GM, software, and electronics

At its annual media preview of new models, the company demonstrated how its technology investments will pay off in more features, for more people, in more market segments.

Suppliers have played an increasingly important role in providing carmakers the latest in electronic gadgets for functions as superfluous as stereos and as critical as steering. But General Motors worries that excessive reliance on outside suppliers could handicap the company when competing with other companies using the same suppliers.

Further, asserts Nick Zielinski, GM Director of Vehicle and Technology Integration, using suppliers delays the introduction of new electronic features into less-expensive models, because of the added profit margin of the supplier. Investing in the software know-how to develop electronic features in-house will let GM provide “more features, for more people, in more market segments than any other automaker,” Zielinski said.