General Motors and partner Suzuki Motor Corp said on Oct. 17, 2001, they would expand their alliance to cover the development of fuel-cell vehicles, Reuters reported. Their collaboration will focus on developing small-car applications for fuel-cell technology. The deal with Suzuki, a specialist in 660cc mini-vehicles, is the latest in a series of moves by the U.S. automaker to strengthen its fuel cell development. Fuel cells use an electrochemical process to produce electricity by mixing hydrogen and oxygen. Although many major automakers have said they plan to develop a fuel cell vehicle for the market by 2003 or 2004, the new technology is not expected to become a viable alternative for mass-production until at least after 2010.