GM driving hybrid SUVs to market
The new hybrid Tahoe and GMC Yukons go on sale later this year, and some analysts say collectively they could save more fuel than all those passenger car hybrids. Janet Babin has details.
GM's Hybrid 2 Mode logo is shown on the Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid SUV introduced at last year's Detroit Auto Show. (Stan Honda/AFP/Getty Images)
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Scott Jagow: When I say hybrid, the first carmaker comes to mind probably isn't GM. But GM's coming out with a couple of new hybrid models that turn some heads possibly. The hybrid Tahoe and Yukon SUVs will get better mileage in the city and on the highway. Marketplace's Janet Babin reports from North Carolina Public Radio.
Janet Babin: Hybrids like the Prius can really save drivers gas money during city trips. But once they're on the highway, their gas motors kick in and limit fuel savings.
But the new Tahoe and Yukon hybrids get around that problem with a dual system. So drivers can access the electric motor no matter what kind of driving they're doing.
GM may have come late to the hybrid party, but Peter DeLorenzo with Autoextremeist.com says the new SUV hybrids could collectively save more fuel than passenger car hybrids.
Peter DeLorenzo: It delivers a significant increase in mileage in these full-size vehicles, which will be used in all kinds of other vehicles going forward — delivery trucks, transportation vehicles.
GM says the Tahoe improves fuel economy by 40 percent over the conventional version. No word yet on how much the SUV hybrids will cost.
I'm Janet Babin for Marketplace.
