Filed under: Hybrid, Chevrolet, GM, GMC, USA
GM to begin pushing its hybrid SUVs hardcore
Click the Tahoe hybrid for a high-res gallery
Marketing is extremely important when launching a new vehicle. The idea that you can "Build it and they will come," doesn't actually work in the real world, even when the vehicle is designed to save money at the pump. Such is the case with General Motors and its most recent hybrid vehicles: large SUVs. Despite the fact that the Tahoe and Yukon hybrids are all new and boast an extremely high-tech and well-integrated hybrid system, sales of the gas-savers stands at a mere trickle. High-cost is surely a factor, but, as experts point out, the marketing of the new vehicles has been sorely lacking.
GM's main marketing man, Mark LaNeve, agrees that the automaker could be doing a better job. "There's very little awareness that we even have these products. We're going to be constrained by battery availability, but we still think that we could work it up to 5 to 10 percent of our full-sized SUV sales." Since it began reporting hybrid sales five months ago, GM has sold 1,540 Tahoe and Yukon hybrids out of 57,818 total sales of its big SUVs. Expect to see much more advertising for these hybrids in the coming months.
[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Jimbo 7:39PM (6/09/2008)
I think a lot of this has to do with supply. I haven't seen a single Tahoe or Yukon Hybrid on dealer lots or the road.
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sydbot 10:25PM (6/09/2008)
Strangely, I've seen more Yukon Hybrids than Pontiac G8s on the road. Meaning 1 Yukon and 0 G8s.
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gsolman6 10:39PM (6/09/2008)
I think I would rather have a 6 passenger, 25mpg (as measured in Automobile magazine long term road test) Mazda 5 for about half the price.
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Rob O. 12:13AM (6/10/2008)
A hybrid SUV is an oxymoron. It's a sad, misguided, & greedy attempt on the behalf of automakers to seem green yet still cater to outdated, redneck attitudes. The whole idea of the improved fuel efficiency of a hybrid is almost completely negated by the excess weigh and poor aerodynamics of SUVs. This is definitely moving in the wrong direction.
But the main thing we're fighting - especially here in "God Bless the Red, White, & Blue" America - is the perception that bigger and faster is better. A prevailing attitude here in Texas - and I suspect most other areas of this country - is something like, "By God, if you ain't got yerself a big dick truck, well heck, ya just ain't much of a man, now are ya?" And there's the idea that a smaller car can be neither roomy nor comfortable. And then there's that old notion that a small car is a cheap car for people who can't afford something big & luxurious.
But all of these points are terribly misguided! Small cars actually are often quite deceptively roomy - my wife's New Beetle offers more front seat passenger space than a Hummer H2! Smaller cars often feature far better engineering too, which leads to another good point: SUV Safety is also quite an oxymoron!
After nearly 50 years of profiting handsomely from building false perceptions and stroking our redneck egos about how horsepower equals manhood ("That thing got a Hemi in it?") the automotive industry and their marketing gurus have a social responsibility to take the lead in aggressively reshaping how we look at cars. They've got to apply that same moneygrubbing fervor towards making Americans feel ok about smaller, less resource-wasteful cars.
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psuphiman80 8:21AM (6/10/2008)
Don't lose your balance on the pedestal dude. It seems it would be a long way down.
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heygoodbrother 9:48AM (6/10/2008)
The engines in the Tahoe and Yukon Hybrids for GM were developed with Chrysler and BMW. The two mode hybrid system that these vehicles have has been described as more efficient than traditional hybrids.
This isn't some greedy marketing scam. They won't make money on these, they barely have enough to get out to select dealerships. This is a cooperative attempt at coming at the big engine issue in a more responsible way. It's something new. If you had a business where you had to haul upwards of 6,000 lbs now you have a choice that wasn't there before.
Yes, a Hemi Hybrid was an oxymoron. Not anymore.
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Conspriacy theory 4:39PM (6/10/2008)
No mystery. It's.................................................................................................. the............................................................................................................
PRICE!!!
Sometimes I think GM has it together. Then I hit myself with hammers and remember that it is after all the same old GM. Stock is at a thirty year low and still a sell.
Nuff said
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