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May 12, 2008

Photo of the Day: 1966 Chevy Malibu

Today's photo comes from Paulo Manzano: CASUAL AUTOMOTIVE.

Be sure to look at all of Paulo Manzano: CASUAL AUTOMOTIVE'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 2:19 PM
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May 9, 2008

Photo of the Day: Silver Corvette

Today's photo comes from jan.sedlacek.

Be sure to look at all of jan.sedlacek'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 3:58 PM
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May 8, 2008

Photo of the Day: 2007 Saturn Sky

I had taken the set of images for this HDR photo a couple years ago. On a whim I merged them using a new HDR application I recently started using. Not the best results but still a great shot.

Today's photo comes from Zanemerva.

Be sure to look at all of Zanemerva'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 3:17 PM
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More from GM Engineers and FIRST Robotics

During the past few weeks, we've been featuring posts from GM engineers about their experiences working with high school robotics teams. Today, we wrap up the series with a truly inspiring post from Stephanie Thompson, a manufacturing engineer at St. Catharines Powertrain facility, about what the FIRST Robotics experience has meant to her. Enjoy. -Will Stewart, blog editor

I love FIRST Robotics. I don't know how else to say it. I've been a volunteer, a mentor and field coach on our St. Catharines Powertrain FIRST Robotics team in Niagara Falls, Canada (Team #1503) for four years now. FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) is a program that matches GM mentors with local area high schools to participate in a six week program that will change your life. Well, at least we tell new people it is only six weeks. What it really becomes is a passion that lasts all year, the end of one season just means the start of the next. I got started in this program when our plant decided to foster a second team. Team #1114 had been in existence for two years in our city, and there are a lot of good people who have gotten involved over the years. This year we had the pleasure of watching our big brother team win the World Championship in Atlanta. We've been able to watch and mimic them like any little brother does - there is nothing like learning to be the best from the best.

This is a tough program - definitely one of the most difficult things I've ever done. It takes everything you've ever thought you knew to new heights and then demands more of you. It is a balancing act to get everything done before your deadlines, and there are very few extensions. One day late and you miss your shipping deadlines, two minutes late and you miss a competition match. Over the past few years, my role has changed significantly, as any leader's has. I've learned to be very adaptable to people changes, in our case talented students that graduate and go off to university, or co-op students that return after a placement at GM. I always have to have a plan and a backup plan and try to avoid the fires before they get out of control. I've also learned how important it is to create good working relationships and connections with all the people involved no matter what their ages, because, just like in the real world, talented, dedicated people are a true find and are crucial to making the program even more successful.

The thing I love most about FIRST is that it teaches you everything about risk and rewards - something that as an employee of GM in our current economic climate we have to be able to readily do and to get it right. The season is too important to everyone on the team. It takes a lot of dedicated hours from people of all walks of life, some of whom give up a lot in their personal lives to be part of this program. I like to use the saying, "If it was easy, everyone would be doing it." It takes a special type of person to excel at this, and after all that hard work, you want to make sure you get the most success you can. You want to leave nothing to chance. So over the years I've learned to learn from the best: We standardize our methodology and practice repair procedures to make them as efficient as possible, we carry spare parts inventory, we analyze how we perform against how we expected to, we watch teams that beat us at something and talk them about how they were able to do it. We run it just like we would a business team at GM, because we know from best practices that those methods work. Take a team's methods of success and learn from them - it will only make you stronger.

Some people might read this and wonder: "Why would anyone do something like this in their spare time? It sounds a lot like work."

And in one way it is. For any successful program there has to be structure and protocols. But in the end, it is the students that make all the difference and they are the reason why I keep coming back year after year. I measure the successes of our team not only by the number of trophies or awards, but also by the enthusiasm and passion I see developing in the students. Last year I had a quiet Grade 9 girl who barely said a word, but who has a fantastic talent for machining. When I asked her what she wanted to do with her life, she said she liked machining but she was really more interested in drama. She worked with one of the best GM toolmakers I know for the 2007 season and produced some fantastic results - high quality, high tolerance machine parts that drew the admiration from even the most jaded senior student. When she returned to the team this year, I barely recognized her - the passion she developed last year and the confidence she gained in her skills made her want to take on a leadership role in everything she did. She started in the fall by mentoring a Lego League team, working to learn the mentoring side of the program. With dogged determination, she machined any part we gave her, and would accept nothing less than the highest quality parts. She regularly put in more hours in the shop and practicing than anyone else on the team, including the mentors. I was not surprised when she became our main base driver, the most stressful job there is, nor when she took over the mechanical pit at competition, creating her own checklist for her mechanical team to follow. She has the FIRST passion, and it seems that nothing will stop her. When I ask her today what she wants to do, drama is still up there. But she now she wonders: "Do you think I could participate in a play while I am taking Engineering?" At the end the year I presented her with a pocket tool kit and an Engineering Notebook, typically used to organize and document design concepts. I am really excited to see what she'll do with both of them and am glad I'll be able to guide her as she excels towards her ambitions.

Each day I'm part of this team, I’m inspired by the people who also share this passion. There are high school students balancing school, family, part time jobs, friends and the demands of the team with greater successes than a lot of adults I know. I'm inspired by the parents who plan their vacation days around our events, just so they can more fully support their children. I work with a group of mentors and parents who are willing to do whatever it takes to make sure the students have the best advantages. Niagara Falls is an area heavily dependent on the US economy for tourism, and in the era of the high Canadian dollar, it is making it more and more important that we reach out into our local communities and strengthen them in whatever way we can.

This program is inspiring, but also it is a constant reminder that the world is always changing and we need to be searching creative and innovative ways to keep up with it. And to keep up, we need to be aware of knowledge and learn how to obtain that knowledge in whatever way is possible. FIRST Robotics is my insight, not only into the world of technology, but into the minds of our future leaders, engineers and scientists. This program aims at encouraging youth, but in the end it always ends up inspiring the mentors as well.

For more on our team, check out our Web site.

Posted by Editor at 2:22 PM
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May 7, 2008

Photo of the Day: Vintage Chevy Wagon

Today's photo comes from Aldo Undercover.

Be sure to look at all of Aldo Undercover'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 3:13 PM
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The Chevy Tahoe Two-Mode Hybrid Goes to the Zoo

Here's a cool video featuring Jack Smith, GM Alternative Fuel Vehicles, talking about the 2008 Chevy Tahoe Two-Mode Hybrid at the Green Living Conference at the Phoeniz Zoo. The car was also on display at the zoo entrance where park visitors could look at it. As the video shows, the Tahoe made quite an impression. - Will Stewart, blog editor

Posted by Editor at 11:33 AM
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May 6, 2008

From the Archives: 1958 Firebird III

By Will Stewart
Blog Editor

Thanks for your requests for photos from General Motors' archives. This week's featured photo is of a 1958 GM Firebird III experimental show car.

Keep checking back as we post more of the photos you asked for. And keep those requests coming.

Posted by Editor at 2:34 PM
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Chevy Fuel Solutions Podcast: Episode 3

By Adam Denison
GM Social Media

Today we wrap up our discussion of Project Driveway and hydrogen-powered vehicles. In this episode we hear from one of the Project Driveway drivers and get his take on what it's like driving a hydrogen-powered Chevy Fuel Cell Equinox. And don't forget that you too may be eligible to participate in Project Driveway. Check the Web site for more info.

Listen here, or subscribe to the podcast here.

To subscribe using iTunes, click the icon below.

Posted by Editor at 9:48 AM
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May 5, 2008

Photo of the Day: 1956 Cadillac Sedan De Ville

Today's photo comes from 'n putter.

Be sure to look at all of 'n putter'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."

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Posted by Editor at 3:10 PM
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A Letter from a Happy G8 Driver

A while back we posted a video of some Pontiac G8s to the GMblogs YouTube channel. Shortly thereafter we started to receive messages from one individual who was particularly excited about the G8. To make a long story short, this individual ended up buying a G8 and sent out the following message - Adam Denison, GM Social Media

Dear GM Blogs:

The G8's have finally arrived and I picked up my fully loaded G8 GT a month ago, the day after arriving at my dealership.

I just wanted to let you know that the G8 is doing great, with no initial problems in the first 700 miles. Design, Engineering, and Manufacturing did a great job and build quality is excellent, one of the best cars I have had out the door at 700 miles. My past cars were both Japanese marks (including Acura and Lexus) and German marks, with plenty of problems that would have showed up by now, by far this is the best initial build quality car I have had. I also wanted to mention that this is my very first new domestic car purchase, congratulations to GM for a conquest buyer.

The car I just came out of was a BMW 530i sport package, which I held onto for an extra year just to get the G8 GT, and I am happy to report that I am really pleased with the GT and have no regrets with my decision.

I am getting lots of compliments and stares from people on the street, in parking lots, and at gas stations. It has received lots of comparisons to German cars (is that a new Audi, BMW, etc), and complements of what a great stance the car has. Cars on the roadway even slowdown to take a look and give a “thumbs up” of approval as they drive by.

Friends, family, and others on the street can't believe it is a Pontiac (or GM for that matter) and most think it is European at first. The folks at Holden have done a great job along with those at Pontiac who have integrated the Commodore into the American market.

It looks like Pontiac and General Motors, have a real winner on their hands. Fit and finish on the car are great, body panel gaps are minimal and even.

Interior is just the right amount of use of hard and soft plastic, looks very upscale, and everyone complements the black/red interior combo that I have in my car, indicating that it could have come right out of an Audi.

I am extremely pleased with my first new GM (and first new domestic) vehicle purchase and I am extremely proud to buy and support GM, even boasting about it where ever I go, and you have turned me into the type of spokesperson you need, passing on by word of mouth and showing (via my G8) that GM can provide quality and value, and build a great car such as the G8. Others questioned me when I told them I was buying a Pontiac (coming from a BMW) and now, they all know why and all agree that this car is really top notch in looks, driving feel, performance, and quality all at the right price.

I am sure that the entire GM family is very proud of this car, by bringing a top rate enthusiast 4 door car to America with praises not only from the media, but the owners themselves. Congratulations GM!

By the way, until the G8, I would have never thought I would speak about a GM car this way. You are changing opinions about GM with every new vehicle release.

Keep up the good work!

Steven
New York State

Posted by Editor at 2:02 PM
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May 2, 2008

VIDEO: D.C. Project Driveway Participants Get Their Cars

Check out this video of Project Driveway participants in Washington, D.C. receiving the keys to the Chevy Equinox fuel cell vehicles they'll be driving as part of the program. It's nice to see drivers so excited about taking part in this groundbreaking project. -- Will Stewart, blog editor

Posted by Editor at 4:23 PM
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Photo of the Day: 1933 Cadillac

Today's photo comes from 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."

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Posted by Editor at 3:30 PM
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ImaginAide 2008

Cal Navin
GM Design Staff, Design Sculptor

This year’s 2008 ImaginAide event was held at the MGM Grand Detroit ballroom. Featured were live and silent auctions of the artwork that designers, sculptors from GM, Ford, Chrysler and artists from around Detroit had donated for the cause. The ballroom was really beautiful, very classy and yet casual and comfortable at the same time. There was plenty of space to browse the art work, and the food was pretty good too.

The theme of the show this year was “Everyone Deserves a Home”. This is my sixth year with the Coalition on Temporary Shelter (COTS) as a donating artist. It seems to me that with each year the caliber of work seems to improve. Here at GM the artists take this event very seriously, and look forward to the opportunity to be involved with COTS. I enjoyed the opportunity to speak with other artists and patrons that continually support the event. It’s also nice to meet the folks that purchase your work and to understand how the piece spoke to them.

One year I received a letter from one of the patrons in which he stated that his life was spent making the almighty dollar. He said he was a slave to the corporate structure, and that he had recently had an epiphany that life is what you give and not what you make. Although, he found work a means to his end, his end had changed. He indicated to me that my work supported that vision. He said, if he could have created a picture of what motivates him and what he wanted his life to be, it would be my art. He said it now sits on his desk as a reminder of why he does what he does and why his philanthropic efforts are so very important.

This is an image of that piece:

I couldn’t possibly know the same experience as being homeless, but by creating work that might just remind us about homelessness is one step in the right direction of viewing the world from their point of view. I think in the future we will see a new face to homelessness, real and intelligent people, as our economic picture gets bleaker. My works often deal with the human aspects of life. I touch on human frailty, suffering and redemption. Art has become for me a kind of psychological language I create to express and open a dialog into that language. If by creating a piece changes someone’s mindset, I as an artist, have achieved something great and achieved my goal. The letter I received from the gentleman is really a treasure to me.

All in all I thought the event was a success, it was a pleasant evening and I enjoyed myself immensely.

Posted by Editor at 10:26 AM
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May 1, 2008

Photo of the Day: '52 Oldsmobile

Today's photo comes from Paulo Manzano: CASUAL AUTOMOTIVE.

Be sure to look at all of Paulo Manzano: CASUAL AUTOMOTIVE'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."

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Posted by Editor at 2:39 PM
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More about GM Engineers and FIRST Robotics

Last week, we featured a blog post St. Catherines, Ontario and local GM involvement in a world-class competitive robotics challenge. This week - another FIRST post, this time from Milford, Michigan, where Engineer Adam Freeman works with the 'Heroes of Tomorrow.' - Rick Crooks, GM Social Media

The Heroes of Tomorrow (HOT) team is composed of GM employees from the Milford Proving Grounds and also teachers and students from the Huron Valley School district.

I started working with the HOT team, in 2005. The goal when I started was to assist a co-worker of mine, Jim Meyer, with design and engineering of the robot. In the four seasons that I have participated in this program, I have held multiple positions. I consider myself as a utility player for the team, ready to jump into and help wherever it is needed. My main positions on the team are Assistant Chief Engineer during the six week design and build period and Head of Scouting and Strategy during the competition season.

There are many exciting experiences associated with the FIRST robotics program. All of them pale in comparison to inspiring the students in science and engineering. Watching as students emerge from quiet freshman to senior leaders on of the team, knowing they will be going on to future endeavors confident from what they have learned in this program is the most rewarding.

The HOT Team (#67) just completed its 12th year in the FIRST program, finishing as World Championship Finalists in the Atlanta Georgia Dome.

In 2005 the team won FIRST 's most prestigious award, the Championship Chairman's Award. By winning this award we were inducted into the FIRST Hall of Fame and serve as role models to other teams. Overall the team has won 9 regional competitions, 1 regional Chairman's Award, 3 Championship divisions, multiple design awards, and were the 2005 World Championship Winner.

Posted by Editor at 2:05 PM
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