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Chevy Silverado Hybrid Pickup

88 messages,  Last post on Jul 13, 2011 at 12:52 AM

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What is this discussion about? Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Hybrid Cars

Messages Page 4 of 10

#22 of 88 by well_informed

Jun 18, 2004 (7:47 am)

#20 of 21 Re: [well_informed #19] by sebring95 Jun 18, 2004 (10:26 am) As for the diesels, the price premiums dissuade high purchase rates.
 
 These premiums are thrust upon the Diesels only HERE in the US by the GREEDY automakers. It is a short-sighted and WRONG policy. In Europe, there is virtually no such premium.
 
Not exactly, the only diesels available in the trucks are heavy-duty nearly over-the-road diesels. Far overkill for the average 1/2 ton truck, that's a fact.
 
 The diesel in the huge Ford Excursion allws it to almost double its very poor MPG, but costs $4000 extra. If you do a lot of miles, it is a good tradeoff. But not if you don;t.
 
The diesel offered by VW in the TDI is about $1,000 more than the base 2.0L gas motor. It's nearly identical in cost to the turbo-charged gas motor. Except on resale value where the diesel is worth thousands more than either gasser.
 
 I agree VW prices its diesels resasonably, they got far higher resale value, plus they are probably not as unreliable as non-diesel VWs. SO if I bought a VW, I'd only buy a Diesel.
 
new Passat TDI is within a couple hundred bucks of the base turbo-gas engine and less than the V6.
 
 If one does quite a few miles, family trips etc, the Passat Diesel Wagon isi hard to beat, and I bet it can tow as much or more than the more expensive v6 passat too.

#23 of 88 Government statistics on Hybrid trucks by gagrice

Jun 18, 2004 (9:37 am)

It looks like the government is taken a look at the hybrid GM full size PU. They are claiming 5%-13% improvement over the gas burners. 17 city 19 highway with a 4wd is not my idea of an improvement. The big question is will it pull a 10,000 trailer up a 6% grade? I am sure there will be people that jump on this new truck. Hopefully we get some of the answers to the many questions. Without at least a 50% increase in mpg at the same price for the vehicle, why take the risk?
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/hybrid_news.shtml

#24 of 88 Re: Government statistics on Hybrid trucks [gagrice #23] by sebring95

Jun 18, 2004 (10:13 am)

Replying to: gagrice (Jun 18, 2004 9:37 am)
The big question is will it pull a 10,000 trailer up a 6% grade? I am sure there will be people that jump on this new truck.
 
Not an issue because the same engine is used regardless of hybrid or other. It's a very light hybrid system that mainly is only in use at very low speeds and for idling. I doubt you'll see any mpg change on the highway in real life (long trips). The EPA highway cycle is NOT just driving on the highway at 65mph, it's a warm start-up, lower speed driving, then some higher speeds. That's why many cars will beat the EPA on long highway only trips. My Tahoe regularly hits 20mpg on long highway legs.
 
There's also no Chevy with the 5.3L V8 (used in the hybrid) rated to tow 10,000# anyway, lol! Somewhere around 7500#, which is a lot of work for the 5.3L anyway. I keep my Tahoe around 5,000# and it does the job. Very aggravating though when I'm used to pulling 15,000# easier with a diesel.

#25 of 88 Re: Government statistics on Hybrid trucks [sebring95 #24] by gagrice

Jun 18, 2004 (10:51 am)

Replying to: sebring95 (Jun 18, 2004 10:13 am)
Sounds like the hybrids will be limited to the light duty 1500 series. Most contractors use the 2500-3500 HD trucks. So much for the built-in gen set. Tax credit is kind of wasted also when you can write off a new 6000# vehicle in one year. Diesel pickups are going to still be the way to go.

#26 of 88 Re: Government statistics on Hybrid trucks [gagrice #25] by sebring95

Jun 18, 2004 (1:06 pm)

Replying to: gagrice (Jun 18, 2004 10:51 am)
I've heard a rumor of the Dodge Ram coming with similar hybrid set-up, but with the Cummins trucks. I imagine the 3/4 trucks will eventually get this if it works. Actually, a huge number of contractors and such use 1/2 ton trucks. Mainly because they're cheap and generally get the job done.

#27 of 88 Re: Government statistics on Hybrid trucks [sebring95 #26] by gagrice

Jun 18, 2004 (1:14 pm)

Replying to: sebring95 (Jun 18, 2004 1:06 pm)
I was thinking about the Oil field where I work in Alaska. All you ever see is 1 ton diesel crew cabs. Mostly Ford a few Chevys and Never a Dodge. Seems strange with that great Cummins diesel. I think the Oil Companies have closer ties to Ford and GM. No Toyota trucks either. I imagine we will get some hybrids if the fleet price is competitive and they get a tax break from Uncle Sam. BP knows how to milk the governments of all the countries that have oil.

#28 of 88 Re: Government statistics on Hybrid trucks [gagrice #27] by sebring95

Jun 21, 2004 (5:38 am)

Replying to: gagrice (Jun 18, 2004 1:14 pm)
When I was in corporate, fleet buying was under my supervision. Ford is extremely aggresive on their fleet sales. Our statistics pretty much left us with operating costs that were equal regardless of GM/dodge/ford. Ford generally had a big advantage on the trucks, $1,000 sometimes. Once in awhile, GM would push a particular model that would be a better deal. Dodge rarely did any selling on the fleet side for trucks. GM pushed the cars hard, luminas would come in $500-$1,000 under a Taurus. I understand that Ford is now backing off of fleet sales, at least on the car side. Not sure they'll ever back off of the trucks, they've got a big profit center on them. GM will probably push these into fleets, particularly because fleets are more tolerant of problems and sometimes have better warranties.

#29 of 88 Re: Government statistics on Hybrid trucks [sebring95 #28] by gagrice

Jun 21, 2004 (7:57 am)

Replying to: sebring95 (Jun 21, 2004 5:38 am)
That fits exactly what I am seeing in the field. Also what I heard, that Ford was less expensive.

#30 of 88 Re: Government statistics on Hybrid trucks [gagrice #27] by midnightcowboy

Jun 21, 2004 (8:24 am)

Replying to: gagrice (Jun 18, 2004 1:14 pm)
>Mostly Ford a few Chevys and Never a Dodge.
 
Curious?
 
Why never a Dodge? Is a Dodge unreliable?

#31 of 88 Re: Government statistics on Hybrid trucks [midnightcowboy #30] by gagrice

Jun 21, 2004 (9:14 am)

Replying to: midnightcowboy (Jun 21, 2004 8:24 am)
Why never a Dodge? Is a Dodge unreliable?
 
Not at all. They refuse to give into big corporations on fleet sales. As Sebring95 pointed out Ford usually gives the biggest discount. It all has to do with dollars. I am sure to Exxon or BP a 3/4 ton truck is just that, no matter who makes it. They go for the bottom dollar. If Chevy or Dodge would buckle under they would get the sales.

Messages Page 4 of 10

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