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GM and SAIC to begin "Drive to 2030" at Shanghai World Expo 2010

2010-04-26

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General Motors (GM) and its partner Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC) will open a joint pavilion to the public on May 1, at the World Expo 2010 in Shanghai. They will present a holistic experience, highlighting the future of sustainable mobility under the theme "Drive to 2030". Among the future vehicles to be featured in the SAIC-GM Pavilion, the recently revealed EN-V (Electric Networked-Vehicle) concepts will play a key role.

Of course, GM’s electric car, the Chevrolet Volt, will make an appearance at the World Expo 2010, too. The Volt and the fuel-cell powered Chevrolet Equinox will both serve as VIP-shuttles for the Expo Bureau.

Kevin Wale, president and managing director, GM China, said: "We, GM and SAIC, are very proud to be the exclusive automotive partner of the World Expo 2010 here in Shanghai. Our goal is to explain our vision of a better living environment in urban areas through the reinvention of personal mobility. At our joint pavilion, we will showcase solutions for how future vehicles may look, drive and even think."

The design of the 6,000-square-meter SAIC-GM pavilion is inspired by nature and an automobile body. The spiral shape conveys promise and progress, outlining a road that links the present with the future. The "Angel's Eye", a 300-square-meter LED screen, will catch the attention of Expo visitors from far away with highly emotional videos, pictures and other useful information.

The SAIC-GM pavilion already received the "Most Excellent Public Building Prize" from the Architectural Society of Shanghai at the bi-annual Architecture Creation Awards. It was selected from among 212 submissions and was chosen for its unique design concept and the human and environmentally friendly facilities.

Inside, the pavilion is divided into pre-show, main-show and post-show areas. In the pre-show area, visitors will hear about urban transformation and the automobile's development over the past 20 years. They will look 20 years into the future with all the challenges and solutions envisioned by SAIC and GM. In the main-show area, visitors will sit in unique motion seats to view a movie projected on a 38-meter surround screen. They will see and feel the infinite possibilities that the motor vehicle will offer in the year 2030, and how it will bring people closer together. This will lead to an even bigger surprise at the end when all of the virtual vehicles come alive on stage. In the post-show area, visitors may take a closer look at the concept cars featured in the movie. The area will have eight sections: welcome corridor, traffic hub, satellite city, central business district, apartment life, window to the future, future outlook and souvenir sales.

On May 1, 2010, the World Exposition will open its gates on the newly created, almost six-square-kilometer Expo grounds in Shanghai, China. It will be the first time ever that a registered World Exposition is held in an emerging market. More than 200 countries and international organizations will welcome around 70 million visitors between May and the end of October. The Expo theme "Better City, Better Life" addresses today's global challenges and shows visionary solutions for a better future.

Expo visitors who wish to see the SAIC-GM Pavilion can reserve a timeslot either on site or in advance online via the official pavilion website www.our2030.com. Fast access will be available for visitors who booked online.

For more facts and figures about GM and SAIC at the World Expo 2010, please go to:
www.gmexpo2010.com/en or follow the World Expo 2010 link on
http://media.chevroleteurope.com

About Chevrolet

Chevrolet is General Motors' largest global brand with annual sales of about 3.5 million vehicles in more than 130 countries. It is the fourth biggest global car brand in terms of sales and also one of the fastest growing brands in the world. Chevrolet Europe delivers attractive, distinctive design, practical, economical cars and outstanding value for money. After re-launching the brand in Europe in 2005, Chevrolet more than doubled its sales to over 500,000 in 2008. In 2009, Chevrolet held its market share in Europe at 2.3 percent, selling 426,000 cars. Chevrolet has a network of 2,900 dealers and service points in Europe. The Chevrolet line-up includes the all-new Spark city car, the small Aveo, compact Cruze sedan, Captiva SUV, mid-size Epica and the legendary Corvette sports car. In 2011, Chevrolet will launch the Orlando, an all-new family van, the Camaro coupe and convertible, the new Aveo and the Cruze hatchback as well as re-launching the Captiva SUV with four new engines. Chevrolet's biggest markets in Europe are Russia, Italy, Germany, France, Spain and the U.K. Established in the U.S. by Swiss émigré Louis Chevrolet in 1911, the brand is preparing to celebrate its centenary with the launch of the ground-breaking Chevrolet Volt extended-range electric vehicle. More information on Chevrolet can be found at http://www.chevroleteurope.com or http://media.chevroleteurope.com.