No small GM hybrids until the Volt?
A good way to hedge the Volt, change image?In December, the first full hybrid vehicles from GM will hit the market. While the Chevy Tahoe hybrid and the GMC Yukon hybrid will fit GM's current product portfolio well, they are not vehicles that are going to increase marketshare, or change perception about GM.
Without a Toyota Prius-contender, GM's hybrid efforts - its green efforts - will not be taken seriously outside of GM's core customers. Is that fair? Who cares, it's reality. Of course, GM believes it has not just a Prius-contender, but a Prius-killer, the Chevy Volt. Unfortunately, the Volt won't be available for a few more years, at least.
On the other hand, a dual mode Chevy Cobalt hybrid could have been the perfect interim product. Actually, instead of a Cobalt, a Cobalt - hybrid-only - derivative. (Finish)
Labels: Chevy Volt electric vehicle concept, GM, Hybrid Vehicles, tahoe hybrid, toyota prius, yukon hybrid
posted by Dahcredyns at
8:28 AM
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Complete Story
In December, the first full hybrid vehicles from GM will hit the market. While the Chevy Tahoe hybrid and the GMC Yukon hybrid will fit GM's current product portfolio well, they are not vehicles that are going to increase marketshare, or change perception about GM.
Without a Toyota Prius-contender, GM's hybrid efforts - its green efforts - will not be taken seriously outside of GM's core customers. Is that fair? Who cares, it's reality.
Of course, GM believes it has not just a Prius-contender, but a Prius-killer, the Chevy Volt. Unfortunately, the Volt won't be available for a few more years, at least.
On the other hand, a dual mode Chevy Cobalt hybrid could have been the perfect interim product. Actually, instead of a Cobalt, a Cobalt - hybrid-only - derivative.
Why?
When the Chevy Volt finally becomes reality, it will be built upon GM's future platform, the E-Flex drive. The E-Flex drive will built upon GM's global compact vehicle structure, often referred to as Delta, which is, essentially, the Chevy Cobalt.
So, why not take a real step towards the future today?
Sure, a Cobalt hybrid would not utilize the same powertrain as the future of E-Flex platform vehicles, but who cares? When GM does launch the E-Flex platform, the Volt will not be the only vehicle produced on this platform. Thus, a more conventional hybrid, such as a lithium, or a ultracapacitor-powered, hybrid, is also possible, such as a Cobalt hybrid.
In fact, a Cobalt lithium-powered hybrid might be a better E-Flex debut because it could probably happen sooner than a range-extended hybrid like the Volt.
Now, in the long run, if GM's E-Flex platform is successful, the fact that GM didn't challenge the Prius until the Volt will probably be irrelevant. However, if it takes longer for the Volt to evolve into cost-effective, mass-production reality, then the Cobalt hybrid could have been a powerful bridge to the future.
Most important, however, a Cobalt hybrid could have helped sell, rather than hype, GM's green future today.
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