GM launches new hybrid transmission
David Shepardson / Detroit News Washington bureau
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pb...71029/UPDATE/710290427
WHITE MARSH, Md. -- General Motors Corp. began production today of the first American-designed advanced hybrid transmission at its plant just outside Baltimore.
The two-mode-mode hybrid transmission will debut in the 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid and 2008 GMC Yukon Hybrid, the industry's only full-size hybrid SUVs.
The new vehicles get a 50 percent improvement in fuel efficiency in city driving and an overall improvement of 31 percent. That comes as automakers are under pressure to improve fuel efficiency, amid soaring oil prices and growing calls in Congress to impose tough new standards.
In addition to GM designing and producing the two-mode transmission in the United States, more than 75 percent of the program's suppliers are U.S.-based in 16 states. Ford Motor Co. launched its Ford Escape Hybrid in 2004, licensing hybrid technology from Toyota.
GM invested $118 million to prepare the Baltimore Transmission Plant for production of the two-mode transmission, including new machinery and tooling and a 100,000 sq. ft. addition.
Adding gasoline-electric hybrid engines to larger vehicles is a growing trend among automakers. Toyota has added hybrid engines to some of its largest vehicles, including its Toyota Highlander, Lexus RX 400h, and its Lexus 600h.
"We're transforming our corporation and our products for greener pastures at a raid pace," said John Buttermore, GM powertrain vice president for global manufacturing. "We are showing that an American workforce is up to the task and can take the lead in advanced technology."
GM's Arlington, Texas, assembly plant will begin building the hybrid vehicles next month.
GM made the announcement at a press event attended by Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley, its two U.S. senators, Ben Cardin and Barbara Mikulski, both Democrats, and U.S. Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger. Cardin and Mikulski are key votes in the ongoing fight over fuel economy legislation in the Senate.
Both voted for a Senate energy bill in June that passed 65-27 that would hike fuel efficiency standards by 40 percent by 2020 to a fleet-wide average of 35 miles per gallon for cars and trucks combined.
Detroit's three automakers and Toyota Motor Corp. oppose the Senate bill but back slightly softer legislation in the House that would hike fuel economy standards by between 28 percent and 40 percent by 2022 to between 32 mpg and 35 mpg. House and Senate staffers are working long-hours to try to reach a compromise before Congress adjourns for the year.
GM has made a big bet on hybrids after falling behind Toyota, which launched the Prius gasoline-electric hybrid in 2000. Buttermore noted that the hybrid version of the Cadillac Escalade, a full-size SUV that carries eight passengers, will offer 332 horsepower, a towing capacity of 6,200 lbs and "the same city fuel economy as a Toyota Camry.". He added that the vehicles have "no compromises in performance or functionality" -- a slight dig at some hybrids like the Prius that are smaller and have less horsepower than other four-door sedans.
Next year, the Baltimore Transmission Plant will begin building two-mode hybrid transmissions for another five hybrid vehicles, including the Escalade and the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra crew cab full-size pickups.
An industry first for any full-size SUV, the patented two-mode hybrid system allows the Tahoe and Yukon to return exceptional fuel economy in both city and highway driving while still delivering full-size SUV performance. Two-wheel-drive Tahoe and Yukon Hybrid models, for example, deliver 21 mpg in the city, a 50-percent improvement over their 5.3L engine non-hybrid siblings and the same city fuel economy as the much-smaller 2008 2.4L-equipped Toyota Camry sedan.
The new vehicles will be on the market in early December. The hybrid versions of 2008 Tahoe Hybrid and 2008 GMC Yukon Hybrids get 21 mpg city/22 mpg on the highway for a combined 21 mpg. The non-hybrid versions get 14 mpg city/20 highway for a combined 16 mpg. GM hasn't announced pricing but said it will be "competitive."
GM's two-mode hybrid transmission reduces fuel consumption by providing electric-only launch and drive capability, engine-off at idle and during vehicle deceleration, electric boost to assist the gas engine and capturing electric energy during vehicle deceleration.
GM's two-mode hybrid transmission has two electric motors and four fixed gears, packaged within the same space as a conventional automatic transmission. This arrangement allows electrically variable operation, as well as providing four fixed gear ratios, providing advantages in combined fuel economy, dynamics and towing capability.
GM's Baltimore Transmission facility opened in 2000 and its 415 hourly and salaried workers also build the A1000 Series automatic transmission.
David Shepardson / Detroit News Washington bureau
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pb...71029/UPDATE/710290427
WHITE MARSH, Md. -- General Motors Corp. began production today of the first American-designed advanced hybrid transmission at its plant just outside Baltimore.
The two-mode-mode hybrid transmission will debut in the 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid and 2008 GMC Yukon Hybrid, the industry's only full-size hybrid SUVs.
The new vehicles get a 50 percent improvement in fuel efficiency in city driving and an overall improvement of 31 percent. That comes as automakers are under pressure to improve fuel efficiency, amid soaring oil prices and growing calls in Congress to impose tough new standards.
In addition to GM designing and producing the two-mode transmission in the United States, more than 75 percent of the program's suppliers are U.S.-based in 16 states. Ford Motor Co. launched its Ford Escape Hybrid in 2004, licensing hybrid technology from Toyota.
GM invested $118 million to prepare the Baltimore Transmission Plant for production of the two-mode transmission, including new machinery and tooling and a 100,000 sq. ft. addition.
Adding gasoline-electric hybrid engines to larger vehicles is a growing trend among automakers. Toyota has added hybrid engines to some of its largest vehicles, including its Toyota Highlander, Lexus RX 400h, and its Lexus 600h.
"We're transforming our corporation and our products for greener pastures at a raid pace," said John Buttermore, GM powertrain vice president for global manufacturing. "We are showing that an American workforce is up to the task and can take the lead in advanced technology."
GM's Arlington, Texas, assembly plant will begin building the hybrid vehicles next month.
GM made the announcement at a press event attended by Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley, its two U.S. senators, Ben Cardin and Barbara Mikulski, both Democrats, and U.S. Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger. Cardin and Mikulski are key votes in the ongoing fight over fuel economy legislation in the Senate.
Both voted for a Senate energy bill in June that passed 65-27 that would hike fuel efficiency standards by 40 percent by 2020 to a fleet-wide average of 35 miles per gallon for cars and trucks combined.
Detroit's three automakers and Toyota Motor Corp. oppose the Senate bill but back slightly softer legislation in the House that would hike fuel economy standards by between 28 percent and 40 percent by 2022 to between 32 mpg and 35 mpg. House and Senate staffers are working long-hours to try to reach a compromise before Congress adjourns for the year.
GM has made a big bet on hybrids after falling behind Toyota, which launched the Prius gasoline-electric hybrid in 2000. Buttermore noted that the hybrid version of the Cadillac Escalade, a full-size SUV that carries eight passengers, will offer 332 horsepower, a towing capacity of 6,200 lbs and "the same city fuel economy as a Toyota Camry.". He added that the vehicles have "no compromises in performance or functionality" -- a slight dig at some hybrids like the Prius that are smaller and have less horsepower than other four-door sedans.
Next year, the Baltimore Transmission Plant will begin building two-mode hybrid transmissions for another five hybrid vehicles, including the Escalade and the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra crew cab full-size pickups.
An industry first for any full-size SUV, the patented two-mode hybrid system allows the Tahoe and Yukon to return exceptional fuel economy in both city and highway driving while still delivering full-size SUV performance. Two-wheel-drive Tahoe and Yukon Hybrid models, for example, deliver 21 mpg in the city, a 50-percent improvement over their 5.3L engine non-hybrid siblings and the same city fuel economy as the much-smaller 2008 2.4L-equipped Toyota Camry sedan.
The new vehicles will be on the market in early December. The hybrid versions of 2008 Tahoe Hybrid and 2008 GMC Yukon Hybrids get 21 mpg city/22 mpg on the highway for a combined 21 mpg. The non-hybrid versions get 14 mpg city/20 highway for a combined 16 mpg. GM hasn't announced pricing but said it will be "competitive."
GM's two-mode hybrid transmission reduces fuel consumption by providing electric-only launch and drive capability, engine-off at idle and during vehicle deceleration, electric boost to assist the gas engine and capturing electric energy during vehicle deceleration.
GM's two-mode hybrid transmission has two electric motors and four fixed gears, packaged within the same space as a conventional automatic transmission. This arrangement allows electrically variable operation, as well as providing four fixed gear ratios, providing advantages in combined fuel economy, dynamics and towing capability.
GM's Baltimore Transmission facility opened in 2000 and its 415 hourly and salaried workers also build the A1000 Series automatic transmission.