June 6, 2008
2008 Ford Escape Hybrid brings $33,000 at auction for Heal the Bay
SANTA MONICA, Calif. -- The 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid, the most fuel-efficient SUV sold in America, generated $33,000 for the environmental group Heal the Bay at the organization's annual charity auction.
Ford donated a 2008 Escape Hybrid SUV to Heal the Bay, the Santa Monica-based environmental group dedicated to improving water quality along California's coastline.
Continue reading"2008 Ford Escape Hybrid brings $33,000 at auction for Heal the Bay"
Posted by Frank at 2:24 AM
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June 3, 2008
GM will build the Chevy Volt Electric Car
GM has approved funding to build the Chevy Volt electric vehicle, and confirms that it will come equipped with still experimental lithium-ion batteries. GM expects the Volt to be in showrooms by the end of 2010.
Related: Video: The Chevy Volt Electric Vehicle
Posted by Frank at 11:47 PM
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May 31, 2008
Toyota may build Prius in the United States
Toyota may be considering building the Prius hybrid at a California plant the company shares with General Motors, according to a published report in the Tokyo Shimbun.
The Tokyo Shimbun said major parts for the Prius would be shipped to the NUMMI plant in Fremont, California, where the vehicle would be assembled. Set up in 1984, NUMMI, or New United Motor Manufacturing Inc., produces the Corolla Matrix and Pontiac Vibe.
Posted by Frank at 8:53 AM
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May 29, 2008
Chrysler Offers Aspen Hybrid for LPGA Hole in One
Auburn Hills, Mich., -- The Chrysler brand is hoping that one of the 144 Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) players competing in this weekend's 2008 Ginn Tribute Hosted by ANNIKA will shoot a hole-in-one as that golfer will be one of the first to own an all-new 2009 Chrysler Aspen HEMI Hybrid, due in showrooms later this year.
As one of the founding sponsors of Ginn golf tournaments and the official automotive sponsor, Chrysler is also giving the winner of the 2008 Ginn Tribute an all-new 2008 Chrysler Sebring Convertible.
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Posted by Frank at 11:52 AM
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GM Announces California Public Policy Partners for Fuel Cell Project
DETROIT - As a further demonstration of its commitment to fuel cell technology, General Motors handed the keys to four Chevrolet Equinox Fuel Cell vehicles to a group of key government partners who are participating in Chevrolet's Project Driveway - the largest-ever market test of fuel cell-electric vehicles.
More than 100 electric vehicles, powered by hydrogen fuel cells, are being placed in the hands of drivers in New York, California and Washington, DC. Selected drivers include general public, media, influencers, celebrities, business and public policy partners.
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Posted by Frank at 10:46 AM
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May 24, 2008
Lexus Hybrid joins Hotelier for Eco-Chic Promotions
Washington, DC -- Eco-savvy travelers can now enjoy luxury, style and a commitment to sustainability when they visit two premier hotels.
Fairmont Hotels & Resorts and Lexus have partnered to unveil two "Lexus Hybrid Living Suites" geared for eco-conscious visitors, with the first launched at The Fairmont San Francisco in April 2008, and now in the nation's capital at The Fairmont Washington, D.C.
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Posted by Frank at 5:26 AM
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May 23, 2008
Ford Donates Customized Escape Hybrids to LA County Lifeguards
LOS ANGELES -- Ford Motor Company is teaming up with the Los Angeles County Lifeguards, a division of the Los Angeles County Fire Department, to help save lives while protecting the environment.
Today, Ford presented the squad with the first 10 of a fleet of 45 eco-friendly Escape Hybrids with Intelligent four-wheel-drive, specially equipped for use on rescue patrol along 72 miles of Southern California coastline.
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Posted by Frank at 10:53 AM
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May 22, 2008
Honda to set Environmental Benchmark With Global Hybrid
LONDON -- Honda is to launch an accessible hybrid car to allow more people around the world to adopt cleaner motoring technology and significantly reduce global car emissions. Going on sale early next year, Honda expects to sell 200,000 units globally of the new car annually.
The company will further accelerate hybrid sales by introducing a sporty hybrid based on its CR-Z, Civic Hybrid and the addition of a Jazz Hybrid model. With all four of these models, Honda expects combined annual sales of its hybrid models to reach 500,000 units.
Continue reading"Honda to set Environmental Benchmark With Global Hybrid"
Posted by Frank at 11:01 AM
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U.S. DOE and GM Select 17 College Teams For "EcoCAR" Competition
Washington - The U.S. Department of Energy, General Motors and Natural Resources Canada today announced the 17 teams selected to participate in EcoCAR: The NeXt Challenge, a collegiate vehicle engineering competition set to begin in the Fall of 2008.
EcoCAR will challenge university engineering students across North America to re-engineer a Saturn VUE to achieve improved fuel economy and reduced green house gas emissions, while retaining the vehicle's performance and consumer appeal.
Continue reading"U.S. DOE and GM Select 17 College Teams For "EcoCAR" Competition"
Posted by Frank at 2:26 AM
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Challenge X Crosses the Finish Line
By Beth Lowery, Vice President, GM Environment, Energy & Safety Policy
Today I had the privilege of waving the checkered flag at the final Challenge X finish line.
The Mississippi State University Challenge X team with its Chevrolet Equinox
This is the second time in my life that I’ve been an official at an important race. Two years ago, I was the Official Starter at the GM FlexFuel 250 at Daytona International Speedway, which opened the 2006 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season.
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Posted by Frank at 1:24 AM
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May 21, 2008
Toyota Prius -- a brand unto itself
Consider Toyota's happy problem: much like the Xerox brand became synonymous with photocopying, the Prius now equals "hybrid" in consumers' minds.
The Prius is so successful as a stand alone vehicle that Toyota is having a hard time gaining traction for their preferred brand name, Hybrid Synergy Drive, which is how they market their Camry and Highlander hybrid models.
This happy problem may lead Toyota to create new vehicles under a Prius model line, such as a wagon or two door model, according to Jim Lentz, the company's president of U.S. operations. In an Automotive News interview, Lentz said Toyota may consider new Prius models after 2010, when the existing car is due for a redesign.
This means Prius might take off as a sub-brand the way Scion has, especially if gas prices stay high enough to cement Americans' move into smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles. But the Scion brand was a deliberate business move to create a new product line, whereas the Prius has taken on a life of its own -- not a bad problem to have.
Posted by Frank at 3:36 PM
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Honda CEO Outlines Aggressive Hybrid Strategy
Honda CEO Takeo Fukui has outlined an aggressive hybrid strategy for the company, aiming to sell 500,000 units per year of four hybrid models by early next decade.
Honda's plan calls for a dedicated hybrid vehicle based on the design of the company's FCX Clarity hydrogen car, that will debut as a five door hatchback. Honda plans to put the new hybrid on sale next year in in Japan, North America and Europe and projects annual global sales of 200,000 units.
In addition, and this came as a bit of surprise, Honda plans to make a hybrid version of the popular Fit subcompact, as well as the CR-Z SUV. The company will also roll out a reconfigured Civic hybrid.
Related: Honda Outlines Plans for New Hybrid
Honda Expanding FCX Clarity Leasing Program
Posted by Frank at 2:09 PM
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Honda Outlines Plans for New Hybrid
TORRANCE, Calif. -- Honda today announced additional details regarding its new small hybrid scheduled for introduction in early 2009, as part of Honda Motor Co., Ltd. CEO Takeo Fukui's mid-year address. An official name and full product details will be announced later this year.
In addition to weight reduction, a significant cost reduction in Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) components will result in the most affordable hybrid vehicle to date. This dedicated hybrid vehicle will be offered as a 5-door hatchback with seating for five passengers and will employ an exterior design concept that evokes the FCX Clarity fuel cell vehicle.
Continue reading"Honda Outlines Plans for New Hybrid"
Posted by Frank at 12:47 PM
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EcoCAR: The Next Competition from DOE and GM
EcoCAR: The NeXt Challenge is a new national collegiate competition series that kicks off in the Fall of 2008.
Sponsored by the DOE and GM as well as Natural Resources Canada and others, EcoCAR will challenge university engineering students across North America to design and build advanced propulsion solutions that are based on the vehicle categories from the California Air Resources Board (CARB) zero emissions vehicle (ZEV) regulations.
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Posted by Frank at 12:35 PM
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Mississippi State Students Win GM and DOE Challenge X 2008 Competition
Washington, D.C. -- Mississippi State University, for the second consecutive year, has earned top honors in General Motors and the U.S. Department of Energy's Challenge X student engineering competition.
Over the past nine months, the 2008 Challenge X: Crossover to Sustainability competition challenged 17 university teams from the U.S. and Canada to reengineer a Chevrolet Equinox that employs advanced powertrain technologies.
Continue reading"Mississippi State Students Win GM and DOE Challenge X 2008 Competition"
Posted by Frank at 12:34 PM
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