GM and DaimlerChrysler to Team Up on Hybrids

12-04

General Motors and DaimlerChrysler announced an agreement to work together to develop hybrid systems. Their goal is to develop a two-mode design as opposed to the single-mode systems currently available in hybrids. This should be more fuel efficient. The first vehicles to use this are expected from GM in 2007, with the Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon. Both companies have been working independently on their own hybrid systems for their range of passenger vehicles.

The two companies have been pretty quiet till now about bringing a full range of hybrids to market. They have focused on pickups targeted at the construction trade. The new design will be applied in rear- and front-wheel-drive versions for cars, trucks and other vehicles.

As this new system is patented, the two companies may end up being a market leader and supplying other manufacturers or licensing the design. The new system is claimed to be able to use smaller electric motors, yet still achieve efficiency improvements over conventional designs.