If you've ever toyed with the idea of a gadget that has the power to remotely lock and unlock a car, an automaker says it will happen soon. General Motors reveals that it is currently testing an application which lets car owners lock or unlock their vehicles, or even start them remotely.
Mike Ableson, the General Motor's vice president of strategy, showcased the app the company is currently working on during an analyst presentation, confirming that the company is currently testing the app.
The Detroit automaker claimed during the presentation that it can manage the threat posed by Apple Inc.'s electric vehicles as well as the Google's self-driving autos.
In a bid to expose people to GM products, the Detroit automaker revealed a new car-sharing initiative it plans to offer in New York.
GM will offer its shared Chevrolet SUVs to residents of The Ritz Plaza luxury apartment building located in Times Square.
Another initiative the company talked about during the presentation is its plan to launch the Chevrolet Volt. The Volt will be powered by a battery for 50 miles before it can transition to a gasoline engine.
GM will initially deploy the Volts in the company's engineering campus in Southeast Michigan next year. GM employees can reserve a Volt with the use of an application. They can then travel around the campus via the self-driving cars.
The company also disclosed that it is working on an "eBike" concept. It did not go into the detail, though, on its plan for the vehicle.
Meanwhile, a fuel-cell vehicle that it built in collaboration with Honda Motor Co. is slated to go on sale by 2020. Mark Reuss, the GM Product Chief, did say that it is open to the idea of working with Japan automaker Honda on other initiatives.
Not long ago, Ford revealed that its MyFord Mobile app, which comes with similar features, will soon be coming to smartwatches.
Two other automakers, Hyundai and Volvo, also introduced similar applications earlier this year.
Last month, we reported that Fiat Chrysler Automobiles is interested in merging with General Motors.
FCA's CEO Sergio Marchionne reportedly said that a merger with GM is its company's priority and that the move would "be the best possible strategic alternative for [FCA] and [GM]."
Experts, on the other hand, are not so keen about it.
