January 6, 2003
GM OFFERS HYBRID POWER ON MORE THAN A DOZEN POPULAR MODELS
Detroit – General Motors Corp. will offer optional hybrid powertrains on several of its most popular models including trucks, SUVs and mid-size sedans starting in late 2003, GM President and CEO Rick Wagoner announced today at the North American International Auto Show.
"This is a major commitment to offer consumers three different hybrid propulsion systems on three vehicle architectures, representing more than a dozen of our most popular models," Wagoner said. "Although today's hybrid market represents relatively low volumes, we're well positioned to meet or exceed any market demand that may develop. In fact, if consumers were to select the hybrid option on all of the models included in our multi-year plan, it could eventually exceed one million vehicles."
"Because hybrids cost several thousands of dollars more than conventional vehicles, we believe offering multiple approaches on our most popular vehicles is the best way to explore the market for the technology," Wagoner added. "Consumer-based tax credits will play a critical role in gaining market acceptance by making these technologies more affordable. Furthermore, we believe these hybrid offerings are an important element in our expanding advanced technology portfolio that will eventually enable us to commercialize hydrogen-powered fuel cell vehicles."
The systems announced today vary in complexity and cost to explore the market viability of each application. The models start with the already announced production of the GMC Sierra and Chevy Silverado hybrid pickup trucks in 2003. The new programs include:
- Starting in 2005, GM will begin production of a Saturn VUE featuring a dual electric motor system that will boost composite city/highway efficiency by more than 50 percent to nearly 40 mpg. A highly sophisticated system, featuring the most advanced components and control electronics, the VUE hybrid was designed to maximize efficiency with strong performance.
- GM will also include a hybrid option for the Chevrolet Equinox starting in 2006, which mates electric motor assist to a CVT transmission with GM's highly efficient Ecotech four-cylinder engine. The combination of CVT with electric motor assist is a sensible approach that provides a fuel economy increase of nearly 15 percent on one of GM's smaller vehicle architectures. GM will also offer the same hybrid system in GM's Chevrolet Malibu sedan, with production scheduled for 2007. If successful, the system could be readily available on other mid-size models as demand warrants.
- In addition to the pickups which start production in 2003 for fleet customers (retail consumers will be able to purchase the vehicles in 2004), GM will offer in 2007 a revised version of this system that adds GM's Displacement-on-Demand technology which will be made available on the next generation of GM's popular full-size SUVs, including the Yukon, Tahoe and Suburban. This combination boots fuel economy by nearly 20 percent.
"We are taking a very pragmatic approach, targeting a wide array of popular models with varying degrees of complexity to give consumers a variety of choice," Wagoner said. "GM sees this commitment as a matter of both competitive positioning and a long-term move to a more sustainable vehicle market. Given the present level of fuel prices and customers' complex needs and desires, it's unclear to us just what level of market may exist for hybrids at this point in time. However, we do think the technology has the potential to become a factor in the market and hybrids are a bridge to fuel cells, which makes these programs of value in terms of developing production drive systems and power controls."
Hybrids draw power from two different energy sources, typically a gas or diesel engine combined with an electric motor. GM's approach stretches from the very aggressive with the dual electric motor VUE, to the more practical approach of combining electric motor assist with other efficiency gaining technologies such as Displacement-on-Demand and CVTs.
Displacement-on-Demand increases highway efficiency by de-activating cylinders during highway driving, when a vehicle doesn't require as much energy to maintain a steady speed. In stop-and-go environments where fuel consumption is at its highest, an electric motor assist launches the vehicle from a stop increasing efficiency in low-speed maneuvers. The combination of the two provides a practical and effective hybrid that is well suited to North American driving patterns in GM's trucks and SUVs. The same is true with the CVT transmissions to be utilized on the Equinox and Malibu, which eliminate gear changes during acceleration, moving the vehicle more efficiently.
Wagoner concluded that for the near-term, GM will continue to refine and improve the internal combustion engine to provide better efficiency and power to meet customer needs. For the mid-term picture stretching from mid-decade into the next, GM is putting its considerable resources into affordable and effective hybrid technologies, as announced today. And for the long-term, GM has demonstrated its vision of the future with the Hy-Wire concept and the potential of the hydrogen economy and fuel cells as the ultimate answer.
General Motors (NYSE: GM), the world's largest vehicle manufacturer, designs, builds and markets cars and trucks worldwide. It has been the global automotive sales leader since 1931. GM employs about 355,000 people around the world. More information on GM can be found at www.gm.com
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Contact:
Scott Fosgard, GM Advanced Technology
586-947-3295
scott.fosgard@gm.com
Debbie Frakes, GM Powertrain
248-857-0239
Debbie.frakes@gm.com
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