GM Wins First Place in LA Design Challenge

Los Angeles (ots) -

- Cross-reference: photo was sent via satellite and is available
at http://www.presseportal.de/galerie.htx?type=obs -

GM Advanced Design has won the Los Angeles Auto Show's Design
Challenge for the second year in a row. This year's winning entry is
a two-dimensional rendering of a 2015 concept that addresses
environmental sustainability. Called the HUMMER 02, this design
proves that daily use of a vehicle could result in a net gain for the
environment.

The 2006 Design Challenge theme is Environmental Sustainability, a
challenge for design studios to transform the future of driving into
an environmental experience. Contest guidelines also required that
vehicle entries be 100-percent recyclable and have a maximum lifespan
of just 60 months. GM's entry is presented as a series of
two-dimensional images, not as a 3D model.

Designers at GM's West Coast Advanced Design Studio in Southern
California tackled the far-reaching challenge - to develop a concept
that resulted in a net gain for the environment. The GM team crafted
an entry that surpasses the contest's sustainability principles: the
HUMMER O2 Concept.

“The HUMMER O2 epitomizes the ethos of the true Southern
California outdoors enthusiast with rugged capability, a 'tread
lightly' contact system and construction methods promoting safety,
accessibility and reusability,” said Frank Saucedo, director, GM
Advanced Design in California . “Most vehicles in L.A. spend 95
percent of their time outdoors subjected to sunlight, so why couldn't
a vehicle give back?”

To fully understand the HUMMER O2, the GM team believes that terms
commonly associated with ecology and biology work best.
Photosynthesis

The HUMMER O2 Concept features a revolutionary phototropic body
shell that produces pure oxygen throughout the life of the vehicle.
Algae-filled body panels transform carbon dioxide into pure oxygen
that is subsequently released back into the environment and inside
the vehicle.

“The panels essentially function as the 'leaves' of the HUMMER O2
and effectively clean the air in the surrounding environment,” said
Saucedo. “Used algae are recycled as biomass for the further
production of energy.”

Breathing

The HUMMER O2 promotes the production of oxygen by a two-way valve
system in the corner of each panel. The sophisticated devices control
and monitor the amount of carbon dioxide and source nutrition needed
for the algae cultivation while optimizing oxygen production and
distribution.

Energy

Four modular and self-contained fuel cells power hydraulic motors
built into each wheel. A hydrogen tank is placed in an ideal central
location for safety and structural purposes, becoming the “heart” of
the vehicle.

Footprint

Active Tread TM tires provide low resistance on the highway while
allowing excellent off-road progress as their shape changes -
adapting to and protecting the surrounding environment.

Structure

Finally, to further reduce environmental impact, the HUMMER O2's
construction specifies the use of 100-percent post-consumer
materials, including an aluminum frame, seats finished with Volatile
Organic Components-free (VOC-free) materials and glazing via PETE
(similar to everyday consumer packaging, such as soda bottles).

The GM West Coast Advanced Design Studio won the 2005 Design
Challenge competition with its GMC PAD Concept, a mobile urban loft

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. It has
manufacturing operations in 33 countries and its vehicles are sold in
200 countries. In 2005, GM sold 9.17 million cars and trucks
globally, up 2 percent and the second-highest total in the company's
history. In Europe, GM sells its Opel, Vauxhall, Saab, Chevrolet,
Cadillac, Corvette and Hummer ranges in over 30 markets. It operates
11 production and assembly facilities in eight countries and employs
around 62,560 people. More information on GM and its products can be
found at http://media.gmeurope.com and http://www.gmeurope.com.

Originaltext: General Motors (GM Europe)
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Steve Janisse
Manager, GME Design & Technology Communications
Office: 0049-6142-7-73864
Mobile: 0049- 170-3395900
Steve.Janisse@de.gm.com
Julie Huston-Rough
Manager, GM Design Communications
Office: 001-586-986-5606
Mobile: 001-313-549-6977
E-mail: julie.huston-rough@gm.com


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