After watching arch rival Toyota get all the glory during the past seven years for its push into gasoline-electric hybrids, General Motors Corp. now seems intent on catching up. The world’s largest automaker now has more hybrids in its lineups or on the way than Toyota does, with the latest two having been introduced at auto shows earlier this month.

These newest ones are the 2009 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 full-size pickup, unveiled in Los Angeles, and the Cadillac Escalade full-size sport utility vehicle, shown first in Miami, then in Los Angeles.

Equipped with GM’s new two-mode hybrid system, which is similar to the setup used by Toyota, these two new hybrids go on sale next year. The Escalade will arrive in the summer, and the Silverado in late fall.

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