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June 23, 2009

Talk Back Tuesday: GM EV1 vs. Mini E -- How Far Have We Come in 10 Years?

EV1 and Mini.jpg A flurry of questions streamed through my head as I drove our new Mini E home from Nick Alexander Imports:

Do I have to drive it easy during the "break-in" period?
Does plugging my iPhone into the 12v outlet reduce range?
How are we going to track fuel efficiency in the Mini E's logbook?
Would a solar panel strapped to the roof extend the driving range?

But I think the most important question I had after spending a weekend with the Mini E is this: How far have we come since the GM EV1 debacle of 10 years ago?

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (30); Karl Brauer June 23, 2009, 6:00 AM
Categories:: Fuel Efficiency, GM EV1, Hybrid Vehicles, MINI, Talk Back Tuesday
Technorati Tags:: GM EV1 Mini E Electric Car

December 30, 2008

Talk Back Tuesday: Should we kill the SUV, or let it die of natural causes?

Chrysler Aspen.jpg If you've read Thomas Friedman's latest rantings in The New York Times you already know the only way to save the world from multiple calamities is to kill the SUV -- ASAP -- through taxation. In this week's op-ed piece he calls for gas taxes, carbon taxes, and whatever else it takes to "permanently change consumer demand."

Funny, but I'm just old-fashioned enough to think the proper way to change consumer demand is through free-market forces, but I know that's an unpopular philosophy these days.

For the record, it was not too little government regulation that caused the current housing and credit meltdown but too much. Tell banks to give everyone a loan without considering the risk (because the government will pick up the tab on any defaults) and guess what? Banks gave out too many bad loans! Obviously the only way out of this mess is more government intervention...

But that's a topic for another day. For now let's focus on Friedman's insistence that Americans must be force-fed small, fuel-efficient cars whether they want/need them or not.

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (60); Karl Brauer December 30, 2008, 3:00 AM
Categories:: Chrysler, Hybrid Vehicles, Road Trips, Talk Back Tuesday
Technorati Tags:: Kill The Chrsyler Aspen Hybrid SUV

September 30, 2008

Talk Back Tuesday: Will the Car of the Future Ever Actually Arrive?

Cadillac Provoq.jpg If you believe the recent reports from Chrysler and GM you might think we'll be free of our oil-powered economy in just a couple years.

GM just unveiled the Chevrolet Volt and says it will be selling them by "late 2010." Last week Chrysler made suspiciously similar claims, saying in effect it will be selling a purely electric vehicle in 2010. So far Ford hasn't joined the electric car parade, which may bode well or ill for the Blue Oval depending on your point-of-view.

So maybe that bothersome old "black gold" will be as valuable as VHS players in a couple years, and we'll be able to tell certain Middle East nations what they can do with it.

But I doubt it.

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (39); Karl Brauer September 30, 2008, 6:00 AM
Categories:: Automotive News, Fuel Efficiency, Future Vehicles, Hybrid Vehicles
Technorati Tags:: Talk Back Tuesday Car of the Future

September 18, 2008

GM Officially Turns 100 -- Will the Chevrolet Volt get them to 200?

If I were the cynical type I could talk about two news stories dominating the headlines this week: GM Turns 100! and GM Asks For Government Bailout!

Last January I asked the question: Is 100 Years the Shelf Life of an Automobile Company?" because, honestly, I can't think of many companies that have passed the 100 year mark and are still going strong. In reality there are very few automakers that have made it to the big 1-0-0.

But since I already asked how long car companies can last, lets discuss the General's most forward-looking product -- the Chevrolet Volt.

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (61); Karl Brauer September 18, 2008, 6:00 AM
Categories:: Chevrolet, Domestic Manufacturers Problems/Challenges, Fuel Efficiency, Future Vehicles, Hybrid Vehicles
Technorati Tags:: Chevrolet Volt

August 25, 2008

Driving (and Fueling) the Chevrolet Equinox Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle

Chevrolet Equinox Hydrogen.jpg For the next couple of weeks the Edmunds editorial team is going to have use of one of only 100 Chevrolet Equinox fuel cell cars . These cars are part of a GM program to study the real-world challenges of converting today's automobiles from oil-powered engines to hydrogen powered electric cars.

This fleet of fuel cell cars is spread across the country, but most of them (around 60) are in California being driven by a combination of celebrities, politicians, media types (like us) and, yes, even regular people. You can go to GM's Web site to learn more and apply to drive one yourself.

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (31); Karl Brauer August 25, 2008, 6:00 AM
Categories:: Chevrolet, Future Vehicles, Hybrid Vehicles
Technorati Tags:: Chevrolet Equinox Hydrogen Fuel Cell

August 12, 2008

Talk Back Tuesday: Still Fixated with Small Cars and Fuel Economy? Be Honest...

For most of you I don't have to explain this obvious pattern -- but I'll explain it anyway.

Whether we're talking 2008 or 1978, our car-buying patterns, as they relate to fuel prices, have about as much variation as a teen slasher flick.

It goes something like this: Prices shoot up, people freak out, large vehicles and V8 engines are deemed verboten while economy cars and (more recently) hybrids are hotter than unreleased Brangelina wedding photos. Then, prices eventually drop (rarely to their previous levels, but always from their short-term highs), and/or people get used to the new first digit on gas station signs, and car-buying habits return to "normal" (if you can ever call U.S. car-buying habits normal).

Of course, every time this happens people proclaim, "Yeah, well, I'm not getting burned again! I'm buying something with good mileage right now and never looking back!" But long-term market analysis of the past 35 years proves this declaration to be largely false. And the latest shopping data from Edmunds.com users suggests we're already cycling back to our "bad" car-buying habits.

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (36); Karl Brauer August 12, 2008, 6:00 AM
Categories:: Automotive News, Fuel Efficiency, Hybrid Vehicles, Talk Back Tuesday
Technorati Tags:: Car Buying, Fuel Economy, Talk Back Tuesday

July 30, 2008

As Fuel Prices Go, So Goes the Hybrid Advantage

2008.chevrolet.malibu.hybrid.jpg In case you haven't noticed, fuel prices have dropped recently. Some would call the latest price drops a drop in the bucket (why do I have trouble getting excited over gas costing "only" $4.33 a gallon in Los Angeles?), but a price reduction of 5 percent over the past two weeks is better than the constant gas price hikes we've seen since early spring.

However, as with most things, there are two sides to this reduction in coin. Specifically, as the price of fuel drops so does the advantage of hybrid powertrains over traditional gasoline versions.

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (30); Karl Brauer July 30, 2008, 6:00 AM
Categories:: Chevrolet, Fuel Efficiency, Honda, Hybrid Vehicles, Lexus, Toyota
Technorati Tags:: Fuel Prices, Hybrid Vehicle

July 10, 2008

2009 Ford Escape Hybrid: The SUV Most Folks Really Want

Escape Hybrid.jpg What the majority of crossover/SUV buyers say: "I need a functional, roomy vehicle that can carry me and my stuff wherever I may need to go."

What the majority of crossover/SUV buyers really mean: "I basically need a station wagon, but I want to look cool and sit up high to satisfy my 'king of the road' delusions, and if it can get decent gas mileage all the better."

I bring this up not to make fun of most crossover/SUV buyers, but to point out that a car-like ride and handling, combined with a roomy cabin, useable cargo space and 30-plus mpg, is really all these people want or need.

Ford knows this too, as they've clearly proven with the updated 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid. Everything from horsepower to electric-only motivation to structural integrity and in-car entertainment has been improved.

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (30); Karl Brauer July 10, 2008, 6:00 AM
Categories:: Ford, Fuel Efficiency, Hybrid Vehicles
Technorati Tags:: 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid, Crossover, Fuel Efficiency, SUV

June 30, 2008

Gas Guzzler vs Fuel Sipper: A Calculator to Guide You

A couple weeks ago I wrote a post suggesting the mad dash from "gas guzzlers" to "fuel sippers" was maybe a bit too mad. I further suggested that people consider a more cerebral approach to the situation versus letting current gas prices force them into rash action. Ideally, every potential vehicle purchase is preceded by a careful and thoughtful process of weighing costs and benefits (yeah, right).

I'm happy to report a tool designed to aid in just such behavior. We've produced a brand new "Gas Guzzler for Gas Sipper" calculator that taps into Edmunds' vehicle pricing for folks considering a switch to a more fuel efficient vehicle. You can read the calculator's introductory story here, but the short version has already been stated -- switching from a "big, evil gas hog" to a "warm, fluffy gas sipper" could be a financial blunder.

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (32); Karl Brauer June 30, 2008, 6:00 AM
Categories:: Fuel Efficiency, Hybrid Vehicles

June 13, 2008

2008 Toyota Prius: Nothing Wrong With It

A Toyota Prius on PCH is like a news headline about gas prices -- I've become numb from the frequency level of both, to the point of not noticing anymore.

Regardless, I did my part to further the status of "Prius Coast Highway" by driving a 2008 model home recently. The Prius is an interesting prospect. A thrill ride? Certainly not. But there's nothing wrong with this car.

Does that sound like faint praise? Well consider the Caliber, Smart or even Toyota's own Yaris. Can I use the "nothing wrong with this car" line on them? No! In fact there are plenty of economy cars with one or more issues to keep them off my consideration list.

The Prius, by contrast, is relatively fast, stable, confident, comfortable, roomy, luxurious (especially if you pop for the various options) and cargo capable. When I try to think of a reason not to buy it, I come up blank.

Then I look at the near 50 mpg I got on my commute, which equates to about one gallon of gas each way for me, and the Prius' proposition is hard to deny. Finally, with $4-a-gallon gas, it only takes a few years to pay for the car's higher price versus a comparable, non-hybrid compact car.

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (39); Karl Brauer June 13, 2008, 6:00 AM
Categories:: Fuel Efficiency, Hybrid Vehicles, Toyota

June 12, 2008

More Sales Mayhem in May: Ford Focus Outsells F-150

The automotive world as we know it has officially turned upside down. I've already mentioned a few May sales numbers in previous posts, but I've got the latest full download from our data guys and there's a solid Top 10 List of interesting points:

1. The Ford Focus outsold the F-150 in May, and is within10,000 units of F-150 year-to-date sales for 2008. Not sure how that reflects on the nine-year-old Focus, the four-year-old F-150 or the eight-month-old Sync technology, but probably mostly a reflection of The New Car Market we are living in.

2. The Honda Civic is within 2,000 year-to-date sales of the F-150, and it outsold Ford's perennial best seller by 20,000 units in May. The Civic will pass the F-150 in June and probably never look back in terms of the 2008 sales race. The bigger question: When (if ever) will the F-150 outsell the Civic again? Will the redesigned 2009 F-150 turn things around? Care to place your bets?

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (27); Karl Brauer June 12, 2008, 6:00 AM
Categories:: Automotive News, Domestic Manufacturers Problems/Challenges, Fuel Efficiency, Hybrid Vehicles

May 29, 2008

Gas Prices Force Wake Up Call: SUVs Not Needed?

People calling for a $5-a-gallon gas tax to end America's Oil Addiction may get their way without one. As oil prices flirt with $140 a barrel and fuel prices creep past $4-a-gallon the sales of SUVs, minivans, trucks (full-size and compact) have hit the wall.

Michelle Krebs just posted the latest sales analysis on Auto Observer, and it further confirms with hard evidence what most of us already knew -- Americans weren't buying SUVs because they needed them, and now they aren't buying them at all. If SUV-dependent automakers don't already have a "Plan B" in place and ready to go it may just be too late...

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (36); Karl Brauer May 29, 2008, 6:00 AM
Categories:: Automotive News, Domestic Manufacturers Problems/Challenges, Fuel Efficiency, Hybrid Vehicles

May 22, 2008

Gas Sipper Smackdown! Who Saves the Most Fuel?

I told you it was coming last week, now it's live and the final results are in.

The most interesting aspect of this test is that it accurately captured the miles-per-gallon results for distinctly different driving conditions. Most tests just lump all mpg figures together and say, "We got XX mpg in mixed driving." What exactly does "mixed" mean? For our fuel test we broke the results up and recorded fuel costs and gas useage for each segment of the driving loop. This makes it easy to see which of the competitors did well in each driving condition.

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (47); Karl Brauer May 22, 2008, 6:00 AM
Categories:: Ford, Fuel Efficiency, Hybrid Vehicles, Smart Car, Toyota, Volkswagen

May 8, 2008

MPG Smackdown: Focus vs Jetta vs Prius vs Smart

If put to a real-world test, which of these cars would get the best fuel mileage? That's the question we intended to answer with our test of a 2008 Ford Focus, 2005 (certified used) Volkswagen Jetta TDI, 2008 Toyota Prius and 2008 Smart Fourtwo.

So we ran each of them through an identical test loop of close to 1,000 miles. The loop included everything from highway travel and constant speeds to stop-and-go driving in one of the most congested towns on the planet (not L.A.) to medium speeds on deserted two-lanes. When you put a diesel (Jetta) up against a hybrid (Prius) up against a traditional economy car (Focus) up against a...a -- well, whatever the Smart car is -- what do you get in terms of fuel mileage and fuel costs?

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (30); Karl Brauer May 8, 2008, 6:00 AM
Categories:: Ford, Fuel Efficiency, Hybrid Vehicles, Smart Car, Toyota, Volkswagen

May 6, 2008

Talk Back Tuesday: Will Plug-In Hybrids Really Work?

Everyone from Ford to GM to Toyota is betting on plug-in hybrids, with models like the Ford Escape, Chevrolet Volt and Toyota Prius promising to offer the technology in the next couple of years. The promise of all-electric operation, and the equivalent of 100 mpg, is hard to ignore. Yet there are many hurdles to overcome, like lithium-ion battery technology, heat management and warranty concerns. But an even bigger quesiton remains: How will utility companies react to this new drain on the power grid?

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (35); Karl Brauer May 6, 2008, 6:00 AM
Categories:: Future Vehicles, Hybrid Vehicles, Talk Back Tuesday

May 2, 2008

Top 10 Fuel Efficient SUVs for 2008: CAFE Can't Kill 'Em

With a 35 mpg standard by 2020 staring automakers in the face it seems unlikely SUVs will survive the coming CAFE spike, right?

Maybe not. First, as I noted in my blog post last December, that 35 mpg CAFE rating doesn't really equate to a 35 mpg EPA rating. You can read more about the topic in this article. Bottom line -- because of the different testing procedures between these two agencies a vehicle only needs to average about 26 mpg, by EPA testing standards, to meet the 2020 CAFE requirement.

And if you check our latest Top 10 Most Fuel Efficient SUVs for 2008 list, you'll see that every SUV on this list already has at least one number above 26 mpg, and the top five entries average 26 mpg or better. Yes, five of them are essentially the same car (props to Ford for being so far ahead of the game) but the Escape, and even the Escape Hybrid, have been out for years already.

And remember, these are 2008 vehicles on sale today. In 12 years how many more SUVs will be pulled up to this level? Well, I guess all the ones still on sale at that point...

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (21); Karl Brauer May 2, 2008, 6:00 AM
Categories:: Fuel Efficiency, Hybrid Vehicles

March 26, 2008

Electric Cars -- CARB Faces Reality versus Fantasy

In the next 48 hours you're going to hear a lot of squawking about electric cars by various "green" groups. That's because the California Air Resources Board (CARB) is meeting on March 27th (Friday) to possibly reinstate the zero-emissions vehicle (ZEV) mandate they abandoned back in 2003.

I find this fascinating because the same justifications these groups will use to demand electric cars are the same reasons it should be clear why EVs aren't viable. People associated with Tesla Motors and the movie Who Killed the Electric Car will be on hand in Sacramento today to tow the EV line. Let's look at each group's claim.

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (47); Karl Brauer March 26, 2008, 6:00 AM
Categories:: Fuel Efficiency, Hybrid Vehicles

February 28, 2008

Biodiesel/E85 to Save the Planet...or Maybe Wreck It

Whether it's Rick Waggoner touting it as GM's solution to our energy problems, or Jay Leno using it to power his latest custom-built toy (a 600 horsepower Corvette), it seems biodiesel and/or E85 will save the planet. Or...maybe wreck it.

According to a recent article in the New York Times, all the previous calculations on biodiesel and its effect on global warming didn't take land use into account. Apparently, when you destroy a swath of rainforest to grow crops for biodiesel or ethanol you really contribute to greenhouse gas production. Don't forget that rainforests are great at absorbing carbon emissions. So if you burn them down to grow crops you release a lot of greenhouse gas, and once they're gone they stop absorbing greenhouse gas. That sounds sort of like a worst-case scenario if you're into saving the planet.

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (34); Karl Brauer February 28, 2008, 7:00 AM
Categories:: Hybrid Vehicles

January 25, 2008

Tesla: Failure to Launch? Apparently not...probably

By now you've probably seen the news regarding Tesla's launch date for its all-electric roadster. The day that will live in infamy (or not) is March 17th.

I'm heartened by this news, as I (along with many others) had been moving from cautiously optimistic to downright skeptical regarding the Tesla's real-world chances. Does this date mean I'm no longer skeptical? Nope. Beyond the slipping launch date the car's technical specifications keep slipping, too. What started as a 250-mile range car with zero-to-60 in 4.0 seconds and an MSRP of $92,000 has shifted to 200 miles, zero-to-60 in 5.7 seconds and $98,000.

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (25); Karl Brauer January 25, 2008, 7:00 AM
Categories:: Fuel Efficiency, Future Vehicles, Hybrid Vehicles, Tesla

January 4, 2008

Volkswagen Jetta TDI: Hmmm...diesel technology...

I had an opportunity to drive a Volkswagen Jetta TDI last night. This isn't the first time I've driven a diesel VW. Back in 1998, when I first joined Edmunds.com, the "brand new" long-term car was a bright yellow 1998 New Beetle TDI. I only drove it a couple times, and I distinctly remember a frantic search for a diesel fuel pump in West L.A. as the gas gauge dropped to "E" and below. But I also remember liking the low-end torque and high fuel mileage. I've driven a few other TDI test cars in the years since, but it's been awhile.

Driving this Jetta diesel brought back memories of just how much sense these cars make. I know BMW will be showing a diesel X5 in Detroit in about a week. Mercedes is also preparing their 50-state legal system, and Honda should have diesel-powered models in showrooms in the next year. This Jetta reaffirmed my thinking that it's about time!

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (54); Karl Brauer January 4, 2008, 7:00 AM
Categories:: Fuel Efficiency, Hybrid Vehicles, Volkswagen

December 31, 2007

New Year's Resolutions - for the Auto- and Policy Makers

Rather than list off my New Year's resolutions let's talk about the resolutions I'd really like to see the automakers and policymakers embrace and keep. Below are my Top Five Automaker/Policy Maker Resolutions for 2008 (note: may not represent any actual resolutions made by any actual automakers or policymakers, real or imagined):

1. We as automakers resolve to put each and every model on a diet. We understand that technology can usually overcome increasing vehicle poundage by improving power, thus maintaining straightline acceleration (often with a minimal hit to fuel mileage as well). But we also know that a heavier car is harder to turn or stop, to say nothing of the impact (literally) in an accident situation. Thus, we vow to put our vehicles on a diet, which improves acceleration, handling and fuel mileage.

2. We as policy makers vow to acknowledge that we can never completely end automobile-related injuries. We understand that no matter how many safety devices we mandate in an automobile we can never fully address the loose nut behind the wheel. Furthermore, for every additional device we mandate we add complexity, cost and weight (see resolution #1 above) and we realize these devices are in and of themselves something of a safety hazard. After all, really safe cars that nobody can afford don't save lives; neither do really heavy cars that are difficult to slow down and/or tend to plow through other cars/people/buildings when they crash.

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (19); Karl Brauer December 31, 2007, 7:00 AM
Categories:: Domestic Manufacturers Problems/Challenges, Hybrid Vehicles, Safety Systems

December 26, 2007

The Energy Bill: 35 MPG cars are coming, right? Wrong!

All hail Nancy Pelosi and "the energy bill" -- as it means we'll finally be driving 35 mpg cars in just 12 years, right?

WRONG! I'm not sure if any of you caught this recent Newsweek article, but it points out an interesting disconnect between CAFE and EPA mileage testing. Our own technical wizard, Dan Edmunds, is quoted in the article, and he notes that even today a car rated for 21 mpg by the EPA gets 27.5 mpg according to CAFE standards. This is because CAFE still uses the same testing standards it established in 1975, while the EPA has updated its procedures twice. First it lowerd its results by 10 percent city and 22 percent highway across the board in 1984 to address widespread complaints of inaccurate mileage numbers. And then the EPA altered its testing procudures for 2008 to further improve accuracy.

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (43); Karl Brauer December 26, 2007, 7:00 AM
Categories:: Domestic Manufacturers Problems/Challenges, Fuel Efficiency, Future Vehicles, Hybrid Vehicles

December 5, 2007

Toyota Prius: A Niche Vehicle...Outselling Entire Brands

How would you describe the Toyota Prius? Do you consider it a mainstream vehicle, or a niche product with a fanatical (and hardly mainstream) following? What if I told you that the Toyota Prius -- by itself -- outsold entire automotive brands (that's all models added together) in the month of November. You'd probably say, "I'm sure the Prius did outsell some entire brands in November, brands like Ferrari, Maserati, Porsche and maybe even Jaguar, Land Rover and Hummer too."

Actually, it outsold all those brands...added together. But the Prius outsold some other brands last month, too. Brands you've probably heard of...

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (57); Karl Brauer December 5, 2007, 7:00 AM
Categories:: Hybrid Vehicles, Toyota

November 28, 2007

2008 Chevrolet Tahoe HYBRID: Yes, it's a HYBRID!

After re-setting the 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe HYBRID's fuel computer, and averaging 19.8 mpg over a 100-mile loop (from work to home, and back) I initially felt underwhelmed. But then I considered the 6.0-liter V8 under the hood, the 6,000-pound towing capacity, the nine-passenger people capacity, and the 5,600-pound curb weight. Okay, all things considered, a real-world mpg of 19.8 (without any effort to "drive it easy" for mileage) is impressive.

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (32); Karl Brauer November 28, 2007, 7:00 AM
Categories:: Chevrolet, Fuel Efficiency, Hybrid Vehicles

November 15, 2007

Lunch with Chevrolet, Dinner with BMW: The Answers

Well guys, I made it to both meals, despite the urge to simply kick it in the Lexus LS 600's massaging rear seat on the show floor instead. I must get more comfortable "fancy" shoes for these damn auto shows.

The Ed Peper/Chevrolet lunch was great. There were only about 12 journalists, so each writer had plenty of time to ask his questions. Here's what I learned:

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (36); Karl Brauer November 15, 2007, 7:00 AM
Categories:: Auto Shows, BMW, Chevrolet, Fuel Efficiency, Future Vehicles, Hybrid Vehicles

November 14, 2007

Lunch with Chevrolet, Dinner with BMW: What to Ask?

Alright guys, I've done this before and it's proven surprisingly successful, so I'm once again asking: Given the opportunity, what would say to the top guys at a major automaker?

Today I'll be having lunch with Ed Peper, General Manager of GM's Chevrolet division. I'll follow that up tonight by dining with BMW USA Chairman and CEO, Tom Purves.

I've got a few items to cover with these folks (listed below), but I'm always happy to hear more suggestions.

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (33); Karl Brauer November 14, 2007, 7:00 AM
Categories:: Auto Shows, BMW, Chevrolet, Future Vehicles, Hybrid Vehicles

November 13, 2007

Talk Back Tuesday: The Great Race -- GM or Toyota?

Superb story from The Economist explaining the current challenges faced by Toyota, and how they may affect the brand's march toward world domination. Toyota was clearly on track to be the world's No. 1 automaker this year, but a (modestly) resurging GM (at least in sales) combined with a series of quality/reliability slips for Toyota has made this a bonafide horse race.

It's interesting to read about Toyota's struggle to rapidly increase production capacity while trying to maintain quality control. I give the company credit for doing as well as it has over the past 20 years, but it appears they've finally crossed some sort of "Quality vs. Quantity" line that even their stringent corporate philosophy can't overcome.

However, the most intriguing aspect of the article is the one we've already talked about on this blog: How can Toyota be the hero of environmentalists as it continues to roll out bigger, stronger and thirstier models? Obviously it can't, and the backlash (like most green backlashes these days) has grown from a low-frequency mumur to a high-pitched screech.

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (29); Karl Brauer November 13, 2007, 7:00 AM
Categories:: Auto Shows, Chevrolet, Domestic Manufacturers Problems/Challenges, Future Vehicles, Hybrid Vehicles, Talk Back Tuesday, Toyota

November 7, 2007

2008 Mazda Tribute Hybrid: Greener than Your SUV

Despite the updated 2008 EPA tests for fuel mileage this new 2008 Mazda Tribute Hybrid gets 29 mpg in the city and 34 on the highway. That's a real-world average of over 30 mpg. It's not quick, with a 155 horsepower drivetrain using a 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine and an electric motor that can move the car up to 25 mph without burning any fuel (if you go easy on the throttle). The CVT tranny doesn't add to this SUV's sportiness, with a high-pitched whine at take-off that had me checking for cops until I got used to the distant siren song. Handling isn't superb by modern SUV/crossover standards, either. Not surprising considering the body-on-frame design circa 2001.

After driving it last night I can confirm it's not quick, nimble or even as stylish as any other current Mazda product (despite exterior upgrades for 2008). But it still offers nearly 30 cubic feet of storage space behind the second-row seat, and up to 66 cubic feet of storage when you fold that seat down. It has a comfortable ride, sufficient secod-row seating space, dual-zone climate control, a 110-volt power outlet and a kickin' audio system with auxiliary input. In other words, it's clearly not a penalty box and is hard to truly fault (though I'd like less Ford-esque hard plastic on the dash and door panels). And did I mention it gets over 30 mpg?

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (82); Karl Brauer November 7, 2007, 7:00 AM
Categories:: Fuel Efficiency, Hybrid Vehicles, Mazda

September 5, 2007

Enviro-hypocritism: The L.A. Times Finally Catches On

I'd like to be able to say "There's a great article in this Sunday's L.A. Times" but all I can honestly say is, "The L.A. Times is only about five years late on this one." Waaay back in March of 2002 I wrote an editorial titled "(Wasteful) Actions Speak Louder than (Environmental) Words." I wrote this article after seeing scores of Hollywoodies in West L.A. driving highly fuel in effecient vehicles like Lincoln Navigators (Jennifer Lopez), Land Rover Range Rovers (Dustin Hoffman) and gray market G-Wagons (Arnold Schwarzenegger, before he was governor and before the G-class was being imported by Mercedes-Benz).

Now the L.A. Times is uncovering the shocking fact that (gasp!) some Hollywoodies aren't really as environmentally conscious as they claim to be!!!! Actually, the article basically admits that these folks have never been truly concerned over their wasteful lifestyle, but now society at large is finally calling them on it. (Sigh) Once again, I'm five years ahead of society.

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (31); Karl Brauer September 5, 2007, 6:00 AM
Categories:: Driving, Fuel Efficiency, Hybrid Vehicles

August 28, 2007

Talk Back Tuesday: Japan's Future - Crossovers, Hybrids

Just took a gander at Automotive News' future product plan for Japanese carmakers. Not too surprisingly, the coming years hold hybrids and crossovers from the Land of the Rising Sun (actually, many of them will come from right here in North America). Each automaker has a few interesting items in the pipeline.

Acura: No official confirmation of a V8 in Acura's future, which I continue to view as the division's greatest failing. The next RL is due in 2011, so they better make up their mind. But we do know a V10 engine will power the NSX replacement. I like that they have a full-tilt exotic in the works, but one vehicle does not a division make (as was proven with the last NSX).

Honda: Honda will continue to push hybrids, with a smaller-than-Civic model. No more Accord hybrids, but the Odyssey will be Honda's first V6 diesel-powered vehicle in the U.S. in 2010 (also the year CR-V goes diesel with a 4 cyl.). I'm personally looking forward to the Remix, the spiritual successor to the CRX. And between the Pilot and CR-V? Yup, another crossover is coming.

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (34); Karl Brauer August 28, 2007, 6:00 AM
Categories:: Acura, Future Vehicles, Honda, Hybrid Vehicles, Infiniti, Lexus, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Scion, Subaru, Suzuki, Toyota

August 21, 2007

Talk Back Tuesday: Tesla too Good to be True?

It's time I admit it publicly -- I'm worried about the Tesla Roadster. Just last week a story by Automotive News' Mark Rechtin covered the latest delay in the electric Roadster's on-sale date, now scrubbed from late summer 2007 to fourth-quarter 2007. This announcement comes only a week after an announcement that the company's co-founder, Martin Eberhard, had "stepped down" from the post of CEO. Our own investigations have suggested the move was meant to free up Eberhard from the rigors of running the company and allow him to get back to the business of producing the car. An awfully good explanation...almost too good.

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (27); Karl Brauer August 21, 2007, 6:00 AM
Categories:: Fuel Efficiency, Future Vehicles, Hybrid Vehicles, Talk Back Tuesday, Tesla

July 17, 2007

Talk Back Tuesday: How good will the next Prius be?

We just posted a story on the next Toyota Prius at AutoObserver.com. It's an interesting look at what Toyota is planning for perhaps the most influential car in the company's recent history. You can read the full details in the story, but the main points are as follows:

1. Toyota will be launching the "first" next Prius in 2009; it will be slightly larger than the current model

2. The "second" new Prius will be much larger than the current car, similar in design to the Hybrid X concept, and launch in 2010

3. The "third" new Prius will be smaller than the current model, similar in size to the Corolla, and launch in 2011.

It's also worth noting that the new models are going to use nickel-metal hydride batteries, not lithium-ion.

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (19); Karl Brauer July 17, 2007, 6:00 AM
Categories:: Fuel Efficiency, Future Vehicles, Hybrid Vehicles, Talk Back Tuesday, Toyota

July 13, 2007

Latest Long-Termer: Honda Civic GX -- What a Gas

You know what the best part of the Honda Civic GX is? The "Honda Civic" part. Like a 3 Series for the economy car segment the Civic continues to be the target every other economy car maker aims for. I also like the Mazda 3, and for pure driving pleasure that car has a slight advantage. But as an overall package (i.e. interior materials, ergonomics, tactile feel to the controls) the Civic probably has a slight edge. It's close either way (does that make the Mazda 3 the G35 of this segment?).

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (16); Karl Brauer July 13, 2007, 6:00 AM
Categories:: Fuel Efficiency, Honda, Hybrid Vehicles

July 10, 2007

Talk Back Tuesday: GM Spares the Halo, Spoils the EPA

If you haven't already seen Michelle Kreb's write-up on the death of the Cadillac Sixteen and Buick Velite you should. And while you're over at AutoObserver.com you can read her latest feature story that explores GM's lowest monthly market share in nearly a decade -- 22.1. That's the lowest market share number since a summer strike in 1998. The upside is that GM's incentive spending is down, as are its fleet sales.

If GM's plan is to focus on profitability over market share it seems to be on the right track. But I question the wisdom of killing such halo products as the Sixteen and Velite. According to Mr. Lutz those products don't make sense in a world focused on fuel mileage and "green" responsibility. But over at Toyota they've just launched the largest (and most fuel hungry) full-size truck in the company's history, and a monstrous Sequoia is waiting in the wings.

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (33); Karl Brauer July 10, 2007, 6:00 AM
Categories:: Domestic Manufacturers Problems/Challenges, Fuel Efficiency, Future Vehicles, Hybrid Vehicles, Talk Back Tuesday

June 28, 2007

Nissan Altima versus Toyota Camry: The Hybrid Hustle

Since everyone seemed to love (or hate) the Saturn Aura Hybrid comments from yesterday here's more hybrid blog fodder. I just ran two identical driving loops in the 2007 Nissan Altima Hybrid and Toyota Camry Hybrid. These loops were about 66 percent through the Santa Monica Mountains and 33 percent along PCH. We use this area because it offers relatively traffic-free driving (at least during mid-day) and a good mix of driving situations. Truth be told it's not the best loop for hybrid vehicles because it offers almost no stop-and-go driving and the average speed on this loop was about 46 mph (well above the speeds where an internal combustion engine can really be "helped" by the electric motor). That said, the route is easily controlled by the driver because of the lack of traffic, meaning I could essentially pick my speed and driving style versus having it dictated to me by other drivers and/or "road conditions." I actually didn't change my driving style much, but I did tend to leave a larger gap in front of me so I could coast down hills to recapture energy and/or have momentum when the road went from downhill to uphill (which is quite often on this loop). So how did they do?

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (14); Karl Brauer June 28, 2007, 6:00 AM
Categories:: Fuel Efficiency, Hybrid Vehicles, Nissan, Toyota

June 27, 2007

Saturn's Aura is defined as a "Weak Hybrid" -- I agree

I finally got some seat time in Saturn's Aura Hybrid (yes, our test car was the exact same color as our long-term Aura). This hybrid is defined as a "weak hybrid" because it can't motivate itself on pure electricity. The engine always has to be running whenever the car is moving. It's basically similar to GM's full-size truck "hybrid" system, meaning it can shut off when stopped and provide a bit of boost when accelerating.

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (63); Karl Brauer June 27, 2007, 6:00 AM
Categories:: Fuel Efficiency, Hybrid Vehicles, Nissan, Saturn, Toyota

June 19, 2007

Talk Back Tuesday: Every diesel has (or will have) its day

You don't have to be a Le Mans fan to know that diesel engines are about to make an assault on the U.S. market. A respected source told us awhile back that Honda was investing heavily in diesel technology as a future staple of the company's drivetrain offerings, and not just for Europe. These Honda diesels will be for sale in normally diesel-retarded America, too. Speculation on Toyota's interest in diesel has been fueled (sorry) by the company's recent purchase of a stake in Isuzu and reports of talks between the two Japanese automakers regarding Isuzu's ability to supply diesel engines for Toyota.

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (17); Karl Brauer June 19, 2007, 6:00 AM
Categories:: Fuel Efficiency, Future Vehicles, Hybrid Vehicles, Talk Back Tuesday

June 12, 2007

Talk Back Tuesday: How Good is E85? We just found out.

We've all heard about how much of a potential role E85/ethanol will play in America's energy independence. The theory is pretty straightforward: Instead of buying our vehicle fuel from the other side of the planet (where some folks don't like us very much...) why not grow the fuel in our vast and fertile heartland? After all, Brazil did it so why can't we?

The reality is a bit more complicated. There are numerous factors that have to be considered. What is the cost/energy required to turn corn into a combustible fuel?..

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (17); Karl Brauer June 12, 2007, 6:00 AM
Categories:: Domestic Manufacturers Problems/Challenges, Fuel Efficiency, Hybrid Vehicles, Talk Back Tuesday

June 5, 2007

Talk Back Tuesday: Prius Breaks into Top 10 Sales Slot

If you've been following automotive sales figures for the past few months you already know two things: it's tough to be an automaker right now, and it's brutal to be an SUV-dependent company these days. While April sales figures were enough to frighten even the most optimistic auto execs, the May figures offer some hope -- if you've got cars and crossovers in the lineup. GM, Toyota, Chrysler and Nissan posted sales gains, while Ford and Honda slipped. However, the true picture comes not from total sales but from what is selling. For instance, here's an interesting piece of data I heard directly from Toyota's top executives yesterday -- the Prius was the ninth best-selling vehicle in May. Not ninth best selling car, but best selling vehicle . That means even when placed against the large trucks (F150, Silverado, Ram, etc.) and the midsize sedans (Camry, Accord, Altima, etc.), not to mention all the less expensive economy cars (Civic, Corolla, Focus, etc.) it was still a top-ten seller . First time it's ever done that, BTW. Anecdotally, I can attest to not being able to swing a Ford GT's rear end around PCH on my commute without hitting a Prius (not that I would ever do that, of course).

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (24); Karl Brauer June 5, 2007, 6:00 AM
Categories:: Domestic Manufacturers Problems/Challenges, Fuel Efficiency, Hybrid Vehicles, Talk Back Tuesday, Toyota

May 22, 2007

Talk Back Tuesday: Trying to hit the moving green target

It's become increasingly apparent to me that the race for "greenest carmaker" has little to do with actually producing "green" vehicles. Two weeks ago I lambasted car companies that try to claim the "green" title while doing little (or just not nearly as much as they could) to create real-world reductions in their fleet's vehicle emissions and/or fuel consumption. This week I'm going to call out some noble efforts in this area -- even if the popular green movement has already moved on to, well, greener (at least in their eyes) pastures.

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (42); Karl Brauer May 22, 2007, 6:00 AM
Categories:: Domestic Manufacturers Problems/Challenges, Fuel Efficiency, Hybrid Vehicles, Talk Back Tuesday

May 17, 2007

The Smart Car Cometh -- but are Americans ready?

After several false starts, the Smart Car looks to finally (officially) be landing on American shores in 2008 (a company called "Zap" has been importing Smarts and selling them in the U.S. for a couple years). For $99 you can reserve your own teensy-tiny city car that is supposed to get 40-plus mpg and cost between $12,000 and $17,000.

When it comes to U.S. buyers' interest in these vehicles, and the level of Smart's success in this country, I'm hearing everything from "it's going to bomb" to "da bomb" from various friends and co-workers. Penske's United Auto Group, the distributor of Smart's efforts here, is taking the cars on a road show in coming months to promote awareness of -- and interest in -- the little runabout. Here's my take:

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (31); Karl Brauer May 17, 2007, 6:00 AM
Categories:: Fuel Efficiency, Future Vehicles, Hybrid Vehicles, Safety Systems, Smart Car

May 16, 2007

Hybrid Technology: The 21st Century's Fuel Injection?

I'm going to describe an automotive technology for you, and you try to guess what I'm talking about.

This technology started out with the best of intentions. It was supposed to increase vehicle performance and fuel efficiency, but it proved too costly, undependable and unrefined to deliver on that promise. Sure, it worked in laboratory tests and under very specific real-world conditions, but the technology's potential for benefitting real-world, consumer-oriented vehicles appeared slim. While repeated attempts to improve the technology's effectiveness occurred within the R&D departments of various automakers and suppliers, it's widespread adoption on mainstream models seemed unlikely.

So, am I talking about hybrid drivetrains or fuel injection? Of course by now you know I'm talking about both.

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (12); Karl Brauer May 16, 2007, 6:00 AM
Categories:: Chevrolet, Fuel Efficiency, Future Vehicles, Hybrid Vehicles

May 8, 2007

Talk Back Tuesday: How Automakers can Truly Be Green

Yesterday's post about the Ford Escape Hybrid's seat covers being made from "post-industrial waste" got me thinking about a far more interesting topic: What can an automaker do to be truly earth conscious? By this I mean actions that provide more than press-release fodder. What can they do to have a genuine impact on how humans use natural, non-renewable resources and/or a measurable reduction in their own vehicle-fleet emissions. If you've read this blog for any length of time you already know I don't believe the "chicken little" scenarios that have every coastal community under water by 2010 and/or the global oil supply running out by 2012, but at the same time I fully support the need to end our dependence on Middle East-supplied oil. And if we can cut our vehicle emissions as well you won't see me complaining (heck, it might even end my Orange County headaches).

Like any effective change in the status quo, I'm convinced that addressing these issues will require a substantive change in corporate priorities, and maybe even (gasp) a willingness to moderately curb profits -- at least in the short run. Because Toyota has, aguably, made the most progress in this direction I'm going to use them as an example of how this should work.

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (59); Karl Brauer May 8, 2007, 6:00 AM
Categories:: Fuel Efficiency, Hybrid Vehicles, Talk Back Tuesday

May 3, 2007

Eight is Enough -- ZF's Newest Automatic Transmission

Feeling a bit dated in your old-world, four-speed-automatic-equipped automobile? Well get ready for gear envy, as those German wunderman at ZF have just announced an 8-speed automatic for passenger car applications. According to ZF press material , the new automatic will provide a six percent increase in fuel economy compared to a 6-speed automatic, and it wallops a 5-speed automatic with 14 percent better fuel efficiency (the company didn't even bother with 4-speed comparisons). The transmission also transmits more power than the previous version while maintaining the same physical dimensions...

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (18); Karl Brauer May 3, 2007, 6:00 AM
Categories:: Fuel Efficiency, Hybrid Vehicles

May 2, 2007

CAFE and the Recurring Government Blame Game

Excellent write up on the latest CAFE talks and how the government is ready to pounce on automakers...again. Holman W. Jenkins, Jr. of The Wall Street Journal accurately describes the forces at play in the CAFE debate...

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (33); Karl Brauer May 2, 2007, 2:21 PM
Categories:: Domestic Manufacturers Problems/Challenges, Fuel Efficiency, Hybrid Vehicles

April 30, 2007

2008 Corvette -- Awfully Powerful for a "Green" World

A couple weeks ago I commented on the potential shift from high performance to highly green vehicles. I referenced the shift in vehicle performance that occurred during the early 1970s (after emissions standards and fuel prices shot up) as an example of where things may be headed again. But, if that change is comng at all, it hasn't affected the Chevrolet Corvette...yet. Our first drive of the 2008 Corvette testifies to the car's new 6.2-liter, 436 horsepower engine...

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (83); Karl Brauer April 30, 2007, 6:00 AM
Categories:: Chevrolet, Fuel Efficiency, Hybrid Vehicles

April 27, 2007

GM and Toyota -- Who will be Number One?

By now you've all heard that -- at least in terms of first quarter sales for 2007 --Toyota is the world's number one automaker. What I find most interesting is that Toyota slipped past the General in worldwide auto sales just as GM is having its best year in decades as far as product is concerned. Saturn and Cadillac are flush with promising new cars, the Lambda and GMT900 platforms have officially attained that most sought after of Karl Brauer titles ("Kick Ass"), and while I can't reveal specifics about our 2007 Consumers' Most Wanted awards -- yet -- I can tell you that GM won more categories than ever before in the awards' five-year history.

At the same time, Toyota's Tundra has not sold up to expectations, the Prius has been jumping on and off the incentive wagon, and Toyota's interior quality and recall activity are not where they were five years ago (i.e...

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (96); Karl Brauer April 27, 2007, 6:00 AM
Categories:: Domestic Manufacturers Problems/Challenges, Hybrid Vehicles, Toyota, Vehicle Awards

April 16, 2007

Nissan Joins the Electric Car Brigade

Of course I'm excited by the prospect of a U.S.-bound Skyline, but Nissan is also the latest automaker to jump on the electric-car/plug-in hybrid bandwagon. In an announcement that sounds strangely like a GM or Toyota press release Nissan stated its goal to become "number one" in electric cars. The automaker is joining forces with NEC to produce lithium-ion batteries, and it promises to have a plug-in hybrid and a pure electric car by early next decade.

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (2); Karl Brauer April 16, 2007, 6:00 AM
Categories:: Fuel Efficiency, Future Vehicles, Hybrid Vehicles

April 10, 2007

Talk Back Tuesday: Performance and a Paradigm Shift?

If you've studied automotive history...well, congratulations! You're among a depressingly elite group of people in today's world. Regardless, if you know your history you know that big changes in the automotive marketplace tend to come in cycles. Two of the most dramatic occurred in the 1960s and the 1970s. In the '60s performance ratcheted up as domestic automakers got into a horsepower war; a war that resulted in the most powerful production vehicles of the era. Then, in the early 1970s, a combination of factors aligned to not only end the horsepower war but punish the combatants (both at the manufacturer and customer level). Between political, environmental and safety concerns it was suddenly much cooler (or at least more socially conscious) to drive a Vega than a 'Vette. In case you haven't already noticed, we're on the brink of a similar shift.

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (47); Karl Brauer April 10, 2007, 6:37 AM
Categories:: Domestic Manufacturers Problems/Challenges, Fuel Efficiency, Future Vehicles, Hybrid Vehicles, Safety Systems, Talk Back Tuesday

April 6, 2007

Break out the Gas Card -- and hope it doesn't melt...

According to an ABC News story , gas could hit $4 a gallon this summer. We've got a weather expert predicting a nasty hurricane season this year (the same guy was wrong last year...) and we've got that everlasting gobstopper of a "Middle East Crisis" to contend with. The national average is already at $3.07, which is pretty high considering we're still weeks away from the start of the summer driving season (when prices always go up). According to this story it's not the supply of oil that's causing the problem, it's the supply of refineries...

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (17); Karl Brauer April 6, 2007, 6:04 AM
Categories:: Fuel Efficiency, Hybrid Vehicles

April 3, 2007

Talk Back Tuesday: Supreme (Court) Stupidity on CO2

Remember a few weeks ago when I suggested that "Global Warming" was on the precipice of transitioning from unsubstantiated theory to widely-accepted fact? Well, to quote Jeff Goldblum in Jurassic Park, "Man do I hate being right all the time." The Supreme Court today ruled that the EPA has both the right, and the obligation, to regulate "greenhouse gasses" like carbon dioxide. This is because the Supreme Court believes "greenhouse gasses" fit into the Clean Air Act's definition of an "air pollutant." Yes, that means that everyone reading this post is officially emitting an "air pollutant" -- and not from the orafice you first thought about. This also means that plant food (remember, plants inhale carbon dioxide) is an "air pollutant." And when those same plants die and start to rot, they have the nerve to continue spewing deadly CO2 into the air. Since I'm quoting movie lines in today's blog, "Damn you plants! Damn you all to Hell!!!" For a great read on this perspective see Patrick Bedard's editorial from last September.

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (47); Karl Brauer April 3, 2007, 6:07 AM
Categories:: Fuel Efficiency, Hybrid Vehicles, Talk Back Tuesday

March 29, 2007

Maybe Plug-In Hybrids WILL be Fun to Drive...

As a follow up to Tuesday's suggestion that plug-in hybrids and solar (or wind) energy represent the realistic solution to our energy problems I'd like to introduce the Killacycle. This is a motorcycle that does zero-to-60 in 1.4 seconds -- without burning a drop of gasoline. It's powered by $12,000 worth of lithium-ion batteries that run hot enough to boil water while pulling 4000 watts/kg and offering at least 10,000 charge/discharge cycles. They come from A123 Systems and seem to be the "Spartan" of lithium-ion batteries in terms of strength and durability...

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (10); Karl Brauer March 29, 2007, 7:04 AM
Categories:: Fuel Efficiency, Future Vehicles, Hybrid Vehicles, Motorcycles

March 27, 2007

Talk Back Tuesday: What's the REAL Energy Solution?

This has been a busy week in terms the energy problem and how to solve it. First, we just published a story about the Sustainable Mobility Summit recently held at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena. This was a meeting of the green energy movement, and like any good summit a variety of interesting ideas were floated (Volkswagen's army of microscopic car builders was certainly a new twist on the issue). Then there was the Joint Statement from Rick Wagoner, Tom LaSorda and Alan Mulally regarding their meeting with President Bush. To risk oversimplifying their statement, they essentially told the President that the energy solution relies on a more robust E85 and Biofuel infrastructure. Then you had Al Gore telling congress that global warming represents a Planetary Emergency.

While both the severity of the situation and the solutions to the problem could be argued until the next Sopranos' season starts (Oh, wait! That's actually pretty soon these days!), I've got a relatively cheap and highly realistic solution I'd love to see all these forces rally behind.

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (24); Karl Brauer March 27, 2007, 7:02 AM
Categories:: Fuel Efficiency, Hybrid Vehicles, Talk Back Tuesday

March 19, 2007

Mercury Mariner Hybrid: Escaping its Ford Origins?

What was the last Mercury model to represent more than a weak Ford rebadge? Was it the 1999-2002 Cougar? And before that the Capri? Before that... And no, the Villager and Tracer don't count (those were just rebadged Nissans and Mazdas).

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (15); Karl Brauer March 19, 2007, 7:04 AM
Categories:: Fuel Efficiency, Hybrid Vehicles, Mercury

March 8, 2007

All Charged Up about Plug-in Hybrids

Stories about plug-in hybrids have been circulating for a couple years, but things seem to be amping up recently (sorry). You can likely credit rising gas prices and Chevrolet's recent unveiling of the Volt concept car, but regardless of the cause the effect has been a rapid increase in both a knowledge of, and an interest in, plug-in hybrids. We published a story last week about them, and The San Francisco Chronicle did one on Sunday. The upshot of both reports boils down to this -- plenty of people are ready to try them, but no automaker or private company has the ability to supply them, at least not on a large scale...

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (20); Karl Brauer March 8, 2007, 7:06 AM
Categories:: Chevrolet, Fuel Efficiency, Future Vehicles, Hybrid Vehicles, Toyota

March 2, 2007

New EPA Fuel Mileage Figures: How Would Your Car Do?

Most of you already know about the updated EPA testing process for all 2008 and newer models. We posted a story a few weeks ago that provides the details of what is changing, but the bottom line is that EPA numbers will be dropping to more accurately reflect real-world driving behavior. That's all well and good for 2008 and later models, but how would your 2005 -- or 1995, or 1985 -- model do under the new testing procedures? Well, now you can find out...

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (22); Karl Brauer March 2, 2007, 7:03 AM
Categories:: Ford, Fuel Efficiency, Hybrid Vehicles, Toyota

February 21, 2007

What does "American Made" really mean?

I recently glanced through a NHTSA document that tracks the percentage of U.S./Canadian (versus "foreign") content in new car models. It's actually a fascinating snapshot of where our cars come from, and despite thinking I had a strong sense of which models are built where there were several that caught me off gaurd. For instance, there's not a single model on the list that is "100%" U.S./Canadian sourced, but the Ford Econoline van comes closest at 95% (the Impala, Monte Carlo and Grand Prix come in a close second at 92%). Chrysler's highest percentage vehicle is the Viper, at 85%...

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (15); Karl Brauer February 21, 2007, 7:09 AM
Categories:: Domestic Manufacturers Problems/Challenges, Hybrid Vehicles

February 13, 2007

Talk Back Tuesday: Market Watch and Industry Trends

Just had our monthly "Trends" meeting with our data and pricing gurus. These guys study the pricing and sales data every month and combine those hard figures with the remarks we've gotten directly (and indirectly) from industry executives. Add it all up and you get a strong sense of where things are and where things are likely headed. This month we uncovered the following nuggets of information:

1. Sales of all hybrids models are dropping. Beyond the Toyota Prius' incentives (as mentioned a couple days ago), the Camry Hybrid and Civic Hybrid are also selling below MSRP. Feedback from potential buyers indicates that the dropping tax credits (now at 50 percent on Prius), plus the lack of carpool lane stickers and (relatively) low gas prices are all contributing to the slowdown in sales.

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (3); Karl Brauer February 13, 2007, 7:01 AM
Categories:: Domestic Manufacturers Problems/Challenges, Fuel Efficiency, Hybrid Vehicles, Talk Back Tuesday

February 9, 2007

Have Hybrids Jumped the Shark?

Toyota just announced an incentive plan for the formerly-in-demand Prius. This comes a few days after reports of California offering no further HOV (carpool) lane stickers for hybrid vehicles, and a few months before new EPA testing procedures go into effect that will slash the mileage figures on all hybrids. The Prius' current rating of 60 mpg in city driving is expected to drop to the mid-40s under the new testing regimen. Toyota's James Farley, VP of North American marketing, just announced at the Chicago Auto Show that Prius capacity will be vastly increased for the 2008 model year -- but if gas prices keep dropping, and benefits like carpool lane access and tax incentives keep slipping away, will the Prius become Toyota's version of the Jeep Commander (i.e...

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (32); Karl Brauer February 9, 2007, 7:03 AM
Categories:: Fuel Efficiency, Hybrid Vehicles, Toyota

February 7, 2007

While No Laughing Matter, E85 could become a Riot...

We've all heard the "No Blood for Oil!" cry of recent years, but we may soon be hearing "No Food for Gas!" With everyone from President Bush to Texas energy companies jumping on the E85 bandwagon it seems we're trading one global concern for another. Corn-based fuel could be the route to energy independence for the U.S., but it might also be a recipe for food riots and starvation. This My San Antonio article discusses the increased focus on E85 production, including an effort by farmers to grow more corn. Ironically, this Kansas City Star article reports on the increased economic troubles of Mexico, not the least of which is a near doubling in tortilla prices because of higher international corn prices...

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (11); Karl Brauer February 7, 2007, 7:02 AM
Categories:: Fuel Efficiency, Hybrid Vehicles

February 6, 2007

Talk Back Tuesday: A Peek Behind the Industry Curtain

Recently I had a very interesting discussion with an automotive industry veteran. Between his high-level background and his current position suffice to say he knows from which he speaks regarding where things are going. I won't provide any additional detail because it's respecting these people's anonymity that gets me this information in the first place. So instead of obsessing over exactly who it was just enjoy the type of information he provided:

1. Predictions of 17 million new cars sales in 2007 are optimistic to say the least. Think 16.5, or less, and with the domestics cutting fleet sales plan on massive market share drops for at least two of them.

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (24); Karl Brauer February 6, 2007, 7:06 AM
Categories:: Domestic Manufacturers Problems/Challenges, Fuel Efficiency, Hybrid Vehicles, Internet vs. Print Publishing, Talk Back Tuesday

January 30, 2007

Talk Back Tuesday: Finally, Armageddon has an ETA

Well folks, we reached a critical milestone last week. No, I'm not talking about the season premier of 24 (though that comes in a close second), I'm talking about finally knowing when the world will end. According to scientists putting together the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change , we've got 10 years to end our evil, carbon spewing ways, or we're all gonna die!! Okay, the report isn't quite that dramatic. It just says we won't be able to live near the equator or the coast. Oh, and the Amazon and Great Barrier Reef will be destroyed.

I'm going to state for the record that I do not believe in any relationship between human activity and global temperatures. I could write a short novel on why I feel this way, but here is the easily-digested, blog-friendly version:

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (68); Karl Brauer January 30, 2007, 7:04 AM
Categories:: Fuel Efficiency, Hybrid Vehicles, Talk Back Tuesday

January 16, 2007

Talk Back Tuesday: China Buys Cars - and Adds CO2?

While Toyota is moving toward the title of "world's largest automaker" more quickly than many expected, China just leapfrogged Japan to become the world's second largest vehicle market. If you witnessed the Changfeng press conference at the Detroit Auto Show you might be wondering how all these cars are being sold (I know I am), but the bottom line is -- they are. China has become a major player in the global automotive marketplace, with 7.2 million units sold in 2006. Foreign automakers from Europe, Japan and the U.S...

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (9); Karl Brauer January 16, 2007, 8:02 AM
Categories:: Auto Shows, Hybrid Vehicles, Talk Back Tuesday

January 4, 2007

What is up with these new EPA Fuel Ratings? Find out.

Our story on the new EPA fuel mileage tests and figures
went live today. You can read all about the changes, how these changes will be displayed, and how dealers and manufacturers will try to explain the changes on window stickers. We are planning to incorporate some changes to the Web site to improve comparisons across multiple years (for instance, if you compare a 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer to a 2007 Honda Civic the Lancer is going to look like a fuel pig, but our Web site updates will help avoid this misconception). As I stated before, it will be interesting to see how these changes affect consumer buying habits.

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (10); Karl Brauer January 4, 2007, 8:20 AM
Categories:: Fuel Efficiency, Hybrid Vehicles

January 2, 2007

Talk Back Tuesday: Automotive Trends for 2007

With the New Year started it seems fitting to highlight where we were in 2006 and where we're going for 2007. This news release came out a couple of weeks ago, but in case you missed it here are some interesting facts from 2006 and the primary activities/trends we see occurring in the world of new cars and trucks over the next 12 months. Unlike the official news release that covered this topic, I'll include some personal thoughts on these issues in this post:

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (8); Karl Brauer January 2, 2007, 8:22 AM
Categories:: Domestic Manufacturers Problems/Challenges, Fuel Efficiency, Hybrid Vehicles, Talk Back Tuesday, Vehicle Awards

December 19, 2006

Talk Back Tuesday: EPA Fuel Mileage Gets Real!

As you may have heard, the EPA will begin utilizing new fuel mileage test procedures for all 2008 and later models . The new procedures are designed to provide a more accurate picture of what a vehicle actually gets in terms of miles-per-gallon in the real world. In recent years the EPA had updated its simulated driving loop (with higher freeway speeds and more aggressive acceleration) to ensure an accurate measure of a vehicle's emissions level, but they continued using the 1984 fuel mileage loop (with freeway speeds held at 55, less aggressive low-speed driving, air conditioning turned off, etc.) for mileage ratings.

Now that they are incorporating the updated procedures you can expect those EPA mileage figures to take a substantial hit. Hybrids are expected to take the largest hit from the new procedures, with freeway mileage dropping by 20 percent and city driving losing 30 percent (largely because the new, more aggressive driving conditions will negate the "pure electric" mode that greatly improves their city ratings with the current system)...

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (30); Karl Brauer December 19, 2006, 9:50 AM
Categories:: Fuel Efficiency, Hybrid Vehicles, Talk Back Tuesday, Toyota

October 17, 2006

Talk Back Tuesday: Didn't Gas Used to be Expensive?

Maybe I'm wrong, but I could have sworn there was a gas price crisis going on in this country. Weren't we all supposed to be waiting in long lines at the local fuel station and/or paying $5 a gallon by now? But according to an AP story, gasoline is the cheapest it's been all year, with a national average of $2.22 a gallon. That's down more than 80 cents since the beginning of August. What happened?

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (7); Karl Brauer October 17, 2006, 8:14 AM
Categories:: Fuel Efficiency, Hybrid Vehicles, Talk Back Tuesday

October 11, 2006

Diesel Dogpile! Germans state: "You WILL Buy Them!"

Looks like the Germans have decided (again) what we all want. Actually, I give them full credit for developing ultra clean diesel technology that should also provide strong performance. A story in The Diesel Forum
says Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen are about to join forces to promote Bluetec diesel technology. Each company will show a model featuring Bluetec at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November...

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (6); Karl Brauer October 11, 2006, 3:00 PM
Categories:: Fuel Efficiency, Hybrid Vehicles

September 28, 2006

Honda's FCX -- What a Gas!

I just took a short spin in Honda's fuel cell car, the FCX. We've had one for a week and we'll be putting up a full road test soon (including performance figures). I rode in GM's EV1back in 1997, and the FCX felt very similar. Not surprising when you consider they are both, essentially, electric cars...

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (1); Karl Brauer September 28, 2006, 8:47 AM
Categories:: Fuel Efficiency, Hybrid Vehicles

September 14, 2006

BMW -- Hydrogen Power for Production People Mover

Tired of treacherous gas prices? Looking to power your car with the most abundant (and theoretically cheapest) element in the universe? BMW just announced a full production car powered by hydrogen. Based on the 7 Series luxury sedan, this one is called the Hydrogen 7 and it will feature both a hydrogen drivetrain and a conventional gasoline system...

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (5); Karl Brauer September 14, 2006, 8:05 AM
Categories:: BMW, Fuel Efficiency, Hybrid Vehicles

August 30, 2006

2006 Lexus RX400h -- Hi-Performance Hybrid

I give Toyota credit for creating the Lexus RX400h. This car cost $7,000 more than the equivalent RX330 (now RX350), but for the RX customer, this price increase is negligible, and Lexus knows it. Instead of trying to eke out any substantial fuel mileage gains, the company used hybrid technology to give the RX400h a real "kick" when you floor it. The car is relatively quick, even though acceleration is only a couple tenths better than the 330 (you car read more about it in our comparison test between the RX400h, Highlander Hybrid and Liberty Diesel
)...

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (6); Karl Brauer August 30, 2006, 8:15 AM
Categories:: Fuel Efficiency, Honda, Hybrid Vehicles, Lexus

August 22, 2006

Talk Back Tuesday -- Cutting through the Hybrid Hype

Here's a 21st Century term that few Americans saw coming in 1999 -- "Hybrid." Honda gets credit for selling the first hybrid in the U.S. (Insight in 2000), but Toyota gets credit for selling the first hybrid production vehicle (Prius -- in Japan -- in 1997). Now we have over 10 hybrid models (13 if you include the GM full-size trucks...which I don't ) and several more are on the way (LS600, Altima, Fusion, etc.). They've already passed diesels in terms of the variety of models offering hybrid powertrains, so they must be the way to go, right? Well, maybe not...

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (22); Karl Brauer August 22, 2006, 8:42 AM
Categories:: Ford, Fuel Efficiency, Hybrid Vehicles, Toyota

August 15, 2006

Talk Back Tuesday -- Toyota Prepared to Take Top Spot

This may come as a surprise to few industry followers, but Toyota will likely take the title of "World's Largest Automaker" away from GM in the next 12 months. While that fact alone isn't earth shattering, what is surprising is how Toyota continues to succeed in spite of a few interesting facts. These include:

1. A tremendous drop in the overall quality gap for new cars, at least according to J.D. Power...

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (28); Karl Brauer August 15, 2006, 8:00 AM
Categories:: Domestic Manufacturers Problems/Challenges, Fuel Efficiency, Hybrid Vehicles, Talk Back Tuesday

August 2, 2006

Honda Accord Hybrid -- Excellent Car...Pointless Hybrid

I just drove our long-term Honda Accord Hybrid , and I've decided that this is one of the better sedans on the market. It's also one of the worst hybrids currently available. How is that possible? Well, the Accord continues to be my overall favorite family car...

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (7); Karl Brauer August 2, 2006, 12:30 PM
Categories:: Fuel Efficiency, Honda, Hybrid Vehicles

July 28, 2006

2005 Ford Escape Hybrid -- Breaking the Oil Addiction?

We all know that Americans love their SUVs, and we all know that SUVs aren't as popular in today's world as they were circa 1998 (when gas cost about $1.25 a gallon). For about six years I've been saying "The SUV genie is out of the bottle." By that I mean that mainstream Americans have discovered benefits of SUV ownership (elevated seat height, increased passenger/cargo flexibility, "cool" or "rugged" image). I've also been saying for years that minivans offer many of the same benefits that SUVs provide, but the lack of "cool" prevents minivans from being purchased by all but the most logical/self actualized consumers. So, if you love SUVs but hate $3-plus gasoline you're kind of stuck.

But last night I drove our long-term Ford Escape Hybrid and I was again reminded that you can almost have it all with this vehicle...

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (17); Karl Brauer July 28, 2006, 8:52 AM
Categories:: Ford, Fuel Efficiency, Hybrid Vehicles

July 27, 2006

Smart Car -- I've Officially Been Zapped!

I just took a Zap-imported Smart car for a spin up PCH. It was the four-two model, meaning it's only eight feet long and it weighs a mere 1,500 pounds. Horsepower is rated at 60, and another staffer got 47 mpg driving across California, though that was mostly freeway driving. You can read our first drive on the four-two, and we'll have a full test on this car up soon...

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (11); Karl Brauer July 27, 2006, 8:05 AM
Categories:: Fuel Efficiency, Hybrid Vehicles, Smart Car

June 19, 2006

GM's EV1 -- Who Killed Common Sense?

I just finished an interview with ABC News' Bill Blakemore. I was a guest on his show covering the new movie Who Killed the Electric Car? The other guests were the film's director, Chris Paine, and a former EV1 sales assistant, Chelsea Sexton. The film has some basic points it tries to make, all of them quite predictable in a world where most Americans feel they pay too much for gas and faith in the stability of the Middle East is at an all-time low. In terms of timing I give Mr. Paine credit -- the political and cultural atmosphere is ripe for a film like this to make money. Now let's hit the basic points in the film, along with my responses to them:

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (27); Karl Brauer June 19, 2006, 4:12 PM
Categories:: Driving, Fuel Efficiency, GM EV1, Hybrid Vehicles

May 5, 2006

The 21st Century Shyster -- He'll Take Your Cash AND Your Gas

The snake oil salesman with promises of "curin' all that ails ya" is nothing new, but in the 21st Century their focus has shifted from arthritis and impotence (probably because there are real cures for those now) to a different source of pain and suffering -- gas prices. Over the past week I've been contacted by two "gentlemen" that swear their product will inprove gas mileage by 15-25 percent. Both of them saw my recent appearances on CNBC and/or the local KTLA news, and both of them obviously thought my endorsement would enhance their product's sway with consumers. I'm not sure my opinion would result in their instant fame and fortune, but I do know that America's oil addiction won't be cured by attaching metal discs to the bottom of your fuel tank or sticking a fan blade in your fuel line...

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (5); Karl Brauer May 5, 2006, 8:29 AM
Categories:: Hybrid Vehicles

May 1, 2006

BMW-DCX-GM -- The New Hybrid Power Triumvirate?

It appears Toyota may finally have some competition in the hybrid marketplace. BMW, DCX and GM have released the first technical information on their hybrid technology alliance -- and it sounds pretty cool. They call their system a "two-mode" system because it has two planetary gear sets that can take advantage of the electric power at different speeds. Unlike the "one-mode" system that Toyota uses in the Prius and other vehicles, the proposed BMW/DCX/GM system can utilize the alternate gear set, as well as a continuously variable transmission, to propel a car via the electric motor at highway speeds...

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (6); Karl Brauer May 1, 2006, 2:42 PM
Categories:: Hybrid Vehicles, Toyota

April 21, 2006

Speaking of Blue-Oval Hybrids and Fuel Prices

I just got a news release from Ford saying that April should be the company's best-ever for hybrid sales. The release notes the use of 0% financing -- nationwide -- for Escape/Mariner hybrids (in March they offered it only in California and Washington D.C.). It also mentions the Kermit ads and Ford Escape Hybrid appearances in Extreme Makeover: Home Edition as possible reasons for the sales bump. For those interested, we're talking around 200 Mariner Hybrid sales and 1,800 Escape Hybrid sales (for reference purposes, Ford sold approxmiately 200,000 F-Series in the month of March).

I seriously think we could see $4-a-gallon gas this summer, which is still:

A...

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (7); Karl Brauer April 21, 2006, 12:43 PM
Categories:: Ford, Hybrid Vehicles, Mercury

March 13, 2006

I Want My E85

All the recent talk of America's oil addiction -- and using E85/ethanol to combat it -- sounds great. And with both GM and Ford working to offer more E85 vehicles it would appear we're on the right track. We even did a recent special report on the current and future prospects of E85. Yet there remains one major obstacle -- most people can't actually buy ethanol-based fuel...

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (8); Karl Brauer March 13, 2006, 8:22 PM
Categories:: Hybrid Vehicles

February 24, 2006

Lexus GS450h -- Proof Toyota Will Eventually Rule the World

I just spent the morning in the GS450h, and as expected it came off as a spectacular car. The primary point this car makes is that you can drive a hybrid vehicle with absolutely no penalty (except, of course, cost). Toyota's earlier hybrid efforts (Prius and RX400h) are fine vehicles, but the hybrid element is very apparent while driving them. For instance, when the engine fires up to assist with accleration on the Prius, you know about it. And when you apply the brakes in either car there is an inconsistant feel as the drivetrain switches from motor to generator. These issues are minor by earlier hybrid standards. For instance, in the Honda Insight you REALLY know when the drivetrain is doing its "hybrid" thing, while in the Prius you just sort of know and in the RX400h you only kinda know.

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (13); Karl Brauer February 24, 2006, 1:44 PM
Categories:: Hybrid Vehicles, Lexus

January 17, 2006

Hybrids are HOT!!! -- Or Maybe Not...

As you might guess we have a fair number of contacts at both the manufacturer and dealer levels. We got an interesting call from one of our Toyota dealer contacts the other day. Apparently, they are having trouble moving Highlander Hybrids. Yes, a hybrid model that isn't selling! Our contact claimed the dealership is willing to let them go at invoice or below, though I'd want to confirm with someone higher up at that Toyota store before I stated it as fact. But we've dealt with this individual for several years and they've always been very reliable and up front with their information. This is particularly baffling because the dealer in question is located right here in Southern California -- also known as Hybrid Haven.

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (7); Karl Brauer January 17, 2006, 10:01 PM
Categories:: Honda, Hybrid Vehicles, Toyota

November 8, 2005

Honda Civic Hybrid vs Toyota Prius, part 2

This is a pretty easy one to call. After driving the Civic Hybrid home last night (approx. 50 miles) and driving both the Prius and the Civic at the test track today (plus the many hundreds of miles I've put on our long-term Prius), I can sum up their strengths/weaknesses in a few sentences.

The Prius is noticeably quicker than the Civic Hyrbid, and its hatchback design makes for far greater cargo capacity...

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (15); Karl Brauer November 8, 2005, 3:51 PM
Categories:: Honda, Hybrid Vehicles, Toyota

November 7, 2005

Toyota Prius versus Honda Civic Hybrid

We're doing a comparison test between these two vehicles, and I'll be driving both tomorrow at our test facility for basic performance numbers (0-60 and 1/4-mile acceleration, braking, slalom, etc.)

Honda says the 50/50 mpg ratings on the new Civic Hybrid are closer to reality than the Prius' 60/51. We've only driven it about 25 miles, but during that drive (in L.A. traffic) the Civic was indeed getting around 48 mpg. Our long-term Prius has been averaging around 44 mpg...

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (5); Karl Brauer November 7, 2005, 6:41 PM
Categories:: Honda, Hybrid Vehicles, Toyota