HUMMER Racing Poised to Cinch Championships at Baja 1000
5th November 2008 9:00 am General Motors
With only the infamous Baja 1000 left in the 2008 SCORE International racing season, HUMMER is well poised to clinch the 2008 stock mini and stock full season points championships. The team is also defending its 2007 Baja 1000 stock mini and stock full class wins where the H3 Alpha and H3 were the first stock class vehicles to cross the finish line.
The 2008 SCORE International Tecate Baja 1000, is scheduled November 21-22, and will consist of a grueling 629.74-mile loop that begins and finishes in Ensenada , Baja California, Mexico .
After dominating the 2008 season with class victories at the Laughlin Desert Challenge, Baja 250 and Baja 500, team owner Rod Hall, 70, and H3 pilot, merely needs to start this year’s Baja 1000 to earn his third consecutive season title in the stock mini class. However, Hall, the consummate competitor will be seeking victory to defend his 2007 stock mini class Baja 1000 victory and secure his record-setting 20th Baja 1000 class victory.
Hall remains the only car or truck driver to have competed in every Baja 1000 since its inaugural run in 1967.
“This year has the possibility to become the most successful season for Team HUMMER since it began in 1992,” said Hall. “Our ability to consistently finish at the top of the stock classes race-after-race is a great testament to the durability of HUMMER vehicles.”
Team HUMMER’s other two entries, the H3 Alpha and H2 SUT are piloted by Hall’s sons, Josh and Chad in the stock full class.
Chad Hall, H3 Alpha driver and 6-time Baja 1000 class winner is poised to secure the 2008 stock full class season championship, following class victories in the Laughlin Desert Challenge and Baja 500. Hall is also the reigning stock full Baja 1000 champion, following his 2007 Baja 1000 stock class victory, where the H3 Alpha was the first stock class vehicle to cross the finish line.
“The H3 Alpha has demonstrated the toughness to compete with the full-size and heavy-duty Ford and Dodge trucks in the hyper-competitive stock full class,” said Chad Hall. “A season championship for us would be great validation of the truck in its inaugural year.”
The eldest Hall son, Josh, returns to Baja in his full-stock class, 2008 HUMMER H2 SUT. He enters the 2008 race with a class victory at the Baja 250 and will look to start a new Baja 1000 winning streak in the SUT. Prior to 2007, Hall had amassed a 3-year Baja 1000 winning streak behind the wheel of his 2003 HUMMER H2 SUV.
“The team has done a lot of great work and fine tuning with the SUT since its initial race at the 2007 Baja 1000,” said Josh Hall. “We expect to be at the front of the pack when the checkered flag drops and the dust settles.”
Chevrolet Wins Prestigious Product Awards in Latin America
4th November 2008 3:00 pm General Motors
Chevrolet won several awards this week at two major shows in Latin America. At the Sao Paulo International Auto Show in Brazil, the newly-launched Chevrolet Captiva Sport was named the best vehicle in the Brazilian market by Abiauto, an association of Brazilian automotive journalists. In addition, Abiauto awarded the Captiva Sport as best SUV sold in Brazil and the Chevrolet S-10 as best medium-size pickup.
At the Santiago Auto Show in Chile, the new Chevrolet Vectra was named Best Passenger Car at the Show by Chilean automotive journalists.
In Brazil, the awards were presented during the Chevrolet press conference at the show, where Chevrolet held the global debut of the new Chevrolet GPiX crossover coupe concept. The Chevrolet GPiX concept was developed at GM Brazil’s new design center and represents a potential new segment for GM in Brazil and other South American countries. GPiX combines Chevrolet’s global design with the cost-benefit proposition necessary to compete in today’s emerging markets.
Brazil is the third largest automotive market, and the second largest market for the Chevrolet brand. Chevrolet continues to set sales records in Brazil, with total sales of 446,000 through the third quarter of 2008, up 25.6 percent versus 2007. The best selling Chevrolets in the Brazilian market are the Chevrolet Corsa, Celta and Prisma. All GM products sold in Brazil are Chevrolets.
In Chile, the Chevrolet Vectra was chosen over 50 other new models. The vehicles were judged on design, technology and importance of the entry within the market segment.
Through the first three quarters of 2008, Chevrolet sales in Chile are up 15.7 percent versus 2007. Chevrolet has been the market leader in Chile for 25 consecutive years. The best selling Chevrolets in the Chilean market are the Corsa, Aveo and Spark.
“Chevrolet meets customer needs with fuel-efficient products that offer great value and compelling design, and that is what draws customers into our dealerships,” said Maureen Kempston Darkes, GM group vice president and president of GM Latin America, Africa and Middle East. “The awards received in Brazil and Chile are a clear sign of Chevrolet’s strength in Latin America.”
Through the third quarter ending September 2008, Chevrolet sold 723,335 vehicles in South America, up 10 percent over the same period in 2007. Chevrolet accounts for 98 percent of GM sales in South America.
In total, Chevrolet sold more than 3.25 million vehicles around the globe in the first nine months of 2008.
Commodore Celebrates 30 Years on Australian Roads
29th October 2008 12:00 pm General Motors
Australia’s best-selling vehicle, the Holden Commodore today celebrates its 30th anniversary.
The first Commodore rolled off the line on 25 October 1978, signalling the arrival of what is now Holden’s longest-standing and most successful nameplate.
Images: 30 Years of Commodore
Videos: Commodore TV Ads - VB to VL
Commodore has been Australia’s top selling passenger car for the past 12 years and is on track to maintain that position in 2008.
More than 2.5 million Commodores have been built since the first VB series sedans went into production, replacing the Kingswood as Holden’s leading family car range.
Throughout that period the Commodore name has graced 14 model series and four generations of rear-wheel drive vehicles for Australian and overseas buyers.
GM Holden Chairman and Managing Director Mark Reuss said Commodore had become a symbol of local design and engineering expertise and Australia’s ability to compete on the world stage.
“Over thirty years Commodore has earned a place in the hearts and minds of generations of Australian families,” Mr Reuss said.
“On the way to becoming Holden’s longest standing and most successful nameplate, Commodore has delivered significant advances in passenger car safety, comfort and handling.
“We’re always seeking to improve Commodore so that it remains the smart choice for Australian motorists.
“It is a mark of the skill and creativity of the Australian automotive industry that we have been able to build top-selling cars of this calibre for local and overseas markets.”
General Motors started work on Commodore in 1971 as the second GM ‘world car’ program. Variations were sold in England, other parts of Europe and South Africa with the Australian version receiving locally developed engines, steering, suspension, body strengthening and dust sealing.
The radically different VB Commodore was generally judged to have brought a new level of sophistication to the market with efficient space packaging, high levels of comfort, generous equipment levels and excellent handling due to the development of Holden’s successful Radial Tuned Suspension.
Commodore has subsequently collected more than 60 major motoring awards and won the prestigious Wheels Car of the Year award a record five times – VB (1978), VN (1988), VR (1993), VT (1997) and VE (2006).
Advances in safety technology such as driver, passenger and side impact airbags, computer optimised restraint systems and ABS brakes as standard fitment were all introduced on Commodore as ‘firsts’ for an Australian-manufactured car.
Commodore’s role as an ambassador for the Holden brand has extended beyond the showroom floor to the racetrack where it has been the spearhead of its motor-sport participation for almost 30 years.
During that time, Commodore has won an unrivalled 18 Bathurst victories and nine V8 touring car and supercar championships.
Commodore Facts
Sales & Manufacturing
Commodore has been Australia’s top selling car for the past 12 years and is on track to maintain that position in 2008.
A total of 37,505 Commodores have been sold so far in 2008. This puts Commodore more than 700 vehicles ahead of the next largest seller.
Commodore is produced in left and right-hand drive configurations at Holden Vehicle Operations in Elizabeth, South Australia.
History
The current VE model is number 14 of the Commodore series. Model designations are: VB (1978); VC (1980); VH (1981); VK (1984); VL (1986); VN (1988); VP (1991); VR (1993); VS (1995); VT (1997); VX (2000); VY (2002); VZ (2006); VE (2006).
Major model changes occurred in 1988 with the introduction of the VN Commodore, in 1997 with the VT Commodore and in 2006 with the VE Commodore.
Trivia
The 2.5 million Commodores produced since 1978 would fill the car park of the following major shopping centres in each state:
Victoria’s largest shopping centre, Chadstone, 294 times.
New South Wales’ largest shopping centre, Westfield Parramatta, 584 times.
Queensland’s Pacific Fair shopping centre on the Gold Coast 454 times.
South Australia’s largest shopping centre, Westfield Marion 454 times.
Western Australia’s Galleria shopping centre, 595 times.
Tasmania’s largest shopping centre, Eastlands, 1785 times.
Looking Back at October 1978
The first Commodore rolled off the line at Holden’s former assembly line at Pagewood, New South Wales.
The base model price at the time of Commodore’s 1978 release was $6513.
Popular songs at the time of the launch included: Three Times a Lady (Commodores), Summer Nights (John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John), Who Are You? (The Who).
Popular movies at the time of the launch included: Saturday Night Fever, The Goodbye Girl, Pretty Baby and The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith.
Major events during the month of Commodore’s launch included: Polish Pope, John Paul II becomes the first non-Italian Catholic Pope in 450 years; Australian singer Johnny O’Keefe dies.
General Motors Explores Potential Sale of ACDelco
29th October 2008 11:00 am General Motors
General Motors (NYSE:GM) announced today that it is exploring a potential sale of ACDelco, its global independent aftermarket parts business, a brand of GM Service & Parts Operations. A sale is expected to promote more rapid growth of ACDelco globally.
As the company announced in July, GM is undertaking a number of initiatives to bolster its liquidity position by approximately $15 billion through year-end 2009, including the sale of assets which are expected to generate approximately $2-4 billion of liquidity. In addition to the ACDelco business, GM previously announced it is exploring the potential sale of its Hummer brand and its technical and manufacturing center in Strasbourg, France.
ACDelco provides light-duty maintenance and repair parts and associated services for both GM and non-GM vehicles in more than 100 countries. Part of GM Service & Parts Operations, ACDelco is headquartered in Grand Blanc, MI, with approximately 600 employees worldwide.
GM has retained Merrill Lynch to assist in this initiative.
About ACDelco
With over 100 years of experience in the automotive aftermarket industry, ACDelco is a global leader in automotive replacement parts and related services. Products include maintenance parts commonly replaced during the lifetime of a vehicle (e.g., batteries, oil filters, air filters, wiper blades, shocks and brakes), as well as repair parts (e.g., alternators, radiators, chassis and heating/cooling components).
ACDelco is among the world’s best known comprehensive All Makes, All Models providers, featuring high quality auto parts for both GM and non-GM vehicles and services, with the brand’s “genuine OE” reputation signifying high quality replacement parts, support and training in the automotive aftermarket. In the United States, ACDelco offers 37 full product lines with over 100,000 part numbers, comprised of both GM original equipment and All Makes, All Models product.
GM Studies Feasibility of Non-Food Based Biofuels Commercialization in China
24th October 2008 3:00 pm General Motors
General Motors Corp. is pursuing a global energy strategy that addresses global energy and climate issues and helps reduce the automobile’s reliance on petroleum by improving the energy efficiency of existing motor fuels and developing alternative energy and alternative propulsion systems. The development and commercialization of sustainable biofuels, particularly non-food based, next-generation cellulosic ethanol, is an important and leading component of GM’s new energy strategy.
On October 20, GM held a media workshop to shar e its world-leading technologies in sustainable biofuels with China. The workshop reinforces GM’s new energy strategy centered on energy security and diversity and supports China’s sustainable development of automotive energy and transportation systems.
In attendance at the workshop were executives from GM’s Global Energy Systems R&D I and one of GM’s partners in sustainable biofuels, Coskata Inc., as well as a Tsinghua University professor in charge of driving the university’s biofuels research. In addition to giving their assessment of China’s biofuels industry, they also shared advances in next-generation ethanol technologies and discussed the feasibility of commercialization of next-generation ethanol.
Andreas Lippert, director of GM’s Global Energy Systems Intelligence Center, said GM believes sustainable biofuels are the most feasible near-term solution among all alternative energy sources with the potential to displace petroleum.
Currently, China is the world’s third-largest ethanol producer, behind the U.S. and Brazil, with annual production of around 1 billion gallons. GM is leading the R&D and commercialization of sustainable biofuels worldwide, having produced more than 5 million flex-fuel cars and trucks that run on combinations of ethanol and gasoline. In the United States, GM is committed to making half its annual vehicle production flex-fuel capable by 2012.
David S. Chen, vice president of GM China Group, said, “According to the China Automotive Energy Research Center, GM has already begun successfully validating the automotive energy resource potential for sustainable biofuels in China.” The research center officially opened this April at Tsinghua University.
The development goal of CAERC is to provide support for China’s policy making on automotive energy strategies, technology roadmaps and management mechanisms. At the same time, CAERC is working with various organizations in academia and related industries in China to accelerate the development of the new energy automotive industry.
GM will continue to share with China the R&D results in the area of new energy from its research centers and partners around the world, including the R&D and market applications of next-generation, non-food based cellulosic ethanol.
Chen said China can produce cellulosic ethanol on marginal lands from wood waste, energy crops such as switchgrass and even garbage, and China is in a good position to benefit from the development of such sustainable biofuels.
GM sees China as being among the first markets and production sites for alternative propulsion systems. GM is committed to helping accelerate the development of new energy vehicles in China’s automotive industry through its advanced solutions. It will also leverage these solutions to provide more energy efficient and environmentally friendly products to Chinese vehicle users.
GM will continue to advance its strategy of “in China, with China, for China” to help China develop diverse automotive energy solutions and commercialize such energy solutions, Chen said.
In January and May of this year, GM announced the formation of strategic alliances with U.S.-based Coskata Inc. and Mascoma Corp., respectively, in the area of next-generation ethanol technologies. While GM is helping Coskata commercialize its cellulosic ethanol made from agricultural and municipal solid waste, it is working with Mascoma on rapid commercialization of second- and third-generation biofuels made from wood wastes.
Coskata will begin test production of cellulosic ethanol in mid-2009. At scale, the production cost of cellulosic ethanol will be below US$1 per gallon not counting the cost of building the plant. Coskata’s cellulosic ethanol process generates up to 7.7 times as much energy as what is used to make the fuel compared to conventional gasoline, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions by up to 96 percent depending on the feedstock used. Coskata’s first full-scale plant will be capable of producing 50 million to 100 million gallons of cellulosic ethanol annually in 2011.
Mascoma has started test producing ethanol with its “consolidated bioprocessing” cellulose-to-ethanol method, and expects to incorporate the technological breakthrough in its pilot plant in New York state by mid-2009. The CBP technology lowers costs by limiting additives and enzymes used in other biochemical processes.
Automotive Design Studios Visualize Auto Racing In The Year 2025
24th October 2008 2:00 pm General Motors
Today’s race cars have ground-breaking technology to improve speed, power, performance and safety but what a difference 17 years into the future can make. Imagine race cars that go beyond the expectations and challenges of racing today, such as never needing to stop for re-fueling or collision avoidance assistance technology for enhanced safety.
Nine of Southern California’s automotive design studios did just that, predicting how auto racing will change by the year 2025. The designs are part of the fifth annual Los Angeles Auto Show’s Design Challenge, where studios including Audi, BMW, GM, Honda, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Mercedes-Benz, Toyota and Volkswagen are pitted against each other to showcase their talents and further explore new ideas in automotive design.
“Automotive designers have always been fascinated with Motor Sports and this year’s Design Challenge has provided them with the opportunity to use their creative talent to look at these cars with new eyes, using innovative technologies and approaches,” said Chuck Pelly, director of Design Los Angeles and partner in The Design Academy, Inc. “This adds to the excitement, interest and personal involvement in the sport that has thrilled people of all ages for many years…and many more years to come.”
Entries in this year’s Motor Sports 2025 Design Challenge include:
• Audi of America Design Center California: The Audi R25 incorporates innovative features such as high-velocity banks and tunnels, which allow cars to race “inverted” and the opportunity to pass anywhere with aerodynamic racecars.
• BMW Group DesignworksUSA: The BMW Hydrogen Powered Salt Flat Racer reuses existing, ordinary and mundane materials such as old oil barrels and BBQ lids to whimsical and sustainable by employing goldfish as “co-pilots” to ensure that the vehicle is running clean emissions.
• General Motors Advanced Design: The GM Chaparral Volt collects and generates its own energy from three different clean, renewable and abundant California resources: Earth, Wind and Fire to create an entirely new category of racing - the eco-triathlon.
• Honda Research and Development, North America: The Great Race 2025’s sonar/echolocation sensors are able to detect changes in speed, terrain, and altitude, allowing it to switch to any configuration to circumnavigate the globe in 24 hours on land through the U.S., by sea through Asia and by air over Europe.
• Mazda R&D of North America: The MAZDA KAAN is an electric race car that has a patented electronic tire system to reach 250 mph with no harmful emissions. The vehicles are piloted by individual drivers but teams are made up of thirty cars, all on the track together.
• Mitsubishi Research & Design of North America: The MMR25’s multi-terrain, omnidirectional wheels consist of eight independently-controlled motors, allowing for “8 x 4” wheel drive so that the car can be driven forward while pointing in any direction.
• Mercedes-Benz Advanced Design of North America: Luxury racing arrives in the Formula Zero Racer by incorporating the thrill of Formula One, the track dynamics of the bobsled or luge, and the grace and efficiency of yacht racing.
• Toyota’s Calty Design Research: The Toyota Le Mans Racer is the ultimate race car that never needs to stop. Powered by highly efficient hydrogen fuel cell electric motors, each of its body panels is embedded with photovoltaic panels to supply electricity when extra energy is needed.
• Volkswagen of America Design Center: In the Bio Runner, the rider is positioned inside a protective cage on a motorcycle-like saddle with controls attached to the hands and feet. These controls manipulate all wheels via synthetic muscle-based suspension which offers unparalleled control and traction.
Entries will be judged by Tom Matano of San Francisco’s Academy of Art University, Imre Molner of Detroit’s College for Creative Studies and Stewart Reed of Pasadena’s Art Center College of Design. Daniel Simon, an established car designer and founder of Cosmic Motors, is the special guest judge this year. Simon began his design career at Volkswagen and recently published his first book: Cosmic Motors-Spaceships, Cars and Pilots of Another Galaxy.
The winning design will be announced at the Design Los Angeles conference Nov. 20 at the Los Angeles Auto Show.
About the Design Challenge
The Design Challenge is part of the Design Los Angeles automobile designers’ conference that has evolved into an integral element of the Los Angeles Auto Show. Entering its fifth year, Design Los Angeles provides designers with leading design speakers and the opportunity to address common issues. More than 500 designers attended last year’s event.
Cadillac’s All-New 2009 CTS-V Ready For Launch
22nd October 2008 2:00 pm General Motors
The 2009 CTS-V, Cadillac’s 556-hp expression of ultimate performance and luxury, begins production this month with initial sales beginning around November 1. The latest in the brand’s V-Series of high performance models, the new CTS-V is intended to reach the top of the world’s most desirable luxury cars, at a starting price of $59,995 in the US market.
“The launch of the new CTS-V presents a compelling proposition for luxury and performance enthusiasts,” says Mark McNabb, North America vice president, Cadillac/Premium Channel. “The CTS-V is a strong statement about Cadillac design and technology and a new member in the club of the highest performing luxury cars.”
The CTS-V, based on Cadillac’s critically acclaimed CTS sports sedan, expresses the full extent of the brand’s dramatic design and technology. Designed to enter the stratosphere of the world’s fastest and most exclusive luxury sedans, CTS-V includes advanced performance technology such as a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 engine and Magnetic Ride Control, the world’s fastest reacting suspension.
The new CTS-V comes standard with a nearly complete collection of features, including a hand-crafted cabin, a 6-speed manual transmission and a Bose surround sound system with a 40-gigabyte hard drive with a USB port. In addition there are a few options available, including a new 6-speed automatic transmission with steering wheel mounted shift buttons, 14-way adjustable Recaro performance seats, microfiber interior accents and a large “Ultra-View” sunroof.
“Along with the new Escalade Hybrid, the CTS-V is a key aspect in Cadillac’s ongoing renaissance, with dramatic designs and very sophisticated technologies for luxury consumers,” McNabb said. “These two new high-tech Cadillac models pave the way for a series of new Cadillac models coming in 2009, including the upcoming CTS Sport Wagon and SRX Crossover.”
Taylor Named New Chief Executive Officer of HUMMER
18th October 2008 3:00 pm General Motors
As part of the ongoing business and strategic review of the HUMMER brand, General Motors is revising its HUMMER leadership structure. Effective immediately, James E. Taylor is appointed to the new position of chief executive officer, HUMMER.
Taylor, 52, formerly Cadillac general manager, is responsible for the future strategy and current business of HUMMER worldwide. This move marks a progression in the ongoing strategic review process and establishes the lead management structure for HUMMER going forward. Martin Walsh, currently general manager of HUMMER, will team with Taylor on the transition and ongoing dealer relations, and then will move to another assignment that will be announced soon.
Taylor has been Cadillac general manager since 2004, and even prior to that he was a key architect in Cadillac’s design and technology resurgence. As the global Vehicle Line Executive for Cadillac, Taylor led the development of a series of new models – beginning with the Cadillac CTS — that ushered in a new and distinctive generation of dramatically designed, high performing vehicles. Taylor joined GM in 1980 and since has held a number of business and marketing leadership roles, including those at Saturn, Adam Opel, Worldwide Purchasing and GM Truck.
Taylor reports to Mark C. McNabb, North America vice president, Cadillac/Premium Channel. McNabb, 46, joined GM in 2008 to assume leadership of GM’s premium brands, Cadillac, HUMMER and Saab USA.
“By creating a new and more comprehensive leadership position for HUMMER with Jim Taylor as the top executive, we are bolstering the strategic review process and the brand.” said Mark LaNeve, GMNA vice president of Vehicle Sales, Service and Marketing. “At the same time, we’re sharpening our focus on Cadillac as GM’s flagship brand in the global luxury marketplace under Mark McNabb’s leadership.”
GM Recognized For Development Of The Emissions-Reducing Catalytic Converter
16th October 2008 2:00 pm General Motors
General Motors’ development of the first production-ready catalytic converter for automobiles will be recognized by GlobalSpec with a “Great Moments in Engineering” award at a ceremony in Detroit later this month.
GM’s breakthrough research, development and engineering led to the company’s 1975 introduction of the emissions-reducing device, which was used in conjunction with unleaded gasoline. Since then, catalytic emission control and unleaded gasoline have been used on vehicles around the world.
“The catalytic converter has made a dramatic impact on lowering the emissions output of vehicles, leading to cleaner air and paving the way for greater powertrain efficiencies in today’s cars, trucks and SUVs,” said Tom Stephens, executive vice president, GM Global Powertrain and Global Quality. “Our global GM team is diligently focused on delivering future propulsion technologies that will address the energy and environmental challenges facing the globe.”
A catalytic converter affects vehicle emissions by transforming or significantly reducing engine combustion-generated pollutants. As exhaust gases leave the engine, they pass through the converter, where a honeycomb structure coated with precious metals, palladium, platinum, and rhodium, promotes a chemical reaction that converts pollutants to less harmful emissions before they exit the car’s exhaust system.
Emissions-reducing technology began showing up on automotive engines in the late 1960s, but mandates for even cleaner-burning engines pushed the catalytic converter’s development in the early 1970s. It also hastened the phase-out of leaded gasoline, which was incompatible with the converter’s precious-metal components.
Although the concept of the catalytic converter was not invented by GM, the company is credited with the innovations that enabled the catalytic converter to work in the wide range of operating environments seen by cars and trucks, including the special materials and chamber design that made the converter more effective.
Prior to GM’s introduction of the catalytic converter, there were daunting reliability, durability and vehicle drivability challenges that prevented the introduction of catalytic converters on automobiles. GM’s pioneering work on the catalytic converter was spearheaded by a team of GM and AC Delco scientists and engineers in the early 1970s. This work led then-GM President Edward N. Cole in 1971 to announce unilaterally that all GM engines would have lower compression ratios and hardened valve seats to make them compatible with unleaded gasoline and its lower octane level. That decision prepared the automotive and oil industries for the adoption of catalytic converters and unleaded gasoline for the 1975 model year.
“GM has a distinguished history of technology leadership innovations inspired and developed by a global team of very talented engineers and scientists,” said Larry Burns, vice president of Research and Development. “We are pleased that GlobalSpec is recognizing our industry leadership in the development of the catalytic converter.”
In the nearly 35 years since its practical implementation, GM has continued to lead with advanced catalytic converter technology. Many GM vehicles now use more than one converter and include “close-coupled” converters that are mounted very close to or are incorporated with engine exhaust manifolds. This promotes quicker heat-up of the converter for lower emissions when the engine is cold, and a greater overall reduction in harmful emissions.
GlobalSpec, a leading specialized search engine with more than 4.6 million registered users around the world, annually recognizes a person or group whose singular moment of engineering ingenuity produced a significant turning point for the application of technology and resulting benefits to people, science and industry. The 2007 award was given to applied Research at the former Communications Division of Motorola, Inc., whose work in squeezing components designed for bulky, car-mounted mobile radios into a hand-held device led to the creation of the first cellular telephone prototype. The 2006 award was given to members of the Jason Jr. engineering team in honor of the 20th anniversary of the first video survey of the R.M.S. Titanic.
GM Latin America, Africa and Middle East Achieves Third Quarter Sales Record
15th October 2008 3:00 pm General Motors
General Motors Latin America, Africa and Middle East (GM LAAM) region broke a Q3 record selling 341,900 vehicles in the quarter, up 11,400 units over the same period in 2007. GM’s volume increase for the quarter was at 3.4 percent. In addition, GM’s quarterly market share in the region stands at 17.0 percent.
Maureen Kempston Darkes, GM group vice president and president of GM LAAM said, “We are still showing solid growth, despite the global economic crisis that surrounds us. Strong demand for the Chevrolet Aveo continued and was driven by the new five-door hatchback version. In addition, the new Cadillac CTS was a strong performer in the Middle East, and was complemented with the recent launch of the right-hand-drive CTS in South Africa.”
All-time quarterly GM sales records were posted by Brazil, Chile, Ecuador and Peru. Third quarter GM sales records were set by Egypt, North Africa and the Middle East. Double-digit GM sales increases for the quarter were delivered in Brazil at 16 percent, Chile at 19 percent, Ecuador at 64 percent, North Africa at 30 percent, Egypt at 35 percent, Israel at 30 percent and the Middle East at 27 percent.
“We have already passed the one million unit mark and are well on our way to another record sales year. This is our 20th consecutive quarter of year-over-year sales increases,” Kempston Darkes continued.
Through three quarters, GM’s volume is at 1,012,100 units, up 13 percent year-over-year. The CYTD industry growth rate stands at 10 percent. GM LAAM region’s current CYTD market share is 17.3 percent, up .4 points over the same period in 2007.
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