| General Motors has recently had a rough run of it. | | | | emerging technologies. In 2008, there were eight |
| They have suffered losses as a result of changes in | | | | models of hybrid vehicles included in GM's offerings. In |
| the industry, rising gas prices, and the drop in | | | | 2010, there will be another eight available. |
| popularity of the traditional models of vehicles which | | | | The hybrid program at GM employs various |
| were standard in production. While the automaker is | | | | technologies, including two-mode hybrid systems and |
| still in recovery mode, GM is a far cry from lost. | | | | those that use lithium ion and hydrogen cell batteries. |
| High-tech vehicles are now the order of business. | | | | As technologies emerge in lithium ion batteries, GM is |
| Hybrid models converging full-size utility vehicles and | | | | also working to establish models of vehicles that can |
| trucks with hybrid technology will be one way in | | | | take advantage of these advancements. Electric |
| which GM emerges in the future market. | | | | hybrid vehicles are already in production. The current |
| GM's venture into cars and trucks which provide | | | | models available include the Saturn Aura and Saturn |
| consumers with better fuel economy will be among | | | | Vue Green Lines; Chevy Malibu and Tahoe Hybrids; |
| its saving graces. There are a number of approaches | | | | GMC Yukon, Silverado, and Sierra Hybrids; and the |
| to achieving more economic vehicle models, and GM | | | | Cadillac Escalade. |
| is currently researching technologies that can provide | | | | GM plans to introduce 16 additional hybrid models |
| better fuel economy in all their vehicles. | | | | over the next four years. The average should be the |
| One possible solution will be the use of flex fuel | | | | introduction of one new model every three months. |
| vehicles, those that can use either gasoline or ethanol. | | | | The intention is to create as many hybrids as |
| As ethanol development advances, GM will continue | | | | possible, utilizing different technologies. The goal is to |
| to investigate the applications of its use in flex fuel | | | | save as many gallons of fuel as possible through the |
| vehicle production. | | | | inclusion of hybrid technology in existing vehicle |
| GM has placed a high priority on the reduction of their | | | | models. The conversion of current models to hybrids |
| vehicles dependence on petroleum. In doing so, they | | | | makes it possible to increase fuel efficiency and |
| have begun to develop a number of approaches to | | | | reduce greenhouse gas emissions without completely |
| improve the fuel economy of their vehicles and | | | | revamping the production methods of the company. |
| reduce greenhouse gas emissions of those vehicles | | | | Later plans encompass the inclusion of new models |
| as well. | | | | of vehicles, alteration in production methods, and the |
| GM is currently focused on Advanced Propulsion | | | | introduction of new technologies. This will move GM |
| Technology which includes an array of advanced | | | | from the realm of conversion to true creation of |
| systems and alternative energy methods for the | | | | hybrids. |
| operation of cars and trucks. Included in the plans are | | | | This is only the beginning for GM's contributions to |
| technological improvements in the traditional | | | | the future of personal and mass transportation. Their |
| combustion engine, which will change the fuel usage in | | | | hybrid vehicle portfolio is expanding, and they expect |
| standard gasoline vehicles. | | | | to roll out their new hybrid engine system in full gear |
| Other approaches include the development of | | | | over the course of 2010 and the next decade. The |
| vehicles which utilize alternative energy sources. | | | | system has been introduced in the American market |
| These include diesel, bio-fuels, hydrogen fuel cells, and | | | | this year and will eventually exceed 100,000 vehicles |
| electric hybrid models. | | | | annually. |
| Diesel engines are now available in 41 lines of GM | | | | Hybrid technology is currently being used to improve |
| vehicles globally. Duramax diesel is now used in a | | | | high fuel consumption vehicles like full-sized trucks and |
| number of GM light trucks in the United States and | | | | SUVs. GM has also applied this technology to its |
| capable of improving fuel efficiency of these vehicles | | | | production of mass transit vehicles like public buses |
| by up to 25 percent. They are not only more fuel | | | | and shuttles. The addition of more and more |
| efficient but also meet the current EPA emissions | | | | standard passenger vehicles to their hybrid line |
| standards in all 50 states. | | | | continues to carry the company into the future of |
| GM's hybrid vehicles take advantage of a number of | | | | the automobile industry. |