Used hybrid values have "fallen off a cliff"
As we’re sure you’ve noticed every time you’ve gone to refill your gas tank in the last few months, gas is once again relatively cheap. Just under a year ago, the price for a gallon of fuel was about double what it is today in most parts of the country, and those high costs were driving the sales of hybrids – both new and used – to record levels. Now? Well, not so much. According to Kelley Blue Book , used hybrid prices have fallen by an amazing 23.5 percent since last summer, and 4.5 percent of that has come in the first two months of 2009. It’s not just fuel prices that are causing hybrid values to plummet. Due to the lack of discretionary spending money and despite the savings on each tank of gas, the extra cost associated with a hybrid at the time of initial purchase is something that many buyers are unwilling to consider. Perhaps there’s a positive side to this story. Buyers looking to get a good deal on a used hybrid should have plenty of options to consider. Then, when the price of fuel inevitably climbs back up, you can laugh all the way to the bank. [Source: USA Today ] Auto Blog: Hybrid , Green Daily Used hybrid values have “fallen off a cliff” originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sat, 07 Mar 2009 19:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green
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Used hybrid values have "fallen off a cliff"
Greenlings: How power-split parallel hybrids work
Over the past decade, if there is one word that has become synonymous with green motoring it is hybrid. Ever since Toyota launched the first modern commercially viable hybrid with the original Prius (above) in 1997, over one million of them have hit the roads. Of course, as is so often the case, this overnight sensation was anything but. In fact, the technology was nearly a century in the making. The first known hybrid was developed by the original Ferdinand Porsche back around the beginning of the twentieth century. The hybrid, as we mostly know it today, was actually developed and patented by engineers at TRW in the late 1960s. While most people have by now heard of hybrids and know that they can improve efficiency, few understand how they work. Since the debut of the Prius, most automakers have been working on hybrids and have developed their own variations in an attempt to reduce the cost and/or improve the efficiency. Let’s start (after the jump) with a look the power-split parallel hybrid as popularized by Toyota and Ford. Gallery: 2010 Toyota Prius Continue reading Greenlings: How power-split parallel hybrids work Auto Blog: Hybrid , GM , Mercedes Benz , Toyota , AutoblogGreen Exclusive , Green Daily Greenlings: How power-split parallel hybrids work originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 05 Mar 2009 11:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds .Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green
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Greenlings: How power-split parallel hybrids work
Next gen GM hybrid pickups to get 50% better towing, Voltec possible
click for a high res gallery of GM’s hybrid pickups General Motors is currently in the midst of launching its hybrid full-size pickup trucks and our man Jeremy is in San Antonio this week to try them out. One thing about the auto industry is that as soon as you get one product out the door, you’re already working on the next generation. Such is the case with GM’s two-mode hybrids which are due for a second generation in about 4 years. Mike Levine over at PickupTrucks.com has been talking to GM about where they are going for the next generation models. While the trucks launching right now have pretty decent towing power at 6,100 lbs for the RWD version (5,900 for the 4WD), big truck buyers want more. GM’s truck vehicle line executive, Gary White, told Mike that the next-gen models would have 50 percent better towing power in addition to greater efficiency. Perhaps more interesting is where GM is going with the hybrid architecture itself. While a next generation two-mode system will definitely be developed, White told Levine that something like the Volt’s Voltec (formerly E-flex ) system is on the table for the trucks. The trucks certainly have room between the frame rails for plenty of batteries, and electric motors that provide enough torque for 9,000 lbs of towing capacity are pretty straightforward. Such a system would also eliminate the limiting factor with the current two-mode, which is the planetary gear-sets. However, a truck would need a very large range extender to maintain that towing capacity beyond the plug-in battery range when the vehicle gets into charge sustaining mode. It’s certainly an interesting idea. We’ll be watching to see what happens. Gallery: 2009 GM hybrid pickups Photos Copyright (C)2008 Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc. [Source: PickupTrucks .com] Auto Blog: Hybrid , Chevrolet , GM , GMC Next gen GM hybrid pickups to get 50% better towing, Voltec possible originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 26 Feb 2009 08:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green
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Next gen GM hybrid pickups to get 50% better towing, Voltec possible
Is the Saturn Vue Two-Mode hybrid DOA? Not yet
Click above to view high-res gallery of the Saturn VUE 2 Mode Hybrid We got a comment from a reader the other day on a post we published back in December indicating that the Saturn Vue 2-mode hybrid had been canceled. Our reader had placed an order for one of the new hybrid crossovers last summer but received a call from his dealer this week. The aspiring Vue driver was informed that the vehicles would not be built. Since Saturn had not made any official announcements about the fate of the Vue, we contacted spokesman Brian Corbett. It turns out that what the dealer said was only partly true. According to Corbett, “due to a variety of factors including decreases in consumer spending, demand for vehicles and demand for hybrid vehicles in particular, the decision has been made to begin production of the Vue 2-Mode for the 2010 model year. It will hit the market this summer. ” So there won’t be any 2009 Saturn Vue 2-mode hybrids built. At this point of course, it’s impossible to predict what will happen between now and summer. All of GM’s product plans remain in flux, as does the future of Saturn. If things continue to get worse for GM, it’s possible this vehicle will never be produced. The most likely scenario may in fact be that GM will simply install the Vue’s hybrid system in the new Chevy Equinox instead and call it a day. Gallery: First Drive: 2009 Saturn VUE 2 Mode Hybrid All Photos Copyright (C) 2008 Alex Núñez / Weblogs, Inc. [Source: General Motors] Auto Blog: Hybrid , Saturn Is the Saturn Vue Two-Mode hybrid DOA? Not yet originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 26 Feb 2009 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds .Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green
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Is the Saturn Vue Two-Mode hybrid DOA? Not yet
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Leave a commentJapanese market to get Mercedes S400 BlueHybrid in October
Click the S400 for a high res gallery Aside from the United States, the biggest market for hybrid vehicles so far has been Japan. As a result, the Japanese won’t have to wait too long to get their hands on the first series production Mercedes-Benz hybrid. The S400 BlueHybrid launches in Europe this summer and should be available in the U.S. by September . The S400 is expected to arrive at Japanese dealers only a month later. When the hybrid S arrives it is also expected to be the first imported hybrid in Japan and it should qualify for new tax breaks on eco-friendly cars. The starting price in Japan is expected to be around $129,000-139,000. The big Benz will have a European combined mileage rating of 29.8 mpg (U.S.). Gallery: 2010 Mercedes-Benz S400 BlueHybrid [Source: Green Car Congress ] Auto Blog: Hybrid , Mercedes Benz , Japan Japanese market to get Mercedes S400 BlueHybrid in October originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 24 Feb 2009 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green
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Japanese market to get Mercedes S400 BlueHybrid in October
Porsche releases details on the upcoming Cayenne S hybrid
Click the Cayenne hybrid for a high res gallery Porsche has just released more information on the new Cayenne S Hybrid that will finally launch in 2010. The company has changed up its powertrain plans since originally announcing the hybrid. Instead of the older 3.6L normally aspirated V6, it will now use the new supercharged and direct injected 3.0L found in the new Audi S4 and A6. The 333 hp V6 is paired up with a 52 hp electric motor sandwiched between the engine and 8-speed automatic transmission. The combination of the engine, motor and nickel metal hydride battery can propel the Cayenne to 62 mph in 6.8 seconds. The 154 lb battery pack occupies the spare tire well. As a strong hybrid system, the Cayenne can operate in electric, internal combustion or blended modes. The motor and battery have enough power output to allow the SUV to run on electricity at speeds up to 82 mph when cruising on level ground. The hybrid motor also replaces the conventional alternator further reducing parasitic losses in the system. Porsche expects the hybrid Cayenne to top 26 mpg (U.S.) on the NEDC combined drive cycle, slightly better than the 25.3 achieved by the new diesel. Gallery: Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid [Source: Porsche] Continue reading Porsche releases details on the upcoming Cayenne S hybrid Auto Blog: Hybrid , Porsche Porsche releases details on the upcoming Cayenne S hybrid originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 20 Feb 2009 14:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds .Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green
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Porsche releases details on the upcoming Cayenne S hybrid
Posted in Auto Green | cayenne, hybrid, nitrogen-oxides, porsche, porsche cayenne, porschecayenne, porschecayennehybrid, upcoming, vehicle | Leave a commentKelley Blue Book crowns four hybrids, one diesel with "Best New Family Vehicle" titles
Click above for a high-res gallery of the 2009 Escape Hybrid We got to try out both the 2008 and 2009 Ford Escape hybrid models in the AutoblogGreen garage, and found both to be respectable rides for families who need the room. Kelley Blue Book thinks so, too, and named the 2009 model one of its “2009 Best New Family Vehicles.” The Escape hybrid is rated at 32 mpg for the FWD model, 28 mpg for the 4WD. KBB included four hybrid models and one diesel car (the Jetta TDI) from five automakers in its list of ten family-friendly vehicles. Toyota and Chevy each had three models selected. The complete list is: 2009 Honda Civic 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid 2009 Chevy Malibu 2009 VW Jetta SportWagen TDI 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid 2009 Toyota RAV4 2009 Toyota Highlander Hybrid 2009 Chevy Tahoe Hybrid 2009 Chevy Traverse 2009 Honda Odyssey Gallery: 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid [Source: KBB , Ford] Continue reading Kelley Blue Book crowns four hybrids, one diesel with “Best New Family Vehicle” titles Auto Blog: Hybrid , Chevrolet , Ford , Honda , Toyota , Green Daily Kelley Blue Book crowns four hybrids, one diesel with “Best New Family Vehicle” titles originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 18 Feb 2009 14:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green
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Kelley Blue Book crowns four hybrids, one diesel with "Best New Family Vehicle" titles
Posted in Auto Green, Hybrids | a-hypocrite-for, best new family vehicles, co2, daily, entry, escape-hybrid, family, green-culture, hybrid, Hybrids, kelley blue book, kelleybluebook, prince | Leave a commentChrysler turns down the thermostats, removes wall clocks, cancels snowplows
Every little bit helps, right? Most people reading this site are probably conscious of their eco-footprint at all times, whether working or at home. Besides being sound environmental thinking, eco-conscious actions also save money. Recently, the sinking global economy and the poor state of the American auto market have been forcing Chrysler to take a closer look at its day-to-day practices. For instance, Chrysler has turned the heat down from 72 degrees to 68 degrees at its headquarters in Auburn Hills, Michigan. In a slightly less common move, the automaker has also removed the majority of its wall-mounted clocks that run on batteries, saving an estimated $20,000 per year. Other interesting money and energy-saving actions include cutting its Christmas decoration spending budget by $10,000 and removed half of the lightbulbs at its headquarters. Also, the top decks of five parking garages will no longer be cleared after it snows, which we imagine may be possible due to the major reductions in workforce that the automaker has recently made. Lastly, the main cafeteria saw its hours trimmed and the remaining food services stations were shut down. [Source: Detroit Free Press ] Auto Blog: Etc. , Chrysler , Green Daily Chrysler turns down the thermostats, removes wall clocks, cancels snowplows originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 18 Feb 2009 13:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green
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Chrysler turns down the thermostats, removes wall clocks, cancels snowplows
Posted in Auto Green | a-closer-look, automaker, chryslerheadquarters, costcutting, daily, hybrid, Hybrids, kelleybluebook | Leave a commentJanuary 2009 Dashboard: Hybrid Pickups Arrive
> Subscribe to the HybridCars.com Market Dashboard The entire auto market continued to slide, bringing hybrid sales along with it. But there’s good news: General Motors began shipping full-hybrid pickup trucks, opening up the hybrid market to a new pool of buyers. Hybrid Heatmap In this month’s version, we take a look at sales of hybrids produced exclusively by domestic automakers: GM, Ford and Chrysler. With the emergence of hybrid pickup trucks, we wondered if buyers of domestic hybrids were coming from a different part of the country than the larger hybrid market. After adjusting the sales numbers based on population, we see that California remains a hotspot—but the Midwest is stronger while much of the Northeast (except for the DC area) shows less hybrid popularity. Analysis of January 2009 Sales Numbers "Top 5 global hybrid markets" based on vehicle registrations CYTD November 2008. and "Top 5 US hybrid markets" based on vehicle registrations CYTD November 2008. The beginning of 2009 was much like the end of 2008 for auto markets: showrooms stayed quiet, credit remained tight, and sales continued to slide. Overall, auto sales were down 38 percent compared with last January; brands like General Motors and Chrysler saw more severe declines as their volumes were cut in half. Although hybrids outperformed the market slightly, sales of hybrid models were still far below typical levels. read more
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January 2009 Dashboard: Hybrid Pickups Arrive
Posted in Hybrids | a-new-pool, bringing-hybrid, emergence, heatmap, hybrid, hybrid market dashboard, hybrid-pickups, market, news, sales | Leave a commentEnterprise Rent-A-Car add 5,000 more hybrids to fleet along with "Hybrid Branches"
Auto Blog: Hybrid , USA Here’s some good news if you need to rent a car and you want to go hybrid: Enterprise Rent-A-Car has announced that it’s adding 5,000 hybrids to its fleet. These cars almost double the number of hybrids currently available at Enterprise branches. The company is also designating 80 of its locations, 10 at airports, as “Hybrid Branches,” meaning that they will offer a higher number of hybrids than at other locations. California, Oregon, and Texas are among the states that will get Hybrid Branches. Enterprise offers hybrid models like the Toyota Prius, the Nissan Altima, the Ford Escape and the Toyota Camry. [Source: Enterprise ] Enterprise Rent-A-Car add 5,000 more hybrids to fleet along with “Hybrid Branches” originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sat, 07 Feb 2009 10:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green
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Enterprise Rent-A-Car add 5,000 more hybrids to fleet along with "Hybrid Branches"
Posted in Auto Green, Hybrids | a-car-and, a-friend-via, branches, entry, hybrid, hybrid-branches, like-the-toyota, locations, nissan, rent-a-car, renthybrid, renting hybrids, rentinghybrids, toyota, toyota-prius | Leave a commentGet Approved!
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