company also made considerable progress on markets outside Western Europe. Thus Renault significantly improved its positions in Central and Eastern Europe, was the market leader in Turkey, and boosted its sales by 20% in the Mercosur. The substantial advance in Renault sales in 1998 was seen as a part of the Group's strategy of profitable growth.

The Third-Age suit is made from materials that add bulk and restrict movement in key areas of the body such as the knees, elbows, stomach and back. Together with gloves which reduce the sense of touch and goggles that simulate cataracts, the Third-Age Suit gives engineers and designers a feel for the needs of an older generation as they design new vehicles.

>>>> Go for Ford

  Is it a joke or a good idea? Ford in cooperation with Loughborough university introduced a third agwe suit, which should enable product developers to think and feel as their matured customers.