In China, “mild” hybrids are represented by an updated version of the Buick LaCrosse eAssist that will go on sale in China in October. The improvements to the model, which debuted in China in 2011, include an increase in highway fuel economy to about 45 miles per gallon. Then there are the “normal” hybrids, represented by the Cadillac Escalade Hybrid, and the world-famous Chevrolet Volt was, of course, the extended range plug-in of choice. Finally, GM China is showing off the Sail Springo electric vehicle. That model, first unveiled in concept form in late 2010 and officially named late last year, has an 80-mile single-charge range and a top speed of 80 miles per hour.
GM China’s vehicle sales for the first half of the year rose about 11 percent compared to last year and were about 200,000 units higher than US sales. Check out GM’s press release below.
Showcases new energy vehicles supporting a “greener” tomorrow
Shanghai – General Motors China held an electrification workshop today in Shanghai to showcase its new energy vehicles and advanced powertrains. With the theme of “Driving the Future with Electrification,” the workshop also highlighted GM China’s long-term vehicle electrification strategy.
“GM is a leader in the introduction of vehicles powered by electricity in China,” said Matt Crossley, GM China Director of Engineering and Electrification. “Our broad range of electrified vehicles are supporting a greener tomorrow for the country’s automotive industry.”
GM offers a wide spectrum of new energy vehicle choices and technologies in China. GM and its joint ventures currently offer light electrification technology with the Buick LaCrosse eAssist, full hybrid technology with the Cadillac Escalade Hybrid, extended-range electric vehicle technology with the Chevrolet Volt and pure electric vehicle technology with the Sail SPRINGO EV.
The new Buick LaCrosse eAssist model, which will be launched in China next month, builds on the success of the current model. It is powered by a smart hybrid powertrain that combines a 2.4L SIDI engine, a customized 6-speed transmission, a 15-kW electric motor and lithium-ion batteries. It consumes 5.2 liters of fuel per 100 km at a constant 90 km/h and 7.2 liters of fuel per 100 km under combined road conditions, giving it a fuel economy advantage of 20 percent over similar models with conventional internal combustion engines.
The Chevrolet Volt is the first extended-range electric vehicle offered in China. It can travel up to 80 km on electric power. When its battery is depleted, its range-extending engine seamlessly kicks in to take the Volt another 490 km.
The locally produced Sail SPRINGO EV is an all-electric vehicle that can go more than 130 km on a single charge, with less than 15 kWh consumed for every 100 km. It generates 510 Nm of peak torque and has a top speed of 130 km/h, giving it the same exhilarating driving experience as a gasoline-powered automobile.
GM China will hold similar electrification workshops in Beijing and Guangzhou.
General Motors traces its roots back to 1908. GM has 12 joint ventures, two wholly owned foreign enterprises and more than 58,000 employees in China. GM and its joint ventures offer the broadest lineup of vehicles and brands among automakers in China. Passenger cars and commercial vehicles are sold under the Baojun, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Jiefang, Opel and Wuling brands. In 2012, GM sold more than 2.8 million vehicles in China. It has been the sales leader among global automakers in the market for eight consecutive years. More information on General Motors in China can be found at GM Media Online.
