GM and hybrids

[xowey]

I work at a GM dealer, why has the general been so far behind on the hybrid game? At the dealer I work at (it's fairly small and rural) we've never sold a hybrid of any kind yet. The Malibu hybrid hasn't been around us, I've never even seen one yet, I'm a mechanic and am all caught up on my hybrid training and prepared to work on one. Hybrids seem to be way to late to show up at GM..... the new 2 mode hybrid Tahoe that is coming out soon is a very cool vehicle and a step in the right direction but, I think it may be too technical for the average driver. There are a few issues that the general public will need to know or they will be very unhappy with their first hybrid experience. For instance : on a new 2mode hybrid, you will run into a major problem if you decide to sit in your vehicle and put the key into the accessory position and listen to the radio for a half hour or so because the 12volt battery (not the hybrid battery that is also on board) will go dead very quickly and will result in a no start condition because the 12 volt battery actually powers up the computers. The hybrid battery actually starts the engine but the vehicle is dead without the 12 volt battery. Even with the differences and the new processes that most drivers will have to learn to accept and learn, I think the new hybrids are an encouraging step in automotive evolution.
I just wish that GM would get with it and get this thing going a little more rapidly. When they release the new Chevy Volt that is coming and being advertised, it will really signify the start of the hybrid revolution .......... I just hope it works as good as they hope, for the sake of all of us.

[zzyzzx2]

I agree. I'd buy one of their newer hybrids if they put it in a Cobalt. But they seem to only want to put them in vehicles that suck gas like there is no tommorrow.

So I'm left waiting for the Chevy Volt.

[serge_saati]

Originally Posted by xowey

I work at (it's fairly small and rural) we've never sold a hybrid of any kind yet.

Originally Posted by xowey

I think it may be too technical for the average driver.

I'm very technical, I found the principle of hybrid very simple. Peoples that don't understand are close-minded.

The reason why peoples don't buy Malibu Hybrid (and I agree) is because the Malibu hybrid is only 9% more efficient that the regular one. And it costs 4000$ more.
Furthermore, the GM Hybrid system sucks. It's not as good as toyota. 9% is nothing. The camry hybrid is 32% more efficient than regular camry. That is good! Cause the battery of malibu is too weak.
Furthermore, Hybrid is efficient only in city driving in hot weather. For peoples who do a lot of highway, and drive in cold weather, hybrid make no sense. Especially if the max efficiency gain is 9%...
Furthermore, when we drive a Malibu hybrid in traffic, each time that we press the gas, the engine start, then stop when we brake. So we naturally afraid to press the accelerator, so it doesn't start-stop-start-stop-start-stop and reduces efficiency. So we prefer the "normal" malibu.

If I want an hybrid, my last choice will be the Malibu. I'll take a Mercury Mariner. I like also the fusion hybrid.