GM's mild hybrids are back Haven’t we heard this story before? There is nothing wrong with GM’s new eAssist hybrid cars, and I’m glad that some consumers are buying them. On the other hand, I doubt that most consumers are going to flock to GM’s mild hybrids over their conventional counterparts anytime soon. Furthermore, none will ever challenge either Toyota Prius or Toyota’s total hybrid sales. That doesn’…

Another gas spike or two will change everything about hybrid sales. Hybrids still aren’t ready to mainstream, but they’re closer than you think Recently AutoNation’s Mike Jackson served up some stern remarks regarding hybrid and plug-in market penetration, pointing out that while 70 percent of consumers claim to be interested in hybrids and plug-ins — according to polls and surveys — less than 3 …

The Volt isn't the key energy policy conversation point. Burn, baby, burn I’m not sure what to think of Ray LaHood. Without solid evidence, LaHood crushed Toyota’s image during the sudden acceleration scandal that so suddenly disappeared. Yet, he allegedly hid evidence suggesting there might be some minor flaws in Chevy Volt plug-in engineering (And I do mean, minor.). Thus, it’s …

The Prius is driving Toyota's future, despite the skeptics Trying to take hybrids — and not just the Prius — into the mainstream When it comes to hybrid sale’s forecasts, Toyota has thus far defied the doubters — which has pretty much been the rest of the entire auto industry. But, now that fuel economy is becoming more important, automakers are taking notice. However, as other automakers move to …

Toyota has high hopes for the smaller Prius C. Or at least close according to Toyota By 2015 hybrid cars should make up around 20 percent of all Toyota vehicle sales in the US according to the Automotive News. That means more hybrid options, even for Toyota pickup trucks like the Tacoma. But the one hybrid that Toyota is really betting …

Can the pickup space be profitably reinvented? Can pickup trucks maintain their dominance without major changes? As my past rants have demonstrated, I’m not a big fan of CAFE — even the new and more stringent requirements. Sure they’re a step forward, but the fact that new CAFE requirements are so easy on pickup trucks for so long …

Americans want hybrids until they have to fork over the money. Americans just not ready for the battery revolution Think liberal, tree-hugging and technologically savvy city and what do you come up with? San Francisco and the Bay area of course. Thus, it’s not surprising that the Bay area leads the hybrid and EV sale’s market, but at less than 10 percent hybrid and EV penetration, even the Bay …

Change this. Change America. Big 3 completely dependent upon trucks for profits, survival These days Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne is under fire for his Fiat flop. Last month some dealerships didn’t sell even one Fiat, but I bet they sold a truck load of pickups. Marchionne should have known better. Chrysler and the rest …

Malibu Eco can't shake up hybrid sedan segment GM’s upgraded mild hybrid powertrain needs another upgrade or a cheaper price tag Today GM announced the 2013 Chevy Malibu Eco will start at $25,995 when it goes on sale next year. Using GM’s upgraded mild hybrid powertain, or eAssist, the new Malibu Eco offers 26/38 mpg city/highway, which combines to a fuel economy number far under other hybrid cars in this segment. For instance…

Why not add hybrid technology to the Civic CNG vehicle? Why not a natural gas Honda Civic hybrid? So, the Honda Civic that runs on natural gas is the Green Car of the Year. In the last few years the Chevy Volt and the Chevy Tahoe hybrid have also picked up this award. Yet, between the 3, total sales have only been in the thousands. Maybe this…

More fuel efficient and safer than the non-hybrid. It’s not just about fuel economy Obviously, most people buy hybrid cars to increase their fuel economy, but efficiency isn’t the only reason to buy a hybrid these days. According to a study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, hybrids are 25 percent safer than their …

Can great resale value get Honda's hybrid cars back on track? 2 out 3 just ain’t good enough Today, Honda doesn’t just offer the cheapest hybrid, but also the hybrid with the greatest resale value for 2012, yet Honda sales still got slammed last month. Some of this lag in sales was caused by the launch of the 2012 Honda Civic hybrid as well as supply shortages caused by the Japanese earthquake this Spring. Nevertheless…