GM's CTO driving new paths to technology leadership

“We're making actual production commitments regarding our advanced-technology strategy rather than just talking about it,” says GM's CTO Jon Lauckner. “We're absolutely going to be among the leaders, if not the leader, in these areas.”

Ask any car-savvy group about which companies they believe are leading the automotive advanced-technology race, and their reply is likely to put Google, Tesla, and Apple at the top of the list. To which Jon Lauckner retorts, “Well, I don't think so!” Lauckner is GM's Chief Technology Officer and heads its global R&D organization. He's also President of GM Ventures, a $200 million venture-capital subsidiary launched four years ago to identify and develop next-generation automotive technologies. Under Lauckner's leadership GM Ventures to date has equity investments in 18 start-up companies “in which we believe we can somehow commercialize the technology and take it to market,” he told Automotive Engineering. “We are pretty selective about those companies we invest in.”

The diverse portfolio currently includes NanoSteel, whose new cold-formable, lightweight steel alloys are highly ductile yet strong; Sakti3, the Ann Arbor-based solid-state lithium battery developer; Empower Energies (formerly Sunlogics), maker of solar-powered EV charging stations; Proterra, the South Carolina-based electric bus maker now serving a dozen transit fleets; bio-energy developer Coskata; Powermat, the Israel-based specialist in inductive charging systems used in Chevrolet Volts as well as in Starbucks cafes; and Tula Technologies, creator of an advanced engine cylinder-deactivation system now undergoing vehicle testing.