UAW members at GM's Spring Hill Assembly plant have begun building the Saturn Vue "Green Line" SUV. This mild hybrid version of the Vue utilizes GM's Belt-Alternator-Starter system to turn the engine off during idle and coasting. It also uses GM's 2.4L Ecotec engine with variable-valve-timing to further improve fuel economy. All together, the Vue "Green Line" achieves more than a 20% increase in fuel economy over the standard Vue.

The Vue also comes standard with electric power steering. This technology increases fuel economy by 4%, while also providing improved steering performance.

GM says the "Green Line" name will eventually be expanded to other GM products, including a mild hybrid version of the Saturn Aura in early 2007, and the Chevrolet Malibu later in the year - both built by UAW members in Fairfax, Kansas. The batteries in the "Green Line" vehicles are also union-made in the U.S. by members of the IUE-CWA at the Cobasys plant in Springboro, Ohio.

Furthermore, GM has committed to producing a full two-mode hybrid version of a redesigned Vue which will likely achieve a 45% increase in fuel economy starting in 2008. This version will use the same two-mode system as the Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Yukon, Cadillac Escalade, and Dodge Durango. GM has also announced its intention to produce a plug-in hybrid version of the Vue in the future.

Production of the Vue is likely to be moved to Mexico in 2007, however GM is investing $300 million in the Saturn Hill plant in order to retool for future vehicles that have not yet been announced.

Also see:

• GM News Release: Green Line Delivers Great Fuel Economy, Lower-Cost Hybrid System
• See Business Week Story: Saturn Vue Green Line Hybrid SUV
• GM News Release: Front-Wheel-Drive, 2-Mode Hybrid System Debuts in 2008
• GM News Release: GM Announces Intention to Produce Plug-in Hybrid SUV

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