General Motors Co. is testing a production-intent hydrogen fuel cell system that can be packaged in the space of a traditional four-cylinder engine and be ready for commercial production in 2015.

The system is half the size, 220 pounds lighter and uses about a third of the platinum of the system in the Chevrolet Equinox Fuel Cell electric vehicles used in Project Driveway, the world’s largest market test and demonstration fleet of fuel cell electric vehicles that began in late 2007 and has amassed nearly 1.3 million miles of everyday driving in cities around the world.

“Our learning from Project Driveway has been tremendous and these vehicles have been very important to our program,” Charles Freese, executive director of GM’s Global Fuel Cell Activities told reporters Tuesday at a news briefing on GM’s fuel cell progress.

“The 30 months we committed to the demonstration are winding down, but we will keep upgrades of these vehicles running and will continue learning from them while we focus efforts on the production-intent program for 2015.

”Some of the 119 fuel cell electric vehicles in Project Driveway will receive hardware and software upgrades and will become part of a technology demonstration program with the U.S. Department of Energy. Others will be driven by businesses and a few will be used to continue showing that, with proper fueling infrastructure, hydrogen fuel cells are a viable alternative to gasoline-powered vehicles.

“We will continue to use the Project Driveway fleet strategically to advance fuel cell technology, hydrogen infrastructure, and GM’s vehicle electrification goals,” Freese said.

The first long-term loan of the new-look Chevy fuel cell vehicle will be to Stephanie White, a fuel cell advocate who was among the first Project Driveway participants and regularly blogs on her vision for a hydrogen economy in which zero-pollution fuel cells are a mainstream source of transportation. Freese presented White with the keys to the car on Tuesday.“

Driving the Chevy fuel cell around LA has been an amazing experience,” White said. “People are always stopping me to ask questions about the vehicle and I tell them how powerful and eco-friendly it is.”

About General Motors: General Motors Company, one of the world’s largest automakers, traces its roots back to 1908. With its global headquarters in Detroit, GM employs 204,000 people in every major region of the world and does business in some 140 countries. GM and its strategic partners produce cars and trucks in 34 countries, and sell and service these vehicles through the following brands: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, GM Daewoo, Holden, Opel, Vauxhall and Wuling.

Source: http://publish.media.gm.com/content/media/us/en/news/news_detail.brand_gm.html/content/Pages/news/us/en/2010/Mar/0316_fuelcell

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Alan Taub, vice president of global research and development at General Motors, has been elected vice chair for the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Visiting Committee on Advanced Technology.

NIST is an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce that promotes U.S. innovation and industrial competitiveness by advancing measurement science, standards, and technology.

“NIST plays a key role in advancing technologies and standards that support the long-term competitiveness of U.S. industry,” Taub said. “NIST research and support have accelerated the development and implementation of new technology in many critical areas, including materials, manufacturing, and advanced propulsion and electronics.

“These programs have helped promote economic and jobs growth and improved the quality of life for all Americans,” said Taub. “It’s an honor to serve on the advisory board of this important and highly regarded federal agency to help ensure that its programs are focused on national needs, including those of the U.S. auto industry.”

The Visiting Committee, the agency’s primary private-sector policy advisory group, reviews and makes recommendations regarding NIST policies, programs, organization, and budget. It also prepares an annual report that is submitted to Congress. Taub’s two-year term expires on March 31, 2012.

Source: http://publish.media.gm.com/content/media/us/en/news/news_detail.brand_gm.html/content/Pages/news/us/en/2010/Mar/0315_taub

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When deciding what vehicle to use in the grueling Rallye Aicha des Gazelles, the U.S. Gazelles race team chose the vehicle best suited for off-road rallies, the HUMMER H3.

Celebrating its 20th Anniversary, the Rallye Aicha des Gazelles is an intense nine-day off-road rally, traversing the rugged terrain and sand dunes of Morocco. The women-only competition runs from March 13th – March 27th. The “Gazelles”, 110 teams from 30 countries, compete without GPS, cell phones or support crews, navigating only by compass and maps from the 1950s. The objective of the rally is to complete the event in the shortest number of kilometers, while still reaching each days’ required checkpoints.

The U.S. Gazelles, composed of driver, Emily Miller and navigator, Wendy Fisher is the only U.S. team to compete in the Rally. Miller, a team driver for Rod Hall Racing and Baja 1000 class winner is the only woman to “Ironman” the longest off-road race in the US. Fisher is an icon in the sport of big mountain freeskiing and two-time Extreme Skiing World Champion.

“When you’re skiing in the backcountry, you want to use the best possible gear to keep you safe and successfully finish the run,” said Miller. “This race is no different. We wanted the best possible equipment for the race, which is why we chose the HUMMER H3.”

The U.S. Gazelles will be piloting a HUMMER H3 provided and race-prepped by HUMMER France. The H3 features a race-proven inline-five cylinder engine, full-time 4wd, and a locking rear differential for difficult terrain. The race truck rides on 33-inch BF Goodrich All-Terrain tires.

Source: http://publish.media.gm.com/content/media/us/en/news/news_detail.brand_gm.html/content/Pages/news/us/en/2010/Mar/0312_hummer

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General Motors recognized 76 companies representing 16 countries with its Supplier of the Year award during the annual ceremony Thursday at the GM Design Dome here.

Sixty-one companies have won the award more than once. One of them, Germany’s Mann + Hummel, a supplier of intake manifolds, has been honored as a Supplier of the Year winner each of the 18 years the awards have been presented. Fifteen companies won the award for the first time.

“The Supplier of the Year award is always special but those suppliers recognized this year have risen above and beyond the call during one of the most challenging years in GM history,” said Bob Socia, vice president, Global Purchasing and Supply Chain. ”This is truly a world-class list of suppliers.”

The award recognizes the significant contributions of GM’s suppliers in 2009 as part of the company’s global product and performance achievements. The Supplier of the Year program started in 1992, and each year a global team of purchasing, engineering, quality, manufacturing and logistics executives determines the winners.

The decisions are based on supplier performance in the areas of quality, service, technology and price.

Here are the General Motors Supplier of the Year award winners, country represented and number of SOY wins including 2009:

Source: http://publish.media.gm.com/content/media/us/en/news/news_detail.brand_gm.html/content/Pages/news/us/en/2010/Mar/0311_suppliers

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Audi will fight for victory in the Le Mans 24 Hours on June 12/13 with an evolution of the R15 TDI diesel race sports car. An extensive testing program with the revised LMP1 vehicle has just begun in the United States.

“From Audi’s perspective, the LMP1 is the better alternative to Formula 1 because this motorsport category features technologies and developments which are relevant to production vehicles,” explains Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich. “At Le Mans, efficiency is of paramount importance – and today, more than ever before, it is a key deliverable of production vehicles as well and it is one of Audi’s special strengths.”

Therefore, efficiency was a focal point during the R15 TDI evolution project – particularly in the complex area of aerodynamics. “This year, the Le Mans regulations prescribe air restrictors with a smaller diameter and reduced supercharging pressure for diesel-powered vehicles,” says Dr. Martin Mühlmeier, Head of Technology at Audi Sport. “Due to the reduction of engine power as a result of the regulations we have tried to make the car’s aerodynamics even more efficient than before and to improve the Cd value and downforce parameters.”

A late change in regulations that was announced only in November made the work of the engineers more difficult and forced Audi to completely modify the front section of the R15 TDI. Consequently, the diesel race sports car that is internally designated as “R15 plus” now has a new, distinctive face featuring a split nose.

The entire shape of the R15 TDI’s body has been revised for maximum efficiency. The same is true for the modified cooling and fuel tank system. The V10 TDI engine has been optimized for the smaller air restrictors and reduced supercharging pressure. “Our objective was to keep power loss to a minimum despite the limitations imposed by the regulations,” explains Ulrich Baretzky, Head of Engine Technology at Audi Sport. “We managed to do that through a lot of detailed work.” The 5.5-liter power plant continues to deliver more than 440 kW.

“After Le Mans 2009, our specifications for the R15 plus listed about 20 key items,” says Dr. Martin Mühlmeier. “Efficiency and reliability were at the top of the list but we also looked at details like improved nighttime lighting of the track. We were able to meet this wish of the drivers with a new headlight concept.”

The evolution version of the Audi R15 TDI completed its roll out on the Audi test track at Neustadt (Germany) on March 3. The vehicle was subsequently flown to the United States for two weeks of in-depth testing. Before the race at Le Mans in June, Audi Sport Team Joest will complete an extensive testing program on various European race tracks and test races at the 8 Hours of Le Castellet (France) on April 11 and at the 1000-kilometer race at Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium) on May 9.

A new partner has now joined the project: the logo of the renowned watchmaker TAG Heuer will be featured on the Audi R15 TDI. Some of the brand’s fame stems from U.S. actor Steve McQueen wearing a TAG Heuer watch in the movie “Le Mans.”

Source: http://www.audiusanews.com/newsrelease.do?id=1712

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