« October 2006 | Main | December 2006 »

November 30, 2006

GM Wins Design Challenge at L.A. Auto Show

By Frank Saucedo
Director of GM Advance Design
GM Advance Studio California

This is a great day for our design team here in North Hollywood, Calif. I don’t want to sound boastful — because the team is much more than me — but this is a two-peat for us at The L.A. Design Challenge. Last year, we won for our GMC Pad concept. We're thrilled with the win.

Just yesterday, the entry from our GM Design colleagues, Steve Anderson, José Paris and Jussi Timonen, was honored as the winner of the 2006 L.A. Design Challenge. The competition was tough — from Acura to Volkswagen.

Their concept falls in line with the environmental theme we’ve been highlighting each day at the Los Angeles Auto Show — it’s all about the reinvention of the automobile and putting our best design, engineering and technology into vehicles that enhance people’s lives and the environment.

The team asked the question: “If the typical Los Angeles automobile spends 95 percent of its time outdoors, why can’t that same car give back to the environment?”

With that guiding premise, the team created a vehicle that answered that question.

This is a biomass vehicle that could potentially result in a “net gain” for the environment. It’s hard to imagine, but the vehicle’s carbon footprint could actually help reduce the total impact on our environment.

So how does it work? The panels on the vehicle work like leaves on a tree. They would exchange oxygen through the process of photosynthesis. Oil changes would be replaced by annual algae replacement. How cool is that?

Another big idea here is that all the materials in the vehicle are post-consumer recyclables.

We’ll be back next year with a lot of hard work and maybe with a little luck we’ll make it a three-peat!

Posted by Editor at 5:52 PM
Comments (0) | TrackBack | Permalink

Green Day at the Los Angeles Auto Show

By Roddy Young
GM Consultant

Yesterday was the first Press Day at the Los Angeles Auto Show . The day started early with a keynote speech from Rick Wagoner where he made announcements that demonstrate GM's continued commitment to produce the cars and trucks people want - with new designs, increased fuel economy and the latest technology. Here are the highlights:

GM believes in biofuels. Already, GM has more than 2 million FlexFuel E-85 ethanol vehicles on the road. America's three car companies will double the production of vehicles running on renewable fuels by 2010. Right now, there are more than 170,000 gas stations, but only a thousand with E-85 ethanol pumps. So more needs to be done to build the infrastructure to help our country offset the petroleum-based energy demand.

GM's HUMMER brand, over the next three years, will offer biofuel powertrains across its lineup. HUMMER is the world's first brand to make that commitment.

Wagoner announced GM is expanding and accelerating the development of electrically driven vehicles. He noted, "Given what we know today, it's pretty clear that it will take several years to bring to market a plug-in that will meet the expectations and real-world performance standards that our customers expect." But, he said, GM is working to make the Saturn Vue the first plug-in hybrid production vehicle in the U.S. And yesterday, Saturn unveiled the redesigned 2008 Vue, which will also be offered as a Green Line hybrid. The Vue Green Line will become an advanced two-mode hybrid in 2008.

In 2007, GM will launch the hybrid GMC Yukon and Chevrolet Tahoe - a two-mode system that generates 300 –horsepower, but gains 25 percent in fuel economy. And the next step in Project Driveway will include the release of 50 hydrogen fuel cell vehicles in California.

So, if the dictum holds true that all trends start in California, this is a great start.

Posted by Editor at 5:31 PM
Comments (2) | TrackBack | Permalink

Friday, Dec. 1

Today's video of a tug of war between Chevy and Ford 4x4 pickup trucks is from newbiewar.

If you'd like to see your YouTube clip featured as our Video of the Week, tag it "gmfyi" on YouTube and we'll find it.

Posted by Editor at 2:50 PM
Comments (0) | TrackBack | Permalink

Friday, Dec. 1

Today's photo comes from the albums of GodMadeMeFunky.

Be sure to look at all of GodMadeMeFunky's photos and our other albums. And if you would like to recommend your favorite photo with a GM car or truck in it, put it up on Flickr and tag it with "gmfyi."

Posted by Editor at 2:46 PM
Comments (0) | TrackBack | Permalink

Thursday, Nov. 30

Today's photo a 1965 Buick Wildcat comes from the albums of Phil R.

Be sure to look at all of Phil R's photos and our other albums. And if you would like to recommend your favorite photo with a GM car or truck in it, put it up on Flickr and tag it with "gmfyi."

Posted by Editor at 11:39 AM
Comments (0) | TrackBack | Permalink

November 29, 2006

Another Look Inside the Interior Salon

By Gayle Weiswasser
GM Consultant

I had the good fortune of attending the GM Interior Design Salon the other day in LA. I was very impressed with what I saw, but more important, the media and bloggers who came through were extremely engaged in what GM presented. Each session lasted about an hour and a half, and I've tried to capture some elements that show the passion and excitement that is normally cloaked behind the secure walls of GM Design in Warren, Mich.

First, Kate Zack, Global Director of Components for GM, showed us what GM is doing with seat design. Seats are the biggest and most expensive of all of the vehicle interior components (which include seats, steering wheels, shifters, graphics, instrument panels, etc.). GM is doing some innovative things with seats - active cooling/heating systems, lumbar support, safety features, and incorporation of entertainment technology. But what stood out most for me was the look of the new seats for the Saturn Aura - beautiful two-tone brown leather with hand stitching. I don't usually notice details like that in a car, but it really made a positive impression on me.

Kate also talked about the challenge facing car designers in the area of emerging consumer technology. GM wants to be responsive to consumer desires to integrate personal devices, such as iPods, PDAs and mobile phones, into vehicle consoles. Given the rapid pace of change in technology, staying current — and making sure that current models are able to adapt to future technology %#151; is a challenge.

We had an interesting discussion about color with Jim Gasparetto, creative designer. Silver is still the most popular color choice for cars, but brighter colors (oranges, reds and blues) are increasing in popularity. I didn't realize how closely GM designers follow fashion trends in developing external paint colors for cars. Designers are already working on colors that we'll see in four or five years, based on color trends coming out of fashion houses in Paris, Milan and New York.

As Dave Rand, executive director for interiors, said, this is the moment for GM design — they call it Turnaround by Design. This is the time for designers to experiment and take risks. And it shows in what I saw. I'm looking forward to hearing what you have to say.

This past May, my colleague Nellie Lide interviewed Michael Burton, director of design for the interior of the Buick Enclave. Since GM revealed the production version of the Buick Enclave, we thought this might be a good time to show this video. Michael talks about the thought and feeling that goes into designing the interior of a luxury mobile like the Enclave — and the relationship between fashion and car design.

Posted by Editor at 1:41 PM
Comments (2) | TrackBack | Permalink

Wednesday, Nov. 29

Today's photo comes from the albums of Full Circle.

Be sure to look at all of Full Circle's photos and our other albums. And if you would like to recommend your favorite photo with a GM car or truck in it, put it up on Flickr and tag it with "gmfyi."

Posted by Editor at 12:37 PM
Comments (0) | TrackBack | Permalink

November 28, 2006

1938

By Alicia Dorset
Blog editor

Today's photo from the GM Media Archive is of a 1938 Chevrolet Master Deluxe Sport Sedan.

Posted by Editor at 3:53 PM
Comments (0) | TrackBack | Permalink

Tuesday, Nov. 28

Today's photo comes from the albums of Earl of Le Mancha.

Be sure to look at all of Earl of Le Mancha's photos and our other albums. And if you would like to recommend your favorite photo with a GM car or truck in it, put it up on Flickr and tag it with "gmfyi."

Posted by Editor at 11:29 AM
Comments (1) | TrackBack | Permalink

Pontiac's Second Life Experience

By Ryan Hornbeck, graduate student
Institute of Social and Cultural Anthropology
University of Oxford

Editor’s Note: Ryan Hornbeck, a graduate student studying virtual worlds at Oxford University, writes about what Pontiac is doing in Second Life and suggests that an auto racing circuit be added to the island.

It’s no secret that the real world-funded sites in Second Life have not fared so well, at least not when compared with even the least-visited of the top 25 places. After an initial flurry of excitement and a glut of headlines in real world newspapers, most corporate efforts became glittering necropolises crowding the Second Life terrain. At this point I daresay that most seasoned SL residents are even a bit hostile to the majority of fluff and first ever headlines that seem to be stealing attention from the more private and emotional experiences that are making up this new cyborg sociality.

But Pontiac and the people at Millions of Us seem to be on the verge of the most promising corporate effort to date. Pontiac has the wisdom and good fortune to tap into passions that already exist in SL. By giving away land to those who will contribute to a car culture, by hosting weekly live music events, and by generally empowering the nuanced desires of a car-crazy demographic, Pontiac is building a bonfire platform for the somewhat scattered pockets of SL auto racing enthusiasts. But what seems to me to have the most potential by far is the racing platform – and I’m hoping for something with all the accompanying MMORPG (a massively multiplayer online role-playing game is an online computer role-playing game in which a large number of players interact with one another in a virtual world, according to Wikipedia) attributes that will allow users to build social equity. Perhaps something similar in nature to the setups at Samurai Island or Combat Cards.

As a cognitive anthropologist, I’m interested in social interactions of Second Life. And it is here that Pontiac has the opportunity to differentiate itself — wouldn’t it be cool if Pontiac built a raceway that was challenging enough to give gamers an excuse to redirect some of those ungodly hours spent on never-ending-quests or avatar perfection towards racing preeminence? A series of lesser-viewed circuits coupled with a point system could qualify the most skilled drivers for the weekly (monthly, whatever) “Big Race” for a cash prize, however small, and recognition at the after-race concert. Edward Castranova has pointed out that gamers love ranking systems, and as there seems to be no shortage of demand for stages that can deliver social prominence and a chance to appear on SecondCast, I see no reason why another multiplayer Tringo phenomenon couldn’t develop from Pontiac Grand-Prix-style racing. If you really want to display the Solstice, why not as a pace car leading the pack in a sim crammed to capacity?

Posted by Editor at 10:24 AM
Comments (0) | TrackBack | Permalink

November 27, 2006

GMS Teams Among Top Fund-raisers

By Jayne Harris
GMS Implementation Advisor, Product Engineering

Belle Isle, near downtown Detroit, was the location of this year’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk on Oct. 14. But the real scene-stealers were the 8,500 walkers who participated in the walk, raising more than $725,000 for the American Cancer Society.

Many of those who turned out were GM employees. Not only was GM a flagship sponsor, but we had nine teams of employees participate. Together, we raised an impressive $33,248.70, which will go to help fund research, education, advocacy and patient services supported by the ACS.

I’m proud to recognize two of the GM teams, made up of GMS/Industrial Engineering employees, who were among the overall top fund-raisers of the walk.

“Walking Force,” (the team led by Holly Griffin, Global Documentation & Calibration, and Dianne Mercier, Staff Operations), raised $6,252, making them the second-highest earning team in the walk. And “GM in Motion,” (led by Amanda Kenner, Future Programs), was the fourth-highest earning team in the walk.

Our achievements didn’t stop there. Linda Trumm, GMS Implementation, was the third-highest fund-raiser of the entire walk, raising $2,695. Co-worker Ed Lindsey, also with GMS Implementation, made his own strides by creating a new initiative: Men Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, intended to engage men in the fight against breast cancer.

Posted by Editor at 8:43 AM
Comments (0) | TrackBack | Permalink

Monday, Nov. 27

Today's photo comes from the albums of seethingsdifferently.

Be sure to look at all of seethingsdifferently's photos and our other albums. And if you would like to recommend your favorite photo with a GM car or truck in it, put it up on Flickr and tag it with "gmfyi."

Posted by Editor at 8:08 AM
Comments (0) | TrackBack | Permalink

November 24, 2006

Friday, Nov. 24

Today's video comes from ukhustla.

If you'd like to see your YouTube clip featured as our Video of the Week, tag it "gmfyi" on YouTube and we'll find it.

Posted by Editor at 11:16 AM
Comments (0) | TrackBack | Permalink

Friday, Nov. 24

I love the old days of chrome and shine.

Today's photo comes from the albums of wybnormal.

Be sure to look at all of wybnormal's photos and our other albums. And if you would like to recommend your favorite photo with a GM car or truck in it, put it up on Flickr and tag it with "gmfyi."

Posted by Editor at 10:08 AM
Comments (0) | TrackBack | Permalink

November 23, 2006

Happy Thanksgiving

By Alicia Dorset
Blog editor

Enjoy Thanksgiving with this photo of a 1951 Chevrolet 3100 Panel Truck, at the Dixie Lee Turkey Farm, from the GM Media Archive.

Posted by Editor at 9:09 AM
Comments (0) | TrackBack | Permalink

November 22, 2006

Happy Thanksgiving and Safe Driving

By Bob Lange
Executive Director, Structure & Safety Integration

Many of you will be on the road today and tomorrow. The American Automobile Association estimates that 38.3 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home this holiday, a 2.7 percent increase from last year’s 37.3 million travelers. More people on the road means more chances for accidents. Here are some simple tips to make your driving more safe and enjoyable:

• Buckle up correctly. Every time, on every trip, and insist that all passengers do likewise. Properly restrain children in appropriate safety seats in the back seat. Most crashes occur within 25 miles of home, and the greatest numbers of deaths occur in crashes at speeds of less than 40 mph. For more information on proper restraint use, please refer to your vehicle owner's manual, child restraint manual or go to www.ourpreciouscargo.com.
• Do not drive while drowsy. On long trips, build in ample time for breaks, and, if possible, share driving responsibilities.
• Make sure your car is in good shape. This includes everything from tire wear and inflation to oil. Consult your Owner's Manual or authorized GM dealer for recommended services. Pay close attention to engine coolant, brakes, and belts and hoses. Don't overload your vehicle. Consult www.gmtiresafety.com for more information on tire safety and maintenance.
• Be prepared. Keep emergency supplies in your car, such as flares and hazard signs in case of a breakdown or flat. If your car overheats, let the engine cool and call for service; otherwise you risk damaging the vehicle. Make sure there's a jack in the car and that the spare is properly inflated. Pull completely off the road and avoid exiting the side of the vehicle facing traffic. If your vehicle is equipped with OnStar, you have an extra measure of safety and security just the push of a button away.
• Obey posted speed limits.



• Never leave children unattended in a vehicle, even for a few moments. Children also are at risk if they gain access to a car trunk and can't get out.
• Always lock vehicles. Even when parked in your own driveway, make sure to put the keys in a secure location. Be especially mindful of visually inspecting around your vehicle for children who might be playing outside or have come out to say goodbye. In family get-togethers where different groups are gathered, the person without children might not think of this.
• No distractions. Don’t let distractions such as eating, drinking and passenger/telephone conversations to interfere with the primary task of driving. Know your travel route ahead of time. For more information on distracted driving and what GM is doing about it, go to www.SenseAbledriving.com.
• Do not drink and drive, and do not allow your guests to drink and drive. Appoint a designated driver or call a cab. Because alcohol is the No. 1 contributor to highway traffic deaths, your actions may help save a life or prevent injuries. Remember, all 50 states have laws that prohibit driving while impaired with alcohol.

From everyone here at GM, have a happy and loving Thanksgiving. Please make it a safe one.

Posted by Editor at 10:22 AM
Comments (0) | TrackBack | Permalink

Wednesday, Nov. 22

What I'm driving until I get my truck repaired.

Today's photo comes from the albums of Roadsidepictures.

Be sure to look at all of Roadsidepicture's photos and our other albums. And if you would like to recommend your favorite photo with a GM car or truck in it, put it up on Flickr and tag it with "gmfyi."

Posted by Editor at 10:08 AM
Comments (0) | TrackBack | Permalink

November 21, 2006

Bingo, Hockey Help Windsor Charities

By Jordana Strosberg
Business Communications Integrator
Windsor Transmission, GM of Canada

Almost 1,500 Windsor Transmission Plant employees, retirees, and Canadian Auto Workers Local 1973 recently worked together to raise more than $462,800 for United Way of Windsor-Essex County, a $12,000 increase over 2005 pledges.

Mary O’Gorman and Dannie McKinnon, two CAW Local 1973 members, ran the Windsor plant’s campaign. They organized an innovative bingo program that focuses on different United Way agencies. Every week, employees can purchase a “bingo” card. Half of the funds go to the winner and the other half go to the “real winner,” a local agency. On behalf of the plant, Mary and Dannie donated backpacks filled with school supplies to children in need, purchased linens and feminine products for an organization that houses battered women, and helped to improve community centers in Windsor (and this is just a short list!).

Our plant presented a check to United Way of Windsor-Essex County at a Windsor Spitfires Ontario Hockey League (OHL) game Nov. 9. In addition, the GM team helped organize a canned goods collection at a Windsor OHL game to replenish the food bank at our Unemployed Help Center. Hockey fans donated more than 5,000 non-perishable food items. And a local GM dealer has agreed to match the donation.

It feels good to work for a company of people who really care about other people.

Posted by Editor at 1:24 PM
Comments (2) | TrackBack | Permalink

1950

By Alicia Dorset
Blog editor

Today's find from the GM Media Archive is a photo celebrating the 100,000 1950 Cadillac Fleetwood Sixty Special.

Posted by Editor at 10:46 AM
Comments (0) | TrackBack | Permalink

Tuesday, Nov. 21

Samantha Jane, the 1969 Camaro Sport Coupe during the 2006 Cruise In Detroit by Detroit Synergy Group (www.detroitsynergy.org)

Today's photo comes from the albums of velocity321.

Be sure to look at all of velocity321's photos and our other albums. And if you would like to recommend your favorite photo with a GM car or truck in it, put it up on Flickr and tag it with "gmfyi."

Posted by Editor at 10:36 AM
Comments (0) | TrackBack | Permalink

November 20, 2006

Monday, Nov. 20

Main bar area at Hard Rock Cafe Universal Studios Orlando Florida USAToday's photo of a Pink Cadillac comes from the albums of noded.

Be sure to look at all of noded's photos and our other albums. And if you would like to recommend your favorite photo with a GM car or truck in it, put it up on Flickr and tag it with "gmfyi."

Posted by Editor at 2:00 PM
Comments (0) | TrackBack | Permalink

New On Your Key Fob: Advanced Remote Start

By Nancy Philippart
Executive Director, GM Accessories

GM knows that safety and security are top concerns for its drivers. That’s why we have developed new technology that allows drivers to use a special remote control key fob to actually “speak with the vehicle.” We call it our “2-Way Advanced Remote Start” accessory.

The 2-Way Advanced Remote Start System actually communicates important information about vehicle systems via a small LCD screen on the key fob. Users can see if the doors are locked or unlocked; determine whether the engine is running and see how much time is left before the vehicle will automatically shut off; check security status; find out current odometer mileage; see remaining fuel; check tire pressures in all four tires; and change radio station pre-sets.

The system is designed to function at ranges of up to four to six times the typical keyless entry system, enabling users to start their vehicles from much greater distances.

2-Way Advanced Remote Start will be available in the second quarter of 2007 on certain GM vehicles, including GM’s all-new full-size pickups, crossover SUVs and full-size SUVs. Pricing for the system will range from under $150 MSRP up to $250 MSRP, depending on the vehicle’s factory options, plus dealer installation.

We were the first car manufacturer to offer a remote start option, in 2004. We’re continuing to work hard to develop innovative products and features that make your ride safer and more secure.

To read more about this new personalization accessory, check out this article from USA Today.

Posted by Editor at 1:35 PM
Comments (7) | TrackBack | Permalink

November 17, 2006

This Isn’t Your Mother’s Test Drive

By Michele Cimino
GM Consultant

The test track facilities at GM’s proving grounds are a dream for the young and the young-at-heart. GM has re-created nearly every road surface and condition imaginable to simulate what the average car owner may experience. One of the most enticing areas of the proving grounds is the multi-purpose expanse of open blacktop known to GM’s test drivers as “The Black Lake.” Among other things, the Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) is tested there.

Recently, I was able to ride along with a test driver (he told us he had the best job at GM) and got a whole new appreciation for ABS. When I buy my first new vehicle, I’m going to make sure it has ABS. Let me tell you why.

To test braking systems, a section of the asphalt is covered with water, making it slick enough to simulate ice. Our driver tried to stop the car from highway speed with the left wheels on the slick wet surface and the right wheels on the dry surface just adjacent to it. I had seen the driver run the test earlier and knew what we would experience with the ABS off. My heart was pounding, my stomach doing about 50 somersaults a minute, and my entire body was shaking with the anticipation of what would happen.

The car started to speed up as I searched for something to hold on to. Once the car reached its desired speed and place on the road surface, the driver slammed on the brakes. The car continued its forward momentum while spinning 360 degrees at least seven times. I closed my eyes, but that was only to keep from getting sick. As we slid to a complete stop, I opened my eyes, smiled and told the driver just how cool that experience was. I felt like I was on an amusement park ride and I wanted to do it again.

Unfortunately for us thrill seekers (but fortunately for consumers with ABS), we saw the difference the ABS made under the same conditions on our second run. It worked like magic - keeping the vehicle controlled and coming almost effortlessly to a stop, never leaving the straight path it was on.

After what was literally a breathtaking experience, I wanted to find out how the ABS actually worked. It works something like this: Sensors detect the speed at which a wheel is moving. If a wheel is moving much slower or faster than any other wheel, the braking system adjusts the wheel’s speed to prevent it from locking up, maintaining this balance between the wheels for as long as necessary. The computer-driven brake adjusting is what causes the driver to feel the pulsing of the brake pedal under his or her foot.

Although it’s not new technology, I had taken ABS for granted without ever understanding how it worked, or what a difference it made. Not any more.

Posted by Editor at 4:56 PM
Comments (4) | TrackBack | Permalink

Friday, Nov. 17

Today's video of a 1929 Cadillac La Salle comes from Stigern.

If you'd like to see your YouTube clip featured as our Video of the Week, tag it "gmfyi" on YouTube and we'll find it.

Posted by Editor at 12:54 PM
Comments (0) | TrackBack | Permalink

Friday, Nov. 17

Today's photo of a 1958 Buick Century ambulance comes from the albums of R.B. Boyer.

Be sure to look at all of R.B. Boyer's photos and our other albums. And if you would like to recommend your favorite photo with a GM car or truck in it, put it up on Flickr and tag it with "gmfyi."

Posted by Editor at 10:17 AM
Comments (0) | TrackBack | Permalink

November 16, 2006

Every Child Deserves a Chance to Dream

By Linda Solomon
Guest blogger

I didn’t know how to respond when a 15-year-old girl came up to me and said, “My wish is to have a home of my own. I don’t know what it is like to have a home, I have never in my whole life lived in a home.”

My photo assignment for the children to capture “What I wish for in life” sounded so sweet, yet the wishes revealed are often very serious. Photographs reveal “the heart.”

• From a 12-year-old girl in Raleigh. N.C.:“I wish my mom could walk”.
  
• From a 17-year-old in Orlando: “I wish to see no more tears from my mother’s eyes.”

Sometimes it’s difficult for children to express verbally what is within. It’s safe and fun to express feelings through a camera.

I know this personally because after I was given a camera when I was 5, I was never alone again. With my camera around my neck, my friend was always with me. Since then, with the help of my camera, I have learned the difference between merely looking and truly seeing life, appreciating the precious moments.

Another present will also remain in my heart forever. I remember opening a beautifully wrapped box to find a blue leather book with the following words engraved in gold: “Happy 13th birthday. I love you, Dad.” The elaborate and elegant album represented encouragement and respect for a child’s photographs.

Recently, other children learned what it means to feel special. Thanks to the generosity of General Motors, the kids who live in the Salvation Army in Raleigh, N.C., and Orlando, Fla., will know someone cares. Their photos and heartfelt words will be on holiday cards. Because of GM, 100 percent of the proceeds will go directly back to these kids. Providing children an outlet for creativity in photography creates opportunities for them to be proud of something they have made. This added sense of pride can translate into higher self-esteem and success later in life.

When you show children that you care about their hopes, their dreams and their “wishes,” it may help them know they have worth.

To take a look at the cards, please visit the Raleigh and Orlando Salvation Army sites.

Linda Solomon has been a photojournalist for 20 years. Among the places her work appears is in include the best-selling book “People We Know, Horses They Love” (Rodale Press). She started developing programs similar to the “Wishes” project in 1991 and estimates they have reached 1 million children worldwide. Solomon divides her time between Bloomfield Hills, Mich., and Tucson, Ariz.

Posted by Editor at 5:03 PM
Comments (0) | TrackBack | Permalink

Thursday, Nov. 16

From the 65 GTO

Today's photo comes from the albums of mrkholcomb.

Be sure to look at all of mrkholcomb's photos and our other albums. And if you would like to recommend your favorite photo with a GM car or truck in it, put it up on Flickr and tag it with "gmfyi."

Posted by Editor at 4:20 PM
Comments (0) | TrackBack | Permalink

November 15, 2006

Keeping a Legacy Alive

By Edd G. Snyder
Executive Director, Corporate Communications

On Monday, I had the privilege of attending the ceremonial groundbreaking of the Martin Luther King, Jr., Memorial on the National Mall in Washington. It was a moment that has been more than a decade in the making.

General Motors got involved in the effort in 2000 as the first and biggest corporate contributor. GM and the GM Foundation gave $10 million in cash and in-kind services. Gary Cowger, global group vice president of Manufacturing and Labor, became co-chair, along with Andrew Young, former ambassador to the United Nations, of the Executive Leadership Cabinet, a group of influential individuals dedicated to bringing in the $100 million necessary to build the impressive memorial. Rod Gillum, vice president of Corporate Responsibility and Diversity, took on the position of president of the Memorial Foundation. GM has put a lot into this effort. And this effort is starting to grow, as indicated by yesterday's event.

Although the fund-raising is far from over, the currency on display at yesterday's ceremony was emotion. Speakers ranging from Cowger, Oprah Winfrey, former President Bill Clinton and President George W. Bush made note of the values and virtues of Martin Luther King, Jr., the only non-president and the only person of color to be honored on the Mall. Speakers such as Maya Angelou, U.S. Senator Barak Obama, and clothing designer Tommy Hilfiger spoke to the significance of the man and his mission, and Dr. King's children pointed out that the memorial would carry on their father's desire to touch generations to come.

Former Ambassador Young, Congressman John Lewis and the Rev. Jesse Jackson, men who marched with King during the Civil Rights era of the 1960s, talked with moisture in their eyes that reflected more of their collective memories than the slight mist that enveloped the Mall. More than once, I heard people say that "it was a good day" as they made their way to their cars and buses.

It was a good day. In fact, it was a great day.

Make sure to take a look at the web site for a virtual tour of the memorial.

Posted by Editor at 11:49 AM
Comments (1) | TrackBack | Permalink

Wednesday, Nov. 15

This montage of a Firebird comes from the albums of slight clutter.

Be sure to look at all of slight clutter's photos and our other albums. And if you would like to recommend your favorite photo with a GM car or truck in it, put it up on Flickr and tag it with "gmfyi."

Posted by Editor at 10:43 AM
Comments (0) | TrackBack | Permalink

November 14, 2006

Looking Back at the Information Rack

By Alicia Dorset
Blog editor

The average housewife probably doesn’t think of it this way, but every time she beautifies her house, she’s giving herself a beauty treatment, too — or could be. The way she does her daily chores can affect her figure, her health, and her over-all sense of well-being. -The Shape of Things

If you were a GM employee in the early 1950s and were wondering if your posture was leading to poor health or wanted to become a better bridge player, all you had to do was take a look at the Information Rack inside your plant.

From 1948 to 1974, the Employee Relations Staff published 1,058 pamphlets for the “Information Rack.” Published for “GM Men and Women,” the pamphlets were distributed to GM plants across the country on a variety of informational topics to employees. By 1951, it was estimated that more than 1 million pamphlets were distributed each month.

I first found out about the books while reading Mark Frauenfelder’s blog, Mad Professor. Mark is the editor of Make magazine and the founder of popular blog Boing Boing. He came across a stack of Information Rack books at a thrift store one day and was taken back to a time when employees could learn better driving skills or even how to make fire escape plans for their families, all thanks to GM.

What a treat it must have been to punch the clock at the end of a long day bolting on dashboards to walk over to the employee lounge (furnished, no doubt with Eames tables and chair) and peruse the Information Rack.

I found some of the titles thanks to the help of the GM Archives. A crafter myself, my favorite had to be “There’s Magic in Clay,” a pamphlet that provided tips and tricks by Kay Harrison. Here’s how the Employee Relations Staff described her in 1953:

Miss Harrison tells us that she is crazy about clay. Or, as she puts it, slightly ‘psycho-ceramic.

Not a fan of clay? Not to worry. Perhaps one of these titles might have interested you:

• “Fake Atomic Remedies Endanger You”
  
• “6 New Ideas for the Thrifty Use of Meat”
  
• “How to Live With It: WAR.”
  
• “How to Catch Panfish”
  
• “Timely Tips for GM Homemakers”
  
• “The Good Old Days,” written by C. E. Wilson

The headline for a 1953 Detroit News article summed up the Information Rack best:

GM’s Help-Yourself ‘Cafeteria’ Libraries Offer Mental Snacks on Racks

Posted by Editor at 11:15 AM
Comments (1) | TrackBack | Permalink

Tuesday, Nov. 14

Polish those wheels! Eric buffing up the wire-wheels of our 1988 Buick Riviera.

Today's photo comes from the albums of cadmanof50s.

Be sure to look at all of cadmanof50s' photos and our other albums. And if you would like to recommend your favorite photo with a GM car or truck in it, put it up on Flickr and tag it with "gmfyi."

Posted by Editor at 11:13 AM
Comments (0) | TrackBack | Permalink

Monday, Nov. 13

Today's photo of an Impala comes from the albums of silverxraven.

Be sure to look at all of silverxraven's photos and our other albums. And if you would like to recommend your favorite photo with a GM car or truck in it, put it up on Flickr and tag it with "gmfyi."

Posted by Editor at 10:11 AM
Comments (0) | TrackBack | Permalink

November 13, 2006

GM Hybrid Buses Join Low-Pollution Fleet

By Douglas M. Duncan
Montgomery (Maryland) County Executive

The Washington, D.C., region suffers from some of the worst air pollution in the nation — and the failure to address this situation is impacting public health, our economy and the vitality of the Chesapeake Bay.

That's why Montgomery County in Maryland adopted an Air Quality Protection Strategy to reduce air pollution. Montgomery County was the first jurisdiction in the region to establish a 'Code Red/Ride Free' policy, offering free bus trips during the worst ozone days and challenging others to follow suit. We were an early promoter of clean, natural gas buses, and they now comprise 25 percent of our Ride On bus fleet. Two years ago, Montgomery County led a buyers group in purchasing 5 percent of our electricity needs from wind power — taking a groundbreaking step forward in improving the region's air quality. This was the largest purchase of wind energy by a local government in the nation, and the largest retail purchase in Maryland. We have just completed an agreement to double the amount of wind energy we purchase to 10 percent of our needs.

We did this because it makes sense — both environmentally and economically.

Montgomery County is also taking advantage of emerging technologies to reduce our vehicles' air emissions. We have embarked on an aggressive program to acquire a multi-technology fleet of alternative-fueled vehicles, and we currently operate 100 compressed natural gas (CNG) buses and light vehicles; 106 flexible-fuel vehicles (that run on either ethanol or gasoline); eight hybrid-electric cars; and five GM hybrid diesel/electric buses. The county's Department of Public Works and Transportation expects to lower the combined nitrogen oxide and particulate matter pollution of an average bus from 24 grams/mile in 1993 to a projected 6 grams/mile by 2009, a reduction of 75 percent.

The county's “Ride On” bus system, one of the largest suburban operations in the country, began running its first five GM hybrid buses in April. The hybrid buses deliver significantly better fuel economy than traditional buses and produce up to 60 percent fewer nitrogen oxide emissions and 90 percent fewer particulate, hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide emissions. The buses are much quieter than conventional diesel buses, with sound levels comparable to passenger cars. The hybrids have accessible low floors, feature General Motors' diesel-electric hybrid propulsion system, and are manufactured by Gillig. Passengers and drivers have given these buses rave reviews and as Ride On plans for future bus acquisitions, hybrids are expected to play an increasingly important role.

I'm proud to say that Ride On continues to set new ridership records. Since July 1, 2005, ridership is up 8.5 percent over the same period last year. Overall in 2005, ridership was up 8.6 percent over the pervious year, with more than 27 million passengers.

Posted by Editor at 3:23 PM
Comments (0) | TrackBack |