Vice President, GM Powertrain battles Fuel Economy Myths

[gmsickofan]

Myths and Facts about Fuel Economy
By Tom Stephens
Group Vice President, GM Powertrain
fastlane.gmblogs.com
January 28, 2005



Last week, someone posted: "In view of rising gas prices, when is GM going to get off the gas guzzler wagon and start building, promoting, and selling more fuel efficient vehicles?

Let's explode that myth with some facts.

GM leads the auto industry in providing the broadest array of fuel-efficient cars, trucks, SUVs and vans -- according to 2005 data from the Environmental Protection Agency. GM makes 19 models that get 30 mpg or better on the highway, more than any other automaker. Volkswagen and DaimlerChrysler are next with 14 and 13 models, respectively.

Using 2005 EPA data, for trucks there are 69 unique model/powertrain combinations where the top six manufacturers compete. As a full line manufacturer, GM offers 66 of those combinations and is the fuel economy leader in 41 of them. The second place manufacturer has only nine fuel economy "wins." On a percentage basis, GM wins 62 percent of these head-to-head comparisons (41 of 66) while the second place finisher wins 40 percent (6 of 15).

Using 2005 EPA data, for cars there are 82 unique model/powertrain combinations where the top six manufacturers compete. GM offers 53 of those combinations and is the fuel economy leader in 28 of them. The second place manufacturer has only 18 fuel economy "wins." On a percentage basis, GM wins 53 percent of these head-to-head comparisons (28 of 53) while the second place finisher wins 45 percent (9 of 20).

Using 2005 EPA data across Ward's Automotive segmentation, GM is the city fuel economy leader in 7 of 25 segments and the highway fuel economy leader in 8 of 25 segments.

What's the bottom line? For a given segment of the market, it's likely that GM sells the most fuel-efficient model available.

More here: http://fastlane.gmblogs.com/archives...ts_1.html#more

[tgagneguam]

This has no chance of making it into the popular press in any big way; that would require posting information based on fact. Journalists in general (yup, I'm painting big, fat strokes, here, people) seem to be lazy in that respect. Which inclines me to think that perhaps journalists should have a peer-review process before articles are posted. Wouldn't that be refreshing?

[GMfan2381]

Interesting. I didnt know GM was the leader in so many segments.

hmmmmmmmm What does this say for Toyota... GM should market the @!# out of this.

[mgescuro]

Stats lie.

GM leads the auto industry in providing the broadest array of fuel-efficient cars, trucks, SUVs and vans -- according to 2005 data from the Environmental Protection Agency. GM makes 19 models that get 30 mpg or better on the highway, more than any other automaker. Volkswagen and DaimlerChrysler are next with 14 and 13 models, respectively.

19 models? Now... when they count the 19... do cars like coupe and sedan version of the same car count as 1 or 2 models? GM has more cars simply because they make more cars and car models than the competition.

The other question is... GM may make 19 models doing 30 mpg. How many over 40 mpg?

[rickhunter1max]

GM lacks self promotion

[Swahili]

Originally Posted by mgescuro

Stats lie.

19 models? Now... when they count the 19... do cars like coupe and sedan version of the same car count as 1 or 2 models? GM has more cars simply because they make more cars and car models than the competition.

The other question is... GM may make 19 models doing 30 mpg. How many over 40 mpg?

You raise good points mgescuro. On the other hand, Toyota's stats and articles that journalists write are also full of lies. In this case it would be fair for GM to have their stats shine, get some publicity even if stats don't tell the whole story. We almost need to start fighting for this sort of thing ourselves. Maybe email one of the respected auto journalists (if there are any) this article have them do a write up on it, or at least ask them to.

[gmsickofan]

I think the 3800 V6 application in some models gets 30mpg on the highway. But I don't think anyone would see the 3800 engine as being a post millenium modern marvel of fuel efficient technology.

GM gets good gas mileage in a lot of places where you wouldn't expect it - but it does so with "venerable" engines, pushrods, and truck applications where the greenie enviro-leftists won't be impressed.

[Rumblebuffin]

My GM's are getting very good mileage so I did not find all this fact surprising. My Silverado gets about 20 mpg, and thats from a 4.8 Vortec engine, and my Astro gets about the same from that 190 hp S-10 engine. Our 4Runner gets about 10 mpg on a V-6. I've heard so much about GM's lead in fuel economy that this was sort of old news for me. I'm just disappointed that many people still criticize GM for building "Gas guzzlers". Non of GM's cars trucks, or SUVs are classified as guzzlers.

Maybe I'm just missing some stuff but I sure would like to see GM tell the world about their feat with fuel economy. I don't know if it will change anyone's minds, but I feel it can help the company in some way.

[Smaart Aas Saabr]

GM cars have always been pretty good with fuel milage, Fords have been pretty bad on fuel milage...

[GM_Guy81]

there need to be more articles like this to breath through the stupidity that haunts most people.

[SilverZ]

Originally Posted by mgescuro

Stats lie.



19 models? Now... when they count the 19... do cars like coupe and sedan version of the same car count as 1 or 2 models? GM has more cars simply because they make more cars and car models than the competition.

The other question is... GM may make 19 models doing 30 mpg. How many over 40 mpg?

EXACTLY. GM will count all derivatives of a certain platform as a model. The real deal is what % of over 35-40mpg vehicles does GM sell.

[FoMoCo Fan]

Preception is more important than reality. People think of GM and think of big trucks and SUVs, which don't get good fuel economy compared to the compact and midsize cars that you think of when you think of Toyota and Honda.

[mgescuro]

Oh yeah... and another thing...

Even if GM does in fact make 19 separate models that go over 30mpg high way.. how many are actually HIGHER than that of their marget segment competition????

For example... Cobalt may get 32-24mpg highway... BUT the Jetta gets 38-40!!

While I think that GM should start touting some of these stats... ANYONE who has taken a basic stats class in high school or college know that stats will vary depending on your perspective!!

[tgagneguam]

Originally Posted by mgescuro

Stats lie.



19 models? Now... when they count the 19... do cars like coupe and sedan version of the same car count as 1 or 2 models? GM has more cars simply because they make more cars and car models than the competition.

The other question is... GM may make 19 models doing 30 mpg. How many over 40 mpg?

Not so much. No matter how you crunch the numbers, the numbers don't lie. If you mozey [sic] on over to the government's site on fuel economy, you quickly discover that the vaunted Japanese do not, in fact, consistently lead their segments, as I think many people believe. And I think that that is Monsieur Stephens's point.

And SilverZ, ask yourself if Toyota and Nissan build such fuel-miserly vehicles, then why don't the Titan, Sequoia and the like lead the list of their respective segments? If you were to ask the average person, I think they would assume that they do lead. And certainly auto journalists will do zero to correct that oversight.

Slice the pie anyway you choose, but the fact is clear: the Japanese are fallible.

[DemonKnightDK]

GM dose have one car that got slapped with gas guzzler, the Automatic 4speed GTO.

But that leads to my next point, how many of GMs 30+ mpg cars are doing it with V6s and 4 gears! every one else uses 5 or 6 speeds and I4 engines to get those numbers...