The Volt was no conventional venture. This was Detroit on a mission — to transform the internal combustion engine, the auto industry and the company to their core. The IBM Rational platform helped change the way GM developed and engineered its vehicles, launching a new era of fuel-efficient, software-intensive cars.

To get a vast array of electronic and mechanical systems working together flawlessly, their human systems first had to communicate with one another. IBM Rational helped GM orchestrate, in real time, a worldwide team of engineers and experts to drive forward each stage of the ambitious design and development process.

When a powertrain design calls for over 100 electronic components, everything has to work together as one. IBM Rational was deployed to manage, track and design Volt’s high-level architecture as well as to control the innovative battery, electric drive and cabin systems.

To go from sketches to showrooms — that’s a long road for any car. Never mind that this was a first-ever, plug-in hybrid. The efficiencies gained by IBM Rational software helped GM cut years off production time. That improved time to market means automakers can respond quicker to competitive pressures and ever-changing consumer demands.