[Note to readers: This blog was one of a select few blogs to be invited by General Motors to a behind the scenes opportunity at the current Chicago Auto Show to meet and interview top management.  As far as GM knew or I could discern, they were the only major auto company to reach out to the blogosphere and they should be given credit for that.  What follows in this and a subsequent post or two are some highlights, headlines and ruminations from this day long experience.  Of course my focus was and is on what I write about here: alternative energy, and new advanced technology that might change our lives in the years ahead. Seen through the filter of global warming, there are few more important objectives than greatly reducing the use of the internal combustion engine around the world.] 

The good news from the Chicago Auto Show is that hybrid and electric cars and innovative technologies are clearly being embraced by the large companies.  Yes, there are the cool and innovative concept cars scattered around the floor that may never come to market, but are used by the auto companies for positioning.  I wanted to see what is real, what will actually come to market and how an auto company, in this case GM, is truly reacting to the global warming reality we all now share.  I was impressed, and I learned some interesting things.

I was extremely interested and curious about the Chevrolet Volt.  I had seen the …