The Chevy Volt and the end of Government Motors

You've come a long way baby

So, GM repaid the final $5.8 billion owed in government bailout loans. That's great. Of course, it might have been a bit nicer had GM returned the people's money with actual profits, rather than a government escrow account, but the perception of Government Motors is undoubtedly holding GM back. Paying off this debt helps remove that ugly blemish.

Nevertheless, $5.8 billion is pocket change. GM's real debt to America is ....

Finish: The Chevy Volt and the end of Government Motors

I hate Prius drivers!

You're so smug

Came across MotorTrend's Smug Alert! Paper examines Park Slope Prius Panic and, of course, I had to check it out. Apparently a NY newspaper went into a neighborhood that "so creepily resembles San Francisco" and is, therefore, home to a high number of hybrid drivers. For instance, the reporter went to a Park Slope, NY coop where 6 out of 14 cars in the parking lot were Prius hybrids, so they were interviewed on their worries of sudden acceleration.

None were worried. Instead, these Toyota Prius drivers were concerned with how a few bad drivers and an overly-sensationalized media might hurt the long term value of their hybrid cars.

MotorTrend's author called the newspaper's piece the most insightful story on the hybrid icon since the "Smug Alert!" episode of "South Park", which was actually a pretty funny episode, as there is no doubt some smugness in the hybrid community.

So what?

In my SoCal neighborhood, for instance, there is easily as much smugness amongst USC football fans driving their BMWs and Range Rovers regarding both their luxury vehicles and their football team. At least Prius drivers are deriving their smugness from trying to do something positive - not just for themselves, but for everyone and the environment.

What is football smugness about?

Again, there is no doubt that some Prius drivers are smug. It seems most of us are a little smug about something. Nevertheless, surveys prove that a huge majority of Americans are worried about foreign oil dependence, yet most seemingly just bury their heads in the sand and pretend nothing can be done. Perhaps some of this 'smugness' perception is less about Prius drivers and more about gas-guzzling guilt?

Incentives for hybrid buyers

Even some deals on the Prius?

For the last several months Honda has offered the best deals for hybrid shoppers, but for those not interested in a Honda hybrid, the hybrid bargains haven't been as plentiful.

Last night, however, I stopped by my local Toyota dealership and found several hybrid specials, even on the Toyota Prius. For instance I could lease a package 2 Prius for $249 month, or receive a $500 rebate or 0 percent financing on a Camry hybrid.

Anyone else been shopping hybrid cars recently?

Prius continues to dominate Japanese auto sales

More than 35,000 sold in March

Toyota sold almost 3 times as many Prius hybrids in Japan as compared to the US in March. With a whopping 35,546 units sold last month in its home market, the Prius topped Japanese sale's charts for the 11th month in a row, largely thanks to government incentives.

Just another example of the importance of government involvement in the development of battery-powered vehicles?

Recall can't slow Toyota Prius sales

What recall?

US Toyota Prius sales jumped 27 percent in March compared to last year, as Toyota sold 11,786 units.

Overall, Toyota sold 16,714 hybrid vehicles in March.

I guess that pretty much sums up the lack of Prius sale's incentives since the recalls.

40 mpg and it's not a hybrid?

A Cruze to better fuel economy

The Toyota Prius is rated at 48 mpg highway by the EPA, the Honda Insight 43 mpg.

According to GM, the Chevy Cruze should achieve about 40 mpg highway, prompting CNN's Peter Valdes-Dapena yesterday to claim, "The automaker's new Chevrolet Cruze ECO will get very high gas --mileage without relying on any hybrid technology."

And what about the Cruze's city fuel economy? That is largely the point of hybrid technology, right?

City fuel economy for the Prius is 51 mpg, and 40 mpg for the Insight. Yet, GM isn't even releasing its estimates for the Cruze's city fuel economy. I wonder why? Might it be that when overall fuel economy is compared, the Cruze simply won't compare to hybrid vehicles? Won't the Cruze be lucky to achieve even 30 mpg in the city?

The Cruze is a nice car, and it might be a great deal for highway commuters concerned with fuel economy, but if priced similarly to the Insight or the Prius, those concerned with fuel economy will do much better with a hybrid.

Mazda Prius coming soon

The Mazda Tribute hybrid

Back in July it was reported that by 2013, Mazda would begin licensing Toyota hybrid technology as part of its plan to sell 100,000 hybrid cars per year. Today, Mazda has confirmed that it will begin using the same hybrid technology in the Toyota Prius coupled with its next generation Sky engine to develop a new hybrid car that will go on sale in 2013.

Toyota Prius unintended acceleration charges in Japan

Police to charge driver

Following an investigation of a Toyota Prius crash in Japan, police are now seeking to charge the driver of the Prius.

Originally, the driver claimed that the Prius brakes didn't respond, but the data retrieved from an investigation into the crash demonstrated that the brakes were working just fine and that the driver, not the Prius, was at fault according to CNBC News.

Runaway NY Prius probably due to driver error

A favorite for bad drivers?

Just caught Phil Lebeau on CNBC reporting that the NY case of a runway Toyota Prius, according to data captured and reviewed by Toyota and the NHTSA, appears to have been a case of driver error.

JD Power: Prius most dependable compact

Tops according to JD Power and Consumer Reports

Here we go again. Numerous lawyers around the country have called Toyota vehicles unsafe and unreliable. Yet, again, however, real world data doesn't match these assertions.

Not long ago, despite the recalls, Consumer Reports data again showed that Toyota is still one of the most reliable brands, and both the Prius and Camry hybrid were Top Ten Best Values.

Today, JD Power has released its latest reliability findings and the Prius is the most dependable compact car. While Toyota did drop 3 spots in dependability to number 5, Lexus was third and Toyota still topped more segments than any other automaker.

Surviving unintended acceleration is easy

Neutral, neutral, neutral

Kudos to Edmunds for putting out a number of stories focused on the real unintended acceleration story, survival.

Yes, I know, many of these unintended acceleration stories are probably nonsense, such as the latest runaway Prius story, and that might also be a piece of the 'real story'. Likewise, the chances of experiencing unintended acceleration are exceptionally slim.

Ultimately, despite what Congressional grand-standers, ambulance chasing attorneys and a drama-thirsty media would have you believe, most instances of unintended acceleration are easy to survive. According to Edmunds, shifting your car into neutral instantly ends unintended acceleration. Nevertheless, Edmunds was still was able to stop a V-6 Camry with a wide open throttle by keeping strong and constant pressure on the brakes, even without power brakes.

Essentially, almost all sudden acceleration problems are survivable, if you are an informed driver.

Speaking of which, anyone want to start a class action lawsuit against the DMV for failing to properly educate today's motorists?

Edmunds slows down an out of control Prius, easily

How out of control is an out of control Prius?

Edmunds.com has put together a video of the different ways to slow down an "out of control" Toyota Prius. Ironically, Edmunds finds that an out of control Prius really isn't that out of control.

Check out the video

Another speeding Prius

An unintended 94 mph

Yesterday, a Southern California man claimed to have experienced sudden acceleration in his 2008 Toyota Prius. For some 30 miles James Sikes could not slow his 94 mph Prius.

After passing another car on the freeway, Sikes said the gas pedal stuck and the car just kept accelerating. Putting full pressure on the brakes did nothing to slow the Prius which "just kept accelerating". While unintentionally accelerating, Sikes drove the car with one hand while trying to remove the floor mat and even trying to work the gas pedal lose, but that didn't work either.

After a fruitless 911 call, a CHP officer pulled alongside the man and instructed him to put on the emergency brake while depressing the brakes, bringing the car's speed down to 55 mph, at which point the officer told Sikes to shut off the car.

In a later report, Sikes said he would have shut off the car earlier, but he was worried about losing the power steering.

Related: InsideLine calls Sikes story "BS"

Toyota Prius World Car of the Year Finalist

One of three Finalists

The Toyota Prius, Mercedes Benz E Class, and the Volkswagen Polo have been chosen as the 3 Finalists for the World Car of the Year to be announced April 1st at the New York Auto Show.

The Prius, along with the Honda Insight, is also up for the World Green Car of the Year.

Toyota Prius deals already over?

Back to MSRP

A few weeks ago, as a blood thirsty Congress began to really tear into Toyota, many Toyota dealers were willing to cut up to $1500 off MSRP on a new Toyota Prius, but those days appear to be ending.

In February, despite the recalls and mountains of bad press, Prius sales were still up 10 percent year on year in the US, and the Prius was still the top selling vehicle in Japan.

Certainly, you might still be able to find deals in some markets a bit longer, but in hot markets like the LA area, most good deals have probably already been made.

Lutz out, new Prius-fighting hybrids in?

Time to take on the Prius

I've met GM's Bob Lutz a number of times, and I've largely been in awe of the guy every time, even though I've never really agreed with him on hardly any issue. Consequently, I'm glad that Mr. Lutz is retiring.

It's not that Lutz didn't do a lot of great things for GM, he did. Still, his hatred of the Toyota Prius - envy deep down inside I bet - was a constant topic around Lutz for many years, and Lutz's views cast a huge shadow upon GM.

Some time back, before Michael Jordan retired the second time, but before the third retirement, Coach Pat Riley stated that no one would dethrone the Chicago Bulls until Jordan left the game.

In my over-exagerated opinion, Lutz was GM's Michael Jordan, and he would have never allowed GM to produce a hybrid to directly take on the Prius. Such a vehicle, unfortunately, would confirm that GM was wrong regarding the Prius and hybrid cars oh so many years ago.

Instead, Lutz was always focused on beating the Prius, proving the whole "science experiment", as Lutz often called the Prius, wrong. That Lutzian desire led to the 'cheaper' BAS hybrid, the 'more technologically advanced' dual mode hybrid, and finally to the Chevy Volt.

Yet, as GM has sold thousands of hybrids over that time, Toyota has sold millions.

Just as disappointing, the truth is, the Volt is not going to challenge the Prius either. OK. Maybe the Volt will challenge the plug-in Prius version of the Prius, but that's it, as both plug-in hybrids are destined to remain low volume vehicles for years, maybe even a decade. Ironically, however, according to the experts, GM might have again missed the mark by putting too big of a battery pack in the Volt to ever be cost-effective without a major breakthrough in lithium battery technologies.

By no means does that mean the Volt was a mistake. It simply means it's not enough, especially in the short term. For the next 10 - 20 years, conventional hybrid vehicles like Prius are going to far outsell plug-ins like the Chevy Volt, and GM needs a more well-rounded hybrid portfolio until the Volt achieves its potential.

Of course, in no way does Lutz's retirement mean new Prius-fighting hybrids are coming from GM, but at least it seems like a legitimate possibility now, especially considering the never-ending shakeup taking place at GM.

The Geneva hybrid vehicle show, kind of

But is it all just hype?

Auto shows and hybrid cars. It's the norm, right?

So far the Geneva Auto Show has seemed a bit like a hybrid festival, particularly with the debuts of Porsche and Ferrari hybrids sucking up a lot of press.

But what do these hybrids really mean? Not much.

Probably the most important debut thus far has been Toyota's Auris hybrid, since it's actually production ready, but if it isn't much cheaper than the Prius, can the Auris hybrid really conquest many more hybrid buyers?

Likewise, Hyundai's diesel hybrid i flow concept certainly makes Hyundai's hybrid plans look more compelling. Still, hybrids are already too expensive for most buyers, can diesel hybrids really change that, even in diesel-loving Europe?

None of that means the Geneva Auto Show is a hybrid disappointment, but one of these years a legitimate show-stopper would be nice. I'll keep my fingers crossed for now.

Prius sales UP 10 percent in February

A ray of hope?

Just about spit out my coffee when I saw February's sales numbers for the Toyota Prius. Up 10 percent.

Sure, Toyota dealers were willing to shave up to $1500 off MSRP, but in light of the recalls, up 10 percent is surprising. Down 10 percent would have been less surprising.

So, I guess the question becomes, where do Prius incentives go from here, if there are any more Prius incentives?

Auris hybrid more efficient than Prius. Cheaper?

Is it just about styling?

When the new Toyota Auris hybrid goes on sale in Europe, it will be even more efficient than the Toyota Prius. The third generation Prius rates at 72.4 mpg on the European cycle, while the new Auris hybrid achieves between 70.6 mpg - 74.3 mpg, dependent upon options according to MotorTrend. Thus, at best, the difference in fuel economy between these two Toyota hybrid cars is not staggering, especially once downsized by the US's EPA cycle.

So, what's the point of the Auris? European styling? More cost-effective fuel efficiency? A combination of both? I guess we'll find out soon.

Best Values: Fusion hybrid v Camry hybrid

91 percent would buy again

The Ford Fusion hybrid topped the Toyota Prius in the Consumer Reports 'Buy Again' category. 91 percent of Fusion hybrid buyers would buy again, while 88 percent of Prius buyers would buy again.

Interestingly, however, according to Consumer Report's testing, the Camry hybrid and the Fusion hybrid both average about 34 mpg, despite the EPA's higher fuel economy rating for the Fusion hybrid. Still, both hybrid cars offered Top 10 fuel economy.

Ultimately, the Camry hybrid came in as CR's 10th Top Value, ahead of the Fusion hybrid, which did not make the Top 10.

Toyota Prius a Best Value according to Consumer Reports

Brake glitch not much of an issue?

"Recent recalls nonwithstanding", Toyota still placed 3rd on Consumer Report's reliability, value and performance ratings, and the Prius helped lead the way.

Of all cars tested, the Prius achieved the Best Fuel Economy while also being named a Best Overall Safety pick in the small car segment, making the Prius CR's Top Green Pick. Additionally, 88 percent of Prius consumers would still buy another Prius.

Overall, Consumer Reports ranked the Prius as the 2nd Best Overall Value.

Good times ahead for Toyota buyers

Incentives and more incentives

Mike Jackson, CEO of AutoNation, believes that Toyota was a little slow getting ahead of the current recall issues plaguing the automaker, and that was a mistake. Nonetheless, overall Jackson believes that in a few months Toyota should mostly regain its sale's loss.

However, regaining lost market share will require consumer incentives. So, the next several months should provide great buying opportunities for Toyota consumers.

In terms of hybrid cars, already Toyota has been willing to negotiate $1,500 off MSRP on the Toyota Prius, and sweeter dealers seem inevitable.

Prius pricing: Buy a 2010 Prius now at invoice

$1500 less than suggested retail prices?

Still in the market for a 2010 Toyota Prius?

According to Kelly Blue Book data, Toyota dealers are willing to make deals on the Prius, and you can now negotiate the price of a Prius to about the dealer invoice price, or $1500 less than MSRP.

Anybody buy a Prius in the last few days?

And I'd still buy a Toyota Prius

Time to chillax?

OK. Recall. Recall. Recall. Tired of hearing those words yet?

I am, and I'm going to try to avoid them for the next few days. Besides, if I were going to write again on this issue, it would very much resemble MotorTrend's Wild, Out of Control Toyotas? Baloney. So, why rewrite what has already been said?

Thus, I'd just like to conclude my recall talk by saying that if I were in the market today, I'd buy a Toyota Prius without any hesitation, even a used third generation Prius without the braking software update.

And I'd still sleep soundly at night.

Toyota Prius interest on the rise

A good time to find a Prius deal?

According to some recent consumer data, Toyota Prius interest is on the rise, despite a recently acknowledged glitch in the regenerative braking system.

All new Prius hybrids sold today already come with the new software patch for the braking issue, so many are speculating that potential Prius buyers are hoping that all the recent bad press is driving deals.

No word yet on whether Prius buyers are actually finding any deals.

Prius unintended acceleration: Can Wozniak be wrong?

Next up, a cruise control glitch?

Over the last few days I've come across a few references to some problems that Steve Wozniak, Apple Co-Founder, has had with his latest Toyota Prius. This morning I finally read a story thanks to an e-mail from reader Steve.

Wozniak claims he can easily repeat a situation in cruise control when he can make the the Prius unintentionally accelerate. Fortunately, the situation can be controlled with braking, assuming the report is true. Ultimately, in Wozniak's professional opinion, the Prius cruise control software needs an upgrade.

Despite his claims of repeatability, Wozniak was not able to convince either Toyota or the NHTSA that there is a problem. Moreover, Toyota claims it investigated Wozniak's claim - an assumption I'm making as Toyota responded that they investigate all complaints - but was not able to find any evidence of such a problem.

I don't get it. If Wozniak can repeat the issue at will, how can neither Toyota nor the NHTSA find a problem? Is Wozniak tricking the system in a way that only one of the world's most infamous software engineers would attempt? Anybody have any more details on how Wozniak can force the Prius to accelerate unintentionally while in cruise control?

CNN's fair and balanced Prius, Fusion hybrid coverage?

Did Toyota act any differently than Ford?

So, Toyota knew there might be a glitch in their braking software for the 2010 Prius, but didn't offer a software update to consumers because they weren't sure it was really necessary since the brakes don't actually fail. Thus, CNNMoney ran the headline, Prius brakes: Toyota knew, didn't tell you.

Fair enough.

Interestingly, turns out Ford did EXACTLY the same thing. For months, Ford has also known about a very similar glitch in their Fusion and Milan hybrids, but also didn't tell consumers because the brakes don't actually fail. However, CNN ran the headline, Ford rolls out software fix for hybrid brakes.

That's balanced coverage?

Earlier this week, I cited another example of the CNN's over-eagerness to slam Toyota versus other automakers, including the Prius.

So, what's going on over at CNN? Two automakers have almost exactly the same problem, handle it almost exactly the same way, but only one is evil for doing so? Why the obvious bias? Some angles drive more revenue than others, and that's more important than the facts? CNN likes Ford and GM better than Toyota? What's the deal?

Fusion hybrid also needs a brake fix

Similar problem as the new Prius?

Just like the new Toyota Prius, the Ford Fusion hybrid is in need of a software update to fix a glitch in its braking system.

Much like the Prius, the Fusion hybrid can experience a lag, where it does not seem the brakes are working correctly. However, as long as the driver keeps depressing on the brakes, they will work after a possible, momentary lag.

Ironically, Ford, just as Toyota, has known about the problem for months, but since the brakes don't fail, wasn't sure a recall was needed. I guess it's not just big, bad Toyota.

Prius recall now official

In need of a software tweak

Toyota has acknowledged that the third generation Prius needs a software update to prevent a braking lag that can occur on bumpy or slippery surfaces. According to Toyota, the lag lasts for less than a second, but the brakes will work as long as the driver keeps pushing down on the brake pedal.

Toyota has already made the software update to all new Prius hybrids being sold.

Can the US handle Toyota's recalls objectively?

Heard about the 1,100 Cobalt complaints yet?

So, Toyota has sold several hundred thousand Toyota Prius hybrids and a few dozen drivers have complained about less than adequate brakes in icy and/or bumpy road conditions. Obviously, this is an important issue to be investigated, especially in light of Toyota's sluggish response to potential accelerator issues, but just how important is it really?

For instance, is it more important than more than 1,100 complaints of Chevy Cobalts losing their power steering? It seems so for much the media. For instance CNNMoney ran this headline on the Prius, Complaints pile up about Prius brakes and made it a lead story. CNN also ran the Cobalt story with this headline, About 900,000 Cobalts in probe, and they buried the story.

So, 1,100 complaints are irrelevant compared to dozens of complaints because it's the Prius? 1100 complaints and growing is a 'probe', but dozens of complaints are a 'pile' on?

Likewise, today Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood stated that Toyota drivers affected by the recall need to stop driving their vehicles until fixed. Of course, he later recanted that statement, but the damage had already been done. The fact that 99 percent of Toyota drivers affected by the recall have experienced NO problem made LaHood change his tune a bit.

For days now I've wondered, can the US government objectively monitor Toyota now that it has directly invested more than $100 billion into the US auto industry, while also loaning 10's of billions more to automakers? For example, in a court of law such a party would usually have to recluse themselves from such a case for having a vested interest.

And the US government certainly has a vested interest. Today, anything good for the US auto industry is good for the US government, and there is no doubt the Toyota recall has been GREAT for the US auto industry. In fact, the Toyota recall has been the best news Detroit has received in years.

Certainly, that doesn't excuse Toyota, a company that has seemed to have had its head up its ass for a while on this recall issue.

Still, there are almost 1 million cars on the road right now that could lose power steering at any moment. Who knows how many crashes and repair bills this has caused in the past as most complaints have only been received in just the last several months. We do know, however, that some Cobalt owners, minimally, have paid to have this problem fixed in years past without ever knowing that the problem was a defect. So, when did GM suspect there might be a problem?

Yet, most of the press doesn't care. It's 'pile' on Toyota time. Yet, I have to ask, does that have anything to do with the fact that, historically, GM has been critically more important than all other automakers for the advertising profits of much of the US media?

Again, that doesn't absolve or lessen Toyota's recall responsibility, but are Toyota's problems really that much different from problems that regularly face - and HAVE faced - most automakers at some point in time?

What do 100,000 Volts, Leafs or Prius hybrids per year really mean?

No impact on foreign oil dependence for 2 decades?

For several years now, Toyota has sold more than 100,000 Prius hybrids per year in the US. In fact, Toyota has sold more than 1 million hybrid cars in the US alone.

Yet, what effect have one million hybrids had on US foreign oil dependence? None.

Soon, GM will launch the highly-anticipated Chevy Volt, yet it might be a decade before GM is selling 100,000 Volts per year. Likewise, late this year Nissan will begin US production of the Leaf electric car. When Nissan's new production facility is fully operational, it will produce up to 150,000 Leafs per year.

Yet again, what impact will these vehicles have on foreign oil dependence?

Unfortunately, according to numerous studies, ALL electric vehicle sales in the US, combined, won't have any noticeable impact on foreign oil dependence for probably another TWO decades, and even then the effect might still be marginal.

Certainly, automakers have to start electrifying the automobile somewhere, and the Prius, Volt and Leaf are all noble and important products. Nonetheless, their impact upon the environment and foreign oil dependence will remain meaningless for decades.

Is this really the best that America can do?

Next recall: Toyota Prius

Funky brakes

Glad I don't own any shares of Toyota! As if the current recalls aren't bad enough, another could be in the works, this time on Toyota's ever more important Toyota Prius.

Toyota has received about 100 complaints about brakes on the third generation Prius. In most of these incidents Prius drivers complained that the brakes were "not so sharp", especially on bumpy or frozen roads.

Thus far Toyota has sold more than 1.6 million Prius hybrids and almost 90 percent of Prius owners would buy another Prius.

How will the Toyota Prius sell in February?

Less interesting because it's a Toyota?

When it comes to hybrid cars, the far majority of all sales come from Toyota, particularly from the Prius. Without Toyota, hybrid vehicles probably wouldn't even be on the average American auto consumer's radar.

Even though Toyota's hybrid technology has nothing to do with Toyota's recall scandal, they are still built by Toyota. Interestingly, as Toyota's recall problems have unfolded, I've noticed a greater increase in Prius commercials.

As the Prius sort of epitomizes Toyota's future - and it's not on the recall list - it serves as an interesting litmus test for confidence in Toyota. Certainly, one month of Prius sales will not predict the future, but it can certainly shed some light on Toyota's near term prospects.

So, will Prius sales take a nose dive in February or not?

Forget hybrids and EVs: Just make cars smaller and lighter?

Could it be this easy?

According to an Oxford Study the best path to decreasing emissions in autos, in the short term, requires a serious decrease in weight and size.

Over the medium term, however, the study finds that hybrid cars, such as the Toyota Prius, offer "significant savings" while helping electric drive trains evolve.

While EVs, plug-in hybrids and fuel cell vehicles offer interesting potential long term, all have serious issues to overcome in the short to medium term, such as raw material availability.

Finally, first generation biofuels offer some localized uses. Second generation biofuels show more promise, but will still probably be constrained by land availability. Algae shows some probability of overcoming the land availability issue, but massive innovations and breakthroughs are still required.

Toyota Prius a mistake?

Silly to have invested in NiMH hybrids?

So, at a press release yesterday, a Detroit-located reporter suggested that Toyota made a huge mistake by developing NiMH hybrid vehicles because NiMH technology is obviously the wrong battery technology according to the reporter.

So, the Toyota Prius was a mistake? Swapping out NiMH in favor of lithium won't be a seamless task when its cost-efective?

This isn't the first time I've heard such a sentiment coming out of Detroit, and I'm sure it won't be the last; however, doesn't this attitude demonstrate exactly why the Big 3 have struggled so significantly in the last few decades?

As Mamma always used to say, don't put off until tomorrow what can be done today.

Likewise, according to Argonne, a huge advocate and major lithium-ion researcher, current lithium-ion batteries, just like NiMH, are probably only an interim battery technology as well. Perhaps automakers should avoid battery vehicles all together until they have the perfect technology for every consumer?

But back to Toyota, can millions of hybrid consumers and thousands of patents built around electric drivetrains really be so wrong?

What if you can't afford a Chevy Volt?

A fantastic car for 5 percent of car consumers?

In recent months I've been criticized many times for being too critical of US automakers. Ironically, a year ago or so, I was criticized many times for being too supportive of the Chevy Volt.

So, what's my deal?

Ultimately, I became interested in hybrid cars after 9/11 because I decided that America's foreign oil dependence was beginning to cause far more harm than good for America and the world. Thus, hybrid cars presented a great way to take immediate action today, while investing in the potential of fuel cell vehicles and all other battery-powered vehicles for tomorrow.

For this reason, I was very supportive of the Chevy Volt at first. Yet, as time has passed from the debut of the Volt, I've realized that the Volt has almost become a distraction to my cause.

Finish reading: What if you can't afford a Chevy Volt. Thinking about foreign oil dependence

Will recall issues hurt Toyota, hybrid sales?

Funky brakes and sticky pedals

So, Toyota has added another few million vehicles to its recall list. Not much of a surprise. With the bad press Toyota has received and the talk of cover-ups a common thread in the LATimes, swift action was inevitable.

The real issue is how much this will these recalls affect Toyota's reputation for producing quality vehicles? Without a number of serious accidents making it to the front pages, will this just end up as a footnote in Toyota's history?

Or, will Toyota take a sales hit? More important, with claims of funky brakes on 2010 Prius hybrids, coupled with these recalls, will interest in Toyota's hybrid vehicles be affected?

Time for Honda to embrace full hybrids?

The Honda CR-Z hybrid

About a decade ago, when both Toyota and Honda were producing their first hybrid cars, each had very different visions for the future of hybrids.

For Honda, hybrids like the original Insight were simply an interim technology until fuel cell vehicles could replace them. Thus, until recently, Honda had no serious hybrid production plans.

For Toyota, on the other hand, hybrids were intricately linked to advanced technologies and to Toyota's future. Finish Reading: Time for Honda to embrace full hybrid vehicles?

Buying a used hybrid at CarMax

Forget the dealership?

Most people don't like buying cars. Dealerships seem to have every angle covered to ensure that the final deal favors them more than the consumer. Often, the situation seems even worse when buying used cars.

So, my friend Mary is looking for a used Toyota Prius, and she thinks she's found a good deal on one at CarMax, but she's a little unsure of buying a used hybrid from CarMax. Ultimately, Mary wonders whether CarMax has the knowledge to truly assess the condition of her potential new Prius.

Any CarMax hybrid stories out there?

Toyota FT-CH hybrid concept

The next member of the "Prius Family"

Toyota wants to capitalize on the success of the Toyota Prius. Consequently, a family of Prius hybrids is being developed, and the FT-CH hybrid concept could be the first new family member.

The FT-CH is about the size of a Toyota Yaris - almost two feet shorter than the Prius - and lighter as well as more fuel efficient than the Prius.

According to Jim Lentz, President of Toyota USA, the FT-CH is just one of a number of new Prius-based concepts. And, within the next 3 years, Toyota will launch 8 new hybrid vehicles.

Toyota Prius: Top selling vehicle in Japan in 2009

Japan goes green

While hybrid cars only make up about 2.8 percent of US new vehicle market share, they make up 10 percent of market share in Japan.

In 2009, the Toyota Prius was the top selling vehicle in Japan, where Toyota sold 208,876 of the hybrids.

The Honda Insight was the fifth best selling vehicle in Japan last year, selling 93,283 units.

Toyota hybrid sales CRUSH competition

The future looks bright

In the world of hybrid cars, there is Toyota and everybody else when it comes to sales. So, how can I spin this story for 2009 sales?

Well, Ford almost passed Honda as the number 2 seller of hybrid cars. Ford, thanks to the Fusion hybrid, sold 33,502 total hybrids in 2009.

Nonetheless, that wasn't enough to catch Honda. Despite seriously declining Civic hybrid sales, the Insight was able to help Honda sell 35,691 units.

But that's just chump change compared to Toyota.

Toyota sold 195,545 hybrids in the US in 2009, largely led by 139,682 Prius hybrid sales. Still, even without the Prius, Toyota still sold significantly more hybrids than did either Ford or Honda.

34,000 hybrid reasons for pause

The technologically impressive Ford Fusion hybrid

I've been dying to get my hands on December's auto sales to help me through my holiday hangover. I guess I'm not the only one a little off as most automakers have yet to report their numbers.

Yet, how exciting can the numbers really be? If you remove the sales data for the Toyota Prius, the numbers are depressing.

For instance, while Ford might be a little excited about possibly eclipsing Honda as the second best hybrid seller in the US, Ford will still probably sell less than 35,000 hybrid cars for all of 2009. Alone the Prius can achieve that in less than 3 months.

And, unfortunately, there isn't much reason to believe 2010 will be any different.

Cheaper and more fuel efficient than the Prius

Toyota's Prius contender

In less than 2 weeks Toyota will use the 2010 North American International Auto Show to debut a new dedicated hybrid that will probably be cheaper and more fuel efficient than the current Prius.

While Toyota has only officially released a few teaser shots of the headlight, for instance, it's obvious from the pictures that Toyota's next hybrid will be a small hybrid.

Likewise, over the weekend The Japan Times broke a story about Toyota's plans to produce hybrid vehicles based of its Vitz class - think Yaris in the US - at a new assembly plant in Miyagi Prefecture in 2011. According to the story the new hybrid will be cheaper and more fuel efficient than the Prius.

Cheaper and more fuel efficient than the Prius? That already sounds like a potential hit for today's economic-minded consumer. Moreover, the Vitz class offers Toyota a nice hybrid entry point for many other world markets.

2010: The big questions

The rubber finally hits the road

2010. Here we come.

While 2010 isn't going to be quite as significant for the hybrid market as I would have expected a few years ago, there are a few interesting stories developing:

1.) Will any hybrid, aside from the Prius, sell 50,000 units in one year?
2.) Can the Honda CR-Z hybrid reinvigorate Honda's hybrid sales?
3.) Will the Hyundai Sonata hybrid make it to America, and how will the Sonata hybrid compare to the Toyota Camry hybrid and the Ford Fusion hybrid in terms of price and fuel economy?
4.) What will be Toyota's next dedicated hybrid, and how many other hybrids will Toyota announce, debut, etc?
5.) Finally, after years of hype the Chevy Volt will go on sale. How many units will GM produce in 2010? Will there be any delays? Final pricing, options?

Toyota: How to take on the CR-Z hybrid

Bring back the MR2, as a hybrid?

Thanks to tax incentives, hybrid cars are hot in Japan. For the past several months, the 2010 Toyota Prius has been the best selling car in Japan, with the Honda Insight not far behind.

And, new survey data shows there is great Japanese interest now in hybrid sports cars, particularly the Honda CR-Z hybrid, which goes on sale in February in Japan.

For several years, Toyota has also been working on the concept of sporty hybrids, and the latest rumors suggest that Toyota might resurrect the MR2 for its new sports hybrid.

While the Prius Coupe also remains an option, something like the MR2 would give Toyota license to completely step away from any comparison to the Prius, particularly its relatively unique body styling. And what better way to overcome those boring Toyota perceptions than with an exciting, sleekly styled sporty hybrid with sprinter speed, yet fantastic fuel economy?

Honda Insight sales slump: There can be only one?

Forever just a niche, forever the king?

Why doesn't the Honda Insight hybrid sell nearly as well as the Toyota Prius, even though it costs less?

What does a lack of Insight sales mean for the future of the hybrid market?

Some have suggested that most hybrid buyers aren't looking for bargains. Instead, they are seeking to send a green message.

Yet, is the Insight really that much of a bargain compared to a Prius? Ultimately, isn't it cheaper because it comes with less features, such as ever important safety features? Also, isn't it cheaper because it isn't as fuel efficient as the Prius, especially in city traffic?

Certainly, today, hybrid cars are not a "budget purchase", but aren't there plenty of budget shoppers that would gladly buy cheaper, non-Prius hybrids if equally equipped and fuel efficient?

Time running out on some hybrid car deals

Great time to lease?

Car shopping. It's never fun. Prices and deals often vary by region and dealership. Of course, most often, the best deals usually exclude hybrid cars.

Still, there are a few interesting hybrid offerings available now.

The Toyota Prius can be leased at $249/month for 36 months, with $2,589 due at signing; and the Honda Insight can be leased at $199/month for 36 months, with $2,199 due a signing. Both deals, however, end on the 4th of January.

Likewise, the Honda Insight also qualifies for 1.9% APR for 36 months, or 2.9% APR for 60 months. These financing options also end on the 4th.

Toyota Prius braking problems?

Another problem for Toyota?

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Office of Defects Investigation has received a few dozen reports of braking problems with the 2010 Toyota Prius. According to IL some of the complaints describe the problem as a "disturbing lag" or "jerky brakes".

Thus far the NHTSA has not opened an official investigation into the problems.

Car of the decade

Now that was easy

I've been reading through some of the Best of 2000 car articles in various auto magazines, so I decided to do my own version.

Except, when it comes to hybrid cars, the Toyota Prius so dominates the list that its not really worth pretending that there is any serious competition.

I would have liked to fit the Ford Fusion hybrid and the Honda Insight into this piece as serious contenders to the Car of the Decade, but how could I? In terms of sales, neither competes with the Prius - not even close.

So, picking the Car of the Decade was easy this decade. Fortunately, next decade should be a far more interesting story.

Still, will any other hybrid, including plug-in hybrids, outsell the Prius in the next decade?

Only 17 percent of consumers might pay extra to plug-in

Forever a niche vehicle at best?

Haven't had time to fully read the latest plug-in hybrid report by Pike Research, but I just finished CNET's review. Overall, the report suggests that only 17 percent of US consumers might be willing to pay a premium for plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles.

And, if plug-ins do 'take off', they will probably be short range plug-in hybrids, such as the Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid rather than the Chevy Volt, or short range pure EVs, as plug-in vehicles with smaller battery packs will be more cost-viable for the majority of consumers.

As I blogged early this week in Great hybrid hoax: Adding a plug to hybrid cars?, this report seems to also suggest that conventional hybrid cars will make a more appealing buying case to the majority of US consumers for at least the next few decades.

Along those lines, since full hybrids such as the Toyota Prius can so easily be converted into plug-in hybrids, wouldn't such vehicles more immediately tackle global warming and foreign oil dependency today, while providing a 'cash for plug-in conversion' option tomorrow?