Green Car Advisor
MINI
August 21, 2008
By Scott Doggett, Contributor
General Motors today released the first photographs of Chevrolet's all-new Cruze with word that the fuel-efficient compact sedan will make its world premiere at the Paris Motor Show in October.
The vehicle, which will eventually replace the Cobalt in Chevy's lineup, will go on sale in Europe next March and in North America approximately a year later.
There's no word yet on what the Cruze will cost, but we expect the base model to retail for well under $20,000. There was also no word on the Cruze's fuel economy in the statement General Motors, Chevrolet's parent company, released today.
However, we spoke with Chevy spokeswoman Nancy Libby about the vehicle's mileage and this is what she said:
"We don't have any mileage estimates at this time. We're still two years away from launch. The one thing I can say is we expect a significant improvement from today's 2009 Cobalt XFE. We expect it to be segment-leading fuel economy when it's introduced."
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- Scott Doggett August 21, 2008, 8:44 AM
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- Audi, Chevrolet, General Motors, MINI, Pontiac
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- Chevrolet Cruze
, Fuel Economy, Fuel Efficient, General Motors, GM
July 22, 2008
At right, a dragster MINI Cooper.
Earlier this month we told you that Automotive News Europe was reporting that BMW plans to export nearly 500 electric versions of its popular MINI Cooper to California.
Today, Shawn Ticehurst of BMW Group, parent of the MINI brand, confirmed that "several hundred" electric MINIs would be coming the United States and that BMW was presently testing electric versions of the popular little car.
He said the cars would be available to the public. But whether they will be sold or leased - and technical details, such as the driving range between charges - are unknown at this time, Ticehurst said.
At least one blog reported today that BMW was seriously considering exporting diesel-powered MINI Coopers to the United States.
Ticehurst wouldn't deny the report, but he wouldn't confirm it either, chuckling instead as he said, "We haven't announced that at all."
Scott Doggett, Contributor
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- Scott Doggett July 22, 2008, 5:35 PM
- Categories:
- BMW, Batteries, Emissions, Fuel Economy, MINI, Plug-ins and Electric
Lithium Ion battery packs being tested in U.S. at Argonne National Laboratory.
We don't think this is one of those signs and portents that mark the impending end of the world, but it does seem a near miracle: Several Japanese automakers, battery developers and power companies reportedly have agreed to work together to establish a global standard for lithium-ion batteries.
If you can remember back to the late 1990s and early 2000s and the days of the EV1, Nissan Altra, Toyota RAV4 EV and other first-generation electric vehicles built in extremely limited numbers to meet California's then-new Zero Emissions Vehicles mandate, you'll also remember that there were several types of batteries in use and two competing charging systems required.
That added more complexity and cost to an already complex and costly new-vehicle development program and helped hasten the demise of hopes for a vast fleet of readily available, affordable and easy-to-charge EVs.
A global standard, which means - among other things - that all battery systems would be designed to use the use the same recharging system, is one of the things needed if there is to be any chance of bringing back the battery-electric vehicle in a meaningful way.
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- John O'Dell July 22, 2008, 9:53 AM
- Categories:
- Batteries, Chrysler, Fisker, Ford, General Motors, MINI, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Plug-ins and Electric, Smart, Subaru, Tesla, Toyota
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- Electric Vehicles
, General Motors, Nissan, Toyota
Soy foam in the seats the Ford F-150 pickups and Lincoln Navigator SUVs. Locally farmed hemp, "ethically produced" woolen fabric and floor mats made of sisal in the Lotus Eco Elise.
Some automakers are increasingly going to great lengths to make the interiors of some of their models if not environmentally friendly, at least a bit wholesome.
But others, well...
Early today the Ecology Center of Ann Arbor, Michigan, posted its second-annual consumer guide to toxic chemicals in cars and children's car seats at www.HealthyCar.org.
More than two hundred 2008- and 2009-model-year vehicles and more than 60 children's car seats were tested for unhealthy chemicals that seep in gaseous form from the steering wheel, dashboard, armrests, seats and carpet.
The "new-car smell," as the gases are commonly called, mingle with the air occupants breathe and have been linked to allergies, birth defects, impaired learning, liver toxicity and cancer.
The Ecology Center reported that Mazda, General Motors and Nissan improved since last year's findings, with GM showing the greatest gains of the domestic automakers, with an average vehicle ranking improvement of 27 percent.
The list of the 10 best and 10 worst vehicles as picked by the Center appears in the chart above.
Average child-car-seat scores improved 28 percent overall. The list of 10 best and worst car seats for 2008 as picked by the Center appears at left. Click on the chart for a better look.
For more information, go to www.HealthyCar.org.
Below are the three worst 2008-model-year vehicles by interior pollution, according to the Center (click on each to enlarge). From left to right: Mitsubishi Eclipse, Suzuki Reno and Volkswagen New Beetle.
Below are are the three best vehicles by interior pollution, according to the Center (click on each to enlarge). From left to right: Acura RXD, Chevrolet Cobalt and Smart Passion Cabriolet.
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- Scott Doggett July 22, 2008, 12:21 AM
- Categories:
- Acura, Audi, BMW, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Daimler, Dodge, Emissions, Fiat, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Hummer, Hyundai, Jeep, Kia, Lexus, MINI, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Opel, Pontiac, Porsche, Renault, Saab, Smart, Subaru, Suzuki, Think, Toyota, Volkswagen, Volvo
July 17, 2008
Right, the plant where all MINIs are made.
BMW's MINI plant on the outskirts of Oxford, England, has now built more 1 million cars for export. Only last year the plant reported building its 1 millionth MINI.
More than 80 percent of the fuel-efficient little cars are shipped out of Britain these days, the automaker reported today.
The U.S., a key MINI market, saw sales up 33.6 percent to 26,400 units in the first half of 2008 over the first six months of 2007, boosted by the new Clubman version and the sudden unpopularity of gas-gulping cars and trucks.
Worldwide sales for the first half of the year rose 17.9 percent over the first six months of 2007, the company said, and one of every five models sold now is the Clubman wagon version. The rest are MINI Coopers.
Oliver Zipse, who manages the Oxford plant, said that less than 60 percent of MINIs were exported when series production started in July 2001.
The plant employs 4,700 on three shifts, building up to 800 cars a day, seven days a week. Another 2,100 work in a pressing plant in Swindon and an engine plant near Birmingham.
Since this article was first posted, a reader questioned whether MINI ought to be treated as a "green" automaker, or just a company that makes small cars.
It's a valid question, because none of the MINIs get fantastic mileage. Not, say, the way my 1986 Honda CRX HF did (45 city, 48/49 highway). I never should have sold that car! The horror, the horror. But I digress.
The EPA's fuel-economy estimates for the 2009 MINI Coopers and Clubmans aren't out yet, but here are the agency's figures for the 2009 MINIs. In our opinion, the mpg figures are just high enough for MINI to be treated as a "green" automaker.
2008 MINI Clubman 28 city, 37 highway (manual)
2008 MINI Clubman 26 city, 34 highway (automatic)
2008 MINI Clubman S 26, city 34 highway (manual)
2008 MINI Clubman S 23, city 32 highway (automatic)
2008 MINI Cooper 28 city, 37 highway (manual)
2008 MINI Cooper 26 city, 34 highway (automatic)
2008 MINI Cooper Convertible 23 city, 32 highway (manual)
2008 MINI Cooper Convertible S 22, city 30 highway (automatic)
2008 MINI Cooper S 26 city, 34 highway (manual)
2008 MINI Cooper S 23 city, 32 highway (automatic)
2008 MINI Cooper S Convertible 21 city, 29 highway (manual)
2008 MINI Cooper S Convertible 19 city, 29 highway (automatic)
What's the EPA's combined mileage for these models? Trick question: The EPA started releasing combined fuel-efficiency figures in the 2009 model year.
But aggressive driving habits will generally result in a combined figure that's closer to the city number than the highway number. Drivers who exercise fuel-saving practices, service their vehicles regularly and keep their tires properly inflated can expected a combined figure closer to the highway figure.
An editor for Edmunds' Inside Line test drove a 2008 MINI Clubman Convertible S with an automatic transmission (EPA rated at 23/32 mpg city/highway) and averaged 25 mpg. Given how he enjoyed "point-and-shoot through the tight turns," he wasn't exactly hypermiling.
EPA fuel-efficiency figures can be viewed at: http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/findacar.htm
Scott Doggett, Contributor
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- Scott Doggett July 17, 2008, 2:51 PM
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- BMW, MINI
By Scott Doggett, Contributor
That's our sensational headline for 2008, but there's more than a smidgen of truth in it.
Last year Ann Arbor, Michigan-based Ecology Center released the first-ever consumer guide to toxic chemicals in cars and child car seats -- and what they reported was sickening.
The odor you inhale when you slide into a new car? It might very well be bromine, chlorine, lead, other harmful chemicals or a witches' brew of them. They've been linked to birth defects, impaired learning, liver toxicity, premature births and, no doubt, cancer.
If you think the government protects you against such things, think again. Some of the vehicles on the road today are veritable toxic dumps on wheels. And many drivers are exposed to these chemicals through inhalation and contact with dust every day.
In case you missed last year's report, Ecology Center found the most toxic vehicles were the Nissan Versa, Chevy Aveo, Scion xB 5dr and the Kia Rio. The least toxic vehicles were the Chevy Cobalt, Chrysler PT Cruiser, Honda Odyssey and the Volvo V50.
Next Tuesday -- July 22 -- Ecology Center will release its second annual consumer guide to toxic chemicals in cars and child car seats, and if you're thinking of buying a new car anytime soon, you'll want to check it out. The guide will be posted at www.healthycar.org a little after midnight on the 22nd.
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- Scott Doggett July 17, 2008, 1:39 PM
- Categories:
- Acura, Audi, BMW, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Daimler, Dodge, Emissions, Fiat, Ford, Fuel Economy, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Jeep, Kia, Legislation, Lexus, MINI, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Opinion, Pontiac, Porsche, Renault, Saab, Smart, Subaru, Toyota, Volkswagen, Volvo
The first-ever international conference dedicated exclusively to plug-in electric hybrid technology will be held in California's Silicon Valley next week.
"Plug-In 2008: A Short Drive to Tomorrow" takes place July 21-24 in San Jose. The event is open to anyone and on-site registration is available.
Admission isn't cheap, with full access to the conference starting at $250 for students with ID, but everyone who's anyone in the PHEV world will be there. Among the attendees:
- Senior representatives from the automakers, high-tech component manufacturers, electric utilities, state and federal government.
- Exhibitors who will showcase the latest innovations associated with PHEVs and supporting electricity infrastructure.
- Scientists who will share current technical research on PHEVs in areas including batteries, powertrains and vehicle to home technology.
- Analysts who will discuss the business case for PHEVs, including potential adoption scenarios, customer segments and profit potential.
- Policymakers who will explain how regulations impact PHEVs and the electricity grid, and how future rules may accelerate PHEV adoption.
- Clean-tech entrepreneurs who will outline their ideas to expand the PHEV market with new technologies for vehicles and communication systems.
For more, check out the agenda.
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- Scott Doggett July 17, 2008, 7:55 AM
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- Batteries, Chevrolet, Daimler, Emissions, Fisker, Ford, Fuel Economy, Fuels & Technologies, General Motors, Honda, Legislation, MINI, Manufacturers, Nissan, Plug-ins and Electric, Smart, Tesla, Toyota
July 16, 2008
While most automakers have shifted production to focus on smaller vehicles, nearly 70 percent of consumers want the companies to invest more in existing and emerging powertrain technologies, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2008 Alternative Powertrain Study released today.
Now in its third year, the Alternative Powertrain Study examines the reasons why consumers consider or avoid alternative powertrain vehicles, such as gas-electric hybrid, flex fuel and clean diesel models.
The study includes the Automotive Environmental Index, which rates the 2008-model-year vehicles on the basis of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency data to fuel economy and greenhouse-gas emissions, as well as expert input from J.D. Power & Associates.
The study found that more than 80 percent of the 4,000 consumers polled believe the U.S. is currently facing an energy crisis. Only 18 percent of these respondents believe the issue can be addressed by building small, fuel-efficient vehicle.
Thirty percent believe automakers should continue to produce a comparable vehicle lineup with a focus on gas-electric hybrid, clean diesel and flexible-fuel vehicles, while another 39 percent believe carmakers should focus on developing fuel cell and all-electric vehicles.
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- Scott Doggett July 16, 2008, 3:32 PM
- Categories:
- Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Emissions, Ethanol, Fiat, Flex-Fuel, Ford, Fuel Cell, Fuel Economy, General Motors, Honda, Hybrid, Hyundai, Kia, Lexus, MINI, Mitsubishi, Natural Gas, Nissan, Plug-ins and Electric, Pontiac, Smart, Solar, Toyota
July 15, 2008
Beat concept, right, was a car-show star.
By Scott Doggett, Contributor
Shortly after General Motors Chairman Rick Wagoner announced today that the automaker remains "committed to bringing to market great products that target changing consumer preferences for more fuel-efficient vehicles," GM's vice chairman told reporters the company won't be selling the fuel-efficient Chevrolet Beat in the U.S. after all.
Looking for quick fixes for its dramatically declining U.S. sales outlook, GM officials as recently as 10 days ago were considering importing into the United States and Canada the 40-miles-per-gallon Beat minicar presently planned for a mid-2009 launch in markets outside North America.
But in a conference call with reporters shortly after Wagoner's announcement, GM VC Bob Lutz said the 3-door subcompact hatchback bound for Europe and elsewhere next year as the Spark -- replacing the vehicle that shares the same name -- won't be offered in either the U.S. or Canada.
That's because the General didn't think to design the cute little gas-sipper, with an instant North American market of mileage-crazed motorists, to meet U.S. and/or Canadian federal safety and crash standards.
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- Scott Doggett July 15, 2008, 4:16 PM
- Categories:
- Auto Shows, Chevrolet, Emissions, Fuel Economy, General Motors, MINI, Smart
July 14, 2008
By Scott Doggett, Contributor
From the Is-he-out-of-his-mind? folder comes this zinger from Rupert Stadler, Audi's chief executive officer:
"Americans still want big cars, but with increasing fuel-efficiency," he told the Handelsblatt newspaper on Friday, apparently oblivious to the popularity of small cars in America these days.
Therefore, Stadler said, Audi has no plans to launch its planned hybrid compact car A1, which would be based on Audi's fuel-efficient Metroproject Quattro (pictured here). The A1 is expected to rival BMW's Mini Cooper, which is enormously popular in United States.
Instead of exporting the A1 to the U.S. or building it there, Audi will concentrate on introducing new generations of its A4 and Q5 models to Americans, he said.
The Metroproject Quattro's hybrid powertrain consists of a 1.4-liter TFSI gasoline direct-injection engine rated at 150 horsepower and driving the front wheels, teamed with a 41-hp electric motor in the rear. An S-tronic dual-clutch gearbox is mated to the drivetrain.
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- Scott Doggett July 14, 2008, 7:39 AM
- Categories:
- Audi, BMW, Batteries, Emissions, Fuel Economy, Hybrid, MINI, Plug-ins and Electric
By Scott Doggett, Contributor
