How long lithium ion batteries will last? How long GM provides and sells the Chevrolet Volt? How long a Chevrolet Volt at local dealers in the world? And if not California, about which will be offered first? Those are several questions which are used to be asked.
A number of brands and situations can prevent the success of the Chevrolet Volt car especially expensive brands. But until this moment there is no problem. Until a single car to the consumer, GM will win big. This will make the company back into talks in automotive circles about the environment, energy policy difference about the national car tech.
At the beginning, from the Chevrolet Volt concept is praised for excellence in the field of technology. Not to mention GM’s concept Camaro known as electricity. This makes a lot of cynicism. In the early years 2007film Who Killed Electric Car still rings in our ears. The Chevrolet Volt commentators say that it was nothing more than public relations exercises. GM also has no real value to make calm high fuel economy values. Skeptic attitude like that has faded over time. This is one of GM’s public relations efforts in monitoring the development of the Chevrolet Volt, the technical challenges, and schedule. They brought reporters to the lab to monitor developments. They allowed them to interview executives. They visited the test facility. They monitor the process of styling Mockups. GM has repeatedly done this executive. This is their major project.
GM has announced that it will stop the producing of Chevrolet Malibu mild hybrid versions in June 2009. This action (stop the producing mild hybrid technology) is one more sign that the GM is cutting back on technologies and programs that are unsuccessful and expensive too – in the other side, this ways also reducing unprofitable dealerships and brands.
The main reason why GM cutting the car is the poor sales of the Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid. The officials of GM said that inventory of the Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid is backing up on dealership lots. When the Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid debuted at the 2008 MLB All-Star Game, Ed Peper, the General Manager of Chevrolet said that the Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid is winning package that will leadership in the midsize sedan segment and meet the needs of the Chevrolet customers – with its uncompromising design and fuel economy.
In 2008, The Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid available in the market as directs competition to the Japanese automakers, the Toyota Camry Hybrid. The Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid is a stylish 5 door midsize sedan but used a mild hybrid technology; the fuel economy compared with the conventional Malibu was a very modest 2 mile per gallons jump to 24 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway.
But for 2009 the Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid rating is increasing to 26 mpg in the city and 34 on the highway and this meaning 2009 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid a much healthier. There is no difference in the lowest end MSRP between the two vehicles remains the same. As comparison, the Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid starts at $24,695 and the conventional Malibu starts at $20,745. In the others words, the cost per mpg improvement was cut in half.
Nancy Libby the spokesperson of GM said, “The hybrid improvement is primarily the result of new battery charging control software that reduces load on the engine, and the hybrid also uses new 17-inch low rolling resistance tires – They were 16-inch tires in 2008.”
And when we compare 2009 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid with the Toyota Camry Hybrid, we will notice that in the EPA category Toyota Camry Hybrid is the winner. But if we look in their base level MSRP, Toyota Camry Hybrid is $1,500 higher than the Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid. Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid MSRP at $24,650.
Based on General Motor’s long wheel based Epsilon platform, the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid’s powertrain is defined by Ecotec 4-cylinder 2.4 liter and electric starter motor generator (36 volt) tied to a nickel metal hybride battery pack. Output stands at 164 hp, plenty for a car of its weight and size. Energy is channeled through a smooth shifting 4 speed transmission.
Hybrid shoppers searching for a fuel efficient small hybrid SUV will automatically put the Ford Escape Hybrid at the first list of this category. The Ford Escape Hybrid is the winner in town driving with its city fuel efficiency rating of 36 mpg. But on the highway, Chevrolet Equinox is the winner in this segment with fuel economy rating of 32 mpg on the highway – no other SUV can achieve whether hybrid or gas powered.
Chevy Equinox: Class Leading Fuel Economy
Nowadays, in the second generation of Chevrolet Equinox, the all new Equinox is very important for Chevrolet in modify to advance the attractive styling direction of the brand as well as offers compact SUV shoppers a compelling reason to consider something other than Honda CR-X, Ford Escape Hybrid, or Toyota RAV4. In fact, while Chevrolet Equinox is astounding on the highway mileage, the new Chevy Equinox achieves 22 mpg in city driving which also a commendable figure, beating the Honda by 2mpg.
The Chevy Equinox is the new base engine, with a 2.4 L Ecotec direct injection I-4 engine, the Equinox can delivering 182 hp, that helps this Chevy reach its high end mileage goals. Besides that, while GM paired the sport or utility vehicle with a six speed automatic transmission, Equinox perhaps can get the best combination to achieve the best fuel economy.
Chevy Equinox and Its Lots of Good Stuff
Although the Chevrolet Equinox ‘underline’ fuel economy as its focus, the Equinox isn’t sacrifice to cabin amenities and interior design. Inside, the Chevy Equinox offers telescoping steering wheel and standard tilt, power lumbar and standard driver seat power height adjustment, a closed storage bin in the instrument panel above the center stack, a generous number of storage bins including an oversized glove box, and closed storage under the center armrest large enough for a laptop computer.
The prices of Equinox is some $1800 less than the previous model the list of standard content has expanded to include power lumbar support, 17” wheels, and more airbags. Moreover, the automaker also added together with the fuel economy improvements – it’s very amazing!! The 2010 Chevy Equinox must become one of the favorite for compact SUV drivers.
