A top executive with General Motors is coming to Lawrence to hear about automotive research underway at Kansas University.

Mark Reuss, president of GM North America, will be in Lawrence on Wednesday to deliver a lecture at the KU School of Engineering and to tour a pair of KU facilities, including a project that is working to improve the feasibility of fuels made from algae and other products that would reduce dependence on foreign oil.

“I think we’re hoping to demonstrate how strong our depth is in transportation-related research and studies,” said Jill Hummels, a spokeswoman with the KU School of Engineering. “Clearly, there is a lot taking place at the university.”

Dale Willey, president of Lawrence’s General Motors dealership, Dale Willey Automotive, urged Reuss to make a trip to Lawrence.

“Engineering is really his hot-button issue,” Willey said. “That is a big part of his background, and it just made a lot of sense for him to see the great program KU has in that regard.”

Reuss’ lecture will be open to the public, although seating is limited, Hummels said. The 2013 Distinguished Engineering Lecture is set for 3:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Spahr Engineering Classroom at the School of Engineering on the KU campus.

The address will complete a trifecta of sorts for the engineering school. Past lectures have featured Alan Mulally, the CEO of Ford Motor Co., and Bob Eaton, the former chairman of the Chrysler Corp.

In addition to touring the KU facilities, Reuss also will tour Willey’s dealership and General Motors’ Fairfax Assembly Plant in Kansas City.