The latest highlights from Edmunds.com and its blogosphere.
Straightline: 2010 BMW 550i GT: 15-Minute Drive Straightline had the opportunity to drive the 400 horsepower V8 version of the BMW 5 series Gran Turismo, and saw more similarities to the 7 Series than the 5. The 550i GT is expected to hit showrooms this December.
Green Car Advisor: EPA's Fuel Economy Guide Should Be Based on Cost, Not Mileage Now that electric vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles are making their way into the marketplace; the old method of calculating miles per gallon is becoming less and less relevant. How can the average shopper compare the fuel consumption of a hybrid versus an electrical vehicle? Edmunds.com and Green Car Advisor are proposing an alternate method.
Auto Observer: Trying to Figure Out what the Honda Crosstour Is The Honda Accord Crosstour is not only polarizing in its styling, but also in how people perceive it as well. This article examines how potential customers are reacting to this and other vehicles that are somewhere in between a crossover and a wagon.
Used to be that if you wanted to find cheap gas in a specific area, you had to go to your desktop computer. But that doesn't help if you're already on the road. Fortunately, the increase of mobile Web browsing and satellite-based technology has made getting the lowest prices easy. We'll highlight a few of today's options:
Heralding a "new era in automotive history," the Department of Transportation and the Environmental Protection Agency today proposed a national fuel economy standard of 35.5 mpg by 2016. If made law, the new standard would be more stringent than the 2007 CAFE law, which mandated 35 mpg fleet average for passenger cars and light trucks by 2020.
It would also require model year 2016 vehicles to meet an estimated combined average emission level of 250 grams of carbon dioxide per mile, marking the first time a national limit on tailpipe emissions has been proposed.
The national program, which has broad automaker support would: - Increase fuel economy by approximately five percent every year - Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 950 million metric tons - Save the average car buyer more than $3,000 in fuel costs over the life of the car - Conserve 1.8 billion barrels of oil
Under the proposal, automakers could follow one national standard instead of three (DOT, EPA, and a state standard), greatly increasing efficiency.
Fact #1: In Europe, 60 percent of the passenger cars on the road are diesel. Fact #2: Diesel engines are 30 percent more fuel efficient than gasoline engines. Fact #3: In the U.S., 3 percent of the passenger cars on the road are diesel.
Question: What the heck is wrong with us?
That was just one of the questions I had in mind as I left a Motor Press Guild presentation by two leading diesel experts (and advocates). As Gale Banks, an avowed "torque junkie" and diesel proponent put it: "The engine of the future is 115 years old."
So, should your next car be a diesel? Here are a few bullet points to help you decide.
Audi has announced that the diesel-powered 2010 A3 TDI will start at $30,775 including destination. That chunk of change will get you a base front-wheel-drive A3 TDI with S Tronic, Audi's version of VW's DSG dual-clutch automated manual transmission.
The A3 TDI's 2.0-liter turbodiesel four is familiar from the Volkswagen Jetta TDI, where it makes the same 140 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque. With EPA estimates of 30 mpg city, 42 highway and 34 combined, the A3 TDI boasts the highest fuel economy in the luxury car category. It will be interesting to see whether this car sells well; the diesel-fueled BMW 335d hasn't exactly been flying off the shelves, but its base price is almost 50% higher.
At any given horsepower point, turbocharged engines use significantly less fuel than their naturally aspirated counterparts. At least, that's the conventional wisdom these days. Ford even goes so far as to slap "EcoBoost" labels on its turbocharged vehicles. Eco-nomy! Get it?
No, I don't. Not yet. Not based on the current offerings. Automakers can talk all they want about the theoretical efficiency benefits of turbocharging, but the proof is in the pudding, and thus far I haven't seen much. Here's three reasons to be skeptical.
Toyota's Corolla was the most purchased car under the Cash for Clunkers program.
The Department of Transportation is tooting its own horn. Claiming overwhelming success for the Cash for Clunkers program, the federal government is crowing about the 690,114 sales the program spurred, the fuel economy gains made, and the American jobs restored.
But there's the nagging fact that vehicle transaction prices actually rose during the program, as some manufacturers and dealers cut back on their own incentive offerings. Customers taking advantage of the program still got great deals -- just not as great as if they'd been able to simply tack the C4C rebate onto the market prices that existed before the program.
With the suddenly shutdown of the popular Cash for Clunkers program only four days away, we pulled together 7 tips to help last minute shoppers get a good deal on a new, more fuel efficient vehicle.
The surprise announcement from the Department of Transportation Thursday afternoon means that shoppers will have to act fast to take advantage of the $3,500 or $4,500 incentive program. All applications for Cash for Clunkers deals will have to be filed by 8 p.m. Monday, Eastern Daylight Time, Aug. 24.
Here then is our list of 7 essential shopping tips.
General Motors and Honda are the latest companies to begin boosting their production for vehicles that are selling well under the Cash for Clunkers program (Ford announced the same last week). Automakers, which had originally cut inventory back drastically due to poor sales, are responding to dealers who screaming for more small and fuel-efficient vehicles to sell before the Cash for Clunkers money runs out.
The ramped-up production is good news for some consumers who were having trouble locating the car they wanted. For all the details on the models affected and what it means, see our AutoObserver entry.
The smashingly successful Cash for Clunkers program -- which panicked Congress into authorizing $2 billion in additional funds -- saw new car sales skyrocket. So how is it possible that sales could drop to their (awful) pre-program levels as soon as nine days from now?
Michelle Krebs reports in AutoObserver that the pool of buyers who have eligible clunkers -- and the wherewithal to finance a new car -- is drying up. Sales are already down 15 percent from last week's peak.
As Edmunds Auto Observer reported, GM recently stated that its upcoming Chevrolet Volt extended-range electric car will score an eye-opening EPA city fuel economy estimate of 230 mpg. That figure is based on the assumption that the car will be driven entirely in electric mode in the city, and thus is the energy equivalent of driving 230 miles on a gallon of gasoline. Though both highway and the more telling "combined" figures have yet to be worked out, GM Chief Executive Fritz Henderson claims that the Volt will get in excess of 100 mpg for the combined estimate: "I'm confident that we will be in triple digits."
The Volt can travel up to 40 miles on a charge and unlike conventional pure electric cars has a back-up -- a small gasoline engine that will kick in if the battery pack's charge runs out. The engine powers the Volt's electric motor until the driver can find another outlet to recharge its battery pack.
As nearly 80 percent of Americans commute less than 40 miles a day, GM and the EPA see the gas engine's usage, and hence gasoline consumption, as being extremely rare, hence the high fuel economy estimates. Charging the Volt at home overnight (during off-peak hours) would cost only about 40 cents for a full charge, according to Fritz. For a more in-depth look at the Volt's inner workings, check out this Green Car Advisor article.
The Chevrolet Volt is expected to debut for 2011 with pricing rumored to be around $40,000.
I drive (read: hold hostage in the bowels of the company garage) a 2001 Honda Prelude, which has something in common with every Honda car ever: it's not on the Cash for Clunkers Eligible Used Vehicles list.
But I've always kind of wanted a 1993 Acura Legend GS (above) -- you know, the one with the six-speed manual and 230-horsepower "Type II" V6 and shiny wheels. And that's on the list.
So let's suppose I had that Legend instead, and I felt like getting in on this Cash for Clunkers action. Want to know which car I'd trade it in on from the Eligible New Vehicles list? Sure you do. In fact, you want three.
An agreement has been reached in the Senate to move forward with another $2 billion in funding for the Cash for Clunkers auto incentive program. A vote is being called for today after Republicans have said they will drop their opposition to the program.
Despite a week of frantic activity, which saw dealerships packed with car shoppers for the first time in a year, critics have emerged saying the bill should be changed or killed. Though many detractors are quite vocal, there has been enough enthusiasm to add funds to the initial $1 billion allotted to clunkers. Despite initial concerns, there is still money remaining from the first installment so there has been no break in granting the $3,500 or $4,500 to car shoppers.
For all the latest details, including an analysis of the success of the program so far, please see our Auto Observer article.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood predicted today that the U.S. Senate will replenish the popular cash-for-clunkers program with an additional $2-billion. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid echoed his statement, declaring today that the Senate will vote to extend the popular "cash-for-clunkers" program before going home on Friday. In the meantime, LaHood wants people to feel confident trading in their old gas guzzlers.
"We have enough money to continue," he said. "We encourage people to go into dealerships." LaHood said the administration had processed 157,000 claims, totaling $664 million of the original $950 million allocation. It's estimated that the balance in the fund will cover another 67,600 vouchers, enough to cover the program until the Senate vote.
There had been serious concerns that the program would be victim of its own success, and there wouldn't be enough money left to continue taking old guzzlers off the road.
In a related development, sales of used are experiencing an unexpected bump from the C4C program, even though they aren't eligible. Consumers who drive their old cars into dealerships -- only to discover that their clunkers don't qualify -- decide to trade their wheels in on a later-model used vehicle.
Add in new car production cuts, and you've got an effective recipe for rapidly rising used car prices. Prices are expected to continue to climb through August.
So whether you're looking for a new car in an ever-dwindling supply, or looking to buy used before prices shoot higher, the phrase, "He who hesitates is lost" rings true.
The auto sales gusher could be turned off Tuesday if the U.S. Senate fails to approve an additional $2 billion in funding for the Cash for Clunkers program.
The surprisingly successful program exhausted the first $1 billion in about a week and the House quickly approved additional funds to keep clunkers running. Now the fate of the program rests with the Senate where two senators dropped their opposition Monday saying the program is having the desired environmental effect.
Also on Monday, Cash for Clunkers was credited with driving a healthy sales spike which gave Ford their first positive sales month in two years.
But all that momentum could be reigned in if the program is halted by lack of funds. While the measure was debated yesterday a vote is expected sometime today.
While clunkers was being praised by many, it was clear that the program was not exactly user friendly. Shoppers reported that the paperwork required took hours to complete. Dealers were confused about how to dispose of the trade-ins. Furthermore, while the cash behind the program was dwindling, the number of replacement cars on the lot was also diminishing.
The U.S. Senate was scheduled to debate the future of the Cash for Clunkers Monday as two chief opponents indicated they would drop opposition to the popular incentive program.
Sens. Dianne Feinstein and Susan Collins said in a TV interview that she considered the mileage improvements in the bill to be acceptable. Earlier, the senators had threatened to use the debate to improve mileage requirements.
Now the only resistance may come from the Republicans who have portrayed Cash for Clunkers as unnecessary government intervention. The early success of the clunkers program was portrayed by the GOP as due to a recovery that was already in progress.
Now, it looks likely that the additional funds may be voted on by the Senate later today. Without a quick approval in the Senate, the program is likely to be terminated. For more information see our story on AutoObserver.
After a weekend in which a White House spokesman told the American public "go buy a car," many shoppers might be left wondering if they still have a green light under the cash for clunkers program.
Friday was a roller coaster day for dealers with the White House guaranteeing deals through the weekend and the House of Representatives approving an additional $2 billion to subsidize the trade-in of old cars for more fuel efficient vehicles.
Friday was the start of the government program (or one of the "starts") designed to stimulate car sales and take gas guzzling polluters off the road. But Friday saw dealers scratching their heads in confusion, reading the mammoth rules document and trying in frustration to register online.
Furthermore, NTSHA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration), the administrating agency, said money won't be available for dealers until Monday.
Still, Cash for Clunkers (or C4C) seems popular with consumers and interest is building on many other fronts. Here are a few late breaking developments.
With car shoppers expected to flock to dealership lots to claim the government's "Cash for Clunkers" credit, BMW has created an incentive of its own -- a $4,500 "Eco Credit" for its two new diesels, the 2009 335d and the X5 xDrive 35d.
BMW's Eco Credit is in addition to the "Cash for Clunkers" credit so a car shopper could be looking at the 335d would get a price reduction of $9,000. (Since the X5 has a base MSRP of over $45,000, it doesn't qualify for the Cash for Clunkers credit.)
Additionally, the 335d qualifies for a $900 alternative fuels tax credit and the X5 XDrive35d qualifies for a $1,800 credit. Finally, the sales tax on both cars is also tax deductible.
With Cash for Clunkers rolling out today, many manufacturers are viewing this as a chance to boost lagging sales. Some carmakers, such as BMW, are doubling the government's credit.
As state tax offices, automakers and dealers wait for details to arrive on the federal government's Cash for Clunkers plan tomorrow, there's tremendous confusion on the issue of sales tax: Should dealers charge customers sales tax on the price of their new vehicle before the federal tax credit is applied, or after?
The answer -- at least for today -- is that it depends.
Combine a $4,500 Cash For Clunkers (C4C) rebate with the applicable federal hybrid tax credit ($1,700) and you can get yourself behind the wheel of a 2010 Fusion Hybrid for only $21,795.
So you've got a clunker that qualifies for the $4,500 rebate, and now you're wracking your brain for options for a replacement car. We're thinking along the same lines even though we aren't likely to cash in -- at Edmunds, we go fantasy car shopping all the time. So we put together a short list of vehicles, their combined fuel efficiency ratings, and figured out what the net cost would be after the government's C.A.R.S. (aka Cash For Clunkers) incentive.
We're not saying these are the only choices out there. We're not saying these are the greatest cars ever built. We're just saying these are 10 great cars you should take a look at if turning in a clunker. And we tried to put together a variety of makes and body types to jog your thinking. For a complete list of eligible trades and replacements, see our Cash For Clunkers page.
Keep in mind that final details of the program are not expected until July 24, and that all the vehicles listed here are the base model with an automatic transmission. We also assumed for the purposes of this exercise that these replacements would get the maximum credit amount of $4,500. Take a look after the jump.
Carmakers are turning to a new crop of low rolling resistance (LRR) tires as a way to boost fuel economy and meet the newly adopted CAFE
standards.
To help consumers who are thinking of refitting their cars with these tires, the Department of Transportation recently proposed a new tire rating system focused on fuel economy and greenhouse gases. The label would be affixed to replacement tires sold at retail, along with a rating of its fuel economy, wet-weather performance, and tread durability. Critics charge that low resistance tires compromise performance for fuel efficiency.
Over the next few years, you'll see more automakers include LRR tires as standard equipment on their vehicles, and a number of LRR tires are already on the market, including the new Michelin Energy Saver A/S (left). Michelin claims that it is one of the most fuel efficient all-season tires in its class, and a new compound and structure drastically improves its wet weather and braking performance.
Its competitors include the Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max and Bridgestone Ecopia EP100. Though the Ecopia EP100 is classified as a summer tire, Bridgestone claims that its new tire compound offers low rolling resistance, while maintaining wet traction.
The latest highlights from Edmunds.com and its blogosphere.
Inside Line News: Kia Forte Koup Koming in August The 2010 Kia Forte Koup, the company's first coupe, will be available for sale in the U.S. later this summer, a bit earlier than expected. A competitor to the Honda Civic and Scion tC, the Koup will come in base EX and sportier SX trims; the SX is expected to come in at just under $20,000.
Green Car Advisor: The Climate Bill and the Cars We'll Drive The climate bill, which will have a big impact on the cars of the future, has passed the House of Representatives and will go to the Senate this fall. The bill covers incentives, EV charging, flex fuel and emissions. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has set a December deadline for the bill to go in front of President Obama, but it's unsure whether the bill can get the votes it needs to pass in the Senate.
Karl on Cars: A New York State of Mind Editor-in-Chief Karl Brauer asks, how much of a car town is New York City? Not much at all, he says. "And you know what? That's why I love it!"
Independence Day weekend means dealers are trying to move older vehicle inventory off their lots to make room for new models. This year, dealers are doubly pressed to move inventory because of months of sluggish car sales. So this 4th of July is a great time to bargain hunt.
Expect to find specials everywhere you look, but here are three of note:
Hyundai has a new Gas Lock program on most models bought or leased through August 31st. It guaranties $1.49/gallon regular fuel for your next 12,000 miles.
Not to be outdone, Suzuki is offering Free Gas for Summer on the Suzuki SX4 sedan or crossover. Manual transmission customers get an extra $2,000.
GM's 72-hour sale is underway, with 0% for 72 months finanancing on many of their 2009 models and 60-month 0% financing on the rest. Must take delivery by July 6th.
Make sure to check our Incentives and Rebates page to find out all the incentives you qualify for. Often, you'll have to choose between the lowest financing, cash back, and/or the gas programs. Do the math to figure out what's best for you.
Off-roaders know that they have to give up a little fuel-efficiency for the privilege of driving an AWD vehicle. Subaru is countering that idea with their all-new 2010 Outback, which will be available at the end of August. The base model 2.5i with CVT transmission gets up to 24 mpg combined and 29 mpg highway, even while interior volume is up over 7-percent.
The combined mpg beats the Toyota Venza, Volvo XC70, VW Passat, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Ford Explorer, and the smaller Suzuki SX-4 AWD.
The new Outback with the 170HP 4-cylinder Boxer engine goes for $23,995 MSRP, $700 more than the outgoing Outback 2.5i with auto transmission. It's less quirky-looking than the outgoing model, as well.
Holidays mean specials on new cars. And what could be more patriotic during Independence Day weekend than buying an American car? From today through July 6, GM is offering 0 percent financing for up to 72 months for qualified buyers on select 2009 and 2010 vehicles in dealer stock, including Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickups; Chevrolet Suburban and GMC Yukon XL; Chevrolet Impala; and the Pontiac models: Vibe, G3, G5, G6 and G8, Solstice and more.
Most other vehicles, such as the Chevy Malibu Hybrid, will have reduced rate financing of 0 percent for up to 60 months, instead. Note that you have to take delivery by July 6 according to the current offer. For details on all GM offers and models, see here.
Hyundai is adding a new perk to its Hyundai Assurance program: Gas for up to 12,000 miles at $1.49 per gallon for regular fuel, slightly higher for midgrade and premium. Called Hyundai Assurance Gas Lock, the program covers most models leased or purchased between July 1 and Aug. 31.
That's what NHTSA told us when they called us. They want to warn consumers not to fall for the scammers taking advantage of the new Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS, also known as the Consumer Assistance to Recycle and Save, or in the vernacular, Cash for Clunkers or C4C).
President Obama hasn't even signed the bill yet, but already there are Web sites that promise to shepherd you through the system. They ask for personal information, including your email address and sometimes require you to fill out a credit application!
The latest highlights from Edmunds.com and its blogosphere.
Inside Line: Hummer Brand Finds Buyer, Says General Motors The Hummer brand has been teetering on the edge of elimination for some time now. But GM President and CEO Fritz Henderson has announced that they have found a potential buyer for Hummer. If this deal goes through, it could secure over 3,000 U.S. jobs.
Auto Observer: Chrysler Begins Emerging From Bankruptcy A New York City bankruptcy court has approved the sale of Chrysler's assets to a group led by Italy's Fiat. Judge Arthur Gonzalez was firm in his decision, and rejected any opposing argument on the grounds that it was the only alternative to "immediate liquidation" of Chrysler. However, the struggling automaker emerged from bankruptcy in record time and according to President Obama, has sold more cars in May than it did in April. Auto observer has a percentage breakdown of Chrysler's new stakeholders.
The latest highlights from Edmunds.com and its blogosphere.
Inside Line: 2010 Lexus HS 250h First Drive and Video Buyers looking for a more luxurious hybrid now have one more to choose from. Inside Line recently drove the newest addition to Lexus' growing hybrid lineup. The 2010 Lexus HS 250h will be more fuel efficient than its Lexus hybrid siblings, while remaining just as high tech and easy to drive. For those of you that may think this is a rebadged Prius, Lexus engineers are quick to point out that the HS 250h shares no body panels or suspension components with the 2010 Toyota Prius.
Auto Observer: Feds' New MPG Mandate May Collide With Buyer Preferences The Obama administration wants automakers to build more fuel efficient vehicles, but this may be at odds with what the American people want to buy. Auto Observer took a hard look at the sales charts and noticed that of the 100 most-purchased vehicles in the U.S., only 17 could comply with the new fuel-economy standards. They also try to make sense of how the EPA and CAFE mpg numbers vary.
Edmunds Tips & Advice: How Much Car Can You Afford? We all would like to drive around in a brand new, fully loaded, vehicle. But how much can we realistically afford? In this time of economic hardship, we must be extra careful in how we budget our money. By inputting some basic information, this new calculator can help you arrive at an estimated price range in which you should shop. Senior Features Editor Joanne Helperin, breaks down the details on how this tool works.
Green Car Advisor: Don't Panic Over the New CAFE Standards
Under-informed automotive enthusiasts have been in a tizzy over the Obama Administration's new corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards. But fear not fellow petrol heads, this will not result in the equivalent of spaying and neutering all vehicles. As also covered in Edmunds Daily
, the CAFE standards are not the same as EPA mileage estimates -- in fact, they're quite a bit more generous than most would expect. So if you see Inside Line's Mechanic
curled up in a ball, weeping uncontrollably, please clue him into the reality of the CAFE standards.
Inside Line: Cadillac Lifts the Veil On Its New Lexus Fighter When it comes to the luxury crossover segment, the Lexus RX 350 rules the roost. Cadillac will join the fray with the redesigned 2010 SRX, and fights the good fight. What happens when the dust settles? Head over to Inside Line and find out for yourself.
Straightline: 2010 BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo Well, maybe it'll have a nice personality. BMW releases more information on its oddly-styled ubersedanwagon. Sir Mix-a-Lot would be proud, but quite frankly, we're still scratching our heads. Take a look, but don't say we didn't warn you.
If converting current window-sticker EPA mpg ratings, even the V6 version of Toyota's 2009 RAV4 would meet the proposed CAFE mpg requirements for 2016.
On Tuesday, the Obama administration announced their proposed changes to the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standard. According to the proposal, an automaker's fleet of cars and trucks must average a combined 35.5 mpg by 2016 -- four years earlier than required by the previous standard passed in 2007.
Does that mean we are a few years away from driving 35 mpg cars and trucks? Not quite. First off, the CAFE standard is an average for an automaker's the entire fleet -- not a minimum mpg requirement. In a manufacturers fleet, there will always be some vehicles that get above the mpg average and some below it. So theoretically, GM could still make the Hummer if it made enough Volts to balance out the average.
You may need the utility offered by a pickup, but that doesn't mean you have to completely forsake fuel-efficiency. These days, there are more compact and hybrid trucks available than ever before -- a development that spells good things for those seeking trucks that will help them mind their finances at the pump.
These 10 choices are the most fuel-efficient pickups on the market.
New upcoming Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards were expected to be announced today at a large White House gathering of political and industry players. The new National Fuel Efficiency Policy will set higher upcoming fuel economy standards for manufacturers, to be implemented on a shorter timetable beginning in 2012. At the same time, the new policy will eliminate the patchwork of fuel efficiency and emissions rules between federal agencies (DOT and EPA) and the group of 13 states (including California) that had hoped to set their own stricter emissions standards.
Let's think about this "Cash for Clunkers" Bill
for just a second. I mean, who's going to take the chance to dump the old gas guzzler and move up to sleek new gas sipper?
Most of the clunkers I've seen are driven by guys named Earl who hang one arm out the window as they drive around way too slow with a back seat that looks like a recycling station. Earl might like to trade in the clunker for a $4,500 voucher to buy a sleek new Honda Insight. But how's he going to qualify for a loan to pay the remaining balance on the Insight?
While the clunker aspect of the bill has gotten most attention, it's the truck angle that might be its real intention.
Dealerships could see up to a million new shoppers this year thanks to the "Cash for Clunkers" bill.
A measure to offer vouchers of up to $4,500 to take polluting gas guzzlers off the road and replace them with new cars is picking up speed. President Obama and House Democrats have settled on a version of the bill and revealed more details about how it would work. It still must pass the full Congress before going into effect.
Since we last saw the plan, it has been reworked and some of the earlier objectionable elements have been scrapped. It now appears that it will not call for the crushing of used cars and is completely optional. It also has been tweaked to lessen the impact on low income families and will not cut into the classic car market.
Still, some groups say the measure will not significantly improve fuel economy of many vehicles on the road. The government is expecting that the program may stimulate 500,000 to 1 million sales, but based on Edmunds' users we could see up to 3 million additional new car sales created by the program.
For more details on this issue please see our detailed breakdown of the proposed program here as well as an environmental analysis on Green Car Advisor.
The latest highlights from Edmunds.com and its blogsphere.
Auto Observer Saturn Blazed Ahead of its Time, Then Faded Into Oblivion It may come as a surprise to many that Saturn is on the verge of being sold off- as a part of General Motors restructuring process. But a closer look reveals that Saturn may have been doomed before the first car rolled off the assembly line. Auto Observer takes a True Hollywood Story-like retrospective on the rise and fall of the "no hassle, no haggle" car brand with the plastic body panels.
Green Car Advisor GM Says 2010 Equinox Crossover Will Win 32 MPG EPA Rating for Highway Driving Hoping to quiet critics that accuse domestic automakers of not building fuel efficient vehicles, the redesigned Chevrolet Equinox will get 22mpg city and 32 mpg highway. This mid-sized crossover SUV will get better combined fuel economy its closest competitors- the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV-4, and even a few mid-size sedans.
Straightline Volkswagen Launches Blog To Tell You Why Diesel is Our Savior Europeans love diesels. But in the U.S., many people have a hard time forgetting the image of those old- noisy, smelly, dirty, engines. Volkswagen has launched a blog to redeem the diesel's image and show you how far clean diesel engines have come.
Hyundai cars, such as the Genesis pictured above, outsold Nissan during April while Ford outsold Honda. Go figure.
When oh when will the "pent-up demand" for cars kick in and flood the lots with qualified and, yes, confident buyers?
That happy day is bound to come eventually since four million Americans postponed car buying last year. And as April sales indicated, we are on track to see only about 9.3 million Americans buy a new car.
But will the bubble burst in time to save Chrysler/Fiat? And what about GM?
More important for you, if you are part of that pent-up demand, is this the time to pull the trigger on that new car?
On Earth Day last week we offered to check and fill tire pressure for free at a local Shell Station. We recorded the air pressure levels people were riding around on and, well, it's pretty amazing. And a little scary.
I thought everyone was going to be super low. Instead, they were super all-over-the-place.
We checked 83 cars at the Shell Station and recorded the levels people were driving on. (Meanwhile, at other locations around Santa Monica, another 400 cars were checked -- but no data was collected.)
All you need to do is check their tires to find out how much they know about tire pressure and tire safety.
Yesterday, for Earth Day, Edmunds.com volunteers spent the day at a local Shell station offering to check and fill drivers' tires. If they agreed we recorded the level of air pressure on which they were driving. It was pretty scary.
Tomorrow, April 22nd, Edmunds is sponsoring its first Earth Day event for the public in conjunction with the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce. Nearly 30 local automotive businesses (such as car dealers, tire centers and rental car agencies) will offer free tire pressure checks and inflation upon request. The point is to improve fuel economy, help save people money on gas, and reduce vehicle emissions. Drivers having their tires checked will also receive a Michelin tire gauge, Edmunds.com T-shirt and information on how to maintain tires -- all free. Even more cool: We're going for a world record for the most tires inflated on a single day. Guinness, here we come!
Checking your tires once a month is important, even if they don't look low, said Tirerack.com Manager of Tire Information, John Rastetter. "People will say, 'gosh I looked at my tires this morning and they looked fine.' But we have found they can be 8 psi (pounds per square inch) low and not have it be apparent to the eye. And that's as much as 25 percent of the total tire pressure."
If you're in the West Los Angeles area, you can get your tires inflated by Edmunds.com volunteers from 9am - 3pm at the Shell Station on the southwest corner of Cloverfield and Michigan, right off the 10 Freeway. Local TV station KTLA is covering the event. For our partner hours and locations -- including points as far as Long Beach, Gardena, and Torrance, click here. Hope to see you there!
Last summer, when gas was over $4 a gallon, hybrids, the Prius in particular, were selling faster than U2 tickets. In fact, used Prii were commanding especially strong money -- more than what they stickered for new in many cases.
What a difference 7 months makes. Now that gas prices are back to the $2/gallon range, Americans have cooled their heels (big surprise) towards hybrids and compacts. What this means is that there are now some good deals to be had on the still-desirable Prius -- I've always been impressed by it's combination of comfort, generous passenger/cargo room, decent performance and of course real-world achievable 45-mpg fuel efficiency.
Thanks to lower gas prices, fuel economy isn't the be-all and end-all that it once was with car shoppers. Still, those with any kind of foresight know that change is the only constant. Fuel prices might be agreeable enough today, but historically, they've shown themselves to be as unpredictable as hormonal teens.
Shoppers taking a longer-term view when it comes to gas prices will want to check out our list of the 10 most fuel-efficient sedans.
Gas prices are still off their lofty highs of last summer, and consumers have pushed fuel economy further down on their priority list when they shop for cars. In an effort to save consumers from their own short-sightedness, reduce our dependence on foreign oil and to reduce our carbon impact, the government has raised the fuel economy standards for the 2011 model year. Currently, manufacturer fleets are required to average 27.5 mpg for cars and 23.1 for light trucks. The new standards will raise this to 30.2 and 24.1 for cars and light trucks, respectively. However, there is a new twist. Read about it after the jump.
Last summer, with gas prices at $4/gallon, the Honda Fit was going at sticker and above. They barely touched down on the lot and they were sold.
Now, as reported in this Wall Street Journal article, Americans have lost their taste for small cars. Inventories are backed up, prices are down.
How far down? We looked at three popular small cars. The 2009 Honda Fit Sport is selling at $224 under MSRP. The 2009 Toyota Yaris S, which never had the allure of the Fit, is at $485 below sticker with a $750 rebate on its hood. The 2009 Nissan Versa S is in similar low demand with a $344 discount off sticker price and $750 cash rebate available.
As soon as gas prices go back up again, these cars will start selling. Plan ahead and be ready. There is big car utility in these "small" packages.
We've often cited Toyota's estimates of 50 mpg city/49 highway for the 2010 Toyota Prius, but it turns out that there was "a misinterpretation of the primary data," according to a Toyota spokeswoman. But don't worry, Prius fans -- the official figures are 51 mpg city/48 highway, for an identical 50 mpg combined rating.
If you're like most consumers, you probably don't understand why we needed something called HD radio, a digital refinement of traditional analog radio technology. But BMW claims to have come up with a clear use for HD radio and its high-speed data transfer capabilities. BMW's new "advanced traffic information" system utilizes HD radio to transmit real-time traffic data more rapidly than existing systems, according to company sources. If it works as well as BMW suggests, this might be the savior HD radio desperately needs.
The latest highlights from Edmunds.com and its blogosphere.
News Flash: Congressional Panel Considers Underhanded Used Car Dealer Practices
A congressional panel commenced hearings yesterday on the issue of whether used car dealers have been taking advantage of low-income buyers during the economic downturn. The shady tactics under consideration include misrepresenting the condition of used cars and saddling shoppers with extraneous fees and high interest rates on loans. Since many low-income buyers lack Internet access, they may have no way of knowing whether they're being taken for a ride. If the panel uncovers a pattern of abuse, the Federal Trade Commission could elect to strengthen existing regulations or issue new ones in order to provide adequate consumer protection.
California took its case to the EPA earlier this week, arguing that the state should be allowed to set greenhouse gas standards for motor vehicles within its borders as well as for the 13 other California-compliant states. Edmunds Green Car Advisor reports that public comments on California's proposal are being collected until April 6.
Legendary sports car maker Ferrari seems to be making good on its promise to green its lineup going forward. Work is underway on a hybrid powertrain that could be ready by 2015. Employing technology that debuted on Ferrari's racecars, the powertrain would likely consist of a rear-axle-driven generator that powers a storage battery, which in turn animates an electric supercharger for a shot of extra speed.
The economy is on everyone's mind. But if fuel economy is part of that picture (we argue that fuel economy should be a "must have" when car shopping), Edmunds has several different methods to find the perfect gas-sipper. .
* Use Advanced Search (in the "Specifications" section, select the MPG range from the drop-down menu under "Fuel Efficiency") * Check out our Fuel Economy Center * Check out the Green Car Guide * Review some of our Top Ten Lists on fuel-efficient vehicles
* From the New Cars area of the home page, you can also select "Hybrids," "Diesels"
What if you just want to see vehicles that get a certain MPG? Do this...
The 2009 Toyota Prius (I haven't driven the new 2010 model yet) rides like a four-wheeled pillow. It's one of the few pleasant aspects of its generally forgettable driving demeanor. The 2010 Honda Insight, on the other hand, has Honda's trademark firm-to-stiff ride. Pavement imperfections that the Prius serenely shrugs off will make their presence felt in the Insight. At least the Insight didn't evince the typical Honda road noise on my brief drive today.
2. Cheaper than Prius for a reason.
Make that reasons, plural. The Insight lacks a center armrest, just like my old '93 Honda Prelude. I used to employ my CD wallet as a makeshift armrest, but the Insight's center console is about two feet lower than the 'Lude's relative to the driving position, so you'll need a considerably taller object. The door armrests have zero padding, so if your elbows are bony like mine, prepare for discomfort on long trips. The hybrid powerplant provides adequate acceleration, but it makes an unpleasant racket when you goose it. I'm not saying the '09 Prius is a luxury car, but it admits none of these foibles. To the Insight's credit, though, its front seats are vastly superior.
1. Cramped backseat.
This could be a dealbreaker for green-leaning families. When I got out of the Insight's driver seat and tried to sit behind my 6'1" self, I almost couldn't. There literally was not enough room for my size-12 sneakers to fit between the rear seat structure and the front seatback -- I had to turn my feet sideways and awkwardly slide them underneath the front seat, where there's thankfully some foot space. No headroom either; my head was crammed against the ceiling. One of the Prius's most alluring charms is its midsize interior dimensions, including its commodious backseat. If you need that kind of space back there, the Insight isn't for you.
I've spent the last week driving a 2009 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid, a $73,000 luxury SUV meant to provide all the appeal of the traditional Escalade but with a sincere nod to Mother Earth. Whether you want to talk value, performance or just plain logic there's one undenaible truth to this vehicle -- it's a complete boondoggle.
As they say, in life, timing is everything. The Kia Borrego is suffering from bad timing. Kia launched the truck-based Borrego SUV at the same time last summer when gas was hitting an all-time high. An all-new SUV that is rated as low as 15 mpg and gas prices over $4/gallon are like oil and water, they don't mix. Gas prices are down now, but so are overall vehicle sales. We all know that the recession has continued to decimate the sale of all cars and trucks. As a result, last month, Kia sold 272 Borregos. Do I smell a deal of the week?
(A Blue Line train pulls into the station. The Blue Line connects Long Beach and downtown Los Angeles.)
Recently, I found myself in the odd position, at least for an Edmunds editor, of being without wheels. So I decided I would take public transportation from my home in Long Beach to our offices in Santa Monica, a distance of about 31 miles. I thought it would be a kind of comparison test between driving and using bus and light rail.
I used a feature on Los Angeles transit's website called "trip planner"
which told me which buses and trains to take, where and when to catch them and how much they would cost. I printed this out and headed out the door at approximately 6 AM. It was rainy and cold but I only had to wait about 10 minutes before the bus arrived. I was able to purchase a transfer that allowed me to make it all the way to downtown Los Angeles for only $1.60.
The bus was surprisingly crowded for that early in the morning but I found a seat and watched the city slide by while alternately checking news and e-mails on my Blackberry.
The race to be the first in the market with a fully functional electric car is heating up.
Our own John O'Dell, from the Green Car Advisor, recently took a trip to the San Diego area, where he spent some time in and around the Aptera 2e, a futuristic Jetson-like three wheeled car (actually, it's classified as a motorcycle). The folks at Aptera are saying the car will be on the market this fall, for as little as $25,000. This amazing vehicle, which seats two, and even holds over 200 pounds worth of groceries or luggage, gets the equivalent of 100 MPG.
As Green Car Advisor reported yesterday, BMW has qualified for federal clean-diesel tax credits for its 335d and X5 xDrive35d models. Both are powered by a 3.0-liter twin-turbo straight-6 that produces 265 horsepower and a whopping 425 pound-feet of torque. Those who pony up the $44,725 for a 335d (our recent test car hit rang in at 50 large) will receive a $900 tax credit, while the $52,025 diesel X5 gets a $1,800 credit.
At those prices, these rather small credits could seem like getting a free iced tea with the purchase of a six-courser at Le Bernadin. However, BMW is hoping the credits wipe out the price premium attached to diesel fuel and the car's diesel engine (if that luscious torque didn't already do the trick). To find out if it does, let's do some math.
Our video team has put together two short but informative videos from the floor of the Detroit Auto Show about the highly anticipated 2010 Honda Insight and the FT-EV concept vehicle from Toyota. Senior Automotive Editor Brian Moody gets the scoop on how Honda has made its hybrid motor more advanced, yet less expensive. In the second video, Moody interviews Toyota's Bill Reinert, national manager of advanced technology vehicles, and learns that the lessons gathered from this concept will carry over into a full production electrical vehicle in 2012. Get the full story
at the Edmunds Green Car Advisor.
For Hummer, a brand on the opposite end of the fuel economy spectrum, 2008 has not been a kind year. After suffering the worst decline of all GM brands -- down 50.9 percent from 2007 -- Hummer recently announced that it is halting production of its H2 model. With Hummer suffering its lowest sales year since 2002, the 200 layoffs that quickly ensued surprised no one. Check out the Edmunds Green Car Advisor for more information.
If you got feedback on your driving style, would you be able to change it and reduce CO2 emissions? A pilot program in Denver, called Driving Change, shows that motorists who are made aware of how their driving habits affect their vehicle's fuel economy and greenhouse gas emissions often improve their driving habits. The 400 drivers enrolled in the progam received individualized emissions and driving "dashboards" they could view on their computers. While motorists didn't curtail their aggressive driving much, they did cut their unnecessary idling by some 30%, resulting in a reduction of about 1 pound of CO2 emissions per hour per vehicle. Collectively, that adds up.
The study was underwritten by an oil company, no doubt (IMO) to show that people can reduce their impact on the environment without having to give up their gasoline-powered vehicles.
Are fuel efficient cars going to be put back on the front burner? Apparently so, if President Barack Obama has his way.
The new Obama administration sent an emphatic signal that his administration will raise fuel economy standards as a way to cut emissions and fight global warming. Reversing the policy of former President Bush, Obama directed the EPA to reconsider California's request to set its own greenhouse gas emissions. Detroit automakers are howling in protest and exactly how this initiative will be implemented is unclear.
Is there a chance that Fiat cars, long absent from the American market, could soon be back in our dealerships? Well, they moved one step closer to that when Fiat agreed to join forces with ailing Chrysler (and its majority owner Cerberus) to help it find a new way to move forward.
No, it's not a buyout and Fiat will not be giving Chrysler any money. Instead, it's what's being called a "global strategic alliance." This means that that Fiat will take an initial 35 percent equity interest in Chrysler in exchange for providing competitive, fuel-efficient vehicle platforms, powertrains and components to be produced at Chrysler manufacturing sites.
There's no question that this could breathe new life into the struggling U.S. automaker, especially when gas prices shoot back up again. But it also provides a dealership structure for Fiat to introduce its cars into America.
For more details about this historic announcement, please read our more comprehensive article by Michelle Krebs in Auto Observer. For some thoughts on how this will help Chrysler build fuel efficient cars or even diesels, read John O'Dell's story in Green Car Advisor.
We can guess what some of you are thinking: "Look at that! Honda went and built a Prius!"
Not necessarily. Honda's Insight hybrid actually came to these shores before the Toyota Prius. It even had the high rear hatch with the vertical peek-a-boo glass panel between the taillights from Day One. That no one remembers this is due to the fact that the original Insight was a weird-looking 2-seater that was impractical for the masses. Honda sold only 18,000 of them worldwide over a 6-year run.
Understandably, Honda wanted its new Insight to have broad-based appeal. They wanted to build a hybrid that didn't harbor any eccentricities. And they wanted to sell some 90,000 of them per year. To do this they had to morph the Insight into a 4-door, 5-passenger machine. The 2010 Honda Insight you see above is the result. But comparisons to the Toyota Prius are inevitable. How would this new Insight measure-up to the current king-of-the-hill? We recently pitted the two against each other to find out.
Final pricing for the 2010 Honda Insight won't be released until we get closer to the April 22, 2009 on-sale date, but an Insight is expected to go for several thousand less than a comparably-equipped 2009 Toyota Prius. In this case, the desire to compare on an equivalent equipment basis means we've matched the top-level 2010 Honda Insight EX Navi against a 2009 Toyota Prius with package #5 -- loaded, but without leather seats.
We put these cars head-to-head at our test track, compared them back-to-back on the road and ran them nose-to-tail through the same 197-mile fuel economy test loop. Then we poked, prodded and evaluated them side-by-side using our 27-point evaluation sheet. And yes, we also factored-in the expected price difference. After crunching all of that data, which of these dedicated hybrids do you suppose came out on top?
Recently, the NY Times' Thomas Friedman wrote an op-ed piece advocating an increase in the federal gas tax
. He sites sales statistics that showed that as gas prices fell, sales of trucks and SUV's spiked and sales of hybrids and small cars fell, as proof that the American consumer doesn't have the self-discipline to wean itself from poor fuel efficiency. While I didn't agree with his notion of what the Detroit Three should build in the future
, I tend to agree with this idea.
As part of its drive to improve fuel efficiency, Hyundai has developed its own 6-speed automatic transmission for use in its lineup of cars and SUVs.
The upcoming 6-speed transmission is 25 pounds lighter than the 5-speed that's currently used. It's expected that the transmission's extra gear range will enable engines to run in the most efficent mode more often, ultimately serving to improve fuel economy by up to 12 percent. With the new transmission, Hyundai joins Toyota, General Motors and Ford as the only carmakers to have proprietary 6-speeds for front-wheel drive vehicles.
Hyundai's new transmission will eventually be featured in 16 models, including the redesigned 2010 Santa Fe, which will debut in showrooms toward the end of the year. We've long been impressed with the carmaker's adeptness at providing sterling value-oriented choices (check out our model reviews of current Hyundai vehicles here). This latest development will only make its lineup more appealing.
This, friends, is the 335d, BMW's new diesel-fueled 3 Series sedan. It starts at $43,900, which is about $2,500 more than a comparably equipped 335i. Pound for pound and dollar for dollar, the petrol-powered 335i is one of the finest automobiles on the planet. But the 335d is even better, and here's why.
Toyota plans to move in an even more environmentally conscious direction in the years ahead by increasing the use of plant-based "green" plastics in its vehicle interiors. The advantage offered by these materials is that they emit less global-warming carbon dioxide than traditional petroleum-based plastics during a product's life cycle. They also serve to reduce petroleum use.
Look for the redesigned 2010 Toyota Prius to feature a generous serving of these environmentally friendly bioplastics.
I got a chance to take the Honda FCX Clarity hydrogen-powered sedan for a long highway drive today. Out of 200 production vehicles that are planned for the L.A./Irvine area as part of Honda's rollout, this puppy was fourth or fifth to come out.
So, how does the Clarity translate to the real world?
The good news is that it's very much a Honda. That is, it's an easy driver. It's not particularly sporty -- you won't win any races -- but it's pleasant in every way and offers a pretty typical Honda feel in terms of steering and handling.
Last month, Toyota sold 8,660 Prius hybrids. That is just about half of the 16,737 they sold in November of 2007. Average gas price in November of 2007? About $1.30/gallon more than it was in November of this year. After the spike in gas prices over the summer, Toyota reacted to consumer demand by increasing production of the Prius and even developed plans to produce the Prius in the US, which it has shelved
. Now that Prius demand has fizzled, Toyota is reacting by offering cut rate finance and lease
deals in many parts of the country in an effort to move all those extra hybrids that nobody seems to want now. Clearly consumers are reacting to the rise and fall of gas prices and Toyota, and other manufacturers, are reacting to consumers' fickle nature.
It is safe to assume that once the current world-wide economic recession abates, in a year or two, and oil and gas prices spike back up, consumers will once again demand hybrids and other fuel efficient vehicles. This is why I suggest buyers think long and hard about their priorities when they look to buy a vehicle in the near future.
Buying a vehicle represents a commitment that is usually measured in years and not months. So when you are thinking about the color, options and body style, give long thought to what if. What if gas prices go back to $4/gallon, can you comfortably afford it? Don't just assume that gas will stay under $2/gallon indefinitely. Wall Street seems to have forgotten the lessons of history. Don't let the same thing happen to you. Don't just look down at the nice straight-a-way in front of you, lest you fail to notice the sudden curve until it is way too late.
Only about five months ago gas and diesel were through the roof. Then, development of electric cars and alternative fuels was going full bore. The public was practically demanding it!
Now, gas in California is selling for $1.69 a gallon and rumors of a buck a gallon gas are circulating. The collective reaction from the public is, "Well, that problem is fixed. Gas prices are low and they will never rise again."
Sure, everyone loves cheap gas. And it's great for the economy. Notice how it's helped lately?
But there is a downside. Namely, support for alt fuels and alt energy systems dies. The reaction is, "Why bother?"
The latest casualty is biodiesel sold at the Conserv Fuels Station in West Lost Angeles and used in the test of our long term 2005 Volkswagen Jetta TDI. The owner has made an apologetic explanation on the station's website. You can write the station owner an email at biodiesel@danskinvestments.com and even include info@conservfuel.com as a cc: in your email.
Remember back in the summer, when we were reeling under the weight of soaring gas prices, there was a little thing called "energy independence" that used to be a hot topic. Currently, our petrodollars actually fund terrorism such as 9/11 and the attacks in Mumai. We are funding a war against ourselves.
Let's make our own fuel in this country and not forget that the possibility of high fuel prices is only a few months away.
For years we've been asked, "What happens when the battery dies in a Toyota Prius?" And more importantly, "How much will it cost to replace a Prius battery?"
Long before this became an issue, detractors jumped on this as a reason not to buy these fuel efficient cars.
But now the time is upon us, as Heather Knowles found out when her 2002 Toyota Prius wouldn't hold a charge any longer. Read the whole story in Green Car Observer and find out if there is an afterlife.
(The Chevrolet Volt is shown to Edmunds.com editors in Santa Monica. Photos by Jon Barrett.)
On the way to the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show the folks from GM brought the latest version of the Chevrolet Volt. It was exciting to see it in the flesh and it drew a nice crowd of specators. I'd been worried about what the production model would look like based on photos, but it was suitably sleek and futuristic.
(A sleek, early concept for the cutting edge Chevrolet Volt.)
GM screwed up and we should just let them die. They had fair warning with the oil embargo of the 1970s and they went right on building bigger and thirstier SUVs while shrugging their corporate shoulders and repeating the mantra: "Hey, it's what sells."
That's what Thomas Friedman said -- and much more -- in his recent column. I read the letters to the editor a few days later, and may people agreed with him.
We recently sampled the Audi Q7 TDI. And loved it. There's plenty of power (diesels provide a lot of low-end grunt, so the Q7 has a lot of "pick-up") and yet fuel mileage is over 50 percent better than the comparably-performing V8 Q7. The problem is, you can't buy one...yet.
Making their debut at the LA International Auto Show later this month, the 335d Sedan and the X5 xDrive35d Sports Activity Vehicle (they had to make it bigger just to fit the name on the back!) will be BMW's first diesels sold in the US in over 20 years. Pricing will start at $44,725 and $52,025 for the 335d and the X5 diesel, respectively.
These prices represent an approximately $2400 price premium over their gasoline powered counterparts. This pricing is somewhat offset by available income tax credits; $900 for the 3-Series and $1,550 for the X5.
Both models are powered by a 3.0L twin-turbo I6 that makes 265 hp and a stump-pulling 425 lb-ft of torque. Official EPA fuel economy numbers are not yet available, but it is estimated that the 335d will achieve 23 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway. For comparison, the 335i is rated at 17/26. The X5 Diesel is estimated at 19/26 vs 15/21 for the gas model.
While I am not sure the improvements in fuel economy will make up for the price premium (and dealer markups), the diesel models should offer performance that those BMW diesel drivers of 20 years ago could only dream of.
(Edmunds.com Consumer Advice Editor Phil Reed talks with fuel saving family on "Good Morning America.")
So there I was in Times Square in New York watching a huge screen with my picture on it. it was the wrap up of the Good Morning America "Frugal Family Gas Challenge" where the winning family was announced.
Tim and Kelly Porter won the friendly competition by reducing their gas consumption by 36 percent or about 65 gallons of gas. This saved them nearly $200 at current gas prices. Their west coast Counter parts, the Rhodes, of Camas, Washington, cut their gas useage by 27 percent or about 60 gallons.
Despite the fact that gas prices have recently fallen, demand for hybrid and clean diesel vehicles remain one of the few bright spots for dealers in a dreary automotive market. Dealers are often demanding MSRP or higher for vehicles with a hybrid powertrain or diesel engines. Phil's recent Jetta TDI
buying experience bears this out. One benefit, not to be forgotten, is the availability of a tax credit for most hybrid and diesel buyers.
Sales of pickups, SUV's and pretty much anything else that wasn't powered by a 4-cylinder engine tanked over the summer as we saw oil flirt with $150/barrel and gas prices surge past $4/gallon. Now, as gas prices have fallen below $3/gallon in most of the country, sales of pickups and SUV's have begun to increase again. Buyers seem to be either suffering from short-term memory loss or they must think that gas won't return to those $4 levels anytime soon. I would like to caution against such thoughts.
I'm an automotive journalist dealing with machines, not people's emotions and desires. But recently, I was asked to be the referee of a Frugal Family Challenge for "Good Morning America" and USA Today. The challenge was to see who could save more gas in one month, the Porters of Salem, Mass.? Or the Rhodes, of Camas, Washington?
What I didn't expect was that I would get to know both families so well (Kelly Porter said she even heard my voice talking telling her to slow down while she was driving). I didn't anticipate that this challenge would be so hard fought and that both families would be so eager to win.
We all know that the price of crude has dropped big-time lately. From a high of nearly $150 a barrel earlier this summer it now stands at less than half that, around $66 a barrel.
Great, so prices at the pump have dropped too. Regular gas is down to around $2.96 a gallon here in everything-is-overpriced L.A. and diesel is priced, umm even lower...or drastically higher as I discovered at two Shell stations located relatively close to each other...
(The 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI,Vail Pass, Colorado, at sunset. Photo by Andrew Reed.)
The newly redesigned 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI is improved in nearly all categories and is as different from its predecessor as a Prius is to a BMW. I discovered this recently while giving the VW a rigorous cross-country workout driving it from Los Angeles to Denver.
As I mentioned in an earlier blog, my father, a huge VW diesel fan, turned down the chance to buy the new Jetta for nearly $7,000 over-sticker from a Denver-area dealer. Instead, I arranged for him to buy the car from a Los Angeles dealer for $500 below sticker. All that remained was to deliver the car to him some 1,000 miles away. Since we were due for a visit, my son Andrew and I headed out on the open road to mix business and pleasure.
When I was in India last week on a business trip I saw this headline in the Mumbai Mirror; "Two days after Tata project comes to Gujarat, Ajanta Group quietly launches its new electric car, Oreva."
Apparently, after Indian automaker Tata moved to Gujarat to produce their "dream car project" the Ajanta Group, which manufactures clocks and electronic gadgets, demo'd its Oreva e-car. Talk about competition. Welcome to India.
The Ajanta Group was known for the Oreva electric bike, which it introduced last year to great applause. They were planning on creating an electric car, but when Tata announced Nano, the company shifted into fast forward.
Jaysukh Patel, Ajanta Group director said, 'We're already into manufacturing e-bikes. With almost similar technology, it's not difficult for us to produce an e-car. As we can produce 70 percent of its parts in house, we surely have an edge over other vehicles as far as pricing is concerned."
Sources say that the company bought about half a dozen different e-cars from different manufacturers to study the competition.
The Mirror suggested a price between 90,000 --100,000 Rs. Translated into U.S. dollars that's $1,829 -- $2,032.
Some stats on the electric Oreva:
Seating size: 2 adults and 2 children Motor power: 3000 Watt, 48V AC Charging Time: 8-10 hours Range per charge: 68 miles Dimensions: approximately 9.8 feet long by 4.9 feet wide by 5.1 feet high Max speed: 34 mph Drive type: Rear wheel
Ajanta is not saying when its Oreva will enter the playing field or what it will cost. They do note that it will be affordable and pollution free.
Sure, the Prius still tops the rankings that the EPA and the Department of Energy issued last week. But there are some notable new additions to the Top 10 list. In particular, the 2009 Volkwagen Jetta diesel and the 2009 Smart Fortwo. The Jetta, which comes in no less than 32 different flavors, will benefit from a $1,300 federal tax credit. The Smart? Well, you couldn't get me to buy that car even with a tax credit. Not with that transmission, anyway.
Happily, I'm the owner (or lessee) of the #3 car on the list, although I have to admit I'm getting less than the EPA estimated mileage of 35/33. I can't complain too much about getting 30/31, but the VW diesel's numbers (30/41 or 29/40) sure are tempting. The fact that VW sells every diesel it makes, means that if you want one, get in line now.
Jay Kavanagh and I have a huge lead going into day three, but we're not letting up. The coasting non-trick we employed in our Audi Q7 TDI diesel during day 1 and day 2 won't help on today's mostly flat route from Monterey to rally's end in Santa Monica, so we're going to employ a tactic so basic that we think everyone else will overlook it.
We're not going to drive the suggested route down the beautiful but sinuous Route 1 at all, because frequent turns, rolling clogs behind tourists and the lack of passing lanes on the narrow two-lane will make it hard to drive economically. Oh sure, speeds might be low and seemingly thrifty, but frequent on-again off-again throttle applications will drink more diesel than a steady cruise.
Team Edmunds, as the driving combo of Jay Kavanagh and me has come to be called, pulled out a big lead in the first day of leg 4 of Audi's diesel-powered fuel economy competition, the Audi Mileage Marathon. We managed to coax 28.6 mpg out of a laden TDI diesel V6-powered Audi Q7 7-passenger SUV on a day that consisted of a lot of climbing, descending and re-climbing on our way to a 7,500 ft high perch at Mammoth Lakes, California.
At the end of today's route we'll end up at sea level in Monterey, California. Jay and I are confident that the fact that we're destined to lose well over a mile of elevation should help us smash the 30 mpg barrier. Before the real downhill starts, however, we must first burn a bit of fuel climbing up and over the 9,945 ft summit at Tioga pass, the eastern gateway into Yosemite National Park.
The roads in this remote section of the park are narrow and sinuous. Long lines of cars can get bottled-up for miles behind tourist rent-a-cars that are crawling along at a bicycle's pace while they ogle the view all around them. We're not going hyper-fast, but we do want to avoid the brakes and preserve as much momentum through the turns as possible so we can avoid unnecessary dabs of throttle. Getting around such rolling roadblocks cleanly yet promptly is advantageous.
What makes this all the more critical is the fact that today's long downhill stretches are ideal for our secret tactic--a tactic that also happens to be today's strategy for smart car drivers: coast downhill in "D" instead of "N".
"Huh?" You say.
Contrary to popular belief, coasting a modern vehicle in Neutral consumes more fuel than coasting in Drive. In Neutral, the engine is decoupled from the road, so fuel must be burned to keep the engine running at idle speed and allow it to power accessories such as the power steering, air-conditioning and alternator. In contrast, coasting downhill in Drive consumes no fuel because the engine computer shuts off the fuel injectors in an attempt to limit descent speed via engine braking. The road itself is driving the crankshaft via the still-engaged transmission, so the power steering, air-conditioning and alternator get a free ride. Yes, you can coast down the long grades into places like Death Valley with the A/C on and still not burn any fuel.
Everybody else has failed to understand this fact and has been coasting in "N" throughout the competition. But we're not about to point out their mistake. They probably wouldn't believe us, anyway; everyone turns into big fat liars around the dinner table at competitive events like this.
The end-of-day score sheet demonstrates the validity of our strategy with a double whammy. Team Edmunds not only posts a best day 2 fuel economy result of 31.5 mpg, we manage to achieve this at 47 mph, the day's fastest average speed. Out of a Q7 field of 7 competitors, here are the top three results from day 2:
1st: Q7 #3 31.5 mpg @ 47 mph, 191 points
2nd: Q7 #4 30.6 mpg @ 45 mph, 174 points
3rd: Q7 #2 30.2 mpg @ 45 mph, 167 points
With a virtually insurmountable lead in the points so far, the final day of the competition promises to be little more than a formality. Day 3's roads are mostly flat and level as we travel along the coast back to Santa Monica to a finish at the same elevation, so our downhill coasting tactic won't be of much help. But we have something else up our sleeve--something so basic we think everyone else will overlook it.
Well, technically this is Day 12 of Audi's cross-country diesel-powered adventure. New York, New York was the starting place fo a convoy of over twenty diesel-powered Audi products, ranging from the TT sports coupe to the A3 and A4 sedan, some Q5 SUVs and our designated mount for the final 4-day push from Las Vegas to Santa Monica, California, the soon-to-be-released US-spec Audi Q7 3.0-liter TDI SUV--a 50-state clean diesel.
Yes, you're right; Vegas to LA should only require 4 hours. But they don't want this fuel economy competition to be easy, so they're sending us the long way.
It's no big secret that the 2009 Toyota Prius is the most fuel-efficient car on the market, thanks to its thrifty gas/electric hybrid powerplant. And therein lies much of its appeal, though the Prius' green credentials have not gone unchallenged in these parts. But with all the hubbub about fuel economy, it's easy to lose sight of the Prius' other virtues. The Weekly Top 3 is here to set the record straight.
3. It's a pleasant car to drive.
Plenty of folks these days would probably be happy with the Prius no matter how harshly it rode, or how loud it was inside. But the Prius' refined nature is nonetheless a welcome surprise. It's reasonably quiet at 80-85 mph over a variety of surfaces, and its suspension conjures up images of hovercrafts as the Prius calmly floats over bumps and ruts.
I've often wondered why even the high-tech Prius can only match the combined fuel economy of an '86 Civic CRX HF -- and that's using the EPA's revised estimates, as opposed to the 54 mpg on said Civic's window sticker. But say this for the Toyota: it's not at all the rolling penalty box that economy cars used to be.
2. There's plenty of backseat space.
Econocars of yore weren't exactly known for their accommodating rear quarters, either, so the Prius' spacious backseat is more icing on the cake. Would Prius owners have rioted if there weren't so much room in the rear? Of course not. But it's pretty cool that the Prius gives you midsize-sedan backseat space and, well, '86 CRX HF fuel economy.
1. It can haul a whole lot of stuff.
Thanks to some ingenious battery-pack placement, the Prius has a flat load floor, and its rear seatbacks fold flat as well. Throw in the hatchback bodystyle, and the result is a very useful cargo bay. I once wedged a kitchen table, four chairs, a set of golf clubs and a few boxes back there, and last weekend I took a friend to Ikea and managed to squeeze in just about everything he needed to furnish his one-bedroom apartment. One doesn't often think of the Prius as a practical vehicle, but name a car other than the new Jetta diesel wagon that can hold this much cargo with remotely comparable fuel economy.
The Moral
The Prius' calling card will always be its miserly fuel consumption, but it also offers an appealing combination of refinement and practicality.
If the idea a Chevrolet Volt that can wean you off buying gas during your 40 mile round-trip commute has piqued your interest, but the thought of it costing your $40,000 has left you with some sticker shock, there is some good news. Buried in the recently passed $700 Billion bailout/stimulus (depending on your point of view) package was $1 Billion (over 10 years) in funding for a consumer tax credit of up to $7,500 for plug-in and fully electric vehicles.
The tax credit will vary from $2,500 to a maximum $7,500. In order to qualify, a plug-in hybrid would be required to have a battery capacity of at least 4kWh. For each additional kWh of battery capacity, the credit goes up $200. The Chevrolet Volt, with a battery capacity of 16kWh, would quality for the maximum credit of $7,500.
With a $7,500 tax credit, along with other state and local tax incentives, the price of a Volt, and other future plug-in hybrids, could become a lot more palatable to more potential buyers.
(The Rhodes family from Camas, Wash. From Left, Hilary, Ryan, Mary and Randy.)
While bickering about the economy dominates the news from Washington, two typical American families are doing their best to make a difference by saving money on gas. The "Frugal Family Challenge," sponsored by "Good Morning America" and USA Today concluded its first week and the results are impressive. The answer so far is, yes you can cut your gas costs and still get to work, school and the places you need to go.
The Rhodes family, with three cars and four fulltime drivers (the Acura pictured above was damaged in an accident) saved so much gas in one week they are on track to cut their monthly fuel bill by $280! They had been spending $790 a month on gas and Randy Rhodes said they are currently on track to spend only $510 for the month. Their 2004 Subaru Forester got 24 mpg and their Camry got 25 mpg.
Driving an RV has been--believe it or not -- a long-time dream. I must admit, I was scared to drive one-especially around NYC. Yet when I got the opportunity to drive one in the Canadian Rockies I said YES and didn't look back.
I took my good friend, Adeline along as a co-driver on a 4-day roundtrip journey from Calgary to Banff and Lake Louise. Our home was our truck and we hooked up at campgrounds along the way.
The best part of my trip was spending time with my friend while driving through astoundingly beautiful scenery.
Our Class C Mini Motorhome was 29 feet long and a few cars wide (8.5 feet wide). It slept six with a master bedroom, sleeping loft (cab-over bunk) full-on kitchen, bathroom and dining room. For a girl living in Manhattan it was plenty big. Plus, there was tons of storage spaces and cabinets---even a couple of outside closets for our suitcases and lawn chairs.
(A "Good Morning America" crew films Ryan Rhodes filling up at a Washington gas station -- Photo courtesy of Randy Rhodes.)
I just got back from a week of telling people how to get better fuel economy for a project Edmunds.com is doing with "Good Morning America" and USA Today. It's called the "Frugal Family Challenge" and the idea is to see which of two families, one in Massachusetts and one in Washington, can cut their gas consumption by 25 percent. Both families are spending about $700 a month on gas and are having trouble keeping up with their bills.
The Porter family, in Salem, Mass., has two cars, a 1993 Toyota Camry V6, and a 2002 Toyota 4Runner. I checked their tire pressure and air filter and drove with the couple. Kelly Porter is an admitted aggressive driver and likes to cruise on the highway at 75-80 mph. Her husband, Tim, is a driver's ed teacher so I didn't think there was much I could tell him. But when I checked his fuel filter it looked like it had been thrown in a mud puddle and jumped on.
The Rhodes family, in Camas, Wash., has a tougher job. They own four cars and have six drivers. One of their vehicles is a 12 mpg 1999 4WD Ford Expedition. The teenager drivers all said they were willing to slow down for this 30-day challenger but it remains to be seen if they can stick to their promise.
While they all say they want to save gas, none of them have ever checked to see what kind of gas mileage they are getting. I asked both families to fill up at least once a week, record the distance traveled and the gas used, and email the results to me.
I'll be writing an article about this project and I'll give you updates throughout the week. In the mean time let me ask you, do you think they are going to be able to cut their gas consumption by 25 percent ($160)?
"It's all about perception," noted Jim Gill, Head of Product and Technology Marketing for VW. We were at the introduction of the 2009 VW Jetta TDI
'Clean Diesel' in Santa Monica, California last week. Gill was talking about how different age groups perceive diesel.
More specifically, he mentioned that VW is marketing the Jetta TDI to a demographic that's 35 and younger. Why? Because they don't have a memory of "bad diesel", they're environmentally hip, they want a car with go--the TDI has lots of torque-- and they can afford it. The starting price for the Jetta TDI is $21,990.
The story is that clean diesel provides approximately 30% more fuel economy, 25% less greenhouse gas emissions and about 50% more torque. (For example, the 2009 Jetta TDI packs 263 lbs-fit of torque.)
Mention diesel to a jaded baby boomer and they'll probably snort a stream of negatives;
It smells like sulfur. Clean diesel low sulfur fuel has 97% less sulfur than other diesel fuel.
It's dirty. The dirty, smelly, smoke associated with old diesel engines was the result of unburned or partially burned fuel. Advanced emission-capturing technology reduces the amount of C0 2 drastically. What comes out of tailpipes from clean diesels is clean.
It's noisy. Pilot injection quiets down the engine and provides more torque then equivalent gas-based engines.
"We're not starting from scratch," Gill added. VW is celebrating its 32nd anniversary of diesel power. And clean diesel is a brand new game.
To note, the cost of diesel can run up to .58 cent more than gas. However, the pay back comes in fuel economy. For example, EPA estimates for the new Jetta TDI are 29 city and 40 hwy; the AMCI real world tests came in at 38 city/44 hwy.
In the final analysis, while the 2009 Jetta TDI costs a couple of thousand more than its gas version, you'll get a $1300 tax credit.
Plus, the folks at VW say that the resale value on diesels is more than 80%.
I'm not the kind of person who is good at retaining numerical facts in my brain. Maybe I'm deficient in Vitamin J, maybe I didn't get my recommended daily allowance of math quizzes as a third-grader, maybe my brain just doesn't care. Whatever the reason, I compensate by making lists. Lots of lists. I like lists.
Recently, I was driving my husband in one of the cars in our long-term fleet (I can't remember which one, and obviously I forgot put it on a list), and he asked me what kind of fuel economy it got. Somehow, magically, I did know at the time what mpg the car got and I told him. "How does that compare to Competitive Long-Term Car X?" he said. And I stared blankly, shrugged my shoulders and decided to make a list: fuel economy of all our long-term cars. You'll find it here on our long-term car blog. Now I don't have to wrack my brain when he asks me again, and you get a quickie snapshot of our fleet's fuel economy. How do your personal vehicles rank on the Big List of Fuel Economy?
You would think that with all our advances in engine technology and lightweight materials, the cars of today should be getting the best mpg ever. But this doesn't seem to be the case.
According to a recent Los Angeles Times article,
"For the 1992 model year, car buyers had the choice of 33 cars that had a combined city and highway EPA rating of at least 30 miles per gallon. For the current model year, there are 12."
What happened? Cars have been gaining weight with each new generation. It seems like most consumers want their cars to be bigger and have more power. Can you think of a new model that had less power or weighed less than its previous model? As size and horsepower was increased, in many cases, so did the car's weight.
An extreme example of this can be found in the 2008 BMW M3
, which has 222 more horsepower than the 1991 model, but weighs 837 pounds more. This car has grown 10.7 inches longer, and went from having a four cylinder engine in '91, to an eight cylinder in '08. Fuel economy has dropped, from a combined 19 mpg, to 16 mpg. (Note: EPA numbers have been adjusted to reflect current standards.)
Sometimes this added weight is necessary. More safety equipment, like airbags, reinforced frame and roll-stability control have become standard, but at the cost of making the car heavier and therefore less fuel efficient. SUVs in particular have grown wider to make them more stable in rollover situations. This requires more metal, which in turn leads to more weight. The SUVs of 15 years ago were lighter, but more susceptible to rollover than the current models.
In the wake of Hurricane Ike's devastation, and the resulting shut-down of many of this nation's oil refineries, some gas stations have taken the opportunity to raise gas prices through the roof. In some cases breaking the $5.00/gallon barrier, with station owners blaming shortages for the drastic price increases. Florida's Attorney General's office sees things a different way, blaming the drastic price increases solely on price gouging. After receiving more than 350 complaints from the public, the AG's office is set to serve four gas companies with subpoenas in order to ask for documentation justifying the price increases.
While oil prices have retreated below $100/barrel, the gas spike following Hurricane Ike shows how quickly an circumstances can cause energy prices to quickly rise. Whether it is a hurricane, political instability or a terrorist attack, we are very much at the mercy of events that are beyond our control, when it comes to gas prices. It is important to keep this in mind when you are shopping for a new or used vehicle. You should ask yourself if your budget can comfortably withstand a sudden and/or prolonged spike in gas prices and whether or not you have a sufficient income cushion.
By now you have probably seen the leaked
Chevrolet Volt pictures. While there is a question as to whether they were leaked deliberately or not, there can be no debate as to the less than stellar reaction that people have had to the final production sheetmetal.
GM has been teasing the public with pictures of the Volt concept since the 2007 NAIAS. That concept looked the part of a futuristic vehicle that promised a unique propulsion system. It looked unlike anything on the road today. It looked special.
It looked like something that people might actually want to drop $40K on. Can GM really be surprised that most people are underwhelmed by the production version?
Yes, the realities of full-scale production necessitate certain design compromises in sheet metal. Yes, the need to carry actual humans in comfort required that the hopelessly chopped greenhouse be expanded upwards. However, the end result is a vehicle that does little to distinguish itself, visually, from the economy-minded Chevrolet Cruze (seen here in red) that is set to debut around the same time as the Volt.
Toyota was on to something when they offered up their first hybrid as a unique stand-alone model. The result is that most people identify "hybrid" with the Prius. This goes a long way toward explaining why it is more popular than its conventionally-styled hybrid counterparts like the Civic and Camry. Most Prius owners like the fact that other drivers know they are driving something different. It is part of the appeal and helps explain why you have famous
people driving a glorified economy car. It is no wonder that Honda's new Insight
hybrid shares design cues with the Prius (yes, aerodynamics play a part too).
So it appears that, from a styling aspect, GM has dropped the ball with the Volt. One can only hope that GM follows through with the rest of what they have been promising with the Volt. Namely, an electric-only range of 40 miles, the ability to plug it in to recharge the batteries and making the electric motor, gas motor and batteries all play nice with each other. If they can deliver a Volt with those abilities, we might be able to get over its looks.
We know that sometimes the Edmunds.com Web site can be overwhelming. We have so much content available that you probably couldn't read the entire site in one lifetime.
So, in an attempt to make your lives a little easier, we gave our Tips & Advice landing page a facelift. You can now easily find the most recent consumer advice articles displayed prominently at the top of the page.
We've also organized our advice topics into easy-to-use guides and centers. So if you are interested in family car information, check out the Women and Family Guide. If you are interested in going green, click on the Green Car Guide. If you are a new driver just starting out and are tired of hearing your parents tell you that you "stop on a dime" -- oh, wait, that was me -- check out the Young Driver's Guide for articles written just for you.
There are more guides on other topics and several more on the way. You get the idea.
So stop back often to find out the latest information about buying, selling, leasing, safety, etc. You name it, we've got it.
Harley-Davidson has a new promotion touting that their bikes get 50 MPG, but that is not a good reason to ride them. Instead, you should ride them because of (fill in your reason here
).
Here at Edmunds, many of us love machines with two wheels as much as those with four. For those who don't understand the allure and mystique of riding, the only way to convey the feeling is to ride for yourself.
Democrats, republicans. Red states, blue states. Creationists, evolutionists. Red Sox, Yankees. We are truly a divided country.
Two weeks ago we posted a blog asking if you thought Prius drivers are "eco-snobs" and got a lot of heated comments.
Now we've upped the stakes. In Green Car Observer we have a polarizing article about a Prius being torched and a web site that posts pictures of people giving the finger to Hummers. Even "The Mechanic" (an alias or pen name, depending how you look at it) posted a piece called "I Hate Hybrids." The title pretty much says it all -- he hates hybrids.
Why can't we just let other people drive what they want without getting all cheesed off about it? What is it about what other people drive that demands hateful comments, name calling, obscene gesturing, vandalism and acts of extreme violence?
This photo was taken in front of a Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market
in Nevada. While nobody can deny the need for special parking for the physically handicapped, and I have no problem with special parking for expectant mothers
, Do hybrid vehicles really need their own parking spots? It is bad enough that they can drive in the HOV lanes in many states, including my home state of Florida
.
Fresh & Easy is not the only retailer guilty of such preferential hyb
rid treatment. Witness this sign that you will find in front of most IKEA stores.
I think reserving spaces for hybrid vehicles is just plain silly. Why should drivers of any hybrid vehicle get such a privilege, especially when there are non-hybrid vehicles that can match or even surpass the fuel economy of some hybrids out there?
Note the irony of the Cadillac Escalade parked across from the "Hybrid" parking spot in the first picture. Would parking a hybrid Escalade in the hybrid spot make things that much better?
What do you guys think? Should hybrids be given special treatment?
Earlier this week I asked you what you thought of as getting "good" fuel economy. I got a lot of interesting opinions about what good fuel economy is and whether or not it matters. Many people said it depended on the vehicle class. Good fuel economy for a truck would be terrible for a small car.
I bring this up because here at Edmunds we are wrestling with how best to educate consumers about fuel economy so they can make good car buying decisions. One reader wrote that 30 mpg was "the magic number." I had always thought of 30 mpg as an important benchmark of good fuel economy too. But recently I've realized that 25 mpg (combined city/highway) is pretty darned good.
The Edmunds data team took all the cars on the market, crunched the numbers and found the average was 21.7 mpg. They then created categories corresponding to that midpoint. It was decided that from 22 to 27 mpg would be labeled "good" fuel economy (combined hwy/city mpg). From 27 to 31 mpg would be "excellent." Above 31 mpg would be "best." That makes from 18 to 22 mpg "average" and 18 to 14 "below average." Last, and very much least, below 14 mpg is "poor."
By now you're saying, "Interesting... But why should I care?" Well, first of all, it's nice to know where you stand so you can feel smug or pleased, apathetic or flat out bummed. Secondly, when car shopping, it's nice to know, at a glance how a car stacks up to the competition. Sometimes, name calling does make it easier to see the truth.
So how does your car compare? And does this categorization seem like a lot of hot air? Or is it need to know information?
I thought I would take some time today to update you on some stories I have previously blogged about.
Back in March I blogged about Honda clamping down on internet warranty sales, due to the fact that online retailers were discounting the warranties and taking business away from less tech-savy dealers. I updated the story in April, Saccucci Honda, which has been doing quite the business selling extended warranties on their website, decided to single-handedly fight back by challenging Honda in court. You can follow the story in our forums. The outcome of this court case may determine whether the public will have to start over-paying for extended warranty coverage, or if the free market will prevail.
Last month I posted my prediction that we would all be paying more for cars in the future, due to ever-increasing raw material costs. Since then, several automakers have announced price increases, including Nissan and Toyota. The latest is BMW. As the global demand for raw materials continues to increase, it is likely that we will be paying more for everything, not just cars.
In an effort to display my prowess in business, I posted my thoughts on what I thought Cerberus was going to ultimately do with Chrysler, with respect to their decision to drop leasing. Most did not agree with my ultimate conclusion, and rightfully so. Recently I spoke with Mike Jackson, the CEO of AutoNation, the nation's largest auto group. I asked him what he thought of Chrysler's move to no longer lease vehicles. He told me that it was a move that was necessary for them to assure that they could continue to secure funding for maintained operations and future product development. By divesting their portfolio of leases, investors would be more willing to purchase securities backed by Chrysler and Cerberus. Ultimately, this is a move that will help assure the long-term viability of Chrysler as an automaker. Although Chrysler does have many challenges to yet overcome.
Finally, I blogged about MyGallons.com, which was supposed to offer consumers a way to hedge against rising gas prices by letting them buy gas credits at current prices and them redeem them in the future, when gas prices presumably go higher. Shortly after my post, the Better Business Bureau gave MyGallons an "F," when it was discovered that they did not have a contract in place with a vendor who could process transactions with gas stations across the country. MyGallons stopped accepting paid memberships and offered a refund of all existing membership dues. As of this date, MyGallons is still not accepting new memberships and appears to still not have a vendor in place. Of course, it probably doesn't help that gas prices have gone down, and not up, since the site was launched in July.
We have a hydrogen fuel cell-powered Chevrolet Equinox in the office right now, but I don't get to drive it. Anyone who wants to drive the vehicle while it's here for a week or so was required to attend a training session on how to fill it up with all that odorless, volatile hydrogen gas. I missed the training. But that's OK. I can live vicariously (and you can, too), through Senior Editor John O'Dell, the man who embodies the words Green Car Advisor and happens to head up our blog of the same name, who wrote a post here all about the fueling training our drivers got before they could grab the keys to the Equinox.
"Studies conducted by J.D. Power show that the typical hybrid purchaser is better educated and wealthier than the average car buyer. Furthering the exclusivity is the fact that available hybrids are hard to find... Toss in the tax breaks and access to highway HOV lanes that hybrid drivers get in many locales, and it's no wonder old-school drivers can get irritated."
To which the non-profit 40mpg.org, which encourages hybrid ownership says, "Enough already!" with all the hybrid owner bashing.
But is there some truth to the idea that Prius owners are eco-snobs?
To help car buyers, the data department at Edmunds.com decided to classify all the vehicles on the market according to their fuel economy rating. Some would be below average. Some would be poor and some would be excellent. And, naturally, some would be classified as getting "good fuel economy."
It would be useful to have a universal definition of good fuel economy. Then, if you were car shopping, you could simply ask, "Does it get good gas mileage?" No car salesman could then use a fancy sales pitch to turn bad into good.
Obviously, everyone is going to have a different definition of what is good fuel economy. But there has to be an overlap somewhere in the middle. Once the "good" range is established we can figure out what is above and below that. Shoppers can tell at a glance if a car is worth considering. Vehicles can quickly be ruled out or considered only for low mileage situations.
This being an election year, I thought you might be in a voting mood. So this is your chance to make your opinion heard. What do you consider "good fuel economy?" And do you think that knowing what "good" is will help you make a car buying decision? Or is it just more election year rhetoric?
But you can have the best of both worlds, according to Forbes Autos' "Safest Vehicles for Downsizing" list
, and safety technology can make the difference even though it may add a few pounds and cost a few mpg. While the Forbes Autos list includes such not-so-small vehicles as the BMW X3 and Honda Element, along with sedans such as the BMW 3 Series and Volvo's S40 and compacts like the Volkswagen Jetta/Rabbit and Subaru Impreza, the one thing the 10 vehicles have in common is a curb weight of under 4,000 pounds (except for the X3, which is a hair over at 4,012).
Overall weight has steadily increased for passenger vehicles over the last decade. According to Forbes Autos, the average weight of "light-duty" vehicles rose
from 3,221 pounds in 1997 to 4,144 pounds in 2007. Ironically, part of that weight gain comes from safety equipment that has been added over the past 10 years, some of which was federally mandated. But in balancing weight, fuel economy and safety, certain technology is crucial, the article contends.
I'm up in Canada this week, and while driving through Toronto I happened to notice a new Mercedes-Benz C230. In the States, we only get the C300, C350 and C63, but Canada gets those plus the C230, featuring a 201-horsepower 2.5-liter V6 that gets a tiny bit better gas mileage than the 228-hp C300 (20.45 mpg versus 20.10 in Canadian testing). Of course, given that cars cost more in Canada, it's highly likely that Canadians are just more inclined to pay less for a less powerful Mercedes-Benz. But given the economy, wouldn't an increasing number of Americans be willing to do so now?
In addition to the C230, there's the 228-hp E300 4Matic (all non-AMG E-Class are all-wheel drive in Canada), the 335-hp S450 4Matic, and the B200 and B200 Turbo. I'd say the last two are the most intriguing, as the B-Class is a funky-looking hatch that gets 25 mpg city in its 134-hp four-cylinder form. For those looking for a premium, fuel efficient car, the B-Class could find some takers -- although it's certainly expensive. I've seen a couple around Toronto, but not enough to lead me to believe it would be a hit in the United States.
What do you think? Are smaller, slightly more fuel efficient engines installed in subsequently cheaper cars a smart move for premium car makers like Mercedes-Benz? And does the B-Class have a shot?
In a sign of how bad things have become in the light truck market, Honda recently put a $2000 dealer incentive on their all-new just released Pilot. Even though gas prices have retreated, the 4WD Pilot's 16 city and 22 highway fuel economy is certainly not a selling point. This is especially true when Honda likes to tout the fuel economy of the rest of the vehicles it sells.
If Honda, who is generally reticent to put cash incentives on their vehicles, is using cash incentives, you can be sure that most other manufacturers will continue to pile on the incentives on their less-than-fuel efficient models. Stay abreast of all the latest incentives here.
Flashback to 1974 when the National Maximum Speed Law
restricted travel on interstate highways to 55 miles per hour to save gas.
Did you hate it?
Well, get ready for a similar initiative... unless we set a "Citizen's Speed Limit." What's this?
As you'll recall, the 55 mph limit created by President Jimmy Carter was resisted and widely disregarded by motorists. In fact, it's symbolic of a painful era for our country. It was the first time we were being pushed around by the oil companies and foreign countries. And proud Americans didn't like it.
Now, flash forward to 2008. We are MUCH more dependent on foreign oil and much more vulnerable to energy disruption than in the 70s. Most automotive innovations have gone not toward fuel efficiency but toward power. Our cars and trucks are maxed out on horsepower like steroids-popping weightlifters.
My father called me this morning and said that cars should be driven at their peak efficiency not at an arbitrary speed set by the government after an expensive research boondoggle. He recommended that Edmunds.com lead the charge by finding the ultimate "sweet spot" for fuel economy. We should then give our findings to the government instead of waiting to have the feds slap a new speed limit on us.
The efficiency of a car increases as its speed goes up. At first, aerodynamics have little effect on the efficiency. But as the speed builds the aerodynamic effect becomes greater. But at what point is that?
It would be fairly simple to take a test car on a flat road and drive it for 10 miles at 60 mph, another 10 miles at 65 mph, 10 miles at 70 mph and so on. The problem is that each car is different because of engine size, aerodynamics, rolling resistance of the tires and a variety of other factors. But while cars differ, they probably don't vary that much.
When gas prices were very high, I saw people setting their own "Citizen's Speed Limit." Furthermore, I know that a lot of truckers, whose livelihoods depend on economical use of fuel, have slowed down to about 67 mph. But now that gas prices have dropped the yahoos are out again. While most people are content to go 70 mph, others want to go 85 mph and so they endlessly cut in and out.
So what's your vote for a Citizen's Speed Limit? What could you live with? Or will you wait for Uncle Sam to tell you how to drive?
You're looking at a graph that shows how many people searched for information on hybrid cars as gas prices rose in the spring and then began to fall in the summer.
When gas prices shoot up people panic and begin thinking about dumping their SUV for a hybrid. But when gas prices begin to level off and then drop (now the national average is $3.88 a gallon) people lose interest in smaller cars and again search for information about larger vehicles, trucks and SUVs.
"It's human nature," said Jeremy Anwyl, CEO of Edmunds.com. "There's been a rush to small cars, but that doesn't mean it's permanent. And in fact, our data shows that the recent sensitivity consumers have toward gas prices still goes both ways."
This is an interesting snapshot of consumer behavior. But I'm left wondering how far back we will swing toward larger trucks and SUV? Or are we headed toward becoming a nation of small, fuel efficient car drivers like in Europe and Asia?
On vacation here in New England, I've had the use of a Suzuki SX4 sedan for the past week. I have to say, for 15 grand (with the manual 5-speed gearbox) , this is a nice little car. For the short money of a Fit or Yaris, you get a roomy cabin, a peppy 143-hp engine, 17-inch alloys, power everything, a CD player, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, a trip computer and even automatic climate control. It also sports a 15 cubic foot trunk, cavernous for this class, though it lacks a fold-down rear seat.
But it's not just a healthy standard features list that makes the SX4 likeable.
Back in May, we instituted a company-wide experiment to see how much gas we could save if we properly inflated our tires. On average, our employees' tires were 7-percent under inflated, which is much better than the government's estimation of 26-percent under inflation for the average American. However, if the nearly 250 million registered passenger vehicles in the United States (according to a 2005 Department of Transportation study) were only 7 percent under inflated, and brought their tires up to the specified level, together they would save about $23 billion per year. Think about how much we could save if that 26-percent number was used.
Who would've thunk it possible that we here at Edmunds would be ahead of the political curve? When a woman at a town hall meeting asked Sen. Barack Obama about what sorts of steps normal Americans can take to lower their energy costs, he suggested making sure their tires are properly inflated. Within hours, the McCain campaign starting arguing that Obama's new energy plan amounted to nothing more than keeping your tires inflated and Sen. McCain himself mocked it as a ridiculous notion. The McCain campaign is even selling tire pressure gauges with "Obama's Energy Plan" written on them. Could they possibly get more snarky?
Even with recently retreating oil and gas prices, fuel economy will remain a high priority for most drivers. Fuel economy labels tend to garner the most attention from car buyers, but what most people don't pay attention to is their driving habits.
Aggressive driving (speeding, rapid acceleration and braking) wastes gas. According to the EPA, it can lower your gas mileage by 33 percent at highway speeds and by 5 percent around town. So while it may feel good to put the pedal to the metal, driving with that lead foot can be expensive.
In an effort to assist drivers improve their fuel efficiency through better driving habits, Nissan has unveiled the ECO Pedal. When the eco-pedal system is on, each time the driver steps on the accelerator, a counter push-back control mechanism is activated if the system detects excess pressure, helping to inform the driver that they could be using more fuel than required. An eco-driving indicator integrated into the instrument panel feeds the driver with real-time fuel consumption levels to help improve his/her driving behavior. The ECO Pedal system can be turned on or off according to the driver's preference.
Personally, I have noticed in my own driving that when I make a conscious effort to drive in a more relaxed manner that my fuel economy goes up 2-3 mpg. Having an active device that forces relaxed driving could make driving more efficiently something that you can do without thinking about it. Just remember to turn it off before you try to make that left turn across four lanes of oncoming traffic!
When I recently got my 2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid, whose EPA MPG estimate is 35/33, I thought it would be no sweat to achieve the fuel economy estimates on the sticker. After all, the 2008 EPA estimates were revised to reflect real-world driving, right?
Apparently, I'm not part of the real world, because my second tank of gas yielded me only 27 mpg. After doing a little research, it appears that to my poor fuel efficiency was caused by 1) the car not being broken in, 2) the Altima, unlike the Prius, prefers longer trips rather than short city hops, and 3) my driving habits.
Now, I always knew I was a rather aggressive driver, but never thought much of it. When you work around a bunch of enthusiasts, many of whom race for a hobby, my minor-league bobbing and weaving on the busy freeway pale by comparison. Yet I was beginning to wonder if paying the extra money for the hybrid was a bad decision.
(The 2008 Buick Enclave gets surprisingly good fuel economy. But jump on the gas and it doesn't want to downshift.)
As the old saying goes, "There's no replacement for displacement."
Or is there? Can you have both good fuel efficiency and good performance.
Carmakers will tell you that yes, you can have it all. But as the Enclave demonstrates, there's usually a trade-off of some kind, somewhere in the performance. With the Enclave, it didn't want to downshift. Then, when it did, it went from sixth to fourth.
In our article we take a look at what Ford and GM are doing to keep drivers high on the emotion meter which dialing in good fuel economy in "Where's My MPG?"
As noted in my teaser post
, automakers currently find themselves in an awkward transitional period. Consumers suddenly want maximal fuel-efficiency, yet most manufacturers are saddled with gas-guzzling fleets that offer only a few efficient alternatives. So what are they doing about it? Calling Madison Avenue, of course. This week we'll highlight three ways in which marketing mavens are trying to pull the wool over your eyes with misleading MPG claims.
With the sudden increase in gas prices, automakers are scrambling for ways to pitch old products with timely new claims about fuel-efficiency. Are they being honest about it? Are you kidding?! They're doing what companies do -- trying to make their wares look as attractive as possible for the buying public, reality notwithstanding. Tune in later today for our Weekly Top 3
, in which we'll highlight three sneaky tactics designed to impress consumers with MPGs while keeping some uncomfortable facts under wraps.
The IRS recently announced that 2009 VW Jetta Sedan and Sportwagen models equipped with TDI engines would be eligible for an Advanced Lean Burn Technology Motor Vehicle income tax credit in the amount of $1300.
This tax credit is similar to what buyers of hybrid vehicles receive, and it speaks volumes as to the relative "greenness" of the new clean diesel technology.
Critics have expressed disappointment with the official EPA 31/41 MPG fuel economy rating, especially after VW hyped the potential for 50 MPG highway economy. As a result of this, VW commissioned a third-party certifier, AMCI, to test the Jetta TDI. AMCI found it performed 24 percent better in real world conditions, achieving 38 MPG in the city and 44 MPG on the highway. Still not 50 MPG, but noticeably better than what the EPA results showed.
Such discrepancies are not unusual for diesels, or even hybrids. The EPA test cycle is optimized for testing conventional gas engines, which clearly have different characteristics than hybrids or diesels. As a consequence, the tests often report inaccurate results that are not indicative of what drivers can expect in the real world.
For the consumer, the $1300 tax credit helps to off-set the price premium of the TDI engine and diesel fuel, further reinforcing the shorter payback period of diesel technology over a hybrid. Not to mention the fun of having 236 lb.-ft. of torque at your beck and call and the rush of power that Prius owners can only dream of.
This Driving Woman is always trying to lose a little weight. But as I hula hoop my way to health on the Wii Fit, I'm also thinking, "What about those folks who have to lose 1,000 pounds... or more?"
People who have leased large trucks and SUVs in the last couple of years are pondering the scale more than ever, as soaring gas prices have made their buff rides look more like aging sumo wrestlers. A lot of folks are "trading down" from their voluptuous vehicles to more trim transportation when they buy a new car. But what if you're stuck in a lease and just can't afford the payments (or the gas) anymore?
There could be a way out that doesn't require paying thousands to the dealer: Lease trading.
Lease trading allows someone to legally take over your lease, and has gained popularity as the Internet has made such transactions easier. Sites like LeaseTrader.com and Swapalease.com, while they operate somewhat differently, will help you get out of your lease for a very reasonable fee.
Despite high gas prices, there are still good reasons your weighty wheels would be appealing to someone "shopping" for a vehicle on these lease trading sites.
No downpayment required
Someone who doesn't put a lot of miles on their car each year, or has the dough, may not care about gas prices
They may really need the cargo or hauling capacity of a truck or SUV
Here's a tip: If you're hot to offload Big Bertha, you should offer a cash incentive to the person assuming the lease. This will lower their effective monthly payment, effectively sweetening the deal.
We recommend thinking hard about whether it makes financial sense to try to get out from under your current lease; the old adage "haste makes waste" is especially appropriate here. But if you decide it's worth a look, all the details are in our article, Get Out of Your Lease the Cheap and Easy Way (http://www.edmunds.com/advice/leasing/articles/47011/article.html).
Earlier this week, Honda announced that in August it would reduce production of the Odyssey and all-new Pilot at its Lincoln, AL plant. At the same time, they are looking to increase production of the hot selling Civic.
Toyota will idle its Princeton, IN Tundra plant for three-months, starting in August. Sales of the Tundra dropped nearly 53% last month.
Today, Ford will announce that they are going to retool three plants that had been producing SUV's and trucks. Production will shift from Navigators and Expeditions to more fuel efficient smaller cars. Ford is also investigating the possibility of reinventing the Mercury brand as a channel for many of Ford's well-regarded small (and fuel efficient) European models.
Even with the recent drop in oil prices over the last week, it is clear that the cost of energy has had a fundamental impact on both consumers and the industry alike. With the notion of cheap oil likely a thing of the past, you can expect a continued shift to smaller and more fuel efficient vehicles.
It is very expensive to idle a vehicle assembly plant. It is even more expensive to re-tool one. These announced production shifts and plant closures demonstrate that manufacturers believe that the shift to fuel-efficient vehicles is a long-term reality.
Will higher fuel economy be a major influencing factor on your next vehicle purchase?
It's not fair, really. Californians are almost always the first to get any new automotive technology. We buy the most cars and have the most stringest emissions regulations, and that combo makes for a great testing ground. That's why Californians can rest assured they will be among the first to get their hands on one of several hundred electric MINIs.
By next summer -- quite likely before the Chevy Volt makes its debut, BMW will conduct a field trial with "real consumers" (read: not celebs). While initially BMW said California would receive the cars, it's not clear right now whether this first batch might go to other states as well. (Here's hoping.)
According to Automotive News, the cars will be built in Oxford, England without engines, gearboxes, or fuel tanks, and shipped to Munich for fitting with electric powetrains, before being sent to the U.S. The following 12-18-month period of "extensive testing" will be used to help BMW refine its technology before bringing the cars to market.
As evidenced by the well-attended 2008 Plug-In Conference, going on now, just about anyone who is anyone is talking about electric cars. Whether you're talking hybrid or hydrogen, though, infrastructure is the main obstacle to success. That's why GM is banding with 30 electric utilities to work on making sure the U.S. can make a smooth transition from petroluem to electricity as a fuel source. (Of course, there's always the question of dirty, coal-powered electricity plants, but that's been labeled an "upstream" problem by the automakers -- not something they can do much about.)
The Conference continues through Thursday, so expect more to come on this hot-button issue. And look forward to the MINI... maybe you'll be one of the fortunate few.
I'm wading through stop and go traffic in the car with a friend of mine. Every inch forward required a change in gears and my friend -- unable to contain his curiosity -- asks me: "Don't you get tired of driving that thing?"
He's talking about my 16 -year-old Honda Prelude . I've had the car for about 11 years, and the fact that it's a stick shift has never bothered me. I just love the feeling of driving a stick. I'm more concerned with the age of the car and its peeling paint than the nature of its transmission.
But I seem to be in the minority. As I was researching an article I'm working on, I was surprised to hear that manual transmissions make up about two percent of Toyota's total sales. The numbers don't improve much at the other manufacturers, either. My source at Honda said that fewer than ten percent of their cars sold are stick.
"Let's get right into it," said Tom Loveless, VP of Sales for Kia Motors, at the 2009 Kia Borrego introduction in Cle Elum, Washington, that I attended this week. The Kia Borrego is the company's all-new, midsized, seven-passenger SUV.
"The market is down considerably year after year. The truck-based segment is down and is creating angst in the industry. The reality is, six months into the year and our business is up. In April and May we set all kinds of records. It has been an all-time record quarter."
I'm thinking (as is everyone else in the room). "Four dollars a gallon for gas and the introduction of an oversized truck. What is going on here?"
Earlier today I argued that MPGs aren't the only thing consumers should be thinking about when they go car-shopping these days. For many people, I suggested, it might be worth paying a little more at the pump for a more enjoyable car. In the spirit of this suggestion, here are two informal top-three lists -- one consisting of fun cars that are still pretty fuel-efficient, and one featuring fuel-efficient cars that are about as much fun to drive as a Zamboni.
Car shoppers are understandably freaking out about skyrocketing gas prices. Suddenly those big black EPA estimates are among the most important numbers on the window sticker. But in some cases you may be sacrificing a lot in order to get a few extra MPGs. We'd recommend trying to strike a balance between fuel economy and enjoyment, particularly if you spend a lot of time in your car.
Of course, there are some cars that offer both class-leading fuel efficiency and driving pleasure. But the ones to watch out for are the one-trick ponies -- you know, the cars that boast "A Best-In-Class 36 MPG!" but drive like glorified golf carts, or give you all the accoutrements of a farm tractor.
Consider two hypothetical cars -- one that gets a combined 30 mpg, and one that gets a combined 25 mpg. Suppose you drive 12,000 miles a year, and gas costs $5 a gallon. The premium you'll pay for the 25 mpg car over the course of a year is $400. That's not exactly chump change, but we suspect most people would be willing to pay an extra 33 bucks a month for a car they'd actually look forward to driving.
Be sure to check back later today for Against MPG-Mania: Part II, in which we'll move from the hypothetical to the actual and tell you which models we'd avoid despite their high MPG numbers -- and which marginally thirstier models are worth the extra gas money.
This morning this Driving Woman attended a Q&A session with Ed Wellburn, GM's vice president, Global Design at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California -- which has graduated many noted automotive designers. The main topic: The globalization of GM's vehicle design.
GM recently announced that a fuel-efficient compact "world car," the Chevrolet Cruze, will replace the Chevy Cobalt. It represents a huge shift for GM, which of course is struggling to survive the sea-change in popular preference for smaller cars that get great fuel economy.
"Times have changed," he said. "If [the pendulum] swings back to larger cars, it's because they're not running on gas, or they drive themselves and can't crash, requiring less front and rear overhang" [which would shave off weight and improve fuel economy.]
The Cruze, Wellburn said, was designed in Korea as a result of an intra-company competition among GM's different design centers around the world.
Admitting that domestic automakers have been focused on large cars for too long, he gave the nod overseas. "Korea, Brazil, Europe understand small cars and how to do them right," he said.
The Cruze will share far more than just a platform/architecture across regions. Practically everything will be identical. While some features may be standard in one country and optional in another, or the available trim levels and colors may differ slightly, it means that a person buying a car in China, India, Europe, and the Americas will be buying the same car. This is a serious engineering challenge, as any world car" will have to meet the highest level of both safety and emissions standards before it can be accepted globally.
For more details on GM's plans, see Michelle Kreb's blog entry about her interview with Bob Lutz.
"A revolutionary family car prototype that gets 63 miles to the gallon, was unveiled today at the North American International Auto Show." Can you guess what year this announcement was made? The answer after the jump.
A year ago, gas was averaging about $2.97/gallon. Suppose you could go back in time and buy gas at that price and then use that gas today, by-passing the $4+ gas we are all currently paying. Well, that is what www.mygallons.com
promises to do.
It appears that $4/gal gas has done what $3/gal gas couldn't do; change the way Americans drive and buy. The most telling example of this shift is the full-sized pickup truck segment. These perennially best selling vehicles have suddenly become permanent fixtures on many dealer lots. Demand, especially from personal use buyers, has come to a crashing halt...
In our recent consumer comparison test, three top economy sedans were tested by six real-world consumers. It was certainly a serendipitous choice of vehicles given sky-rocketing gasoline prices that are changing Americans' buying habits. True enough, last month, the Honda Civic usurped the Ford F-150 of its top-sales crown for the first time since 1991. In other words, trucks are losing, small cars are winning.
But what are the most fuel efficient small sedans? Which compact cars get the best gas mileage? What offers a good mix of fuel economy and power? See the chart below for answers.
The models selected were the base engines for each with an automatic transmission (excluding the Caliber, whose base engine only comes with a manual). I tried to avoid using the curb weights of stripper base models that few dealers order, I also selected the same trim levels used in the consumer comparison test. All fuel economy numbers are EPA estimates, we find that the combined mpg rating is the most accurate predictor of real-world fuel economy. For more information about the cars included, continue reading.
The Power Rank is a power-to-weight ratio achieved by dividing the curb weight of the vehicle with its horsepower. This is a fairly good predictor of acceleration ability. Note how the top and bottom cars on the fuel efficiency list switched, while the Focus moved the least on both rankings.
Gas prices too high to take a road trip this summer?
When gas prices first shot up back in 2005 I looked at what it cost to take a vacation in that current year versus the previous few years. Surprisingly, the difference was about the cost of a meal in a restaurant. With the help of our awesome data department, I checked today's road trip versus the (not-so-low) prices of last summer. Now it's about the price of a night in a hotel...
For the first time since 1991, the Ford F-Series is not the nation’s best selling vehicle. Last month, that honor went to the Honda Civic. With gas prices at an all time high, it is not a surprise.
The entire truck and SUV segments have seen a sales crash, not unlike what we have seen in the housing market...
On Tuesday
I talked about how various factors can influence your monthly vehicle cost and to think about this when you are choosing a vehicle. Often times, however, the vehicle we like the best isn't the least expensive choice. Have you ever thought about how much of a monthly price difference would make you look past your number one pick and go to a different vehicle? Could such differences make you consider some vehicles and cross others off your list? Can there really be that big of a difference in the monthly cost of comparable vehicles?
When shopping for a vehicle, most people tend to buy the most vehicle that they can afford, with the highest monthly payment that their budget allows. Often, buyers haggle over that last $10 per month without looking into other monthly expenses that they may be facing. Some of these expenses hurt their bottom line, if they are not considered ahead of time.
Chrysler has announced a new program that it hopes will stimulate sales, and help to give consumers a hedge against rising gas prices. From now until June 2nd, when you purchase nearly any Chrysler, Dodge or Jeep vehicle (offer excludes all SRT models, Dodge Viper, Dodge Challenger, Dodge Ram Chassis Cab, Chrysler Crossfire, Jeep Wrangler and Dodge Sprinter), you will have the opportunity to receive a gas card that will only bill you $2.99/gallon of gas (regular grade, diesel or E85) for three years, with a limit of 12K miles/year (based on the EPA mileage figures of the vehicle purchased).
As with most things, there is a catch. If you select the gas card promotion, you will have to give up all other rebates and incentives...
"I'm so sick of the price of gas I'm going to buy a hybrid!"
I can't tell you how often I've heard this. And I want to tell these people that they are on the wrong track. If they merely want to save money, dumping the old gas guzzler and buying a hybrid will take years to save them money. That's because it costs more for the privledge of saving gas. This is the so-called "hybrid premium."
If you compare a hybrid to a nonhybrid car you will see that the hybrid car costs more because of the sophisticated powertrain. In the long run this saves money for the car's owner when buying gas. But most people aren't in touch with exactly how much they spend on gas for a year. Even driving 15,000 miles, and paying $3.61 a gallon for gas, a typical car will consume about $2,000 of gas a year. Over the same distance a typical hybrid will consume $1,500 of gas for a $500 savings.
Now, how long does it take for the $500 savings to cancel the higher purchase price? That's the hybrid break even period.
After reading the recent Edmunds comparison test of the Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid vs Mercedes GL320 CDI I began to wonder how these people movers compare to the traditional station wagon. Looking for the largest premium wagon I could find (seems only fair since both the Tahoe and GL have premium features and prices) led me to the recently redesigned Volvo V70. Conventional wisdom would suggest that a station wagon should be environmentally cleaner than an SUV that weighs nearly 6,000lbs and has a big V8, regardless of the fact that it has a hybrid powertrain.
This morning's Automotive News was filled with evidence of a global shift in thinking: small is better. There was an interesting story that said most of the current engine research is geared toward making more out of less. The number of cylinders are being reduced while engine displacement is being downsized. Meanwhile, performance is boosted with turbo or supercharging or even direct injection.
With gas-guzzling former cash cows such as Yukons and Expeditions collecting dust on dealer lots across the country, it's clear that business as usual will no longer cut it for the Big Three in Detroit. Yet Chevrolet's ballyhooed Volt concept is still a couple years away, and although the Ford Escape and Saturn Vue hybrid models are admirably efficient for SUVs, the best one can say for the Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid (21 mpg combined) is that it guzzles marginally less gas than its non-hybrid relatives. Americans aren't used to paying European prices at the pump, and they're showing it in their sudden aversion to relatively inefficient vehicles. It's past time for Detroit to start thinking green...
Picture the roads across the U.S. jammed with 250 million vehicles hurtling along at speeds of 70 mph and faster. Now picture this: most of those cars are riding on dangerously under-inflated tires which waste gas, wear out the tread prematurely and create deadly driving situations.
How under-inflated are those tires? How much gas is wasted?
That's what we wanted to find out as part of an Edmunds.com Earth Day project. We gave out 400 tire gauges to our employees and asked them to check their tire pressure and report it to us.
From the responses of over 212 employees, here's what we found:
Earth Day is next Tuesday, April 22, but all Edmunds.com employees got the day off today, Friday, to perform some kind of green activity. It's a very cool move on the part of our company's owner who gives green issues the highest priority. Lots of Edmunds folks will be at the beaches, picking up trash, or recycling or cycling or just enjoying our wonderful environment here in Southern California...
Ethanol has enjoyed pride of place over the past few years in the national debate about alternative fuels. Most significantly, the federal government has signaled its strong support by providing a subsidy of 51 cents per gallon
to domestic ethanol producers. But is ethanol all it’s cracked up to be? Should it be embraced as part of the solution to our oil-dependency problem?
Much has been written about the new smart fortwo microcar, including our own Edmunds scribes
. With highs such as its unique looks, easy-to-park diminutive dimensions and affordable price, and lows such as glacial acceleration performance, erratic transmission and the need for premium unleaded, the fortwo is certainly not a vehicle for everyone.
In a recent post
I discussed diesel-powered cars’ cost-effectiveness, or lack thereof, in this era of rapidly rising diesel prices. But why, exactly, has the cost of diesel skyrocketed over the past few years?
Industry sales took a nose dive in the month of March, with sales down 12% from the previous year. There is no question that this downturn can be linked to the faltering economy, headlined by the national housing crisis and rising energy costs, People have become more cautious with their money, especially since many families have less of it to spend.
As energy prices continue to rise, it should be no surprise that most automakers saw sales of their SUV's and trucks fall while sales of more fuel efficient small and medium sized vehicles were up. Buyers are beginning to respond to record high gas prices by purchasing more higher mileage vehicles like the Honda Fit and four-cylinder versions of mid-sized sedans like the Sautrn Aura...
When gas prices shoot up the con artists come out of the woodwork. Advertisements for magnets that attach to the fuel line, pills for the gas tank, oil additives all promise 10 to 30 percent increase in gas mileage.
Question: who falls for this stuff?
What is it in human nature that believes that a little bottle of mysterious liquid will turn gasoline (which already contains an enormous amount of energy) into kryptonite? I guess it's the same thing that makes people buy pills to enlarge certain male body parts...
Drafting a tractor trailer truck to improve fuel economy
There's this really cool thing you can use to improve your fuel economy up to 35 percent. It's called your right foot.
We took three cars to the Central Valley of California and tested the gas saving tips you hear all the time. What we found was that driver behavior, and slick aerodynamics (no roof top coolers!) will save the most gas...
In case you haven’t noticed, we’re pretty excited about our long-term 2005 Volkswagen Jetta TDI’s parsimoniousness at the pump. The EPA’s “combined†estimate for our Jetta is 36 mpg (32 city/42 highway), which humbles petrol-powered plebes like the 2008 Toyota Corolla (28/37, 31 combined). But what about the rising cost of diesel fuel these days? Until a few years ago, diesel tended to be cheaper than regular gas. As of February 25th, though, the average price-per-gallon for diesel in the US was $3.55, while a gallon of good old gasoline came in at a relatively affordable $3.13. That’s a pretty significant difference.
How significant, exactly? We knew you’d ask, so we did some rudimentary calculations. Suppose, for the sake of argument, that those February 25th figures will remain constant for the foreseeable future. If you rack up 12,000 miles on a Jetta TDI like ours between now and December, and you manage to achieve the EPA’s estimated 36 mpg, you’ll be forking over $1,183 in fuel costs for the year. That sounds pretty good -- until you do the math for the Corolla. In the Toyota, 12,000 miles at 31 mpg will set you back $1,212. The out-of-pocket difference? A measly twenty-nine bucks in favor of the Jetta. Suddenly the Corolla’s considerable performance edge (apart from low-rpm applications) seems more relevant. Its variable valve-timing-equipped 1.8-liter powerplant is a lot easier on the ears, too.
We try to cover topics that we think you might find beneficial. However, there may be questions you have that we have not yet answered. So, post questions you would like to have answers to, and we will try to address them in future entries.
In this time of rising fuel prices, I have received more than a handful of questions regarding the need to use premium fuel, even in vehicles that require them. Most modern vehicles that require premium fuel can run fine on regular gas. However, you will see reduced performance and fuel economy as a result.
First, let me give a brief and simplified explanation of how vehicles that vehicles that require premium fuel extract extra power...
While testing the Scan Gauge last weekend I mentioned to my wife that some politicians have suggested that requiring built in gauges to show the fuel economy of all vehicles would make people more efficient drivers. She had an even better idea: put the gauge on the outside of the vehicle so everyone else can see what your getting. That would shame everyone into getting better mileage.
Question: Last June, I bought a new Toyota Camry Hybrid for its advertised fuel economy--40city/38hwy mpg's; however, the car gets between 24-28 mpg's. The service manager at the dealer said the car was fine and that my driving, the weather and other variables applied to diminish fuel efficiency. Do I believe him?
I bought a Scan Gauge in anticipation of redoing our "We Test the Tips" article about fuel economy. I was eager to try it out so I ran a short test over the weekend with the help of my son Tony, 17.
Using my 2007 Honda Fit Sport, with a manual transmission, I decided to see what effect "short shifting" had on fuel economy. Driving a 9.3-mile loop that has many stop signs and stop lights, I decided to drive it once shifting no higher than 3,000 rpm and then again taking it up to 4,000 rpm.
As gas prices continue to rise, I have received an increasing number of questions from people looking to trade in their relatively thirsty vehicles for something that is more fuel efficient. This is exactly the situation one reader had with respect to their 2006 Nissan Armada. I was asked if I could suggest something that would save them money on gas every month.
While the idea of getting rid of a gas guzzler and replacing it with a more fuel efficient vehicle, in order to save money, sounds like a good idea, more often than not it does not make financial sense. Unfortunately, as with most people who own vehicles that were purchased in the last few years, the Armada owners are currently upside-down in their loan...
Drivers across the country are feeling the pinch of higher gas prices now so it's inevitable that we get tips such as the ones listed below. My brother, Peter, sent them to me and said they were forwarded by a friend. Suppposedly these tips were suggested by a petroleum engineer.
If you have any information about whether these tips work and, more importantly, how much gas/money they save, please let me know...
For anyone holding their breath for the Tesla Roadster, they will just have to keep waiting. But now we're told the wait will be well worth it.
As described in the Green Car Advisor, Tesla has tested its sporty little electric car's lithium ion battery pack and found the range is longer than last promised -- 245 miles on a single charge. That's the longest range of any electric car since GM's EV1 logged 140 miles in 1999 on its nickel metal hydride batteries...
According to the The National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition, 31 models of motor vehicles will be offered with an E85 capable engine in 2008. Chrysler, Ford, General Motors, Nissan and Mercedes Benz will all offer flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs) in the coming year.
"We are pleased to see so many popular models offered with a flexible fuel engine in 2008," stated Executive Director of the NEVC Phil Lampert. “From a humble beginning of less than 500 FFVs in 1993, we expect that more than 750,000 such FFVs will be produced in the coming year...
This picture is of an electric bus in Santa Barbara, California. Surprisingly, this small city maintains the largest electric bus fleet in the country. The fare is 25 cents and the fleet has carried some 10 million passengers.
Now, you're probably thinking how modern and cutting edge they are in Santa Barbara...
Less than a week after he told a record audience of automotive scribes and industry and public relations types at a Los Angeles luncheon that his company's revolutionary electric roadster would be delayed, Tesla Motors’ co-founder Martin Eberhard has been replaced as chief executive.
The change shouldn't affect production schedules for the Roadster or Tesla's promised new Whitestar electric sedan, Eberhard said in a brief interview.
Eberhard, who has been Tesla’s chief booster since the electric car company was started in 2003, will remain as president of technology, according to a statement by Tesla Chairman Elon Musk.
Stepping into the CEO’s shoes is Michael Marks, former chief executive of Flextronics International and an early Tesla investor...
John O'Dell, our new environmental writer, filed this blog entry to bring us up-to-date on some exciting developments on GM's bid to build the first plug-in electric hybrid. Here's his report:
General Motor’s track record for green things hasn’t been all that great, so there’s been a justifiable skepticism surrounding the Chevrolet Volt project. That’s GM’s plan, announced in January, to field an affordable, mass-market, extended-range electric hybrid car by the end of the decade.
But the signs are there that GM is not only serious, but is moving toward its goal even faster than promised.
On Thursday, GM’s global product chief, Vice-Chairman Bob Lutz, reaffirmed the 2010 production deadline and said that he expects to begin road-testing prototype models of the Volt by spring...</SP
Toyota announced that it will be testing plug-in hybrids in Japan and will soon begin testing them in the U.S.
This is great news for people who are interested in taking short all-electric hops around town without firing up the old internal combustion engine. Some basic facts about the program were described in a Toyota press release while an accompanying video shows the car -- the Prius -- in action.
Plug-in electric hybrids (PHEVs) have become the front runner as an immediate solution to tightening oil supplies and rising concerns about climate change...
Critics of plug-in electric hybrids (PHEVs) have long said that it would merely move the pollution from the tailpipe to the power plants. But a new study by two nonprofit groups said the use of plug-in hybrids could cut tons of greenhouse gas emissions every year.
A report released Thursday by Electric Power Research Institute and the Natural Resources Defense Council said that if emissions from power plants were reduced, as expected, and 20 percent of U.S. drivers were in plug-ins by 2050, 163 million tons of greenhouse gasses would be eliminated every year...
Ford was the first American manufacturer to make a hybrid so it's fitting that it will also be the first to create a testing program for a plug-in hybrid (PHEV). While GM prepares to release the futuristic Chevrolet Volt some time at the end of this decade, Ford has teamed up with Southern California Edison to test the feasibility of plug-in Ford Escape hybrids and their impact on the power grid. Power companies like plug-in hybrids because these cars can use power that is generated at night and currently being wasted. It's even possible that someday all these plugged-in hybrids could be a storage source for electricity, giving power back to the grid when more juice is needed...
I'm a barometer of the public's interest in fuel economy. When gas prices rise, reporters call Edmunds.com and ask how drivers can get better fuel economy. When gas prices fall, interest returns to more important subjects like what color Paris Hilton is painting her toe nails...
So you're at a filling station and you see that E85 is cheaper than gas. "Cool," you think. "I can save money AND help the environment" (assuming you even have an E85-capable vehicle). Then you remember hearing that E85 (85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gas) gets less fuel economy than gas. Still, you have to be saving some money...
Last week I was on NPR's "Talk to the Nation" talking about (what else?) getting better gas mileage. One caller wanted to know if adding acetone to his fuel tank would improve gas mileage. He explained that acetone was an ingredient in nail polish. (Actually, its the key ingrediant in nail polish REMOVER.) This wasn't the first time I heard this "tip."
Acetone is a solvent that can be purchased at the hardware store for about $14/gallon...
BMW has built a very cool car which runs on hydrogen (or gasoline) and emits only water vapor. When can you get the car? Aside from 25 prototypes that will be brought to the U.S. for testing, the car won't be available for purchase until, oh, 2022...
For some unknown reason early this morning I decided to see how little gas I could use on my 31-mile commute to work. I was driving the 2005 Honda Accord Hybrid which most of have decided is a pretty crappy car. Yes it is a hybrid. Unfortunately, it only gets 22 mpg on the lifetime average...
Yes, it's made in the USA, but will E85 save us from Big Oil and Big Auto?
People have emailed us and said, "I want to go green by filling up with yellow. But where do I get E85?" I checked my alt fuel station locator and found that there was a place in San Diego that sold E85 (and biodiesel and CNG, too!). It's called Pearson Fuels and the gentleman that runs it, Mike Lewis, has a passion for alt fuels...
In the current alt fuel race there is a dark horse that is lurking in the background, ready to take the lead.
The dark horse is called diesel.
A lot of people forget that, when you consider the "well to wheels" efficiency of a fuel, diesel stacks up very nicely against almost anything out there. In this well to wheels efficiency study done by Tesla Motors, which makes the all-electric Roadster, diesel came in just behind electricity in many of the categories...
Hemi Hybrid. Although being a rather fun, alliterative thing to say, these two words are oxymoronic in nature. It all seems like a joke, but sadly, it's not. DaimlerChrysler has announced a Chrysler Aspen Hybrid will be joining the Dodge Durango Hybrid early next year, featuring the same 5.7-liter Hemi V8 attached to the "Two-Mode" hybrid system co-developed by DaimlerChrysler, BMW and General Motors. Chrysler claims a 40-percent improvement in city gas mileage and a 25-percent improvement overall. Considering the regular Aspen gets 14 mpg, I suppose that's an achievement.
For the past few days I've been in San Francisco talking to TV reporters about fuel economy. We took our 2007 Nissan Altima SE for the trip because it has an instantaneous fuel meter and an average MPG meter. A cameraman from Channel 7 got the backseat and tried to photograph the fuel meter while I tore around the parking lot of the AT&T baseball stadium. I made five loops around the parking lot (about 3 miles) accelerating aggressively and braking hard...
A year ago I wouldn't have felt comfortable saying that in public. At that time, alluding to Earth Day would have branded me as a tree hugger, a Commie, a wussy, a lefty or even a Democrat. Now, as major corporations are discovering, green is good...
Consider this as you sit and idle waiting for traffic to clear so you can make a left turn: UPS drivers have been instructed to turn right at most intersections. At first it sounds like a joke -- how would you ever get there? You can read more about their results in Time Magazine. Obviously, the "right move" is designed to save the gas spent idling while waiting for an opening...
I drove to Carmel, Calif., and back in our long term 2007 Nissan Altima SE
, a trip of about 700 miles. When I started driving the Altima, the onboard fuel economy gauge showed the car was getting 22 mpg. I kept my eye on it after I filled up and zeroed out the gauge. I cruised on Hwy...
You want a green vehicle but you're confused. What is green anyway? And how do you find the right green vehicle for you?
This is a problem that a number of different agencies and companies will be trying to solve. The EPA has created the Smartway system to help shoppers sort, compare and select environmentally friendly car...
Yesterday I spent the day on Los Angeles public transportation taking light rail from Long Beach to Pasadena. I did a cost comparison between riding the train ($3 for an all-day ticket) as compared to over $40 for driving. One reader wrote in to say he loved "walking cities" like Boston and New York but he lived in "flyover country" where the car is king. When gas prices go up city dwellers can find another mode of transportation but people in the country are kind of stuck with the gas fueled cars...
I’m writing this on the train. I’m actually writing this on the train to show that real work can be done while commuting (assuming this is work). Normally, to get from one place to the other in Los Angeles, I get in my car and drive. While behind the wheel I can talk on the phone (not real safe), listen to the radio (same old news, over and over) or play audio books (I once tried to learn German)...
Don't get me wrong, I love cars. But the love affair with cars in Los Angeles is becoming increasingly dysfunctional. Co-workers in our offices in Santa Monica, Calif., talk about spending a half hour just to get to the freeway -- only four blocks away. And when they get there the freeway is so jammed it takes forever to "merge." My way of dealing with the gridlock on my 62-mile commute is to wake up at 5 a.m., be on the road before six...
Under the heading of "is this really news?" the Wall Street Journal reports
that Big Oil is doing its best to keep E85 (85 percent ethanol/15 percent gasoline) out of your local filling station. In my neighborhood they're doing a good job. I put my zip code into this E85 station locator
and found that I would have to drive about 90 miles to fill up on E85. My parents in Denver, Colorado, can fill up at more than a dozen stations...
I've always liked living close to the water. But in the future I'll actually be living on an island.
My son Drew sent me a map of what our area will look like when the ocean has risen significantly. My island is just to the right of the words "Long Beach" on the above map...
I often hear people saying, "But I've heard that hybrids are really worse for the environment." Of course we all know hybrids have lower emissions, but if you consider the big picture of building, driving and disposing of a hybrid they are actually worse for the environment. What?!
Well, I finally found a discussion on our Forums that traces this thinking back to a study done by a consulting group. The discussion is very interesting but, unfortunately, inconclusive...
I spent seven hours last Sunday riding around on a Segway. Remember how the Segway was introduced back in 2001 as the answer to our transportation needs? Well, Segway is now offering the second generation version of this vehicle -- or should I call it a device? Gizmo?..
ZAP is proposing its Zap-X as an answer to the Tesla and Chevy Volt. The idea of going 0-60 mph in about 4 seconds in an all electric Tesla caught the imagination of the public. So now Santa Rosa, California-based ZAP (Zero Air Pollution) is going one better. It released this sketch of the proposed Zap-X yesterday...
Well folks, the great plug-in hybrid race is heating up.
The phrase, the "plug-in hybrid race" was coined by Felix Kramer of CalCars.org. When Kramer used that term, maybe two weeks into January, he was referring to GM's announcement to build the Saturn VUE plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) and the Chevrolet Volt. But soon thereafter Toyota joined the race and now Honda is reportedly jumping into the running...
Back in 1998 Dr. Andy Frank, a professor at University of California Davis, applied for a patent for the plug-in hybrid. He received the patent a year later before the first plain old hybrid was on the market. Now, GM is proposing to introduce two plug-in hybrids in the near future...
I seem to get a lot of feedback when I write about fuel economy issues so here goes with another hot button topic.
A Northern California politician has proposed rewarding people who buy environmentally friendly cars and taxing those who buy gas guzzlers. The extra expense for a muscle car could be as high as $2,500. In the Los Angeles Times article I read they described it as a "Robin Hood approach" which, I guess, means they would rob from the rich to pay the poor...
I bought my 2007 Honda Fit with a stick shift because it supposedly got great gas mileage -- 33 and 38 mpg. When I started tracking my "real world" mileage I was disappointed. Yes, I once got 37.5 mpg. But around town the mileage was more like 26 mpg...
The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) named the greenest cars for sale in 2007 and there wasn't a single domestic car on the list. This announcement came, as the ACEEE put it, "amid numerous industry claims of eco-friendly vehicles and rising public concern about U.S." oil dependence. The list was topped by the ultra-clean Honda Civic GX which runs on natural gas. In the number four position was the Nissan Altima Hybrid which I drove at the Los Angeles Auto Show last year and found very responsive and smooth...
The headlines tell us that the debate about global warming is over -- it is happening and it is caused by humans. It seems that this has shifted the comments I've heard. People now start their remarks with, "Well, there's not doubt global warming is happening but I think it's really caused by --" and then they launch into their favorite theory.
The theory that "it's just a natural weather cycle" remains popular...
Investors that can see into the future make money. This book, FUTURE ENERGY, by Bill Paul, is not only a wakeup call for the world but an invitation to be ahead of the wave as an investor. What I like about the writing is that it isn't filled with gloom and doom. Instead, it is forward looking and innovative...
Our president told us in the state of the union address that if we develop alt fuels and high tech cars we can cut our gas use by 20 percent by 2017. I don't know about you, but I think we can do it a lot sooner -- like, maybe, right now.
When gas prices were high two summers ago I went up near Death Valley with a friend from Edmunds to see if we could figure out how to save gas. We took a good old American muscle car, the Ford Mustang GT, and a Land Rover LR3...
Someone at the top must be really worried about global warming and dependence on foreign oil supplies. GM introduced the Chevrolet Volt concept car, a plug-in hybrid with a 40-mile all electric range. I feel really excited by this news and, well, downright patriotic. I would really like to see an American car company take the lead in introducing this technology...
I haven't had a chance to write about the Alternative Car and Transportation Expo
in Santa Monica, Dec. 9 and 10. It was actually a pretty cool collection of electric cars and bikes, alternative fuel vehicles, biodiesel bugs, natural gas cars and some pretty strange looking contraptions.
The best thing about it was the number of people who were there...
Here's a tip for something to do this weekend with your family. If you live in the Southern California area, check out the Alternative Car and Transportation Expo in Santa Monica, Dec. 9 and 10. The festival is being billed as the "most comprehensive exposition of technologically advanced alternative fuel and high MPG vehicles." With increased interest in environmental awareness, auto enthusiasts, savvy consumers and anyone interested in cutting gas costs will want to see what’s in store for the future.
The show will offer the opportunity to ride in and drive the newest alternative vehicles, some never seen before, including: plug-in hybrids, neighborhood electric vehicles from ZAP World, Myers Motors, eRide, Miles, solar vehicles and natural gas cars...
Gas is cheap right now so that means oil is plentiful. Right? Actually, according to many sources, oil has finally peaked. This means that supplies will dwindle and prices will climb steadily...
Wouldn't it be cool if we all had a gas pump in our homes and the price was under $1 per gallon? That's what it would be like to own a plug-in hybrid. Plug it in at night, drive around on the cleanest fuel available and, if you get stuck somewhere, fire up the gas engine until you make it back to a wall socket.
I've spent the last week researching a story about plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) and I'm getting really excited about what's happening with them...
A couple of weeks ago at the Alt Wheels Festival
in Boston I met a barefoot guy standing next to a Prius. Somehow, I wasn't surprised to discover his nickname is "Hobbit" and his business card identifies him as "tech geek at large." Al Walker (his real name) said he hadn't modified the Prius but he had installed instruments to figure out what the car was doing and to learn how to get even better gas mileage. He was enthusiastically passing out flyers on how to get better gas mileage
by just driving differently. If you follow his gas saving steps, he says you will thank him "from the bottom of your wallet."
Curious, I checked out his website and found it filled with hilarious information that was actually useful...
I think Americans are more interested in alternative technology than Big Oil and Big Auto admit. Hey, we're a country built on self reliance and Yankee ingenuity. And yet, Corporate America keeps saying that we love our SUVs, our excessive consumption, our couch potato lifestyle -- that's why they make big cars with big V8s and big appetites.
Yesterday we looked at cooled seats available on new cars. Nearly all of these vehicles were expensive luxury models. But what if you can’t afford any of the vehicles on that list, or are not even in the market for a new car? Well, until recently, there were no effective options...
Heated seats have long been a staple of luxury cars, and they have even trickled down to every-person cars like the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry or Chevrolet Impala. You can even buy aftermarket cushions that will heat up when plugged into a 12V power socket. However, a new option is starting to become wide-spread in the luxury car realm and it is, well, literally cool - the air-conditioned or ventilated seat.
At the Alternative Transportation Festival in Boston over the weekend, I saw the usual array of vehicles built by the big automakers to demonstrate their "concern" for the environment. But with the exception of the hybrids, these are still test vehicles that are years away from hitting the market.
Meanwhile, the American public is sick of being dependant on foreign oil, of high gas prices, of lip service from the government about coming solutions. So these ordinary Americans take to their garages and create answers they can drive today...
It's definitely in vogue to be a friend of the environment these days. So it was no surprise they had a big turnout of heavy political hitters at the Alternative Energy Awards Friday in Boston. The festivities were introduced by none other than Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino himself who, as an aside, said his own personal car ran on compressed natural gas ( he didn't specify year, make and model)...
Thursday night a caravan of odd vehicles crossed Boston under police escort. Was the president in town? Was it a top-secret security operation? No, it was the opening of the 4th Annual Alternative Transportation Festival...
When people are shopping for a new car I tell them that they should put fuel economy at the top of the list of "must have" features. Not many people take my advice, but it is a wake up call for some. Well, here is a great tool for finding a fuel efficient car. You can search by manufacturer, by class, by segment...
I've read in some places that biodiesel (made from such things as soy beans) doesn't deliver the same fuel economy as petrodiesel. My father, who is a chemist, said that biodiesel is heavier (because it is more dense) than petrodiesel. So this statement may stem from the practice of measuring fuel economy based on volume rather than density. When you go to the gas pump you pay based on the volume (gallons) which changes based on temperature...
I don't know about you but even though I'm very concerned about environmental issues I'm somewhat uncomfortable about being called an environmentalist. I guess I just don't like being labeled. I do find it inspiring, though, when I hear about people who are changing their lifestyles to demonstrate their ability to live sustainably. One such person is our friend Dave Chameides who wrote a great article about converting his VW Golf TDI to run on waste vegetable oil...
I mentioned yesterday that a newspaper study has reported that we might not be getting as much gas as we pay for. That's because the volume of gas will vary based on its temperature. Is this another trick that Big Oil uses to rob us of even more money? Well, it could be a few pennies per fillup...
A few weeks ago I blogged about how the temperature of gasoline might mean that you are getting less gas than you are paying for. Apparently, the volume of gas changes as it rises above 60 degrees F (the temp at which American pumps are set for). A study in the Kansas City Star goes into this subject in quite a bit of detail. If you're interested in saving money, it's worth taking a look...
Anyone who has seen the documentary "Who Killed the Electric Car?" will be amazed at what is happening in Pasadena, California. Basically, it's deja vu all over again. But this time it's Nissan pulling their electric cars.
My neighbor is a stockbroker and for some reason he feels that his line of work requires him to drive a Hummer. I've never seen any mud on the Hummer and I bet it's never been in four wheel drive. He's a nice guy but the Hummer annoys me. It really grinds my gears that he often parks the Hummer pointed in the wrong direction on our street as if his gargantuan vehicle comes with some kind of a special exemption...
The folks at ZAP in Santa Rosa, California, have lent us a Smart car (the Fortwo) to drive from their corporate headquarters to Edmunds.com in Santa Monica, about 500 miles. I'll be doing a long story on ZAP and also a road test on the Fortwo (complete with performance specs) but I couldn't resist putting up a couple of pictures.
I'm driving this 2003 Fortwo that has a 61 hp engine (but it's turbocharged!) that has an EPA rating of 40/40 mpg. Here it is in the land of the giants, a parking lot in Santa Cruz where I'm getting free wifi to do this blog post...
Last summer my friend Mike Hudson and I ventured to Lone Pine, California, were we spent three very hot days testing fuel saving tips. We wrote an article which got a lot of attention called "We Test the Tips". When you stick your neck out you run the risk that someone might come along and tell you you're full of it. The scary part is they might be right...
It's been months now since President Bush stated the obvious: we're addicted to oil. He gave us a glimmer of hope by touting the wonders of ethanol as an oil replacement. His promises brought us a flood of email here at Edmunds.com saying, "I wanna tell those annoying little oil-producing countries to go to hell. I want to buy some of that ethanol stuff...
What a novel suggestion we got from the National Motorists Association Foundation -- yield the left lane to faster traffic. The press release came to me from my editor who wrote "common sense" in the subject box. Yes, common sense, but so often ignored. Come on, yielding the fast lane is not a sign of weakness. Yes, you in the Dodge Ram 3500 Duelly! Save a few bucks. Here's how.
Question: I have been trying to find out why are we wasting time with hybrids at this time when we had cars with great mileage before.. The Geo Metro FXI with a three cylinder engine was great at 54 MPG ( I owned one). Small and peppy with lots of room for 4 people and great to get to work in summer and winter snow. Most people driving to work drive alone so it would be a great car for them...
Please don't skip reading this message because you don't want to think about global warming. I was one of those people last week, before I saw "An Inconvenient Truth." Now I think everyone should see this film. And before I go any farther, I want to say that the film will not scare you, but it will move you to take action, even if that action is only to tell your friends to see it.
The best thing about "An Inconvenient Truth" is that it doesn't depress you...
When we test drive cars at Edmunds.com we don't have to pay for the cars or the gas. Yes, we track fuel mileage but it doesn't hit us square in the wallet like it does to the rest of the driving public. It's a little like being a movie critic who doesn't pay for tickets -- if the flick stinks all you lose is your time.
Now that I'm the proud owner of a 2007 Honda Fit, I've begun to track my mileage...
Question: I am a rural mail carrier. I drive a Toyota T-100, 4 wheel drive truck. Our gas allowance from the Post office is based on the "Consumer Price Index" which comes out from the government quarterly. We've taken a BIG hit on the gas because the CPI is based on all kinds of factors like gas, insurance, new vehicle prices etc...
My father is a chemist and has been working in the alternative energy field since the first oil embargos in the early 1970s. He was asked if he believed that ethanol actually has a "negative energy" return as some have suggested. His answer follows and he makes some fascinating points about ethanol, methanol and biodiesel. I hope you read it...
My first job out of college was working as a chauffeur on Cape Cod, Massachusetts. I drove a wealthy 80-year-old woman around for the summer in a 1970 Ford Country Squire wagon. The first time we approached a stoplight I got on the brakes real easy. When we came to a stop she said, "That's just the way I like it...
I don't know when I first discovered it but it changed my life. Cruise control. Set it, relax and let all the other yahoos scramble for precious freeway real estate every microsecond.
I've always liked cruise control (CC) and last year as Mike Hudson and I headed up lonely Hwy...
Anyone who has read this blog more than once knows that I'm kind of a freak about fuel economy. I was on an ABC news program yesterday listing ways to stretch gas mileage. There's really not a lot to say except don't drive like a maniac and don't sit still with the car idling for longer than a couple of minutes. There is nothing you can do to make your Yukon get over 20 mpg...
Just got back from a visit to Denver for my father's birthday. He drives a 2003 Jetta TDI 5-speed manual that runs on biodiesel. In the "mile high city" I thought the VW would be winded but it climbed the mountains with confidence in part because of the turbocharger. The Jetta is fueled by biodiesel bought locally and it runs fine without any modifications...
For most Americans oil is just about as important as oxygen. So when we're told oil is running out, it's like our way of life is threatened. When will it run out? Well, that's the big question...
Subscribe to the Edmunds Automotive Network Newsletter and enter the $500 Gas Card Sweepstakes. Sign up now and enter for your chance to win a $500 Gas Card!Official Rules
Making their debut at the LA International Auto Show later this month, the 335d Sedan and the X5 xDrive35d Sports Activity Vehicle (they had to make it bigger just to fit the name on the back!) will be BMW's first diesels sold in the US in over 20 years. Pricing will start at $44,725 and $52,025 for the 335d and the X5 diesel, respectively. 
