Filed under: Hybrid, Chevrolet, GM, Legislation and Policy, Green Daily
Wagoner to visit Congress in Malibu Hybrid
Following the announcement from Ford that Alan Mulally, CEO of the Ford Motor Company, would be driving to Washington from Detroit in a Ford Escape Hybrid, General Motors has today proclaimed that Rick Wagoner will make the trek in a Malibu Hybrid. Of course, they almost have to at this point, now that both Detroit automakers have also announced that they would be ridding themselves of their fleet of private jets. Wagoner's choice of a Malibu Hybrid seems solid as well; though it may not be as advanced as some other hybrid models, including GM's own 2-Mode trucks and SUVs, the Malibu is a good car and a sales success that seems to represent GM's promising future.
The next obvious question is how Nardelli will get to DC. We'd wager that it'll be in a Chrysler vehicle, but which one? Ford and GM both had hybrids to choose from, but Chrysler recently canceled its first hybrid models before they ever really got off the ground. Ideas?
Gallery: 2009 Chrysler Aspen Hybrid
[Source: AP via Google]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
bob ash 8:55PM (12/02/2008)
Walk?
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Chris H. 9:02PM (12/02/2008)
Hey, perhaps they could car pool...
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MattK 9:14PM (12/02/2008)
If he doesn't even have a decent green Chrysler PROTOTYPE to drive, forget walking to D.C.; he should just walk to the nearest unemployment line with all of Chrysler's other employees!
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Rich in FL 9:21PM (12/02/2008)
He could take a Prius? Tesla EV? The train?
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MemphisNET 9:31PM (12/02/2008)
He should take a Challenger R/T 6speed. If they're REALLY going down and all is lost, he may as well have some fun. It's not THAT bad on fuel (mtx is good, atx is terrible) -- I'm getting 35mpg (imperial) out of mine on the hwy. Not bad for 400lb/f torque.
Next choice would be their Chrysler Town & Country EV they showed a few months ago.
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Matthew 9:57PM (12/02/2008)
This is old news. CNBC reported this morning that he will be flying commercially, not driving.
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doug 10:22PM (12/02/2008)
I like to see him suffer the drive in a nice Dodge Caliber. Then he could see how screwed up his company is. He may even just throw in the towel and go Chapter 7 bankruptcy once he sees how bad his products suck.
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why not the LS2LS7? 10:57PM (12/02/2008)
The Malibu hybrid isn't an advanced hybrid. And it's a 6-speed transmission short of getting significantly better mpg than the non-hybrid version. But he will still be using less gas than Mullaly will. The Escape hybrid only gets 31 highway to the Malibu hybrid's 34. Hell, conventional 4-banger Malibu with 6-speed transmission would use less fuel than the Escape too (33 highway).
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MemphisNET 11:00PM (12/02/2008)
@doug
The Caliber is a terrible small car, but it is an EXCELLENT mini-CUV. The only thing 'wrong' with it is the cheap plastics. But it is a fine vehicle. You're either an import fanboy or just anti-Chrysler, either way you're very short sighted.
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Zach 10:30AM (12/03/2008)
Oh, so if it sucks as one thing, just call it something else that sucks at that by default.
Now it doesn't suck!
Hank 12:21AM (12/03/2008)
Dodge Sprinter full of his lawyers and lackeys.
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jeffzekas 2:40AM (12/03/2008)
My problem with this horse and pony show: just TRY to buy a hybrid at your Ford or Chevy dealer! I can't find one dealer near me who has a Malibu hybrid in-stock... in fact, some of the salesmen have never heard of it! Same for the Escape hybrid... if they-- the automakers-- want us to believe in them, "build it, and they will come."
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jake 3:54AM (12/03/2008)
Their explaination for low stock on hybrids is that margins are lower and for given models with the base version in high demand (true of both the malibu & escape) they build the hybrid stock lower in relation to the base model to maximize profits given limited production capacity in the factories.
They have been saying judging from good hybrid demand and the decline in demand overall for the base cars they might build more hybrids.
why not the LS2LS7? 4:06AM (12/03/2008)
Escape hybrids sell well. The Malibu hybrid is for losers. If I were a dealer, I wouldn't stock it either.
Malibu 4-cylinder LTZ (6-speed transmission): 22/33 mpg.
Malibu hybrid: 26/34 mpg.
You're just not going to save enough gas to make the cost back. So it's a small seller.
michael pettibone 7:57AM (12/03/2008)
A viper that runs on E-85 like the whole ethanol program,it doesn't have to make sense!
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JDred 12:20PM (12/03/2008)
I find it funny that the Bloggers and commenters here go apeshit over the Big 3's use of Corporate Jets but have no problem with say, Nancy Pelosi having her butt carted about in a GOVERNMENT Jet back and forth to San Fran! Or how Barney Frank and Chris Dodd's poor oversight of Fannie and Freddie started this economic mess in the first place.
But as usual, no one notices that important, but small detail. Why is it Corporations are evil and Politicians can do no wrong?
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Chris M 5:27PM (12/03/2008)
You do realize that having a home on the West coast and a job in DC pretty much requires flying back and forth. Pelosi isn't reserving a government plane for her exclusive use, she is often travelling with other Western politicians, and when appropriate takes commercial flights.
It is a bit silly to try and blame the whole financial mess on Franks and Dodd, especially when Phil Gramm and the Republican dominated congress pushed through the bank deregulation that allowed greedy executives to make high risk loans.
It is just as ridiculous to assume that "Corporations are evil and Politicians can do no wrong" as it is to assume that "Politicians are evil and Corporations can do no wrong". Neither politicians or corporations are inherently evil, but both are capable of considerable wrongdoing.
MarkC 1:39PM (12/03/2008)
I'm glad to hear that he's taking a Malibu Hybrid. I hope they post a picture of it in the newspaper to prove it exists. I tried to find either a Malibu or Aura Hybrid and the dealers in my area haven't had one and don't expect to get one. It hasn't stopped GM advertising that they make it though.
Of course, it could be that they only ship them to "select" markets such as California, New York and Washington DC.
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So-o-o-o Sad 3:30PM (12/03/2008)
Commercial jets burn less fuel per passenger mile than any production car with one person in it for a longish trip if they don't sit on the tarmac too long. Public transportation is efficient if people use it.
In this case it doesn't matter at all, it's just disgusting posing. Too dull even for C-SPAN.
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S. Baker 5:14PM (12/04/2008)
"You do realize that having a home on the West coast and a job in DC pretty much requires flying back and forth. Pelosi isn't reserving a government plane for her exclusive use, she is often travelling with other Western politicians, and when appropriate takes commercial flights."
Typical liberal rant...its okay 'cause I am different. Hey why aren't your liberal congress nut jobs working for $1? Seems only fair since they can't seem to do anything right in Washington. Maybe all you asian worshippers would rather have the Emperor in Washington running things? Banzai, banzai, Banzai!
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