Chevrolet Tahoe is the greenest car of the year

General Motor’s eight-seater sport utility vehicle with the name of Chevrolet Tahoe grabbed this year’s “Green Car of the Year” award at the 2007 Los Angeles Auto Show last Thursday.

The Chevy Tahoe hybrid is the first full-size SUV in the auto market as GM will start selling it by the first months of 2008. The hybrid system in the Tahoe was developed by the consortium of automakers led by General Motors along with BMW AG, Daimler AG, Mercedes-Benz and Chrysler LLC (makes Jeep light bar).

"They've proven that they can make beautiful cars, strong cars, keep the size, keep the safety, and all those kinds of things, and at the same time be more fuel efficient," said California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who toured the show after the presentation of the award.

The board of judges was made up of celebrated designer Carroll Shelby, talk show-host Jay Leno and representatives from four environmental groups.

"People don't think green when SUVs are concerned and for generally good reason, since SUVS often get poor fuel economy," said Green Car publisher Ron Cogan.

"Chevrolet's Tahoe Hybrid changes this dynamic with a fuel efficiency improvement of up to 30 percent," he added.

The Tahoe hybrid is rated with 21 miles per gallon in the city and 22 miles per gallon in the highway, just like the Toyota Camry Sedan.

With the Chevy Tahoe Hybrid, GM had other two entries in the five finalists for the title, the Saturn Aura Hybrid and the Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid.

"That is something I think nobody would have expected a few years ago," said Bob Lutz, vice chairman and product chief at GM, in advance of the announcement.

According to GM Chief Bob Lutz, having three entries on the finalist only shows that his company is significantly progressing in the development of fuel-efficient vehicles in all segments. Also, GM confirmed that they are on the process of introducing hybrid versions of the Cadillac Escalade luxury SUV and the Chevrolet Silverado pick-up.

"When you think of a hybrid, you think of a small car that has been built from the ground up to eke out the most miles," said GM spokesman Dave Barthmuss. "But now you can have that kind of system in a large vehicle."

According to California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, the strict standard in fuel efficiency in his state is driving to green car innovation.

"I think, because we in California have been out there so strong, forcing the manufacturers to come in with clean vehicles, that is why they are coming in with clean vehicles," the governor said.