GM CANADA AT THE 2008 VANCOUVER INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW: GREEN BY DESIGN

• New, fuel efficient GM vehicles and award-winning technologies coming to Canada
• All-new Chev Traverse crossover makes Western Canadian debut - leads segment in fuel efficiency
• GM moving rapidly towards vehicle electrification - 8 hybrids, fuel cell fleet, E-Flex EV concepts
• GM Canada "Green by Design" podcast launches at www.gmgreenbydesignpodcast.ca

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (March 28, 2008) - General Motors of Canada today highlighted a host of fuel efficient technologies across a wide range of new vehicles. From compacts to full-size SUVs, GM is providing consumers with more environmentally responsible solutions than any manufacturer - without the compromises often associated with green vehicles.

At its press conference for attending journalists, GM of Canada demonstrated that its focus as it heads into its second century is on fuel efficient cars and trucks that exceed customer expectations.

"Our designs reflect a renewed product and customer focus that is at the centre of everything we do," said Marc Comeau, GM of Canada's vice president, sales, service and marketing. "Our goal is to offer customers leading designs and technologies, eye-catching style and an overall level of perceived quality typical of more expensive vehicles."

In addition to highlighting 4 new small and compact cars in market this year - the Saturn Astra, the Pontiac Wave 5-door and Vibe, and the Chevrolet Aveo-5 and Malibu Hybrid mid-size sedan, - GM also debuted the all-new Chevrolet Traverse crossover utility vehicle which is expected to be a segment leader in fuel economy.

With the addition of the award-winning 2-mode hybrid system to its full-size utilities and pickups later this year, GM has proven that `big' can be green. The 5 new gas-electric hybrid models coming this year represent important progress in GM's strategy of vehicle electrification to remove the automobile from the environmental debate.

Next steps include the launch of world's largest fuel cell customer test fleet this year, followed by the introduction of a plug-in hybrid, and plans to produce the Chevrolet Volt - the first example of GM's innovative new electric vehicle propulsion system called "E-Flex". With E-Flex, GM will use advanced technology to offer a leading range of electrically driven vehicles, powered by different sources of energy, to best meet the needs of consumers all around the world.

With stringent new fuel economy standards and the urgent need to address climate change, the next decade will be one of revolutionary change for the vehicles we drive and the fuels and technologies that will drive our cars of tomorrow. To stimulate discussion of these important changes, GM Canada has launched a new "Green by Design" podcast series which explores a wide range of game changing green vehicle technologies and asks what it will all means for Canadian drivers - go to www.gmgreenbydesignpodcast .ca to check it out.

Additional information on vehicles and technologies featured by GM Canada at its press conference at the Canadian International Auto Show follow below:

VEHICLES HIGHLIGHTS:

2009 Chevrolet Traverse

The all-new Traverse offers the passenger and cargo capability of larger SUVs, yet provides the driving experience and fuel economy typical of smaller vehicles. In fact, the Traverse is expected to be a segment leader in both performance and fuel economy, thanks to its sophisticated new 3.6L direct injection engine that operates on regular fuel. The Traverse is following the formula that is bringing Chevy back to a new generation of consumers - great styling, leading technologies, loads of class-leading features and tremendous value. The Traverse will be at Chevrolet dealers beginning this summer.

2008 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid

As the most affordable mid-sized hybrid in Canada, the Malibu Hybrid is equipped with the GM Hybrid system, which reduces fuel consumption fuel via sophisticated controls and a unique electric motor/generator mated to a 2.4L Ecotec VVT four-cylinder engine and Hydra-Matic 4T45 four-speed transmission. This innovative hybrid powertrain is rated at 164 horsepower.

2008 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid & GMC Yukon Hybrid

Featuring a state-of-the-art 2-mode hybrid system using GM's all-new Electrically Variable Transmission and Active Fuel Management, the Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon Hybrid models carry on a tradition of comfort, performance and utility. Importantly, they do it while also delivering exceptional fuel economy in both city and highway driving, with city fuel consumption on par with efficient midsize sedans and a 30% improvement in combined fuel economy, all while retaining their full-size SUV utility - an industry first.

You know you've done something important when the Green Car Journal names a full-size SUV as their "Green car of the Year" as they did with the Tahoe Hybrid and the Canadian Automobile Association gives GM's 2-mode hybrid technology its Pyramid environmental award.

2009 Chevrolet Aveo5

Arriving this summer, the restyled 2009 Aveo5 features a new, more refined 1.6L DOHC VVT engine that provides more power, a quieter drive experience, more features and about 8% improved fuel economy.

As well, it boasts an updated interior and new exterior styling reflecting the new face of Chevrolet. As Canada's lowest price car, and with the best coverage available, this economical compact is a real win for customers.

2008 Saturn Astra

Recently voted as the Automobile Journalists of Canada's "Best New Small Car", the Astra brings European style and driving character - plus a wealth of content - to the Canadian small car market - all in a very affordable package. The Astra features a fuel sipping 1.8L Ecotec engine with variable valve timing and provides a satisfying blend of efficiency and responsive performance that demonstrates that `small' and `fun' can definitely go hand-in-hand.

2009 Pontiac Vibe

Coming next month, the redesigned 2009 Pontiac Vibe takes the successful formula of its predecessor to even higher levels, with new looks, new powertrains, and new features. The base model features a more refined 1.8L DOHC VVT engine which provides 5% more power with no reduction in fuel economy. The popular all-wheel-drive and GT models return, featuring a new 2.4 L engine producing 158 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque, which is also available on base models. F our-wheel disc brakes with ABS, electronic stability control and traction control are standard on all models, making the new 2009 Vibe ideal for customers who value safety and practicality in any conditions.

2009 Pontiac Wave5

Coming this summer, the efficient, made-for-Canada Pontiac Wave 5-door gets an injection of style and technology for the 2009 model. This small car with the "tall car" interior now offers a new design inside and out, and gets a new, more refined engine with variable valve timing and improved fuel economy. As well, unexpected technologies like OnStar and available XM Satellite radio, plus GM's 5-year / 150,000 km coverage, mean that the new Wave 5-door has a whole lot to offer for such a small package.

CONCEPT VEHICLE:

Chevrolet Volt Electric Concept Vehicle

The Chevrolet Volt concept is a fully functional, battery-powered, electrically driven vehicle that could nearly eliminate going to the gas station altogether. Using rapidly advancing lithium ion battery technology, together with a small gasoline engine to produce electricity to propel the car, the Chevrolet Volt can be charged by plugging it into a 110-volt outlet for approximately six hours each day. At full charge it can deliver over 60 kilometers of pure electric vehicle range. Should you need to drive further, the Volt's small gas engine creates electricity to replenish the battery and even in this mode, the Volt would consume just 4.7L/100 kilometers with a range of over 1,000 kilometers - more than double that of conventional vehicles. The Chevy Volt is built around GM's E-Flex System, a `plug-and-play' vehicle system designed to enable the use of the most widely available, efficient power source in any global region - whether gas, diesel, ethanol, biofuel or hydrogen - to generate on-board electricity to charge the battery if needed. The Chevrolet Volt is a game-changing concept and demonstrates that GM is not taking a back seat to anyone when it comes to efforts to reduce the environmental impact of the automobile.

In addition to the vehicles highlighted at press conference at the Canadian International Auto Show, GM has many other new cars and trucks of interest.