General Motors debuted a hybrid variant of its Buick LaCrosse in Shanghai today at the inauguration of its Drive to Green strategy -- a program originating from Shanghai GM (GM's Chinese branch) that focuses on the production of green vehicles and environmentally responsible methods of building them.
Dubbed the Buick LaCrosse Eco-Hybrid, the premium sedan is Chinese-made and is the first mainstream hybrid model in its market segment. The LaCrosse Eco-Hybrid currently achieves approximately 28 mpg versus the non-hybrid model's 24 mpg, according to GM. The LaCrosse (pictured is the non-hybrid model) is currently Shanghai GM's flagship vehicle. An as-yet-unnamed future two-mode hybrid will be launched later boasting some 50 percent greater fuel economy than a standard gasoline-powered engine.
GM also announced that three new engines will see production in 2008 for the Chinese market, including a 1.2-liter S-TEC unit reportedly capable of over 38 mpg and a HFV6 3.6-liter SIDI dual mode direct injection engine that is said to produce 15 percent more horsepower and eight percent more lb-ft of torque than the previous version, while reducing fuel consumption by three percent. By 2012, Shanghai GM will produce 11 new, more fuel efficient engines, and GM's E-Flex drive and Fuel Cell E-Flex system are both expected to debut in China sometime after 2010.
Shanghai GM also has goals for its three Chinese assembly plants in the coming years, saying that by 2012, coal consumption should be reduced by 25 percent compared to 2007 levels, while wastewater volume will decrease by 21 percent and the availability of reclaimed water will double. The automaker has also set its sights on recycling 97 percent of its waste product, an increase of 15 percent over the current level.
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