Large hybrid SUV sales crash

Down from 1,000 per month

"The momentum that General Motors was starting to get with its hybrid sales hit a major speed bump last month," reports Autobloggreen this morning.

In September the Chevy Tahoe hybrid and the GMC Yukon hybrid combined, achieved sales of just over 1,000 units. In October, despite the edition of the Cadillac Escalade hybrid, total sales of all three of these hybrid vehicles dropped to 795 units.

I don't know that I'd call 1,000 units per month momentum, but I think it's obvious that large SUVs - whether hybrid or not - have no future.

Escalade hybrid only for the Oscars?

Good enough for the Oscars, but not you

I'm sorry, but I don't get GM. They use an Escalade hybrid at the Oscars, yet the vehicle won't be available until at least mid-2008 as a 2009 model?

If it's ready, why not start selling it as a 2008 model? Continue reading Escalade hybrid works for the Oscars.

Daimler and BMW hook up on mild hybrids

Going hybrid, mild hybrid

BMW and DaimlerChrsyler will co-develop a mild hybrid transmission for rear-wheel-drive cars which will be available within three years, according to Reuters.

Additionally, the two companies will continue their partnership with GM to develop dual mode hybrid vehicles - full hybrid vehicles.

GM is planning to launch the Yukon hybrid and the Escalade hybrid later this year, while DaimlerChrysler is hoping to launch the Durango hybrid and a Mercedes-Benz hybrid soon after GM's hybrid launch.

Forbe's 2007 Hottest Hybrids

The Forbes hottest hybrids for 2007 list was topped by the Ford Escape hybrid and the Lexus LS600h L hybrid. In addition, Forbes also picked the Saturn Aura Green Line hybrid, as well as the Saturn Vue Green Line hybrid - a little coupe for Saturn. But Forbes's hybrid buzz for GM products didn't end with Saturn. The GMC Yukon hybrid, Chevy Tahoe hybrid, and the Cadillac Escalade hybrid also made the list.

I guess the fact that neither Toyota nor Honda added any new hybrids to their lineups kept them off the list?

(Source: MSNBC)

The Irony of 'safer' SUVs?

The fans of large SUVs claim such vehicles are safer than small cars and that making vehicles smaller would only increase the number of fatalities from automobile accidents.

While it is probably true that if a Honda Fit crashes into a Cadillac Escalade, chances are the person in the Fit will suffer more injuries. Thus, it isn't necessarily that small cars are unsafe, but that large vehicles are dangerous.

But let's forget that debate. For everyone's safety, should all Americans drive an Escalade or a Tahoe, or like-sized vehicle?

What would America's fuel economy be like then? How many more millions of gallons of oil from American-hating countries would have to imported every day? How high would gas prices be then?

I don't know, but it seems unlikely such a set of circumstances would make Americans safer.

Most in Congress lazy gas-guzzlers?

Congressional Hypocrisy?

When members of Congress went ONE block to a gas-station news conference to sound off on high gas prices, almost all of them drove, and the majority of them drove gas-guzzlers.

One Senator did drive a Prius hybrid car and John McCain actually made the extremely difficult, one block journey, on foot - an amazing feat!!!

"Since George Bush and Dick Cheney took over as president and vice president, gas prices have doubled!" charged Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), standing at an Exxon station on Capitol Hill where regular unleaded hit $3.10. "They are too cozy with the oil industry."

"She then hopped in a waiting Chrysler LHS (18 mpg) -- even though her Senate office was only a block away." (Washington Post)

So, Mrs. Boxer's plan is to drive one block, stop and wastefully idle, and then drive one more block? Now that's the way to fight high gas prices!

The actions of both Democrats and Republicans demonstrate why gas prizes are too high: Americans drive gas guzzlers and they are lazy.

At least these politicians could have driven some more hybrid cars, biodiesel or ethanol cars on this huge 2 block journey to help promote the kinds of technologies that can fight these high gas prices.

Apparently, most in Washington just talk about making a difference, instead of actually making a difference. It's people like Mrs. Boxer that are causing high oil prices. She who live in a glass house should not throw stones.

With such leadership, is the current state of America really that surprising?

The hybrid car ads in the Super Bowl

Well, the game is over. Other than NFL Super Bowl officiating, the ads are still the buzz.

On Friday I wrote that I wasn't sure about Ford's plan to use Kermit the Frog as a "spokesfrog" for its Ford Escape hybrid. After seeing the full commercial, I'm still not sure what I think.

I definitely thought Toyota's hybrid commercial hit the mark, but maybe even more important, I thought GM's ads were pathetic.

I guess Ford is going after the American family with its Kermit ad and I think it works for that audience, however, that is also why I liked the Toyota Camry hybrid ad. I live in Southern California where Spanish is as common, if not more common, than English. Thus, I believe Toyota did an excellent job of speaking to this 'new' American family with a hybrid that could be a hit with Latinos.

On the other hand, who was GM speaking to? Rich people? People who like to spend more on their car note, than their rent - which is common in California? I'm sorry, but if the Cadillac Escalade and the Hummer are the best GM has to offer to America - amidst high energy costs, uncertainty in Iran, and the loss of 10's of thousands of auto-manufacturing jobs - then GM desperately needs new leadership.

I didn't expect GM to plug hybrid cars to America, but two extreme gas-guzzlers? What planet does GM corporate live on?

GM's hybrid system, the industry standard?

GM announced yesterday that it would spend $118 million at a Maryland plant to begin mass-producing its dual mode hybrid vehicle transmission. "We believe the two-mode system will become the industry standard," Rick Wagoner said to workers at a presentation at GM's Baltimore transmission facility, where GM already builds a hybrid transmission for a small fleet of heavy-duty trucks and buses. (DetroitNews)

GM also added a new member to their 2008 lineup of hybrid vehicles. In addition to the Chevy Tahoe hybrid and GMC Yukon hybrid, GM will also offer a hybrid version of the Cadillac Escalade. All vehicles should hit the road in late 2007. (AutoWeek)

According to GM, its dual mode hybrid system will increase overall fuel efficiency by 25 percent. So, it seems odd that Wagoner would boldly state that the two-mode system will become the "industry standard".

Already, Toyota, Ford and Nissan beg to differ and so to will Volkswagen and Hyundai soon - with each automaker not using a dual mode hybrid system. Moreover, Toyota and Ford hybrids offer around the same fuel efficiency improvements as GM's dual mode system. So, Wagoner is being exceedingly optimistic, especially when Toyota will soon launch its third generation hybrid synergy drive, which is expected to increase fuel efficiency and performance, yet cut hybrid costs in half.

GM's hybrid system might have an advantage in the large SUV market, however, especially if towing is required. Still, I don't think that will be enough to make it the "industry standard".