Bold Or Bonehead? General Motors To Focus On Electric Vehicles Rather Than Hybrids

General Motors’ future green-car efforts will focus on plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles, rather than conventional hybrid powertrains, product chief Mary Barra said today.

Barra said GM has narrowed its future development emphasis on plug-ins in an effort to defend its leadership position solidified with the Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid, launched in 2010. GM will unveil an electric Spark minicar this month at the Los Angeles auto show.

“A major focus for GM’s electrification strategy will center on the plug,” Barra said via a satellite feed to reporters gathered here for a GM event. She added that plug-ins offer “a unique opportunity to change the way people commute,” and that Volt owners “love the ability to refuel at home.”

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mini22 - 11/14/2012 5:35:59 PM

+2 Boost

This would imply that GM are actually making money on the Volt. Otherwise why do it.Funny thing though I thought GM were losing money on every Volt made.Is this move to get more government assistance?

HughJass - 11/14/2012 6:35:32 PM

+2 Boost

No worries, Jesus has their back. There's plenty more bailout checks where the last one came from.

America, nolonger the land opportunity but now the land where success is punished. United in poverty.

ROVER357 - 11/21/2012 10:55:05 AM

0 Boost

You must be broke? Speak for yourself Huge Ass. LOL

ROVER357 - 11/21/2012 10:52:58 AM

0 Boost

Better than that loser Romney!

Rastor - 11/15/2012 12:30:21 PM

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No, GM does not lose money on every Volt made. That was some bad reporting that got passed around.

It's worth noting that when Barra talks about GM producing large numbers of "electrified" vehicles she's also counting the eAssist vehicles, which are barely different from any other gas-powered vehicle.

HughJass - 11/15/2012 3:04:39 PM

+2 Boost

GM can "produce" all the electrified vehicles they want. If nobody wants to buy them, it does nothing for the taxpayer who will be forced to bail them out again as UAW votes don't come cheap.

GM is having a hard enough time selling normal cars and they think they can compete against companies who are beating them hands down in electric vehicles?

I have yet to see a Volt on the road. I've neer seen a hybrid Yukon SUV. Is the Impala hybrid out yet? I wouldn't know since I've never seen one.