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Penske Backs Out of Saturn Deal; Brand to Wind Down

Green Car Congress

PAG) has terminated its discussions with General Motors Company to acquire the Saturn brand, citing concerns directly related to the future supply of vehicles beyond the supply period it had negotiated with GM. Pursuant to the terms of those agreements, the wind down process will be determined and communicated shortly.

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GM Simplifies the Two-Mode Hybrid Transmission, Maintains Functionality for FWD Application

Green Car Congress

GM has simplified the two-mode hybrid system for application in front-wheel drive vehicles—the Saturn VUE being the first instance ( earlier post )—while retaining its functionality and capability, according to Mark Selogie, Senior Manager Power Electronics, GM Powertrain, speaking at the SAE Hybrid Symposium in San Diego (11-12 Feb).

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GM Advises Approximately 1,100 Dealers of No Long-Term Future in GM Dealer Network

Green Car Congress

In its recent S-4 filing and updated Viability Plan ( earlier post ), General Motors said it will reduce its dealer network from 5,969 stores today to approximately 3,600 by the end of 2010. We have said from the beginning that our dealers are not a problem but an asset for General Motors. outside of GM’s control.

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GM Releases New Viability Plan, Launches Bond Exchange; Phasing Out Pontiac

Green Car Congress

General Motors presented an updated Viability Plan that accelerates and deepens the cuts in US brands and nameplates, dealers, manufacturing operations and employees intended to enable GM North America to breakeven (on an adjusted EBIT basis) at a US total industry sales volume of approximately 10 million vehicles.

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Plug-ins to play part in GM future

Green Cars News

In an online blog, General Motors’ (GM) vice chairman Tom Stephens stated that the company will apply plug-in hybrid technology to one of its four core brands followings its’ restructuring. The company will be divided into Chevrolet, Cadillac, GMC and Buick following the decision to close Pontiac and sell Saturn.

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GM Previews First Two-Mode, Front-Wheel-Drive Hybrid Transaxle

Green Car Congress

General Motors 2MT70 FWD two-mode hybrid transaxle, as seen from. Design parameters of the current design include a 50% improvement in EPA composite fuel economy as compared to a conventional Saturn VUE, as well as a 7.5 Motor-Generators. engine side. Click to enlarge. second acceleration for the baseline vehicle.

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Plug-In Hybrids (or Plugin Hybrids)

Tony Karrer Delicious EVdriven

And were gratified that General Motors recognizes this study as validation of its decision to evolve to the electrification of transportation. Plus more people are installing rooftop solar photovoltaic systems, and clean wind power is vastly expanding nationally (see study by eminent environmentalist Lester Brown cited at CalCars Kudos ).

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