A transmission developed by GM SAIC

It’s no secret that General Motors has exploded with popularity in China ever since it embarked on a partnership with Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC) thirteen years ago. Recently, the partnership between GM, Wuling and SAIC (known collectively as SGMW) has introduced plans for Baojun – an all-new brand that looks to increase the availability of cars to China’s middle class by offering small and dependable cars at affordable prices. Today, the latest installment to this successful collaboration between the three companies is the development for all-new, small displacement engines and transmissions.

The engines will vary in size from 1.0 to 1.5 liters and will all feature turbochargers. The new transmissions will be double-clutch (or “doppelkupplungsgetriebe”, if you’re German). According to GM, the new powertrain will help boost the fuel economy by 10 percent and cut CO2 emissions by a full 20 percent compared to the conventional six-speed transmissions currently available.

The powertrain will be built in Asia as well as the U.S., and will be made available in front-wheel drive cars that will be sold all over the world, potentially including cars such as the super-compact Chevrolet Spark and subcompact Aveo hatches. Furthermore, the new engines can be ready in two years’ time – perfect for the 2012-’13 model years, which is around the same time we expect the Spark and all-new Aveo to be sold here in the States).

GM didn’t disclose just what kind of horsepower or fuel economy it’s shooting for with the new powertrains, but hopefully these four-bangers can beat the already-impressive 40-mpg mark set by the upcoming Chevy Cruze Eco model. Stay tuned to GM Authority for the latest updates.

View Press Release

The 1.2 liter has a starting price of RMB 56,800 ($8,314 using current exchange rates) and can be mated to either a manual or an automatic electronic manual transmission (EMT) while the up-level 1.4 is available with an EMT only and starts at RMB 75,800 ($11,153). We’re not sure whether these engines are part of GM’s ECOTEC family, but I’m guessing they’re not – otherwise the trademark would be all over this one.

GM says that the Sail hatch has a “stylish exterior” and a “flexible interior” and that its boxy design maximizes the use of interior space. In fact, the trunk of the Sail hatch has a capacity of 330 gallons (1,250 liters) of space. According to GM, this is good for a 26-inch bike or a 56-inch LCD TV. The Sail hatch will join the Sail sedan that is currently selling at about 7,500 units per month.

And in case you’re wondering what, exactly, an electronic manual transmission (EMT) is (like we were) – here’s the description straight from GM’s press release:

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.

The Sail hatch and sedan were completely developed by GM China and the Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center (PATAC) – a 50-50 joint venture between General Motors and its Chinese partner SAIC. The Sail hatch joins Chevy’s other small car offerings in China such as the Sail sedan, Aveo, and Lova (Aveo Sedan). GM believes that Chevrolet’s extensive lineup “offers an unmatched number of options for young families and other small car buyers across China.” The all-new Spark, however, is noticeably absent from the Chinese market at this time.

View Press Release

The Electric Networked-Vehicle (or EN-V), was developed in collaboration with GM’s strategic Chinese partner – Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp. Group (SAIC). The vehicles explore a number of solutions for the future of driving while retaining the core principal of personal mobility – freedom.

A 2-seat electric vehicle, the EN-V was designed to diminish traffic, congestion and parking availability while improving air quality and affordability. The concept will be shown in three models – Jiao (Pride), Miao (Magic), and Xiao (Laugh) at the SAIC-GM pavilion at World Expo 2010 in Shanghai (May 1 – October 31).

Platform

EN-V’s platform is an evolution of the Personal Urban Mobility and Accessibility prototype (P.U.M.A.) that was developed by Segway and made its debut in April 2009. GM worked with Segway to develop multiple copies of the platform that connects and powers the EN-V.

Powertrain

The EN-V is propelled by electric motors in each of its two driving-mode wheels. The motors provide power for acceleration as well as help bringing the vehicle to a stop. With the use of dynamic stabilization technology, the EN-V is able to carry two passengers and some light cargo all on a minuscule footprint that takes up less than one-third of a traditional vehicle. In fact, the EN-V can turn on a dime within its own operation envelope.

Lithium-ion batteries provide power to the motors that produce zero emissions. Recharging the batteries is accomplished via a conventional outlet using standard household power. This allows the EN-V to travel at least 40 kilometers (25 miles) on a single charge. As is the case with the current generation of electric vehicles, the EN-V can communicate with the electric grid and determine the best time to recharge, helping the public infrastructure remain efficient.

Autonomous Operation

Since everything in the EN-Vs is drive-by-wire, it furnishes the concept with the ability to operate either by manual or autonomous control. This is taken to the next step through the combination of GPS, vehicle-to-vehicle communications, and distance-sensing technologies.

Since the EN-Vs are able to be driven autonomously (read: without driver input/control), they can eventually lead to reduced traffic congestion by selecting the fastest route based on real-time traffic information.

What’s more, autonomous operation has the potential to greatly reduce the number of vehicle accidents.

As loyal GM fans may already know, The General has been collaborating with Pittsburgh’s Carnegie Mellon University that created “The Boss” Chevrolet Tahoe in 2007. The partnership resulted in an unmanned Tahoe having negotiated a 60 mile course of urban traffic, busy intersections, and stop signs in less than six hour. It won the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) 2007 Urban Challenge competition.

EN-V applies the lessons GM learned in “The Boss” project to the safety of the EN-V surroundings as well as people who otherwise may not be able to operate a vehicle.

Safety

The EN-V has the ability to “sense” what’s around it using vehicle-based sensor and camera systems. This allows it to react quickly to obstacles or other changes in driving conditions. For instance, if a pedestrian happens to step out in front of the EN-V, the vehicle will decelerate to a slower and safer sped and stop sooner than today’s vehicles. This is similar to today’s emerging self-stop technologies such as Volvo’s auto brake.

Design

Each of the EN-V concepts was designed with a unique theme and personality. Design elements such as the door opening, interior, color, lighting, and seat technology are different among the three EN-V Concepts.

Jiao (Laugh) was designed by GM’s Holden design team in Australia, while the Jiao (Pride) was penned by designers at GM Europe. The Miao (Magic) was designed at the General Motors Advanced Design Studio in California.

The body of the EN-V is made from carbon fiber, custom-tinted Lexan, and acrylic. These materials can only be found today in race cars and military applications such as spacecraft and airplanes due to their strength and lightweight characteristics. Working with these innovative materials gave GM’s design teams an opportunity to learn and study their feasibility in future automotive applications.

Urbanization, emphasized

Needless to say, the EN-V is no Camaro, Corvette, or Tahoe. But it’s not made to be either of those – and it doesn’t try to be one, either. The EN-V is made for a specific purpose – urban driving environments. Weighing less than 500 kilograms (1,100 pounds) and coming in at about 1.5 meters (5 feet) in length, the EN-V is the perfect example of merging efficient space utilization with transportation. Compare that to today’s vehicles that require more than 10 square meters (32 square feet)  for parking and that weigh more than 1,500 kilos (3,306 pounds) and one can see the benefit of something like an EN-V in the city.

Whether the future will actually bring vehicles like the EN-V is a question for an entirely different article. However, it goes without saying that the EN-V is a truly forward-looking concept!

View Press Release

The newly-formed company will utilize GM’s two vehicle manufacturing plants and one powertrain facility in India that will produce small cars (from SAIC GM) and mini-commercial trucks (from SAIC-GM-Wuling). According to GM,

These products will join GM’s global vehicles, allowing GM India to quickly add entries in growing market segments.

These will be sold through GM’s distribution network in the country, that currently consists of 195 dealers and 198 service outlets.

Nick Reilly, president of GM’s International Operations (who will be making the move to head up GM Europe), had the following to say about the deal:

Over the past decade, SAIC and GM have created one of the world’s most successful automotive industry partnerships. Both companies felt this was the proper time to deepen cooperation beyond China’s borders in order to enhance our partnership as part of our individual companies’ long-term growth strategies.

GM expects the joint venture to be finalized in the first quarter of 2010 and believes that it will lead to more jobs being created in India.

SAIC and GM currently operate eight joint ventures in China and have been partners in the country since 1997. The tie-up is one of the most successful joint ventures between an American and Chinese company.

The GM Authority Take

Even though our article would suggest things are all nice and rosy, I would argue things aren’t really that great in reality: this new venture would give SAIC a 50 percent stake in GM’s operations in India while GM gets…. wait, GM doesn’t get anything in return here! GM’s cars will still be manufactured in India – as they are today – only now, GM will be sharing its profits with SAIC. It would be one thing if GM didn’t have any plants in India and was looking to enter the market on the cheap, with GM-SAIC producing the vehicles in China for export to India. That’s not the case here.

Perhaps GM received some money in exchange for SAIC’s stake in the new company, which it would use to pay off loans to the U.S. government? Maybe… but then again, GM’s entire press release doesn’t mention any financial figures related to the matter.

There is one thing: mini-commercial vehicles from SAIC-GM-Wuling that will be produced in India after the venture becomes official come Q1 2010. In fact, these trucks have been more successful in China than GM’s light vehicles. Check the numbers: through the end of November 2009, cumulative sales of the light trucks were 3,384,848, while total sales of cars were 2,973,411. Market trends tell us that India is currently hot for these types of vehicles for construction and maintenance work. So if this is the real reason for the new joint venture, how come Wuling – the third partner with SAIC And GM in the light truck venture – isn’t mentioned in the press release? Something’s not right here, but I can’t put my finger on it just yet. Stay tuned!

GM’s full press release is after the break, just in case you’re interested.

PRESS RELEASE

SAIC and GM Announce Expansion of Cooperation in Asia

2009-12-06

• Form Hong Kong-based General Motors SAIC Investment Limited
• Will leverage resources in India and plan for other emerging markets

Shanghai – Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation Group (SAIC) and General Motors Company announced today that the two automakers are expanding their cooperation in Asia.

SAIC and GM, which currently operate eight joint ventures in China, have formed a new 50-50 joint venture investment company, General Motors SAIC Investment Limited.  Situated in Hong Kong, it will facilitate their expansion efforts.  They also announced plans to leverage their resources to support expansion in emerging markets, beginning with India.

Based on the automotive industry’s long-term potential for growth in India, SAIC and GM have formulated a joint strategy for investment in the country.  They will utilize GM’s two vehicle manufacturing facilities and a powertrain facility in India and GM’s nationwide distribution network in the formation of a new joint venture.

Small cars from Shanghai GM and mini-commercial vehicles from SAIC-GM-Wuling, SAIC and GM’s manufacturing joint ventures in China, will be produced and sold in India.  These products will join GM’s global vehicles, allowing GM India to quickly add entries in growing market segments. The establishment of the India joint venture is expected to be finalized in the first quarter of 2010. GM believes the additional models and potential volume growth will result in the creation of more jobs in India.

“Changes in the worldwide economy have created new opportunities in emerging markets,” according to Hu Maoyuan, Chairman of SAIC.  “By leveraging our individual assets and those of our China joint ventures, SAIC and GM are in a strong position to introduce competitive products outside China that will satisfy the needs of consumers in India and other high-potential global markets.”

“Over the past decade, SAIC and GM have created one of the world’s most successful automotive industry partnerships,” said Nick Reilly, GM Executive Vice President and President of GM International Operations.  “Both companies felt this was the proper time to deepen cooperation beyond China’s borders in order to enhance our partnership as part of our individual companies’ long-term growth strategies.”

Both companies reached an agreement for GM to transfer 1 percent of its stake in Shanghai GM to SAIC Motor.  This will assist China’s leading listed automotive company in consolidating Shanghai GM revenue into SAIC Motor, which will provide investors a clear understanding of its business. Shanghai GM management will continue to operate with the existing joint management structure and oversee operations of the joint venture.

SAIC and GM began cooperation in 1997, when the two automakers formed Shanghai GM and the Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center (PATAC) engineering and design joint venture.  That was followed by the launch of six additional China joint ventures, including SAIC-GM-Wuling; GMAC-SAIC Automotive Finance Company, China’s first approved and operational automotive financing company; and Shanghai OnStar Telematics, which will provide a range of in-vehicle safety, security and communication services for selected Shanghai GM models starting this month.

Since it began regular production in 1999, Shanghai GM’s domestic sales have grown more than 22 times.  Through the end of November 2009, Shanghai GM had sold 2,973,411 vehicles.  Since its establishment in 2002, SAIC-GM-Wuling’s domestic sales have grown more than four times, with cumulative sales through the end of November 2009 totaling 3,384,848 units.  It has been China’s leading producer of mini-commercial vehicles for the past three years.  PATAC has played a key role in reengineering global products for both joint ventures in line with local preferences, regulations and driving conditions.

SAIC Motor Corporation, Limited (SAIC Motor), formally known as Shanghai Automotive Co., Ltd., went public on the Shanghai Stock Exchange in November 1997 with a stock code of 600104.  It was restructured in 2006, and now SAIC Motor is the strongest listed vehicle corporation on the A-share stock market in China.  As of December 31, 2008, SAIC Motor owned total capital stock of 6.55 billion shares, had consolidated assets of RMB 107.86 billion and had employee headcount of more than 60,000.  Its controlling shareholder is SAIC Group.

General Motors Company, one of the world’s largest automakers, traces its roots back to 1908. With its global headquarters in Detroit, GM employs 209,000 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, Opel, Vauxhall and Wuling. GM is the joint global automobile partner of World Expo 2010 Shanghai along with SAIC. More information on the new General Motors Company can be found at www.gm.com.

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