Jetta 'mild' hybrid within two years?

The Automotive News has reported that "VW is considering a so-called mild hybrid vehicle. A mild hybrid uses an electric motor to assist a gasoline-powered engine, but the motor alone does not drive the vehicle. The Honda Civic Hybrid is an example."

In the past, Volkswagon has been very bearish regarding hybrids, stating many times that VW was going to invest in clean diesel rather than hybrids. Even though VW is focusing on a 'mild' hybrid system at this time, the move does represent a change in consumer perspective that hybrid cars have brought to the market, forcing automakers to change their views.

Essentially every major automaker has now announced intentions to build some sort of hybrid vehicle, after years of naysaying. Nonetheless, this is good news for consumers.

The state of hybrid vehicle demand

The article Hybrid vehicle demand soars states, "Waiting lists are so long that many customers are paying extra just to move ahead in line. Others are paying full sticker price for a used hybrid -- a practice rarely seen outside the trade of Ferraris and other super sports cars." (DetNews)

In June, Toyota is set to release the Highlander hybrid, but don't expect to buy one anytime soon, unless you are already on the waiting list. By conservative estimates, the next 6 months of vehicles have already been pre-ordered. Toyota's other hybrid SUV, the Lexus RX400h is currently backlogged at 9,000 vehicles.

Can Toyota raise its hybrid production? I don't know, but will it matter? Demand for the Prius hybrid car, even after multiple production increases, still far outweighs supply, and on eBay used ones can sell for more than new ones. According to Fool.com, "In April, Toyota sold more of its hybrid vehicle than Ford's (NYSE: F - News) Mercury division sold of all Mercury-branded vehicles -- combined."

Even the Escape hybrid, which often carries dealer add-on fees as high as $7000.00, is flying off dealer lots. And the Accord hybrid and Civic hybrid set monthly sales records in April.

Americans like technology. Hybrids can go faster than conventionals, while saving gas and significantly reducing pollution. Hybrid vehicles are simply better technology than conventional automobiles.

Is there really any wonder why demand is rising?

GM says No to Toyota hybrid cars

According to AutoWeek, GM has officially put the fork in rumors regarding GM's use of Toyota hybrid technology. It isn't going to happen - at least for now.

"Nobody knows whether hybrid-vehicle demand will remain at 3 percent of new-car demand or go up to 15 percent," Larry Burns, GM's vice president for r&d, told a Japanese reporter last week. "If the market goes up, we have to develop hybrid technology by ourselves."

Hopefully, this is a sign that the hybrid partnership between Chrysler and GM is going well. Still, the first hybrid vehicles to come from this collaboration won't hit the streets until 2008.

No Cheap Way Around Buying a Hybrid Car

I've gone shopping for hybrid cars numerous times, but right now I'm shopping for my wife. And it isn't fun.

My wife is very interested in SUVs and I've had her test drive the Ford Escape hybrid, which she liked very much. Still, in my neck of the woods, the Escape hybrid comes with a $5000 dealer add on, plus additional dealer-added amenities. While my wife isn't afraid to spend money, the dealer add-on fee annoyed her.

I told her that we might do better online, but her interest was already gone. Besides we had agreed that we wanted to keep the vehicle cost under $30,000; otherwise, I wouldn't have had any other choice but to buy the Lexus RX400h - which my wife had already told me was her choice.

"What's next?"

"Either the Civic hybrid or the Prius."

"No. What about the Accord?"

Great. My wife hates it when I talk about technology, so I'm not sure how to approach this.

"The Accord hybrid is a great vehicle, but it's a highway hybrid. We drive in the city, in stop-and-go traffic. The Prius is the best vehicle for those conditions, followed by the Civic." (Read More)

The GM FastLane Blog is a Blogging Contradiction

I've read several articles applauding the FastLane Blog of GM, especially one by BusinessWeek. So, two days ago I read an entry posted by Bob Lutz bragging about GM's success in some customer satisfaction surveys and made a response (more on this).

Anyway, I think I wrote a very honest post, yet 48 hours later, it is still not on the GM blog. Isn't that some kind of blog contradiction? Why blog if you are not going to post in real time?

I'd suggest for everyone to check out their LAME review policy, but they don't deserve the traffic! (And what is BusinessWeek's connection to GM?)

States pushing hybrid vehicles, Chrysler hybrid update

"More than a dozen states and several cities are encouraging drivers to buy fuel-efficient hybrid cars by offering tax breaks, free parking and the use of HOV lanes reserved for car poolers," according to a new USAToday article. The motive? To help clean the air in these cities.

Of course, not every hybrid buyer cares about the air. In fact some buyers in Virginia started buying hybrids to shave time off their commutes because they could drive in the car pool lane. Unfortunately, this has lead to congested car pool lanes in places like Virginia, where residents purchased every available Toyota Prius and Honda Civic hybrid.

The big move in fuel efficiency and gas prices hasn't gone unnoticed. Chrysler has announced that its hybrid powertrain will be ready for production in late 2007. "Thereafter, starting in 2008, a lot more applications. We have been pretty quiet about which vehicles," noted Chrysler COO Tom LaSorda recently (Autoweek).

Hybrids versus Fuel Cell Vehicles

Are hybrid vehicles just an interim technology? Are fuel cells over-rated? Why does GM act like hybrids are an annoyance in the way of fuel cell vehicles? Why is it cheaper for America to be dependent upon foreign energy when the technology to end such dependence exists today? (More)

Foreign-oil dependency rising: Buy a hybrid or other fuel efficient vehicle

"U.S. dependence on foreign crude will keep growing despite efforts to spur domestic production, as demand in the world's largest energy consumer outpaces output, industry and government experts said Tuesday," according to Reuters.

"Absolutely, a greater emphasis on conservation, particularly auto fuel efficiency, is really the largest untapped source of barrels," said said Tim Evans, senior energy analyst at IFR Energy Services. "We're unlikely to boost domestic output a million bpd..., but it would not be that hard to save a million bpd," noted Evans when discussing the fact the foreign oil inputs have risen 1.5 million bpd in just 2 years.

Hybrid cars and other fuel efficient vehicles help today. Gas prices are only going to go higher into the future, which is going to make the additional costs of hybrid technology a better investment year after year.

Re: "And Another Survey Says ..." by GM's Bob Lutz

I checked out GM's FastLane Blog and commented on the entry "And Another Survey Says..", to which I say big deal.

----------------------------------

Nice blog.

I don't really care what these surveys say and only current GM supporters will be influenced by them.

While I might still be a fringe perspective, quality fuel efficiency is my most important criteria when judging a vehicle (I don’t mean an econo-box).

If GM had a vehicle to compete with the Prius you'd have your biggest advocate. And it isn’t just me. Survey after survey has shown that the far majority of Toyota customers are interested in purchasing a hybrid. This is a bigger issue than just the perception of quality and reliability.

Many GM supporters claim buying American cars is economically important for America. I agree, but America's dependency on foreign oil is equally as important - the greatest threat to America's National Security according to growing numbers of CIA and NSA officials and ex-Directors.

An American-made hybrid car to rival the Prius, a freedom fighter, is where I want to invest my money. The H2 will never be a freedom fighter, even if it makes GM a stronger company.

Until then GM is just talking and survey after survey won’t change my opinion about that.

Autobytel's hybrid car comparison

I was just reading Autobytel's hybrid car comparison - which is not very good. "Both of these new cars from Ford and Honda offer benefits beyond the considerable charms of the Prius. There’s more room. And more power, along with a more traditional style, all of it in the same price neighborhood."

What a misleading statement.

Let's start with more room. Go sit in the front seat of the Toyota Prius and put the seat all the way back. Then sit in the back seat. In my test, the Prius offered as much or more leg-room than both the Escape hybrid, or the Accord hybrid. Moreover, the hatchback style of the Prius offers more cargo room than the Accord hybrid, then there is the beautifully designed double glovebox. The Escape hybrid doesn't offer more passenger room than either the hybrid Accord or the Prius, but it does offer more cargo space.

In terms of power the Accord hybrid dominates, but this vehicle is a highway hybrid. In city driving, the Accord hybrid offers few incentives beyond a standard Accord, and is far less efficient than either the Escape hybrid or Prius. In fact the Prius blows both the Accord and Escape hybrids away in real world fuel efficiency.

In my hybrid car buyers guide, I note that your driving habits and needs are critical when choosing a hybrid.

In terms of price, Autobytel is also misleading. Today, I can pick up a loaded Prius with a beautiful navigation system and keyless entry for under $27,000. An Accord hybrid would cost almost $32,000. O.K. that is close, but in terms of hybrid technology, the Prius offers much more for the buck - for MOST drivers. An Escape hybrid would cost more than $37,000 because of dealer add-ons in my neighborhood.

The market for hybrid vehicles is more diverse and complicated than Autobytel's simplistic and unrealistic view. More on hybrid cars.

Hybrid cars: The costs of being an early adopter

When I worked in the software industry, the next release was always more important than the current version. Every day users would inquire as to when the next, better version was going to be released. Ironically, the next, better version always had "bugs" and the first power users, the company's early adopters, always found them. That IS the software industry.

As automobiles become more technologically advanced, they begin to rely more and more on computers. While all vehicles use multiple computers, hybrid cars have raised the bar significantly higher. In fact, recently, the Toyota Prius hybrid car needed a software upgrade to fix a few lines of buggy code.

Suddenly, the automotive world sounds just like the software world. Perhaps soon such upgrades will simply require the Prius, and other hybrids, to connect to the Internet to download future software updates.

Anyway, most early adopters are very happy being early adopters. Ultimately, bugs can be fixed, or at least a "work around" can be created, and the new features continually and regularly justify the risk.

Hybrids such as the Prius and the Honda Civic hybrid are already multi-generational and have proven themselves reliable. Yes, hybrid batteries are still an issue, and until hybrid battery supply significantly improves, the battery issue is a legitimate concern.

Nonetheless, the majority of hybrid car owners have ranked their vehicles very high in customer satisfaction.

More important, early adopters of hybrid technology are using their power as consumers to influence - dare I say mandate - change. Such a purchase is a vote for reduced foreign-oil dependency and a cleaner world. It's either that, or the same old thing - rich oil companies, dirty environment, and War in the Middle East.

While early adopters are taking some risk purchasing a hybrid car, they are also leading the charge for change in the automotive industry and it isn't easy to put a price on that.

Porsche Cayenne coming in 2008

According to Reuters, Porsche is moving forward with plans to convert the Cayenne to a Cayenne hybrid vehicle by the end of 2008. By mid-September, Porsche hopes to finalize a partnership with either Toyota, DaimlerChrysler, or Volkswagon. Early indications hint at a Volkswagon partnership, which would probably make the Porsche Cayenne a diesel-electric hybrid, rather than a gasoline electric hybrid. Such a move; however, seems somewhat risky. I mean, where are the Volkswagon hybrids?

Gas-guzzling rules!

Across the world Muslims are burning the flag and chanting "Bomb New York" (see story).

Isn't the root of this hate grounded in oil?

USA Today promotes hybrid ignorance

I've said it before, and I'll obviously say it again. Anyone who compares hybrids to non-hybrids and also mentions EPA estimates - only on hybrids - is ignorant. MOST VEHICLES DO NOT ACHIEVE EPA ESTIMATES! In fact some SUVs and other cars achieve 30% less than the EPA estimates. That is why the government is seeking to change the way EPA estimates are determined because gas-guzzlers are guzzling much more gas than the EPA has estimated.

Costs. If you live in the city, the article claims you can make up the difference for hybrid technology in just 4 years. So, after 4 years your investment is making money? Ohhhh, how terrible.

Gas guzzlers have resulted in terrorism against the U.S., countless wars and death in the Middle East, gross pollution, and dangerous highways, but the costs of hybrid cars are too high? Please.

Complete USAToday article.

Is Wall Street Wrong on Fuel Cells?

Is Wall Street wrong on fuel cells? That's what Ballard Power Systems, CEO Dennis Campbell, recently told Autoweek. "Wall Street has very short vision. All the fuel cell stocks have been hammered. I can't explain it."

Still, even under the best, best, best case scenario, fuel cell cars are at least a decade away from reality. At that point they will still be very expensive, and fueling stations could still be a major issue. Even if Ballard does perfect a fuel cell stack, integrating them into automobiles is another important obstacle and demonstrates the vast upside of some hybrid vehicles.

Toyota hybrid vehicles, such as the Highlander hybrid and the Prius, have only begun to achieve their potential. Both these vehicles serve as platforms for gasoline-electric hybrids, but more important, they serve as the platform for fuel cell vehicles as well.

Hybrid vehicles can help make fuel cell vehicles a reality much faster, and they can help us deal with today's oil-dependency problem, today. Can America really afford to wait another decade or two before taking action?

Senate: No Interest in Fuel Economy, maybe hybrids

The Senate will not touch fuel economy standards for trucks and SUVs. The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee voted 7-15 to defeat an amendment offered by Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., that would have raised the fuel economy requirements of sport utility vehicles and light trucks to 27.5 miles a gallon by 2011 (MotorTrend)

Currently, the standard is 21 mpg. Of course this is via the EPA, which means that in real world driving, most SUVs and trucks are achieving far less than EPA standards.

Hybrid critics consistently mention the fact that hybrid cars don't meet EPA estimates. Yet, according to studies most vehicles fall far short of EPA estimates, by as much as 30%. In stop-and-go traffic, hybrids such as the Prius or Escape hybrid, actually come very close to EPA estimates. Most trucks and SUVs, on the other hand, don't come close to their EPA estimates, and in terms of pollution, these vehicles are gross-polluters in such conditions.

Nonetheless, the Senate has stated that it won't touch fuel economy. Still, it is leaning towards tax credits for hybrids and other clean technologies.

The calm before the oil storm?

Oil prices are down a bit and reserves are stable. Gas prices have even gone down a few pennies. Perhaps the benefits of hybrid vehicles aren't so beneficial? Or is this just the calm before the storm? Scientists say that this year will be a strong hurricane season, as will be the next few years. This could have a huge impact on oil refinery capacity. Additionally, demand is predicted to rise much higher in the U.S. and throughout the world every year. One good terrorist act, or just one good hurricane, could easily make things very ugly. Yet, gas guzzling SUVs and sports cars are the best America can do?

Weekend hybrid car shopping notes

I did some hybrid car shopping this weekend in Southern California, and I was a little surprised. The hybrid market is getting even hotter. While that doesn't surprise me when it comes to the Toyota Prius, it does a little with the Ford Escape hybrid. At times, some dealers have told me that they've had difficulty selling the hybrid Escape, but not right now, they're smoking. Since dealer add-on fees add more than $5000.00 to the MSRP, that's a bit surprising. At Honda I was able to find a good selection of both Civic hybrids and, particularly, Accord hybrids.

Toyota will make the Camry hybrid in Kentucky

Toyota announced today that the Camry hybrid will be built at its Georgetown, Kentucky plant. The plant will be able to produce 48,000 hybrid Camrys per year starting in late 2006. Further details to be released at a later time.

Prius software problems

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration has logged 13 reports of engine shutdowns on the Toyota Prius. According to reports, at highway speeds the engine either shut down or stalled, but there have been no reports of accident, damage, injury or death. There was a "programming error" found in the computer systems of 23,900 Prius cars sold that required a service notice recently, but it is unknown whether the "error", driver error, or some other issue is the problem. At this time, the NHTSA is monitoring the situation, but it is not filing any formal investigation. (CNNMoney)

GM and Toyota partnership good for both

As GM and Toyota meet this weekend, I'm very excited that something special could happen in Japan. In the last couple of weeks Toyota has considered raising prices on its vehicles to 'help' GM. Really the "Japanese rival is worried about doing too well and sparking a protectionist backlash in the United States," according to a great DetroitNews article. In an odd way, Toyota needs GM as much GM needs Toyota. GM needs a jump start into new products, and earlier this week I wrote that GM and Toyota fuel cell talks have to include hybrid vehicles (read article). Sure GM would have to pay a licensing fee to Toyota for its hybrid technology, but GM could gain some momentum, today, rather than 5 - 10 years from now. Ultimately, Toyota needs GM to stay healthy so that the American economy stays healthy. Without America, even mighty Toyota could falter.

Fuel your Prius and other hybrid vehicles from home

"EDrive Systems LLC, a consortium of vehicle technology companies, has developed technology that enables hybrid vehicles to be plugged in and charged by a conventional three-prong, 110 V home electrical outlet." According to an article by MotorTrend, the technology has been demonstrated with the Toyota Prius and, after installation the EDrive "uses one-half to one-third the gasoline used by a conventional hybrid." (MotorTrend)

More on plug-in hybrid cars.

Help make hybrid cars more affordable

As of today, the $2000.00 tax credit for hybrid vehicles is going to be reduced to $500.00 next year, and phased out completely the following year. Instead, taxpayers are going to give billions to oil companies.

If you would be willing to add your name to a letter to your Senator demanding the continuation of tax credits for hybrids, send an an e-mail to soultek@soultek.com. Please note your state of residence. The Hybrid Car Blog is the blog of Soultek.com. Your privacy will always be respected and never shared without your explicit consent. Or, join the Hybrid Car Club and add "Tell my Senator" in the notes.

23 Billion reasons to buy a hybrid car

Hybrid vehicles can change the world today.

The only question, today, is cost-effectiveness. So, we're supposed to wait until fuel cells, we're told by the American auto establishment?

How cost-effective are fuel cells?

Instead of giving billions to the oil industry with the Energy Bill, perhaps Congress should give it to GM to produce some hybrid vehicle "Freedom Fighter" fleets. Buy this hybrid car, end foreign oil dependency, make America stronger.

Instead we're asking filthy rich oil barons to solve our problems, until fuel cells?

Who does Congress represent? American automakers invested far too much of their future into SUVs because Congress made it profitable for them to do so - at the expense of America's national security.

While I believe in laissez-faire economics, foreign-oil dependency has led to two wars in Iraq, terrorism against the United States, and life-shortening pollution.

I'd say its quite clear that gas-guzzling products have put America's peace and property rights at risk, without question. America's transportation habits have significantly increased America's dependence upon foreign oil, while exposing Americans to significant physical and economic risk.

When Congress gives billions to the oil industry, an industry that saw $23 billion in profits in just the first 3 months of this year, to help, that's 23 billion reasons for me to demand nothing less than hybrid car efficiency now.

More on hybrid cars.

Toyota and GM talks: Hybrids, fuel cells, or both?

When the Asian Wall Street Journal speculated that GM and Toyota might discuss sharing hybrid technology, GM went out of its way to quash such thinking. The meeting to discuss fuel cell technology was set over a year ago, GM immediately shot back while reaffirming its hybrid partnership with DaimlerChrysler. Still, Toyota has stated that its fuel cell vehicles will be hybrid vehicles. Toyota hybrids, such as the Prius, Highlander hybrid, and the Lexus RX400h hybrid are simply the beginning of a technological bridge to affordable fuel cells. Thus, isn't a meeting that involves Toyota fuel cells also a meeting about hybrids?

$8,000 for the diesel option on Chryslers?

"While hybrid technology continues to excite consumers, changes are afoot that could rapidly increase the importance of diesel engines. Right now, DaimlerChrysler is charging $8,000 for the diesel option" on Jeep Liberty's diesel. Wow and hybrid vehicles are expensive? (Fool via Yahoo)

Hybrid cars, don't be afraid to check online

Yes, the Toyota Prius does sell above cost on the Internet, but how many Prius buyers purchase their hybrid cars at MSRP? At cost sales are hard to find on hybrids like the Prius or the Ford Escape hybrid. Dealer fees have become part of the equation, often adding $3000 - $5000 to the price of hybrid vehicles. Make sure to check online for private sales, and dealer sales. Dealers are some of the biggest hybrid sellers on eBay, and in some cases, you can cut a deal.

More on buying hybrid cars online.

Toyota Corolla hybrid?

A CNNMoney article discussing the expansion of Toyota's manufacturing in North America, noted that a hybrid Corolla might be built in the U.S..

"Toyota is also considering producing the Prius or a hybrid version of the Corolla sedan at a plant in Fremont, California, known as New United Motor Manufacturing Inc., Toyota's joint venture with GM."

Soon Toyota will be producing several hybrid vehicles in North America. In addition to the Prius and Corolla hybrid, Toyota recently announced that it was going to start producing Camry hybrids at its Kentucky plant.

Lexus qualifies for hybrid vehicle tax credit

The just released Lexus RX400h hybrid SUV qualifies for the clean burning fuel reduction, often called the hybrid vehicle tax credit. This should also indicate that the Toyota Highlander hybrid will also qualify for the one time $2000.00 tax credit.

More hybrid cars.

Traffic getting worse - Another reason hybrids rule!

"Gridlock is getting worse. Congestion delayed travelers 79 million more hours and wasted 69 million more gallons of fuel in 2003 than in 2002, the Texas Transportation Institute's 2005 Urban Mobility Report found." (AP Via Yahoo)

Traffic and Terrorism

Conventional gasoline engine vehicles achieve their worse fuel efficiency and cause the most pollution in traffic, and traffic is only going to get worse across the U.S. - requiring more foreign oil and further contributing to terrorism.

Most hybrid cars, on the other hand, achieve their best fuel efficiency and pollute the least in these conditions. In such conditions, hybrids might not just meet EPA estimates, but surpass them. In traffic hybrids save a significant amount of fuel, rather than wasting 69 million gallons.

On the other hand, conventional vehicles, even econoboxes, do not come close to their EPA estimates in traffic, and for SUVs, it only gets worse. The scandal of the EPA isn't hybrid fuel efficiency, it's the inefficiency of gas-guzzlers that is hidden by EPA numbers.

Of course not all hybrids are as efficient in congestion. Honda's Accord hybrid, as well as the Civic hybrid, do not rely as much on their electric motors, forcing the Honda vehicles to use more gasoline.

In stop-and-go traffic, Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive rules - especially with SUVs, the Ford Escape hybrid, Toyota Highlander hybrid, and Lexus RX400h each perform their best in the worst driving conditions of conventional vehicles. Hybrid technology is simply far more advanced than just a gasoline or diesel engine technology.

I know change is scary, but it's the only certain thing in life.

Hybrid shopping: Resale value of Prius slowing

The Toyota Prius is a hot vehicle. Used ones sell still sell for more than new ones because some people simply can't wait to get their hands on a new one. 

In the past, used Prii could easily fetch $1000-$3000 above sale price and wait times for a new Prius easily stretched as long as 6 months. 

Ultimately this lead to several increases in Toyota's hybrid production, which now stands at 100,000 units for this year. Consequently, average wait times have dropped closer to 2 months. 

This increase in supply has decreased the profitability of Prius flipping - good news for buyers.(DetroitNews)

More on hybrid car buying.

Hybrid car ignorance on MSNMoney

The costly secrets of hybrid cars, a new article on MSNMoney, opens with the Sierra and Silverado hybrids and questions the fuel efficiency of hybrid vehicles.

Excuse me? Anybody whom starts an article about hybrids with the Sierra or the Silverado already demonstrates either their ignorance or bias of hybrid cars. Neither the Sierra or Silverado are full hybrids. In fact, in my book, they don't even count as hybrids.

Strike one.

Then the author discusses gas mileage and how long it is going to take to make up hybrid costs. Not until several paragraphs later is the hybrid car tax credit mentioned - probably because neither the Sierra or the Silverado hybrids qualify. Additionally, new tax credits might make hybrids even cheaper, but that also isn't mentioned.

Strike two.

Finally, the EPA numbers. "Then there's the issue of whether these cars actually get the mileage they claim."

THEY DON'T CLAIM IT. EPA numbers are determined by the government. The inaccuracy of the EPA numbers affects ALL vehicles. So, you can't compare the real world mileage of a Toyota Prius with the EPA numbers of a standard Civic or Tahoe. It's either real versus real, or EPA versus EPA. The reality is, that big SUV of yours doesn't achieve 16 mpg, more like 11, so I'll take the 50 mpg Prius.

More important, one would think every Prius owner hates their auto, yet 94% of owners would buy another one. How many SUVs have that kind of buyer loyalty?

Strike three.

Why are there so many questions regarding hybrid cars? Hybrids recover their 'extra' costs in 6 - 8 years. The average life of an automobile is longer than that, so the technology not only pays for itself, it reduces the cost of the vehicle over the long term. That's called an investment.

For a decade or two many auto manufacturers created SUVs with $10 - 15,000 profit margins. Yet, these vehicle account for a significant percentage of all accidents and all automobile-crash related deaths. Now that's value!

More important, how much does gas really cost? How much is the life of a soldier dying in the Middle East worth? How much does the dirty air that is causing health problems to millions of people cost? Why are past CIA directors and the Pentagon so worried about foreign-oil dependency? Why did the top 4 oil companies profit more than 20 billion in the first 3 months of the year?

If one looks at the state of the real world, one realizes that the problem is not the cost of hybrid cars, rather it's the cost of gas guzzling vehicles and American ignorance that is the real cost.

Demand nothing less than hybrid vehicle efficiency. The costs of hybrids, in the long run, are much less than the gas-guzzling, terrorist supporting, planet-killing costs of huge SUVs.

GM and Toyota partner for hybrids?

Multiple reports are coming out indicating a possible partnership between Toyota and GM for hybrid cars. According to Reuters "details of the discussions, which would enable the companies to offer a wider range of gasoline-electric hybrid vehicles sooner than if they worked on their own, remained sketchy."

According to the AP, GM is denying the reports. "There is no truth to that whatsoever," Scott Fosgard, GM's spokesman for advanced technology, told The Associated Press on Sunday (AP).

Already the red hot technology behind the Toyota Prius is being utilized by the Ford Escape hybrid, and will also be utilized by the Nissan Altima hybrid.

GM has stated its interest in hybrid SUVs, so such a partnership might make sense. In addition to the Escape hybrid, Toyota recently launched the Lexus RX400h and the Toyota Highlander hybrid will be released next month.

How long can GM possibly afford to wait?

Hybrid car buyer's guide: Which hybrid vehicle is best for you?

So you've decided that you want to do something to reduce foreign oil-dependency, or to help the environment. Maybe you're just a technology buff and you believe that hybrid cars are a bridge to fuel cells. The point is, you have your reasons for buying a hybrid, but not all hybrids address those issues equally.

So, why do you want a hybrid?

If you want to use as little gas as possible, then the Toyota Prius or Honda Civic hybrid are best. These hybrid vehicles look very different and feel very different. Additionally, leases are available for Civic hybrids, but not for the Prius. Both hybrids are in the same price range, but the Prius is a bit of a better performer.

Perhaps a car just isn't an option. You need an SUV. Fortunately for you, the hybrid SUV segment offers the most choices. You won't save nearly as much gas as with the Prius or Civic hybrid, but the Ford Escape hybrid is the most fuel efficient hybrid SUV. This June, the Toyota Highlander hybrid will come to market, offering slightly less fuel efficiency than the Escape, but more seating and more power.

For a large family, the Highlander hybrid is probably the best choice because it will seat up to seven.

The Lexus RX400h hybrid SUV is the least efficient of the SUV bunch, but by far the most powerful, as well as the most luxurious. This luxury hybrid is faster than its conventional cousin, significantly more fuel efficient, and emits far less pollution. Of course this performance has costs and the hybrid Lexus is priced over $10,000 more than a standard RX330.

The Honda Accord hybrid is a different breed of hybrid, but it is best of breed when it comes to Accords. Just as the RX400h, the Accord hybrid is faster, more powerful, and significantly more fuel efficient than its conventional cousin. In urban, stop-and-go traffic, the hybrid Accord is the least efficient of all the hybrids. This hybrid is a highway vehicle.

Each one of these hybrids is a good investment in the future. On average, with tax credits and 6 years of driving you'll recover your hybrid costs, and you'll have helped make the world a better place.

Can you really put a price on that?

Is there a conspiracy between big oil's 23 billion in profits and Bush?

"My last thought goes to this...Isn't it weird that it took about 100 years for gas prices to get to about $1.25 a gallon, but in just the short five years of Bush's presidency, it's already doubled? And a lot of this guy's chums are oil mogules? Coincidence?" What about the Congress that didn't add tax credits for hybrids, or raise fuel efficiency standards? (More)

Plug-in hybrid? Where are the batteries going to come from?

I love plug-in hybrids. Not only could they end foreign oil dependence and significantly clean the environment, but they could also spark a revolution in energy, helping create a distributed energy platform across America via home solar and wind systems, etc.

Still, there is a hybrid car battery shortage. Does this make plug-in hybrids obsolete? (More)

Hydraulic diesel hybrid coming to your city?

UPS, Eaton, International Truck and Engine and the US Army National Automotive Center are partnering to create "a full hydraulic hybrid urban delivery vehicle" this "is anticipated to achieve 90 per cent reduction in NOx emissions to meet the 2010 diesel emission standards, 60-70 per cent better fuel economy and fast payback for the cost of the technology".

The technology powering hybrid cars is just emerging, and hybrid technology seems destined to provide a nice bridge to fuel cells.

Hybrids "interim strategy or a bridge to fuel cells"?

"Hybrids are a brilliant engineering feat," said Campbell, who said that he drives a Ford Escape hybrid. "But it is only an interim strategy or a bridge to fuel cells. This is the greatest revolution in the history of automotive design." Ballard Power Systems CEO Dennis Campbell spoke those words while noting the fuel cell cars would probably start emerging in Japan by 2010. (MotorTrend)

Hybrid car buzz on CNBC

I just finished watching Morning Roll Call on CNBC, where the downgrade of GM and Ford to junk bond status was the talk. The whole conversation revolved around hybrid cars and the hot-selling Toyota Prius. The hybrid buzz, as the naysayers call it, just keeps sizzling.

"The United States needs a radical change in energy policy"

"It's one of the great failures of American politics and policy that we are so dependent on oil from one of the most corrupt and unstable areas of the world. The world's in crisis and the US is doing nothing to limit our dependence and extraordinary vulnerability," says former US Sen. Timothy Wirth, now president of the UN United Nations Foundation. (CSM via Yahoo)

Hybrid Cars: Demand nothing less than hybrid efficiency!

Plug-in hybrids and electricity emissions

I think plug-in hybrids are one of the best concepts floating around in the automotive world. Add some extra battery power to your Toyota Prius or Ford Escape hybrid, and a plug. Charge your batteries over night and most people will be able to go to work and back without using hardly any gasoline. Many have liked this idea, but questioned the gain in emissions since electricity is made with coal. Recent studies; however, by both the Electric Power Research Institute and the California Air Resources Board demonstrate that plug-in hybrids would drop total energy use per car by 45%, while reducing pollution and carbon dioxide emissions by 50% - after accounting for the additional electricity required to power the hybrid vehicles.

Electric car speed test and hybrids

A British team will try to top 245 mph in an electric car today, the current record for an electric car weighing more than 2,200 pounds. Early tests indicate the car might top 300 mph. (AP)

There are a lot of things to like about electric cars, and the possibility of cheap electric cars isn't far off. Hybrid cars, just as electric cars, will benefit greatly from battery development. For now hybrid cars are an easier sell to more consumers, and hybrid car success will lead to electric car success as well. Moreover, it might just turn out that hybrid car innovations lead to much better electric vehicles.

Sadly, the very real potential of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles calls into question America's 'Fuel-cell or Bust' attitude regarding the automotive future.

GM just needs to innovate

Is Kirk Kerkorian's move for $28 million in GM shares, "Just what GM needs Needs"? That's the headline of BusinessWeekOnline this morning. Obviously, GM has some serious financial issues that Kerkorian's move could help shake out, such as Union concessions, selling off its financial arm, or closing a few factories.

Still, I say poppycock. GM needs to do just one thing, innovate.

Just 10 years ago, most hadn't heard of the Internet, and E-mail was used only by geeks. Technology is advancing beyond comprehension, and as Mr. Bill Gates has recently advocated, technology can change the auto industry.

Hybrid cars are the greatest real-world automotive innovation in decades and the electric portion of these vehicles utilize the kind of technology that is going to advance rapidly in the next decade. Toyota believes hybrids such as its, Toyota Prius and Highlander hybrid will evolve into fuel cells.

To discount hybrids is to discount Toyota and the financials speak for themselves on that one.

Hyundai hybrids, something to this story?

There is something about this Hyundai hybrid story that I just can't shake. Over the last decade I've know several Hyundai owners. For the money, the say they love their vehicles.

Now Hyundai is preparing to sell hybrid vehicles in the U.S. built on proprietary technology. Unlike the Ford Escape hybrid, or the Nissan Altima hybrid, which use or will use Toyota hybrid technology, Hyundai will use its own technology, joining Honda as the only other hybrid players.

If the Accent hybrid is able to achieve Prius efficiency for $15,000, in addition to a 10 year warranty, it'll have fantastic potential in America.

AutoWeek Smut!

When the Toyota Highlander hybrid graced the cover of AutoWeek.com last week, it didn't stay long in the top position, and, of course, criticisms took center stage of even the byline caption. Efficiency is a non-issue for AutoWeek, only horsepower - that you can't really even use - is worth paying extra. For example today's headline, "When you see this new face on the 2006 Ford Explorer this fall, remember to look behind the grille for what’s really important: a new, higher-output 4.6-liter V8."

Actually, what is really important is the fact that oil dependence caused by vehicles like the Explorer is causing significant problems for America. We're fighting a war based on oil, gas-guzzling SUV sales are down, and isn't the new Ford Explorer great? Yeah, I bet 2006 Explorer sales are going to really turn it around for Ford this year. What a joke.

Updated 5/12/05
Check out AutoWeek today, A Hummer buggy. As if that vehicle doesn't have issues, but I bet it draws good advertising money. So easy to find faults with hybrids, but even the most faulted 'American' cars are postively portrayed.

Will the Camry hybrid lead to cheaper hybrids?

Soon Toyota will make the popular Prius hybrid car in the United States, but it might not be the first Toyota hybrid produced in America. Instead, the Camry hybrid might take that honor when Toyota's Erlanger, Kentucky plant begins to produce Toyota's next hybrid in 2006.

"Consumers would win. Any time you localize a vehicle, you're better able to respond to consumer demand," says Daniel Sieger, spokesman for Toyota Motor Manufacturing North America.(USAToday)

When both the Prius and the Camry hybrids are produced in the U.S., not only should hybrid supplies increase, but prices should also drop as the supply chain is simplified. Since the Camry, the Highlander hybrid, and the Lexus RX400h are very similar in terms of production, one could assume more Toyota hybrids will also be built in the U.S. very soon.

That's good news for fans of hybrid cars.

Toyota Prius triples year-ago monthly totals

Toyota sold 11,345 Prius hybrid cars last month, more than tripling the year-ago tally of 3,684.

"Consumer appetite for hybrid and fuel-efficient vehicles continues unabated," said Jim Press, executive vice president of Toyota Motor Sales USA Inc. (AP)

Clean diesel versus hybrid vehicles

In the short term advanced diesel engines can compete with hybrids in fuel efficiency, but hybrids will still pollute less. Also, putting a diesel into a hybrid powertrain increases the diesel's efficiency by about 20 percent with today's technology. As hybrid battery technology increases; however, hybrids will simply offer too many advantages over both gasoline and diesel engines alone.

Save the $2,000 Hybrid Vehicle Tax credit!

Several people have written e-mails to me expressing outrage with the House of Representatives for not extending the hybrid vehicle tax credit.

The battle isn't over. Even the President is lobbying for these credits to be added to the bill that is before the Senate. There seems to be popular support for these credits.

At this point I'm not sure what anyone can do, other than contact the politicians that are getting paid to represent you. If you would like to send your Senator or Congressperson an e-mail letting them know you support tax credits for hybrid cars, you can find their e-mail address by clicking here.

More on hybrid cars.

Hyundai takes on hybrid vehicles

In the Fortune article, Last Laugh Hyundai is called a "powerhouse" that "is shaking up the world's auto industry."

Why? An "extraordinary improvement in vehicle quality" coupled with low prices are two leading reasons that instead of being a "laughingstock", Hyundai is now, "dictating trends that others must follow."

Even Toyota's Fujio Cho has stated, "It's a company we must watch out for."

So it will be interesting to see what approach Hyundai takes with hybrid cars, but the fact that such an up-and-comer is announcing the quick output of two hybrids in just over a year promises to add an interesting element to the hybrid segment.

The conventional Accent starts at $10,000, so the future pricing of the Accent hybrid is going to be very, very interesting. With such a low base price on the conventional model, the Accent hybrid appears that it will easily be the most economical hybrid available.

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Check this link out to see some of Hyundai's concept cars, such as their fuel cell and hydrogen vehicles. The last concept car on the page is an electric hybrid SUV. Perhaps some of this technology will end up in the Accent hybrid? (More)

Detroit's problem with hybrid cars

I know most people don't hate hybrids, in fact, I'm sure most Americans don't even know such cars exist. That's why it seems so funny that some automotive writers, pundits, and consumers seem to hate hybrids.

John McCormick of the Detroit News writes today in his defense of the Detroit auto industry, "Critics who deride Detroit for missing the boat on hybrid vehicles also miss the point. It's true that certain Japanese automakers have scored a public relations success with their hybrid models, but whether their sales penetration will ever amount to more than a few percent of the market is doubtful, according to respected industry forecasters."

The truth is that there are many respected industry forecasters forecasting a wide-range of scenarios, including predictions of hybrids becoming 30% or more of the market. Everyone knows the future is unpredictable.

Additionally, I don't think any critic believes hybrid cars are THE REASON for Detroit's problems, but an example of the lack of Detroit's technological leadership - decades of declining marketshare predate the spawn of hybrids.

Even GM's Robert Lutz has noted how GM could have taken a small chunk of their advertising budget per year and funded their own hybrids. The sad truth is that GM's R&D investments indicate that GM values marketing more than technology.

In reality, almost every critic has focused on the legacy costs of health care and pension funds as one of the most important problems with Detroit, in addition to an over-dependence upon badge-engineering - the antithesis of technological innovation. Ultimately, it is a known fact that Japan reacts to market conditions much faster than Detroit in production and upgrades.

The only thing that reacts quickly in Detroit is the Union anytime fair concessions are mentioned, or when a Marine with a Bush bumper sticker parks, legally, on a Union lot.

But let's get back to the point.

Recently, Bill Gates told an audience of automotive executives to focus on technology to solve the problems of the automotive world.

Hybrids have pushed automotive technology to another level. Yes, it is very true that other technologies might emerge, but it is also possible that the hybrid powertrain will be the key to fuel cell vehicles - while significantly reducing pollution and foreign-oil dependency TODAY.

Even Mr. McCormick states, "Microsoft founder Bill Gates, in Dearborn last week, was right when he said that technological expertise would be critical to Detroit's future."

While gasoline-electric hybrids might be an interim technology to the automotive future, there is an excellent chance that other hybrid vehicles, such as diesel-electric, hydrogen-electric or fuel cell-electric, might be the hybrids of the future.

Hybrid vehicles are an emergent technology with the potential to make huge gains in efficiency and power compared to gasoline, diesel, or hydrogen engines by themselves.

Sure, hybrid vehicles are a technological gamble, but hybrids are only one battery breakthrough away from instantly making today's gasoline engine technology completely inferior.

That's not that much of gamble, and it is certainly a better gamble and investment than new a line of SUV advertisements.

Laptops and mobile phones were once crude, slow, and offered little battery life. Yet, much of the same technology that is revolutionizing mobile computing and communications, is the same technology that can revolutionize hybrids.

Case in point, the first Toyota Prius does not compare with the current Prius. Huge advancements have already been made in Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive in just the last few years, and the next few years will bring many more advancements. In 10 years it is easy to imagine hybrids twice as efficient and twice as powerful as today's hybrids, at cheaper costs - and that's probably a conservative estimate.

Then again, gas will probably drop back down to $1 per gallon as peace in the Middle East erupts into prosperity for the entire world, and no one ever questions the reign of the SUV again!

More hybrid vehicles.

Hyundai hybrid cars in 2006

Hyundai plans to bring hybrid cars to America a year earlier than originally planned. By late 2006, Hyundai will offer hybrid versions of both the Accent and the Kia Rio.

In stark contrast to GM, for example, Hyundai will not offer large hybrid vehicles because of their "low profitability". GM has maintained that they are not interested in hybrid cars for the same reason and will only focus on large hybrid SUVs and trucks.

I guess that isn't much of a surprise from a company that is ramping up to market a new line of large SUVs during an economic crisis largely caused by gas-guzzling.

Toyota to create hybrid sport cars?

Toyota is considering adding a hybrid powered sports car in the near future, though specifics were not announced. Already Porsche has announced interest in developing a hybrid version of its Cayenne, in partnership with Toyota. (AutomotiveNews)

Toyota Camry hybrids to be built in U.S.

Toyota plans to start building Camry hybrid cars in Kentucky as early as next year according to the AFP. Due to oil prices, Toyota believes that interest in hybrids is going to grow faster than originally expected.

Big Oil Profits $23 billion in 3 months

So, the Energy Bill is going to give billions in incentives to the oil industry to help make oil less profitable?

"I have been following this industry for 18 years and I have never seen anything like this," said Oppenheimer & Co. analyst Fadel Gheit. "It's like they're printing money," stated Gheit when responding to questions about the $23 billion the top 4 big oil companies profited the first 3 months of this year. (DetNews)

How can the Energy Bill be seen as anything but a joke?

The world needs alternatives to oil, not richer oil companies. Yet tax credits for hybrid cars, diesel and other clean energy technologies - the only consumer friendly incentives of the President's proposal - won't even be part of the bill if the Senate doesn't add them to the House's version.