GM EN-V

General Motors, and its Chinese partner SAIC, revealed three two-seat personal mobility concepts in Shanghai today. Called the EN-V - an acronym for Electric Networked-Vehicle - the Xiao (Laugh), Jiao (Pride) and Maio (Magic) models embody different characteristics for future transportation.

The Jiao (top image) was designed at GM Europe while the Miao (bottom left) was created at GM's Advanced Design Studio in California, and the Xiao (bottom right) was designed by GM Holden's design team in Australia. Each design gives each EN-V its own personality: the Jiao takes its influence from bullet trains and Chinese opera masks; the Miao's design cues have been inspired by the consumer electronics industry; and the Xiao features a nautical-inspired design.

Built from carbon fiber, custom-tinted Lexan and acrylic materials, the EN-V features a combination of sensing technology, wireless communication and GPS-based navigation for autonomous operating capability. Its platform has evolved from that of the PUMA prototype that debuted at the 2009 New York auto show