General Motors 2015 Annual Report Download - page 9

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Table of Contents

of the refueling infrastructure. In Brazil a substantial majority of vehicles sold were FlexFuel vehicles capable of running on 100% ethanol blends. We also
market FlexFuel vehicles in other global markets where biofuels have emerged in the marketplace.
We produce CNG bi-fuel capable vehicles in Europe such as the Opel Zafira and in the U.S. with the Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana full-size vans
(fleet and commercial customers) and the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra 2500 HD pick-up trucks (commercial and retail customers) that are capable of
switching between gasoline or diesel and CNG. In addition we offer the CNG bi-fuel Chevrolet Impala full-size sedan to both fleet and retail markets in the
U.S. We offer LPG capable vehicles globally in select markets reflecting the infrastructure, regulatory focus and natural resource availability of the markets in
which they are sold.
We support the development of biodiesel blend fuels, which are alternative diesel fuels produced from renewable sources, and we provide biodiesel
capabilities in other markets reflecting the availability of biodiesel blend fuels.
Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technology
As part of our long-term strategy to reduce petroleum consumption and greenhouse gas emissions we are committed to continuing development of our
hydrogen fuel cell technology. Our Chevrolet Equinox fuel cell electric vehicle demonstration programs, such as Project Driveway, have accumulated more
than 3 million miles of real-world driving by consumers, celebrities, business partners and government agencies. These programs are helping us identify
consumer and infrastructure needs to understand the business case for potential production of vehicles with this technology.
GM and Honda Motor Company entered into a long-term agreement to co-develop a next-generation fuel cell system and hydrogen storage technologies,
aiming for the 2020 timeframe. The collaboration expects to succeed by sharing expertise, economies of scale and common sourcing strategies and builds
upon GM's and Honda Motor Company's strengths as leaders in hydrogen fuel cell technology.
Fuel Efficiency
We are fully committed to improving fuel efficiency and meeting regulatory standards through a combination of strategies including: (1) extensive
technology improvements to conventional powertrains; (2) increased use of smaller displacement engines and improved and advanced automatic
transmissions; and (3) vehicle improvements including increased use of lighter, front-wheel drive architectures.
Intellectual Property
We generate and hold a significant number of patents in a number of countries in connection with the operation of our business. While none of these
patents are individually material to our business as a whole, these patents are very important to our operations and continued technological development. We
hold a number of trademarks and service marks that are very important to our identity and recognition in the marketplace.

We purchase a wide variety of raw materials, parts, supplies, energy, freight, transportation and other services from numerous suppliers for use in the
manufacture of our products. The raw materials primarily include steel, aluminum, resins, copper, lead and platinum group metals. We have not experienced
any significant shortages of raw materials and normally do not carry substantial inventories of such raw materials in excess of levels reasonably required to
meet our production requirements.
In some instances, we purchase systems, components, parts and supplies from a single source and may be at an increased risk for supply disruptions. The
inability or unwillingness of these sources to supply us with parts and supplies could have a material adverse effect on our production capacity. Combined
purchases from our two largest suppliers have ranged from approximately 10% to 11% of our total purchases in the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and
2013.

Automotive Emissions Control
6