Heavy Duty Driver Training

GM's Web-Based Course Provides Comprehensive Training for Drivers of Large Vans

DETROIT - General Motors continues to make training available for its large van consumers. For several years, Coaching Systems® LLC, which designed a unique course for GM large van consumers, has teamed up with GM to offer training at a 40 percent discount to GM’s large van consumers. This training is designed to reinforce information that may be helpful for drivers of large vans.
Coaching Systems developed this course for GM’s large van consumers, building on van driver training that started in 1991 in conjunction with the National Safety Council. This web-based interactive coaching course reviews topics of interest to drivers of large vans:
A comparison of large vans versus typical passenger vehicles to review differences in vehicle design and potential implications for drivers, passengers, and other road users
Information to aid large van drivers in assessing a variety of urban and rural traffic situations, including appropriate driver actions
Basic vehicle inspection and maintenance highlights, with emphasis on maintaining proper tire pressure
Reinforcement of a driver’s responsibilities regarding appropriate restraint use for all occupants and driver attentiveness on the driving task

It's What's Inside That Counts

National Survey Finds the Quest for Fuel Efficiency Is Changing Americans' Car Consciousness

Detroit, Mich. – With rising gas prices, today’s car buyers admit fuel efficiency and diversity is not just a necessity, it’s also fashion forward. If Americans had to choose between driving a car that was beautiful on the outside vs. one that was “greener” on the inside, nearly eight in 10 Americans (79 percent) who plan to buy or lease a car within the next two years would choose the greener car. These and more compelling statistics are a result of a national survey recently conducted by Challenge X – a national collegiate engineering competition sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and General Motors (GM).
The survey also revealed more than one in three Americans (36 percent) who are on the fence about buying a hybrid vehicle say the tipping point to seriously consider the purchase would be if gas prices rose to $4 a gallon. Nearly three in four car buyers
(73 percent) say the rising cost of traditional fuel would influence their decision to buy a hybrid vehicle as their next purchase.

Features of the Midget racing engine

This new engine is 166ci (2.7-liter) and burns methanol. It produces more than 350 horsepower and is very impressive for its rating. It is a lightweight, in line four-cylinder engine which has an aluminum block and cylinder head with two valves per cylinder. The Chevy Midget engine is equipped with mechanical fuel injection and utilizes an electronic ignition system.

Chevrolet Unveils New Midget Racing Engine

Tony Stewart Racing to Introduce All-New Chevy Engine in USAC National Midget Car Series

INDIANAPOLIS – Chevrolet's all-new Midget racing engine was unveiled today at Indianapolis Motor Speedway by GM representatives and United States Auto Club (USAC) team owner Tony Stewart. Designed by GM Racing specifically for the USAC National Midget Car Series, the new purpose-built, four-cylinder Chevrolet racing engine will initially power Tony Stewart Racing (TSR) drivers Tracy Hines and Levi Jones in upcoming events. The new Chevy Midget engine will be available to all USAC competitors through independent engine builders.


It was about a year ago that Chevrolet announced its sponsorship of Tony Stewart Racing in open-wheel competition. Now the company has taken the bold and innovative step of creating an all-new racing engine for this popular American event.

FOR RELEASE: 2008-05-06 GM Announces Quarterly Dividend

DETROIT - General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM) today announced a second-quarter dividend of $0.25 per share on GM common stock. The dividend is payable June 10, 2008, to holders of record as of May 16, 2008. The dividend is unchanged from the previous quarter.

I do not know much about stocks but I would say that $0.25 is not much. With all the strides GM has been making in going GREEN, couldn't there be more GREEN backs for the pockets of its share holders?

GM's Community Science

From Clinton River Watershed Council, GM Mentors Local Kids Learn About Environmental Awareness

PONTIAC, Mich. - Students, teachers and General Motors employees will get their feet wet in environmental science - quite literally - at Riverside Park on the Clinton River, in Auburn Hills, as part of the Clinton River Watershed Council's Stream Leaders program this Wednesday, May 7, 2008. Approximately 80 kids will conduct water quality monitoring, learn scientific techniques and assess the stream's general health under the watchful tutelage of their teachers and volunteer mentors from GM's Pontiac Assembly Center, Pontiac Centerpoint campus and Pontiac Metal Center.


Philanthropy is a good marketing tool to employ if a company really wants to earn the respect of the community in which it does business. Philanthropy is also a good component in building brand equity."The CRWC's Stream Leaders program is one of many science and education programs GM supports in the communities where we have operations," said John Dansby, plant manager of GM's Pontiac Assembly Center. The program is good for children because it' is true to life and allows for participatory scientific learning. Gm support the program financially, as well as allow their employees to get involved in community activities.

April 2008 was good for GM

GM Reports 260,922 Deliveries in April
(Monthly comparison percentages are sales day-adjusted unless noted.)
Retail Car Sales Up 6 Percent
Chevrolet Car Retail Sales Up 24 Percent Led By a 147 Percent Increase in Malibu, 17 Percent Rise in Cobalt, 13 Percent Increase in Aveo and 8 Percent Hike in Impala Sales
Pontiac Retail Car Sales Up 6 Percent With a 39 Percent Increase in Vibe, 3 Percent Climb in G5 and G6 Sales

Buick Retail Trucks Up 32 Percent Led By 4,000 Enclave Crossover Sales
DETROIT - GM dealers in the United States delivered 260,922 vehicles in April. Retail car and crossover sales were up more than 9 percent. A sharp sales increase in fuel efficient cars and crossovers could not make up for soft truck demand and a sharp decline in fleet deliveries impacted by the American Axle strike. On a non-adjusted basis, retail sales were down 11.5 percent and total sales for the month were down 16 percent.

The preferences of consumers has shifted so GM has shifted its modus oparandi. This is evidenced by their increased car and crossover sales. Their new products such as the Chevrolet Malibu, Cadillac CTS and Buick Enclave were excellent sellers throughout the month of April. Right across the automotive industry, truck sales have been slow. GM has been able to match the current economic slowdown with low inventories.While they are looking for ways to increase car and crossover production, they are improving their competitive position for the economic recovery.

Threat to the Gasoline Engine

Tom Albert said that he hopes his experience with the Chevy Equinox electric vehicle will help replace the gasoline engine with better alternatives such as hydrogen fuel cell technology. "It's exciting to be a part of something much bigger that has the potential to change what fuels America's cars."


The new project called, Project Driveway an innovative strategy that will help to make make a difference in the way we drive and provide some meaningful benefit to the environment. Over the next two years, more than 100 Chevrolet Equinox electric vehicles will be given to a variety of drivers in all walks of society, from community leaders, celebrities and government officials to the general public. pollution Threat to the Gasoline Engine

GM's Pollution Solution

"GM's advanced propulsion strategy is to offer a broad range of clean and efficient vehicles, powered by various energy sources to address societal needs to reduce our reliance on oil and meet the needs of our customers," said Henderson.

In giving these highly advanced technology vehicles to regular people round the country, GM is gaining valuable insight into driver experiences which is essential to making hydrogen-powered electric vehicles a part of our solution. It is said that more than 61,000 customers have identified themselves as potential Project Driveway participants through the Fuel Solutions site on www.chevrolet.com.

D.C. Drivers Help Electric Vehicles Become a Reality.

Local drivers participate in "Project Driveway" - an innovative market test that is influencing Chevrolet's efforts to eliminate petroleum use and CO2 emissions
WASHINGTON, D.C. - At the Shell station on Benning Road Northeast, General Motors President and Chief Operating Officer, Fritz Henderson, today presented the keys to the area's first motorists to be selected to test drive away in advanced technology hydrogen fuel cell powered Chevrolet Equinox electric vehicles. Identified at the 2008 Washington Auto Show, Tom Albert of Alexandria, Va., and Nick Williams of Washington D.C., will join drivers from Southern California and the New York metropolitan area in GM's "Project Driveway" -- the world's largest fleet of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles and first comprehensive market test of this innovative technology.

This Chevrolet brand of General Motors' vehicles is been used to lead the way in removing the automobile from the environmental and energy equation. It does not use any petroleum and does not release any greenhouse. The only emission is clean water vapor. For two months, the vehicles will be put through the rigors of everyday commute in the real world.The feedback will aid GM's Chevrolet division in refining the technology and marketing plans.

About Mascoma

Mascoma Corporation is a leader in advanced low-carbon biofuels technology based in Boston, Massachusetts.

Using proprietary microorganisms and enzymes developed at the company's laboratories in Lebanon, New Hampshire; Mascoma is collaborating with research partners globally to identify, patent and deploy a new generation of microbes and low-cost processes for producing advanced cellulosic ethanol technologies across a range of non-food feedstocks.

Mascoma is developing demonstration and commercial scale production facilities in locations across the United States. For more information, visit http://www.mascoma.com/.

It is no secret that science is sufficiently advanced, and is able to bring about a drastic reduction in the world's dependence on fossil fuels. The only thing hindering this revolution is the will to break the cycle of OIL ADDICTION which has the world hooked.

Some Facts about GM

About GM
General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM) is the world's largest automaker.

1. It has been the annual global industry sales leader for 77 years.
2. Was founded in 1908.
3. Today employs about 266,000 people around the world.
4. Global headquarters is in Detroit Michigan.
5. Manufactures its cars and trucks in 35 countries.
6. In 2007, nearly 9.37 million GM cars and trucks were sold globally under the following brands: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, GM Daewoo, Holden, HUMMER, Opel, Pontiac, Saab, Saturn, Vauxhall and Wuling.
7. 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.

Although GM is being faced with fierce competitions from Asian and European Auto manufacturers, it still remains number one. Thanks GM , for taking bold steps to rehabilitate a world a world that is strung out and hooked on CRUDE OIL.

GM President, Mr. Fitz Henderson said;

"Taken together, these technologies represent what we see as the best in the cellulosic ethanol future and cover the spectrum in science and commercialization," GM President Fritz Henderson said. "Demonstrating the viability of sustainable non-grain based ethanol is critical to developing the infrastructure to support the flex-fuel vehicle market."

GM leads the auto industry in offering vehicles that can run on either ordinary gasoline or E85 - a blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline - or any combination of the two. There are more than 7 million flex-fuel vehicles on U.S. roads, 3 million of which are GM cars and trucks.
"
Mr. Henderson said that the Mascoma investments in leading-edge firms, supports belief that ethanol has the greatest near-term potential as a clean-burning, renewable fuel that can help reduce oil dependence. The Mascoma corporation has in recent years raised significant funding from venture capital investments, and has secured more than $60 million dollars in state and federal grants. This includes the recent awarding of a $26 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy.

GM and Mascoma Enter into Biofuels Relationship

Automaker to Help Speed One-Step Cellulose-to-Fuels Process to Market

WASHINGTON - General Motors Corp. and Mascoma Corp. today announced a strategic relationship to develop cellulosic ethanol focused on Mascoma's single-step biochemical conversion of non-grain biomass into low-carbon alternative fuels to help address increasing energy demand.
The relationship, which includes an undisclosed equity investment by GM, complements an earlier investment in a cellulosic ethanol startup that uses a thermo-chemical process to make ethanol from non-grain sources.

Making ethanol from non-grain sources such as the stalk of the corn plant or another member of the grass family known as switch grass is a good idea. Cellulose ethanol utilizes the grain of the corn which is needed for food. Since there exist another option, its wise to make use of it and avoid sacrificing food for fuel.

New York County Joins Chevrolet's "Project Driveway" Program to Market Test Fuel Cell Vehicles

New York County Joins Chevrolet's "Project Driveway" Program to Market Test Fuel Cell Vehicles

ROCHESTER, NY - Monroe County, New York, announced today that they will use a Chevrolet Equinox Fuel Cell Electric vehicle as part of their efforts to promote a cleaner and greener environment in the Western New York area. Monroe County becomes the latest member of Chevy's Project Driveway--the largest-ever market test of fuel cell and hydrogen technology.
The announcement was made by Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks during her annual State of the County Address in Rochester, NY.

County executive Maggie Brooks said that Project Driveway is placing more than 100 zero emissions Chevy Equinox fuel cell electric vehicles on the road. These vehicles are powered by hydrogen. They are currently on the streets of key markets in the U.S. and around the world.
The partnership between GM and Monroe County is leading the way toward a more sustainable future. This collaboration will provide valuable information to GM about the automobile's performance and at the same time, prepare Monroe County for the next generation of alternative fuel vehicles.

The Malibu Quality

Intangible qualities
Efficient performance and a long list of safety features fulfill important consideration points that customers place on all new cars, but the Malibu also delivers with a package of details and qualities that are difficult to quantify. From an exceptionally quiet driving experience to upscale interior lighting, the Malibu conveys the feeling of a more expensive car. Additionally, details such as standard XM Satellite Radio, remote vehicle starting and even a household-style rear-seat power center are features uncommon in the segment.

Ed Peper, Chevrolet's general manager said, “We couldn't’t be happier with the Malibu’s enthusiastic reception in the market so far, but we’re hardly resting on our laurels because the competition is fierce”.

Chevy has pledged to continue to improve the Malibu in order to strengthen its leadership position in the market, thereby,helping to make Chevrolet the best car brand in the automotive business.
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Safety performance
When it comes to safety, the Malibu is an impressive performer. It earned the government’s highest possible NCAP crash safety rating: 5 stars. That means the Malibu scored 5-star ratings for driver and front passenger in frontal crash testing; and 5-star ratings for front and rear seating positions in the side-impact crash test.

The following is a list of standard safety features on the 2008 Chevy Malibu:

1. Dual-stage frontal air bags with GM Passenger Sensing System
2. Head curtain side-impact air bags (front and rear outboard seats)
3. Front seat-mounted driver and front thorax air bags for side impact protection
4. Front safety belt pretensioners LATCH child safety seat anchors
5. Four-wheel disc brakes with ABS Traction control
6. StabiliTrak stability control system with panic brake assistance (LT and LTZ)
7. Tire pressure monitoring system
8. All Malibu models come standard with OnStar 8.0, which features advanced automatic crash notification.

Performance of the 2008 Malibu

Efficient performer
A variety of efficient powertrain combinations gives Malibu customers choices that all return excellent fuel economy, including a new four-cylinder/six-speed automatic transmission combination that was recently added to the lineup.

It is powered by a high-tech l 2.4L Ecotec engine which is paired with a specially calibrated six-speed automatic transmission that deliver EPA-estimated mileage of 22 miles per gallon in the city and 32 miles per gallon on the highway. That is said to be better highway mileage than Honda Accord or Toyota Camry. There is also a Malibu Hybrid available. It is the most affordable hybrid version of a mid size sedan in the market. It delivers 24 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on highways, without being the most expensive.

Six-Month Report: Chevy Malibu Continues To Win New Customers, Offers More Diverse Lineup

DETROIT – It’s been approximately six months since Chevrolet’s redesigned Malibu was launched. In that time, it has received critical acclaim – including being named 2008 North American Car of the Year – and numerous recommendations by consumer groups.

As it relates to Brand loyalty, it appears that Chevy Malibu has reached the level of Brand Insistence in reasonably short time. It is important to observe that it is very popular with customers. In only the first quarter of this year and market share is up 1.3 points over the same period in 200707. Much of that growth is due to retail sales, which increased 110 percent during the first three months .