GM Confirms It Is Prepping a Second Plug-In Hybrid Vehicle

DETROIT — General Motors is readying a companion vehicle to the Chevrolet Volt, a second plug-in hybrid vehicle that will debut in 2011, according to GM Vice Chairman Tom Stephens.

"The introduction of this technology will not be delayed," Stephens wrote. "We are still planning initial delivery of the plug-in hybrid vehicles, which use a modified version of the GM two-mode hybrid system, in 2011 to the DOE [U.S. Department of Energy] and EPRI [Electric Power Research Institute] for use in fleets."

He added: "The Volt and plug-in hybrid vehicle are two of 14 hybrid and electric vehicles GM plans to offer by 2012. So while it may seem at times we're taking a step back, we're really taking two steps forward."

The unnamed vehicle will be introduced at the same time that the Saturn Vue plug-in was set to debut. GM CEO Fritz Henderson said recently that GM is accelerating the push to get rid of its Saturn, Saab and Hummer brands by the end of 2009 — a decision that left the Saturn Vue plug-in in limbo. Stephens acknowledged this in his blog posting, saying the Saturn decision was "one of the more difficult."

But, the Saturn decision won't put the brakes on GM's plug-in hybrid powertrain, says Stephens.

He would not say which brand would get the plug-in hybrid powertrain, although he told Automotive News that it will be installed in a compact crossover vehicle. Such a vehicle is expected to get the equivalent of about 35 miles per gallon.

"I'm pleased to let you know the plug-in hybrid technology will be applied to one of GM's four core brands," Stephens wrote. "Stay tuned for which one, and in the meantime, I'll enjoy reading the speculation."

Inside Line says: The death of Saturn won't mean the delay of an upcoming plug-in hybrid vehicle, say the powers that be at GM. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent