US — Ars Technica
Forget "Malaise 2.0," GM says it's still all-in on EVs and autonomy
Mobility1 min read
GM says it is still fully committed to electric vehicles (EVs) and self-driving tech, even as US support for EVs slows. The company plans to put its hands-free driving system in almost all of its vehicles.
GM doubles down on its plans
At its GM Forward event, GM said its hands-off, eyes-off Super Cruise system will spread across its lineup. It will reach nearly every vehicle, including pickup trucks and crossovers. Before, it was only announced for the Escalade IQ, a large electric SUV.
Key facts
- GM is testing Super Cruise for 1 million miles (1.6 million km) a month.
- The testing happens both in virtual (computer-simulated) and real-world settings.
- Super Cruise was first announced for the Escalade IQ last year.
- GM's stated goals are electrification, autonomy (self-driving), better vehicle quality, and shorter development time.
Why people are worried
US automakers have been slow to push EVs under the current government. The federal EV tax credit, which lowered the price for buyers, has also ended. Many people fear the US is heading into a "Malaise 2.0" era, a nod to the 1970s and early 1980s, when US carmakers made weak, low-quality cars.
Cars that do more than drive
GM's head of product, Sterling Anderson, says future cars could do tasks for you, not just take you places. He gave an example: after a long workday, your car could remember a takeout order you like and place it for pickup on your way home. GM's new OnStar AI, a built-in assistant, would play a role in this.
Why it matters
GM is betting that EVs and self-driving tech will still win, even when the market feels uncertain. If it succeeds, cars could become helpers in daily life. The plan is still a promise, so buyers and experts will watch whether GM delivers.
Glossary
- Super Cruise
- GM's driver-assist system that lets drivers take their hands and eyes off the road in some conditions.
- OnStar AI
- GM's new AI assistant, built into its OnStar in-car service.
- Escalade IQ
- A large, all-electric SUV made by GM's Cadillac brand.
- EV tax credit
- A US government discount that lowered the price of electric vehicles for buyers. It has now expired.
- Malaise 2.0
- A nickname for a possible new period of weak, low-interest car making, like the 1970s and early 1980s.
- GM Forward
- GM's event where executives shared their company plans for the future.