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February 01, 2005  

"Car companies are at a crossroads"

In the article Taken for a ride, Thomas Kostigen takes a very bearish view of hybrids and fuel cells.

Kostigen does make some good points. Specifically, he notes that American car companies, particularly GM and Ford, have become more like financial companies that make automobiles, rather than automobile manufacturers that also have a financial arm.

Mr. Kostigen opens his article referencing Nissan's claim that hybrid cars make no economic sense. He also notes that fuel cell cars are even more of a dream than hybrids.

 Hybrid Car Tax Credit
One-time $2000.00 credit available
If you purchase a hybrid vehicle in 2005, you might qualify for a one-time federal income tax credit .

Sadly, this tax-credit will be reduced in 2006, and phased-out the following year under current legislation (more)

    Toyota Prius




+
Prius hybrid home 
+
Escape hybrid home 
+
Accord hybrid home 
+
Head to head: Prius and the Escape hybrid match up 
+
Prius test drive
+
Escape hybrid test drive


 

 

Hybrid Car Club
Stay informed. Join the hybrid revolution Now!

 


Well, Nissan's claim really doesn't mean much to me. How can you say hybrids don't make economic sense, then announce your first hybrid, which is exactly what Nissan's CEO, Carlos Ghosn, did when he ridiculed hybrids.

Ladies and gentlemen, hybrid cars don't make business sense, which is why I'm proud to introduce our first hybrid car, the
Altima hybrid.

That's double-talk, and what else can you expect from Nissan?

Here at Nissan we believe hybrids are the future. That's why we haven't invested in this technology and are forced to lease it from our main competitor, Toyota.

Since the Altima hybrid still won't be out for more than a year, in reality, what else could Mr. Ghosen say?

The fact is, the only reason GM and Nissan are making hybrid cars is because they realize that if the model succeeds, they will be out of the car business without any hybrid models.

In my book, Mr. Ghosen's spin is nothing but an attempt to buy time.

Yet, Mr. Kostigen concludes his article, "The future of car companies may not rest in how sleek, fast or comfortable their products are, rather in how efficient (read economic, not fuel) they can make them.

O.K., I can agree with that statement.

Then Kostigen states, "That's bad news for environmentalists and alternative-energy seekers. It also provides keen insight into how an industry that's had a chance for years to be cutting-edge consistently goes retro in doubt."

Does the new Mustang or Charger ring any bells?

Yet, even if Kostigen is correct, and price is all that counts, Japan wins without doubt. In particular, Toyota takes over the automotive world.

Toyota's kaizen-driven manufacturing philosophy, i.e., efficiency driven, has already given the Japanese company a huge advantage over the likes of GM, Ford, and Chrysler.

More important; however, is the fact that Toyota President Fujio Cho, just recently announced to the automotive world that the hybrid powertrain is the key to Toyota's future.

Already Toyota Prius demand is far beyond supply, and a 100,000 new Prius will not fill demand in 2005. Without a real competitor, the Prius is demonstrating that it will achieve much more than "niche" production.

Yet, Toyota is only getting started.

Toyota's next hybrid, out in just a couple of months, the Lexus RX 400h hybrid, has already received more than 10,000 orders, as well as interest from another 50,000 consumers. In fact, initial demand on the RX 400h, the world's first luxury SUV, was so far beyond supply that its release date had to be pushed back.

Shortly after the Lexus 400h hybrid is released, the Toyota Highlander Hybrid will follow. Unbelievably, interest in the Highlander hybrid is even far more spectacular than the 400h hybrid.

Next year alone, Toyota could easily sell 250,000+ hybrids, if it is capable of producing that amount of vehicles.

Of course, if gas prices continue to rise, and state legislation continues to demand fewer emissions from automakers, 250,000 hybrids won't even be enough to come close to matching this year's demand.

While Mr. Kostigen is correct in noting that most car companies are not worth investing in, one certainly is, Toyota.

And that's good news for environmentalists and alternative energy seekers.

 

 

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Honda Accord hybrid an extra $3000.00 plus

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Could Chevron end hybrid vehicle hold up?

Ford's biggest gas-guzzling SUV set for extinction

Calpers, America's largest pension fund challenges automakers on California clean air legislation lawsuit

GM, DaimlerChrysler hybrid vehicle partnership creates serious questions

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Automaker spin on global warming responsibility

Americans must take a stand against the American auto industry

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The California Clean Cars Campaign responds to automakers lawsuit

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Auto lawsuit initiated against California global warming legislation

Hybrid car rip off? $60 billion in rebates for non-hybrids.

Zap ForTwo Smart Car Available on eBay

Automakers set to challenge landmark California emission's law

Hybrid cars are for do-gooders?

Toyota Highlander Hybrid More Popular the Prius?
>
Already more than 100,000 interested in the Highlander Hybrid SUV

Two More Ford Hybrid Cars
>
Ford gets aggressive in hybrid vehicle market, adds to hybrid line

GM "Missed Boat" on hybrid cars
>
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Auto Show Media Hype: Hybrids raised the ante
>
Hybrid hype? Hybrid cars have already changed the auto world as we know it.

Hybrid cars "core technology" of Future for Toyota
>
Hybrid cars are the future for Toyota

Nissan will also make hybrid cars in U.S.
>
Nissan will start producing the Nissan Altima hybrid in the United States in 2006.

"Hybrids represent a bridge to the long-term solution of hydrogen fuel cells"
>
Strong words at this year's North American International Auto Show by Ford and GM?

Ford Escape Hybrid Wins Top Truck Award
>
Escape hybrid is the North American Truck of the Year

Toyota, King of Hybrid Cars?
>
The Prius hybrid car and the Lexus RX 400h are just the start. Heads up America.

Toyota will build hybrid vehicles in the U.S.
>
Plus a couple new Toyota hybrid cars announced 

2005 Year of the Hybrid Vehicle
>
2004 Might have been the year of the Prius, but the hybrid revolution is just beginning

Detroit's best bet, hybrid vehicles
>
Hybrids are now better cars than conventional vehicles, and Detroit must recover quickly 

Head to Head to Head: Prius, Accord and Escape Hybrids, Part 1
> Want to know how the Toyota Prius, Honda Accord Hybrid, and Ford Escape Hybrid really match up?

Comparing diesels and hybrid cars
> Diesels are almost as efficient as full hybrids, but they do pollute more

No Carpool Lane for California Hybrid drivers
> Hybrid car legislation might not go into effect for 6 months or more

Hybrid version of Mercury Mariner, wow.
> C'mon Ford. Can't you do better than another Escape Hybrid?

Hybrid vehicles less powerful?
> The newest hybrid cars are more faster and more powerful than conventional autos.

What's up with the hybrid haters?
> How can you dislike hybrid cars, or call people who like them shallow?

Accord Hybrid one of LA's Ten Great Cars of Year
> In the land of glamour and bling, bling, even common sense can rule. Hybrids are cool, and they represent the future.

Despite Escape Hybrid, Environmentalists Continue to Hammer Ford
>
The Ford Escape hybrid is a nice gesture by Ford, but only a gesture.

Toyota hybrid cars, just a niche?
> After Prius success, why isn't Toyota more optimistic about hybrid vehicle sales?

More hydrogen hype: The case for hybrid cars
> If the hydrogen economy is at least two decades away, interim technologies, such as hybrids, are the key

Bob and My Hybrid Accord Test Drive
> Bob loved the Accord hybrid, but said he wouldn't pay the extra cash

Honda Accord Hybrid Test Drive: Initial Thoughts
> The new Honda Accord hybrid has added a significant twist to the hybrid class

Hydrogen hype: Why hybrid vehicles are more important than ever 
>
Detroit's answer to pollution is at least decades away, and we can't wait that long. Hybrids are an essential interim technology

Do Hybrid SUVs make sense?
> Isn't the reason for hybrid vehicles efficiency? Plus, Accord hybrid tidbits.

Detroit's hybrid vehicle collaboration: They had no choice. 
> Not long ago Detroit laughed at Japanese hybrid cars, not anymore.

Could Chevron end hybrid vehicle hold up?
>
Current hybrid battery partnership and record profits could lead the way

GM, Daimler Chrysler team up on hybrid vehicles. Toyota Prius success forces automakers to complete with Japanese hybrids

Car makers just can't do the right thing. Automakers set to challenge landmark California emission's law

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Americans must take a stand against American auto corporations

Bill Ford Jr. Ready to Restart his Clean Revolution

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Honda Accord hybrid officially in showrooms today!

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For Even More Hybrid Vehicle Stories >> Click here.


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