Chevy Tahoe Hybrid: Real American Revolution?

I won't call it a freedom-fighter - that takes, minimally, 40 mpg. Nonetheless, I'll call the Chevy Tahoe hybridan incredibly important step in the evolution of the American automobile. I might even call it an American revolution.

The Chevy Tahoe hybrid, as well as the Yukon hybrid, will not just be the first dual mode hybrid vehicles, these hybrids vehicles will be Made in America.

Unlike Ford's hybrids, such as theEscape hybrid, the Tahoe hybrid will also not be built under any sort of licensing agreement with Toyota. This is not a Japanese hybrid powertrain in disguise - no offense to either Ford or to the Japanese - this is a new, more American spin on hybrids.

In contrast to Japan, the U.S. is a huge land mass - a huge land mass filled with a massive network of highways and freeways that Americans often use to traverse great distances. Some of us travel hundreds of miles every day, not just on holidays and summer trips. Nonetheless, many of us spend countless hours on the open road every year.

While Toyota's hybrids, such as thePrius hybrid, work exceptionally well in urban congestion - the bulk of Japanese driving - they don't offer as much fuel economy help on America's highways. Considering that America is becoming significantly more congested, hybrids, such as the Prius, will always be ever important.

Still, the highway is yet an essential part of the American car culture. While the Tahoe hybrid, and all GM's dual mode hybrids, also utilize many of the tricks the Prius uses to be so efficient in congestion, they also offer some additional tricks on the highway - an important American consideration.

Now, it is my belief that Toyota's hybrid technology will still be more fuel efficient than GM's dual mode hybrid technology in urban driving, in congestion, etc. However, for drivers whom spend much of their driving time on the highway or freeway, the Tahoe hybrid makes a lot of sense for today's large SUV drivers - especially considering how important that vehicle segment is to GM.

If everyone driving a conventional Tahoe or Yukon converted to a hybrid version of these vehicles, a significant amount of fuel would be saved. That's a great step forward, and a great investment in GM's hybrid projects.

Now if we can only get GM to offer a dual mode Malibu hybrid a bit sooner.