Battery Shortage Creates Havoc For GM Recall Of 22,500 Hybrids

General Motors has to replace the battery packs in every Chevrolet Malibu, Saturn Aura and Saturn Vue hybrid sold since 2007, some 22,500 U.S. vehicles. The problem? It doesn't have enough packs to fix what's broken.

GM has sold these "mild hybrid" models since 2007 with the passion of steamed broccoli. Basically a big alternator and a small battery pack, the mild hybrid systems cost more than regular models yet offered far skimpier fuel savings than full hybrids from Toyota and Ford. Even with federal tax credits, customers faced a long haul to break even on fuel savings alone. The Aura and Vue died with Saturn, and GM put the Malibu Hybrid on hiatus, but spread a few around to fleets, like New York taxicabs.


 

2011 Toyota Highlander Photo Gallery

2012 Range Rover Evoque Photo Gallery

BMW Paris Preview Photo Gallery

2011 Aston Martin V12 Vantage Photo Gallery

2012 Porsche 911 GTS Photo Gallery

Read Article

Joe_Limon - 9/27/2010 4:53:06 PM

+1 Boost

thank god they are spending time developing the volt...

Larrybel2000 - 9/27/2010 6:05:04 PM

+3 Boost

I'm thinking about opening up a battery waste disposal company:)

carguy68 - 9/28/2010 11:20:37 AM

0 Boost

I'm opening up a toyota and gm junk yard.