Toyota to launch 2 dedicated hybrids in 2009?

Was the 600 hybrid just a gimmick?

Recently, we learned that Toyota was going to launch a second hybrid-only brand to join the Prius in 2009. According to Reuters, Toyota will also launch a new, dedicated Lexus hybrid as well, giving the automaker 3 dedicated hybrid vehicles.

"Citing Lexus UK Director Steve Settle, the industry journal [Automotive News] said the model was expected to be priced between the 30,000 euro ($40,310) IS sedan and the 51,000 euro ($68,520) RX400h hybrid sport utility vehicle, making it the cheapest hybrid under the Lexus brand, it said."

Honda committed to a dedicated, cheaper than Prius, hybrid

Cheaper and smaller than the Civic hybrid

According to Insideline, Honda's Dan Bonawitz, vice president of corporate planning and logistics for American Honda Motor Co. Inc., has confirmed that Honda will produce a smaller, dedicated hybrid vehicle.

The new hybrid-only brand, according to Dan Bonawitz, will be both smaller and cheaper than the Civic hybrid, as well as the Toyota Prius hybrid. Still, even though the new Honda hybrid will be smaller than the Civic, it will still be a family car.

Well, it appears Honda gets the importance of unique hybrid vehicles. Will other automakers?

How about a Toyota FSC-like hybrid-only brand?

Does a hybrid crossover make sense?

So, you like the Toyota Prius, and it works, in theory, for your family of 4. Nonetheless, it seems like your brother's two kids spend almost as much time with your family, as with his. Thus, ultimately, the Prius just doesn't accommodate the needs of your extended family.

Well, what if Toyota offered another hybrid-only brand, as unique as the Prius, but a little larger, with a slick foldaway third row of seating?

We know Toyota is almost certainly going to launch a new hybrid-only brand that is probably going to be larger than the Prius. Wouldn't such a hybrid crossover be the perfect vehicle? It wouldn't really adversely affect Camry hybrid sales, Prius sales, or Highlander hybrid sales.

I'd buy it.

American hybrids: SUVs versus Cars, Part 3.333

Where is an American-made Prius fighter?

I've made no bones about it. I'm a car fan, especially a hybrid car fan. That doesn't mean I hate SUVs, but I'm not a fan, especially of large SUVs when not functionally needed. Nonetheless, I agree that hybrid SUVs are a good step forward for Detroit.

The other day I addressed many of these issues in "Where is my American-made hybrid".

Today, I was again thinking about American-made hybrid SUVs versus hybrid cars, and here's another stab at why I think hybrid cars are as important, if not more important, than hybrid SUVs.

First, I'm not aware of one single mass-produced vehicle made by the American Big 3 that - if all Americans drove them - provide the kind of fuel efficiency that could end foreign oil dependency. The Toyota Prius, on the other hand, is very close to this capability.

To me, that's a huge problem. More important, it underscores the absolute need for more fuel efficient vehicles of all sizes. If America wants to end foreign oil dependency, we can't do this fast enough.

Second, just as there are many SUV fans, there are many car fans, and Detroit has ignored these consumers, to a large extent, for decades. Thus, for American automakers to be more successful in the U.S. market - via increased marketshare - hybrid cars, not SUVs, I believe, are more important.

Cadillac going hybrid in 2009?

Not the only hybrid Cadillac?

Sometime in 2008 the 2009 Cadillac Escalade hybrid will make its debut on dealer lots. But will it debut alone?

"Pretty much every program I am looking at going forward has got a hybrid as part of it," John Howell, Cadillac's product chief, said.

As gas prices have risen, Cadillac sales have declined. Answer: hybrid vehicles.

Karl on Cars slams Saturn Aura hybrid

An exercise in marketing?

Back in March I called another journalist's Saturn Aura hybrid versus Toyota Prius comparison, nonsense. Even though it wasn't my comparison, some suggested I should compare the Toyota Camry hybrid to the Aura hybrid.

Why? It's still nonsense, but then again, I have hybrid a bias.

Karl on Cars recently tested the Camry hybrid, the Aura hybrid, and the Nissan Altima hybrid and stated, "the Aura got about 19 mpg, or about half what the Altima and Camry hybrids recorded. It was also slower than the other two cars, and our test car had a nasty high-pitched rattle coming out of the center stack area above 4,000 rpm. The upside would be that it costs less than the Altima or Camry Hybrids and the trunk isn't negatively impacted by its "hybrid" technology (though the Camry Hybrid's trunk is plenty large, too)."

Yet, Karl, whom isn't the biggest fan of hybrid vehicles, didn't stop there.

"The real tragedy here is that this car, like the last Accord Hybrid and the current LS 600h, is yet another example of the technology being used for marketing purposes rather than truly saving gas or cutting our dependence on foreign oil or reducing CO2 emissions or any of those other things that we're supposed to feel good about when buying a hybrid."

Now, my critics claim I'm paid off by Toyota, is Karl?

If Detroit wins the CAFE battle, does America lose the war?

Can America survive a couple more decades of foreign oil dependency?

So, the Senate has already watered down their original CAFE plan, and more diluting should be expected in the House, as Detroit-influenced lobbyists storm the halls of Congress. When all is said and done, you'll probably be able to drive a fleet of Hummers through the CAFE loopholes.

Obviously, Detroit has no choice. When around 70 percent of your business comes from selling the most fuel-inefficient vehicles, the phrase 'fuel economy' becomes fighting words. Besides, isn't Detroit just trying to protect American jobs and an important part of America's economy?

Yet, are those jobs more important than National Security? When a line can be drawn from the first Persian Gulf War to Bin Laden to 9/11 to Afghanistan back to Iraq because of foreign oil dependency, isn't it time to start asking serious questions and to take serious actions?

Nissan continues push into lithium

Lithium-powered as soon as possible?

Nissan is pushing hard to develop new, lighter lithium-ion batteries for the production of hybrid cars and electric vehicles.

"We continue on the lithium ion battery. We think for us it's a competitive advantage," he told reporters during a press conference in Bangkok. "We have a lot of technology is this area, and we think this is going to be very helpful, not only for hybrids but also for electric cars."

(Source: DetroitNews)

How a $3000.00 Indian car could destroy America?

What if Tata sold a couple hundred million cars in India?

If you've been following the automotive news lately, then you've been hearing a lot about Nissan's quest to build a "people's car", a $3,000.00 automobile for India's growing, aspiring middle class. While emerging markets, especially Indian and China, appear to a large extent to be the future for automakers, can the world survive this future?

"India just can't cope with this kind of pace of expansion," said Anumita Roychowdhury, associate director at the New Delhi-based Centre for Science and Environment.

"It's just not sustainable, whether from an environmental point of view or in terms of congestion." (more)

India? What about America?

What if by 2020, America is even more dependent upon foreign oil, as are an additional 50 million Indians and Chinese? How about 100 million more? How about coupling this with ever-increasing tensions in the Persian Gulf, Venezuela and Nigeria. What will the cost of foreign oil dependency be then?

Speculating on Toyota's new hybrid & hybrid plans

Toyota's next hybrid-only vehicle?

So, by 2009 Toyota plans to begin selling another hybrid-only brand. Will it be completely unique? Will it be a Prius derivative, such as a larger Prius or a smaller city Prius, as Toyota has previously discussed? Maybe it will be something even far more interesting, such as the FT-HS hybrid concept?

O.K., Toyota's new hybrid will not be the FT-HS, as Toyota has already stated that it would develop this concept vehicle as both a hybrid and a conventional vehicle.

Still, whatever vehicle it is, it proves that Toyota is not just serious about hybrid cars, but dead serious about selling 1,000,000 hybrids per year starting around 2010. So, what is this new hybrid and how does it fit in with Toyota's hybrid plans?

--> Finish: Speculating on Toyota's new hybrid and hybrid plans

Dammit, only 1000 Volts by 2010?

Will Bob still be around to see a mass-produced Volt?

Are you a huge GM fan, or at least an American car fan, that is also very concerned about issues like foreign oil dependency? Did the debut of the Chevy Volt plug-in electric hybrid concept grab your attention? Did it blind you with a glare of hope that made you believe a brighter future was possible for the American auto industry?

It certainly gave me hope, not just for a brighter future for the American auto industry, but for America, even the world - this kind of technology can end foreign oil dependency and all the wars and violence that dependency has created.

Unfortunately, however, developing such a revolutionary automobile will be a revolutionary engineering task, and you might be waiting a long time to finally put your Volt's rubber to the road.

By 2010, if all goes well, GM hopes to sell 1,000 Volt plug-in hybrid vehicles. If everything continues to go well, they will push that number to 1,000,000 five years later (more).

Maybe if we all use Rhonda Byrne's 'Secret' we can wish the Volt into reality sooner? OOOOHHHMM!!!

Fuel cell assisted hybrid vehicles?

Forget fuel cell vehicles, think fuel cell assisted?

"Versa Power Systems, Inc., a leading developer of environmentally friendly Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC) that generate clean electricity in compact form for a range of applications, today announced that a bench-top study of its technology in combination with an advanced battery validated the performance of a hybrid engine under conditions simulating the rigors of a commercial truck's operation."

Imagine plug-in hybrid vehicles with small fuel cells to extend the range of such hybrid vehicles. They wouldn't require a hydrogen highway, and they would be far cheaper than a fully hydrogen powered fuel cell vehicle. Oh, yeah, and they could wipe out foreign oil dependency.

Toyota and Matsushita Electric solidify hybrid partnership

Toyota Motors and Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. have further solidified their partnership around the development of hybrid cars, according to Reuters, by buying billions of shares of each others stock.

"Toyota is our biggest business partner in the field of car electronics, and we are in the process of strengthening our ties," a Matsushita spokesman said.

Where is my American-made hybrid?

Chevy's foreign oil dependency fighter?

Many SUV fans believe that hybrid SUVs are more important than hybrid cars. These SUV advocates argue that converting the most inefficient vehicles into hybrids results in the greatest fuel savings.

While I see the logic in this belief, I don't agree. Yes, hybrid SUVs are extremely important, but they are not more important than smaller hybrid cars.

For instance, if I'm single, and I want to have the greatest impact on foreign oil dependency, it is far better to buy a Toyota Prius or a Civic hybrid, rather than a Tahoe hybrid.

--> Finish: Where is my American-made hybrid?

Prius pushing towards top-selling passenger car?

Driving the hybrid revolution

Earlier this month, when I was told that the Toyota Prius has become the best selling vehicle at some Toyota dealerships, I was absolutely shocked.

But the shock doesn't end there.

Finish: Prius pushing towards top-selling passenger car?

Another hybrid-only brand coming from Toyota

Not just the Prius, another unique hybrid coming from Toyota

In 2009 Toyota plans to begin selling another hybrid-only brand around the world as it strives towards 1,000,000 hybrid vehicle sales per year, according to the DetroitNews.

Finish: Another hybrid-only brand coming from Toyota

Is A123 ahead of Toyota in lithium?

All charged up!

Today A123Systems offered a press release on its partnership with Google to convert a number of hybrid cars into plug-in hybrid vehicles. While the release didn't offer any new details versus Google's press release, it did get me thinking.

Is A123Systems lithium chemistry better than Toyota's?

We know that Toyota is probably going to delay its third generation Prius, at least in regards to the use of lithium. Is this because Toyota has had problems, or is it just because laptop explosions have pushed Toyota into more testing? We just really don't know. Yet, Toyota's lithium-powered hybrids were not going to be plug-ins - a technology which tests lithium even further.

So, is Google taking a risk with its fleet? Is A123Systems hybrid battery technology better than Toyota's? Or, is a small fleet quite different than mass production?

Decline of Big 3 Clout or simply time for change?

Time to focus on cars, not politics?

For decades the U.S. auto industry has had a strong influence on American politics, and many see Detroit's inability to more successfully squash CAFE talk as a sign of their declining influence.

I say its become too obvious, especially since 9/11, that we cannot keep doing things the way we have been. The Big 3 didn't have a chance.

Still, America wants to see the Big 3 do well. Hopefully, Congress can work with Detroit to make this happen - I'm still waiting for the U.S. government to purchase a fleet of American-made hybrid vehicles.

Senate passes CAFE compromise

Can bipartisanship in Senate transfer to the House?

While the CAFE plan passed in the Senate wasn't as strict as many would have liked, it is far better than nothing. Additionally, it was nice to see some bipartisanship for once. Can this sentiment transfer to the House when it takes up the same legislation - probably sometime this Fall?

Sure, there will almost certainly be a plethora of loopholes for automakers to exploit, but at least fuel economy is becoming an important discussion in America. Hopefully, that will push more and and more American consumers to do their part as well.

Senate agrees on CAFE plan - for now

"Senators reached agreement Thursday on a proposal to increase automobile fuel economy standards to 35 miles per gallon, the first significant boost demanded of automakers in nearly 20 years." (more)

Chrysler commits to hybrid vehicles

Push towards fuel economy

Well, I was right.

According to Reuters Chrysler has now confirmed that "it would roll out new hybrid vehicles, streamline its cars and trucks and introduce more diesel engines in a bid to improve the fuel economy of its product line-up."

Chrysler's 2008 hybrid vehicles, much like GM, will probably focus on large SUVs - an ideal platform for the dual mode hybrid powertrain that the two automakers developed together. Thus far, Chrysler has confirmed the Dodge Durango hybrid and the Aspen hybrid.

Hopefully, we'll hear about even more Chrysler hybrids later today.

Chrysler to make hybrid announcement?

Coming soon the Chrysler Aspen hybrid

According to the DetroitNews, Chrysler will be making a major powertrain announcement today. The only major powertrain announcement that Chrysler could make, in my opinion, is a hybrid powertrain announcement. While Chrysler might be announcing the launch of a series 10 cylinder vehicles, let's hope its about hybrid vehicles.

Update: Congress struggling with fuel economy

Both the Senate and House are struggling

Forcing automakers to develop significantly more fuel efficient automobiles is proving to be no easy task - something which should be a surprise to no one.

According to Reuters, "The U.S. Senate struggled on Wednesday to reach a compromise on proposals to increase vehicle fuel efficiency, a major sticking point in broad-based energy legislation." In addition, " Unable to reach a consensus among Democrats, a House of Representatives committee said this week it would delay consideration of its fuel economy and global warming proposals until autumn."

2008 Highlander hybrid in September?

Roomier and more fuel efficient?

Toyota will begin selling the 2008 Highlander hybrid in late September, but has not yet announced pricing.

The 2008 hybrid Highlander will be "larger, roomier and more powerful" and include "one of the most comprehensive lists of standard safety features in it the mid-size SUV class," such as 7 airbags.

Despite some possible tweaking, the 2008 Highlander hybrid will be built on the same hybrid powertrain as the current hybrid Highlander, which Toyota is running a special $2000.00 discount through June.

Damn computers slowing third generation Prius?

Another laptop fire?

Sales of the Toyota Prius have been amazing the last several months. During a recent Toyota dealership visit, I was told that the Prius was the top selling vehicle at that dealership. Certainly, Southern California doesn't reflect the current trends of the rest of America, but it does represent trends that could shape the future for the rest of America. Consequently, I figured that if Toyota could launch the third generation Prius with lithium-ion batteries, it might not just be a best seller at Toyota dealerships, but maybe the best selling vehicle in America.

Unfortunately, according to reliable, but unconfirmed sources, Toyota is almost certainly going to delay the use of lithium in its hybrid cars, even though the technology is basically ready. Why? It's those damn laptops.

Ian Rowley of BusinessWeek writes, "yesterday, Japanese electronics maker Toshiba demonstrated just why car companies are wise to be careful. Another one of its laptop computers, powered by Sony Li-Ion cells, had caught fire. Last year, similar problems cost Sony hundreds of millions of dollars in recall costs."

Shareholders question Ghosn over hybrids

Not a technological visionary?

Despite pulling Nissan out of bankruptcy, Carlos Ghosn has received an increasing amount of criticism from some shareholders because of his resistance to hybrid vehicles according to the AFP.

Nissan is now selling the Altima hybrid, but that vehicle is based upon licensed Toyota hybrid technology, although Nissan is working on a proprietary hybrid powertrain.

Is Cel-X the key to lithium hybrids?

2 new patents for Cel-X technology

"TIAX, a technology processing company that is a leader in clean energy and material technologies, announced today that it has been issued two patents by the United States Patent and Trademark Office for its Cel-X(TM) battery control technology. Cel-X is a low-cost, high-performance system that improves the safety, capacity, and pack life of lithium-ion batteries through a non-dissipative approach to regulating state of charge."

"We're very proud to be advancing a technology that could significantly accelerate the presence of HEVs and PHEVs on the market," said TIAX CEO and Founder, Kenan Sahin. "Our solution to cell balancing enables exciting new hybrid models that deliver the performance, safety, low cost, durability, and fuel efficiency that consumers are demanding."

Tax big oil to fund hybrids?

Senate passes $29 billion tax package

The Senate Finance Committee passed a proposal to tax big oil almost $30 billion dollars. The tax revenues will then be used to fund clean technologies, such as hybrid cars, wind power, and clean coal. Now the proposal will be added to the energy bill and go before the full Senate.

$22 billion? Sounds like pocket change for big oil considering their profits in the last few years.

Could foreign oil dependency destroy the American dream?

Does America have its head buried in the sands of the Middle East?

Many buyers of American-made gas-guzzlers hate foreign cars and believe that the buyers of foreign cars don't support America, particularly American jobs.

Does foreign oil dependency support America? Is foreign oil dependency making America stronger today?

Bin Laden, for example, set his sights upon America when America placed its military in Saudi Arabia to protect its oil from Saddam during the first Persian Gulf War. Since, we've experienced 9/11 and its aftermath. Yet, our foreign oil consumption has increased as Bin Laden has called foreign oil dependency America's Achilles heel.

Already, multiple terrorist attacks have been carried out against Saudi oil refineries - tests, many have called them. How long until a serious attack? What would $6.00 per gallon gas do to the economy, to your lifestyle?

Is foreign oil dependency really the best path to the American dream?

Solar Prius: 17 - 29 percent more fuel efficient?

Time for solar powered cars?

I've long been interested in the idea of solar powered hybrid vehicles. Yes the costs are probably too prohibitive today, but not in the long term, especially if we're talking about solar-powered plug-in hybrid vehicles.

Yet, with today's technology, I've wondered if solar panels could really help much. According to Technoride, solar panels have the potential to increase the fuel efficiency of a Toyota Prius by 17 to 29 percent.

Imagine if consumers, automakers and the government decided to attack foreign oil dependency in the same manner America attacked the moon. Not only could we achieve foreign energy independence, but we could manufacture some of the most coveted and amazing technologies the world has ever seen.

But why dream big? Oil wars are so much more fun!

Tax break for huge SUVs to end?

No more tax breaks?

"Lawmakers introduced a new bill to eliminate the so-called "Hummer tax loophole," The Detroit News reported."

"This controversial tax incentive allows small businesses to write off up to $25,000 of the purchase of the largest pickups and sport-utility vehicles. More than 30 vehicles—including the Hummer H2, Chevrolet Suburban, Ford Expedition, Lexus LX 470 and Dodge Durango—qualify for the break." (more)

About time I say. I know too many people whom could drive any vehicle, but they bought a gas-guzzler simply for the business tax incentive.

Let's switch the incentive to hybrid vehicles, clean diesel and electric vehicles. It's simply ridiculous that the government is fighting a war in the Middle East because of oil while also creating foreign-oil dependency increasing legislation.

Google offers $10 million to plug-in hybrid developers

In addition to $1,000,000 in grants already

Google will develop an RFPs "to fund development, adoption and commercialization of plug-ins, fully electric cars and related vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology."

Google also set up a partnership with A123Systems to convert a number of hybrid cars into plug-in hybrid vehicles as a test fleet.

Read the full press release in comments

Wanted: Hybrid truck or minivan?

Which hybrid most interests you?

Recently, Toyota has discussed the idea of a hybrid minivan, in addition to past statements confirming the possibility of some hybrid trucks. GM has already confirmed plans for a hybrid truck.

If you had a choice - hybrid truck versus hybrid minivan - which would you choose?

Are there any other types of automobiles that you would like to see converted into hybrid vehicles?

Are plug-in hybrids the key to fuel cells?

Forget fuel cell cars?

GM is once again on the fuel cell crazy train.

"After years of intensive research and development, General Motors Corp. says it now is ready to concentrate on finding a way to produce hydrogen fuel cell powered vehicles for the mass market." (more)

Haven't they been doing this for decades?

While GM has achieved impressive results with fuel cell vehicles, the costs of this technology are still astronomical, and then there is still that little problem - the hydrogen highway. Where is it?

Thus, might not plug-in hybrid vehicles be the key to fuel cells? Couldn't a small fuel cell increase the performance of such hybrids, while making fuel cells significantly smaller and significantly cheaper?

Today, aren't full fuel cell vehicles a great R&D exercise, but PR nonsense?

No new Prius in 2008

Now delayed?

Waiting for the next Toyota Prius? Well, you'll probably have to wait until mid-2009 - at least. In addition to lithium problems, Toyota now appears to be pushing back the launch date of the third generation Prius to around the Spring of 2009, rather than the end of 2008.

Hertz adding 3400 Prius to fleet

Easier to rent a hybrid soon?

Hertz announced today that it would add 3,400 Toyota Prius hybrids to its fleet, according to Reuters.

A lithium-less Prius - A major flop?

Is Toyota about to stumble?

The current Toyota Prius is a fantastic car. Yet, the hype building around the third generation Prius has been amazing. Rumors of a 100 mpg Prius, or at least 80 mpg, have filled blogs throughout the Internet. As a result, many potential Prius buyers have decided to wait.

Yet, it seems almost a certainty that the first iteration of the third generation Prius, and all of Toyota's hybrid cars, will not utilize lithium-ion batteries.

While this might lead to cheaper costs, it might also lead to less than expected performance - and sales. Perhaps a new design could inspire new hybrid vehicle buyers. In addition, maybe a potential derivative, such as a smaller, more fuel efficient city Prius, also suggested by Toyota, could help.

Nonetheless, did Toyota, even if accidentally, set expectations too high for the third generation Prius?

Hyundai Elantra hybrid in 2009?

Yes, but probably not in the U.S.

Hyundai will develop a liquefied petroleum gas Elantra hybrid vehicle in 2009 for the South Korean market. By 2010, Hyundai also hopes to develop a conventional gasoline electric hybrid. Unfortunately, there is yet no word on when Hyundia hybrid cars might make their way in to the U.S.

Toyota reiterates plans to reduce hybrid vehicle costs

Camry hybrid at the same cost as a conventional Camry?

At an alternative fuels conference yesterday, Toyota reiterated their plans to soon reduce the costs of hybrid cars to help achieve their next hybrid goal: one million hybrid vehicle sales per year.

According to reports, Toyota will use "Advancements in higher-capacity, lower-cost batteries".

Does that dispel rumors that the use of lithium in its