# Ep. 39 | General Motors' Vehicle Chief Engineer on the Tech and Passion of Automotive Design

- Show: [Moore's Lobby](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby)
- Published: 2021-12-07
- Length: 42m
- Episode: 12
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2021-12-07-ep-39-general-motors-vehicle-chief-engineer-on-the-tech-and-passion-of-automotiv
- Listen: https://www.allaboutcircuits.com/podcast/ep-39-mark-allen-gm-global-vehicle-chief-engineer-tech-automotive-design

## Summary

Mark Allen, Global Vehicle Chief Engineer at General Motors, discusses the evolution of automotive engineering from purely mechanical systems to complex electromechanical and software-defined vehicles. He explains how technologies like backup cameras and hybrid systems transition from luxury features to regulatory mandates, and details the rigorous extreme weather testing required to ensure vehicle reliability in conditions ranging from Death Valley heat to -40°F cold. Allen also highlights the blurring lines between electrical and mechanical engineering disciplines and the critical role of durability and safety in GM's design philosophy.

## Chapters

- [0:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2021-12-07-ep-39-general-motors-vehicle-chief-engineer-on-the-tech-and-passion-of-automotiv#t=1) Introduction: Mark Allen and GM's Legacy
- [3:28](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2021-12-07-ep-39-general-motors-vehicle-chief-engineer-on-the-tech-and-passion-of-automotiv#t=208) The Blurring of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering
- [5:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2021-12-07-ep-39-general-motors-vehicle-chief-engineer-on-the-tech-and-passion-of-automotiv#t=308) Innovation History and Concept Car Influence
- [9:49](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2021-12-07-ep-39-general-motors-vehicle-chief-engineer-on-the-tech-and-passion-of-automotiv#t=589) Design Clinics and Customer Expectations
- [11:27](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2021-12-07-ep-39-general-motors-vehicle-chief-engineer-on-the-tech-and-passion-of-automotiv#t=687) Technology Rollout and Regulatory Mandates
- [14:54](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2021-12-07-ep-39-general-motors-vehicle-chief-engineer-on-the-tech-and-passion-of-automotiv#t=894) Electrification Strategy and Leadership
- [17:44](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2021-12-07-ep-39-general-motors-vehicle-chief-engineer-on-the-tech-and-passion-of-automotiv#t=1064) Durability, Lifecycle, and Extreme Weather Testing
- [25:32](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2021-12-07-ep-39-general-motors-vehicle-chief-engineer-on-the-tech-and-passion-of-automotiv#t=1532) Hybrid Truck Development and Software Complexity
- [32:55](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2021-12-07-ep-39-general-motors-vehicle-chief-engineer-on-the-tech-and-passion-of-automotiv#t=1975) Safety, Cost Constraints, and Future of Mobility

## Topics

- [Mechanical engineering](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/mechanical-engineering)
- [Embedded firmware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/embedded-firmware)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [Certification & compliance](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/certification-and-compliance)
- [Energy & climate tech](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/energy-and-climate-tech)

## Most relevant to

large enterprises

## Mentioned

- General Motors (company)
- Chevrolet (product)
- Cadillac (product)
- Corvette (product)
- Camaro (product)
- Pontiac (product)
- Chevrolet Volt (product)
- Chevrolet Bolt (product)
- Chevrolet Spark (product)
- Chevrolet Malibu (product)
- Chevrolet Sonic (product)
- Chevrolet Blazer (product)
- GM Tech Center (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [An Interview with Tom LeMense - Cacaesthestic Chronometric Carriwitchet](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2012-05-01-an-interview-with-tom-lemense-cacaesthestic-chronometric-carriwitchet) (The Amp Hour)
- [S2E31 How to Lead Engineers & Engineering Managers – Chris McKenzie](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2021-07-16-s2e31-how-to-lead-engineers-engineering-managers-chris-mckenzie) (Being an Engineer)
- [The Rise of Software-Defined Vehicles](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2024-07-30-the-rise-of-software-defined-vehicles) (OnTrack)
- [S1E48 The Importance of Learning to Say No | Mark Downey](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2020-10-30-s1e48-the-importance-of-learning-to-say-no-mark-downey) (Being an Engineer)
- [Innovation Under the Hood](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2023-11-02-innovation-under-the-hood) (EE Times Current)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2021-12-07-ep-39-general-motors-vehicle-chief-engineer-on-the-tech-and-passion-of-automotiv. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to Moore's Lobby.