MINI

October 14, 2009

BMW to Extend Mini-E Lease Program to Britain - With Just 40 Cars

Great Britain, where the Mini was born, will finally get a chance to sample the all-electric version of the tiny car (right).

BMW, which now owns Mini, said a lease program that has put nearly 1,000 battery-electric new-generation Mini-Es on the road in the U.S. and Germany will be extended to the United Kingdom next year with 40 of the cars available for 6-month leases.

Half the leases - at 330 British pounds per month ($527 at today's exchange rate) - will be with fleet users and half with private parties who agree, as in the U.S. and Germany, to drive the car at least 300 miles a month, keep it garaged when not in use and provide Mini with a regular stream of comment and criticism.

The purpose of the program is to find out how people use the cars, especially their driving and battery-charging patterns.

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (0); John O'Dell October 14, 2009, 1:11 PM
Categories:: BMW, MINI, Plug-ins and Electric
Technorati Tags:: BMW

September 24, 2009

Electric Vehicle Makers Try to Temper Expectations Ahead of California Rule

California took the pulse of the zero-emissions vehicle industry this week and found plug-in electric vehicle manufacturers worried about charging infrastructure and public expectations.

The California Air Resources Board is hearing from fuel cell and EV manufacturers in preparation for releasing regulations for its Zero-Emissions Vehicle Program. Targets for 2015 and thereafter are due out by Nov. 10, with final targets due by early next year.

In its fifth major revision of the program since 1990, it voted last year to reduce the 2014 sales target from 25,000 to 7,500 vehicles.

A philosophical difference emerged between conventional car manufacturers and electric-only car companies.

Nissan, which is shooting for a 100-mile range for its Leaf EV, is playing down its perks. When asked to compare gasoline-powered and EV batteries, a company executive said not to expect comparable performance.

"Since the battery's not part of the emissions, it's not required to last 10 years and 150,000 miles," said Brian Verprauskus, senior manager of corporate planning for Nissan North America. "The issue's going to be the degradation. If the customer is OK with reduced range after 10 years, it'll definitely last that long, but after 10 years, we think there'll be more advanced batteries and the customer's going to want to swap it out with a next-generation battery."

Tesla Motors, on the other hand, is emphasizing the ways EVs differ from conventional cars. "We're trying to market cars based on the new attributes of EVs themselves," said J.B. Straubel, Tesla's chief technical officer. "It's an offensive technology shift. We can offer some new competitive advantages to customers."

EV manufacturers said the installation of charging infrastructure remained the biggest bottleneck to widespread implementation. BMW, which ran into charging issues with its MINI E pilot program, said the industry needed to agree on a standard for in-home charging infrastructure.

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (0); Scott Doggett September 24, 2009, 10:39 AM
Categories:: BMW, Batteries, Emissions, Fuel Economy, Hybrid, Hydrogen, Legislation, MINI, Nissan, Plug-ins and Electric, Tesla
Technorati Tags:: BMW

September 23, 2009

Volkswagen Says It Will Likely Sell Larger Version of E-Up! Electric Vehicle in U.S.

One week after Volkswagen made a splash at the Frankfurt Motor Show with the world debut of its E-Up! electric vehicle (pictured), the German automaker has announced that it will likely sell a larger version of the cute compact in the U.S.

"The reason we are working on an electric vehicle is the American market," Ulrich Hackenberg, board member in charge of product development at Volkswagen AG, said today.

Hackenberg said a production version of the plug-in battery-electric zero-emissions E-Up! will go on sale in Europe in 2013. He said U.S. sales would start later.

The E-Up! is based on VW's new modular small-car family, scheduled to debut in 2011. The four-seat E-Up!, which measures 125 inches long (or 19 inches longer than the tiny Smart ForTwo), has a range of up to 80 miles on lithium-ion battery power.

For the United States, Hackenberg said, he envisions a front-drive model about 146 inches long (the 2009 MINI Cooper is 145.6 inches long). Electric versions of the Smart ForTwo and MINI Cooper are planned for the U.S.

VW will launch its first hybrid vehicle next year -- a version of the Touareg SUV. Hackenberg said the Touareg hybrid will debut at the 2010 Detroit auto show in January.

To date, very few details have been released regarding this vehicle.

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (0); Scott Doggett September 23, 2009, 9:54 AM
Categories:: Auto Shows, Batteries, Emissions, Fuel Economy, MINI, Plug-ins and Electric, Smart, Volkswagen
Technorati Tags:: Detroit Auto Show

September 21, 2009

BMW Learing Lessons From Mini E Test - Pay Attention to Infrastructure is Big One

Duh...

BMW plans to being selling its own electric city car in the U.S. sometime after 2010 ad is studying the ins and outs of an EV launch with its ongoing Mini E trial ( we have one of the cars in the Edmunds long-term fleet and if you haven't been following its ups and downs you can get enlightened here).

It looks like the biggest issue, other than cost - the Mini Es come with an $850 monthly leasing fee and no mass-market EV is going to succeed with that kind of a price tag - is going to be infrastructure.

Our own experience with the Mini E has been that and EV with 90 or so miles of range - at best - makes a great runabout for local driving but for most people will never be more than a second, or third, car.

Mini's first big problem with its EV test, already well-documented, is that the cars were supplied with European-spec cords for the fast-charge system and hadn't yet been blessed with the Underwriters Lab seal that is required by electrical inspectors in most U.S. jurisdictions.

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (1); John O'Dell September 21, 2009, 5:02 PM
Categories:: BMW, MINI, Plug-ins and Electric
Technorati Tags:: BMW

September 15, 2009

Frankfurt Auto Show: MINI Serves Up Tasty Roadster and Coupe Concepts

The much-anticipated MINI Roadster Concept (above left) emerged today at the Frankfurt motor show, and the two-seat soft-top is expected to join its recently revealed Coupe counterpart (above right) in production.

The Roadster borrows the 1.6-liter twin-scroll turbocharged engine from the MINI Cooper S, and it makes 175 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque. The overboost function pushes output to 192 pound-feet.

Fuel-economy estimates were not provided, and probably for good reason: The engine in the MINI Cooper S only achieves EPA fuel-efficiency ratings of 26 miles per gallon in the city and 32 MPG on the highway, or 29 mpg combined.

That's with the model packing a manual 6-speed transmission. Mileage drops to 23 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway for the MINI Cooper S fitted with a 6-speed automatic transmission.

The front end is similar to that of the MINI convertible up to the A-pillars, where the windshield is raked low and at a sharper angle, making for a chopped look. There is a small luggage compartment in the back, with room for 8.8 cubic-feet of storage.

Ian Robertson, a member of MINI's board, who led a marching band and cheerleaders onto the stand to introduce the Roadster and the Coupe, which also debuted today, said the two-seaters are based on the platform of the original BMW MINI introduced in 2001, with some modifications.

"Up to the waistline the Roadster and Coupe are virtually the same," Robertson said at the press conference. "Above the waistline, the first striking feature on the Coupe is the strongly inclined windscreen merging gently into the aluminum roof. The windscreen has been raked back a further 16 degrees than that of a regular MINI."

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (1); Scott Doggett September 15, 2009, 3:50 PM
Categories:: Auto Shows, Fuel Economy, MINI
Technorati Tags:: Frankfurt Motor Show

September 14, 2009

2009 Frankfurt Auto Show: Greenest Car Show Begins Previews Tuesday

Hyundai Motors' ix-Metro Hybrid city car is one of several dozen 'green' cars and concepts debuting at Frankfurt show.

By John O'Dell, Senior Editor

This week's Frankfurt Auto Show promises to be the greenest major auto show to date - a showcase for fuel efficiency improvements and alternative powertrains that are coming to the forefront as the mainstream auto industry finally begins coming to grips with the need to begin weaning itself - and us - from petroleum.

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (0); John O'Dell September 14, 2009, 1:49 AM
Categories:: Alternative Fuels, Audi, Auto Shows, BMW, Citroen, Diesel, Fiat, Ford, Fuel Cell, General Motors, Hybrid, Hydrogen, Hyundai, Kia, Lexus, MINI, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Opel, Peugeot, Plug-ins and Electric, Renault, Toyota, Volkswagen
Technorati Tags:: 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show

August 26, 2009

MINI Unveils Concept to Rival Audi's TT, Peugeot's RCZ; Model to Debut in Frankfurt

MINI has unveiled a concept for a new coupe (pictured) that will expand the brand's lineup to five models and bring another powerful-yet-fuel-efficient small car to market.

MINI will show the coupe concept at the Frankfurt auto show next month. The BMW-owned brand aims to bring the coupe to market in two to three years as a rival to the Audi TT and Peugeot's new RCZ.

MINI, which this month celebrates the 50th anniversary of its foundation, says the two-seat concept is designed to be the most dynamic and agile MINI ever.

The coupe's roof is made of aluminum and the concept's sleek looks have been achieved by lowering the roofline compared with the standard MINI hatchback.

Because of its lighter roof, the coupe weighs about 220 pounds less than the standard MINI.

The front-wheel-drive concept is powered by MINI's most powerful engine, a 1.6-liter turbocharged powerplant found in the carmaker's high-performance models from tuning division John Cooper Works.

That engine achieves 39.8 miles per gallon and has CO2 emissions of 165 grams per kilometer.

The coupe will join the hatchback, convertible and Clubman wagon versions already on sale and a crossover model in the final stages of development.

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (0); Scott Doggett August 26, 2009, 3:21 PM
Categories:: Audi, Auto Shows, BMW, Emissions, Fuel Economy, MINI, Peugeot
Technorati Tags:: Audi TT

August 13, 2009

2009 Edmunds Fuel Sipper Smackdown: Hybrids Versus Diesel and Mini

The fuel economy rule of thumb used to be that a full hybrid like the Toyota Prius was great for city driving but not so much better than other cars on the highway; that smaller cars were more fuel efficient than larger cars, and that diesels kicked butt in mileage contests.

Edmunds.com's crack(ed) team of testers set out last month to see if that's all still true with the new crop of cars and came to some surprising conclusions in what is becoming our annual Fuel Sipper Smackdown.

Over two days and 700-plus miles of driving, from Southern California to and around Las Vegas and then back, the team put the 2010 Ford Fusion hybrid, 2010 Honda Insight, 2009 Mini, 2010 Toyota Prius and 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI through a series of driving conditions, tracked fuel costs and computer CO2 output.

You can read the results here, and watch the video, above, for a 5-minute summary, but we'll give you the boil-down now:

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (1); John O'Dell August 13, 2009, 12:03 PM
Categories:: Diesel, Ford, Honda, Hybrid, MINI, Toyota, Volkswagen
Technorati Tags:: Diesel

July 29, 2009

Diesel Variant of Current Mini Cooper Won't Be Coming to the U.S. Anytime Soon

When BMW's Mini unit launched its Cooper D -- as in diesel -- last summer, there was talk that the company would bring the fuel-efficient, low-emissions vehicle to the U.S.

----------

Right, a Mini Cooper D in Great Britain.

----------

Now, according to MotoringFile , it appears that isn't going to happen.

Citing unidentified sources, the blog reports that the cost of tweaking the European diesel engine in the current, R56 generation of Mini Coopers to meet U.S. emissions standards is so great that it would prohibit the pint-size oil-burner from being price competitive the American market.

Calls by us to Mini USA seeking confirmation were not immediately returned.

The Euro-spec Mini D delivers about 50 miles per gallon -- that's U.S. gallon, not British -- and putts along quite nicely with a 120 mph top speed from a 110-horsepower engine that delivers 177 pound-feet of torque.

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (2); Scott Doggett July 29, 2009, 9:30 AM
Categories:: BMW, Diesel, Emissions, Fuel Economy, MINI
Technorati Tags:: BMW

June 29, 2009

Chrysler Reportedly To Build and Sell Four Versions of Fuel-Efficient Fiat 500 in U.S.

Four versions of the Fiat 500, a fuel-efficient, low-emissions subcompact car that's been a bestseller in Europe for years, will be coming to the U.S. as early as 2011, according to Automotive News (subscription required).

Often compared in style and character to the Mini Cooper, the Fiat 500 will be the first of the Italian automaker's modern offerings to reach the New World and it will be built at one of Chrysler's own U.S. plants, possibly the one in Belvidere, Illinois, not in Mexico, as had been speculated, the News reported.

In the wake of Fiat's becoming a 20 percent owner of the newly reorganized Chrysler, company officials have said to expect the 500 in about 18 months, allowing time for federal emissions and safety certification.

Like the Mini Cooper, the 500 is an updated incarnation of an iconic original, but with modern safety and emissions equipment. The 500 also borrows retro styling cues from the original, and it offers seating for four, like the Mini, but the 500 is 7 inches shorter and weighs 500 pounds less.

Four versions of the red-hot little car will be built for the U.S. market, Automotive News reported, quoting 500 designer Robert Giolito, who confirmed the plan to Edmunds.com in Italy. Two hatchbacks -- one standard, one sporty Abarth model -- a convertible and a wagon, will comprise the U.S. lineup.

The trade publication noted that it is possible a four-wheel-drive SUV version of the tiny car could be in the works as well for U.S. consumption.

The original 500, referred to as the Cinquecento in Italian, got its name from the size of its engine, an air-cooled scooter-like two-cylinder displacing just 479 cubic centimeters. It was a true gutless wonder.

Four engines are available in the current 500, ranging from a 69-horsepower 1.2-liter engine to the 1.4-liter engine generating 135 hp in the sporty Abarth version. It's unknown at this time if all of these engines will be offered in U.S.-bound 500s, and it's too soon to say if a diesel variant will be available (as it is in other countries today).

Unlike the original 500, the new one has a front engine and front-wheel drive.

As far as style is concerned, the 500 is offered elsewhere in 12 exterior colors, including pastel, metallic and pearl finishes, according to Fiat's Web site. Checkerboard paint schemes are also available, and the interior accommodates four passengers on a variety of seating fabrics and leather.

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (0); Scott Doggett June 29, 2009, 12:03 PM
Categories:: Chrysler, Diesel, Emissions, Fiat, Fuel Economy, MINI
Technorati Tags:: Chrysler LLC

June 5, 2009

Lack of UL Approved Charging Cord Means Slow Going for Many Mini E Customers

New car launches rarely go off without a hitch, and with something as complicated as an electric car there's about a 100 percent chance that something will go wrong.

----------

Peter Trepp, the first Mini E customer, displays charging cord that Mini says many won't get right away.

----------

BMW has just found that out with its Mini E, a battery-electric version of the popular Mini, that is being leased in limited numbers in nationwide one-year test program.

USA Today's Open Road blog is reporting that a regulatory glitch means that as many as 300 of the 450 customers who'll be getting Mini Es many not get their high-voltage charging cables for a month or so and will have to use sloooooowwwwww 110-volt trickle charging to replenish their car's power pack when the battery runs down.

That means that instead of a 4-hour "fill up" for an empty battery, it will take about 23 hours. Customers whose daily commutes drain the batteries (the electric mini has a maximum range of 150 miles, but is less if driven at high speeds on the freeway) won't be able to recharge overnight and use the car and will only be able to use the car every-other day.

Mini spokeswoman Nathalie Bauters told Open Road that the problem isn't a shortage of the proper cables. Instead, its a regulatory roadblock.

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (0); John O'Dell June 5, 2009, 12:02 AM
Categories:: MINI, Plug-ins and Electric
Technorati Tags:: Electric Cars

March 20, 2009

Americans Finding Fuel-Efficient Compact Cars Aren't So Small

AutoPacific projects a significant increase in sales of compact and mid-size cars, with compacts the volume leader.

By John O'Dell, Senior Editor

Automakers, most of them anyway, have been telling American consumers for years that they didn't want small cars, the bigger was better, and safer, and sexier and more fun to drive.

That, said the likes of Ford, GM, Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Chrysler, is why they weren't making them - that and the problems they had making small cars that could compete in price and quality with those coming over from Japan.

After a while, even the Japanese pretty much gave up on small cars, shifting their attention to the big SUVs, pickups and luxury and quasi-luxe sedans that the American public had been persuaded were safer and brought more status to the table than compacts.

That started changing as fuel prices began soaring a few years ago, and the pace of change has accelerated as the economy has sunk into a deep recession.

Compacts have replaced mid-sized cars as the volume leader in new car sales, and many analysts believe that's not going to change even when the economy turns around.

California-based AutoPacific, for instance, is projecting that compact sales volume will grow much faster than mid-size volume through 2010 and then maintain an annual lead of 250,000 or so sales over midsized cars well into the next decade.

Edmunds.com analyst Jessica Caldwell agrees, adding that while fuel economy and lower purchase prices are a big reason for the growth in the segment, today's compacts also come loaded with standard equipment and options packages that were unheard of in the segment a few years ago.

Redefining Small

But wait!

There's a complication in the small car vs midsized car analysis, and a reason other than economy that American car buyers have begun favoring compacts.

"Today's compacts are as big as yesterday's midsized cars," says Dan Hall, AutoPacific's marketing vice president.

"While today's Honda Civic is definitely smaller than an Accord, it is about the same size as a mid-'90s Honda Accord," says Ed Kim, AutoPacific's industry analysis director.

The wheelbase of the present-generation Civic - the area in which the passenger cabin fits - is less than half-an-inch smaller than the 1997 Accord. Overall lengths of today's compacts are shorter than previous-generation mid-sized cars, but that's mainly because design changes have made engine compartments and trunk overhangs much shorter.

It's not so much that we've overcome our national preference for mid-sized cars and begun gravitation to the small car, Kim says, its just that the nomenclature has changed.

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (2); John O'Dell March 20, 2009, 11:25 AM
Categories:: Chevrolet, Ford, Honda, MINI, Toyota
Technorati Tags:: Compact Car Sales

February 25, 2009

2009 Geneva Auto Show: A Lot of Green for Snowy Swiss Venue

Opel Ampera plug-in hybrid is among the green stars of the upcoming Geneva auto show.

By Nick Kurczewski, Contributor

When the Geneva auto show opens its doors to the media March 3, the exhibition halls will be jammed with a wider range of smaller, smarter and more fuel-efficient cars than ever before.

Green vehicles were once a sideshow, with headline-grabbing debuts of outrageous supercars and luxury sedans in the main ring at Geneva. But like easy credit and cheap gasoline, those days are gone.

Intelligently designed, fuel-efficient, low-emission vehicles are now the key to survival for the world's car manufacturers.

Even high-end manufacturers like Bentley Motors are getting in on the act. Rather than its usual lineup of sport-tuned touring cars that gulp gasoline the way a band of rugby fans down lager at a pre-game fest, the English luxury brand will unveil a bio-fueled concept -- albeit one with more than 600 horsepower.

Other stars of the show will include the Opel Ampera, the European version of the Chevrolet Volt; Mitsubishi's i-MiEV Sport Air, an electric sports car concept; and the shape-shifting Rinspeed iChange electric vehicle.

Green Car Advisor offers an advance look at these and other soon-to-be-unveiled eco-stars of the Geneva show.

Opel Ampera

As General Motor's European subsidiary, it makes sense that Opel would get a version of Chevrolet's much-hyped Volt hybrid.

Luckily for Opel, the Ampera also seems to have gotten the good looks in the GM family tree. While the Volt has been criticized for a somewhat bland exterior, the Ampera has a more aggressive and modern design that better lives up to the promise of the state-of-the-art drivetrain.

Like the Chevrolet Volt, the Ampera will be capable of running up to 40 miles on electric power alone, before switching to a small internal combustion engine that recharges the battery pack.

Opel says that the Ampera's lithium-ion battery pack can be charged from a standard European 230-volt outlet.

The Volt slated to arrive in U.S. showrooms near the end of next year, so expect the Ampera to make its European debut in 2011.

Mitsubishi i-MiEVs

Mitsubishi will debut a European version of the i-MiEV electric car it expects to launch in Japan later this year. Both are based on the Japanese company's tiny "i" city car.

The i-MiEV uses a 47-kilowatt (62-horsepower) electric motor that draws power from a 330-volt lithium ion battery pack. Range is estimated at 100 miles.

The European model will be slightly wider than the Japanese model, and perhaps a bit more powerful -- to cope with European safety standards and higher speed limits.

A U.S. version of the i-MiEV, if we get one -- and we think we will -- is likely to be based on the Euro model.

A sport version of the i-MiEV will also break cover in Geneva.

Very little is known about the concept, called the Sport Air, though we expect it likely will be a closer-to-production version of the huggable-cute i-MiEV Sport concept seen at the Tokyo auto show in 2007.

Chevrolet Spark

Not every important green car in Geneva will have an electric motor or hybrid power plant under its hood.

At first glance, the Chevrolet Spark looks like another sharply styled little Euro-hatch.

That's the point.

Frugal and attractive small cars like the Spark are key to the survival of General Motors -- and to weaning many American car buyers from opting for the super-size option in their dealers' showrooms.

The five-door Spark hatchback first appeared as the Beat concept car during the New York auto show in 2007.

The production version looks almost identical to that concept. When it goes on sale in Europe in early 2010, the Spark will feature a choice of economical 1.0- and 1.2-liter 16-valve engines.

U.S. sales are to follow in 2011.

Tata E-Nano?

A spokesman for India's Tata Motors told us to expect a surprise in Geneva.

Known for basic and cheap economy cars, Tata -- India's largest auto manufacturer -- is unlikely to pull a dust cover off some supercar.

Our guess: the top-secret news is the unveiling of an electric-powered version of the company's subcompact Indica hatchback, or the Nano city car (left).

Tata Motors has been working hard on developing electric versions of its current lineup for the European market. The company last year bought a majority stake in Miljo Grenland Innovasjon, a Norwegian company specializing in electric car technology.

The collapse of the global auto industry has hit Tata Motors hard, especially now that it owns struggling British luxury brands Jaguar and Land Rover, but we're not counting it out of the electric car sweepstakes.

The four-door Nano hatchback will be the cheapest car in the world, priced at roughly $2,000 when it goes on sale in India later this year.

A low-speed battery-electric version suitable for urban centers or gated communities could be just what Tata needs to get its toe into the European or U.S. markets.

Rinspeed iChange

Rinspeed's annual dream machines in Geneva have been capable of hovering above land and water, tilting, running on bio-waste, and adapting the cabin environment to match a driver's state of mind.

The wacky Swiss company is now ready to debut its latest crazy creation, a shape-changing electric car called the iChange. Power comes from a 130-kilowatt electric motor.

This concept car's most intriguing feature is the adaptable seating arrangement. The iChange has what Rinspeed refers to as "1, 2, 3 seating," courtesy of an "electronic trick tail."

The exterior body-panels of the iChange can be reconfigured depending on how many passengers are on board.

Rinspeed says the result is not only a zero-emission car, but one whose ultra-low aerodynamic drag helps reduce power consumption from the electric motor to give it more range. Details to come at the show, we hope.

Bentley BioFuel Car

Bentley couldn't simply unleash a bio-fuel car onto the world. It had to make it the fastest Bentley ever.

We can live with that, considering the speed and grace of this strangely alluring yet contradictory concept. Sneak preview photos provided by Bentley show a car very much resembling its current gas-powered Continental GT.

Larger lower intakes and outlets in the hood now feed extra air to the W12 engine, reconfigured to run on a mix of gasoline and ethanol.

Oomph is estimated to be well in excess of 600 horsepower.

Ethanol helps raise the octane level of the fuel, which boosts power and gives this bruiser Bentley the performance credentials needed to keep its blue-blood clientele happy.

If the ethanol comes from biowaste instead of valuable food crops, those Bentley bluebloods may even be able to claim they are turning blue-green.

EDAG Light Car Open Source Concept

German engineering firm EDAG will display a high-tech car that is completely recyclable, electric powered and featuring state-of-the-art LED technology.

From the sneak peeks of the car we've seen, the finished product looks great. Too bad EDAG slapped a painfully awkward name onto this otherwise very promising concept car.

The body of the Light Car is constructed of lightweight basalt fiber. As strong as pricey carbon fiber commonly used in race-car construction, the basalt-fiber platform is cheaper to produce, provides high levels of occupant safety, and is entirely recyclable.

Power for the Light Car is provided by small electric motors located in each wheel.

The car's headlight and taillight housings aren't real hardware but instead are projected onto the exterior using LEDs. According to EDAG, owners can customize the shape and size of the lights (though there was no word as to the legalities of this clever option). Here's a company video animation that explains how it would work.

LEDs in the tail provide vehicles that are following the Light Car with information that could include driving tips like the Rinspeed's braking force (back off, I'm hitting the brakes HARD) and public service info like real-time traffic updates.

Peugeot 3008 Hybrid

French automaker Peugeot will show its new 3008 MPV, a small crossover that employs a 2.0-liter diesel-electric hybrid powertrain and four-wheel drive. The system should be available in European models of the 3008 by 2011.

Sized to compete with small sport-utes like the Nissan Rogue, the 3008 hybrid will combine 36-hp electric motor with the diesel engine. The electric motor will provide power to the rear while the engine drives the front wheels.

Peugeot has no sales presence in the States, but we wouldn't be shocked if the 3008's hybrid system shows up here in another automaker's cars someday.

Keep in mind, the standard gas-powered version of the 3008 (above, left) uses the same 1.6-liter motor as the BMW Mini Cooper. A hybrid/all-wheel-drive version of the Mini Crossover Concept (a Mini-based sport-ute shown at last year's Paris auto show) sure makes sense to us.

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (0); John O'Dell February 25, 2009, 3:00 AM
Categories:: Auto Shows, Bentley, Biofuels, Chevrolet, Diesel, Ethanol, Flex-Fuel, General Motors, Green Vehicles, Hybrid, MINI, Mitsubishi, Peugeot, Plug-ins and Electric, Tata
Technorati Tags:: Green Cars at Geneva Auto Show

February 9, 2009

High Demand From Wannabe MINI E Lessees Delays Start of U.S. Test Program

A deluge of applications from people hoping to lease one of the 450 MINI E plug-in electric vehicles earmarked for a U.S. test program has caused the automaker to delay the start of the program by several months.

The program had been scheduled to start early last month in certain areas of California, New York and New Jersey where electric vehicle recharging infrastructure exists. Selected drivers should now expect to receive their vehicles in April, MINI USA announced today.

Approximately 1,800 people residing in the specified areas completed the application to participate in the program, which is limited to 450 of the electric-powered, zero-emissions minicars.

In addition to those 450 cars, another 30 will be given to fleets and municipalities for the yearlong trial to determine whether the MINI E is commercially viable. Of those 30, New York City will get 10 MINI E's and Los Angeles five.

MINI USA said today that it has whittled the 1,800 applicants down to about 1,000. Applications are being vetted by the 16 dealers - five in New York, three in New Jersey and eight in Los Angeles - who will lease and service the cars during the trial, said Jim McDowell, vice president of MINI USA.

"We have to make sure their driving style fits with what we want," he said. "If you drive 200 miles a day, that's a longer daily drive than our range."

The two-seater (the back seats are taken up by the vehicle's battery pack) gets about 150 miles between charges.

MINI also requires applicants to have a lockable garage so the company can install an electrical charge box with minimal risk of theft.

The monthly lease for a MINI E will cost $850 and cover all maintenance.

The vehicle was a hit when it debuted at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November (pictured). Even before its debut, more than 9,000 people expressed interest in the MINI E lease program by signing up for information on the MINI Web site.

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (0); Scott Doggett February 9, 2009, 10:05 AM
Categories:: Batteries, Emissions, MINI, Plug-ins and Electric
Technorati Tags:: BMW

February 4, 2009

Audi Says America Still Not Ready for Its Premium Subcompact, Limits A1 to Europe

Audi's top U.S. official says Americans have a small-equals-cheap mentality and as a result, they won't be given the option of buying the none-to-cheap Audi A1 that will be available to Europeans later this year.

However, Audi of America President Johan de Nysschen said Audi is "seriously looking" at bringing the A1 to the land of the free and home of the brave when the subcompact receives is updated - six to eight years from now, according to an article published today in Automotive News (subscription required).

Bringing the model here any sooner could damage the German automaker's efforts to build widespread recognition for the brand, de Nysschen said.

"People who know us consider us very highly, but not enough people know us yet," de Nysschen said in the interview at Audi's U.S. headquarters in Herndon, Virginia.

De Nysschen said Audi's U.S. dealers asked for the A1, until they found out what it would cost. European pricing hasn't been set, but the car likely will have a price tag of about 20,000 euros - or $25,550, give or take, at current exchange rates.

"They said: 'This is impossible. You cannot charge this much for small cars,' " de Nysschen said of the dealers' reaction. "In their mind, they were thinking $18,000, because that's the conditioning our society still has."

The A1 is about 10 inches shorter than the A3, Audi's smallest U.S. model. In Europe, the A1 will compete against BMW's 1 series and its various MINI models. Both are sold in the United States, starting at $29,000 and $27,000, respectively.

Yes, it would seem that the A1 is competitively priced, so one has to wonder what's up with Audi. Also, the MINIs are popular in the United States, so saying Americans aren't willing to pay a hefty price for a supermini car is factually deficient.

As you may recall, we reported last summer that Audi didn't intend to bring the A1 to the U.S., but for an entirely different reason.

As Audi CEO Rupert Stadler put it, "Americans still want big cars, but with increasing fuel-efficiency."

True, but a good many of them want small city cars with good fuel economy and status, and the Audi A1 meets that criteria. We assume - as Audi's U.S. dealers apparently do - that the model simply wouldn't compete favorably against the BMW 1 series and the MINIs.

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (0); Scott Doggett February 4, 2009, 11:33 AM
Categories:: Audi, BMW, Fuel Economy, MINI
Technorati Tags:: Audi A1

December 17, 2008

Small Cars Improve in Crash Tests Overall, but They Suffer Big Hit in Side Impacts

Small cars fare better in crashes than they used to, but they still lag behind larger vehicles in protecting passengers. Their disadvantages are especially clear in side-impact crashes.

----------
Chrysler's PT Cruiser did poorly in the side-impact test.
----------

Of the nine small cars recently tested by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, all received the group's top rating of "good" in frontal crashes, but only two got good ratings when broadsided.

The Insurance Institute tested nine small cars for the 2009 model year in front, side and rear collisions. The group included the BMW Mini Cooper, Chevrolet HHR, Chrysler PT Cruiser, Ford Focus, Hyundai Elantra, Saturn Astra, Suzuki SX4, as well as the Toyota Matrix and Pontiac Vibe, which are essentially the same vehicle sold under two brand names.

Only the SX4 and Matrix, and its twin the Vibe, received good ratings for protection in side crashes. The Ford and Chevrolet were judged acceptable in side-impact protection, while the Hyundai and Saturn were marginal and the Chrysler was poor.

Only the Ford Focus was top-rated in rear-impact crashes that test how well the vehicles' seats and head restraints protect passengers. The Chrysler PT Cruiser was the worst performer, with poor ratings for side and rear protection.

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (0); Scott Doggett December 17, 2008, 1:17 PM
Categories:: BMW, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Ford, Fuel Economy, Honda, Hyundai, MINI, Mitsubishi, Pontiac, Saturn, Scion, Subaru, Suzuki, Toyota, Volkswagen
Technorati Tags:: BMW Mini Cooper

November 25, 2008

Mini Reportedly Contemplating a U.S. Version of its Mini Cooper Diesel

When BMW's Mini unit launched its Mini Cooper D - as in diesel - last summer, we wished, oh how we wished, the company would bring it to the States.

----------
Right-hand drive version of the Mini Cooper D is at home in Great Britain.
----------

That didn't look possible then, but now AutoblogGreen is reporting that a Mini diesel just might be in the works for us after all.

A year ago, demand for Minis, diesel and gas, had the factory in Oxford, England, running full time and there was no extra capacity to build more Minis for the U.S. There also was the little problem of getting a clean enough diesel system to pass tough U.S. emissions standards.

It seems, though, that the global economic crunch as slowed sales, and thus production, of Minis and the Oxford factory now has some unused capacity.

Additionally, Mini is working a U.S.-spec version of the Mini Cooper D engine. It would use special catalysts and a lean NOx trap, like the now delayed Honda diesel and the VW Jetta TDI, rather than a urea injection system as is used on larger BMWs and Mercedes-Benzes.

No launch date for the U.S. diesel Mini - with gas prices so low and diesel fuel still relatively high here, there's no big economic reason to rush one over.

Still, the Euro-spec Mini D delivers about 50 miles per gallon (U.S.) and putts along quite nicely with a 120 mph top speed from a 110-horsepower engine that delivers 177 pound-feet of torque.

So bring it on, please.

John O'Dell, Senior Editor

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (2); John O'Dell November 25, 2008, 3:02 AM
Categories:: Alternative Fuels, BMW, Diesel, MINI
Technorati Tags:: Diesel Mini

November 19, 2008

2008 LA Auto Show: BMW's MINI E Plug-In Electric Vehicle Makes Its World Debut

BMW Group introduced its highly anticipated all-electric and zero-emissions plug-in MINI E minicar to the world today, much to the delight of the international motor press corps, at the 2008 LA Auto Show.

During the unveiling, BMW announced that the MINI E will initially be made available to select private and corporate customers as part of a pilot project in California, New York and New Jersey.

When the program gets underway next year, BMW will be the world's first manufacturer of premium automobiles to deploy a fleet of some 500 electric vehicles for private use in daily traffic.

Powering the MINI E is a 150-kilowatt-hour, 204-horsepower electric motor fed by a high-performance rechargeable lithium-ion battery. The motor transfers power to the front wheels via a single-stage gearbox almost silently and entirely free of emissions.

The deputy mayor of Los Angeles and a BMW engineer demonstrated the quiet and clean operation of the MINI E by driving two around the MINI stage in the South Hall of the Los Angeles Convention Center.

Specially engineered for automobile use, the battery technology permits 150 miles of travel between charges.

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (0); Scott Doggett November 19, 2008, 2:11 PM
Categories:: Auto Shows, BMW, Batteries, Emissions, Fuel Economy, MINI, Plug-ins and Electric
Technorati Tags:: Electric Vehicles

November 7, 2008

BMW Says More than 9,000 Are Interested In Leasing Electric Mini E

Recession? What recession?

That's what the leasing team for BMW's upcoming Mini EV must be thinking.

Since announcing the car 21 days ago, BMW says that more than 9,000 people have expressed interest in leasing one - at the rather hefty price of $850 a month.

The scramble should be interesting as BMW has said it will only released 500 of the Mini E models, as the battery-electric car is being called.

Actual lease applications won't be available until the middle of the month - and then only to people in certain areas of California, New York and New Jersey where electric vehicle recharging infrastructure exists.

The 9,000-plus "hand-raisers" expressed interest in the Mini E lease program by signing up for information on the Mini web site.

The 2-seat car looks like a standard Mini with the rear seat removed to make room for the batteries. Range is estimated at about 150 miles on a single charge.

Mini Es also will sport special paint jobs and decals identifying them as electric cars.

The lease price, which will cover all maintenance, is only $29 a month less than the lease price of a $77,000 BMW 750i sedan.

John O'Dell, Senior Editor

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (0); John O'Dell November 7, 2008, 1:40 AM
Categories:: Alternative Fuels, BMW, MINI, Solar
Technorati Tags:: Mini E Lease Program

November 5, 2008

With Gas Below $2.50/Gallon, Some Drivers Regret Move to Small, Fuel-Efficient Car

This year's record-high fuel prices drove some consumers to switch to smaller vehicles. Now, as fuel prices have pulled back, many are rediscovering some of the reasons they bought big cars and sport-utility vehicles in the first place, according to an article in today's Wall Street Journal (subscription required).

Perhaps the biggest draw for large vehicles: comfort. Having wide, soft seats to accommodate the ever-growing American physique and space to stash briefcases, totes and handbags has changed from a luxury feature to one drivers take for granted. And as people spend more time in their vehicles, they have come to crave the sense of safety, privacy and insulation that come with larger vehicles, the Journal reported.

Sometimes what seems like a small downgrade can lead to big regrets. Blake Schomas traded his 2002 Chevrolet Suburban, an SUV with room for eight, for a relatively fuel-efficient Chrysler Pacifica. The Pacifica is big, but it carries two fewer passengers than the Suburban and cannot tow as much.

"I kind of regret the decision to get rid of the Suburban, which had a lot to do with the price of fuel," Schomas, a marketing manager in Hudson, Wisconsin, told the Journal. While his Pacifica's fuel economy beats the old truck's by as much as 40 percent, the new vehicle seems downright small compared with the Suburban. The big problem is that its third-row seat takes up what would otherwise be room for cargo.

"We have two kids, and if one of them wants to bring a friend, our storage space is reduced to nothing," Schomas said. It also lacks the bigger truck's "family room" comfort, he said.

Even though average gasoline prices have fallen from a peak of $4.05 a gallon in July to about $2.40 -- dropping about 26 cents in the past week alone -- the broad move to smaller cars is still going strong.

Sales of compact cars like the Honda Fit, Nissan Versa and Toyota Yaris have risen 28 percent through the end of September compared with the same period last year. Midsize cars like the top-selling Chevrolet Malibu, Honda Accord and Toyota Camry are flat. Nearly every other segment of the auto market is declining, with large SUVs down 36 percent.

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (1); Scott Doggett November 5, 2008, 9:46 AM
Categories:: Fuel Economy, MINI, Smart
Technorati Tags:: Chevrolet Suburban

October 27, 2008

AC Propulsion Reported To Be Supplying Mini EV's Motor, Controller and Batteries

NOTE: Updated 10 p.m., 10/27, with confirmation and comments from AC Propulsion's Tom Gage.

EV pioneer AC Propulsion ~~reportedly~~ has landed the contract to supply the motor controllers and battery packs for the upcoming Mini E electric car.

Electric vehicle activist and Plug In America co-founder Paul Scott reports in an e-mail this evening (and in a posting on the Revenge of the Electric Car Website) that a member of MiniUSA's media team, Nathalie Bauters, has confirmed to him that the San Dimas-based electric propulsion systems maker and Scion Xb converter will be supplying the critical electric propulsion system.

~~Neither~~ AC Propulsion CEO Tom Gage also confirmed the deal to Green Car Advisor late Monday. He said that BMW, Mini's parent, has planned a formal announcement for the Los Angeles Auto Show media preview on Nov. 19 and that he's prohibited from saying much about the contract until then.

~~nor Bauters or anyone else at Mini (a unit of BMW) could be reached for comment. We'll update as soon as we do talk to one of both parties in the reported deal~~.

Gage did say, though, that ACP will be delivering the drive systems "pretty much" all at once rather than feeding them to BMW over a long period and that he understands that BMW wants to begin leasing the cars in the first quarter next year, or within the next three to five months.

The contract is the "biggest ever" for ACP, said Gage, who recently announced a deal to supply electric drives to a Taiwanese company planning to build an EV for sale in that country.

BMW confirmed the Mini E program earlier this month, announcing plans to lease 500 of the cars to select customers in parts of Southern California, New York and New Jersey. One qualification -- a locking garage.

The company is taking names of potential lessees on the Mini website but hasn't been free with details.

Scott, and we don't know where he got the info although he is -- pun intended -- well plugged-in, says the lease will cost a stiff $850 a month.

That's a bunch for a 2-seat car, although we'd bet a lot more than a year's lease would cost that Mini will have no difficulty even in this lousy economy finding 500 people willing to fork over the dough for a chance to be among the first behind the wheel.

John O'Dell, Senior Editor

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (0); John O'Dell October 27, 2008, 5:50 PM
Categories:: BMW, MINI, Plug-ins and Electric
Technorati Tags:: AC Propulsion

October 21, 2008

Daimler to Launch Vehicle-on-Demand Pilot Program in Germany Using Smart Cars

Daimler AG announced today that on Friday it will launch car2go, a pilot vehicle-on-demand program consisting of a 50-car fleet of Smart ForTwos that initially will be limited Daimler employees but eventually offered to the general public.

Convenience will be key to the program, which will commence in the southern German city of Ulm, where car2go will be tested in real-life conditions, Daimler said in a statement.

Following a one-off registration process, the Smarts can be hired spontaneously wherever a customer finds a free Smart, or pre-booked and used for as long as desired, at a cost of 19 cents a minute.

If all goes according to plan, available vehicles could be located quickly and easily via the Internet or a telephone.

The concept aims to ensure that a reliable vehicle is available at any time, "just a few minutes walk away."

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (0); Scott Doggett October 21, 2008, 7:36 AM
Categories:: Daimler, MINI, Smart, Transportation Alternatives, Volkswagen
Technorati Tags:: Car2go

September 29, 2008

Visitor Finds AltCar Expo Enlightning, Alternative Transportation Still In Its Infancy

AltCar Expo 2008 closed its doors Saturday evening, ending from what by all accounts was another successful effort to showcase alternative transporation or fuels technologies to mainstream consumers.

We brought you a couple of pre-event reports and now are taking advantage of the goods nature of one of our colleagues, Edmunds New Product Manager Dori Merifield, to bring us a wrap-up report from the eyes - and pen - of one of those interested consumers.

Dori is an member of Edmund's corporate Green Team, helping to make sure the company is an environmentally responsible corporate citizen, and is an active environmental advocate in her own right.

She spent much of Saturday at AltCar, listening to the various symposia, examining displays and vehicles and talking to expo-goers and exhibitors about the event and the products.

Here's her report:

Thousands of people visited AltCar Expo over the weekend, many hoping to find an efficient but viable alternative to their present cars and trucks.

The Santa Monica Civic Auditorium was filled with vehicles large and small that ran on a variety of alternative fuels - electricity, natural gas, hydrogen, biodiesel and even compressed air.

AltCar visitor examines Hybrid Technologies' Mini Cooper EV conversion.

There were also lots of conversion companies on hand hoping to persuade people of the wisdom of converting existing cars to a plug-in electric vehicles.

At one symposium, UC Davis Professor Andy Frank - father of the plug-in - explained why using electric cars to help reduce our oil consumption is so important: "Oil production is going to peak this year or next - after that supply will decrease and the cost will only increase."

Peter Ward, of the California Energy Commission staff, said the bigger problem is that 38 percent of greenhouse gas emissions in California come from transportation (a lot of that is from buses, delivery trucks and other commercial vehicles) and that the state is the third largest consumer of gasoline in the world.

Frank believes the solution is to convert existing cars to alternative energy.

Most cars on the road aren't new, he said, "so if only 10 percent of new cars are hybrid or electric, we're only replacing 1% of all the cars on the road each year. We simply don't have 50 years to make this change."

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (1); John O'Dell September 29, 2008, 1:49 PM
Categories:: Auto Shows, Fuel Cell, General Motors, Green Vehicles, Honda, Hybrid, Hydrogen, MINI, Miles, Natural Gas, Plug-ins and Electric

August 21, 2008

General Motors Releases First Photos of Chevy's All-New Fuel-Efficient Cruze

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."

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (3); Scott Doggett August 21, 2008, 8:44 AM
Categories:: Audi, Chevrolet, General Motors, MINI, Pontiac
Technorati Tags:: Chevrolet Cruze

July 22, 2008

BMW Confirms Electric MINIs Coming to America, but Is No-Comment on Diesels

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

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (0); Scott Doggett July 22, 2008, 5:35 PM
Categories:: BMW, Batteries, Emissions, Fuel Economy, MINI, Plug-ins and Electric

Japan Inc. Reportedly Working on Uniform Lithium-Ion Battery Standard

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.

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (0); 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
Technorati Tags:: Electric Vehicles

Acura, Smart, Chevy Models Top List of Healthiest Cars Tested by Ecology Center

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.

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (0); 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

MINI Exports Pass 1 Million Mark; U.S. Sales Up 33% During First Half of '08

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

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (3); Scott Doggett July 17, 2008, 2:51 PM
Categories:: BMW, MINI

That New Car Smell Might Kill You

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.

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (2); 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

First International Plug-In Hybrid Convention to Be Held in California July 21-24

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.

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (0); Scott Doggett July 17, 2008, 7:55 AM
Categories:: 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

Survey Finds American Consumers Are Hot for Hybrids but Cooling on Ethanol

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.

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (0); 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

GM's Bob Lutz: Chevy Beat Not Coming to America, Cruze a Long Ways Off

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.

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (0); Scott Doggett July 15, 2008, 4:16 PM
Categories:: Auto Shows, Chevrolet, Emissions, Fuel Economy, General Motors, MINI, Smart

July 14, 2008

Audi's Chief Executive Says Americans Still Want Big Cars, So No A1 for Them

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.