GM may have found a simpler way to deliver a 'premium car' feel
General Motors' stock just finished one of its best runs since the company exited bankruptcy. Now GM is talking about the kind of engineering that goes on behind the scenes and helps explain why investors are starting to like the story. The automaker just filed for a patent on a shock absorber that ...
General Motors' stock just finished one of its best runs since the company exited bankruptcy. Now GM is talking about the kind of engineering that goes on behind the scenes and helps explain why investors are starting to like the story.
The automaker just filed for a patent on a shock absorber that changes how much it dampens based on how the suspension moves. The goal is to make the ride smoother over small bumps and give the driver more control when loads or impacts increase, without using electronics as much.
GM is doing well as it heads into 2026
GM's stock price rose by more than 55% in 2025, and by the end of the year, it was worth more than $80.
This was because of strong profits, stock buybacks, and a growing belief on Wall Street that the company doesn't get enough credit for the amount of revenue it generates.
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That hope didn't just come out of nowhere.
In October, GM's stock rose about 15% in one day, the biggest jump in almost six years, after the company announced a quarter that was better than expected.
Analysts also became bullish towards the end of the year, with Morgan Stanley upping its price target and moving to an overweight position. Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images
What GM's patent is trying to accomplish
The patent application, US 2025/0361920 A1 (20250361920), was sent in May 2024 and made public in November 2025. It talks about a damper that "adapts" by moving its parts around.
GM's idea doesn't just change the damping with sensors and control modules. It uses instead:
- The system has a guide rod with a groove cut into its outside. There is a central part and slanted or spiral parts in this groove.
- The piston rod assembly has valve discs with fluid orifices and a thrust bearing.
- The projections fit into the groove, which lets the suspension travel and move the discs in relation to each other.
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In simple terms, this is what it does.
- The valve-disc orifices can stay more aligned when the road has small, quick bumps and ripples. This makes the oil move more freely, which makes the ride smoother and less bumpy.
- The discs get out of alignment, and the flow slows down when the projections move into the groove's slanted and spiral areas. This happens when there are larger, slower movements, such as those caused by potholes, strong compression, and turning sharply. This means drivers have more control and less bounce.
Why GM's shock absorber technology matters (even though it's "just" a patent)
A company doesn't have to make things just because it has a patent. But GM's fits with what Wall Street likes: getting more done with less.
If GM can reap some of the benefits of adaptive suspension without having to use as many electronic parts, it might be a good choice for cost, packaging, and even long-term serviceability. This is especially true as car companies deal with the growing complexity of electric vehicle platforms and interiors that are full of software.
It also fits with what investors have been hearing: GM has been trying to make the product better in ways that drivers can feel, like in ride quality, handling, and refinement, while also being strict about capital returns (including buybacks).
What to look for next if you own GM stock
The paperwork will help, but the following tells will be even more helpful.
- Supplier talk or engineering notes about future model programs
- News about how regular cars (not just halo trims) drive and ride
- A push to make "adaptive feel" available at more price points without adding a lot of electronics
GM's message is clear right now: The company isn't making money just because the market is stronger; it's also looking for new technology that can make driving better in the real world.
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