'general motors'

The Chevrolet Volt has probably been "coming soon" for longer than any vehicle in automotive history, but trust us, it's real. We know this because we were recently handed the keys to a preproduction version of GM's electric Prius-hunter for a test-drive in downtown San Francisco.

GM tells us that this preproduction model was hand-built late last year, and that substantial tweaks have been made to both the software driving the Volt and the fit and finish of the interior of newer versions being tested elsewhere--and that the production models that roll off assembly lines in November will be tweaked further still. However, the actual hardware of the vehicle's drivetrain is about as showroom-ready as it gets.

Extended range electric vehicle The hardware in question begins with a T-shaped lithium ion battery pack running the length of the vehicle's center tunnel and rear seats that provides power to a 120kW electric motor. The motor is connected to the front wheels through a single-speed transmission and handles all of the vehicle's motivational duties. Running in electric vehicle (EV) mode, the Volt has an estimated optimal range of 40 miles, more than enough--by GM's estimates--to handle commuter duties for the vast majority of drivers.

Also tucked under the Volt's hood is a 1.4-liter gasoline engine. This engine integrates a generator, producing juice to keep the Volt's batteries trickle-charged in extended range (ER) mode when trips exceed the vehicle's 40-mile EV range. This gasoline engine is not mechanically connected to the drive wheels or transmission, only the electric motor is. So don't go calling the Volt a hybrid around GM's people. The preferred term is extended range electric vehicle, or EREV.… Read more

General Motors is stepping up efforts to increase green innovations by filing hundreds of patents last year; including patents for the use of new materials and alloys.

"The move toward electrification is requiring us to reinvent the DNA of the automobile, requiring massive amounts of innovation," said Alan Taub, vice president of GM Global research and Development said in a news release. "There's almost no component on the vehicle that is not being reinvented. As a result, our green patent portfolio is helping us achieve world-class technological breakthroughs in the energy and environmental space."

GM'… Read more

If there's truth to the rumors, General Motors' next -generation in-car cabin tech suite may be powered by Google's Android operating system. Sources at MotorTrend say the automaker and search giant are in negotiations over just that sort of thing.

The Android/OnStar infotainment hybrid would go head-to-head with the likes of Ford's Microsoft Sync suite, offering access to a user's connected media, allowing two-way communication between a connected smartphone of any brand, and potentially replacing GM's OnStar turn-by-turn directions with Google Maps navigation. Perhaps there's even room for an in-car app store of … Read more

In an effort to increase fuel economy, General Motors announced that the Chevrolet Cruze will be available with either a six-speed manual or automatic transmission. With either choice, the Cruze will deliver impressive fuel economy and performance, the company said in a press release.

The Cruze Eco model is expected to accelerate from 0 to 60 miles per hour in less than 10 seconds and deliver a class-leading 40 miles per gallon on the highway when equipped with the manual transmission (estimates for the Cruze Eco with an automatic transmission will be available closer to launch).

"Our advanced six-speed … Read more

After spending the last two years working to convert half of its major manufacturing facilities "landfill-free," General Motors today announced the company is on the right track.

Sixty-two of GM's manufacturing plants worldwide have achieved "zero landfill" status by recycling or reusing all normal plant wastes; this means 43 percent of its global manufacturing facilities no longer send any production waste to landfills.

More than 2 million tons of waste materials will be recycled or reused at GM plants worldwide in 2010. And an additional 45,000 tons will be converted to energy at waste-to-energy … Read more

I figured since we gave lip service to Ford, we'd do the same for one of America's other automotive competitors: Chevrolet. The gang at GM has been working hard to deliver an updated version of its signature pickup truck, the Chevy Silverado, and not too long ago the production version of this heavy-duty truck was delivered. So what's different or notable about this year's model? This video from PickUpTrucks.com has got the scoop.

One of the highlights covered in this clip includes the Silverado HD's brand-new chassis; in fact it's so new that … Read more

General Motors today announced the company will invest more than $890 million to create or retain more than 1,600 jobs in five North American plants. The plants will focus on producing a new generation of fuel-efficient small block truck and car engines. This comes on the heels of last week's announcement that GM made the last payment of $5.8 billion to the U.S. Treasury and to Export Development Canada--paying back loans in full and ahead of schedule.

The engine production plants that will benefit from this latest investment will include Tonawanda, New York; an investment of $… Read more

General Motors today announced the company has made its final payment of $5.8 billion to the U.S. Treasury and Export Development Canada, paying back its government loans in full, ahead of schedule.

Company Chairman and CEO Ed Whitacre made the announcement at GM's Fairfax, Kansas facility.

"GM is able to repay the taxpayers in full, with interest, ahead of schedule, because more customers are buying vehicles like the Chevrolet Malibu and Buick LaCrosse and Buick LaCrosse we build here in Fairfax," said Whitacre. "We are now building some of the best cars, trucks, and … Read more

In this video, we take a behind-the-scenes look inside the Anthropomorphic Test Device Laboratory at General Motors to see how crash test dummies are used for vehicle safety.

Jack Jensen, a GM technical fellow, explains how new technology, such as data recorders inside the dummies, gives technicians more accurate information.