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Under “Boss” Kettering’s direction, GM developed a revolutionary two-stroke diesel engine that was smaller, lighter, far more powerful, and more efficient than the traditional diesel.  Within a few years, it was being applied to railroad locomotives, heavy commercial trucks, boats, and off-road equipment. It was featured in GM’s exhibit at the 1933 Chicago World’s Fair.

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GM developed the first independent wheel suspension system, lessening the impact when any of a car’s four wheels hit a bump or hole, making cars safer and more comfortable. Known as “knee-action” suspension because of the way each wheel was connected to the axle, it was introduced in all 1934 model year GM cars in North America.

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GM conducted the industry’s first barrier impact tests and the industry’s first rollover tests at its proving ground in Milford, Michigan, in the U.S. Such tests have become standard across the industry and have been adopted by government safety agencies.

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Fisher Body developed the industry’s first one-piece all-steel roof, called the Turret Top, and introduced it on all GM cars built in the U.S. beginning with the 1935 model year Chevrolet lineup. Car roofs had previously been built around a wooden frame covered with canvas, limiting both the vehicle’s structural integrity and its design potential.

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Chevrolet introduced the Suburban Carryall, a closed body truck platform with seating for eight people. It would evolve into today’s sport utility vehicle (SUV).

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GM introduced the legendary Buick Y-Job to display its latest developments and trends in engineering and styling. It was the first car developed with an eye on gauging public reaction to new technologies and designs.

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GM introduced the industry’s first fully automatic transmission, called the Hydra-Matic, on the 1940 Oldsmobile. It was soon adopted by the entire industry.

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General Motors was a star of the 1939-40 New York World’s Fair with its vast Highways and Horizons exhibit and Futurama model of the future.  Futurama presented a vision of America in 1960, complete with futuristic homes, urban complexes, bridges, dams, surrounding landscape, and, most importantly, an advanced highway system that permitted speeds of up to 100 miles per hour (161 kilometers per hour).