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Hybrids Vs. Hydrogen Dreams
Mild-Hybrid SUVs Now = More GM Profit
4/19/2004
GMinsidenews.com
About half a year or so ago, Toyota called GM's Hybrid plans "Engineering by press release". Link
A constant barrage of PR saying "we will release this," or "we will release that," with the target date always seeming to be about a year away. GM's idea of making mild hybrid tech available on its worst offenders in fuel consumption - instead of dedicated Hybrid vehicles like the Prius - is one I agree with - but Honda and Toyota again are beating GM to the punch there as well with a Hybrid Lexus SUV and Honda's Accord.
Now GM has some "Mild Hybrid" Silverados on sale in Canada (to fleet only?), and "coming soon" to dealers in the US and for the consumer.
But what does GM have ready in its mainstream, large vehicles that saves more than a few drops of gas, right now or in the next couple of months for the average consumer? Nothing.
I applaud GM's efforts to make Hydrogen powered cars a reality, but I'm also very disappointed at the slow, plodding introduction of hybrid gas-electric engines to GM's overall product line. One would think that if the electric assist "mild hybrid" tech is good enough for "Professional Grade" Silverado or Sierra fleet duty, that they will be equally ready for use with the often villified "gas guzzling, evil SUV" - the Chevy Suburban or even the V8 powered Trailblazer family. Perhaps they could fit under the recently elongated hoods of the redesigned Express vans as well. The slow roll out might be "prudent", but it seems to imply that GM is not confident with the reliability of its own engineering, while the Japanese make redesign after redesign and keep introducing new hybrid models and implementations.
GM's snail-like progress on the hybrid front is the kind of thing one would expect from a small-time automaker, not the biggest automaker in the world with all of its engineering resources - nor from the automaker that brought us the EV1. That, or perhaps the bean counters and lawyers force GM to work with one hand tied behind its back, ever conservative and careful about new technology, recalling the days of Cadillac's failed displacement on demand experiment in the 1980's or the EV1's recent death due to lack of interest.
GM has impressive, working concepts like the Hy-Wire, and a hydrogen powered S-10 (of all the vehicles...). These are noble efforts, and impressive, but GM alone cannot hope to deal with the single biggest problem -- the one that killed its equally forward-looking EV1 Electric Car - REFUELING. Would you want to make a car trip to Las Vegas in a hydrogen-powered vehicle without the hydrogen infrastructure having spread to every small gas station along the way? I wouldn't. It's a dream, and every bit as impractical right now as plugging in your car all night at home. GM's Hydrogen Dream is destined to flop like the EV1, unless serious changes are made to the fueling infrastructure in the U.S.
GM would also have us believe that it is focusing on Hydrogen and that it will be the only one ready when the technology becomes feasible. Who here actually thinks that Honda and Toyota again won't be on top of that game when that time actually comes around? Last I checked, Honda was also developing its own Hydrogen-based technology. Yet somehow they manage to keep one foot firmly placed in the reality of the present and offer Hybrids as well.
Then there is DOD, "Displacement on Demand". Shutting down some cylinders to save gas. This is hardly new technology in concept, but if executed well seems to make a lot of sense. But GM has promised a mere 10% or so in improved gas mileage from this technology. 10% for shutting down half of the cylinders? That's what - 1 maybe 2 miles per gallon in one of GM's gas guzzlers. Hardly 40mpg.
I'm not asking for or expecting a full-hybrid for every division in 2 years, but I think GM needs to seriously consider speeding up implementation of at least the electric assist technology it is putting in "fleet only" Silverados - and spread that technology to all vehicles that share a similar powertrain, including the icon of fuel inefficiency, the HUMMER H2. Why the delays? Where did all of the engineering effort put into the EV1 go? Is it all irrelevant now?
If GM wants to prove how serious it is - forego the years long testing on Silverado fleet-only vehicles, and Silverado-only (and Sierra) implementation, and put the Silverado's hybrid assist in all GM 2005 big trucks as an option. The PR such a move would generate would be incredible, and might even serve to fight back against the constrant stream of negative press GM is getting, while Toyota, Honda, and even Ford bask in more and more glowing praise.
Hollywood stars at the Oscars drove to the event in Toyota Prius', eagerly giving away free endorsements to the Japanese brand and promoting its product. Jack Black called those who didn't drive in Prius' "Jerks". So does that mean that all GM customers are..."Jerks" as well, because there is no hybrid product in the GM lineup for them to buy? No, but they are denied the option, and the blame can be put on GM for that.
Despite all of my moaning about GM's lack of Hybrid vehicles, I have a positive argument that even hybrid-phobic GM exectutives might pay heed to. Hybrid tech, even mild-assist technology without DOD, will bring in more money.
That's right - I think I just saw a few ears perk up - Hybrids could actually make GM green in more ways than one.
With $2.00 a gallon gasoline, some of my friends are reconsidering SUVs.
For years, out of a lack of choice, many "frugal" or "environmentally conscious" consumers who could afford larger vehicles like SUVs have opted to go with smaller, more fuel efficient vehicles, even within GM's own product lineup. Smaller often means cheaper - and that means less of a profit margin. But DOD, eventually combined with a mild hybrid assist across all GM product lines is the kind of thing that could put GM on top of the technology race in the minds of consumers again, and give them the option they've been denied - Big, attractively equipped SUVs with good fuel economy. That means more profit. Even the bean counters at GM should recognize and appreciate that.
Silverado Hybrid Fuel Economy: http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/noframes/19956.shtml
Silverado (non-hybrid) Fuel Economy: http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/noframes/19957.shtml
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Mild-Hybrid SUVs Now = More GM Profit
4/19/2004
GMinsidenews.com
About half a year or so ago, Toyota called GM's Hybrid plans "Engineering by press release". Link
A constant barrage of PR saying "we will release this," or "we will release that," with the target date always seeming to be about a year away. GM's idea of making mild hybrid tech available on its worst offenders in fuel consumption - instead of dedicated Hybrid vehicles like the Prius - is one I agree with - but Honda and Toyota again are beating GM to the punch there as well with a Hybrid Lexus SUV and Honda's Accord.
Now GM has some "Mild Hybrid" Silverados on sale in Canada (to fleet only?), and "coming soon" to dealers in the US and for the consumer.
But what does GM have ready in its mainstream, large vehicles that saves more than a few drops of gas, right now or in the next couple of months for the average consumer? Nothing.
I applaud GM's efforts to make Hydrogen powered cars a reality, but I'm also very disappointed at the slow, plodding introduction of hybrid gas-electric engines to GM's overall product line. One would think that if the electric assist "mild hybrid" tech is good enough for "Professional Grade" Silverado or Sierra fleet duty, that they will be equally ready for use with the often villified "gas guzzling, evil SUV" - the Chevy Suburban or even the V8 powered Trailblazer family. Perhaps they could fit under the recently elongated hoods of the redesigned Express vans as well. The slow roll out might be "prudent", but it seems to imply that GM is not confident with the reliability of its own engineering, while the Japanese make redesign after redesign and keep introducing new hybrid models and implementations.
GM's snail-like progress on the hybrid front is the kind of thing one would expect from a small-time automaker, not the biggest automaker in the world with all of its engineering resources - nor from the automaker that brought us the EV1. That, or perhaps the bean counters and lawyers force GM to work with one hand tied behind its back, ever conservative and careful about new technology, recalling the days of Cadillac's failed displacement on demand experiment in the 1980's or the EV1's recent death due to lack of interest.
GM has impressive, working concepts like the Hy-Wire, and a hydrogen powered S-10 (of all the vehicles...). These are noble efforts, and impressive, but GM alone cannot hope to deal with the single biggest problem -- the one that killed its equally forward-looking EV1 Electric Car - REFUELING. Would you want to make a car trip to Las Vegas in a hydrogen-powered vehicle without the hydrogen infrastructure having spread to every small gas station along the way? I wouldn't. It's a dream, and every bit as impractical right now as plugging in your car all night at home. GM's Hydrogen Dream is destined to flop like the EV1, unless serious changes are made to the fueling infrastructure in the U.S.
GM would also have us believe that it is focusing on Hydrogen and that it will be the only one ready when the technology becomes feasible. Who here actually thinks that Honda and Toyota again won't be on top of that game when that time actually comes around? Last I checked, Honda was also developing its own Hydrogen-based technology. Yet somehow they manage to keep one foot firmly placed in the reality of the present and offer Hybrids as well.
Then there is DOD, "Displacement on Demand". Shutting down some cylinders to save gas. This is hardly new technology in concept, but if executed well seems to make a lot of sense. But GM has promised a mere 10% or so in improved gas mileage from this technology. 10% for shutting down half of the cylinders? That's what - 1 maybe 2 miles per gallon in one of GM's gas guzzlers. Hardly 40mpg.
I'm not asking for or expecting a full-hybrid for every division in 2 years, but I think GM needs to seriously consider speeding up implementation of at least the electric assist technology it is putting in "fleet only" Silverados - and spread that technology to all vehicles that share a similar powertrain, including the icon of fuel inefficiency, the HUMMER H2. Why the delays? Where did all of the engineering effort put into the EV1 go? Is it all irrelevant now?
If GM wants to prove how serious it is - forego the years long testing on Silverado fleet-only vehicles, and Silverado-only (and Sierra) implementation, and put the Silverado's hybrid assist in all GM 2005 big trucks as an option. The PR such a move would generate would be incredible, and might even serve to fight back against the constrant stream of negative press GM is getting, while Toyota, Honda, and even Ford bask in more and more glowing praise.
Hollywood stars at the Oscars drove to the event in Toyota Prius', eagerly giving away free endorsements to the Japanese brand and promoting its product. Jack Black called those who didn't drive in Prius' "Jerks". So does that mean that all GM customers are..."Jerks" as well, because there is no hybrid product in the GM lineup for them to buy? No, but they are denied the option, and the blame can be put on GM for that.
Despite all of my moaning about GM's lack of Hybrid vehicles, I have a positive argument that even hybrid-phobic GM exectutives might pay heed to. Hybrid tech, even mild-assist technology without DOD, will bring in more money.
That's right - I think I just saw a few ears perk up - Hybrids could actually make GM green in more ways than one.
With $2.00 a gallon gasoline, some of my friends are reconsidering SUVs.
For years, out of a lack of choice, many "frugal" or "environmentally conscious" consumers who could afford larger vehicles like SUVs have opted to go with smaller, more fuel efficient vehicles, even within GM's own product lineup. Smaller often means cheaper - and that means less of a profit margin. But DOD, eventually combined with a mild hybrid assist across all GM product lines is the kind of thing that could put GM on top of the technology race in the minds of consumers again, and give them the option they've been denied - Big, attractively equipped SUVs with good fuel economy. That means more profit. Even the bean counters at GM should recognize and appreciate that.
Silverado Hybrid Fuel Economy: http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/noframes/19956.shtml
Silverado (non-hybrid) Fuel Economy: http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/noframes/19957.shtml
