Toyota Prius leads way to Oscars

"About 15 celebrities including Gwenyth Paltrow, Natalie Portman, Scarlett Johanson, Leonardo DiCaprio, Robin Williams, Orlando Bloom, Salma Hayek, Charlize Theron, Penelope Cruz, Morgan Freeman, Julie Delpy and Tim Robbins are all pulling up to the red carpet in hybrid cars," at the Oscars according to MotorTrend.

This is the third year Global Green, the American branch of Green Cross International run by Mikhail Gorbachev, asked celebrities to use their status to help the environmental cause. Toyota lent its Prius hybrid for 'green celebrities' to arrive at the Oscars, rather than arriving in a limo.

"With global warming threatening us all, driving a fuel efficient car like a hybrid is something that everybody can do to protect our planet. I am proud to do my part. I personally own and drive a hybrid car. And I love it!" Hayek said.

Canadian pricing for Lexus RX400h hybrid announced

Lexus Canada today announced the 2006 Lexus RX 400h, the world's first luxury gasoline/electric hybrid SUV, will be available in two trim packages with a suggested retail price starting at $62,200.

The RX400h will go on sale in Canada in April.

GM and Ford stock? Sell

That was the word on CNBC this morning. While Nissan is the current darling of the auto industry because of its quick financial turn-around, Toyota is the monster in the automotive world. While hybrid cars are still dismissed by many, analysts covering Toyota always mention the success of the Toyota Prius when discussing its growing market-share.

If hybrids are so insignificant, how is it that the Prius, and Toyota's hybrid powertrain, is almost always found in any economic forecast for the future of Toyota?

Hybrids helping drive new car rental companies

Renting green cars has become popular, as well as an expanding business model according to a NYTimes article.

Bio-diesel, natural gas, electric, and hybrid are now available at many car rental companies across the United States and becoming more popular. Hybrid cars such as the Toyota Prius, Civic hybrid, and Ford Escape hybrid are leading the way, but demand from fleets, like consumers, far outweighs hybrid supply.

Thank you Toyota hybrids

Recently, I have grown a bit frustrated with Toyota. Why can't they make more Prius hybrid cars? Why did the Lexus RX400h and the Highlander hybrid have to have their market releases pushed back?

My desire for hybrids to take over the automotive world just isn't rationale at this point in time.

Automotive experts, particularly competitors, are confident that the Prius does not make money, nor do they expect any of Toyota's next hybrids to make money either - at least in 2005. The fact is, it has been terribly expensive for Toyota to accomplish what it has accomplished with hybrids.

Basically, every expert in the world laughed at Toyota's hybrid car endeavors for years, until demand for the 2004 Prius slapped every one of those analysts in the face. And Toyota has had to go it alone, without the help of a vast supply network. So the progress Toyota has made is all the more remarkable, while the lack of progress made by almost every other auto-maker, is all the more disappointing.

Now, places like California, Canada, even the U.S. legislature are demanding that automakers take action. Hybrids have proven that there is another way, not in some fantasy future, but today.

When the CIA and Pentagon describe foreign-oil dependency and global warming as great threats to American security, how long do you wait before contributors to U.S. foreign-oil dependency and global warming are also named co-conspirators against the security of the United States?

Often GM, for example, tries to equate itself with Americana. Not my America, brother. Dumping your waste in my land, polluting my lungs, threatening the environmental stability of the world, while maintaining and supporting an oppressive, robber-barron-like foreign-oil dependency for America is not patriotic, rather the antithesis of patriotism.

America is about freedom and independence, or at least that was the idea, right? Gas-guzzling reduces freedom and independence according to the CIA and the Pentagon.

How dare American corporations risk my freedom and independence for their short term profit. If American auto-corporations represent patriotism, then I say it's time to revolt.

Thanks Toyota.

Canadians anger automakers with feebate talk

Canada's legislators want the auto industry to do more to increase fuel efficiency, while reducing emissions. One such approach was to charge a 'feebate scheme that would tax gas guzzling vehicles and offer rebates on fuel-efficient cars and trucks," according to GlobeandMail.

Automakers said it wasn't their responsible to shape consumer interest via ads and promotions. Excuse me? Isn't that what marketing is, and don't automakers already shape consumer interest in favor of gas guzzlers with slick marketing ads and promotions?

Ultimately, automakers were hoping that Canada would create government sponsored tax rebates for consumers of fuel efficient vehicles. Automakers pointed out the tax rebate for hybrid cars in the U.S. as one possibility for Canada.

Best Lexus RX400h Hybrid Review thus far

Lexus' math triumph by Dan Neil is really the best review of the Lexus RX400h hybrid, and in some ways, the hybrid car segment. "Overall, though, the RX 400h feels like a masterpiece of both engineering and accounting. Will Toyota make its money back on this generation of hybrids? Only the board members know for sure. But it seems clear that for Toyota, accounting is a form of martial art, like judo: It's all about leverage." (LATimes)

Honda hybrid buzz?

I love the Honda Accord hybrid. It's just a great automobile, and I've received numerous e-mails from very proud and happy Civic hybrid owners.

Yet, there is little Honda hybrid buzz, and I wonder what Honda's vision of the future is.

The Toyota Prius, Toyota claims, has had a significant effect on Toyota's fuel-cell car development. In fact, the success of Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive, driven by Prius development and production, has pushed Toyota to believe that its fuel-cell vehicles will be fuel-cell-electric hybrid vehicles.

Therefore, every hybrid purchase is a significant investment in Toyota's fuel-cell technology, as well as its future as an automotive company.

Honda's hybrid vision has taken a different path. Honda's hybrids are less a step towards fuel cells, except, arguably, the Insight. The Accord and Civic hybrids, it appears, are not as integral a step towards fuel cell development as is the Prius, Lexus RX400h or Highlander hybrids.

Toyota's Ace card is the fact that it has intertwined it hybrid development with its fuel cell development. This makes Toyota's hybrids more of a long term investment, while still solving short-term needs such as reduced pollution and global warming, or reduced foreign-oil dependency.

While I think Honda is still well-positioned for a surge in hybrid interest, the lack of buzz around Honda hybrids compared to Toyota hybrids seems to demonstrate that Toyota is far ahead of the rest of the automotive world and is setting itself up for massive, future marketshare.

Will 36,000 Highlander hybrids be enough?

Currently, Toyota is planning to produce 36,000 Highlander hybrids per year, and this won't even come close to fulfilling demand.

While Toyota is trying to consistently ramp up it's hybrid vehicle production capabilities, the interest in hybrids continues to grow at a much faster rate.

Toyota has consistently been able to increase production rates faster and faster on its hybrids, but manufacturing capabilities have not allowed Toyota to come close to matching demand.

This trend will surely continue for some time. Nonetheless, I think Toyota hybrid car production will, minimally, increase by at least 50% per year or more. Within 3 years, Toyota will be making at least 500,000 hybrids per year, in addition to leasing the technology for another 100,000 hybrids, such as the Ford Escape hybrid, Mercury Mariner hybrid, and Nissan Altima hybrid.

Hybrid vehicle fleets wanted

According to USAToday, "Local governments, rental car companies and other fleet operators wanting to join the "green" car revolution are seeing red over long waits for popular gas-electric hybrid vehicles."

The Toyota Prius and the Ford Escape hybrid top the list of coveted hybrids by fleet managers, but both Ford and Toyota have been unable to meet neither consumer, nor fleet, demand.

Automobile alliance manufacturer propaganda

The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers has been releasing the same press release before autoshows throughout the Midwest. "99% Cleaner Vehicles Now Available to Consumers in Showrooms".

While the Alliance is currently fighting clean air restrictions about to be required by California legislation, U.S. legislation, and Canadian legislation, it is apparently - once again - trying to put the blame on consumers. "We're making them, demand just isn't there. We don't need government legislation, just consumer interest. It's too expensive."

Lies, lies, lies.

Lines and waiting lists for every hybrid vehicle available. Protests against GM and Ford for ending electric car production.

Are automakers really trying to appease consumers, or shareholders?

U.S. reliance on imported oil has become "a national security imperative."

Rep. Sherwood Boehlert, R-N.Y., who chairs the House Science Committee, says he wants to add tougher fuel-economy standards to energy legislation. In the past two sessions of Congress, Boehlert failed in his attempt to require SUVs to meet standards for cars rather than light trucks (AutoWeek).

Reducing U.S. reliance on imported oil has become "a national security imperative", according to Boehlert, referencing a series of expert reports in the past few months.

Of course the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, which represents the Big 3 and six import-brand automakers is fighting against the legislation. Boehlert says the industry seems increasingly willing to take action to help fix a serious problem. But he argues it is not doing enough.

Oil and the economy

Oil up, economy down.

The cost of gasoline and heating oil are not the only costs of foreign-oil dependency. The entire economy, even possible recession, could be caused by some man-made or natural catastrophe that would disrupt the tenuous oil-supply.

Never fear; however, the American military is near. Good thing that doesn't cost tax-payers anything.

Blinded by the fuel cell

Fuel cell, schmeal cell.

Every major auto manufacturer makes concept fuel cell vehicles and touts the 'hydrogen economy'.

Yet, many of these same new energy evangelists disregard the exorbitant costs that it will take to convert to the hydrogen economy as minor obstacles, while continually mocking hybrid cars.

Still, hybrid vehicles, such as the Toyota Prius, or the Ford Escape hybrid, could quite easily be fuel-cell-electric hybrids in the very near future, which is probably why the Highlander Hybrid is also serving as the platform for one of Toyota's major fuel cell concept vehicles. In the interim, hybrids could significantly help the environment while reducing oil, particularly foreign oil, dependency.

One significant technological advancement in NiMH batteries alone could make hybrids far more cost effective than conventional vehicles. While such a development will also help fuel cell vehicles, it won't be enough to make them competitive against standard vehicles, but it will bring them a step closer to fruition.

Hybrids are the path to fuel cells, not some distraction, and those auto-makers that embrace hybrids will the most have the greatest angle on the future.

Toyota taking big loss on Lexus RX400h hybrid?

An article by Dan Neil, Lexus' math triumph, claims that the cost of the Lexus RX400h hybrid is well below the cost of production. Like, GM's Robert Lutz, Neil is wondering whether Toyota is moving forward with hybrids, just for the marketing.

The article also notes that Toyota is trying to find ways to make more than the 24,000 Lexus hybrids allotted for the U.S., of which 12,000 are already sold.

Hybrid + Solar = Energy Independence?

A number of days ago, I wrote a story, What's better than a hybrid car, a plug-in hybrid of course. In that story I mentioned an electric-truck owner whom forced Ford to sell him an electric vehicle, rather than destroying it, after his lease was up on the truck.

The farmer loved his truck because his fuel, electricity from a small solar array, charged the truck for free.

On the EV1.org website, there is a picture of a house and its solar roof. Only taking one-quarter of the roof, the solar system generates enough electricity to power the home and two electric cars - for the same monthly price as their old electric bill.

What could be more independent, more American, than independently-produced clean energy? No foreign oil, no pollution, no rolling blackouts. And, on a united grid, American citizens could sell energy to other Americans and the world - clean energy - not tied to terrorism.

Hybrid cars, such as the Prius, Escape hybrid, Lexus RX400h hybrid, or Toyota Highlander hybrid could quite easily be converted into plug-in-gasoline-electric hybrids. Able to be charged cleanly in urban driving, these hybrids could also utilize gas when needed.

Fuel cell technology will be great, but the technology to radically make the world safer via cleaner and cheaper energy exists now. Greed and profit are unacceptable justifications for putting off until tomorrow what needs to be done today.

Demand nothing less than hybrid car efficiency.

Toyota Prius Ads Back later this month

If you watched the SuperBowl, you witnessed the first Toyota Prius commercial since the Fall of 2003.

Since Toyota fell so far behind in Prius supply, it didn't make much sense to market the Prius. Starting Feb. 27; however, Toyota will start marketing the hybrid cars once again.

While Toyota has continued to raise production on the Prius, demand has continued to outweigh supply. This year, Toyota plans to sell 100,000 Prii in the U.S. alone.

Recently, the wait time for a Prius has dropped to about 2-3 months, versus more than 6 months for most of last year. Unfortunately, according to Toyota dealers, the new ads are not needed to sell the Prius, and the ads will probably push wait times back to 6 months.

GM SUV sales plummet in January

GM, bear of the hybrid car market, execs such as Robert Lutz, have questioned the business story of hybrid cars, even claiming that the Toyota Prius, the Ford Escape hybrid, and the Honda Accord hybrids are nothing but marketing hype.

Yet, preorders for the very expensive Lexus RX400h hybrid have even surpassed the Prius, and hype around the Toyota Highlander is even greater.

GM hype? TrailBlazer sales down 46 percent, Envoy plummets 51.8 percent, and the Rainier drops 26.9 percent, but GM will not be undersold, and will slash prices even further on some of its once, best-selling vehicles (More from DetroitNews).

Bye, Bye.

For an auto company with low profit margins in its automobile segment, that also finances its business with its financial arm, GM doesn't sound like a very good business story to me.

Maybe GM should listen to the EV1 protest.

EV1 Vigil in Burbank still going

Despite torrential rain in Southern California, the event dedicated to stopping GM from destroying its electric cars continues. Moreover, reps are demanding that GM immediately begin to develop hybrid electric plug-ins, check out the EV1 site.

Ford tells Canada government sponsored hybrid car incentives needed

Joe Hinrichs, President of Ford Canada, told an audience at the Canadian International AutoShow in Toronto that government incentives, such as the hybrid car tax incentives in the U.S., were key to Canada's quest for clean automobiles.

Because of the hybrid rebate Hinrichs noted, "We can't keep Escape hybrids in the showroom in the U.S." (GlobeandMail.com)

Is a gas-guzzling Chevy more American than a foreign hybrid car

Hungry, go eat your import - I always hated that bumber sticker. While I understand the point, and agree with it to some extent, let's get real.

Many people, including my father, only buy American-made cars. It's more patriotic my father recently told me.

"More patriotic than protecting the American environment, more patriotic than ending foreign-oil dependency, more patriotic than fighting terrorism, or bringing our soldiers home?", I asked him.

My father laughed.

O.K., then, I agree - I tell him to his surprise - I'll only buy an American-made car if you only buy American-made gas.

"I would if I could", he tells me, "I'd even pay more".

"That's why I'll only drive a hybrid car."

A British perspective on 'Prius Patriots'

A BBC article points out that the US spends $200,000 every minute on foreign oil.

For this reason, "so-called "Prius Patriots" including former CIA director James Woolsey drive the cars (Toyota Prius) because they see it as a strategic necessity for the US to reduce its dependence on foreign oil."

More interesting, however, is the fact that it isn't just Hollywood liberals, such as Cameron Diaz and Leonardo DiCaprio, but even politically conservative-types, according to the BBC.

Still, the positive effects of hybrid cars will help the environment little, the article stipulates, unless sales significantly go up - and only government action will make that happen.

Electric Vehicle Vigil at GM Burbank plant

An ongoing vigil at General Motors' Burbank facility is entering day four. Vigil participants, supported by a broad coalition of climate protection and clean-air organizations, are demanding that GM rescue these zero-emissions vehicles, return them to California drivers and restart its all-electric vehicle program.

Additionally, the group would like GM to: 1.)Stop dismantling and crushing the EV1s and offer the remaining cars for sale or on open-end lease. 2.)Restart their electric vehicle engineering efforts with a goal of offering fully electric vehicles or plug-in hybrid vehicles with at least 20 mile all-electric range, by 2008. 3.)Increase GM overall average fleet fuel economy to 50 mpg by 2010 and build an entire fleet of zero emissions vehicles by 2020 (MotorTrend)

Auto Pollution Can Affect Fetal Development, Scientists Say

A new study reinforces previous studies that air pollution has negative health effects. The negative effects of pollution on the fetus include generation of cancer precursors (Read more from Sciam)

Prius and Bluetooth problems?

It has been reported the some Lexus models with Bluetooth actually were infected with cell phone generated viruses. While the infection only disrupted the Navigation system, it hints at future problems.

The Toyota Prius offers Bluetooth, has anyone heard of problems?

Easy to change the world.

"If new car and light truck buyers chose the most efficient vehicles in each size class, we would slash the 2005 fleet's gasoline use by 27 percent, reducing gasoline purchases by $6.1 billion and saving the average buyer $360 a year," he added. "Furthermore, we would cut greenhouse gas emissions accordingly. Even omitting hybrid vehicles, those numbers still add up to 19 percent, $4.1 billion, and $245 a year, respectively." (From the ACEEE Awards)

Environmental damage, wars, economic problems, and filthy rich and corrupt oil barons. Demand nothing less than hybrid car fuel efficiency.

No doubt global warming real according to new studies

"The debate over whether or not there is a global warming signal is now over, at least for rational people," said Tim Barnett of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography.

New studies which looked at the oceans, rather than the atmosphere, seem to provide conclusive evidence that humans are affecting the earth's temperature. (Read more)

So what about Honda hybrids then?

If full gas-electric hybrids are the first generation, in a manner of speaking, of fuel-cell-electric hybrids, what about hybrids such as the Honda Accord hybrid, or the Civic hybrid?

Definitely, the Accord and Civic hybrids are built upon on a less sophisticated powertrain than are Toyota hybrids. The Honda Insight is actually probably much closer to a fuel-cell-electric hybrid than are the Civic or Accord hybrids.

Overall, however, I think Honda is well positioned in the hybrid race.

Hybrid hype? Wake up and smell the future

Think hybrids are hype?

Gas-electric hybrids, such as the Toyota Highlander hybrid, the Lexus RX400h hybrid, or the Ford Escape hybrid, are just the first stage in the evolution of full hybrid vehicles.

Yes, they cost more than a conventional car, but hybrid technology is only just emerging. Additionally, the cost of gas-electric hybrids is far less than fuel-cell-electric hybrids - the future of automobiles according to almost every expert.

The point is, however, they are both hybrids.

Today's gas-electric Highlander, Lexus, and Escape hybrids are built on Prius technology, as are tomorrows Highlander, Lexus and Escape fuel-cell-electric hybrids (Read More).

More on the Toyota Fuel-Cell-Electric Hybrid.

Greenspan and private accounts

Alan Greenspan just told Maxine Waters that he supported private accounts for Social Security to protect it from Congress. Apparently, he feels that social security funds would be investments, ie, they would grow if Congress managed them correctly.

I haven't been that interested in the discussion, but if Congressional spending is part of the problem - by both sides of the aisle - maybe I would like more say in how my money is invested.

Who'da thunk Congress wasn't fiscally responsible?

Toyota Prius picks up another award

The Toyota Prius won one of IntelliChoice's 19th annual "Best Overall Value of the Year" awards for 2005 model year cars, trucks, vans, and SUVs.

The Prius, Toyota's first hybrid car, won the Best Car Value Under $23,000.

The Prius also won a class award for the best car in the Midsize Class under $21,000.

The Honda Civic hybrid won the the best car in the Compact Class over $16,000.

Are oil profits dirty?

I am watching CNBC right now and a segment on oil just finished.

The price of oil isn't getting any cheaper, because of demand. Demand is only going to get higher. One analyst said oil companies are making more cash than they can possibly spend, so oil companies will keep trying to find more oil.

So why isn't gas cheaper, I wonder? And it's almost certainly not going to get cheaper. In fact, it won't take much to happen in world events to cause prices to go higher.

I'm certain terrorists will never make that connection.

Ultimately, if you are invested in oil you are making good money, but I say that money is dirty. We know it's dirty. Whether you live in Houston and are not allowed to say the words "global warming", or you just think it's been hyped up, there is no argument that oil has caused massive environmental destruction around the world - oil spills, smog, illegal dumping.

While refineries have made oil much cleaner over the years, our dependence upon oil is ridiculous by environmental standards alone.

Yet, according to analysts, one of the biggest factors of the economy moving forward is? You got it, oil. A dip in supply and all bets are off.

The truth is, terrorists could easily damage the economy by reducing the supply of oil.

Even without terrorism, if demand surprises analysts this year again, as it did last year, oil prices are almost certain to spike anyway.

Why should the U.S. continue to remain so susceptible to something we can easily change? Not only can we change it, but in the long run, we can profit from it.

Oh, that's right. Because America's investor class has money in oil.

The Kyoto protocol.

Phooey. Not that I'm against it, but reducing America's automotive demand for oil by 30 or 40 percent, nationwide, is a bigger step, one that could be accomplished in just a decade with current technology, particularly hybrid cars.

The point is, we should be efficient as possible not just because it's good for the environment, that's almost irrelevant. We should invest in hybrids and efficient technologies because it's good for the economy, it's good for your job, and it's good for your family.

Is dirty profit really more important than all of that?

Demand nothing less than hybrid car efficiency.

Join the revolution, join the Soultek Hybrid Car Club.

Competition about to heat up for the Ford Escape hybrid

This year's Truck of the Year at the Detroit autoshow and the first ever SUV to be one of the greenest vehicles in the United States, the Ford Escape hybrid has had a pretty good run.

A bit on the spendy side, the Escape hybrid is; however, my favorite SUV.

Of course, since I would only consider a hybrid SUV as a purchase, it is my only choice. That is all about to change, and the Hybrid SUV segment is about to get interesting.

The Toyota Highlander hybrid and the Lexus RX400h hybrid will be in showrooms soon, oh boy!

(Click here for more on hybrid SUVs) (More on the Escape hybrid)

Some great Lexus RX400h hybrid reviews

If you have test-driven or purchased a Lexus RX330 you probably either loved it, or still love it. Well, get ready, the world's first luxury hybrid SUV will make you desire new love.

Early reports regarding the Lexus RX4ooh hybrid are glowing. Unfortunately, because this is going to be a phenomenal, luxurious performer, demand is going to significantly out-weigh supply.

Nonetheless, here are two great reviews of initial test drives of the RX hybrid. (DetroitNews) and (Motortrend).

Hybrid Car Price Scares

Car prices vary, so one would expect the same regarding hybrid cars, but how much variance should be expected?

Will hybrid vehicles only go to the highest bidder?

I have received several reports from prospective hybrid customers about serious price gouging. For example, a $60,000 Toyota Highlander hybrid, or an $80,000 Lexus RX400h hybrid?

For the record, the Highlander Hybrid does carry about a $4,000-$5,000 price premium over its conventional counterpart, which starts at $24,645, for the base four-cylinder model. So, I would expect the out-the-door prices to come in around the mid-30s, as the Highlander hybrid might be priced more in line with a V6, rather than a V4.

As for the Lexus RX400h hybrid, in reality, the numbers should add up to about $50,000 for the Lexus hybrid.

Ultimately, dealers do have the final say, but adding $20,000 or $30,000 to a vehicle for dealer add-ons is a joke.

I suspect sales pressure. "You don't want to wait for a hybrid, buy today, hybrids are going to be too expensive," you can almost imagine a car salesman saying, especially if the vehicle isn't even going to be on the lot for several months.

Join the Soultek Hybrid Car Club to follow this issue.

Dealer Fees for hybrid cars and SUVs

If you've gone shopping for a hybrid car or SUV, you might have suffered a little sticker shock. Typically, the sticker cost of a hybrid is between $3000 - $5000 more than its conventional version. Yet many hybrids are marked up much more than this with extra dealer fees.

What's up with an extra $5000.00 for a Toyota Prius, or $3000.00 for a Ford Escape Hybrid?

Has anyone paid more, or less?

If you've test driven a Prius, Escape hybrid, Honda Accord hybrid, or Civic hybrid, how much were your dealer's fees?

Add a comment below, or e-mail me at soultek@soultek.com.

Honda and Toyota hybrids in Top 5 Green List

A natural gas Civic won the Top Green Car according to the American Council on an Energy-Efficient Economy.

While the Honda Civic GX wasn't the most fuel-efficient vehicle, it did offer the cleanest tailpipe emissions.

Honda's Insight took second, followed by the Toyota Prius, and the Honda Civic Hybrid.

Ford, often ridiculed by the Council, picked up the 11th spot with the Ford Escape hybrid - a significant improvement for Ford.

Read more at the LATimes.com.

Army investing in hybrid electric vehicles?

During the Detroit auto show, a DetroitNews reporter wrote an article in which he stated that any automotive engineer would tell you that having two motors to accomplish the job of one was a stupid idea. Therefore, he was not a fan of hybrids.

To that I responded, except for Japanese automotive engineers, whom also create the most reliable automobiles in the world.

The fact is using small electric motors for specific functions can be much more efficient than using one motor to do everything.

Now, I have more support.

One of the manufacturers that is developing an advanced propulsion system for Army automobiles recently stated, "The ability of electric motors to deliver higher levels of torque and power in a small package is critical to the success of wheel motors for large military vehicles that are candidates for hybrid electric propulsion", said William G. Rankin, UQM Technologies' President and Chief Executive Officer (Click here for more on this story).

Obviously, the multiple motors in hybrid cars isn't such a stupid idea.

3rd Party Hybrid Investment, Still Hype?

GM exec. Bob Lutz has characterized the story of hybrid cars as mostly hype and slick PR. Toyota, Lutz would have us believe, spent billions of dollars on hybrids - as most of the industry ridiculed them - for PR?

That's quite a risk for an auto-manufacturer almost obsessed with manufacturing efficiency.

One of the biggest reasons Japanese cars have better resale value in the United States compared to American-made vehicles is due to reliability. Ultimately, many analysts believe this difference is caused by one thing, efficiency.

The Japanese simply embrace a manufacturing process built around trying to increase efficiency. They constantly ask, How can we get from point A to point B more efficiently - where cost is not always the deciding factor.

Therefore, the Japanese manufacturing process has become more flexible and adaptable.

Thus, Toyota would not invest in new technologies, such as hybrids, because they were PR motivated, but because they envisioned such technology would be more efficient in the long run.

And as third-party manufacturers and suppliers start investing in hybrids and competing with each other - innovation, increased efficiency, and cheaper prices are sure to follow.

Therefore, this weekend's top news stories are all the more important.

Sanyo's increased NiMH battery production is just the beginning, as the company ramps up for what they see as a burgeoning multi-billion dollar market in just the next couple of years (more on this story).

And Toshiba sees the same forecast for the hybrid market, offering to spend almost $100 million to produce semiconductors for Toyota hybrids in just the next two years to secure a share of the hybrid market (more on this story).

All this PR must be getting really expensive.