BMW Building Inventory of Hybrid X6

The BMW X6 Hybrid is slowly building up inventory, with an introduction next month.Source:BMW to take wraps off hybrid X6 in Los Angeles next month | greenvilleonline.com | The Greenville NewsBMW Manufacturing is producing between eight to 10 of the hybrids a day, or about 40 a week, said Bobby Hitt, manager of public relations for the plant. As the inventory increases, the vehicles will begin moving into dealerships next month. Those are low numbers, but in line with a luxury models sales targ...

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Hybrid Nano in the Works

Tata chairman Ratan Tata was once again quoted a hybrid version of the Nano is in the works.Source: India's Tata says plans Nano hybrid cars: report | ReutersSEOUL (Reuters) - India's Tata Group is planning to produce hybrid versions of its Nano, billed as the world's cheapest car, to join in the environment-friendly trend, its chairman said in an interview with a South Korean newspaper.The Maeil Business Newspaper on Monday quoted Ratan Tata, chairman of the Tata Group...No real details are available (price, date, type of hybrid, etc...). I would...

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2010 Lexus LS 600h L Gets a Price Increase

The Lexus LS 600h L will have a price adjustment, along with the RX 450h. Lexus is increasing the MSRP of the LS to $108,800. The updated 2010 LS 600h L is scheduled to arrive in dealerships at the end of this month.The 450h is also seeing a $900 price increase.Press Release follows:Price Adjustments on select Lexus Models - New Exterior Styling Includes Revised Front Grille, Bumper and Taillights - Interior Enhancements Include Increased Trunk Capacity - New Subscription-Based Lexus Enform(TM) with Safety Connect(TM) Telematics SystemTORRANCE,...

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Subaru Bringing Hybrid Tourer to LA

Subaru will be bringing the Hybrid Tourer Concept to the Los Angeles Auto Show, where they will also announce their intention to build a hybrid by 2012. It's not clear if the Tourer will become a reality (not likely), a new hybrid model will be built, or if the hybrid engine will find its way into a model that's currently available.The hybrid from Subaru uses two electric motors powered by lithium-ion (Li-Ion) battery pack. The electric motors are mated to the direct-injection 2.0-liter turbocharged boxer engine. The hybrid motor, of course,...

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Toyota Targeting Increased Hybrid Sales in China

Toyota hopes to increase sales in China by 14% next year with the introduction of the Crown sedan, Camry hybrid and the new Prius.Sales are expected to climb to 800,000 a year.Source: Toyota Expects China Sales to Jump 14% Next Year on New Models - Bloomberg.comHybrid sales have not been stellar in China so far. Although recent subsidies being offered to institutions that purchase hybrids may be changing thin...

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Toyota Recall to Shorten Gas Pedals

Toyota is beginning its recall of vehicles affected by the accelerator pedal getting stuck either in the floor mats or otherwise.  To solve the problem, Toyota will shorten the gas pedals, plus change the floor mats.Toyota has already notified customers to remove their old floor mats until a fix could be made.In April 2010, Toyota will begin installing the redesigned pedals.  They will also, if you want, repurchase or replace your floor mats.A software modification is also being made.  If the accelerator and the brake are pushed...

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Toyota Already Selling Out of New Sai Hybrid

Toyota already has 14,000 Pre-orders for the new SAI Hybrid, due out in Japan in December. (Source: Reuters).Toyota had targeted 3,000 units a month. That the Sai, said to be rated at 23 km/liter or 54 mpg (Japanese rating, not EPA), is already close to half their annual target says a lot about the Japanese incentive plan for hybrids.The new Sai hybrid is the Toyota sister to the Lexus HS 250h. Like the Prius, it will be a dedicated hybrid platform, but will have a bigger engine than the Prius. It's being built on the same platform and with...

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EPA Releases Fuel Economy Figures for 2009

The EPA is projecting another increase in fuel efficiency for MY 2009 vehicles. That's the fifth consecutive year in a row in which car makers and buyers have made and bought more fuel efficient cars. Although the gain from last year was small, 21.0 mpg to 21.1 mpg, the five year gain sits at 9% since 2004.The numbers for 2008 were finalized in the report, while the numbers for 2009 are still being projected, with the authors cautioning that 2009 has been turbulent and "It is impossible to predict whether actual MY2009 fuel economy will be higher...

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One Million Miles of Plug-in Hybrid Driving

The Advanced Vehicle Testing Activity (AVTA), run by the US Dept of Energy (DOE), has now run their plug-in hybrid test vehicles for one million miles.Using fleet and public drivers the AVTA is attempting to assess and demonstrate Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV). They have now surpassed the 1 million mile mark, plus they have had 26,000 'charging events' to date. With more than 215 PHEVs, and 12 different PHEV models, the test fleet is...

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Toyota Lowers HS 250h Expectations

Toyota told Ward's auto they were dropping their annual sales goals for the HS 250h in the US from it's current 25,000 units a year to 20,000 - 22,000. And not because the US is rejecting the HS 250h, either.Instead, sales are going so well in Japan Toyota is keeping inventory there, instead.Toyota started out by targeting 30,000 units a year, but dropped to 25,000.  Now they are redirecting another 3,000 to 5,000 units elsewhere.  They also tripled production of the HS 250h back in October.Japan's policy for encouraging hybrid sales...

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BMW 1-series Hybrid

Car and Driver has spotted a BMW 1-series Hybrid out and about in testing.There's no way this is going to hit the production side of things for at least a few years, but Car and Driver is saying they may have been looking at what is to come in 2013.They are also guessing the next generation 1-series might get a mild hybrid system, not a full hybrid system. So expect a start-stop, regenerative braking system used to assist in acceleration or to at least keep the fuel efficiency numbers up for less co...

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Latest Poll Says 45 Percent Embrace Hybrids

The AP conducted a poll to determine peoples environmental consideration. In a telephone survey of more than 1,000 adults, AP and NBC Universal found that "60 percent of those surveyed felt either a "great deal" or "a lot" of personal responsibility to protect the environment, while 37 percent rarely, if ever, even thought about the impact of their actions on the Earth's health."About 45 percent of those surveyed embraced the idea of gas-electric hybrid cars, but only 1 in 5 would be very likely to buy such a vehicle, and half said they were "not...

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Toyota May Shorten Gas Pedal

In an effort to combat the accleration-sticking problem, Toyota may end up shortening the gas pedal. (Source: Kyodo News via Inside Line)Toyota has already recommended drivers remove the floor mats from the drivers side, in order to combat the mat from getting stuck in the accelerator pedal. But Toyota has not finalized any plans for any permanent fixes. Vehicles affected by the recall are the 2007-'10 Camry, Tundra and Lexus ES 350; the 2005-'10 Avalon and Tacoma, 2004-'09 Prius, and 2006-'10 Lexus IS 250. At least one fatal accident has been...

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2010 BMW ActiveHybrid X6 Priced for December Launch

The 2010 BMW ActiveHybrid X6 will arrive in December with a base MSRP of $89,725, including destination and handling charges.With that price and a fuel efficiency rating of 17 mpg city and 19 mpg highway, the X6 will not be competing against the fuel sipping Prius. Instead, the X6 is designed to compete in the luxury division.The two-mode hybrid mates a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 with two electric motors will be BMW's first hybrid and will showcase their strategy for hybrid technology. Power and comfort, with a bump in fuel efficiency.2010 BMW ActiveHybrid...

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The ML450 Hybrid Makes Debut at the LA Auto Show

The Mercedes-Benz ML450 Hybrid will be at the L.A. Auto Show according to Mercedes-Benz. It will be on display along with the 563-horsepower Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG supercar, the fuel-sipping E350 BlueTEC and the fuel-cell-powered F-Cell.The Mercedes-Benz ML450 HYBRID uses a 3.5-liter V6 gasoline engine, two electric motors and sophisticated electronics to produce more than 46 percent better fuel economy than a comparable V8-powered ML550 model. Integrated...

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Prius Could Outsell the Camry.... Some Day

Jim Lentz, President Toyota Motor Sales USA, told Ward's Auto in an interview he believes the Prius nameplate could outsell the Camry."I think long-term, Prius as a nameplate could even outsell Camry as a nameplate, into this next decade," Jim Lentz, president-Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. Inc. tells Ward’s in a recent interview.But Lentz doesn’t believe the Camry, the top-selling passenger-car in the U.S. for 11 of the last 12 years, will lose ground. “I think Prius will become just that much stronger,” he says, thanks to rising gas prices and greater...

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Chevy Impala Hybrid

Bob Lutz talked to the Inside Line about the Chevy Impala. Apparently, GM may create an Impala hybrid sometime in the near future.It sounds like this would be a mild hybrid, akin to the Aura or Malibu hybrid. Lutz also said the next Impala would be front-wheel drive, get a little bigger and add other equipme...

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Mercedes-Benz ML450 Hybrid Launches in November as Lease Only

Mercedes-Benz will launch the ML450 Hybrid on November 16. The full hybrid V6 will get 21 mpg city and 24 mpg highway. It will also produce 275-hp.The ML450 Hybrid will be Mercedes-Benz second hybrid model, the first being the S400 Hybrid. The ML450 Hybrid will be offered as part of a special lease only option (no purchase) for a monthly lease price of $659 per month for 36 months and $549 per month for 60 months.From the press release:The ML450...

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Toyota Contemplating 2010 Prius SUV or Station Wagon with Lithium-Ion

According to an AP report (who was quoting from Yomiuri), Toyota is planning on a larger version of the Prius.In order to power the Prius SUV or station wagon, they will be substituting a lithium-ion battery pack for the nickel metal hydride batter found in the current Prius.That would be a big change for Toyota, who has avoided the lithium-ion battery so far. The Yomiuri says the new Prius will cost about $22,000, which would also be unexpected given how much more expensive a SUV or station wagon can cost, plus the additional battery co...

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2010 Ford Fusion Breaks Into Top 10

The 2010 Ford Fusion is now one of the top 10 selling vehicles in the US and the Number 1 selling domestic car according to Ford. Half of those buying the Fusion are opting for high series models, including the Fusion Hybrid, Sport and SEL.Ford reports they have already sold 151,137 units, beating out the full year sales high of 149,552 in 2007. That also puts them at 15 percent higher than they were a year ago."There is no reason for customers shopping for a midsize sedan to look beyond the Fusion, because the lineup offers something for everyone...

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2011 Buick Regal May Go Hybrid

The 2011 Buick Regal was debuted today in Los Angeles.  It will launch here in the US in the spring of 2010.  In Europe, the Regal is sold as the Opel Insignia, where it was named 2009 European Car of the Year.  It is also being sold in China, where GM has already made over 64,000 sales.The 2.4-liter four cylinder engine is estimated at 20/30 city/highway mpg.  The follow-up model, due a few months after the first, is a 2.0-liter...

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NHTSA Study Questions Safety of Hybrids

Before I get into why the study is flawed on the face of it, I want to make it clear that I believe that hybrids, when running in all electric mode, can be more dangerous than cars that are at least making a little bit of noise. Having said that, cars that are traveling at low rate of speeds these days are not necessarily all that noisy in the first place.On to the NHTSA study:According to the executive summary (emphasis is mine), This study found that pedestrian and bicyclist crashes involving both HEVs and ICE vehicles commonly occurred on roadways,...

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Prius Up 420 Percent in Japan

The Toyota Prius once again dominated sales in Japan for the month of October, up 420 percent from last year when sales were declining in anticipation of the third generation Prius.The Japanese Automobile Dealers Association and the Japan Mini Vehicles Association reported Toyota sold 26,918 units. The Honda Fit came in second, with 15,444 units sold, followed by the Suzuki WagonR minivehicle. The Honda Insight, which was number one on the sales list the month before the third generation Prius came to market, dropped below the top 3.Sales of...

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BMW ActiveHybrid X6 Price

The BMW ActiveHybrid X6 has a new pricetag and it is near the top of the heap when it comes to hybrids. On sale in December, the X6 will have an MSRP of $89,775, which includes the $875 destination and handling charge.Be glad you aren't in the UK, however. The UK price tag is being set at 102,000 euro (£90,979). That's £37,709 more than the equivalent price in the US. (Source: Autocar)It seems that US hybrid buyers just aren't willing to pay as much for a hybrid as they are in Europe. "There’s more hybrid competition in the US than in Europe...

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BMW Hybrid Plans

BMW has two hybrids, the ActiveHybrid X6 which is a full hybrid, and the ActiveHybrid 7, which uses a mild hybrid system. And now comes word (Source: BMW plans more hybrid models - Autocar.co.uk) that BMW is working on releasing a third hybrid model sometime in the next eyar.In the meantime, according to the interview by autocar, BMW project leader Peter Tuennermann revealed quite a bit about their overall hybrid plan, including the observation that no car maker can afford to ignore hybrids.He also talks about the hybrid types, full and mild....

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Cadillac Converj Becoming a Reality

Speaking of building off of the Volt platform, the Detroit News is saying Cadillac will build a Converj. The Converj was a concept build off of the Volt idea, an Extended Range Electric Vehicle (E-REV).Cadillac included the Converj in a presentation made to the board on November 2. It would be years before a Converj could be built, and it would most likely look very little like the concept vehicle presented at the NAIAS, but it makes a lot of sense.The...

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Chrysler Ends ENVI Program

As part of the case for creating a bailout for Chrysler, the new ENVI division was set up last year. Chrysler put together three electric prototypes, and promised that one of them would be in production by 2010. They went on to pledge 500,000 electric vehicles by 2013.Now that the bailout and bankruptcy is over, however, things have changed.Chrysler, now owned by Fiat, laid out their five year plan, which will increase fuel efficiency based on Fiat expertise. But very little was said about hybrids or electric vehicles. Dodge will get the hybrid...

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Hybrid Car Sales, October 2009

Hybrid car sales were up, way up, for the month of October. Sales topped out at 24,275 units, 14.1% higher than last October. Cumulative sales are still down, however at 16.7% below last year at this point.The biggest sellers were the Toyota Prius, newly redesigned and still on back order in most places. It's nothing compared to the demand in Japan where government backed incentives are pushing Prius sales through the roof, but the high demand...

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Rolls Royce Ghost Hybrid

Rolls Royce is working on a mild version of the Ghost, its luxury saloon. The mild hybrid technology will come from the work on the BMW ActiveHybrid 7. Given the 7 and the Ghost share the same rear-wheel drive platform, the 'engineering on the Ghost hybrid has been fairly straightforward.' (Source:Autocar.co.uk)The hybrid system is mild, which means it won't be able to travel on all electric power. It will have a start-stop system withe regenerative brakes to help recharge the lithium-ion battery.The mileage is expected to improve by 15 percent...

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GM Already Thinking of Taking Volt Tech to Other Vehicles

GM will be 'taking the Volt technology to other vehicles,' not attempting to brand the Volt the way Toyota is looking to expand the Prius brand according to GM officials. Source: Reuters.But, I disagree with the author of that news story. Toyota hasn't expanded the Prius brand, but has taken the hybrid synergy drive and placed it into many of its vehicles (and even in other automakers vehicles... see the Nissan Altima).There have been rumors to the affect that Toyota will be building on the Prius name and creating a Prius line of cars, but it...

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Ontario Gets Green License Plate for Green Vehicles

Ontario is introducing a "green" license plate for next year. The plate will allow the "environmentally friendly vehicles" that have them to access the HOV lanes, irregardless of how many people are in the car.The vehicles in question are either plug-in hybrid electric vehicles or electric vehicles. Current hybrids need not apply.The plates will also give drives access to recharging stations at GO Transit and other provincially operated lots, and...

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Cash for Clunkers Figures From the AP Analysis

The AP finally got its hands on the raw data for claims against the CARS (Cash for Clunkers Program) and some of the deals are eye-raising. Despite it all, the fuel efficiency of trade-ins averaged 15.8 mpg, while the new vehicles averages 24.9 mpg.The AP has been trying for four months to get the claims data from the administration. And Edmunds and others have been arguing with the administration about the cost and whether it was worth the money.Some eye-raising stats from the AP analysis.Despite the big difference in overall mpg improvement...

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The Top 10 in Gas Mileage

The top 10 list of vehicles with the best gas mileage are dominated by hybrids and diesel engines.  To increase your gas mileage, the best cars for getting the best gas mileage tend to be smaller, but not necessarily so.  Hybrid or diesel engines tend to offset the need to decrease weight, just look at the Ford Escape Hybrid, which shows up ninth on the list. MPG Ranking Category Vehicle City Highway Combined 1 Family Sedan Toyota Prius 4 cyl, 1.8 L, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular...

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Fisker Working With UAW to Work in Delaware Plant

Fisker is negotiating with the UAW to begin working in the GM plant they are in the midst of buying in Delaware. I'd say it's surprising that a new car company like Fisker is ready to jump right into the Union pool, but what do I know about such things? (Source: Fisker, UAW aim to reach labor deal | Industry Summits | Reuters). Based on his quotes, Fisker wants an experienced work force to start with.Fisker is hoping to close the deal on the plant and the Union before the beginning of next year. They are looking to export half of the units built...

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