GM at Frankfurt: Eleven world and European premieres

GM is set to present eleven world and European premieres at the 62nd IAA in Frankfurt. GM’s Opel, Chevrolet, Saab, Cadillac, Corvette and HUMMER brands will share a display area of 8,000 square meters in hall 8 where visitors can see new cars – from the Opel Agila to the new E-Flex architecture and GM’s latest fuel cell car, HydroGen4.

Since the Frankfurt Motor Show is being said to be very greenish this year, GM points out in the press release that all their vehicles will highlight GM’s environmental strategy, which is to reduce CO2 emissions.

We’ll be seeing a lot of the Opel Agila, the first public appearance of the new Saab 9-3 range as well as the world premier of the BLS wagon.

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Press Release:

General Motors presents eleven world and European premieres at the 62nd IAA in Frankfurt (September 13 ““23, 2007). The Opel, Chevrolet, Saab, Cadillac, Corvette and HUMMER brands also show their current diverse model portfolios at their stands. Over a display area of around 8000 square meters in hall 8, IAA visitors can find information about GM ““ from the new Opel Agila to the future of the automobile, such as th enew E-Flex architecture and latest fuel cell vehicle HydroGen4.

These vehicles highlight GM”s environmental strategy, which is to reduce CO2 emissions in the short term and introduce new propulsion technologies in the long term. In the future, customers will have a choice of vehicles with many different energy sources, enabling them to decide which propulsion system isbest suited to their life.

GM: Alternative propulsion conceptspresented to IAA visitors

At the GM stand, four enormous windswepttrees abstracted by metal plates symbolize GM”s approach to sustainableprotection of the environment. Four vehicles and models with alternativepropulsion systems show what future mobility could look like. The electric carVolt and HydroGen4 fuel cell vehicle, which makes its world premiere at the IAA,are presented to the public in Frankfurt along with two chassis variants of the E-Flex electric vehicle architecture.

In one of the E-Flex cutawaymodels, hydrogen-powered fuel cells create additional electricity, while in theother a combustion engine provides an increase in operating range via anelectric generator.

Specially trained experts are available at the GMstand to explain the environmental strategy and details of GM”senvironmental initiative to visitors – an interactive approach that has met withgreat success at other motor shows. Four touch-screen monitors are alsoavailable to provide IAA visitors with information about the”Well-to-wheel” chain, the process of fuel production from rawmaterials through to its actual use in a car.

GM”s computerworkstations at the IAA also highlight the use of alternative energies, as thecomputers are powered by fuel cells installed directly at thestand.

Opel: Two live shows about the Agila andenvironment

The world premiere of the Opel Agila and ecoFLEXenvironmental strategy are the highlights of Opel”s stand, which coversmore than 4200 square meters. The two “Highlight areas” are situatedopposite one another and connected by a “loop” ““ a softly curving ribbon. And at the heart of the stand, the concept vehicle with new E-Flex architecturesymbolizes the brand”s environmental strategy. Next to this is the”Media Mesh” wall, another special feature composed of several LE Ddisplays in a stainless steel web that together show a unique, raw resolutionimage.

Two live shows in both areas are entertaining and informative. While one highlights the Agila”s multi-functionality, the other hosts amoderated show about ecoFLEX. Equipped with finger cameras, presenters on Segwayelectric scooters show images of unusual details on the screens.

Chevrolet Europe: Award-winning uniform designs from students

It is not just cars like the new Aveo or the Camaro Convertible thattake center stage at Chevrolet”s stand. The hostesses are alsoeye-catching, wearing exclusive uniforms designed and produced by students fromthe “Private Modeschule” fashion school in Düsseldorf, Germany.The project is part of a pan-European event called “Young? Creative?Chevrolet!”. This competition among students at schools for the appliedarts began last March in Geneva and takes place in eight European countries.”Young? Creative? Chevrolet!” is comprised of five categories:photography, video, performing arts, design and fashion.

Thewinner was Sina Schumacher, a twenty-year old fashion design student. As aparticipant in the “Young? Creative? Chevrolet!” competition, shedesigned the award-winning exclusive uniforms worn by the Chevrolethostesses at the IAA.

First public appearance of new Saab 9-3range

On the Saab stand, the successful Saab 9-3 range is on displaywith a new face. The 9-3 range also underwent an interior update in modelyear 2007. These enhancements put the finishing touches to the new range. The9-3 now boasts a progressive, sharper look that is inspired by the Saabbrand”s Scandinavian design tradition and by the acclaimed Aero X conceptcar.

Technical highlights of the new Saab 9-3 range include Saab”sfour-wheel drive system Cross Wheel Drive (XWD), one 1.9-liter, 132 kW/180 hpturbo-diesel engine with two-stage turbocharger and two powerful BioPowerengines (E85) with 129 kW/175 hp or 147 kW/200 hp.

Cadillac, Corvette and HUMMER: World premiere for BLS Wagon

The BLS Wagon is the star ofthe Cadillac stand, and is joined by the complete model year 2008 with the STSluxury sedan, SRX crossover, full-size Escalade SUV and high-performanceXLR-V roadster. Also on display is the fastest automatic Corvette ever: theCorvette LS3 as a Coupé or Cabriolet with optional six-speed automatictransmission. The HUMMER H2 character from the new “Transformers”adventure film will also wow every fan of the archetypal American cult brand.The car can be seen on a screen at the IAA “˜transforming” from theHUMMER H2 rescue vehicle into “Autobot Rachet”.

Source: GM

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