DETROIT - While many companies publish histories to commemorate special milestones, GM is putting a 21^st Century, open-source twist on the way its history is told in cyberspace.

Beginning today, GM is inviting people worldwide to contribute to the Generations of GM Wiki on GMnext.com and share their personal, first-person experiences from the company's first 100 years - everything from a story about a summer job in an assembly plant to pictures of a first car to favorite experiences with GM products. GM thinks its best authors are those who experienced the company firsthand - its employees, retirees, dealers, customers and the generations of people who have shaped GM.

"The Generations of GM Wiki proves once again that there is no limit to the uses to which business can put social media tools - and no limit to GM's willingness to open itself to the conversation," said Shel Holtz, Principal, Holtz Communication + Technology and author of the blog, "A Shel of My Former Self."

The Generations of GM Wiki allows everyone to contribute to GM's history. To add submissions, users will register their e-mail on www.gmnext.com and click the new "Wiki" tab at the top of the page. From there they can post a picture, write a story or simply spend some time reading what others have shared. All submissions are moderated to assure they follow the "Rules of the Road" listed on the Wiki, but accuracy is overseen by the user community and subject matter experts.

The Wiki will be based on a timeline of basic facts about GM's history from its incorporation to the present. Using technology similar to that pioneered on the popular Wikipedia Web site, the GMnext Wiki will expand on the company's history through links to stories, images, videos and audio.

"We welcome everyone to share their stories and build a rich and continuously evolving history of GM's people and products," said Steve Harris, Vice President of GM Communications. "And we couldn't think of a better way to launch our interactive Wiki than at the Chicago Auto Show, which is also celebrating its 100^th anniversary."

The Generations of GM Wiki is the latest initiative under GMnext, a dialogue-based global platform that marks the company's 100^th anniversary and spotlights GM's next generation of people, products and technologies. To join the conversation, visit www.gmnext.com.