LA Auto Show video: Bob Lutz confirms GM will release 16 hybrids in next four years
In GM's LA Auto Show press conference, which you can watch above in full, GM Vice Chairman of Global Product Development, Bob Lutz says the same thing we reported GM CEO's Rick Wagoner said: GM will release sixteen hybrids in the next four years. Here is the exact quote:
If you want to talk hybrids; we are introducing four more hybrids in the US this year. In fact, counting the new Saturn Green Line, we are introducing sixteen hybrids in the next four years. That's one about every three months.
Bob continues saying that the 16 will include vehicles with GM's full, two-mode hybrids. Before that, Bob said GM has a goal of making and selling the most fuel efficient car in every available category, and mentioned the company already has the most fuel-efficient pick ups and has sold 2.5 M flex fuel cars. GM announced its "strong intent" to be the "world wide fuel solutions leader and undisputed environmental and technological leader in the industry." Bob says they are going to do it across their entire line of cars and not just with a single iconic green car, which Bob says they will have anyway. Bob even hinted at a lot more flex fuel cars coming from GM, whic makes me wonder if some big announcement is coming.
Basically, GM is talking to Toyota Muhammad Ali-style: we are the best and we are going to kick your butt!
[Source: Podtech]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
psarhjinian 8:31AM (11/21/2007)
Just to be clear: sixteen hybrids does not mean you get to count the GMC Sierra and Chevy Silverado as two models, or the Tahoe, Silverado, Sierra, Avalanche and Suburban as five. I'll give on the Aura and Malibu, but that's it.
I'd have been happier if the announcement was "one hybrid per EPA size class" or "one hybrid per distinct platform". Coming from the Master of Rebranding, this isn't a thrilling stat.
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Lascelles Linton 9:37AM (11/21/2007)
Psarhjinian, Good points. I think I will write about that...
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VP 10:46AM (11/21/2007)
They can be counted as different models, because every other automaker does so. I don't see anybody making these distinctios for Lexus & Toyota. GMC & Chevy are not targeted towards the same end consumer....i am sure you knew that already though.
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psarhjinian 11:45PM (11/21/2007)
@VP
Nice Red Herring on the Toyota and Lexus thing, but we're still not letting GM off the hook, here:
Putting aside the fact that, compared to GM, Toyota has very little overlap in it's product matrix, we're talking about hybrids, not the full model line. Toyota has the following hybrids
Purpose-built: Prius
Mid-size FWD sedan: Camry
7-Seat CUV: Highlander
Luxury CUV: RX
Luxury Midsize: GS
Luxury Fullsize: LS
I don't see any overlap there. By comparison, GM has:
Mid-size: Malibu, Aura
1/2 Ton Truck: Sierra, Silverado
Small SUV: Vue
That's three classes of hybrids for GM (I'm not differentiating between BAS and two-mode) and six for Toyota. You could say GM has seven hybrids now, but I don't think you, or anyone else, could say that there's enough difference between the Sierra and Silverado to warrant such a claim. GM isn't selling seven hybrids, they're selling three under seven brands. Toyota is selling six distinct platforms.
The planned sixteen future hybrids, Volt aside, are going to be rebadges of these cars (the next G6, the Torrent and Equinox, the Avalanche/Escalate/etc). If I'm wrong and they're actually different platforms, I'll eat my hat.
Please, the Sierra and Silverado appeal to different markets? What markets would those be, people who buy GM pickups from a division with three letters in it's name versus one with nine letters in it's name?
I want to believe that GM intends to sell a hybrid Aveo, Cobalt, Malibu, Impala, G8, HHR, CTS, Vue, Solstice, 9-3, etc, etc by 2011, but I have doubts that's what we'll get.
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Mono 6:31PM (11/23/2007)
A more honest response could be that the whole line of GM vehicles is going hybrid. I am suspicious that GM cares anyway (Corporations have no heart.)
I would love to see a Sierra or Silverado going hybrid or whatever but better mpg instead of bluffing about powerful motors, plastic chrome everywhere or misleading claims about dual power. I think Toyota has an excellent product but they only release what is necessary to compete, maybe they have better technology, who knows. Ford is falling behind losing money on the F Line selling their trucks cheaper just to claim they are stronger vehicles. Chrysler is not trying anymore to tattoo HEMI on our foreheads, at the end I wonder if they really understand what the average consumer wants, an efficient, simple, good product.
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