GM China Hosts San Francisco-Shanghai Sister City Committee at SAIC-GM Pavilion at Expo 2010
Shares vision for future urban transportation in megacities
Joins in celebration of 30-year relationship between San Francisco and Shanghai
Shanghai–GM China joined in the celebration of the longstanding relationship between San Francisco and Shanghai by hosting the San Francisco-Shanghai Sister City Committee (SFSSCC) delegation today at the SAIC-GM Pavilion at World Expo 2010 Shanghai.
Kevin Wale, President and Managing Director of GM China, gives an EN-V car model to Gavin Newsom, Mayor of San Francisco
Led by San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom and Sister City Committee Chair James Fang, the delegation experienced GM's vision for future urban transportation and its latest technologies and concept vehicles. GM is the joint automobile partner of Expo 2010.
SFSSCC is celebrating the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the San Francisco-Shanghai sister city relationship. The opening ceremony of "San Francisco Week," which runs from June 18 to 25, was held at the Urban Best Practices Area at Expo 2010 immediately before today's GM-hosted event.
"GM recognizes the rich and diverse relationship that connects Shanghai and San Francisco. We are proud to be a part of its celebration," said Kevin Wale, President and Managing Director of the GM China Group. "GM welcomes this unique opportunity to share ideas and discuss our future vision of urban transportation with key political, business, transportation, and thought leaders from one of the world's most vibrant cities."
After his visit to the SAIC-GM Pavilion, Mayor Newsom commented that San Francisco faces the same challenges of urbanization as many other megacities. Today's discussion around the vision and technology solutions for future urban transportation has much relevance and significance for the long-term development of both Shanghai and San Francisco.
Among those accompanying Mayor Newsom and Chairman Fang on their visit to Shanghai are former San Francisco Mayors Willie L. Brown, Jr. and Frank Jordan, and San Francisco Convention and Visitors Bureau CEO Joe D'Alessandro.
The San Francisco-Shanghai Sister City Committee is a non-profit organization that has supported more than 200 cultural, business and government exchanges between San Francisco and Shanghai.
Reflecting the Expo 2010 theme of "Better City, Better Life," GM and its Chinese partner SAIC are providing a holistic experience at their pavilion, highlighting the future of sustainable urban mobility. GM and SAIC are presenting a shared vision, under the theme of "Drive to 2030," for future urban transportation, in which driving will be free from emissions, accidents, petroleum and congestion, as well as more enjoyable and fashionable than ever before.
General Motors, one of the world's largest automakers, traces its roots back to 1908. With its global headquarters in Detroit, GM employs 205,000 people in every major region of the world and does business in some 140 countries. GM and its strategic partners produce cars and trucks in 31 countries, and sell and service these vehicles through the following brands: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, GM Daewoo, Holden, Jiefang, Opel, Vauxhall and Wuling. GM is the joint global automobile partner of World Expo 2010 Shanghai along with Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation Group (SAIC). More information on the new General Motors can be found at www.gm.com.
