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Monday, 23 April 2007 |
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Filed under: Hybrid, Chevrolet, GMC 
2006 GMS Sierra Parallel Hybrid Truck
A few years back General Motors silently introduced the PHT versions of the Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra pickups. The parallel hybrid trucks (PHT) had GM's first cut at a mild hybrid system. Unfortunately, they never provided much fuel economy benefit only giving about 2mpg more than a standard truck. Like the system used on the Saturn Vue and Aura, it can't move the vehicle on battery power alone.
The roughly 3,000 examples that were sold mostly went to fleet users such as contractors. The biggest draw of the motor/generator was actually the ability to use the system as a 2400W generator at any time. The trucks each had four 120V AC outlets which were handy for plugging in tools and other equipment. The electricity could be generated while the trucks were left idling, which obviously wouldn't seem to provide much environmental benefit unless compared to carrying around an extra generator which would likely be a lot noisier and dirtier than the truck engine.
New hybrid pickups based on the GMT900 platform with the two-mode hybrid system will go into production in mid-2008 and get about a twenty-five percent improvement in fuel efficiency. Unfortunately for contractors, they lose the generator feature.
[Source: Automotive News - Sub. req'd] Read | Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand. |
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Monday, 09 April 2007 |
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Filed under: Car Buying, Buick, Chevrolet, Chrysler, DaimlerChrysler, Dodge, Ford, GM, GMC, Lincoln, Mercury, Pontiac 
One of the issues ailing domestic automakers is a bloated sales network, which sometimes includes pitting two dealers of the same brand against one another within the same market. Chrysler, Ford and General Motors have been trying to make inroads into this problem over the past year, and while these efforts are for the good of the company, the effects take their toll.
According to Automotive News, the Big 2.5 cut 462 dealerships between them in 2006. So far in 2007, GM has killed off 222 of its own dealerships, compared to this time last year. Much of this effort is the consolidation of franchises that only sold a few of the automaker's brands, to now include as many as they can handle (i.e. a GMC dealership now carries Pontiac, Buick, Cadillac, HUMMER, Saab, etc.)
GM isn't alone in their neighborhood downsizing, as both Chrysler and Ford have made significant cutbacks so far this year, with the former nixing 134 dealerships, while the latter cut 126, when compared to 2006 figures.
The upside to all of these cutbacks is more profits for fewer dealers, but at the same time, dealers that have been in the business for decades are being forced to sell their stores to local competitors. As expected, these retailers are leaving their livelihood feeling bitter and dejected.
Whether or not any of this will make a difference to the Big 2.5's bottom line remains to be seen, but it should be interesting to see how many total dealers were lost in 2007 and how many more will be killed off in 2008.
[Source: Automotive News (Sub. Req.)] Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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Sunday, 07 January 2007 |
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Filed under: Hybrid, Chevrolet, GM, GMC 
Not many details are known about the hybrid system that is set to debut soon in GM's full-size Tahoes, Yukons and the like, but they are getting closer to reality. Proof of such is that they are undergoing hot weather testing, as can be seen in the above picture. While many debate whether hybrid drivetrains are best utilized by full size vehicles such as these, proponents say that helping the economy of the worst offenders is best. Consumers will vote themselves when these vehicles hit the showroom floors.
These vehicles will use the new GM hybrid systems, which are full hybrids, not mild hybrids, so they can run on electric power alone or any combination of electric and gas power.
[Source: Truck Trend] Read | Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand. |
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Sunday, 31 December 2006 |
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Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Green Culture, GMC 
I know that there's an Open Source Car, but I haven't heard about an Open Source truck repair project? Some folks who blog over at Blogspot have found themselves in possession of a GMC S15 truck that has been converted to run on batteries. The trouble is that there are some loose wires here and some rust spots there, and the guys with the truck don't seem to know enough about EVs to figure out what needs to be done to make things right. I figured AutoblogGreen readers would know a thing or two about a thing or two, so here are the links to the photos and a little bit of the description of what the truck is all about.
Anyway, if you're at all knowledgeable with repairing trucks and/or electric components, these guys could really use the help. Right now, the only comment anyone has left on the blog reads, "Good luck."
[Source: Blogspot]
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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand. |
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GMC News 
