GM's
future: A convergence of synergies
Friday, August 22, 2008
Volt
and Cruze will share engines
There has been a lot of buzz about GM's commitment to the
Chevy Cruze, a small vehicle that could achieve 40 mpg on
the highway.
I know. I know.
Highway fuel economy is far over-rated. The real question
is, can this car get 30 mpg in the city?
Still, I don't want to hammer or to focus on the Cruze.
It's a step in the right direction, but it's more than a
step. The direct-injected, turbo-boosted engine that will
power the Cruze, will be the same engine that powers the Chevy
Volt. Likewise, it might also power the Vue - the same
Vue that will soon come in a dual mode hybrid version and
a plug-in hybrid version.
While automakers, especially Ford, have gone on a media
frenzy touting EcoBoost, another direct-injected,
turbo-boosted technology, they are not preparing for the
same convergences that is GM. Does EcoBoost help Ford's
hybrid initiative, or is it more of a distraction to the
fact that Ford appears as if it will only make 25,000 Escape
hybrids per year forever?
Certainly, Ford's EcoBoost is a much more aggressive plan
than anything Chrysler has put forth, but EcoBoost is just
a step. There must be something more, something bigger.
That something more for GM is the Volt and, more
importantly, the E Flex Drive, another synergistic
powertrain. Along the way, there is also an updated mild
hybrid powertrain that will use lithium and, almost
certainly, direct-injected turbo-boosted engines. Then,
dual mode hybrids and dual mode plug-in hybrids as the
Volt moves towards mass production. Most important, there
are synergies amongst all of these technologies.
Minimally, these synergies should help bring down costs.
While GM has a bumpy road ahead, as do most automakers,
this convergence of technologies should definitely be an
advantage, especially compared to other US automakers.
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