on the road each year, including a trip to
the Tel Aviv lab at least once a quarter,"
said Taub. "We employ anywhere from
15 to 50 people there in a rented build-
ing.
"It's often easier to hire talent there
than at the other labs around the world,
but we also found that many people
who moved to Israel are leaving the
country to return to the U.S. for family
and job reasons:'
Why distribute labs around the world?
"For almost 100 years, GM con-
centrated its R&D efforts solely in
Michigan': Taub said. "But since we
obviously do sales and marketing
around the world, I reasoned we also
should spread out R&D work in labs
worldwide. Research and development
is really a global effort. Why not take
advantage of the talent, technology and
diverse environment of other countries:'
Taub's contact with the labs doesn't
end with the visits.
"Because ifs morning in Shanghai
when its night here, I often do confer-
ence calls from home with my team
that last late at night; and I usually
don't leave the office until the evening
because we're on calls to the other coun-
tries," he said.
"Overall, this is pretty taxing job, but
with today's computers, phones and
videoconferencing, it makes the task
somewhat easier"

Today's Issues
The thrust of GM's research strategy
today is development of new engine
technology and fuel sources and related
safety systems; high-efficiency propul-
sion systems; improving the current
diesel and combustion systems; the use
of electricity and hydrogen as fuels and
hybrid development in general; and the
continued development of lightweight
materials.
"We know we can package extended
range electric vehicles and hydro-
gen-powered fuel cell vehides, while
meeting the volume and weight require-
ment," he said. "The challenge in all of
this is cost. But electricity is definitely
the fuel of the future."
In fact, the new glamour vehicle in
the automotive world is the mainly elec-
tric 2011 Chevrolet Volt, which already
has captured the attention of the news
media and the imagination of prospec-
tive car buyers. It will be introduced at
Chevy dealerships later this year.
The Volt travels the first 40 miles on
electricity, then switches to a small gas
engine for about 300 miles to recharge
the batteries to continue a trip. The
owner then must plug in the Volt over-

night to be fully charged in the morning.
"This sometimes gives drivers what
we call 'range anxiety, but they really
don't have to worry about being strand-
ed anywhere Taub said. "Statistics show
78 percent of drivers have a job corn-
mute of 40 miles or less." Unannounced
yet, the Volt's price will be around
$40,000, renewing the cost challenge
— for customers.
"The Volt is a breakthrough to
give cars owners that emissions-free,
full-range, freedom of the road that
American car buyers have always
yearned foe he said.
Taub explains most of this in the
many lectures he delivers around the
country, such as one he gave recently
to a large audience at the Bloomfield
Township Library. Among the spon-
sors were the Jewish Council for Public
Affairs, the Michigan-Israel Business
Bridge and the Metro Detroit chapter of
the American Technion Society.
He aptly describes the major chal-
lenges faced by the auto industry in
recent years: safety improvements first
brought on by the criticism of activ-
ist Ralph Nader in the 1960s; the fuel
shortage crisis of the 1970s, resulting in
permanently higher gas prices; smog
and congestion in big city areas; and
overall affordability.
A lecture evening doesn't end with
condusion of his unscripted remarks,
delivered while roving around the room.
Attendees surround him and pester him
with questions and theories.
"It's all part of the experience Taub
mused. "Wherever I go, I find that peo-
ple just love cars and trucks and want to
talk about them:'
A winner of several auto industry-
related awards, Taub also serves on the
boards of many industry organizations
and educational institutions. He is a
committed member of Congregation
Shaarey Zedek of Oakland County,
attending the B'nai Israel branch in
West Bloomfield.
"Although I'm rooted in Orthodoxy
I attend Conservative services because
my daughters do, and my wife and I
want to be there with them," he said.
"His presence in minyan, in addi-
tion to Shabbat and holiday services,
demonstrates his great love of his
Jewish tradition:' said Rabbi Eric Yanoff
of Shaarey Zedek. "He also has served
in a leadership capacity in our Chevra
Kaddisha Committee.
"Alan Taub's accomplishments at
GM are well known, but what people
may not know is that his qualities as a
mentsh and a committed Jew are just as
strong:'

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