GM planning dedicated hybrid sedan model

GM’s first shot at mild hybrid sedans was pretty unsuccessful to say the least. The mild-hybrid version of the Chevrolet Malibu disappointed the company with low sales volumes only to be discontinued. Well, Chevrolet and manager Ed Peper have learned their lesson.

“One of the issues with the Malibu hybrid has been that the four cylinder 6 speed transmission Malibu gets 33 MPG on the highway,” Pepper said. “It has the best fuel economy of any mid-size car out there for a normal gas engine, so it makes it that much tougher to make a hybrid that gets significant better gas mileage than that.”

Peper said that consumers aren’t...
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veyron1001 - 7/14/2009 7:42:27 PM

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“One of the issues with the Malibu hybrid has been that the four cylinder 6 speed transmission Malibu gets 33 MPG on the highway,” Pepper said. “It has the best fuel economy
of any mid-size car out there for a normal gas engine, so it makes it that much tougher to make a hybrid that gets significant better gas mileage than that.”

BS. Make a diesel version, put the car on a diet, and make it more aerodynamic.

Joe_Limon - 7/14/2009 8:25:58 PM

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I take it you like the prius's nerd can shape?

veyron1001 - 7/15/2009 1:08:47 AM

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Nope. A Lotus Elise is a full blown sports car and nearly makes that mpg figure with no intention of fuel economy in mind. You would think GM could do that with all the bailout funds could go this route.

tango - 7/14/2009 10:27:23 PM

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You know...I wonder what research team lead Pepper to make that astounding announcement? Can you imagine? People aren't willing to pay extra unless they are getting significantly better mileage? News flash, pal, people are not paying for 34mpg. They are paying for as much as they can get. So if you can get a Malibu to put out 60mpg (not hard at all...similar sized sedans like the Legacy (not known to be an economy leader) get that in diesel form in Europe. But we do know that Americans won't buy diesels, don't we? So a Malibu diesel (Malibu TDCi...I like the sound of that!) is out of the question, right?. I tell you, if somebody would do the diesel transition the way it should be done. Here in Jamaica many people wouldn't touch a diesel car, but a diesel SUV or pickup is almost a must-have. I think that's the way to bring diesels to the US market.