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Lutz: GM to continue to build money-losing hybrids
February 16, 2010 – 3:36 pm | No Comment
Lutz: GM to continue to build money-losing hybrids

Purely about CAFE GM will continue to build money-losing hybrid vehicles , but only because of CAFE requirements, according to GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz . And, to make up for the losses GM will have to increase the prices on the rest of their vehicles. Fortunately, since GM sold only 800 hybrids in January, they won’t have too many losses to make up. Ultimately, Lutz believes hybrids might one day make…

Honda Insight simply not a city car?
February 12, 2010 – 4:12 pm | No Comment
Honda Insight simply not a city car?

Just not built for stop and go traffic We’ve had a number of conversations on this blog as to whether Honda can ever mainstream their hybrid cars without adding full hybrid technology to their hybrid portfolio. Obviously, all hybrids can offer fuel efficiency gains outside of tough urban traffic, however, in such conditions …

Honda CR-Z hybrid takes new shape
January 11, 2010 – 8:07 pm | No Comment
Honda CR-Z hybrid takes new shape

Can you see CRX? Here’s the latest look at the Honda CR-Z hybrid that will go on sale in the US in August. Honda has previously announced that the new CR-Z hybrid will largely utilize the same hybrid powertrain as the Insight , but there will be a few changes. Most interesting is the three drive modes: normal, sport…

2010: The big questions
December 31, 2009 – 10:30 pm | No Comment
2010: The big questions

The rubber finally hits the road 2010. Here we come. While 2010 isn’t going to be quite as significant for the hybrid market as I would have expected a few years ago, there are a few interesting stories developing: 1.) Will any hybrid, aside from the Prius , sell 50,000 units in one year?…

Is the EPA just shy of useless?
December 29, 2009 – 5:35 pm | No Comment
Is the EPA just shy of useless?

But what about in the real world? When the EPA revised its methodology for determining fuel economy a few years ago, it was realized that the EPA was off by as much as 50 percent. While revisions made the EPA’s methodology a little more accurate, many driving conditions still make the EPA’s numbers mostly useless. Even worse, automakers can essentially manipulate the EPA’s methodology to…

Ferrari hybrids to the rescue
December 28, 2009 – 10:24 pm | No Comment
Ferrari hybrids to the rescue

Does it make any sense? A Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano hybrid concept is said to be ready for a Geneva Auto Show appearance. Offering an impressive 35 percent improvement in fuel economy, the Fiorano hybrid almost seems to make sense. Still, overall fuel economy would be less than 14 miles per gallon, and far worse in pure city driving. Lipstick just can’t change a pig. A Ferrari is what it …

Can Congress fight foreign oil dependence and save Detroit?
December 17, 2009 – 6:37 pm | No Comment
Can Congress fight foreign oil dependence and save Detroit?

Is foreign oil dependence a meaningless buzz phrase? So, Nancy Pelosi is going to lead a Congressional caucus to the North American International Auto Show to see how Detroit’s new automotive products are shaping up and to listen to ideas from Michigan’s elected leaders. Considering that Congress has invested at least $81 billion in the US auto industry, such a trip seems necessary. And, without doubt, there will …

What if small car buzz fizzles?
December 16, 2009 – 5:25 pm | No Comment
What if small car buzz fizzles?

America’s next best seller? This year’s LA Auto Show featured several small cars that US automakers hope will drive big buzz – and sales – as automakers move towards new CAFE rules. But what happens if they don’t sell? According to research from AutoPacific , these new small cars are facing an uphill battle. “People want technology to solve the problem of fuel economy,” notes one…

Car Chute » Blog Archive » Search for Your Green Car Online
December 10, 2009 – 12:52 pm | No Comment

Search for Your Green Car Online. Posted by: robert / Category: Eco-friendly Cars , Hybrids … Well, if you want to buy or try out second hand green cars , then head over to Carlocate.com. There, you’ll be able to search for the green car you want for the budget you have. You have the option to search for brand new …

The need for global performance based standards
December 2, 2009 – 6:24 pm | No Comment
The need for global performance based standards

And the LA Auto Show opens Pretty interesting opening remarks by the Auto Alliance and GM’s Bob Lutz. While claiming that no US industry is doing more than the auto industry on global warming, a performance-based global standard is now required that is not technologically-based as technology is too unpredictable. Like the new CAFE standards, this sounds smart, but will the standard be robust enough? Or …

Green Fuel – Automakers Let you Push That Green Button
November 25, 2009 – 4:35 am | No Comment

There are enormous difference regarding emissions and fuel economy not only between different vehicles but even within the same type. To help clean the air, automakers are determined to entice enthusiasts to purchase green cars . … With the aim of promoting clean air, automakers are now adept in making customers push their green button in favor of eco-friendly cars . There is a wide variety of options surrounding the purchase of green vehicles. …

Time to start over on EPA mileage stickers?
November 24, 2009 – 5:52 pm | No Comment
Time to start over on EPA mileage stickers?

Even more confusing with plug-in vehicles The Mini E electric vehicle will be rated at 99 mpg according to the EPA’s preliminary methodology, while the Chevy Volt will be rated at 230 mpg. Yet, the Mini E will cost less per month to operate according to Edmunds . Thus, Edmunds believes that operating…