GM Provides Glimpse into the Future of Transportation at WIRED NextFest

GM's Hydrogen Fuel Cell Portfolio And Hybrid Transit Bus At WIRED NextFest Highlight More Than 100 Innovative Exhibits

SAN FRANCISCO - GM will present its portfolio of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, the Hy-Wire, HydroGen3 and AUTOnomy, in addition to the 1952 Firebird I at WIRED NextFest, taking place from May 14-16. These vehicles represent the future of sustainable transportation and will serve as a platform for discussion on the future of transportation.

The GM Hybrid Transit Bus also will play a central role at NextFest. At the opening ceremonies on Friday, May 14, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom will make remarks to schoolchildren on the GM Hybrid Transit Bus about GM's hybrid bus technology that reduces fuel consumption by up to 60 percent and emissions by up to 90 percent. Throughout the weekend, NextFest attendees will see the GM Hybrid Transit Bus technology first hand, as the bus will shuttle attendees to and from the event. On May 10 and 11, The AUTOnomy, GM's revolutionary fuel cell concept car, was displayed on the Marina Green, to allow San Franciscans to witness clean technology and nearly endless design possibilities.

"Our advanced technology vehicles represent the future of transportation. For that reason, we are thrilled to be part of an event such as NextFest. The vehicles you see at NextFest will lead us to a hydrogen economy - truly sustainable transportation," said Dave Barthmuss, Manager, California Environment & Energy Communications.

The GM Firebird I also will be on display at NextFest. Inspired by the nation's fascination with the "jet age," the Firebird I, II and III concepts from the 1950s were developed in support of General Motors Research's experimental turbine engine program.

The Firebird I-- a needle-nosed, delta-winged vehicle- was styled by Harley J. Earl in 1952 and powered by a turbine engine. GM's technical competence exhibited on the Firebird I is the same kind of innovation that continues today with the AUTOnomy and Hy-Wire.

GM's participation at the WIRED NextFest compliments the GM "Road to Hydrogen" Tech Tour held May 12 at the Presidio. The Tech Tour presented GM's advanced technology portfolio, for policymakers, environmental activists, media and students and faculty from area universities to drive and experience.

WIRED NextFest is a unique exhibition that brings together innovations from inventors and research and development labs around the world. Created by WIRED Magazine, the exhibit centers on "the future of" seven core themes: transportation entertainment, communications, space/undersea exploration, health, design and security.

"WIRED NextFest is showcasing the technologies that will transform the way we live, work, and play in the future. Essentially, it's WIRED Magazine brought to life," said Drew Schutte, publisher of WIRED Magazine. "Our exhibitors are on the cutting-edge of innovation - the GM transportation pavilion is an awesome display of what we can look forward to in the future. WIRED NextFest is the portal to the future for the dreamer in us all."

WIRED NextFest is open for General Admission on Saturday, May 15 & Sunday, May 16, from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. PT. It will be staged in San Francisco at Fort Mason's Festival Pavilion. For additional information about WIRED NextFest, please visit www.nextfest.net.

WIRED NextFest is sponsored by GM, HP, Motorola, T-Mobile HotSpot, The Science Channel and Yahoo! Search.

General Motors Corp. , the world's largest vehicle manufacturer, employs about 325,000 people globally. Founded in 1908, GM has been the global automotive sales leader since 1931. GM today has manufacturing operations in 32 countries and its vehicles are sold in 192 countries. In 2003, GM sold nearly 8.6 million cars and trucks, about 15 percent of the global vehicle market. GM's global headquarters are at the GM Renaissance Center in Detroit.

More information on GM and its products can be found on the company's corporate website at www.gm.com. GM's corporate responsibility web site, www.gmability.com, contains additional information about GM's environmental initiatives.