UPDATE 1AUTOSHOWGM sees upgraded hybrid system on road by 2010
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By David Bailey
GENEVA, March 4 (Reuters) - General Motors Corp (GM.N: Quote, Profile, Research) said
it plans production of upgraded hybrid gasoline-electric
vehicles in 2010 using more powerful lithium-ion batteries that
promise to boost fuel economy by up to 20 percent.
Lithium-ion batteries will be able to provide nearly three
times the power of the nickel metal hydride batteries now used
in most hybrid vehicles, while weighing far less and taking up
less space, the automaker said.
Widespread production of hybrid vehicles with lithium-ion
technology is seen as a key step toward making rechargeable or
“plug-in” hybrid vehicles, such as the Chevrolet Volt.
The Volt is being designed to run on electric power alone
for short distances and to recharge by plugging into a standard
electric outlet.
The highly anticipated Volt is central to GM’s bid to
challenge rival Toyota Motor Corp’s (7203.T: Quote, Profile, Research) dominance in the
market for the small but fast-growing hybrid market.
GM said it expects to roll out the new hybrid system, which
will use different technology than the Volt, across its brands
and regions starting with North America. By targeting annual
production above 100,000 vehicles, GM expects to be able to
drive down the cost, executives said.
GM said its new hybrid system would build on current
technology used on its Saturn Vue Green Line, the Saturn Aura
Green Line and the Chevrolet Malibu hybrids and could improve
fuel economy by between 15 percent and 20 percent. Continued…
