General Motors’ executive director for electrification Larry Nitz yesterday revealed the company’s technical strength and roadmap in the area of electrification.

GM is accelerating the launch of electrified vehicles (EVs) in China. Through its SAIC-GM joint venture, GM plans to fully localise its battery packs for new energy vehicles via investment in a battery assembly plant in Shanghai.

“Our electrification approach is about delivering an industry-leading driving experience,” said Nitz during a workshop at GM’s Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center (PATAC) joint venture. “China is an important market in which GM’s technology and scale can deliver solutions for customers and bring societal benefits.”

Expansion of GM’s EV portfolio in China will be led by the Chevrolet Malibu XL Hybrid and Buick LaCrosse Hybrid as well as the Cadillac CT6 plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) that will be introduced in the market later this year.

Nitz described the technical advantages of GM’s full hybrid electric system debuting on the Malibu XL Hybrid and LaCrosse Hybrid. The propulsion system is driven by a new direct-injected 1.8-litre four-cylinder engine mated to an integrated and modular two-motor electric drive unit, which is powered by an 80-cell, 1.5-kWh high-performance lithium-ion battery pack.

The LaCrosse Hybrid will be a segment fuel efficiency leader for the Buick brand. It is expected to achieve fuel economy of 4.7 litres/100 km. The Malibu XL Hybrid is expected to achieve fuel economy of 4.3 litres/100 km.

The CT6 PHEV will be capable of 80km of all-electric range. Paired with Cadillac’s 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder petrol engine, it will offer estimated fuel efficiency of approximately 1.7 litres/100 km – the best in the luxury plug-in hybrid segment.