GM Pulls the Plug

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While it seemed like a Cadillac hybrid crossover was well underway behind closed doors at GM, those endeavours have recently been unplugged as plans to continue with the new vehicle were brought to a halt, according to Reuters.

Cadillac SRX (Photo: Matthieu Lambert/Auto123.com)

GM's latest CEO, Dan Akerson, has pushed the company towards plug-in hybrids, like the Volt, since he arrived in September. The idea is that GM would transfer the technology used in the Volt to other GM vehicles, like the supposed Cadillac plug-in project.

Some inside sources blame a shortage of parts due to the Japanese tsunami, while others stated development costs were flying too high thanks to the length of production. The Cadillac hybrid was rumoured to be developed on the current SRX platform which is nearing the end of its life, which would in turn raise costs.

GM is convinced that extended-range hybrid vehicles will be more popular with consumers (despite Nissan clearly thinking the opposite with this blatant ad spot ) and will continue to work at spread the Volt technology to other GM platforms – but not for now.


Source: Reuters