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GM Ships First Fuel Cell Vehicle For Demo In California

FOR RELEASE: April 25, 2002

GM Fuel Cell Vehicle Comes To California

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - General Motors Corp. has shipped its first fuel cell demonstration vehicle to a California government-industry partnership based here, the company announced today, the first of several advanced technology vehicles that GM will demonstrate in California this year.

The record-setting HydroGen1 fuel cell vehicle, first shown in June 2000 in Brussels, is going to be used as part of a demonstration fleet, under the direction of the California Fuel Cell Partnership, which was formed by Gov. Gray Davis, automakers and energy companies in 1999.

HydroGen1 has been used in rigorous field testing around the world and has accumulated more than 20,000 miles, operating in the hottest temperatures on record for a fuel cell vehicle during an endurance run in the Arizona desert last summer. The vehicle is based on an Opel Zafira, a minivan GM sells in Europe, Asia and Latin America.

The HydroGen1 has some impressive credentials.

  • It set 15 international speed and endurance records in the heat of the Arizona desert last year, including becoming the first fuel cell vehicle to cover more than 500 miles in one day and be driven in 100-degree Fahrenheit heat.
  • It led the men's and women's marathons at the 2000 Summer Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia.
  • HydroGen1 was the only fuel cell passenger vehicle to complete the tough 220-mile Los Angeles to Las Vegas trip during the 2001 Michelin Challenge Bibendum. The Bibendum is a competition and showcase for environmentally friendly vehicles.
  • At the 2001 Michelin Bibendum Challenge, HydroGen1 also was awarded a design trophy for the outstanding integration of its high-tech fuel cell system into the vehicle.
  • So far, more than 600 journalists, scientists and politicians have driven the HydroGen1.
GM has invested hundreds of millions in fuel cell research, development, and commercialization. The company has been making steady progress toward improved mobile and stationary fuel cell applications. GM boasts the world's first gasoline processor for extracting hydrogen and its fuel cell stacks are arguably among the world's most efficient.

In January, GM unveiled its AUTOnomy concept at the North American International Auto Show. AUTOnomy is the first vehicle designed from the ground up around a fuel cell propulsion system and the first to combine fuel cells with x-by-wire, which allows steering, braking and other vehicle systems to be controlled electronically rather than mechanically.

To further its fuel cell development, GM has established partnerships with leading companies in the field, including General Hydrogen, Quantum Technologies Worldwide, Inc., Hydrogenics Corp., Giner Electrochemical Systems, L.L.C., Suzuki Motor Corp., Toyota Motor Corp., BPAmoco, ExxonMobil, and ChevronTexaco.

General Motors , the world's largest vehicle manufacturer, designs, builds and markets cars and trucks worldwide. In 2001, GM earned $1.5 billion on sales of $177.3 billion, excluding special items. It employs about 362,000 people globally.

More information on GM's advanced technologies and environmental performance can be found at www.gmability.com.