Lithium breakthroughs just around the corner?

Who can make the best lithium anode

Interesting article in Technology Review regarding new techniques for developing lithium-ion batteries - breakthroughs that could instantly double the range of battery-powered vehicles. A number of researchers have been working on developing cost-effective ways of creating nanoporous silicon electrodes, with positive results, although many still believe that mass-production of such materials would be too cost-prohibitive for use in autos.

Still, while nanoporous silicon might not be the next big thing in batteries, most researchers believe that there is still a lot of potential to tap into when it comes to lithium batteries. Unlike the NiMH batteries powering today's hybrid cars, the upside potential of lithium batteries is still huge.

Interestingly, another piece of research cited in the report was the "impressive" work that GM demonstrated in September using silicon-coated carbon fibers in their lithium anodes.

Give the Big 3 a break, Take 2

How serious are we about ending foreign oil dependency

President Elect Barack Obama made a lot of strong statements during his Presidential campaign about energy security and green jobs, even touting $150 billion over 10 years to develop the green economy.

$150 billion will help, but it's a drop in the bucket needed for an energy revolution.

Not long ago, Al Gore suggested it would take $400 billion to develop a new, national smart grid - the kind of grid many experts claim is necessary for the widespread adoption of electric vehicles. Perhaps a company such as Better Place can alleviate the need for a such a super grid for EVs, but that's a different story.

Then, we need the electric vehicles, vehicles that are going to cost far more than conventional vehicles for many, many years. Finish: Give the Big 3 a break, Take 2

A Better Place than the Volt?

So yesterday?

It's 2016 and you need a new car. Now, you aren't rich. You're middle, middle class and living paycheck to paycheck. You really like the Chevy Volt, but all the consumer tax credits have been consumed, and the upfront costs are just too much. The new Toyota Prius, on the other hand, costs $10,000 less than the Volt, but skyrocketing gasoline prices mean even the fuel efficiency of hybrid cars might not be enough to save you from serious pump pain.

So, instead you buy a Prius-sized electric vehicle from one of Better Place's partners that not only costs several thousand less than the Prius, but your monthly fees for battery and charging are a third the cost of what you'd pay in monthly gas bills.

And, even if you have to take a few long trips that push you beyond Better Place's range, it would still be far cheaper to rent a Prius on those special occasions.

Seems a bit far-fetched, but the way Better Place keeps inking deals, I'm starting to believe that maybe it's possible. Maybe it isn't car makers that are critical to the future, but rather battery and infrastructure companies. And, maybe that future is closer than we think.

Give the Big 3 a break, Take 1

Even Honda is getting hammered?

Both Toyota and Honda posted sales declines of over 30 percent in November compared to last year. While that wasn't as bad as GM or Chrysler, those numbers were roughly in line with Ford's numbers.

And, for those buying cars, would you buy a car from a company that was weeks away from bankruptcy without government help? I wouldn't.

Does that justify Detroit's years of SUV madness at the expense of a balanced product portfolio? Of course not, but all of these automakers had started making serious changes before the credit crisis - a crisis that is hurting all automakers, even those making hybrid cars and small cars.

This alone doesn't justify a bailout, but it adds a little perspective. More coming on Take 2.

Too much hope built on hybrids?

Not another fuel cell vehicle

The hydrogen economy. For decades that was Detroit's mantra. Why worry about trying to increase fuel economy when gas was cheap and fuel cell vehicles were just around the corner, they argued. After decades of delays, the success of the Toyota Prius, and battery development breakthroughs, most have come to favor the plug-in revolution, rather than the hydrogen revolution. While hydrogen might make sense one day, battery-powered electrification makes more sense today.

But does plug-in electrification make enough sense today?

No one has yet proven that the safe, reliable and cost-effective mass production of battery technology for plug-ins is viable. Likewise, most lithium is mined in only a few places in the world, and there is much potential for supply and demand conflicts. Current NiMH technology, found in today's hybrid vehicles, is even more problematic for wide scale adoption.

None of this should be used as an excuse to limit efforts towards electrification. However, it does beg the question of whether electrification is enough, at least for today. Hence, isn't a push towards much smaller and lighter vehicles, for instance, also very important? Ultimately, shouldn't the revolution of the automobile be about much more than just what powers an automobile?

Another dual mode dud?

The Saturn Vue hybrid at the LA Auto Show

Several years ago, as the Toyota Prius was making hybrid cars synonymous with green in America, GM and Chrsyler decided to act. Instead of challenging the Prius, however, these two US automakers decided to convert GM's hybrid technology developed for buses into a hybrid powertrain that would turn the worst gas-guzzlers into something more respectable.

Many quickly called the technology superior to Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive, while claiming it focused on the most fuel inefficient vehicles. I always wondered, how much is it going to cost and how many people really need those gas-guzzlers?

Today, we've found out most people don't really need those guzzlers and the costs of making them more efficient are just too high. Thus, Chrysler's dual mode hybrid vehicles were DOA, and GM's aren't far behind - at least their initial dual mode hybrids.

The Saturn Vue hybrid, due out in a few months, however, is a much smarter sized SUV for today's world and it easily provides the best sale's potential of any GM hybrid, at least if priced competitively. But, now that Saturn is potentially on GM's chopping block, is it DOA as well?

3rd Gen Prius will NEVER use lithium?

NiMH-only until fourth gen Prius?

Due to costs and reliability concerns, Toyota has decided that the third generation Prius will never use lithium-ion batteries during its lifetime. Instead, the third generation of the Hybrid Synergy Drive will continue to use NiMH batteries - at least for the Prius - until at least the fourth generation Prius according to an unconfirmed report.

Toyota, according to the report, still plans to use lithium in the future. Also, Toyota has hinted at the possibility of lithium-powered Lexus hybrid vehicles. Thus, considering the production increases expected for the 2010 Prius, perhaps it's just not the right platform to validate lithium technology.

Bailout: What would sell you?

Build more hybrids?

If there is one thing that has annoyed me with the US auto industry more than anything the last 5 years, it's been the lack of hybrid cars, especially a Prius-fighter. Even GM's Chevy Volt really isn't a Prius-fighter. For many more years, there is going to be a need for both conventional hybrids and plug-in vehicles. Yet, I've still not heard of a plan from one US automaker to directly challenge the Toyota Prius.

Would a detailed plan to build more hybrid vehicles, in addition to plug-ins, sell you on an automaker bailout? What else would it take? Serious cuts in executive compensation? Serious cuts it UAW benefits?

What would sell you on the legitimacy of a bailout, or a bridge loan, for US automakers? Can anything sell you?

Forget plug-ins without a gas tax?

Insight: More realistic than plug-ins?

When it comes to buying a car, sticker price is the most important issue for most consumers. Unfortunately, hybrid cars and plug-in vehicles cost more, which makes it harder for manufacturers to turn a profit on such vehicles.

Thus, while GM has hung its green PR hat on the Chevy Volt plug-in vehicle, the Volt isn't going to help GM's bottom line for many years.

"In 10 years are they [at GM] going to solve the technological problems with respect to the Volt? Sure," says Maryann Keller, an automotive analyst and author of a book on GM. "But are they going to be able to stake their survival, which is really more of a now to five-year proposition, on it? I'd say they can't. They have to stake their future on Malibus, the Chevy Cruze, and much more conventional technologies."

Add $2.00 gas and how many consumers are really willing to pay a few thousand extra for a hybrid, or several thousand extra for a plug-in hybrid?

Is a mass conversion to plug-in vehicles possible in the next few decades without significantly higher gas prices? Isn't it time to get serious about a new gas tax?

LA Auto Show and green automakers? Shut up

Proof that BMW is a green automaker?

I've now read a number of articles that discuss how green the LA Auto Show is, and how committed automakers are to green technology. Please. What show were these journalists attending?

The Honda Insight hybrid, the Ford Fusion hybrid, the Mini E, the Toyota Camry Natural Gas hybrid and some fuel cell cars demonstrate how much more committed the auto industry is to green technology? Wow! You have to be drinking some pretty good kool-aide to buy that green message.

Certainly, the Honda Insight is a legitimate effort. But, 25,000 Fusion hybrids per year? Whatever. A few hundred two-seat electric Mini E's? That'll make a difference. A Toyota Camry Natural Gas Hybrid? There are no plans to sell it. Fuel cell cars? Awesome! There's a monkey ready to fly out of my ass with plans for the hydrogen highway.

Automakers aren't green and they won't be green any time soon. Already, US automakers testified before Congress that 35 mpg fleet fuel economy by 2020 was already pushing the limits of possibility. That won't come close to ending foreign oil dependency, nor will it reduce CO2 emissions nearly enough.

Outside of some minor, niche automakers, there is no such thing as a green automaker. Not even close.

LA Auto Show: Stupid is, stupid does

The buzz amongst consumers?

I spent a few hours at the LA Auto Show this weekend to get a feel for consumer reaction to the show and to specific vehicles, particularly hybrid vehicles. Obviously, consumers don't go to auto shows only looking for vehicles they would buy, they also go to live out fantasies of Ferrari ownership, or Rolls Royce luxury. So, following the crowds isn't always indicative of real world consumerism.

Nonetheless, I did notice a few interesting things. For instance, when it came to Ford and GM, neither the new Fusion hybrid nor the Chevy Volt most piqued consumer interest, instead attendees flocked to the Mustang and the Camaro.

In fact, the Fusion hybrid seemed to garner little interest, maybe because it looks just like, well, a Fusion.

Likewise, the Saturn Flextreme - built on the same E Flex Platform as the Volt - seemed to draw more interest than the Volt, perhaps because of its more unusual design. Still, the Volt was much more popular than the Fusion hybrid.

Again, auto shows might not be good barometers of consumer interest, however, if automakers did use the LA Show to help determine future consumer wants and desires, performance and gas-guzzling would still rule.

Hybrid Wonderland - Japanese R&D spending still strong

Despite the slow down in auto sales, R&D spending by Japanese automakers is not slowing down. Hybrid cars, electric vehicles - even vehicles that drive themselves - are all part of the future product portfolios of Japanese automakers. These automakers aren't just thinking about next year, but the next decade and even the decade after that.

While I believe that in recent years US automakers have worked on developing a new business model, they didn't act fast enough to counter decades of maximized profits at the expense of the future. One way or another, those days are over. Check out the video below.

10 percent EV by 2016, or 100 percent hybrid?

Bigger impact: $19,000 hybrid or $30,000 plug-in?

A while back I was reading about how EnerDel was increasing its battery producing capabilities in expectation of some new lithium-ion contracts. Essentially, EnerDel will have the ability to produce enough batteries for 45,000 electric vehicles per year, or 450,000 hybrid electric vehicles. For weeks now, these numbers have been churning in my head.

Then, on the eve of the LA Auto Show, Nissan CEO Carol Ghosn told CNBC that he believed that by 2016, the combined auto industry would be able to make 10 percent of the US fleet electric.

Well, using those EnerDel numbers, if there are enough batteries to convert 10 percent of conventional vehicles into electric vehicles, then there would be enough batteries to convert 100 percent of conventional vehicles into hybrid vehicles.

Which path is more productive? Are some automakers focusing on EVs because it delays a fast, massive change, while offseting the fuel economy of CAFE-killing guzzlers?

Consumers ready for hybrids

Ford's first hybrid car at the LA Auto Show

Americans want hybrid cars. That's the result of a recent survey according to GreenCarCongress.

Two thirds of Americans, despite declining gas prices, are interested in making their next auto purchase a hybrid. Even more interesting, most consumers aren't sure that hybrids are as reliable or comfortable as conventional vehicles, yet they are still interested.

In fact, consumers would like to trade in their gas guzzlers for hybrid vehicles, but they can't afford to make the move.

Sadly, even if these consumers could afford to trade in guzzlers for hybrids, there wouldn't be enough available, and their won't be for many years.

LA Auto Show: Where's the green?

The coolest green debut in LA

Yesterday, as I walked the floor of the LA Auto Show for what seemed like the 1000th time in two days, I felt very disappointed. While there were more hybrid cars and electric vehicles than ever displayed here, few will have any impact in the next couple of years. Many will never even be built.

When it comes to fuel economy, particularly city fuel economy, the auto industry has little to offer. 25,000 Ford Fusion hybrids just isn't enough. Nor are small cars, such as the Mini Cooper and its EPA estimated 26 mpg city fuel economy.

And, sure, maybe Nissan will have cost-competitive EVs in 2012, but until then we get nothing? Even then, are EVs the focus of the auto industry, or just a niche product to balance their guzzlers into CAFE compliance?

Green automakers? That's an oxymoron.

LA Auto Show - Volt still shines brightly

Still the green standard

GM debuted the Chevy Volt almost 2 years ago, yet it is still the green standard when it comes to Auto Shows. Sure, there are some pretty cool fuel cell vehicles out there, but PHEVs and EVs are much more realistic in the short to mid-term. In that segment, the Volt still stands above the rest.

Still, the competition is heating up. The Mini E, the Honda Insight and Hyundia's Hybrid Blue Drive were new developments at the LA Auto Show this year. And the competition will heat up even more at the Detroit Show in January when Toyota debuts the Third Generation Prius.

Plus, Hyundai, Honda and Toyota are seeking to challenge the Volt with much cheaper, conventional hybrid cars. Of course, Hyundai and Toyota will also challenge the Volt directly. Will GM ever challenge the Prius and Insight directly?

With two years before the Volt hits the streets, it seems obvious the competition will heat up even more. Will the Volt still dominate next year's LA Auto Show?

Toyota's natural gas hybrid: Going nowhere fast?

Just an auto show filler?

Let's be honest. When it comes to Toyota and hybrid cars, it's all about the Prius, especially when the third generation Prius is just months from making its North American debut.

In the past couple of years, Toyota has used the green-focused LA Auto Show to, well, show off its new gas-guzzlers, such as the Sequoia.

This year, Toyota will show off its Camry natural gas hybrid. Yet, under the Obama administration, does natural gas mean anything? Is this hybrid even less valuable the Sequoia?

Best hybrids of the LA Auto Show

Ford Fusion hybrid

There are going to be a number of new hybrid cars at this year's LA Auto Show. While much of the hype has been focused on the Honda Insight hybrid, it is the Ford Fusion hybrid that I am almost most interested in, almost.

The new Fusion hybrid will debut Ford's new hybrid powertrain - no longer dependent on Ford's Hybrid Synergy Drive. Even more exciting, it will out perform the Toyota Camry hybrid in fuel economy.

Unfortunately, however, Ford only intends to produce 25,000 Fusion and Milan hybrid vehicles per year. That simply doesn't cut the mustard. It also makes me wonder, is Ford's new hybrid powertrain truly cost-competitive?

Bail out automakers to save the Chevy Volt? Part II

I still love the Volt, but it's time for some reality

On Monday, after reading some stories supporting a US automaker bailout to save the Chevy Volt, I slammed the suggestion (more). It's not that I don't believe in the viability of the Volt, it's that I don't believe the Volt is the critical piece of this discussion.

After watching the CEO's of the Big 3 testify before Congress Tuesday, I believe that even more. Both Ford and GM insisted that the new CAFE requirements - 35 mpg by 2020 - were the absolute most achievable limit. Any new strings for the bailout, they argued, should not include higher fuel economy standards.

Hence, by 2020, most US-made vehicles will still be conventional vehicles - though conventional vehicles with direct injection and other technologies that will increase fuel economy - not vehicles like the Volt.

More important, while 35 mpg fleet fuel economy means foreign oil dependency from the Persian Gulf will be reduced by half, America will still be terribly dependent upon foreign oil in 2020. This reality, not the Volt, should be the focus of the bailout talks.

Why can't automakers help end foreign oil dependency by 2020? If EVs and hybrid cars can't get us there be 2020, what other technologies, fuels, etc. can get us there? Can cellulosic ethanol be significantly increased in the next 10 years? Can natural gas help? Something else?

The US auto industry needs government help, and I'm inclined to help. However, if the government and US tax payers are going to partner with the US auto industry to achieve success, why not strive for revolutionary success?

Silverado - Another $40,000 GM hybrid

At least it makes functional sense

I've always believed that the first Big 3 hybrid needed to be a hybrid that competed directly against the Toyota Prius. Instead, the Big 3 focused on hybrid SUVs, and for GM and Chrysler, huge hybrid SUVs. Yet, even if you were going to make a large hybrid, shouldn't it have been a pickup - a vehicle some absolutely need?

Anyway, GM is finally ready to begin selling the Sierra / Silverado hybrid trucks. The GMC Sierra hybrid will list from $39,365 - $45,500 depending upon the model. The Chevy Silverado hybrid will list from $38,995 - $45,130.

The bailout, electrification and gas prices

Is electrification going to save the US auto industry?

The article Will Detroit's cash crisis kill the electric car? questions whether the Chevy Volt can survive without the bailout, and whether the electric car dies if Detroit dies.

Please. The electrification of the automobile isn't dependent upon either GM or Detroit. In fact, very major automaker, and a number of minor automakers, are working on some form of electrification.

A smarter question might be, when is the electric car going to be profitable for any major automaker? Or, in what year will the first automaker produce even 100,000 EVs in a single year - something the Chevy Volt won't do for several years after it launches in late 2010.

Reality sucks

Tomorrow, the highly anticipated Honda Insight hybrid will hit the floors of the LA Auto Show. Yet, some are already questioning its viability at today's gas prices because study after study demonstrate that auto consumer interest in fuel economy is driven by one thing: gas prices.

Not global warming. Not foreign oil dependency. Simple economics.

Ultimately, gas prices could remain low for several more years. Coupled with a recession, these lower prices could severely dampen interest in hybrid cars and electric vehicles - vehicles that won't be profitable for already struggling US automakers for many years.

Saving the US auto industry is not going to be easy, and it is certainly not as simple as saving the Volt. While the Volt is undoubtedly an extremely important vehicle, it, and electrification in general, won't help solve any financial woes for many years. What happens until then?

Bailout automakers to save the Chevy Volt? No.

The Volt is not the reason to bailout GM

Today, Toyota makes a profit on all of its hybrid cars, thanks to the Prius. Yet, not one US automaker has developed a Prius-contender.

Rather than challenge the Toyota Prius directly, GM conceptualized a product to leapfrog Toyota - a perfect marketing coupe. Essentially, GM could claim that they didn't need to develop a car like the Prius because the Chevy Volt would be so much better than the Prius. This then gave GM time to keep rolling out gas-guzzlers as the technology caught up to the Volt concept.

Some have forgiven all of GM's past wrongs because of the Volt, and even believe that the entire US auto industry should be bailed out to protect the Volt. Yet, when will the Volt be profitable? When will GM be able to produce even 100,000 Volts per year? 5 years? 10 years?

More important, within 5 years, there is every reason to believe that numerous automakers might have products just as exciting as the Volt, even better than the Volt. Recently, even lowly Chrysler showed that they aren't that far behind the Volt.

Bailing out automakers solely for the Chevy Volt would the same kind of ignorance and denial that has put GM and the rest of the Big 3 in need of a bailout. A bailout MUST be about far, far more than the Volt.

Prius markups? Yeah right. It's incentive time

$1,000 off MSRP

Just came accross an ad for the Toyota Prius offering $1,000 off MSRP here in Southern California - a far cry from the $5,000 + that some dealers were adding onto MSRP this summer.

If you believe that falling gas prices are just the calm before the storm, or you just want to do your part to fight global warming or foreign oil dependency, finding a good deal on a hybrid is getting easier. And, it's going to get even easier.

Competition in the hybrid cars segment will increase significantly in 2009, especially with the launch of the Honda Insight hybrid. Additionally, Toyota has promised a significant increase in Prius production.

2010 Prius production slow down?

US Prius production on hold?

CNBC just reported that there is an unconfirmed story coming out of Japan that Toyota is putting plans for its Tupelo, MS plant on hold. Now, before you say, the 2010 Toyota Prius is supposed to be built in Blue Springs, MS, not Tupelo, recognize that Blue Springs is a tiny Mississippi town just a few miles outside of Tupelo.

Obviously, Toyota can still produce quite a lot of Prius hybrids without any US production, but Toyota had planned a huge production increase with the launch of the third gen. Prius. Is that increase possible without the new plant?

F Wall Street - Give GM the money

At least GM has something to offer

I've not been a big fan of an automaker bailout, unless used to make the Big 3 significantly more efficient. Earlier today, I even argued the bailout MUST include strings.

Well, I've changed my mind. Give GM the money.

Does GM deserve it? I don't care. If not for the Wall Street-created financial crisis GM wouldn't need any bailout money. Instead, we could just be angry at them for not making enough fuel efficient vehicles.

Still, if GM was selling two hybrid cars as successful as the Toyota Prius - for as long as Toyota has been selling hybrids - GM would STILL be facing bankruptcy.

GM is facing bankruptcy because of Wall Street. Yet, Wall Street is leading the charge to bankrupt the US auto industry? Please. The automaker bailout isn't even chump change compared to the money being spent on the chaos caused by Wall Street. At least GM sells a real product, unlike the expensive lies Wall Street sells.

Sketches of new Lexus and 2011 Camry hybrids?

The Lexus HS250h

Here is a shot of the Lexus HS250h from Mag-X that some are speculating will be the new Lexus hybrid set to debut at NAIAS 2009 in January. According to VW Vortex the new Lexus hybrid will utilize the same 2.4 liter engine currently found in the Toyota Camry hybrid.


The 2011 Toyota Camry?

Likewise, here is a picture of the 2011 Toyota Camry hybrid that is expected to utilize the same third generation Hybrid Synergy Drive set to debut in the 2010 Toyota Prius, except the new Camry hybrid will move up to a 2.5 liter engine.

Similar to the third gen. Prius, the new Camry hybrid is expected to offer better performance and fuel economy.

Mercedes S400 hybrid built specifically for PR

Is Dieter Zetsche stupid?

Luxury hybrid vehicles don't resonate well with me. Fuel efficient luxury vehicles might help develop technology, but they are going to have little effect on global warming or foreign oil dependency. Still, for the technology development, I do at least partially advocate for these hybrids.

So, with interest, I read MotorTrend's review of the S400 hybrid and then I read this:

Daimler chief Dieter Zetsche told me a few weeks back that the car's fate had changed with high gas prices. "At first I thought it was just a marketing tool, just so we could say we had a hybrid. Now it's hard to tell." Interest has been high. "But I'm not sure I want to sell too many, given the cost of it to us."

Gas prices - Why strings MUST be attached to any bailout

Detroit still far behind the Prius

Pop open the bubbly, ladies and gentlemen, it's party time. In 4 states gas has fallen below $2.00 per gallon. On Wall Street, the overwhelming consensus is $50 oil before $65.

But, is that a good thing?

When gas was $2.00 US automakers laughed at the Toyota Prius. Today, the Prius has already sold more than 1,000,000 Prius hybrid cars, yet there won't be one US made Prius-contender on the road until late 2010 with the Chevy Volt. Moreover, GM probably won't be selling the 100,000 Volts per year until at least 2014.

Fortunately, if gas prices remain low, America's gas-guzzling will decline thanks to CAFE, but CAFE regulations won't be strong enough to end foreign oil dependency. Unfortunately, as history as proven, US automakers will simply do as much as needed to achieve CAFE, and when foreign oil dependency again rears its ugly head, America will again be unprepared.

Thus, a bailout must include strings.

Bailout BS: Fixing the US auto sector in 3 easy steps

Tough love for Big 3 includes giving the Prius some credit

I've had enough automaker bailout talk. Let's be frank, US automakers deserve bankruptcy. Yes, in the last few years, automakers have made many important changes, but a few years doesn't rectify decades of bad decisions and unreliable automobiles. Of course, most US auto consumers need to have their gas-guzzlers repossessed as well.

Yet, what good would this destruction create? 10,000 new Tesla employees? Less foreign oil dependency? The end of CO2 emissions from autos?

No. So, here's what Congress should do in 3 simple steps. 1.) Bailout US automakers enough so that they can survive another 3 years. 2.) Add unlimited consumer tax credits through 2015 for hybrid vehicles, EVs, natural gas cars, and any vehicle that can achieve at least 35 mpg on the EPA's city - NOT HIGHWAY -cycle, and 3.) Create a scalable gas tax immediately. This puts a bottom on oil prices, funds the tax credits, and sends a message - more transparent than Congressional regulation - to automakers that gas-guzzling is dead.

Smaller Prius Coupe closer to reality

Honda's hybrid coupe

For some time Toyota has been discussing Prius derivatives - both larger and smaller than the current the Prius. A smaller Prius coupe is now close to becoming a reality, according to MotorTrend, which also offers a sketch of the vehicle. Few details, other than the sketch, are yet available, but the Prius coupe is expected to utilize the same HSD as the soon-to-be-released 2010 Prius.

Vue plug-in hybrid to be delayed?

Not until after the Volt launch?

GM hasn't made any official comments regarding the final production date of the Saturn Vue plug-in hybrid, but some are speculating that this means the Vue plug-in will now be a 2011 production model, rather than a 2010. The speculation makes some sense, however, I wouldn't make any wagers just yet.

Are Toyota's hybrid plans recession proof?

Set for launch late next year?

Last month, Toyota Prius sales were down 10 percent. Not bad, considering that October was one of the worst months ever in auto sales. And, while hybrid cars have helped Toyota's sales strength the last few years, this recession is greatly hurting Toyota.

"At least there's no red ink at the moment. But if the situation deteriorates we could be looking at that," said Ashvin Chotai, managing director of Intelligence Automotive Asia reports the AFP.

Thus, "Planned factories, existing facilities, new projects; they [Toyota] are reviewing all of them," said Toyota executive vice president Mitsuo Kinoshita.

If US auto buyers can't afford anything but the cheapest cars, amidst declining gas prices, hybrid sales will take a hit. Such a hit, I'll bet, could easily delay the launch of the 2010 Toyota Prius few months, and slow the launch of any consumer-orientated plug-in hybrids from Toyota as well. And that new Lexus hybrid? Why be in a rush when Lexus hybrid sales got hammered last month?

Audi to make hybrid version of Q5

At least for Japan

The Audi Q5 will come in a hybrid version, according to Green Car Congress, at least for the Japanese market. Still, the new hybrid isn't expected until at least 2012.