Green Machines
Fuel-Efficient Vehicles, Union-Made In The U.S.A.

GM-DaimlerChrysler-BMW Team-Up in
New Hybrid Development Center

Center Brings 500 Top Engineers to Troy, Michigan


Rick Wagoner, left, CEO of GM, and Dieter Zetsche, CEO of the Chrysler Group, inspecting the system.

Recently, GM, DaimlerChrysler and BMW joined forces to speed up development of hybrid technology. Their new "Hybrid Development Center" opened in Troy, Michigan in 2006 after a $300 million investment by the automakers. The center now employs over 500 engineers, technicians and specialists, including more than 150 engineers from Europe.

Initially, the center is focusing on development of a two-mode, dual hybrid system. Unlike the single-mode hybrid systems that are currently on the market, the dual system will use two electric motors and two hybrid modes of operation. The addition of a second mode will improve efficiency and reduce fuel consumption at highway speeds more effectively than current single-mode systems.

The new technology will debut in 2007 in the Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon SUVs, where it is expected to help the vehicles achieve a 25% increase in fuel economy. Subsequently, the technology will also be rolled out to the 2008 Dodge Durango.

More information can be found at:

 
Green Machines Tour - A project of the Ecology Center - 117 N. Division - Ann Arbor, MI 48104 - 734.761.3186 - info@greenmachinestour.org
The Ecology Center is a non profit environmental organization that works for a safe and healthy environment where people live, work and play.
Staff are organized as members of UAW Local 38.