SUVs not as safe as believed?

Rollovers, side crashes - what's next?

“The performance of some of these models in the side test was surprising,” said David Zuby, the Insurance Institute For Highway Safety's senior vice president. “SUVS should have an advantage in side crashes because the driver and passengers ride higher up than in cars.”

“People often think they’re safer in one of these vehicles, but many cars hold up better than some of these midsize SUVs in this test,” he said.

Not only might America be safer if we downsized our vehicles, but simply downsizing could have a huge effect on foreign oil dependency and pollution.

What? Even the smallest cars can be safe?

Believe it. Even a car this small can be quite safe.

I finally got around to reading Dan Carney's Driving small doesn't mean you're less safe on MSNBC. If you are used to large vehicles, but have lately considered a small car, except for safety, then you need to also read this article.

Inevitably, those with small families concerned with safety do not have one option: a large SUV. Smaller families can be very safe in even the smallest vehicles on the market today, and you'll save a lot of money on gas.

2008 Highlander hybrid coming to dealer near you in September?

Roomier and more fuel efficient?

Toyota will begin selling the 2008 Highlander hybrid in late September, but has not yet announced pricing.

The 2008 hybrid Highlander will be "larger, roomier and more powerful" and include "one of the most comprehensive lists of standard safety features in it the mid-size SUV class," such as 7 airbags.

Despite some possible tweaking, the 2008 Highlander hybrid will be built on the same hybrid powertrain as the current hybrid Highlander, which Toyota is running a special $2000.00 discount through June.

Is regulating charge key to lithium?

2 new patents for Cel-X technology

"TIAX, a technology processing company that is a leader in clean energy and material technologies, announced today that it has been issued two patents by the United States Patent and Trademark Office for its Cel-X(TM) battery control technology. Cel-X is a low-cost, high-performance system that improves the safety, capacity, and pack life of lithium-ion batteries through a non-dissipative approach to regulating state of charge."

"We're very proud to be advancing a technology that could significantly accelerate the presence of HEVs and PHEVs on the market," said TIAX CEO and Founder, Kenan Sahin. "Our solution to cell balancing enables exciting new hybrid models that deliver the performance, safety, low cost, durability, and fuel efficiency that consumers are demanding."

LTC plug-in hybrid battery update

It's all about iron phosphate chemistry

Lithium Technology Corporation announced yesterday that the company has made a significant advancement in their lithium iron phosphate battery technology which is now ready to power a new generation of hybrid cars and plug-in hybrid vehicles.

"The technology we can offer the automotive industry today is unmatched by any other battery power solution on the market," commented Dr. Klaus Brandt, executive vice president of LTC and managing director of LTC subsidiary GAIA Akkumulatorenwerke (GAIA). "Others have been estimating up to a year to deliver the technology we are proud to make available today. We have proven the superiority of our technology in the past, and with the iron phosphate product we have raised the bar even further."

"Batteries made of LTC's cells can provide 3000 charging cycles, which would be able to do 150,000 miles to 80% capacity for a 100 km or 60 mile all electric range plug in hybrid, which no other technology can claim," said Dr. Andrew Frank, Professor, Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering at the University of California, Davis. "The new cells from LTC provide improved safety with the iron phosphate chemistry while delivering the impeccable performance they are known for, which is what the auto makers have been in search of; this is a Company that is seriously committed to making hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles an affordable reality for the consumer."

Ford: Gasoline engines here to stay

I'll take the Reflex over the Explorer any day

According to Susan Cischke, senior vice president for sustainability, environment and safety engineering at Ford, "Research shows that Americans want more fuel-efficient cars, yet they don't want to drive smaller vehicles. And they still have a need to move people, haul things and tow boats and other loads," according to an article on CNN.

Thus, according to Cischke, the gasoline engine isn't going to be phased out at least for the next few decades.

Somebody better tell Honda to stop making small cars.

Isn't foreign oil dependency the ultimate safety issue?

Some 35,000 automotive engineers will meet in Detroit this week for the Society of Automotive Engineers World Congress where fuel economy will be an important focus due to the growing political concerns regarding global warming and foreign oil dependency. Thus, automakers will show off a host of hybrid cars, clean diesels and fuel cell vehicles.

Nonetheless, safety will also be an extremely important issue. Inevitably, consumers still value safety far more than fuel economy. Still, it's a bit surprising that there is such a disconnect between safety and fuel economy. With numerous national security experts claiming that foreign oil dependency is possibly the greatest National Security threat to the U.S., why is fuel economy not correlated with 'safety' by either consumers or U.S. automakers?

Ultimately, isn't foreign oil dependency the ultimate safety issue?

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?

2008 Phoenix Electric Truck: First Look

How does zero emissions, range of 120 miles, speeds of up to 95 mph with five passengers and a full payload with a 250,000/12 year battery life electric truck sound?

Well, if you are interested, you might be able to buy a 2008 model of a Phoenix Motorcar all-electric truck or SUV.

No word yet on price. Currently, Phoenix is working on its federal validation for safety, or Federal Motor Vehicle Certification.

Could a company, such as Phoenix, be exactly what the American automobile industry needs to evolve? Big auto companies need to sell far more units of a vehicle to achieve a profit than does a smaller company, giving smaller companies a better ability to develop niche products, such as electric vehicles.

Plastic composites ready for prime time?

I was very excited to hear that Toyota was using carbon fiber composite materials to design its new FT-HS hybrid concept. More important, it appeared that Toyota wasn't just using composites to help with design - as many automakers do - but as a first step towards carbon-fiber composite vehicles. As carbon fiber is so light, it can provide significant improvements in fuel economy simply by reducing the weight of a vehicle without any loss in safety. Still, carbon fiber is very expensive.

Carbon fiber, however, isn't the only composite being used in automobiles.

A group of GE reps let me know about GE's plastic composites during the debut of GM's Volt electric concept vehicle. Currently, these plastic composites are far cheaper than carbon fiber composites. In addition to reducing weight, plastic composites provide car designers with a revolutionary tool to sculpt vehicle design into elegant, beautiful and extremely aerodynamic works of art and science. More important, plastic composites are already being used. Even better, GE's new plastic composites are being developed using recycled water bottles.

Hybrid tax credits protect Detroit more than National Security

Today, the Pentagon is one of the biggest proponents of energy independence. Why? Quite frankly, the cost of protecting America's oil habit is very expensive, and it is possibly the greatest threat to American National Security. Most citizens are even starting to understand the problems foreign oil dependency has and is creating. As a result, Congress created a new tax credit to help Americans purchase clean, foreign-oil-dependency fighting automobiles, such as hybrid cars.

The plan worked so well, that Toyota met its quota in less than a year, long before GM has even sold ONE full hybrid vehicle. Consequently, sales of Toyota hybrids have slowed in recent months. Sure, high gas prices have dulled people's interest in fuel economy, but it seems obvious that reduced tax credits are also an important part of the skid.

In America, where the virtues of capitalism, competition and free markets are loudly promoted in corporations and Congress, shouldn't such ideals also be used to fight for energy independence? If Toyota could sell another 60,000 hybrid vehicles right now, utilizing GM's unused credits before GM even offers a full hybrid, shouldn't they have that right?

Isn't protecting National Security more important than protecting Detroit's failures? Is America afraid to end oil dependency too quickly? Is the status quo really more important than National Security? Why are we punishing Toyota for doing too much to help America fight foreign oil dependency?

Why are there even quotas on the tax credits? There are no quotas on the tax incentives given to small business owners that buy the worst gas-guzzlers, yet there is NO incentive for small business owners to buy fuel efficient vehicles.

I guess that only makes sense to members of Congress.

While GM's Rick Wagoner can complain about unfair trade advantages and currency manipulation in places like Japan, Toyota has every right to complain about protectionist legislation coming out of the U.S. Congress.

If GM were forced to compete for those credits in a free market, you can bet they would have gotten more hybrids on the road much faster. Instead, Congress has essentially given them a safety net NOT to act faster.

Great job Congress! I mean its only our National Security at stake!

Ford hires futurists, gets lost in past?

Ford hired a number of futurists to help them predict future consumer trends.

"Ever since 9/11, you see people wanting more of a sense of security," said Lisa Bacus, Ford's director of global strategic marketing. "They want to feel like they are in control." Consequently, "That means a growing interest in crash safety, as well as better visibility and handling." (more)

Apparently, however, it doesn't mean fighting foreign oil dependency or achieving better fuel efficiency? It doesn't mean stopping our financial support of the terrorists that caused 9/11 - via oil? It doesn't mean fighting pollution or global warming? These issues have nothing to do with the security of America's future?

Boy, I feel a lot better about Ford's future.

Bill to raise fuel economy to 35 mpg by 2017

There is a move in the Senate to raise the average fuel economy to 35 mpg from 25 mpg by 2017. (more)

Surprise, surprise Detroit doesn't want to be forced to make more fuel efficient vehicles, but they want the oil industry to be forced to use ethanol. Shouldn't Detroit focus more on its core business - making cars, especially more fuel efficient cars?

Of course ethanol should be explored, but the science behind ethanol is still very conflicted, yet one thing seems clear: If GM just makes more and more Hummers, Tahoes, and Escalades ethanol really isn't going to help reduce foreign oil dependency that much.

Anyway, the technology to achieve this new fuel economy threshold already exists today and with advancements in hybrid technology, it is conceivable that even today's worst gas-guzzlers could achieve this new limit with such hybrid technology.

Ultimately, the entire issue is cost, or profit. While I understand that businesses have to make a profit, when that profit can only be made at the expense of the safety of the people, is their product worthwhile?

When numerous ex CIA officials and National Security experts agree that foreign oil dependency is possibly the greatest issue facing U.S. national security can we continue to tolerate excuse after excuse from automakers?

How many more 9/11s do we need? How many more 100s of billions of dollars do we need to spend protecting our right to cheap oil?

Be part of the solution Detroit, not part of the problem.

Who says a small car can't be safe?

Small cars just aren't safe you've always heard. Yet, the Honda Fit still achieved a 5 - Star safety rating from the government - its highest rating. (MORE)

House passes CAFE reform bill

The House of Representatives voted to give the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration the power to reform CAFE. (More)

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.

Prius top safety pick

The Toyota Prius is one of the safest small cars, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, especially when it includes optional side airbags. The Honda Civic also is a top car, but the Civic hybrid wasn't specifically mentioned. (More From CNNMoney)

Another Lexus hybrid sedan coming next year

Lexus unveiled the 2008 Lexus LS 600h L hybrid sedan at the New York International Automobile Show today.

"The LS 600h L was developed to explore the outer reaches of performance, style and safety," said Bob Carter, Lexus Division group vice president and general manager. "It is a vehicle as efficient and familiar as it is indulgent and advanced, a far-reaching concept, fully developed and fully realized. It is simply in a class by itself." (Read the Press Release)

According to Lexus, the 600h will offer Best of Class V8 fuel efficiency - even achieving better fuel economy than many smaller V6 vehicles, and will offer 70% cleaner emissions the "cleanest" of competitors.

Available April, 2007.

My 8 mpg SUV is more important than global warming

A bunch of states are appealing to the government to get the EPA to start regulating greenhouse gas emissions. Unfortunately, I don't believe they will be successful simply because GM couldn't survive if the EPA actually started to regulate these emissions, and you know the EPA is biased.

While the critics of hybrid cars shout out that hybrids don't achieve their EPA fuel economy, they fail to mention that conventional vehicles also fail to meet their EPA fuel economy ratings. Thus, the EPA is going to start using more accurate methods to determine ratings; however, they aren't going to use these more accurate ratings to determine CAFE. For if they did, millions of Ford and GM vehicles wouldn't pass CAFE and these automakers would have to pay large fines.

Ironically, these vehicles that are essentially violating the law are some of Detroit's most profitable automobiles.

Of course, automakers are against the move, because it "would make cars smaller, lighter and less powerful, which they say, would strip cars of attributes consumers demand."(MSNBC)

So consumer demand is more important than public safety? I don't believe that is the main issue, I'd say it's money that is more important than public safety. Still, I'd like to thank all the 8 mpg SUV drivers out there. You're my hero!

Why not flex-fuel plug-in hybrid vehicles?

Even hybrid cars, or plug-in hybrid vehicles do not push the envelope of auto technology far enough


Flex-fuel plug-in diesel/gasoline hybrid vehicles can completely change America's national energy paradigm - long before fuel cell vehicles become either cost-effective or technologically feasible.

Such vehicles could easily achieve well over 100 miles per gallon, utilizing gasoline, diesel, ethanol, biodiesel, or combinations, while completely ending foreign oil dependency. (more)

Big Three Act Like Juvenile Delinquents?

Consumer advocate, Ralph Nader told the Automotive News that "he was appalled by the stunts that car companies pulled to launch their vehicles at the show."

"It's high-level juvenile delinquency," said the author of Unsafe at Any Speed, "a grotesque caricature of what the auto industry is doing these days. Instead of celebrating horsepower, muscle, glitz and trivia, Nader said, "U.S. automakers should be showcasing safety and fuel economy."

GM versus Toyota fuel cells

The AutoWeek article, GM's r&d guru says 'cooperation would make sense' in drive to create hydrogen-powered vehicles really bothered me when I read it this weekend. In fact, it made me research Crain Communications to see if they were somehow corporately connected to GM.

O.K., I couldn't find any connection. Nonetheless, AutoWeek is just one piece of Crain Communications and it is obvious that Crain Communications is about one thing - advertising. While there isn't a corporate connection between Crain and GM, there is certainly a huge relationship - advertising budgets.

But all automakers spend advertising dollars, why would Crain care the most about GM, you ask? Well, in the past several years, GM has spent about twice as much as any other automaker per year, and we're talking billions.

So, what was it that bothered me so much about the GM article?

I love the idea of fuel cells and I've read hundreds of articles about fuel cells and fuel cell vehicles. Ultimately, however, there are many issues regarding the functionality of fuel cells, especially in the near term - which is decades long. Just because GM has been promising fuel cells since the Nixon administration doesn't mean their fuel cell technology is the best.

Perhaps, as the article suggests, there should be cooperation between automakers regarding fuel cell vehicles, but any implication that GM is the fuel cell leader is a huge stretch at this point in time.

I'd say that GM, in fact, isn't the leader.

Toyota's approach to fuel cells is a good bit different than GM because Toyota fuel cell vehicles are hybrid vehicles. The fact that Toyota's gasoline electric hybrids can adapt into diesel electric hybrids, hydrogen electric hybrids, and -finally - fuel cell electric hybrids, offers something that GM doesn't offer - flexibility.

A recent press release from a Technical Insights Group at Frost & Sullivan notes, "Stricter emission standards are forcing companies to manufacture environment-friendly automobiles, with the resultant explosion in interest in hybrids and fuel cell vehicles. Automotive safety is another major concern, as advances in electronics and sensor technologies seek to make driving safer."

"Though Japanese companies such as Toyota and Honda have taken the lead in hybrid vehicle development, the growing concern over automotive pollution has led to a flurry of interest in this arena. Development is underway at all major automotive R&D houses to produce more fuel-efficient cars -- hybrid, fuel cell, or a cross between the two," notes Rajesh Kannan.

I repeat, "or a cross between the two".

Many autowriters have called hybrids just a step towards fuel cells, others have called them a bridge to fuel cell vehicles. Ultimately, however, today's hybrids can evolve into fuel cell hybrids. Today's gasoline electric Prius could be tomorrow's fuel cell electric Prius. Thus, some essential fuel cell developments are already taking place today in these hybrids and the future is that much closer.

Hybrids just might prove that billions of dollars for hydrogen fueling stations are not even needed. There could be a better way than GM's fuel cell vehicle path, perhaps even an easier, less expensive path.

AutoWeek writers work for Crain Communications and far too often AutoWeek has shown an unobjective bias against hybrids and for GM. The focus of Crain Communications doesn't appear to be an objective view of the automotive future, but rather a subjective grab for today's advertising dollars.

Toyota Prius Hybrid Stopping or Stalling Software Glitch Update

Toyota will send out a letter to about 75,000 Prius owners asking them to take their vehicles to their dealer to fix a potential software glitch, according to Reuters. Some Prius drivers have reported sudden stalling or stopping. According to Toyota, "if the gasoline engine stalls, the electric motor in the vehicles will have enough power to allow the driver to pull the vehicle over and away from the traffic."

The software update is free and is intended for 2004 and 2005 Prius models. While the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration started an investigation into the problem several months ago, a recall has not been issued. Still, it is better to be safe than sorry, even though only a minimal number of Prii have experienced the problem.

It is also important to note that at last report, there have been no reported injuries or accidents from the potential software problem. As hybrid cars are an emerging technology, such software bugs really aren't surprising, and are becoming more common, even in conventional vehicles.

American hybrids: A lack of leadership

Yes, Ford has the Escape hybrid, but it isn't nearly as coveted as the Toyota Highlander hybrid, and neither are nearly as coveted as the Prius.

So what's the problem? Leadership.

Lately Ford has blamed the "predatory" practices of Japanese automakers for their lack of hybrid production. (more)

Excuse me? As soon as a Toyota hybrid hits a dealership it is almost sold. The Escape hybrid can last for weeks, even longer. More important, if not for Toyota the hybrid supplies Ford needs wouldn't even be available. Ford is using the supply channels that Toyota created.

GM, well, GM just keeps talking. A few years ago GM thought hybrids were nonsense, then they were a good marketing story, but a poor business story. Now GM is trying to bolster it's hybrid efforts. "Right now, we're not where we ought to be (on hybrids)," said Bob Lutz, GM's vice chairman and product development chief, acknowledging that it's hurting consumer perceptions of the company.(more)

Not long ago Mr. Lutz even admitted that GM could have used a sliver of its yearly marketing budget to finance the development of hybrid cars. Instead, GM chose to market the Hummer and Tahoe.

How could American automakers have been so blind to the importance of foreign oil dependency, to fuel efficiency? Is doing the right thing impossible for American corporations? Is money more important than the safety of the people?

Leadership requires vision and tough choices. The lack of American hybrids reprints a void in American corporate leadership, and if it doesn't change, it will represent the downfall of America as well.

Today's hybrids can end foreign oil dependency

Forget fuel cells and the hydrogen economy, plug-in hybrids offer the technology to end foreign-oil dependency now!

There is a great AP article, Experimental Hybrid Cars Get Up to 250 Mpg, which demonstrates the fact that plug-in hybrid vehicles, such as a plug-in Prius could achieve 80 mpg for the daily commute of most drivers. Additionally, more advanced plug-in hybrids have achieved up to 250 mpg.

Not long ago I wrote about flex-fuel hybrids that could achieve 500 mpg.

Why doesn't the government care? Why doesn't GM or Ford care? This isn't just foreign oil dependency, this is America's national security. Are the lobbyists of the auto and energy industries really so powerful that the safety of the American people is less important than their energy monopoly?

For more check out, What's better than a hybrid car? A plug-in hybrid car of course!

American Automobile Alliance Lies & Deceit

I'm really tired of the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturer's deceptions and distortions. While I realize that is the role of lobbyist organizations, such as the Alliance, I've still had enough.

"We do not have control over the miles people drive, population growth, increasing congestion, commuting distances and other factors that cause fuel use to increase," said Eron Shosteck, spokesman for the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers in Washington.

Yes, but you do have the ability to offer fuel efficient and emission's reducing technology. Obviously, the technology behind hybrid cars proves this is possible.

It's too expensive, the Alliance would counter.

Really? How expensive was 911, the first war in Iraq, the second war in Iraq, Afghanistan and the War on terror? All of these incidents are a direct result of American foreign oil dependency.

But consumers want big vehicles and horsepower, the Alliance responds from its Big 3 arm.

Really? Why have the Big 3, for decades, lost marketshare to companies selling mostly small cars and sedans?

The truth is fuel inefficient vehicles, particularly trucks and SUVs, were a buoy for the Big 3 because of ridiculous profit margins - sometimes as much as $10,000 or more on some vehicles. In reality, the Big 3 have not been able to compete in the quality, fuel efficient technology market.

Judging by hybrid vehicles, they still can't compete. Yes, Ford offers the Escape hybrid, but Ford was years behind Toyota in developing hybrid technology, and it will take years for Ford to offer a large number of hybrid vehicles.

Nonetheless, let's get back to consumer wants and automaker responsibility and affordability. Not long ago, it was reported that GM spends more on marketing every year than Toyota spent creating the Prius hybrid production line.

That's right, GM could have developed fuel efficient, emission reducing hybrid technology, but it chose to spend that money on marketing the fuel inefficient, pollution-causing virtues of large trucks and SUVs.

Companies like GM and Ford marketed the concept that trucks and SUVs were an expression of American freedom, while providing safety.

Safety, such as the rollover scandal? Freedom, such as 2 Iraq wars?

The Alliance is the purveyor of lies and the ramifications of those lies are becoming too big to go left unchallenged. How many American GI's have to die to protect the incompetence of the American auto industry and their well financed cronies in Washington?

Issues such as pollution and fuel efficiency should have been addressed and acted upon decades ago for national security and economic reasons.

Now there are no more excuses left. American automakers and the American Congress have proven time and time again that money, not American citizens, is the only thing that counts.

Are GM and Ford responsible for the 911 attacks?

So the President-elect of Iran might have been involved in the Iranian hostage crisis - which led to one of the greatest energy scandals America has ever experienced - that could never happen again, right?

Before the 70's oil embargo American automakers, such as Ford and GM, dominated American automobile marketshare, but fuel efficient, reliable compacts from Japan started gaining ground.

At the same time, Brazil was also very reliant upon foreign oil, significantly more reliant upon foreign oil than America. Yet, today, Brazil is almost independent of foreign oil. The U.S. is more dependent than ever.

In the 80's oil problems struck again, and Japanese vehicles gained even more ground, and American automakers floundered.

But in the 90's, the full potential of the SUV market was realized and GM and Ford spent billions marketing the idea of SUVs and American freedom - and I do mean billions. Why? Because they could make profit margins of more than $10,000 per vehicle.

Why try to compete with the Japanese? America isn't about efficiency, it's about excess - it's our right, right?

And America's foreign oil dependency grew greater than ever, but fuel economy was off limits because it might limit fuel cell development, automaker lobbyists convinced the government - plus those $10,000 profit margins might disappear.

Nonetheless, Brazil could accomplish what America could not?

Anyway, when the CIA assisted Bin Laden in Afghanistan, it was to help remove the foreign Russian Army off Muslim land. In fact Bin Laden and other terrorists have made their concerns quite clear - they want non Muslim foreigners to stop controlling and influencing their land.

There is only one reason America cares so much about the Middle East. Like a drug addict America is absolutely dependent upon foreign oil. Without it, how would we fill are gas guzzling trucks and SUVs?

If America could deal with the Middle East in the same fashion that it deals with Africa, would 911 have occurred? Certainly there would still be problems in the Middle East, but America wouldn't always have to side with corrupt governments that abuse and repress their citizens, but guarantee cheap oil to America. Since American money gives those corrupt leaders the money to maintain the corrupt status quo, it is not surprising that America is blamed for their problems.

Today, America's foreign oil dependency is worse than ever, yet gas-guzzlers are still the lifeblood of GM and Ford. While these companies sell the perception of 'Buy American for a stronger America', buying these 'American' products requires increasing foreign oil dependency.

Isn't that ironic?

"We're hooked on oil from the Middle East, which is a national security problem and an economic security problem," George Bush acknowledged while defending his stance against the Kyoto protocol.

Yet America still can't do anything about foreign oil dependency, but Brazil could? That's technological leadership.

When push comes to shove, American automakers are dependent upon America's foreign oil dependency. While GM's Bob Lutz is gloating about June's light truck sales - further extending America's dependence upon foreign oil - terrorists are making plans to disrupt the oil supply.

If the terrorists are successful and oil hits $100 per barrel for an extended period of time, the American economy will be greatly affected, especially for the average, politically insignificant, American. More important, GM and Ford will be in serious trouble and the government - more precisely the tax payers - will be responsible for billions and billions of dollars worth of health and pension funds.

But don't worry, in 2 or 3 - maybe 4 or 5 - decades, fuel cells will solve all of America's problems. Just because Detroit has been saying that since the 70's, don't worry, this time they really mean it.

Until then, America's safety will be completely dependent upon the Armed Forces, the CIA, the FBI, the Department of Homeland Security, and the National Security Agency.

Now that's freedom.

While GM and Ford are not responsible for the 911 attacks, their business practices continue to expose America to the threat of more terrorist attacks.

Don't Americans expect more than that?

Prius software problems?

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration has logged 13 reports of engine shutdowns on the Toyota Prius. According to reports, at highway speeds the engine either shut down or stalled, but there have been no reports of accident, damage, injury or death. There was a "programming error" found in the computer systems of 23,900 Prius cars sold that required a service notice recently, but it is unknown whether the "error", driver error, or some other issue is the problem. At this time, the NHTSA is monitoring the situation, but it is not filing any formal investigation. (CNNMoney)

Government's SUV bias

Yesterday, Congressional investigators basically called the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's automobile crash tests, useless, because they do not accurately report the safety risks of SUVs.

SUVs are safe, as long as you are not in a rollover (30% of all fatalities), or in a car that an SUV is crashing into.

So, the government's crash safety tests hide the true dangers of SUVs, the government's EPA fuel economy ratings make SUVs seem 15% more fuel efficient than reality, and Congress refuses to raise fuel efficiency standards as foreign-oil, and oil dependence in general, become the greatest threats to American security.

Somebody's pockets must be getting lined.

Yes, some people need a large vehicle, but SUVs could be much better designed. One person's crash safety shouldn't come at the expense of someone else's life, just for a higher ride, or a false sense of security; especially, when the same hunk of steel causes the most road damage, spits out the most pollution, and guzzles tons of terrorist-supporting, economy-crushing, earth destroying foreign-oil.

Freedom of choice is important, but not more important than the welfare of the people. Hybrid cars such as the Ford Escape hybrid, or Toyota Highlander hybrid, are a step in the right direction for the American SUV niche.

Inefficient technology has many costs, and hybrids are changing the perception of what's possible. The Toyota Prius demonstrates that automobile technology can change the world today.

What are we waiting for?

Higher gas prices are changing America

Ford has announced that smaller SUVs are out-selling larger models and will be their top sellers for years to income, including the Ford Escape hybrid.

GM's larger trucks and SUV sales are sluggish, and interest in hybrid vehicles is growing.

And why not? According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the number of people killed in SUVs and in rollovers rose last year, even as the nation's overall highway fatality rate - deaths per miles traveled - fell to its lowest point ever, the government said Thursday.

More important a new AOL survey shows that, "51 percent of those surveyed say that if fuel prices remain high for the next six months it will cause a financial hardship for them." Americans predominately blame oil companies, foreign-oil dependency, and politicians for today's oil woes. (DetNews)

In the past higher gas prices have quickly subsided, and many customers forgot and forgave the cost of oil. This time; however, gas prices are going to go higher, and stay higher for a very long period of time.

I'm betting people won't forget this time, and gasoline prices are going to have a significant impact in future elections.

More hybrid cars.

The great GM failure: The hybrid car

GM is in trouble. Marketshare is declining, earnings are diminishing, and their cars continue to lag foreign cars in reliability, safety, and overall customer value. And Ford isn't far behind.

Forbes Magazine's Jerry Flint writes in Cruch Time in Detroit "The structure seems designed to keep finance men up and everybody else down. It's impossible to find anyone on the car side, barring Lutz, who can actually get anything done."

Unfortunately, even GM executive Robert Lutz, has downplayed innovative technologies, such as hybrid cars, calling them a marketing success, but a business loser. Lutz is to have us believe that GM, like Toyota, should have spent $1 billion creating a line of hybrids only as a marketing ploy to give the appearance of environmental concern.

Interesting marketing ploy Toyota has created with its Prius hybrid car. Demand continues to grow, and at least 100,000 will be produced for 2005 alone. That might not be a blockbuster hit, but it sure is interesting. More important, it provides momentum for Toyota's growing line of hybrids.

Early demand for both the Lexus RX400h hybrid SUV and the Toyota Highlander hybrid has been so great that Toyota has had to push their release dates back.

In fact, the first half of this year's intended Lexus hybrid SUV production has already been pre-ordered and it still doesn't go on sale for a month. Based on early previews, this will probably be the hottest luxury vehicle on the market in terms of performance, safety, style, and intelligence.

Next comes the Highlander hybrid this summer. Currently, the Ford Escape hybrid is the only hybrid SUV on the market, but it was built on leased Toyota hybrid technology. Toyota's hybrid SUV will be built on proprietary technology, and this should enable Toyota to offer a pricing discount over Ford - if wanted. Such a move probably won't be cost-effective this year, as demand is almost certain to dwarf supply.

Yet GM hybrids are, minimally, a couple years away. Still, GM has a great opportunity, as does Ford, with trucks and larger SUVs, but the longer they wait the less their opportunity.

GM has to acknowledge that neither hydrogen, nor fuel cells, can arrive quickly enough to save either Ford or GM. Both must lead in the automotive technology of today, not tomorrow. Trucks and SUVs have buoyed American automakers for decades, but after decades, the technology is little changed.

This must end.

Hybrid F150s, Silverados, Tahoes and Yukons, if offered today, would create not only immense buzz, but sales, and it would give many American consumers something in which to believe. Many Americans want to do something to help the environment and end foreign oil-dependency, they just want to do it in a truck, especially an American-built truck.

Saturn isn't going to save GM, only automotive leadership can do that, and that will require immense change.

Will GM be up to it?

Final thoughts on hybrids and Consumer Reports

While the Honda Accord hybrid stole the buzz of the Consumer Report's Top 10 List because of its family car designation, it wasn't the only hybrid car on the list.

The Toyota Prius hybrid won the The Best Green Car.

This was the first time that two hybrid cars were part of the Top 10 list. Based on "Consumer Reports' road tests, consumer-reported reliability and crash testing from both the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety," the Top 10 are "standouts" according to CR.

The Lexus RX330, the conventional cousin of the soon-to-be-released Lexus RX400h hybrid, took the Best Mid-Sized SUV spot.

Kind of interesting that Toyota and Honda, the hybrid car leaders, are also the Top 10 leaders.

Former CIA director, James Woolsey, Promotes hybrid vehicles

"We're not talking about electric vehicles, but about plug-in hybrid vehicles that can be topped off with electricity for short trips," James Woolsey, former director of the Central Intelligence Agency, said last month during the unveiling of a report by the 16-member National Commission on Energy Policy. "The potential in terms of national policy, and in terms of global warming, ought to be focused on by anyone" concerned about terrorism or "paying over $2 a gallon."

Maybe it's just me, but when the former CIA director starts promoting hybrids because of global warming, terrorism, and high gasoline prices, those issues become even significantly more important.

How many Americans are concerned about terrorism?

A far majority I'm sure, and the former CIA director endorses hybrid vehicles as a way for consumers to help fight terrorism, which makes it a lot harder for putzes from GM's executive staff to claim that hybrids don't make business sense.

America's dependence on foreign oil has pushed the world to the brink of global, man-made disaster. Any American company that does not head this threat - choosing profit over the people's safety - can only be called one thing, UNAMERICAN.

If you are worried about the threat of terrorism, do something about it.

Demand nothing less than hybrid vehicle efficiency, not to save money on gas, but to save lives and to make the world a better place.

Join the Soultek Hybrid Car Club.

Ford Escape Hybrid "Truck of Year"

The world's first gas-electric hybrid sports utility vehicle won the North American International Auto Show's 2004 North American Truck of the Year.

Ford's first production hybrid vehicle was picked by about 50 American and Canadian automotive journalists.

Vehicles, such as the award-winning Ford Escape hybrid are judged on design, safety, handling, and innovations, plus driver satisfaction and value.

The North American International Auto Show is one of the auto industry's most important stages, and will be attended by almost 7,000 journalists from more than 60 countries.

The Escape hybrid, in addition to being the first gas-electric hybrid sports utility vehicle, is also America's first production hybrid automobile. Based on hybrid technology similar to the Toyota Prius hybrid car, the Escape hybrid was released late last summer.

Ford is also planning to create a Mercury Mariner SUV hybrid later this year.

Only Honda has multiple hybrid vehicles at this point in time. The Accord hybrid is already Honda's third hybrid.

This year, Toyota will be adding two additional hybrids. In April, the Lexus RX 400h Hybrid will be released, and the Toyota Highlander hybrid will follow a few months later.

Head to Head to Head: Prius, Accord and Escape Hybrids, Part 1

Back in November, I went