GM Strengthens Connection to the SAE World Congress

FOR RELEASE: February 28, 2003

GM Strengthens Connection to the SAE World Congress

International Conference provides forum for addressing technical issues

DETROIT - General Motors is increasing its presence at the 2003 SAE World Congress with greater executive and employee involvement and an exhibit highlighting its energy and environmental activities.

The increase in GM's involvement at the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) World Congress includes several keynote speakers and a significant presence on the current state of technologies and future technical challenges.

Ned McClurg, vice president and general manager, GM Powertrain Engineering Operations, will present a keynote speech, "Standing on the Brink of Change - The Future of Automotive Powerplants." Also, several GM executives will take part in panel discussion, including Tom Gottschalk, "Steering the Automotive Industry Toward Sustainable Development - A Challenge We All Need to Understand” and, Chris Borroni-Bird, "42Volt Electrical Systems and Fuels Cells: Harmonious Marriage of Incompatible Partners?"

In addition, numerous GM engineers will present technical papers on topics ranging from Developing Testing Systems for Powetrains to Changing the Quality Paradigm to Fixed Weld Reduction Method for Optimal Spot Weld Pattern Design.

"We encourage the participation of GM engineers in SAE activities and events, and we recognize the mutual benefits to job performance and professional development," said Jim Queen, the General Motors Vice President of North America Engineering. "Vehicle engineering and Powertrain engineering will be holding meetings, on-site at the Cobo Center, this will help ensure that engineering executives come to the SAE World Congress, and provides them an opportunity to walk the exhibit floor."

On display will be both current and future energy and environmental technologies, including a VTi variable transmission, a Displacement on Demand (DoD) engine, the Autonomy fuel cell concept vehicle and a series of hybrid system technologies. The display highlights the GM strategy of improving the efficiency and cleanliness of conventional powertrains; evolving to hybrid propulsion; and, a move to hydrogen fuel cell transportation. GM engineers will be available in the exhibit from 10-11:30 a.m. each day.

Neil Schilke, general director of engineering, GM Public Policy Center, and a past president of SAE stated, "Our industry faces many significant technical challenges, and The SAE World Congress serves to help the people who engineer solutions better understand the technologies and issues to get to the future faster."

General Motors , the world's largest vehicle manufacturer, designs, builds and markets cars and trucks worldwide, and has been the global automotive sales leader since 1931. GM employs about 350,000 people around the world. More information on GM can be found at www.gm.com.

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