Black October over for US automakers - What's next?

October was scary, but is the worst over?

So, October was a pretty scary month for US automakers, and it now appears inevitable that the Big 3 will become the Big 2. But, is that is bad as it gets? Is the worst over?

Finish: Black October over - What's next for US automakers?

Large hybrid SUVs are done

The Dodge Durango hybrid

Chrysler is shutting down the plant that makes both the Chrysler Aspen and the Dodge Durango according to USA Today, although there is still the possibility that these vehicles, including the hybrid versions, could be produced elsewhere. Still, sales of both vehicles have been dropping drastically the last few years and there seems little reason to believe that hybrid versions of these vehicles would help much.

Likewise, GM is also canceling several large SUV hybrid vehicles.

Chrysler's EVs as developed as Chevy Volt?

A Dodge plug-in concept at NAIAS 2007

Has Chrysler killed Chevy Volt hype?

Since the Volt debut in 2007, GM has reiterated over and over how they were accomplishing something almost inconceivable. Concept to reality in little more than 3 years. And, not just your standard concept. A range extended electric vehicle.

Yet, all the while, Chrysler has been quietly keeping pace.

Finish: Chrysler's EVs as developed as Chevy Volt?

Chrysler ready to go hybrid in 2010

A wrangler plug-in vehicle

Behind the Wheel has a great piece this morning on Chrysler's new plug-in vehicles. Yesterday, Phil LeBeau was able to drive a couple of Chrysler plug-in prototypes, such as the Jeep Wrangler plug-in hybrid that functions very much like GM's Chevy Volt. LeBeau was also able to test drive the Dodge EV sports car, an all electric vehicle that left LeBeau impressed.

Even more surprising, Chrysler intends to roll out some of these vehicles by 2010.

Check it out. There is supposed to be a link to view all these test drives, but it wasn't working when I made this post.

Press driving hybrid future at Chrysler

Stealing Press from Toyota might be Chrysler's smartest move so far

"Every car will be impacted by advances in power-train," Chrysler's Jim Press said in an interview with The News. "Plug-in hybrid, diesel hybrid, fuel-cell hybrid, a petrol hybrid they're all in the mix."

Press didn't provide a timeline for the above changes, but he did indicate that Chrysler was accelerating its efforts towards this new hybrid vehicles vision.

Chrysler's new hybrid unit - Envi

Will create a hybrid vehicle from scratch

Chrysler has created a new division called Envi, focused on electric drives and advanced-propulsion technologies. For its first task, Envi will focus on hybrid vehicles, creating a new unique hybrid, such as the Toyota Prius.

"The creation of Envi allows us to focus on the development of a new generation of environmentally responsible Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge vehicles," said Robert Nardelli, Chrysler's chairman and CEO, in a company announcement. "Under Lou's leadership, Envi will develop electric-propulsion vehicles that will provide customers with more fuel-efficient vehicle options."

"Envi will operate as a 'start-up' with an entrepreneurial environment," said Thomas LaSorda, Chrysler president, in a corporate announcement. "The organization is empowered to leverage the vast resources within Chrysler to develop appropriate solutions quickly."

Can Press give Chrysler some kaizen?

Not enough: Hybrid SUVs?

Now that Jim Press has left Toyota to become the Vice Chairmen and President of Chrysler, I have some hope that Press can bring some kaizen, or a constant strive towards efficiency, to Chrysler.

Press witnessed the birth of Toyota's hybrid cars, and he has been a huge advocate of the Toyota Prius. Let's hope Press can help Chrysler realize that SUVs and trucks cannot be the sole source of Chrysler's future success, even if they are hybrid SUVs, such as the Aspen hybrid pictured above.

Wanna make a big move Mr. Press? Make Chrysler the first U.S. automaker to mass produce a hybrid car that compares with the Prius.

Advanced powertrains the key to Chryslers future

Is the Aspen hybrid good for Chrysler's future?

Last week Chrysler released a press release announcing how advanced powertrains would play an "essential role" in the new Chrysler's ability to meet customer expectations for "quality, performance, and fuel economy".

Flex fuel, clean diesel, and hybrid vehicles were touted, which is good. Yet, all of these new powertrains are almost exclusively focused upon Chrysler's biggest vehicles, such as 5.7 liter Hemis.

Finish: Chrysler's Advanced Powertrain Moves

Finally, Chrysler hybrids confirmed

Push towards fuel economy

Well, I was right.

According to Reuters Chrysler has now confirmed that "it would roll out new hybrid vehicles, streamline its cars and trucks and introduce more diesel engines in a bid to improve the fuel economy of its product line-up."

Chrysler's 2008 hybrid vehicles, much like GM, will probably focus on large SUVs - an ideal platform for the dual mode hybrid powertrain that the two automakers developed together. Thus far, Chrysler has confirmed the Dodge Durango hybrid and the Aspen hybrid.

Bill Clinton helping cities go green

Clinton proving that going green isn't just about the environment, it's about money

"Climate change is a global problem that requires local action," said former U.S. President Bill Clinton. "The businesses, banks and cities partnering with my foundation are addressing the issue of global warming because it's the right thing to do, but also because it's good for their bottom line. They're going to save money, make money, create jobs and have a tremendous collective impact on climate change all at once. I'm proud of them for showing leadership on the critical issue of climate change and I thank them for their commitment to this new initiative."

Investing in green technology really doesn't have to be some sort of hippy, tree-hugging endeavour. Ultimately, investing in green technology is an investment in efficiency, and inevitably, efficiency saves money.

Kinda makes me wish Bill would have used his foundation to buy Chrysler.

Hybrid superiority: GM versus Toyota

Michelle Krebs says two modes are better than one, but where is her proof?

Recently, GM sponsored an event for a few journalists to check out their new Tahoe hybrid. More important, it was a chance for journalists to check out the new hybrid powertrain that was co-developed by GM, Chrysler and BMW - a collaboration which Krebs calls "unprecedented" (read more from Krebs).

Additionally, Krebs insists that the two-mode hybrid is superior to, for example, Toyota's single mode hybrid powertrain because it has a bigger "toolbox" to control fuel efficiency optimization. As a result, the two-mode hybrid achieves about a 25 percent overall improvement in fuel economy.

Talk, talk, talk.

I say, settle down Mrs. Krebs. First, a 25 percent improvement in fuel economy is in the same league as other hybrid cars. Second, while the two-mode hybrid ...(Finish GM's hybrids better than Toyota?)

American hybrids: SUVs only?

I'm glad it's NOT powered by a Hemi

Toyota has received an incredible amount of green buzz because of the Toyota Prius. While some argue that Toyota isn't deserving of all this praise because they still make far more gas guzzlers than hybrid cars, Toyota definitely made a statement about the future with the Prius.

On the other hand, if Toyota had made its first hybrid a more power-focused hybrid, such as the Lexus RX 400h, then Toyota's hybrid efforts would have been largely ignored.

Yet, power hybrids are all that seem to be coming out of Detroit, except for the Ford Escape hybrid. Chrysler's first hybrids will include huge Hemi engines. GM's first dual mode hybrids will be large, powerful gas guzzlers, such as the GMC Yukon hybrid. Yes, these hybrids will offer significant improvements in fuel economy, but they will still use a lot of fuel.

While I realize that the big truck segment is very important to Detroit, are these hybrids going to change Detroit's image? I doubt it. Without a Prius contender I just don't see Detroit's hybrid efforts offering much help to U.S. automakers until at least the Chevy Volt - and that's just too far into the future.

Chrysler's gas-guzzling hybrids?

Chrysler adds Aspen to hybrid lineup

Move over Durango, here comes the Aspen. In addition to the Dodge Durango hybrid, Chrylser has announced that the 2008 Aspen will also be available as a hybrid.

Overall, Chrysler claims that both hybrid vehicles will offer a 25 percent overall increase in fuel economy. In city driving, however, both hybrids could achieve as much as a 40 percent increase in fuel efficiency.

While that's great news for SUV fans whom want to increase their fuel economy, how long do car fans have to wait for a U.S.-manufactured Toyota Prius contender?

Maybe Virgin should buy Chrysler

If he can take on NASA, he can certainly take on Detroit

While watching the news this morning and learning that Toyota is now the world's top auto seller, I couldn't help but wonder why there isn't more innovative leadership coming out of corporate America - more corporate mavericks.

As I was contemplating this lack of out-of-the-box thinking, CNBC featured a segment on Richard Branson's drive to green the airline industry, and I thought maybe Virgin should buy Chyrsler.

Chrysler plug-in update

A plug-in diesel hybrid to be included

DaimlerChrysler will include the 2007 Dodge Sprinter in its recently announced plug-in hybrid test program in the U.S. In addition to the new platform, the concept program will also include diesel plug-in hybrids. Currently, the Sprinter plug-in can achieve around 20 miles on electric power only using next generation lithium-ion batteries.

While its nice to see this plug-in program evolving, how about some hybrid vehicles today?

SUV interest increasing?

The Saturn Vue hybrid is just too mild for my tastes

According to Cars.com, there is an uptick in consumer interest for SUVs. Ironically, however, fuel efficiency is more important than safety for consumers interested in purchasing a new vehicle, but the most important point is price, notes the same study. Consequently, I wonder is fuel efficiency less important for those interested in an SUV compared to other vehicles?

It seems that must be the case.

Obviously, it appears SUV fans are a die hard bunch, still they must also have fuel efficiency concerns. So, why isn't GM or Chrysler trying to attract any of these die hards with their dual mode hybrid powertrain?

Finish, Where are GM's hybrid SUVs?

Hybrid Tax Credits: A sign that CAFE is just political buzz?

Automakers, especially America's Big 3, claim increasing CAFE is just too expensive. Apparently, ending foreign oil dependency just doesn't matter.

Nonetheless, in an effort to give automakers a little nudge, Congress created tax credits for hybrid cars and other clean technologies. Quite quickly, Toyota used all of their full tax credits. GM and Chrysler, on the other hand, have yet to sell one full hybrid.

Is that the sign of successful legislation?

Even with reduced tax credits, Toyota will probably sell more than 150,000 Prius hybrid cars this year. In all, Toyota might sell a quarter million hybrids in the U.S. in just 2007. Yet, how many more hybrid cars could Toyota sell if consumers still qualified for the full tax credit?

Extending tax credits for Toyota's hybrid cars isn't going to force the bankruptcy of American automakers. Extending tax credits for Toyota's hybrid cars will, however, force American automakers to take foreign-oil-dependency-reducing technologies much more seriously.

Besides, won't such competition be required to make a serious increase in CAFE possible? Or, is all this CAFE political buzz just another Congressional game?

National Energy Policy according to the Big 3

It seems the need for a National Energy Policy was a hot topic at the Automotive News World Congress according to the DetroitNews. Unfortunately, what that energy policy should be was far from unanimous. Of course GM lobbied for biofuels, plus some help with batteries. Chrysler lobbied for hydrogen. Ford, well, Ford's reported comments surprised me the most. Nancy Gioia, director of sustainable mobility technologies and hybrid vehicle programs at Ford told the DetroitNews, "hydrogen is one of the most promising long-term solutions -- one that she said will require a national commitment comparable to the one required to put a man on the moon.

At the same time, Gioia pointed out that hydrogen is not a panacea. She said it takes a great deal of energy to extract hydrogen -- energy that might be better utilized by other technologies like plug-in hybrids."

Mulally provides hope for Ford fans

Ford stock is dirt cheap, but not many analysts would recommend a buy on the stock and probably with good reason.

Still, one has to take note of Ford's new leader, Alan Mulally. Mulally is a long time fan of Toyota, particularly due to Toyota's manufacturing process - a process he hoped to replicate as an executive at Boeing. In fact, Mulally has called himself "a disciple of the Toyota production system," according to the DetroitNews. Moreover, when Mulally, along with the leaders of GM and Chrysler, met with the President a couple of months ago, it was Mulally whom was by far the most optimistic. It just seems as if Mulally realizes that the future of American automakers will require a revolution in process and in thinking. In a word, however, that revolution can be defined by efficiency.

Whether it is efficiency in production, in supply chains or in fuel economy, the mantra of efficiency can be a game changer for American automakers.

Consequently, I was very excited to hear that Ford is in discussions with Toyota regarding efficiency. Whether production efficiency or hybrid vehicle efficiency, it's obvious Ford can learn a thing or two from Toyota. While some analysts have questioned what Toyota might have to gain from a partnership with Ford, I say they have a lot to gain.

For example, yesterday, I noted that a hybrid partnership would benefit Toyota by making their hybrid powertrain more standard, which would give suppliers more incentive to develop Toyota-friendly hybrid parts. Obviously, more hybrid suppliers would lead to cheaper hybrid parts. Furthermore, Toyota would also receive a license fee from Ford which would help fund Toyota's hybrid development costs.

While none of this might work out, I think there is great potential for both companies. Obviously, Ford needs help, and Toyota knows a strong Ford is good for Toyota, especially if Toyota can create a nice revenue stream from a successful Ford.

Regardless, Mulally should give Ford fans great hope.

GM's fleet less fuel efficient today than 10 years ago

While GM claims to have more fuel efficient vehicles on the road today than any other auto manufacturer, GM's fleet is .05 miles per gallon less efficient than it was 10 years ago. Both Ford and Chrysler made slight gains. Toyota, on the other hand, improved fuel efficiency by 1.5 mpg over the same decade.

"Improving motor vehicle fuel efficiency is a win-win-win solution that would not only lower consumer costs and help decrease our dependence on oil, but also improve the future prospects of U.S. car companies," said Mark Cooper, the consumer federation's research director. "It is essential that the new Congress move quickly to approve higher fuel efficiency standards in order for these benefits to be realized."

Additionally the report noted, "It is significant that Ford and GM showed only marginal increases in the percentage of vehicles meeting CAFÉ standards and have suffered severe financial setbacks."

Kind of ironic that the same day the Big 3 and Democrats are blaming Bush for Detroit's problems, the facts seem to paint a bit different story. I thought the Democrats were going to rise above partisanship, end their ties with lobbyists and provide a new direction for America?

ForTwo Smart Car officially coming to U.S.

In early 2008 Daimler Chrysler will finally offer the Smart Car in the U.S. "The ForTwo's three-cylinder, 700cc engine has significantly lower emissions than other cars and gets an average of 40 miles per gallon in combined city-highway driving and will sell for less than $15,000." (more)

Women, common sense lost on Detroit?

Thinking outside-of-the-box is, in my opinion, one of Detroit's biggest problems. Or, let me rephrase that sentence. Detroit's inability to think outside-of-the-box is Detroit's biggest problem, which is why America is last in the hybrid car game.

An article in the Automotive News sheds light on the problem. "...talented women have been leaving Ford, General Motors and the Chrysler group in numbers too large to ignore. Most have left for better opportunities outside the industry after years of frustration in rigid, old-school work cultures and lack of advancement," states Anne Doyle, president of Anne Doyle Strategies, whom was also once communications director for Ford North American Division.

Hmmm???? "Rigid, old-school work cultures." I'd say that about sums up Detroit's problems.

Big trucks and SUVs cannot forever drive Detroit's profits. Sadly, this should have been realized decades ago, not just to protect the environment, but America itself. Reliance upon foreign oil endangers not just tens of thousands of American jobs, but America's national security. This should have been clear after the problems with Iran in the 70's and 80's. It should have been crystal clear after 9/11.

While Detroit might see hybrid vehicles as an interim technology to fuel cell vehicles, hybrids are interim technology that is desperately needed right now. America can't wait another decade or two to start getting serious about oil dependence. Unfortunately, the attitude in Detroit continues to seem, "rigid" and "old-school", and that is very sad.

Hybrid vehicle technology dares us to dream

Back in the 90's the Big 3 were given a billion tax dollars to develop the next generation of fuel efficient technologies. They developed hybrid cars and electric cars, but Detroit quickly decided that such vehicles just weren't profitable enough.

Japan, on the other hand, showed a bit more vision and determination, eventually producing the Honda Insight hybrid, followed by the Toyota Prius hybrid. Still, things didn't really get going until the 2nd Generation Prius, which quickly became a hot seller and put hybrids on America's radar.

Now Detroit is finally taking the hybrid game seriously - at least a little bit.

While Ford has stated that it firmly believes in the future of hybrid cars, GM has continued to state that hybrid vehicles are little more than a public relations effort. Nonetheless, GM and Chrysler are developing hybrids - of course their hybrid technology is, ultimately, better for trucks and highway driving, rather than the congestion that is predicted to be a major problem in the next couple of decades.

Moreover, the Army recently announced a program converting Ford Escape hybrids into hydrogen hybrids, and there are also Prii running on hydrogen. Suddenly, the 'hydrogen highway' might not require fuel cells at all, rather just current hybrid vehicle technology. Besides, if fuel cells do become cost-effective, most engineers believe that fuel cell automobiles will be fuel cell hybrid vehicles.

But back to today's technology.

Even far different hybrid technology, such as a hydraulic hybrid, is being developed and tested right now. For example, UPS is testing a diesel hydraulic hybrid this year. Hydraulic hybrids offer significant fuel economy improvements without the high costs of electric motors, hybrid batteries and software.

Single mode hybrids, dual mode hybrids, hydrogen hybrids, hydraulic hybrids - suddenly, oil dependence seems more manageable.

Recently, I read the article, Energy policy without the fear factor that states, "We cannot continue to go the way we've been going. It is not a matter of "car guys'' versus "tree huggers,'' liberals versus conservatives, truck lovers versus truck haters. It is an acknowledgment that, if we as a global community fail to examine and answer "What if?'' and refuse to accept or implement the changes required by the answers, the question may answer itself.....And the answer could be one none of us could live with."

Today's hybrids are not just the beginning of an automotive revolution, but a technological evolution. When we believe we can do more, a funny thing happens, we find out we can. Suddenly, utopian dreams aren't so utopian when the power of technology is used to benefit people, rather than just profit from people.

"What if" we dare to dream is a great question. 'Why not dare to dream', I think, is an even better one with today's technology.

Honda willing to share hybrid technology

Honda announced that it would share its hybrid technology if other auto companies were interested, joining at least Toyota and GM/Chrysler/BMW. Already Nissan is going to lease Toyota hybrid technology for the upcoming Altima hybrid, and Ford leases some Toyota software. Perhaps, Honda is making a play for Hyundai, whom recently announced the delay of any hybrid cars until 2009? (More)

Why isn't Toyota Producing More Hybrids?

According to Toyota, its hybrid cars are selling as fast as they can be made. Contrary to recent articles, even the Highlander hybrid and the Lexus RX400h, are also selling well, notes a recent AutoWeek story.

Nonetheless, Toyota isn't necessarily selling many more hybrids this year compared to last year. In fact, with the release of the Camry hybrid, for example, Toyota has had to reduce its production of the popular Prius, in order to have the capacity to build the hybrid Camry. Thus, overall sales of Toyota hybrids are not accelerating as fast as in the past, even though interest is growing.

So, why isn't Toyota producing more hybrids?

"Expanding hybrid volume requires increasing the number of vehicles that have the hybrid option available," stated Jim Press, President of Toyota U.S.A. "That's driven by engineering resources, and it's difficult to accelerate that."

One can only speculate that "engineering resources" also includes technical parts from suppliers, such as batteries. Why don't suppliers rush to this demand? Maybe the better question is, why should they? NiMH batteries appear to already be a dead technology soon to be replaced by lithium-ion technology. Yet, unfortunately, this whole transition will take years, maybe even a decade.

Whatever the causes for this lack of "engineering resources", it appears that Toyota is either willing, or has no choice, to just coast for a few years, producing only a few hundred thousand hybrids annually.

Hopefully, soon-to-be-released hybrid technology from GM and Chrysler, or a new hybrid Fit from Honda, will accelerate Toyota's hybrid production.

Hybrid Technology: One Mode Versus Two Mode

Soon, the first hybrid cars from GM and Chrysler will be available for sale, and so too will a new type of hybrid technology.

The New York Times notes, "the new technology is different in some crucial respects. It has the potential to operate much more efficiently at highway speeds, with a greater boost from the electric motors. The components are lighter and more compact and can be readily adapted to different types of vehicles. It is particularly well suited to large trucks and S.U.V.'s — the biggest gas hogs in Americans' garages — where it will have the greatest impact on overall fuel consumption."

Wouldn't going from an SUV to a hybrid car, rather than a large hybrid SUV, "have the greatest impact on overall fuel consumption"?

Still, if consumers have to have a "gas hog", a hybrid "gas hog" will be 25% less piggish - and that's at least a good start.

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 blame game: High gas prices

Gas prices are going up, and the potential for significantly higher gas prices is increasing regularly. Who is to blame? Big oil says, "the U.S. economy had become vastly more fuel-efficient since the first oil shock, 'so why is the average fuel economy of American cars unchanged in two decades?'"

Chrysler responds, "Despite a documented history of blowing their exorbitant profits on outlandish executive salaries and stock buybacks, and hoarding their bounty by avoiding technologies, policies and legislation that would protect the population and environment and lower fuel costs, Big Oil insists on transferring all of that responsibility on the auto companies." (Detroit News)

O.K., so oil hasn't done their job, but what has Chrysler, or any of the Big 3, done?

Nothing regarding fuel economy, that's for sure.

Oops, I forget, they put millions of Flex-fuel vehicles on the road, that's right. Instead of paying fines for missing CAFE requirements, automakers have added flex-fuel technology to gas-guzzlers. I guess that's enough!

Unfortunately, with only 600 ethanol stations out of 180,000 gas stations, most simply can't find ethanol.

Ultimately, big oil and the Big 3 have failed America and the world.

Of course Americans keep buying gas-guzzlers and performance that can't be utilized, but we look good! Well, that's another story...

Irresponsibility - it's always someone else's fault!!

Gas guzzler pollution worse than advertised

A new study suggests that as gas-guzzlers get older they pollute far more than government tests acknowledge, and that the government should measure pollution not by miles driven, but gallons of gas used. (Intech via MotorTrend).

BMW and Toyota vehicles pollute less over time, Hyundai, Mitsubishi, Chrysler, and GM were most likely to pollute.

Hollywood: Progressive or Bling, Bling?

The environment or bling bling?

Hybrid haters often love to portray hybrid cars as only some crazy movement perpetuated by Hollywood. While 25 stars took advantage of the opportunity to participate in the Fourth Annual "Red Carpet, Green Cars" event sponsored by Toyota and the environmental organization Global Green USA, the majority of Hollywood's stars arrived in gas-guzzlers.

"What the cameras didn't show were the Detroit-made rides stars got out of in front of the Kodak Theatre, like the 2006 Chrysler 300C luxury sedan and Jeep Commander SUV."

"The Chrysler Group shuttled stars to Hollywood's biggest event and after-parties in the vehicles." (DetroitNews)

On a night when this 'socially-driven' group picked Crash - a somewhat entertaining, but socially inept, contrived and stereotyped movie - as the Best Movie, foreign oil dependency and the environment took a back seat to stretched Cadillacs and 300Cs.

Perhaps George Clooney can make a real movie on the irony of Hollywood's self-perpetuated progressive portrayal versus their greedy, ego-centric, anti-environment and pro-War actions.

I say it's about time this brave group stops pointing their fingers at others in their attempt to save the world and take a look at the 3 fingers pointing back at themselves.

Walk the walk, don't talk the talk.

Why GM makes me mad

Yesterday, I read an article that bothered me a bit. Daniel Howes, an auto reporter for the Detroit News, wrote an article, Help us, Mr. President, that really got under my collar.

Now, I like Howes as a reporter because I think he's pretty fair, especially compared to some of the other auto writers at the same paper. Still, you can't blame Howes for trying to save Detroit. What other choice does he have? In many ways, his job is probably dependent on the success of Detroit automakers.

What really angers me, I've realized, is Detroit automakers, especially GM.

Mr. Howes notes the legacy healthcare and pension costs of GM and Ford, while also complaining that Asian automakers have enjoyed unfair trade barriers. While I have sympathy for these issues, it isn't much.

Then, Howes states, "Nearly 20 GM models deliver 30 mpg or more; the first gas-electric hybrid SUV is a Ford; and Chrysler's Jeep Liberty is the U.S. industry's first diesel-powered SUV."

"Did Toyota and Honda set the standard in hybrids? Absolutely, and more models are coming. Same with Ford, GM and Chrysler. And GM and Ford have millions of ethanol-capable vehicles on the road today, a precursor to the ethanol-powered fleet that you say would free us from Oil Sheikdom."

Smoke and Mirrors

These statements are pure Detroit - deception and lies and the art of advertising.

First, in real world driving, GM doesn't have 20 models that achieve 30 mpg. Sure hybrid cars don't achieve EPA estimated fuel economy, but in reality almost every car misses their EPA numbers. In fact, the Jeep Liberty Howes mentions actually achieves 50% less than what the EPA estimates in city driving according to Consumer Reports.

Second, these faulty EPA numbers are used by GM and Ford to deceive CAFE. Consequently, many Ford and GM SUVs would not pass their CAFE requirements, if not for the EPA's inefficiency. Since this fact is well known by the government and industry alike, I'd call that U.S. protectionism - especially since SUVs have been Detroit's savior the last few decades.

Third, America's ethanol fleet, please! This one is the one that really sets me off, especially since I've seen at least 20 ads promoting how green GM now is because it has more than a million ethanol vehicles on the road.

Go Yellow? Go to hell GM! It has been a long running joke that almost everyone who drives a flex-fuel vehicle - one that can run on ethanol - doesn't even know it.

Why?

Ethanol is expensive most places it's offered, and ethanol isn't offered in very many places. Thus, a flex fuel vehicle really isn't much of a benefit to most, except Detroit automakers.

Adding flex-fuel capabilities to a large SUV only costs a few hundred dollars, but it enables vehicles that wouldn't pass CAFE to pass CAFE - EVEN THOUGH NO ONE IS USING THE FUEL. Thus, GM spends a few extra hundred deceiving the government - whom enables this deception - on vehicles it make thousands of extra dollars in profits.

Who wouldn't take that deal? Here, you give me $500.00 and I'll give you $5000.00.

Thus, I'm supposed to proud of GM for lies and deceit? Lies and deceit that don't reduce foreign oil consumption at all, but instead increase foreign oil consumption - this is something GM is spending millions bragging about?

Disgraceful.

How many more loopholes does the government need to give Detroit? I mean there is already a $25,000 tax deduction for the most offensive, gas-guzzling and polluting SUVs - which was only just reduced and doesn't even include depreciation deductions.

How much more does Detroit need?

Ford used to anger me as much as GM, but at least Ford has admitted the error in its ways and has taken a step in the right direction. Still, Ford needs to do much more, but I'm a huge advocate of the Escape hybrid.

If GM, on the other hand, wants my sympathy or wants my money, then GM needs to come clean. Since 9/11 GM has continued to promote it's most fuel inefficient vehicles as its marquee product. This is irresponsible and un-American.

Get with the program GM. Take some real responsibility. Admit some mistakes and talk to the people about the effort it will take to change. Help America - lead America - towards ending not just foreign oil dependency, but oil dependency and global warming emissions - not in some mystical future world of fuel cells, but today!

Let's Dare to Dream!

When GM shows some vision and some real leadership - first by accepting its failures and then with new products - I'll be the first in line to buy a GM.

Ultimately, GM has no one to blame but themselves, and forgiveness cannot begin without first accepting responsibility. Until then, I'll hope for bankruptcy.

Americans and cars: The superficial Nation

"As design has become increasingly important to a car company's success, almost every auto manufacturer is looking for a distinctive look that will help it stand out in an increasingly crowded marketplace," states a new article, that adds, "'Design DNA' is all the rage as carmakers try to make their vehicles stand for something."

The article cites Chrysler as an example of how 'design DNA' can be successful. Chrysler, of course, is the only one of the 'Big 3' that is actually doing well, and design is a big reason according to the article.

So, America is nothing, but a nation of bling, bling? We really are as superficial as most of the world sees us?

We suck up huge amounts of the world's oil, paying off terrorists and governments that absolutely hate us, but that's O.K. as long as we look cool?

Many times I've been on the Forums of AutoWeek, and many members criticize the drivers of hybrid cars relentlessly. Why? For trying to help the environment, for trying to reduce foreign oil dependency?

Why are so many Americans more concerned with looking cool than being cool? Is the American psyche really so dysfuntional?

Hybrid cars and the EPA's new fuel economy estimates

Boy, oh, boy some critics of hybrid cars couldn't wait to talk about how the new EPA estimates for fuel economy might affect hybrids.

The Detroit News just couldn't contain themselves in the article, Fuel test overhaul may dent hybrids, as you can tell from the title.

No, No, Detroit News, tell me how you really feel.

Anyway, the article states, "The Environmental Protection Agency announced an overhaul in the way it estimates fuel economy Tuesday, a move that could shake up showroom transactions, especially in the booming hybrid segment."

Under the new methods, the city fuel mileage estimates for most vehicles would drop 10 to 20 percent from today's estimates, depending on the vehicle. The highway mileage estimates would generally drop 5 percent to 15 percent, the EPA has stated.

The DetroitNews and others have noted that for hybrid vehicles; however, city driving numbers will drop 20 to 30 percent.

What I find most amusing about this whole discussion is how much hybrid critics like to discuss the shortcomings of hybrids. Critics constantly note that hybrids are only 1% of total sales and will never achieve more than 5% of U.S sales, therefore, they are insignificant.

Fine, if that's your belief, why do hybrid critics care so much about hybrids?

But let's get back to the EPA numbers.

When Consumer Reports did their fuel economy tests last year, it found that the biggest offenders in terms of real world city mileage were conventional vehicles, in contrast to the EPA. In fact, 9 out the 10 of the biggest offenders WERE NOT hybrids and those vehicles missed their EPA estimates by 35% on average. The worst offender, the Jeep Liberty diesel, missed its EPA estimates by 50%!

Another offender, according to CR, the Chrysler 300C, is supposed to achieve 17 mpg in the city, but actually only achieved 10 mpg. Yet, the DetroitNews and other hybrid critics are complaining about hybrids? In my mind, 10 mpg is simply unacceptable in today's world and that should be the real issue regarding American fuel economy.

Yet, the EPA numbers don't demonstrate CR's findings. Why?

While I don't know the answer, my guess is that because other cars don't fare as poorly, this raises the overall average for all vehicles in a particular class. In any regard, it demonstrates that the new EPA numbers are still very unreliable.

Also since these new numbers could affect the way CAFE is determined, one has to wonder if some politics aren't involved in the mix. If it were demonstrated that conventional vehicles were vastly less fuel efficient than the EPA has stated, then CAFE might have to be refigured. Such a move would probably immediately bankrupt both Ford and GM.

Since there aren't many hybrids available, on the other hand, one hybrid with poor city mileage can skew the whole hybrid fleet. Honda hybrids, for example, haven't performed as well in the city as Toyota hybrids, are the results of these hybrids averaged? If so, is that fair?

Ultimately, the testing methods of the EPA are still in question. Ironically, "Officials at the Alliance for Automobile Manufacturers, the auto industry's Washington lobbying group, cautioned that real-world mileage still varies from driver to driver."

Do hybrids save money.

OK, let's say the Toyota Prius hybrid car only achieves 45 mpg in the city. CR found that the Ford Fusion only achieves 17 mpg in the city. While the new EPA estimates favor the fusion, the Prius is still THREE times more fuel efficient than the Fusion in the city.

Now, if you drive on the highway all the time and never drive in congestion, the Prius won't offer near the savings, but it will still offer significantly better fuel economy than the Fusion. On the other hand, if you live in any major urban area in the U.S., the Prius could save you around $1000.00 per year compared to similarly sized conventional vehicles. That makes the Prius a pretty awesome deal.

Perhaps you're somewhere in the middle, so in 5 years you've only saved $2500. That at least covers the base MSRP price difference between the Prius and the Fusion. Keep the Prius a couple more years and you've done well, and if gas prices spike in the next 7 years, then you've done really well.

With the situation in Iran brewing, spikes in gasoline prices are becoming almost inevitable. The real question regarding gas costs isn't will gasoline prices go higher, but how much higher will gasoline prices go?

In the end, hybrid vehicle buyers, not hybrid critics, will have the last laugh, despite the EPA's new numbers.

Camry hybrid set to dominate Detroit Auto Show

Yesterday, I wrote about how GM's dual mode hybrid system would finally make its debut appearance at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit via gasoline electric hybrids from GM, Chrysler and BMW. While it is nice to finally see some serious