Growing greener all the time
Showing the world that GM is once again leading the auto industry with its research and engineering, they filed more than 650 new patents in 2009, all categorized as green innovations. The move toward electrified vehicles is requiring massive amounts of innovation. Most of the smart ideas coming out of General Motors these days have to do with green technologies. A study of the patent activity of the top 15 global automakers released by the Intellectual Capital Merchant Banc firm Ocean Tomo, LLC found that GM’s patents were newer and had higher average quality than the other 14 automakers combined. Naples GMC Yukon hybrid drivers love their green SUV’s already; these great new changes that GM has planned will only add to the already praised vehicle.
One of the biggest changes being made is the development of a new catalyst material which can purify the exhaust from diesel or other lean-burning engines. Just for the record, traditional catalysts use platinum – a precious metal subject to wide price variations. The advantage for GM is the mineral can provide performance equal to platinum at a much lower cost. This innovation alone could help to reduce the cost of diesel and other lean-burning engine technology in the future. This is just one of the many changes being made by GM.
“The move toward electrification is requiring us to reinvent the DNA of the automobile, requiring massive amounts of innovation,” said Alan Taub, vice president of GM Global research and Development. “There’s almost no component on the vehicle that is not being reinvented. As a result, our green patent portfolio is helping us achieve world-class technological breakthroughs in the energy and environmental space.”
Naples GMC Sierra hybrid dealers are also focusing a lot of attention to the way drivers are responding to the newest green cars. With GM coming out with so many new green features it’s going to be a challenge for Naples GMC Yukon Hybrid drivers to keep up! This is a good thing for consumers and dealers alike. “GM has a rich history of being an innovation leader, from the invention of the catalytic converter, to the development of the world’s most advanced telematics safety system — OnStar,” Taub said. “We will continue our rapid pace of technology development in areas that will be most beneficial to our customers.” Think of the new automotive technology coming our way in the next few years. Bottom line here is to notice GM appears to be on the leading edge once again.