Biggest Chevy Volt threat: GM stock. Time for fans to buy?

Don't call the Chevy Volt a concept

Spend any time around GM's top Volt engineers and one thing is clear: this vehicle will happen. Sure there are still questions about production capabilities and costs. Technology, however, will not prevent the Chevy Volt from becoming a reality.

Thus, while Volt sales in and of themselves can't save GM, the Volt is GM's icon for change. Proof that GM can compete, even beat, any other automaker. Proof that GM's engineering, quality, and reliability are just as good as any other automaker.

Unfortunately, despite loans, Wall Street credit bailouts, and huge plug-in tax incentives for the Volt, those in the stock market are starting to believe that the Volt can't come quick enough to save GM. Hence, GM's stock price has touched lows not seen in several decades.

The other day I read a GM-Volt post that finished with: Long live the US, GM and the Volt. Well, if you believe that then isn't it time to put your money where you mouth is and buy GM stock?

Toyota hybrid battery replacement costs

Still leaving all others in the dust

There are now hundreds of thousands of Toyota Prius hybrids on the roads of America, and a number of them have had their battery warranties expire, particularly first generation Prii. So, if the battery goes out, how much will it cost to replace? $2,299 according to AutoWeek, a reduction of almost $700 compared to the costs of such batteries just a couple of months ago.

Second generation Prius hybrids should still be under warranty, but if the battery does need to be replaced, it would cost $2,588.

DOE to help Ford accelerate PHEVs

$10 million for 20 PHEVs

The DOE has provided Ford with a $10 million grant to continue its test program of 20 plug-in Ford Escape hybrids. According to GCC, the Escape hybrids will be "equipped with a 10 kWh advanced lithium ion battery pack supplied by Johnson Controls/Saft that stores enough electric energy to drive up to 30 miles at speeds of up to 40 mph. The battery works in tandem with a small four-cylinder engine."

It's hard for me to get too excited when there are numerous third party companies doing exactly the same without any money from the government. Obviously, they aren't as involved in the grid work that is being executed in this program, but still.

Perhaps, if Ford could double the production of the conventional Escape hybrid just once this decade I could get a little excited.

Mitsubishi adds plug-in hybrid to plug-in portfolio

EVs and PHEVs

Mitsubishi has now added plans to develop plug-in hybrid vehicles in addition to its previously stated plans to develop electric vehicles such as the iMiev according to GCC.

"The development of a plug-in hybrid comes on the heels of the auto maker’s plan to launch a mass-produced electric vehicle [the iMiEV] next year in Japan... Masuko noted that the plug-in hybrid will be better suited for longer distances than the electric car."

Volvo bringing diesel hybrids to US in 2012, plug-in soon after

Can diesel work in America?

Just because the king of hybrid cars, Toyota, isn't interested in bringing diesel hybrids to the US, doesn't mean all other automakers agree.

According to Mototrend, Volvo will start bringing diesel hybrids to the US in 2012. With a focus on larger SUVs, crossovers, and sedans, Volvo will utilize a 5-cylinder turbodiesel motor to drive the front wheels and an electric motor to power the rear wheels. This full hybrid configuration will enable Volvo's diesel hybrid vehicles to function purely on electric power at low speeds.

Likewise, Volvo will also bring diesel plug-in hybrid vehicles to the states shortly thereafter.

Do automakers suck?

Nissan's electric concept at the Paris Auto Show

As the Fall days have grown darker, so has my mood. Massive bailouts, loans and tax incentives for big, failing US businesses.

Where's my massive bailout? Where's my cheap loan?

I know. I know. The bailout isn't a bailout of Wall Street. It's a bailout of main street. The bailout ensures than one day I can again finance a car that makes no sense in the modern world.

Yet, soon, we'll have Toyota Prius derivatives, including a plug-in version, and the the Honda Insight hybrid. Even better, we'll have the Chevy Volt built here in America. There's hope, right?

Yes. A tiny, little sliver of hope.

However, it'll still be at least a decade before these vehicles, combined, account for even 10 percent of US sales, probably longer. Maybe far longer. In today's digital, business at the speed of light world, automakers are giant, super slow oafs. Dinosaurs. All of them.

Can automakers change? Or, is it time to accept that creative destruction is the only way forward?

Toyota not interested in diesel hybrids

Not unless diesel fuel costs go down

Toyota is not interested in developing diesel hybrid vehicles due to the high cost of diesel fuel according to Green Car Congress. Even though diesel is the dominate fuel in Europe and many competitors are preparing diesel hybrids for the European market, Toyota believes gasoline hybrids still are more cost effective.

Tax credits for plug-in's a done deal

Will a Prius plug-in qualify?

Tax credits for plug-ins are now a done deal, as the President has promised to pass the bailout bill that Congress has now approved. Plug-ins with at least a four-kilowatt battery pack will qualify for a credit ranging from $4,168 to $7,500 depending on the number of kWh's in the battery pack.

It is know that the Chevy Volt will qualify for the entire $7,500.

Originally, Toyota was against this bill, but the company seemed to change its tune when the kWh battery requirement was reduced. So, it appears plug-in hybrids, such as the Toyota Prius, will also qualify for this credit.

Opel Volt coming to Europe in 2011

The Opel FLEXtreme Concept

The E Flex Drive that powers the Chevy Volt will make its way into Europe, as an Opel, in 2011 according to multiple reports. While the final design of the concept has not been hammered out, it will not look like the Volt. Nonetheless, it could share some Volt design cues that were driven by the aerodynamics.

In the past, GM has displayed the Opel FLEXtreme as one design idea for the Opel E Flex vehicle. However, this design might be as plausible in the wind tunnels as was the original Chevy Volt concept.

In the interim, GM is going to be working with European leaders to develop plug-in stations for the modern urbanites in Europe without garage access.

No Big 3 Prius challengers in Paris?

The only Prius challenger for years?

Duh? The Chevy Volt, right?

Not any time soon. Maybe not ever.

A significant percent of Americans simply can't plug-in, won't want to plug-in, or won't want to front the extra money up front for the benefits of electric vehicles.

Ultimately, there will be plenty of consumers for both the Toyota Prius and the Chevy Volt, but they are two very different technologies for two different consumer segments.

Yet, Toyota is also developing plug-in hybrids to challenge the Volt. Are GM's lithium-powered BAS hybrids really a challenge to the Prius? Are 20,000 Ford Focus hybrids a challenge to the Prius? And what about Chrysler?

In recent months, both Hyundai and Honda have committed to selling 100,000's of thousands of hybrid cars each, per year, within the next several years. Shouldn't the Big 3 be doing the same?

New Prius-based Lexus hybrid a done deal

Lexus version coming soon

A new Lexus hybrid, based off the Toyota Prius, is a done deal, at least for Europe, according to AutoWeek.

Plans to produce a larger Lexus hybrid, however, have been squashed because of CO2 emissions.

Audi's Paris plug-in hybrid concept demonstrates plug-in variability

Parallel plug-in hybrids aren't dead yet

Audi is debuting an interesting plug-in hybrid today at the Paris Auto Show.

The Audi A1 Sportback plug-in hybrid can achieve up to 62.4 miles in pure electric mode according to reports. However, the Audi A1 can also draw power from a conventional engine or, in boost mode, the Audi A1 can use both the conventional engine and the electric motor.

The range of this vehicle seems to demonstrate that series plug-in hybrids, such as the Chevy Volt, might not be the dominate plug-in hybrid technology for EV fans. Not only would the Audi A1 provide more electric range than the Volt, it would also offer sportier performance.

Of course, this Audi plug-in hybrid is still just a concept. Yet, it seems to hint that calling a winner in the plug-in hybrid segment is premature.

Honda Insight in Paris: Cheaper, not better than the Prius?

Not as efficient as the Prius in the city?

The new Honda Insight hybrid will be the first real challenge to the Toyota Prius. But is it really a Prius fighter?

While the Insight IMA hybrid powertrain coupled with its 1.3 liter engine will be a bit smaller and lighter than the powertrain in the Honda Civic hybrid, it will still offer very similar fuel economy to the Civic hybrid. Thus, while the Insight might equal the Prius on the highway, the Prius will far out-perform the Insight in city fuel economy.

Of course, the Insight will be cheaper than the Civic hybrid and the Prius, making up for some of this city efficiency, but it will also be smaller than both hybrid vehicles. How much is extra space worth?

Insight versus the Prius? The choice is yours, and choice is what really matters.

Auris hybrid: Proof a city Prius possible

A great Prius derivative for America?

The Toyota Auris has become a pretty successful car for Toyota in Europe, and that success is pushing Toyota to consider a hybrid version of the Auris, a subcompact, for the European market.

Why not rebrand the Auris hybrid as a city Toyota Prius for America? Why let Honda sell the cheapest hybrid cars in America?

Hybrid killers: Cheaper gas, tighter credit and a weaker economy

Insight's Paris debut stifled by auto sales decline

Auto sales are crashing. Dealers are closing their doors. Consumers can't finance a new vehicle without perfect credit or a big wad of cash. Gas prices are still high, but falling.

So, what's selling? Small, cheap cars continue to move. Most other vehicle segments are falling drastically. And, if not for incentives, they'd be DOA.

Hybrid cars are still moving, but supply is limited. But what happens mid-next year when supplies of hybrids increase drastically?

If the economy is still faltering, as gas prices continue their slide, will these hybrids sell? Will cheaper gas and a weak economy take the hype out of hybrid vehicles without serious pricing incentives?

Revised plug-in tax credit in new bailout bill

$4,168 - $7,500 tax credit for plug-ins

If the new bailout package in Congress is approved on Friday, it will also include a new plug-in tax credit.

Plug-in vehicles weighing under 10,000 pounds with at least a 4 kWh battery pack will qualify for a $4,168 tax credit. The value of the credit will scale up to a maximum of $7,500 for each extra kWh of battery capacity.

Once automakers, collectively, sell 250,000 plug-ins in one year, the credit will expire.

Chevy Volt: Can it change perception of GM?

The Volt made a recent publicity stop at NASCAR

For many Americans, the Chevy Volt has become the savior of the US auto industry. A made in America foreign oil dependency freedom fighter. And, one day, it might just be that, but not any time soon.

In the interim, however, can it change the perception of GM and its ability to build quality automobiles?

Finish: Chevy Volt: Can it change perception of GM?

Chrysler's EVs more developed than Volt?

A Dodge plug-in concept at NAIAS 2007

Has Chrysler killed Chevy Volt hype?

Since the Volt debut in 2007, GM has reiterated over and over how they were accomplishing something almost inconceivable. Concept to reality in little more than 3 years. And, not just your standard concept. A range extended electric vehicle.

Yet, all the while, Chrysler has been quietly keeping pace. Of course, that statement isn't fully true. Chrysler's plug-in vehicles probably won't be launched as unique plug-in only models, such as the Volt. So, Chrysler's results are not as impressive.

Nevertheless, Chrysler's quick pace demonstrates that plug-ins aren't that hard to build. The real issue for both Chrysler and GM is, as it has always been, can these vehicles be powered with reliable, cost effective batteries that can be economically produced in great numbers? Unfortunately, that still won't be known even in late 2010 when these vehicles launch.

Plug-ins: Much ado about fuel economy credits?

Tesla hoping to sell its CAFE credits

Foreign oil dependency is choking America, literally, to death. Thus, I've advocated for hybrid cars, even when they don't make financial sense. It's an investment in the future and next generation technologies, such as plug-in hybrid vehicles.

Fortunately, these days, every automaker is planning some kind of plug-in, and that's a good thing. Yet, I worry.

In recent weeks, the EPA designation of plug-ins has become an important issue. Plug-in vehicles, like the flex-fuel credits of today, will provide important fuel economy credits for automakers, as flex fuel credits expire.

So, if GM only sells 60,000 Chevy Volts in 2013, those Volts will provide a significant number of fuel economy credits for GM's less efficient vehicles. Today, just a few flex fuel credits per vehicle enable automakers to, essentially, violate CAFE without penalty.

Thus, despite good intentions, flex fuel credits have increased US foreign oil dependency. And, particularly if gas prices decline a few quarters over the next few years, it seems plug-in credits could do the same. Is it time to end all fuel economy loopholes, I mean credits?

$50.00 oil or $200.00 oil?

Would $50.00 oil kill the Volt?

Despite gas lines popping up in many Southeast US cities, Donald Trump believes that oil prices could drop as low as $20 per barrel very soon. I was running some errands yesterday and overheard Trump on one of the business stations claim that gas prices - the lifeblood of the US economy according to Trump - were set for a huge decline. While Trump did cite speculation, he focused all his blame on OPEC.

2010: Hyundai hybrids finally come to US

Will be Hyundai's first full hybrid

In 2010, Hyundai will finally begin selling hybrid cars in the US. The Hyundai Sonata is scheduled to be the first hybrid to hit US shores.

More interesting, Hyundai plans to sell the Sonata hybrid as a lithium-powered hybrid vehicle that should increase fuel economy by 70 percent. LG Chem will provide the batteries.

Hyundai plans to sell 50,000 Sonata hybrids in the first year, but the automaker wants to quickly ramp up hybrid production to 500,000 hybrids - including other hybrid models - per year by 2018 according to AutoWeek.