May 8, 2008

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 5, 2008

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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April 25, 2008

GM Engineers Support FIRST Robotics Students

Steve Rourke is Director of Engineering at the St. Catherine's Powertrain facility in Ontario, Canada. Steve also spends countless hours away from the job - with other team members and team mentors - helping local high-school students compete in an international robotics competition, FIRST. Steve sent us the following post describing how their team fared this year. - Will Stewart, blog editor

For me, inspiring young people to pursue careers in engineering, science, and technology has never been more fun, exciting, and rewarding.

It has been a five-year journey, led by the dedicated teachers and mentors of Simbotics to develop the people, the processes, and the passion to consistently field a top level high school robotics team that can compete with the best in the world. Winning 10 regional competitions in the past five years was capped this year with an exciting and dramatic championship victory by Simbotics in the Georgia Dome on April 19th in front of a crowd of 17,000 screaming enthusiasts.

In the 1,500-team annual competition, GM-mentored high school teams consistently come out on top each year.

And be sure to check out the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Web site for more information, or go here for competition videos and match results.

Posted by Editor at 10:02 AM
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January 30, 2008

VIDEO: MotherProof at OnStar

Mother Proof's Chief Mom Kristin Varela was on hand as a blogger at the 2008 North American International Auto Show and had a chance to check out the OnStar Command Center and chat with Suzanne Johnson, OnStar's marketing manager. Take a look at her video to get a behind-the-scenes look. -Alicia Dorset, blog editor

Posted by Editor at 2:54 PM
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January 3, 2008

"So You’re a Civilian!"

A Facebook member gets to experience GM’s views on fueling the future

By Mike Zagorsky
Guest Blogger

For the past few years I’ve been following energy topics, oil in particular. I've tried to figure out oil - understand where it's going, where it’s going to come from, and how it will shape the future of our economy. Since then, as I've gained knowledge, the only thing that I've managed to become is more uncertain about the future.

One thing I will admit to is being a self-abashed Facebook addict, (and getting a Blackberry does not help the situation). I ended up taking part in the group Americans For Alternative Energy,” where I discussed my thoughts on the future of energy. And as it turns out, GM was listening. I was then extended an invitation by GM to attend their “Fuel Solutions Drive” in San Diego, where I would have the opportunity to see the different technology GM is working on and talk to engineers actually involved in reducing our dependence on the liquefied remains of phytoplankton.

Touching down in San Diego, I was greeted by the driver and taken to a Chevy Suburban to transport me to the event. I guess someone did not get the memo on what the event was about. Oh the irony. To be fair, it's possible that the Suburban was filled with E85. (In case you’re wondering I went for a job interview with ExxonMobil a year ago and they used a Cadillac Escalade to transport me to the airport).

The event was definitely interesting, given that the rest of the attendees were automotive journalists. I was the odd man out in a group where the common introduction among guests involved the question, “So, who do you write for?” When a GM engineer found out I was just a member of the public and not a journalist, he exclaimed, “Oh, so you’re a civilian!”

For dinner, I had the pleasure of sitting next to Larry Nitz, GM’s executive director of hybrid powertrains, and to be honest I can’t even begin to recall everything we talked about. But overall, he struck me as someone who seemed very optimistic about the future of hybrid drive systems at GM and the Volt (REEV) in particular, which I too am hopeful, but tempered by the tremendous risks GM is taking on the project as indicated by Nitz. In that regard, I actually look forward more to the VUE plug-in hybrid because to me it seems a project subject to less technical risk. Either way, I can’t wait for a five-door REEV or plug-in hybrid (Hint, hint…)

I also had a chance to test drive some of GM’s newest offerings, the GMC Yukon Hybrid and Chevy Malibu hybrid. The Yukon was truly an amazing product; the hybrid drive integration was superb, and considering that it averages only a handful less mpg then what I drive (a MAZDA3), a great work of engineering. I look forward to seeing the mileage numbers that the two-mode hybrid gets in smaller cars, like the Saturn Vue.

I was also intrigued by the Malibu hybrid, not so much by the mileage improvement, which is disappointing, but the potential in the BAS hybrid system towards allowing GM to integrate mild hybrid drive systems quickly into their product line in response to CAFE.

On the hydrogen front, I drove GM’s hydrogen Chevy Equinox, and let me say that car can go! I never really understood the meaning of torque until I floored the Equinox. The acceleration was very impressive and slightly strange in its quietness. The amazing thing is that it only has a 120 hp motor. The GM team made it clear that they were making progress towards reducing the costs of hydrogen, but overall I had a hard time seeing the advantage of developing the needed hydrogen technology and infrastructure over a car like the Volt or plug-in hybrid, which could decrease our liquid fuel requirement to the point where biofuels could account for a large amount of our demand, and do so far quicker and with less technical risk. But considering I can buy neither today, I think its too soon to pick sides just yet.

So overall, what did I think about GM’s efforts? I’m very impressed with the overall cohesion of vision for removing their business from its current leveraged position to petroleum. And judging by the number of times I heard, “I really can’t talk about that” there are some exciting times ahead for GM’s product development in the coming two or three years.

I do look forward to a time when fuel efficiency gets the same treatment by automakers as it does high performance (with shows like SEMA). I would love to see a concept Diesel Plug-in Escalade, not because it’s practice or possible to bring to market for now, but as a “because we can” statement. Lutz is the man behind the Cadillac Sixteen, after all, and this is a domain that I would love to see get equal treatment.

While I don’t agree with all of the decisions GM has made as far its product mix, it’s fun to try and predict where the future is headed for GM. (as opposed to some other automakers).

I would like to thank everyone at GM for inviting me to the event; it was a great experience (except the layover at O’Hare). And just to clarify, General Motors paid my airfare and accommodations for my attendance at the event, nothing was asked from me in exchange, including this post.

Posted by Editor at 10:54 AM
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October 16, 2007

Internship Retrospective: Design

By Michael Weaker
Guest Blogger

Editor's note: We've had a series of posts from GM's summer interns the past few months, and today's post from Michael wraps them up for summer 2007.

In retrospect, I know that I will always have fond memories of my time as a color and trim intern in the 2007 summer design internship program. However, before starting at the Design Center this summer, I could not imagine what was ahead…

A little background:

My college education began at the University of Maryland, from which I earned undergraduate degrees in both mechanical engineering and fine art. I considered engineering my field of vocational pursuit and art my ardent pastime. After graduating from the University of Maryland, I began working as an engineer at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md., where I helped design explorer robots for more than a year. NASA gave me a wonderful opportunity to explore and apply my practical creativity, but I soon realized that I would be happier with art in the forefront of my life. I sought a field that required the practical application of artistic creativity, and I enrolled in the Pratt Institute Industrial Design Masters Program in Brooklyn, NY. I found what I was looking for in Industrial Design: three-dimensional form design and color design applied to create useful products. With a penchant for color design, I applied to be a color and trim design intern at GM. When I was notified that I had been granted a position in the internship program, I dropped my summer classes and packed my bags for Detroit.

On my first day at the Design Center, I learned that I would be one of 18 interns. That group comprised six automotive designers, six sculptors, two color-and-trim designers, two engineers, and two graphic designers. Our objective would be to create six new Chevrolet concept cars for the year 2012.

This summer’s internship program was designed to guide our group through a fast-paced, small-scale version of the process used by GM to create new vehicles: from market research and concept generation, to design development and model making, and then marketing. With our varied and combined skills and the attention of our many professional Design Center mentors, we were equipped to execute every step of that process. Because our project was scaled down to fit within the duration of one summer, one intern was often independently responsible for work that would normally be contributed by a whole team of designers on a typical project. As a result, each of the interns was given the opportunity to become deeply involved in every step of the design process, especially in the area of their expertise.

This internship was my first experience in a professional design environment. I imagined that I would serve as an assistant to a GM designer on an interesting design project. Instead, as one of the two color-and-trim designers in the program, I was responsible for the interior and exterior color and trim design for three of the six cars. I was given the freedom to play the primary role in the design process, while my mentor, senior exterior color designer Chris Webb, provided support and guidance via daily contact and frequent critiques. With that freedom came a greater sense of personal responsibility for the work that I produced. I worked long hours throughout the summer, but I felt a strong connection to my work. I had fun every day, and the hours passed quickly.

The opportunity to become so involved in the entire design process was invaluable. I learned more this summer than in a whole semester at school, and I'm proud of the success of our six new Chevrolet concept designs.

I can’t reflect on my experience this summer without feeling fortunate to have worked with the other interns and all the GM employees who contributed to the internship program. Working so closely with one another, the other interns and I generated strong relationships. We quickly became close friends and would often spend time together in the evenings after work and on the weekends. We also developed close friendly relationships with other employees at the Design Center. Those are the people who made the internship such a unique, valuable, and educational experience. The designers and sculptors who we worked most closely with made themselves available at all times and patiently taught us the nuances of the GM design process. As a color-and-trim intern, I personally appreciate working with the all the wonderful people at the Design Center this summer – especially Stuart Norris, for leading the program; Chris Webb, for acting as my personal color and trim mentor; Dave Rand, for his several milestone critiques; Ed Welburn, for his support of the program; Helen Emsley, for her support; Terry Elliott, for her advice; Craig Hart, for his help in developing paint colors; and Chris Athman, Jeff Kilmer, and Fred Hakim, for creating interior trim prototypes.

I will always have fond memories of my summer in the program. To all those involved, thank you.

Posted by Editor at 1:06 PM
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July 27, 2007

The Volt Goes To Washington

By Mary Lide
GM CIC Intern

I think the Volt did more by visiting the streets of DC in a week than a year of testifying on the Hill could ever do. That’s just my take though, not GM’s!

It went everywhere, saw everything, and all it had to do was look cool. Its story tells itself. We, on the other hand, had some work to do.

I went with the Volt for an evening out at Georgetown Harbor, a concert at Wolf Trap, a visit with commuters at Union Station, and a stop with legislators on Capitol Hill. My job was to talk to people and share some of the amazing facts about the technology. What surprised me is that it wasn’t a sell. Most people came to me, wanted to know more and were just positively curious. Each event had a different audience. We had a young crowd enjoying one of the nicest nights of the summer in Georgetown. We had Baby Boomers out for a great concert at Wolf Trap. We had people going to their offices as they exited the Metro. We had tourists next to members of Congress. The one thing they all had in common was that the response was overwhelmingly positive.

A lot of people wanted to know, “Why is it here?” There were looks of incredulity, as if something this futuristic could never be in our city. Most were excited to learn that GM is committed to making the technology viable for car buyers in a few years.

Even though I don’t know a lot about cars, I found myself quite enamored with the Volt. It’s good looking, environmentally friendly, and affordable. On the last point, people had a hard time believing that the vehicle will be priced to fit into the Chevy line-up – that is, affordable to most car buyers.

Who wouldn’t fall in love? A lot of fellow Washingtonians shared my sentiment. “I’d buy one right now” was a phrase I heard a lot. Many people walked right past me as I extended some literature to them, only to glance back and do a double take at the car. Then they would meekly ask for a brochure. I loved that! The Volt spoke for itself.

I also heard cries of “This is a Chevy?” ringing throughout the crowds, as hundreds upon hundreds of people reached for the cellphone to send pictures to their friends. Luxurious and Chevrolet might not be synonymous to a lot of people, but I think their minds will change after seeing the Volt. Its design and overall look got the most raves, even more than its environmentally-friendly assets. To a good portion of the crowd, being green came as an afterthought. It’s just an added plus. That’s what GM is trying to do, make being green affordable, but also highly coveted because of its beautiful design.

The Volt definitely made its mark on DC. I’m sure people went home and looked it up on the web, interested to find out more. I’m also sure that they told two friends, who then told two friends, who then told two friends…until the city was buzzing with conversations about the Volt. It was certainly popular wherever it went. It’s like GM’s iPhone on wheels.

To check out photos from this event, make sure to check out Flickr.

Posted by Editor at 11:54 AM
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July 24, 2007

VIDEO: Bob Boniface and the Volt

Take a look at this video from the Car Buyer's Notebook featuring Bob Boniface, Director of GM's Advanced Design Studio, and the latest on the Volt. -Alicia Dorset, blog editor

Posted by Editor at 12:31 PM
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July 19, 2007

Chevy Volt Hits D.C. Streets

By John Towriss
GM Consultant

5:00 a.m.: I’m standing at 14 th and F streets in the nation’s capital, exactly 2 blocks from the White House and about 10 blocks from the Capitol, where the nation’s dependence on foreign oil has been hotly debated this year. If only Congress knew what I knew was about to drop on the streets of D.C. As soon as the heavy door opened on the big orange delivery truck and you could see the shapely tail end and the distinctive volt logo, people began to gather.

In a few minutes, the Chevy Volt plug-in electric car – the car that truly represents a path forward on energy and a leap forward in automotive technology - is driving down the same street that Presidents and Prime Ministers, Senators and Statesmen, and Diplomats and Dignitaries use every day. The Volt is parked in front of the National Press Club, where later in the morning a panel on alternative energy will take place. How appropriate. One of GM’s top engineers on the Volt, Tony Posawatz, will participate but what is evident even in the first minutes of rush hour is that the Volt, which was a show stopper in Detroit, is a traffic stopper in D.C.

The first car that comes by, a Ford pick-up, slows down, the driver rolls down the window and yells to me, ”Hey, you … what kind of car is that?”

“The Chevy Volt Plug-in Electric Car,” I respond.

“Can I get one of those somewhere?” he asks.

“Not yet…but someday….”

He smiles and drives off.

Next is the security guard from the Marriott next door. She just bought a new sports car but is smitten by the Volt. “I should have bought one of these," she says. I tell her it’s a concept so no one can buy it yet. Still she is immediately attracted to the cool rims. She asks, “Can I at least get the rims?”

Before long, traffic is in full swing and since the Volt is sitting on the street in a cordoned-off area, we make sure the view from the street is unobstructed. Car after car slows down, many drivers opening the window and gawking. So many do so that we instruct the people handing out literature on the Volt to position one person on the sidewalk by the street but also to hand literature into car windows.

The people that stop by make up all kinds with all kinds of questions. All are taken by the Volt’s allure, and several “atta-boy” that it is American technology that is at the forefront in the plug-in electric car development. One lady tells me she works for the agency that sets regulations for those with disabilities and wonders how those that are blind will hear the whisper-quiet electric Volt as it approaches on the street. It’s a great question and the kind you’ll only find in D.C.

For me, however, the cool part was the context. I’ve seen the Volt at auto shows where it is in pristine settings with snazzy light, rotating on a turntable and every smudge wiped clean. But sitting here in Washington parked on the street like any other car, with dirty city buses whizzing by blowing exhaust on it, horns honking and the air heavy with humidity, the Volt is somehow different, transformed.

It still has a supermodel’s ability to draw attention from everyone who walks by, but suddenly there is context to understand it. Its size and shape make more sense. A Honda Accord drives by, for example, and you can see it is about the same size. It’s more real somehow and it suddenly it hit me….this is the future….but here it is now sitting on a street corner.

That future is closer than we all think, and I got a brief glimpse of it this morning. Call it my little jolt from the Volt….

Posted by Editor at 3:49 PM
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July 6, 2007

Back to the Future: Part 2

By Peter Gilbert
Guest Blogger

Editor's Note: Here is the second installment in Peter's two-part series.

After some much-needed sleep, I was now beginning my second day to not only to make it to Trollhattan by evening, but to experience driving on Sweden's National Day, with all ephemeral beauty of the blue and yellow flags.

The terrain was making the driving more interesting and enjoyable. I was now doing more engine braking, and hill climbing. Having hit all those deer during my years behind the wheel, I saw the “beware of the moose” signs! This was one Saab experience that had I no interest in. All though, it would have been amusing to see a sign with a Saab on it, warning the moose that I was coming down the highway!

I was now on Highway 44, a two-lane road with hills and curves. The transmission was very easy and smooth, as was the clutch. The power was always available (this was the 2.0t engine, with less power than the proposed 2.3T engine with could be available next year in the States). With all that extra power, I can hardly wait to test-drive that model.

This car is so practical that I bought some groceries and placed a bag of frozen vegetables by the battery. When I stopped at a wayside a while later, my hot lunch was ready!

After 40 years of driving Saabs, I overlooked the factory where all my many cars had been created. That was a very proud moment. I even felt proud seeing the little Cadillacs on the lot, awaiting their new owners.

Because all the hotels were booked up in advance of the Saab Festival, I was on my way to my hotel in Uddevalla, west of Trollhattan. This meant I was going to have a most pleasant daily commute in a great car with no traffic. Not only was the ride of the BioPower much smoother than my Aero, the roads were as good as I have experienced in my globe trekking. I am no longer buying the excuse that we have potholes in Wisconsin due to the weather, as we have the same climate.

With all this driving, I glanced at the fuel gauge, which was becoming illuminated. I was about to have some new Saab firsts: one was personally buying E-85 with an American credit card for the first time. The E8-5 was not available with cash, and credit cards have to have pin numbers. As luck would have it I received permission the previous week for my pin to be valid in Sweden. However, I was limited to 55 liters, because of the new U.S. limits on some cards. Being a new car, the fuel consumption figures are always less (with a new engine anyway).

As the evening before the convention loomed, I went to explore the craggy coastline of western Sweden. The roads were very narrow and hilly. They say you can judge a car from the country it came from. Well, this is why Saabs are what they are. The braking, acceleration and cornering… I was really having fun, while viewing beautiful scenery (carefully).

Thursday morning I was on my first visit to the factory. It was so exciting seeing the production line, even though most of the production was on a maintenance schedule that week. One interesting fact was that the locally produced Leer seats are brought, just in time for installation, just as Leer seats which are also manufactured in Janesville, Wisc., are brought over to the Chevy Tahoe plant.

Kjell Ac Bergstrom gave one of the most interesting seminars at the convention. He explained how the BioPower engine worked, and about the special characteristics of E-85. He explained why there was no smell when I re-fuelled, because of the lower evaporation point of the ethanol. I had my epiphany at this session, because I was not only experiencing the car that Kjell was talking about, but with the generous government subsidy, I was only paying about U.S. $4.09 per gallon, which was only 12 cents more than in Chicago, the week before for premium! For Europe, this was a steal. I was averaging 25 miles per gallon, which was truly remarkable for the power and price for fuel.

For obvious reasons this journal could be much longer, but the whole experience was a real eye-opener. The Swedes I met were so friendly, and I even found the language fun to learn in the short week I was there.

How do we market the BioPower in the U.S.? It’s not the engineering, as this engine is a world-beater, but it’s how we overcome the perceived negative backlash to ethanol. I would love to see the BioPower premiered at the world-class Milwaukee Art Museum, as this car is an absolute work of art.

Posted by Editor at 11:52 AM
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July 5, 2007

Back to the Future: Part 1

By Peter Gilbert
Guest Blogger

Editor's note: You might remember Peter from previous entries on FYI. We've been following Peter as he celebrates his million-mile Saab — here's the latest update. Make sure to check back tomorrow for Part 2.

Forty years ago, I disembarked from the all-day voyage from Hull, England, to the impressively clean port of Gothenburg, Sweden. That was the last time I had visited Sweden, and I was so impressed with how advanced the country had become. I arrived by ship with my 1966 Saab 96 2-stroke, which to me seemed so ahead in automotive design at the time.

Now, I was retuning by air, wondering what advancements were awaiting for me this time. I breezed through customs and onto the shuttle bus to take me to Avis at Arlanda Airport.

I cannot thank Avis enough, for not only arranging to have a 2007 9-5 Combi available to me, but for ordering a “Titan Grey” car for me. This was to make my Swedish experience as close to bringing my own car with me!

What I was not expecting was this brand-new Saab 9-5, the BioPower 2.0t. Until now I could only read about this car. As I looked down at the odometer, there were only 9 kilometers displayed, and the impending sense of adventure, made me anxious to commence my upcoming week of adventure.

I got down to business in the cockpit, noticing the differences with my own vehicle. The main differences were the angled tip to the driver’s side mirror, no miles on the clock to give me reference and no talk radio!

The first thing to make me chuckle was that this was going to be the third brand-new Saab engine that I would be breaking in during the last several months! This was not too difficult, as the respect for lower speed limits and not using the cruise control made this a breeze.

Unlike my own Combi, the rental was a 5-speed, just like my Viggen. However, this BioPower was full of power and torque. This first tank full of E-85 was certainly making me stand up and take notice. As I drove toward Linkoping (home of the Saab Aircraft Division), I could not help but notice how many Combis were on the road. I found out later that the 9-5 Combi BioPower is now the best selling car in Sweden.

I was on my way to the Swedish Air Force Museum, for a private tour, and to fulfill my other passion, airplanes. One of my goals was to see if one of the last Viggen fighters could be sent to a museum in the U.S. One of the enjoyable features of Linkoping, was seeing Saab aircraft being displayed on pedestals at each exit on the Motorvag (freeway).

Another surprise awaited me as I went to my room in The Good Evening Hotel, in the heart of Linkoping. Not only were the corridor walls decorated with murals of Saab planes, but the walls of my room were displaying framed photographs of Saab aircraft!

Posted by Editor at 10:43 AM
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June 28, 2007

The Ins and Outs of Challenge X

By Irene Berry
Guest Blogger

Editor’s Note: Last week, we heard from Challenge X winning team Mississippi State University. Today, we take a look at what it was like to participate in this year’s competition by third-place team Virginia Tech.

In the beginning of the Challenge X competition, The Hybrid Electric Vehicle Team (HEVT) of Virginia Tech decided to use a split-parallel hybrid architecture that would use E85 fuel in its Equinox REVLSE. To achieve this design, HEVT uses two electric motors. The high voltage belted alternator/starter (BAS) is belted directly to a Saab 2.3-L engine coupled to a five-speed manual transmission to power the front wheels, while a rear traction motor supplies power to the rear wheels in order to maintain all-wheel-drive capabilities and provide performance assist. This setup allows the vehicle to use both motors in parallel power paths to assist the engine, or allows use of a series power path when the BAS is used to charge the 336V NiMH battery pack.

During Challenge X 2007, HEVT placed third overall while winning awards for best written technical reports and lowest well-to-wheels petroleum energy use. Here are four days of competition from HEVT’s perspective:

Day 1: We arrive at Milford at 7 a.m. to tackle the list from technical and safety inspection. After spending way too long welding, unwelding, and finally bending the exhaust to meet 7-inch ground clearance, we finally start the engine and it won't do anything except idle: time for Controls Team to break out the magic screwdrivers and start freaking out. They kick us out at 8:00 a.m. Plus, we find out that Rick Wagoner is supposed to drive our car at noon the following day.

Day 2: We get in at 7 a.m. with a list of things to check. Finally, at 8:20 a.m., we find the problem and are on the road. Wagoner is going to drive our car, not Wisconsin's. Unfortunately, the car stalls in the middle of a driving circle while he is driving. When keying-start doesn't work, he keys-off, the battery disconnects, and we're stuck there for three minutes. The good news is that Wagoner is a really nice and down-to-earth guy. “Driver error,” he says. Afterward, the driver information center and data acquisition computer stopped working. We throw together a LabVIEW data logger, and are off to the braking and acceleration events.

Day 3: We get through the traction, AVL Drive Quality event, noise, and handling events. The car seems to be running fine, until we realize the clutch sensor is failing. We fix that, then end the day realizing that the idle-stop wiring is messed-up ... again.

Day 4: Three of us get in at 7 a.m. with a plan: Instead of debugging further, we rebuild a slight adaptation of the idle-stop wiring using the National Instruments CompactRIO instead of a relay. By 7:30 a.m., we're done and the car is off to the fuel-economy event. Next is emissions. The driver for the event finds the car CD and listens to “Tech Triumph” and the “Hokie Pokie” the entire time. Towing is the final event: 16 percent grade with 2,500-pound tow. The car does awesome until a front halfshaft breaks at the very top of the hill.

Posted by Editor at 11:16 AM
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June 21, 2007

The Thrill of Competition

By Amanda McAlpin
Guest Blogger, Mississippi State University

Editor's Note: Recently, GM announced the winners for the ongoing Challenge X. Take a look at what Amanda McAlpin, part of the of the Mississippi State team, had to say about the experience.

What a trip! From the deep South, our Mississippi State University team traveled north to Detroit to compete with our hybrid vehicle against 16 other teams from across North America.

Competition is a fun experience. It's always great to get to see all the students from the other teams. The first day, when all the teams gather for the opening night dinner, is exciting. All the teams come in, usually dressed in their team shirts (with University of California Davis in their hats and Wisconsin with their inflatable cow), and you just get a feeling of excitement. We're all competitive, but there is such a feeling of camaraderie.

Being at the proving grounds was exciting. On the third day of competition, I hopped on board one of the buses to take a tour. It was a fascinating tour. We saw all the roads and courses that GM uses to test their vehicles. To me it's just SO exciting to see this place where vehicles are tested, vehicles that will eventually end up in a car lot near me!

The people at the proving grounds were so nice to us. I’m not exactly sure I would be happy if my work space was suddenly invaded with 300 students, but everyone seemed happy that we were there. Our mentor from GM, Bill Beggs, is also just a ton of help. He inspires our whole team to keep trying to do our best.

The first few days of competition were busy with making the last few changes after the safety inspection. Then we were able to get going on the vehicle dynamic events. Stephen, a grad student on our team, was our driver for most of these events, and he was awesome.

Our vehicle architecture is a through-the-road parallel hybrid. We use a turbo diesel engine which allows us to get about 28% better fuel economy. We also use a six-speed manual transmission and a Michelin run-flat tires which give us an additional 5% increase in fuel economy. Overall, we're getting a 48% improvement in fuel economy over the stock Chevy Equinox.

On day three, our big crisis of the competition came; our clutch began slipping. There was nothing to do but replace it. Wisconsin came to our aid by getting their university to send down the part. We knew we didn’t have much time to replace it, so the team just got straight to work. We pulled out the engine and replaced the bad clutch in less than eight hours. It drew quite an audience of onlookers, surprised that we were doing it so quickly.

At the awards ceremony, when they announced us as winners, we were completely surprised. We felt we had a great vehicle, but in competitions like this, every little point counts. Walking up on the stage was a great feeling. It’s such a rush of relief, excitement, happiness, and a whole lot more emotions all coming together.

Our team also took first place for our outreach program. We talk to community groups and K-12 students about the need for more fuel-efficient vehicles, and alternative fuels. We also took home awards for acceleration, consumer acceptability, on-road energy use, and best engineering/fabrication workmanship.

Now that we’re back, we’re getting a lot of media coverage. I’m the outreach coordinator, so I’ve been really busy doing radio interviews, talking to newspapers, etc. Three of our team members graduated in May, and they have taken jobs they got through Challenge X contacts, two of them with General Motors. They are off to take on the real world!

But we’ve still got another year! I’m so excited about year four of the competition. We will get to travel (so much fun!) to several different places and show off our vehicle. And with a winning vehicle, we really feel that we have something to show off!

Check out this video to see the participants in action.

Posted by Editor at 12:26 PM
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May 30, 2007

Imagining a Great Experience

By Amber Lindblom
Guest Blogger

Editor’s note: Last week GM's Bob Boniface posted about this year’s Imagine Fashion Show at the International Academy of Design and Technology. Take a look at what winner Amber Lindblom had to say about her experience.

It was a fabulous experience working with the GM designers and representatives on the IADT 2007 Imagine Fashion Show. From the beginning of the competition, I was regarded with the utmost respect and consideration. From viewing the cars for the first time as a contestant, submitting the design sketch, being selected and eventually presenting my work at the show, my horizons were stretched and vision widened.

What a great opportunity to showcase my talents nationally. I loved the challenge of combining technology and fashion into a beautiful presentation on my lovely model, Oxana Voinarevitch. The 2008 Cadillac CTS was a natural inspiration, as it pulls from the same aesthetics that I guide my personal designs by. This car exudes an air of power and intellect, which is why my design takes on a level of sophistication with its versatile tailored jacket. The adapted “V-shaped” waistband and jacket front opening follows a repeating design at the car’s seats, hood, and trunk. Combined with the bias-cut dress and paired with mock French cuffs, this ensemble captures the edgy trend-setting elegance of an aggressive entrepreneur.

Thanks to all those who were a part of this design challenge. It was an honor to be a part of General Motors’ continuing commitment to cutting-edge design and investment in the future of fashion.

To see more of Amber’s winning design, take a look at this video, as well as our photo set on Flickr.

Posted by Editor at 12:05 PM
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May 14, 2007

Providing a Needed Lift

By Walt Fricke
CEO/Founder, Veterans Airlift Command

The Veterans Airlift Command (VAC) provides air transportation for medical and other compassionate purposes to wounded warriors, veterans, and their families through a national network of volunteer aircraft owners and pilots.

One of the “holes” in the seamless “get ‘em home” mission of the VAC has been ground transportation from the Walter Reed Medical Center or other military hospitals to the nearest general aviation airport.

Walter Reed is a frequent destination for these soldiers and their families, and today marked the inauguration of a new “ground transportation” solution. Thanks to General Motors, John Kriesel, a bilateral amputee, was flown home to Minnesota by the VAC for his very first convalescent leave, as well as being the guest of honor at the John Kriesel “life is good” benefit held on behalf of his family. More than 3,000 tickets were sold at $20 each in advance of the party to raise funds for a “user-friendly” home for John, a Minnesota National Guard soldier who lost both legs in an improvised explosive device (IED) explosion last fall in Iraq. On his return to Walter Reed to continue his therapy, John and his wife will ride back from the airport in a HUMMER H3 donated by GM through one of its dealers in the Washington area.

This vehicle is decorated in a very nice patriotic paint theme that not only honors its passengers but also promotes the work of the VAC in the D.C. area, especially among the patients and families at Walter Reed and Bethesda Naval Hospital.

On a practical level, the families transported by the HUMMER and its volunteer drivers will be spared having to pay up to $60 each way to ride commercial taxis to airports like Dulles or Gaithersburg, or on occasion even as far as Baltimore/Washington International, where most of the VAC flights arrive. This takes away the potential for adding insult to injury and, in fact, provides honor born out of duty by those of us who have been the beneficiaries of the service and sacrifices of these fine young men and women and their families.

We can think of no better way to reflect our gratitude to them.

Thank you General Motors and HUMMER for your generous contribution to this work!

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Posted by Editor at 12:00 PM
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May 8, 2007

Continuing the Saab Tradition

By Peter G. Gilbert
Guest Blogger/Saab Owner

Editor’s Note: In March, Saab Automobile USA honored Peter Gilbert’s one-million mile commitment to his 17-year-old Saab 900 SPG by presenting him with an all-new Saab 9-5 Aero SportCombi. (The same offer applies to any U.S. citizen who equals Peter’s achievement with a Saab before Dec 31, 2007.) Peter has shared his experiences with FYI before.

Almost two months have flown by since I received my new 9-5 Aero SportCombi from former Saab General Manager Jay Spenchian, who came especially to my hometown in Milwaukee, Wisc., to do the honors. That was perfect, especially as Jay was in the car with me when my 1989 SPG crossed the millionth mile. What a wonderful event, hosted by local Saab dealer Concours Motors, and I just want to thank everyone at Saab and GM as well as the dealership for making this event possible.

Going to the Detroit Auto Show, where my million-mile SPG was on display, was a very rewarding and exciting day. I felt that GM was real family. Ever since I’ve been driving my new 9-5 Aero SportCombi, I feel the loyalty to the GM family of cars more than ever. With 8,800 miles so far, this flagship of the Saab fleet has behaved flawlessly. It was with great pride that I filled out the J.D. Powers survey in two minutes. They just wanted to know what was wrong, and I enjoyed disappointing them!

This SportCombi is my sixth brand-new Saab since 1967 and is my best car yet. However, my second car is a 2001 9-3 Viggen. How does one compare these two similar cars that have different roles? Being a WWII airplane buff, it’s like comparing a Spitfire to a Mosquito! After having driven my million-mile SPG for 17 years, I just had to have the SportCombi because of the wonderful utility of the cargo space. A trunk is not the same as a hatch, and this is so important to me, as I have to carry supplies for my sales route. This sports car, which feels solid as it cruises down the highway, hugging the curves like a high-speed European train, is averaging 27.5 mpg city and highway. Every one of my Saabs has attained or exceeded the EPA ratings, which speaks volumes about the engineers who design the engine management systems.

There is an abundance of room, which is noticeable when compared to the 9-3.
Saab seats are about the best in the world - after the 2.5 million miles I’ve driven in the last 40 years, my back is still free from chiropractic visits. I also know how strong these seats can be in a collision, as I was once rear-ended at 60mph, and survived a 55mph head-on. The heating and ventilation is especially pleasant as I have control over my choices, far more than the Viggen.

I could write forever, but I have a great deal of preparations to do, as I am going on my pilgrimage to Trollhättan, Sweden, for The Diamond Jubilee festivities in June. I have already reserved a SportCombi for the drive between Stockholm and the celebrations. Then I have the Aero Academy in July, preceding the 60th anniversary in Detroit.

This is my 40th anniversary driving Saabs, so this could not be a better year for all this to come to fruition

Posted by Editor at 6:13 AM
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May 7, 2007

Behind The Scenes at NYAS

By Kelly C.
Guest Blogger

Editor’s note: Kelly C., a sixth-grader from George J. Ryan Middle School in Flushing, N.Y., had the chance to serve as a student journalist during the New York Auto Show. Kelly was selected by HUMMER and the After-School All-Stars to spend the day at the show and report back as an “automotive journalist.” The students met with Alan Taylor, of "Car and Driver," took a tour of the “Regis and Kelly” set, and visited publisher Hachette Filipacchi USA. Take a look at what Kelly had to say about her experience.

On April 11, 2007, The New York International Auto show was taking place. I had the chance to go visit it at the Javits Center.

First we went to the ABC (Channel 7) building. There we took a tour of the newsroom. We saw news live. Then we went outside to see “Regis and Kelly.” Instead of Regis, there was Pat Sajak. We had gotten their autographs and pictures.

Next, we went to Hachette Filipacchi Media USA. There we met a lady named Zvia. Her boss Jack Kliger was the CEO of Hachette Filipacchi. He gave us a lecture on our future. Then we went to the Javits Center to get lunch and to see the cars. First we ate lunch, and then we went to see all of the exhibits. We went to see Ford, Toyota, Honda, Chrysler, HUMMERS, and much more. We had gotten interviewed by the camera crew. Then we went home.

It was a fun day (and very long). My toes hurt at the end, but besides that it was a GREAT DAY! And Alan Taylor was the best! He taught us a lot of stuff about the cars. It was one of the best days of my life.

Posted by Editor at 3:17 PM
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April 20, 2007

Going Green While Getting Extreme

By Mad Mike
Guest Blogger, MTV’s “Pimp My Ride”

Yo, this is Mad Mike, from MTV’s “Pimp My Ride” and Galpin Auto Sports (G.A.S.) and I am excited to have a chance to tell you how MTV, GM and G.A.S. got together to restore and rejuvenate a 1965 Chevy Impala SS — a true American automotive classic. We proved that power and preservation can co-exist in this finely finished extreme green machine. Check this out!

We took a tore up the ‘65 Impala and dropped in a powerful 6.6-liter Duramax diesel engine. Although this is the same engine found in the latest Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra pickups, the G.A.S. crew went a step further and converted it to biodiesel for the ultimate ecological transformation, and cranked up the engine. Combined with an Allison 1000 Transmission, we pumped out torque equivalent to a crazy 18-wheel big rig!

During the show, we’ll take you on a tour of how alternative fuels are created and used. While fly rides like the "Pimped Impala" show the creativity and latitude we can have with a one-off vehicle, the environment is on all of our minds, including the automakers. And one thing is for sure, whether it is biodiesel, E85 ethanol, hybrids, fuel cells or electric vehicles, the General is serious about going green.

Now, to make this bad boy pure, GM hooked us up with the real stuff — GM Restoration Parts, made from the original tools, machinery and dies to complete the restoration. The authentic stuff included fenders, bumpers, the grill, steering wheel, seats, chrome treatment, speedometer and gauges with bezels, head and tail lights. No fake junk on this beast!

After all of this we took it out to Pomona and challenged the manhood of a Lamborghini Gallardo in the ultimate race. One thing is for certain, the pimped-out ’65 Impala completely annihilated the exotic!

Tune in to see this monster Earth Day special, airing this Sunday, April 22, at 1p.m. ET/PT, where “Pimp My Ride” fans will meet my man, Kristoffer, from North Hollywood, Calif., who’s had more than his share of car trouble. Xzibit and special guest — California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger — reveal his new pimped-out masterpiece. To read more about the show, go to think.mtv.com.

Posted by Editor at 9:46 AM
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April 13, 2007

Bringing the Trophy Home

Meet Mark Heard, a Saturn Aura owner and recent host to the North American Car of the Year trophy. Here's his story about his time with the trophy.

By Mark Heard
Guest blogger

Fellow Aura Owners!

How cool is this!? I was the first to receive the North American Car of the Year trophy for the western sales region. My name is Mark Heard, I am 24 years old, and a transplant to So Cal from Ohio. My 2007 Saturn Aura XR is my first car purchase. I opted for the Aura XR in black, brown Moroccan leather, and fully loaded except for the panoramic roof. I get tons of compliments and the ever popular, “That’s a Saturn? Looks just like a Lexus!” I absolutely love my car!

On to my journey with the NACOTY Trophy… I received a delivery notification in my mailbox and drove to the FedEx distribution center; I had no idea what was inside. I thought it was a bunch of towels and sheets my mom sent me. I opened up the box to find this massive blue Tiffany’s box. I immediately knew it was the NACOTY trophy. I was on my lunch break and brought the trophy back to work to show my new boss (he’s a huge car buff). We put it in the middle of the table during the staff meeting that afternoon.

The next day I drove to the dealership (Saturn of Torrance, Calif.) where I bought the car. My saleswoman was not available, but the finance manager was. She had the car detailed and then took a picture of me and the trophy with my shiny new black Aura. (They borrowed the trophy for 5 minutes to show two or three prospective Aura purchasers.) I continued on my journey down to Trump National Golf Club Los Angeles (I used to work there). There is a photo of my car with the course in the background. Notice my black billet grille? I installed that myself, and I get tons of compliments. Then I continued on to Long Beach, Calif., where I took a picture in front of the Queen Mary. A nice older couple stopped and mentioned they had seen the commercial and thought it was a PR hype-thing. I showed them the trophy and let them sit in the car. They were very impressed with the Aura.

I just moved into my first apartment and had my first visitors: my mom and aunt. We took the car along the coast starting in Hermosa Beach through Laguna Beach and continued on down to San Diego and ultimately Tijuana, (never been, I’m good for another three years or so). It was an excellent drive. I especially loved rolling through La Jolla and getting looks from all the cute girls walking by.

I guess it's time to pass the trophy on. To the next recipient, I hope you have as much fun with it as I did. It was so much fun; the excitement of the trophy, showing friends, and looking for that perfect spot for a photo. I included a micro-fiber towel to wipe off the finger prints... man that thing is shiny!

Enjoy and congratulations from Mark.
(tAURAnce_guy on saturnfans.com")

Posted by Editor at 12:29 PM
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April 4, 2007

Jim McCammon, HHR Panel Contest Winner

Last week, FYI featured a piece about a contest Chevy did with a group of students from the College for Creative Studies in Detroit. Seven students created complete vehicle wraps for the Chevy HHR, intended to appeal to the notoriously picky 18- to 25-year old demographic. Chevy named a winner last week — Jim McCammon — whose design, “The Flaming Skull from Hell,” will be on display starting today at the New York International Auto Show. Here is Jim’s story about his design.

By Jim McCammon II
First Semester Senior, College for Creative Studies

I’d like to answer some of the creative questions about "The Flaming Skull from Hell." The first one is, "what influenced the design?" My answer is a little long, so bear with me here, but it really started when I was 6 years old. My father had an old motorcycle that he custom painted. He did it in a red, white, and blue flame pattern, and so began my love of graphic arts. It was during those formative years that my dad and I would listen to Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, Deep Purple and many others together, and my love for rock 'n' roll was born. When you put those two things together, you have the beginnings of the perfect relationship — art and music — and that’s where my design came from. After the research portion of this project, I made the decision to play off of the classic combination of Chevy and rock 'n' roll.

The stylings of the HHR Panel are reminiscent of a simpler time when hot rods ruled the road, and many of those hot rods were Chevys. So the flames are kind of a tribute to them. As far as the "skull" portion of the design is concerned, that can be attributed to the fact that I think the front end of the HHR Panel looks like a face. Chevy wanted something with attitude, so that’s what I tried to give them. I mean, if you saw this thing in your rear view mirror, what would you do?

This is not your average vehicle, and it's important to note that Chevy has been really active the last few years trying to reach a new generation of car enthusiasts through all different types of media, this being the latest, and for that I commend them. Being from the Detroit area (Livonia), I realize how important it is for the Big 3 to thrive. GM is leading the way for an economic turnaround in the state of Michigan. This means a lot to me because I graduate this December, and I love the state of Michigan; I don't want to leave to have to find a job somewhere out of state, because my heart is here.

This was one of the greatest experiences that I have had since I went back to school, and I thank GM and CCS for the opportunity and the chance to put this on my résumé! Thanks to Ed Peper and Bob Lutz for having the guts to go this direction and pick a design that was intended to scare the pants off of people.

To see all of the designs, check out Flickr.

HHR contest photos on Flickr.

Posted by Editor at 10:13 AM
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March 16, 2007

Autoblog on the GM Heritage Center

Last weekend, blogger Sam Abuelsamid of Autoblog and AutoblogGreen was invited by GM to tour the GM Heritage Center, a pristine collection of GM concept and historic cars. He has written three posts about his tour on Autoblog and AutoblogGreen that we thought FYI readers might find interesting. -Alicia Dorset, blog editor

General Motors Heritage Collection: An amazing collection few will ever see!

General Motor Heritage Center: Hood Ornaments Gallery

General Motors Heritage Center houses four decades of GM's electric drive vehicles

Posted by Editor at 10:22 AM
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