General Motors Delivers 17 ‘08 Models That Get 30 mpg or Better on the Highway

Posted by mbattel Published in Aveo, Cobalt, Gm News, HHR, Malibu

From nicely equipped entry subcompacts to award-winning midsize sedans and a capable, compact SUV, General Motors offers plenty of choices for consumers who want to wring more miles out of a gallon of gas. Seventeen 2008 GM models — more than any other automaker — achieve EPA fuel economy of 30 miles per gallon or higher.

Chevrolet leads the pack with eight models — including the hot-selling Chevrolet Malibu midsize sedan, the 2008 North American Car of the Year — followed by Saturn with five and Pontiac with four. Topping the mpg performers are the recently released Chevrolet Cobalt XFE (Extended Fuel Economy), equipped with a 2.2L four-cylinder engine and a five- speed manual transmission that deliver 36 mpg and 35 mpg, respectively, on the highway. In fact, Cobalt XFE’s highway fuel economy beats a comparably equipped 2009 Toyota Corolla.

“GM has been and continues to be a leader in delivering a broad range of fuel-efficient vehicles to customers,” said Mark LaNeve, GM North America vice president, Vehicle Sales, Service and Marketing. “In addition to the 17 models for 2008 that achieve 30 mpg or better on the highway, many of our vehicles either win or are strong contenders in their segments.

“Our customers want a break from high fuel prices and so do we: That is why we are demonstrating leadership and fully leveraging our global technology resources to address pressing automotive energy needs with biofuels such as E85 ethanol, hybrids, extended-range electric vehicles and hydrogen fuel cells.”

Chevrolet: Aveo sedan, Aveo5 (both 32 with automatic transmission, 34 with manual); Cobalt coupe and sedan (30 to 33, depending on engine and transmission selection); Cobalt XFE coupe (36); Malibu 2.4L (30 with four- speed transmission, 32 with six-speed); Malibu Hybrid (32); HHR (30 with 2.2L and automatic or manual transmission) and HHR Panel (30 with 2.2L and automatic or manual transmission).

The Chevrolet Malibu, Malibu Hybrid and Cobalt XFE coupe are new models for 2008. The Cobalt XFE uses revised engine calibration, low rolling- resistance tires, a new, 3.74:1 final drive ratio and other technologies to drive a 9-percent highway fuel economy improvement and outdistance comparably equipped competitors such as the Honda Civic, Ford Focus and 2009 Toyota Corolla.

General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM), the world’s largest automaker, has been the annual global industry sales leader for 77 years. Founded in 1908, GM today employs about 266,000 people around the world. With global headquarters in Detroit, GM manufactures its cars and trucks in 35 countries. In 2007, nearly 9.37 million GM cars and trucks were sold globally.