The Espoo, Finland-based smartphone maker is also exploring its marketing approach.

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GM's approach is a departure from years past, when the auto maker and its rivals marked this time of year with splashy ads offering deep discounts.

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Last year Nokia, the world's largest handset-maker, raised eyebrows with research showing that this approach could scavenge nearly 100 times as much energy as Dr Smith's approach.

ECONOMIST: Monitor