For Release: May 15, 2002
CONTACTS:
Johan Willems, GM Europe
41 1 828 25 19; cell 41 79 605 62 60
e-mail: johan.willems@ch.gm.com
STUTTGART -- General Motors AUTOnomy was honored
today by an international jury who bestowed the revolutionary
fuel cell concept vehicle with the "Engine of the Year"
Award in the Best Concept category. The annual prize, given
by "Engine Technology International," is considered
the top award in propulsion technology. The ceremony took
place at Engine Expo 2002 in Stuttgart, Germany.
AUTOnomy is the first vehicle designed from the ground
up around a fuel cell propulsion system and the first to
combine fuel cells with x-by-wire technology, which allows
steering, braking and other vehicle systems to be controlled
electronically rather than mechanically. The fuel cell system
was developed at GM's Global Alternative Propulsion Center
and the by-wire system came from SKF, a Swedish-based global
supplier.
"This award recognizes our leading role in developing
this revolutionary, environmentally friendly propulsion
concept," said Chris Borroni-Bird, AUTOnomy Program
Director. "My
colleagues and I are working with power and passion to turn
these concepts into realities on the road. We believe that
by the end of this decade, you can expect fuel cell cars
from GM that are both affordable for our customers and economically
viable for General Motors - and you can expect them in significant
numbers."
"At last a vehicle concept designed around a fuel
cell system," said Graham Johnson, Jury President and
Editor of "Engine Technology International." "AUTOnomy
shows that a space-age propulsion system can be attractive
and practical."
This was the second year in a row that a General Motors
concept vehicle was recognized by the jury. The award was
given last year to the SVC engine with variable compression,
developed by Saab.
The constructive core of the "AUTOnomy" (length/width/height:
176 /74 /49 inches), which was first introduced to the public
at the 2002 North American International Auto Show in Detroit,
is a unique new chassis (wheelbase: 122 inches), on which
essential components, including the fuel cell stack and
on-board hydrogen storage system, are neatly packaged. This
"skateboard" chassis can accommodate a variety
of body styles, making it possible to create a broad range
of vehicles.
General Motors' fuel cell engineers have set several recent
milestones. GM's HydroGen1 fuel cell vehicle set 15 speed
and endurance records in 2001 at GM's Desert Proving Ground
in Mesa, Arizona. HydroGen1 was the only fuel cell vehicle
to complete the 220-mile drive from Los Angeles to Las Vegas
in October 2001 at the Michelin Challenge Bibendum, an international
competition for environmentally friendly cars.
General Motors (NYSE: GM), the world's largest vehicle
manufacturer, designs, builds and markets cars and trucks
worldwide. In 2001, GM earned $1.5 billion on sales of $177.3
billion, excluding special items. It employs about 359,000
people globally.
GM has been the world's automotive sales leader since
1931. In 2001, GM set industry sales records in the United
States - its largest market - for total trucks and for sport
utility vehicles. GM sold more than 1 million SUVs - a first
for any automaker. GM also sold more full-size pickup trucks
than any other manufacturer since 1978.
GM also operates one of the world's largest and most successful
financial services companies, GMAC, which offers automotive,
mortgage and business financing and insurance services to
customers worldwide. More information on General Motors can be found at www.gm.com.
