1999 Chevrolet Triax

The limited success of General Motors’ EV1 battery car shows the risk of putting all your alternative vehicle eggs in one powertrain basket. The Triax prototype is an example of the automaker’s new "multi-option strategy," which could let it shift gears fast in order to reflect changing market conditions — and the emergence of new technologies. At first glance, Triax is just one more of the many car/truck crossover vehicles hitting the auto show circuit these days. But under the skin, it features a modular design that allows GM to plug in any of a variety of energy sources — in this case, battery, gasoline, or a gas/electric hybrid powertrain. "It’s a global vehicle architecture which recognizes regional requirements," said GM Chairman Jack Smith. "It’s designed for high-volume, which would make it much more commercially viable" than previous battery-only electric vehicles. There are no production plans — for the moment — according to Smith, but the modular concept could influence future GM product designs.