Hybrid Car Blog
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2012: The Fordaizening of hybrid cars
Is it real this time?Several years ago I had such hopes for Ford, particularly its couple hundred thousand hybrid cars per year by 2010 plans, including unique and new vehicles, such as the Reflex hybrid pictured here.
Instead, Ford sold 30,000 hybrids last year. Toyota sold 500,000.
Fortunately,...
Great time to crash a Toyota!
The car did itContrary to popular opinion, now is the greatest time ever to own a Toyota. Today you can talk and text while driving. You might even be able to get away with drunk driving, just make sure you're only drinking vodka, or something that doesn't stink too much. Even better, get a little...
Peak oil in 2014 according to Kuwaiti researchers
And the decline is set to begin?Researchers from Kuwait University and from Kuwait Oil Company are predicting that world conventional crude oil production is set to peak in 2014. Using a new multicycle Hubbert Model, the scientists evaluated the oil production trends of 47 major oil-producing...
America's only hope for energy independence?
Only fuel cell hybrids can save us?Most these days claim fuel cells are a dream, but are America's plans for energy independence or serious reductions in global warming emissions any less of a dream?
Study after study demonstrates the fickleness of consumers towards embracing hybrid cars, especially...
America loaded with hybrid-loving rare earth metals
Time to start miningWithin a decade, American companies could run out of rare earth metals - essential materials for hybrid cars, wind turbines, computers, etc. - if China follows through on plans to stop rare earth exports according to experts.
Yet, one of the biggest rare earth metal deposits...
Another speeding Prius
An unintended 94 mphYesterday, a Southern California man claimed to have experienced sudden acceleration in his 2008 Toyota Prius. For some 30 miles James Sikes could not slow his 94 mph Prius.
After passing another car on the freeway, Sikes said the gas pedal stuck and the car just kept...
ABC altered evidence against Toyota on recalls? Not even the half of it
Purely seeking drama for ratings?After days of questions about whether ABC altered evidence in an important report the TV station ran on the Toyota 'unintended acceleration' recalls, and seized upon by Congress, were 'doctored', finally an answer. Turns out the automaker used fake footage to...
Accenture: Fuel economy not enough to mainstream hybrids and EVs
60 percent want hybrids to be superior in every wayAccording to a new Accenture Study taken in the US, Canada, Germany, France and Italy, 6 out 10 consumers will only buy a hybrid when it is "superior to gasoline-only models in every way." Likewise, just 36 percent of consumers cited higher gas...
VW Touareg hybrid a "home run"?
But what about the price?The Volkswagen Touareg hybrid, VW's first hybrid vehicle, is a "home run" and "its technology a considerable advancement for hybrids in general" according to MotorTrend. But why?
Is it the diesel hybrid technology that most impresses MT? The 375 horsepower or the 425 feet of...
Luxury hybrids gone crazy
Well, I guess it's greenDang, has the selection of hybrid cars increased significantly in just the last few days. Porsche, Maserati, Ferrari have all confirmed plans to produce new hybrid vehicles.
Of course, those were just some of the top end hybrids, Audi, Mercedes, BMW and Infinity, for...
Toyota Prius World Car of the Year Finalist
One of three FinalistsThe Toyota Prius, Mercedes Benz E Class, and the Volkswagen Polo have been chosen as the 3 Finalists for the World Car of the Year to be announced April 1st at the New York Auto Show.
The Prius, along with the Honda Insight, is also up for the World Green Car of the Year.
Toyota Prius deals already over?
Back to MSRPA few weeks ago, as a blood thirsty Congress began to really tear into Toyota, many Toyota dealers were willing to cut up to $1500 off MSRP on a new Toyota Prius, but those days appear to be ending.
In February, despite the recalls and mountains of bad press, Prius sales were still up 10...
Lutz out, new Prius-fighting hybrids in?
Time to take on the PriusI've met GM's Bob Lutz a number of times, and I've largely been in awe of the guy every time, even though I've never really agreed with him on hardly any issue. Consequently, I'm glad that Mr. Lutz is retiring.
It's not that Lutz didn't do a lot of great things for GM, he...
$7.00 gas only way to curb global warming emissions?
Harvard's eye-popping studyTo reach President Obama's global warming emission's cuts, according to a new Harvard study, gas prices will have to reach $7.00 per gallon.
Sadly, tax credits for hybrid cars and EVs were not seen as an effective path towards reducing emissions, as such tax credits can...
The Geneva hybrid vehicle show, kind of
But is it all just hype?Auto shows and hybrid cars. It's the norm, right?
So far the Geneva Auto Show has seemed a bit like a hybrid festival, particularly with the debuts of Porsche and Ferrari hybrids sucking up a lot of press.
But what do these hybrids really mean? Not much.
Probably the most...
Other automakers just as culpable as Toyota?
Congress = Clueless? Reactionary? Complicit?"If you look at the entire market size and fleet size of Toyota, I think they were the largest fleet during that time period as well. If you look at it on a per capita basis, I think our investigators and the data shows that while they had more sudden...
Daimler to help Build Your Dreams
Chinese manufactured hybrids coming soon?Ready for Chinese made vehicles? Of course you're not, but would a $15,000 Prius-like hybrid, or a $25,000 Chevy Volt-like plug-in - branded by Mercedes Benz - change your mind?
Perhaps not, but I'd bet such vehicles could pique the attention of many...
Prius sales UP 10 percent in February
A ray of hope?Just about spit out my coffee when I saw February's sales numbers for the Toyota Prius. Up 10 percent.
Sure, Toyota dealers were willing to shave up to $1500 off MSRP, but in light of the recalls, up 10 percent is surprising. Down 10 percent would have been less surprising.
So, I guess...
Study - Chevy Volt wrong path to plug-in success?
40 miles of EV range the wrong approach?Over that last few years a number of battery studies have suggested that, based on current lithium-ion technologies, small-battery plug-in hybrids offer the most compelling overall case to consumers in terms of performance and cost-effectiveness.
Obviously,...
Ford 25 percent hybrid and EV by 2020
Just the beginningBy 2020 Ford believes that 10 - 25 percent of its global fleet will be hybrid and plug-ins, with hybrid cars making up the majority of sales. To highlight this new potential, Ford will use the Geneva Motor show to roll out two new hybrids, a plug-in hybrid and two EVs, reports the...
Auris hybrid more efficient than Prius. Cheaper?
Is it just about styling?When the new Toyota Auris hybrid goes on sale in Europe, it will be even more efficient than the Toyota Prius. The third generation Prius rates at 72.4 mpg on the European cycle, while the new Auris hybrid achieves between 70.6 mpg - 74.3 mpg, dependent upon options...
Audi's Mini hybrid revealed
Watch out BMWThe Audi A1 stormed into Geneva and showcased how Audi might be in the process of redefining itself as an automaker by accepting BMW's Mini Cooper success. Fortunately, the A1 is about more than just small car luxury, as the A1 will also be offered in a hybrid version.
Just another...
VW: 3 percent hybrid and EV by 2018
Nice improvement, but.......Starting in 2012, VW will launch a number of new hybrid cars and electric vehicles, including the UP concept, as well as hybrid and electric versions of the Golf and Jetta, in addition to hybrid versions of the Passat and Touareg. Combined, the vehicles should achieve 3...
Recalled Toyota's 19 times safer than walking
A new Congressional logo?I am not a Toyota apologist. Yes, I own and drive a Toyota hybrid, but that's only because they've provided the best choice in hybrid cars when I've hybrid shopped. Nevertheless, I'd dump Toyota as my brand of choice in a heartbeat if I found a more cost-effective hybrid...
2015: Battery demand 62 percent behind supplies
Only way to save the US battery industry?By 2015, the supply of lithium-ion batteries will outweigh demand by about 62 percent according to Mary Ann Wright, manager of advanced auto batteries for Johnson Controls.
Similarly, last week, analysis showed that this over-capacity would force about 60...