Buick LaCrosse Hybrid On The Way?
Once General Motors emerges from bankruptcy as the “New GM,” they plan to begin introducing more hybrid models, for a total of 14 by 2012. Initial reports are indicating that one of those hybrid models will be the Buick LaCrosse sedan. The 2010 Buick LaCrosse won’t have a hybrid drivetrain option, but it looks likely for the 2011 model year. However, the 2010 model does make some good attempts at becoming more fuel efficient with the inclusion of a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine model, as opposed to the traditional large six-cylinder engines that normally power the model.
The timing of this information seems to be a little weird, however. Just under a month ago, GM decided to drop the Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid from its lineup, citing poor sales. The Malibu and the Buick LaCrosse share quite a few chassis and platform components, so that raises questions about what kind of hybrid system the Buick LaCrosse would feature. If the Malibu hybrid did so poorly at the market (and with good reason, it wasn’t nearly as good as other hybrid models), will putting a Buick badge on the car make that much of a difference? Hopefully, the Buick LaCrosse hybrid will feature the next generation of the Mild Hybrid System that was found in the Malibu, and hopefully that system is good enough to compete in the marketplace.
