US automaker GM plans to build plug-in hybrid next year
- Source: Xinhua
- [08:35 January 13 2010]
- Comments
US automaker General Motors Co. plans to build a plug-in hybrid, but probably not until 2011, the company's Vice Chairman Bob Lutz told reporters at North America International Auto Show (NAIAS) on Tuesday.
GM unveiled a concept plug-in hybrid Cadillac XTS platinum at the auto show.
Lutz said the automaker will build a plug-in hybrid before it brings the Cadillac plug-in concept to market. "There will be others that will launch before this," he said.
GM announced in January 2008 it would build a Saturn Vue plug-in hybrid, but scrapped those plans last year when it decided to kill the Saturn brand. Then in August, GM said it would build a yet-to-be-named Buick plug-in crossover vehicle. Eight days later, after negative reviews from the customers, GM canceled the plan again.
Those vehicles figure into GM's plans to meet new fuel efficiency standards by 2016. GM is launching its extended range Chevrolet Volt, which will travel up to 40 miles on electric power. But the plug-in vehicle uses different technology.
