GM unsure of Saturn Vue hybrid details

According to Reuters, GM still plans to launch the Saturn Vue Hybrid in 2006, which Reuter's called a competitor to the Toyota Prius and the Honda Civic Hybrid. GM; however, isn't releasing many details about the Vue hybrid.

"We need to get the price value equation right. We have to get the reliability right and the consumer needs to have enough time to see they are getting the benefit," Rick Wagoner, GM CEO, told Reuters.

Instead, GM is still focusing on SUVs to make the company profitable again.

I say, good luck. Gas prices will again spike sometime next year and the declining interest in large SUVs will only exacerbate. If another hurricane, some problem in the Middle East affecting America's foreign oil supply, or oil demand in China is higher than expected, GM could be in far worse trouble than they are today.

Still, you can't really expect GM to focus on the Vue hybrid. The hybrid Vue will only be a mild hybrid and its fuel efficiency capabilities will lag far behind those of the Civic hybrid and the Prius.

Unfortunately, GM's full hybrid vehicles won't be available until, at least, 2007.