The nation’s largest automaker is adding bicycles to its product lineup as it increasingly embraces electrified power systems.
General Motors on Friday unveiled designs for two “eBikes” and announced a contest to crowdsource the initiative’s new brand name.
The company introduced a compact eBike design as well as a version that “folds” to fit into smaller spaces. Both include a proprietary drive system that the company said would be both “small and powerful.”
The bikes also feature connected technology and front and rear rechargeable LED lights.
GM officials said the eBikes would offer affordable, electric transportation to more people — particularly urban commuters in increasingly crowded cities. The company plans to begin selling them next year.
Hannah Parish, the automaker’s director of Urban Mobility Solutions, said the company blended its engineering, design and testing capabilities “with great minds from the bike industry.”
Submissions for the brand name are due on Nov. 26. The winner will be announced early next year and receive a $10,000 prize, while nine runners-up will receive $1,000 each.
Image Credit: GM eBike Brand Challenge