Automotive Fleet
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

GM Details How it Achieved High Level of Driver Visibility in the Cadillac ATS

GM's Cadillac division engineers evaluated a number of factors, including the exterior mirror and A-pillar size, seat height, forward vision distance, side vision distance, and whether any interior features blocked the view through a window (for example headrests).

by Staff
March 7, 2013
GM Details How it Achieved High Level of Driver Visibility in the Cadillac ATS

GM said its engineers used advanced computer modeling to help evaluate driver visibility in the all-new Cadillac ATS. The company said this method allowed for a quick evaluation of how design changes affected the driver's field of view. Photo courtesy GM.

2 min to read


GM said its engineers used advanced computer modeling to help evaluate driver visibility in the all-new Cadillac ATS. The company said this method allowed for a quick evaluation of how design changes affected the driver's field of view. Photo courtesy GM.

GM posted a story on its site detailing how its engineers went about ensuring its 2013 Cadillac ATS provides the driver with a high level of visibility by using new visibility metrics. They evaluated a number of factors, including the exterior mirror and A-pillar size, seat height, forward vision distance, side vision distance, and whether any interior features blocked the view through a window (for example headrests).

GM said its engineers were able to achieve a high internal score for forward visibility by keeping the hood low and slimming the A pillars by using high-strength steel. They also positioned the A pillars a wide distance apart, and angled them toward the driver, to give the driver a broad field of view that requires minimal head movements. They also said they designed a narrow support structure for the exterior rear-view mirrors.

Ad Loading...

Other visibility aids include an available rear-view camera, which features “dynamic guidelines” that show the vehicle’s path and available space when parking.

Preserving driver visibility is challenging with today’s vehicles due to aerodynamics, safety, and design requirements, according to the automaker. For example, GM said steeply raked windshields and A pillars required to improve aerodynamics leads to visibility challenges. Also, thicker roof pillars needed to accommodate air bags, and higher deck lids in the back to provide cargo room, also can mean less visibility.

To engineer these changes, GM’s Cadillac division said it used a new digital display technique (called the “hedgehog” by the company’s engineers) to examine how the A pillars affect a driver’s sightlines. The tool allows the company’s engineers to see how changes in windshield angle or section size affect sightlines, including in different driving scenarios.

More Safety

Promotional graphic for a Utilimarc guide titled How Better Visibility Cut Speeding Violations by 48% featuring a call-to-action to download the guide.
SponsoredJuly 17, 2026

How Better Visibility Cut Speeding Violations by 48%

Fleet leaders don't need more data, they need clearer visibility into what the data is saying. This case study explores how one utility replaced speeding-event counts with a single metric — miles driven in violation — to strengthen safety and significantly reduce speeding violations.

Read More →
Smiling commercial truck driver gives a thumbs-up from inside a tractor cab during Operation Safe Driver Week 2026, highlighting fleet safety, responsible driving and enforcement awareness.
Safetyby Judie NuskeyJuly 16, 2026

Operation Safe Driver Week: Why the Industry's Oldest Safety Campaign Still Matters to Fleets

A look at how a 2007 enforcement initiative became one of the most consequential weeks on the fleet safety calendar, and what it means for your drivers in 2026.

Read More →
Nexar and nauto logos
Safetyby StaffJuly 13, 2026

Nexar-Nauto Merger Aims to Give Fleets Better Safety Intelligence Through Larger Driving Dataset

Stefan Heck tells Automotive Fleet that combining more than 10 billion miles of driving history with Nexar's AI models will give fleets deeper insights into driver risk and roadway conditions than either company could provide independently.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A black square with white color font text
SponsoredJuly 2, 2026

From Silos to Solutions: Relationship Management for Safer Fleets

From telematics adoption and driver accountability to policy consistency and risk mitigation, this episode breaks down what it really takes to build a safer fleet culture without slowing business down.

Read More →
IIHS HLDI text overlaid on the trunks of pick up trucks.
Safetyby Chris BrownJuly 2, 2026

IIHS Launches First Commercial Vehicle Safety Evaluations

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has begun evaluating heavy-duty pickups and cargo vans for driver protection. Which models earned top marks?

Read More →
A blue and white Automotive Fleet podcast logo
SafetyJuly 1, 2026

Reducing Risk by Eliminating Phone Use Behind the Wheel

Hosted with the cofounder of Lifesaver Mobile, this episode addresses phone use behind the wheel and how to design a driving environment that actually helps prevents accidents.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Two people sit across from each other at a desk during a business meeting. One person, wearing a white shirt, has their hands folded while the other gestures with a pen toward documents clipped to a clipboard. Additional paperwork and a calculator are visible on the table, suggesting a discussion involving contracts, finances, or administrative paperwork. Sunlight filters through window blinds in the background, creating a professional office setting.
SponsoredJuly 1, 2026

Cameras, Safety and Insurance: From Reactive Claims to Real-Time Prevention (Part 2 of 2)

Part Two: Commercial auto remains one of the most challenging and costly lines of coverage for fleet operators and insurers alike. Continue learning more about how to effectively address these issues from Onur Aksan, Enterprise Business Development Executive, Geotab

Read More →
An Automotive Fleet podcast thumbnail
SafetyJune 26, 2026

How 5-Second Telematics Data Is Changing Fleet Safety

This episode connects with Steve Santostasi of Ford Pro and covers how a few seconds of data can make a difference in fleet safety.

Read More →
Ambulance and damaged car at a crash scene on a rainy roadway, illustrating workplace transportation risks and the growing focus on road safety management for fleets.
SafetyJune 16, 2026

Managing Road Risk at Scale: Why Fleet Safety Needs a Data-Driven Framework

Insights from the FIA Road and Driver Safety Indexes reveal how to manage road risk on a larger scale.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Close-up of a Jeep Wrangler front grille and headlight with text noting Stellantis’ recall of 1.3 million Jeep vehicles worldwide over a potential fire risk tied to power steering wiring.
Safetyby StaffJune 10, 2026

Stellantis Recalls 1.3 Million Jeep Vehicles Worldwide Over Fire Risk

Stellantis is recalling more than 1.3 million Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator models worldwide over a fire risk linked to power steering pump wiring.

Read More →