Research and Development
Organization Overview
GM R&D was the world’s first automotive research center. It was organized in 1920 by inventor Charles F. Kettering.
Headquartered in Warren, Michigan, the GM Research Lab is a network of laboratories, science offices and collaborative relationships in over twelve countries including working relationships with universities, government groups, suppliers and other partners from across the globe.
In 2003, GM R&D began an expansion of its global research network. The goal? To transform the GM Research Labs into a world benchmark research organization acting as one organic, agile and efficient business unit. The motivation for this was a desire to gain access to diverse scientific skills and expertise globally, and to leverage global research resources to move quickly into new technical areas. This network expands GM’s technical capabilities and reach and speeds development of strategic technologies.
Research activities include improving environmental performance of GM’s vehicles, diversifying energy sources, and providing gasoline-saving solutions around the world like active fuel management, variable valve timing and six-speed transmissions, developing advanced diesel engines, fuel cell and hybrid vehicles, electronics and controls and researching new materials.
Research and Development in China
Will Contribute to Technological Innovation
GM China Science Lab
In September 2009, General Motors Company established its China Science Lab in Shanghai. The unique facility will carry out important research projects in a number of automotive-related fields for General Motors. As the first major science lab established by a global automaker in China, it will contribute to technological innovation, both domestically and on a worldwide basis.
The vision for the China Science Lab is to be recognized as a world-class R&D organization that will help drive GM’s automotive business into the future. The aim is to develop breakthrough technologies that will differentiate GM vehicles in the marketplace and build on GM’s long history of industry firsts. The China Science Lab’s opening demonstrates that GM is moving aggressively to maintain leadership in breakthrough technological research globally.
GM has long been an active supporter of all aspects of China’s automotive industry. Through the China Science Lab, GM will leverage the country’s outstanding research talent together with GM’s extensive resources to come up with new innovations for the benefit of vehicle users around the globe.
The China Science Lab’s initial focus will be on research related to advanced propulsion technology and joining technology. It will also focus on battery cells, megacity safety research, advanced vehicle development, and light materials. It will engage in additional activities in accordance with market conditions and its own research capability as it ramps up. The China Science Lab will carry out collaborative work with universities and government-run scientific institutions across China. It is expected to employ up to 100 staff during its early stage of operation.
Director, China Science Lab, GM China John Du
John Du
John Du is the director of GM China’s China Science Lab. He is responsible for staffing and launching the newly formed GM R&D science laboratory in Shanghai.
Du will oversee research and technology development in a wide range of automotive industry-related fields, including advanced propulsion technology, energy storage systems, next-generation lightweight materials, advanced manufacturing methods, and advanced technologies for vehicle design.
He is also responsible for leading the Advanced Technology Management Group for the coordination of all advanced technical work in China. In addition, he will supervise strategic technology collaboration between GM and Chinese government institutions, leading Chinese universities, national laboratories and suppliers.
Du joined GM with 20 years of professional experience, including 15 years with Intel. He has a proven track record of successfully setting up R&D centers in China, having helped launch Intel's network processing business unit and communications technology research group in Beijing. Most recently, he served as general manager of Intel's China Research Center.
Du received Bachelor of Science, Master of Science and doctorate degrees in electrical engineering in 1983, 1986 and 1989, respectively. He holds four patents and has been published in more than 10 technical publications in the areas of network communications and signal processing.
Vice President of GM Global Research and Development Alan Taub
Alan Taub
Alan Taub, vice president of GM Global Research and Development, oversees GM’s seven science laboratories worldwide. In addition, he has responsibility for GM’s advanced technical work activity, which manages major innovation programs within the company, as well as GM’s global technology collaboration network.
Taub received his bachelor’s degree in materials engineering from Brown University and master’s and Ph.D. degrees in applied physics from Harvard University. He spent 15 years in research and development at General Electric, where he earned 26 patents, authored more than 60 papers, and ultimately managed the GE Materials Properties and Processes Laboratory. He joined GM R&D as executive director in 2001 and was appointed to his current post in July 2009.
Taub was elected to membership in the National Academy of Engineering in 2006. He serves on the Operating Council for the United States Council for Automotive Research (USCAR) and the Executive Steering Committee for the FreedomCAR Partnership. He also is vice chair of the Visiting Committee on Advanced Technology (VCAT) advisory board for the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). In addition, Taub serves on advisory boards for the University of Michigan, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Northwestern University, and the University of California, Berkeley.
