Archive for December, 2011

Hype: GM’s Chevy Volt plug-in car a 2011 sale’s flop?

The original Chevy Volt concept debut

Should have been a more conventional hybrid?

InsideLine is calling the Chevy Volt one of the two top sale’s flops of 2011, but is that a fair assessment?

For years now I’ve panned the Volt as a ridiculous excuse not to build a real Toyota Prius-like contender, but I’ve never been against the production of the Volt, which I believe is and was a good idea. Likewise, I think calling the Volt a top sales flop of 2011 is a bit extreme. Read more…

Mitsubishi ready to plug-in to light duty trucks

A Mitsubishi pickup truck concept.

Can it keep on trucking to America?

The importance of the light duty truck segment in America simply cannot be underestimated. It accounts for 50+ percent of all vehicle sales, and a significantly higher percentage of Big 3 profits. Unfortunately, most attempts at more fuel efficient pickup trucks and SUVs, such as compact pickups or dual mode hybrids, have failed.

Nevertheless, in 2012 Mitsubishi is ready to give an electric pickup truck a try. Read more…

Hybrid hater Audi buying into electrification

The Spyder plug-in hybrid

The future is inevitable

For years now Audi has been a vocal hater of hybrid and electric vehicles, claiming that diesel vehicles offer similar benefits at a cheaper price.

But, heading into the future, even hybrid hater Audi seems to realize that hybrid and plug-in powertrains are inevitable. Read more…

Fisker plug-in sales could be a 2012 disappointment

Surf: Riding the wave to plug-in sales success?

5,000 sales instead of 15,000?

I don’t fit in Beverly Hills. I’m an east side kid, and we’re a little bit more real on this side of LA. But that doesn’t mean the West side is bad. In fact, I lived on the West side many years ago and loved it. Of course, I lived on an edgier part of that side of town.

Similarly, I don’t fit in with the Fisker Automotive crowd, despite its battery-powered credentials. And, unfortunately, my media experiences with Fisker have all been disappointing. Few things piss me off more than elitism, which Fisker has exuded at media events over and over.

Thus, perhaps I’ve become more and more critical of Fisker, so I’ll let some sale’s data conclude this Fisker post. Read more…

American gullibility: Auto industry full of pathetic liars*

What do you mean it doesn't average 40 mpg?

Time for more truth in advertising?

Have you seen the 4 x 40 Hyundai rap video? It’s actually kind of amusing, except for the fact the ad is a complete lie. But who cares about the truth these days?

Not politicians, nor government agencies such as the FTC. Obviously not automakers. And apparently not consumers either. Maybe America just prefers fantasy over reality. I don’t know.

However, I do know the auto industry is full of a bunch of dirty rotten liars*. Read more…

Small car revolution? Toyota Prius C versus the Toyota Corolla

The hybrid revolution begins?

A little smaller, a little more fuel efficient, but how much cheaper?

OK. We all know that most Americans are interested in buying hybrid cars. However, until prices decline and hybrid premium payback is recovered in just a couple of years or less, most Americans just aren’t going to pull the sale’s trigger.

But could the Toyota Prius C be the first car to start shooting down the hybrid premium compared to conventional comparisons? Read more…

Mitsubishi i plug-in testimonials

Is i the best value in plug-in vehicles?

Would you buy another i plug-in?

Are you the owner of a Mitsubishi i plug-in?

Tell us about your experiences with the i plug-in. What kind of gas mileage do you achieve in your plug-in i, and in what kind of driving?

What advice would you give to potential i plug-in buyers? What tips can you provide to other i plug-in owners?

Add your Mitsubishi i plug-in testimonial in the comments.

Check out sister site Soultek.com for more on the Mitsubishi i plug-in.

Toyota Prius V hybrid testimonials

Prius V even better than the original Prius?

Would you buy another Prius V hybrid?

Are you the owner of a Toyota Prius V hybrid?

Tell us about your experiences with the Prius V hybrid. What kind of gas mileage do you achieve in your hybrid Prius V, and in what kind of driving?

What advice would you give to potential Prius V hybrid buyers? What tips can you provide to other Prius V hybrid owners?

Add your Toyota Prius V hybrid testimonial in the comments.

Check out sister site Soultek.com for more on the Toyota Prius V hybrid.

Lexus CT 200h hybrid testimonials

CT 200h - The coolest Lexus hybrid?

Would you buy another CT 200h hybrid?

Are you the owner of a Lexus CT 200h hybrid?

Tell us about your experiences with the CT 200h hybrid. What kind of gas mileage do you achieve in your hybrid CT 200h, and in what kind of driving?

What advice would you give to potential CT 200h hybrid buyers? What tips can you provide to other 200h hybrid owners?

Add your Lexus CT 200h hybrid testimonial in the comments.

Check out sister site Soultek.com for more on the Lexus CT 200h hybrid.

Nissan Leaf plug-in testimonials

Is the Nissan Leaf the best electric car?

Would you buy another Leaf plug-in?

Are you the owner of a Nissan Leaf?

Tell us about your experiences with the Leaf plug-in. What kind of gas mileage do you achieve in your plug-in Leaf, and in what kind of driving?

What advice would you give to potential Leaf plug-in buyers? What tips can you provide to other Leaf plug-in owners?

Add your Nissan Leaf plug-in testimonial in the comments.

Check out sister site Soultek.com for more on the Nissan Leaf plug-in.