Government Will Buy Over 5,000 Hybrid Cars This Year

The White House will announce today the government will be buying 5,603 more hybrid vehicles to replace the same number of older, less fuel efficient vehicles. The government estimates the new fleet of cars will reduce petroleum consumption by the equivalent of an estimated 7.7 million gallons of gas, or 385,000 barrels of oil.The new 5,000 hybrids and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) will double the federal hybrid car fleet. The purchases are made through the US General Service Administration. The hybrid cars will be bought this year,...

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2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid

Lincoln MKZ HybridThe first hybrid from Lincoln will be at the New York International Auto Show (NYIAS).  The 2011 Lincoln MKZ hybrid is the first luxury hybrid from Ford, and may be 'the most fuel efficient luxury sedan in America' when it goes on sale this fall.Ford is expecting the Lincoln MKZ Hybrid to get 41 mpg in the city.  Beats out the HS 250h by 6 mpg in city driving.  The Lincoln hybrid will be powered by the 2.5-liter Atkinson...

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Tax Credits for Ford are Expiring on April 1

Ford Fusion Hybrid Tax Credits Going, Going, Gone... (Photo from Flickr)The federal tax credits set for those who buy a Ford (or Mercury) Hybrid are about to expire on April 1. The federal tax credit for hybrid cars was set to help each auto manufacturer launch their hybrids. But since it was clear that Toyota had a big lead on hybrid technology, a 60,000 limit was set for each manufacturer.There was no limit on the type of vehicle, so the 2010...

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Nissan Leaf Price

Nissan has set the MSRP for the new all electric Leaf at $32,780. That's remarkably low considering it will sell for about $40,000 in Japan. Or you can lease one at $349 a month.  A separate charging station can be installed (if you opt for it) for about $2,200.Nissan is aiming for 25,000 orders by December.If you qualify for the tax credits in California, you could be paying somewhere in the low $20K range for your electric Leaf, including...

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Lincoln MKZ Hybrid to Premier in New York

Lincoln MKZ Going Hybrid in NY (Flickr photo)Ford will unveil its first Lincoln Hybrid at the New York International Auto Show (NYIAS). The Lincoln MKZ Hybrid will be built on the same platform as the Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan Hybrid.It will look the same as the non-hybrid model, but will have new badging to indicate its hybrid nature.The big question is whether or not people will opt for the more expensive Lincoln model over the Fusion Hybrid....

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Mazda Will Have Hybrid Technology From Toyota

Despite the back and forth last week (Toyota will be hybrid components, Toyota won't be supplying hybrid components), Toyota and Mazda did get together and ink a deal.Expect Mazdas first hybrid sedan to show up in 2013, using hybrid components supplied by Toyota. Mazda will be piggy-backing on Toyota's already extensive research and practical use of hybrid technology, while Toyota will be helping reduce its own costs by the art of economies of scale.Toyota has also supplied parts to Nissan over the past few years for the Nissan Altima Hybrid....

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Chevrolet Cruze Lines Up On The Starting Grid For BTCC

Silverline Chevrolet Cruze will be factory backed in the 2010 BTCC. This year, the BTCC is going to be hotting up, with the Chevrolet Cruze coming in as a manufacturer backed team! Two Silverline Chevrolet Cruzes will appear on the grid for the 2010 season, expected to be one of the closest and most exciting in the series’ history. The cars will be prepared by the Wellingborough-based RML team, which also looks...

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Mazda Engine Specifications

Mazda Engine SpecificationsE5 TURBO Type 1490cc EFI OHC 8-valve 4-cyl Power 86kW @ 5800rpm Torque 162Nm @ 3500rpm Gearboxes FWD 5sp Source 83-84 Familia XGR turbo (fits earlier Laser and 323) B6 Type 1597cc EFI DOHC 16-valve 4-cyl ...

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2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid

Hyundai will unveil their first hybrid sedan a the New York Auto Show. The Hyundai Sonata Hybrid has been modified, front and back, to distinguish it from the gas only Sonata.Hyundai Hybrid SonataThe modifications should help the hybrid stand out from the crowd.The Sonata Hybrid will be revealed live on the w...

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Toyota May Not be Supplying Mazda

Toyota is now saying "Nothing has been decided" in a reply about the possible deal with Mazda.Yesterday, a Nikkei report said a deal had been struck. Toyota would supply the hybrid components. Mazda would build a hybrid sedan by 2013.But it seems that the deal is not finaliz...

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Mazda Hybrid by 2013 via Toyota

A Nikkei report (via Reuters) says Toyota will be supplying Mazda with some key hybrid components. That will give Mazda the ability to put a hybrid vehicle on the road by 2013.Mazda will introduce a midsize hybrid vehicle by 2013, putting them years behind the major players (Toyota, Honda, GM, and Ford).Toyota will be selling their Toyota Hybrid System II (THS II) to Mazda, which includes the battery, electric motor, a generator and a power control unit.Nissan has used hybrid components from Toyota to build their Nissan Altima Hybrid. By selling...

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Toyota Limited in Fight Against Paice LLC Lawsuit

Toyota is facing a patent lawsuit from Paice LLC. It's a case they've already lost, but one in which the number of cars was expanded upon. Word has just been released that Toyota will be limited in their ability to defend themselves further against Paice.Toyota won’t be able to challenge the validity or infringement of patents owned by Paice LLC during an April hearing on the dispute, U.S. International Trade Commission Judge Theodore Essex said in an order dated March 3 and made public today.In other words, since the courts already decided the...

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Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid at the NYIAS

Porsche CayennePorsche is bringing their new Cayenne Hybrid to the New York International Automobile Show.  The Cayenne S Hybrid will go on sale in the fall. The parallel system works to maximize each of the engines strengths.  At low speeds, the high torque produced by the electric motor does the heavy lifting, while the gas engine can kick in, with an assist from the electric motor to give it an extra 'boost.'  Combined, the V-6...

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Cadillac XTS Moving Coming in 2011

The Cadillac XTS, the luxury plug-in hybrid sedan, will be coming next year as a 2012 model. And according to some reports, will replace the Cadillac Converj as the new upcoming plug-in Cadillac. The Cadillac XTS  Platinum, a Plug-in HybridThe XTS is set to replace the DTS and STS. It should look something like the XTS Platinum concept according to MotorTrend.Cadillac (GM) rejected the idea of developing the Converj concept, a plug-in E-REV...

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Toyota Will Replace the Pedal... if Asked

The New York Times has gotten its hands on a memo from Toyota telling dealers to replace accelerator pedals for free under the braking recall.If customers are dissatisfied with the repairs made, unhappy about how they feel, then Toyota is telling the dealers to provide a replacement pedal at no cost.An AP analysis shows over 100 customers have complained to the NHTSA after Toyota fixed their vehicles.The dealers will only do it after the repairs have been made and only if the customers ask for it. The memo the NY Times received was dated from...

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No Longer Has a Hemi-Hybrid

Chrysler has ended the Ram Hybrid, before it even really started. Chrysler announced they would be expanding on a plug-in hybrid test for their Ram pickup, but would end the program to create a hybrid Ram. Given their track record, I won't be holding my breath on the plug-in Ram.Chrysler sold their Hybrid Aspen and Durango for a two months before abandoning their program. The plan was for the two-mode hybrid system, co-developed with BMW and GM, to go into the Dodge Ram later this year. But Chrysler just doesn't see a market for it.Chrysler...

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Toyota Should Talk to Apple About the Cruise Control

Back in February, Apple co-found Wozniak weighed in on the safety of Prius, noting he could create an 'unintended acceleration' in his Prius repeatedly. This made news, of course, but it turns out he just didn't understand his cruise control.But then, he doesn't seem to be alone. According to Ward's auto, Toyota has been looking into the complaints being made about the cruise control. It seems a lot of people are complaining. 11% of the complaints about the 2010 Prius made with the NHTSA) cite difficulty getting cruise control to turn off....

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Prius Reliability

Once again, the Toyota Prius ranked highly for dependability on the J.D. Power and Associates study. The 2007 model Prius won a segment award, with just 103 PP100.“This is great news and timely for both our customers and our dealers, as it provides reassurance our vehicles continue to be an industry benchmark for quality,” Jim Lentz said in a statement.The study, which measures problems experienced by original owners of three-year-old (2007 model year) vehicles, includes 198 different problem symptoms across all areas of the vehicle. Overall...

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Virginia Extends HOV Exemption Again

Virginia has once again passed an exemption to the carpool lane laws, allowing some hybrids access even if the driver is all alone. The extension goes through June 30, 2011.Only hybrid vehicles with clean fuel plates issued before July 1, 2006 can use the I-95/395 HOV lanes during rush hours. All hybrid vehicles with clean fuel plates can use all other HOV lanes in Virginia during HOV hours, including I-66 and the Dulles Toll Road in Northern Virginia.Qualifying hybrids include (Source: Virginia): 2003 and Earlier  Honda Civic, Honda...

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Honda Moving to Lithium-Ion Batteries in the Next Few Years

Honda says they will be moving to lithium-ion battery packs in the next two to three years, as they fight to compete with Toyota hybrids. Source: Honda Plans Lithium-Ion Civic to Narrow Toyota’s Lead (Update1) - Bloomberg.comHonda will be supplied with battery packs by their joint venture with GS Yasa Corp (which is 49 percent owned by Honda). This is very interesting for those who follow hybrids and have been looking for lithium batteries for a while now. There have been several instances where Honda and Toyota have looked at lithium-ion battery...

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Ford, We Make Hybrids Too

I'm not a huge fan of SNL, but I found this to be hilarious. The setup was a little long, but the punch line was gre...

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Toyota Findings on Runaway Prius in San Diego

You can read all about Toyota's findings below in the press release, but basically, nothing they found was consistent with the story that the driver gave about the runaway car. My opinion isn't too far off from what others have already said, both in the media and outside the media. But at the end of the day, a 'runaway' car has to be treated seriously. It seems that Toyota is trying very hard to get on top of this as quickly as possible. They investigated quickly and openly and not surprisingly, found nothing. Syke's lawyers response was ridiculous...

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Toyota Considering Cutting Production of the Prius

The Times is reporting Toyota is considering cutting back on production of the Prius by 10%. The Japanese production is looking at worldwide demand and trying to decide how the current climate is going to affect their sales.A spokesman for Toyota said: “The outlook for Prius demand is uncertain." This is despite the sky high demand in Japan, where the Prius is still the number one seller and probably will be for months. The waiting list is months long there, with the incentives on hybrids helping to push sales there.There has also been a recent...

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Orange County DA Sues Toyota

The Orange County DA has jumped into the Toyota fray, filing a suit against what they say are "continued unlawful, unfair, deceptive, and fraudulent business practices as it pertains to both consumers and competitors." (Via GCC)They are looking for $2,500 per violation under the Unfair Business Practices Act.I'm surprised and not surprised by this action.  It seems that everyone wants to sue Toyota right now (and you wonder why companies are reluctant to say things are wrong in public and apologize).  But, given the issue, wouldn't this...

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Honda CR-Z in High Demand

Honda CR-Z HybridAccording to a Nikkei report (via MarketWatch), the Honda CR-Z Hybrid already has 7,000 orders.  They had 4,500 pre-sales as of a few weeks ago when they set the price on the two-seater hybrid at just over $25,000.That's 60% of the annual target of 12,000 units Honda set.  The pent up demand for a hybrid sports car seems to be higher than I would have thought, although the tax breaks and incentives put in place in Japan...

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S-Class Getting 81 MPG

Mercedes-Benz Plans on Building S-Class E-REVMercedes-Benz is looking to build an S-class plug-in hybrid (actually, from the description, it's an E-REV (Extended-Range Electric Vehicle)) that will achieve 81 mpg. More details are coming out according to CarandDriver.  Mercedes-Benz launched a hybrid S-Class in Japan last September.  The new S-class will mate a 3.0-liter V-6 gasoline engine-dirct injection and peizo injectors witha 60 hp...

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Porsche 918 Spyder into Production?

Porsche is seriously considering taking the 918 Spyder, a plug-in hybrid that is more powerful than the Carrera GT. The electric motor helps the 500 hp V8 go from 0-60 in 3.2 seconds with a top speed of 198 mph, all while 78 mpg.  It took them five months (started last August, finished the day before it was revealed).  But now it looks like Porsche is looking to move the Spyder into production.Porsche 'will build 918' - Autocar.co.ukPorsche...

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Mass Hysteria, Maybe...

This is something I have been thinking about the past couple of days, but I can't say I am an unbiased observer when it comes to the Prius.Spike in Prius complaints may not be all it seems - Yahoo! NewsBut as long as reports of Prius profile keep rolling in — just look at the extensive coverage given to a single crash in that New York suburb, something that would have gone utterly unnoticed a year ago — expect complaints to keep rising."We are basically anticipating them happening, and we may be prone to jump to conclusions," said L.J. Shrum, a...

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Scary Ride in a Prius

A Prius driver went on a wild ride in San Diego. A driver accelerated on Interstate 8 in La Posta to pass another car; however, the driver could not keep the car from moving at 94 mph afterward. He called 911 and the officers who were dispatched spoke to the driver over loudspeakers, advising him to push the brake pedal and apply the emergency brake.Along with the car heading up a steep upgrade and their instructions, the car decelerated to about 50 mph and the driver turned off the engine and coasted to a stop with officers surrounding him with...

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Prius Plant in Mississippi May Be Back on Again

Toyota, despite all the bad press lately, is going to open up the plant in Mississippi according to recent reports. At the same time, they could be delaying the launch of new cars in Europe.The 2010 Rav4, Auris, and Auris Hybrid could all be halted if Toyota is not satisfied with the solutions to their acceleration problems.In the meantime, the plant in Mississippi has been on again, off again for a while now, so we'll have to take a wait and see attitude. If it does ever get up and running, it will be good news for Prius buyers, who won't have...

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Maserati to Move Into Hybrids - Rumors Abound

There are reports (IL) that Maserati will develop a hybrid powertrain based on the Ferrari model in their next generation of cars. The stricter fuel economy (emissions) laws in Europe are forcing car makers to move to less weightier options, plus other fuel efficient engines to compensate.The three-pointed Trident brand will borrow similar emission and drivetrain logics from Ferrari and combine them with its already existing impressive performance to bring out the most efficient hybrid powertrain at affordable prices - nitrob...

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Lexus CT 200h - More Details Ahead of the New York Auto Show

The Lexus CT 200h compact hybrid will be at the New York Auto Show March 31 through April 11.  The fivie door will be Lexus second dedicated hybrid model.CT 200h Revealed at Geneva Auto ShowThe LF-Ch, unveiled at the Frankfurt Auto Show in 2009 served as the basis for the CT 200h.  The compact hybrid is meant to fill the luxury compact division, for those who are interested in luxury and fuel efficiency.The CT 200h features a 1.8-liter...

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Hybrid Car Sales, February 2010

Hybrid car sales were up 5.4% for the month of February, which would seem to indicate a good month and is also indicative of an overall recovery in the car market.  But individual model sales are more of a mixed bag.  Some were up, some were down, and the overall increase does not seem to reflect a lot of what might be expected.Also, keep in mind that hybrid car sales were down by 30% in February, 2009 compared to February 2008.  The...

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