Autoblog: GM cancels next-gen hybrid truck/SUV program

I am not surprised. The more I learned about the two-mode transmission, the less I liked it. Big, heavy, and complex, it was as if the chief hydro-mechanical engineer was directed to 'put in two electric motors.' So they took the hydro-mechanical monster and force fitted two motors.

They would have been better served to start with a manual transmission and told 'give it x miles of electric mode.' At least it would not have been such a kludge.

Bob Wilson

 

I am also not surprised either. The two mode tranny makes overly complex. Also the production costs vs units sold, GM must bleeding red ink.

DBCassidy

 

Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid Crew Cab 4x4
6.0L V8
332HP @ 5100 RPM
367lb/ft torque @ 4100 RPM
1500 Lbs Max Payload
5900 Lbs Max Towing
20mpg - city
23mpg - hwy
Lowest Price $44,260

Ford F-150 Ecoboost Crew Cab 4x4
3.5 L V6 Twin Turbo
365HP @ 5000 RPM
420lb/ft torque @ 2500 RPM
1500 Lbs Max Payload
9700 Lbs Max Towing
15mpg - city
21mpg - hwy
Lowest Price $36,260

If Chevrolet made the price more competitive, they would have probably had better sales. The F-150 ecoboost is a lot more capable and a lot cheaper. The only real advantage the Silverado Hybrid has is it's city mileage.

Of course you could always get a VIA Motors converted Silverado (40 mile plug-in hybrid) for a cool $80,000. That price requires a minimum order of 50 trucks

 

They might of tried sticking two-mode into the extended cab vs the crew cab or even lowering the standard options. The question is how much of standard upgrades' price on the hybrid was needed to cover the hybrid price.

 

It is a complex idea, that has a kludgey but straight forward answer now. How do you blend a hybrid idea that can tow with high torque? Do you try to fit all modes?

The most direct solution, especially if you sell in low volume is the bmw/mercedes/hyundai idea of putting an electronic flywheel with clutches between the ice and transmission. Hyundai has said that some of the electronic control was not available 10 years ago.

Take the bmw activehybrid drive train modified for a truck would be a good start. 6 cylinder turbocharged engine, 55 hp electric motor, 8 speed transmission. Now you would tune this for a truck, but the extra cost of $6500 would quickly pay for itself versus a v8 model with less torque. Adding 4wd electronically with another motor on the front shaft instead of mechanically would also add value.

I mention the bmw system, since bmw was a partner on 2 mode and dumped it also.

 

The original Silverado had an electric motor between the engine and transmission, then GM went with the two-mode trans.

 

Since everyone here knows more than I do about how this stuff works, I bow to your wisdom that GM had a bad idea.

However, I'm sorry that we will be getting more non-hybrid big trucks and SUVs from GM. Increasing mileage of these monsters by 30% saves a lot more gas over increasing the mileage of a Camry the same percentage (miles travelled the same for both).

Will they be doing clean diesel engines as an alternative?

 

As I said, hyundai has said the tech wasn't ready much earlier to do the tricks to match engine speed to link to a moving electric motor driving the car. There have also been advances in truck transmissions, active grill shutters, direct injection turbo motors that make the flywheel motor make much more sense today. IMHO a 8kwh plug in that provided an extra 100 hp of electric motors with a turbo 6, makes a great deal of sense, and might cost less than the two mode after tax credits.

Its not a bad idea, it just is too expensive to implement. Since it is expensive its hard to get volume up to try to make it less expensive, and other technology has progressed.

Discontinuing the two mode doesn't mean there won't be hybrid trucks in the future. I'm sure they are working on an alternative right now. Ford and Toyota are also working together to bring out some truck hybrid technology. HSD doesn't scale here. Its not an easy problem.

 

[quote="kgall, post: 1632370, member: 50304]
Will they be doing clean diesel engines as an alternative?[/quote]
The Duramax engine is a clean diesel engine. GM was also going to come out with a smaller truck diesel, but it was cancelled.

 

yep... NEXT year, GM will come out with this amazing new technology we have been waiting for since their first PR in 2003.

How many hybrids/phevs/evs will they sell this year again? 60k total? Wow.

 

An article I heard on the "Autoline Daily" podcast suggested GM has suffered a 'brain drain.'

Source: Episode 961 – GM’s Brain Drain, Nissan Russia-Ready Almera, Audi Space Frame Getting Scrapped? – Autoline Daily

I have seen this pattern before in two companies I used to worked for. What happens is new management comes in and defines new policies, a new direction. Right or wrong, these policies often alienate the 'leading edge' researchers in a company and they just stop saying "no" to the counter offers. Once that happens, the clock begins ticking and I start looking for my exit.

I do not know where GM management is headed . . . if they have a vision that involves technology to solve today's problems. I just remember the old GM was too often found 'in the cattle manger.'

Bob Wilson

 

well golly gee ..... in that case we should all drive Abrams tanks that only get just a half mile per gallon. Think how much gas we will save if we can increase those monsters by 30 percent.

SGH-I717R ? 2

 

Can I order Abrams tank? I would like to get the "sport" package. Racing strips, staight pipes, chrome bogey wheels, and the ability to use the carpool lane (would have 4 people in the tank).

I know, I can only dream about getting a tank.

DBCassidy

 

Obviously you have no reading comprehension of my posts.

I don't think you have been waiting for an affordable hybrid truck that can tow since 2003. The 2 mode is too expensive, there is other technology, and it is tough. Hopefully someone will be able to build he beast in a phev.

GM is rightly killing the program. IMHO toyota also failed with rwd hybrids with the lexus ls and gs. They are expensive without improving enough mileage. That is why they do sell.

 

Well, if I knew a way to get my friends who drive tanks to make their next car a Prius I would. But I don't, other than an unlawful conspiracy to raise gas prices.
On the other hand, if they could get 30% better mileage in a hybrid tank, some of them might.
Just sayin' (as they say these days).

 

It may be the answer is in the tax code. Give hybrid vehicles a boost in "per-diem:"

• $.45/mile - gas only
• $.47/mile - mild hybrid, diesel
• $.50/mile - full hybrid

What this does is compound the fuel savings of a fuel efficient vehicle and encourage wider adoption. Call it the "complexity" benefit, the goal is to achieve a national goal of reduced, fuel consumption.

Bob Wilson