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.
Since 2008, in Los Angeles International Auto Show, Hyundai formally introduced the hybrid version of the Sonata sedan. And this vehicle – Hyundai Sonata Hybrid – will be the automaker’s first production version gas electric hybrid in the U.S. The Hyundai formerly made noises about incoming the hybrid market with subcompact hybrid cars, but its hybrid campaign were for an indefinite period delayed previous to getting very far along. Hyundai Company commits to be back on the path and they will release Hyundai Sonata Hybrid in 2010.
Hyundai Company also proclaimed that Hyundai Sonata Hybrid will be able to reach a fleet standard of 35 mpg by 2015, 5 years to come of the schedule for new fuel economy systems – Hyundai announced that at the introduction of the Hyundai Hybrid. John Krafcik, president of Hyundai Motor America said that the company (Hyundai Company) will pass Honda and Toyota by 2015 with taking fuel efficiency faster and higher than any other automaker – He said that in an interview with hybridcars.com.
Hybridcars.com has asked a Hyundai spokesman concerning the fuel economy of the Hyundai Sonata car. This man said that Hyundai Sonata fuel economy should be enhanced about 20 to 25 percent. He also said that those are not hard numbers. The recent Hyundai Sonata midsize sedan achieves 22 mpg city and 32 mpg highway. It means that the Hyundai Hybrid Sonata could reach combined fuel economy better than 30 mpg. By comparison, the Toyota Camry Hybrid punches out the 4-cylinders gas powered Camry by the same 20 – 25 percent, while the Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid make does about a nine percent gain over its conventional counterpart.
Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid: GM has produced the first pickup trucks with use two mode hybrid systems that would be completely as qualified as their conventional one. The 2WD versions of the 2009 Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid and its sister, the 2009 GM Sierra Hybrid – can tow up to 6,100 pounds and still deliver mileage of about 21 mpg city and 22 mpg highway. These hybrid trucks will be available in early 2009.
The 2009 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 2WD Crew Cab Hybrid starting price at $38,995; adding the luxury package takes about $44,155.
Fuel Economy and Payback of Silverado Hybrid
Of course, if you compare to your average Toyota Prius driver, 22 mpg may still seem profligate. But let us takes careful explanation – let us look at the math – to make the case that this hybrid trucks will big helps cut US oil imports.
If we compare with a non hybrid pickup which returns just 14 mpg (city)/ 20 mpg (highway), and the racking up 10,000 miles a year, split equally between city and highway travel, the hybrid system will saves about 140 gallons of gasoline a year. That’s more fuel efficient than you would keep from a Toyota Camry to a Toyota Camry Hybrid.
Nowadays, purchasers will receive about $2,200 federal tax credit. That means the benefits, using $2/gallon gasoline, is somewhere around four years-no less than until GM’s credits pass on. Spending more time in stop-and-go traffic, or racking up higher mileage, cuts the payback time. And if gasoline should return to the $4 per gallon levels of summer 2008, payback would speed up even further.
When gas prices hit upwards of $4 a gallon, it scared a lot of drivers. Many of them switched to the most fuel efficienthybrid car models they could find, and of course, they searched for as much ‘green car’ information as they could get their hands on, too.
Hybrid cars can power the car use an electric motor when the gasoline engine isn’t necessary. Consumers can save more gas because this car allows the ICE or internal combustion engine to shut off. Because of those savings, hybrid cars become more and more popular. And this makes many auto makers, including luxury auto makers have gotten into the game.
As a consumer, let us see which hybrids were the most popular and best selling in this category.
The Toyota Prius may not be as large as the Cadillac Escalade Hybrid, but Toyota Prius is juggernaut when it comes to hybrid sales. In 2008, Toyota sold approximately 160,000 Prius hatchbacks. That’s more vehicles than the rest of this five best selling hybrids list combined.
As the most successful hybrid on the market, Toyota Prius not only does it have excellent fuel economy, but it’s also has a great exterior design, which has become the ‘de facto’ shape of a hybrid in most popular minds. Prius is slatted for a new design in 2010 and Toyota is pulling out all the stops: not only improve fuel economy, but this hybrid will be more comfortable and larger, feature solar panels on the roof, and be built in America.
As the first-best selling hybrid, Prius will continue to dominate the hybrid market for years to come.
Toyota Company is king when it comes to hybrid sales. Toyota is well known not just from its Prius hybrid, but Toyota also have Camry hybrid as the second-best selling hybrid of 2008. In fact, Toyota sold more than 46,000 of them in 2008.
While the Prius is well-known for its distinctive shape, the Camry Hybrid flies under the radar. Camry’s exterior only has a hybrid badge separates it from the conventional Camry.
Compared to the conventional Camry, the Camry hybrid manages to get extra 12 mpg or 5.1 kilometers per gallon in the city, and a 26 percent improvement in fuel economy overall. The Camry Hybrid is another one of those “has everything” hybrids. In addition, the eco friendly driver also gets a comfortable passenger cabin and good performance. All reasons that explain the Camry Hybrid’s popularity.
