GM Shows Fake Hybrid Concept SUV to Journalists?

I would classify this as typical corporate ethics. There is only one class less ethical than corporate America and that would be our politicians. Both waste tremendous wealth and resources attempting to create the image they want us to see. If only we could return to a time when it was politically correct to be honest.

Did anyone in the blogging chain even read the Autoweek article? While the Graphyte does have a traditional internal combustion V8, it has dual electric motors mated directly (and built in-) to the transmission. These electrics form its 'hybrid' powertrain, and keep what is truly a concept vehicle from being a sham as you say. Where Toyota has two motors feeding its transmission, the GM system is essentially a normal engine mated with an electric-assisted transmission. The logic of the GM approach is that _any_ vehicle in their lineup could become a 'hybrid' by simply adding the electric-assist transmission. No additional engine tweaking would (theoretically) be necessary in the target car. The fuel economy gains might not be as great as with a larger electric motor and a smaller gasoline engine, but it's an interesting idea.

I like Treehugger a lot, but try to keep that 'greenwash' word holstered!

Matt, I did read the article, and the part where they explain how the Graphyte works could mean that the car the journalists drove had that technology or that it is what it is supposed to be and in the meantime had only a gas-engine, depending on how you interpret the part quoted by TTAC, which is why I said "if the accusation is true".

Precision: I don't doubt that GM wants to build what they describe (assist hybrid) someday, but having journalists drive a truck that is supposed to be a hybrid, to have them then write in their papers how GM is "catching up to the japanese" and how "it's going to be a major hybrid player in 2007-2008" when in fact the "actual prototypes" are somewhere else (if that was the case), not even ready enough to show people, and the journalists just drove a regular large SUV, that's just greenwashing, smoke and mirrors.

Any car company could make you drive a regular SUV and tell you: "Oh yeah, it's a hybrid, see how we're catching up to the Japanese? Now go report that to the public!"

For perspective, GM has invested a great deal in its fuel cell propulsion program. Maybe more than the other US based makers. Perhaps the "sin" is more one of mistaken strategy than anything devious or manipulative. The price to be paid for missing the hybrid 'transition' after oil prices spike is embarrassment, followed by a fast game of catchup. Large organizations turn at battleship speed and false starts and communication mistakes might be expected under such pressures. With the health care cost burden and lost market share they've experieinced, there can't be too much extra R&SD money lying around; and in this sort of climate a "stretch-concept" car is what might be expected. The thing I can't figure at all is why the huge wheels? The boxy ugliness? And the insistence on making it an SUV with a big engine? IF you're going to stretch why not get wild in other words???

I see what you're saying and I agree - it would have done GM a whole lot more good if they rolled out one of the disguised prototypes that actually use the technology.

It does make sense to me that we're seeing SUVs getting hybridized (the Escape, RX400h, etc.). The sales figures for GM's recent successful employee pricing promotion were strongest in the truck and SUV segment, in spite of gas prices. I give them credit for trying to hype green(er) tech on an SUV platform instead of rolling out another EV1-type vehicle that the public will (yawn) ignore.

as much as i'd personally like to see suvs just go away, it was here on treehugger that i saw a great comparison on actual fuel saved by converting a 15mpg suv to 30mpg vs taking a 50mpg car to 100mpg. in the end, doubling mileage of the innefficient car saves far more fuel than doubling the more efficient car.

Why would a hybrid SUV make any difference. The idea of a "Green SUV" is a Greenwash from the get-go. SUVs are bigger than useful.

Logic. Design. Car Crash.

GM greenwashing

Show cars just don't matter. It's all PR. I still just dont get any of the automakers. Is it that they're all 'car guys', and just dont see what we want or need? Lexus SUV and Accord hybrids all try and sell on performance.

While a new crop of teeny cars--which seem like a great direction to go in, just get the same mileage as their other compacts.

Yaris > 34-40 mpg
Honda FIT > 33-38 mpg
Chevrolet Aveo > 26-35mpg
Accord Hybrid > 25-34 mpg

Three dollar gas just isn't enough to make us more want to be efficient. I'm still holding off on that new car purchase... waiting for a real alternative. Hopeless?