Saturn sprouts green for Vue hybrid's debut

[cwerdna]

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/artic.../610270350/1148

"WASHINGTON -- General Motors Corp.'s Saturn division is going to great lengths to tout its green credentials with the launch of a hybrid version of its Vue SUV...."

The article seems wrong when it states "It will get 37 miles per gallon in the city and 32 mpg on the highway -- 20 percent better than four-cylinder Vue models."

According to http://www.saturn.com/saturn/vehicles/vue/pricing.jsp and http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/compx2005f....nField=Findacar, it's rated 27/32.

[micheal]

Interesting how Saturn is portraying their "green image" of the Vue when the much maligned HiHy still beats its EPA score (8 vs. 6 in most of US, 9 vs 6 in CA and other states). I wonder how many people will be swayed to the Vue by things like the misinformation in this article like the person in the article who was thinking of a Prius.

Like john1701a always says, what are the emissions? It appears that a person would be just as good (or better) emissions wise with a regular Camry or regular Accord.

[Alric]

I don't know what is more stupid, E85 or this car.

[V8Cobrakid]

hmm... why it is anything green gets released by the saturn devision? (ev1 anyone?) will they discontinue this one too eventually? better yet, is it a lease only option? lol just kidding.

[cwerdna]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(micheal @ Oct 28 2006, 08:17 AM) [snapback]339915[/snapback]</div>

Interesting how Saturn is portraying their "green image" of the Vue when the much maligned HiHy still beats its EPA score (8 vs. 6 in most of US, 9 vs 6 in CA and other states). I wonder how many people will be swayed to the Vue by things like the misinformation in this article like the person in the article who was thinking of a Prius.

Like john1701a always says, what are the emissions? It appears that a person would be just as good (or better) emissions wise with a regular Camry or regular Accord.
[/b]

For the other readers, if you go to http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/sbs.htm, you can compare the the emissions of any vehicle.

From taking a look, here are some stats in the form of tons of greenhouse gases/year and air pollution score (from 0 to 10):
07 Vue Hybrid (FWD only): 6.4 tons, 6/10
07 HiHy 2WD: 6.3 tons, 8/10 or 9/10 depending on the version/state
07 HiHy 4WD: 6.4 tons, 8/10 or 9/10 depending on the version/state
07 Accord w/4 cylinder automatic: 6.6 tons, 6/10, 9/10 or 9.5/10 depending on the state/version
07 Camry w/4 cylinder automatic: 6.7 tons, 6/10, 7/10 or 9.5/10 depending on the state/version
07 Prius: 3.4 tons, 8/10 or 9.5/10 depending on the state/version
07 Escape Hybrid FWD: 5.4 tons, 1/10 (in certain pockets), 8/10 or 9.5/10 depending on the state/version

[john1701a]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(cwerdna @ Oct 28 2006, 07:28 PM) [snapback]340119[/snapback]</div>

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/sbs.htm[/url], you can compare the the emissions of any vehicle.
[/b]

Wow!

Thanks for the link. I hadn't realized that detail was available yet.

No wonder the Vue-Hybrid supporter here eluded the emission rating question everytime I asked. That technology can now be officially labeled as a sad excuse for a hybrid. It only delivers a LEV rating, which is absolutely horrible. Even a run-of-the-mill Corolla is cleaner!

Our SULEV and PZEV rated hybrids from Toyota & Lexus produce significantly less smog-related emission. How exactly is Saturn (GM) going to get away with calling their technology "green" with such a dirty rating?

[philmcneal]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(john1701a @ Oct 28 2006, 06:34 PM) [snapback]340141[/snapback]</div>

Wow!

Thanks for the link. I hadn't realized that detail was available yet.

No wonder the Vue-Hybrid supporter here eluded the emission rating question everytime I asked. That technology can now be officially labeled as a sad excuse for a hybrid. It only delivers a LEV rating, which is absolutely horrible. Even a run-of-the-mill Corolla is cleaner!

Our SULEV and PZEV rated hybrids from Toyota & Lexus produce significantly less smog-related emission. How exactly is Saturn (GM) going to get away with calling their technology "green" with such a dirty rating?
[/b]

remember compared to other SUV's the VUE green line is the cleanest you can buy without paying a big premium.

[hampdenwireless]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Alric @ Oct 28 2006, 12:08 PM) [snapback]339928[/snapback]</div>

I don't know what is more stupid, E85 or this car.
[/b]

I think its a good car. I might not want to call it a hybrid and I know thats the focus of the marketing but the small premium and reasonable results make it worthwhile. With its federal tax credit the hyrid is almost a no cost option.

Comparing this and a Hybrid Highlander? Come on, the Highlander is $10,000 more or nearly 50% higher. And while I would rather have the Highlander its mpg is almost the same.

[john1701a]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(philmcneal @ Oct 28 2006, 09:33 PM) [snapback]340157[/snapback]</div>

remember compared to other SUV's the VUE green line is the cleanest you can buy without paying a big premium.
[/b]

No, to be as objective as possible, you must compare hybrid to non-hybrid of the very same vehicle. And by looking at the models available, there most definitely is not a smog-related emission reduction from the hybrid technology. Both the manual & automatic transmissions using a similar size engine get the same LEV rating. And the non-hybrid automatic with a larger engine actually achieves the cleaner rating of ULEV.

The label of "green" is not appropriate. The EPA listed "Air Pollution Score" data simply do not support that claim.

[ShellyT]

Should they drop the green and just use hybrid-line in all their promotions? Its smog emmissions aren't any better, but it is an assist hybrid that does get better milage, and reduces carbon emissions.

Whatever the reason, there are going to be people who will choose a VUE or SUV over a Prius or sedan. And it is a good thing that they will have more options when it comes to affordable hybrids. If it is successful and GM follows through, it has the potential of greatly reducing the country's oil consumption.