GM to launch plug-in hybrid SUV in 2011

August 7, 2009

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General Motors will launch a plug-in hybrid sport utility vehicle under the Buick brand in 2011, the automaker said Thursday.

General Motors will launch a plug-in hybrid sport utility vehicle under the Buick brand in 2011, the automaker said Thursday.

The five-passenger midsized crossover is expected to be the first plug-in hybrid SUV to hit the commercial market, GM said.

It will replace the previously planned Saturn Vue plug-in, which was shelved after GM shed the Saturn brand as it restructured under bankruptcy protection.

GM said it has the potential to achieve double the fuel economy of comparable crossovers on short trips.

"The lithium-ion battery can be fully recharged in four to five hours by simply connecting the vehicle to any standard 110V household electrical outlet," GM said in a statement.

"By recharging rather than refueling, the Buick plug-in hybrid significantly improves fuel economy and reduces petroleum use."

Unlike GM's upcoming extended-range Volt plug-in hybrid, the yet-to-be named Buick will be able to use any combination of electric or gasoline engine power while the charge lasts.

The Volt will run exclusively on electricity before switching over to a backup gasoline engine after about 40 miles (64 kilometers).

(c) 2009 AFP

• korgo - Aug 07, 2009
  • Rank: 4 / 5 (1)
  I think in 2012, it will be harder to sell old cars that use GAS!
  
  Korgo
  http://www.eightforums.com
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• alq131 - Aug 07, 2009
  • Rank: 5 / 5 (1)
  Only 10 years after GM crushed it's fleet of EV-1 electric cars. No surprise that GM is struggling. They keep hyping the Volt, but the last demo I saw on the news, it couldn't make it up a hill, and the batteries died within the hour.
  
  In all likelihood, Honda, Toyota or Tesla Motors will field the first EV's--not GM.
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• John_balls - Aug 07, 2009
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  I think in 2012, it will be harder to sell old cars that use GAS
  Korgo
  
  http://www.eightforums.com

  
  Oh, I hope so. Let's move on already, we have only been using this same old technology for the past 100 years.
  
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• p62071 - Aug 10, 2009
  • Rank: 4 / 5 (1)
  Hopefully their Suv will have a redesigned chevy logo in the front sporting a more sleeker hipper image than the the chevy volt.
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