GM Kicks It Up A Notch With Alt. Fuels Vehicles 2002 Clean Cities Conference

OKLAHOMA CITY - Demonstrating its commitment to expand the use of low emission vehicles, General Motors is bringing a host of its Alternative Fuel Vehicles to the 2002 National Clean Cities Conference and Exposition on May 12-15, 2002.

The theme for the conference is "Kick It Up a Notch," and GM is doing just that, exhibiting vehicles powered by environmentally-friendly fuels such as ethanol (E85) and compressed natural gas (CNG).

GM will have the largest exhibit at the conference site, the Cocks Convention Center, and will be displaying some of its 2003 model year Alternative Fuel Vehicle portfolio, which includes:

-The introduction of a new CNG van cutaway model. A highly anticipated edition of the refreshed 2003 GM Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana full-size passenger and cargo vans that operate either with a bi-fuel or dedicated CNG fuel system. Wheelbases are available in 159 inches or 177 inches, and the fuel tanks will hold 20.6 gge for bi-fuel or 29.7 gge for dedicated CNG. The 2003 model year is the first time GM will offer the dedicated CNG fuel system on the Express and Savana cutaway vans.

-Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra Flexible Fuel E85-powered full-size pickup, which is a GM exclusive and industry first for this segment.

-Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban and GMC Yukon/Yukon XL Flexible Fuel E85 full-size SUV, powered by the 285-horsepower, 5.3L V8 Vortec engine.

On Monday, May 13 during the general session at 1:00 p.m., GM's Ken Cameron, program executive for Research, Development and Planning for Fuel Cell Commercialization Activities, will participate in a moderated panel of experts discussing the "Pathways to a Hydrogen Future." The panel will discuss the likelihood of near term commercialization of fuel cells and the role natural gas and other alternative fuels play in building a bridge to the future.

Recently, GM announced its shipment of the first fuel cell demonstration vehicle, the HydroGen1, to the California Fuel Cell Partnership for review and evaluation. The HydroGen1 has been used in rigorous field testing around the world and has accumulated more than 20,000 miles. In addition, Cameron will talk about GM's AUTOnomy concept vehicle, which is the first automobile designed from the ground up around a fuel cell propulsion system -- and the first to combine fuel cells with x-by-wire technology to allow electronic rather than mechanical control of steering and braking.

Also on Monday at 3:30 p.m., GM's Sharon C. Dudley-Parham, assistant brand manager for Alternative Fuel Vehicles, will present and participate in a panel discussion entitled "Light Duty Alternative Fuel Vehicles: Product Roll-Out." Items on the agenda for discussion include 2003 model year product production schedules and availability, plus current marketing and promotional initiatives.

As part of its ongoing support of the Clean Cities Conference, GM is bringing TV personality and "Science Guy" Bill Nye to participate in ScienceFest on Monday morning, May 13. Nye is an advisor for GM's Environment and Energy Education Initiative. ScienceFest is a celebration of alternative transportation innovations for Oklahoma City-area schoolchildren.

GM's presence at the Clean Cities Conference demonstrates its commitment to building and designing vehicles with engines that address energy use and greenhouse gas emission concerns. GM's goal is to provide customers a portfolio of Alternative Fuel Vehicles that have superior quality and performance levels to meet government mandates and customer requirements and expectations. For more information about GM Alternative Fuel Vehicles visit www.gmaltfuel.com.

Clean Cities is a program sponsored by the U.S. Dept. of Energy that is designed to encourage the use of Alternative Fuel Vehicles and support infrastructure throughout the nation. Unlike traditional command-and-control regulatory programs, the Clean Cities program takes a unique, voluntary approach to Alternative Fuel Vehicle development, working with coalitions of local stakeholders to help develop the Alternative Fuel Vehicle industry and integrate this development into larger planning processes.

The Clean Cities program currently consists of nearly 80 coalitions, with 4400 stakeholders in 39 states reaching from Maine to Hawaii-this is not just a California issue, nor a Northeast issue. Its scope is national. Participants will come to the Clean Cities Conference from across the country to see the latest trends in Alternative Fuel Vehicles, to learn about their marketing and technology potential and to discuss how better to influence both policymakers and the public about the viability and necessity of such vehicles and the technology that drives them.

For more information about the Clean Cities program or the conference itself, visit www.ccities.doe.gov.

General Motors , the world's largest vehicle manufacturer, designs, builds and markets cars and trucks worldwide. In 2001, GM earned $1.5 billion on sales of $177.3 billion, excluding special items. It employs about 362,000 people globally.

More information on GM's advanced technologies and environmental performance can be found at www.gmability.com.