GM and SAIC Motor Announce Co-Development of Fuel-Efficient Small Engine Family and Advanced Transmission
2010-08-18

SHANGHAI,China – General Motors Co. and SAIC Motor Corp. Ltd. (SAIC Motor) are expandingtheir partnership to develop a new small-displacement gasoline engine familyand an advanced transmission.  Theagreement, which was signed today in Shanghai by GM Vice Chairman of GlobalProduct Operations Tom Stephens and SAIC President Chen Hong, represents asignificant milestone that expands GM and SAIC’s relationship into powertraindevelopment.  It’s another key step inproviding propulsion solutions to build the world’s best vehicles.

“Theco-development of these new engines and transmissions builds on a stronghistory of innovation and collaboration between GM and SAIC Motor,” Stephenssaid.  ”Together, we will continue toquickly provide our customers leading-edge technologies that improve vehiclefuel efficiency and deliver robust performance.”

Thenew small gasoline engine, which will be offered in displacements from 1.0liters to 1.5 liters, hits right at the heart of the global vehicle market. Itscompact, lightweight design combines direct injection and turbocharging,providing customers unparalleled fuel efficiency and performance.  The engine will be used by GM and SAIC Motorin China and future vehicles worldwide, providing further fuel efficiencyadvances beyond traditional technologies.

Engineeringand development of the new engine will be carried out jointly by GM and SAICengineers in Detroit and at the Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center (PATAC),the automakers’ engineering and design joint venture in Shanghai.

Thenew front-wheel-drive transmission will incorporate the latest innovations forimproving fuel economy and performance. The transmission alone will provide upward of 10 percent improvement infuel economy over today’s conventional six-speed automatic transmissions.  The co-developed transmission will featuredry, dual-clutch technology. It will provide shift comfort equal to aconventional fully automatic transmission, with superior quality, whilereducing CO2 emissions.

Whencombined, these technologies can provide up to 20 percent improvement in CO2 emissions,compared to engines and automatic transmissions in production today in China.

“Thesedevelopment agreements open an exciting new chapter in the partnership betweenSAIC and GM,” said Hu Maoyuan, Chairman of SAIC Motor. “Not only willthey add critical green technologies to our next-generation vehicles, they willalso build on the strong engineering capabilities forged as a part of GM andSAIC’s corporate responsibility.”

GM Hosts Pathway to Sustainable Mobility Forum

2010-05-26

*  Launches Expo 2010 Forum Series
* Addresses Stakeholder Roles, Technology and Infrastructure
* Announces Publication of China’s First Urban Mobility “Blue Paper”

Shanghai – General Motors launched its “Drive to 2030″: Sustainable Urban Mobility Forum series today with The Pathway to Sustainable Mobility Forum. The series was created to define the challenges facing future urban transportation and develop a roadmap for sustainable mobility.

Experts from the corporate, academic and government sectors discussed how to guide society along the path toward sustainable urban mobility. They covered the roles of major stakeholders as well as the technology and infrastructure required.

GM China Group President and Managing Director Kevin Wale announced during the opening of the forum that GM will publish the “Roadmap to 2030 Blue Paper” at the conclusion of World Expo 2010 Shanghai. It will be the first document of its kind in China that discusses future urban mobility solutions.

Elizabeth Deakin, Professor of City and Regional Planning at the University of California, Berkeley and Former Director of the Transportation Research Center, said that by 2025 over 60 percent of the world’s 8 billion people will live in cities. This migration to cities is being driven by many factors. “In some places, urbanization is an escape from failing soils, war, poverty, and other natural and man-made disasters. In many more places, it is the result of the new economic opportunities and challenges globalization presents,” said Deakin. “However, new ways of organizing and managing transportation and urban development will be needed to deliver a better quality of life.”

According to Feng Fei, Director General of Industry and Economy at the Development Research Center under China’s State Council, China’s level of urbanization could reach 65 percent by 2030. He said the Chinese government spent RMB 2 billion in the development of energy-efficient vehicles and vehicles utilizing new energy sources during the previous two Five-Year Plan periods. The government, said Feng, will continue to support the move away from the reliance on vehicles that utilize gasoline-powered internal combustion engines.

John Miles, Global Leader of Energy, Resources and Industry with the Arup Group, opined that a new generation of low-carbon vehicles and smart transit systems represents the key to mobility in tomorrow’s cities. He expressed the belief that green recharging stations for electric vehicles will eventually replace traditional gas stations. They will play the leading role in supporting the transit systems of urban areas in the future.

Alan Taub, Vice President of GM Global Research and Development, pointed out that the automotive industry has entered an “unexpected stage of invention and creation.” He called on the industry to take advantage of the new automobile DNA of electrification and connectivity to produce vehicles that are more fuel efficient, more sustainable, safer and more enjoyable to drive than vehicles currently on the road.

The “Drive to 2030″: Sustainable Urban Mobility Forum series is being held in conjunction with World Expo 2010 Shanghai to address the role of business, government, urban design, energy diversity, consumer behavior, innovation, and advanced technology in creating a balanced and better future. GM and its Chinese partner, SAIC, are the joint global automobile partner of Expo 2010.

Under the theme of “Drive to 2030,” they are introducing their vision of a future in which driving will be free from emissions, accidents, petroleum and congestion, as well as more enjoyable and fashionable than ever before.

The “Roadmap to 2030 Blue Paper” will draw together the thoughts of forum participants and highlight what needs to be done to make sustainable mobility a reality. GM is making individual chapters available online after the conclusion of each forum on its Expo 2010 website, www.gmexpo2010.com.

GM is hosting six forums at the SAIC-GM Pavilion in Shanghai. Topics include: Mobility Internet: Connecting the Virtual Superhighway; Electrification: Plugging into the Future; Design: Sketching the Road to Tomorrow; Technology Solutions: Roadmap to Reinvention; and Urban Mobility: Drive to the Future.

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 140 countries. GM and its strategic partners produce cars and trucks in 34 countries, and sell and service these vehicles through the following brands: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, GM Daewoo, Holden, Jiefang, Opel, Vauxhall and Wuling. GM is the joint global automobile partner of World Expo 2010 Shanghai along with Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation Group (SAIC). More information on the new General Motors can be found at www.gm.com.

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Chevrolet New Sail Hatchback Goes on Sale Across China
Priced from RMB 56,800 to RMB 66,800
2010-06-01

Shanghai – Shanghai GM began taking orders today for the Chevrolet New Sail hatchback. The 1.2-liter SE and 1.2-liter SX are currently available. The 1.4-liter EMT with an electronic manual transmission is expected to be available in three months. The three variants are priced from RMB 56,800 to RMB 66,800.

The New Sail sedan will also be available with an electronic manual transmission, with the 1.2-liter EMT SX and 1.4-liter EMT joining its lineup. The two variants will retail for RMB 66,800 and RMB 75,800, respectively. The New Sail sedan with a 1.2-liter manual transmission will join the lineup as well.

The New Sail hatchback maintains the four core advantages of its sister model, the New Sail sedan: high quality, a high level of safety, a roomy interior and low fuel consumption.

It has a stylish exterior that continues into its flexible interior. With its Boxy design, the New Sail hatchback maximizes the use of interior space. The hatchback offers 965 millimeters of headroom in back, ensuring a comfortable ride for all occupants. The rear seats can be folded in a 4/6 configuration or folded completely flat, providing 180 degrees of interior space.

The trunk area has up to 1,215 liters of space. With the seats folded flat, the hatchback can accommodate a 26-inch bicycle or even a 46-inch LCD TV. An integrated sliding rod makes it easy to reconfigure the rear seats in line with individual needs.

The five-speed EMT transmission features Marelli technology, which has been updated by Shanghai GM and the Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center (PATAC) in Shanghai in line with local driving needs and driving conditions. Gear shifting, acceleration and the clutch are all controlled mechanically. The TCU computer module functions like a brain, choosing the best time for shifting gears based on driving conditions. The result is a 10-16 percent improvement in fuel economy compared to traditional automatic transmissions.

With the unique Creeping function, the driver only needs to control the brakes when reversing. Acceleration, the clutch and gear shifting are handled by the EMT. The EMT also costs less and has a lower maintenance cost than a standard automatic transmission.

Since its launch earlier this year, the New Sail sedan has enjoyed average monthly sales of about 7,500 units. The New Sail complements Chevrolet’s other small car offerings, the Lova and Aveo. With its extensive lineup, Chevrolet offers an unmatched number of options for young families and other small car buyers across China.

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 140 countries. GM and its strategic partners produce cars and trucks in 34 countries, and sell and service these vehicles through the following brands: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, GM Daewoo, Holden, Jiefang, Opel, Vauxhall and Wuling. GM is the joint global automobile partner of World Expo 2010 Shanghai along with Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation Group (SAIC). More information on the new General Motors can be found at www.gm.com.

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NASA to Launch GM Co-Developed Robot to International Space Station
Technology to drive advancements in vehicle and manufacturing safety systems

2010-04-14

WASHINGTON — NASA will launch the first human-like robot to space later this year to become a permanent resident of the International Space Station. Robonaut 2, or R2, was developed jointly by NASA and General Motors under a cooperative agreement to develop a robotic assistant that can work alongside humans, whether they be astronauts in space or workers at GM manufacturing plants on Earth.

The 300-pound R2 consists of a head and a torso with two arms and two hands and will launch on space shuttle Discovery as part of the STS-133 mission planned for September. Once aboard the station, engineers will monitor how the robot operates in weightlessness. R2 joins another station robot, known as Dextre. That robot, built by the Canadian Space Agency, consists of two, long arms to perform tasks that normally require spacewalking astronauts to complete.

While Dextre is located on the station’s exterior, R2 will be confined to operations in the station’s Destiny laboratory. However, future enhancements could allow it to move more freely around the station’s interior, and it  could one day be modified to operate outside the complex.

“The use of R2 on the space station is just the beginning of a quickening pace between human and robotic exploration of space,” said John Olson, director of NASA’s Exploration Systems Integration Office. “The partnership of humans and robots will be critical to opening up the solar system and will allow us to go farther and achieve more than we can probably even imagine today.”

The dexterous humanoid robot not only looks like a human, it is designed to work like one. With human-like hands and arms, R2 is able to use the same tools that station crew members use. In the future, the greatest benefit of humanoid robots in space may be as an assistant or stand-in for astronauts during spacewalks or for tasks too difficult or dangerous for humans. For now, R2 is still a prototype and lacks adequate protection needed to exist outside the space station in the extreme temperatures of space.

Testing the robot inside the station will provide an important intermediate environment. R2 will be tested in zero gravity, as well as being subjected to the station’s radiation and electromagnetic interference environments. The interior operations will provide performance data on how a robot may work side-by-side with astronauts. As development activities progress on the ground, station crews may be provided hardware and software to update R2 to allow it to do new tasks.

R2 is undergoing extensive testing in preparation for its flight. Vibration, vacuum and radiation testing along with other procedures being conducted on R2 also benefit the team at GM. The automaker plans to use technologies from R2 in future advanced vehicle safety systems and manufacturing plant applications.

“The extreme levels of testing R2 has undergone as it prepares to venture to the International Space Station are on par with the validation our vehicles and components go through on the path to production,”  said Alan Taub, vice president of GM’s global research and development.  “The work done by GM and NASA engineers also will help us validate manufacturing technologies that will improve the health and safety of our GM team members at our manufacturing plants throughout the world.”

“Partnerships between organizations such as GM and NASA help ensure space exploration, road travel and manufacturing can become even safer in the future,” Taub said.

GM’s manufacturing engineering team is already working to identify potential applications for R2’s array of vision, motion and sensor technologies that will assist workers in manufacturing operations.

“Our strategy is to develop technologies that can fundamentally change the way we manufacture cars and trucks”, said Kenneth D. Knight, executive director GM Manufacturing Assembly & Automation Center.  “This includes a focus on developing ways to further support our operators.”

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 217,000 people in every major region of the world and does business in some 140 countries.  GM and its strategic partners produce cars and trucks in 34 countries, and sell and service these vehicles through the following brands:  Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, FAW, GMC, GM Daewoo, Holden, Opel, Vauxhall and Wuling.  GM’s largest national market is the United States, followed by China, 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.

High-tech Fuel for Tomorrow’s Cars

2010-03-23

• Victoria: potential site of ground-breaking renewable fuel technology
• Technology: second-generation ethanol production uses waste to create fuel
• Sustainable: automotive leader makes E85 flex-fuel vehicles widely available

Victoria could soon be home to a ground-breaking green fuel technology plant, with the announcement of a consortium formed between the Victorian State Government and a group of leading companies.

The consortium – which also includes Holden, Caltex, Veolia, Mitsui and Coskata – will investigate the viability of establishing Australia’s first ethanol plant capable of turning materials such as household rubbish and building waste into more than 200 million litres of ethanol a year. This ethanol will be blended into an alternative fuel known overseas as E85; a mixture of up to 85 per cent ethanol and 15 per cent regular petrol.

Holden Energy and Environment Director Richard Marshall said the organisations in the consortium were committed to sustainable motoring through the development of renewable fuels that reduced greenhouse gas emissions and improved energy security.

“Our vision is that this technology will, in time, cut Australia’s dependence on petrol by up to 30 per cent and make a major contribution to sustainable motoring and greenhouse gas reduction,” Mr Marshall said.

He said Holden would introduce Australia’s first locally produced flex-fuel vehicles capable of running on the high-ethanol fuel, later this year.

“We’ve always said we’d take a leadership position on biofuels, and provide the vehicles to do that. We’re committed to having locally built Holden cars capable of running on E85 in the market by 2010,” he said. “It’s about designing and engineering vehicles for Australians, built by Australians, using Australian fuel alternatives.”

Holden’s leadership in alternative fuels in Australia is part of GM’s global sustainability and energy diversity strategy. In the United States, GM is the leading producer of flex-fuel vehicles with more than 3.5 million E85-capable GM cars on the road today.
To ensure availability of the fuel for Holden’s vehicles, Caltex Australia’s General Manager Marketing Andy Walz said the company had signed an agreement with Holden which committed to installing pumps in 30 metropolitan and regional service stations later this year, increasing to 100 within 12 months.

“Caltex’s expansion into this new fuel and participation in the consortium is part of our ongoing commitment to biofuels and tackling climate change, which fits well with a strategy of providing energy beyond the traditional fuel mix,” Mr Walz said.
“Caltex already has about 400 service stations that sell E10 and a growing biodiesel market. We believe the biofuels industry has a vital role in a sustainable transport fuels future and that biofuels are good business opportunity for Caltex.”

The plant would produce ethanol using a process developed by leading US biofuel company Coskata Inc, which last year unveiled one of the world’s few plants capable of producing ethanol from material such as agricultural waste and household rubbish.

Chief Marketing Officer Wes Bolsen said not all biofuels were created equal. “At Coskata, we don’t make fuel from food crops, we use sources like municipal waste that have reached the end of their lifecycle and turn them into renewable energy, which leads to a net positive effect for the environment,” Mr Bolsen said.

Simon Tori, Victorian Group General Manager for Veolia Environmental Services said the initiative was a quantum leap from the way in which Victoria currently receives, sort and treats its existing waste.

“Deriving energy from municipal, commercial and industrial waste that is otherwise bound for landfill, is an exciting possibility and such a facility will enable Veolia to be at the forefront of the emerging Advanced Resource Recovery Treatment sector.”

For information on Coskata technology, production and publication quality images and footage, visit:

* http://www.epkzone.com/coskata/or www.coskata.com

For information on Holden’s alternative fuel strategies, including ethanol, visit:

* http://www.holden.com.au/holden-innovation/ecoline

Alternatively, visit www.caltex.com.au, www.mitsui.com.au or www.veolia.com.au for more information about these consortium partners.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is E85?
E85 is an alcohol fuel mixture sold in the United States, Brazil and Europe that contains up to 85 per cent ethanol and 15 per cent petrol. Ethanol is ethyl alcohol, the same type of alcohol found in alcoholic beverages. When Caltex retails the fuel, it will include between 70 and 85 per cent ethanol blended with regular petrol, depending on the time of year. This is similar to the seasonal variation in ethanol content overseas. Ethanol works best in warmer conditions, so during the winter months Caltex will decrease the amount of ethanol in the biofuel blend to ensure optimal performance.

What are the benefits of fuel containing up to 85 per cent ethanol?
There are several important benefits, including:

* It helps reduce our dependence on fossil fuels
* It helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions
* It can be used with conventional engine technology with some adaptations, such as in Holden flex- fuel vehicles
* Ethanol, the major component of the fuel, is a renewable resource

Where can I buy the fuel for flex-fuel vehicles?
Later this year, Caltex will begin selling the new fuel at 30 selected metropolitan and regional service stations, increasing to 100 stations within 12 months. In addition, some selected independent fuel retailers currently sell E85.
Are ethanol-blended fuel or flex fuel cars being used anywhere else?

Ethanol-blended fuel is used in vehicles in the United States, Brazil and Sweden. In the US, GM is the global leader in producing flexible-fuel vehicles, with more than 3.5 million of the more than 7.5 million flex-fuel vehicles on the road are GM cars and trucks. GM has also committed to making more than half of its vehicle production flex-fuel capable by 2012.

What is the fuel economy of E85?
When driving on E85, the fuel consumption per kilometre will be higher because ethanol contains less energy than petroleum. The car needs the same amount of energy; consequently the car needs more fuel.

What about E10? Can I fuel my car with that?
Most new and many older model vehicles can run on E10 blended fuel without compromising the engine or manufacturer’s warranty. Motorists can check their car’s compatibility with E10 fuel at www.caltex.com.au.

How is ethanol produced?
Today, Australian plants produce ethanol from the waste streams of the industrial production of wheat starch, sorghum and molasses. Unlike other technologies and facilities that often rely on one primary source of feedstock, the ethanol facility being investigated for Victoria would be producing ethanol from numerous sources, including wood biomass, agricultural waste, construction waste, and even household garbage. This is generally referred to as a second-generation ethanol production process.

Can I fuel my car with E85?
At this stage, very few cars on Australians roads are capable of running on E85, and, when it is introduced, Holden’s Commodore will be the first Australian-made car able to run on E85. This innovative fuel technology is not suitable for use in any motor vehicles other than those designed specifically for E85.

Will Holden cars be able to run on any other fuel other than E85?
Yes. The vehicles relevant to this announcement will have flex-fuel technology, meaning they are capable of running on fuels ranging from standard unleaded all the way to E85.

GM Unveils EN-V Concept: A Vision for Future Urban Mobility

2010-03-24

Radical Change in Mobility to Address Growing Urbanization Issues
Convergence of Electricity and Connectivity Redefines Automobile DNA
EN-V Concepts to be Showcased at World Expo 2010 Shanghai

Shanghai – By 2030, urban areas will be home to more than 60 percent of the world’s 8 billion people.  This will put tremendous pressure on a public infrastructure that is already struggling to meet the growing demand for transportation and basic services.

General Motors and its strategic partner, Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp. Group (SAIC), share a common vision for addressing the need for personal mobility through a radical change in personal urban transportation.  They are exploring several solutions for tomorrow’s drivers.  Among the most promising is a new vehicle form called EN-V.

A Promising Solution

EN-V, which is short for Electric Networked-Vehicle, maintains the core principle of personal mobility – freedom – while helping remove the motor vehicle from the environmental debate and redefining design leadership.  EN-V is a two-seat electric vehicle that was designed to alleviate concerns surrounding traffic congestion, parking availability, air quality and affordability for tomorrow’s cities.

Three EN-V models were unveiled today in Shanghai.  They represent three different characteristics that emphasize the enjoyable nature of future transportation: Jiao (Pride), Miao (Magic) and Xiao (Laugh).  The concepts will be showcased from May 1 through October 31 at the SAIC-GM Pavilion at World Expo 2010 Shanghai.  Shanghai is expected to become one of the epicenters for the establishment of personal mobility solutions for the future.

“EN-V reinvents the automobile by creating a new vehicle DNA through the convergence of electrification and connectivity.  It provides an ideal solution for urban mobility that enables future driving to be free from petroleum and emissions, free from congestion and accidents, and more fun and fashionable than ever before,” said Kevin Wale, President and Managing Director of the GM China Group.

Breakthrough Technology

EN-V’s platform has evolved from the platform of the Personal Urban Mobility and Accessibility (P.U.M.A.) prototype that was developed by Segway and debuted in April 2009.  Segway has worked collaboratively with GM to develop and deliver multiple copies of the drivetrain platform that seamlessly connect to and power the various EN-Vs.

EN-V is propelled by electric motors in each of its two driving-mode wheels.  Dynamic stabilization technology empowers EN-V, giving it the unique ability to carry two passengers and light cargo in a footprint that’s about a third of a traditional vehicle.  It can literally “turn on a dime” within its own operating envelope.  In addition, everything in EN-V is drive-by-wire, supporting its ability to operate autonomously or under manual control. The motors not only provide power for acceleration, but also bring the vehicle to a stop.

Power for the motors is provided by lithium-ion batteries that produce zero emissions. Recharging can occur from a conventional wall outlet using standard household power, allowing EN-V to travel at least 40 kilometers on a single charge.  EN-V can also improve the efficiency of the public electric infrastructure since the vehicle can communicate with the electric grid to determine the best time to recharge based on overall usage.

By combining the Global Positioning System (GPS) with vehicle-to-vehicle communications and distance-sensing technologies, the EN-V concept can be driven both manually and autonomously.

Its autonomous operating capability offers the promise of reducing traffic congestion by allowing EN-V to automatically select the fastest route based on real-time traffic information.  The concept also leverages wireless communications to enable a “social network” that can be used by drivers and occupants to communicate with friends or business associates while on the go.

This combination of sensing technology, wireless communication and GPS-based navigation establishes a technology foundation, pieces of which could migrate from the EN-V concept and potentially lead the way to future advanced vehicle safety systems.

The ability to communicate with other vehicles and with the infrastructure could dramatically reduce the number of vehicle accidents.  Using vehicle-based sensor and camera systems, EN-V can “sense” what’s around it, allowing the vehicle to react quickly to obstacles or changes in driving conditions. For example, if a pedestrian steps out in front of the vehicle, EN-V will decelerate to a slower and safer speed and stop sooner than today’s vehicles.

GM has been a leader in developing autonomous vehicle technology, having worked alongside students and faculty at Carnegie Mellon University in the U.S. city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This collaboration created “The Boss” Chevrolet Tahoe, which brought autonomous vehicle operation to life in 2007.   EN-V takes the lessons learned in “The Boss” and offers mobility to people who could not otherwise operate a vehicle.

“The EN-V concept represents a major breakthrough in the research that GM has been doing to bring vehicle autonomy to life,” said Alan Taub, Global Vice President of GM Research and Development.  “The building blocks that enable the autonomous capabilities found on the EN-V concept such as lane departure warning, blind zone detection and adaptive cruise control are being used in some GM vehicles on the road today.”

EN-V has been designed for the speed and range of today’s urban drivers.  It weighs less than 500 kilograms and is about 1.5 meters in length.  By comparison, today’s typical automobile weighs more than 1,500 kilograms and is three times as long.  In addition, today’s automobiles require more than 10 square meters of parking space and are parked more than 90 percent of the time.  EN-V’s smaller size and greater maneuverability mean the same parking lot can accommodate five times as many EN-Vs as typical automobiles.

Smaller, Smarter Design

While EN-V leads the way in terms of efficiency and technology, it also sets a new benchmark for vehicle design.  For its debut, GM had design teams around the world provide their vision of what future mobility will look like.  Xiao (Laugh) was designed by GM Holden’s design team in Australia, while the look of Jiao (Pride) was penned by designers at GM Europe and Miao (Magic) was designed at the General Motors Advanced Design Studio in the U.S. state of California.

Each EN-V has a unique design theme to showcase the flexibility of the propulsion platform.  The design gives each EN-V its own personality, with a unique opening, elegant interior and innovative color, lighting and seat technology.  Xiao offers a more lighthearted appeal, with its “gumball blue” paint and nautical-inspired design.  Miao takes most of its design cues from the consumer electronics industry, as evidenced by its sleek, masculine looks.  Designers also used Miao to display innovative lighting solutions, including extensive use of LED accent lighting.   With its clean lines and bright paintwork, Jiao takes its design influence from bullet trains and Chinese opera masks.

“EN-V incorporates significant technology and material innovation, which has given the design team a whole new world to explore,” said Clay Dean, Director of Advanced Design for GM North America.  “Because of the lightweight structures, materials and integrated controls, we created unique surface forms not traditionally found in automotive applications.”

The body and canopy of EN-V are constructed from carbon fiber, custom-tinted Lexan and acrylic, materials that are more commonly used in race cars, military airplanes and spacecraft because of their strength and lightweight characteristics.  The ability to work with such innovative materials provided a learning opportunity for GM’s design teams to study the feasibility of future traditional automotive applications.

EN-V’s compact size makes it ideal for use in densely populated cities thanks to its use of advanced safety and propulsion technologies.  But good things come in small packages, as witnessed by EN-V’s innovative interior design, which provides maximum visibility to the world outside.  A simple interface for activating Wi-Fi-based technologies keeps occupants connected to the outside world.

“The future of how we move around in urban areas like Shanghai can combine the best of personal mobility and public transit.  There is a better solution and it is called EN-V.  It demonstrates that we have both the knowledge and the ability right now to create a way to move people that not only ensures a ‘better city’ but also offers people a ‘better life,’” said Taub.

General Motors, one of the world’s largest automakers, traces its roots back to 1908.  With its global headquarters in Detroit, GM employs 204,000 people in every major region of the world and does business in some 140 countries.  GM and its strategic partners produce cars and trucks in 34 countries, and sell and service these vehicles through the following brands: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, GM Daewoo, Holden, Jiefang, Opel, Vauxhall and Wuling. GM is the joint global automobile partner of World Expo 2010 Shanghai along with Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp. Group (SAIC). More information on the new General Motors can be found at www.gm.com.

Chevrolet Joins With Con Edison To Promote Electric Transportation In New York City Area

2010-03-28

NEW YORK – Chevrolet will join with Con Edison as part of a development and demonstration program to introduce electric vehicles to New York City.

The arrangement was announced today at the New York Auto Show, where the Chevrolet Volt electric vehicle with extended range will be on display. Production of the 2011 Volt begins later this year at GM’s Hamtramck Assembly near Detroit, Mich. Pricing has not yet been announced.

“Chevrolet is committed to a successful Volt launch, and to achieve that, we need to work with our utility partners to introduce our customers to electric vehicles and the infrastructure that will support them,” said Jim Campbell, U.S. vice president, Chevrolet marketing. “So far, we have invested more than $700 million in the U.S. to reinforce our leadership in this new technology.”

Chevrolet has previously announced that Volt sales will start simultaneously in California, Michigan and Washington D.C., with other markets to follow. In addition, Chevrolet is partnering with utility providers in each lead market and the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) on development and demonstration programs designed to introduce customers to electric vehicles and to establish vehicle charging programs.

Con Edison, a subsidiary of Consolidated Edison Inc., provides electric, gas and steam service to more than 3 million customers in New York City and Westchester County, New York.

Chevrolet will deliver more than 100 Volts to 10 utilities across the U.S. – including Con Edison – as part of the extended demonstration program. The overall program includes 500 charging stations that will be installed for residential, business and public use. They will be used to learn more about the installation process, vehicle charging and to gauge customer feedback.

The program is made possible with a grant of more than $30 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds from the Transportation Electrification Initiative administered by the U.S. Department of Energy.

The Chevrolet Volt is an electric vehicle with extended-range capability. It is designed to drive up to 40 miles on electricity without using gasoline or producing tailpipe emissions. When the Volt’s lithium-ion battery is depleted, an engine/generator seamlessly operates to extend the driving range if there is no access to an electrical outlet to recharge the battery, providing peace of mind by eliminating range anxiety.

Testing in real conditions

The engineering fleet of Chevrolet Volt pre-production vehicles has already amassed more than a half-million test miles under various climates and road conditions. More than 20 crash tests have been conducted at various speeds and angles in preparation for start of production later this year.

Smartphone application takes technology beyond the battery

Chevrolet is expanding the Volt ownership experience with a smartphone (Droid by Motorola, Apple iPhone and BlackBerry Storm) application by OnStar that gives Volt owners 24/7 connection and control of vehicle function and OnStar features remotely.

Through Volt’s mobile application, drivers can set or check charging, manually set grid-friendly charge modes for off-peak times, pre-condition the interior temperature using electricity and not gasoline, check EV range and more.

Other driver-friendly technologies include touch-sensitive controls on the center stack and screen; a fully digital interface that allows two-way interaction, personalization and access to information; and real-time feedback that provides guidance on how to drive more efficiently.

About Chevrolet
Chevrolet is one of America’s best-known and best-selling automotive brands, and one of the fastest growing brands in the world. With fuel solutions that range from “gas-friendly to gas-free,” Chevrolet has nine models that offer an EPA-estimated 30 miles per gallon or more on the highway, and offers two hybrid models. More than 2.5 million Chevrolets that run on E85 biofuel have been sold. Chevrolet delivers expressive design, spirited performance and strives to provide the best value in every segment in which it competes. More information can be found at www.chevrolet.com. For more information on the Volt, visit http://media.gm.com/volt or follow the conversation at chevroletvoltage.com .

New Chevrolet small car to be built at GM Uzbekistan joint venture

2010-02-11

Seoul/Zurich. Representatives of General Motors Company in Korea and UzAvtoSanoat of Uzbekistan today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in Seoul, Korea, for their GM Uzbekistan joint venture to launch the production of a new small vehicle mainly destined for emerging markets.

The MOU was signed by GM DAT Vice President Product Planning & Program Management Dwenell Mills and UzAvtoSanoat Vice Chairman Shukhrat Yusupov, in the presence of Republic of Uzbekistan First Deputy Prime Minister Rustam Azimov.

Today’s agreement will enable GM Uzbekistan, a joint venture between GM and UzAvtoSanoat in Asaka, Uzbekistan, to manufacture and sell a new small Chevrolet vehicle developed for the rapidly growing emerging markets in the region. GM Uzbekistan already manufactures and markets models such as the Chevrolet Matiz, Lacetti and Captiva.

The MOU will also enable Chevrolet to continue to grow its business in Uzbekistan, the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and Russia.

“The excellent cars jointly produced and exported by UzAvtoSanoat and GM DAT are contributing greatly to the growth of Uzbekistan’s automotive industry and economic development,” said Azimov. He continued, “Uzbekistan’s automotive industry will reach global standards in the near future with the help and support of General Motors and agreements like this one.”

“Uzbekistan, where we recently also began construction of a new powertrain facility, is Chevrolet’s core production base in the high-potential markets of Central Asia and a significant strategic partner for our export business,” said GM DAT President and CEO Mike Arcamone. “We will continue to support our Uzbekistan operations through the introduction of new products and the means to build them.”

GM Uzbekistan was established in March 2008, with GM holding a 25 percent stake and UzAvtoSanoat the remaining 75 percent. The joint venture has an annual production capacity of 250,000 units. Its vehicles are sold in Uzbekistan via GM’s sales operations and exported to numerous neighboring countries.