Hybrid Cars

Toyota's powerful DC friends? Are you kidding me?

2010-02-08T09:49:00.001-08:00

Can you say John Dingell?

Boy the media's coverage of Toyota-gate has become almost laughable at times. Lately, the new angle is Toyota's political friends in Washington.

"Some members of Congress have been such cheerleaders for Toyota that the public may wonder how they can act objectively as government watchdogs for auto safety and oversight."

LOL! Wow. John Dingell anyone?

Has Michigan Congressman John Dingell ever acted objectively when it has come to the Big 3, especially when Dingell was the fricken Chairmen of the HUGELY important House Energy and Commerce Committee? Is the media kidding? I mean talk about subjective cheerleaders!

Those of us that have followed CAFE for the last several years, for instance, can only chuckle at the idea that somehow Toyota has more political friends in Washington than does Detroit. For decades DC power-brokers, such as Dingell, have ensured that Big 3 SUV profits were safe from CAFE regulations, despite an average of 10,000 deaths per year because of defective and inadequate designs, despite 9/11, and despite growing evidence that foreign oil dependence was becoming an ever greater threat to American national security.

I know, Toyota-gate has also caused almost 10,000 deaths in the last year. OK, at least a couple of deaths.

Toyota deserves a lot of criticism these days, but if the media really wants to make America safer, isn't it time to start focusing on some real issues?

GM's first dual mode hybrid cars

2010-02-08T08:29:00.000-08:00

The Cadillac Escalade hybrid

A few weeks ago GM announced development plans for a new line of smaller, more efficient electric motors that will first be used in GM's dual mode hybrids. Today, all of GM's dual mode hybrids are large trucks and SUVs, however, thanks to this reduction in motor size, GM will be able to add its dual mode hybrid technology to smaller vehicles, including cars.

According to one report, two of the first cars to receive the dual mode hybrid powertrain will the Cadillac ATS and the Cadillac CTS.

Unfortunately, however, it does not appear that these new electric motors will result in any full hybrids the size of a Toyota Prius. Instead, it seems GM will use its mild hybrid powertrain for any Prius-sized hybrid cars.

Toyota Prius interest on the rise

2010-02-08T08:16:00.001-08:00

A good time to find a Prius deal?

According to some recent consumer data, Toyota Prius interest is on the rise, despite a recently acknowledged glitch in the regenerative braking system.

All new Prius hybrids sold today already come with the new software patch for the braking issue, so many are speculating that potential Prius buyers are hoping that all the recent bad press is driving deals.

No word yet on whether Prius buyers are actually finding any deals.

Billion dollar state budget losses: The cost of fuel efficiency

2010-02-05T13:01:00.000-08:00

Coming soon to a bridge near you?

In just 15 years Washington State could experience a $3.8 billion state budget shortfall because of a decline in gas tax revenues due to hybrid and electric vehicle adoption according to a new report. That means $3.8 billion less to pay for highway projects and to maintain infrastructure, and that's just one state.

Many other states, as well as the federal government, could experience similar shortfalls.

So, how will states and the feds make up this revenue? Higher gas taxes? M&S tax on all plug-in vehicles?

At some point, despite their foreign-oil and environmental friendliness, won't plug-in vehicles have to pay their fair share of costs for highways and infrastructure maintenance?

Prius unintended acceleration: Can Wozniak be wrong?

2010-02-05T09:03:00.000-08:00

Next up, a cruise control glitch?

Over the last few days I've come across a few references to some problems that Steve Wozniak, Apple Co-Founder, has had with his latest Toyota Prius. This morning I finally read a story thanks to an e-mail from reader Steve.

Wozniak claims he can easily repeat a situation in cruise control when he can make the the Prius unintentionally accelerate. Fortunately, the situation can be controlled with braking, assuming the report is true. Ultimately, in Wozniak's professional opinion, the Prius cruise control software needs an upgrade.

Despite his claims of repeatability, Wozniak was not able to convince either Toyota or the NHTSA that there is a problem. Moreover, Toyota claims it investigated Wozniak's claim - an assumption I'm making as Toyota responded that they investigate all complaints - but was not able to find any evidence of such a problem.

I don't get it. If Wozniak can repeat the issue at will, how can neither Toyota nor the NHTSA find a problem? Is Wozniak tricking the system in a way that only one of the world's most infamous software engineers would attempt? Anybody have any more details on how Wozniak can force the Prius to accelerate unintentionally while in cruise control?

CNN's fair and balanced Prius, Fusion hybrid coverage?

2010-02-05T08:07:00.000-08:00

Did Toyota act any differently than Ford?

So, Toyota knew there might be a glitch in their braking software for the 2010 Prius, but didn't offer a software update to consumers because they weren't sure it was really necessary since the brakes don't actually fail. Thus, CNNMoney ran the headline, Prius brakes: Toyota knew, didn't tell you.

Fair enough.

Interestingly, turns out Ford did EXACTLY the same thing. For months, Ford has also known about a very similar glitch in their Fusion and Milan hybrids, but also didn't tell consumers because the brakes don't actually fail. However, CNN ran the headline, Ford rolls out software fix for hybrid brakes.

That's balanced coverage?

Earlier this week, I cited another example of the CNN's over-eagerness to slam Toyota versus other automakers, including the Prius.

So, what's going on over at CNN? Two automakers have almost exactly the same problem, handle it almost exactly the same way, but only one is evil for doing so? Why the obvious bias? Some angles drive more revenue than others, and that's more important than the facts? CNN likes Ford and GM better than Toyota? What's the deal?

Fusion hybrid also needs a brake fix

2010-02-05T07:30:00.001-08:00

Similar problem as the new Prius?

Just like the new Toyota Prius, the Ford Fusion hybrid is in need of a software update to fix a glitch in its braking system.

Much like the Prius, the Fusion hybrid can experience a lag, where it does not seem the brakes are working correctly. However, as long as the driver keeps depressing on the brakes, they will work after a possible, momentary lag.

Ironically, Ford, just as Toyota, has known about the problem for months, but since the brakes don't fail, wasn't sure a recall was needed. I guess it's not just big, bad Toyota.

Prius recall now official

2010-02-04T11:18:00.001-08:00

In need of a software tweak

Toyota has acknowledged that the third generation Prius needs a software update to prevent a braking lag that can occur on bumpy or slippery surfaces. According to Toyota, the lag lasts for less than a second, but the brakes will work as long as the driver keeps pushing down on the brake pedal.

Toyota has already made the software update to all new Prius hybrids being sold.

And yet 10,000 deaths per year means so little

2010-02-04T09:58:00.000-08:00

Weak roofs are just one SUV design defect

Perhaps you've had enough recall news for the week? Well, forgive me then, but I'd just like to use the Toyota recall to demonstrate the silliness of American culture.

Today, foreign oil dependence is a hugely important talking point, and that's it, it's only a talking point. Nobody wants to take any real action, at least not today. It's always about tomorrow.

Certainly, we can't do the obvious, simple stuff than can be done today, like making our vehicles smaller and lighter to easily increase fuel economy and reduce foreign oil consumption. Our personal safety is just too important.

And safety drives the US auto industry, right? That's why the Toyota recall scandal is SOOO important. It must be terribly important because it's possible that a few people died due to a design defect.

Ironically, however, every year around 10,000 people die in SUV rollovers, many of which are significantly due to design defects, such as overly high centers of gravity, inadequate roof structures, defective tires, defective door latches and overly narrow tire tracks - all of which are design defects that the auto industry has known about for decades.

Consequently, for decades, the US auto industry has been largely driven by an entirely defective automotive design that directly kills thousands of SUV drivers every year - mostly in single vehicle accidents - while guzzling massive amounts of foreign oil and killing everything else that gets in its way.

And yet 10,000 deaths per year continues to mean so little.

Obama renews 'clean' coal and biofuels plan to reduce foreign oil

2010-02-04T08:48:00.000-08:00

Nothing like a good old coal ash spill

President Obama and a bipartisan coalition of governors plan to use 'clean' coal - still an oxymoron today - and biofuels as key resources to ween America off foreign oil dependence according to a White House press release.

Ironically, however, cost-effective clean coal technologies simply do not exist. And, according to a recent Oxford Study, even next gen biofuels will be significantly constrained by land-use issues.

So, why not natural gas?

Even if CO2 can be cost-effectively captured and managed, is coal technology really so much better for the environment than natural gas, for instance? Furthermore, natural gas doesn't require any magical breakthrough today to clean itself up compared to coal. More important, both natural gas and 'clean' coal - if such a thing ever exits - should be seen ONLY as interim technologies.

Is not an interim technology that is cost-effective and clean today better than an interim technology that might one day be clean and cost-effective? Are we being pragmatic, or just playing politics?

Diesel share declines in Western Europe

2010-02-04T08:23:00.000-08:00

VW diesel vehicle

I've never been a big fan of the diesel versus hybrid debate. As hybrid technology is fuel independent, the whole debate seems rather illogical to me.

That certainly doesn't mean there isn't a greater role for clean diesel vehicles to play in the US, especially in the short term. Still, it seems too late to try to chase European levels of diesel adoption this late in the game. With a host of new technologies making gasoline engines much more efficient, a big rush to diesel seems unnecessary.

Ironically, even in Western Europe diesel technology appears to be losing share. In 2009, as small cars gained share in Europe, diesel vehicles lost about 7 percent share.

Can the US handle Toyota's recalls objectively?

2010-02-03T13:23:00.000-08:00

Heard about the 1,100 Cobalt complaints yet?

So, Toyota has sold several hundred thousand Toyota Prius hybrids and a few dozen drivers have complained about less than adequate brakes in icy and/or bumpy road conditions. Obviously, this is an important issue to be investigated, especially in light of Toyota's sluggish response to potential accelerator issues, but just how important is it really?

For instance, is it more important than more than 1,100 complaints of Chevy Cobalts losing their power steering? It seems so for much the media. For instance CNNMoney ran this headline on the Prius, Complaints pile up about Prius brakes and made it a lead story. CNN also ran the Cobalt story with this headline, About 900,000 Cobalts in probe, and they buried the story.

So, 1,100 complaints are irrelevant compared to dozens of complaints because it's the Prius? 1100 complaints and growing is a 'probe', but dozens of complaints are a 'pile' on?

Likewise, today Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood stated that Toyota drivers affected by the recall need to stop driving their vehicles until fixed. Of course, he later recanted that statement, but the damage had already been done. The fact that 99 percent of Toyota drivers affected by the recall have experienced NO problem made LaHood change his tune a bit.

For days now I've wondered, can the US government objectively monitor Toyota now that it has directly invested more than $100 billion into the US auto industry, while also loaning 10's of billions more to automakers? For example, in a court of law such a party would usually have to recluse themselves from such a case for having a vested interest.

And the US government certainly has a vested interest. Today, anything good for the US auto industry is good for the US government, and there is no doubt the Toyota recall has been GREAT for the US auto industry. In fact, the Toyota recall has been the best news Detroit has received in years.

Certainly, that doesn't excuse Toyota, a company that has seemed to have had its head up its ass for a while on this recall issue.

Still, there are almost 1 million cars on the road right now that could lose power steering at any moment. Who knows how many crashes and repair bills this has caused in the past as most complaints have only been received in just the last several months. We do know, however, that some Cobalt owners, minimally, have paid to have this problem fixed in years past without ever knowing that the problem was a defect. So, when did GM suspect there might be a problem?

Yet, most of the press doesn't care. It's 'pile' on Toyota time. Yet, I have to ask, does that have anything to do with the fact that, historically, GM has been critically more important than all other automakers for the advertising profits of much of the US media?

Again, that doesn't absolve or lessen Toyota's recall responsibility, but are Toyota's problems really that much different from problems that regularly face - and HAVE faced - most automakers at some point in time?

What do 100,000 Volts, Leafs or Prius hybrids per year really mean?

2010-02-03T08:47:00.000-08:00

No impact on foreign oil dependence for 2 decades?

For several years now, Toyota has sold more than 100,000 Prius hybrids per year in the US. In fact, Toyota has sold more than 1 million hybrid cars in the US alone.

Yet, what effect have one million hybrids had on US foreign oil dependence? None.

Soon, GM will launch the highly-anticipated Chevy Volt, yet it might be a decade before GM is selling 100,000 Volts per year. Likewise, late this year Nissan will begin US production of the Leaf electric car. When Nissan's new production facility is fully operational, it will produce up to 150,000 Leafs per year.

Yet again, what impact will these vehicles have on foreign oil dependence?

Unfortunately, according to numerous studies, ALL electric vehicle sales in the US, combined, won't have any noticeable impact on foreign oil dependence for probably another TWO decades, and even then the effect might still be marginal.

Certainly, automakers have to start electrifying the automobile somewhere, and the Prius, Volt and Leaf are all noble and important products. Nonetheless, their impact upon the environment and foreign oil dependence will remain meaningless for decades.

Is this really the best that America can do?

Next recall: Toyota Prius

2010-02-03T08:19:00.001-08:00

Funky brakes

Glad I don't own any shares of Toyota! As if the current recalls aren't bad enough, another could be in the works, this time on Toyota's ever more important Toyota Prius.

Toyota has received about 100 complaints about brakes on the third generation Prius. In most of these incidents Prius drivers complained that the brakes were "not so sharp", especially on bumpy or frozen roads.

Thus far Toyota has sold more than 1.6 million Prius hybrids and almost 90 percent of Prius owners would buy another Prius.

Is the Honda CR-Z hybrid being underestimated?

2010-02-02T14:31:00.000-08:00

The first 6-speed hybrid

Long before hybrids, I drove a manual '94 Nissan Sentra. As I hopped from apartment to apartment, and job to job, I experienced many diverse Los Angeles commutes. Traffic, however, was always a common factor.

During those commutes I often hypermiled to work, pacing and spacing myself to minimize braking and to maximize coasting in neutral. Ultimately, I didn't do this to save money on my gas bill - it was the 90's - but purely for entertainment, purely to break up the horrible monotony of extremely slow stop and go traffic. It was just a game.

This makes me wonder about Honda's upcoming CR-Z hybrid. Finish: Is the Honda CR-Z hybrid being underestimated.

A few paces in the Insight hybrid

2010-02-02T10:52:00.001-08:00

The Insight according to AutoWeek editors

I'm not the biggest fan of AutoWeek when it comes to unbiased reviews of hybrid cars. Nonetheless, I still like to read their their take on hybrids.

Today, AW has posted their 'Driver's Log' on the Honda Insight hybrid. It's a mix of good and bad. For anyone considering an Insight purchase, however, it's a worthy read.

Read the article

Hyundai Sonata hybrid: Cheaper than Fusion and Camry hybrids?

2010-02-02T09:27:00.001-08:00

Hyundai's upcoming Hybrid Blue Drive

Today, Hyundai released pricing on the 2011 Sonata. While the Sonata hybrid was not on the list, the conventional Sonata is priced lower than the competition, especially at the premium trim levels.

Since most hybrids include many premium trim level components, Hyundai Sonata hybrid pricing might undercut both the Toyota Camry hybrid and the Ford Fusion hybrid.

Hyundai had a pretty good 2009 and 2010 is expected to be even better, especially in light of Toyota's recall problems. Topping the year off with a Sonata hybrid that is cheaper and more cost-effective than the competition would be some pretty sweet icing on the cake.

How will the Toyota Prius sell in February?

2010-02-02T08:48:00.000-08:00

Less interesting because it's a Toyota?

When it comes to hybrid cars, the far majority of all sales come from Toyota, particularly from the Prius. Without Toyota, hybrid vehicles probably wouldn't even be on the average American auto consumer's radar.

Even though Toyota's hybrid technology has nothing to do with Toyota's recall scandal, they are still built by Toyota. Interestingly, as Toyota's recall problems have unfolded, I've noticed a greater increase in Prius commercials.

As the Prius sort of epitomizes Toyota's future - and it's not on the recall list - it serves as an interesting litmus test for confidence in Toyota. Certainly, one month of Prius sales will not predict the future, but it can certainly shed some light on Toyota's near term prospects.

So, will Prius sales take a nose dive in February or not?

BMW Vision plug-in hybrid headed to production

2010-02-01T08:32:00.000-08:00

BMW's hybrid monster

BMW has given the go ahead to the Vision plug-in hybrid. According to early reports, BMW will produce about 5,000 - 10,000 Vision plug-ins per year.

The final design will require more solid structure and less glass, but the basic vision of BMW's latest hybrid concept will move forward. That means a 3-cylinder diesel engine range extender, 2 electric motors and a new lithium-polymer battery pack. Combined the new hybrid drive will produce 356 horsepower and well under 5 second 0 to 60 times.

Forget hybrids and EVs: Just make cars smaller and lighter?

2010-01-29T10:00:00.001-08:00

Could it be this easy?

According to an Oxford Study the best path to decreasing emissions in autos, in the short term, requires a serious decrease in weight and size.

Over the medium term, however, the study finds that hybrid cars, such as the Toyota Prius, offer "significant savings" while helping electric drive trains evolve.

While EVs, plug-in hybrids and fuel cell vehicles offer interesting potential long term, all have serious issues to overcome in the short to medium term, such as raw material availability.

Finally, first generation biofuels offer some localized uses. Second generation biofuels show more promise, but will still probably be constrained by land availability. Algae shows some probability of overcoming the land availability issue, but massive innovations and breakthroughs are still required.

US Nissan Leaf production loaned into action

2010-01-28T11:54:00.000-08:00

Coming soon

With the help of a $1.4 billion US Department of Energy loan, Nissan is on the path towards US production of the Nissan Leaf electric car, as well the assembly of the Leaf's lithium-ion battery packs.

Limited Leaf production should begin later this year, but when the plant is fully operational, Nissan will be able to produce 150,000 Leafs and 200,000 battery packs at the new Smyrna, Tennessee plant.

Pricing has not been released, but CEO Carlos Ghosn has stated that the Leaf will only cost about 1 - 2 percent more than a gasoline car.

Best hybrid deals for 2010

2010-01-28T10:59:00.001-08:00

Escape to the best deal after tax credits and discounts

The Truth blog has carried out some analysis on hybrid vehicles that offer the greatest discount off MSRP for 2010. Not surprisingly, the hybrids that still qualify for federal tax credits fill out most of the Top 10 list.

After tax credits and discounts, Ford Escape hybrid buyers can save 14 percent off MSRP for a price of $26,306. The Nissan Altima hybrid came in a second with a price of $23,795, 13.5 percent off MSRP.

Check out TrueCar for the full list.

Honda bringing solar hydrogen fuel cell vehicles home

2010-01-28T10:42:00.000-08:00

Honda's latest solar hydrogen station

For years now Honda has been very focused on making fuel cell vehicles a cost-effective reality. As the cars have gotten cheaper and closer to theoretical scale, the main issue has become hydrogen.

Where is the hydrogen highway?

As one path to that ends, Honda has been developing solar to hydrogen stations, and the latest prototype has become small enough to fit in a garage while also becoming cheaper. Currently, Honda is testing the system in California, and the automaker intends to use the station to help "advance the wider use of fuel-cell electric vehicles by consumers," according to InsideLine.

A plan to be 40 percent electric by 2020?

2010-01-27T08:58:00.001-08:00

Are Americans ready and willing?

Calling foreign oil dependency “one of the most devastating policy failures of our time”, ex New York Governor, George Pataki, called for new programs to ensure that America is 40 percent electric drive vehicles by 2020.

Today, most experts predict that electric drive penetration will be about 3 - 7 percent by 2020. Therefore, to increase the rate of adoption, Pataki suggests a number of new policies, such as rebates for EVs instead of tax credits, tax exemptions for automakers and incentives for battery development.

Mary Ann Wright, VP and Managing Director, Johnson Controls Business Accelerator for Advanced Energy Storage Solutions, was far less optimistic and claimed demand for such vehicles simply doesn't exist to achieve 40 percent electric vehicle penetration by 2020. Ultimately, "gasoline is too cheap."

Toyota hybrids still for sale, but does that matter?

2010-01-27T08:19:00.001-08:00

Can't save Toyota's image now

What can you say but, WOW? Now that Toyota has suspended production on many important models, one wonders just how low Toyota's reputation will go. Down. Down. Down.

At least, for once, it's a good time to be a US automaker.

For fans of hybrid cars, however, this is terrible news. Despite the fact that Toyota is still selling all of its hybrid vehicles, there is no doubt that this recall and suspension is going to have an effect on the sale of all Toyota vehicles by association, including hybrids.

Next year, Toyota planned to double its hybrid production to one million hybrids per year. Will these plans survive? Can they?

More important, if Toyota has to scale down its hybrid plans due this suspension and this inevitable image hit, will another automaker fill the hybrid void? Unfortunately, I doubt it.