GM Will Focus on Plug-ins and Electrics Over Hybrids

General MotorsGMUnited States of America, 1998 > present8 models
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will focus on electric cars and plug-in hybrids in the future as opposed to standard hybrid systems. It predicts that by 2017 it will sell 500,000 cars a year with some form of electrification globally, which is about 6% of total sales. 

According to GM product chief Mary Barra, the company thinks that consumers will see a larger benefit from plug-in hybrid vehicles like the VoltChevrolet VoltUnited States of America, 2011 > present3 photos
than conventional hybrids because they offer better fuel economy and a longer electric range. 

"A major focus for GM's electrification strategy will center on the plug," said Barra.

She admitted that in the past GM had attempted to offer every kind of electric system it could including mild hybrids. That strategy was expensive and brought compromised systems to the market. Now, GM will now focus its time and money on developing better plug-in and electric tech. 

"We need to make educated bets on which technologies hold the most potential for creating values for our customers and our company," she said.

ChevroletChevroletUnited States of America, 1911 > present82 models
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will unveil the Spark EVChevrolet SparkUnited States of America, 2009 > present28 versions
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at the LA Auto Show on November 28 but has not revealed the cars range, price or other specifications yet. 

GM has not had a massive success on the scale of the Prius yet. The Volt has sold about 19.309 cars in North America this year compared to 5,003 Volts in the same period last year. In comparison, ToyotaToyotaJapan, 1937 > present155 models
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has sold about 200,000 Prius models through October, but that figures counts all of its variants. 

Source: Automotive News