Nissan to release Altima hybrid, but CEO not yet sold on hybrid vehicles

In a speech on Saturday at the National Automobile Dealers Association convention Nissan chief executive Carlos Ghosn told 4,200 car dealers and other industry professionals that hybrids, "make a nice story, but they're not a good business story yet because the value is lower than their cost.

Of course, at the same time, Ghosn's only major other announcement was that Nissan was going to be releasing the Altima hybrid.

(Click here for the complete story)

What's better than a hybrid car? A plug-in hybrid car of course!

Imagine coming home from work in your Toyota Prius or Ford Escape hybrid and plugging it into a solar panel that produces enough free energy to get you to work and back tomorrow.

Don't believe it?

Last week, Ford reluctantly agreed to let Dave Bernikoff-Raboy, a California rancher, buy an all-electric pickup truck that he had been leasing. Mr. Bernikoff-Raboy essentially forced Ford to sell him the vehicle he loves so much because he can recharge it using a solar panel.

Gasoline electric hybrids are not just a good powertrain to help advance fuel cells, but solar and wind power as well. While Mr. Bernikoff-Raboy's truck is not a hybrid, hybrids offer much of the same potential as electric vehicles with relatively minor adjustments.

Of course, just plugging your car battery into one of your home's sockets does not result in much of a benefit to the environment, because coal typically is the ultimate source of most electricity. Plugging your vehicle into a solar powered socket, on the other hand, produces completely clean energy.

And it's free.

It's not that you have to plug it in, rather it's that you can plug it in.

University of California at Davis Professor Andrew Frank has spent the last decade turning production vehicles into plug-in hybrids using off-the-shelf parts. "We just built a high-performance plug-in hybrid Ford Explorer," he says. "It's 325 horsepower - 200 of that horsepower is electric and 125 is gasoline. This car goes like a rocket, but still gets double the fuel economy of a regular hybrid. And for the first 50 miles it is all electric - zero emissions.(Read More on this)

According to Frank, who flew his Explorer to Toyota's research facilities in Japan so engineers could pore over the vehicle, "There's no question in my mind that Toyota has plans for a plug-in hybrid right now, but they aren't talking about it," he says.

Perhaps in the future, automobile manufacturers could even incorporate solar panels into the roofs of hybrids to provide constant battery charging. Until then, home-owners, solar-roofed parking structures, and portable solar panels could still offer consumers news possibilities and very futuristic accessories.

So, why not give consumers of hybrids as many fuel choices as possible?

The innovativeness of the hybrids, particularly the Toyota Prius, is what inspires so many consumers. Moreover, professor Frank's research demonstrates that the potential of hybrid car technology is only just emerging.

Allowing consumers of such revolutionary technology to help explore that potential would not only increase hybrid car value, but inspire millions of environmentalists, no-blood-for-oil-activists, and back yard scientists.

That would truly be an automotive revolution.

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Former CIA director, James Woolsey, Promotes hybrid vehicles

"We're not talking about electric vehicles, but about plug-in hybrid vehicles that can be topped off with electricity for short trips," James Woolsey, former director of the Central Intelligence Agency, said last month during the unveiling of a report by the 16-member National Commission on Energy Policy. "The potential in terms of national policy, and in terms of global warming, ought to be focused on by anyone" concerned about terrorism or "paying over $2 a gallon."

Maybe it's just me, but when the former CIA director starts promoting hybrids because of global warming, terrorism, and high gasoline prices, those issues become even significantly more important.

How many Americans are concerned about terrorism?

A far majority I'm sure, and the former CIA director endorses hybrid vehicles as a way for consumers to help fight terrorism, which makes it a lot harder for putzes from GM's executive staff to claim that hybrids don't make business sense.

America's dependence on foreign oil has pushed the world to the brink of global, man-made disaster. Any American company that does not head this threat - choosing profit over the people's safety - can only be called one thing, UNAMERICAN.

If you are worried about the threat of terrorism, do something about it.

Demand nothing less than hybrid vehicle efficiency, not to save money on gas, but to save lives and to make the world a better place.

Join the Soultek Hybrid Car Club.

Some still plug in their hybrids

At the North American International Auto Show, signs were posted near the Toyota Prius telling visitors that hybrid cars, such as the Prius, don't have to be plugged in.

Yet, some hybrid buyers still want to plug in their vehicles, and are adding the functionality to their hybrids themselves.

A story by the Christian Science Monitor states, "In effect, these backyard mechanics have turned the hybrid car's appeal on its head. Instead of emphasizing gasoline over electric power and the convenience of today's cars, they're aiming to create less polluting higher-mileage vehicles that emphasize electricity over gasoline - even if it's a bit less convenient."

What's the point you might ask?

"We're not talking about electric vehicles, but about plug-in hybrid vehicles that can be topped off with electricity for short trips," James Woolsey, former director of the Central Intelligence Agency, said last month during the unveiling of a report by the 16-member National Commission on Energy Policy. "The potential in terms of national policy, and in terms of global warming, ought to be focused on by anyone" concerned about terrorism or "paying over $2 a gallon."

Click here for the complete Christian Science Monitor article.

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"Hybrids are an interesting curiosity" says GM's Lutz

I've gone off on GM executive Robert Lutz before, but I'm going to do it again.

"Hybrids are an interesting curiosity and we will do some," says Lutz, "But do they make sense at $1.50 a gallon? No, they do not."

This statement exemplifies everything wrong with American corporatism - everything is about short term profit, even at the expense of American lives.

Is 30 percent better fuel-efficiency on a small car really important?

Ask the fathers and mothers of soldiers killed in Iraq that question, Mr. Lutz.

Hybrid cars like the Toyota Prius and the Honda Accord hybrid are important because they demonstrate that America doesn't need to be dependent upon foreign oil.

Apparently, however, that's not important to you Mr. Lutz?

Fortunately, vehicles like the Toyota Prius and the Accord hybrid, pushed American auto companies into action. Thus, Ford released the Escape hybrid, and significantly more fuel-efficient hybrids are on the way.

The Toyota Highlander hybrid and the Lexus RX 400h hybrid will soon offer American consumers three different hybrid SUVs, with more soon to follow. While I am not a huge SUV fan, I am huge hybrid SUV fan when compared to a standard SUV.

The point is, without hybrid cars, there never would have been hybrid SUVs.

Yet, there will not be a hybrid SUV from GM until 2007 or 2008.

While Mr. Lutz can continue to putz around his company's complete lack of environmental concern, or lack of worry for American soldiers, more and more Americans have had enough.

Yes, Mr. Lutz, to many of us hybrid cars are worth the extra cost, even if gas is only $1.50 per gallon. Terrorism, pollution, global warming and Iraq, Mr. Lutz, make cheap gas insignificant if that cheap gas leads to billions of tax-payer dollars being spent on wars and military machinery to "protect" our oil interests.

If cheap gas and conventional automobiles mean that 1000s of young Americans need to die to ensure GM's poor business practices will continue to be profitable, then yes, I absolutely demand a hybrid car, Mr. Lutz.

And it's not just me. Millions of Americans are more than willing to spend an extra few thousand dollars to help save one American life, let alone thousands, sir.

At some point, Mr. Lutz, doing the right thing is more important than money, even for a huge multinational corporation like GM. Ignore that fact at your own peril.

1,000,000 hybrids within 5 years, powertrain analysts predict

According to the article, Panel of powertrain experts sees strong growth for hybrids, "The success of the Toyota Prius, Honda Civic Hybrid and Ford Escape Hybrid has forced manufacturers to build more gasoline-electric hybrids."

"We had no idea where the market would go when we were doing this. We are working to increase capacity. We have a plan in place. We will look at many potential partners," stated Mary Ann Wright, Ford's director of sustainable mobility technologies and hybrid programs.

According to the article, a recent study by the Automotive Technology Research Group in Thousand Oaks, Calif. found that as many as 50 hybrid vehicles could be on the market in five years, resulting in annual North American sales of 800,000 to 1 million units.

In addition to the Honda Accord hybrid, which was released in mid-December, three additional models will hit the street this year, the Mercury Mariner hybrid, the Lexus RX 400h, and the Toyota Highlander hybrid.

The Ford Escape Hybrid is nice, but a F-150 Hybrid Pickup would be great

I love Ford's new Escape hybrid ads, The difference between a full hybrid and a mild hybrid is the difference between a bell pepper and a habanero.

In terms of trucks and SUVs, Ford is a kind of king right now. The only full hybrid SUV, the Ford Escape hybrid, is also the only American-made hybrid.

Hold on, now, what about the Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid?

Well, I think Ford's pepper analogy is pretty good, but let's just say the Silverado hybrid is a pseudo-hybrid. It's just not in the same category as the Escape hybrid.

But Ford is about to face extreme competition in the hybrid SUV space soon. Already the Lexus RX 400h hybrid SUV has spawned more than 11,000 presales, while still a few months away from market launch.

The Ford Escape has not yet reached that number of sales, even though it has been on the market for several months already.

Of course the Lexus hybrid isn't the perfect match for the Escape hybrid, but the Toyota Highlander hybrid certainly is. Already, Toyota is receiving phenomenal interest in what will be it's third hybrid model, and the Highlander hybrid will definitely move more than 1,000 units per month.

Based on Toyota's experience with hybrids, in addition to the fact that Ford pays a license fee to Toyota every time it sells a hybrid, Toyota has incredible leverage in this race.

The one place that Ford has the greatest leverage; however, is in its truck brand.

In 2004, the Ford F-150 continued it's dominance over the American market, selling almost 1 million last year and around 250,000 more than its next competitor, the Silverado.

While the Silverado is only a mild hybrid, it still provides GM the ability to use that word, hybrid.

Using the Escape hybrid to offset some of the leverage gained by the Silverado hybrid and its parent, GM, isn't a bad idea. Fighting it with a full hybrid Ford F-150 Hybrid PickUp; however, would help shelter Ford's most important market segment far better than any SUV hybrid.

More hybrid cars.

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Hybrid cars are here today, fuel-cell cars might not ever arrive

I believe that one day most people will drive fuel-cell automobiles, but that day could easily be a few decades away. Yet, pollution and smog - much of it from automobiles - has been scientifically proven to be, minimally, a serious health threat.

Action needs to be taken immediately, not only to clean the environment, but to minimize our foreign-oil dependency.

Two decades is simply far too long to wait for significantly more efficient automotive technology via fuel cells.

Hybrid vehicles, such as the Toyota Prius, Honda Accord hybrid, or Ford Escape hybrid have the ability to empower the average citizen and consumer to help make the world a better place - by having a direct impact on issues which polls show are becoming increasingly more important to the average American citizen.

If you are interested in learning more about some of the key issues regarding fuel cells and the hydrogen economy, PopSci.com is running a great article on the subject.

(Click here for the PopSci Article)

The U.S. hybrid market in 10 years, 3% or 18%?

Many consumers and automotive analysts think hybrid cars make little sense, and see them as only being relevant to "environmentalists".

Analysts from J.D. Power and Associates have long forecast hybrid vehicles as a relatively inconsequential, interim technology along the path to fuel-cell vehicles. Anthony Pratt of Power has stated that hybrids will, at best, achieve just 3% of total U.S.light vehicle sales.

Considering the costs to create a new production line of hybrid vehicles, just 3% of the market would never recover hybrid development costs.

Of course, other analysts, such as Germany's B&D Forecast GmbH, see hybrid vehicles making up almost 20% of the U.S. market within 10 years.

Moreover, at the North American International Auto Show, Toyota announced that the hybrid powertrain was the powertrain of the future for Toyota.

How can this be, with fuel-cell powered cars just down the road?

A recent MotorTrend article by Frank Markus points out that mass-produced fuel-cell cars might still be 20 years or more from reality, but that "these fuel-cell vehicles will be hybrids, uniting hydrogen and air as a primary means of generating electricity, but relying on some sort of onboard energy storage device as a backup."

Later Markus notes, "It stands to reason that the company with the most experience tuning and integrating gas/electric hybrids may be in the best position to design and develop fuel-cell vehicles....."

This appears to be Toyota's thinking.

Therefore, just 3 percent of U.S. sales seems like an extremely low prediction for hybrid cars, especially if such technology can be slowly adapted and morphed into the first generation of fuel-cell cars.

While environmentalists can appreciate this vehicle, as can those whom feel wars in Iraq and problems in the Middle East are significantly due to America's dependence on foreign oil, the real reason hybrid vehicles will achieve far more than 3% of the U.S. market is technological.

Hybrid vehicles represent the best, functional, technology available for the mass market. In the next 5 years, hybrids will simply be superior to just gasoline or diesel powered vehicles.

More important, any significant development in either gasoline, diesel, or hydrogen engines can also be utilized in hybrids, while also paving the way to pollution-free fuel cells.

Help make a better future, check out a hybrid.

More on hybrid cars.

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German study sees U.S. hybrid market at 10% by 2012

An important German automotive industry newspaper, Automobilwoche, is reporting that German auto-analysts are forecasting the US market for hybrid vehicles to exceed 10% of the total light vehicle market by 2012.

Moreover,German auto analysts from B&D Forecast GmbH, also believe that sales of hybrid light vehicles will increase from just 83,000 units in 2004 to three million units by 2015, almost 17.7% of the current total US light vehicle market.

Earlier today J.D. Power and Associates forecast that by 2008, 30 hybrid vehicle models will be available for sale. However, Power forecasts that hybrid sales probably won't surpass much more than 3 percent of the U.S. auto market - ever.

Despite the discrepancies in American and German auto analysts, like their American counterparts, European auto-manufacturers fear being left behind.

Last year Toyota sold almost 54,000 Prius cars, and the hybrid leader will be launching the hybrid Highlander and the Lexus RX400h hybrid later this year. Honda, Toyota's Japanese contender, sold 25,700 hybrid Insights, Civics and Accords in 2004.

The Ford Escape hybrid, the only real American contender, has moved about 1000 units per month since its Fall launch, a small percentage of overall hybrid sales.

Join the Soultek Hybrid Car Club to stay informed on this issue.

Hybrid vehicle sales for 2004 rise almost 100 percent

According the Mercury News, automakers recently reported hybrid car and truck sales for 2004, and sales of seven gas-electric vehicles rose almost 100 percent to 85,699 hybrid vehicles sold, compared to 43,435 in 2003.

The Toyota Prius accounted for 63 percent of total hybrid vehicle sales, at 53,991 units sold.

The Honda Accord hybrid, which was only on sale for a few weeks in 2004, sold almost 1,100 units in just part of December.

Similar to Accord hybrid sales, the Ford Escape hybrid is averaging about 1000 sales per month since October, when the Escape hybrid was released.

Other hybrid vehicles on sale in 2004 included the Honda Insight, Honda Civic hybrid, as well as the Chevy Silverado hybrid, and the GMC Sierra hybrid pickups.

Automotive analyst, Anthony Pratt of J.D. Power and associates noted, "The fact that all vehicle manufacturers have a hybrid strategy is significant."

According to Matt Nauman of the Mercury News, "Power, the Westlake Village researcher, projects that U.S. hybrid sales will reach 222,000 this year and 500,000 by 2009. If that prediction comes true, hybrids would account for nearly 3 percent of the U.S. car and truck market in 2009. In 2004, hybrid sales represented about 0.5 percent of the 16.9 million vehicles sold."

With the Lexus RX 400h hybrid, the world's first luxury hybrid SUV, and the Toyota Highlander hybrid coming to market in 2005, those numbers seem light.

Power predicts significant hybrid growth for 2005, but then the auto researcher seems to think demand will slow through 2009, even as the hybrid field expands to 30 models by 2008 - that's less than 20,000 units per year for each hybrid model.

That seems like quite a sudden drop in hybrid momentum, just as the hybrid field finally gets competitive, as well as an awful waste of time for automobile manufacturers.

Hybrid cars and Federal Income Tax Reductions

Hybrid cars such as the Toyota Prius, Honda Civic Hybrid, and possibly the Ford Escape Hybrid qualify for a one-time federal income tax deduction of up to $2,000.

Consumers that purchase one of these hybrids in 2005 can utilize the Clean Fuel tax deduction on line 32 of your 1040 tax form.

Unfortunately, this deduction will be reduced to $500 in 2006, and this tax credit is scheduled to be phased out completely in 2007 under current legislation.

At this time, I have not obtained proof that the Honda Accord Hybrid qualifies for this credit.

Additionally, I do not know whether the Lexus RX400h Hybrid or the Toyota Highlander Hybrid, due out later in 2005, will qualify for this tax credit. If; however, the Ford Escape Hybrid qualifies, then I would assume the Highlander might also qualify.

I would be surprised and delighted, but not shocked, if the RX400h hybrid qualifies.

Join the Soultek Hybrid Car Club to stay informed about this issue.

My spin on today's hybrid hype

Today's article, Crossovers and hybrids may never live up to their hype, by John McCormick makes me go, hmmmm?

"Turning to hybrids, I continue to wonder at the gullibility of the general public and automotive journalists who should know better. Any honest automotive engineer will tell you that the concept of a vehicle with two engines doing the job of one is nonsensical."

Now, I'm not questioning Mr. McCormicks journalistic integrity, I'm sure his knowledge of automotive engineering is much greater than mine, but I have just one little problem with that statement, Toyota.

The President of Toyota, a growing giant in the auto industry and destined to be the world's largest automaker, has gone on record stating that hybrid powertrains are the powertrain of the future for Toyota.

While much of auto an show is marketing spin, and not all announcements should be taken literally, am I missing something here? Is Toyota doing the "nonsensical" thing because they are trying to trick America?

Why would Toyota waste its time on "nonsensical" automotive engineering?

And if one engine is better than two, why does using two make the Honda Accord Hybrid faster, more powerful, and more efficient than a similar, conventional Accord?

Still, Mr. McCormick does offer hybrids one caveat, kind of. "The only condition in which a gasoline-electric hybrid will return better mileage than one of today's most advanced gasoline engines, let alone a diesel, is in city driving, when regenerative braking plays a significant role."

O.K., to start, "today's most advanced gasoline engines" aren't found in today's cars and they cost significantly more money. Additionally, the standard gasoline engine in a hybrid could be replaced by an advanced gasoline engine and achieve 25 percent more efficiency than the advanced gasoline engine by itself.

The same is true for diesel. Already, Ford, GM and ChryslerDaimler have diesel-electric hybrid vehicle concept cars because of this fact. As a side note, the same is true of hydrogen powered engines. Hydrogen-electric hybrids are just as plausible as gasoline, or diesel-electric hybrids.

Of course one must ask whether the cost is worth the price, and which, if any, combinations work best. Right now, in the U.S., gasoline-electric hybrids make the most sense.

Today's full hybrids, such as the Toyota Prius or Ford Escape hybrid, in city driving, achieve significantly better mileage than today's conventional cars or diesels, with far less pollution, but it's hard to put a price or value on reduced pollution.

Because of price, some analysts have pushed for new diesels as a way to achieve the same efficiency as with hybrids. Even McCormick states, "With a normal diet of city and highway driving, a hybrid will actually consume more fuel than a diesel powertrain".

First, passenger diesels are not even legal in the Northeast or in California, so until the law is changed, why does this issue even come up? Diesels are not even an option for a huge percent of American drivers, legally.

Second, a hybrid diesel could still be 25 percent more efficient than just a diesel. More important, hybrid technology is new, and getting better all the time.

So, concludes McCormick, "As for hybrids, they will likely continue to carve out an expanding niche in the U.S. market. While I find their evident shortcomings annoying, I can understand the sub-conscious appeal of driving a vehicle perceived to be environmentally-friendly. This became clear while I was driving a Chevy Silverado hybrid recently.

Even though the truck costs $2,500 more than the standard version and still managed only 14 miles per gallon overall in my hands, somehow I felt more righteous than all those non-hybrid full-size pickup drivers on the road.

It's hard to put a price on that."

To me, there is a little tongue-in-cheek in that statement. More important, the Silverado is a mild hybrid. It is not in the same league as a Prius or Escape hybrid. Mild hybrids are not nearly as fuel efficient as full hybrids, nor nearly as environmentally friendly.

But, hey, what is 25 percent better fuel efficiency anyway? Of course, according to experts, if Americans nationwide reduced their fuel consumption by that much, America could end foreign oil-dependency.

If that were the case, there might have been a few less American deaths in the Middle East these last few years.

Of course, it's hard to put a price on that.

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On the other side of hybrid car hype

Now Mr. McCormick might not think much of the dollar value of green issues, but the Natural Resources Defense Council thinks of hybrids as significantly more than just a green issue.

"This is a do-or-die situation for a vital American industry. We cannot afford to lose the fight," said Roland Hwang, Vehicles Policy Director at NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council). "The answer is simple: Compete. Build the best damn cars and trucks in the world, and build them with the clean, efficient technology the market needs now. That means hybrids."

"We need to reduce our dependency on foreign oil. We need to invest in America's factories, rather than sending our dollars overseas to oil-rich areas of the world that are unstable and increasingly hostile to our country," Hwang said. "That means we need to end the stand-off and start delivering real solutions."

Click here for the complete NRDC article, "USA: Detroit faces ‘do-or-die fight’ and must go for hybrids - NRDC analyst"

More hybrid car hype talk

Interesting article this morning, Crossovers and hybrids may never live up to their hype. The author of the article, John McCormick, doesn't like hybrid vehicles. "Turning to hybrids, I continue to wonder at the gullibility of the general public and automotive journalists who should know better. Any honest automotive engineer will tell you that the concept of a vehicle with two engines doing the job of one is nonsensical."

Except in city driving, McCormick does note. That fact; however, is apparently insignificant to McCormick, even though the majority of Americans drive in such conditions, and such conditions are gross contributors to smog and global warming.

Those are just nonsensical "green" issues to McCormick.

Nonetheless, despite McCormick's dislike of hybrids, "So, is the future bright for.....hybrids? The answer is a qualified yes."

Anyway, I'll be covering this article in more depth later, but click here to read Mr. McCormick's for yourself.

The Hybrid Car Hustle

What's up with Detroit? Last week, at the North American International Auto Show, probably the most important auto event in the world, the word on the floor was hybrid vehicles.

Even Truck of the Year, an especially important American customer segment, went to a hybrid, the Ford Escape Hybrid.

GM and DaimlerChrysler introduced a diesel-electric hybrid concept vehicle, and re-announced full hybrid versions of the Tahoe and Yukon, followed by a full Sierra / Silverado hybrid.

Not to be out done, Ford announced that the Mercury Mariner hybrid would reach the market this year, a year earlier than expected. Then Ford upped the ante by announcing not only a hybrid Freestyle, but also a Mazda Tribute hybrid, a Mercury Milano hybrid, and a Focus hybrid, with all models expected to reach market within three years.

Then Toyota, gaining on GM as the world's largest automaker, unwilling to lose face in light of Ford's hybrid hustle, went all in.

This year not only will Prius demand be met, but Toyota will announce where it will start building hybrids, such as the Prius, in the United States.

Moreover, Toyota announced to the world that the hybrid powertrain is the future for Toyota. Yes, gasoline engines might be improved, or diesel, hydrogen, or fuel-cells, but the hybrid powertrain, Toyota believes, can make each of those power sources better.

Toyota's next hybrid, the Lexus RX400h Hybrid, already has received more than 11,000 pre-orders. Additionally, interest in the Highlander hybrid is off the wall by industry standards.

Already Toyota is expecting to sell at least 100,000 Prius hybrids in 2005, yet the buzz building around the Highlander hybrid seems to indicate that the Highlander hybrid, an SUV, could be even more popular than the Prius.

Recently, Ford announced that it will easily sell 20,000 Escape hybrids in 2005, and if more hybrid batteries are located, they will produce even more.

Since the Escape hybrid uses leased Toyota hybrid technology, the price of the Highlander hybrid, with its price advantage, is going to be interesting. More importantly, what if Toyota can price the Highlander significantly less the Escape hybrid?

Why not try to steal some thunder from the North American Truck of the Year, the Ford Escape Hybrid? The opportunity facing Toyota couldn't be greater.

The Toyota Prius proved that a small, affordable, very fuel-efficient vehicle, could feel like the most innovative car ever created. But America loves SUVs, and an affordable, hybrid performer, could take that segment by storm.

Toyota's experience with hybrids bodes well for the Highlander hybrid, and I believe the Highlander hybrid has crazy American potential. American consumers aren't nearly the neanderthals the world believes. Show us we can help and we will. Well, hybrids help.

Ford and GM are not out of it yet though. While GM has dramatically and rapidly changed its position on hybrids, Ford appears to be building momentum. In addition to their more bullish position on hybrids, their commitment to hybrid cars, as well as hybrid SUVs, gives them a notch up on GM.

Honda is a wild card in the hybrid race, with the Accord hybrid and Civic hybrid already on the market, Honda could easily transition to a hybrid only automotive world - at least much easier than Ford, GM, or DaimlerChrysler.

Toyota is the one with the most to gain or lose from the hybrid hustle.

The leader has to set the pace. While Toyota has a big lead they can either move methodically, but cautiously into hybrids, playing it safe, but also allowing the competition time to reposition; or Toyota change the playing field forever.

The conundrum for Toyota will be supply and demand. The demand for affordable hybrids is without question. Based on customer interest and sales figures, by 2006, it is not hard to imagine Toyota selling 400,000 hybrid vehicles in the just the U.S. - even while more highly priced - but are they capable of meeting that level of production?

By that time, GM might not have yet sold one full hybrid in the U.S.

Furthermore, at 400,000 a year the afford-ablility factor between hybrids and conventional vehicles is reduced, especially in addition to Ford and Nissan license sales. Moreover, conventional cars will start meeting higher pollution standards in the next couple of years and those changes will inevitably lead to higher costing conventional vehicles.

Toyota's next few hybrid plays are sure to be interesting.

So hybrids aren't good business Mr. Lutz?

Several times on this blog I've posted quotes from GM Executive Robert Lutz, who argues that hybrids are only "emotional" or that they don't make "business sense".

Now Mr. Lutz, General Motor's "new-car czar" according to BusinessWeek, is making risky moves to save Saturn.

Lutz, who recently claimed that hybrid cars such as the Toyota Prius and Honda Accord Hybrid don't make business sense, is creating a Saturn Sky Roadster to save Saturn.

This is the kind of move that makes sense in the world of Lutz.

Now, Saturn does have a history of buyer loyalty, so I can understand trying to save Saturn, in fact I agree with saving it. Business sense requires taking care of loyal customers, but let's play with some numbers just for fun.

Saturn is already losing $1 billion per year, and another $800 million is to be spent to update Saturn production.

Recently, Lutz argued that a $100 million investment in hybrid cars didn't make business sense. So, investing almost a billion more in something that loses a billion per year is an example of good business sense?

Even worse, the new Sky Roadster will sell for more than $20,000.

The Toyota Prius lists for $19,000. The Prius is incredibly fuel efficient and offers great performance and comfort for four - there is more leg room in the back of the Prius than the Ford Escape hybrid.

The Roadster might be a very good vehicle, but it will certainly not match the technological advances of something like the Prius. In my opinion, one car exudes the future, the other the past.

Not long ago, a struggling Nissan was taken over by Renault, and our Mr. Lutz stated that Renault could have just as easily thrown the $5 billion into the Pacific Ocean and end up with the same result.

Just six years later, Nissan has the highest profit margins in the auto industry.

Regardless of what happens to Saturn, I feel good about Lutz's negative statements regarding hybrids. Based on his Nissan predictions, hybrid cars are sure to dominate the market even faster than the most optimistic hybrid adopters.

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20,000 Toyota Prius for Europe

The Toyota Prius hybrid car is not nearly as coveted in Europe as in America, but interest is growing. Of course Toyota only owns 5 percent of the European market, and cars sold in Europe are typically already much more efficient than cars sold in America.

Still, the Prius was voted Car of the Year in Europe.

As a result, Toyota is hoping to sell about 20,000 hybrid cars in Europe this year, versus the 100,000 it intends to sell in the U.S. In comparison, both the Honda Accord hybrid and the Ford Escape hybrid are expected to also reach the 20,000 unit mark in U.S. sales.

Johnson Controls creates new NiMH battery for hybrids

Johnson Controls Inc. unveiled a new NiMH battery at the North American International Auto Show last week that "positions the auto parts maker to take advantage of the growing market for gasoline-electric hybrid vehicles," according to an Auto Insider Report.

The company has been making similar batteries for hybrid buses in Europe. The new battery has refined those batteries to be used in today's hybrid cars.

"We're right on the cusp of [hybrid] technology," said Erich Merkle, senior auto analyst for Grand Rapids-based consultant IRN Inc. "Toyota's goal is to make [the] hybrid [car] more commonplace, and the Big Three are really forced to follow. Hybrids are going to be a real growth segment."

Both Toyota Prius and Ford Escape Hybrid production have been slowed due to an inadequate supply of NiMH batteries.

For the complete article from the Detroit News, click here.

New Toyota Hybrid Car Plant at NUMMI in California?

At the North American International Auto Show, Toyota President Fujio Cho reiterated Toyota's plans to open a new hybrid car plant in the United States, though where and which cars were not announced.

By midyear, Cho stated, those questions will be answered.

Many are speculating that there is a good chance that Toyota's New United Motor Manufacturing Inc., or NUMMI, plant in Fremont California might be used.

California's Governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, on a recent trip to Japan, pushed hard for a hybrid vehicle production facility in his state.

Since more Prius hybrids are sold in California than in any other state, and since California recently passed stringent vehicle emissions legislation, many think such a move to NUMMI would provide a very powerful message to competitors.

Cho stated, "Not just economic and technology factors but also strategic factors will be considered. I think it is too early for us to make a decision, no state is excluded from our consideration."

Of course, the future of hybrids might not reside with cars, such as the Toyota Prius, or the Honda Accord hybrid. Instead, the future of hybrids might revolve around hybrid SUVs.

Toyota will release the Lexus RX400h Hybrid SUV and the Toyota Highlander Hybrid SUV this year. Whether those cars will fit into Toyota's U.S. production plans is yet to be seen, but initial interests in both vehicles has been overwhelming and unexpected.

Join the Hybrid Car Club to stay informed.

Toyota Highlander Hybrid More Popular the Prius

Apparently, the U.S really is the land of the SUV.

My favorite car in the world is the Toyota Prius, and a lot of other people feel that way as well. Yet, for all the excitement around the Prius, the Toyota Highlander Hybrid SUV might cause even longer lists and more buzz than the Prius.

While the Highlander Hybrid is not due out until June or July of this year, more than 100,000 people have already told Toyota that they are interested.

Right now, the Ford Escape Hybrid is the only hybrid SUV available. While the Lexus RX 400h hybrid SUV will be released in April, the Lexus isn't the best competition against the Escape hybrid.

On the other hand, the Highlander hybrid is a perfect match for comparison, and many potential hybrid SUV buyers will be testing both vehicles.

In an effort not to let Toyota assume all the hybrid SUV buzz, Ford recently announced that the Mercury Mariner SUV hybrid will also hit the streets this year, a year earlier than expected.

One thing is clear, this will be interesting summer for hybrid SUVs, especially if supply is able to match demand.

Are hybrid vehicles killing alternative fuel vehicles?

Is hybrid car success destroying the alternative fuel car market?

That's the point of an AP article in today's DetroitNews by Tim Molloy, where Mr. Molloy points out that while many alternative fuel vehicles actually get better gas mileage than hybrids, they are being discontinued because of hybrids.

Automakers insist they couldn't acquire enough sales to make the vehicles cost-effective, even though most consumers like the automobiles.

"We invested more than $1 billion to make a commercially viable business out of our electric vehicle program," said GM spokesman Dave Barthmuss. The electric car didn't catch on "because it forced people to make too many trade-offs in their transportation lifestyles."

Such trade-offs include 8 hour charging times, or the inconvenience of only being able to fill up at certain stations.

"We basically decided it was more important that we focus on the hybrids and the hydrogen," she said, "which is where the market is going," notes a Ford spokesperson.

Click here for the complete AP article.

How can GM think hybrid cars make no sense?

GM executive Robert Lutz not only thinks all hybrids are just PR hype, he believes hybrid cars make no business sense. Only hybrid trucks and SUVs, argues Mr. Lutz, make sense because the cost of hybrids is too high to justify a 30 percent gain in fuel-efficiency in cars.

While Toyota disagrees, Mr. Lutz is sure not to gain any new environmental credentials with that kind of cost-justification.

Yet, Mr. Lutz has tried to argue "For Toyota, it(the Prius) was a huge, huge, immeasurably valuable PR coup."

A huge PR coup?

Isn't successful PR and marketing part of a successful business? Isn't that why GM will spend about $300 billion on marketing this year alone?

Apparently, that is not part of Mr. Lutz's business sense.

Hopefully, not all GM executives have the same business sense as Mr. Lutz.

More hybrid cars.

Two More Ford Hybrid Cars

The hybrid vehicle revolution is just beginning.

While Toyota is the leader in hybrid cars, Ford appears to be ramping up to meet this new market demand.

The Ford Escape Hybrid is Ford's only hybrid, but not for long. Ford has already pushed the release of it's newest hybrid SUV, the Mercury Mariner hybrid, up one year.

Additionally, Ford recently announced the addition of the Ford Fusion Hybrid, and the Mercury Milan Hybrid, and now you can add two more. Ford will also be producing a Freestyle Hybrid and a Five Hundred Hybrid. Thus, Ford hopes to have 6 hybrids on the market within three years.

The more compelling thing about Ford, unlike GM, is its commitment to hybrid cars, rather than just hybrid SUVs.

While Ford is the undisputed leader of hybrid SUVs - it's the only one on the market - this space of the hybrid market will be heating up quickly.

Later this year, Ford will have two hybrid SUVs on the market, the Escape hybrid and the Mariner hybrid. Within three years, a hybrid powertrain will also be added to the Freestyle.

Additionally, Toyota will also have two hybrid SUVs on the market this year. The Lexus RX 400h Hybrid and the Toyota Highlander Hybrid will be out in April and June, respectively.

By 2007 GM, will have the GMC Yukon Hybrid and the Chevy Tahoe Hybrid.

Honda, on the other hand, has been committed to hybrid cars, such as the Accord hybrid, but don't be surprised to see a Honda hybrid truck or SUV in the near future.

Competition in the hybrid SUV market is good for all hybrids and hybrid consumers. More important, it's good to see one American auto-maker taking the challenge seriously, and not just with trucks and SUVs, but sedans as well.

Join the Soultek Hybrid Car Club.

GM "Missed Boat" on hybrid cars

Hybrid cars are just an emotional piece of marketing, according GM vice chairman for product development, Bob Lutz.

"We business-cased it, took a hard, analytical look and thought the engineering and investment were irresponsible vis-a-vis our shareholders," he said. "We failed to appreciate what Toyota has basically treated as an advertising expense."

Really. An advertising expense?

Yet, not only does Toyota maintain that it makes money off every Prius it sells, but that hybrids are the powertrain of the future for Toyota. Additionally, Toyota is also making money off leasing its hybrid technology to Ford, for use in the Escape hybrid, and Nissan will also be using the technology for its Altima hybrid.

Perhaps it might be nice if GM focused on customers, just once, rather than shareholders. GM vehicles are created for customers, not shareholders.

"From a strict business proposition, this is not where we would make an investment," said Lutz. "It's not clear that you'll ever be able to recapture the cost of a hybrid in the pricing. But what we forgot in the equation was the emotional aspect of it."

Hmmmm, Mr. Lutz. I guess the fact that Toyota credits the Prius as a main reason for overtaking more of GM's American market-share wasn't an important consideration in your decision making criteria?

Maximizing profit in the short term, at the expense of the long term doesn't sound like rationale investing.

In hindsight, "we should have said, 'We'll lose $100 million a year on hybrids, but we'll take our advertising budget of $3 billion, make it $2.9 billion and treat it as an advertising expense,' " he said.

"Toyota very cleverly has used hybrids to gain an improved perception of the brand."

Improved perception, Mr. Lutz? Two words for you, sir, Resale Value. Toyota has it, you don't.

"Since we've made a major commitment, I don't want the market to go away."

Why not if hybrids are only a marketing ploy? Why keep wasting 100 million per year on marketing your weaknesses?

It's really pathetic that GM and Mr. Lutz just can't admit mistakes. It took Toyota 9 years to really make the Prius a winner. That kind of innovation and development is certainly not some marketing ploy, it's responsible R&D.

American automakers, such as GM, didn't miss the boat on marketing the perception of a better product, they missed the boat on creating the best automotive products.

That's not what you expect from the world's largest automaker. Of course with that kind of leadership, or lack thereof, GM won't maintain that title for long.

More 2005 Hybrid cars.

Accord Hybrid and Toyota Prius Competition 3 years Away

The Honda Accord Hybrid and Toyota Prius will have to compete against each other for the next 3 years.

Ford does plan to challenge Japan in the hybrid car space, but the Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan sedans will not be on the road for at least two years, and probably closer to 3.

GM, on the other hand, is mostly focused on hybrid SUVs and trucks.

Honda isn't as bullish on hybrids as Toyota. While Toyota plans to sell at least 100,000 Prius this year, Honda is only planning to sell about 20,000 Accord hybrids.

In three years, when Ford does release its first hybrid cars, Toyota will also have added several new models into it's hybrid offering, including the Camry hybrid.

Toyota plans to sell 40,000 hybrid SUVs in 2005

While the Ford Escape Hybrid was the world's first hybrid SUV to market, it will be facing competition soon.

11,000 orders are already in for the Lexus RX 400h hybrid, and similar interest in the Toyota Highlander hybrid is building.

Toyota has recently stated that it anticipates selling at least 40,000 hybrid SUVs this year.

In the past Ford has stated that it would only be able to produce 20,000 hybrid Escapes due to a limited supply of hybrid batteries. At the North American International Auto Show, Ford did announce that the Mercury Mariner would be also be released in a hybrid version this year, a year earlier than originally planned.

I'm sure Toyota's hybrid vehicle momentum had nothing to do with Ford's move.

GMC Graphyte hybrid vehicle

The North American International Auto Show showcased some new GM hybrids, including the GMC Graphyte, a new hybrid SUV.

The Graphyte will be built with the same powertrain as GM's other planned hybrids, the GMC Yukon Hybrid and Chevy Tahoe Hybrid.

In addition to the Graphyte, GM is also adding a diesel-electric hybrid to its list of future hybrids. The Opel Astra diesel hybrid is set to be the first production vehicle created from the hybrid powertrain collaboration between GM and DaimlerChrysler.

More hybrid cars.

Auto Show Media Hype: Hybrids raised the ante

I read and scan piles of automotive news everyday.

In auto magazines, for example, I often see a couple of ads for the Ford Escape hybrid, but not an article covering anything about hybrid cars.

Of course, I often do find articles about hybrid cars as well, and that didn't happen much less than a year ago.

Momentum is building.

Likewise, when I get my auto news from the Internet, some days, there is nothing about hybrids, but on many days there is at least some news.

When talk of the North American International Auto Show hit the Net a week ago, little of it was focused on hybrids. Now, hybrids and alternative-fuel vehicles are the buzz of the show.

In particular, the future of hybrid cars and their relationship to hydrogen fuel-cells seems to be a hot topic. Most important, are hybrid cars just automaker buzz, or an automobile revolution?

Many auto analysts are still describing hybrids as hype that won't last more than a couple more years.

I completely disagree. That might not mean much, but so does Toyota, and that means a lot.

First, while Honda was first-to-market with hybrids, Toyota is the undisputed leader of hybrid vehicles, and the Toyota Prius is Best in Class. The Honda Accord Hybrid and the Honda Civic Hybrid are impressive, but Honda has not shown the same commitment to hybrids as has Toyota.

Second, Ford and the Escape hybrid, on the other hand, are produced utilizing leased Toyota hybrid technology.

Third, GM and DaimlerChrysler hybrids? It's all conceptual.

In reality, I don't think Toyota expected hybrid success this quickly, but how can they let up now?

Now the rest of the automotive world is kickin' it into gear, using the North American Auto Show to demonstrate their new green revelations. I bet; however, that auto makers wish this wasn't happening, at least not this year.

Toyota is years ahead of everyone in hybrids. While most automakers are talking about hybrids, Toyota is selling more than they can make of them.

If hybrid vehicles can transition, almost seamlessly, from gas to diesel to hydrogen and fuel cells, as Toyota seems to believe, then Toyota has everything to gain from permeating the market as quickly as possible with it's revolutionary technology.

That's upping the ante. Raising the stakes on your opponent.

The current situation in Iraq, global warming, and smog - something has to be done about gasoline pollution and foreign oil dependency.

Now is the time for action. The early bird will definitely get a big chunk of the worm. Even Ford knows that.

"There'll come a time when everything's a hybrid; it's inevitable, because of the fuel economy and performance and (air pollution) benefits," stated Mary Ann Wright, Director of Ford's hybrid and hydrogen vehicle programs recently.

That's right, performance. Aside from efficiency, hybrid powertrains can be used to increase performance. Even Ford knows performance can sell, and hybrids can out-perform their conventional cousins.

While many consumers might not pay $3000.00 more for fuel efficiency, or pollution reduction, many will pay $3000.00 more for a better performing vehicle, in addition to significantly increased efficiency.

This is the future of hybrids and the newest Prius and Accord Hybrid prove it.

The negative media about hybrids is smoke and mirrors. The hybrid buzz isn't hype, it is the panic of auto executives afraid of losing the future's marketshare.

Hybrid cars "core technology" of Future for Toyota

A lot of buzz coming out of Detroit and the North American International Auto Show has been about hybrid cars.

The Ford Escape Hybrid won the prestigious show's Truck of the Year. Trucks and SUVs, the last stronghold of American automakers, are now under serious fire from Japan and hybrid technology.

But wait, you say, the Escape hybrid is made by Ford. The world's first hybrid SUV was made by an American auto company.

And you are right, but Ford had to lease the hybrid parts from Toyota. Ford does not yet have its own successful, proprietary hybrid technology.

More important, Toyota will be challenging Ford's Escape Hybrid in just a few short months, when both the Lexus RX 400h Hybrid and the Toyota Highlander Hybrid come to market.

Toyota is now like a boxer connecting with his jab, not yet ready for the knock out, but pushing his competitor back against the rope. A few more good jabs and it's time for the TKO.

Hybrid vehicles are, and will continue to present, that challenge to America auto-makers.

When Toyota President Fujio Cho take the stage for reporters at the auto show in Detroit Tuesday, he knocked the last few days of Detroit's big talk on hybrids and hydrogen hard against the ropes.

While confirming that Toyota was going to build hybrid cars in the United States, Cho stated that hybrids are key to Toyota's future. While Toyota will continue to invest billions on technology for hydrogen-powered vehicles, the auto giant continues to see hybrid technology as an integral piece of hydrogen-powered vehicles.

"We believe hybrids will continue to be the core of technology in the future," Cho said, challenging America.

While some American analysts continue to see little future in hybrids because of cost, if that cost is wiped out, hybrid cars will instantly make most conventional cars obsolete, especially the American-made ones.

Hybrid cars, such as the Toyota Prius and the Honda Accord Hybrid have made this crystal clear.

Right now Toyota has the financial strength, manufacturing know how, and momentum to raise the stakes, especially while American chips are running a little low.

Besides,Toyota can afford to play that gamble.

Can America afford not to?

Join the Soultek Hybrid Car Club.

Hybrid Cars: 3 percent or 50 percent?

Are hybrid cars just a niche?

Are hybrids just an interim technology to hydrogen fuel-cells?

Do hybrids represent shallowness?

While I agree that hybrids might be an intermim technology to the hydrogen economy, I also think that hybrid vehicles might develop and refine the necessary technology to cheaply and efficiently enable the hydrogen economy.

Hybrid cars would, essentially, transform into hydrogen and/or fuel-cell powered vehicles.

As the other two questions above demonstrate, some analysts think otherwise.

Anthony Pratt of J.D. Power and Associates believes that hybrid vehicles will never capture more than 3 percent of the U.S. market. Moreover, Pratt claims it will take another 6 years to even achieve 3 percent sales, at which point sales will drop in favor of some hydrogen alternative.

Toyota, on the other hand, believes hybrids will be 50 percent of the market by 2025.

Pretty huge difference.

The fact that such a bold prediction comes from Toyota, a rising auto giant, loaded with profit, and the hybrid car leader, causes pause.

If American auto execs think along the same lines as Mr. Pratt and Toyota, rather than Mr. Pratt, is correct, then Ford and GM might be in serious trouble.

More hybrid vehicles.

Don't plug in your hybrid car!

At this year's North American International Auto Show, hybrid car displays include signs telling consumers that hybrids don't have to be plugged in.

I know I'm biased, but I found it funny that, that is even an issue.

Well, if you are one of those folks whom think that hybrid cars still have to be plugged in, let me tell you something: Most hybrid cars never had to be plugged in.

O.K. You probably already knew that.

Of course, you might not have known that the Honda Accord Hybrid is faster than the conventional V6 Accord?

Wow! Not only are hybrid cars environmentally friendly and gas-efficient, but more powerful than conventional cars.

Don't believe me?

Get out there and test the Accord hybrid, or the Toyota Prius, then you'll get it.

And I guarantee, you'll never have to plug it in.

Nissan will also make hybrid cars in U.S.

Nissan will start producing the Nissan Altima hybrid in the United States in 2006.

Similar to the Ford Escape Hybrid, the Altima hybrid will be built with leased Toyota hybrid technology.

Nissan has stated in the past that they would lease hybrid technology in the short term, to meet customer demand, while finalizing their own hybrid system.

According to initial reports, Nissan is planning to produce about 100,000 Altima hybrids over the next 5 years.

Nissan becomes the second Japanese automaker to announce hybrid car production in the U.S.. Earlier this week, Toyota confirmed plans to also build hybrids in the U.S. next year.

Neither company has announced where exactly these cars will be produced. Some have speculated that California might be the location as over 40% of all Toyota Prius sales take place in California.

At this time, Toyota hasn't confirmed that it will produce the Prius in the U.S., though it hinted strongly towards that move.

In April, Toyota will be releasing the Lexus RX 400h hybrid SUV, followed by the Toyota Highlander Hybrid just a few months later. Additionally, Toyota has announced plans for a 2006 Lexus GS Sedan hybrid.

Perhaps one of those vehicles will also be added to the mix as well.

A Porsche hybrid is still in limbo

Later this year Porsche will decide whether to create a hybrid Cayenne sport utility vehicle.

Porsche announced similar intentions a few months ago and reaffirmed the potential of such a vehicle at the North American International Auto Show, where hybrid cars have been an important part of the stage this year.

"Since we at Porsche are convinced that environmental compatibility will be the most significant success factor for the future of the automotive industry our engineers have been looking closely at this alternative technology for a long time," stated Wendelin Wiedeking, CEO of Porsche AG, in his remarks at the show.

"Hybrids represent a bridge to the long-term solution of hydrogen fuel cells"

"Hybrids represent a bridge to the long-term solution of hydrogen fuel cells," stated GM chairman Rick Wagoner at the North American Auto Show.

It must be hard to get those words out, if you are an American auto executive, especially one that doesn't really offer hybrids.

When the 2004 Toyota Prius hit America by storm, American automakers seemed shell-shocked. What was GM thinking then?

The best America has done is one hybrid, the Ford Escape Hybrid.

While I love the hybrid Escape, Truck of the Year according to the North American International Auto Show, it wasn't built on proprietary technology.

Will Ford mass produce multiple lines of hybrid vehicles based on someone else's leased technology? I doubt it. This probably explains Ford's next big hybrid move.

The Mercury Mariner.

Wow! Excuse me for not being impressed, but isn't the Mercury Mariner basically the Escape hybrid?

I realize Ford just can't let go of the SUV, but even the hybrid SUV market will very soon be quite competitive.

In just a few more months the Lexus RX 400h hybrid SUV will be released and interest in that vehicle has already taken Toyota by storm. Just a few months after that rollout, Toyota will follow with the Toyota Highlander hybrid.

So, if hybrids are a bridge to the future, why is Detroit's bridge so narrow?

The Toyota Prius, Honda Civic Hybrid, and Honda Accord Hybrid will go unchallenged for years by America, and soon the Toyota Camry will also be added to the mix.

Is Detroit just giving up that market?

Hybrid cars might be a bridge to fuel cells, but there is a very good chance that hydrogen fuel cell-powered automobiles might be at least two decades away. Additionally, perhaps hybrid powertrains will run the automotive fuel cells of tomorrow. More important, hybrids make important environmental and political changes today.

"I want to.....provide transportation that is affordable in every sense of the word - socially and environmentally, as well as economically. That means vehicles that are safe, clear and energy efficient," stated Bill Ford recently.

American auto execs keep talking the talk, but it's time to walk the walk.

Fleets of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are nothing but a concept. Hybrid cars are a reality, today. The future begins now, not tomorrow.

Ford Escape Hybrid "Truck of Year"

The world's first gas-electric hybrid sports utility vehicle won the North American International Auto Show's 2004 North American Truck of the Year.

Ford's first production hybrid vehicle was picked by about 50 American and Canadian automotive journalists.

Vehicles, such as the award-winning Ford Escape hybrid are judged on design, safety, handling, and innovations, plus driver satisfaction and value.

The North American International Auto Show is one of the auto industry's most important stages, and will be attended by almost 7,000 journalists from more than 60 countries.

The Escape hybrid, in addition to being the first gas-electric hybrid sports utility vehicle, is also America's first production hybrid automobile. Based on hybrid technology similar to the Toyota Prius hybrid car, the Escape hybrid was released late last summer.

Ford is also planning to create a Mercury Mariner SUV hybrid later this year.

Only Honda has multiple hybrid vehicles at this point in time. The Accord hybrid is already Honda's third hybrid.

This year, Toyota will be adding two additional hybrids. In April, the Lexus RX 400h Hybrid will be released, and the Toyota Highlander hybrid will follow a few months later.

2006 Nissan Gas-Electric Hybrid Car

Nissan has confirmed that the third largest automaker will join its other top Japanese rivals in the hybrid car revolution.

In 2006, according to the company, it will begin producing its first gas-electric hybrid. Early reports have been sketchy, but Nissan will probably lease hybrid technology from Toyota.

The technology behind the Toyota Prius hybrid powertrain has already been leased by Ford for the Escape Hybrid.

Nissan, much like American automakers, took a wait-and-see attitude regarding hybrids.

Honda, once the leader in hybrid vehicle production, released it's third hybrid in December 2004, the Honda Accord hybrid. Honda, like Toyota, has developed its own hybrid powertrain technology.

Toyota, hybrid car king?

Is Toyota the hybrid car king?

Based on the current success of the Toyota Prius hybrid, then yes, Toyota is the king of the hybrids.

Why is the Prius so successful?

I think the originality of the Prius helps it compared to the Ford Escape Hybrid, or the Honda Accord Hybrid. The Prius, unlike the Escape hybrid or the Accord hybrid, has no direct conventional comparison.

The Escape hybrid is an excellent vehicle. For guilty SUV lovers, the Escape hybrid is a great choice, but it is inevitable that prospects will want to compare the hybrid against the conventional. And, if a certain color or feature is important, it is much easier to have your wishes fulfilled in a conventional Escape rather than a hybrid Escape.

Then you have the higher sticker price.

The Honda Accord Hybrid suffers the same conventional drawback as does the Escape hybrid. The Accord hybrid; however, is really the best Honda Accord - its the fastest, quickest, best performing Accord.

The Escape hybrid cannot make that same claim, there are more powerful Escapes.

The Prius is the best Prius ever, so there isn't any other fair comparison on that point, but that doesn't seem to be the whole issue for Toyota.

Recently, Toyota had to push back the release of it's Lexus RX 400h hybrid due to high demand. Though the Lexus hybrid SUV won't be released until April 15, over 10,000 orders have already been placed.

The RX 400h hybrid is a luxury SUV, and a smaller SUV, so perhaps it speaks to a different customer segment than the Escape hybrid. Still, the Toyota magic seems to have rubbed off on what will be Toyota's second hybrid.

While American auto-makers are now focusing their attention on hybrid SUVs, Toyota appears ready to dominate the hybrid SUV market.

In June, just a couple months after the Lexus hybrid SUV hits the streets, the Toyota Highlander hybrid will make it's debut.

The Highlander hybrid is a much better match for the Escape hybrid, and competition between the vehicles should get intense. Price is going to be a big issue for these two vehicles, and since Ford is leasing hybrid technology from Toyota, Toyota could have a big price advantage.

The Honda Accord hybrid might not be directly in the line of fire of the Prius, but Toyota has other cars up its sleeve. By 2007 the Camry Hybrid will really challenge it's Japanese competitor.

If Honda is still only selling 20,000 Accord hybrids per year two years from now, Toyota will easily become the undisputed Hybrid Car King.

Hybrid Cars help stir U.S. / Japan Trade War Discussions

Blame it on a hybrid car!

The success of Japanese car-makers in the U.S. is sparking fear in some economists that Japan's 30% share of the U.S. automarket is going to lead to a trade war.

Recent studies suggest that U.S. consumers are converting to Japanese cars because of quality and second-hand value. Additionally, Japan's ability to produce new lines of vehicles has enabled them to explore several niche markets, including young drivers.

Toyota recently credited the Scion, Prius hybrid, and Tundra as the vehicles responsible for gaining new market share.

Zap to sell first Hybrid Fuel Cell Vehicle this year

Zap and Anuvu will offer a hydrogen fuel cell-electric vehicle for sale sometime this year.

Converted from a Nissan Frontier, the 4-door pickup is currently on display at CES, a technology tradeshow in Las Vegas.

Zap and Anuvu want to be to first to begin delivering production fuel cell vehicles this year.

Anuvu CEO Tom Scrima stated: "Thanks to ZAP's diverse line of electric vehicles, Anuvu's dream of affordable fuel cell hybrids can be achieved in 2005. ZAP electric vehicles can be modified to run on fuel cells, helping to increasing their range and performance. Fuel cells will change the world as we know it. People can now drive electric vehicles without having to plug in to recharge all the time and some talk about running their entire household by plugging into their car."

More on hybrid vehicles.

Zipcar rents Toyota Prius hybrids

Want to really try out a Prius hybrid car, but you don't want a car salesmen hovering over your shoulder?

Car-sharing Industry leader, Zipcar, offers the Toyota Prius hybrid as one of its vehicle offerings. For just $8.50 an hour, which includes gas and insurance, Zipcar offers 20 different makes and models for their members.

Check out Zipcar.com to see if they offer their services near you.

2006 Lexus GS hybrid debuts at LA Auto Show, sort of

The Lexus LF-S concept car is on display at the LA Auto Show. The vehicle "represents a new design direction and new design language - one that is bold and striking yet simple and intriguing," Denny Clements, Lexus group vice president and general manager," stated in a recent press release.

The "LF" stands for "L-Finesse" in Toyota design lingo and represents the new direction of Lexus which "seeks to provide a peak experience that fills the driver with exhilaration and provides comfort in every moment, while understanding and anticipating each user's constantly changing needs."

The LF-S design language has been translated into the 2006 Lexus GS hybrid car, which will be the second Lexus hybrid, following the Lexus RX 400h hybrid SUV which goes on sale April 14.

Volkswagen chooses diesel over hybrid cars

At the Los Angeles auto show yesterday, Volkswagen AG Chief Executive Bernd Pischetsrieder dissed hybrid cars. "Any significant reduction of fuel consumption under all conditions requires diesel technology. Volkswagon is uniquely positioned to lead in this area."

Yet, there was even double-talk in Pischetsrieder's speech, whom admitted that gasoline-electric hybrids do achieve better fuel economy in stop and go traffic, but that diesels did better on the highway.

The truth is, both cars are better than current gasoline engine technology. But whatever a diesel can do, a hybrid can do better.

For example, there is no reason that a hybrid couldn't utilize a diesel engine, rather than a gasoline engine. In fact, it could ultimately utilize the same diesel engine in new Volkswagons, achieving not only the efficiency of a diesel, but a diesel plus a hybrid.

Ford has already created diesel-electric hybrid cars for testing purposes, in addition to gasoline electric hybrids, such as Ford's Escape hybrid.

Hybrid cars provide an integration environment that allows not only gas and diesel, but hydrogen. A hydrogen-electric Toyota Prius, for example, is very possible already today.

More important, hybrid cars like the Honda Accord hybrid demonstrate that hybrids turn standard vehicles into better performing vehicles. The Accord hybrid uses a very different approach than Toyota, but again, it just shows the immense opportunities hybrid vehicles offer.

The hybrid platform is the future, today. Diesels, at best, are a short term answer.

American hybrid cars

The Ford Escape hybrid is the main American hybrid. While some parts and technology have to be imported to America to make all American cars, the Ford Escape hybrid had to lease its most important technology, its hybrid technology, from Toyota.

Of course the Escape hybrid really isn't a car either. In fact, technically, there are no American hybrid cars. Thus far American auto makers have focused on trucks and SUVs, such as the Escape hybrid and the Chevy Silverado Hybrid.

Additionally, the Silverado hybrid isn't nearly as sophisticated as an Escape hybrid.

In reality, the hybrid car scene is dominated by Japan.

While the Honda Accord hybrid has received considerable buzz, it hasn't achieved Prius-type status yet. This might be because the Prius, like the Insight before it, are completely new cars. While the Insight was never really meant as a mass-produced car in the near term, it does have potential in the future.

The Prius; however, is functional today, and that is really the key difference.

In order for American car-makers to compete with Japan, American automakers cannot just focus on converting SUVs and trucks into hybrids. Additionally, America must stop reinventing has-beens, such as the Ford Mustang.

Those days are over. Constant, shrinking U.S. marketshare proves it.

America needs to show leadership by developing new cars, and a new hybrid car could turn American auto-makers from pretenders back into leaders they once were.

2005 Year of the Hybrid Vehicle

2004 might have been the year of the Toyota Prius, but the hype around hybrid cars isn't going to end there.

If Toyota meets its goals, at least 100,000 Prius hybrids will be sold this year.

Next up for Toyota is the Lexus RX 400h hybrid SUV. Already, 10,000 orders have been placed for this vehicle, which doesn't hit the street until almost 5 months into the year. At that pace, one might imagine Toyota easily selling another 20,000 hybrid SUVs, at least.

Later in the summer, Toyota will add a third hybrid, the Highlander Hybrid. Based on Toyota's current success, similar numbers should also be expected for that vehicle.

In two years, Toyota should easily be producing a quarter million hybrid vehicles. By then, with the Camry available as a hybrid, it shouldn't be hard to visualize that Toyota could easily sell half a million or more hybrid cars in America alone, within just 5 years.

Some analysts don't even expect these numbers within 10 years, but if all goes as planned this year, the streets will be filled with hybrids within 10 years.

If Toyota can sell half a million hybrids per year by 2010, that would represent almost 25% of their current American sales. At that point that ball would be rolling, and Toyota could begin to contemplate converting to a hybrid-only powertrain platform.

A new automobile manufacturing era would emerge. On a hybrid platform, options might include gasoline, diesel, or hydrogen combinations.

These combinations would enable Toyota to always be at least 25 percent more efficient than any conventional competitor using any kind of internal combustion engine platform. Because any new engine technology in conventional cars can also be used in hybrids, hybrid technology is just more efficient.

And that's just Toyota.

Ford will be making 20,000 Escape hybrids this year, and the Honda Accord hybrid is Honda's third hybrid. With its three models, Honda is planning to sell about 50,000 hybrids this year.

Times are a changing.

Either a technology better than hybrids will be developed this year, or 2005 really will be the year of the hybrid.

More 2005 hybrid cars.

10,000 orders for Lexus RX400h Hybrid and counting

By early December, 10,000 orders for the world's newest hybrid SUV, the Lexus RX 400h, had already been placed.

Toyota's newest hybrid, which was originally to be released this month, had to have its release pushed back months because of overwhelming demand.

The Prius hybrid, Toyota's first hybrid, has created lists of customers waiting as much as 6 months to claim their car.

In 2006, Toyota will begin producing hybrids in China, and already talks are in place to bring a hybrid car plant to the United States.

I want every car in the world to be a hybrid

That's the opening statement by Hiroyuki Watanabe, senior managing director in charge of environmental matters of Toyota in an interesting article published on asahi.com. In Leading the pack: Toyota and Honda look to capitalize on their quick start in hybrid car production, writer Roy Akagawa paints the automotive future as the domain of hybrid vehicles.

While it might take some time for every car in the world to be a hybrid, the article points out that hybrid cars are only just gaining momentum. Not only the success of the Toyota Prius completely took Detroit and Europe by surprise, but also the quickness of that success.

U.S. automakers have already bet against hybrids once, and lost.

Based on the success of the Prius and Lexus RX 400h alone, it is not hard to imagine Toyota producing a million hybrids or more, per year, within 5 years, when hybrid versions of the Camry, Siena, Highlander, Lexus GS and more become available.

I wouldn't bet against hybrids again.

Click here for the complete Asahi article.

Detroit's best bet, hybrid vehicles.

A recent article in Businessweek covering the outlook for auto manufacturing in the United States, Borrowing from the Future, states "After years of lavish sales incentives, demand for cars is flat. With higher interest rates ahead, Detroit's best bet is to offer better cars.

GM and Ford U.S. market share is at historic lows, even following a year full of $5000.00+ rebates on many vehicles. Now even incentives can't lure enough car buyers.

Better cars, the article reiterates again and again, is the only thing that can save the last two American automakers.

A better car, it seems, would be derived from intelligent design and intelligent, innovative technology. Any design that incorporates waste or inefficiency into the design, cannot be seen as intelligent, or innovative.

Yet that is what many trucks and SUVs represent, an inefficient design built on inefficient technology.

The Toyota Prius, on the other hand, is probably the most innovative designed and technologically mass-produced automobile in the world. When compared side-by-side with the Ford Escape hybrid, the Toyota Prius is, unquestionably, much more efficient.

The hybrid Escape, built on leased Prius technology, is somewhat inefficient by design, due to it's SUV platform. Nonetheless, when all is said and done, the Escape hybrid is still the most efficient Escape. However, if one drives a loaded V6 Escape and a loaded hybrid Escape, the conventional vehicle will out perform it's hybrid cousin - in speed and acceleration.

So, are hybrids better than conventional vehicles?

It took Toyota a few generations of production to create a Prius hybrid capable of competing with non-hybrids in average consumer interest.

And hybrids are becoming better and better.

Honda's third hybrid, the Accord Hybrid, did something the Escape hybrid did not. It became the best Accord ever.

Reduced pollution and reduced fuel efficiency was only the beginning for the Honda Accord hybrid. Aside from these environmental credentials, the Accord hybrid is also the best performer of all Accords, picking up almost a second in acceleration on it's conventional cousin.

Toyota's next hybrid, the Lexus RX400h, is to offer significant more horsepower than it's conventional Lexus counterpart. Horsepower, long considered the main sizzle factor for American auto consumers, is now becoming the domain of hybrids.

The potential of hybrid vehicles is just beginning. What started as an experiment in fuel efficiency has become a demonstration of increased efficiency leading to increased speed and power.

More important hybrids represent an important step into the future, laying down a foundation for easier hydrogen and fuel cell integration.

Hybrid cars will continue to out-perform their conventional cousins in every measure of vehicle performance, and prices will go down.

When that happens, conventional cars will look about as appealing as VCRs next to a stack of DVD players.

Head to Head to Head: Prius, Accord and Escape Hybrids, Part 1

Back in November, I went Head to Head: The Ford Escape Hybrid and the Toyota Prius.

After driving both the Toyota Prius and the Ford Escape hybrid I noted that there were many differences between these vehicles, but that the main difference between these vehicles was "simply that the Prius feels different. Not in a bad way, mind you, but in a futuristic way. Sitting in the Prius is like sitting in the future."

Nonetheless, I noted that both were excellent vehicles.

Both significantly reduce fuel consumption and pollution.

Well, the new Honda Accord hybrid also significantly reduces fuel consumption and pollution as well.

Much like the Escape hybrid, the Accord hybrid also feels pretty much like a conventional Accord. Unlike the Escape hybrid; however, the Accord performed at a different level than the Escape. The Accord hybrid performed better than most V6 Accords that I've driven, noticeably different. That was the critical feature that kept grabbing my attention.

Perhaps it's my bias against SUVs, but I couldn't get over the design inefficiency of the hybrid Escape when compared to the Prius. While smaller, the Prius just felt roomier and more relaxing than the Escape, which from the outside at least, seemed so much bigger than the Prius.

People don't like change, typically, they don't want to think differently. That is unfortunate when it comes to automobiles. In the Yin and Yang of life, the automobile is one of the greatest inventions of the modern world, yet it has also become one of its greatest threats.

Hybrid cars like the Toyota Prius truly are a revolutionary step for the automobile. They do cause you to think differently, to change. The Prius proves that compact, efficient Sedans don't have to feel compact. Their intelligent design forces any with an open mind to realize just how inefficient the American automobile culture has become.

This isn't good for American auto corporations, their employees, or their consumers.

According to the Pentagon, global warming is a serious threat to the national security of the United States. The far majority of scientists in the United States and the world have no doubt that decades of automobile emissions have had a serious impact on global warming.

The Toyota Prius demonstrates the we can easily, and in the long term, price-competitively, do something to protect our national security, and we don't have to lose comfort, safety, or performance.

The Accord hybrid has proven, without doubt, that hybrid vehicles are simply better than conventional vehicles. They are significantly more efficient and they can perform better than their conventional cousins.

While the Escape hybrid is my favorite SUV, it doesn't make as strong a statement as do the Accord hybrid and Toyota Prius.

Nonetheless, there still are some notable differences between the Accord hybrid and both the Escape and Prius hybrids. The Prius and the Escape hybrid are full hybrids, meaning that at low speeds, both vehicles can run only on electric power. This significantly reduces fuel consumption and pollution emissions in stop-and-go traffic - the kind of driving conditions which cause the most pollution in conventional vehicles.

The Accord hybrid doesn't make quite as much of an impact in stop-and-go traffic. Though better than the conventional version. The Accord really distinguishes itself from its conventional and hybrid competitors in highway driving.

Stay tuned for Part 2.

More on hybrid cars.

Join the Soultek Hybrid Car Club.

Ford Escape Hybrid Test drive

Took my first Ford Escape hybrid test drive this weekend.

With last week's Prius test drive fresh in my mind, I was really looking forward to testing America's first full hybrid SUV.

The first thing I noticed about the SUV, as a seasoned hybrid tester, also says the most about the Escape hybrid. Ford's Escape hybrid looks just like a standard Ford Escape.

I know this might sound odd, but the Prius looks so different, and that feeling begins at the outside of the hybrid car and carries into the inside of the vehicle as well.

Still, the Escape Hybrid is a good looking SUV from the outside.

Inside, the Escape hybrid also looks pretty much like a standard Escape as well - in form and function.

For example, shifting into drive and reverse in the hybrid Escape is just like shifting in a manual transmission Escape, unlike the Prius.

Shifting the Prius is a bit different than a standard manual transmission, and since Ford leased some hybrid technology from Toyota, I had wondered how Ford would handle this issue.

And I think Ford made the right decision by not making the Escape hybrid seem too different. If you make the Escape hybrid seem difficult and confusing compared to the standard Escape, the hybrid technology might loose its luster.

I turned the Escape over and it sounded just like a standard car, at least for the first few minutes. Then the hybrid seemed to shut off, as it went into electric mode, utilizing only battery power. All of this my salesman pointed out, as it happened, on a miniconsule embedded in the middle of the dash.

This fully loaded hybrid SUV with leather seats also included a navigation system, 6 cd stereo, and BlueTooth capability for hands-free phone access.

At this point my salesman pulled out his cell phone charger. Not a car charger, the charger he uses at home and plugged it into the Escape. I could have just as easily plugged in my laptop, TV, or hairdryer.

Nice feature.

As I shifted into Drive and touched the gas, the gasoline engine instantly added to the power of the electric motor and we quickly zoomed onto the street.

While the Escape hybrid is only a V4, the hybrid powertrain provides the power of a V6 and the Escape moves well.

We quickly drove towards the freeway. The Escape was full of power and the idea of hybrid technology disappeared from thought, even after slowing and speeding in an effort to toy with advanced powertrain.

Nice ride.

A loaded Ford Escape hybrid acts almost exactly like the Ford Escape, it just does it much more efficiently.

If you are looking for a hybrid SUV, the Ford Escape Hybrid is a good choice, and it is your only choice until at least April.

Click for more Ford Escape Hybrid.

Toyota Prius Test Drive

I took a test drive of the Toyota Prius this weekend. While it wasn’t my first test drive of the Prius hybrid, it was my first test drive in a loaded Prius. So, let me just get this out of the way – this is a bloody awesome vehicle! Forget the fact that this auto is a hybrid car - it’s a revolutionary piece of technology

But, first, let’s get into some pricing issues.

$22,000 is the basic package price in my area, which includes a $3000.00 dealer fee, otherwise this car would sell for $19,000, and that is a steal. The hybrid I drove, was a Package 6, or the fully loaded Prius, plus leather, U.V paint protection and every accessory imaginable. It was listed at $32,000. Again, this price included a $3000.00 dealer fee.

There are about 6 different Prius Packages offered for the 2005 Prius Model. Of course you can always custom order one – but that will definitely cost extra, especially with supply still trying to catch up to demand.

Now remember, packages are not the same at each dealership, and different accessories are automatically loaded as a package in some areas. Obviously, pricing is probably the reason for this variance - providing dealers the ability to control a certain aspect of pricing – aside from the $3000.00 dealer fee that I find offensive. (Click here to read more about Prius features, specifications and packages).

Let me reiterate one more time; however, the base car is an awesome car. You don’t need to go above the base to get a loaded car. Of course Toyota does offer very tempting add-ons.

The outside of this auto looks different, sleek and high-tech.

Using the Smart Key System to open the doors I sat down in the driver’s seat, which is like being 16 again – it’s a brand new, revolutionary driving experience.

The Smart Key is like a mini-dvd that slides into a slot and with the push of a button, the car starts.

At first you hear the engine idle, but then silence, as the hybrid synergy drive remains ‘powered’ using just stored electric power, or almost free energy.

The dashboard is a unique digital dash that features a multifunction screen. In the loaded version, the multifunction screen includes a voice-activated DVD navigation system with hands-free phone capability via Bluetooth technology. The steering wheel also incorporates phone options; rear and front defrost, aside from all the standards.

This car is elegantly and efficiently designed right down to the glove-box. Or, excuse me, dual glove-boxes.

Driving is nice and smooth, and this car provides a great drive, but the most notable aspect of driving this machine is driving in slow traffic.

The car almost seems to float above the road as you watch regenerative energy fill your hybrid battery pack on your multi-screen monitor.

If you live in an urban area and commute in stop-and-go traffic, this IS the car for you. In fact the Prius actually achieves its best fuel-efficiency and greatest pollution reduction during high traffic, when standard autos achieve just the opposite.

The Prius also performs well on the highway, achieving an EPA estimated 51 mpg – though EPA estimates are out-dated for all cars, standard or hybrid. The EPA, for example, estimates that the top speed limit cars will drive is 55 mph on the highway. Still, your Prius will still utilize much less gas than standard cars, while significantly reducing pollution as well during highway, or freeway driving.

Pulling back into the lot, I checked out the hatchback, which is an extremely nice add-on to this vehicle. With the backdoor open, and the seats folded down, and the Prius hybrid offers an extensive amount of room for transporting large and bulky items.

Additionally, when the seats are back in position, the car easily accommodates four adults, or two adults and three children.

Because the Prius is one of the most aerodynamically advanced production vehicles, sun roofs are not an option for this vehicle.

In Conclusion

I am hybrid vehicle advocate because of pollution, global warming, environment, terrorism, and oil wars – not to mention simple automotive evolution.

But even if these issues are not on your radar, this car is still worth your consideration.

Or join Soultek’s hybrid car club.

Bob and my Accord Hybrid Test Drive

On my recent Accord hybrid test drive, my friend Bob accompanied me.

Bob isn't much of a car guy, but he really liked the Honda Accord hybrid. When we looked at the numbers; however, Bob didn't like the car quite so much, telling me that he would buy the standard Accord, rather than the hybrid just because of the difference in price.

I gave him my whole environmental speech, the Middle East, terrorism, but Bob would not waiver.

Unfortunately, I think most consumers agree with Bob.

I felt the same way regarding the Ford Escape hybrid.

The Toyota Prius is a completely new car, so there isn't that kind of price comparison available. Nonetheless, if in stock, a Prius would list for less than $20,000, far less than the other two hybrids.

It seems obvious to me that hybrid powertrains are the future of the automobile because they will provide a natural transition to hydrogen, bridging the gap between oil and hydrogen as the plethora of technological roadblocks are slowly overcome.

The threats of global warming, terrorism, and foreign-oil dependency are not only dangerous to national security, but dangerous to the American economy.

Intelligent, efficient auto design, such as hybrid technology and better building materials, will clean the environment, strengthen the economy, and push America towards the technological leadership of the future's energy source.

What are we waiting for?

More hybrid cars.

Ford's Other Hybrid Vehicle Idea

Hybrid vehicle powertrains are not just about gasoline engines and electric motor combinations. While hybrid cars like the Toyota Prius, Accord hybrid, or even hybrid SUVs, such as Ford's Escape hybrid, are powered by gasoline engines, other engine possibilities exist.

For example hydrogen or diesel engines have already been developed to work with electric motors and demo vehicles have already been created.

Ford's Mercury Meta One vehicle is one such concept vehicle. Combining a diesel engine and an electric motor, this hybrid vehicle meets emission levels required by California's Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle Rating.

Diesel engines also emit less carbon dioxide, a global warming contributor, than gasoline engines.

Still, diesel - at this point in time - faces tough regulations in the United States. Diesels; however, are very big in Europe and could hold serious promise for Ford in that market.

More hybrid vehicle information.

Toyota announces new hybrid vehicle for 2006

Toyota will bring another green auto to market in 2006. This time it will be a hybrid car.

Toyota execs. announced on Tuesday that a new luxury hybrid, the Lexus GS, will be available as a hybrid in 2006.

In addition to the already popular Toyota Prius, the Japanese will be adding two other hybrid models for 2005.

In April, the Lexus RX 400h hybrid SUV is scheduled to hit the market, followed by the Toyota Highlander hybrid a few months later.

This summer, therefore, there will be 3 hybrid SUVs - the other being the Ford Escape hybrid.

Honda is the only hybrid producer, with three, following the release of the Accord hybrid, but all Honda hybrids are cars.

More hybrid vehicles.

Honda Accord hybrid test drive: Initial thoughts

My hybrid car interest began with the Honda Insight. To me the car represented revolution, a new automotive era fueled by rationalism, rather than materialism.

But when the current Toyota Prius hit the road, I thought the prospect of hybrid cars had truly become a reality. While not extravagant, it is as stylishly sophisticated as is currently possible.

When the Ford Escape hybrid hit the market earlier this year, I was very happy to see a hybrid SUV. If people have to drive them, at least make them as efficient as possible. For that purpose, the Escape hybrid is an excellent vehicle.

But the new Honda Accord hybrid added a significant twist to the hybrid class.

The hybrid Accord is a performer.

First, though, lets get one thing clear. Each car has distinct advantages for particular driving habits. Both cars offer significant improvements in fuel efficiency, such as compared to a standard V6 Accord.

It all comes down to stop-and-go.

The Prius is at its most efficient in the worst driving conditions, the conditions in which most vehicles make the most pollution, especially SUVs. If you live in a congested urban area, with frequent stop-and-go traffic, then the Prius is tops in efficiency.

In highway driving, the Accord hybrid speeds away. As they say, A V6 with V4 fuel efficiency. The newest of Honda's three hybrids runs clean. The very complex hybrid system smoothly applies the correct power needed - based on five different operational modes - so that fuel isn't wasted.

Why burn more fuel than necessary if performance isn't improved?

The Accord hybrid's performance is definitely improved. I've driven several standard V6 Accords, and I thought this car was easily quicker.

Much like other hybrids I've driven, there are odd moments when driving a hybrid, especially at stops, when the car basically stops - another fuel efficiency technique - that you are reminded that you are in something different.

But as I drove the Accord hybrid, I couldn't stop myself from focusing on one thing. Power.

If you are a freeway, or highway driver, especially ones who logs many miles on open roads, there is no better tool available. The Honda Accord hybrid accomplishes the task with great efficiency and surprising performance.

The Honda Accord hybrid is a superb vehicle.

More hybrid cars.

More hydrogen hype. Hybrid cars ARE the future

Not long ago, I wrote an article, Hydrogen hype: Why hybrid vehicles are more important than ever. I wanted to point out how hybrid cars such as the Honda Accord hybrid and the Toyota Prius really are the future.

While the media, big business, even Bush, have promoted the possibilities of the hydrogen economy, potential problems of such an economy are rarely mentioned.

The idea of the hydrogen economy has been around for decades, but the reality of the hydrogen economy is still decades away.

The more important point; however, is that hybrid vehicles can be a transitional technology towards hydrogen. Additionally, if hydrogen is hype, as many scientists claim, hybrid vehicles still result in significant advancements in pollution and fuel efficiency.

At the recent American Geophysical Union conference in San Francisco, the DetroitNews recently reported: "Hydrogen is a very "leaky" gas that could escape from cars and hydrogen plants into the atmosphere. This could set off chemical transformations that generate greenhouse gases that contribute to atmospheric warming."

Even to achieve the current timeline of a few decades, hydrogen might cause as many, or even more problems as oil. The editor of the American Geophysical Union stated, "It is surprising that all of these groups examining a hydrogen economy are secure in the belief that H2 is a pure fuel, safe and harmless to the environment," although studies suggest otherwise.

To assume that the environment will have a chance to get better in the hydrogen future, in a "pollution-free world" is a catastrophic path. Today's pollution will seem minor to the pollution 20 years from now if action isn't taken today.

The horrific lack of inaction by the American auto industry to reduce pollution has been left unquestioned by decades of hydrogen promises and millions of dollars of campaign contributions. While the Ford Escape hybrid was 'made in America', it was also built on licensed hybrid technology from Toyota.

Almost certainly automotive engineers have suspected hydrogen problems for decades, and probably continue to suspect it. That's why Japan took the hybrid path. Hybrid cars represent an interim technological transition between oil and hydrogen, while opening other pathways as well.

Additionally, much like the Accord hybrid proves, hybrids can not only be significantly more efficient - in fuel and pollution - than standard cars, they can perform better.

Just a year ago American automotive leadership claimed just the opposite as a reason not to build hybrids - if you can still call it leadership.

"Do gas-electric hybrids leave less green in your wallet?"

In Driving Economics, an article by Peter Bohr, that is the question asked in a recent issue of Westways Magazine.

Bohr points out the there is an extra price to pay for driving hybrid vehicles, but he also points out that, the extra price, isn't that "steep".

Vehicles like Honda's Accord hybrid, or Civic hybrid, and the Ford Escape hybrid cost about $2000.00 - $3000.00 more than their conventional counterparts.

On the other hand, price comparing the Toyota Prius hybrid car isn't possible, as a conventional Prius does not exist.

Then there are the IRS tax credit and the fuel-cost savings on the plus side for hybrid buyers. On the negative side, Bohr notes that, "depreciation is a bit higher for the Civic Hybrid during the first five years of ownership" for example.

Nonetheless, Bohr concludes his article, "given all the new hybrid vehicles, automakers are betting consumers will pay the price to help the skies become cleaner and the earth greener.

More hybrid cars.

Toyota hybrid cars, just a niche?

In a recent article by John Dinkel, Power to the People 2015, covering the engines of U.S. cars 10 years from now, there is an interesting quote. "Regarding consumer demand, Dave Hermance, executive engineer for environmental engineering at Toyota, says, "I think perhaps 5 percent of total U.S. vehicle sales by 2010 will be hybrids; by 2015, maybe 10 percent.""

While Toyota has been a big leader in the hybrid vehicle movement because of the Toyota Prius, perhaps their lead in hybrid cars, or more important, clean technologies isn't as clear.

Statements such as those by Hermance seem to imply that Toyota has no intention of making hybrid cars their conventional cars within the next decade or two.

Unlike choosing a DVD player, rather than a VCR, health implications are involved in this choice between vehicles. In my opinion, automakers shouldn't have a choice any longer.

This isn't about simple consumer demand anymore.

This is as much about National Security as it is about environmentalism.

Just today, following the horrible Tsunami in Asia, scientists are predicting even worse scenarios based upon global warming data and modeling.

Helping make America safer, right now, isn't that expensive. The Toyota Prius sticker price, of a $19,000.00, is a very fair price for the innovation provided. The Ford Escape hybrid proves that SUVs can be, at least, significantly more fuel-efficient.

And the Honda Accord hybrid proves not only that hybrids are significantly more efficient than their conventional cousins in terms of fuel-efficiency and pollution, but that they also outperform their cousins in speed and quickness.

While advanced gasoline engines, such as the Ford Focus PZEV can meet strict emission's standards, and cylinder deactivation can reduce fuel-efficiency by 20 percent, the combination of an Advanced Gasoline Engine and an electric motor, otherwise known as a hybrid powertrain, produce the greatest efficiency.

This combination creates cars today that can have a significant, positive impact on the environment tomorrow.

Anything less should be unacceptable, and anything less - considering the legacy of automobile pollution - should be considered negligence.

More hybrid vehicles.

Diesels versus hybrids. Let's get it on.

For a couple of months, DaimlerChrysler has been trying to build buzz around its newest Jeep Liberty, a diesel version.

Earlier this month, Chrysler began shipping the new model to dealers in an attempt to gauge consumer interest.

There hasn't been much. Of course, Daimler isn't trying that hard to market the car yet, only the idea of diesel. Daimler believes that the better fuel efficiency offered by diesels will lure American buyers to diesel.

Many states, including California and New York; however, will not allow diesels to be sold in their states because diesels still emit pollutants that are known to be smog-producing and carcinogenic.

Perhaps those laws could change, but why?

Advanced gasoline engines are 10 percent less efficient than diesels, but they pollute less. That balance equals out in my book.

Hybrids versus diesels

Some analysts have gone so far as to say that hybrid vehicles, such as the Toyota Prius, Honda Accord Hybrid, and Ford Escape hybrid, are too expensive, and that diesels should be the powertrain of choice until hydrogen takes over.

Yet, these same diesels, as well as advanced gasoline engines can each be integrated with a hybrid powertrain. Each of these hybrid combinations would create significantly more efficient vehicles than either diesel or advanced gasoline engines.

The hybrid powertrain is simply more effective and efficient than simple internal combustion powered vehicles. With endless combinations, including hydrogen and fuel cells, hybrid vehicles can drive us into the future, creating and perfecting the necessary automotive technologies to make the hydrogen economy a reality.

More importantly, hybrids allow consumers the ability to make a choice, an important financial choice, that can empower individuals to help end foreign-oil dependency, to help fight SMOG, global warming, and other environmental damage.

And in pure price? The average hybrid is about $3000.00 more than standard cousins, minus the Prius, which has no conventional comparison.

The 2005 Jeep Liberty Diesel starts at $25,125, while a similar, conventional Liberty starts under $23,000. That's more than a $2000.00 difference.

Diesels hold some promise, but the technology is not even comparable to hybrids. An investment in hybrid technology is an investment in the future, diesel just as gas, will soon become the past.