2013 Buick Regal Starts at $29,990, Mild-Hybrid System Now Standard

Discussion in 'Prius, Hybrid, EV and Alt-Fuel News' started by cwerdna, Sep 1, 2012.

  1. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 4, 2005
    12,544
    2,123
    1
    Location:
    SF Bay Area, CA
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    2013 Buick Regal Starts at $29,990, Mild-Hybrid System Now Standard - WOT on Motor Trend

    This is sorta like the goofy strategy where GM was selling the '12 Malibu alongside the (next gen) '13 Malibu Eco (which uses eAssist aka 2nd gen BAS mild hyrbid system) before the non-eAssist '13 Malibus were available. Supposedly, it's because the next gen (non-eAssist) powertrains weren't ready yet.

    I wonder if GM will end up being able to significantly boost their "hybrid" sales numbers w/this strategy. Per July 2012 Dashboard | Hybrid Cars, they've already blown past Honda.
     
    #1 cwerdna, Sep 1, 2012
  2. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

    Joined:
    Nov 25, 2005
    28,001
    15,841
    0
    Location:
    Huntsville AL
    Vehicle:
    2018 Tesla Model 3
    Model:
    Prime Plus
    Compared to their first BAS systems, the current ones are 'less bad.' They are like a poor-man's IMA. But they are a poor substitute. Still, less bad than what was there before.

    Bob Wilson
     
    #2 bwilson4web, Sep 1, 2012
  3. ProximalSuns

    ProximalSuns Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 24, 2012
    1,877
    21
    27
    Location:
    PNW
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    So GM offers a car that is more money and less mileage. Ties in nicely with the "GM Bankruptcy" conversation.
     
    #3 ProximalSuns, Sep 1, 2012
  4. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

    Joined:
    Feb 7, 2006
    22,912
    12,127
    0
    Location:
    eastern Pennsylvania
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Not as good IMA, but is has an advantage in cost and simplicity. Which gives it the potential of being installed in more models. A small improvement over more can have a bigger impact than selling a few full hybrids.

    It would be better if GM, and Ford with their start/stop system, made it a standard feature. I can a couple reasons why they at least wouldn't start that way. The big one is public acceptance.
     
    #4 Trollbait, Sep 1, 2012
  5. ThaSaint

    ThaSaint Go Big Blue!

    Joined:
    Aug 20, 2012
    54
    15
    0
    Location:
    Queens, New York
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Four
    The only car of that size I was considering was the Sonata Hybrid. Just didn't think the MPG numbers were worth even bothering to look at a Malibu.
     
    #5 ThaSaint, Sep 1, 2012
  6. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    57,971
    39,995
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    One positive: this could be the advent of the ubiquitous hybrid.
     
    #6 Mendel Leisk, Sep 1, 2012
  7. KK6PD

    KK6PD _ . _ . / _ _ . _

    Joined:
    Mar 24, 2008
    4,003
    946
    118
    Location:
    Los Angeles Foothills
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    I would stay from any car that had Buick in the title! If you are going to build a Hybrid, and I know this is hard for GM to do, build it right the first time.
    No more stinkin auto bailouts! If you are going under because you build crappy cars, just slip silently into the night and let someone who wants to build a quality Hybrid take your place!
     
    #7 KK6PD, Sep 1, 2012
  8. spwolf

    spwolf Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 16, 2005
    3,156
    440
    0
    Location:
    Eastern Europe
    2013 Malibu Eco is so bad, it has very similar mpg to other 4cly non-hybrids in the class when tested by mags... and you pay extra for that.
     
    #8 spwolf, Sep 3, 2012
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)