General Motors Corp. showcased the hybrid Saturn Vue and the E85 Ethanol hybrid Chevrolet Tahoe today in front of the University Union and Riverside Hall.

The showcase is in preparation for a national energy symposium being held at the Capitol tomorrow.

“Sacramento State has a great reputation,” said Dave Barthmuss, GM’s manager of environment and energy communications for North America.

“The best way to change people’s perspectives about alternative energy is to talk to people,” Barthmuss said.

GM chose Sac State for the location of its showcase because of its students.

“(The students) are the future of GM, whether our customers or our employees,” said Alan Weverstad, the executive director of environment and energy for GM.

The College of Engineering and Computer Science hosted the event.

“We’re very interested in clean energy,” Emir Jose Macari, the dean of the college, said.

Anyone with a valid driver’s license was able to test drive either of the two Saturn Vues, the Chevrolet Tahoe or the Chevrolet Aveo.

“(They’re) the flying cars of our generation,” junior mechanical engineering major Ron Baybayan said. Baybayan was one of the engineering students checking out the hybrid Vues.

Provost Joseph Sheley attended the event.

“I like the merger of two heavy-duty institutions in conversation,” Sheley said.

For more information about GM’s line of hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles, visit www.gmability.com.

Jenna Hughes can be reached at [email protected]