Jump to content
Create New...

DaimlerChrysler, GM sign hybrid-vehicle pact


Recommended Posts

Reuters / August 25, 2005

FRANKFURT -- DaimlerChrysler and General Motors have clinched their deal to co-develop new hybrid vehicle technology, a GM spokesman said on Thursday.

The partners had announced in December an agreement in principle to develop hybrids as they try to catch up with Japanese rivals on the fuel-saving systems that reduce harmful emissions.

"We now have a binding and definitive agreement on development of a full hybrid system," the spokesman said, adding it took effect on Aug. 22.

The automakers have said they will develop a "two-mode" hybrid technology that boosts both acceleration and fuel economy by 25 percent and can be used on a wide variety of vehicles.

The deal teams GM, the world's biggest automaker, and German-American DaimlerChrysler, the global number five, against rivals including Toyota Motor Corp. and Honda Motor Co. Ltd., which have a head start in the hybrid market.

The "two-mode" hybrid system, adapted from GM's transit bus hybrid on the market in some U.S. cities today, uses smaller electric motors that work like a gear set to offer what the partners call superior performance and fuel economy.

That allows the system to use a smaller conventional engine, making it more cost-effective than competitors' hybrids.

GM will first use the system in late 2007 in its Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon full-sized SUVs, the spokesman confirmed. Chrysler will follow with a hybrid version of its Dodge Durango full-sized SUV among a range of hybrids.

Daimler's Mercedes brand is also working on an application for rear-wheel-drive passenger cars, the spokesman added.

DaimlerChrysler was not immediately available for comment.

Hybrids burn less fuel by adding one or more electric motors to a conventional gasoline or diesel engine. The batteries help power the vehicle and recharge automatically by capturing energy during braking.

The "two-mode" hybrid system will improve fuel economy at highway speeds and trailer towing ability, which are both key for the U.S. market, the companies have said.

Toyota's Prius passenger car, first launched in Japan in 1997, has emerged as the most popular hybrid.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.



×
×
  • Create New...

Hey there, we noticed you're using an ad-blocker. We're a small site that is supported by ads or subscriptions. We rely on these to pay for server costs and vehicle reviews.  Please consider whitelisting us in your ad-blocker, or if you really like what you see, you can pick up one of our subscriptions for just $1.75 a month or $15 a year. It may not seem like a lot, but it goes a long way to help support real, honest content, that isn't generated by an AI bot.

See you out there.

Drew
Editor-in-Chief

Write what you are looking for and press enter or click the search icon to begin your search

Change privacy settings