As GM bets the Farm on the Volt, look what else they're doing

Cadillac hybrid unveiled in Detroit

Having already confirmed plans to produce a range extended Cadillac Converj (see article), General Motors has now unveiled a brand new hybrid car at the 2010 North American International Auto Show.
Stepping up is the Cadillac XTS Platinum Concept which showcases the brand’s top of the line Platinum series of models and is powered by a 3.6l V-6 direct injection petrol engine with a plug-in two-mode hybrid system.


After building experience with the Escalade Hybrid and Escalade Platinum Hybrid models, the XTS Platinum further showcases GM’s plug-in capabilities and offers additional battery energy capacity that allows it to be recharged from a standard external electrical outlet in just five hours.

 

Just a concept with no plans for production. I wonder what that puppy would cost!

 

Regardless of the price of fuel, PU trucks will remain in the showroom for the foreseeable future. Here in the West they are an absolute necessity for the farmer, the cattleman, the contractor, the oil field industry, as well as business and industry. PU trucks are vital to the recreation and RV industry as well. The larger truck engine and frame is the basic component of an entire industry of special vehicles from wreckers, to UPS trucks, to school busses and on and on. You cannot pull a loaded cattle truck, or an oil field trailer loaded with drill stem with a Prius, Volt, Leaf or Tesla.

I will admid, however, that I am always surprised when I see very expensive, "tricked-out," heavily modified, trucks that do not appear to perform a "work" function. The purchase and operating cost to go "fun truckin" would certainly be excessive for my budget.

 

Most pickup trucks are not used as trucks, but are simply an inefficient form of two-passenger car. Likewise most SUVs never leave the road. This is not to say that there aren't real uses for both, but the majority of buyers don't really need them.

Tom

 

Here in Utah, trucks are uses as trucks to a greater extent than other places we have lived ... but generally, I accept your statement as a fact. My point was more in response to the assertion that trucks were dependent upon low cost fuel, which again is true for the owners of "inefficient form of two-passenger car." I was only pointing out there will always be a need for PU trucks and larger trucks (the size short of the 18 wheel over the road trucks)

 

Here in Texas a lot of trucks are used as trucks. But also a lot of trucks aren't used as trucks, i.e. by urban cowboys/girls.

 

Nothing, there are no plans to bring it to market, it was just a money wasting exercise.

 

Toy trucks are always made to be useful for hauling a load, aren't they?

 

"It's Americans that haven't changed their ways..."

What? I look around and see Pri's, Corollas, Civics, etc... everywhere around here.

How pathetic to see that banner from GM - Volt - the car that's redifining the automotive world, or SLT. Wwhat?!& What has the Volt done? No .. thing!

 

From your bio you list two distant places as your location. Want or need? I decline your invitation to become "more like Europeean."

I own a truck .... do I "need" it? Only to pull my RV. Do I "need" an RV? Only to go on vacation. Do I "need" a vacation Only to maintain my mental health and recharge my enthusiam for a very demanding professional life.

Even my Prius .... honestly, it is a "want." I traded a perfectly adequate Toyota Highlander. I suspect GM has determined that the USA "wants" a high mileage EV, and is developing a vehicle to meet that want.

 

More updates and an interesting note...

Report: GM to invest "hundreds of millions" into pickups with fuel-saving tech — Autoblog Green

 

I will admit that I did not read the article ... but I have become very suspicious of just about everything GM says. I do not doubt the "hundreds of millions" of [taxpayer] dollars spent, but to improve grill dynamics. I have my doubts. I would think only at higher, highway speeds would the grill become a factor ... and what about all the drag caused by the "box" in the rear; the big "step" siderails; the large side mirrors; ground clearance of 4x4's. I would think that improved fuel metering systems, exhaust systems, improved transmissions, and belly pans would be money better spent than grilles.

But, GM has our money, and we should be supportive of all they do to improve their market share, and return to the people their money.

GM would better spend our money on quality control. The most recent issue of Consumer Reports likes the Cadillac's ride, power and appearance, but does not recommend it because of quality issues.

 

Not to worry bro, I cannot count all the Gen2's I see everyday around here SF Bay Area, and the 2010's are coming on strong too - I see them often.

Last year in downtown Hayward, saw 4 Gen2 Pri's, in a row, going down the boulevard. Banks use them, AAA fleets, San Jose/VTA .. I saw a 2010 Prius paratransit car last week. No worries.

Tons of Civics, Corollas, lots of small sedans ... and some Smart cars too. Gosh those Smart4twos look ... funny.

 

Just to chime in on the Truck issue. I live in Texas, specifically in Fort Worth and I'd estimate at least 50% of the vehicles on the road are trucks. And we aren't talking little Nissan trucks, no they are mammoth sized vehicles, often duallies with crew cabs. But, how often do I see them being used for purposes of construction, towing, etc? Very rarely. No, instead I usually see them at the grocery store, often parked on both sides of my Prius or Honda Insight (depending on which one I'm driving) and in a few cases I've actually had to wait for one of them to come out of the store and move their monster vehicle so that I could actually back out of my spot.

I am absolutely unable to comprehend why some people think those huge vehicles are the greatest thing ever. I have several family members who pretty much outright say they would never own anything but a truck, and a big-one at that. But when I ask them why, the usual answer is that they need to haul things around. But I can't remember the last time I saw them hauling anything.

here's my take on the situation. If I felt I needed to haul something more than 2 or 3 times a year, I'd find myself an old used pickup truck for as cheap as I could find, as long as it runs. Then I'd park that and drive a hybrid to work everyday and on those cases I needed to haul something, I'd use the pickup. but I'm certainly not going to drive a pickup as my primary vehicle just because I need to haul something once or twice a month.