Skateboard Chassis for Utility Integration

GM's new Hy-wire vehicle uses an innovative skateboard chassis. www.gm.com

General Motors is pioneering a "skateboard" chassis for future generation vehicles. The chassis contains all of the sedan’s propulsion, transmission, steering and braking components within its 11-inch frame and provides a single electrical connection to the body. Standardizing the chassis will increase the efficiency of automotive production while enabling automotive designers to tailor model designs to the interests and needs of the consumer marketplace. The prototype GM Hy-wire vehicle demonstrates this standardized chassis of the future as depicted in the photo. The concept of building a chassis upon which multiple designs could be placed may have application in the building industry, particularly in manufactured housing where chassis are built today to carry manufactured housing systems to the site for placement.

Current Status of Technology

The skateboard chassis concept was released last year by GM in unveiling the Hy-wire prototype vehicle. The Hy-wire is not scheduled for production until 2010 or later. Some elements of the utility integration could be incorporated as modules in new home construction, particularly in manufactured housing systems where chasses are already used in the manufacturing process.

Contact Information

Chris Borroni-Bird
Director, Design and Vehicle Technology Interface
General Motors Corporation
Detroit, MI
Web: www.gm.com