GM’s Plant in Mexico Rolls Out 2008 Saturn Vue Green Line

Published December 2, 2007

Dec. 2, 2007: Source – Associated Press

GM commenced production for the 2008 Saturn Vue Green Line Hybrid at its state-of-the-art facility in Ramos Arizpe, Mexico. The SUV will be the first hybrid vehicle to be manufactured South of the Border. The plant has an annual capacity of to produce 6,500 hybrid units, and will begin exporting to the US and Canada immediately, according to Kevin Williams, president of GM’s Mexico division.

The new Vue Green Line uses 27 percent less fuel than a conventional gasoline-powered Vue. The 2008 version features the previous model’s mild hybrid belt-alternator-starter system, but its control software has been upgraded to achieve better mileage than the original Green Line.

The old model had EPA estimates of 23 city/29 highway, while the 2008 model rates at 25 city/32 highway—making it second only to the Ford Escape Hybrid in overall fuel efficiency. The Green Line’s 32 highway mpg slightly edges out the Escape, which is rated at 30 mpg on the highway.

In late 2008, a second version of the new Vue Green Line, featuring the first front wheel drive application of the GM's Two-Mode hybrid system, will hit the assembly line. A plug-in version of the Two-Mode system is also being developed, but no production dates have been announced.

The 2008 Saturn Vue Green Line starts at $24,795, the lowest base sticker price for any current hybrid SUV or crossover on the market.

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