GM may eat some of the cost of the Two-Mode hybrid

When General Motors previewed their new two-mode hybrid system on the Tahoe and Yukon earlier this year they declined to say what the system would cost when it goes on sale later this fall. While the mild hybrid system that is already available on the Saturn Aura and Vue is relatively inexpensive to build and install, the two-mode is considerably more complex.

Unlike the mild hybrid, the two-mode uses a completely different and more complex transmission and larger battery. The hybrids also get a lot of weight saving changes such as aluminum hood and tailgate, lighter seats and wheels and a new brake system to allow for blending of regenerative and friction braking. It's estimated that the total package may add as much as $10,000 in cost to the vehicle and GM is contemplating eating some of that cost to make it more palatable to consumers.

The company will continue to offer multiple types of hybrid systems. The mild hybrid will be the value option, with the two-mode be the more efficient but more expensive option. In addition they may offer a variant of the mild hybrid with a lithium battery and possibly plug-in capability and their is also the previously announced two-mode plug-in system for the Vue. The E-Flex is not included in the hybrid lineup because GM considers it a range extended EV.