GM to open US$250 m alternative fuel research centre in Shanghai

Shanghai. October 30 (Gasgoo.com) - General Motors (GM) Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Rick Wagoner said yesterday that the company will open a US$250-million alternative fuel research centre in Shanghai,  Associated Press reported.

"The Center will look into developing alternative-fuel cars, including plug-in hybrids, bio-fuel and fuel-cell vehicles, " Rick Wagoner said at a press conference in Beijing, according to the report.

This plan will "accelerate research in the areas of energy-efficient and environmentally friendly automotive technologies, as well as alternative fuel pathways that are socially responsible, economically viable, environmentally sustainable, and technologically feasible", said Rick Wagoner.

Wagoner also said that construction of the first phase of "The General Motors Center for Advanced Science and Research" will be finished late next year.

Separately, GM also revealed that it will display five vehicles that use alternatives to gasoline (petrol) at an exhibition in China this week. The models on display will include the Chevrolet Equinox fuel-cell electric vehicle and the Saab 9-3 BioPower ethanol-powered vehicle; the exhibition is in Beijing and runs from today to Wednesday (31 October).