General Motors Co. said Thursday it wants to have at least eight U.S. vehicles on the road that get 40 miles per gallon highway or better by 2017 as part of its efforts to boost fuel economy and reduce emissions.
The company, in its 2012 sustainability report, said it wants to have double the four vehicles it already has that hit the 40-mpg mark. The Detroit automaker’s 2013 Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid, 2013 Chevrolet Cruze Eco, 2013 Sonic hatchback with turbo and 2013 Sonic sedan with turbo get 40 mpg or better. GM is adding the 2014 Chevrolet Cruze diesel, 2014 Chevrolet Spark EV and 2014 Cadillac ELR in the next year, which will increase its total to seven that meet the goal.
Chrysler Group LLC’s 2013 Dodge Dart Aero and 2013 Fiat 500 electric vehicle also meet the 40-mpg criteria.
Ford Motor Co. has eight 2013 and 2014 models that achieve 40 mpg or more highway: C-Max Hybrid, C-Max Energi plug-in hybrid, Fusion Hybrid, Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid, Lincoln MKZ Hybrid and Focus Electric; and the Focus and Fiesta, equipped with specific packages. “We’re going to make every effort to increase that number and maintain our leadership position,” Ford spokesman Mark Schirmer said in a phone interview.