Although General Motors is looking to the future with the development of innovative autonomous vehicle and electric vehicle technology, the automaker is also looking to the past to give its vehicle line a more nostalgic feel. According to General Motors Vice President of Global Product Programs Tim Derrick, the automaker will offer customers a rotary phone as a new optional extra on select vehicles.
“So many of our customers long for a taste of the ‘good ‘ole days,’ so we’re stepping up by replacing some of the new-fangled infotainment features on certain GM vehicles with something a little more recognizable,” Derrick told GM Authority in an exclusive interview.
It looks as though General Motors will in fact “retro-ize” certain models in a campaign to draw in older customers, starting with a new in-vehicle communications system that adds a classic rotary phone to the vehicle dash.
“Some of our customers find hands-free systems impossible to master, but our new rotary phone option fixes that with a large analog dial and corded receiver,” Derrick said. “It’s completely incompatible with any digital system out there, which means customers will be able to once again dust off that old address book.”
While Derrick did not provide further details on the new General Motors “retro-ization” program, rumor has it that a variety of new options is headed down the pipeline, including a sextant that replaces the navigation system, a sun dial clock that replaces the digital clock, and an abacus in the glove compartment for quick calculations.
Oh, and by the way, it’s April Fools’ Day, and we were just kidding ya. Be on the look out, because we miiiight have a few more pranks up our sleeves today. And don’t forget to subscribe to GM Authority for ongoing GM news coverage.
Comments
Rotary the official phone of the trump rapid response team.
Governors should start placing orders for medical supplies and equipment through the new Sears catalog, due out this fall. (please allow 4 to 6 weeks for delivery)
Make sure Nancy Pelosi doesn’t get it first, she’ll add all sorts of crap to the order that does nothing for children except give them the bill, or abort them……
Xjug
Hey you finally spelled someone’s name right. Gold star for you.
Enjoy your rage, loser…
What has not yet been worked out is how to dispense and retract the cord leading to the X-block in the owner’s garage.
That Western Electric phone looks great on the console! I worked with them many years ago, and I know how to fix them, so if that becomes the next option, I will come out of retirement and offer repair services to each owner.
I love it. Best April Fool’s joke of the day!
Haven’t seen too many today.
Here’s a good one:
https://drivetribe.com/p/breaking-news-audi-mercedes-and-ef4YPqGwT6y042fUikq8GQ?utm_source=organic_apple_news
Perhaps because I’m old enough to remember that stuff, but yeah, you go me … haha
Yea and I’ve got some land around Roswell New Mexico to sell ya.
I bet that, you, like I, recall what the letters on the dial are really for.
Hey, The rotary phone was good enough for Star Wars! 🙂
Dateline – Bowling Green – G.M. Announces that during the CoVid-19 quarantine, the factory was outfitted to built the new Z06 version of the mid-engine Corvette. It will have 695 horse power and red line at 11,500 RPM with a 100% forged pistons and flat plane crank in the standard version. In the new ZZ102 Package the horsepower will peak at 5,100 RPM and put out 740 brake horse power. Suspension and braking upgrades are added and Michelin has developed a new track tire compound: MGM-STC (Michelin General Motors-Special Tire Compound) that has the car getting around the Nurburgring in 6 min, 02 Sec. for a new record. A Ford executive having lost a bet is walking from Ford Motors to Road America and will raise money with the walk to help kill off the Corona Virus, once and for all. Oh I forgot. What day is today?