Ford's Alan Mulally kicks off 2010 International CES with Opening day keynote address

* Ford President and CEO Alan Mulally will deliver the opening keynote address at the
2010 CES in Las Vegas at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 7, 2010, in the Hilton Theater

* Mulally expected to unveil Ford's latest innovations and announce new initiatives related to Ford's industry-leading, voice-activated SYNC® communications technology

DEARBORN, Mich., Sept. 21, 2009 – Ford Motor Company announced today that Alan Mulally, president and chief executive officer, will deliver the opening keynote address at the 2010 International CES® in Las Vegas on Jan. 7 at 8:30 a.m. PST. As part of his remarks, Mulally will reveal Ford's latest innovations and announce new technology developments related to Ford's popular, voice-activated SYNC technology.

"Ford continues to lead by bringing together the automobile and consumer electronics industries," said Mulally, who also headlined at 2009 International CES. "With the introduction of SYNC, we enabled our technology partners to allow consumers to use their mobile devices through the automobile in a safer way. At CES, we will show how Ford vehicles will become docking stations for mobile devices, thanks to our alliances with key technology players, and we will demonstrate how voice activation will be the key technology for future in-car experiences."

Ford has made one of the remaining "un-wired" places – the automobile – a connected destination for mobile devices.
Ford SYNC has enabled an interaction that consumers have come to expect from every other aspect of their lives – their televisions, personal computers and mobile devices – all while helping reduce driver distraction. Ford has applied best practices from the technology and telecommunications industries, moving from hardware- to software-based platforms and bringing to market new innovations and applications for vehicle buyers at unprecedented speeds and rates.

"Alan Mulally has positioned Ford as a leading innovator in the automotive industry, and we are pleased to welcome him back to CES," said Gary Shapiro, president and CEO, Consumer Electronics Association, the producer of the International CES. "For the auto industry and all other businesses that use technology, CES is the single must-attend event where business gets done."

CES is the world's largest consumer technology trade show and takes place Jan. 7-10, 2010.

Yesterday, at CES, Ford announced upgrades to Sync with new goodies like audible turn-by-turn directions, a business and point of interest search capability and traffic rerouting, today they've announced plans to unleash the system in Europe and Asia and hinted at a conceptual next generation of Sync.

Let's get the boring stuff out of the way first. Beginning in 2010, Ford will introduce Sync in European countries in a bevy of native languages and then it will migrate to Japan and other Asian Pacific nations as well as Australia (no response on whether or not it will berate you in an Aussie accent for hooning, mate).

Ford is also announcing that it has partnered with the professional frustration-generating nerds at Best Buy's "Geek Squad" for promotion and technical support deal. Tech support? Whatever for? Well, for starters, you'll now be able to download new applications and software updates onto a USB drive and update your system. Since a huge swath of buyers are technologically inept, this is easier than clogging dealer service bays.

But what of the next-gen Sync? Well, we've seen a demo of the thing and although we can't yet spill the beans on what car it'll be displayed in, we can talk about its impressive levels of HAL 9000-like interactivity with all of the creepiness you can imagine. It even has an interactive avatar named Eva who looks like a more bookish version of Dot Matrix from the long-defunct, Saturday morning CGI kids show ReBoot. Eva interacts with the driver, manages information, handles navigation duties, and surfs the internet for you all while being generally helpful. Eva is nice, but the system behind her is more interesting. Ford is working towards a more technologically integrated future by integrating today's hardware with bleeding edge software concepts to birth solutions that seem decades away.

This concept centers around the mantra of "Be Clear, Be Attentive, Be Approachable, and Be Connected." The idea is to make being connected to the wider web and the world easier, and voice controlled. The system would do things like manage your calender and actively remind the driver of today's tasks, search the internet by voice command for a necessary article (or hilarious and informative posts on Jalopnik) and then read it to you, set up meetings with colleagues, suggest music playlists to augment your moods, and generally manage your mobile life. For all you techy nerds out there, Ford is even working on applications that can control downloaded apps on your Blackberry or iPhone by way of your steering wheel. Ford is positioning this concept as "Car as Companion," and the mockup we saw delivers on that. It's a vision of a Minority Report future, yes, but there are inevitably customers who would go nuts for it.

You'll hear more about Eva, and the next generation Sync concept when it's unveiled live at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show.

Ford ANNOUNCES PLANS FOR CONTINUED IN-CAR CONNECTIVITY LEADERSHIP, NEW SYNC FEATURES

*Ford’s technology leadership, modeled after the quick pace of consumer electronics industry, continues delivering affordable, smart innovations to millions of customers

*Ford SYNC goes global in 2010 starting in Europe, then migrates to Asia Pacific and Australia

*Ford launches new SYNC with Traffic, Directions and Information feature in the U.S., providing drivers personalized real-time information with no monthly subscription fees for the first three years

*Ford hints at the future of in-car connectivity with totally configurable cockpit concept with intuitive, conversational electronic personal assistant

*Ford partners with retail electronics giant Best Buy to help build SYNC awareness and provide technical support through its Geek Squad network

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 8, 2009 – Ford today announced plans to globalize its affordable industry-leading SYNC technologies and services at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) and introduced new features aimed at further growing its in-vehicle connectivity leadership.

“No one in the automotive industry offers this level of connectivity as simply and affordably as Ford,” said Ford President and CEO Alan Mulally, who delivered his first keynote address at CES Thursday. “Our SYNC platform links customers from their vehicles to their hand-held devices to the internet — a level of connectivity that will continue to expand as we integrate new and emerging applications from our industry-leading partners.”

Mulally, along with Derrick Kuzak, group vice president of Global Product Development, and top members of Ford’s Connected Services team, announced a new set of SYNC services that leverage industry-leading voice-recognition software, integrated GPS technology and a customer’s Bluetooth-capable mobile phone to deliver personalized traffic reports, precise turn-by-turn driving directions and up-to-date information including business listings, news, sports and weather – without the need for a built-in navigation system.

Launching this summer, SYNC with Traffic, Directions and Information allows customers to move seamlessly between their home, car and office, staying connected wherever they go. The new service will be available on all 2010 model-year, SYNC-equipped Ford, Lincoln and Mercury models with no monthly subscription fees for the first three years.

Ford SYNC is the industry’s first system to seamlessly integrate a variety of technologies to provide emergency, diagnostic and information services as well as traffic reports and directions on the road. They include: on-board text-to-speech engine, a customer’s mobile phone and network, data-over-voice technology, an off-board routing engine and voice portal, text messaging, an existing mobile application and the power of the Internet.

Ford is partnering with Microsoft and other recognized companies – INRIX, TeleNav, Tellme (a Microsoft subsidiary), M/A-COM and Airbiquity — to enable the new services to connect to real-time data.

“Our goal is to lead the industry into a new era of in-vehicle connectivity,” Kuzak said. “Using a SYNC platform that is more capable than ever before, we are taking ideas from technology companies and bringing them into the vehicle. The power of the partnership really knows no bounds.”

Kuzak said a key difference an important competitive advantage for Ford is that the company has no interest in developing its own proprietary system.

“We have an open system that accepts hardware and software products and applications,” he said. “We are striving to deliver technologies and applications to customers with speed, scale and affordability that no other automaker can touch.”

In addition, the SYNC system is upgradeable. Customers can add new features and applications by using simple download features. Plus, all the new features come without a monthly service fee for three years.

The success of SYNC is creating demand outside North America. Ford will be a making the award-winning system available globally starting in 2010, first in Europe, then migrating to Asia Pacific and Australia.

Ford also is redefining how customers react and interact with a vehicle’s controls and displays, including making voice recognition more natural and conversational. The first breakthrough in Ford’s Human Machine Interface (HMI) strategy is SmartGauge with EcoGuide, which launches on the new 2010 Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan Hybrids this spring. SmartGauge with EcoGuide is an innovative new instrument cluster that provides real-time information and “coaches” drivers on how to achieve maximum fuel efficiency in their hybrids.

On Thursday, Ford offered a glimpse into the future with a new, more powerful HMI that hints at how Ford’s future interior environments could function one day. It takes SYNC to the next level through the use of configurable controls and the use of an electronic personal assistant, or “avatar,” named Eva.

Engaged through conversational speech, Eva acts as the liaison to the vehicle’s connectivity and infotainment features, including SYNC and the Internet.

“Ford is all about making the journey from point A to point B a more enjoyable and richer experience, with intuitive, easy-to-use controls and voice-activated, hands-free operation,” said Jim Buczkowski, director of Electronics Systems Engineering.
“We want to create a truly a rich driving environment where there is no compromise in connectivity – where everything you expect will be at your fingertips or voice command, integrated into your drive with minimal distraction.” he added.

Ford also announced a new partnership with leading electronics retailer Best Buy, to help build SYNC awareness and provide tech support through its Geek Squad.

“It’s through partnership like Best Buy, Microsoft and countless others,” said Mulally, “that we are building new roads, connecting more people than ever, making connectivity technology affordable for millions, today and into the future.”

First, lets talk conceptually for a moment. Instead of doing all the grunt work and developing the entire system and everything on the computational back-end internally, Ford has partnered with a number of the worlds software and telematics companies. By building a hardware platform onto which those technologies can be operated with minimal changes, Ford is reducing time to market and adapting the work of established leaders for use in the car.

But what are those upgrades?

You can now ask Sync to find a business and it will provide voice prompt directions in cars without a screen, or text message the directions to your mobile phone. This is done completely "off-board" via a wireless connection to the internet and a partnership with online service partners. The system can also now find the nearest cheap gas and guide you to it, and it can warn you of upcoming traffic congestion and suggest alternate routes to save time.

Another interesting feature added to syncmyride.com is the information services. Log on and select the headline news, or perhaps you're closely following the Detroit Lions, save your preferences and when you're driving around town you can ask it to pull up the scores so you can find out how badly those fellas in Honolulu Blue got whipped by a team of fifth graders. The service is free for three years with all new Ford products.

In addition to the new features, there are little tweaks that provide a simpler user experience. Things like more shortcut commands such as "directions to home" make the system more user friendly overall. The traffic, information and directions feature can also be synced (ha) to a Bluetooth phone and then ported to any Ford product with the Sync System.

Consider this: The original iteration of Sync was first introduced in the 2007 Ford Focus, and it was so good, people overlooked the pugliness of the Focus and bought it anyway. The only problem with this news is that as far as we know, is that there aren't any hideous Ford products coming out any time soon, so they're going to have a hard time building enough units to meet demand.

NEW FORD SYNC FEATURES HELP DRIVERS SAVE TIME, FUEL WITH PERSONALIZED NEWS, TRAFFIC DETAILS

LAS VEGAS, Jan.7, 2009 – Ford is expanding its connectivity leadership by introducing exclusive new SYNC real-time information features that deliver personalized news updates to drivers’ mobile phones while helping them navigate around trouble spots, saving time and fuel.

“Our vision with SYNC is to be a leader in connectivity, making it affordable for millions – just as Ford has done with safety and fuel-saving technologies,” said Ford President and CEO Alan Mulally. “In less than 18 months since we launched SYNC, Ford has delivered two more major new features, and we have more in store.

“We are a car company that through market-driven, customer-focused innovation is learning to think and act like an electronics company, leveraging partnerships with fresh, innovative technology leaders,” added Mulally, who delivered the Consumer Electronics Show keynote address on Thursday.

The success of SYNC – the award-winning communications and entertainment system developed by Ford and Microsoft – continues to grow. Ford’s game-changing vehicle connectivity model and affordability have helped make it one of the widest technology introductions in the industry, launching on 12 vehicles simultaneously.

SYNC-equipped Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles sell nearly twice as fast as those without, and a Ford survey of SYNC customers showed nearly 80 percent of respondents “definitely would” recommend it to a friend.

Since the introduction of SYNC in the 2008 Ford Focus, Ford quickly has integrated the technology. By summer 2009, Ford’s entire North American lineup will offer this must-have technology, demonstrating its rapid, consumer-driven adoption. Ford expects to have 1 million SYNC-equipped vehicles on the road by the third quarter of 2009.

“We define connectivity as a way to keep people moving through their lives – not simply as an on-board computer,” said Mark Fields, Ford’s president of The Americas. “Our approach focuses on connecting people to the information they need, whenever and wherever they need it. These new features are aimed at enhancing the driver’s entire quality of life.”

Ford’s next-generation system – SYNC with Traffic, Directions and Information – leverages industry-leading voice-recognition software, integrated GPS technology and a customer’s Bluetooth-capable mobile phone. Debuting this spring, it will provide simple hands-free access to personalized traffic reports, precise turn-by-turn driving directions and up-to-date information including business listings, news, sports and weather.

The new services will be available on nearly all 2010 Ford, Lincoln and Mercury models with no initial monthly subscription fees, thanks to three years of service included with a new vehicle purchase.

“Ford is unique because we continue to build on the power of the SYNC system that lets customers connect to off-board services through their own mobile devices,” said Doug VanDagens, director of Ford’s Connected Services Organization. “With that foundation, there is no limit to the data we can offer. Working with our partners – the best of the best in the technology world – we will continue to provide new services in a timeframe on par with the consumer electronics industry.”

According to 2008 year-end data, Smartphones were a clear consumer must-have, offering such advanced capabilities as a keyboard, Web browser and some PC-like functionality. Research findings suggest that growth in this industry is expected to continue at 40-percent year-over-year.

SYNC’s new suite of services allows customers the ability to integrate with off-board services and provide a personalized infotainment experience to the driver by utilizing the customer’s own phone. That powerful match is what differentiates SYNC in the marketplace and what will expand Ford’s connectivity leadership long-term.

“Today, Ford leads the industry leader in infotainment,” said Derrick Kuzak, Ford’s group vice president of Global Product Development. “As we transform our vehicle lineup, we intend to continue making smart technology a key differentiator for Ford, Lincoln and Mercury products.”

Ford is partnering with Microsoft and other recognized companies – INRIX, TeleNav, Tellme (a Microsoft subsidiary), M/A-COM and Airbiquity — to enable the new services to connect to real-time data.

“We’re excited to see Ford's great innovations developed on top of our Microsoft Auto platform that continue to improve how people spend time in their car,” says Robbie Bach, president of Microsoft’s Entertainment and Devices Division.
“The combination of software and services, including the industry leading technology from Microsoft Auto and Tellme, are delivering entirely new voice-enabled experiences that make the time spent in the car more entertaining and more productive,” Bach added.

To take advantage of Traffic, Directions and Information, customers simply have to pair their Bluetooth-enabled phone with SYNC and activate the service via www.syncmyride.com.
Once that’s complete, the feature becomes “portable,” meaning customers can access the information in any Ford, Lincoln or Mercury vehicle equipped with SYNC and the Traffic, Directions and Information function.

Traffic
SYNC’s new traffic feature will literally save drivers time and money by providing personalized traffic reports based on best-in-class content.

“We are able to provide traffic speed, flow and incident information to drivers in 95 markets nationwide,” said VanDagens. “In addition, drivers can personalize the system to alert them of changing road conditions.”

In a text message to the user’s device, drivers will get the location and severity of accidents or new road construction causing areas of heavy congestion. Users can personalize the system to send them an alert before they leave home or have SYNC read the text message in their vehicle.

“SYNC is working for you before you’re even out of bed,” VanDagens said. “That’s what we mean by a quality-of-life experience.”

Directions
According to Telematics Research Group, Inc., navigation-enabled mobile phones are becoming consumers’ top choice for navigation services. This shift will open up new applications and services – and SYNC is positioned to take full advantage of this market shift using its powerful partnership network.

Drivers requesting directions now can use a variety of search criteria including a 14-million-plus business directory to find their destination, be it a favorite coffee shop or the location of a business meeting.

Turn-by-turn directions are downloaded to the vehicle and are spoken to the user over the vehicle’s audio system and displayed on the radio.

Like the new traffic service, directions incorporate real-time traffic information. Through a set of more conversational voice commands, the user need only speak the name, category or “nearest.”

The new directions service also offers users a choice of how they’d like to receive the information:
Automatic connection to business telephone using the driver’s personal device;
Turn-by-turn directions to the business location using the vehicle’s audio system; or
Text message to user’s device with business listing and map.

Information
Another new feature of SYNC will help drivers’ personalize and categorize their favorite media topics, such as sports, weather and news using voice commands or through www.syncmyride.com.

Examples include:
Personalized sports reports featuring scores and highlights for any professional or college team;
Current weather conditions and forecasts based on city, state or zip-code; and
News of all types – entertainment, business, top stories and technology.

“SYNC has been developed to allow users to create their own experiences,” said VanDagens. “Some people may wish to check their stock portfolios; others might want their hometown baseball scores. With SYNC’s unique architecture and the powerful Tellme voice service, there are no boundaries to the information users can access.”

New short-cuts added
SYNC has gotten smarter as well, and is providing a variety of new “short-cut” commands. Users recall comments such as, “Call Joe at work,” and, “Play artist ACDC.” New commands include, “traffic to work,” and, “directions to home.” Using the website, users can save a variety of locations such as home, office and airport – any location in the U.S.

These new capabilities are in addition to SYNC’s established hallmark suite of services, from hands-free, voice-activated cell phone, text messaging and digital media player integration to the more recent security and convenience additions of 911 Assist and Vehicle Health Report.

“We understand how important it is for customers to feel connected to their lives – even on the road,” Kuzak said. “Ford is committed to continue working with the top technology companies in the business to deliver even more of the features consumers really want.”
# # #

Like the Dashboard Devices in-car computer, the Swiitek unit aims to offer a direct replacement for factory head units, they’ve even designed a range of fitments for popular cars that don’t use standard double-DIN heads.

Unlike the Dashboard Devices unit, Swiitek uses a Windows OS (CE or XP), meaning you can work on spreadsheets in addition to accessing the internet, using on-board navigation and watching movies or playing music, all using the touchscreen LED display. There’s also WiFi, Bluetooth, USB and SD ports and, most importantly, the ability to look like John Hodgeman even while driving an Audi A6. This is not a good idea wethinks.

[Swiitek via Edmunds]

We were actually skeptical until we saw the shot of the double-DIN ENV-100 above and realized how nice it would be to have the full array of in-car entertainment, navigation and Internet access incorporated into one touch-screen device capable of fitting into existing dashboards.

Think of the possibilities, without clutter from wires or tacky add-on devices you could control your MP3 player via WiFi or Bluetooth, same for your phone and access the Internet.

Dashboard Devices plan to unveil its range of in-car computers at CES next month. It plans units capable of working with any size DIN slot and even a console that fits into sun visors. [Dashboard Devices via Edmunds]

Photo credit: Curtis Walker

The new nav unit measures in with a 5.2-inch screen and will include the usual array of features. One extra special ability is the video input so you can plug anything into it and see it displayed on the big and bright screen, including items such as backup cameras.

It does lack a battery, so it will always have to be juiced, but it's okay Nuvi 5000 baby, I still love you. [Navigadget]
(Image)

Rick, you've got the G8 coming and hitting shores now, Camaro coming next year — what other options are being discussed for the Commodore — excuse me — Zeta platform?

I can think of at least two other potential products that have been and remain on the table. One has a reasonably high likelihood, and one maybe not as high likelihood...due to fuel economy concerns.

Not at this time. I think the general discussion going forward...as we look at these products will be challenging ourselves whether we need an eight in these products going forward. Hey, when you develop products...we've got to hold ourselves to a higher standard on these. I saw some early data...not sure if it was just a region of the country...but it definitely skewed towards the four's. That's a big change from the old generation.

That's not to say the Camaro...for younger buyers maybe a six or a turbo-charged six may hold a higher cache...

Electric Avenue
The Convergence of Electronic and Automotive Technologies

Remarks by Rick Wagoner
General Motors Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
to the 2008 Consumer Electronics Show

The Venetian
Las Vegas, Nevada

• Thank you, Gary [Shapiro], for your very kind introduction.

• As Gary said, GM is the first automaker in 41 years to host a keynote presentation at CES... let me tell you, this is a terrific honor for us.

• At GM, we have a long history of automotive firsts... from the electric starter and automatic transmission... to the catalytic converter and OnStar... to the spectacular concept car that just delivered me onstage... the Chevy Volt!

• Those of you who know the Volt - which GM introduced in Detroit at the North American International Auto Show almost exactly one year ago - know that it's a lot more than just a great looking car.

• The Volt is a powerful example of beauty and brains... because as good as it looks on the outside, it's the technology under the hood that's truly revolutionary.

• We're now over a year into our production engineering for the Volt... and we're moving as fast as we can to bring it to market.

• You may have seen the Volt chassis at the GM display in the Grand Lobby of the Convention Center the past two days. The car you see onstage will join that Chassis starting tomorrow... so, please stop by and take a closer look.

• I'll have a lot more to say about the Volt... especially the technology that drives it... later in my presentation.

• For now, let me just say that we at GM are excited about being the first automaker to take the stage at the world's biggest and most impressive technology conference.

• Let me tell you why we're here.

• The electronics industry has undergone unbelievable change since Lee DeForest started it all with the invention of the first electronic amplifier, way back in 1907... one year before the founding of General Motors, by the way.

• It's good to know that, when GM hits 100 later this year, we'll be in the company of others who, like us, refuse to grow old.

• The electronics industry stays young by continually reinventing itself.

• From DeForest's "audion," as it was called, and vacuum tubes of every shape and size... to transistors and integrated circuits... semiconductors and supercomputers... Internet and wireless communications... the breakthroughs keep coming.

• At GM, we intend to stay young by reinventing the automobile... with a lot of that based on electronics.

• The fact is, the auto and electronics industries have traveled similar paths for a long time... sometimes arm-in-arm.

• Way back in 1912, GM introduced the industry's first electric starter... which replaced the old hand-crank starters you've all seen on the History Channel.

• We don't even think about electric starters today, but they truly revolutionized the automobile.

• And it was the first of many electronic innovations that transformed automobiles from rough-and-tumble horseless carriages... to the sophisticated machines that we know and drive today.

• In fact, if the automobile were invented today, I'm pretty sure it would debut right here at CES... because more and more, that's exactly what today's cars and trucks are - highly sophisticated consumer electronics.

• The electronics content of the typical automobile has increased by almost 50 percent over just the last five years.

• And you can't think about new consumer electronics for long without imagining what automotive applications they might have.

• At the same time, it's hard to think about today's cars without thinking about the electronics they already incorporate... and not just radios, DVD players, GPS devices, and navigation systems... but also the things you can't see... like airbags, antilock brakes, engine control modules, and the latest major safety breakthrough, electronic stability control, like GM's StabiliTrak system.

• So the auto and electronics industries go way back. At GM, we think we'll be even closer going forward.

• For almost 100 years, GM has been in the business of automotive innovation. Now, our intent is to bring you the future of transportation.

• We'll do this by working more closely than ever with the consumer electronics industry... using electronics to reinvent the automobile... and we can think of no better place than right here at the Consumer Electronics Show, to tell you about some of the exciting things we have going on at GM.

* * * * * * *

• If the clearest intersection between the automobile and consumer electronics used to be the radio, today it's telematics... and in GM's case, that means OnStar... the unquestioned leader in telematics today.

• By the way, that leadership would not have been possible without the support and partnership of a lot of you here today.

• Over the past 12 years, your passion and expertise have helped bring OnStar to life... and we look forward to continuing and growing that kind of mutually beneficial relationship with you in the years to come.

• We're always open to your ideas to bring electronics to the auto industry... in fact, here with me today are a number of GM's top technology experts. They're sitting in the front row... and you're going to see a number of them on video during my remarks.

• They'll also be here in the room when I finish up, so please seek them out if you have questions or ideas.

• But back to OnStar, its value to our customers is very clear: it provides safety, security, and "peace of mind" through a suite of OnStar-exclusive features... all of which can be accessed through a powerfully simple user interface.

• On average, OnStar is now interacting with about 85,000 subscribers per day.

• In an average month, we respond to about...

• 1, 750 automatic crash notifications.

• 11,000 calls for emergency service.

• and 35,000 roadside assistance calls.

• "Good Samaritan" subscribers call for help on behalf of their fellow motorists about 6,000 times a month.

• OnStar also handles about 29 million minutes of hands-free calling per month... and responds to about 800 stolen vehicle location requests.

• To date, OnStar has had more than 82 million subscriber interactions... one interaction about every two seconds.

• There are thousands of examples of OnStar proving itself as a life-saving technology... here's just one.

VIDEO: OnStar commercial

• Clearly, OnStar helps us establish stronger relationships with our customers.

• We hear from many subscribers like the couple in the video... who insist that every future car they purchase must have the safety and security features that only OnStar provides.

• OnStar has led to a number of unexpected benefits for GM, as well... like using the system's diagnostics feature to validate our vehicles... like driving down warranty costs... like leading to more than 400 GM patent applications so far.

• One huge benefit that OnStar has brought to GM... and again, one we really didn't anticipate... has been learning from the faster engineering and development cycles of the consumer electronics industry.

• In fact, our OnStar technology platform is about to roll out its eighth generation in just 12 years... which, as I suspect you all know, is somewhat faster than our normal automotive development cycle.

• But probably the greatest thing about OnStar is what's great about electronics... we keep finding new ways to take advantage of the technology. A good example is our "Automatic Crash Response" feature.

• When we started OnStar, the system alerted us if your airbag was deployed, we called your vehicle to see if you were ok, and directed emergency services to your exact location.

• We thought that was a pretty amazing use of technology way back in 1996.

• By the way, we've responded to nearly 1 million emergency situations since then.

• And OnStar's service is not dependent on a cell phone or other dashboard device that could be damaged in a crash. Our system is imbedded in the vehicle... is very well protected... and works following even the most severe collisions.

• But as time went on, we worked with emergency responders and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, who told us that if we could figure out a way to tell them how serious a crash was before they got to the scene, they could prepare for what they were likely to find.

• So, working with a key supplier, we developed a more sophisticated system that tells us not only when an airbag deploys, but also what part of the vehicle was hit, how hard it was hit, how many times it was hit, even whether the vehicle rolled over.

• And now the OnStar advisor can convey all that information to the emergency responders as they travel to the scene... improving the chances of a better outcome for those involved.

• Another great OnStar feature is Turn-by-Turn Navigation, which lets drivers - even back seat drivers - ask for directions from a live advisor, who downloads complete step-by-step directions to your car. The advisor then signs off, and OnStar directs you to your destination.

• In keeping with OnStar's guiding principle, we've made the service very easy to use. There are no DVDs to mess with, no maps to read, no hand-held devices to juggle. Everything you need is already in your car.

• Push the blue OnStar button, get directions, and you're on your way.

• I have to say, all this goes way beyond anything I ever thought we'd ever do at GM - I mean, we're not just saving lives... we're actually saving marriages.

• One more OnStar feature I'll mention... our newest one... is what we call "Stolen Vehicle Slowdown," which we'll make available starting later this year on nearly 1.7 million 2009 model-year cars and trucks.

• Stolen Vehicle Slowdown is an enhancement to OnStar's Stolen Vehicle Location Assistance, which uses GPS technology to pinpoint the location of stolen vehicles... which we've done more than 30,000 times.

• Well, sometimes, when the police find the vehicle, the person who stole it is still in it... and doesn't want to get caught. Imagine that!

• Well, the bad guy takes off... the police give chase... and all too often, the situation ends tragically. In fact, there are about 30,000 police chases a year in the U.S... which lead to about 300 crash-related deaths.

• At OnStar, we partnered with law enforcement to address this problem... by designing a service that works for everyone... well, everyone except the car thief.

• It all begins with OnStar pinpointing the location of a stolen vehicle and providing that information to the police.

• Then, once the police have a clear line of sight of the stolen vehicle, they can request that OnStar send a signal to slow the vehicle down... which we do by gradually reducing power to the engine.

• Our research shows that about 95 percent of our OnStar subscribers will want Stolen Vehicle Slowdown on their cars and trucks.

• And if they decide later that they don't want it for any reason, they can opt out at any time without affecting the rest of their OnStar services.

• So, what else is new at OnStar? What do we have coming?

• Take a look at some of the technologies we have on the horizon.

VIDEO: New and upcoming OnStar features.

• These applications, and a lot more, are possible... and not just in the U.S. and Canada, where our primary focus has been to date... but around the world.

• In November, we signed an agreement to bring OnStar to China, which represents a great opportunity to offer the benefits of OnStar to a huge new audience.

• And I suspect China's not the last place OnStar will be going. More to come in that department.

• In short, OnStar has been, and continues to be, more than a terrific business for GM, and our customers... it's been a massive learning experience for us, and another great example of where and how the auto and electronics industries intersect today.

• Now, where will they intersect tomorrow?

* * * * * * *

• If OnStar and telematics are connecting cars to the outside world... then one of the next big developments in automotive electronics is connecting cars with other cars. Connecting them electronically, that is... to keep them from connecting physically.

• In recent years, advances in electronics have allowed for technologies like anti-lock brakes, traction control, electronic stability control, and obstacle detection.

• At GM, we're working our way up this advanced technology ladder to help our drivers avoid accidents and improve traffic flow.

• In fact, we're now offering a Lane Departure Warning System and a blind-spot alert system on the 2008 Buick Lucerne and 2008 Cadillac STS and DTS.

• We're preparing to take it even further through the use of GPS and advanced transponder technology that we believe will revolutionize the driving experience.

• We call it V2V, or vehicle-to-vehicle communications.

• V2V starts with collision avoidance and builds from there. And the key difference between V2V and sensor-based "vision" systems is in the electronic communications.

• Today's vision systems send out a signal that determines the speed and location of the vehicle ahead of you, and directs your car accordingly. It's excellent technology.

• These next-generation systems promise to be considerably better... because they'll be significantly less costly, yes... but more importantly, because they'll use transponders to "talk" with other vehicles within a quarter mile of your vehicle.

• So, if six cars ahead, somebody in a transponder-equipped vehicle steps on the brakes... in your lane or the lanes on either side of you... your transponder will immediately know that, and start slowing down your car before you're even aware you may need to stop.

• This type of technology, unheard of 15 years ago, has the potential to minimize traffic jams and, more importantly, greatly reduce highway accidents and fatalities... with minimal or possibly even no roadway infrastructure required. And it's progressing.

• This past November, for example, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, or DARPA, sponsored a contest for "sophisticated autonomous vehicles." Translation: they held a race for robot cars.

• Well... 37 years ago, GM built the lunar rover for the Apollo Space program. Why not try something a little more down to earth?

• And so, we teamed up with Carnegie Mellon University, Caterpillar, Continental, and others to outfit and race what has to be the most tricked-out Chevy Tahoe this side of... well, this side of the moon.

• The Carnegie Mellon Team named the Tahoe "Boss," after Charles "Boss" Kettering, the first head of GM's research division... who personally invented the electric self starter I spoke of earlier.

• Let's see how the modern-day "Boss" made out.

VIDEO: DARPA Urban Challenge.

• Some pretty exciting possibilities there. I think Boss Kettering would be proud.

• So, just to put this in perspective, autonomous driving means that, some day, you could do your e-mail, eat breakfast, apply your make-up, read the newspaper, watch a video... all while commuting to work.

• In other words, you could do all the things you do right now while commuting to work... except you could do it safely!

• It's still a ways off... but the technology demonstrated by "Boss" and V2V represents the latest example of electronics driving big advances in autos.

• Incidentally, we couldn't fit Boss into the room this afternoon, but we did get him into Vegas... and you can see him tomorrow afternoon and Thursday in the Gold Lot at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

* * * * * * *

• So, lots of work today with electronics, lots of work for tomorrow, and some big ideas for even further out.

• Now, let me turn to an issue of more immediate concern... especially with oil hitting $100 a barrel last week... and that's the role of the automobile in energy security and environmental protection... and the role that electronics, and electricity, can play in reinventing the automobile to address these concerns.

• As we look at the global energy and environmental picture today and consider the future of the automobile, one fact stands out above all others... the auto industry can no longer rely almost exclusively on oil to supply the world's future automotive energy requirements.

• This matter is getting plenty of attention here in the U.S. recently... but make no mistake... this is a global issue.

• Energy supply, sustainable growth, CO2 emissions, fuel economy... these are topics of concern all around the world... as I have learned firsthand in discussions with national and city leaders from Mumbai and Sao Paulo, to Shanghai and Washington.

• For the global auto industry, it is critical - both as a business necessity, and an obligation to society - that we develop alternative sources of propulsion to meet the world's demand for our products... a demand that is growing at a very rapid rate.

• Consider that 2007 was the sixth consecutive year of record sales for the global auto industry - about 70 million units worldwide.

• In the next five years, we project that global sales will grow to 85 million units a year... and that 80 percent of that increase... 12 million new cars and trucks... will be in developing countries like China and India.

• This clearly shows the enormous opportunity our industry has... but also highlights how important it is that we address the challenge of sustainability.

• And as we've worked to address this, it's become very clear to us that no one solution is going to be best for every part of the world.

• So our strategy at GM is simple: use advanced technology to offer a broad range of cleaner and more efficient vehicles, powered by different sources of energy, to best meet the needs of local consumers all around the world.

* * * * * * *

• How do we do this?

• Well, first I should note that a lot of the recent big improvements in internal combustion engines, both gas and diesel, rely heavily on advances in electronics... things like direct injection...variable valve timing... cylinder deactivation... and others.

• Beyond improvements to conventional engines, a huge opportunity to reduce the growth in oil consumption, reduce U.S. oil imports, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions lies in the fuel used by our cars and trucks... and it's increasingly clear that ethanol offers tremendous potential in this regard, over a surprisingly short timeframe.

• Why?

• Well, in part, because there are already so many Flex-fuel vehicles on the road right now that could be running on ethanol, if it were more readily available.

• At GM, alone, we have more than 2.5 million Flex-fuel vehicles on the road just in the U.S... and we have plans to expand our Flex-fuel offerings to 50 percent of our production by 2012.

• Incidentally, in 2008, we'll offer 25 Flex-fuel models around the world, and produce more than one million new Flex-fuel vehicles globally.

• Now, if all of the Flex-fuel vehicles that GM, Ford, and Chrysler have already built in the U.S., plus those that we have committed to build over the next 10 years, were to run on E-85, we could displace 22 billion gallons of gasoline annually. That's billion with a "B."

• And if all manufacturers in the U.S. made that same commitment, we could save 37 billion gallons of gasoline annually.

• That's more than four times the oil savings that the new energy legislation will achieve... and, very importantly, it would actually reduce America's oil consumption by more than 10 percent versus today's levels... and CO2 emissions, as well.

• How do we accomplish this? Three straightforward steps:

• First, continue to grow ethanol production - and we're pleased to see that the new energy legislation includes provisions for this.

• Second, invest heavily in the development of advanced "cellulosic" ethanol, which can be made from fast-growing, non-food plants like switchgrass... or even from agricultural and municipal waste.

• And third, increase the woefully low number of E-85 pumps in our nation's gas stations. Right now, there are about 170,000 gas stations in the U.S., but less than 1 percent of them offer E-85 pumps.

* * * * * * *

• Another technology that's receiving a lot of attention these days is the gas-electric hybrid.

• It's not very well known outside of Detroit, but at GM, we've actually been in the hybrid business now for five years. And we didn't start small. In fact, we started very big.

• Our thinking was simple: you save a lot more gasoline when you improve the fuel economy of a big bus versus a small car. And so we developed the industry's first two-mode hybrid... which is still the most advanced system in the business.

• In 2003, we began supplying our two-mode hybrids to transit systems in North America and Europe. In fact, I'm pleased to announce today that we will deliver our 1,000th hybrid bus right here in Las Vegas later this month.

• More recently, we've been aggressively expanding our hybrid presence into passenger vehicles.

• By the end of this year, GM will be selling eight different hybrid models in the U.S. In fact, we'll introduce 16 new hybrid vehicles over the next four years - an average of one every three months.

• We're particularly excited about two hybrids we've just recently introduced... the Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon hybrids... which use the two-mode hybrid system we developed for transit buses.

• Why?

• Because they can get 50 percent better city fuel economy than their gasoline counterparts... which already get the best fuel economy in their class.

• Hard to believe, but Tahoe and Yukon two-modes can get the same city fuel economy as the 2008 Toyota Camry with a base four-cylinder engine. But the Tahoe seats eight, churns out 332 horsepower, and can tow up to 6,200 pounds.

• This performance earned the Tahoe two-mode the "Green Car of the Year" award at the Los Angeles Auto Show last November.

• And even the author of hybridcarblog.com... no friend of SUVs he... noted in a recent post that the Tahoe two-mode is as fuel-efficient as the tiny BMW Mini Cooper.

• Another new hybrid we're very excited about is our next-generation Saturn VUE Green Line. It'll get an impressive 27 percent overall fuel economy improvement, with a hybrid price premium of less than $2,000.

• The VUE hybrid continues to prove that you don't have to be rich to be green.

• And beyond that, we've already announced our intention to build a "plug-in" version of our Saturn VUE hybrid.

• Our team is hard at work to get this technology to market as soon as we can. Expect an announcement on the VUE plug-in hybrid very soon.

* * * * * * *

• Looking further out, we see tremendous opportunities with hydrogen fuel-cell electric vehicles.

• Fuel cells have been used to power spacecraft since the 1960s, and today there's a huge effort to develop fuel cells that are strong enough, and small enough, and economical enough, to power today's modern automobiles.

• Since 2002, when we introduced a groundbreaking fuel-cell concept vehicle called AUTOnomy, we've been making steady progress toward our goal of developing fuel-cell vehicles for real-world customers.

• Our latest fuel cell concept, the Chevy Sequel, is powered by our fourth-generation fuel cell stack. It's simpler, more efficient, and smaller than previous generations... yet delivers 25 percent more power.

• Last spring, Sequel made history when we drove it 300 miles on a single tank of hydrogen, in real-world conditions, from our fuel-cell research facility near Rochester to Westchester County, New York.

• And the hydrogen we used was derived from hydro power at Niagara Falls... a clean, renewable source... so this was a true zero-emissions run.

• Today, we're in the process of putting Sequel's technology on the street... by building it into our Chevy Equinox SUVs. You may have seen a few of these cruising the strip over the last several days.

• The Equinox Fuel Cell has a 150 mile range, refuels in 5-8 minutes, and is a full-fledged electrically-driven ZEV... zero emissions vehicle.

• In the next few weeks, we'll begin delivering more than 100 of these vehicles to customers in Southern California and the East Coast. Together, they'll constitute the world's largest fuel-cell test fleet.

* * * * * * *

• Now, all of these technologies... more fuel-efficient conventional engines, bio-fuels, gas-electric hybrids, and hydrogen fuel cells... are important, and all are possible, thanks largely to advanced electronics. But what's really exciting is when we bring them all together... with concepts like the Chevy Volt onstage with me now.

• In fact, fair to say that no concept in my GM career has created more excitement than the Chevy Volt... here in the U.S., and in fact, all around the world.

• Volt is our first demonstration of a new family of electrically driven propulsion systems that we call E-Flex.

• The "E" in E-Flex stands for "electric," because all E-Flex vehicles will be driven by electricity... and E-Flex is "flexible," because it is easily adapted to different sources of electricity.

• The electricity used to energize E-Flex vehicles can come directly from the power grid... or from a small motor running on ethanol or gasoline, like the Chevy Volt... or from a small diesel engine, like the Opel Flextreme concept we unveiled in Frankfurt in September... or from a hydrogen fuel cell, like the Volt concept we showed in Shanghai last April.

• So, how does E-Flex work?

• Well, like so many other electronic devices, everything begins with the battery. Take the Chevy Volt.

• Running off the battery, which customers can charge in a standard electrical outlet, the Volt operates as a traditional battery-electric vehicle, with a driving range of about 40 miles.

• And when you consider that three-quarters of American drivers travel less than 40 miles in their daily commute... clearly, Volt will have a huge impact on America's petroleum dependence.

• And if the driver of a Volt needs to travel beyond 40 miles, the engine/generator kicks in to supply the electricity to keep the vehicle moving, as well as recharge the battery.

• This allows the vehicle to drive several hundred additional miles... still with a composite fuel economy of around 150 miles per gallon.

• The whole of General Motors is behind this project. In fact, we have over 200 engineers working on the Volt alone, and another 400 on E-Flex and its various ancillary programs. Here are two of our team leaders.

VIDEO: The promise of electrically driven vehicles.

• The key to getting Volt on the road is advanced lithium-ion battery technology.

• Our internal tests have shown that individual Lithium Ion cells, scaled-up to a pack level, will deliver the required power and range.

• We've run prototype packs through a number of tests since last fall... including some pretty severe ones... and the results to date are very encouraging.

• The next step is to begin testing the battery packs in drivable cars... which we will begin shortly.

• Importantly, the vehicle side of the Volt program is being engineered in parallel with battery development. (In fact, I saw the latest and, I suspect, just about final major iteration of the production Volt design theme just before Christmas.)

• Typically, we develop new technology - like the battery and propulsion systems - before we kick-off a production-vehicle program. But, the Volt is being developed with the maximum sense of urgency we can muster.

• In fact, the Volt is just the beginning of our commitment to E-Flex and electrically driven vehicles... and today, I'm very pleased to introduce the next exciting step in our E-Flex development program... the world premier of GM's latest fuel-cell concept vehicle... and the first vehicle introduction ever at CES... ladies and gentlemen... the Cadillac Provoq!

• The Cadillac Provoq is the latest example of GM's E-Flex propulsion system... combining our new fifth-generation fuel cell with a lithium-ion battery... to produce an electrically driven vehicle that uses no petroleum, and has no emission other than water.

• The Provoq is the first vehicle to extend the E-Flex propulsion system beyond our small-car architecture... to a new, global, luxury cross-over architecture.

• The concept's fifth-generation fuel cell technology is half the size of its predecessor, yet is able to produce more power and performance.

• The concept will drive 300 miles on a single fill of hydrogen. Hydrogen stored below the cargo floor will mix with oxygen to generate electricity. A lithium-ion battery pack will store additional electrical energy, and also provide peak power for enhanced performance.

• The electricity generated by the fuel cell will be distributed fore and aft to give the Provoq all-wheel-drive traction and great driving dynamics.

• It'll have a top speed of 100 mph... and its 0-60 speed of 8.5 seconds is more than 30 percent faster than our previous-generation fuel cell system. And with instantaneous torque to the wheels, it'll feel even faster.

• At its core, Cadillac is all about luxury, design, and technology... so it's fitting that our premium brand should be propelled by the most advanced propulsion system in the industry.

• The Provoq signals GM's intent to lead the industry with advanced-propulsion technology... in many forms... across multiple brands... from Chevrolet... to Cadillac.

• In addition to its fuel cell and E-Flex advances, Provoq offers other exciting features which demonstrate that great style and environmentally conscious transportation can go hand in hand... supported by advances in electronics. Features like:

• A solar panel integrated into the roof to help power onboard accessories, such as interior lights and a high-performance audio system.

• An active front grille... with louvers that close at highway speed to enhance aerodynamics... and open at low speed to provide maximum cooling to the fuel cell stack.

• Both brake-by-wire and shift-by-wire technology... which minimize the concept's need for mechanical systems... reduce the vehicle's overall weight... and provide for greater interior storage space.

• Left and right, fender-mounted charging ports to allow for overnight, plug-in charging of the lithium-ion battery pack.

• And, very importantly, the fuel cell powertrain does not intrude on the passenger or cargo room. The Provoq seats five and incorporates all the comfort, convenience, and infotainment features that Cadillac customers demand.

• Ladies and gentlemen... the Cadillac Provoq represents another important step in GM's commitment to energy-wise, environmentally conscious, electrically driven vehicles... and the promise of truly sustainable transportation.

* * * * * * *

• So, to wrap up...

• OnStar, V2V, autonomous driving, advanced propulsion and electrically driven vehicles... all point to a convergence of the auto and electronics industries that is literally transforming the automobile... and the global auto industry.

• As we face the reality of rapidly growing global demand for our products... in light of society's legitimate energy and environmental concerns... there can be no doubt that electronics will play an even bigger role in our industry's second century, than it did in our first.

• And when we connect the dots...

• from mechanically driven, to electrically driven...

• energized by petroleum, to energized by electricity...

• powered by internal combustion, to powered by electric motors...

• mechanically and hydraulically controlled, to electronically and digitally controlled...

• operated in isolation, to fully connected...

• we at GM believe we have the ability to create cars and trucks that are cleaner, safer, "smarter," and more exciting than ever before.

• We believe the future of the automobile is extraordinarily bright... and truly electronic.

• And we look forward to claiming that future with the consumer electronics industry... and with all of you.

• Thank you for having me here today... enjoy the rest of the show!

***

HD radio is like a regular AM or FM radio all juiced up with MP3-quality music and sound. The compressed digital signal eliminates the static traditionally associated with standard radio and like satellite radio it can include textual information such as song titles, traffic, weather and the like. Unlike sat rad, it's advertising-based, and thus "free." Basically it works the same way as traditional radio, but listners must have a special receiver capable of accepting these signals. and Ford is the first US automobile manufacturer to provide such factory-installed. BMW's been offering HD radio on its entire line since 2007, Jaguar's offering HD radio in the 2008 XJ Sedan, and Hyundai says the Concept Genesis sedan will get it too.

Many will raise an eyebrow at this decision because HD radio has been somewhat of a neverending Betamax. HD radio first burst on the scene nearly six years ago. And still to this day not all radio stations provide an HD stream of content. Hell, it has taken Ford six years to decide to include it factory-installed. And right after the launch of its Sync system? Oh well. At this point, if you ever find yourself bored in a Ford vehicle, you should probably retire from driving completely. [Press Release]

Bumblebee is rocking a new vanity plate—one that read FXPERTS—likely because he was cut a big check by the folks at Dolby to stand in their booth posing for tons of hot and sweaty technology journalists. Can you sexually assault a giant robot? Wert? What's the verdict?

Some of the reported technologies include a capacitive parking aid — that's the kind that can sense the proximity of the vehicle to other objects — (not quite the Lexus self-park unfortunately), wireless charging for gadgetry, an OLED display and 3D navigation. Not bad. There's also a motion-sensing light that can tell when you're reaching for a map. Ooh, it's haunted! Check out Visteon's interactive site for more of the innovations. [Visteon Innovate, via DVICE]

Cruise on over to Gizmodo if you want to see more pictures of this naked concept. Cruise over to Fleshbot for naked everything else. [Gizmodo]

"The concept can drive 300 miles (483 km) on a single fill of hydrogen - with 280 miles (450 km) from hydrogen and 20 miles (32 km) on pure, battery electric energy...a pair of 10,000 psi (700 bar) composite storage tanks beneath the rear cargo floor hold 13.2 pounds (6 kg) of hydrogen to feed the fuel cell stack, located under the hood. There, hydrogen mixes with oxygen to generate electricity - up to 88 kW continuous power. A lithium-ion battery pack can store up to a total of 9kWh of electrical energy and also provides a peak of 60 kW of power for additional performance...the electricity generated by the fuel cell is distributed to a 70 kW co-axial drive system for the front wheels and individual, 40 kW wheel hub motors on the rear wheels, giving the Cadillac Provoq its all-wheel-drive traction and great driving dynamics. Its 0-60 mph (approximately 100 km/h) speed of 8.5 seconds is a more than 30-percent improvement over the previous-generation fuel cell system and with instantaneous torque to the wheels, it feels even faster. Provoq has a top speed of 100 mph (160 km/h)."

CADILLAC PROVOQ FUEL CELL CONCEPT DELIVERS CLEAN, PETROLEUM-FREE PERFORMANCE AND SIGNATURE DESIGN

LAS VEGAS - Cadillac unveils a new vision for the future of luxury transportation with the innovative Provoq fuel cell concept - a hydrogen fuel cell crossover vehicle that continues GM's commitment to displace petroleum through advanced technology.

The Cadillac Provoq fuel cell concept is the latest example of GM's groundbreaking E-Flex propulsion system, combining the new fifth-generation fuel cell system and a lithium-ion battery to produce an electrically driven vehicle that uses no petroleum and has no emission other than water. The concept's fifth-generation fuel cell technology is half the size of its predecessor, yet it has been developed to produce more power and performance.

"Cadillac is a natural fit for GM's next step in developing the E-Flex platform," says Jim Taylor, Cadillac general manager. "Cadillac, at its very essence, is about premium luxury, design and technology, so it's fitting that Cadillac would be propelled by the most elegant solution. This signals Cadillac's intent to lead the industry with alternative-fuel technology."

Fuel-cell variant of the E-Flex system
The concept can drive 300 miles (483 km) on a single fill of hydrogen - with 280 miles (450 km) from hydrogen and 20 miles (32 km) on pure, battery electric energy.

A pair of 10,000 psi (700 bar) composite storage tanks beneath the rear cargo floor hold 13.2 pounds (6 kg) of hydrogen to feed the fuel cell stack, located under the hood. There, hydrogen mixes with oxygen to generate electricity - up to 88 kW continuous power. A lithium-ion battery pack can store up to a total of 9kWh of electrical energy and also provides a peak of 60 kW of power for additional performance.

The electricity generated by the fuel cell is distributed to a 70 kW co-axial drive system for the front wheels and individual, 40 kW wheel hub motors on the rear wheels, giving the Cadillac Provoq its all-wheel-drive traction and great driving dynamics. Its 0-60 mph (approximately 100 km/h) speed of 8.5 seconds is a more than 30-percent improvement over the previous-generation fuel cell system and with instantaneous torque to the wheels, it feels even faster. Provoq has a top speed of 100 mph (160 km/h).

"This is a vision of what comes next - a fuel cell electric vehicle that delivers the driving characteristics Cadillac customers want and allowing them to do it without using a single drop of petroleum, while emitting only water vapor," said Larry Burns, GM vice president for research and development. "This is proof that alternate fuels and advanced technologies create even greater opportunities to satisfy the luxury buyer."

Key features
With sleek, signature Cadillac bodywork, the Provoq concept redefines luxury crossovers, offering uncompromising passenger and cargo space to match its performance and cruising range. Additional vehicle features include:
 Solar panel integrated in the roof to help power onboard accessories, such as the interior lights, audio system and more
 Brake-by-wire technology
 Front grille louvers that close at highway speed to enhance aerodynamics, and open at low speed to provide maximum cooling to the fuel cell stack

Purposefully dynamic design
The Provoq has a sleek, athletic shape that builds on the second generation of Cadillac's design renaissance, led by the 2008 CTS, with dynamic and purposeful features that support the hydrogen fuel cell powertrain and contribute to the vehicle's overall efficiency.

"All the people- and cargo-carrying capability customers expect in crossovers and SUVs is available in the Provoq, along with the premium attributes expected in a Cadillac," said Ed Welburn, vice president, Global Design.

Highlights include:
 Active front grille, with grille louvers that open when the fuel cell stack requires cooling
 Full underbody aerodynamic cover
 Left- and right-hand charging ports incorporated in stylish front fender vents
 Flush door handles that feature push-to-release operation
 Wind tunnel-shaped outside mirrors with integral turn signals
 Center high-mounted rear stop lamp incorporated into full-width, wraparound spoiler
 Signature vertical taillamps with subtle fin design
 Side glass mounted flush with pillars
 Wheels with clear-covered space between the spokes, creating a sleeker profile while maintaining Cadillac's signature bold wheel design
 Low-drag roof rack

"From the strong, shield grille and vertical headlamps to the crisp body lines, the Provoq is instantly recognizable as a contemporary Cadillac," said Hoon Kim, exterior lead designer. "Like the new CTS, it is bold and expressive, but there is enhanced shape between the edges - it's a new proportion for crossovers, with a fast, almost coupe-like rear.

"Everything about the vehicle reinforces the notion that great style and environmentally conscious transportation can go hand in hand," said Kim. "We didn't sacrifice proportion, stance or Cadillac's iconic design cues; we used them to support the efficiency of the vehicle.

"They are the features customers expect," he said. "The adaptability of the E-Flex architecture enabled the designers to create a great-looking vehicle, regardless of its alternative-fuel powertrain."

Kim points to the fender-mounted charge ports as prime example. They allow overnight, plug-in charging that extends the driving range. The ports have a satin-chrome appearance that incorporates an amber light to indicate the system is charging and a green light to indicate when charging is completed.

"The ports are functional, but rather than hide them, they are design elements of the Provoq," he said. "Sweeping body lines that culminate at the top and bottom edges of the ports suggest forward thrust, even when the vehicle is stationary."

The vertical, neon-lit taillamps blend style with functionality, too, as their finned shape was designed to make the Provoq as aerodynamically efficient as possible.

Indeed, the Provoq has short overhangs and a sporty ride height that is complemented by large, 21-inch wheels.

The wheels are wrapped in custom Michelin tires incorporating Green-X technology. These low-rolling resistance tires feature a tread pattern that mimics the "H20" notation for water.
The tire designers and engineers at Michelin North America enthusiastically accepted GM's challenge to create a custom low-rolling resistance tire to complement the energy efficiency and reduced environmental footprint of the Cadillac Provoq. During the past 15 years, the tire maker has developed four generations of Michelin green energy-saving tires, and the team's no-compromises approach to the project helped reduce the Provoq's overall fuel consumption without sacrificing road performance, grip and safety.
When used in conjunction with the other energy-efficient solutions featured on the Cadillac Provoq, the benefits of Michelin green energy-saving tires include:
 A reduction in the consumer's overall cost of ownership
 An extended vehicle range through a more efficient use of on-board energy and its storage capacity
 A reduction of vehicle impact on the environment through lower CO2 and particulate emissions.

Uncompromising interior
Like the exterior, the Provoq's interior blends style with function. It seats five and incorporates the comfort, convenience and infotainment features Cadillac customers seek. Most importantly, the fuel cell powertrain does not intrude on passenger or cargo room.

The hydrogen fuel tanks are mounted beneath the cargo floor, with the storage batteries located at the center of the chassis. The fuel cell stack is located under the hood, giving the Provoq the interior layout of a conventional crossover - including a full cargo area and a 60/40-split folding rear seat.

"The interior is roomy, well-equipped and offers the space people want in a crossover," said Matt Erdey, interior lead designer. "There are no compromises inside the Provoq to accommodate the fuel cell powertrain and fuel tanks - a factor that proves the technology and real-world feasibility are growing closer together."

There may not be compromising reminders of the powertrain in the interior, but the Provoq carries the instantly identifiable hallmarks of a contemporary Cadillac interior, with an expressive, well-crafted design.

"It picks up the cues, refinement and attention to detail of the new CTS and takes them to the next level," said Erdey. "A contrasting color scheme, extensive use of ambient lighting technology and elements such as cut-and-sewn, hand-wrapped leather with French seams are elements seen in current Cadillac models, but they are amplified in the Provoq. "

The interior has a contrasting, dark gray and light gray color scheme, with chrome and satin-chrome accents throughout. Ambient lighting extends across the instrument panel and into the door panels, as well as the foot wells, sills and under the seats.

A unique instrument cluster with large, reconfigurable LCD displays offers a multitude of vehicle information readouts, including fuel cell information and vehicle performance. Like the CTS, the Provoq has a prominent center stack that houses the audio and climate systems, as well as a navigation system that rises out of the top of the instrument panel. Also like the CTS, there is an integrated hard drive that stores navigation maps, thousands of songs and more.

Between the front bucket seats is a large center console with a fully enclosed storage compartment that is home to ports for USB-connected devices and other electronics. The console also has a cell phone holder with built-in Bluetooth and inductive charging. The compact shifting mechanism on the console uses shift-by-wire technology to engage the gears, resulting in more storage space within the console.

A variety of recycled and recyclable materials were used, as well. Highlights include:
 The headliner is wrapped in a fully recyclable soy-based material
 The carpet is made of recycled polyester and jute
 Leather used to cover the seats and instrumental panel is free of harmful chemicals
 Xorel material used on the door panels and instrument panel; treated to perform as a carbon-fiber-type material
 Chrome trim made with less-harmful materials

The earth-friendly interior components blend seamlessly with the more conventional materials inside the Provoq, enhancing the vehicle's integrated, customer-focused environment. The same goes for the cargo area, which features an auxiliary power outlet and a load floor that is level with the hatch opening.

"The integration of the features and technology is remarkable," said Erdey. "If you didn't know there was a hydrogen fuel cell stack under the hood, you'd never know it was anything but a roomy, functional crossover."
# # #

Cadillac To Showcase Future Design And Performance Technology

DETROIT - Cadillac extends its ongoing design and technology momentum with tomorrow's debut of the Provoq Concept, a vision for a petroleum-free future of luxury transportation. GM CEO Rick Wagoner will present the Cadillac Provoq concept vehicle January 8 at the influential Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, beginning a showcase of Cadillac's future performance technology and design that will continue at next week's North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit.

The Provoq Concept continues Cadillac's remarkable heritage of landmark concept vehicles, this time in a vehicle free from petroleum fuel and emissions, the ultimate luxury. Provoq will make its world premiere at one of the world's leading technology showcases at CES, appearing again at one of the foremost automotive stages in Detroit on Jan. 14.

Cadillac accelerates into Detroit with another dramatic demonstration of its design and performance technology, the world premiere of the 2009 CTS-V. Cadillac's high performance V-Series represents the ultimate expression of the brand's performance and luxury, and the much-anticipated new CTS-V will include many significant technical and design enhancements aimed at placing it within the elite group of the world's most capable cars.

The 2009 CTS-V extends the momentum created by Cadillac's 2008 CTS Sport Sedan, which is earning wide acclaim from critics and consumers alike. Since September, CTS sales are up 59.5% in the U.S. CTS was recently named 2008 Motor Trend Car of the Year, headlining a long list of accolades that also includes positions on Car and Driver magazine's 10Best list and as a finalist for 2008 North American Car of the Year.

Also appearing in Detroit next week will be the Escalade Hybrid, featuring a fuel-saving Two Mode Hybrid system combining a gas engine with electric battery power. The Escalade Hybrid, beginning production in mid-2008, extends the desirability of the leading large luxury SUV. [Source: GM]