AGOSTINA MANCUSO

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KATINA DIMAKIS

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LAURA CHAPNIK

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Next-generation pickups feature advanced powertrains, design and technology

Post courtesy of GM Canada

DETROIT – The all-new 2014 GMC Sierra 1500 full-size pickup is the most powerful, most advanced and most refined truck in the brand’s 110-year history. Sierra’s bold new exterior houses one of three all-new EcoTec3 engines, a fully updated cabin with available next-generation IntelliLink connectivity and other features designed for the most discerning truck owners.

“Our engineers and designers left nothing on the table when developing this latest Sierra pickup,” said Tony DiSalle, vice president of GMC Marketing. “These trucks have all the power and capability that’s expected in today’s market, excellent fuel efficiency, plus a lot of unexpected, purposeful features developed with truck owners in mind.”

In addition to all-new design and technology, the 2014 Sierra boasts the longest list of standard features ever for a full-size GMC pickup. From connectivity solutions, to a standard tie-down system in the rear, to the segment’s only standard projector beam headlamps, many premium features are found on each and every all-new Sierra.

New EcoTec3 engines

Sierra’s engine portfolio is updated for 2014 with the goal of increased in power, torque and fuel efficiency across the board. There will be a 4.3L V-6, a 5.3L V-8 and a 6.2L V-8 offered, all from a shared EcoTec3 engine family. Each engine features standard direct injection, continuously variable valve timing and Active Fuel Management, which means they seamlessly switch to run on four cylinders during light-load driving to save fuel.

The increased power and efficiency of the new engines are the result of more than 10 million hours of sophisticated computer modeling, more than half of which were used to make the best of the combustion process.

The new 4.3L V-6 EcoTec3 engine will offer improved torque and towing capacity for the six in 10 truck owners who tow.

“Rather than adapting a V-6 intended for use in passenger cars, we built a new engine from the ground up based on the unique demands of a truck,” said Jordan Lee, powertrain chief engineer. “Sierra’s 4.3L shares its basic design architecture with the latest iterations of the V-8 engines that GMC owners have trusted for generations.”

Today’s Sierra offers the best V-8 fuel economy in the industry and the new 5.3L EcoTec3 engine features significant updates intended to make it even more efficient. The available 6.2L V-8 EcoTec3 is engineered to provide outstanding capability.

SAE-certified horsepower and torque ratings and EPA fuel economy estimates for the new Sierra are not yet available, but are expected to be finalized early next year.

With the new engine designs and additional developments, customers should expect Sierra’s second-generation Active Fuel Management to be more seamless and capable of operating longer in four-cylinder mode.

All three engines use lightweight aluminum blocks and heads and are mated with durable six-speed automatic transmissions. A “cruise grade braking” feature down-shifts the transmission on downgrades, which is intended to reduce brake wear. V-8 models use new, larger 9.5- and 9.76-inch rear axles with the strength to accommodate the engines’ higher output. Final power and torque ratings will be announced later.

Duralife brake rotors and electric power steering

Strong brakes are important for stopping trucks, whether they’re full of people, payload or both. The 2014 Sierra features four-wheel disc brakes with Duralife brake rotors, which feature a hardened and strengthened surface to reduce corrosion. Duralife rotors – a GM-exclusive technology – are expected to last twice as long as conventional rotors and provide quieter braking with less vibration.

The 2014 Sierra also uses electric power steering. An electric motor in place of an engine-driven hydraulic pump saves fuel and allows for tuning that’s expected to result in a more consistent, crisp steering feel and plenty of assist for parking maneuvers.

The new standard in truck interiors

Premium materials, attention to detail and purposeful technology define Sierra’s all-new cabin. New soft-touch materials and available aluminum trim line an interior that’s focused on usable and productive space.

“Truck owners want a well-crafted cabin, but also one that still feels like a truck,” said Helen Emsley, Sierra interior design director. “They want a purposeful interior, not one that’s flowing like you’d find in a car or crossover.”

Sierra has an upright instrument panel designed for visibility and accessibility. Knobs and buttons are large, legible and within reach. All knobs are coated using a rubber-over-mold technology, so they’re easy to grip even through gloves.

A new instrument cluster on all models features six gauges with an available centrally located, 4.2-inch colour Driver Information Centre with vehicle status information, a trip computer, and other information, like radio and navigation.

A second, high-mounted glove box with a flat floor joins the traditional box below. Each of Sierra’s doors has storage crafted to hold most beverage containers and other personal items. Along the centre stack and centre console are additional cupholders, discreet compartments large enough for most laptop computers, and connectivity options. Sierra is available with a 110-volt outlet, up to five USB ports, four 12-volt outlets and an SD card slot.

“Sierra sets a new standard for what’s expected of a pickup truck interior,” said DiSalle. “Our customers told us how they use their trucks and we listened. The combination of comfort, safety, space and technology is unprecedented in the segment.”

Available IntelliLink connectivity uses an available high-definition, fully reconfigurable eight-inch colour touchscreen with an intuitive layout and easy-to-read icons that control audio features, a Pandora app, Bluetooth phone features, and available navigation with all-new map displays. Many of the system’s features can be controlled by voice command, allowing the driver to keep eyes on the road and hands on the wheel.

Sierra’s seats use dual-density foam designed to stay comfortable over long hours and continue to look great after years of use. Leather and cloth will be offered, and Sierra’s new high-wear cloth is designed to last longer and resist staining. A spilled drink will bead on the fabric, not soak in. Heated seats are available with cloth seats and standard with leather.

New door and bed configurations

For the first time on Extended Cab models, the 2014 Sierra has new front-hinged rear doors with outside pull handles at the rear, providing improved access in tight parking spaces. Unlike trucks with rear-hinged doors, Sierra’s layout allows rear passengers to enter and exit the vehicle with the front doors remaining closed.

Crew Cab customers, who represent more than 60 percent of retail Sierra customers, can choose between two bed lengths; in addition to the current 5-foot, 8-inch box, a new 6-foot, 6-inch box is available. Regular cabs continue to be available with the 6-foot, 6-inch or 8-foot box lengths, while the extended cab will come exclusively with a 6-foot, 6-inch box.

Cargo box innovations

Sierra’s rear bumper features standard corner steps that make climbing into the bed easy, regardless of whether the tailgate is up or down. The steps are paired with grips formed into the top of each bed side. Four movable upper tie downs are also standard. They can be placed in nine different locations and can bear a 500-pound (227 kg) load. Available LED cargo lights integrated beneath the bed rails will illuminate the bed when a tonneau cover is in place. The available EZ Lift and Lower tailgate uses an integrated torsion bar and damper to ease lifting and lowering.

Driver Alert Technology

A suite of active safety features will be optional for the 2014 Sierra, including Forward Collision Alert, which uses a forward-facing camera to notify the driver of an imminent collision, and Lane Departure Warning, which uses the same camera to track the truck’s position in relation to a road’s lane markers.

The camera technology was recently named a “Top Ten Tech Breakthrough of 2012” by Popular Mechanics.

Paired with Forward Collision Alert and Land Departure Warning is GMC’s first-ever Driver Alert Seat, which generates vibrating pulse patterns on the left and/or right side of the lower seat cushion bolster to alert the driver of potential dangers, such as an un-signaled lane change or approaching another vehicle too quickly. According to GM research, the seat’s vibrations may direct driver attention to the location of a potential collision more quickly and accurately than audible alerts. Drivers have the option of selecting either audible or vibrating alerts.

Quieter, stronger, more aerodynamic

Quietness doesn’t only come from factors within the cabin. The 2014 Sierra features new aerodynamic measures that benefit fuel efficiency and reduce wind noise. Updated mirrors that reduce wind turbulence, triple-sealed inlaid doors, as well as roof and tailgate design features all help air flow smoothly quietly over the Sierra. Additional sealing around the grille, headlights and space between the cab and box are also designed to lower drag for the new trucks, along with new aerodynamic spats located in front of the rear wheels

Updates to Sierra’s body and chassis are designed to improve ride and handling, comfort and capability. The fully boxed frame uses high-strength steel and hydroforming to provide more strength and rigidity with less weight. New cab structures incorporate high-strength steel in the A-pillars, B-pillars, roof rails and rocker panels, while ultra-high-strength steel segments of the rocker panels provide added protection for shallow offset crashes.

Sierra’s hood is aluminum, saving approximately 17 pounds versus a comparable steel hood. At the rear, a roll-formed box is stronger, lighter and more durable than a traditional stamped steel box.

Sierra uses aluminum for some suspension components for additional rigidity and weight saving, and new lightweight wheels are paired with low-rolling-resistance tires in most applications. The tires, along with new shear-style and redesigned hydraulic cab mounts, are designed to help reduce noise and vibration in the cabin.

“Pickups aren’t just a tool for GMC owners – they’re part of their everyday lives, and Sierra needs to be as useful on the way to the movies as it is on the way to a job site,” said DiSalle. “The most important thing about the engineering behind this new truck is that it benefits owners in so many different ways.”

Attention to detail

GMC designers approached the exterior of the 2014 Sierra with respect for its predecessors, evolving its familiar shape while adding distinctive details like standard projector headlamps, available LED signature accent lighting and detailed new grilles. All Sierra models have chrome grille surrounds and premium black wheel arch moldings. Different trim levels feature chrome belt moldings, mirror caps and door handles, as well as unique wheel designs and grille details.

Other new features include available front Park Assist, in addition to the rear Park Assist already available, and a sliding rear window with a defroster.

Distinctive All-Terrain model

Sierra All-Terrain has all-new styling for 2014. It includes a unique exterior appearance with a painted grille and less chrome, and is available as an extended cab or crew cab in a limited number of colours.

Standard equipment for Sierra All-Terrain includes the Z71 off-road suspension with monotube Rancho shocks, hill descent control, front recovery hooks, a transfer case shield and unique wheels and tires, along with an automatic locking rear differential that reacts in milliseconds in low-traction situations to improve safety and confidence on wet, snowy or muddy surfaces.

Sierra All Terrain is available exclusively with an ebony interior and with front bucket seats on SLE models. A carbon fiber-look seat accent is standard on SLT models.

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The company manages this facility with a strong viewpoint to help their valued customers. They are at their service on just a phone call. The customers can feel free to give the company a call and to get assured service instantly.

The facilities available with the Valet Services are as follows:

1. The company provides schedule maintenance on all types of cars. This service is provided by the best mechanics and that is why the best quality is guaranteed.
2. The company takes special care of the car if it meets an accident or a collision anywhere. The repairs are done with great care so that the car does not look ugly due to the repairs. The entire process is administered by dedicated mechanics who know and understand their job and responsibility very well.
3. The company takes care of the warranty issues and fixes them as per the needs of the customers. This is also a positive aspect of their services.
4. The company provides the vehicle rental services to the car owners in case the repairs are expected to take more time than expected. However, the car is delivered at the preferred location of the car owner only.

The company charges a very manageable charge for the repairs as well as dent painting, if required at all. The charges start from as low as $89.95.

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Aligns around the world behind singular vision

Post Courtesy of GM Canada

DETROIT – Chevrolet is the world’s fastest-growing major automotive brand and as it continues to expand its global operations it is aligning its engineering, design and retail operations behind a single vision and communications platform – Find New Roads.

The foundation of this new guiding principle is Chevrolet’s legacy of innovation and commitment to doing the right thing for consumers. Find New Roads will be the touchstone for the brand as it develops new products and technologies for sale in more than 140 markets.

“Find New Roads embraces the spirit of ingenuity that has been in Chevrolet’s DNA since the beginning and it will continue to guide every aspect of our business moving forward,” said Mary Barra, senior vice president of Global Product Development. “We have sold Chevrolets around the world for almost a century, but this is the first time we have aligned behind one global vision.

“As we develop new products our designers and engineers will be empowered to find smarter solutions to address customer needs and make their lives better.”

Since the launch of the Cruze mid-size sedan – the brand’s first truly global vehicle – in 2009, Chevrolet sales have grown about 38 percent.

“This is the right time to launch this initiative with over 20 vehicle launches globally in 2013,” said Alan Batey, vice president, U.S. Sales, Service and Global Marketing. “We are continuing to grow globally, especially in key emerging markets, and Find New Roads will help us drive even more consistency – both internally with our employees and externally with customers.”

Chevrolet’s approach to marketing and the retail experience is already aligning with this new global vision.  Last year Chevrolet selected Commonwealth, a newly formed advertising agency, to service Chevrolet advertising around the world.  The brand also has launched a program to train dealership personnel to approach every aspect of their business differently to improve the retail experience.

In addition to driving internal consistency for Chevrolet, Find New Roads also will be used in advertising around the world, beginning in the United States this quarter.

“Find New Roads will enable the whole company to rally around a consistent theme for the brand, and at the same time serve as an external message that works in all markets,” said Batey. “The theme has meaning in mature markets like the U.S. as well as emerging markets like Russia and India, where the potential for continued growth is the greatest.”

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An athletic and versatile companion for urban explorers

Post courtesy of General Motors of Canada 2012-12-17

Ottawa, Ontario (December 17, 2012) – The all-new Chevrolet Trax small sport utility vehicle made its global debut at the Paris Motor Show in September 2012. Trax will meet the needs of customers in over 140 markets and will arrive in Canadian Chevrolet dealerships this winter with a starting MSRP of $18,495.

Trax delivers excellent fuel efficiency, flexibility and car-like handling that urban explorers demand in this ever growing and popular small SUV segment.

“Trax is an important addition to the Chevrolet portfolio in Canada,” said Marc Comeau, vice-president of sales, service and marketing for Chevrolet in Canada. “We believe Trax will be a popular choice with Canadians looking for the convenience and utility offered by a small SUV, which will be ideal to drive in urban centres and cities across Canada.”

Trax Design and Exterior

With room for five passengers and generous cargo space, Trax exhibits its SUV toughness and capability in a small package through a muscular exterior design and a wide athletic stance. Its contemporary form evolves the global Chevrolet design aesthetic.

Measuring 4,280 mm in length, 1,776 mm in width and 1,674 mm in height, Trax sports a subtle centreline crease on the hood surface, detailed halogen headlamps and a rearward swept roofline, all of which contribute to the vehicle’s dynamic appearance.

Trax Powertrain

Trax comes equipped with Chevrolet’s proven 1.4L Ecotec turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, producing 138 horsepower and 148 lb.-ft. of torque. FWD models are available with a 6-speed automatic or manual transmission, delivering fuel consumption ratings of 7.8 L/100 km city and 5.7 L/100 km highway (manual) and 8.1 L/100 km city and 5.9 L/100 km highway (automatic).  The AWD is available with a 6-speed automatic transmission only, and delivers a fuel consumption rating of 8.7 L/100 km city and 6.5 L/100 km highway.

Trax Interior

Storage amenities in the new Trax are plentiful. They include various compartments above and on both sides of the centre stack as well as an available under-seat storage tray. Trax’ loading space can accommodate a maximum of 1371L; with further space that can be made available under the cargo floor.

In addition to a 60/40 split rear seat, Trax boasts a front passenger seat that can be folded flat, offering additional flexibility in the segment. Up to eight seating configurations are possible.

Upper trims of the Chevrolet Trax will feature Chevrolet MyLink as standard. Chevrolet MyLink is an infotainment system that aggregates content from smartphones onto the seven-inch, high resolution, full-color touchscreen display. A dedicated navigation app called Engis Bringo will become available early next year. It will project the route from the smartphone onto the system’s touch-screen. A rearview camera is part of the MyLink infotainment package and provides assistance during parking maneuvers.

Click here: 2013 CHEVROLET TRAX PRELIMINARY SPECIFICATIONS

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Post Courtesy of GM Canada

Oshawa, Ontario (December 17, 2012) – The all-new Chevrolet Trax small sport utility vehicle made its global debut at the Paris Motor Show in September 2012. Trax will meet the needs of customers in over 140 markets and will arrive in Canadian Chevrolet dealerships this winter with a starting MSRP of $18,495.

Trax delivers excellent fuel efficiency, flexibility and car-like handling that urban explorers demand in this ever growing and popular small SUV segment.

“Trax is an important addition to the Chevrolet portfolio in Canada,” said Marc Comeau, vice-president of sales, service and marketing for Chevrolet in Canada. “We believe Trax will be a popular choice with Canadians looking for the convenience and utility offered by a small SUV, which will be ideal to drive in urban centres and cities across Canada.”

Trax Design and Exterior

With room for five passengers and generous cargo space, Trax exhibits its SUV toughness and capability in a small package through a muscular exterior design and a wide athletic stance. Its contemporary form evolves the global Chevrolet design aesthetic.

Measuring 4,280 mm in length, 1,776 mm in width and 1,674 mm in height, Trax sports a subtle centreline crease on the hood surface, detailed halogen headlamps and a rearward swept roofline, all of which contribute to the vehicle’s dynamic appearance.

Trax Powertrain

Trax comes equipped with Chevrolet’s proven 1.4L Ecotec turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, producing 138 horsepower and 148 lb.-ft. of torque. FWD models are available with a 6-speed automatic or manual transmission, delivering fuel consumption ratings of 7.8 L/100 km city and 5.7 L/100 km highway (manual) and 8.1 L/100 km city and 5.9 L/100 km highway (automatic). The AWD is available with a 6-speed automatic transmission only, and delivers a fuel consumption rating of 8.7 L/100 km city and 6.5 L/100 km highway.

Trax Interior

Storage amenities in the new Trax are plentiful. They include various compartments above and on both sides of the centre stack as well as an available under-seat storage tray. Trax’ loading space can accommodate a maximum of 1371L; with further space that can be made available under the cargo floor.

In addition to a 60/40 split rear seat, Trax boasts a front passenger seat that can be folded flat, offering additional flexibility in the segment. Up to eight seating configurations are possible.

Upper trims of the Chevrolet Trax will feature Chevrolet MyLink as standard. Chevrolet MyLink is an infotainment system that aggregates content from smartphones onto the seven-inch, high resolution, full-color touchscreen display. A dedicated navigation app called Engis Bringo will become available early next year. It will project the route from the smartphone onto the system’s touch-screen. A rearview camera is part of the MyLink infotainment package and provides assistance during parking maneuvers.

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Editor’s Note: For more than 100 years, GMC pickups have hauled the loads that have helped keep North America running. They’ve come in different shapes and sizes and with names that denote their capabilities. What do all those names and numbers mean? This first in an occasional series of “GMC Pickups 101” features explains the naming history of the fullsize pickup.

Post Courtesy of General Motors of Canada, Oshawa, Ontario (Thursday, August 9, 2012) – When three truck builders – Randolph, Reliance and Rapid – merged to become GMC in 1912, the brand’s range of gasoline- and electric-powered trucks used model numbers between 1 and 12, each denoting payload in thousands of pounds, or how much weight could be loaded on the rear.

Today, the labels “½-ton”, “¾-ton” and “1-ton” are still used industry wide for fullsize pickup truck classes despite their having little connection to the trucks’ capabilities. For 2013, a GMC Sierra 1500 “½-ton” has a payload capacity that ranges from 1,550-1,940 pounds – considerably more than the 1,000 pounds once implied.  A “1-ton” Sierra 3500HD can haul up to 7,215 pounds; almost four times the 2,000 pounds its moniker suggests.

“The payload-based naming convention for pickups existed right from the beginning,” said General Motors Heritage Centre Manager Greg Wallace. “The ½-ton, ¾-ton, and 1-ton models became most popular with retail customers over a few decades, not just for GMC but all manufacturers. While payload capacities have grown since, those three names stuck.”

As with payload classifications, GMC helped pioneer other naming conventions for pickups. In 1967, GMC was the first company to use 1500, 2500 and 3500 to designate its three truck models, numbers that were based off the first segment of vehicle identification numbers, or VINs, and denoted hauling capability. Those numbers remain an integral part of the GMC naming strategy and every current fullsize truck sold by an American automaker uses numbers starting with 15, 25 and 35 to denote the three classifications.

The Sierra name became standard for all GMC fullsize pickups in 1989 after being used for various upscale trim packages through the ‘70s and ‘80s. The 2013 Sierra 1500 represents the core of GMC’s truck business, while the purpose-built Sierra 2500HD and 3500HD models are some of the most-capable pickups ever produced, with class-leading maximum payload.

GMC Pickups 101: What’s the Differential?

What an axle ratio means and why picking the right one is important

Post Courtesy of General Motors of Canada, Oshawa, Ontario (Tuesday, August 21, 2012) – Technologies like advanced turbodiesel V-8 engines or hydroformed steel frames have advanced the 2013 GMC Sierra HD to unprecedented levels of capability for fullsize pickups. In just the decade since the 2003 model debuted, maximum towing capacity for a Sierra HD has risen 43 percent, from 16,100 pounds to an industry-leading 23,100 pounds.

Getting that towing force from the engine to each rear wheel is the task of a set of gears located in the centre of the truck’s rear axle known as the differential. The ratio of the sizes of those gears is represented by the diameter of the gear that drives the wheels in relation to the gear from the driveshaft.  So, a 3.08:1 ratio indicates the drive gear has 3.08 times as many teeth as the gear on the driveshaft.

Using different diameter gears within the differential affects both towing ability and fuel consumption. Since pickup owners have varying needs and preferences, GMC addresses different requirements by offering various rear axle gear ratios.

“A numerically lower axle ratio keeps engine speeds lower for better fuel efficiency, while higher ratios generally yield higher towing capacities and quicker launches from a stop,” said Greg Martuch, energy and powertrain engineer for the GMC Sierra.

Four different ratios are available across the Sierra 1500 ½-ton pickup lineup: from 3.08:1 to 3.73:1. Available ratios vary by cab type, engine and transmission. Sierra HD, including ¾-ton and 1-ton models, uses rear axle ratios of 3.73:1 and 4.10:1.

Each ratio is decided after months and years of testing factors such as acceleration from a stop; performance on a grade; transmission behavior; fuel consumption; towing, and thermal management. Keeping engine speeds down allows a vehicle’s cooling to be more effective.

How much of a difference does the choice of axle make? A 2013 Sierra 2500HD with a 6.0L V-8 and four-wheel drive can tow a maximum of 9,900 pounds with a 3.73:1 ratio or 14,400 pounds with a 4.10:1 ratio. Reduced engine noise is also a benefit of maintaining lower engine speeds with the more-efficient ratio.

Martuch recommends customers consider their everyday needs. “The higher the combined weight of a truck and trailer, the harder the vehicle needs to work. If a customer is going to tow a small boat just a few times a year, a Sierra 1500 with a lower ratio would capably handle the occasional towing duty while delivering better efficiency the other 95 percent of the time. But for someone towing construction equipment every day, I would definitely recommend an HD pickup with a 4.10 axle and external engine and transmission oil coolers.”

Stay tuned for more GMC Pickup blogs courtesy of General Motors of Canada, Oshawa, Ontario.

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Post Courtesy of General Motors of Canada – OSHAWA, Ontario, July 24, 2012 - General Motors of Canada Invests in Canadian Research and Development

General Motors of Canada today outlined its commitment to significantly invest in research and development (R&D) activities in Canada.  Between 2009 and 2016, GM is making investments totaling $850 million in R&D in Canada, which will provide long-term sustainable benefits to GM and the Canadian automotive sector through 2016 and beyond.

“GM has long been a Canadian technology and innovation leader and these additional investments will build our expertise in strategic and important technologies even further,” said Kevin W. Williams, president and managing director, GM Canada.  “Since 2009 alone, employees at our Canadian Engineering Centre have generated nearly 100 records of invention which allow us to offer better solutions for our customers, helping GM to design, build and sell the world’s best vehicles.”

“General Motors of Canada has made great strides since 2009 when our Government pledged its support to help it restructure. We are encouraged that, thanks in part to that support, GM is now making important investments in the future of the auto sector and manufacturing in Canada,”  said Prime Minister Harper. “Such investments in R&D bring long-term benefits to Canada, driving made-in-Canada innovation, increasing our ability to compete internationally and creating high-paying, stable jobs.”

“The commitment, perseverance and skills of our auto workers have helped companies like GM fuel the continued recovery of our auto sector — an industry we’ve been proud to partner with because it supports 485,000 good jobs for Ontario families. GM’s continued investments in research and development will no doubt create even more good jobs down the road,” said   Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty.

Since 2009, GM has increased its investments in R&D and engineering in Canada, including growing activities at the Canadian Engineering Centre in Oshawa, Ontario.  GM is committing to further leverage Canada’s expertise in strategic and important technologies by expanding activities in light-weighting materials, mechatronics, software and communications. Cutting-edge technologies like these are critical to the development of tomorrow’s vehicles and the sustainability of Canada’s automotive sector.

GM has also enhanced supplier partnerships on R&D to drive innovation through the supply chain and increase automotive R&D capacity in Canada.  For example, GM has partnered with multiple suppliers to develop light-weighting initiatives for the next generation of vehicles. These suppliers will then be able to leverage their global footprints to supply Canadian technology to operations around the world.

GM’s commitments include:

• Investing in new streams of state-of-the-art advanced technology research at the Canadian Engineering Centre, positioning the Oshawa-based facility as an integral part of GM’s global engineering and R&D networks;
• Enhancing partnerships with automotive suppliers that strengthen innovation and competitiveness in the Canadian supplier base, including new co-development projects and greater opportunities for start-ups to access funding through GM Ventures; and
• Continuing to develop formal technology linkages among Canadian universities, institutes, supplier and manufacturers in key technology areas that are aligned with Canadian R&D clusters and GM’s priorities.

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