Inventions and Innovations on the Road to Amelia Island

Detroit - Feb. 24, 2006: When the prestigious Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance selected “Alternate Fuels, Alternate Power” as the theme for their 2006 event, no one was better prepared than General Motors.

With a history of leadership in the development of alternative fuel vehicles, GM had already assembled many its concept cars and engineering prototypes developed over the years into an alternative power display demonstrating the Corporation’s tradition of invention and innovation. This display, currently found at the General Motors Heritage Center in Sterling Heights, Mich. provided the basis for a special exhibit headed to Amelia Island, Fla. for the March 10-12 Concours event.

“Participating in the Amelia Island Concours with these alternative power cars demonstrates why GM’s heritage is so important”, said Scot Keller, Staff Director, Corporate Communications. “These vehicles serve as inspiration for the men and women who continue to keep GM a leader in the development of alternative fuel vehicles. Being able to share them with the enthusiasts attending the Amelia Island Concours is another example of using our heritage to demonstrate not only where we have been, but where we are going”.

The vehicles from GM’s Heritage Collection to be displayed include: A 1970 Pontiac Grand Prix powered by an innovative regenerative steam engine; the Chevrolet Express, a four-passenger concept car built in 1987 utilizing an experimental GM AGT-5 turbine engine in an ultra-low drag aero body: AUTOnomy, the world’s first vehicle designed expressly around a fuel cell propulsion system: Sequel, a concept car which debuted in 2005, that takes fuel cell vehicles to the next level…300 mile range and 0-60 times under ten seconds.

General Motors’ presence at the Concours doesn’t end with the display of significant alternate fuel and alternate power vehicles. On Friday March 10, at 4:00 p.m. , an important seminar will feature Beth Lowery, General Motors VP, Environment and Energy whose presentation will address; “Diversifying our Energy Sources and the Promise of Alternative Fuels”. The seminar is being held in the Grand Ballroom at the Ritz Carlton bringing together enthusiasts, students and media to help broaden the understanding of this topical issue.