Hybrid News

Filed under: Hybrid, Kia, LA Auto Show, Asia

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In the video above from the 2007 LA Auto Show, Kia’s public relations manager Alex Fedorak was asked if they have plans for alternative fuel vehicles like hybrids in the 3, 5 or 10 year time span? Alex said they have hybrids in Korea but he thinks it’s unlikely those hybrids will come to the US. Here is exactly what was said;

Actually, we have hybrids working right now in Korea. Can hybrids come to the US market: I say unlikely.

Alex then said clean diesel may be coming very soon. The working hybrids in Korea are probably the 4,000 we wrote Kia would field test. We are happy to hear the trials have started but they may not be going very well because were originally heard about a 2009 release, but that is before the 3-year time span Alex was asked about in the question.

Related:

• Kia Rio hybrid makes an appearance, should be here in 2009
• Geneva Preview: Kia’s Rio Hybrid
• Will America lose the “electric car race” to China?

[Source: NextGear]

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand.

Original post by Lascelles Linton

Filed under: Emerging Technologies, Hybrid, Hydrogen, GM, Honda, Porsche, Tesla Motors, EDTA Conference, Podcasts

Sebastian and Sam are back for episode 15 of the AutoblogGreen Podcast. We start with a recap of what Sam got to see at the LA Auto Show - the Honda FCX Clarity, Porsche Cayenne Hybrid, as well as the GM 2-Mode Hybrid trucks. While in LA, Sam got to take a thrilling ride in a Tesla Roadster with Daryl Siry of Tesla where they discuss Tesla’s future plans, and the challenges you face when bringing a viable EV to market. Sebastian had the chance to talk with Jonathan Williams about a “tri-brid”fuel-cell mini-bus that also has batteries and ultracapacitors on board. There will be more on this when Sebastian reports from EVS23 next wee. The podcast clocks in at 57 minutes this week, enjoy!

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand.

Original post by Dan Roth

Filed under: Hybrid, GM, AutoblogGreen Exclusive, LA Auto Show

In an interview with Kelly Blue Book at the 2007 LA Auto Show, General Motors hybrid vehicle expert Stephen Poulos says GM’s “next generation” BAS (belt alternator starter) hybrid system will keep the same architecture but use lithium-ion batteries giving it more voltage, higher power and significantly increased capability. Here is exactly what Stephen said at the end of the interview when asked what can we look forward to from GM on hybrids:

I can tell you that we are going at this with a huge amount of commitment. We are hiring engineers as fast as we can do it in the hybrid area. We see a significant growth in the number of models that will be hybridized over the future. Recently we announced, Tom Stevens announced, head of GM power train, that we will have a next generation of our GM hybrid system that’s in the Malibu. It will be a higher voltage, higher power system. Same basic architecture, motor generator with a belt drive. Significantly increased capability using lithium-ion batteries. So that’s one hint out there of what’s coming … but those will be going in a lot of places.

Just another hint that GM is serious about new battery tech, as if we needed another one:

• AutoblogGreen Q&A: Denise Gray talks batteries, state of charge and more
• First prototype Chevy Volt battery packs arrive
• GM and Johnson Controls say the government must help develop next-gen batteries

[Source: YouTube]

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand.

Original post by Lascelles Linton

Filed under: Hybrid, GM, Pontiac, Toyota, AutoblogGreen Exclusive, LA Auto Show

There was a rumor at the 2007 LA Auto Show that there will be hybrid version of the 2009 Pontiac Vibe and Toyota Matrix. The Pontiac Vibe is a product of NUMMI, New United Motor Manufacturing, Inc., a joint venture between GM and Toyota. So, if the rumor is true, GM and Toyota are working on a hybrid together right now.

Toyota wants to license their hybrid technology and GM has worked with other companies on their own hybrid system. I am not a big fan of what-ifs but making a hybrid is not something that’s lightly considered and it would explain a lot of things like why has GM not come out with a full hybrid passenger car yet. Of course, the hybrid Vibe might also be a mild hybrid without any real exchange or license of technology.

I guess we find out soon enough; the 2009 Vibe and Matrix go on sale the first quarter of 2008.

[Source: New York Times]

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand.

Original post by Lascelles Linton

Filed under: Emerging Technologies, EV/Plug-in, Hyundai, Porsche, LA Auto Show

The video above is Wolfgang Durheimer, Porsche’s chief engineer, talking about the Lohner Porsche at the 2007 LA Auto Show. The Lohner was invented and patented by Porsche’s founder Ferdinand Porsche in 1899, when Ferdinand was just 23, and included in-hub electric motors on all four wheels. The Lohner was the first four wheel drive vehicle, included a battery-charging gas motor as a range extender and when Porsche released their first hybrid in 1901, they gave it a name that translates to “lasts forever.”

Below the fold is CNET’s look at Hyundai’s QarmaQ concept which is made from 900 recycled plastic bottles. CNET’s editor-at-large, Brian Cooley, lists the many advantages of a plastic car over on made from metal: safer for pedestrians in an accident, better shapes and lighter weight. SABIC Innovative Plastics, formally GE Plastics, says they are in talks with carmakers; plastic panels may be just a few years away.

[Source: YouTube]

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand.

Original post by Lascelles Linton

Filed under: Ethanol, Flex-Fuel, Hybrid, GM, Toyota, LA Auto Show

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In GM’s LA Auto Show press conference, which you can watch above in full, GM Vice Chairman of Global Product Development, Bob Lutz says the same thing we reported GM CEO’s Rick Wagoner said: GM will release sixteen hybrids in the next four years. Here is the exact quote:

If you want to talk hybrids; we are introducing four more hybrids in the US this year. In fact, counting the new Saturn Green Line, we are introducing sixteen hybrids in the next four years. That’s one about every three months.

Bob continues saying that the 16 will include vehicles with GM’s full, two-mode hybrids. Before that, Bob said GM has a goal of making and selling the most fuel efficient car in every available category, and mentioned the company already has the most fuel-efficient pick ups and has sold 2.5 M flex fuel cars. GM announced its “strong intent” to be the “world wide fuel solutions leader and undisputed environmental and technological leader in the industry.” Bob says they are going to do it across their entire line of cars and not just with a single iconic green car, which Bob says they will have anyway. Bob even hinted at a lot more flex fuel cars coming from GM, whic makes me wonder if some big announcement is coming.

Basically, GM is talking to Toyota Muhammad Ali-style: we are the best and we are going to kick your butt!

[Source: Podtech]

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand.

Original post by Lascelles Linton

Filed under: Ethanol, Flex-Fuel, Hybrid, GM, Toyota, LA Auto Show

Your browser does not support JavaScript. This media can be viewed at <a href=”http://www.podtech.net/home/4588/la-auto-show-gm-press-conference”>http://www.podtech.net/home/4588/la-auto-show-gm-press-conference</a>

In GM’s LA Auto Show press conference, which you can watch above in full, GM Vice Chairman of Global Product Development, Bob Lutz says the same thing we reported GM CEO’s Rick Wagoner said: GM will release sixteen hybrids in the next four years. Here is the exact quote:

If you want to talk hybrids; we are introducing four more hybrids in the US this year. In fact, counting the new Saturn Green Line, we are introducing sixteen hybrids in the next four years. That’s one about every three months.

Bob continues saying that the 16 will include vehicles with GM’s full, two-mode hybrids. Before that, Bob said GM has a goal of making and selling the most fuel efficient car in every available category, and mentioned the company already has the most fuel-efficient pick ups and has sold 2.5 M flex fuel cars. GM announced its “strong intent” to be the “world wide fuel solutions leader and undisputed environmental and technological leader in the industry.” Bob says they are going to do it across their entire line of cars and not just with a single iconic green car, which Bob says they will have anyway. Bob even hinted at a lot more flex fuel cars coming from GM, whic makes me wonder if some big announcement is coming.

Basically, GM is talking to Toyota Muhammad Ali-style: we are the best and we are going to kick your butt!

[Source: Podtech]

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand.

Original post by Lascelles Linton

The Honda FCX was the most important car at the LA Auto Show

Lately, the LA Auto Show has kind of been nicknamed the green car show. Well, hardcore green car fans were probably disappointed with this year’s show. For starters, the opening day of the show was odd. GM’s press announcement was the definition of green: Hybrids, the Volt, small cars. On the other hand Toyota focused on a large SUV (more on this role reversal).

Then there was the green car of the year award, which went to the Chevy Tahoe hybrid, a $50,000 full-sized hybrid SUV.

Thus, I’m just not sure this year’s LA Auto Show was really green. (Finish)

Original post by Dahcredyns

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Hybrid, Hydrogen, LA Auto Show

The video above is a very good tour of all the green cars at the LA Auto Show in just 3 minutes. The tour guide has great observations and funny lines like the Volt was missing and he hoped this was not “a shadow of things to come.” Below the fold are two more videos from the show and the first is a presentation of GM’s hemi hybrid Chrysler Aspen and Dodge Durango. The video begins with a joke that you never expect someone to roll down their window and ask “hey, is that a hybrid?” Ha, ha, once again GM reiterates that their hybrids ARE NOT SMALL. Finally, below the fold is a video all about Toyota’s fuel cell FCHV, which drove 2,300 miles across Canada.

Related:

• 2007 LA Auto Show videos: Audi Cross Cabriolet Quattro, Honda FCX Clarity, Katie Couric
• 2007 LA Auto Show videos: Porsche Cayenne hybrid, Volkswagen Space Up!, Chevy Silverado hybrid

[Source: YouTube]

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand.

Original post by Lascelles Linton

A few of the first Project Driveway participants

Early next year, the first participants of GM’s Project Driveway will begin testing GM’s Chevy Equinox Fuel Cell Vehicles in their day-to-day lives. For three months, these participants will replace their current automobiles with fuel cell vehicles to provide GM with real world data, consumer preferences, etc.

Of course, you could apply to be one of GM’s next Project Driveway participants - a program that will go on for the next few years. Or, you can head to Disneyland. At the LA Auto show GM announced a partnership with Disney where GM will provide Disney with some Equinox fuel cell vehicles to use as shuttles on Disney properties.

Original post by Dahcredyns

Filed under: Audi, Honda, SMART, LA Auto Show

Here are some more videos from the 2007 LA Auto Show for you. Above is video of the new Audi Cross Cabriolet Quattro, a two-door SUV that would have easily made our recent top 10 list of two-door SUVs. Below the fold are two more videos from the LA Auto Show including a video of the Honda FCX Clarity on the road and one of Katie Couric talking about Smart Cars at the LA Auto Show. Katie says Smart already has 30,000 pre-orders for the tiny car. Stay tuned for more videos from the show as they become available.

Related:

• 2007 LA Auto Show videos: Porsche Cayenne hybrid, Volkswagen Space Up!, Chevy Silverado hybrid

[Source: YouTube]

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand.

Original post by Lascelles Linton

Filed under: Etc., Toyota, LA Auto Show, Green Daily

At last year’s LA Auto Show, someone from the Rainforest Action Network held a protest which included a giant contract. RAN is back in LA this year, got thrown out again after being caught by a Toyota manager with a fake name badge and RAN put the video on YouTube. In the above video from RAN’s YouTube page, Bob Carter, General Manger of US Sales for Toyota, is asked to pull Toyota off the California lawsuit. After taking a breath, Bob says, “Were you with, ah. This is not Dave Schembri. Thank you sir.” You then see a hand grabbing the video camera.

According to the Chicago Tribune, after what you see in the video, Bob knocked the camera out of the fake Dave’s hand, security guards separated the two men and the fake Dave was escorted out by police. Bob says “For someone to wear a name badge of a friend of mine, I knew something was up. That’s not right.” Dave Schembri is actually head of Mercedes-Benz’s Smart division.

All of this took place after the introduction of Toyota Sequoia 2008 which RAN seems to want to bring attention. Below the fold is a video of protests outside the LA Auto Show. Jim Lentz, president of Toyota’s U.S. division, says “We knew we would become more of a target in terms of looking at what we do, good or bad.” Irv Miller, Toyota’s corporate communications director, says “It’s probably on YouTube now. That’s freedom of speech.”

And he’s right, it is on YouTube. Toyota says they won’t press charges.

[Source: YouTube, Chicago Tribube]

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand.

Original post by Lascelles Linton

Felix Kramer leads a protest across the street from the LA Auto Show

A number of protesters huddled around a Toyota Prius as it was converted into a plug-in hybrid vehicle today just outside the LA Auto Show. Felix Kramer and his CalCars.Org participated in the protest, as did several other plug-in hybrid-focused groups.

Essentially, these protesters claim that automakers have the technology and the ability to start making 100 mpg plug-in hybrid vehicles today. As proof they are converting conventional hybrids into plug-in hybrids.

So, are they right? Are automakers dragging their feet? I’ll be posting more pictures and addressing these issues in a later post.

Original post by Dahcredyns

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, GM, GMC, Porsche, Volkswagen, LA Auto Show

Feel like you’re missing all the good stuff from LA? Perhaps some videos will ease the pain. The video above shows Porsche representatives at the 2007 LA Auto Show talking about hybrids. As we just reported, Porsche says their hybrids will go 75 MPH on battery power. Below the fold are two videos, including one that looks at the modern, clean design of the Volkswagen Space Up! concept. The second video is of GM’s green giant (ho, ho, ho!), the Chevy Silverado Hybrid. Stay tuned, as we have many more video round ups from the 2007 LA Auto Show on the way.

[Source: YouTube]

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand.

Original post by Lascelles Linton

Mercedes getting its hybrid act together

No doubt, my biggest LA Auto Show disappointment has been Toyota. Not one word about hybrid cars at their press release.

Anyway, my favorite hybrid vehicle so far - purely based upon looks and luxury - is the Mercedes S400 diesel hybrid. That’s right, I said diesel.

Early reports suggest about 30 mpg for this 275 hp V6 hybrid. It’s not the greatest fuel economy, but it’s one hot car.

Original post by Dahcredyns