Chevrolet ads will tout new Tahoe's fuel economy as well as power

[IMPALAon20s]

GREG BOWENS | Automotive News
Posted Date: 12/15/05

General Motors plans to market the 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe by emphasizing the large SUV's fuel economy as well as its power.

"It is a combination," says Russ Clark, general director of marketing for Chevrolet trucks, at a press event here. "Tahoe has class-leading power and class-leading fuel efficiency."

GM is launching redesigned full-sized SUVs, starting with the Tahoe, in the first quarter of 2006. Redesigned full-sized pickups will arrive next fall. The success of the high-profit big trucks is a key to GM's economic turnaround.

Rising gasoline prices this year hurt sales of big trucks. But Clark says large-truck customers tend to place a higher priority on product loyalty than concern about fuel prices.

"Clearly, events recently have put a spike in the fuel-economy story," Clark told Automotive News. "When we have researched the full-sized buyer, we have found that they are basically very loyal. Their needs drive them."

Chevrolet says the four-wheel-drive version of the 2007 Tahoe will get 21 mpg in highway driving, up from the current model's 19 mpg. Both models get 15 mpg in city driving.

GM's cylinder deactivation technology permits improved fuel efficiency without sacrificing power, executives say.

Chevrolet has not released prices for the 2007 Tahoe. The base price of a four-door 2006 Tahoe with 4wd is $40,390, including shipping.

continuted..

source:autoweek

General Motors Vice Chairman Bob Lutz stands with the new 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe after it was unveiled at the GM Tech Center in Warren, MI, Tuesday, September 20, 2005. The redesigned Tahoe delivers a more precise handling, more power with improved, segment-leading fuel economy, enhanced interior and improved quietness. (General Motors/Tom Pidgeon)

[mshu7]

I thought combined city/highway mpg was like 20.5? If it gets 15 in the city and 21 on the highway, it puts the combined city/highway mpg at 18.

[ByTheLake]

Will 2 more mpg on the highway make that big a difference to potential buyers? I sure hope so. My new Envoy Denali has the 5300 with cylinder deactivation and I can't seem to do better than 17 mpg on the highway, although I admittedly spend much time in the 75 mph range.

Since I seem to be the only one out here that is not excited about the new SUVs, I hope I'm dead-wrong and these sell wonderfully and GM has true hits in their hands. I want to be wrong! Really.

[member12]

Someone will take it off road in the commercials eventually, right? It is not just a minivan with a V8, right?

That picture amazes me. That truck looks huge, even though it isn't much bigger than the current one.

[stevecmh]

I guess its a little disappointing, I really thought that they were going to get better mpg.

[alerogl2]

Good job GM! They are really turning things around.

[chevydlrmn]

this launch is so important. It has to be a 10 out of 10. Advertise this truck and fill our showrooms. I just finished my certification for the 07 Tahoe.

[bcjohnso99]

Originally Posted by IMPALAon20s

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Chevrolet says the four-wheel-drive version of the 2007 Tahoe will get 21 mpg in highway driving, up from the current model's 19 mpg. Both models get 15 mpg in city driving.

15 mpg city. 21 mpg highway. That sucks!

I've been following the discussions around the launch of the Tahoe for several months and there has been a fair amount of hype over increased fuel economy (better aerodynamics, DOD, etc). Must say I feel duped over a measly 1 mpg increase in the combined rating.

[alerogl2]

Originally Posted by bcjohnso99

15 mpg city. 21 mpg highway. That sucks!

I've been following the discussions around the launch of the Tahoe for several months and there has been a fair amount of hype over increased fuel economy (better aerodynamics, DOD, etc). Must say I feel duped over a measly 1 mpg increase in the combined rating.

First off, we don't know yet if the General's combined number was "adjusted" which means it is a real world calculation rather then just simply adding the two and dividing by two.

With DOD, I would imagine that it works at many points in "in-town" situations, BUT NOT when accelerating which is the focus of the EPA city test.

Lets see how this turns out before we jump the gun one way or the other. A 20MPG combined rating is possible depending on real world conditions.

[61BelAir]

I don't know what kind of mpg you guys get with your trucks but if I were getting 21 mpg (highway) with my 5.3 i'd be pretty darn happy. As it is right now I get about 16 mpg highway so a 5 mpg improvement would be awesome.

[darndot]

It think they have a hit on their hands. As long as there are no hurricanes, or crazy gas prices.

As far as off-road. You never seen to many pictures with them mudding it like the trucks.

[drew630]

Originally Posted by 61BelAir

I don't know what kind of mpg you guys get with your trucks but if I were getting 21 mpg (highway) with my 5.3 i'd be pretty darn happy. As it is right now I get about 16 mpg highway so a 5 mpg improvement would be awesome.

Agreed, the best I have ever gotten out of mine was just a tade under 17mpg. So if these actually get 21mpg on the highway, which is good for me cuz I don't live in a city, it will be freak'n awesome.

[Havasavana]

Has anyone ever seen Lutz speak? He's so damm enthusiastic I think he'd be great in some commercials if he has any capability at all. GM needs somebody who can break through and get people to focus on GM products before they automatically buy a Toyota or Honda or whatever. How could things get worse?

[hocky82]

I wish the 2 stage hybrid was comming out at vehicle launch. When it does come out GM will really be able to use the fuel economy card.

[triadecho]

Does this mean that Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson won't be bumper to bumper spinning tires in their GM SUV's trying to get into the same parking spot anymore on TV?