I think that's all well and good, but a little slow to market.
I just wish GM would combine powers with Toyota, or lease the technology like Ford has, to start building a hybrid like the upcoming Lexus 400h and Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The "hybrid synergy drive" derived from the Prius added to the standard 230hp V6 gives both vehicles 270hp with an estimated 31mpg highway and 36mpg city. The city cycle being higher due to mostly being in electric only mode. Of course there will be maintenance issues with all of these vehicles. You can't just stop into your local Jiffy Lube and get it worked on. All the techs will need special training. But with the eight year warranty on the hybrid system that Toyota is offering, the tradeoff doesn't seem to be too frightful.
I know there's also been stories of the hybrids not getting the advertised mpg. I think this is mostly due to a different type of driving style that these hybrids demand for the highest mileage figures. Staring at the display, or at least being cognitive of it's functions, on the Prius can equal or beat those estimates. It's a totally different vehicle and demands different drving if you want the most mileage for the money. (speaking of the Prius only here) The new hybrids (Lexus 400h and Highlander) may be different still. I'll wait for the road tests later on this Fall for the final word on these products.
Overall though, GM has the right idea - but not a whole lot to offer for the current fuel crunch in the near term. Yeah, the fullsize hybrid trucks are a good starting point, but offer little in the terms of outstanding mileage equal to....say...a Chevy Malibu at 32mpg highway. Yes they can power tools onsight at the construction job for a couple of hours, sound the horn and shut off before you run out of gas and still leave you about 20 minutes worth of petrol to get to a refueling station - so that's cool, but not really a true hybrid as Toyota has done. We're still waiting on that one.
Cheers
I just wish GM would combine powers with Toyota, or lease the technology like Ford has, to start building a hybrid like the upcoming Lexus 400h and Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The "hybrid synergy drive" derived from the Prius added to the standard 230hp V6 gives both vehicles 270hp with an estimated 31mpg highway and 36mpg city. The city cycle being higher due to mostly being in electric only mode. Of course there will be maintenance issues with all of these vehicles. You can't just stop into your local Jiffy Lube and get it worked on. All the techs will need special training. But with the eight year warranty on the hybrid system that Toyota is offering, the tradeoff doesn't seem to be too frightful.
I know there's also been stories of the hybrids not getting the advertised mpg. I think this is mostly due to a different type of driving style that these hybrids demand for the highest mileage figures. Staring at the display, or at least being cognitive of it's functions, on the Prius can equal or beat those estimates. It's a totally different vehicle and demands different drving if you want the most mileage for the money. (speaking of the Prius only here) The new hybrids (Lexus 400h and Highlander) may be different still. I'll wait for the road tests later on this Fall for the final word on these products.
Overall though, GM has the right idea - but not a whole lot to offer for the current fuel crunch in the near term. Yeah, the fullsize hybrid trucks are a good starting point, but offer little in the terms of outstanding mileage equal to....say...a Chevy Malibu at 32mpg highway. Yes they can power tools onsight at the construction job for a couple of hours, sound the horn and shut off before you run out of gas and still leave you about 20 minutes worth of petrol to get to a refueling station - so that's cool, but not really a true hybrid as Toyota has done. We're still waiting on that one.
Cheers