GM plans to make hybrids in China

[NYCshopper]

GM plans to make hybrids in China

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7116443.stm

General Motors (GM) plans to start making hybrid cars in China, its latest step into the fast growing market.
The car will be made in a joint venture with Shanghai Automotive, and will come off the production line in time for next year's Beijing Olympic Games.

GM announced last month that it is building a research centre in Shanghai to develop hybrid technologies.

Hybrid cars are designed to use a combination of power sources, usually petrol and electricity.

The Chinese government's National Development and Reform Commission is understood to be drafting plans to provide subsidies for low-emission vehicles.

The rules are expected to require that some of the components be made in China.

Currently Toyota is the only company making hybrids in China - it sold 2,000 there last year.

GM also announced that it will launch its plug-in hybrid, the Chevrolet Volt, by the end of 2010.

It has not given details of which model it will be building in China.

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[Hazdaz]

GM announced last month that it is building a research centre in Shanghai to develop hybrid technologies.

If we had an administration that had a damn clue and pushed for alternative fuels and hybrid technology, that research facility might have been opened up here in the US and brought jobs into the US. Just more proof that as a nation, investing in these technologies can help the economy and create jobs.

[shamrock 05]

^^And everyone wonders why this country is failing in the job market. Thats it USA, keep sending jobs out of this country. The guy that came up with this idea should have been shipped out of here next day air for this decision

[Chromer]

Originally Posted by shamrock 05

^^And everyone wonders why this country is failing in the job market. Thats it USA, keep sending jobs out of this country. The guy that came up with this idea should have been shipped out of here next day air for this decision

Probably they did. Likely he's in charge of the program, and got a huge bonus.

Maybe it's not well known, but China's expected future fuel economy standards look like they will be quite strict. In a couple years there won't be a currently-made US vehicle that meets the standards.

If GM wants to be there long-term, they need to have saleable vehicles. And they do want to be there long-term, it will be a massive market soon, as will India.

[Hazdaz]

Originally Posted by Chromer

Probably they did. Likely he's in charge of the program, and got a huge bonus.

Maybe it's not well known, but China's expected future fuel economy standards look like they will be quite strict. In a couple years there won't be a currently-made US vehicle that meets the standards.

If GM wants to be there long-term, they need to have saleable vehicles. And they do want to be there long-term, it will be a massive market soon, as will India.

All the more reason to tighten our standards also. I have been saying for this ages now - the more strict US rules become, the more competitive Detroit will be to sell their cars throughout the world... and this story proves that out. Instead of relying on US-based R&D to get these hybrid vehicles, they have to go all the way to China and hire engineers there.

How does the US as a nation plan on staying #1 in the world, with this kind of 'brain drain' happening. All the latest technologies (in many industries, not just cars) are being developed abroad because we have an administration that thinks Jebus is going to come and save us, so in turn we don't have to do anything.

[JoeyW]

Originally Posted by Hazdaz

How does the US as a nation plan on staying #1 in the world, with this kind of 'brain drain' happening. All the latest technologies (in many industries, not just cars) are being developed abroad because we have an administration that thinks Jebus is going to come and save us, so in turn we don't have to do anything.

well it just seems like the US doesnt plan on staying on top do they