Hybrid Car Review

EPA Releases Fuel Economy Figures for 2009

2009-11-23T15:08:00.002-05:00

The EPA is projecting another increase in fuel efficiency for MY 2009 vehicles. That's the fifth consecutive year in a row in which car makers and buyers have made and bought more fuel efficient cars. Although the gain from last year was small, 21.0 mpg to 21.1 mpg, the five year gain sits at 9% since 2004.

The numbers for 2008 were finalized in the report, while the numbers for 2009 are still being projected, with the authors cautioning that 2009 has been turbulent and "It is impossible to predict whether actual MY2009 fuel economy will be higher or lower than the preliminary MY2009 value."

The fuel efficiency gains (if they are realized) are coming despite the prediction that weight and performance will also be increasing from 2008, albeit slightly.

Something to keep in mind when you read the following table:

Most of the CO2 emissions and fuel economy values in this report are a single adjusted composite (combined city/highway) CO2 emissions or fuel economy value, consistent with the real-world estimates for city and highway fuel economy provided to consumers on new vehicle labels, in the EPA/DOE Fuel Economy Guide, and in EPA's Green Vehicle Guide.

MY2007 – 2009 Marketing Group Fuel Economy and Carbon Dioxide Emissions
(Adjusted Composite Values)
Marketing Group	MY2007		MY2008		MY2009
Marketing Group	Fuel Economy	CO2	Fuel Economy	CO2	Fuel Economy	CO2
	(mpg)	(g/mi)	(mpg)	(g/mi)	(mpg)	(g/mi)
Honda	23.3	382	23.9	372	23.6	376
Hyundai-Kia	22.9	388	23.7	374	23.4	380
Toyota	23.3	382	22.8	389	23.2	383
Volkswagen	21.9	405	22.3	398	22.8	398
Nissan	21.3	418	21.9	406	21.6	411
BMW	21.5	415	21.2	419	21.6	412
General Motors	19.2	463	19.7	452	19.9	447
Ford	18.9	471	19.4	459	20.5	434
Chrysler	18.6	479	19.3	460	18.7	476
All	20.6	432	21	424	21.1	422

One thing to keep in mind when you see such small overall gains is the upcoming changes in the CAFE rules. Car makers are going to be pushed to increase their fuel efficiency at a high rate over the coming years.

One Million Miles of Plug-in Hybrid Driving

2009-11-23T10:08:00.000-05:00

The Advanced Vehicle Testing Activity (AVTA), run by the US Dept of Energy (DOE), has now run their plug-in hybrid test vehicles for one million miles.

Using fleet and public drivers the AVTA is attempting to assess and demonstrate Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV). They have now surpassed the 1 million mile mark, plus they have had 26,000 'charging events' to date. With more than 215 PHEVs, and 12 different PHEV models, the test fleet is testing benchmark performance.

The testing has looking at energy consumption, via gas or electricity, in a wide range of operating conditions. The test vehicles are in 23 states and Canada. They are also examining the various factors that affect PHEVs, such as air temperature and human behavior.

See the report from July to get a good idea of what the AVTA is looking at with their test fleet. It's amazing what a difference driving 'aggresively' vs 'mild' can do to gas mileage.

By measuring the different factors, the AVTA hopes to demonstrate vehicle energy consumption results and potential electric grid impacts.

The AVTA's PHEV testing effort involves more than 75 testing partners, including electric utilities; city, county, state, federal and provincial governments; universities and colleges; clean air agencies; private companies and other organizations. As part of the AVTA, INL also collaborates with testing partner Argonne National Laboratory, which performs laboratory dynamometer testing of each PHEV model tested on the road. This testing partnership provides an important link between standard laboratory test results and real-world performance. In addition to Argonne, INL also collaborates with other DOE laboratories by sharing PHEV data analysis and reporting.

The AVTA is conducted by Idaho National Laboratory and the Electric Transportation Engineering Corporation (eTec) for DOE's Vehicle Technologies Program. The AVTA also tests other electric drive vehicles such as hybrid electric vehicles and neighborhood electric vehicles. Additional information about the testing results can be found at http://avt.inel.gov/

INL is one of DOE's 10 multiprogram national laboratories. The INL performs work in each of DOE's strategic goal areas: energy, national security, science and environment. INL is the nation's leading center for nuclear energy research and development. Day-to-day management and operation of the laboratory is the responsibility of Battelle Energy Alliance.

Toyota Lowers HS 250h Expectations

2009-11-23T09:52:00.000-05:00

Toyota told Ward's auto they were dropping their annual sales goals for the HS 250h in the US from it's current 25,000 units a year to 20,000 - 22,000. And not because the US is rejecting the HS 250h, either.

Instead, sales are going so well in Japan Toyota is keeping inventory there, instead.

Toyota started out by targeting 30,000 units a year, but dropped to 25,000. Now they are redirecting another 3,000 to 5,000 units elsewhere. They also tripled production of the HS 250h back in October.

Japan's policy for encouraging hybrid sales is certainly doing just that.

BMW 1-series Hybrid

2009-11-19T16:47:00.000-05:00

Car and Driver has spotted a BMW 1-series Hybrid out and about in testing.

There's no way this is going to hit the production side of things for at least a few years, but Car and Driver is saying they may have been looking at what is to come in 2013.

They are also guessing the next generation 1-series might get a mild hybrid system, not a full hybrid system. So expect a start-stop, regenerative braking system used to assist in acceleration or to at least keep the fuel efficiency numbers up for less cost.

Latest Poll Says 45 Percent Embrace Hybrids

2009-11-19T14:49:00.000-05:00

The AP conducted a poll to determine peoples environmental consideration. In a telephone survey of more than 1,000 adults, AP and NBC Universal found that "60 percent of those surveyed felt either a "great deal" or "a lot" of personal responsibility to protect the environment, while 37 percent rarely, if ever, even thought about the impact of their actions on the Earth's health."

About 45 percent of those surveyed embraced the idea of gas-electric hybrid cars, but only 1 in 5 would be very likely to buy such a vehicle, and half said they were "not at all likely" to buy one.

Since hybrid sales range from 2-3+% of the overall auto sales each month, that's not a surprising number to see.

Toyota May Shorten Gas Pedal

2009-11-19T13:19:00.000-05:00

In an effort to combat the accleration-sticking problem, Toyota may end up shortening the gas pedal. (Source: Kyodo News via Inside Line)

Toyota has already recommended drivers remove the floor mats from the drivers side, in order to combat the mat from getting stuck in the accelerator pedal.

But Toyota has not finalized any plans for any permanent fixes. Vehicles affected by the recall are the 2007-'10 Camry, Tundra and Lexus ES 350; the 2005-'10 Avalon and Tacoma, 2004-'09 Prius, and 2006-'10 Lexus IS 250. At least one fatal accident has been caused by the floor mat forcing the accelerator pedal to get stuck in the wide open position.

Toyota was the recent target of a Nightline investigation.

2010 BMW ActiveHybrid X6 Priced for December Launch

2009-11-19T13:11:00.000-05:00

The 2010 BMW ActiveHybrid X6 will arrive in December with a base MSRP of $89,725, including destination and handling charges.

With that price and a fuel efficiency rating of 17 mpg city and 19 mpg highway, the X6 will not be competing against the fuel sipping Prius. Instead, the X6 is designed to compete in the luxury division.

The two-mode hybrid mates a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 with two electric motors will be BMW's first hybrid and will showcase their strategy for hybrid technology. Power and comfort, with a bump in fuel efficiency.

2010 BMW ActiveHybrid X6 additional US standard over US X6 xDrive50i

7-speed automatic transmission
Extended Nappa leather seats including dashboard and center console
20-inch Aero wheels with mixed-sized performance tires
Rear view camera with Top View
Head-up Display
BMW Assist with Bluetooth phone connectivity
Power tailgate
Premium sound system
6-disc DVD Changer
iPod and USB adapter
Universal garage-door opener
Comfort Access
Soft-close doors
4-zone climate control
Heated front seats
Auto-dimmer rearview mirrors
Digital compass mirror
Anthracite headliner
Ambiance lighting
Privacy glass
Running boards
Storage package

2010 BMW ActiveHybrid X6 optional equipment:

Active ventilating seat package $1,100
Cold Weather Package $900
Rear side window shades $300
Sport seats N/C
Automatic high-beams $250
Satellite radio $350
Rear seat entertainment system $1,700
Smartphone integration $150
Enhanced premium sound system $700
19-inch wheels with all-season tires N/C

The ML450 Hybrid Makes Debut at the LA Auto Show

2009-11-19T13:05:00.000-05:00

The Mercedes-Benz ML450 Hybrid will be at the L.A. Auto Show according to Mercedes-Benz. It will be on display along with the 563-horsepower Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG supercar, the fuel-sipping E350 BlueTEC and the fuel-cell-powered F-Cell.

The Mercedes-Benz ML450 HYBRID uses a 3.5-liter V6 gasoline engine, two electric motors and sophisticated electronics to produce more than 46 percent better fuel economy than a comparable V8-powered ML550 model. Integrated within the modified automatic transmission, each magneto-electric motor is dedicated to a specific purpose -- one for pulling away under electric power, the other specifically for acceleration. With both electric motors, the ML450 HYBRID has a total system performance of 335 horsepower and 381 pound-feet of torque.

Prius Could Outsell the Camry.... Some Day

2009-11-18T16:58:00.000-05:00

Jim Lentz, President Toyota Motor Sales USA, told Ward's Auto in an interview he believes the Prius nameplate could outsell the Camry.

"I think long-term, Prius as a nameplate could even outsell Camry as a nameplate, into this next decade," Jim Lentz, president-Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. Inc. tells Ward’s in a recent interview.

But Lentz doesn’t believe the Camry, the top-selling passenger-car in the U.S. for 11 of the last 12 years, will lose ground. “I think Prius will become just that much stronger,” he says, thanks to rising gas prices and greater eco awareness.

Currently, the Camry is outselling the by over 2-1, so it's quite a strong statement for Lentz to make.

Lentz also points out that a line of Prius models, despite the rumors, is not true. Toyota officials are wary that Prius variations would compete against the other hybrid models in the Toyota line-up.

Chevy Impala Hybrid

2009-11-17T17:09:00.000-05:00

Bob Lutz talked to the Inside Line about the Chevy Impala. Apparently, GM may create an Impala hybrid sometime in the near future.

It sounds like this would be a mild hybrid, akin to the Aura or Malibu hybrid.

Lutz also said the next Impala would be front-wheel drive, get a little bigger and add other equipment.

Mercedes-Benz ML450 Hybrid Launches in November as Lease Only

2009-11-16T10:50:00.000-05:00

Mercedes-Benz will launch the ML450 Hybrid on November 16. The full hybrid V6 will get 21 mpg city and 24 mpg highway. It will also produce 275-hp.

The ML450 Hybrid will be Mercedes-Benz second hybrid model, the first being the S400 Hybrid.

The ML450 Hybrid will be offered as part of a special lease only option (no purchase) for a monthly lease price of $659 per month for 36 months and $549 per month for 60 months.

From the press release:

The ML450 HYBRID fulfills the same crash test requirements and offers outstanding active safety with stability control systems such as ESP, ABS and BAS, as well as 4MATIC all-wheel drive. The integration of the hybrid technology has been engineered to require no additional packaging space that would compromise comfort or functionality. The space available in the passenger cabin is as generous as before and the trunk capacity remains fully intact. From the outside, the ML450 HYBRID is recognizable by its modified hood, the BlueEFFICIENCY logo on the fender and by the HYBRID badge on its tailgate.

The New ML450 HYBRID Boasts 46 Percent Better Fuel Economy

The new Mercedes-Benz ML450 HYBRID uses a 3.5-liter V6 gasoline engine, optimized via the Atkinson cycle, two magneto-electric motors and sophisticated hybrid electronics to produce 46 percent better fuel economy than a comparable V8-powered ML550 model.

Integrated within the modified automatic transmission, each electric motor serves a specific purpose. Dedicated to pulling away under electric power, the motor on the transmission output shaft generates 80 hp and 192 lb.-ft of torque.

Located closer to the gasoline engine, the second electric motor is set up specifically for acceleration and is rated at 83 hp and 173 lb.-ft of torque. Working with both electric motors when full power is needed, the ML450 HYBRID has a total system performance of 335 hp and 381 lb.-ft. of torque.

The electric motors are powered by a liquid-cooled, 288-volt nickel-metal-hydride battery that's enclosed under the rear cargo floor. A powerful computer controls the hybrid system, recalculating the best operating mode 160 times a second. Capable of up to 50 million calculations per second, the system works to maintain an ideal balance between fuel economy and performance.

During parking and low-speed operation, the ML450 HYBRID runs on the electric drive only. The ML450 HYBRID can drive solely on electric power up to a maximum speed of 34 mph. On hard acceleration, the gasoline engine is started automatically, and it works seamlessly with the two electric motors for excellent performance. The hybrid system includes a convenient start-stop function that turns off the gasoline engine -- for example, when coasting up to a red light -- and re-starts it during acceleration.

During braking and coasting, the electric motor acts as a generator, slowing the SUV and recovering kinetic energy. Under heavy braking, the vehicle's conventional brakes also come into play. Recovered energy is stored in the battery and re-used whenever the SUV runs only on the electric motors.

Toyota Contemplating 2010 Prius SUV or Station Wagon with Lithium-Ion

2009-11-16T10:27:00.000-05:00

According to an AP report (who was quoting from Yomiuri), Toyota is planning on a larger version of the Prius.

In order to power the Prius SUV or station wagon, they will be substituting a lithium-ion battery pack for the nickel metal hydride batter found in the current Prius.

That would be a big change for Toyota, who has avoided the lithium-ion battery so far. The Yomiuri says the new Prius will cost about $22,000, which would also be unexpected given how much more expensive a SUV or station wagon can cost, plus the additional battery cost.

2010 Ford Fusion Breaks Into Top 10

2009-11-12T13:51:00.000-05:00

The 2010 Ford Fusion is now one of the top 10 selling vehicles in the US and the Number 1 selling domestic car according to Ford. Half of those buying the Fusion are opting for high series models, including the Fusion Hybrid, Sport and SEL.

Ford reports they have already sold 151,137 units, beating out the full year sales high of 149,552 in 2007. That also puts them at 15 percent higher than they were a year ago.

"There is no reason for customers shopping for a midsize sedan to look beyond the Fusion, because the lineup offers something for everyone - a Hybrid model, a Sport version and a new selection of gas-powered engines paired with six-speed transmission," Fusion Marketing Manager Jonathan Richards said in a statement.

Fusion Hybrid sales are making up almost 20 percent of all Fusion retail sales. And more than 60 percent of Fusion Hybrid sales have to been to customers switching from import brands, like Toyota and Honda.

The Fusion Hybrid gets 41 mpg city and 36 mpg highway, making it one of the most fuel efficient cars on the road.

According to early 2010 survey data obtained in the 2009 U.S. Global Quality Research System (GQRS), the 2010 Fusion Hybrid has the highest customer satisfaction ratings of any Ford vehicle ever. The survey was conducted for Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) by RDA Group of Bloomfield Hills, Mich.

2011 Buick Regal May Go Hybrid

2009-11-12T13:43:00.000-05:00

The 2011 Buick Regal was debuted today in Los Angeles. It will launch here in the US in the spring of 2010. In Europe, the Regal is sold as the Opel Insignia, where it was named 2009 European Car of the Year. It is also being sold in China, where GM has already made over 64,000 sales.

The 2.4-liter four cylinder engine is estimated at 20/30 city/highway mpg. The follow-up model, due a few months after the first, is a 2.0-liter turbocharged model. The turbocharged Regal is estimated at 18/28 mpg.

The Regal is likely to receive a mild hybrid motor using the BAS mild hybrid engine you see in the Saturn Vue, Saturn Aura, and Chevy Malibu. Other possible models include a V-6 turbo, but that's only if it catches on.

The Associated Press: GM needs new Buick Regal, Chevy Cruze to be hits

Executives have high hopes that the Regal, much of it designed by GM's Opel engineers in Ruesselsheim, Germany, can help bring younger buyers to Buick, crucial to the brand's long-term growth. Currently the median age of a Buick customer is around 68, but GM is targeting new models for those in their 40s and 50s, said Craig Bierley, Buick's product marketing director.

"Clearly having a midsize entry is absolutely critical for us," Bierley said.

Turbocharged versions will also have suspension settings that the driver can select, so that ride quality and handling can be tuned for either sportier driving or more comfort. The suspension system will also automatically adapt to driving style.

The turbocharged Regal will have three settings for the suspension; normal, sport and touring. The suspension system will also automatically adapt to driving style.

The 2011 model is expected to compete agains the Acura TSX and Volvo S60. Speculation on the price puts it between $21-28 thousand.

The Buick Regal will be built in Russelsheim, Germany in an Opel factory.

NHTSA Study Questions Safety of Hybrids

2009-11-11T16:12:00.001-05:00

Before I get into why the study is flawed on the face of it, I want to make it clear that I believe that hybrids, when running in all electric mode, can be more dangerous than cars that are at least making a little bit of noise. Having said that, cars that are traveling at low rate of speeds these days are not necessarily all that noisy in the first place.

On to the NHTSA study:

According to the executive summary (emphasis is mine),

This study found that pedestrian and bicyclist crashes involving both HEVs and ICE vehicles commonly occurred on roadways, in zones with low speed limits, during daytime and in clear weather, with higher incidence rates for HEVs when compared to ICE vehicles.

...

Incidence rate of pedestrian crashes in scenarios when a vehicle makes a turn was
significantly higher for HEVs when compared to ICE vehicles.

...

bicyclist crashes involving HEVs at intersections or interchanges were
significantly higher when compared to ICE vehicles

Now, again, I want to point out that the reasons for worry are valid. Hybrid cars are quiet when they are running at low speeds. There is some cause for concern. Having said that, the analysis and conclusions in this study must be taken with a big grain of salt.

Issues that Cloud
First, the sample size is absurdly low. The researchers themselves point out the data is limited and further data is needed to draw any real conclusions.

This analysis was conducted on a total of 8,387 HEVs and 559,703 ICE vehicles that met the selection criteria. A total of 77 and 3,578 pedestrians were involved in crashes with HEVs and ICE vehicles, respectively. A total of 48 and 1,862 bicyclists were involved in crashes with HEVs and ICE vehicles, respectively.

77 and 48 accidents involving hybrids is a small number to draw on. The less data you have the less likely you can make any strong statements about the analysis.

Second, related to the first point, there are only 12 states represented. I cannot say whether driving habits vary from state to state, but anecdotally, they certainly do. That's not really a big point, but it should be noted.

Third, the comparison was made with similar vehicle types, so it's not really a comparison of hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) to internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles.

The HEVs (case group) selected were the Toyota Corolla, Toyota Camry,
Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, and Honda Accord. The ICE vehicles (control group)
selected are the Toyota Corolla, Toyota Camry, Honda Civic, and Honda Accord. The
analysis is limited to vehicles of model year 2000 and later.

I can't help but point out the Corolla, which has no hybrid version, is in the list of hybrids. It's a typo, I'm sure. But the conclusions may not be generalizable to HEVs vs ICE. But there's nothing really wrong with selecting the controls in this way (there is, but I'll get to that in a minute). It's just the distinction isn't necessarily being made about what the control group really is at other sites and it's an important one.

But the reasons above are just really incidental and not really important, other than to point out some of the limitations that may not be clear when you read the headlines.

The Real Reason This Study Should Not be Used

No, the big reason why this study is a problem is the lack of other confounding information. You may be comparing similar cars, but you may not be comparing similar drivers.

Hybrid car owners, up to a certain point, are a different type of driver, and are self selected individuals. People who buy a Prius are not necessarily going to choose a Corolla instead. Hybrid car owners are wealthier and are older. Drivers who are older and wealthier, if there were no such things as hybrids, aren't necessarily going to buy the ICE models shown.

It should also be noted that this is where the limitation of the number of states used is important. The reason why groups of buyers choose hybrids can vary widely from state to state. It's very easy to say, anecdotally, that hybrid buyers in Massachusetts are buying more for the environmental concerns, than buyers in Texas.

And an argument can and should be made that it's the people that cause accidents, not the cars.

But even if you don't buy that (and I believe you should), there's also no mention of how much the cars are driven? Incident rates for accidents should be calculated using miles driven.

Follow me on this. Hybrid car owners probably bought their car because they are more concerned with their fuel economy. They are most likely concerned with fuel efficiency because they drive farther than other drivers. More miles on the road, or more time on the road, means you have more of a chance to have an accident.

John, who only drives two miles to work every day is a lot less likely than Mary, who lives down the block but drives 40 miles to work every day, to have an accident. There's no mention of miles driven in this report, because the data isn't there.

If that's true, then it may be that hybrid car owners, if they drive more than others, may end up being safer drivers in most situations, since the incident rates for hybrid car owners in this study would end up being a lot lower. But that's just speculation and I have no way of backing that up.

Conclusions
Again, I do believe there is a reason to be concerned when it comes to hybrids at low speeds. They do run quieter and the likelihood of surprising pedestrians who aren't looking is most likely higher. But gas engines tend to be pretty quiet these days. I don't buy the 2x as dangerous results for certain situations shown in this study, and neither should you.

Prius Up 420 Percent in Japan

2009-11-10T13:29:00.000-05:00

The Toyota Prius once again dominated sales in Japan for the month of October, up 420 percent from last year when sales were declining in anticipation of the third generation Prius.

The Japanese Automobile Dealers Association and the Japan Mini Vehicles Association reported Toyota sold 26,918 units. The Honda Fit came in second, with 15,444 units sold, followed by the Suzuki WagonR minivehicle. The Honda Insight, which was number one on the sales list the month before the third generation Prius came to market, dropped below the top 3.

Sales of hybrids have soared in the past months with the Japanese government offering tax breaks and subsidies. This has caused some stress for minivehicles, which are less expensive and offer smaller savings.

BMW ActiveHybrid X6 Price

2009-11-10T11:43:00.000-05:00

The BMW ActiveHybrid X6 has a new pricetag and it is near the top of the heap when it comes to hybrids. On sale in December, the X6 will have an MSRP of $89,775, which includes the $875 destination and handling charge.

Be glad you aren't in the UK, however. The UK price tag is being set at 102,000 euro (£90,979). That's £37,709 more than the equivalent price in the US. (Source: Autocar)

It seems that US hybrid buyers just aren't willing to pay as much for a hybrid as they are in Europe. "There’s more hybrid competition in the US than in Europe and the price reflects this," according to BMW’s ActiveHybrid X6 project boss, Peter Tuennemann.

The BMW X6 ActiveHybrid is the "BMW of hybrids" and is the most powerful hybrid you can (soon) buy. At 485 hp, nothing else comes close. But no other X6 comes gets the fuel economy figure of 17 mpg city / 19 mpg highway.

BMW Hybrid Plans

2009-11-09T16:02:00.000-05:00

BMW has two hybrids, the ActiveHybrid X6 which is a full hybrid, and the ActiveHybrid 7, which uses a mild hybrid system. And now comes word (Source: BMW plans more hybrid models - Autocar.co.uk) that BMW is working on releasing a third hybrid model sometime in the next eyar.

In the meantime, according to the interview by autocar, BMW project leader Peter Tuennermann revealed quite a bit about their overall hybrid plan, including the observation that no car maker can afford to ignore hybrids.

He also talks about the hybrid types, full and mild. I find the choices BMW made to be very smart. The full model is more complex and requires a larger battery, and so they went with the nickel metal hydride battery pack, which has been around longer and costs less, which drops the overall vehicle price. The mild hybrid, with its needs for rapid recharging, while still being simple, uses the lithium-ion battery pack.

Tuennermann points out 3-, 5- and 7- series are more suited for mild hybrid models, while the X2, X5 and X6 are more likely to end up as full hybrid models because they are larger.

And while he was at it, he addressed the issue of diesel hybrid, making it clear that it is still just a concept for BMW, given its cost.

Cadillac Converj Becoming a Reality

2009-11-09T14:45:00.000-05:00

Speaking of building off of the Volt platform, the Detroit News is saying Cadillac will build a Converj. The Converj was a concept build off of the Volt idea, an Extended Range Electric Vehicle (E-REV).

Cadillac included the Converj in a presentation made to the board on November 2.

It would be years before a Converj could be built, and it would most likely look very little like the concept vehicle presented at the NAIAS, but it makes a lot of sense.

The plug-in hybrid technology built into the Volt is going to be very expensive for GM and the consumers who choose to buy it. The battery pack alone is supposedly going to cost 10 grand. The vehicle is expected to have a price tag around $40 thousand. By building a Volt-like Cadillac, you can expect the customer is OK with paying that much for a car.

"Cadillac needs as much excitement in its portfolio as possible, so I think it's a good strategy for them," said Rebecca Lindland, director of auto industry research at IHS Global Insight in Lexington, Mass.

As long as you're not looking for stupendous sales numbers, the luxury hybrid can do well. None of the luxury hybrids sold so far can compete with the production of the Prius, but they do very well by luxury car standards.

Chrysler Ends ENVI Program

2009-11-09T11:41:00.000-05:00

As part of the case for creating a bailout for Chrysler, the new ENVI division was set up last year. Chrysler put together three electric prototypes, and promised that one of them would be in production by 2010. They went on to pledge 500,000 electric vehicles by 2013.

Now that the bailout and bankruptcy is over, however, things have changed.

Chrysler, now owned by Fiat, laid out their five year plan, which will increase fuel efficiency based on Fiat expertise. But very little was said about hybrids or electric vehicles. Dodge will get the hybrid Ram, but if it follows the path of the prior Chrysler hybrids (sold for just two months), don't expect too much.

And now the ENVI division has been 'disbanded.'

"Envi is absorbed into the normal vehicle development program," Chrysler spokesman Nick Cappa told Reuters.

"Until the (battery) storage gets resolved, I think electric vehicles are going to struggle," Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne said.

Cappa confirmed that the ENVI group no longer exists, but is apparently upset at the term 'disbanded,' saying that the group's members all are still working and that former ENVI chief Lou Rhodes is still in charge of vehicle electrification programs - for both Chrysler and Fiat.

Hybrid Car Sales, October 2009

2009-11-09T10:44:00.001-05:00

Hybrid car sales were up, way up, for the month of October. Sales topped out at 24,275 units, 14.1% higher than last October. Cumulative sales are still down, however at 16.7% below last year at this point.

The biggest sellers were the Toyota Prius, newly redesigned and still on back order in most places. It's nothing compared to the demand in Japan where government backed incentives are pushing Prius sales through the roof, but the high demand continues here in the States.

The only car maker to sell fewer hybrids this October was Nissan, which only offers the Nissan Altima Hybrid. Nissan has not had a lot of success with Altima Hybrid lately, and it just seems to be getting worse as time goes on. Like the Accord Hybrid, customers are looking for better things at this point. Add in the need for any sort of refresh since the Altima debuted, you might as well just buy a Toyota since the hybrid system comes from them, plus the limited availability and lack of any sort of emphasis by Nissan and you end up with a slowly dying Nissan hybrid.

Ford, Honda and GM were all up by 14.3, 21.9, and 20.6%, respectively. Toyota was up by 15.0 percent, overall. That has to be a bright spot in the automaker line-ups. Cumulatively, auto makers hybrid sales are all up, except for Toyota. Ford, Honda, GM and Nissan are all up by 25.6%, 66.2%, 8.4%, and 4.2%. But Toyota is down by 26.6% at this point. Ford, GM, and Honda are up because they have new hybrid models to sell, pushing up the cumulative sales. Individual model, however, are a different story.

Monthly Sales		October 2008		October 2009		% Change
Make	Model	N	%	N	%
Chrysler	Aspen/Durango	0	0.0	0	0	0
Ford	Escape/Mariner	1,997	9.4	949	3.9	-52.5
Ford	Fusion/Milan	0	0.0	1,333	5.5	0.0
GM	Escalade	230	1.1	186	0.8	-19.1
GM	Silverado/Sierra	0	0.0	167	0.7	0.0
GM	Tahoe/Yukon	565	2.7	606	2.5	7.3
Honda	Accord	1	0.0	0	0.0	-100.0
Honda	Civic	1,621	7.6	239	1.0	-85.3
Honda	Insight	0	0.0	1,739	7.2	0.0
Nissan	Altima	554	2.6	299	1.2	-46.0
Toyota	Camry	2,792	13.1	1,407	5.8	-49.6
Toyota	GS 450h	22	0.1	39	0.2	77.3
Toyota	HS 250h	0	0.0	1,527	6.3	0.0
Toyota	Highlander	1,022	4.8	700	2.9	-31.5
Toyota	LS600hL	55	0.3	21	0.1	-61.8
Toyota	Prius	11,804	55.5	13,496	55.6	14.3
Toyota	RX 400h	615	2.9	1,567	6.5	154.8
Total		21,278		24,275		14.1

Cumulative Sales		Cumulative 2008		Cumulative 2009		% Change
Make	Model	N	%	N	%
Chrysler	Aspen/Durango	0	0	0	0.0	0.0
Ford	Escape/Mariner	17,130	6.0	14,363	6.0	-16.2
Ford	Fusion/Milan	5,403	1.9	13,935	5.8	157.9
GM	Escalade	543	0.2	1,596	0.7	193.9
GM	Silverado/Sierra	467	0.2	1,163	0.5	149.0
GM	Tahoe/Yukon	3,336	1.2	4,462	1.9	33.8
Honda	Accord	193	0.1	1	0.0	-99.5
Honda	Civic	23,497	8.2	14,405	6.0	-38.7
Honda	Insight	5,780	2.0	17,530	7.3	203.3
Nissan	Altima	7,691	2.7	8,012	3.4	4.2
Toyota	Camry	38,776	13.5	19,909	8.3	-48.7
Toyota	GS 450h	616	0.2	378	0.2	-38.6
Toyota	HS 250h	2,769	1.0	3,312	1.4	19.6
Toyota	Highlander	16,420	5.7	9,335	3.9	-43.1
Toyota	LS600hL	769	0.3	228	0.1	-70.4
Toyota	Prius	148,558	51.9	118,290	49.6	-20.4
Toyota	RX 400h	14,419	5.0	11,656	4.9	-19.2
Total		286,367		238,575		-16.7

Individually, the hybrid car sales are down, as more option lead to more diversity in the purchases. Honda hybrid buyers seem to opting for the Insight, leaving the Civic behind. Hybrid SUV sales are also down by 9.5%.

Related:
Hybrid Car Sales, October 2008
Hybrid Car Sales, September 2009

Rolls Royce Ghost Hybrid

2009-11-06T11:24:00.000-05:00

Rolls Royce is working on a mild version of the Ghost, its luxury saloon. The mild hybrid technology will come from the work on the BMW ActiveHybrid 7. Given the 7 and the Ghost share the same rear-wheel drive platform, the 'engineering on the Ghost hybrid has been fairly straightforward.' (Source:Autocar.co.uk)

The hybrid system is mild, which means it won't be able to travel on all electric power. It will have a start-stop system withe regenerative brakes to help recharge the lithium-ion battery.

The mileage is expected to improve by 15 percent over the non-hybrid version, while also making mild improvements to the performance with the added power from the electric motor.

GM Already Thinking of Taking Volt Tech to Other Vehicles

2009-11-06T09:53:00.000-05:00

GM will be 'taking the Volt technology to other vehicles,' not attempting to brand the Volt the way Toyota is looking to expand the Prius brand according to GM officials. Source: Reuters.

But, I disagree with the author of that news story. Toyota hasn't expanded the Prius brand, but has taken the hybrid synergy drive and placed it into many of its vehicles (and even in other automakers vehicles... see the Nissan Altima).

There have been rumors to the affect that Toyota will be building on the Prius name and creating a Prius line of cars, but it hasn't happened yet. And GM could end up following the same tack if the Volt becomes iconic in the way the Prius has.

"Our thought is to take the Volt technology to other products," Brent Dewar, chief of global operations for Chevrolet, told the Reuters Autos Summit in Detroit.

"The Volt was the original vehicle that we started, but I wouldn't see that as a brand marketing direction for us," he said.

We'll see what happens a decade from now when the Volt has become established.

Ontario Gets Green License Plate for Green Vehicles

2009-11-05T13:24:00.000-05:00

Ontario is introducing a "green" license plate for next year. The plate will allow the "environmentally friendly vehicles" that have them to access the HOV lanes, irregardless of how many people are in the car.

The vehicles in question are either plug-in hybrid electric vehicles or electric vehicles. Current hybrids need not apply.

The plates will also give drives access to recharging stations at GO Transit and other provincially operated lots, and parking spots will be set aside at places like Wal-Mart shopping centres and the University of Toronto.

"The McGuinty government's plan is to have one out of every 20 passenger vehicles on Ontario's roads (be) an electric vehicle by 2020. Green licence plates will encourage Ontarians to think green when choosing a vehicle," Transportation Minister Jim Bradley said.

The plate, which features a green border and lettering on a white background, with a trillium, is expected to be available as part of Ontario's Electric Vehicle initiative, which begins July 1.

Cash for Clunkers Figures From the AP Analysis

2009-11-04T16:34:00.000-05:00

The AP finally got its hands on the raw data for claims against the CARS (Cash for Clunkers Program) and some of the deals are eye-raising. Despite it all, the fuel efficiency of trade-ins averaged 15.8 mpg, while the new vehicles averages 24.9 mpg.

The AP has been trying for four months to get the claims data from the administration. And Edmunds and others have been arguing with the administration about the cost and whether it was worth the money.

Some eye-raising stats from the AP analysis.

Despite the big difference in overall mpg improvement for the program the most common swap made, at over 8,200 times, was an old Ford F-150 for a new Ford F-150. The mpg increase was around 1 to 3 mpg in those trades.
Thousands more bought new Silverados or Dodge pickups with their trade-ins. In Texas, seven of the 10 most common transactions involved drivers trading old pickups for new ones.
677,081 clunker trade-ins cost the taxpayers almost $3 billion to fund. That money went to purchase $15.2 billion dollars in new vehicles at nearly 19,000 dealerships across all of the states.
Around 95,000 of the new vehicles got less than 20 mpg. That's about one in seven.
The government is currently investigating $562,500 in rebates that were apparently used to buy new cars that had worse or the same mileage as the trade-ins.
California had the most deals made with 76 thousand. Texas had 43 thousand (mostly for trucks) and New York saw 37 thousand deals made.
One dealership had 1,432 sales, worth more than $30 million. The next closest had 672 sales.