The other day we mentioned that it looked like the plug-in hybrid version of the Saturn Vue had been delayed as result of GM's current financial calamity. GM spokesman Brian Corbett gave ABG the following update about the status of the PHEV Vue program. "Our original statement said that production would begin 'as soon as 2010' because we did not want to create artificial deadlines. We have dedicated significant resources to the program and it is progressing rapidly. Now that we are further along in the development process, we can now give a more up-to-date projection." While Corbett did not officially confirm a delay, stories from the original announcement at the 2006 LA Auto Show indicate that GM never actually announced a 2009 date. From what we're hearing from sources at GM, the PHEV is still moving ahead and will go into production and it will likely debut sometime in 2011. Given the importance of the Volt to GM and the limited resources it has at the moment, it makes sense for them to focus on the ER-EV first. Work is proceeding on the VUE and knowledge learned about lithium batteries and controls is being applied to the PHEV.
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