AutoblogGreen

2013 Buick Regal gets sizable price hike thanks to standard eAssist

Autoblog Staff — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 15:54:00 EST

Filed under: MPG, Buick

Buick has announced that the 2013 Regal will come equipped with standard eAssist when it hits dealers in the fall. As a result, the MSRP of base model will jump considerably over the 2012's starting price. While last year's Regal started at $27,055, with eAssist as a $2,000 option, the 2013 model starts at $29,015.

While we knew that eAssist would be standard in the 2013 Regal, this is the first pricing information we've seen. This further classifies the Regal as a premium sedan, and distances itself from the entry-level Buick Verano, which starts at $22,585, but can cross $30,000 when fully loaded. The downside of this move is that it detracts from the value argument when comparing the Verano and Regal.

Still, Buick hopes that buyers will be drawn in by the improvement in fuel economy. While last year's base Regal returned EPA fuel economy numbers of 19 miles per gallon city and 31 highway, the standard eAssist four returns 25/36. Scroll down for the full press release.

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GM's Orion Assembly goes solar with 350-kilowatt array

Danny King — Wed, 20 Jun 2012 16:01:00 EST

Filed under: Manufacturing/Plants, Solar, Buick, Chevrolet, GM

Nothing like a hot Michigan summer to power a few homes.

General Motors is making good use of that sun by building a solar array on a two-acre plot of land next to its Orion factory, which is about 40 miles north of Detroit. GM is partnering with Detroit-based utility DTE Energy on the project, which involves a 350-kilowatt array that will be able to provide power to the equivalent of about 45 typical Michigan houses. The factory, which was built in 1983, produces about 10,000 vehicles a year, including the Chevrolet Sonic and Buick Verano models. The array is part of the U.S. automaker's effort to double the solar power production used at its factories to 60 megawatts by 2015.

In January, GM released its first annual sustainability report since emerging from bankruptcy in 2009 and said that it met many of its goals to cut its carbon footprint, including making more than 80 factories landfill-free and having them recycle more than 92 percent of their waste. Just this week, GM said it now has 100 "landfill-free" facilities. The automaker said it was looking to further reduce its plants' carbon footprint by 20 percent and also reduce water use by 15 percent. Details below.

Continue reading GM's Orion Assembly goes solar with 350-kilowatt array

GM's Orion Assembly goes solar with 350-kilowatt array originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 20 Jun 2012 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Buick moves to trademark Electra

Jeff Sabatini — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 09:47:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Buick

Could General Motors be planning to dust off another moniker from its heyday and reintroduce a Buick Electra? The General filed an application to protect the trademark on June 5, which might hint at a future, full-size Buick model.

Once Buick's top-of-the-line sedan, the Electra did the same slow fade in the '80s as so many classic GM names, with the final 1990 Electra being supplanted by the Park Avenue. While those last Electras were examples GM badge-engineering at its worst, Electra 225 models of the 1960's were among Buick's best. With fender skirts and monstrous V8 engines, the Bill Mitchell-designed Electras were trumped in the GM pantheon only by full-size Cadillac models.

But as much as we might like to see GM reintroduce a Buick land yacht, we find that notion unlikely. If the Electra name returns - which this trademark application certainly doesn't guarantee - it is more likely to be attached to a vehicle that's 180-degrees different from the traditional Buick model.

We say this because the last time we heard rumors of GM reviving the name, it was because Electra sounds a lot like "electric." Back in 2008 GM was considering badging the Opel and Vauxhall version of the Volt as "Electra," but of course decided to go with Ampera instead. We'd be more likely to believe that this new trademark filing was prompted by similar motives than any return to form for a Buick Electra flagship.

Buick moves to trademark Electra originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 15 Jun 2012 09:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 Buick Regal eAssist [w/video]

Autoblog Staff — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 19:43:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Buick

Jump-Starting An Already Solid Sedan

Hybrids only account for about two percent of annual U.S. auto sales, yet there is a huge push by most automakers to incorporate the green tech into future product. The reasons for this are many, and they include improved public perception, better Corporate Average Fuel Economy numbers and a push to continually improve the technology. The craze really caught on with the Toyota Prius, though it was started in the U.S. by Honda and Ford got in the game with the Escape Hybrid.

General Motors has taken a different approach to hybrid tech with a combination of technologies that includes the Voltec system used in the Chevrolet Volt and the Two-Mode Hybrid system that has been relegated to GM light-duty trucks and large SUVs. The third and most affordable option is eAssist, which utilizes a small, 65-pound 115V lithium-ion battery and a 15-horsepower electric motor to improve fuel economy by up to 25 percent.

We spent a week in a well-heeled 2012 Buick Regal with eAssist to gain a better understanding of the technology and to see how well GM's Gen II mild hybrid tech works in the real world.

Continue reading 2012 Buick Regal eAssist [w/video]

2012 Buick Regal eAssist [w/video] originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 04 Jun 2012 19:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Was Buick LaCrosse with eAssist February's best-selling domestic hybrid?

Danny King — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 17:57:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Buick, Ford, GM

The best-selling hybrid from a U.S. car company is...the Buick LaCrosse?

That's what we're trying to figure out after General Motors said the LaCrosses that are powered with Buick's eAssist powertrain accounted for about 25 percent of the model's sales.

Though the automaker isn't disclosing unit sales of eAssist-powered LaCrosses, the company sold 5,228 units total units of the model in February, putting eAssist numbers at about 1,300 vehicles. That's up from about approximately 950 eAssist-powered LaCrosses in January (again, GM didn't release exact numbers). More interestingly, those sales would be about 200 units more than Ford sold of its Fusion Hybrid in February, though GM would only say that the eAssist LaCrosse outsold the Lincoln MKZ Hybrid by a three-to-one ratio (Ford sold 419 Lincoln MKZ Hybrids in February), and didn't mention the Fusion Hybrid. It's also worth noting that GM sold 1,023 Chevrolet Volt extended-range plug-in hybrids last month.

Of course, whether eAssist qualifies as a true hybrid or not is open to debate. The powertrain involves a 2.4-liter engine paired with an electric motor that shuts the gas engine off when the car is standing still, but doesn't power the car at low speeds like the other hybrids do. As a result, the eAssist-powered LaCrosse gets a combined fuel economy of 29 miles per gallon, compared to the Fusion Hybrid's 39 mpg. You can find Autoblog's detailed impressions of the eAssist LaCrosse here.

Continue reading Was Buick LaCrosse with eAssist February's best-selling domestic hybrid?

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2013 Buick Regal gets standard eAssist, automatic option for GS

Steven J. Ewing — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, MPG, Buick

Buick launched its mid-size Regal sedan in late 2010 as a 2011 model, with the Turbo, high-performance GS and eAssist models following suit over the past year. Now, General Motors' tri-shield arm has announced a couple of powertrain updates that will go into effect for the 2013 model year, namely the discontinuation of the naturally aspirated 2.4-liter inline-four in the base Regal.

For 2013, the Regal's standard engine is the 2.4-liter eAssit powerplant - a mill that, according to the EPA, is good for up to 36 miles per gallon on the highway. Buick pulled a similar stunt with its larger LaCrosse, killing off the base 2.4 in favor of the eAssist powertrain with a V6 available as a no-cost option. That said, Buick has not announced pricing for the updated 2013 Regal line, but we'll be interested to see if the 220-horsepower 2.0-liter inline-four of the Regal Turbo will be available at no additional cost.

The 270-hp Regal GS carries over largely unchanged, though as initially promised, a six-speed automatic transmission will now be optional. Buick states that the self-shifting unit will not hinder performance (well, except for that whole shift-on-your-own-terms thing), citing that the automatic-equipped Regal GS will sprint to 60 miles per hour in 6.7 seconds, just like manual-equipped cars.

Buick will release full pricing and availability for the 2013 Regal line later this year. In the meantime, read the full details for yourself in the press release below the fold.

Continue reading 2013 Buick Regal gets standard eAssist, automatic option for GS

2013 Buick Regal gets standard eAssist, automatic option for GS originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 07 Feb 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Buick's smartphone games simulate fuel-efficient driving in app form

Danny King — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 12:05:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Hybrid, Buick

Remember the car-racing video games you played as a kid? Think of this as the opposite.

General Motors is looking to raise consumer awareness of the hybrid drivetrains on its Buick LaCrosse and Regal by offering three Buick-branded smartphone application games that reward players for "driving" in a more fuel-efficient manner.

GM's free Buick eAssist Fuel Efficiency games, which are available for both iPhone and Android phone users, challenge the players to drive their Buicks to a particular location without running out of gas from a heavy foot. The games highlight eAssist features such as its regenerative braking system, which stores energy created through braking that can be used to propel the car. Buick's $30,820 LaCrosse (see Autoblog's test drive review here) has a hybrid system that helps the approximately 3,900-pound car get 25 miles per gallon in the city and 36 mpg on the highway.

Buick's eAssist system mates a 182-horsepower 2.4-liter Ecotec four-cylinder gasoline direct-injection engine with an electric motor that can deliver an additional burst of up to 15 horsepower during acceleration while shutting the engine down when not in motion. The eAssist system is also available on the 2012 Buick Regal.

Continue reading Buick's smartphone games simulate fuel-efficient driving in app form

Buick's smartphone games simulate fuel-efficient driving in app form originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 31 Jan 2012 12:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Buick Verano hybrid coming in 2015?

Sebastian Blanco — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 14:56:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Buick

What a bunch of tiny text in that graphic, huh? Too small to be anything interesting, right? Actually, no, as this image from Automotive News reveals the existence of an upcoming hybrid version of the Buick Verano. That's the ponytail-friendly Verano, as we should all be aware of by now.

According to the supplier list for the 2012 Verano, there are going to be four powertrains available for the car between now and 2020. There will be three gasoline burners: a 2.0-liter available the entire time and a 2.4-liter that fades out in 2015 in favor of a 2.5-liter. Also in 2015, the 2.5-liter hybrid becomes available. This is all based on information taken from the Supplier Business trade magazine.

There has never been an official mention of an eAssist Verano, which is GM's favored green touch today. We'll have to see if GM opts to give the Verano an mpg-boosting shot in the arm between now and 2015, but what we're looking at here appears to be a full hybrid setup.

Buick Verano hybrid coming in 2015? originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 20 Oct 2011 14:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM, RelayRides using OnStar to open up peer-to-peer car-sharing

Eric Loveday — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 11:45:00 EST

Filed under: Transportation Alternatives, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GM

General Motors has formally established its first-ever car-sharing gig by signing a deal with peer-to-peer specialist RelayRides. GM's head of business development initiatives, Bob Tiderington, remarked:

We could stand on the sidelines and watch or we could choose to participate and try to make it into a favorable business model, which in this particular case we have.

General Motors intends to adapt its OnStar tech to facilitate peer-to-peer car sharing through RelayRides. With OnStar in their vehicle, owners wishing to join the RelayRides car-sharing program will no longer have to install a separate device that allows entry and use of the vehicle.

When the peer-to-peer scheme kicks off in early 2012, all General Motors vehicles built after 2010 and equipped with OnStar will be peer-to-peer-ready, says Tiderington. That's approximately 1.7 million vehicles that could transform into peer-to-peer automobiles overnight, at least in theory.

The breakthrough here is that RelayRides will no longer have to equip participating vehicles with an add-on device that lets a renter access it with a membership card. With OnStar, the service can be turned on with no more than a couple of movements and clicks of a mouse.

Continue reading GM, RelayRides using OnStar to open up peer-to-peer car-sharing

GM, RelayRides using OnStar to open up peer-to-peer car-sharing originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 06 Oct 2011 11:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 Buick LaCrosse eAssist doesn't waste gas by running in place

Eric Loveday — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 17:19:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Buick, Videos

In its latest 30-second advertisement pitching the 2012 LaCrosse eAssist, Buick makes an interesting point: since people don't constantly run in place, its near-luxury mid-size sedan doesn't either.

The ad thus extolls the virtues of eAssist, a fuel-saving mild hybrid setup with stop-start technology available in the LaCrosse. Because of Buick's simple - but, indeed, quite clever spot - the general buying public should comprehend eAssist: it shuts down the 2012 LaCrosse's gas-burning 2.4-liter Ecotec engine when not in motion.

Thanks to eAssist technology, the $30,820 2012 LaCrosse, which is indeed quite a porker (3,829 to 4,045 pounds), returns 25 miles per gallon in the city and a rather impressive 36 mpg highway. Buick says eAssist, is a "technology that shifts from gas to electric power, and back, seamlessly." And that's all Buick is trying to say, and you can check it out for yourself after the jump.

Continue reading 2012 Buick LaCrosse eAssist doesn't waste gas by running in place

2012 Buick LaCrosse eAssist doesn't waste gas by running in place originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sat, 01 Oct 2011 17:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Buick LaCrosse eAssist launches in China for $41,634

Eric Loveday — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 13:08:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Buick, GM

Hybrids have never been a hit in China, with even the Toyota Prius failing to make a dent in a meaningful way over there. Some say the Prius' unconventional styling turns Chinese consumers off. Maybe that's why Buick is betting its conventionally styled LaCrosse eAssist will be a hit in China.

The non-eAssist LaCrosse has been one of Buick's Chinese sensations over the past 18 months and, now that General Motors has launched the eAssist LaCrosse in China, buyers over there will have to decide whether or not to opt for the more fuel-frugal sedan. GM says the LaCrosse eAssist is 28-percent more fuel efficient than its conventional counterpart and announced the mild hybrid sedan will start at 265,900 yuan ($41,634 U.S. at the current exchange rate). That's slightly more expensive than the Prius, but Buick has never really had a problem selling its vehicles in China, so we assume the LaCrosse eAssist will do okay, too.

Buick LaCrosse eAssist launches in China for $41,634 originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 30 Aug 2011 13:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sales of 40-ish mpg Buick Excelle GT surpass 100,000 in China

Eric Loveday — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 09:08:00 EST

Filed under: MPG, Buick, China

Buick Excelle GT - Click above for high-res image gallery

Sales of the Buick Excelle GT have eclipsed 100,000 units since the four-door sedan launched in China in June 2010. General Motors says average monthly sales of 8,000 units demonstrate the "great popularity" of the Excelle GT among Chinese consumers.

The Excelle GT is offered with the choice of either a 1.8-liter naturally-aspirated engine that puts out 145 horsepower or a more potent 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder mill pumping out 181 hp. The Excelle GT is built on the same platform as the Chevy Cruze, therefore, we'd assume the Excelle GT sips gas at a rate similar to the Cruze. However, officially confirming that seems next to impossible.

Here's a fact: the Excelle GT accounted for 20 percent of sales of passenger vehicles priced between RMB 150,000 and RMB 200,000 ($23,477 and $31,303 U.S. at the current exchange rate) in the first six months of 2011. According to GM's number crunchers, that makes the Excelle GT the sales leader in its segment.

Continue reading Sales of 40-ish mpg Buick Excelle GT surpass 100,000 in China

Sales of 40-ish mpg Buick Excelle GT surpass 100,000 in China originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 17 Aug 2011 09:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 Buick Regal eAssist priced from $29,530, Regal GS from $35,310

Steven J. Ewing — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 11:17:00 EST

Filed under: MPG, Buick

2012 Buick Regal - Click above for high-res image gallery

Buick will launch two new Regal models for the 2012 model year, one focused on efficiency, the other on performance. The Regal eAssist uses General Motors' new mild-hybrid technology to deliver up to 36 miles per gallon on the highway (25 mpg in the city), and the Regal GS ups the sedan's performance prowess.

When it hits dealerships, the 2012 Regal eAssist will be priced from $29,530, including $860 in destination charges. The eAssist option is available as a $2,000 option on the base Regal, and GM will continue to offer both the standard 2.4-liter naturally aspirated engine in the car, as well as the 2.0-liter turbocharged unit.

The 2012 Regal GS will be the top model in the sedan's range, with pricing starting at $35,310 (also including the $860 destination charge). For the GS, Buick has boosted the output of its 2.0-liter turbocharged engine, producing 270 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque in this application. The Regal GS will launch exclusively with a six-speed manual transmission, though a six-speed automatic unit will be available later in the model year.

Both the eAssist and GS models will arrive at Buick dealerships in the fall. Follow the jump for GM's official pricing release.

Continue reading 2012 Buick Regal eAssist priced from $29,530, Regal GS from $35,310

2012 Buick Regal eAssist priced from $29,530, Regal GS from $35,310 originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 04 Aug 2011 11:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM invests $129 million to boost production of eAssist transmissions

Eric Loveday — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 10:59:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Manufacturing/Plants, Buick, Chevrolet, GM

2012 Buick LaCrosse eAssist technology - Click above for high-res image gallery

General Motors' powertrain facilities in Toledo, OH and Bedford, IN - the ones that make transmissions for Buick and Chevrolet models equipped with fuel-saving eAssist technology - will get the bulk of a $129-million investment GM announced on Tuesday.

More specifically, Toledo gets $83 million for enhancements to a six-speed transmission already manufactured there that will be used in the 2012 Buick Lacrosse eAssist and the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu. Meanwhile, Bedford receives $32 million for enhancements to the die-cast case and torque converter used on the six-speed trans assembled in Toledo.

Separately, an investment of $15 million to $20 million has been set aside for GM Components Holding in Wyoming, MI to support undisclosed powertrain projects.

[Source: General Motors]

Continue reading GM invests $129 million to boost production of eAssist transmissions

GM invests $129 million to boost production of eAssist transmissions originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 18 Jul 2011 10:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Why GM got the eco gauge totally right on the Buick LaCross with eAssist

Sebastian Blanco — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 18:50:00 EST

Filed under: Emerging Technologies, Hybrid, Buick, AutoblogGreen Exclusive

2012 Buick LaCrosse eAssist - Click above for high-res image gallery

At first glance, the white "Eco" needle over an all-green background on the 2012 Buick LaCrosse with eAssist feels wrong. The needle sits at the 12 o'clock position and there's green on either side, which tells the driver nothing. Well, nothing until you understand what the needle is telling you, and then you realize that what GM has done here is reinvent the dashboard to now include the best possible and simplest green driving tutor. Here's how it works:

When you're stopped, the needle remains pointed perfectly upwards. This is the needle's rest spot, and it matches the "auto stop" indicator over on the tachometer (the speedometer and tachometer are, in our opinion, on the wrong sides of the cluster, but that's another story). When you gently accelerate, the eco needle doesn't move, or maybe it moves a tiny bit off to the right. If you step on the go pedal hard, the needle goes past the green and into the black. Anyone who's driven a car with an instant eco-driving gauge will find all this terribly familiar, even if you might expect there to be a red zone at some point. What's much more interesting - and why the needle is such a good driving instructor - is what happens when you brake. (Continue reading...)

Continue reading Why GM got the eco gauge totally right on the Buick LaCross with eAssist

Why GM got the eco gauge totally right on the Buick LaCross with eAssist originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 29 Jun 2011 18:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Buick LaCrosse with eAssist priced from $29,960*

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 18:07:00 EST

Filed under: MPG, Buick

2012 Buick LaCrosse eAssist - Click above for high-res image gallery

As expected, Buick has announced that its new 2012 LaCrosse with eAssist is priced identically to its more powerful V6-powered sibling. That means that $29,960 (*plus an $860 destination charge) will get the buyer either 25 city and 37 highway miles per gallon (along with about 180 horsepower) or 303 horsepower (along with fuel economy that's not yet EPA rated but should be close to last year's 17/27 mpg rating).

For what it's worth, the new eAssist-equipped LaCrosse is thriftier on the highway than the smaller Lexus HS 250h (35/34) and Lincoln MKZ Hybrid (41/36 mpg) but not nearly as frugal as either of those competitors in the city.

The departing 2011 LaCrosse, you'll remember, was available with either a 2.4-liter Ecotec rated at 182 horsepower or a 3.6-liter V6 rated at 280 horses. In other words, the standard four-cylinder has been replaced with the mild hybrid powertrain while the optional V6 (available for no extra charge) has received a 23-horsepower bump. Parsimony or performance at your prerogative.

So, buyers will have the option of significantly improved fuel economy or horsepower - two highly desirable traits. Of course, there's a catch. Last year's base LaCrosse, which carried with it an MSRP of $26,995, is no longer available. That means the least expensive LaCrosse for 2012 is about $3,000 more than it was in 2011. That said, at least buyers will clearly get more for their money. See the complete press release after the break.

[Source: Buick]

Continue reading Buick LaCrosse with eAssist priced from $29,960*

Buick LaCrosse with eAssist priced from $29,960* originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 08 Jun 2011 18:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Automakers shying away from "hybrid" badge

Eric Loveday — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 13:48:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Buick, Ford, Toyota

2012 Buick LaCrosse eAssist - Click above for high-res image gallery

The popularity of the Toyota Prius has made "hybrid" a widely recognized word and has prompted the launch of numerous competitive vehicles from various automakers. Additionally, derivatives of the conventional hybrid - i.e., micro and mild hybrids - are popping up everywhere. However, most automakers seem reluctant to tag these vehicles with a "hybrid" badge.

Recently, General Motors announced its eAssist technology, which will be featured first in Buick LaCrosse and Buick Regal. Essentially, eAssist is what we'd call a mild hybrid, yet GM shies away from using the H-word. Likewise, the 2012 Focus, equipped with Ford's six-speed PowerShift automatic transmission, relies heavily upon electricity instead of the vehicle's engine when idling or slowing to boost fuel efficiency.

It's not just Ford and GM, it's the vast majority of the automotive industry. With names like Efficient Dynamics, ecoFlex and Blue Efficiency, use of the H-word seems to be so last year. Do you think these newfangled terms could confuse potential buyers?

Photos copyright (C)2011 Steven J. Ewing / AOL

[Source: Hybrid Cars]

Automakers shying away from "hybrid" badge originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 28 Apr 2011 13:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM to launch 60-plus new, upgraded models in China; Volt, LaCrosse eAssist headed there soon

Eric Loveday — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 09:56:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Hybrid, Buick, Chevrolet, GM, China

Buick Envision SUV Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

Electrification seems to be the name of the game these days and, with General Motors scheduled to launch more than 60 new or upgraded models in China over the next five years, it's safe to bet that a heaping pile of those vehicles will feature some sort of electrified powertrain. Actually, even Kevin Wale, president and managing director of GM China says that:

Electrification has become the overriding trend of the global automotive industry for reducing its century-long dependence on petroleum.

With that in mind, GM China will offer the Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid later this year and intends to roll out a drivable version of the Sail battery-electric concept vehicle soon. Wale says that GM will be launching the Buick LaCrosse with eAssist in China and is working on something that incorporates the automaker's plug-in hybrid technology, which is found in the Buick Envision SUV concept on display at the Shanghai Motor Show.

Finally, GM plans to extends it cooperative agreement with strategic partner SAIC to develop next-generation electric vehicle architecture and is establishing a battery lab at the GM Advanced Technical Center in Shanghai.

[Source: General Motors]

Continue reading GM to launch 60-plus new, upgraded models in China; Volt, LaCrosse eAssist headed there soon

GM to launch 60-plus new, upgraded models in China; Volt, LaCrosse eAssist headed there soon originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 28 Apr 2011 09:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Buick Envision Concept touches down in Shanghai

Autoblog Staff — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 14:57:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Buick, China

Buick Envision SUV Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

General Motors has rolled out a new hybrid SUV concept that's custom tailored for the Chinese market. The Buick Envision SUV Concept rolls together the future of the Tri-Shield's design language with a fuel-efficient drivetrain to give us all an idea of where brand is headed in the near future. Worked up as a joint venture between Shanghai GM and the Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center, the Envision borrows the same waterfall grille found on the company's current stable of products and mixes in a host of angles and curves.

Regardless of whether or not the exterior leaves you cold, plug-in hybrid fans are likely to find something to smile about under the hood. The Envision uses a 2.0-liter direct-injection gasoline engine coupled to two electric motors and an eight-speed automatic gearbox. Power is stored in a lithium-ion battery and the vehicle's roof wears a solar cell to help recuperate some power.

With a fully-carbon fiber chassis and an intelligent solar charging system, we don't exactly expect the Envision to roll onto dealer lots any time soon. Hit the jump for the full press blast.

[Source: General Motors]

Continue reading Buick Envision Concept touches down in Shanghai

Buick Envision Concept touches down in Shanghai originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 18 Apr 2011 14:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hitachi resumes battery production for Buick LaCrosse, Regal eAssist models

Eric Loveday — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 07:48:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Buick, GM, Japan

2012 Buick LaCrosse eAssist - Click above for high-res image gallery

Three of Hitachi's automotive factories in Japan are back online, including a facility that manufactures lithium-ion batteries for General Motors' eAssist-equipped models.

Hitachi Vehicle Energy in Ibaraki Prefecture is operational and has resumed production of lithium-ion batteries for the 2012 Buick LaCrosse eAssist and the 2012 Buick Regal eAssist models. Hitachi Automotive Systems' Sawa Works factory - the site of production for electric motors and inverters for several hybrid vehicles - is back online and pumping out parts, too.

Hitachi America spokesman Mickey Takeuchi told Automotive News (sub. req.) that, even with the progress, there are still problems:

The assembly lines have started, but it's not to 100 percent. They have electricity and water and gas.

Atsushi Konno, a spokesman for Hitachi in Tokyo, says that the plants are operating at 70 percent capacity this week as quality controls checks will be conducted.

With Toyota resuming limited production of some models and Nissan announcing that assembly lines at its Oppama factory are moving and that Leafs are trickling out of the plant's doors once again, Japan's automotive industry seems to be slowly recovering from the devastation.

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req.]

Hitachi resumes battery production for Buick LaCrosse, Regal eAssist models originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 04 Apr 2011 07:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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