Ford’s latest hybrid promises still come up a little short
Ford is serving up some great marketing numbers
A battery-powered improvement, but still no real guts
Quite soon Ford will offer an EV with the most range with 5 seats, a hybrid that bests the Toyota Prius V, and a plug-in hybrid with greater electric range than the upcoming Toyota Prius plug-in.
So, Ford is set to top Toyota as the battery king?
Not quite. And, if Ford really wanted to make a battery-powered statement, wouldn’t it start by taking on the conventional Prius first? Read more…
Categories: Buying Hybrids, Buying plug-ins, Ford C-Max Energi plug-in hybrid, Ford C-Max hybrid, Ford Focus EV, Ford Fusion hybrid, Fuel Economy, Hybrid Cars, Nissan Leaf, Toyota Prius, Toyota Prius V, Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid Tags: electric cars, Hybrid Cars, plug-in hybrids
Cost-effectiveness: To buy a hybrid sedan or not
Sonata hybrid is the least cost-effective hybrid sedan
Some hybrids are more cost-effective than others
Is it worth it to buy a hybrid? That depends on many factors, including the hybrid being considered.
In terms of hybrid sedans, however, the most cost-effective hybrids still take 6 years to recover their costs compared to their conventional counterparts. Others take up to 10 years. Read more…
Categories: Buying Hybrids, Ford Fusion hybrid, Fuel Economy, Hybrid Cars, Hyundai Sonata hybrid, Kia Optima hybrid, Toyota Camry hybrid, Toyota Prius Tags: Ford Fusion hybrid, Hybrid Cars, Hyundai Sonata hybrid, Kia Optima hybrid, Toyota Camry hybrid, Toyota Prius
Ford Escape hybrid to be mothballed
The end of the Escape hybrid, at least for now.
At least until gasoline prices reach $5.00+ per gallon
While Ford is planning to triple hybrid and electric vehicle production by 2013, that increase won’t include Ford Escape hybrid sales. Instead of a hybrid option, Ford is planning to offer the 2013 Ford Escape with two different Ecoboost engines, according to MotorTrend.
Are SUVs simply the wrong platform for hybrid technology? Read more…
Categories: Buying Hybrids, Ford Escape hybrid, Ford Fusion hybrid, Hybrid Cars Tags: Ford Escape hybrid, Hybrid Cars
Lexus, Ford hybrids earn 2011 Motorist Choice Awards
HS 250h hybrid best value in the luxury segment
AutoPacific and IntelliChoice Reveal 2011 Motorist Choice Awards
Using survey data from 72,000 vehicle owners with a particular focus on customer satisfaction and cost of ownership, AutoPacific and IntelliChoice have revealed their 2011 Motorist Choice Awards.
And a few hybrid cars made the list. Read more…
Categories: Buying Hybrids, Ford Fusion hybrid, Hybrid Cars, Lexus HS 250h hybrid, Lincoln MKZ hybrid Tags: Ford Fusion hybrid, Hybrid Cars, lexus hs 250h hybrid, lincoln
Toyota Camry hybrid the best Camry available
Camry versus Camry hybrid
And the best hybrid in its class
OK. When the conversation is hybrid cars, most think Toyota Prius first. So, I don’t think there has ever been any doubt that Toyota is still the indisputable hybrid king. However, when the Ford Fusion hybrid, for instance, squashed Camry hybrid fuel economy, it was a little easy to wonder if Toyota was losing some mojo.
Of course, the Camry hasn’t gone through a major update in years, unlike the Fusion. That is until now, and faith in Toyota’s hybrid prowess has been restored.
Not only does the new Camry hybrid offer the best fuel economy in its segment, it also offers the best price. Perhaps more interesting, however, the Camry hybrid might be the best Camry. Read more…
Categories: Buying Hybrids, Ford Fusion hybrid, Fuel Economy, Hybrid Cars, MIsc., Toyota Camry hybrid, Toyota Prius, gas prices Tags: Hybrid Cars, Toyota Camry hybrid, Toyota Prius
Nissan Leaf outselling all hybrids, except Toyota Prius
The second best selling alternative powertrain vehicle in June.
Can there be only one hybrid, one plug-in hybrid and one EV?
The Toyota Prius has dominated hybrid sales forever. When it comes to hybrids, it really is the Prius and everything else, but nothing else really matters.
That doesn’t mean all other hybrid cars suck. There are great hybrids out there, such as the Ford Fusion hybrid or the Lexus CT 200h, just to name a few, but their sales make them almost irrelevant.
Consequently, the fact that the Nissan Leaf outsold all hybrids in June, except the Prius, is almost profound, almost. Read more…
Categories: Ford Fusion hybrid, Honda Insight, Hybrid Cars, Lexus CT 200h hybrid, Nissan Leaf, Plug-in Vehicles, Toyota Prius, electric cars, plug-in hybrid cars Tags: electric cars, Ford Fusion hybrid, Honda Insight, Hybrid Cars, Lexus CT 200h hybrid, Nissan Leaf, plug-in hybrids, Toyota Prius
Prius-fighting: Is Ford’s C-Max hybrid up to the task?
Will Ford's Prius-fighter be up to the task?
C-Maximizing Ford’s hybrid sales
By 2013 Ford hopes to triple its hybrid sales to 100,000 units per year with the upcoming C-Max hybrid leading the way.
“This is our Prius fighter,” recently stated Ford Marketing Chief Jim Farley.
But do the numbers add up? Read more…
Categories: Buying Hybrids, Ford C-Max hybrid, Ford Fusion hybrid, Fuel Economy, Hybrid Cars, MIsc., Toyota Prius, Toyota Prius V Tags: Ford C-Max hybrid, Ford Fusion hybrid, Fuel economy, Hybrid Cars, Toyota Camry hybrid, Toyota Prius
Bin Laden’s death, higher gas prices and American fuel economy
Never forget the role oil played
Retaliation threats to drive oil prices higher?
As America celebrates the death of Osama bin Laden, fear has spread into the oil markets and the possibility of higher oil prices loom great as the threat of retaliations add more uncertainty into the energy markets. This morning on CNBC several energy experts claimed the trend for oil prices is now higher.
Nevertheless, America! – has been a common mantra last night and into this morning. Feeling strongly American? Why not a new fuel efficient American car? Read more…
Categories: Buying Hybrids, Chevy Silverado hybrid, Energy Independence, Ford Fusion hybrid, Fuel Economy, Hybrid Cars, MIsc., Plug-in Vehicles, electric cars, plug-in hybrid cars Tags: Chevy Silverado hybrid, Chevy Volt, Ford Fusion hybrid, foreign oil dependence, Fuel economy, Hybrid Cars
Efficiency: Ford’s kaizen-like focus paying off
Ford's hybrid program is the next benchmark of success
Ford’s $26 million man comes through
Not long after replacing Bill Ford Jr. as the CEO of Ford, Alan Mulally gave the keynote speech to the automotive press at the LA Auto Show. There Mulally covered current auto industry trends while providing a roadmap for Ford’s future, and that road map was built around one very simple concept.
Efficiency would drive Ford’s future.
Interestingly, none of Ford’s short term plans were all that exciting. In fact, they were almost disappointing. Instead of promising a massive embrace of hybrid cars, for instance – something Ford Jr. had over-promised and undelivered upon multiple times – Mulally’s plans promised a much more tempered hybrid approach. Read more…
Categories: Ford C-Max hybrid, Ford Escape hybrid, Ford Focus EV, Ford Focus hybrid, Ford Fusion hybrid, Fuel Economy, Hybrid Cars, MIsc., Plug-in Vehicles, electric cars, plug-in hybrid cars Tags: Ford, Fuel economy, Hybrid Cars
Some hybrids are great buys according to Kiplinger
The Prius cannot be denied
Many hybrids are class leaders
OK. It’s not that big a deal that Kiplinger’s best car values for 2011 includes a number of hybrid vehicles as most fuel efficient vehicles in their segment for fuel economy. Big whoop, right? That’s what’s expected from hybrid cars.
Nonetheless, according to Kiplinger at least one hybrid is also best in class and a few other hybrids are the best new cars in their class. Read more…
Categories: Buying Hybrids, Cadillac Escalade hybrid, Ford Fusion hybrid, Fuel Economy, Honda Insight, Hybrid Cars, Hyundai Sonata hybrid, Kia Optima hybrid, Lexus CT 200h hybrid, Lincoln MKZ hybrid, MIsc., Toyota Prius, chevy tahoe hybrid Tags: Cadillac Escalade hybrid, chevy tahoe hybrid, Ford Escape hybrid, Fuel economy, gmc yukon hybrid, Honda Insight, Hybrid Cars, Hyundai Sonata hybrid, Kia Optima hybrid, Lincoln MKZ hybrid, Toyota Prius
