General Motors: GM Vehicle Technologies Combined with Smart Driving Lead to Significant Fuel Savings

DETROIT – A successful first quarter demonstrated that consumers still require the capabilities and utility provided by full-size SUVS, like the all-new Chevrolet Tahoe. In fact, first quarter sales rose 37 percent for the new Chevy Tahoe. The reason for this apparent paradox is that the latest Chevrolet models are the most fuel-efficient SUVs on the road today. Technological advancements from Chevy, combined with a few simple driving tips, can result in significant fuel economy improvements and less money spent at the gas pump – up to one tank of gas every other month.

Today, Chevy representatives are highlighting how technology on internal combustion engines in its vehicles, like the Impala and new Tahoe, combined with more attention paid on the roads, can make a difference in consumer’s wallets.

General Motor’s commitment to developing fuel-saving technologies is demonstrated by its lineup of more vehicles that achieve 30 miles-per-gallon (based on Environmental Protection Agency highway label data) than any other manufacturer for 2006. Chevy has seven vehicles in this lineup; they are the Impala, Cobalt, Aveo, Malibu, Malibu Maxx, Monte Carlo and HHR. Moreover, during the first quarter of 2006, the Impala and Cobalt rank among the top ten best-selling vehicles in America.

The automaker is able to achieve high fuel economy through class-leading aerodynamics, refining vehicle losses, and improving engine and transmission efficiencies. This full-spectrum approach allows GM to offer customers fuel economy leadership without compromising value, performance, and other useful capabilities, such as towing, hauling and cargo space.

Engine Technology

There are several key powertrain technologies that GM is implementing including:

  • Active Fuel Management Cylinder Deactivation – This technology shuts off half of the vehicle’s cylinders when less power is needed, such as during low-speed cruising or deceleration, allowing driving in a fuel saving, four-cylinder-mode and seamlessly switching to a robust eight-cylinder-mode to meet the demand for greater power.
  • Engine Variable Valve Timing – Optimizes engine air flow for maximum efficiency and power.
  • Six-Speed Transmissions – A wider range of transmission gearing enables better highway fuel economy along with better acceleration performance.

Beyond conventional propulsion systems, GM is expanding its fuel economy leadership with hybrid engine technology. GM first deployed hybrid technology on some of the highest fuel-consumption vehicles, and now there are more than 440 buses throughout the U.S. and Canada equipped with GM’s advanced hybrid technology. GM also has been selling the world’s first full-size hybrid pick-up trucks for more than a year and just recently introduced the Saturn Vue Greenline hybrid, an exceptional value that will go on sale this summer. In addition, GM is developing a two-mode hybrid that will be available on new full-size SUVs in 2007 and pick-up trucks in 2008. BMW and Daimler-Chrysler will also use versions of this two-mode hybrid technology.

The company also is continuing test drives of its hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, the Sequel, later this summer.

Aerodynamics

Throughout the vehicle development process, engineers search for areas that will provide the greatest opportunities to increase fuel efficiency. GM’s aerodynamics capability is one of the key fuel-efficiency enablers. Every vehicle undergoes rigorous mathematical analysis and physical testing in the world’s largest automotive aerodynamics lab to optimize aerodynamic shape development, maximize cooling airflow and minimize wind noise. Even though impressive improvements are derived from the powertrain, aerodynamics is the second largest contributor to fuel efficiency gains.

Specifically, the 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe received an eight percent reduction in aerodynamic drag over the previous model resulting directly in a three percent improvement in fuel economy. These improvements give the Chevy Tahoe the best aerodynamic drag of any vehicle in its class. The two-wheel-drive Tahoe achieves 22 miles per gallon (mpg) EPA Highway label, two mpg better than the next best Dodge Durango in this segment and four mpg better than the Toyota Sequoia. It also achieves 16 mpg EPA City label, equal or better to the EPA City fuel economy for any other competitor.

Other Key Technology

Many other vehicle technologies, aside from the powertrain, contribute to improved fuel efficiency in today’s vehicles, including:

  • Regulated voltage control (RVC) – GM’s patented RVC technology optimizes alternator load by reducing voltage when the battery reaches 80 percent state-of-charge. RVC extends battery and electrical component life, and delivers approximately one percent fuel economy gain.
  • Electric cooling fans – These fans replace engine driven fans. They require less horsepower and produce less noise to deliver a one percent increase in fuel economy.
  • Variable displacement air conditioner compressor – Replaces a fixed displacement compressor providing as much as a three-to-five percent increase in fuel economy with A/C on.
  • Electric power steering – Reduces mechanical losses by eliminating the pump, hoses and hydraulic fluids to deliver a one-to-two percent increase in fuel economy.

According to Terry Connolly, GM North America director of Energy and Drive Quality, consumers play an important role in maximizing the fuel efficiency of their vehicles in addition to GM’s technical improvements in fuel economy.

“The in-use fuel efficiency of a vehicle depends upon more than just the design and content,” said Connolly. “Consumer behavior has a significant impact on the number of miles traveled on a gallon of gasoline. If our customers take advantage of their vehicle’s technology and optimize their own driving behavior, the fuel savings could reach as much as one tank of gasoline every other month.”

GM recommends several tips that customers could follow to help improve their vehicle fuel economy:

  • Drive the speed limit. Aerodynamic drag at higher speeds is a huge energy loss. Each five mph you drive over 60 mph is like paying an additional 15 cents per gallon for gas.
  • Using cruise control on the highway helps you maintain a constant speed and could help save as much as 10 percent for some drivers.
  • Avoid keeping unnecessary items in your vehicle. An extra 100 pounds in a vehicle could reduce fuel economy by up to two percent.
  • Keep vehicles properly maintained. Replacing a dirty air filter can improve a car’s gas mileage by as much as 10 percent. Regularly check tire pressure, following the recommended inflation. This could improve gas mileage by up to three percent and greatly extends tire wear life as well.

“We know customers are looking for fuel-efficient, high-quality vehicles at competitive prices, and that’s what we are delivering,” said Ed Peper, Chevrolet general manager. “Fluctuating fuel prices have made the subject of fuel economy top of mind for many consumers. In order to play in today’s competitive, global automotive industry; we must provide consumers with the best possible value.”

For more information about GM’s fuel saving technologies and additional fuel saving tips, visit www.gmability.com.

General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM), the world’s largest automaker, has been the global industry sales leader for 75 years. Founded in 1908, GM today employs about 327,000 people around the world. With global headquarters in Detroit, GM manufactures its cars and trucks in 33 countries. In 2005, 9.17 million GM cars and trucks were sold globally under the following brands: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, GM Daewoo, Holden, HUMMER, Opel, Pontiac, Saab, Saturn and Vauxhall. GM operates one of the world’s leading finance companies, GMAC Financial Services, which offers automotive, residential and commercial financing and insurance. 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.

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Contacts:
Pete Barkey
Engineering Communications
(586) 492-3878
pete.barkey@gm.com

Nekeidra Shegog
Southeast Region Communications
(678) 240-9904
nekeidra.shegog@gm.com