General Motors is laying the groundwork to add hybrid powertrains to its SUV lineup. The automaker announced yesterday a $750 million USD investment that will go to preparing its Lansing Delta Township plant in Michigan for the production of hybrid vehicles.
The Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia and Buick Enclave are the models GM is looking at, according to information obtained by Reuters and Automotive News from sources familiar with the matter. The three three-row SUVs share several mechanical components and are already assembled at the plant.
Few details for the moment
That’s unofficial for now, though. Because while GM confirmed the plan to build hybrid vehicles at Lansing Delta Township, the answers to three key questions remain unknown at this time:
- - Which models will become hybrid?
- - When will we see them arrive on the market?
- - Will they get straight-hybrid or plug-in hybrid configurations, or both?
Indeed, GM has not identified which models are targeted, saying only that it will do so in time. Same goes for a timeline regarding their introduction.
As per Automotive News, GM executives have previously suggested 2027 for the arrival of hybrid vehicles. We’ll have to wait before connecting that deadline to the future Traverse, Acadia and Enclave hybrids, however. And there are as yet no confirmed or leaked details regarding whether those SUVs will adopt a conventional or plug-in hybrid powertrain.
During the presentation of GM's financial results last week, company chairperson and CEO Mary Barra did indicate that the company would offer hybrid vehicles across several segments, reports Reuters.
Redirected federal assistance
The investment announced this week adds to a sum of US$1.25 billion already committed by GM for the Lansing Delta Township plant, again according to Automotive News.
The project will also benefit from an existing $500 million USD federal grant, terms of which will be revised. Granted in 2024 under the Biden administration, this aid was initially intended to support the conversion of another Lansing plant to electric vehicle production.
Those funds have not yet been disbursed, as reported by Reuters, and the plan now is to direct them toward Lansing Delta Township to support the future production of hybrid vehicles.
Dealers clamouring for hybrids
This decision comes as dealers urge GM to expand its hybrid offerings. According to Reuters, some of those dealers reiterated the request during recent regional meetings with the manufacturer's sales leadership.
The fact is that in the U.S., the Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray currently constitutes GM's sole hybrid offering, which is a bit of an eyebrow-raiser. The automaker had until now prioritized investments in fully electric vehicles, citing in particular the costs and complexity associated with hybrid powertrains.
Now, GM is at risk of missing the boat on hybrids, which have surged in popularity on its home turf. Sure enough, the automaker’s position in the American market has weakened. According to Reuters, its market share fell from 17.4 to 16.6 percent over the first nine months of 2026, while Toyota and Honda made gains. Automotive News reports a 6.3 percent drop in GM sales during this period.
The addition of hybrid versions of the three SUVs would allow the automaker to broaden its lineup in a segment where it already possesses well-established models.