New GM Hybrids to be made in Canada

GM of Canada announced that its Oshawa Truck Assembly Plant will be the first plant in Canada to produce hybrid vehicles, with the new Two-Mode Hybrid Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra scheduled for sale in the fall of 2008.

“We are proud to announce that we will build the hybrid version of our award winning pickups in Oshawa,” said Arturo Elias, president of GM of Canada. “GM is making it a top priority to provide our customers with the widest selection of green vehicle technologies that can save them fuel and benefit the environment. This new hybrid truck adds to GM’s fast growing list of green vehicle technologies being engineered or assembled right here in Canada.”

“Our Government is pleased to support GM of Canada’s green technology investment in Oshawa which builds on similar investments made under the Beacon Project,” Minister of Economic Development and Trade Sandra Pupatello said. “GM has stepped up to the plate with answers to environmental challenges facing the automotive industry through innovative steps such as the production of hybrid, flex fuel and fuel cell vehicles. We will continue to work with the automotive industry on innovative ways to achieve clean air emissions and other critical issues. We remain committed to a strong, innovative and highly competitive auto industry.”

Unlike typical single mode systems available in the market, GM’s next generation two-mode hybrid system optimizes fuel efficiency in both city and highway driving. These unique features make the two-mode system easily adaptable for use in a broad range of vehicles.

GM has also announced that the two-mode hybrid system will be available in their Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon hybrids being launched this year and expected to deliver up to 25 per cent improved fuel consumption and in 2008 the next generation Saturn Vue 2-mode hybrid will offer estimated fuel consumption savings of up to 45 per cent.