Honda'a small hybrid cars

Honda'a small hybrid more concept than reality?

Unfortunately, Honda's new small hybrid is more concept than reality

Sure, Honda's new small hybrid sports car is cool looking, but it doesn't seem anywhere near reality. Honda, it seems, continues to believe there is little value in hybrid cars.

Disappointing....

Lutz confirms Volt plans in Geneva

GM's Bob Lutz again confirmed the plans for the Chevy Volt at the Geneva Auto Show - the same plans Mr. Lutz has confirmed in several recent interviews. Basically, GM is shooting for a 2010 Volt, the Volt design will become more conventional, and batteries are the key. Unfortunately, no new info. Read the Reuters story.

Escalade hybrid works for the Oscars, but not the real world?

Good enough for the Oscars, but not you

I'm sorry, but I don't get GM. They use an Escalade hybrid at the Oscars, yet the vehicle won't be available until at least mid-2008 as a 2009 model?

If it's ready, why not start selling it as a 2008 model? Continue reading Escalade hybrid works for the Oscars.

Monday, March 05, 2007

A unique Lexus hybrid-only model?

Lexus is considering a new Lexus hybrid, AutoWeek is reporting, that would not be based off of a current model. Much like the Toyota Prius, the new Lexus hybrid would be a unique model only available as a hybrid vehicle.

Friday, March 02, 2007

Toyota confirms plug-in hybrid development

Just plug-in your Prius?

Toyota confirmed today that it is now working on plug-in hybrid vehicles. "We are doing consumer research right now as well as product development," Toyota North America President Jim Press told Reuters in an interview. Additionally, Mr. Press claimed that batteries are still the biggest obstacle to plug-in hybrid development and that Toyota would be willing to work with other automakers to develop such batteries. "We would be quite open to any kind of sharing," Press stated.

Is this a prelude to Hybrid X?

What is Hybrid X?

Is the FT-HS hybrid concept Hybrid X?

Earlier this week I mentioned that Toyota will debut the Hybrid X at the Geneva Auto show next week and I wondered whether the Hybrid X is the FT-HS concept, or a derivative of this concept. I just don't know.

Also, recently, Toyota claimed that the third generation Toyota Prius, and all of Toyota's hybrid cars, will utilize lithium-ion batteries, rather than the NiMH batteries used today. This development - this revolution - promises much lighter vehicles and greater energy capacity - two things that should increase both the performance and the fuel efficiency of Toyota's hybrid vehicles. At the same time, Toyota claimed this will also reduce the price of hybrid technology.

So is this Hybrid X? More on Hybrid X.

Hybrid sales growth slowing?

The Prius isn't slumping

Is the sales growth of hybrid cars slowing down? Earlier this week I responded to reports that hybrid sales growth was slowing and basically called the news a non-story.

Perhaps hybrid growth has slowed, but one certainly wouldn't know it judging by Toyota's hybrid sales. Prius sales continue to grow. The Toyota Camry hybrid is possibly outselling the combined hybrid sales of all other automakers, and Toyota is accomplishing all of this with a reduced hybrid tax credit.

Certainly, hybrid sales are a bit more sluggish at Honda and Ford, and Nissan is only selling hybrids in a few states, but Toyota's hybrid sales are pushing Toyota into record monthly sale's territory.

I'll bet Toyota would accept that kind of sluggishness any day.

more concept than reality?

Unfortunately, Honda's new small hybrid is more concept than reality

Sure, Honda's new small hybrid sports car is cool looking, but it doesn't seem anywhere near reality. Honda, it seems, continues to believe there is little value in hybrid cars.

Disappointing....

Lutz confirms Volt plans in Geneva

GM's Bob Lutz again confirmed the plans for the Chevy Volt at the Geneva Auto Show - the same plans Mr. Lutz has confirmed in several recent interviews. Basically, GM is shooting for a 2010 Volt, the Volt design will become more conventional, and batteries are the key. Unfortunately, no new info. Read the Reuters story.

Escalade hybrid works for the Oscars, but not the real world?

Good enough for the Oscars, but not you

I'm sorry, but I don't get GM. They use an Escalade hybrid at the Oscars, yet the vehicle won't be available until at least mid-2008 as a 2009 model?

If it's ready, why not start selling it as a 2008 model? Continue reading Escalade hybrid works for the Oscars.

Monday, March 05, 2007

A unique Lexus hybrid-only model?

Lexus is considering a new Lexus hybrid, AutoWeek is reporting, that would not be based off of a current model. Much like the Toyota Prius, the new Lexus hybrid would be a unique model only available as a hybrid vehicle.

Friday, March 02, 2007

Toyota confirms plug-in hybrid development

Just plug-in your Prius?

Toyota confirmed today that it is now working on plug-in hybrid vehicles. "We are doing consumer research right now as well as product development," Toyota North America President Jim Press told Reuters in an interview. Additionally, Mr. Press claimed that batteries are still the biggest obstacle to plug-in hybrid development and that Toyota would be willing to work with other automakers to develop such batteries. "We would be quite open to any kind of sharing," Press stated.

Is this a prelude to Hybrid X?

What is Hybrid X?

Is the FT-HS hybrid concept Hybrid X?

Earlier this week I mentioned that Toyota will debut the Hybrid X at the Geneva Auto show next week and I wondered whether the Hybrid X is the FT-HS concept, or a derivative of this concept. I just don't know.

Also, recently, Toyota claimed that the third generation Toyota Prius, and all of Toyota's hybrid cars, will utilize lithium-ion batteries, rather than the NiMH batteries used today. This development - this revolution - promises much lighter vehicles and greater energy capacity - two things that should increase both the performance and the fuel efficiency of Toyota's hybrid vehicles. At the same time, Toyota claimed this will also reduce the price of hybrid technology.

So is this Hybrid X? More on Hybrid X.

Hybrid sales growth slowing?

The Prius isn't slumping

Is the sales growth of hybrid cars slowing down? Earlier this week I responded to reports that hybrid sales growth was slowing and basically called the news a non-story.

Perhaps hybrid growth has slowed, but one certainly wouldn't know it judging by Toyota's hybrid sales. Prius sales continue to grow. The Toyota Camry hybrid is possibly outselling the combined hybrid sales of all other automakers, and Toyota is accomplishing all of this with a reduced hybrid tax credit.

Certainly, hybrid sales are a bit more sluggish at Honda and Ford, and Nissan is only selling hybrids in a few states, but Toyota's hybrid sales are pushing Toyota into record monthly sale's territory.

I'll bet Toyota would accept that kind of sluggishness any day.