GM to Plug Its Hybrid Vehicles In Bid to Lift Technology Image
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GM to Plug Its Hybrid Vehicles In Bid to Lift Technology Image
I know hybrid technology is all the rage right now but I have a feeling that hybrid technology will win the technology war much like VHS won out over BetaMax years ago…not because it’s a “better” technology but, in this case, simply because it’s the technology de jour. I’m afraid it will keep better technologies on the shelf that actually offer more benefits but it certainly seems to be the direction everyone is headed.
Originally Posted by Wall Street Journal
General Motors Corp. is planning a marketing push over the next several weeks to promote advanced gasoline-electric hybrid vehicles and other fuel-saving technologies that the company hopes to bring to market in the next few years.
Among the innovations it will tout is a next-generation hybrid car with a powerful battery that owners can recharge by plugging in the vehicle to an ordinary wall socket, people familiar with the matter said. Such "plug in" hybrids operate much longer on their batteries alone, cutting gasoline consumption even further than current hybrids.
GM's effort to publicize its advanced work is part of a strategy to lift the company's image as a leader in automotive technology. Chairman and Chief Executive Rick Wagoner and other senior GM executives are convinced rival Toyota Motor Corp. has gained a valuable edge by establishing itself as the leader on hybrids. The Toyota Prius is the top-selling hybrid vehicle.
GM hopes to use some of the money it will save from closing plants and cutting jobs this year to accelerate development of hybrids, hydrogen fuel cells and other technologies in hopes of jumping ahead of Toyota. GM began promoting this effort in September when it brought journalists to California to test-drive its latest fuel-cell vehicle.
Leading on fuel cells would have "the power to grab the public by the collar and shake them," Vice Chairman Robert Lutz said in an interview on the sidelines of the California test drive. "This can be a game changer for GM...Maybe it will take one year, two years or three years, but we are going to take the technology leadership back from Toyota."
Toyota, however, is also working on fuel cells and plug-in hybrids and has deep pockets to fund its work.
GM will next gear up its promotion effort later this month when Mr. Wagoner delivers a speech at the Los Angeles auto show. There, in a presentation on the auto maker's technologies, he will mention GM's work on plug-in hybrids and fuel cells, people familiar with the matter said. He will also preview some new sport-utility vehicles that use a conventional hybrid power train and are poised to be launched next year or in 2008.
To follow up Mr. Wagoner's presentation, GM plans to show a prototype of a plug-in hybrid car at the Detroit auto show in January, although the company hasn't decided if it will actually use the technology in production vehicles, these people said. GM's plan to show a plug-in in January was earlier reported by the Detroit News.
Whether GM will go ahead and produce plug-in hybrids depends on whether suppliers can shrink the size and weight of batteries. The batteries available now are too big and heavy for production vehicles. Scott Fosgard, a GM spokesman, declined to comment.
In a further sign GM is preparing to tout its advanced technology, the company earlier this year filed an application with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to use the name "EnerGM" for fuel-cell-powered engines.
Hybrids pair a traditional gasoline engine with an electric motor that kicks in during stop-and-go driving to reduce fuel consumption. Fuel cells use a chemical process to convert hydrogen to electricity and produce no tailpipe emissions other than water.
Among the innovations it will tout is a next-generation hybrid car with a powerful battery that owners can recharge by plugging in the vehicle to an ordinary wall socket, people familiar with the matter said. Such "plug in" hybrids operate much longer on their batteries alone, cutting gasoline consumption even further than current hybrids.
GM's effort to publicize its advanced work is part of a strategy to lift the company's image as a leader in automotive technology. Chairman and Chief Executive Rick Wagoner and other senior GM executives are convinced rival Toyota Motor Corp. has gained a valuable edge by establishing itself as the leader on hybrids. The Toyota Prius is the top-selling hybrid vehicle.
GM hopes to use some of the money it will save from closing plants and cutting jobs this year to accelerate development of hybrids, hydrogen fuel cells and other technologies in hopes of jumping ahead of Toyota. GM began promoting this effort in September when it brought journalists to California to test-drive its latest fuel-cell vehicle.
Leading on fuel cells would have "the power to grab the public by the collar and shake them," Vice Chairman Robert Lutz said in an interview on the sidelines of the California test drive. "This can be a game changer for GM...Maybe it will take one year, two years or three years, but we are going to take the technology leadership back from Toyota."
Toyota, however, is also working on fuel cells and plug-in hybrids and has deep pockets to fund its work.
GM will next gear up its promotion effort later this month when Mr. Wagoner delivers a speech at the Los Angeles auto show. There, in a presentation on the auto maker's technologies, he will mention GM's work on plug-in hybrids and fuel cells, people familiar with the matter said. He will also preview some new sport-utility vehicles that use a conventional hybrid power train and are poised to be launched next year or in 2008.
To follow up Mr. Wagoner's presentation, GM plans to show a prototype of a plug-in hybrid car at the Detroit auto show in January, although the company hasn't decided if it will actually use the technology in production vehicles, these people said. GM's plan to show a plug-in in January was earlier reported by the Detroit News.
Whether GM will go ahead and produce plug-in hybrids depends on whether suppliers can shrink the size and weight of batteries. The batteries available now are too big and heavy for production vehicles. Scott Fosgard, a GM spokesman, declined to comment.
In a further sign GM is preparing to tout its advanced technology, the company earlier this year filed an application with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to use the name "EnerGM" for fuel-cell-powered engines.
Hybrids pair a traditional gasoline engine with an electric motor that kicks in during stop-and-go driving to reduce fuel consumption. Fuel cells use a chemical process to convert hydrogen to electricity and produce no tailpipe emissions other than water.
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From: Albany, NY
GM NEEDS to beat Toyota to market with plug-in hybrids. It doesn't matter if they are the future or not, plug-ins will be very good for GM PR. I see the first gen plug-in as more of a halo car for fuel efficiency.
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From: Albany, NY
Yes, but since the public wants hybrids anyways, GM might as well leap frog them and put out some plug-ins. Hydrogen fuel cell is another tech that GM (or at least a domestic) needs to be first in. Nissan is a hair behind GM and Ford in fuel economy, but they are lucky enough be grouped (at least in the publics mind) with other Japanese brands which are seen to be fuel efficient.
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From: Oakland, California
Honestly a plug-in hybrid gives you the best of both worlds. It has all the advantages of a full electric, yet allows you to take longer trips occasionally.
Personally, I'd like to see a plug-in hybrid in the new Malibu. I'd run to my Chevy dealer to purchase one for my daily driver/commuter vehicle.
Personally, I'd like to see a plug-in hybrid in the new Malibu. I'd run to my Chevy dealer to purchase one for my daily driver/commuter vehicle.
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From: Ontario
. They have always stated that hybrids are temporary stop-gap solution, and that they were going straight to the end goal of a hydrogen powered vehicle. GM never got serious about hybrids until they saw the marketing windfall Toyota gained from their hybrid vehicles. That's why you're seeing GM's change of heart now.Back to the article. I hope that if GM does this vehicle they do it right instead of half-assing it like they did with the Vue. All that does is cement their reputation as a follower, and a damn poor one at that.
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From: SK, Canada
Funny you say that because GM is actually researching using depleated uranium to produce hydrogen.
http://www.autofieldguide.com/articl...1006wip06.html
http://www.autofieldguide.com/articl...1006wip06.html
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From: SoCal
That's exactly what GM has been doing for the last 5 or so years . They have always stated that hybrids are temporary stop-gap solution, and that they were going straight to the end goal of a hydrogen powered vehicle. GM never got serious about hybrids until they saw the marketing windfall Toyota gained from their hybrid vehicles. That's why you're seeing GM's change of heart now.
Back to the article. I hope that if GM does this vehicle they do it right instead of half-assing it like they did with the Vue. All that does is cement their reputation as a follower, and a damn poor one at that.
. They have always stated that hybrids are temporary stop-gap solution, and that they were going straight to the end goal of a hydrogen powered vehicle. GM never got serious about hybrids until they saw the marketing windfall Toyota gained from their hybrid vehicles. That's why you're seeing GM's change of heart now.Back to the article. I hope that if GM does this vehicle they do it right instead of half-assing it like they did with the Vue. All that does is cement their reputation as a follower, and a damn poor one at that.
I don't think GM was going to get in on the hybrid game because they wanted to move to the next technology whatever that is. But your right Toyota is doing well with the hybrid game and like many of their other marketing ploys it has worked. Toyota has made an art out of looking good. Are the Toyota Hybrids all that great or actually any better than say Honda well maybe or maybe not. Yea I see this as more of a marketing ploy than anything real and new. But If Toyota is going to throw the hybrid word around and advertise the benenfits GM would do well to get in on this me-too game. If for nothing else than to get some sales and promote an image. Its obvious that the real needs are in other forms and until those technologies are developed or ready then why not jump in on the current game. I think GM's intentions were good on trying to get to a hydrogen vehicle but when the competitior is selling well now its hard to stay the course.
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From: Sandy VJJville
Wouldn't plugging your car into your wall just end up using more electricity from your house instead of more gas from your car? It seems like the two cancel eachother out to me. I guess the cost of electricity is significantly lower than the cost of gasoline.
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Frankly, I'd say pushing hybrid technology, even the "next stage" of hybrid technology is a risky bet.
Should gassoline go back to the $3.00/gal region or beyond and stick there then any automaker with hybrid techonolgy (or cars with excellent MPGs) is going to look very smart.
If, however, gassoline stabalizes at a reasonably confortable level, the people who paid/pay a premium to get their hybrid cars may start to realize that the price isn't justified by the relatively small increase in MPG and start to wonder if they weren't "taken for a ride" so to speak!
Should gassoline go back to the $3.00/gal region or beyond and stick there then any automaker with hybrid techonolgy (or cars with excellent MPGs) is going to look very smart.
If, however, gassoline stabalizes at a reasonably confortable level, the people who paid/pay a premium to get their hybrid cars may start to realize that the price isn't justified by the relatively small increase in MPG and start to wonder if they weren't "taken for a ride" so to speak!
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From: OR
Is it though? I'm not sure, either way.. Anyone can do a mile per $ comparison?
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From: Oakland, California
All About Plug-In Hybrids (PHEVs)
....
3. PHEVs Are Cheaper to Run and Cheaper to Maintain [to top]
1/4 the Price?
At $3 for a gallon of gas, driving a non-hybrid car costs 8-20 cents/mile (depending on MPG).
With a PHEV, your electric local travel drops to as little as 2-4 cents/mile.
We say above that you can fill up your "electric tank" for less than $1/gallon. How? Using the average U.S. electricity rate of 9 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh), 30 miles of electric driving will cost 81 cents. If we optimistically assume the average US fuel economy is 25 miles per gallon, at $3.00 gasoline this equates to 75 cents a gallon for equivalent electricity. Compared to a regular hybrid's real-world 45 miles per gallon, it's effectively $1.20/gallon.
PHEVs are meant to plug-in at night. In many areas of the country, overnight power is available at a lower cost. As PHEVs start to enter the marketplace, we'll see increasing support from electric utilities, as they'll offer reduced nighttime rates to incentivize off-peak charging. In some areas where wind and hydropower is wasted at night, the rate can be as low as 2-3 cents per kWh. That's 20-25 cents a gallon.
....
3. PHEVs Are Cheaper to Run and Cheaper to Maintain [to top]
1/4 the Price?
At $3 for a gallon of gas, driving a non-hybrid car costs 8-20 cents/mile (depending on MPG).
With a PHEV, your electric local travel drops to as little as 2-4 cents/mile.
We say above that you can fill up your "electric tank" for less than $1/gallon. How? Using the average U.S. electricity rate of 9 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh), 30 miles of electric driving will cost 81 cents. If we optimistically assume the average US fuel economy is 25 miles per gallon, at $3.00 gasoline this equates to 75 cents a gallon for equivalent electricity. Compared to a regular hybrid's real-world 45 miles per gallon, it's effectively $1.20/gallon.
PHEVs are meant to plug-in at night. In many areas of the country, overnight power is available at a lower cost. As PHEVs start to enter the marketplace, we'll see increasing support from electric utilities, as they'll offer reduced nighttime rates to incentivize off-peak charging. In some areas where wind and hydropower is wasted at night, the rate can be as low as 2-3 cents per kWh. That's 20-25 cents a gallon.
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From: Michigan's left coast
Since batteries are likely to be a purchased component, and since the step from hybrid to plug-in hybrid isn't exactly a huge leap, I'm not sure that any one manufacturer of hybrid vehicles will be able to get out in front of the pack (no pun intended) from a technical standpoint.
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