The signs are good

摘要

Well finally get to see the all-new, Vectra-replacing Insignia at July's London motor show. Between now and then there's a lot of fine-tuning to do. We hitched a ride with GM's chassis guru in a final sign-off session. The problem has been around forever. Someone follows a passion, and because it is a passion they're pretty good at it - so good, in fact, that they get promoted, then promoted again. Before long, they're doing a job more concerned with management than the thing they first set out to do. However, this is not a problem faced by those working at General Motors - at least, not according to Hans Demant. Today he's my driver, but in his day job he is managing director of General Motors Europe. Although he's made it to the top spot in Europe, Hans, an engineer by trade, retains a very active role in the nitty-gritty of making cars, so much so that his business card also reads 'vice-president of engineering'. Going on the enthusiasm with which he talks about the smallest detail of his latest new product - the Insignia, or new Vectra - it's this side of his job that still provides most satisfaction.