GM Is Promising Hybrids Again, So Why Does It Rub Me the Wrong Way?
The automaker has reaffirmed its hybrid plans just as its EV lineup finds its footing. A history of killing promising tech has me worried.
General Motors has reaffirmed its plans to introduce hybrid vehicles to its lineup, a decision that has sparked debate online. With Americans growing wary of electric vehicles (EVs) and fuel prices surging, many automakers are rushing to join the hybrid market. However, GM's previous attempts at hybridization have been less than successful, leading to skepticism about this latest move.
Mike Anderson, GM's vice president of propulsion engineering, confirmed the automaker's hybrid plans on CNBC. GM currently has only one hybrid vehicle in its lineup, the Corvette Grand Sport X, which replaced the E-Ray in 2023. The company has largely focused on full-electric cars since then. Having covered the automotive landscape for 30 years and professionally for nearly two decades, the author has witnessed GM make several questionable decisions over the years.
These include the cancellation of the Chevrolet Volt and the Bolt EV, despite their innovative technology. The author worries that GM's current shift towards hybrids may be another case of the company abandoning its forward-thinking approach for something more familiar and potentially disappointing. While GM currently has a strong electric vehicle lineup, the automaker's history of pulling the plug on promising electric models leaves the author concerned about its ability to follow through on this new hybrid plan.
Written by urgent.news from CNET's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
