[ausev] GM announces plug in hybrid at LA Autoshow

[Carey King]

Just another 'eco'-twist article for those interested in the lastest CA 
Auto Show.

http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/1201/p01s03-stct.html

carey

gary wrote:

>I was talking to a Lexus dealer about their new large, high-end hybrids
>and asked what the milage improvement was.  He said none, they do it for
>performance.  The electric motor is quicker off the line.  The GM pickup
>hybrid gets 1 mpg better than the ICE-only counterpart.  If they don't
>care about the planet, at least they might further the EV technology.
>Of course what we need most is energy storage and they're not pursuing
>that.  Just when hybrids were looking promising they change the
>direction.  I guess it's still up to us little guys.
>
>gary
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: ausev-bounces at austinev.org [mailto:ausev-bounces at austinev.org] On
>Behalf Of Mark Farver
>Sent: Thursday, November 30, 2006 2:53 PM
>To: AustinEV News Announcements and General Discussion
>Subject: Re: [ausev] GM announces plug in hybrid at LA Autoshow
>
>Mark Farver wrote:
>
>  
>
>>*GM made a public keynote at the LA Autoshow announcing their plug in 
>>hybrid program. They said plug in hybrid Saturn Vue will be available 
>>2008 model year, but the comment that they are still negotiating with 
>>battery suppliers makes me think that the vehicles will not be
>>    
>>
>available 
>  
>
>>early in the model year. **It does not appear they have a prototype to 
>>show as they said they would in earilier announcements.*
>> 
>>
>>    
>>
>
>Actually reading more carefully, the "dual mode" hybrid drive will be 
>available in 2008 on the Vue.  GM did not commit to a release date for a
>
>plug in hybrid at all. 
>
>I am not sure what the "Dual-mode" non-plugin hybrid is... It sounds 
>like a hybrid system that can run on the electric drive for short 
>distances like the Prius and Escape.  (GM's current "weak hybrid" system
>
>uses a larger alternator that can also function as a motor.  It offers a
>
>small performance boost, and a 2-3mpg  fuel economy improvement, mostly 
>by stopping the engine while idling.)
>
>So the announcement basically states that GM is committed to building a 
>plug-in hybrid someday, and in the meantime is playing catchup to Ford 
>and Toyota in the hybrid market.
>
>Mark FArver
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>  
>