General Motors Executive Director for Electrification Larry Nitz shared in Shanghai the company’s technical strength and roadmap in the area of electrification.
GM is accelerating the launch of electrified vehicles in China. Through its SAIC-GM joint venture, GM plans to fully localize its battery packs for new energy vehicles via investment in a battery assembly plant in Shanghai.
“Our electrification approach is about delivering an industry-leading driving experience,” said Nitz during a workshop at GM’s Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center (PATAC) joint venture. “China is an important market in which GM’s technology and scale can deliver solutions for customers and bring societal benefits.”
Expansion of GM’s EV portfolio in China will be led by the Chevrolet Malibu XL Hybrid and Buick LaCrosse Hybrid as well as the Cadillac CT6 plug-in hybrid electric vehicle that will be introduced in the market later this year.
The CT6 PHEV will deliver a new formula for prestige. It will be capable of 80 km (50 mpg) of all-electric range. Paired with Cadillac’s 2.0L turbo four-cylinder gasoline engine, it will offer estimated fuel efficiency of approximately 1.7L/100 km (166.2 mpg UK or 138.4 mpg US) – the best in the luxury plug-in hybrid segment.
Nitz described the technical advantages of GM’s full hybrid electric system debuting on the Malibu XL Hybrid and LaCrosse Hybrid. The propulsion system is driven by a new direct-injected 1.8L four-cylinder engine mated to an integrated and modular two-motor electric drive unit, which is powered by an 80-cell, 1.5-kWh high-performance lithium-ion battery pack.
The LaCrosse Hybrid will be a segment fuel efficiency leader for the Buick brand. It is expected to achieve fuel economy of 4.7L/100 km (60 mpg UK or 50 mpg US). The Malibu XL Hybrid is expected to achieve fuel economy of 4.3L/100 km (65.7 mpg UK or 54.7 mpg US).
