With the new body style launch of the Tahoe Yukon and Escalade trio, the hybrid seem to have been left out of the picture. Here is a list of things why producing the GM SUV hybrid is a viable option. Please add with your own reasons why.

1. It meets CAFE standards in getting good mileage in a SUV.
2. Idling for hours doesn't cost a lot of fuel. This is excellent in city mode travel.
3. It's reliability has been proven by other owners as well as test vehicles with high miles.
4. Replacement battery is not needed until 300k miles. Almost a lifetime.
5. It will gain popularity as soon as the public realize how efficient and reliable it is.
7. Engine wear is cut in half due to its two mode system.
8. A possibility of a more efficient and powerful battery pack will make this even desirable as a part plug in.
9. The hybrids CVT is a work of art and its technology is used by other manufacturers.
10. It is the future.

 

The only problem is that I dont think your core Tahoe/Yukon and Escalade driver is interested in a hybrid. If youre going to buy a vehicle that is the size of a small apartment, do you really care about the environment or being green? I think not.

 

I think you hit most of the high points. The two-mode has its electric motors in the transmission rather then on the axle, making it much more cost efficient to deliver a 4WD/AWD hybrid. 4WD/AWD is essential when living in snow country.

 

actually it is not about environment or green but about efficiency. my 2003 honda pilot get 13mpg city and 17mpg highway. my 2013 range rover sport gets 14 city and 19 highway average of about 16mpg combined(mostly city) and it is a 5.0L V8. the pilot is 3.5L V6 with poor mileage. my escalade gets 18.9mpg city and up to 25mpg highway. how can you refuse that?

 

Not all of us fit comfortable in a Honda

 

If you do the math on the roughly 45,000 2 Modes they have put a measurable dent in our continental fuel use. Here is another little math idea.

Ton*miles/gallon. Take a Prius 1.5 Tons times 50 miles per gallon. 75 Ton.miles/gallon.

Now take a 6500 lb Escalade hybrid 4X4 at 22 mpg. 71 Ton.miles/gallon

And you can't tow my 5000 lb Sea Ray with a Prius.

 

I honestly believe one of the reasons GM decided to discontinue the Hybrid Tahoe/Escalade is they over engineered the drive train and it was too robust for a viable business model, it's difficult to sell new vehicles when your old ones are going 200K-300K miles without any major issues. It's also difficult for a dealer service department to earn their keep when vehicles are going 100K miles on the brake pads.
I also think that the Tahoe/Escalade Hybrid wasn't as well received with the consumer as they had anticipated and added a level of complexity to the product line without adequate return on the investment. The profit margin is likely higher on a non-hybrid Tahoe/Escalade and consumers seem to like it better, so why bother with the Hybrid?

 

Why bother? Because it is the future. The BMW X6 hybrid, Porsche Cayenne Hybrid, Chrysler and MB hybrid were all patterned in the GM hybrid power plant system. It just need acceptance and promotion of the escalade hybrid. My only complaint with the hybrid? It tops out at 100 mph.

 

I wholeheartedly agree but business is business, often times the consumer cant identify what would ultimately be a better decision for them. Diesel cars should also sell a heck of a lot better than they do, but they don't, American consumers just cannot grasp the concept of a diesel car.

We do however, LOVE our diesel pickup trucks...

 

I love the post.ive only owned my yukon for a short time and absolutely love the mpg it just makes me feel better.i think the lack luster sales is what is the issue and that was caused by the price premium .Most people in the market can't justify the increase in cost and the huge depreciation on top of it .bring the cost to the consumers down and I believe the sales would dramatically increase.