REPORT: Saturn Vue plug-in replacement SUV on track, GM considering electric city car
Saturn Vue Two-Mode hybrid - click above for high res gallery
We've known for a while now that the technology that was to power the Saturn Vue plug-in hybrid would outlive GM's ownership of the brand and be ported over to another brand. The two-mode hybrid powertrain from the Vue Hybrid will likely become available in another GM product sometime in 2011, but what about the PHEV version? According to a report in Reuters, the vehicle may have changed but the timeline for GM's launch of a plug-in SUV remains the same. GM Vice Chairman Tom Stephens told the news service that, "I can tell you that I won't lose one day in terms of customers being able to walk into dealerships and actually purchase a plug-in." In May, AutoblogGreen readers voted for GM to use the Chevy Equinox as a new home for the PHEV Vue's guts, but all that GM will say is that the plug-in powertrain from the Vue will make its way into one of the four brands GM has left: Chevy, Cadillac, Buick or GMC.
In other news, Stephens said that GM has not ruled out producing a small, all-electric city car in the coming years. We suppose he means a "real" car and not something like the PUMA.
[Source: Reuters]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
216 8:07AM (7/07/2009)
well they should make a Plug in Equinox and get it over with. I could see some great Eco Friendly Marketing coming from the name "Equinox"
Reply
Jon 2:50PM (7/07/2009)
Why must so many electric cars be "city cars" (which is an excuse for low speeds, poor performance and poor range)? They don't do anything to help the public's perspective of EVs.
Reply
Chris M 3:48PM (7/07/2009)
Exactly. To make things worse, the "city car" and NEV markets are overcrowded already.
Better to dust off the plans for the EV1, updated with improved LiIon batteries to increase range and reduce weight, and improve performance, and call it EV2.
Just don't use any ominous "apocalypse" ads to try and sell it
Chris M 3:53PM (7/07/2009)
I'm predicting the plug-in hybrid will probably be a Buick, considering that brand will support a higher price tag, and Chevy already has the Volt, and Cadillac will probably get the Converj, based on the Voltec design.
Of course, there is a remote possibility that GM will decide to use that "dual mode plug-in" for a GMC commercial delivery truck if the Ford Transit EV and Smith Trucks and Bright start giving serious competition in the truck market.
Reply