CO2 challenge the focus of GM Europe

As Europe prepares for the range-extended Ampera, top company executives look further into the future.

“There is increasing realization that the automobile as we know it today is simply not sustainable,” said General Motors Vice Chairman and Global Chief Technology Officer Thomas G. Stephens, in neatly summing up the automotive industry's situation, with all the dilemmas and doubts about the right solutions and the right direction it may take, but also the huge opportunities and challenges ahead.

Stephens, speaking at the 32nd International Vienna Motor Symposium in May, clarified what's driving the industry: “We expect this change to follow a market-and regulatory-driven trajectory in which new energy sources and automotive technologies will be introduced to satisfy specific local market, customer, and regulatory needs.”