5.3.2002
Two world premieres unveiled at Geneva Motor Show

Highlights from the Geneva Motor Show included the world premiere of the new Vectra and the "Concept M". The introduction of the Saab 9-3X as a first development in Saab's expansion plan and GM's plans to bring AUTOnomy to Europe were also key topics of the GM Europe press conference at the show.

General Motors today demonstrated its resurgence in product innovation at the 72nd Geneva Motor Show with an inspiring display of products for customers today, new concepts for tomorrow and a unique vision of sustainable transportation for the future.

GM reviewed highlights of its exciting products and concepts revealed at the 2002 North American International Automobile Show, like the Pontiac Solstice concept, the Hummer H2 and the Cadillac Cien concept, sending a clear message: times are quickly changing and product is back at GM.

Building on the sales momentum generated in North America through a sharpened product focus, GM revealed plans for Opel/Vauxhall and Saab to extend this energy to Europe with the start of the most comprehensive product offensive in their history – with the full support of GM's global resources behind them.

Fresh Wind Blowing at Opel
Opel will invest some 10 billion euros to implement the biggest product offensive in its history signaling that a new wind is blowing at Opel. The plan to introduce a new model or significant variant every six months on average during the next five years includes a major overhaul of the model mix, which will change to include 40 percent traditional, 40 percent innovative and 20 percent niche models. Quality and technical excellence will be ensured not only in design but also by modernized production facilities with state-of-the-art-processes and flexibility.

Opel's new production plant in Rüsselsheim officially opened in February and is the most modern car production facility in the world, building on the GM Global Manufacturing System. Through its facilities modernization program, Opel is once again setting new standards for work organization, flexibility, efficiency and quality.

Opel also revealed a host of other initiatives under way to increase growth and customer satisfaction, including increased residual values, order-to-delivery processes, a revitalized dealer network and a new image campaign – emphasizing that it's all about 'Opel. Fresh thinking for better cars'.

New Vectra Marks Start of New Product Offensive
The new Vectra made its world premiere today at the Geneva Motor Show. The distinctive new styling sets the scene for Opel/Vauxhall cars of the future. The Vectra is characterized by a driver-oriented design with pioneering technology, generous amounts of space, a high level of comfort, and excellent safety features. The Vectra sedan goes on sale in a staggered launch across Europe, beginning in April.
The Vectra line will be made up of four distinct body styles. In addition to the sedan model, the Vectra GTS sport sedan will be launched this summer, followed in early 2003 by the highly innovative Signum and finally, the Vectra station wagon will be available later next year.

The Signum represents an entirely new concept in automobile architecture that will overcome traditional boundaries with an elegant design and innovative interior flexibility. The wheelbase, which is considerably longer than that of the Vectra sedan, is the basis for this versatility and for the generous amount of passenger space available. The Signum is an excellent example of Opel/Vauxhall's increasing focus on innovative models.

"Concept M" World Premiere
To further demonstrate the renewed product focus, Opel introduced a new and highly innovative concept at the Geneva Motor Show – the "Concept M". This sporty and environment-friendly monocab design study with a long wheelbase of 2630 millimeters has a height of 1.62 meters and easily accommodates four passengers. The dynamically styled monocab van also features an advanced propulsion concept: a 1.6-liter 110 kW/150 hp natural gas turbo engine in combination with Opel's "Easytronic" automated manual transmission.

"Concept M" has much in common with Opel/Vauxhall's successful compact van Zafira, and like the new Vectra line-up, it reveals another unique vehicle concept that can be expected to become available in the Opel/Vauxhall product portfolio in the near future.

Sporty and Multidynamic Saab on the Move
While moving forward with the biggest product expansion in its history, Saab plans to grow while adhering closely to the core values of the brand. Saab will present a new concept or a new production vehicle every year for five years and, this year, Saab will exceed this goal by releasing both a concept and a new production vehicle.

The combination of performance and versatility will be a recurring theme in new Saab products and this is exemplified in the unique Saab 9X concept which comes as a coupe, a roadster, a wagon and a pick-up – all in one car. The 9X clearly states Saab's long-term product design and brand direction. Today, at the Geneva Motor Show, the Saab 9X concept has been given the "European Automotive Design Award 2002" in the concept-car category by the Designers Europe organization.

Saab 9-3X Concept – A Sign of The Road Ahead
Presented for the first time in Detroit only two months ago, the Saab 9-3X concept more closely reflects what will be seen from Saab in the near term. With the 9-3X, Saab has introduced what is, in fact, a new type of off-road car. The 9-3X offers a new interpretation of the cross-over theme. A blend of a coupe and an off-roader, the 9-3X has a genuinely sporty image and real-life functionality.
Both the 9X and the 9-3X concepts have a unique design language that is truly Saab. They both come with typical Saab signatures like the wraparound windscreen, the high wedge-shape waistline, disguised A-pillars, clean smooth lines and bold frontal styling. In terms of practicality, the Saab 9X and Saab 9-3X both feature new and interesting innovations – like smart solutions for carrying luggage, new user friendly interior designs and powerful electronic networks.

The GM AUTOnomy Concept – The Future is Closer Than You Think
For the first time in Europe, General Motors unveiled the AUTOnomy, the world's first concept vehicle built around a fuel cell drive system and free from the confines of traditional automotive architecture. Until now, fuel cell concepts have been approached with the aim of integrating the fuel cell system into production vehicles. AUTOnomy is the first vehicle designed from the ground up around this type of technology and the first to combine fuel cells with drive-by-wire functionality, which allows steering, braking and other vehicle systems to be controlled electronically instead of mechanically.
All of the Autonomy's essential systems, including the fuel cell stack and on-board hydrogen storage system, are neatly packaged in a new type of chassis. This universal "skateboard" chassis simplifies manufacturing and service and allows for the construction of a wide variety of vehicles with very short development cycles.

The key design feature of Autonomy's electrical system is a connection, or "docking port", at the center of the "skateboard" chassis. The docking port creates a quick and foolproof way to connect all the body systems – controls, power and heating – to the rolling chassis, thus making the vehicle body light and uncomplicated. With all of its propulsion and control systems contained within the six-inch-thick chassis, the vehicle body is freed from traditional design requirements. The AUTOnomy concept provides a vision of the coming hydrogen economy – a world of truly sustainable mobility, in which vehicles are propelled by renewable energy sources; thus largely removing the automobile from the environmental equation.