Rich Wagoner was presented with the Midwest Research Institute’s Trustee Citation Award at its annual dinner Tuesday evening. The award is given to recognize achievements in science, business, academia or the arts. MRI presented Wagoner with the award for GM’s development of technology to build more alternative fuel vehicles and expanding research into electric cars and hydrogen fuel cells.

Wagoner has said that, “Our strategy has been pretty clear regarding our research into advanced propulsion technology for many years.”

Wagoner also noted that 11 of the 13 new models GM has introduced have been either cars or crossovers vehicles, including the Chevrolet Malibu and the Saturn Aura.

“Eighteen of our next nineteen new models will also be cars or crossovers,” he said. “In a world in which petroleum prices will be higher, we need to move in that direction.”

GM also announced last week that the Chevrolet Volt, a plug-in electric car, is expected be in production in 2010 and in showrooms later that year.