Hybrid XL Extended / ESV

[Poe1983]

IMO, there will not be a hybrid XL, well at least any time soon. I have to give some props to GM for the willingness to make a hybrid, but I just do not see that it will work. I drive past a dealership everyday on the way home from work that has several hybrid Tahoes sitting right next to the road in easy view with signs on the windshield saying they are hybrids. They have been there for I would say a couple of months now - haven't even moved. Unless hybrid Tahoe sales support their continued production, which may then warrant the production of a XL hybrid if the demand is there, I just do not see it happening. GM would be better served (it also makes more sense) with making hybrids out of the Cobalt, Impala, Malibu, Equinox or the Trailblazer.

I think everyone on here is making very valid points as to why it won't be made anytime soon. I agree with this the most. I pass by a local dealer here everyday as well and for 2 months I've seen the same Hybrid Tahoe in the same spot. As long as production of the actual Tahoe hybrid isn't moving, don't expect a Suburban/XL to come out anytime soon. Also, I can't speak for the MPG on those things, but if you can afford a fully loaded hybrid, you might as well get an LTZ because you must be able to afford the gas too. Leave the hybrids to Toyota and Honda.

 

[retsell]

so whether or not its better on gas or not. i would not plan on an XL version from GM for a while if at all. it just does not make sense and i can see why.

No offence, but if anything doesn't make sence it's your logic here. A 5500lb Hybrid Tahoe makes sense but a 5800lb Tahoe XL doesn't? What's your reasoning behind this? I think the hybrid is a waste of money, but your arguement is weak.

 

[strangeengine]

I think the hybrid is a waste of money

It depends entirely on your driving patterns and your priorities.

If you drive basically 100% city, the damned-near 50% increase in city mileage makes a ton of sense.

If you feel that the US's dependence on foreign oil (from any country, given that Canada sends us about 40% of our imports), then it makes a ton of sense.

If you feel that economics are the best way to shift markets and behaviors, then putting your money into products that encourage technological innovation and end up changing behaviors makes a ton of sense.

If the fuel bills are not an issue for you and you're not interested in the rest, then it makes no sense.

YMMV, of course. Make the call that makes sense to you.

 

[Rollin Thunder]

No offence, but if anything doesn't make sence it's your logic here. A 5500lb Hybrid Tahoe makes sense but a 5800lb Tahoe XL doesn't? What's your reasoning behind this? I think the hybrid is a waste of money, but your arguement is weak.

O bo ho im so sad, another person with 2 posts who thinks he knows everything. :lol:

What i was saying didnt make sense was why have 2 versions of the same technology, ususally if your searching for a hybrid, you dont want a vehicle that big, since the hybrid is already so expensive and not selling, i dont think an xl which has to be MORE expensive since it has more metel and costs more to build. Also since their closing plants, its really not gunna happen now. The regular hybrid is not selling, why would you sink more money in to an xl version that really not gunna sell.

Look at it this way, say you dont like peas, why make more if your not gunna eat them.

 

[retsell]

O bo ho im so sad, another person with 2 posts who thinks he knows everything. :lol:

What i was saying didnt make sense was why have 2 versions of the same technology, ususally if your searching for a hybrid, you dont want a vehicle that big, since the hybrid is already so expensive and not selling, i dont think an xl which has to be MORE expensive since it has more metel and costs more to build. Also since their closing plants, its really not gunna happen now. The regular hybrid is not selling, why would you sink more money in to an xl version that really not gunna sell.

Look at it this way, say you dont like peas, why make more if your not gunna eat them.

Sorry I didn't realize that my post count on tahoeforum.com was a direct link with my intelligence level, but what do I know.

I agree that it shouldn't be made, I just think your original reasoning behind it is weak. Not that I think they are going to make one, but the reasoning behind closing plants is because of weak sales because of the increased price of fuel. The hybrid technology is a step in the correct direction, I think if they could get the cost of it down (where it would be cost effective) people would buy the hybrids and we could see an XL version.

Just an FYI:

Metel = Metal

Perhaps you should work on your post count a little more.

-Ryan

 

[Poe1983]

I don't think "sandal wearing, tree huggers" are necessarily the target consumer for this type of truck. To tell you the truth when I was looking at new trucks a month ago I was considering it. But one thing stopped me. These trucks do not have leather interior. That's a big negative for me. I mean yeah, I was gonna save a bit on gas but I couldn't stand not sitting in a leather seat. Isn't that something else that might make the average consumer turned off by this truck?

 

[retsell]

I don't think "sandal wearing, tree huggers" are necessarily the target consumer for this type of truck. To tell you the truth when I was looking at new trucks a month ago I was considering it. But one thing stopped me. These trucks do not have leather interior. That's a big negative for me. I mean yeah, I was gonna save a bit on gas but I couldn't stand not sitting in a leather seat. Isn't that something else that might make the average consumer turned off by this truck?

For most people i'm sure it is a negative, but i'm not sure a deal breaker for most. One thing a lot of people forget is that for about 1300 bucks you can get Katzkin (or equiv) leather installed in the truck. The kits typically contain about 60% more leather (rather than vinyl) and are much higher quality. If installed properly it would far outlive the factory leather. I installed probably 100 leather kits when I worked in mobile electronics and found probably 90% of them fit as good or better than factory.