| General Motors maker of quality GM parts has | | | | Assembly Plant in Kansas City, Kan., where both |
| never really backed out from any challenge | | | | versions of the Aura are made. |
| especially if it comes from Toyota Motor | | | | The automaker has also set 2010 goal to start |
| Corporation which as we all know is hot on the | | | | production on all electric car called the Chevrolet |
| heels of the world's number 1 automaker. GM is | | | | Volt which is scheduled to come out with other |
| planning to go head-to-head with ToMoCo in | | | | hybrids that employ different types of |
| targeting fuel-conscious consumers. The world's | | | | technology. The Aura will go up against the Prius |
| number one automaker will sell the cheapest | | | | which is one of the most popular hybrids in the |
| hybrid, the Saturn Aura on the US market, as | | | | US with 107,000 units sold last year. |
| announced by GM last Monday. | | | | However, beginning in April Prius buyers will be |
| A hybrid version of the Saturn Aura sedan is | | | | eligible only for $787 federal tax credit which |
| scheduled to hit showrooms this month and will | | | | means that GM will have the advantage since its |
| carry a price tag of $22,695 approximately $100 | | | | Aura hybrid will have $1,300 tax break. This |
| less than Toyota's trend setting Prius hybrid. The | | | | federal tax credit gradually declines as more and |
| Aura will be the very first hybrid sedan that will | | | | more of a particular model is sold. GM lists the |
| be sold in the United States produced by an | | | | Aura Green Line's EPA fuel economy rating |
| American automaker. | | | | obtaining 28 miles per gallon in the city and 35 |
| And similar to the Prius, the Aura hybrid will also | | | | mpg on the highway. |
| get tax incentives. Aura buyers will be able to | | | | Despite the fact that gas-electric hybrid vehicles |
| take advantage of the $1,300 tax break as part | | | | cost several thousand dollars more than |
| of the federal government's drive to attract | | | | conventional models; they have become popular |
| more drivers to purchase hybrid cars. According | | | | with buyers as fuel prices fluctuate wildly. Hybrids |
| to Saturn General Manager Jill Lajdziak the tax | | | | have conventional internal combustion engines as |
| break given by the government makes true | | | | well as electric motors which can assist the gas |
| hybrid fuel savings available to more people than | | | | engine. Ford Motor Co. and Honda Motor Co. also |
| ever before. | | | | have their own hybrid models to offer. |
| GM after realizing the enormous success that | | | | GM has attributed a great part of its revitalization |
| Toyota Motor obtained from being an | | | | on the Aura which has obtained favorable |
| environmentally friendly technologically advanced | | | | reviews. The automaker has been able to sell |
| carmaker has finally decided to join the | | | | 7,898 Auras in the first two months of 2007 |
| bandwagon. GM's announcement came at the eve | | | | which is a good start for GM's hybrid model. |
| of the President Bush's visit at the Fairfax | | | | |