General Motors Backtracks, Will Add Plug-In Hybrids To U.S. Lineup
General Motors CEO Mary Barra announced a big change to the automaker’s strategy during the company’s 2023 earnings call on Tuesday.
Barra, who in 2021 proclaimed that the automaker was aiming to go all-electric by 2035 and would be skipping hybrids to concentrate on developing fully-electric vehicles, said GM will now be adding plug-in hybrids to the lineup during the transition.
“Our forward plan includes bringing our plug-in hybrid technology to select vehicles in North America,” Barra said.
“Deploying plug-in technology in strategic segments will deliver some of the environmental benefits of EVs ad the nation continues to build its charging infrastructure.”
Barra said the move would help the automaker meet increasingly stringent emissions regulations as the adoption curve for full EVs has appeared to have slowed.
Despite the updates, Barra said GM’s rollout of electric vehicles will be “profit positive” by the end of 2024.
The only hybrid GM currently offers in the U.S. is the Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray, which is a standard hybrid that employs an electric motor that’s primarily focused on adding performance.
Chevrolet previously sold the plug-in hybrid Volt through two generations from 2011 to 2019.
The Wall Street Journal on Monday reported that several top dealers on GM advisory councils were urging the company to introduce hybrid models, which all of its major competitors offer.
GM currently sells several hybrids and plug-in hybrids in China through its joint ventures in the country.
Barra did not offer any specifics on what models would feature the plug-in tech or when they would debut.
The recently-unveiled 2025 Chevrolet Equinox has so far only been confirmed with a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, but a plug-in hybrid version will be available in China.
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