Speaking of achievements, GM scored a highly ironic award recently in the People’s Republic of California – a place where accolades and praise for the General are as rare as rain and open roads.

The new Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid, a full-size SUV built at the General Motors Assembly Plant in Arlington, was recently named the 2008 Green Car of the Year at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

The show is increasingly becoming a stage for green vehicles, and the award should give the Tahoe Hybrid credibility with greenies who are far more accustomed to vilifying full-size SUVs than praising them.

The Tahoe was one of five new hybrids considered by the judges, who included, by the way, Jay Leno and Jean-Michael Cousteau. (Hey, it’s L.A.) But the nominees were pretty legitimate: the Tahoe, the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid, Mazda Tribute Hybrid, Nissan Altima Hybrid and Saturn Aura Hybrid.

Did anyone happen to notice that three of the five green vehicles vying for this award were GM products? Did the Earth just wobble on one of its rotations?

The Tahoe Hybrid – equipped with a 6-liter, 332-horsepower V-8 and a two-mode electric motor – is rated at 21 miles per gallon city, 22 highway, approximately 50 percent better fuel economy than a conventional Tahoe. The hybrid, whose price has not been set yet, should arrive at dealers shortly after the first of the year. Expect a $5,000 premium on top of the truck’s base $34,095 price, I would guess.

The Tahoe was cited for its low impact on the environment while offering class-leading hauling (6,200 pounds) and storage capabilities and space for eight passengers. “We felt all along that doing a hybrid in a full-size SUV that does not normally get good gas mileage was a good idea,” said Bob Walczyk, product manager for the Tahoe. “We’re glad others recognize it.”

GM has not said how many hybrids will be among the estimated 200,000 SUVs built in Arlington next year – though union officials at the plant expect as many as 20,000 of them to roll down the line.

“We’re seeing a huge interest in the vehicle right now,” Mr. Walczyk said. “I don’t know if it will result in more sales, but we’re getting a lot of inquiries from consumers and dealers.”

GM’s full-size hybrids crack the $50k barrier

The hybrid news is coming in at a furious pace from the boys over at General Motors. Earlier today, the company showed off its second generation Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid pickup which features the new 2-mode gasoline-electric hybrid powertrain.

Now, the company has priced out its new Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid and GMC Yukon Hybrid full-size SUVs. The Tahoe Hybrid will be priced at $50,490 for 2WD models and $53,295 for 4WD models. The slightly up-market Yukon Hybrid will be priced at $50,945 and $53,755 in 2WD and 4WD models respectively.

As with the previously announced Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid, the two full-size SUVs feature GM’s 2-mode hybrid system which is backed with a 6.0 liter V8 engine. The SUVs can travel up to 30 MPH under electric-only power and can tow up to 6,200 pounds in 2WD guise (6,000 pounds for 4WD models).

As reported by DailyTech in late September, the Tahoe Hybrid and Yukon Hybrid are rated at 21 MPG/22 MPG and 20 MPG/20 MPG respectively for 2WD and 4WD models.

“We promised to apply our most advanced technologies to vehicles that can save the most fuel, and we are delivering on that promise with the Tahoe and Yukon Hybrid SUVs,” said GM vice chairman Bob Lutz. “The gasoline-only Tahoe and Yukon SUVs already offer best-in-segment fuel economy. Now, consumers can choose GM’s patented 2-Mode Hybrid technology that delivers the same city fuel economy as the 2008 Toyota Camry with the base four-cylinder engine. The difference is that the Tahoe and Yukon can seat eight people and can tow up to 6,200 pounds.”

For comparison, a 2008 Toyota Camry CE has a base price of $18,470 and is EPA rated at 21 MPG/31 MPG (city/highway) for the manual and automatic.