Faces of GM

Alain: Deals directly with drivers

September 3, 2009 at 1:02 pm

Alain Guiboux, Team Leader, Western Region, Driver Relationship Manager
Super fan: The Tour de France
Greatest gift/challenge: Surviving Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
Favorite food: Detroit Chili Dogs.  Being out west, I really miss them!

As a team leader on GM’s Fuel Cell Project Driveway program, I probably have one of the greenest and most rewarding jobs at GM. I work with real people who raised their hands to be part of the program, which places hydrogen fuel cell Chevy Equinox vehicles into consumers’ hands to gain real-world experience and learning.

I’ve been with Project Driveway since 2007, when we began working with consumer drivers.  I show our drivers how to operate and fuel the vehicle, what to do in case of mechanical issues, and am essentially on call 24/7 if they have questions or concerns.  In addition to working with many different fuel cell drivers, I’ve also organized dozens of ride and drives for various events, and am responsibility for the West Coast Disney team – Disney uses about 10 percent of the fuel cell fleet.

Watching the evolution of Project Driveway is remarkable.  Seeing the thrill of each of the drivers as they drive this vehicle – without exception – they are amazed at how mature our technology is.  Dealing directly with the drivers has made this whole journey a wonderful experience, and it’s exciting to know GM is at the forefront of this technology.

This month, GM’s fuel cells will log more than 1 million miles driven with zero petroleum and leaving a carbon footprint of zero.  Zero! It’s estimated the Chevy Equinox Fuel Cell vehicles will have saved approximately 50,000 gallons of gasoline so far.

On my oldest son’s first birthday, I found out I had cancer – Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.  I worked throughout my treatment and only missed work on my chemo infusion days.  I’ve passed my fifth “cancer free” birthday and believe being a survivor is a great gift.  Having – and beating – cancer made me fully understand my mortality and gives me the tremendous ability to savor every single day.