General Motors claims that the 2009 Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid is going to be the first pickup with absolute hybrid system. The vehicle is to be extremely fuel efficient - 40 percent more fuel economy for city driving and 25 percent in general in comparison to the previous Silverado powered by gas.

Seven years ago in November 2000 the first hybrids appeared at the USA marketplaces. However even today seven years later we do not have gas-electric minivans, subcompacts, wagons or pickup trucks. And GM decided to fill one of the gaps with its fuel efficient hybrid pickup – the Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid is already on sale.

The vehicle was unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The GM’s ultra-light hybrid system was firstly launched by the company on its Silverado and Sierra models in 2004. but still it was rather difficult to buy it. The system was set for sale only in December 2006.

The vehicle is equipped with the two-mode hybrid system utilizing a 300-volt battery for storing energy and being operated at low speeds in all – electric mode. When the speed is higher the car is powered by electric mode in combination with the truck’s 6.0-liter V8. the car can additionally save fuel by shutting down four of its eight engine cylinders and operating in V-4 mode, which is more economical in the situations when the power is not necessary.

Mike Omotoso, senior manager of global powertrain forecasting for J.D. Power and Associates says that is not quite clear how much demand there is for full-size hybrids. "This is really new territory” – he says. GM intends obviously to catch with Toyota in hybrid sale. To achieve this result the company needs to produce 20 percent of the Silverado and Sierra package as complete hybrids beginning in the last decade of the next 2008 year.