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Originally Posted by FenwickHockey65
GM seems to be done with hybrids...notice how they take care to avoid any use of the word "hybrid." It doesn't appear anywhere on the Malibu, Regal, or LaCrosse.
When you're building something as technologically advanced as the Volt and have a full EV on the way next year, building a traditional hybrid can look like a step backwards. The only reason eAssist exists is because it's a cheap, easy, plug-and-play way to increase FE in vehicles. It also appears to be woefully underrated...there are reports of Malibu Ecos hitting 44 MPG @ 70 MPH when the EPA rates it at 37 MPG highway.
There might still be hybrid trucks in the pipeline simply because GM can still make money off of those (a new Four-Mode system is rumored to replace the Two-Mode). As for cars, I don't see GM doing much in terms of full hybrids anymore. It's pretty much old tech, I'm not even sure the new system can be adapted to cars.
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I've always thought the GM mild hybrid/e-Assist systems made more sense than full hybrids. I've always figured it offers 50% of the efficiency benefit at only 20% of the cost.
The car I'm really interested in seeing numbers on is the diesel Cruze. If they can get 42 MPG ratings from a gas, what does that mean for the diesel? And when does that come out, by the way?