GM to offer wireless in-car phone charging pads

GM announced this week that their venture capital arm called GM Ventures will invest $5 million in a small company called Powermat. The company makes a charging system that uses wireless technology to charge smartphones and other devices, and is considered a pioneer in the filed.

What is Powermat? If you’ve recently visited your local Best Buy, you’ve probably seen the Powermat product in the ‘Mobile’ section. The product allows you to place your cell phone and other mobile technology on a mat and charge them without having to plug them into the wall.

The new technology is said not only to eliminate the need for charging cords, but, according to Powermat CEO Ran Poliakine, it’s also safer and more efficient.

Powermat already sells wireless charging devices for the home to consumers at major U.S. retail outlets such as Wal-Mart and Best Buy.

Source: GM





Press Release

GM, Powermat to Put Added ‘Charge' in Chevy Volt

Automaker Invests in Start-Up to Do Away With Charging Cords

LAS VEGAS - General Motors and Powermat, a pioneer in wireless charging technology, announced a commercial agreement today that will eliminate the need for charging cords for personal electronic devices in many future Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac products beginning mid-2012.

GM Ventures, the company's venture capital subsidiary, will invest $5 million in Powermat to accelerate the technology's development and support efforts to grow Powermat's business globally.

Powermat's technology allows electronic devices - smart phones, MP3 players and gaming devices - to be charged safely and efficiently, according to Powermat CEO Ran Poliakine.

The Chevrolet Volt, conceived as a reinvention of the automobile that would help reduce America's dependence on oil, while providing the assurance of an extended driving range, will be one of the first GM vehicles to offer this technology. The technology is expected to revolutionize how electronic devices are charged in a car.

"Imagine a mat or shelf where you could put your iPhone, your Droid or other personal device and charge it automatically while you commute to work, run errands or as you're driving on a family vacation," said Micky Bly, GM's lead electronics executive, including infotainment, hybrids and battery electric vehicles.

"The Chevy Volt will be one of the first applications, but we intend to expand it across our vehicle portfolio," Bly said.

Powermat, a private firm, was founded in 2007 and offers wireless charging products for the home in a number of retail stores, including Best Buy, Target and Wal-Mart.

Poliakine is excited to start with the Chevrolet Volt, which has swept major Car of the Year awards to date.

"GM is among the rarest of giants in today's business climate: a forward-thinking innovator with the courage and good sense to care about the well-being of the consumer and the well-being of our planet," Poliakine said.

Jon Lauckner, who helped create the Volt concept and now is President of GM Ventures, has been dreaming about a technology like Powermat for years.

"We first developed the Volt concept car in 2006," Lauckner said. "The intent was to revolutionize every aspect of the car, not just the propulsion system. We had something like this in mind even then, and we think it will have widespread appeal."

About General Motors

General Motors Company (NYSE:GM, TSX: GMM), 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 more than 120 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, GMC, Daewoo, Holden, Isuzu, Jiefang, Opel, Vauxhall, and Wuling. GM's largest national market is China, followed by the United States, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, and Russia. GM's OnStar subsidiary is the industry leader in vehicle safety, security and information services.

About Powermat

Powermat was the first company to perfect inductive-based wireless charging and to bring it to consumers in a widely available, meaningful way via mainstream retail channels. The undisputed leader in wireless charging, Powermat leads the category in all facets including technology, retail footprint, consumer experience, and brand. Powermat allows users to enable their electronic devices once with a Powermat receiver and then set down up to three devices on the charging mat for fast, safe and effective wireless charging. It's simple, effortless, and provides consumers with first-of-its-kind freedom from the need to constantly plug/unplug as well as the angst of running on empty.

Paris Preview: Opel Astra Sports Tourer

General Motors announced the 2011 Opel Astra Sports Tourer price for the European market.

The model will retail starting later this year from EUR18,000, with orders being accepted as of now. The entry level Sports Tourer is the 1.4 ecoFLEX engine that develops 74 kW/100 hp. The Opel Astra Sports Tourer will also be available with a 1.4-liter turbo petrol engine with either 120 hp, or 140 hp and with a 2.0 CDTI diesel developing 160 hp and 380 Nm of torque. Actually, the Opel Astra Sports Tourer range will include three diesel and five petrol versions.

The new unit is 1.4 turbo which develops 120 hp and is paired with a six-speed manual transmission. The Astra lineup will also be available with a start/stop technology, to be used on the 1.3l CDTI ecoFLEX engine.

The Opel Astra Sports Tourer price starts at 18,000 EUR for the entry level 100 hp version. The equipment list of the Opel Astra Sports Tourer
includes front ergonomic seats, an adaptive mechatronic FlexRide chassis, AFL+ adaptive forward lighting and the Opel Eye system.




Press Release

The Opel Astra Sports Tourer Priced at 18,000 euros

• Compact Wagon is dynamic, practical – and affordable
• World premiere at Paris Motor Show
• New Astra Hatchback already has 200,000 orders

Rüsselsheim. The Opel Astra Sports Tourer makes its debut at the Mondial de l’Automobile 2010 in Paris (October 2 – 17), but it can be ordered now. The athletic station wagon is as beautiful to look at as it is practical to use. And, it is eco-friendly and affordable to boot. The 1.4 ecoFLEX (74 kW/100 hp) starts at 18,000 euros in Germany. The compact wagon comes with a wide powertrain line-up of three diesel motors and five gasoline engines ranging from 100 to 180 hp.

An efficient trunk design and premium features enhance the functionality of this dynamic, beautifully sculptured wagon which has a load space between 500 and 1550 liters. With the seatbacks down, the cargo load length is increased to 1835 mm – 28 mm more than the current Astra wagon.

New in the compact segment is the FlexFold Rear Seat system, which allows each section of the 60/40 split-fold rear seatbacks to be folded forward at the press of a button located in the side walls of the cargo compartment: A spring is electrically released, automatically activating swift, remote folding of the seatbacks. The Easy Access Cover slides upward and out of the way with a simple tap. The cover retracts with a quick hand motion.

Low cost of ownership is guaranteed due to the Astra Sports Tourer’s favorable insurance rating by the Gesamtverband der Deutschen Versicherungswirtschaft (GDV), an umbrella organization of German insurers. The Sports Tourer received the lowest insurance rating (fully comprehensive, or, “Vollkasko neu” rating 13) of all the compact class wagons the GDV has valued.

The Astra Sports Tourer incorporates exciting Opel innovations that make life more comfortable and driving safer. These include the only front ergonomic seats in the segment certified by independent back experts from the Aktion Gesunder Rűcken (AGR); the adaptive mechatronic FlexRide chassis, the AFL+ adaptive forward lighting and the Opel Eye.

Launched at the 2009 IAA, the Astra five-door has been very well received, with nearly 200,000 orders collected in less than one year.

GM Backtracks On Plan To Nix Chevy Nickname [Video]

General Motors Co. on Thursday backed off a "poorly worded" internal memo that asked employees to refer to the brand only as "Chevrolet" -- not its long-standing nickname -- in an effort to create consistency.

In the original memo, employees were discouraged from using the "Chevy" nickname for the Chevrolet brand. GM later issued a statement to clarify the intention of the memo, saying that it was only meant to help establish Chevrolet as a global brand and that employees needed to be more focused in their communications in referencing the brand.

General Motors said " 'Chevy' will continue to reflect the enthusiasm of customers and fans."
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The internal memo was part of an effort to develop a consistent brand name as it establishes a significant global presence.

In a video also issued by GM to correct itself, Alan S. Batey, vice president for Chevrolet sales and service, said, "Chevy is our nickname. It comes from selling vehicles here in the U.S. for 100 years. We love it when people call us Chevy." Batey was one of the two GM officials who signed the original memo.

On Facebook, brand pages include Chevy Camaro, Chevy Silverado and Team Chevy.

General Motors also stated that they were reconsidering resurrecting the talifin. A sudden resurgence of the love for the 1959 Chevrolet is rumored to be the reason.





Press Release

Statement on the use of Chevrolet and Chevy

"Chevy" will continue to reflect the enthusiasm of customers and fans

2010-06-10 DETROIT -- Today's emotional debate over a poorly worded memo on our use of the Chevrolet brand is a good reminder of how passionately people feel about Chevrolet. It is a passion we share and one we do not take for granted.

We love Chevy. In no way are we discouraging customers or fans from using the name. We deeply appreciate the emotional connections that millions of people have for Chevrolet and its products.

In global markets, we are establishing a significant presence for Chevrolet, and need to move toward a consistent brand name for advertising and marketing purposes. The memo in question was one step in that process.

We hope people around the world will continue to fall in love with Chevrolets and smile when they call their favorite car, truck or crossover "Chevy."

GM to launch Chevrolet in Korea

Daewoo may be General Motors’ only established brand in the Korean auto market, but it will soon add another: Chevrolet. GM revealed today at the Busan motor show that it will begin selling bowtie-badged vehicles in South Korea in 2011.

The Alpheon is being positioned in the Korea market as a luxury model at the top of the Daewoo range. It is fitted with a 3.0-liter V6 and a six-speed automatic transmission. GM Daewoo said the car will go on sale in the second half of the year.

GM Daewoo says the "Alpheon becomes a stand-alone luxury product brand in GM Daewoo's product portfolio." Much like its Korean couterpart, Hyundai, have made inroads into the luxury sedan segment with the Genesis model.






Press Release

GM Daewoo's All-New Luxury Sedan Debuts at 2010 Busan International Motor Show

Alpheon is GM Daewoo's entry into the upper-midsize segment

Busan, Korea - GM Daewoo Auto & Technology (GM Daewoo) unveiled its much-anticipated luxury sedan, the Alpheon, at the 2010 Busan International Motor Show today.

"With the introduction of the all-new Alpheon luxury sedan, we have added another attractive model to our product portfolio and our first entry in the fast-growing upper-midsize segment in Korea," said GM Daewoo President and CEO Mike Arcamone. "I am confident that the Alpheon will surpass the demands of the most sophisticated luxury sedan buyers in Korea."

Another highlight of the GM Daewoo stand is a seven-seat compact multi-purpose vehicle, the Orlando show car, which is making its first appearance at an international motor show in Asia.

In addition, GM Daewoo has on display the Lacetti Premiere and GentraX race cars, and a Matiz mini-car artistically wrapped in pink.

With "Advancing Style" as its theme for this year's Busan International Motor Show, GM Daewoo has 18 vehicles on display that showcase its automotive industry design expertise.

Alpheon - Stylish Luxury Sedan

The Alpheon is based on the same GM global architecture as the Buick LaCrosse, one of the three finalists for 2010 North American Car of the Year.

GM designers and engineers from Asia, Europe and North America targeted the luxury sedan as a global product that would meet the highest quality and performance standards in the most sophisticated markets.

At first glance, the Alpheon's sculpting design flows in all directions, giving the vehicle a tightly wrapped appearance and a fast, coupe-like profile. Its dynamic and elegant body styling is highlighted by sharp side lines, short overhangs and fenders wrapped precisely around large wheel housings, giving it the presence of an upscale large sedan (2,837-mm wheelbase and 4,995mm body length).

With a unique emblem on its front "waterfall" grille, the Alpheon becomes a stand-alone luxury product brand in GM Daewoo's product portfolio.

The innovative design philosophy continues in the Alpheon's interior. The flowing shape of its instrument panel design offers a distinct, confident and upscale impression. The refined look is an integrated center stack design that incorporates ice-blue light-emitting diode (LED) ambient lighting along with premium infotainment features. Adding to the use of soft-touch materials and low-gloss trim panels rather than traditional wood applications is indicative of exceptional and luxurious craftsmanship.

Powered by a 3.0-liter V-6 engine combined with a six-speed automatic transmission, the Alpheon will ensure responsive performance when it is launched in the second half of this year in Korea.

General Motors is considering adding a coupe to Buick's lineup

Now that General Motors has almost completed shedding its non-core brands, the company is refocusing attention to its main brands. The company is in research and development of a new sport coupe that could be sold as a Buick.


"Buick definitely needs more product in the pipeline," John Cafaro, director of design for Buick and Chevrolet, said in an interview last week at the Chicago Auto Show.

"My role is really being a zealot for getting Buick more youthful, more spirited and probing ideas [for] coupes, more expressive vehicles. That is really my job."


The automaker is in a similar position as Cadillac had been, with only an aging market segment showing any interest. According to Cafaro, Cadillac knew that they had "to carve a new image. That is where Buick is right now," he told the news outlet.


So far, five models -- all sedans and crossovers -- have been approved for Buick. The redesigned LaCrosse went on sale last fall. The 2011 Regal sedan goes on sale this spring. A small, unnamed sedan that will share a vehicle platform with the Chevrolet Cruze goes on sale in 2011. The Lucerne will be dropped in a year or so.


"Buick definitely needs more product in the pipeline," Cafaro said, later mentioning that the company needs a new car that makes a statement. Any such car would become Buick's flagship.


Cafaro said a coupe would make a statement for Buick, "and a statement means it is going to be the flagship. All the design cues and everything would drive themselves down into all Buicks.


"A coupe is definitely where you say, 'I'm back.' "

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GM To Be First Major U.S. Automaker to Manufacture Electric Motors

• Electric traction motors are ‘engines' for electric vehicles and hybrids

• First GM electric motors will debut in next-generation rear-wheel-drive Two-mode Hybrids

• Total investment of $246 million in electric motor and electric drive facilities in the U.S.

WASHINGTON - GM will expand its in-house electric vehicle development capabilities by becoming the first major U.S. automaker to design and manufacture electric motors, a core technology for hybrids and electric vehicles.

By doing so, GM will lower costs and improve performance, quality, reliability and manufacturability of electric motors by controlling design, materials selection and production processes. The first GM-designed and built electric motors are scheduled to debut in 2013 in next-generation, rear-wheel-drive Two-mode Hybrid technology.


"Electric motor innovation supported the first wave of automotive growth a century ago with the electric starter, which eliminated the need for a hand crank, and revolutionized automotive travel for the customer," said Tom Stephens, GM vice chairman, Global Product Operations. "We think the electrification of today's automobiles will be just as revolutionary and just as beneficial to our customers. Electric motors will play a huge role in that."

In conventional cars and trucks, automakers design and manufacture engines to efficiently use energy provided from a gas tank to provide power to the wheels. Motors and batteries, respectively, fill that role in hybrid and electric vehicles. As the range and speed of electric-only propulsion increase, so do the importance of motors and batteries.


Electric vehicles are powered solely by electric motors, while hybrid vehicles also use an internal combustion engine for propulsion. GM's next-generation rear-wheel-drive Two-mode Hybrid system will use two unique motor designs and an internal combustion engine to provide improved fuel efficiency compared with the current Two-mode Hybrid technology in GM's full-size pickup trucks and sport-utility vehicles.

"In the future, electric motors might become as important to GM as engines are now," Stephens said. "By designing and manufacturing electric motors in-house, we can more efficiently use energy from batteries as they evolve, potentially reducing cost and weight - two significant challenges facing batteries today."


GM has been building this in-house capability for years, expanding electric motor research and development, design and validation capabilities at facilities in Michigan, Indiana and California. GM also has developed state-of-the-art math-based design and computing capacity for electric motors. The electric motors will be manufactured in the U.S. at a GM facility.

GM was selected in August by the U.S. Department of Energy for a $105-million grant for the construction of U.S. manufacturing capabilities to produce electric motors and related electric drive components. "The new GM is about speed, and we are delivering quickly on the government's desire to grow domestic expertise in electric vehicle technologies, such as batteries and electric motors," Stephens said.


Similar to today's internal combustion engines, automotive electric motors require an unparalleled combination of exceptionally low noise, vibration and harshness (NVH); high reliability and affordability that is achievable only by understanding the entire value chain. In addition to growing in-house capabilities, GM will continue to purchase and co-design electric motors with suppliers.

"This is a strategy we use today with batteries," Stephens said. "We are partnering with suppliers to create innovations faster than ever before. Our goal is simply to establish GM as a leader in automotive electric motors. We see that leadership as a key enabler - both to our long-term success and to our nation's move away from oil dependence."
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Koenigsegg Group AB Terminates Agreement For Purchase of Saab

General Motors confirmed today that the proposed sale of its Saab subsidiary to Koenigsegg Group AB was terminated at the discretion of the buyer.

"We're obviously very disappointed with the decision to pull out of the Saab purchase," said GM President and CEO, Fritz Henderson. "Many have worked tirelessly over the past several months to create a sustainable plan for the future of Saab by selling the brand and its manufacturing interests to Koenigsegg Group AB. Given the sudden change in direction, we will take the next several days to assess the situation and will advise on the next steps next week."
Source:General Motors

Three Video: 2011 Buick Regal Preview

The new Regal is based on the Opel Insignia, Europe’s “Car of the Year” in 2009, which bodes well for its dynamic performance. In addition to its general vehicle architecture, the Regal also shares many of the Insignia’s Euro-flavored design cues, in addition to incorporating Buick’s current design themes.





General Motors may have offloaded its Saturn brand but a replacement for one of its more popular models, the Aura mid-size sedan, will soon be arriving in North America--only it will be wearing a Buick badge.





The 2011 Buick Regal. Basically a restyled Opel Insignia, the car is being positioned as an attractive and sporty addition to the new Buick line. Check out the stories at TheCarConnection and Motor Authority for all the insight into the car's capabilities and intentions.





The 2011 Buick Regal will be available in two options including a 182-hp 2.4L 4-cylinder and a 220-hp 2.4L 4-cylinder turbocharged. Estimated fuel-economy for the non-turbocharged model comes in at 20/30 mpg (city/highway). The 2011 Regal will be built in Russelsheim, Germany, giving it the handling and dynamics of a premium European sport sedan.





The Regal's interior sports LED-lit gauges, a low instrument panel, and a sweeping dash with suitably upscale trim. Buyers will have a choice of satin metallic interior trim, or piano-black plastic or a dark wood called Kibo.





Source:General Motors

Mercedes awards SLS AMG body panel construction to Magna

Magna International pulled a bold move when it declared its intention to buy
Opel from General Motors, bridging the gap between component supplier and
contract manufacturer on the one hand, to independent automaker on the other. In
the process, Magna jeopardized its relationships with Germany's largest
automakers, including Volkswagen and BMW, who had been keen to do business with
a supplier; less so with a direct competitor.

Daimler sees it another way, however. Not only will Magna continue building the
legendary Gelandewagen for Mercedes-Benz at its facility in Graz, Austria, but
Mercedes also announced that the contractor will make the aluminum body panels
for the recently-unveiled SLS AMG supercar. For its part, Magna is satisfied to
receive the business, naturally, while Mercedes and Daimler chief Dieter Zetsche
says he sees no conflict of interest. Deliveries of the SLS are expected to
begin next spring.

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First image of the new Chevrolet Agile

General Motors revealed the first image of the new Chevrolet Agile

General Motors confirmed for next October launch vehicle waited in the Mercosur region: the Chevrolet Agile, an entirely new model is distinguished by its design, comfort and versatility.

Jaime Ardila, president of GM Mercosur, notes that "The Chevrolet Agile, a leading Chevrolet launches and market in 2009, demonstrates our confidence in the public's preference and the potential of our region."

For his part, Edgar Lourencon, president of GM Agile Argentina said that "not only demonstrates the capacity for Chevrolet vehicles with modern design and world class, but confirms the strength and integration of our company to provide the best products our customers.


Design amazing

Revealing some details of the line of Agile, Carlos Barba, General Director of GM Design Mercosur, notes: "It is a vehicle that goes beyond a traditional hatchback. Our task was to design a vehicle for customers in the region, which are demanding consumers. An innovative design is essential, as the internal space and a crossover, or a vehicle that 'breathes' and versatility that is attracting different customer profiles, from the urban to the surfer or customer that to enjoy the countryside. "

"I am convinced that the design of Agile will surprise since it is a car full of young people," Barba ends.

The model comes to complement the Chevrolet line, which is most of the market and currently consists of models Spark, Corsa Classic Corsa, Aveo, Astra, Vectra GT (hatchback), Vectra sedan, the Meriva and Zafira people carriers, Captiva SUVs and the Blazer, the S10 pickup and the Corvette.


Investment in progress

The Agile Chevrolet - first model of the family live - was fully developed at the Center for Development of Mercosur GM vehicles, located in Sao Paulo, Brazil. It is the result of an investment of U.S. $ 400 million, which includes the development and production phases of the model in the region, with its production complex in the Automotive business in Rosario, province of Santa Fe The Agile aims to emerging markets as Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay.

In Argentina, advancing the implementation of the investment to start production of Chevrolet Agile. This investment has meant, among other actions, the construction of a new building of 5000 square meters of weld, new dies for the stamping of parts and components; 59 robots incorporating the latest technology to focus its work primarily on welds considered anti ergonomic, and in those parts of the body that are critical to passenger safety as well as conducting over 6,500 hours of training to operators of the new production line of Chevrolet Motor Complex in Argentina .


Are currently in the final testing of the new model for which the company is implementing global processes of validation, which are identical to those used in developing the overall architecture of Chevrolet. They take place in laboratories and in field. Are 150 units of Chevrolet Agile are rolling over 1 million miles of testing, including vehicle and partially assembled, in order to validate components, vehicle safety, durability, bodywork, brakes, noise and vibration. Finally, it is important to note that 9000 pieces were subjected to more than 3000 tests for global certification criteria, and safety, 20 vehicles passed through various laboratory impact tests, including testing now underway.
via:worldcarfans

GM Presents those 'Simple Bare Necessities' Concepts

For GM one of the most fundamental definitions goes to the idea of saving weight. That means unnecessary features are stripped off to make room for what may be termed as Bare Necessities which is applied to all vehicles including trucks and smaller cars. A number of the blog's users suggested a diesel motor and better aerodynamics for Bare Necessities Trucks as examples of eco-friendliness. The designers and engineers may end up taking some of these thoughts into the final truck product, as well as using lighter construction materials.


The new GM's plan to interact better with the world is working quite well seemingly. Users of the online forum at GMblogs are quite impressed with the company's plans for better, more fuel-efficient vehicles. During one of the discussions on the company's Eco Initiative project GM designers explained how difficult it is to meet customer expectations when it comes to eco-friendliness because different customers have different ideas of what eco-friendly means.


For smaller cars like the Bare Necessities Car some of the same principles can be applied, such as eliminating non-critical features as per customer needs while using the minimum of parts and sustainable materials. Quite a challenge considering that one man's critical feature may be another one's luxury.


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