 |
EN-V is a two-seat electric vehicle that was designed to alleviate concerns surrounding traffic congestion, parking availability, air quality and affordability for tomorrow’s cities. The EN-V concepts will be featured at the SAIC-GM Pavilion at the 2012 World Expo this Summer.
Photo: GM |
|
Shanghai –
By 2030, urban areas will be home to more than 60 percent of the world’s 8 billion people.
This will put tremendous pressure on a public infrastructure that is already struggling to meet the growing demand for transportation and basic services.
General Motors and its strategic partner,
Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp. Group (SAIC), share a common vision for addressing the need for personal mobility through a radical change in personal urban transportation.
They are exploring several solutions for tomorrow’s drivers.
Among the most promising is a
new vehicle form called EN-V.
A Promising Solution
EN-V, which is short for Electric Networked-Vehicle, maintains the core principle of personal mobility – freedom – while helping remove the motor vehicle from the environmental debate and redefining design leadership.
 |
EN-V is a two-seat electric vehicle that was designed to alleviate concerns surrounding traffic congestion, parking availability, air quality and affordability for tomorrow’s cities. Photo: GM |
|
EN-V is a two-seat electric vehicle that was designed to alleviate concerns surrounding traffic congestion, parking availability, air quality and affordability for tomorrow’s cities.
Three EN-V models were unveiled today in Shanghai.
They represent three different characteristics that emphasize the enjoyable nature of future transportation:
Jiao (Pride), Miao (Magic) and
Xiao (Laugh).
 |
GM EN-V Jiao(Pride) in Shanghai
Photo: GM |
|
The concepts will be showcased
from May 1 through October 31 at the SAIC-GM Pavilion at World Expo 2010 Shanghai.
Shanghai is expected to become one of the epicenters for the establishment of personal mobility solutions for the future.
 |
Kevin Wale, President and Managing Director of GM China Group, introduces a trio of EN-V concepts today in Shanghai.EN-V, which is short for Electric Networked-Vehicle, maintains the core principle of personal - mobility – freedom while helping remove the motor vehicle from the environmental debate and redefining design leadership.
Photo: GM |
|
“EN-V reinvents the automobile by creating a new vehicle DNA through the convergence of electrification and connectivity. It provides an ideal solution for urban mobility that enables future driving to be free from petroleum and emissions, free from congestion and accidents, and more fun and fashionable than ever before,” said
Kevin Wale, President and Managing Director of the GM China Group.
Breakthrough Technology
EN-V’s platform has evolved from the platform of the Personal Urban Mobility and Accessibility (P.U.M.A.) prototype that was developed by
Segway and debuted in April 2009.
Segway has worked collaboratively with GM to develop and deliver multiple copies of the drivetrain platform that seamlessly connect to and power the various
EN-Vs.
 |
Jiao of EN-V displayed in Shanghai
Photo: GM |
|
EN-V is propelled by electric motors in each of its two driving-mode wheels.
Dynamic stabilization technology empowers
EN-V, giving it the unique ability to carry two passengers and light cargo in a footprint that’s about a third of a traditional vehicle.
 |
GM EN-V Jiao(Pride). Photo: GM |
|
It can literally “
turn on a dime” within its own operating envelope.
In addition, everything in
EN-V is drive-by-wire, supporting its ability to operate autonomously or under manual control.
The motors not only provide power for acceleration, but also bring the vehicle to a stop.
 |
GM EN-V Jiao(Pride) Interior
Photo: GM |
|
Power for the motors is provided by lithium-ion batteries that produce zero emissions.
Recharging can occur from a conventional wall outlet using standard household power, allowing
EN-V to travel at least
40 kilometers on a single charge.
EN-V can also improve the efficiency of the public electric infrastructure since the vehicle can communicate with the electric grid to determine the best time to recharge based on overall usage.
By combining the
Global Positioning System (GPS) with vehicle-to-vehicle communications and distance-sensing technologies, the
EN-V concept can be driven both manually and autonomously.
 |
GM EN-V Miao(Magic) in Shanghai
Photo: GM |
|
Its autonomous operating capability offers the promise of reducing traffic congestion by allowing
EN-V to automatically select the fastest route based on real-time traffic information.
The concept also leverages wireless communications to enable a “
social network” that can be used by drivers and occupants to communicate with friends or business associates while on the go.
 |
Miao of EN-V displayed in Shanghai
Photo: GM |
|
This combination of sensing technology, wireless communication and
GPS-based navigation establishes a technology foundation, pieces of which could migrate from the
EN-V concept and potentially lead the way to future advanced vehicle safety systems.
The ability to communicate with other vehicles and with the infrastructure could dramatically reduce the number of vehicle accidents.
 |
GM EN-V Miao(Magic)
Photo: GM |
|
Using vehicle-based sensor and camera systems,
EN-V can “sense” what’s around it, allowing the vehicle to react quickly to obstacles or changes in driving conditions.
For example, if a pedestrian steps out in front of the vehicle,
EN-V will decelerate to a slower and safer speed and stop sooner than today’s vehicles.
GM has been a leader in developing autonomous vehicle technology, having worked alongside students and faculty at
Carnegie Mellon University in the U.S. city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
This collaboration created “
The Boss” Chevrolet Tahoe, which brought autonomous vehicle operation to life in 2007.
EN-V takes the lessons learned in “
The Boss” and offers mobility to people who could not otherwise operate a vehicle.
 |
GM EN-V Miao(Magic)
Photo: GM |
|
“The EN-V concept represents a major breakthrough in the research that GM has been doing to bring vehicle autonomy to life,” said
Alan Taub, Global Vice President of GM Research and Development.
“The building blocks that enable the autonomous capabilities found on the EN-V concept such as lane departure warning, blind zone detection and adaptive cruise control are being used in some GM vehicles on the road today.”
 |
GM EN-V Xiao(Laugh) in Shanghai
Photo: GM |
|
EN-V has been designed for the speed and range of today’s urban drivers.
It weighs less than
500 kilograms and is about
1.5 meters in length.
By comparison,
today’s typical automobile weighs more than 1,500 kilograms and is three times as long.
In addition, today’s automobiles require more than
10 square meters of parking space and are
parked more than 90 percent of the time.
 |
Xiao of EN-V displayed in Shanghai
Photo: GM |
|
EN-V’s smaller size and greater maneuverability mean the same parking lot can accommodate five times as many
EN-Vs as typical automobiles.
Smaller, Smarter Design
While
EN-V leads the way in terms of efficiency and technology, it also sets a new benchmark for vehicle design.
For its debut,
GM had design teams around the world provide their vision of what future mobility will look like.
 |
GM EN-V Xiao(Laugh) Interior
Photo: GM
|
|
Xiao (Laugh) was designed by GM Holden’s design team in Australia, while the look of
Jiao (Pride) was penned by designers at GM Europe and
Miao (Magic) was designed at the General Motors Advanced Design Studio in the U.S. state of California.
Each
EN-V has a unique design theme to showcase the flexibility of the propulsion platform.
The design gives each
EN-V its own personality, with a unique opening, elegant interior and innovative color, lighting and seat technology.
Xiao offers a more lighthearted appeal, with its “gumball blue” paint and nautical-inspired design.
Miao takes most of its design cues from the consumer electronics industry, as evidenced by its sleek, masculine looks. Designers also used
Miao to display innovative lighting solutions, including extensive use of LED accent lighting.
With its clean lines and bright paintwork,
Jiao takes its design influence from bullet trains and Chinese opera masks.
 |
GM EN-V Xiao(Laugh) Interior
Photo: GM
|
|
"EN-V incorporates significant technology and material innovation, which has given the design team a whole new world to explore,” said
Clay Dean, Director of Advanced Design for GM North America.
“Because of the lightweight structures, materials and integrated controls, we created unique surface forms not traditionally found in automotive applications.”
The body and canopy of
EN-V are constructed from
carbon fiber, custom-tinted
Lexan and acrylic, materials that are more commonly used in race cars, military airplanes and spacecraft because of their strength and lightweight characteristics.
The ability to work with such innovative materials provided a learning opportunity for
GM’s design teams to study the feasibility of future traditional automotive applications.
EN-V’s compact size makes it ideal for use in densely populated cities thanks to its use of advanced safety and propulsion technologies.
But good things come in small packages, as witnessed by
EN-V’s innovative interior design, which provides maximum visibility to the world outside.
A simple interface for activating
Wi-Fi-based technologies keeps occupants connected to the outside world.
 |
GM EN-V Xiao(Laugh) Interior
Photo: GM
|
|
“The future of how we move around in urban areas like Shanghai can combine the best of personal mobility and public transit. There is a better solution and it is called EN-V. It demonstrates that we have both the knowledge and the ability right now to create a way to move people that not only ensures a ‘better city’ but also offers people a ‘better life,’” said
Taub.
Stephen J. Girsky Named GM Vice Chairman, Corporate Strategy and Business Development
DETROIT – General Motors announced that
Stephen J. Girsky has been appointed GM vice chairman, corporate strategy and business development.
 |
Stephen J. Girsky
Photo: GM
|
|
Girsky, 47, will continue to serve on the
General Motors board of directors, a position he has held since July 10, 2009.
“Steve brings a depth of experience to this position that will serve the company well as we continue with our restructuring efforts,” said
Ed Whitacre, GM chairman and CEO.
“He is a trusted advisor who has made a major contribution through the company’s transition. We look forward to benefiting from Steve’s counsel and insights as we move the company forward.”
 |
General Motors Company Chairman Edward E. Whitacre, Jr. at the GM World Headquarters in Detroit.
Photo: GM |
|
Girsky will have overall responsibility for corporate strategy, business alliances, new business development, and other related areas.
The appointment is effective March 1, 2010.
With more than 40 years of corporate service,
John F. Smith, GM vice president of corporate planning and alliances, has announced his intention to retire.
Smith, 59, will remain with GM through the end of the year and serve as a special advisor to
Chris Liddell, GM vice chairman and CFO.
“John has had a distinguished career,” said
Whitacre.
“He has been instrumental in many of the company’s milestones. We thank him for his dedicated service.”
http://media.gm.com/content/media/us/en/news/news_de-tail.brand_gm.html/content/Pages/news/-us/en/2010/Feb/0222_girsky
About General Motors
General Motors, 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.
GM’s largest national market is the
United States, followed by
China, Brazil, Germany, the United Kingdom, Canada, and
Italy.
GM’s OnStar subsidiary is the industry leader in vehicle safety, security and information services.
General Motors acquired operations from
General Motors Corporation on July 10, 2009, and references to prior periods in this and other press materials refer to operations of the old
General Motors Corporation.
More information on the new
General Motors can be found at
www.gm.com
Hua Foley
(+86-21) 2898-7658 (O)
(+86) 186-0115-5027 (C)
hua.foley@gm.com
Michael Albano
(+86-21) 2899-6463 (O)
(+86) 138-1613-6496 (C)
michael.albano@gm.com
Daniel Flores
(313) 418-2374 (O)
(313) 418-2374 (C)
daniel.flores@gm.com
2010.03.24
http://media.gm.com/content/media/us/en/news/news_de-tail.print.GMCOM.html/content/Pages/news/-us/en/2010/Mar/0324_env
http://media.gm.com/content/media/cn/en/news/news_de-tail.brand_gm.html/content/Pages/news/cn/en/2010/-March/env01