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Automotive slide 1

New Class The New Class (German: Neue Klasse) was a line of compact sedans and coupes starting with the 1962 1500 and continuing through the last 2002s in 1977.

Automotive slide 2

Finally, Speed Matches Style By Nate Martinez In the decade or so it's been on the market, the Audi TT has become world renowned for its avant garde style, but it's never ranked high as a true sports car.

Automotive slide 3

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!

Automotive slide 4

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-cycle

Automotive slide 5

The ‘Ice Speed Record’ model doesn’t fail to impress with its interior features as well: a carbon fiber with red weave high-gloss finishing and the most exquisite leather and Alcantara cabin components. The Supersports Continental Convertible ISR, which comes in three colors, has an estimated priced of £189,300 ($ 309,022 USD) and available at authorized Bentley automobile dealerships.

Senin, 30 November 2009

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 News
BMW 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 target.

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 | Reuters
SEOUL (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 imagine Tata is looking a mild version of the Nano, in lines with their low price ($2,000). So, a small increment in fuel efficiency would be in line with a start-stop system in place.

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 System

TORRANCE, Calif., Nov. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Lexus today announced a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $108,800 for the enhanced 2010 LS 600h L premium luxury hybrid sedan which will arrive at dealerships later this month.
MSRP adjustments were also announced on select current 2010 Lexus models including HS 250h, ES 350, IS 250, IS 350, IS 250C, IS 350C, IS F, GS 350, GS 460, GS 450h, LS 460, SC 430, RX 350, RX 450h and LX 570. The MSRPs do not include a delivery, processing and handling fee of $875.

The Lexus LS 600h L debuts revamp styling and new luxury amenities for 2010. The 2010 LS 600h L features the following revisions: front grille with a unique design, 19-inch alloy wheels, bumper, blue-tinted taillights, license plate surround and exhaust diffusers. Also new are advanced front active headrests, side mirrors with integrated turn signals, standard Intuitive Park Assist with Advance Parking Guidance and Intelligent High-Beam. The LS 600h L is available in three new exterior colors to freshen its exterior color palette: Blue Harbor Metallic, Peridot Mica and Satin Cashmere Mica.

New and updated luxury amenities and user technology features for the LS 600h L include a driver's seat with auto slide-away; rear power sunshade; an LCD instrument cluster; Lexus Navigation system with casual language recognition; Bluetooth® phonebook download capability and music playing capability with USB/iPod® connectivity and Bluetooth audio streaming. Trunk capacity for the LS 600h L grows by nearly two cubic feet.

Other new standard features for 2010 include the Cold Weather Package with a windshield deicer, more effective heater and heavy-duty battery.

Luxury options are endless as the Premium Package II includes butterfly rear headrest and left rear seat with lumbar massage. In addition, the Executive Class Seating Package II adds 18-inch 10-spoke wheels with new design, and power rear driver's side seat and ottoman with lumbar massage.

Lexus Enform(TM) with Safety Connect(TM) is an all-new telematics system available by subscription. Lexus Enform with Safety Connect is standard on all LS 600h L. Complimentary one-year trial subscriptions of Lexus Enform with Safety Connect are included on all purchases of new LS 600h L. The Lexus Enform and the Safety Connect response center operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week - every day of the year.

Lexus Insider(TM), a complimentary, opt-in service available without a subscription, is also standard on Lexus Enform equipped LS 600h L vehicles. The service offers in-vehicle audio casts with useful vehicle tips and event information, as well as insights into exclusive owners' benefits. As part of the Lexus Enform navigation platform, XM NavTraffic® and XM NavWeather(TM) are available via individual XM® subscriptions. All XM services include a complimentary 90-day trial subscription.

The price increases on other select Lexus models range from $300 for the IS 250 and IS 350 to $900 for the GS 450h and SC 430. The new prices will become effective with vehicles produced on December, 2009.

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, powers the all-wheel system.

The setup uses only the rear electric motor at low speeds, while under normal driving conditions, the gasoline engine is used. When more power is needed, the rear electric motor again kicks in. And finally, for optimum grip, the front motor will be engaged when needed – for example when accelerating up a hill.

Press Release Follows:
The Subaru Hybrid Tourer Concept Car shows a possible future for hybrid vehicle technology and is being used to highlight Subaru’s announcement that it will develop a gas/electric hybrid system based on Subaru’s boxer engine for launch in 2012.

The most striking feature of the concept car is its unique gull-wing doors that emphasize its spacious interior. The interior highlights a grand touring concept focused on interior volume and comfort. It features four independent seats with open spaces surrounding the occupants. Through clever packaging of the AWD system, a flat floor design is created allowing increased leg room for rear seat passengers.

Powering the Hybrid Tourer is a 2.0-liter horizontally-opposed direct fuel-injection turbo gasoline engine that improves fuel efficiency and reduces emissions. The turbo has been designed to improve engine responsiveness and environmental friendliness and utilizes Subaru’s Lineartronic (CVT) mated to a new Hybrid system that incorporates Symmetrical AWD. The powertrain features a unique gas/hybrid two-motor system with an electric power/drive motor in the front and another drive motor in the rear. The electric motors are powered by new high-performance lithium batteries.

At start-up and extremely low speeds when fuel efficiency is low, such as when driving the car into a garage, the rear electric motor is primarily used, which allows driving without engaging the gasoline engine. During normal driving, the front engine is primarily used. Under full acceleration, the rear motor assists the driving power of the engine to achieve advanced driving performance. When accelerating uphill, the front motor, which is normally used as a power generator, transfers power to the front axle for improved performance. The Hybrid Tourer Concept also implements a stop/start system that stops the engine when the car comes to a halt to reduce unnecessary fuel consumption.

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.com

Hybrid sales have not been stellar in China so far. Although recent subsidies being offered to institutions that purchase hybrids may be changing things.

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 at the same time, the brake will override the gas pedal, ensuring you slow down.  The software fix is being applied on the Camry, Avalon, and Lexus ES 350, IS 350 and IS 250 models.

Toyota will begin mailing letters to owners in December 2009.  Owners may contact Toytoa at 1-800-331-4331, Lexus at 1-800-255-3987.

Affected vehicles are:
Vehicle Make / Model:     Model Year(s):
     LEXUS / ES350     2007-2010
     LEXUS / IS     2006-2010
     TOYOTA / AVALON     2005-2010
     TOYOTA / CAMRY     2007-2010
     TOYOTA / PRIUS     2004-2009
     TOYOTA / TACOMA     2005-2010
     TOYOTA / TUNDRA     2007-2010

Selasa, 24 November 2009

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 the same drvivetrain as the HS 250h, but will be differentiated in the interior and exterior from the Lexus Hybrid.

The push in Japan for hybrids is at a fever pitch right now. Incentives worth up to 280,000 yen ($3,150) for the Sai are helping fuel the current drive. That's about a 10% discount on a car that's being sold for 3.38 million yen ($38,020) which is about 15% less than the Lexus HS 250h.

Senin, 23 November 2009

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 or lower than the preliminary MY2009 value."

The fuel efficiency gains (if they are realized) are coming despite the prediction that weight and performance will also be increasing from 2008, albeit slightly.

Something to keep in mind when you read the following table:
Most of the CO2 emissions and fuel economy values in this report are a single adjusted composite (combined city/highway) CO2 emissions or fuel economy value, consistent with the real-world estimates for city and highway fuel economy provided to consumers on new vehicle labels, in the EPA/DOE Fuel Economy Guide, and in EPA's Green Vehicle Guide.

MY2007 – 2009 Marketing Group Fuel Economy and Carbon Dioxide Emissions
(Adjusted Composite Values)
Marketing
Group
MY2007
MY2008
MY2009
Fuel Economy
CO2
Fuel Economy
CO2
Fuel Economy
CO2


(mpg)
(g/mi)
(mpg)
(g/mi)
(mpg)
(g/mi)
Honda
23.3
382
23.9
372
23.6
376
Hyundai-Kia
22.9
388
23.7
374
23.4
380
Toyota
23.3
382
22.8
389
23.2
383
Volkswagen
21.9
405
22.3
398
22.8
398
Nissan
21.3
418
21.9
406
21.6
411
BMW
21.5
415
21.2
419
21.6
412
General Motors
19.2
463
19.7
452
19.9
447
Ford
18.9
471
19.4
459
20.5
434
Chrysler
18.6
479
19.3
460
18.7
476
All
20.6
432
21
424
21.1
422

One thing to keep in mind when you see such small overall gains is the upcoming changes in the CAFE rules.  Car makers are going to be pushed to increase their fuel efficiency at a high rate over the coming years.

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 testing benchmark performance.

The testing has looking at energy consumption, via gas or electricity, in a wide range of operating conditions. The test vehicles are in 23 states and Canada. They are also examining the various factors that affect PHEVs, such as air temperature and human behavior.



See the report from July to get a good idea of what the AVTA is looking at with their test fleet. It's amazing what a difference driving 'aggresively' vs 'mild' can do to gas mileage.

By measuring the different factors, the AVTA hopes to demonstrate vehicle energy consumption results and potential electric grid impacts.

The AVTA's PHEV testing effort involves more than 75 testing partners, including electric utilities; city, county, state, federal and provincial governments; universities and colleges; clean air agencies; private companies and other organizations. As part of the AVTA, INL also collaborates with testing partner Argonne National Laboratory, which performs laboratory dynamometer testing of each PHEV model tested on the road. This testing partnership provides an important link between standard laboratory test results and real-world performance. In addition to Argonne, INL also collaborates with other DOE laboratories by sharing PHEV data analysis and reporting.

The AVTA is conducted by Idaho National Laboratory and the Electric Transportation Engineering Corporation (eTec) for DOE's Vehicle Technologies Program. The AVTA also tests other electric drive vehicles such as hybrid electric vehicles and neighborhood electric vehicles. Additional information about the testing results can be found at http://avt.inel.gov/

INL is one of DOE's 10 multiprogram national laboratories. The INL performs work in each of DOE's strategic goal areas: energy, national security, science and environment. INL is the nation's leading center for nuclear energy research and development. Day-to-day management and operation of the laboratory is the responsibility of Battelle Energy Alliance.

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 is certainly doing just that.

Kamis, 19 November 2009

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 cost.

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 at all likely" to buy one.

Since hybrid sales range from 2-3+% of the overall auto sales each month, that's not a surprising number to see.

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 caused by the floor mat forcing the accelerator pedal to get stuck in the wide open position.

Toyota was the recent target of a Nightline investigation.

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 X6 additional US standard over US X6 xDrive50i
  • 7-speed automatic transmission
  • Extended Nappa leather seats including dashboard and center console
  • 20-inch Aero wheels with mixed-sized performance tires
  • Rear view camera with Top View
  • Head-up Display
  • BMW Assist with Bluetooth phone connectivity
  • Power tailgate
  • Premium sound system
  • 6-disc DVD Changer
  • iPod and USB adapter
  • Universal garage-door opener
  • Comfort Access
  • Soft-close doors
  • 4-zone climate control
  • Heated front seats
  • Auto-dimmer rearview mirrors
  • Digital compass mirror
  • Anthracite headliner
  • Ambiance lighting
  • Privacy glass
  • Running boards
  • Storage package

2010 BMW ActiveHybrid X6 optional equipment:
  • Active ventilating seat package $1,100
  • Cold Weather Package $900
  • Rear side window shades $300
  • Sport seats N/C
  • Automatic high-beams $250
  • Satellite radio $350
  • Rear seat entertainment system $1,700
  • Smartphone integration $150
  • Enhanced premium sound system $700
  • 19-inch wheels with all-season tires N/C

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 within the modified automatic transmission, each magneto-electric motor is dedicated to a specific purpose -- one for pulling away under electric power, the other specifically for acceleration. With both electric motors, the ML450 HYBRID has a total system performance of 335 horsepower and 381 pound-feet of torque.

Rabu, 18 November 2009

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 eco awareness.
Currently, the Camry is outselling the by over 2-1, so it's quite a strong statement for Lentz to make.

Lentz also points out that a line of Prius models, despite the rumors, is not true.  Toyota officials are wary that Prius variations would compete against the other hybrid models in the Toyota line-up.

Selasa, 17 November 2009

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 equipment.

Senin, 16 November 2009

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 HYBRID fulfills the same crash test requirements and offers outstanding active safety with stability control systems such as ESP, ABS and BAS, as well as 4MATIC all-wheel drive. The integration of the hybrid technology has been engineered to require no additional packaging space that would compromise comfort or functionality. The space available in the passenger cabin is as generous as before and the trunk capacity remains fully intact. From the outside, the ML450 HYBRID is recognizable by its modified hood, the BlueEFFICIENCY logo on the fender and by the HYBRID badge on its tailgate.

The New ML450 HYBRID Boasts 46 Percent Better Fuel Economy

The new Mercedes-Benz ML450 HYBRID uses a 3.5-liter V6 gasoline engine, optimized via the Atkinson cycle, two magneto-electric motors and sophisticated hybrid electronics to produce 46 percent better fuel economy than a comparable V8-powered ML550 model.

Integrated within the modified automatic transmission, each electric motor serves a specific purpose. Dedicated to pulling away under electric power, the motor on the transmission output shaft generates 80 hp and 192 lb.-ft of torque.

Located closer to the gasoline engine, the second electric motor is set up specifically for acceleration and is rated at 83 hp and 173 lb.-ft of torque. Working with both electric motors when full power is needed, the ML450 HYBRID has a total system performance of 335 hp and 381 lb.-ft. of torque.

The electric motors are powered by a liquid-cooled, 288-volt nickel-metal-hydride battery that's enclosed under the rear cargo floor. A powerful computer controls the hybrid system, recalculating the best operating mode 160 times a second. Capable of up to 50 million calculations per second, the system works to maintain an ideal balance between fuel economy and performance.

During parking and low-speed operation, the ML450 HYBRID runs on the electric drive only. The ML450 HYBRID can drive solely on electric power up to a maximum speed of 34 mph. On hard acceleration, the gasoline engine is started automatically, and it works seamlessly with the two electric motors for excellent performance. The hybrid system includes a convenient start-stop function that turns off the gasoline engine -- for example, when coasting up to a red light -- and re-starts it during acceleration.

During braking and coasting, the electric motor acts as a generator, slowing the SUV and recovering kinetic energy. Under heavy braking, the vehicle's conventional brakes also come into play. Recovered energy is stored in the battery and re-used whenever the SUV runs only on the electric motors.

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 cost.

Kamis, 12 November 2009

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 - a Hybrid model, a Sport version and a new selection of gas-powered engines paired with six-speed transmission," Fusion Marketing Manager Jonathan Richards said in a statement.

Fusion Hybrid sales are making up almost 20 percent of all Fusion retail sales. And more than 60 percent of Fusion Hybrid sales have to been to customers switching from import brands, like Toyota and Honda.

The Fusion Hybrid gets 41 mpg city and 36 mpg highway, making it one of the most fuel efficient cars on the road.

According to early 2010 survey data obtained in the 2009 U.S. Global Quality Research System (GQRS), the 2010 Fusion Hybrid has the highest customer satisfaction ratings of any Ford vehicle ever. The survey was conducted for Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) by RDA Group of Bloomfield Hills, Mich.

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 turbocharged model.  The turbocharged Regal is estimated at 18/28 mpg.

The Regal is likely to receive a mild hybrid motor using the BAS mild hybrid engine you see in the Saturn Vue, Saturn Aura, and Chevy Malibu.  Other possible models include a V-6 turbo, but that's only if it catches on.

The Associated Press: GM needs new Buick Regal, Chevy Cruze to be hits
Executives have high hopes that the Regal, much of it designed by GM's Opel engineers in Ruesselsheim, Germany, can help bring younger buyers to Buick, crucial to the brand's long-term growth. Currently the median age of a Buick customer is around 68, but GM is targeting new models for those in their 40s and 50s, said Craig Bierley, Buick's product marketing director.

"Clearly having a midsize entry is absolutely critical for us," Bierley said.
Turbocharged versions will also have suspension settings that the driver can select, so that ride quality and handling can be tuned for either sportier driving or more comfort. The suspension system will also automatically adapt to driving style.

The turbocharged Regal will have three settings for the suspension; normal, sport and touring. The suspension system will also automatically adapt to driving style.

The 2011 model is expected to compete agains the Acura TSX and Volvo S60. Speculation on the price puts it between $21-28 thousand.

The Buick Regal will be built in Russelsheim, Germany in an Opel factory.

Rabu, 11 November 2009

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, in zones with low speed limits, during daytime and in clear weather, with higher incidence rates for HEVs when compared to ICE vehicles.

...

Incidence rate of pedestrian crashes in scenarios when a vehicle makes a turn was
significantly higher for HEVs when compared to ICE vehicles.

...

bicyclist crashes involving HEVs at intersections or interchanges were
significantly higher when compared to ICE vehicles

Now, again, I want to point out that the reasons for worry are valid. Hybrid cars are quiet when they are running at low speeds. There is some cause for concern. Having said that, the analysis and conclusions in this study must be taken with a big grain of salt.

Issues that Cloud
First, the sample size is absurdly low. The researchers themselves point out the data is limited and further data is needed to draw any real conclusions.
This analysis was conducted on a total of 8,387 HEVs and 559,703 ICE vehicles that met the selection criteria. A total of 77 and 3,578 pedestrians were involved in crashes with HEVs and ICE vehicles, respectively. A total of 48 and 1,862 bicyclists were involved in crashes with  HEVs and ICE vehicles, respectively.
77 and 48 accidents involving hybrids is a small number to draw on.  The less data you have the less likely you can make any strong statements about the analysis.

Second, related to the first point, there are only 12 states represented. I cannot say whether driving habits vary from state to state, but anecdotally, they certainly do. That's not really a big point, but it should be noted.

Third, the comparison was made with similar vehicle types, so it's not really a comparison of hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) to internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles.
The HEVs (case group) selected were the Toyota Corolla, Toyota Camry,
Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, and Honda Accord. The ICE vehicles (control group)
selected are the Toyota Corolla, Toyota Camry, Honda Civic, and Honda Accord. The
analysis is limited to vehicles of model year 2000 and later.
I can't help but point out the Corolla, which has no hybrid version, is in the list of hybrids. It's a typo, I'm sure.  But the conclusions may not be generalizable to HEVs vs ICE.  But there's nothing really wrong with selecting the controls in this way (there is, but I'll get to that in a minute).  It's just the distinction isn't necessarily being made about what the control group really is at other sites and it's an important one.

But the reasons above are just really incidental and not really important, other than to point out some of the limitations that may not be clear when you read the headlines.

The Real Reason This Study Should Not be Used

No, the big reason why this study is a problem is the lack of other confounding information. You may be comparing similar cars, but you may not be comparing similar drivers.

Hybrid car owners, up to a certain point, are a different type of driver, and are self selected individuals. People who buy a Prius are not necessarily going to choose a Corolla instead. Hybrid car owners are wealthier and are older. Drivers who are older and wealthier, if there were no such things as hybrids, aren't necessarily going to buy the ICE models shown.

It should also be noted that this is where the limitation of the number of states used is important.  The reason why groups of buyers choose hybrids can vary widely from state to state.  It's very easy to say, anecdotally, that hybrid buyers in Massachusetts are buying more for the environmental concerns, than buyers in Texas.

And an argument can and should be made that it's the people that cause accidents, not the cars.

But even if you don't buy that (and I believe you should), there's also no mention of how much the cars are driven? Incident rates for accidents should be calculated using miles driven.

Follow me on this. Hybrid car owners probably bought their car because they are more concerned with their fuel economy. They are most likely concerned with fuel efficiency because they drive farther than other drivers. More miles on the road, or more time on the road, means you have more of a chance to have an accident.

John, who only drives two miles to work every day is a lot less likely than Mary, who lives down the block but drives 40 miles to work every day, to have an accident. There's no mention of miles driven in this report, because the data isn't there.

If that's true, then it may be that hybrid car owners, if they drive more than others, may end up being safer drivers in most situations, since the incident rates for hybrid car owners in this study would end up being a lot lower. But that's just speculation and I have no way of backing that up.

Conclusions
Again, I do believe there is a reason to be concerned when it comes to hybrids at low speeds. They do run quieter and the likelihood of surprising pedestrians who aren't looking is most likely higher. But gas engines tend to be pretty quiet these days. I don't buy the 2x as dangerous results for certain situations shown in this study, and neither should you.

Selasa, 10 November 2009

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 hybrids have soared in the past months with the Japanese government offering tax breaks and subsidies. This has caused some stress for minivehicles, which are less expensive and offer smaller savings.

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 and the price reflects this," according to BMW’s ActiveHybrid X6 project boss, Peter Tuennemann.

The BMW X6 ActiveHybrid is the "BMW of hybrids" and is the most powerful hybrid you can (soon) buy. At 485 hp, nothing else comes close. But no other X6 comes gets the fuel economy figure of 17 mpg city / 19 mpg highway.

Senin, 09 November 2009

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. I find the choices BMW made to be very smart. The full model is more complex and requires a larger battery, and so they went with the nickel metal hydride battery pack, which has been around longer and costs less, which drops the overall vehicle price. The mild hybrid, with its needs for rapid recharging, while still being simple, uses the lithium-ion battery pack.

Tuennermann points out 3-, 5- and 7- series are more suited for mild hybrid models, while the X2, X5 and X6 are more likely to end up as full hybrid models because they are larger.

And while he was at it, he addressed the issue of diesel hybrid, making it clear that it is still just a concept for BMW, given its cost.

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 plug-in hybrid technology built into the Volt is going to be very expensive for GM and the consumers who choose to buy it. The battery pack alone is supposedly going to cost 10 grand. The vehicle is expected to have a price tag around $40 thousand. By building a Volt-like Cadillac, you can expect the customer is OK with paying that much for a car.

"Cadillac needs as much excitement in its portfolio as possible, so I think it's a good strategy for them," said Rebecca Lindland, director of auto industry research at IHS Global Insight in Lexington, Mass.
As long as you're not looking for stupendous sales numbers, the luxury hybrid can do well.  None of the luxury hybrids sold so far can compete with the production of the Prius, but they do very well by luxury car standards. 

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 Ram, but if it follows the path of the prior Chrysler hybrids (sold for just two months), don't expect too much.

And now the ENVI division has been 'disbanded.'

"Envi is absorbed into the normal vehicle development program," Chrysler spokesman Nick Cappa told Reuters.

"Until the (battery) storage gets resolved, I think electric vehicles are going to struggle," Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne said.

Cappa confirmed that the ENVI group no longer exists, but is apparently upset at the term 'disbanded,' saying that the group's members all are still working and that former ENVI chief Lou Rhodes is still in charge of vehicle electrification programs - for both Chrysler and Fiat.

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 continues here in the States.

The only car maker to sell fewer hybrids this October was Nissan, which only offers the Nissan Altima Hybrid.  Nissan has not had a lot of success with Altima Hybrid lately, and it just seems to be getting worse as time goes on.  Like the Accord Hybrid, customers are looking for better things at this point.  Add in the need for any sort of refresh since the Altima debuted, you might as well just buy a Toyota since the hybrid system comes from them, plus the limited availability and lack of any sort of emphasis by Nissan and you end up with a slowly dying Nissan hybrid.


Ford, Honda and GM were all up by 14.3, 21.9, and 20.6%, respectively.  Toyota was up by 15.0 percent, overall.  That has to be a bright spot in the automaker line-ups.  Cumulatively, auto makers hybrid sales are all up, except for Toyota.  Ford, Honda, GM and Nissan are all up by 25.6%, 66.2%, 8.4%, and 4.2%.  But Toyota is down by 26.6% at this point.  Ford, GM, and Honda are up because they have new hybrid models to sell, pushing up the cumulative sales.  Individual model, however, are a different story.


Monthly Sales

October 2008
October 2009
% Change
Make
Model
N
%
N
%

Chrysler
Aspen/Durango
0
0.0
0
0
0
Ford
Escape/Mariner
1,997
9.4
949
3.9
-52.5
Ford
Fusion/Milan
0
0.0
1,333
5.5
0.0
GM
Escalade
230
1.1
186
0.8
-19.1
GM
Silverado/Sierra
0
0.0
167
0.7
0.0
GM
Tahoe/Yukon
565
2.7
606
2.5
7.3
Honda
Accord
1
0.0
0
0.0
-100.0
Honda
Civic
1,621
7.6
239
1.0
-85.3
Honda
Insight
0
0.0
1,739
7.2
0.0
Nissan
Altima
554
2.6
299
1.2
-46.0
Toyota
Camry
2,792
13.1
1,407
5.8
-49.6
Toyota
GS 450h
22
0.1
39
0.2
77.3
Toyota
HS 250h
0
0.0
1,527
6.3
0.0
Toyota
Highlander
1,022
4.8
700
2.9
-31.5
Toyota
LS600hL
55
0.3
21
0.1
-61.8
Toyota
Prius
11,804
55.5
13,496
55.6
14.3
Toyota
RX 400h
615
2.9
1,567
6.5
154.8
Total

21,278

24,275

14.1







Cumulative Sales

Cumulative 2008
Cumulative 2009
% Change
Make
Model
N
%
N
%

Chrysler
Aspen/Durango
0
0
0
0.0
0.0
Ford
Escape/Mariner
17,130
6.0
14,363
6.0
-16.2
Ford
Fusion/Milan
5,403
1.9
13,935
5.8
157.9
GM
Escalade
543
0.2
1,596
0.7
193.9
GM
Silverado/Sierra
467
0.2
1,163
0.5
149.0
GM
Tahoe/Yukon
3,336
1.2
4,462
1.9
33.8
Honda
Accord
193
0.1
1
0.0
-99.5
Honda
Civic
23,497
8.2
14,405
6.0
-38.7
Honda
Insight
5,780
2.0
17,530
7.3
203.3
Nissan
Altima
7,691
2.7
8,012
3.4
4.2
Toyota
Camry
38,776
13.5
19,909
8.3
-48.7
Toyota
GS 450h
616
0.2
378
0.2
-38.6
Toyota
HS 250h
2,769
1.0
3,312
1.4
19.6
Toyota
Highlander
16,420
5.7
9,335
3.9
-43.1
Toyota
LS600hL
769
0.3
228
0.1
-70.4
Toyota
Prius
148,558
51.9
118,290
49.6
-20.4
Toyota
RX 400h
14,419
5.0
11,656
4.9
-19.2
Total

286,367

238,575

-16.7


Individually, the hybrid car sales are down, as more option lead to more diversity in the purchases. Honda hybrid buyers seem to opting for the Insight, leaving the Civic behind. Hybrid SUV sales are also down by 9.5%.

Related:
Hybrid Car Sales, October 2008
Hybrid Car Sales, September 2009

Jumat, 06 November 2009

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 over the non-hybrid version, while also making mild improvements to the performance with the added power from the electric motor.

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 hasn't happened yet. And GM could end up following the same tack if the Volt becomes iconic in the way the Prius has.
"Our thought is to take the Volt technology to other products," Brent Dewar, chief of global operations for Chevrolet, told the Reuters Autos Summit in Detroit.

"The Volt was the original vehicle that we started, but I wouldn't see that as a brand marketing direction for us," he said.
We'll see what happens a decade from now when the Volt has become established.

Kamis, 05 November 2009

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 parking spots will be set aside at places like Wal-Mart shopping centres and the University of Toronto.

"The McGuinty government's plan is to have one out of every 20 passenger vehicles on Ontario's roads (be) an electric vehicle by 2020. Green licence plates will encourage Ontarians to think green when choosing a vehicle," Transportation Minister Jim Bradley said.

The plate, which features a green border and lettering on a white background, with a trillium, is expected to be available as part of Ontario's Electric Vehicle initiative, which begins July 1.

Rabu, 04 November 2009

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 for the program the most common swap made, at over 8,200 times, was an old Ford F-150 for a new Ford F-150. The mpg increase was around 1 to 3 mpg in those trades.
  • Thousands more bought new Silverados or Dodge pickups with their trade-ins. In Texas, seven of the 10 most common transactions involved drivers trading old pickups for new ones.
  • 677,081 clunker trade-ins cost the taxpayers almost $3 billion to fund. That money went to purchase $15.2 billion dollars in new vehicles at nearly 19,000 dealerships across all of the states.
  • Around 95,000 of the new vehicles got less than 20 mpg. That's about one in seven.
  • The government is currently investigating $562,500 in rebates that were apparently used to buy new cars that had worse or the same mileage as the trade-ins.
  • California had the most deals made with 76 thousand. Texas had 43 thousand (mostly for trucks) and New York saw 37 thousand deals made.
  • One dealership had 1,432 sales, worth more than $30 million. The next closest had 672 sales.

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
51
48
50
2
Small Car
Honda Insight 4 cyl, 1.3 L, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular
40
43
41
3
Family Sedan
Ford Fusion Hybrid FWD 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular
41
36
39
3
Family Sedan
Mercury Milan Hybrid FWD 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular
41
36
39
4
Small Car
Chevrolet Cobalt XFE Coupe 4 cyl, 2.2 L, Manual 5-spd, Regular
35
37
36
5
Small Car
Volkswagen Jetta 4 cyl, 2 L, Automatic (S6), Diesel
30
42
35
5
Hatchback
Volkswagen Golf 4 cyl, 2 L, Automatic (S6), Diesel
30
42
35
5
Hatchback
Volkswagen Jetta 4 cyl, 2 L, Automatic (S6), Diesel
30
42
35
5
Station Wagons
Audi A3 4 cyl, 2 L, Automatic (S6), Diesel
30
42
35
5
Station Wagons
Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen 4 cyl, 2 L, Automatic (S6), Diesel
30
42
35
6
Small Car
Volkswagen Jetta 4 cyl, 2 L, Manual 6-spd, Diesel
30
41
35
6
Hatchback
Volkswagen Golf 4 cyl, 2 L, Manual 6-spd, Diesel
30
41
35
6
Hatchback
Volkswagen Jetta 4 cyl, 2 L, Manual 6-spd, Diesel
30
41
35
6
Station Wagons
Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen 4 cyl, 2 L, Manual 6-spd, Diesel
30
41
35
7
Upscale Sedan
 Lexus HS 250h 4 cyl, 2.4 L, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular
35
34
35
8
Family Sedan
Toyota Camry Hybrid 4 cyl, 2.4 L, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Hybrid, Regular
33
34
33
9
SUV
 Ford Escape Hybrid FWD 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular
34
31
33
9
SUV
Mazda Tribute Hybrid 2WD 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular
34
31
33
9
SUV
Mercury Mariner Hybrid FWD 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular
34
31
33
10
Small Car
Toyota Yaris 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Manual 5-spd, Regular
29
36
32
10
Hatchback
Toyota Yaris 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Manual 5-spd, Regular
29
36
32

Diesel fuel has its drawbacks, of course, but so do hybrids. Mostly the issues these days come down to cost, given the nature of 'clean' diesels. Which is why the combination of hybrid and diesel, while it would get very high in gas mileage, is usually considered too costly for mass production.

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 in the new/old plant, which is expected to reach 100,000 units annually.
"These guys seem to have it together. If you look at speed of execution for a start-up, it seems sort of amazing what they can do," Gettelfinger (head of the UAW) said.

"We're very hopeful that we'll be able to represent workers there," he said.