GM rolls out hybrid transmissions

From detnews.com - Autos Insider:

New systems will debut in the 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid and 2008 GMC Yukon Hybrid, making them the industry's only full-size hybrid SUVs. General Motors Corp. launched production Monday of its first two-mode hybrid transmission at a plant just outside Baltimore as the automaker tries to stem the decline in full-size SUV sales due to higher gas prices. The two-mode system will debut in the 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid and 2008 GMC Yukon Hybrid, making them the industry's only full-size hybrid SUVs. The technology may help eliminate or diminish the backlash in some quarters against the full-size SUVs; industry-wide sales are down 4.5 percent through September. GM initially expects hybrid versions of its full-size vehicles to account for 5 percent to 10 percent of sales volumes for those models, said Mark LaNeve, the company's sales and marketing chief. "Since we are in uncharted territory with an advanced hybrid in a car of this class, we will plan in that range and adjust up or down to demand."

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