What Did The Patent Landscape of General Motors Look Like?  
General Motors Profile
General Motors (GM) is a multinational corporation based in Detroit, Michigan, United States. It was founded on September 16, 1908, by William C. Durant and Charles Stewart Mott. GM is one of the largest automobile manufacturers in the world and produces a wide range of vehicles, including cars, trucks, and SUVs, under various brands such as Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick, and GMC.Â
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Quantifying General Motors Patents
General Motors has a total of 4756 patent families globally. Out of 4756  patents, 2866 patents are active. As of april 2023, GM has a market capitalization of around $86 billion, making it one of the largest automotive companies in the world. The United States of America is where General Motors has filed the maximum number of patents, followed by Germany and China and it also seems reasonable as the biggest market for General Motors is USA & China.Â
Have a look at some of the most well-known patents held by General Motors that we have covered in this article. You can also get information on General Motors patents, the global patent filing activity country-wise, its historical patent filing trends, and many more statistics regarding General Motors patent portfolio. 
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How Many Patents General Motors Have?
This Pie Chart Shows the number of active, pending and dead patents.
General Motors have 2866 active, 1366 expired, and 533 pending patents families.
How Many Patents Did General Motors File Every Year?
How Many Genral Motors Patents File in Different Countries?Â
General Motors patents are filed in numerous countries, reflecting its international presence and the strategic importance of protecting its inventions across the globe. The General Motors countries list 2023 includes major markets where General Motors operates and maintains its technological leadership.Â
IPC Classification Wise Patent Trends by Technology Domain
IPC Classification | Category |
Superstructure sub-units; Parts or details thereof not otherwise provided for  | (B62D25) |
Elements for body-finishing, identifying, or decorating; Arrangements or adaptations for advertising purposes  | (B60R13) |
Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles  | (B60N2) |
Electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for; Arrangement of elements of electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for  | (B60R16) |
Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor  | (H04W4) |
Heating, cooling or ventilating devices  | (B60H1) |
Stowing or holding appliances inside of vehicle primarily intended for personal property smaller than suit-cases, e.g. travelling articles, or maps  | (B60R7) |
Testing of vehicles  | (G01M17) |
Wheel guards; Radiator guards; Obstruction removers; Fittings damping bouncing force in collisions  | (B60R19) |
Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor  | (B60Q1)  |
General Motors patents are diverse, covering a range of IPC classifications from Superstructure sub-units (B62D25) to Arrangement of optical signalling (B60Q1). General Motors stats reveal that the company not only focuses on current technological needs but also paves the way for future advancements.  
Emerging Trends in GM Technology: A Comparative View
Feature | (B62D25) – Vehicle Bodywork | (B60R16) – Electric Vehicle Accessories |
Focus of Innovation | Materials science, lightweight construction, aerodynamics | Battery technology, charging infrastructure, electric motors |
Key Technological Advancements | Advanced materials, (carbon fiber, composites) for weight reduction, 3D printing for complex structures, Aerodynamic optimization for improved fuel efficiency | Lithium-ion battery advancements (higher capacity, faster charging), Development of solid-state batteries, Wireless charging technologies, More efficient electric motors and powertrains |
Impact on Industries | Automotive manufacturing, materials science, transportation | Electric vehicle industry, battery production, energy sector |
Projected Future Trends | Integration of new materials and manufacturing processes, Increasing focus on autonomous vehicle compatibility, Development of self-repairing bodywork materials | Continued advancements in battery technology for longer range and faster charging, Expansion of charging infrastructure, Development of new electric vehicle applications (e.g., flying cars)  |
Comparing different aspects of General Motors patents, such as Vehicle Bodywork (B62D25) and Optical Electric Vehicle Accessories (B60R16), highlights the company’s foresight in areas like machine learning and quantum computing. These trends are indicative of where General Motors inventions are steering the future of technology. Â
Notable Publications and Citation Frequency
The Chart below depicts the patents with most number of forward citations. These patents are likely to be the source of advancement in the domain and can be considered as valuable and core inventions.Â
Conclusion
General Motors holds a vast patent portfolio with a focus on innovative automotive technologies. Their inventions range from vehicle bodywork materials to electric vehicle accessories, highlighting their commitment to both present and future advancements in the auto industry. Â
Analysis of their patents reveals a strong focus on sustainable transportation solutions, including electric vehicle technology and lightweight materials.Â
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Contact UsGeneral Motors (GM) is a multinational corporation based in Detroit, Michigan, United States. It was founded on September 16, 1908, by William C. Durant and Charles Stewart Mott. GM is one of the largest automobile manufacturers in the world and produces a wide range of vehicles, including cars, trucks, and SUVs, under various brands such as Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick, and GMC.Â
General Motors has a total of 41356 patents globally. Out of 41356 patents, 14426 patents are active. As of April 2023, GM has a market capitalization of around $86 billion, making it one of the largest automotive companies in the world. The United States of America is where General Motors has filed the maximum number of patents, followed by Germany and China and it also seems reasonable as the biggest market for General Motors is USA & China.Â
Have a look at some of the most well-known patents held by General Motors that we have covered in this article. You can also get information on General Motors patents, the global patent filing activity country-wise, its historical patent filing trends, and many more statistics regarding General Motors patent portfolio. 
Patent-Application Success Trend Year Wise in General Motors
This chart shows the number of applications filed and the number of grants from these applications. Grant rate is a good indicator to identify successful applications and the graph helps to understand the progress in the technology area.Â
Detailed Patent Portfolio Of General Motors
Publication Type | Simple Legal Status | Legal State | Count of Publications |
APPLICATIONÂ | DEADÂ | WITHDRAWNÂ | 6294Â |
NON-PAYMENTÂ | 2577Â | ||
DISCONTINUATIONÂ | 1751Â | ||
REJECTEDÂ | 1059Â | ||
EXPIREDÂ | 687Â | ||
LAPSEDÂ | 398Â | ||
CEASEDÂ | 339Â | ||
ABANDONEDÂ | 228Â | ||
REVOKEDÂ | 228Â | ||
ACTIVEÂ | GRANTEDÂ | 5438Â | |
PENDINGÂ | EXAMINATIONÂ | 1454Â | |
PUBLISHEDÂ | 228Â | ||
PATENTÂ | DEADÂ | CEASEDÂ | 3114Â |
NON-PAYMENTÂ | 3071Â | ||
EXPIREDÂ | 2895Â | ||
WITHDRAWNÂ | 606Â | ||
ABANDONEDÂ | 228Â | ||
REVOKEDÂ | 228Â | ||
ACTIVEÂ | GRANTEDÂ | 4792Â | |
PENDINGÂ | EXAMINATIONÂ | 228Â | |
UTILITY MODELÂ | ACTIVEÂ | GRANTEDÂ | 2363Â |
DEADÂ | EXPIREDÂ | 1352Â | |
NON-PAYMENTÂ | 581Â | ||
CEASEDÂ | 228Â | ||
DOUBLEÂ | 228Â | ||
REVOKEDÂ | 228Â | ||
PENDINGÂ | EXAMINATIONÂ | 228Â | |
DESIGNÂ | ACTIVEÂ | GRANTEDÂ | 1605Â |
DEADÂ | EXPIREDÂ | 243Â | |
OTHERSÂ | ACTIVEÂ | GRANTEDÂ | 228Â |
Technology Domain-wise Patent Trend in General Motors
The chart above distributes patents filed till 2021 in General Motors on the basis of the technology protected in patents. This helps to understand the most frequently used concepts and the key focus areas in the technology space.
Top Publications In The Domain With Their Forward Citation Frequency
The table below depicts the patents with most number of forward citations. These patents are likely to be the source of advancement in the domain and can be considered as valuable and core inventions.Â
Publication Number | Year Wise Break Down | Count of Citing Patents | ||||
< 2006Â | 2006-2010Â | 2011-2015Â | 2016-2020Â | >2020Â | ||
US-8060250-B2Â | 0Â | 1Â | 4Â | 475Â | 347Â | 827Â |
US-20100256852-A1Â | 0Â | 1Â | 88Â | 395Â | 189Â | 673Â |
US-5001558-AÂ | 84Â | 97Â | 184Â | 227Â | 46Â | 638Â |
US-5931757-AÂ | 91Â | 293Â | 94Â | 32Â | 31Â | 541Â |
US-20110190972-A1Â | 0Â | 0Â | 76Â | 261Â | 155Â | 492Â |
US-4987357-AÂ | 32Â | 55Â | 150Â | 187Â | 43Â | 467Â |
US-6478705-B1Â | 26Â | 237Â | 84Â | 49Â | 31Â | 427Â |
US-6217474-B1Â | 121Â | 229Â | 43Â | 26Â | 0Â | 419Â |
US-20100104199-A1Â | 0Â | 16Â | 98Â | 213Â | 88Â | 415Â |
US-20030231550-A1Â | 14Â | 60Â | 140Â | 125Â | 52Â | 391Â |
Who Were The Leading Patent Filers Countries Till 2021 In General Motors?Â
IPC Classification Wise Patent Trend In General Motors
The table below represents the top 10 market domains according to their IPC classification where inventors believed it was critical to safeguard certain technical inventions.Â
IPC Classification | Number of Applications | Number of Granted | % Granted |
VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR (B60R)Â | 4478Â | 1964Â | 44Â |
GEARING (F16H)Â | 2952Â | 1468Â | 50Â |
MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (B62D)Â | 2924Â | 1477Â | 51Â |
PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY (H01M)Â | 2126Â | 862Â | 41Â |
ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES (B60K)Â | 2051Â | 1013Â | 49Â |
CONTROLLING COMBUSTION ENGINES (F02D)Â | 1895Â | 893Â | 47Â |
CONJOINT CONTROL OF VEHICLE SUB-UNITS OF DIFFERENT TYPE OR DIFFERENT FUNCTION; CONTROL SYSTEMS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR HYBRID VEHICLES; ROAD VEHICLE DRIVE CONTROL SYSTEMS FOR PURPOSES NOT RELATED TO THE CONTROL OF A PARTICULAR SUB-UNIT (B60W)Â | 1855Â | 659Â | 36Â |
SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR (B60N)Â | 1390Â | 598Â | 43Â |
ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (G06F)Â | 1373Â | 513Â | 37Â |
GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES (F01N)Â | 1307Â | 597Â | 46Â |
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