General Motors Invests In Bright Automotive

by William Maley
Aug 5th, 2010

GM has invested in Bright Automotive, an Indiana startup that will build plug-in hybrid vans. GM Ventures, The General’s newly-created venture capital arm, will give Bright Automotive $5 million that will be used to begin production of their IDEA delivery van. In return, GM gets a minority stake in Bright.

“With this deal, Bright gets financial support that puts us on the fast-track toward mass production of the Idea,” said Bright Automotive CEO Reuben Munger. “And perhaps just as importantly, we gain a strategic partner that is a world leader in electrification.”

The deal is the first for GM Ventures. Jon Lauckner, president of GM Ventures, explained why GM invested in Bright:

“Funding early-stage start-up companies is a new way of doing business at GM to accelerate the introduction of innovative technology to support our core automotive business and give us a competitive advantage.”

“GM’s investment gives them legitimacy and puts them on the map,” said Mike Omotoso, an automotive analyst with J.D. Power and Associates.

Omotoso also said the investment could help with loans from the U.S. Department of Energy.

The Idea van will use a GM-sourced 4 cylinder engine and transmission (possibly from the Volt) to power the front wheels. The rear wheels will be powered by an electric motor, providing an estimated range of 38 miles. When the van is in hybrid mode, the range is about 300 miles. Bright Automotive hopes to have the van out by 2014 and has an annual production goal of 50,000 vehicles.

[Source: Detroit Free Press]

One More Thing:

“..a move that gives GM a quick way to develop a commercial electric vehicle.”

Someone at the Detroit Free Press forgot that GM showed off the Volt MPV5, a van that can possibly be used as a delivery van. Although, GM hasn’t stated anything on the matter, it makes us wonder whether this deal will help GM expand the Volt lineup.

GM and Bright Automotive Announce Strategic Relationship
First GM Ventures Funding Announced
2010-08-03

Detroit, MI and Anderson, IN — Bright Automotive and General Motors Co. announced Tuesday they have agreed to pursue a strategic relationship and that GM has provided funding to the Indiana automaker, the first funding action by the newly formed General Motors Ventures LLC.

The funding will help accelerate Bright’s production of the IDEA, a revolutionary plug-in hybrid commercial vehicle.

“This relationship is an important step forward for Bright, and a strong endorsement of our highly experienced automotive team and our incredible vehicle,” said Reuben Munger, Bright Automotive Chairman and CEO. “With this deal, Bright gets financial support that puts us on the fast track toward mass production of the IDEA. And perhaps just as importantly, we gain a strategic partner that is a world leader in electrification.”

The companies signed a memorandum of understanding in July. GM Ventures provided funding to Bright this week, and the two companies intend to complete the formal agreements later this year. Upon completion of the agreements and other terms, General Motors Ventures would have a minority stake in Bright Automotive and Bright would have access to GM technologies, and advanced engine and transmission systems, for its vehicle.

“Funding early-stage start-up companies is a new way of doing business at GM to accelerate the introduction of innovative technology to support our core automotive business and give us a competitive advantage,” said Jon Lauckner, president of GM Ventures. “In this case, our funding of Bright Automotive will accelerate the introduction of advanced propulsion and light-weight technologies in the commercial vehicle market.”

“We talked with several leading automakers, but GM clearly had the right vision, the most capable technology, and the closest alignment with our business approach,” said Michael Brylawski, Bright Automotive executive vice president. “We are thrilled to work with GM to create American jobs, stimulate technology development, and build an innovative American vehicle that will help reduce oil dependence and cut costs for businesses.”

In developing the IDEA, Bright started with a clean sheet of paper, listened to customers, and took a novel approach to product development that focused on light-weighting, aerodynamics and a highly efficient drivetrain. The result is a multipurpose vehicle for business fleets — the first designed to be highly efficient and provide a clear economic benefit.

The IDEA delivers a positive total cost of ownership to fleet customers by providing significantly greater fuel efficiency than current fleet vehicles in its class. The IDEA operates in electric mode for 40 miles before switching to an estimated 36-mpg hybrid mode for 100+ mpg potential based on daily driving behavior.

Funding through GM Ventures will allow Bright to begin ramping up the development of the production program for the IDEA in the third quarter of 2010. Bright continues to seek a low-interest loan through the Department of Energy’s ATVM program. Financial terms were not disclosed.

About General Motors – General Motors, one of the world’s largest automakers, traces its roots back to 1908. With its global headquarters in Detroit, GM employs 205,000 people in every major region of the world and does business in some 157 countries. GM and its strategic partners produce cars and trucks in 31 countries, and sell and service these vehicles through the following brands: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, FAW, GMC, Daewoo, Holden, Jiefang, Opel, Vauxhall and Wuling. GM’s largest national market is China, followed by the United States, Brazil, Germany, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Italy. GM’s OnStar subsidiary is the industry leader in vehicle safety, security and information services. General Motors acquired operations from General Motors Corporation on July 10, 2009, and references to prior periods in this and other press materials refer to operations of the old General Motors Corporation. More information on the new General Motors can be found at www.gm.com.

General Motors Ventures, LLC, was funded with an initial investment of $100 million, and is currently exploring equity investments in a number of auto-related technologies and business models.

About Bright Automotive

Bright Automotive launched from Colorado-based Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) in January, 2008 with the world’s most experienced EV/PHEV team and the goal of building on the work of a consortium of organizations, including Alcoa, Google.org, Johnson Controls and the Turner Foundation. Since then, Bright Automotive has developed the IDEA, the world’s first multi-purpose, plug-in hybrid electric vehicle aimed at commercial and government fleets. It has also launched Bright eSolutions, which delivers expertise to automotive customers worldwide to accelerate vehicle electrification, lightweighting, and overall platform efficiency. More information about Bright Automotive can be found at www.brightautomotive.com.

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