Buick LaCrosse hybrid more important than Chevy Volt? With so many options will scale be impossible? Conceptually and theoretically, the Chevy Volt might be the best car on the planet. In reality, however, the Volt is terribly cost-ineffective and completely dependent upon government aid. In the auto industry, scale is typically the key to such a problem, but is the Volt and its Voltecs really a scalable platform? Yes, …

What happened to big dreams? But where are they – we – going? Toyota is still the best automaker on the planet. Seriously, bring up the recalls. Fine. But, look at deaths by automaker, for instance. Toyota is not the leader. Or, look at JD Power and Consumer Reports data during the recall affected years. Let’s be real, …

North American Car of the Year The year of the Volt Today at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit GM’s Chevy Volt won the North American Car of the Year, one of several top automotive awards the Volt has picked up this auto season. The Ford Explorer won Truck of the Year. Now the real work…

Moving Toyota consumers from floor mats to Prius sales The Prius needs to become Toyota’s core brand now Think Toyota these days and it’s hard not to think recall. Yet, thanks to the Prius , recalls aren’t the only thing consumers associate with Toyota. According to the latest Consumer Reports Perception Survey consumers also perceive Toyota to be a very green automaker…

Time to make the Prius cheaper. Although the Prius saved Toyota According to Consumer Report’s 2011 Car Brand Perception Survey Toyota and Ford are perceived to be the top brands in the auto industry, although Ford would have easily been named top brand if not for Toyota’s hybrid cars . Thanks …

Better luck in the US than in China? China is the key player in the future of the auto industry There has been a lot of hype around BYD for the last several years, yet sales of BYD plug-in vehicles have been non-existent in China so far. In fact, BYD had to recently shelve a few EVs sold in China due to lack of…

Car sharing, self-driving cars key to Gen Y in 2025? Car sharing, computers and less auto sales key trends in 2025 In just the next 15 years, everything about the auto industry could change, and it might not be very good for the auto industry, particularly the US and European industries. This morning Neil Winton provides a fascinating summary of…

A great tool for personal foreign oil independence, but not US energy independence? Can it be done without government incentives? Would the Chevy Volt sell today without any government incentives? Sure it would, but the amount of early adopters would be a fraction of what exists today. Can prices decline enough by 2015 to triple Volt, or at least Voltec, production without generous government tax …

Just as important as the Prius for better CAFE? Time to KISS energy comparisons? Toyota sells more hybrid cars than all other automakers combined, yet while it’s a fleet fuel economy leader, its not THE leader. That spot is usually reserved for Honda, which sells hybrids, but far less hybrids than Toyota. Hyundai, which is neck and neck with Toyota for second place in fleet fuel economy…

Totally un-American? Could it ever work in the US? Lotus is going to move ahead with its City Car, although Proton will develop the hybrid powertrain and some yet to be determined carmaker will handle the production according to Car . Unfortunately, the Lotus City Car will probably never see US shores. Yet, aren’t minicars…

America's new rare earth guzzler? How much of a problem do rare earths really pose? “The availability of a number of these materials is at risk due to their location, vulnerability to supply disruptions and lack of suitable substitutes,” U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu states in…

Would that be the ICE, hybrid, plug-in hybrid or electric version? Giving consumers a battery-powered choice Will the future be dominated by small, fuel efficient vehicles? Will hybrid cars begin to mainstream in the next decade? Will consumers prefer plug-in hybrids or plug-in electric vehicles? Those …