Gm technology Firsts 1912: The First Electric Self-Starter

GM first set itself apart with the electric self-starter, which was invented by Charles “Boss” Kettering and introduced by Cadillac in 1912. The self-starter is still widely considered the most significant automotive innovation of the 20th century.

Cadillac raised the bar for performance with the industry’s first V-type, water-cooled, eight-cylinder engine. The 314-cubic-inch engine produced 70 horsepower at 2,400 rpm and was the industry’s first major step in the development of high-speed, high-compression engines. The V-8 was standard on all 1915 Cadillac models.

Cadillac’s introduction of tilt-beam headlights, which were operated by a handle on the dash, was a major advance in nighttime visibility and set the standard for others to follow.

General Motors Acceptance Corporation (GMAC) established an entirely new business called retail automotive finance.

Led by “Boss” Kettering, GM tested hundreds of materials to reduce the knocking sound produced by gasoline engines and improve the engine’s efficiency and power. Working with chemical suppliers, GM developed the process for manufacturing a new gasoline with tetraethyl lead additive. Called Ethyl, it was soon sold across North America and led to the development of more efficient and higher compression engines.

GM opened the industry’s first proving ground facility in Milford, Michigan, in the U.S.

The 1927 Cadillac LaSalle was the first car designed from the ground up by a professional designer – the celebrated Harley Earl, who is considered the father of automotive design. With this vehicle, GM ushered in a new era of cars that represented far more than a means of transportation.

Under “Boss” Kettering’s direction, GM developed a revolutionary two-stroke diesel engine that was smaller, lighter, far more powerful, and more efficient than the traditional diesel. Within a few years, it was being applied to railroad locomotives, heavy commercial trucks, boats, and off-road equipment. It was featured in GM’s exhibit at the 1933 Chicago World’s Fair.

GM developed the first independent wheel suspension system, lessening the impact when any of a car’s four wheels hit a bump or hole, making cars safer and more comfortable. Known as “knee-action” suspension because of the way each wheel was connected to the axle, it was introduced in all 1934 model year GM cars in North America.

GM conducted the industry’s first barrier impact tests and the industry’s first rollover tests at its proving ground in Milford, Michigan, in the U.S. Such tests have become standard across the industry and have been adopted by government safety agencies.

Fisher Body developed the industry’s first one-piece all-steel roof, called the Turret Top, and introduced it on all GM cars built in the U.S. beginning with the 1935 model year Chevrolet lineup. Car roofs had previously been built around a wooden frame covered with canvas, limiting both the vehicle’s structural integrity and its design potential.

Chevrolet introduced the Suburban Carryall, a closed body truck platform with seating for eight people. It would evolve into today’s sport utility vehicle (SUV).

GM introduced the legendary Buick Y-Job to display its latest developments and trends in engineering and styling. It was the first car developed with an eye on gauging public reaction to new technologies and designs.

GM introduced the industry’s first fully automatic transmission, called the Hydra-Matic, on the 1940 Oldsmobile. It was soon adopted by the entire industry.

General Motors was a star of the 1939-40 New York World’s Fair with its vast Highways and Horizons exhibit and Futurama model of the future. Futurama presented a vision of America in 1960, complete with futuristic homes, urban complexes, bridges, dams, surrounding landscape, and, most importantly, an advanced highway system that permitted speeds of up to 100 miles per hour (161 kilometers per hour).

GM’s research team developed a mechanical heart pump that made possible the world’s first open-heart surgery. The device was donated by GM to the heart surgery team at Wayne State University in GM’s hometown of Detroit, Michigan.

With the launch of the Chevrolet Corvette in 1953, GM offered the industry’s first production sports car. It created a new market segment and a new cadre of automobile enthusiasts. The Corvette also featured the first production fiberglass body.

Firebird gas turbine-powered concept cars were built by GM for the 1953, 1956 and 1959 Motorama auto shows to showcase GM’s design and technology capability. The Firebird XP-21, later referred to as the Firebird I, was essentially a jet airplane on wheels. It was the first gas turbine-powered car tested in the United States. The Firebird II featured the first use of four wheel disc brakes and a sophisticated guidance system intended to be used with “the highway of the future,” where an electrical wire would be embedded in roadways to send signals that would help guide future cars and avoid accidents. The Firebird III was equipped with cruise control, anti-lock brakes, air conditioning, an “ultra-sonic” key that signaled the doors to open, an automated guidance system to avoid accidents, and joystick steering.

Chevrolet introduced its famous small-block V-8 engine on its 1955 model year cars and trucks. The small-block was renowned for its performance and durability and remained in production for more than four decades.

GM developed the industry’s first vehicle emission control device, the Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) valve. This breakthrough in reducing hydrocarbon emissions was soon adopted by the rest of the industry.

GM introduced the industry’s first energy-absorbing steering column, which helped reduce the force of impact if a driver was involved in a severe frontal collision.

GM demonstrated that electric propulsion with fuel cells was technically feasible with the Electrovan, the world’s first fuel cell-electric vehicle. The Electrovan’s fuel cell power plant supplied a continuous output of about 32 kilowatts and a peak output of 160 kilowatts. It consisted of 32 thin-electrode fuel cell modules connected in series.

GM developed and manufactured the inertial guidance and navigation systems for the entire Apollo moon program (including Apollo 11, the first manned landing, in 1969). GM was also responsible for all mobility systems and components of the Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV) that Apollo 15 astronauts first drove on the moon in 1971.

GM became the first automaker to offer cars that run on unleaded gasoline, a major breakthrough in reducing vehicle exhaust emissions.

GM’s Hybrid II series of crash-test dummies was such a durable and repeatable assessment tool that the U.S. government made it the standard for all frontal crash testing for compliance with regulations governing restraint systems.

GM became the first automaker to offer an air cushion restraint system, later known as the air bag, in its vehicles.

GM introduced the catalytic converter, a technology it had begun developing in the 1960s and the most important step in reducing automotive emissions to date. All 1975 model year GM cars sold in the U.S. and Canada were equipped with the catalytic converter, as are all cars sold by all competitors today. GM made its technology available to the rest of the industry at no cost.

GM announced the discovery of Magnequench, the world’s first high-strength, rare-earth permanent magnet material, which is composed of neodymium, iron, and boron. This powerful new material could be made into small lightweight magnets for use in a wide range of motor and sensor applications. GM commercialized the Magnequench material and related production processes in 1986.

GM’s Sunraycer won the world’s first solar-powered vehicle competition, the 1,950-mile (3,138-kilometer) World Solar Challenge Race, which was held in Australia.

GM developed a new generation of full-function ABS (ABS-VI) that was economical enough to be applied on smaller vehicles and in every price range. GM then led the domestic industry in going across the board with available anti-lock brakes on all of its cars and trucks.

GM became the first automaker to offer daytime running lamps, which are designed to improve the visibility of approaching vehicles during daylight, as standard equipment on all vehicles sold in the U.S.

GM developed OnStar, the world’s first in-vehicle, hands-free voice communication system. OnStar uses global positioning and satellite telecommunications to link vehicle users to OnStar advisers, who provide a host of services ranging from driving directions to emergency assistance on a 24/7 basis. As of 2011, OnStar held 500 patents on its technology, had 6 million subscribers, was is in its ninth hardware generation, and was offered across GM’s North American product lineup and on selected products in China.

With the launch of the EV1 in the U.S., GM became the first automaker in modern times to market a car designed and engineered to run on electric power. GM had made headlines across the industry in 1990 with the debut of its predecessor, the Impact concept vehicle, which marked the beginning of an industry-wide effort to augment traditional automotive propulsion in order to further reduce emissions and improve fuel efficiency.

GM’s human-like Hybrid III crash-test dummies were declared the official frontal impact test device for occupant restraint compliance testing by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The Hybrid III became the official test device for frontal impact restraint regulation compliance across Europe the following year.

Cadillac introduced the industry’s most advanced electronic stability control system to help drivers maintain or regain control of their vehicles at virtually all speeds and on virtually all road surfaces. The third-generation of the system debuted in 2008.

GM managed the U.S. Department of Transportation’s NAHSC demonstration of automated vehicle and highway technology, which took place on a stretch of U.S. Interstate 15 in San Diego, California, in August 1997. As part of the demonstration, a fleet of specially equipped Buick LeSabres automatically traveled as a guided vehicle platoon, illustrating the system's ability to maintain smooth, safe, and efficient traffic flow in express lanes through busy urban areas.

The GM Precept advanced technology concept vehicle – developed as part of the U.S. government/industry Partnership for a New Generation of Vehicles – achieved the fuel-efficiency equivalent of 80 miles per gallon (2.9 liters per 100 kilometers) of gasoline in tests conducted in October 2000. It was the first vehicle ever to meet this goal.

GM’s HydroGen1 fuel cell vehicle, which is based on the Opel Zafira compact MPV, set 11 separate endurance records in tests at GM’s proving ground in Mesa, Arizona, in the southwestern U.S.

The industry’s first semi-active suspension uses “smart” magneto-rheological (MR) fluid-based actuators, a sensor set, and an on-board electronic control unit (ECU) to provide continuously variable, real-time damping. It responds instantaneously to road and driving conditions based on input from sensors that monitor body and wheel motion. The system debuted on the 2002 Cadillac Seville STS and is available on selected Cadillac, Buick and Chevrolet models.

GM announced the debut of an advanced thermoplastic olefin (TPO) nanocomposite part, which was used on the GMC Safari and Chevrolet Astro vans. In 2002, GM was honored with top innovation awards from the Society of Plastics Engineers and the American Chemical Society. GM has used nanocomposite material in trim, body cladding, and interior applications to enable lower mass and improved surface appearance of finished trim parts. This breakthrough also led to the development of consolidated TPO materials, which are used across GM’s North American fleet and are now expanding into global markets.

GM’s AUTOnomy concept vehicle demonstrated the first combination of fuel cell-electric propulsion with wheel motors, a skateboard chassis, and drive-by-wire technology. This allowed steering, braking, and other vehicle systems to be controlled electronically rather than mechanically. GM applied for 24 patents related to new technology incorporated in the AUTOnomy.

The Hy-wire concept vehicle, which incorporated features found in the AUTOnomy, was the industry’s first drivable vehicle to combine hydrogen fuel cell-electric and drive-by-wire technology.

GM-Allison debuted its 2-Mode Hybrid system on transit buses. The system, now marketed by Allison Transmission, is used by transit systems around the world. Transit buses equipped with the hybrid system deliver up to 75 percent better fuel economy than traditional transit buses, and reduce emissions of nitrogen oxides by up to 39 percent, particulate matter by up to 97 percent, carbon monoxide by up to 60 percent, and hydrocarbons by up to 75 percent.

GM unveiled the Chevrolet Sequel concept vehicle, the most technologically advanced electrically driven vehicle built. It integrated a hydrogen fuel cell-electric propulsion system with a broad menu of advanced technologies including steer- and brake-by-wire controls, lithium-ion batteries, a lightweight aluminum structure, and OnStar. Designed around its hydrogen storage system, GM demonstrated the Sequel’s 300-mile (483-kilometer) driving range in 2007.

GM demonstrated a prototype V2V system, a new GPS- and wireless-based all-around object detection sensor that gives the vehicle a “sixth sense.” The system supports automated safety features such as lane change alert, blind spot detection, sudden stopping, forward collision warning with automatic braking, and intersection collision warning. In 2008, GM demonstrated a V2V transponder that could ultimately lead to hand-held V2X devices.

GM teamed with Carnegie Mellon University in the U.S. and other partners to develop the “Boss,” a self-driving Chevrolet Tahoe SUV that won the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Urban Challenge, a six-hour, 60-mile (97-kilometer) race for robotic vehicles.

The 2-Mode Hybrid system debuted in the Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon full-size SUVs, improving city fuel economy by up to 50 percent and overall fuel efficiency by up to 30 percent.

GM has deployed 100 Chevrolet Equinox Fuel Cell vehicles in the U.S. and 10 HydroGen4 vehicles in Germany as part of “Project Driveway.” This is the largest-ever market test of fuel cell-electric vehicles. As of 2011, vehicles in the program had logged more than 2 million miles (3.2 million kilometers) of real-world driving.

GM demonstrated its progress on homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI), a highly efficient advanced combustion process for future gasoline engines, in two drivable test vehicles. When combined with several additional advanced technologies, HCCI promises to provide fuel savings of up to 15 percent while meeting current emission standards.

GM debuted the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra hybrid pickups featuring GM’s 2-Mode Hybrid system. Two-wheel-drive versions achieve an estimated 50 percent improvement over non-hybrid models in city driving.

GM continues to lead the industry, with 6.5 million flexible-fuel vehicles on the world’s roads. These vehicles run on gasoline and E85 or E100 ethanol. In the U.S., GM has committed itself to making half of its annual vehicle production flex-fuel capable by 2012. In Brazil, more than 90 percent of the vehicles GM sells run on E100 ethanol.

GM began selling the Chevrolet Volt extended-range electric vehicle (E-REV) in North America in 2010. Its revolutionary Voltec propulsion system delivers up to 80 kilometers of electric driving (depending on terrain, driving techniques and temperature) with a long-life, 16-kWh lithium-ion battery and 111-kW (149-hp) electric drive unit; and up to 490 kilometers of extended range with an onboard 1.4-liter engine. The Volt will be introduced in China in 2011. In 2011, the Opel Ampera E-REV, which will use the same Voltec propulsion system as the Volt, will be introduced in Europe.

At World Expo 2010 Shanghai, GM introduced the EN-V (Electric Networked-Vehicle), the first urban personal mobility concept that combines battery-electric propulsion, a dedicated short-range communications, sensing, and GPS platform, a small design footprint, and high maneuverability. The combination of these technologies has the potential to reduce energy consumption and emissions, enable vehicle networking to reduce congestion and accidents, allow in-vehicle connectivity, and reduce parking space requirements. It embodies a vision of city living that supported the Expo 2010 theme of “Better City, Better Life.”

GM and NASA used advances in controls, sensors and vision technology to build a dexterous humanoid robot capable of working safely side by side with people. Robonaut 2, also known as R2, is the first advanced humanoid robot in Space and is currently deployed on the International Space Station. R2’s technologies have application for space travel, safe manufacturing and advanced vehicle safety systems.

GM introduced the industry’s first front center air bag, an inflatable restraint designed to help protect drivers and front passengers in far-side impact crashes where the affected occupant is on the opposite, non-struck side of the vehicle. The front center air bag deploys from the right side of the driver’s seat and positions itself between the front row seats near the center of the vehicle. This tethered, tubular air bag is designed to provide restraint during passenger-side crashes when the driver is the only front occupant, and also acts as an energy absorbing cushion between driver and front passenger in both driver- and passenger-side crashes. The air bag also is expected to provide benefit in rollovers.

The 2011 Buick Regal Turbo is the first direct-injected turbocharged production car capable of running on any blend of gasoline or E85 ethanol, joining more than 5 million flex-fuel models General Motors has produced over the last 15 years. The turbocharged Ecotec 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine that powers the Regal will help GM reach its goal of offering more than 50 percent of its production in flex-fuel models by the end of 2012.

The 2012 GMC Terrain smaller SUV features the industry’s first crash avoidance system that exclusively uses a single camera to help drivers avoid front-end and unsignalled lane departure crashes. Terrain’s new active safety system uses a high-resolution digital camera mounted on the windshield ahead of the rearview mirror that looks for shapes of vehicles and lane markings. The system uses audible warnings and a high-mounted visual display to warn the driver if he or she is following another vehicle too closely, when a collision is imminent, or when departing a lane without signaling first.

The all-new Cadillac XTS luxury sedan became the industry’s first car to use directional tactile sensation – vibrations of the driver’s seat bottom – to warn of crash threats while driving and parking. The patented Cadillac Safety Alert Seat generates vibrating pulse patterns on the left and/or right side of the lower bolster to alert the driver of potential dangers, such as drifting from a traffic lane or toward nearby objects while parking. Threats from the front and rear trigger pulses on both sides of the seat.

Cadillac introduced its innovative Cadillac User Experience or “CUE” system on its all-new XTS and ATS sedans. CUE’s connectivity and control capabilities use industry-first capacitive touch and natural voice recognition systems.

GM’s industry-first aluminum welding technology is expected to enable more use of the lightweight metal on future vehicles, which can help improve fuel economy and driving performance. GM’s new resistance spot welding process uses a patented multi-ring domed electrode that does what smooth electrodes are unreliable at doing – welding aluminum to aluminum. By using this process GM expects to eliminate nearly two pounds of rivets from aluminum body parts such as hoods, liftgates and doors.

General Motors is testing an industry-first thermal-forming process and proprietary corrosion resistance treatment for lightweight magnesium sheet metal that will allow increased use of the high-strength alternative to steel and aluminum. The use of magnesium, which weighs 33 percent less than aluminum, 60 percent less than titanium, and 75 percent less than steel, will help customers save money at the gas pump.