It’s no surprise that fuel efficiency and environmental issues are behind a number of new vehicles coming from General Motors. In fact, the world's No. 1 automaker will come to market with four new hybrids this year, and has plans for 16 new ones over the next four years. 

Chevrolet will be the brand emphasizing this green movement in the company, with a new Chevrolet Fuel Solutions initiative.

“From gas-friendly to gas-free, Chevrolet is determined to be the fuel solutions leader in the global automotive market,” said Ed Peper, Chevrolet general manager. “The new Chevrolet brand we are introducing today offers customers around the world a broad choice of fuel-saving cars and trucks in every segment where we compete.”

And since trucks represent one of the most important segments for Chevrolet, it was fitting that the new Silverado Hybrid made its world debut in L.A. Sporting GM’s new dual-mode hybrid system which was first introduced in the full-size Tahoe SUV, the Silverado Hybrid will feature a 6.0-liter V8 and the all-new Electrically Variable Transmission (EVT). Fuel economy numbers have not been announced, but Peper claimed that this would be the most fuel-efficient pickup on the market when it goes on sale next year.

Joining the Silverado Hybrid was the all-new Malibu Hybrid. Expected to arrive in showrooms “soon”, the new sedan will achieve 24 mpg city and 32 on the highway. Base price for the Malibu Hybrid will be $22,790.

Sharing the stage was another fuel-efficient vehicle making its North American debut, the all-new Chevrolet Aveo5. Redesigned for the 2009 model year, the Aveo5 arrives in showrooms early next year with an advanced 1.6-liter Ecotec engine that delivers 34 mpg on the highway.  In addition to the impressive fuel economy, Aveo5 will be available with such amenities as OnStar and XM satellite radio.

Also featured was the Chevrolet Tahoe hybrid, which is expected to see 21 mpg in the city—rather impressive for a 5,000-plus vehicle that can seat up to eight passengers and tow 6,200 pounds. In fact, the Tahoe Hybrid was named Green Car of the Year by the Green Car Journal.

Finally, GM showed a vehicle that burns no gasoline at all. The Equinox fuel-cell vehicle runs on hydrogen and will be part of a GM program to distribute 100 of the advanced vehicles.

We Get the Beat

Earlier this year at the New York Auto Show, GM showed three minicar concepts and asked consumers to vote for their favorite. After almost 2 million votes, the Beat was chosen as the vehicle to produce. GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz told the audience that he was glad the Beat had won, since it is the car GM wanted to build anyway. Lutz provided no details on when a production version would be available.