In 1998, General Motors and the University of Michigan established the first GM Satellite Research Laboratory at the College of Engineering, University of Michigan.  The lab was later renamed GM/UM Collaborative Research Laboratory (CRL). 

Building on the success of the prior Collaborative Research Laboratory at the University of Michigan from 1998 - 2002, the GM Collaborative Research Laboratory for Advanced Vehicle Manufacturing (CRL-AVM) is being established to support a long-term, strategic, and productive relationship between General Motors R&D and Planning and the College of Engineering at the University of Michigan.

The vision for the GM/UM CRL-AVM is that it will operate as an extension of General Motors R&D and provide a focal point for joint research with the University of Michigan in areas that are core and critical to GM’s long-term competitiveness and commensurate with the scholarly expertise and intellectual pursuits of the University faculty.  It will establish the framework to link faculty expertise already aligned with GM needs with important projects and research questions.  It will also motivate, over time, the growth and strengthening of additional areas of excellence of importance to GM, thus ensuring continued integration and alignment of faculty expertise with GM research needs.

CRL MISSION

The mission of the CRL-AVM is to:

• Carry out research and development activities in areas that are of critical importance to GM’s vehicle manufacturing operations, with particular emphasis on body manufacturing processes and systems.  

• Facilitate the exchange of technical personnel and knowledge between GM R&D and the University of Michigan.

• Provide research opportunities and enhanced educational environment to graduate students, as well as enhance GM’s ability to attract exceptional engineering talent with training in areas of interest to GM.