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Following the Highlander hybrid: Is US Prius production next?

Highlander hybrid production coming to the US

Another step to cheaper hybrids?

Toyota will invest $400 million in its Highlander plant in Indiana so that it can begin manufacturing the Highlander hybrid there in 2013 for US sales and to export to the rest of the world.

Is US Prius production next? Read more…

Chevy Volt cruises into California carpool lanes

Volt in a California carpool lane

While qualifying for additional tax credits

GM is adding a Low Emissions Package to all 2012 Chevy Volts sold in California that will enable the new Volt to both qualify for HOV access in California and also a $1,500 rebate under California’s Clean Vehicle Rebate Project.

Carpool lane access, however, is not granted upon purchase and buyers must apply for 1 of the 40,000 HOV access passes created under the Clean Vehicle project.

Source: Straightline and GM

Hard not to be impressed with the Tesla Model S

Model S -- coolest and smartest station wagon ever

It’s about more than just EV range

Was just checking out some pictures of the new Tesla Model S in the noteworthy CNNMoney article Inside the Tesla Model S, and I absolutely love the 3rd row of seating that turns the gorgeous Model S sedan into the coolest station wagon ever.

Tesla isn’t just challenging conventional automakers on advanced powertrains and automotive manufacturing, but on virtually every element of automotive design. Read more…

Aptera not yet dead, yet

Did the X-Prize, or lack thereof, crush Aptera?

All deposits being returned

Obviously, the situation at Aptera hasn’t been good for some time, especially since offering up a less than stellar performance at the Progressive Automotive X-Prize, despite being the clear favorite.

Now comes word that all deposits have been refunded. Read more…

Toyota doubles its July hybrid sales, led by Prius

Prius pushes Toyota's hybrid sales forward in July.

Hybrid sales still down 32 percent compared to last year

If there was one vehicle hit particularly hard by the Japanese earthquake/tsunami disaster, it was the Toyota Prius. In the last month, however, the situation has improved significantly, although Prius supplies are still not yet back to normal.

Thanks to this improving supply story, Toyota’s July hybrid sales almost doubled compared to June. Read more…

Toyota most green brand in the world

Interbrand claims Toyota's green image is justified

Toyota doesn’t lead with just words, but also actions

A new study by Interbrand finds that Toyota is the best global green brand in the world, not just based on consumer perceptions, but also Toyota’s real world green actions, such “the companies’ operations, their supply chains, transportation systems, and policies” according to GreenCarReports.

“We believe the strongest green brands lie at the intersection of performance and perception: their ability to build stronger connections with consumers as a result of actionable and credible environmental practices,” claims Interbrand CEO Jez Frampton. Read more…

Energy independence might be America’s last shot at greatness

First Greece, eventually America, unless we act today

It’s time to take today by the horns

Since this morning I’ve read On Debt, Death, Taxes and Temperatures, the latest Dot Earth post on the New York Times, at least 3 times, wondering why exactly I’m so intrigued. I’m still not entirely sure, but I’m starting to believe that a possible zeitgeist is forming. Actually, it’s been forming for some time. President Barack Obama’s election, for instance, was a taste of this zeitgeist.

Sadly, the President has been unable to be a real leader of this zeitgeist, of change. Instead of leading America, the President has mostly remained the leader of the Democratic Party. It’s still politics as usual. While that’s not the President’s fault, it’s not real change either. Read more…

Michigan Senator pushing US lithium production

Time to mine US lithium supplies

New bill to be announced today

Michigan Senator Debbie Stabenow (D) will announce a new bill today aimed at increasing US competitiveness in lithium battery manufacturing. One of the key focuses of the bill, therefore, will be to incentivize US production of lithium.

About time. Read more…

Toyota Prius C takes new shape, higher price tag

Prius C to be built off Rush platform

Prius C to take on Nissan Juke

Remember that small hybrid that Toyota showed off this last year on the auto show circuit dubbed the Toyota Prius C. Fo’get about it. You never saw it because it’s never happening.

OK. The Prius C hybrid is still going to happen, but its not going to look anything like the auto show concept. Instead, the new Toyota hybrid will be built upon the Toyota Rush platform and take on the likes of the Nissan Juke. Read more…

Protesting Subaru’s Saudi car sales while guzzling Saudi oil

No Subaru unless it averages 46 mpg

Oil keeps the oppressors in power

This morning thousands of people have signed an open petition to Fuji Heavy Industries, owner of Subaru, asking Subaru to stop all vehicle sales in Saudi Arabia until Saudi women are given the right to drive. While all automakers selling in Saudi Arabia might eventually be petitioned as well, Subaru was the initial focus because a majority of Subaru drivers are women.

Still, why hurt Subaru instead of the people in charge – the actual oppressors? For instance, if you have signed this petition, live in America, yet drive a a vehicle that averages less than 46 mpg, then aren’t you still an enabler of the oppression being protested in the first place? Read more…