General Motors Archives - Gizmochina

GM Cruise taps former Apple executive Steve Kenner to improve its autonomous driving safety

Debasish — Wed, 14 Feb 2024 06:56:25 +0000

General Motors (GM) has made a significant move in bolstering its autonomous vehicle division by appointing Steve Kenner as the safety director. Kenner, a former executive at Apple and Uber, brings decades of automotive industry experience to his new role, with a focus on enhancing safety measures in autonomous driving technology.

Kenner oversaw safety and regulatory activities for Apple’s secretive “Titan” car project

Kenner’s tenure at Apple, where he played a pivotal role in overseeing safety and regulatory activities for the secretive “Titan” car project, underscores his expertise in navigating the complexities of developing cutting-edge automotive technologies. Before his time at Apple, Kenner held prominent positions at major American automakers, including Ford and Chrysler, accumulating nearly 40 years of invaluable experience in the field.

Having begun his automotive career at General Motors in 1978, Kenner’s extensive engineering background and leadership roles at Chrysler and Ford further solidify his credentials as a seasoned industry veteran. His diverse skill set encompasses not only technical expertise but also strategic management, honed through various managerial positions throughout his career trajectory.

Kenner’s stint at Apple saw him advocating for updated policies to facilitate the testing of self-driving cars on public roads, highlighting his proactive approach to regulatory engagement and industry collaboration. His subsequent role at Uber’s Advanced Technologies Group further enriched his understanding of the evolving landscape of autonomous vehicle development and deployment.

In his new capacity at GM Cruise, Kenner is poised to leverage his wealth of experience to advance safety initiatives and regulatory compliance within the autonomous driving realm. His statement regarding the importance of partnership with regulators underscores GM’s commitment to prioritizing passenger safety and fostering trust within the broader ecosystem.

General Motors Ditching Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for Money

Oğuz Çakır — Thu, 14 Dec 2023 11:51:00 +0000

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are undoubtedly the most significant technological revolution we have seen since the advent of smartphones. Regardless of the brand and model, these technologies smarten up your vehicle, seamlessly integrating it into your ecosystem and making it easier to use, gaining popularity among users. However, it seems that some car manufacturers are not pleased with this situation. One such company, General Motors, is ditching Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Here are the details…

General Motors Strategic Exit from Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

General Motors, known for its popular brands like Chevrolet, GMC, and Cadillac, is getting ready to eliminate Apple CarPlay and Android Auto from its vehicles. The reason behind this decision is safety concerns. The company points out that both services often require drivers to physically handle their phones for specific tasks. As a response, General Motors is partnering with Google to create a safer alternative.

This new service, completely focused on Google services, will not require any phone connection and will offer above-average performance in voice commands. As a result, drivers won’t need to worry about connection interruptions or having to look at their phones for any reason. While security is undoubtedly a crucial concern, General Motors is taking a serious risk, as the absence of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is a dealbreaker for many users today.

The technologies mentioned are extremely popular, not just as standard features in new vehicles, but also among owners of older car models who are incorporating Apple CarPlay and Android Auto through modifications. Moreover, criticisms are not only coming from users but also from the industry. Fo example Ford CEO Jim Farley, who recently criticized GM on Twitter, emphasizing their commitment to maintaining Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

So, is General Motors’ primary focus solely on safety? In reality, the signs suggest that the situation is more nuanced. Both CarPlay and Android Auto are essentially owned by Apple and Google. This means that the revenue generated from both platforms does not belong to GM. However, if the company insists on promoting its own service, making money from it becomes quite straightforward.

In fact, Edward Kummer, GM’s chief digital officer, acknowledged this in an interview with Reuters earlier this year, stating, “We do believe there are subscription revenue opportunities for us.” Nevertheless, it’s up to you to consider all these factors and decide what the truth is.

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New Nationwide EV Charging Network Launched by Pilot Travel Centers, GM, and EVgo

Anubhav — Thu, 07 Dec 2023 14:22:01 +0000

The recent collaboration between Pilot Travel Centers, General Motors (GM), and EVgo has ushered in a new era for electric vehicle (EV) charging, blending convenience and accessibility in a network that promises to change the landscape of EV travel in the United States.

The ultimate vision is to build 500 EV Charging stations with over 2000 charging stalls

Spanning across 13 states, the first 17 locations of this ambitious project are situated at existing Pilot and Flying J travel centers. These stations are more than just charging points; they are comprehensive service areas designed to cater to the needs of the modern EV driver. The stations feature high-power chargers, capable of up to 350-kW charging, and are equipped with CCS1 connectors, catering to a broad range of EVs.

What sets these stations apart is their design, mindful of the unique needs of EV drivers. They offer pull-through charging stalls, accommodating vehicles of all sizes, including those towing trailers. Moreover, the stations are covered with canopies and provide 24/7 access to essential amenities like restrooms, food and beverage options, and free Wi-Fi, all monitored by onsite staff.

The expansion plan is aggressive and promising, with a target of 25 locations by the end of the year, expanding to around 200 by the end of 2024. Ultimately, the vision is a vast network of 500 locations with 2,000 charging stalls. This development is a clear indication of the growing demand and acceptance of EVs, and the need for more robust, reliable charging infrastructure.

An aspect worth noting is the community’s response. The EV community has shown enthusiasm for the layout and amenities of these stations, indicating a shift in expectations for charging experiences. This project is not just about providing power; it’s about enhancing the journey of the EV driver, making long-distance travel more feasible and enjoyable.

Looking ahead to spring 2024, GM and Pilot Travel Centers plan to introduce exclusive benefits for GM drivers, including charger reservations and charging discounts. This partnership marks a significant step towards addressing range anxiety and encouraging more people to embrace EVs, signaling a pivotal shift in the automotive and energy industries. By creating a network that parallels traditional fuel stations in convenience and accessibility, Pilot Travel Centers, GM, and EVgo are not just supporting the current generation of EV drivers but are paving the way for a future where electric travel is the norm.

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Oops! Self-Driving Car Gets Stuck in Fresh Concrete

Oğuz Çakır — Thu, 17 Aug 2023 21:16:51 +0000

Work on autonomous driving technology is moving fast. Many companies, including Tesla, BYD, and Xpeng, are working hard day and night on self-driving cars. Luckily, these efforts are paying off, and now some cars even have test versions of this technology available. One such company is Cruise, owned by General Motors. In fact, they’ve been testing their self-driving cars for a while. However, a self-driving Cruise car got stuck in wet concrete in San Francisco. Here are the details…

General Motors Cruise Car Makes Silly Mistake, Drives into Wet Concrete

GM Cruise is a self-driving car company that is majority-owned by General Motors. The company is developing a fleet of fully autonomous vehicles that it plans to deploy as robotaxis. Cruise has been testing its vehicles in San Francisco since 2016, and it has also received permits to test in Phoenix and Austin. The company was doing well with all its tests until now. Cruise personnel quickly acted to get the car out of the concrete. They were able to extract the car and take it back.

Recently, a GM Cruise self-driving car made a silly mistake. It drove into wet concrete on a street in San Francisco named Golden Gate Avenue. It’s like the car stepped in wet cement! Thankfully, there were no passengers, so everyone was safe. Just a week ago, state of California said it’s okay for companies like Cruise to have their driverless vehicles on the roads any time of day.

This was a big win for the company. But, there are some people, like police and neighbors, who are worried about these cars causing trouble. Moreover, after the last event, the number of worried people increased. In fact, right after getting the green light, ten Cruise cars caused a mini-traffic jam on Vallejo Street. Cruise said it happened because of a phone signal problem. Of course, these misfortunes won’t stop progress, and one day autonomous driving technology will be widely used.

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General Motors will Allow EV Owners to Use their Cars as a Home Power Backup Solution

Anubhav — Wed, 05 Jul 2023 02:44:30 +0000

GM’s Ultium Home is revolutionizing the way electric vehicle (EV) owners power their homes. With their vehicle-to-home hardware, GM allows EV owners to tap into the energy stored in their car batteries to provide backup power for their houses. The company has recently released more details about this innovative technology, giving potential customers a glimpse into the future of home energy solutions.

The pricing for this plan will range between $7,000 and $10,000

GM‘s Ultium Home offers three different bundles to cater to various needs. The first option is the Ultium Home V2H Bundle, which includes the PowerShift AC charger capable of bidirectional charging. This means that owners can not only charge their vehicles from the grid but also use their car’s battery to power their homes when needed. With a charging capacity of 19.2 kilowatts, this bundle provides a reliable and efficient backup solution.

For those looking for additional storage capabilities, the Ultium Home Energy System is the perfect choice. This bundle combines the V2H Enablement Kit with the GM PowerBank stationary storage unit. With storage options ranging from 10.6 kWh to 17.7 kWh, homeowners can have peace of mind knowing they have ample energy reserves in case of emergencies.

GM also offers the Ultium Home Energy Storage Bundle, which provides backup battery storage for homes without an electric vehicle. Similar to Tesla‘s Powerwall, this bundle includes a PowerBank, an inverter, and a home hub, allowing homeowners to store excess energy for later use.

In addition to these bundles, GM has partnered with SunPower, an exclusive solar provider, to integrate photovoltaic systems with their Ultium Home offerings. This collaboration enables homeowners to further optimize their energy management and achieve greater independence from the grid.

While pricing for the Ultium Home products has not been announced yet, experts estimate that the basic vehicle-to-home bundle, including installation, may range from $7,000 to $10,000. Compared to Ford‘s Intelligent Backup Power system for the F-150 Lightning, which costs between $7,500 and $15,000, GM’s offerings present an attractive and competitive option.

Wade Sheffer, Vice President of GM Energy, expressed enthusiasm about the expanding ecosystem of connected products and services, emphasizing how Ultium Home empowers customers to take control of their energy independence and resiliency.

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Chip shortage forces GM to remove heated seats & steering wheel functions from some of its cars

Jed John Ikoba — Thu, 18 Nov 2021 16:57:55 +0000

The global chip shortage remains a very critical issue in a wide array of manufacturing fields as companies grapple with meeting their production targets amidst the continuing chip shortage. General Motors have had some of its key components like heated seats and heated steering wheels dropped as a temporary measure.

General Motors had confirmed a few days back that it will not be offering heated and ventilated seats or heated steering wheels on some Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick, and GMC vehicles due to lack of supplies of the relevant chips to automate these components. The temporary measures will affect vehicles on the 2022 lineup, as the company seeks ways to overcome the semiconductor shortage and prevent production from stalling.

On the surface, it seems these changes are just minor adjustments that should not significantly affect the comfort of passengers in these vehicles. However, heated seats are among the very popular features and options that attract the attention of new buyers. General Motors insist that the changes are temporary pending when the company’s chip supplies improve substantially. Although GM was silent on how long the new approach will last, industry watchers had projected that the global chip shortage could extend deep into 2022, across all segments of the tech ecosystem.

The changes are not across all trims; hence some vehicles will still adorn these features. The changes will also reflect in the price of the models, as they will be priced lower than the models sporting these features. Shoppers will see the changes on the vehicle’s label and a credit on the price for the missing feature. General Motors says it has had significant improvements in its chip supplies and its plants across the US are working, some overtime to clear the production backlog. A few other features which were excluded previously like the side blind zone alert and Super Cruise have now been restored.

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General Motors and Ford temporarily suspends production due to chip shortage

Jeet — Fri, 09 Apr 2021 08:14:04 +0000

General Motors and Ford Motors have confirmed that the companies are temporarily shutting down production or extending the shutdown at several plants in North America because of the ongoing chip shortage.

General Motors plant closures range from a week or two to several weeks for plans that are already shut down temporarily due to the parts disruption. Next week, the company plans to restart the production of midsize pickups after it was halted for about two weeks.

On the other hand, Ford has updated its timeline to include additional downtime at two of its plans in Illinois and Missouri through next week. It is also shutting down its Flat Rock Assembly plant in Michigan for a week, starting from Monday. With these new changes, the vehicles impacted include Explorer, Lincoln Aviator SUVs, Ford Mustang, and Transit Vans.

Semiconductor materials are key components used in the vehicle’s infotainment as well as power steering and braking system among others. Automakers are facing issues related to the supply of semiconductor components as several plans have been impacted due to the COVID-19 pandemic while demand is on the rise.

Ford had previously said that the company expects chip shortage to lower its earnings by $1 billion to $2.5 billion in 2021. On the other hand, General Motors is expected to earn $10 billion to $11 billion this year. This forecast factors in the potential impact of the chip shortage, including a hit of $1.5 billion to $2.5 billion to its free cash flow.