Toyota Highlander hybrid

KBB picks: Honda Insight, Ford Escape hybrid and Chevy Volt

Cheapest to own hybrid after 5 year according to KBB

Best hybrid and plug-in deals after 5 years of ownership

Kipplingers, Forbes, Intellichoice, Consumer Reports, US News & World Reports, etc. have all offered up best and most cost-effective vehicle lists in recent months, and it’s sometimes a little surprising the lack of consensus. Consequently, I’ve often wondered if there isn’t some sort of advertising-related objective.

Regardless, these lists are still interesting and usually useful for buyers, and the latest one comes from Kelly Blue Book. Read more…

Hybrid conundrum: Rare earth free but also cheaper?

A rare earth free electric motor

Rare earth free Toyota hybrids could be here in 2 years

I’ve been following the rare earth story now for a few years, since the resources are so valuable for the production of hybrid and plug-in cars. And it has always been clear that rare earth free hybrid cars are possible, but the real question has been the costs of rare earth free motors.

Thus, when reports hit the wire today that Toyota has developed a new technology to produce rare earth free hybrids, my interest was again piqued, but my focus was immediately magnified on costs. Read more…

Toyota hybrid sales back on track, led by Prius and Lexus hybrids

Can the 2012 Camry hybrid provide a hybrid sale's spike in November?

November could be a big hybrid sale’s month for Toyota

While Toyota’s hybrid sales were down 7.4 percent, Lexus hybrid sales were up 21.2 percent. Combined, Toyota’s hybrid sales seem to be back on track and fully recovered from the supply problems caused by the Japanese earthquake/tsunami this Spring.

Even better for Toyota, November looks like it could be a big month in terms of Toyota hybrid sales. Read more…

Toyota Prius and Honda Civic hybrid best hybrids according to study

The Prius still leads the hybrid pack.

Based on fuel economy, greenhouse gas emissions and ‘forced’ options

In the market for a quality hybrid? One that offers great fuel economy, significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and doesn’t force too many expensive options compared to base gasoline versions?

Then think Toyota Prius or Honda Civic hybrid according to the Union of Concerned Scientists. Read more…

2006-2007 Toyota Highlander hybrid, Lexus RX 400h recalled

Highlander hybrid recall limited to 2006-2007 model years

Possible defective power module

45,500 Toyota Highlander hybrids and 36,700 Lexus RX 400h hybrids from 2006 and 2007 have been recalled to fix a potentially bad power module.

According to the recall a few transistors on some power modules were “inadequately soldered” during manufacturing and could cause the power module to fail. Read more…

Hybrid buyers – Toyota hybrid prices set to rise in May

Prius prices set to increase

1.2 – 2.2 percent hybrid price increases set for Spring

Toyota is increasing the prices of all its vehicles heading into summer, a relatively normal practice for automakers, by 1.2 – 2.2 percent. As a result, in May the base price for a Prius will increase to $23,520 from $23,050 according to Cars.com.

If you’re in the market, now appears either the time to act or to wait until after summer, at least. Read more…

Higher gas prices haven’t killed hybrid car deals yet

Honda offers some of the best hybrid deals this March

The best deals on hybrid cars in March

Back in 2008 rising gas prices eventually created considerable demand for hybrid cars, far more demand than supply. Those conditions resulted in many dealership add-ons. The Toyota Prius, for instance, often included dealer markups as high as $5000 atop MSRP, in addition to other expensive add-ons like leather and other high cost amenities.

So far, however, gas prices haven’t yet had such an effect on hybrid sales. In fact, a number of hybrid deals are available in March. Read more…

Toyota Highlander hybrid engines stalling? NHTSA studying

I've stalled and I can't restart

31 incidents in the last year

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened an investigation into engine stall in some 44,000 Toyota Highlander hybrids. According to the NHTSA 32 complaints have been filed so far, 31 of them in just the last year.

In the complaints, drivers allege that their Highlander hybrids have stalled at speeds of 40 mph or more, and in some cases, would not restart. No injuries have been reported.

Source: DetroitNews

Toyota too focused on hybrid cars not overall fuel economy?

EcoBoost a green perception threat to hybrid cars?

Still a CAFE leader

Just finished reading a summary of Shell Oil’s update to its 2008 Shell Energy Scenarios to 2050 report that focuses on how the recession has changed the company’s view of the next 40 years of energy. Essentially, the world is entering an era of “volatile transitions” and there is “no silver bullet” to use against this volatility. Ultimately, a combination of “good policies, good practices, and good luck” across the globe is the only, although improbable, hedge against the downsides of this volatility.

So then, how is Toyota too focused on hybrid cars, as some in the auto industry suggest? Read more…

Government – No link between electronics and sudden acceleration in Toyota vehicles

No more out of control Prius hybrids expected?

Safe to drive a Toyota again

After a 10 month investigation, the US government has found no link between Toyota’s electronic throttles and sudden acceleration. Instead, the problems associated with sudden acceleration – when not driver error – have been linked to lose floor mats and sticky accelerator pedals due to a faulty part.

“There is no electronic-based cause for unintended high-speed acceleration in Toyotas,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said in a statement.

Source: Reuters