Why Hybrid SUVs make sense.

[boblutzfan]

A great article about Hybrids and why GM is doing the right thing.

http://money.cnn.com/2007/06/06/auto...ion=2007060719

More positive press for GM - with great explanations to back up the data. I love this quote from the article:

"Drawing a big circle around one number - say 35 miles per gallon - and saying "a vehicle isn't fuel efficient unless it gets 35 miles per gallon" is silly, simplistic and pointless. It's counterproductive because it keeps car companies focused on saving fuel where the savings are needed least. The best way to an get eye-popping miles-per-gallon number is by piling advanced hybrid technology into an already-efficient small car. It gets headlines, but it limits the real impact of the technology."

[DuSpinnst]

NO CRAP, this would easily be shown if FE was in Gallons/100 Miles.

[igor]

WOW someone at CNN Money actually uses their brains??? :eShock:

good article, and very true ..

Igor

[agman25]

Finally somebody with sense speaks up. Unfortunately these people are rare.
In greenie circles it is considered self evident that nobody really needs an SUV and SUV's sell only on image.
I think GM did the right thing by putting the hybrid systems on SUV's first. But Toyota will get most of the good press for the hybrid corolla hatchback (Prius).

[boblutzfan]

The irony is that many people buy Priouses solely on image. The image of being green.

[Ming]

The real reason GM wants hybrid SUVs is not because they are "the right way" to do it. It's because GM execs have it firmly in their heads that "we make our money off of trucks & SUVs" and see everything through that prism, consequences of being known as the "trucks & SUVs company" be damned.

[jkennedy293]

Great article!!

[Bggriffi]

Originally Posted by Ming

The real reason GM wants hybrid SUVs is not because they are "the right way" to do it. It's because GM execs have it firmly in their heads that "we make our money off of trucks & SUVs" and see everything through that prism, consequences of being known as the "trucks & SUVs company" be damned.

If GM makes its money off of trucks and SUVs, wouldn't it be wise to protect that income by staying competitive? I think GM has probably done some research on this subject and they might just know what they're doing. Also, if they keep improving efficiency, GM trucks and SUVs might get gas mileage comparable to some cars. If that happens, the greenies will have to find someone else to pick on.

[Olds88]

Originally Posted by agman25

Finally somebody with sense speaks up. Unfortunately these people are rare.
In greenie circles it is considered self evident that nobody really needs an SUV and SUV's sell only on image.
I think GM did the right thing by putting the hybrid systems on SUV's first. But Toyota will get most of the good press for the hybrid corolla hatchback (Prius).

I'm willing to pay the fuel economy price for the comfort of a truck, the safety that only an airbag-loaded truck can provide and the reliability of the small block chevy V8. My Green-ness comes from the ethanol I burn in it. I'm assuming GM's hybrid SUVs will use the 325ci FlexFuel motor, so I wonder how many barrels of actual gasoline that will save over a Prius...

[Ming]

Originally Posted by Bggriffi

If GM makes its money off of trucks and SUVs, wouldn't it be wise to protect that income by staying competitive? I think GM has probably done some research on this subject and they might just know what they're doing. Also, if they keep improving efficiency, GM trucks and SUVs might get gas mileage comparable to some cars.

If GM (and Ford, Chrysler) can stop the market share slide, then great. As a GM fan I'd just hate to see them go from mighty GM to a niche player with a hyper-focus on SUVs and Trucks because of an attitude that dismisses the small car market as "unprofitable", especially if trends push the market towards smaller cars.

[YupYupYup]

Originally Posted by igor

WOW someone at CNN Money actually uses their brains??? :eShock:

good article, and very true ..

Igor

No sh_t, eh...

[bigplayrayr]

The big Suvs and trucks are where the big 3 make there money. Wen you have to play the legacy cost they do, they can't make enough selling small cars with low profit margin

[Ming]

Originally Posted by bigplayrayr

The big Suvs and trucks are where the big 3 make there money. Wen you have to play the legacy cost they do, they can't make enough selling small cars with low profit margin

Then find a way to sell small cars with a profit margin. Stop with the small cars must = econo penalty boxes mantra, and maybe they'll get the customers who go for the Mini, the Prius (yes, interior dimensions are comparable to a Ford Focus), and other smaller cars that people are willing to pay big bucks (relatively speaking) for.

[boblutzfan]

Originally Posted by Ming

The real reason GM wants hybrid SUVs is not because they are "the right way" to do it. It's because GM execs have it firmly in their heads that "we make our money off of trucks & SUVs" and see everything through that prism, consequences of being known as the "trucks & SUVs company" be damned.

Could it be that GM realizes that a large segment of the population wants to drive full size trucks and SUVs for the practical reason noted in the article and they have decided to make them as fuel efficient as possible? And if you can make money at it - why not?

[Olds88]

Originally Posted by boblutzfan

Could it be that GM realizes that a large segment of the population wants to drive full size trucks and SUVs for the practical reason noted in the article and they have decided to make them as fuel efficient as possible? And if you can make money at it - why not?

Agreed. The big SUV market is a market where GM is still very highly respected. It would only make sense to keep this reputation by being the greenest/most efficient big SUV offerings.

Ming,

Good point. GM needs to take the small car market more seriously. But they can't forget about their bread and butter SUV/Truck market. This is what kept them afloat lately and its a market they can't afford to give up.