SAIC to use GM fuel cell propulsion system in new experimental vehicle

In Shanghai at the big Chinese motor show, General Motors and partner Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp (SAIC) announced plans to build a run of new fuel cell vehicles in 2010. The Shanghai Brand fuel cell vehicle will use the same fourth-generation propulsion system that is in the 100+ Equinoxes that are part of GM's Project Driveway. GM and SAIC will build ten of the new vehicles for a test program in China. Engineers from the two companies have been collaborating on the new vehicles and optimizing the powertrain to fit the new package. The partners will have a joint pavilion at next years World Expo 2010 Shanghai where technology like this will be showcased.

[Source: General Motors]

GM and SAIC Promote Fuel Cell Propulsion Technology

Shanghai – General Motors Corp. and Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp. Group (SAIC) announced today the launch of SAIC's Shanghai Brand Fuel Cell Vehicle, which is powered by GM's latest fourth-generation fuel cell propulsion technology.

The vehicle from SAIC uses the same 700 bar high-pressure hydrogen fuel cell system adopted in the Chevrolet Equinox Fuel Cell. Ten Shanghai Brand Fuel Cell Vehicles will be built. The zero-emission high-tech vehicles will join the Equinox Fuel Cell as part of a fleet of both GM and SAIC vehicles to shuttle VIPs at World Expo 2010 Shanghai.

"T he Shanghai and Chevrolet Equinox Fuel Cell vehicles will be featured in the most extensive fuel cell demonstration program ever conducted in China . This follows the government's call for the creation of a sustainable transportation system," said GM Group Vice President and GM Asia Pacific President Nick Reilly. "GM supports China's move toward sustainability, and we are providing our latest fuel cell technology in line with our overall strategy of in China, with China, for China."

SAIC engineers have been co-located at GM facilities in Germany and GM engineers have been co-located at SAIC facilities in China to produce the vehicles. The original Equinox fuel cell propulsion system has been modified and improved to fit into the Shanghai Brand Fuel Cell Vehicle.

GM and SAIC are the exclusive joint global automobile partner of World Expo 2010 Shanghai. In line with the exposition's th eme of "Better City, Better Life," GM and SAIC plan to showcase their solutions for sustainable transportation while promoting the vehicles of tomorrow at their corporate pavilion .

The two automakers, which operate eight joint ventures in China, earlier signed a pair of agreements to promote advanced vehicle technology. Their Shanghai GM joint venture began selling the Buick LaCrosse Eco-Hybrid last year as part of its Drive to Green strategy. China is slated to become one of the first markets for the Chevrolet Volt extended-range electric vehicle in 2011.

GM has deployed more than 100 Equinox Fuel Cell vehicles around the globe, making it the largest fuel cell electric vehicle fleet to date. Vehicles are being driven by a wide range of customers, businesses, government agencies, celebrities and media as part of Project Driveway.

General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM), one of the world's largest automakers, was founded in 1908, and today manufactures cars and trucks in 34 countries. With its global headquarters in Detroit, GM employs 243,000 people in every major region of the world, and sells and services vehicles in some 140 countries. In 2008, GM sold 8.35 million cars and trucks globally under the following brands: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, GM Daewoo, Holden, Hummer, Opel, Pontiac, Saab, Saturn, Vauxhall and Wuling. GM's largest national market is the United States, followed by China, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Canada, Russia and Germany. GM's OnStar subsidiary is the industry leader in vehicle safety, security and information services. More information on GM can be found at www.gm.com.