GM Hybrid SUVs Save Fuel While Maintaining Performance

Press Release

General Motors' ongoing commitment to improving fuel efficiency and reducing emissions with advanced propulsion technologies is evidenced by the introduction of two new hybrid SUVs - the 2007 Saturn Vue Green Line Hybrid and the 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe Two-mode Hybrid, featuring the world's first light-duty two-mode full hybrid system in an SUV.

The Vue Green Line has a new, more affordable hybrid system that improves fuel economy by an estimated 20 percent, depending on driving conditions. When it arrives at Saturn retailers this summer, it is expected to be the lowest-cost hybrid-powered SUV in the market. The premium for the Vue's hybrid system will be less than $2,000 and the vehicle's MSRP will start at less than $23,000.

The Vortec V-8-powered Chevrolet Tahoe Two-mode Hybrid is expected to deliver a 25-percent improvement in composite fuel economy when GM's two-mode hybrid system is paired with Active Fuel Management™ cylinder deactivation. The Tahoe will go on sale with the GMC Yukon Two-mode Hybrid in 2007 as 2008 models. The two-mode hybrid transmissions will be built at GM Powertrain's Baltimore Transmission facility, with final vehicle assembly at GM's Arlington (Texas) plant. Pricing and production volumes have not been announced.

The Vue Green Line and Tahoe and Yukon Two-mode Hybrids are among the 12 hybrids GM plans to deliver over time in high-volume car and truck lines, providing customers with several levels of fuel economy savings at different price points. GM already builds and sells the industry's first and only hybrid pickups, the Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid and the GMC Sierra Hybrid, which deliver the highest city fuel economy in their segment.

"Our hybrids offer customers a choice of fuel-saving technologies depending on their driving habits and budgets," said Tom Stephens, group vice president, GM Powertrain. "Our hybrid strategy delivers on GM's commitment to apply advanced fuel-saving technologies where we will realize the most fuel savings."

Here's a deeper look at GM's hybrid SUVs:

2008 Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon Two-mode Hybrids

With the addition of the world's first light-duty two-mode full hybrid propulsion system in an SUV, the Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon Two-mode Hybrids will deliver a 25-percent improvement in fuel economy and a superior driving experience that SUV customers know and love.

"The Tahoe and Yukon Two-mode Hybrids combine the functionality and comfort of a full-size SUV with a two-mode full hybrid system that optimizes fuel efficiency in city and highway driving, the way most Americans use their vehicles," said Stephens.

The Vortec V-8-powered two-mode hybrid is expected to deliver a composite fuel efficiency improvement of 25 percent when combined with Active Fuel Management™ cylinder deactivation technology. Pricing and production volumes have not been announced.

The two-mode hybrid system, originally implemented by GM in transit buses in 2003, is being cooperatively advanced and adapted by BMW Group, DaimlerChrysler and GM for use in a broad variety of cars, trucks and SUVs.

The partnership pools the expertise of all three companies to leverage automatic transmission technology and electronic controls in an integrated, powerful and compact system that can be used with both gas and diesel engines.

The two-mode hybrid system features two modes optimized for city and highway driving. In the first mode, at low speed and light loads, the vehicle can operate in three ways: electric power only, engine power only or in any combination of engine and electric power. When operating with electric power only, it provides all the fuel-savings benefits of a full hybrid system. Leaving the engine shut off for extended periods of time and moving under electric power at low speed is key to reducing fuel consumption in heavy stop-and-go traffic.

2007 Saturn Vue Green Line Hybrid

The 2007 Saturn Vue Green Line Hybrid features the new, more affordable GM hybrid system. The Vue Green Line Hybrid is expected to deliver an EPA estimated 27 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway - a fuel economy improvement of about 20 percent over the non-hybrid Vue.

The Vue Green Line uses sophisticated controls and a unique electric motor/generator mated to a 2.4L VVT four-cylinder engine and 4T45-E four-speed transmission. It is a simple and flexible hybrid design that provides increased fuel economy through engine shut-off at idle and fuel cut-off during deceleration, supplies electric power assist during acceleration and the capability to capture electrical energy through regenerative braking.

"As Saturn continues an aggressive product lineup expansion, a hybrid version of the popular Vue is a natural extension," said Saturn General Manager Jill Lajdziak. "The Vue Green Line strengthens our position as an environmentally aware brand that provides great value - an attribute that has always appealed to Saturn customers."

The Vue Green Line is based on the popular Vue SUV, which was restyled for 2006 model year with distinctive exterior appointments and a more refined interior.

GM Arlington SUV Plant To Build Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Yukon Two-Mode Hybrid

General Motors today announced the Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon Two-mode Hybrid SUVs will be built at its Arlington assembly plant beginning in late 2007.

The vehicles will be equipped with GM's two-mode full hybrid transmission, which will be produced at its Baltimore Transmission Operations in White Marsh, Md. To prepare the Baltimore facility for production of the two-mode full hybrid transmission, GM will invest $118 million and add up to 87 new jobs.

The two-mode hybrid system will be mated with GM's Active Fuel Management technology for a composite fuel-efficiency gain of 25 percent over the base Tahoe.

"Arlington Assembly is known for its outstanding productivity and quality," said plant manager Mike Glinski. "We were the most productive full-size SUV plant in the Harbour Report North America 2005, and the Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe were first and second, respectively, in the Full-Size SUV segment of the 2005 J.D. Power and Associates Initial Quality Study."

The two-mode hybrid system, originally implemented by GM in transit buses in 2003, is being cooperatively advanced and adapted by BMW Group, DaimlerChrysler and GM for use in a broad variety of cars, trucks and SUVs.

GM has a unique hybrid strategy, with plans to offer several different hybrid systems across multiple brands and vehicle applications at various price points, providing an opportunity for more consumers to own a hybrid vehicle and benefit from increased fuel economy savings.

Arlington Assembly began building the all-new 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe late last year and the vehicles went on sale in mid-January. Production on the all-new GMC Yukon and Cadillac Escalade began in January. The plant built more than 155,600 full-size SUVs in the 2005 calendar year. Arlington Assembly currently employs approximately 3,000 hourly and salaried employees.