GM cancels next-gen hybrid truck/SUV program

[ALS]

GMI reports that it's unusual for programs like this to be shut down so close to the launch of a new vehicle – the next-generation trucks/SUVs are scheduled to debut for the 2014 model year .

Steven J. Ewing - AUTOBLOG - September 3, 2012

According to a report from GMInsideNews.com, General Motors has shut down its hybrid program for company's next-generation of full-size pickup trucks and sport-utility vehicles. Currently, the Chevrolet Silverado, Tahoe, GMC Sierra, Yukon and Cadillac Escalade all use the two-mode hybrid technology.

Historically, the two-mode hybrid models have not sold well, and only yield minor improvements in overall fuel economy. In most applications, the two-mode hybrid system is rated at 20 miles per gallon in the city and 23 mpg highway.... [Read More]

[herm]

Its a shame GM never properly learned how to game the EPA with these 2 Mode hybrids.

[phoebeisis]

Kinda sad- but not a surprise-All that R&D $$-essentially wasted.


Historically, the two-mode hybrid models have not sold well, and only yield minor improvements in overall fuel economy. In most applications, the two-mode hybrid system is rated at 20 miles per gallon in the city and 23 mpg highway.

Now the ABOVE quote-only HALF RIGHT!
"not sold well" NO KIDDING!

"MINOR IMPROVEMENT in fuel economy"
20-21 mpg CITY- for a 400 HP 6000 lb vehicle-minor???
It is 33% better than GMs 5.3 and 16% better than Fords 3.5- 11% better than the Pentastar(lot more HP TQ of course)

It delivered on the FE- no question.
BUT $8000 premium-maybe $10,000 premium since I suspect you could only get the hybrid in a LOADED to the gills trim level.

If gasoline had spiked to $6 or so-which seemed possible until the 2008 world wide economic crash- they might have sold-made sense- save 1200 gallons per 100,000 miles- $7200 at $6 gal-yeah folks might have gone for them with $6-$7 gasoline.
With the world economy tanked(Chinese are concealing BIG problems) $4-$5 is about it for gas-it sorta self levels-high fuel costs retank economy-drop demand-drop fuel prices.

Yeah we might actually be in for relatively stable prices because of dropping demand in the west-and slowing demand in the east.And WE-USA- have NG-and coal-and perhaps more wind-depending on election-maybe more Nukes also-dep[ending on how electorate views AGM- climate change-drought-hurricanes(none of which are NEW- but you can sell anything-and in this case-might actually be the truth)
Charlie

[Indigo]

Why should GM innovate when it can beg for bailouts? Besides, R&D means hiring Americans, and that tends to decrease executive bonuses.

[tkeller]

I've always thought they should market hybrid trucks from the "added amounts of torque" stance. (300 hp tough guy engine plus X amount of ADDITIONAL horsepower and torque from an electric motor {like a freight train [insert footage of huge train]}, AND 33% better fuel economy than...)

[herm]

high torque plus a built-in inverter to drive electric tools at the job site.. make hybrids macho!

[phoebeisis]

But $8000-$10,000 actual premium-yeah might as well try to sell it on something other than "saving money"
Jobsite and maybe huricane power loss generator???
Yeah-300 hp ICE- outta be able to run a whole freakin block on that!!
Probably much quieter-even at full throttle-than my 5.5hp Coleman Tecumseh (which performed VERY WELL- other than the hammering noise(beat sweating like a pig all night and drinking tap water eating crackers)
Charlie
PS Indigo- GM spent PLENTY- EVI TWO MODE AND VOLT on innovations- but they were/are losers in respect to making $$

Other innovations- 4 wheel steering in pickups-another pricy loser

Now the magnetic "shocks" GM Cadillacs brags about?? Perhaps that is a winner- but I wonder if it is a "bought idea" not much truely new in auto "stuff"
new electronic controls and sensors- but no real ground shaking "new" stuff.
Maybe the magnetic "viscosity changing" shocks-only thing I can think of-probably really expensive too.Still they are more "cool" than important.Simpler to damp the old way-holes-big holes small holes-cover hole-open hole.Cool to actually instantly change the viscosity of the fluid!