Consumer Reports on the Honda Insight

Consumer Reports does not like the Honda Insight and wasn't shy about telling the world how they feel about it. "The Insight achieved an excellent 38 mpg overall in CR's tests but fell short in ride quality, handling, interior noise, acceleration, rear-seat, access and visibility."That doesn't sound appealing or promising. "The Insight is the most disappointing Honda Consumer Reports has tested in a long time," said David Champion, senior director of CR's Auto Test Center. "The Insight is a noisy, stiff-riding car with clumsy handling that is...

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2008 Saturn Vue Recall Notice

GM is recalling the 2008 Saturn Vue with body color outside door handles. It seems the door handles may bind or stick, which means the door might not latch when it's closed.If the door doesn't latch, an unbelted occupant could fall out of the vehicle, which could certainly be dangerous. Chrome door handles are going to be used to replace the current door handles free of charge.I'm not clear if this affects the hybrid Vue. 44,451 vehicles are being recalled beginning on or before August 18, 20...

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Toyota to Build Hybrd in UK

Toyota has plans to start building a hybrid Auris in the UK by the end of the year according to the Times.The Burnaston plant near Derby was selected to build the hybid Auris hatchback, after months of negotiation with the government. Toyota is expecting some government assistance in the new production.The Auris Hybrid will use the 1.8 litre engine from the Prius mated to an electric motor and is expected to get 72.4 mpg (I'm assuming that's imperial). The Auris is smaller and lighter than the Prius, so it should get a lower carbon dioxide rating.It's...

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Ford Sets Up Cash For Clunkers Website

Like Honda and Toyota, Ford now has a 'cash for clunkers' website up and running.  Unlike the others, Ford has set theirs up so that you can check to see if your current vehicle qualifies to be traded in (and subsequently crushed).  Check it out at www.letfordrecycleyourride.com (screenshot below).Down at the bottom, they point out how you can also save money on some of their current models, which they obviously hope will inspire you not...

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Honda Points Out Just About Any of Their Vehicles Qualify

Although it may be unnecessary to point out, Honda wants you to know their cars are fuel efficient.  In fact, almost every car they build qualifies for the new Cash for Clunkers program (to buy, not trade-in)."You don't really need a complicated chart to find a fuel-efficient vehicle at a Honda dealer," said John Mendel, executive vice president of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "We hope that this program will help consumers make the move into vehicles that are easier on both their wallets and the environment."Honda cars that have a combined...

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Toyota Sets Up Cash for Toyota Site

Taking advantage of the 'Cash for Clunkers' program, Toyota has set up a site specifically for pointing out which cars are available from Toyota and Scion, that qualify under the government program.  They list 15 cars, but are careful to point out that certain options will disallow some of those vehicles.Qualifying Vehicles [1] Toyota Scion Avalon Matrix Tacoma tC Camry Prius Tundra xB Corolla Solara VENZA xD FJ Cruiser Sienna Yaris Highlander...

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Chrysler Renegotiates Contract with GM on Dual Mode Hybrid Engine

It seems Chrysler is trying to opt out of paying up their share for developing the dual mode hybrid engine. GM, Chrysler, and BMW partnered to create the dual-mode hybrid engine which is suitable for their SUVs and trucks. Chrysler used the new hybrid engine in the Chrysler Aspen and Dodge Durango hybrids, which were subsequently killed off after just two months. But Chrysler still wants to use the dual-mode hybrid engine in the Dodge Ram 1500 Hybrid next year.But when they filed for bankruptcy, the company was split into old Chrysler and new...

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JD Powers Predicts Minimal Impact From Cash for Clunkers Program

JD Powers feels the 'Cash for Clunkers' Program will not have a considerable impact on 2009 car sales. Although the program could 'theoretically' increase sales by as much as 500,000, they are predicting actual sales will be 'considerably lower.' The press release cites limitations to the funding and duration of the program will keep the program from having a significant impact. They also feel the stipulations will be confusing to consumers.In other words, they feel consumers won't know or won't understand which cars qualify and which won't....

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Social Aspect of the Volt

GM, from the beginning, has beeen very transparent with the development of the Volt.  That's not to say they share all the faults, tweaks, mistakes, set backs, etc... involved.  But they do let you know where it stands right now.  And right now, it's a week ahead of schedule.As an aside, for anyone who's worked on a massive project like this, that may seem a little scary.  Being a week ahead means you've either put three or four times the amount of work budgeted up to this point, or you've just skipped a bunch of steps, and...

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Tesla Receives $465 Million in Loans from US DOE

Tesla was approved for low-interest loans from the Dept of Energy to accelerate the production of their affordable, fuel efficient electric vehicles. The loan is part of $24 billion program called the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Loan Program (ATVMLP).Ford and Nissan are also receiving loans in the first round of approvals.  GM and Chrysler were excluded early on because of questions about their viability.$365 Million on Assembly of Model STesla will use $365 million for production engineering and assembly of the Model S, an...

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New York City Loses Again in Bid to Force Hybrid Taxis

New York City lost again (AP Story) in their battle to revamp the cities taxis into more fuel efficient fleets. U.S. District Judge Paul A. Crotty sided with the cab companies (once again), stating the city could not interfere with the federal jurisdiction to mandate laws relating to mileage or emissions. New York City officials, after failing in their bid to mandate hybrid taxis, wanted to put in incentives (pdf) instead. In this case, the new rules would allow hybrid cab owners to charge more for their rentals, while more gas-hungry vehicles...

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Nissan Gets $1.6 Billion in Loans From US Govt

As part of the $25 billion loan program set up to help auto makers retool or build factories to build more fuel efficient vehicles, Nissan announced they were approved, conditionally, to receive $1.6 billion. They will be using the money to modify the plant in Smyrna, Tenn to produce zero-emission vehicles and state-of-the-art lithium-ion battery packs to power them.The loan is being awarded by the US Dept of Energy (DOE). Ford and Tesla will also receive loans as part of the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Loan Program (ATVMLP)."This...

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Government Set to Loan Billions to Ford, Tesla, and Nissan

Ford will receive $5.9 Billion in low interest loans from the US Govt Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Loan Program (ATVMLP).  The funding will go towards transforming factories in Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri and Ohio to produce 13 more fuel efficient models.  Tesla ($465 million) and Nissan ($1.6 billion) were also approved to receive some of the low-interest loans.From the DOE press release:Ford Motor Company will receive $5.9 billion in loans through 2011 to help finance numerous engineering advances to traditional...

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Prius Sales Top 180,000 Sales in Japan

The Toyota Prius has had 180,000 pre-sales in Japan over the past few months. In comparision, Toyota has sold under 43,000 units from January to May this year in the US. The release of the next generation Prius, coupled with government incentives, has sent demand for the Toyota hybrid skyrocketing. (Source: Toyota gets 180,000 orders for new Prius hybrid)Prius sales in the US have dropped in anticipation of the new generation being released this month. Add in lower gas prices and the recession and sales have been down 30-60% over the past months...

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Cash for Clunkers Passed: Also Known as the CARS Act of 2009

The 'Cash for Clunkers' (or as it is known in the bill: "Consumer Assistance to Recycle and Save Act of 2009" or CARS act)  bill has passed the Senate and House (although there was a bit of doubt there at the end) and is being sent to President Obama to be signed.  Part of a $106 billion war appropriations bill, the $1 billion program is intended to help push new car sales, while also pushing for higher fuel economy.The question becomes with the restrictions set in place, who's going to make use of the program and what are they most likely...

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Insight is Tops in Europe

Honda announced they have sold more Insights than any other hybrid in Europe. The Insight was the top selling hybrid in Japan back in April, before being topped by the new generation Prius. But once again, in the first month of sales, the Insight has proven to be very popular.The question of course, is will it last? Or will the Prius be able to command attention once again. Also, the other point to consider is how well the Insight and Prius are...

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Government Continues to Support Hybrids

Over the past few weeks, the US government has gone out of its way to provide  a significant amount of funding for fuel efficiency, hybrid car and electric car technology.  The three programs are being funded at $538 million, a majority of which is coming from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.DOE Invest $11 Million in Battery DevelopmentThe Dept of Energy (DOE) announced seven cost-shared research projects they would be funding to the tune of $11 million.  The projects will focus on improving material performance, developing...

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Prius Still Set to be Built in Mississippi

Toyota still has plans to build the Prius at the plant in Mississippi, not in Fremont, CA.  But it doesn't matter anyways, since Toyota is not going to start building the Prius anywhere in the US in the near term.According to a story in Bloomberg, Toyota was considering moving their production to Fremont, CA, to a plant they share with GM. But Edmunds followed up with an official from Toyota who denied the story.Toyota is considering making Priuses at a California plant it shares with General Motors, not a factory in Mississippi where production...

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Hyundai LPI Elantra Hybrid

Hyundai has begun receiving pre-launch orders for its Elantra LPI Hybrid Electric Vehicle, its first commercial hybrid in South Korea. Pre-orders will end July 7, a day before it officially introduces the car in the Korea domestic market.The hybrid electric vehicle is powered by a Liquefied Petroleum Injected (LPI) engine. The LPI Gamma engine has a displacement of 1.6 liters, a 15kW (105 Nm) electric motor and a Continuously Variable Transmission...

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Mack Hybrids on Capitol Hill

The Mack TerraPro Cabover was displayed on Capitol HIll as part of the "Hybrid on the Hill Day" organized by the Hybrid Truck Users Forum (HTUF) of CALSTART. The diesel-electric hybrid truck promises 30% fuel economy improvement in the stop-and-go environment of refuse collection.The parallel hybrid engine is designed for Class 8 heavy-duty applications and meets the EPA'10 emission regulations."Our hybrid technology will be commercially viable,...

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John McCain Opts For Ford Fusion Hybrid

So, even John McCain is opting for a Ford Fusion Hybrid.  That's more good news for Ford, as the press has already jumped onto the news.  Of course, it's hard to ignore given how McCain announced it via Twitter.Ford has to love how they are the choice for all politicians who want the US  public to know they drive a hybrid made from an American car company.Like when Obama talked about his Ford Hybrid Escape ("By the way, I just want to mention, I think I still have my Ford parked in Chicago," Obama said. "It's a Ford hybrid, it runs...

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Honda Insight May Not Hit Sales Goal

Vice President John Mendel of Honda believes Honda will not meet it's sales goal of 90,000 for the Honda Insight.First-year Sales of Honda’s gasoline-electric Insight, which debuted at U.S. dealerships in late March, may be between 50,000 and 60,000 units, John Mendel, the company’s U.S. executive vice president, said in a June 11 interview at Honda’s U.S. headquarters in Torrance. “I don’t think we’ll get to 90,000,” he said.Image from WikipediaWhich...

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Oregon State Hybrid Car Tax Credit Ending

Looks like the Oregon state tax credit for hybrid cars is about to end.  The House has passed a bill that would set a deadline of January 1, 2010 to qualify for the $1,500 tax credit.The Senate is expected to pass the bill as well.  Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski wants a new bill to create a tax credit on plug-in hybrid vehicles to replace the credit that's about to be expired.  The Bill is House Bill 2180. Source: Statesman Jour...

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Chevy Equinox Will Not Get Two-Mode Hybrid

Despite all the speculation, it seems GM is not interested in turning the Equinox into a Vue replacement. After deciding to sell Saturn, it was clear GM would not be following through with their plans to introduce the two-mode hybrid Vue.There was a lot of speculation that GM would move instead try their full hybrid engine out on the Chevy Equinox, since the two CUVs share the same Theta Epsilon II platform. But that is not to be.According to a...

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Malibu Hybrid is Dead

Image by geognerd via FlickrGM has pulled the plug on their mild hybrid Malibu, citing "slow sales that has led to a backlog of inventory on dealer lots." (Source: WSJ)A GM spokesman said the company made the decision because of a "sufficient stock of 2009s," and said starting up production in the near future is "possible, but not likely." The company will continue to make hybrid versions of the Malibu for fleet buyers, but it is uncertain if GM...

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