Some Concepts Don't Fit GM's Current Fuel-Economy Climate

General Motors product czar Bob Lutz said the automaker's priorities have changed — in favor of fuel efficiency — and some concepts will never see the light of day as a result.

Speaking in a podcast published on GM's Web site, Lutz said the acclaimed but fuel-gulping Buick Velite and Cadillac Sixteen were examples of dream cars that "had to give" while GM focuses on alternative-fuel vehicles and greater fuel efficiency. The Velite, he said, "got prioritized out."

Lutz noted that the Sixteen, which made its debut at the 2003 Detroit Auto Show, would only get 13 mpg even if it were turned into a hybrid — and called the beauteous car an example of a model that could "display...a lack of sensitivity" to the environment.

Also this week, Chevrolet announced it will launch a major multimedia ad blitz to trumpet what it calls the division's "far-reaching approach to reducing petroleum consumption." The campaign includes online sponsorship of Live Earth, a series of concerts to be held around the world on July 7 to promote environmental awareness, and Live Earth, which will bring environmentally conscious content to the Internet. Chevrolet notes that it has more than 1.5 million of its E85 flexible-fuel vehicles on the road and is planning to roll out a fleet of 100 Equinoxes that run on fuel cell power.