AUTOMOTIVE INNOVATIONS GM hopes to spur fleet vehicle sales

The oil system could save more than a 100 million gallons of oil a year.
LORDSTOWN -- General Motors officials hope new products and new features will spur government leaders -- especially those in Ohio -- to buy fleet vehicles from GM.
Police and legislative leaders from throughout the Mahoning Valley saw firsthand this morning how GM vehicles can save their departments, and in turn local taxpayers, time and money.
"We are very interested in supporting the needs of government fleet sales," said Maureen Midgley, plant manager at GM Lordstown.
"We are very under-utilized in this area in the state of Ohio, which surprised me."
Currently, about 17 percent of Ohio police, fire and government vehicles are GM products, a number that plant officials want to see climb.
Oil Life System
GM plans to release 32 new products between 2004 and 2006; all will be equipped with the new Oil Life System.
Jack Welsh, fleet service manager with GM, said the OLS uses a computer algorithm that evaluates engine speed and temperature to inform drivers when to change the oil. OLS cuts down on unnecessary oil changes, thereby saving time, money and the environment, he said.
"The whole point is to have the vehicle tell you when it needs service," Welsh said.
In 1997, more than 600 million gallons of oil were sold, with about half of that going to do-it-yourselfers, many of whom change their oil every 3,000 miles, Welsh said.
Figures from the United States Environmental Protection Agency say about 150 million gallons of oil are disposed of improperly, making it the No. 1 pollutant in America, he said.
"One quart of oil can contaminate 1 million gallons of water, which is enough for 50 people per year, he said. "That includes water for drinking, bathing and cooking."
How it works
The OLS monitors oil life and with the touch of a button tells vehicle owners what's left.
Some vehicles can get as much as 16,000 miles between oil changes, Welsh said.
"If the system is used as it's intended, it could save more than 100 million gallons oil a year, he said.
OLS is available on 90 percent of all GM vehicles in production, and company officials plan to include it on every vehicle within next five years.