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GM's Lutz says hybrids, electrics are future

Detroit News -- General Motors Co. will keep making big trucks and SUVs because U.S. buyers demand them, but a major portion of them will be gas-electric hybrids in the near future, retiring Vice Chairman Bob Lutz said.

Lutz didn't give details, but said GM must apply hybrid technology to more vehicles in order to meet fuel-economy standards that will rise 40 percent to an average of 35 miles per gallon by 2020. The cost will likely be spread across GM's lineup, since charging individual buyers for a hybrid system would make vehicles too expensive. GM has seven hybrids in its lineup now.

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Submitted Mar 13, 2010 By: MyVue08

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tomok Champion Author Portland Posts:18,326 Points:1,369,085 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 6:52:52 AM Ignore tomok Report Abuse Electrics and Inbreds are not the sole future for vehicles. There will be many different ‘fuels’ available, you decide what you will use as a fuel as for the price and availability of each fuel. Still need more vehicles with high MPG, a reasonable cost, are ‘multi’ fueled and very reliable.
dan30thz28 Champion Author New Jersey Posts:1,277 Points:1,056,375 Joined:Feb 2006	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 6:50:55 AM Ignore dan30thz28 Report Abuse We'll see.
CSharpGuy Champion Author Colorado Springs Posts:4,569 Points:927,610 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 6:50:54 AM Ignore CSharpGuy Report Abuse And what will power the electric power plants? Oil, coal, trees?
neemund Champion Author Seattle Posts:1,465 Points:578,575 Joined:Jan 2007	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 6:50:27 AM Ignore neemund Report Abuse To OilerFan - Yes, the Tesla Roadster gets over 200 miles per charge, unlike the Volt. The difference is that the Roadster uses a lithium-ion battery pack that holds 53 kilowatt hours of electricity in a 450kg package. That battery pack has a 7 year life and a replacement cost of $36,000. As most Americans are unwilling/unable to spent $36k on a car, much less a component for a car, we will not be seeing many long-range, electric vehicles on the road for quite a while.
Grismer Champion Author Kitchener-Waterloo Posts:3,712 Points:768,240 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 6:46:39 AM Ignore Grismer Report Abuse Any future has to be better than GM's recent past.
Dennis783 Champion Author Wisconsin Posts:8,766 Points:1,749,840 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 6:42:10 AM Ignore Dennis783 Report Abuse spread the cost? So he wants me to pay so someone else can get a hybrid?
speedys Champion Author Utah Posts:2,101 Points:1,584,070 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 6:41:23 AM Ignore speedys Report Abuse This sounds like a good move.
LocalSpyGuy Champion Author Tampa Posts:2,945 Points:615,320 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 6:38:57 AM Ignore LocalSpyGuy Report Abuse If it's not affordable, it doesn't matter if it's a hybrid.
BigDogOH Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:3,547 Points:832,390 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 6:38:16 AM Ignore BigDogOH Report Abuse Government Motors been too busy bashing Toyota to realize this
DJRIO Champion Author Miami Posts:2,490 Points:458,575 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 6:37:47 AM Ignore DJRIO Report Abuse coal power electric power plant great. thanks obama for endorsing natural gas.
Ringmaster2008 Champion Author Ontario Posts:2,947 Points:503,410 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 6:35:54 AM Ignore Ringmaster2008 Report Abuse My Toyota already exceeds 35 MPG by a lot.
skippypa Champion Author Hawaii Posts:3,524 Points:765,115 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 6:34:51 AM Ignore skippypa Report Abuse Is GM only finding this out now?
OilerFan Champion Author Tulsa Posts:9,219 Points:1,687,930 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 6:34:07 AM Ignore OilerFan Report Abuse I'm not sure why the driving range isn't as much with the electrics that most companies make. I've seen that Tesla motors have electrics that have a 300 mile range, which is a lot better than 40 miles. 40 just wont work for a lot of us that commute.
slgas Champion Author Houston Posts:1,052 Points:587,615 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 6:34:06 AM Ignore slgas Report Abuse I think he probably has GM on the right track. He had quite a history to repair.
barsantij Champion Author Durham Posts:1,239 Points:436,425 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 6:32:19 AM Ignore barsantij Report Abuse Combination of 'robbing Peter to pay Paul,' using Saturn to offset losses in other areas of the business, and un-branding the 'no haggle' Saturn experience led to its demise. Oldsmobile told us what they weren't, not what they were (We aren't your Father's Oldsmobile ... with Ringo Starr as the Spokesperson.) Pontiac was just the easiest thing to chop first - instead of Hummer
cajun57 Veteran Author North Carolina Posts:264 Points:767,465 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 6:31:20 AM Ignore cajun57 Report Abuse Increase driving range.
JCUBE Champion Author Michigan Posts:3,561 Points:950,100 Joined:Aug 2003	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 6:29:06 AM Ignore JCUBE Report Abuse We'll see how this shakes out, and is it more than just a fad? Will these be viable alternatives to what we have now? Or, is it just a fad with new expensive toys.
curlypooh Champion Author New Jersey Posts:4,945 Points:1,036,190 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 6:28:21 AM Ignore curlypooh Report Abuse No Kidding! You mean you guys just got it! And we, the people of the US, own you. Time for some new management and new ideas. How about it young people! Get rid of these guys!
Beau2140 Champion Author New York Posts:3,360 Points:681,535 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 6:27:54 AM Ignore Beau2140 Report Abuse The future as dictated by the government.
murushi Champion Author Ontario Posts:3,080 Points:604,455 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 6:23:48 AM Ignore murushi Report Abuse How effective are GM hybrids? If I remember correctly, last year their MPG was not at all impressive. Perhaps new models will be better?
epf Champion Author Grand Rapids Posts:1,594 Points:925,950 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 6:21:46 AM Ignore epf Report Abuse Whatever the answer, we know whatever we are doing today needs to change.
cathevan Champion Author Manitoba Posts:2,133 Points:524,025 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 6:21:38 AM Ignore cathevan Report Abuse can't disagree with this
roadrunnerMO Champion Author Kansas Posts:3,441 Points:735,345 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 6:20:10 AM Ignore roadrunnerMO Report Abuse Have to see it to believe it.
sojurner_436 Veteran Author Ohio Posts:398 Points:187,510 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 6:14:35 AM Ignore sojurner_436 Report Abuse this could have happened so much sooner though..
MertieMan Champion Author Lexington Posts:9,837 Points:1,920,260 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 6:13:54 AM Ignore MertieMan Report Abuse They should have been doing this long ago.
RoadhogMA Champion Author Boston Posts:2,089 Points:476,625 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 6:13:47 AM Ignore RoadhogMA Report Abuse good luck .
rogerparry Champion Author Florida Posts:4,619 Points:940,530 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 6:10:05 AM Ignore rogerparry Report Abuse Good news, we need more fuel efficient options.
silverfox63 Champion Author Michigan Posts:3,354 Points:670,720 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 6:08:24 AM Ignore silverfox63 Report Abuse They may be the future, but they are going to have too make them more affordable for the general consumer.
applejoe Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:2,682 Points:556,070 Joined:May 2001	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 6:06:12 AM Ignore applejoe Report Abuse If you build them you have to make them affordable.
Jamer Champion Author Orange County Posts:3,987 Points:701,500 Joined:Jul 2002	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 6:03:55 AM Ignore Jamer Report Abuse Hybrids I'll go for, but unless they make huge changes in distances in between battery charges electric only autos will be just a novelty item.
dave364 Champion Author Lansing Posts:1,324 Points:536,250 Joined:Nov 2007	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 6:02:13 AM Ignore dave364 Report Abuse mine GMC diesel gets 19-21 mpg which is better than most trucks from overseas will ever get, 2500 sierra hd 3/4 ton
jes Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:11,475 Points:2,399,560 Joined:Jun 2003	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 6:02:02 AM Ignore jes Report Abuse Just make them affordable.
weenerdog Champion Author Detroit Posts:4,938 Points:942,870 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 6:01:32 AM Ignore weenerdog Report Abuse Yes to diesels
FBI2991 Champion Author Michigan Posts:1,572 Points:415,630 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 6:00:32 AM Ignore FBI2991 Report Abuse Ho, hum
dhawk24 Champion Author Maine Posts:3,068 Points:675,380 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 6:00:04 AM Ignore dhawk24 Report Abuse Good, but not for me...
DrivingFool2 Champion Author Wisconsin Posts:3,487 Points:649,515 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 5:59:48 AM Ignore DrivingFool2 Report Abuse Bring the price down and people will buy
df99 Sophomore Author Rhode Island Posts:164 Points:251,390 Joined:Oct 2009	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 5:59:45 AM Ignore df99 Report Abuse And what Detroit is doing again is missing the boat entirely. I've averaged 47 mpg over 20k miles with my diesel. Where are Detroits diesels?
tco0102 Champion Author Charleston Posts:3,725 Points:966,715 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 5:58:04 AM Ignore tco0102 Report Abuse I think they should all be gas/electric..
olcowboy14 Champion Author Spokane Posts:4,678 Points:742,935 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 5:55:45 AM Ignore olcowboy14 Report Abuse Good luck!
QueenMother Champion Author New Hampshire Posts:2,746 Points:1,224,225 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 5:55:03 AM Ignore QueenMother Report Abuse They're probably going to be too expensive to buy just like all other hybrids.
1fulltank Champion Author Buffalo Posts:3,005 Points:580,875 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 5:52:35 AM Ignore 1fulltank Report Abuse A long way to go before "the future" is here.
racerdj Champion Author Indianapolis Posts:4,920 Points:1,082,010 Joined:Jun 2003	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 5:50:42 AM Ignore racerdj Report Abuse I hope they will at least be fuel efficient.
spiderjay Champion Author Little Rock Posts:2,250 Points:582,555 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 5:50:37 AM Ignore spiderjay Report Abuse sure they are going to say that they need people to buy their cars
mandoid Champion Author Colorado Springs Posts:2,893 Points:615,910 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 5:50:34 AM Ignore mandoid Report Abuse no gm for me
ArmydudeNC Champion Author North Carolina Posts:3,205 Points:403,125 Joined:Jul 2009	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 5:44:43 AM Ignore ArmydudeNC Report Abuse GM making hybrids out of big SUVs and trucks is a rip-off. The premium you pay for the hybrid option it's not worth a few more miles per gallon more that you get.
biza4u Champion Author New Haven Posts:3,621 Points:659,455 Joined:Jan 2007	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 5:43:55 AM Ignore biza4u Report Abuse Great news rising costs to buy a car for everyone
bababooey2 Champion Author Hartford Posts:1,486 Points:326,840 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 5:41:11 AM Ignore bababooey2 Report Abuse Yawn
jppezz Champion Author New Mexico Posts:3,644 Points:716,155 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 5:40:02 AM Ignore jppezz Report Abuse If that is the case the GM wont fully recover,because many people won't buy electric vehicles unless they are improved so people can travel longer distance with lower charge times.
gasandgoAL Champion Author Alabama Posts:1,946 Points:613,405 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 5:39:26 AM Ignore gasandgoAL Report Abuse and the cost of one is what
skybiker Champion Author South Carolina Posts:3,340 Points:663,205 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 5:39:25 AM Ignore skybiker Report Abuse Gm will have a hard time being competitive with 100K a year line workers.....
clermont40miles Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:4,761 Points:807,645 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 5:33:34 AM Ignore clermont40miles Report Abuse Govt lackey tell us what the master wants him to say. The future will be free market selection or forced. Choose one. I choose truly free markets.