Hefty GM hybrids could boost automaker

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(kram @ Oct 3 2007, 09:01 AM) [snapback]520526[/snapback]</div>

Id say it's a question of whether or not they can make a profit selling these. There should be no unanticipated technical issues. They developed this first for buses and are downsizing it -- large SUV this year, Saturn Vue next year.

Ultimately, boils down to finding enough people who want to drive a Tahoe and are willing to pay for better mileage.

The line about the Camry is a real eye-catcher, isn't it.

Just to push that a bit further, the overall mileage of the six-cylinder Camry will be 22 mpg. which I would say is about indistinguishable from the overall 21 or so for the hybrid Tahoe. Yet per ton-mile the Hy-Hoe is only about 77% as efficient as a Prius, in the city. So that says more about the design of the typical sedan than it does about the hybrid Tahoe. Or maybe more about how far above the pack the Prius is.

 

OK! Now, they want to focus on the city MPG. Didn't they say most American drive mostly on the highway? And that their 2-mode is superior because of the 2nd pure mechanical gear mode? 10% gain (2 MPG) is the same as Camry Hybrid's 10% gain (3 MPG) on the highway. I guess for most Americans, they'll be getting only 10% gain.

Why would they hype up their highway mileage and now downplays it and focus on the city mileage? I think it is just a smoke screen. The highway mileage is not as good as hyped up to be, so they want to focus on the city mileage. The city mileage is not as good as it should be either, due to the small battery (cutting corners) compare to HSD standard. Tahoe Hybrid gets 21 instead of 15 (40% gain). Camry Hybrid gets 34 instead of 21 (60% gain). You will see the same percentage city and highway gain in the other heavy Toyota SUV hybrid (Highlander hybrid) too.

[Edit]: Will Tahoe hybrid be faster than non-hybrid version? Camry Hybrid and Highlander Hybrids do give extra 2 cylinders performance. How about Tahoe hybrid emission? Will it at least get SULEV? We'll have to see the premium cost for the 2-Mode hybrids. What their maintenance schedule (clutches) is like.... and the warranty. How much can 2-Mode architecture baby the HV battery? Will Cobasys pack last as long as Panasonic/Toyota HV packs?

If everything else being equal, simplicity wins. Don't get me wrong... I think 2-Mode hybrid great... better than Honda's IMA... just not as good as HSD.