- Jan 7, 2002
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WARREN -- General Motors Corp., in the awkward position of introducing a new lineup of full-size sport utilities as oil prices reach record highs, stressed the vehicles' fuel efficiency during a media preview Tuesday.
"We're very aware of fuel prices and the impact that they have on our business," said Mark LaNeve, GM's vice president of vehicle sales, service and marketing for North America. "We understand this, and we've been committed to fuel efficiency."
GM unveiled the 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Yukon/Yukon Denali and Cadillac Escalade, which will be in dealerships in January. Later in 2006, the Chevrolet Suburban and Avalanche and larger versions of the Yukon and Escalade also will be available. The company didn't reveal prices, but the current models start between $35,000 and $51,000.
Some analysts have questioned GM's emphasis on SUVs at a time when gas prices are high and demand for smaller crossovers is growing. Sixty-six percent of GM's new vehicles are trucks, compared to 37 percent for the industry, and GM also is introducing fewer crossover vehicles than average, Merrill Lynch analyst John Casesa said in a recent report.
LaNeve said full-size SUVs aren't likely to see the boom times they saw early this decade, when industrywide sales approached 900,000 a year. GM is expecting 750,000 in sales next year.
But LaNeve said full-size SUVs remain a very important and profitable vehicle in the company's portfolio. Of the 6.5 million full-size SUV owners in the United States, 62 percent own GM vehicles, LaNeve said.
GM said the new, four-wheel-drive Tahoe can achieve an average fuel efficiency of 20.1 miles per gallon, compared to 18.2 for the 2004 Tahoe. That's better than competitors such as the Ford Expedition and Toyota Sequoia, GM said.
"Even before the spike in fuel prices, GM led this segment in fuel economy," LaNeve said.
GM's new SUVs are about 100 pounds heavier than current models, but the company got fuel savings by installing new V-8 engines that shut off half the cylinders when the truck needs less power.
Engineers also made the vehicles more aerodynamic. The windshields tilt at a more dramatic angle and there are smaller gaps between vehicle panels. Even the luggage rack and running boards are shaped differently to improve efficiency.
"We're very aware of fuel prices and the impact that they have on our business," said Mark LaNeve, GM's vice president of vehicle sales, service and marketing for North America. "We understand this, and we've been committed to fuel efficiency."
GM unveiled the 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Yukon/Yukon Denali and Cadillac Escalade, which will be in dealerships in January. Later in 2006, the Chevrolet Suburban and Avalanche and larger versions of the Yukon and Escalade also will be available. The company didn't reveal prices, but the current models start between $35,000 and $51,000.
Some analysts have questioned GM's emphasis on SUVs at a time when gas prices are high and demand for smaller crossovers is growing. Sixty-six percent of GM's new vehicles are trucks, compared to 37 percent for the industry, and GM also is introducing fewer crossover vehicles than average, Merrill Lynch analyst John Casesa said in a recent report.
LaNeve said full-size SUVs aren't likely to see the boom times they saw early this decade, when industrywide sales approached 900,000 a year. GM is expecting 750,000 in sales next year.
But LaNeve said full-size SUVs remain a very important and profitable vehicle in the company's portfolio. Of the 6.5 million full-size SUV owners in the United States, 62 percent own GM vehicles, LaNeve said.
GM said the new, four-wheel-drive Tahoe can achieve an average fuel efficiency of 20.1 miles per gallon, compared to 18.2 for the 2004 Tahoe. That's better than competitors such as the Ford Expedition and Toyota Sequoia, GM said.
"Even before the spike in fuel prices, GM led this segment in fuel economy," LaNeve said.
GM's new SUVs are about 100 pounds heavier than current models, but the company got fuel savings by installing new V-8 engines that shut off half the cylinders when the truck needs less power.
Engineers also made the vehicles more aerodynamic. The windshields tilt at a more dramatic angle and there are smaller gaps between vehicle panels. Even the luggage rack and running boards are shaped differently to improve efficiency.
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