Cars, trucks and more

A gas tax now inevitable
A gas tax is an idea that has been floated around this blog many times over the last few years. My gas tax – really an oil tax – was always a way to help fund credits for more fuel efficient vehicles. Likewise, the tax helps drive investment in non-oil fuels [...]

As small as the Auris?
Toyota will debut a small, limited range electric vehicle at the Detroit Auto Show in January. According to early reports the new EV will be a small car intended for short range city use and it will cost about $20,000.
The new EV concept is to be based off a new subcompact [...]

Not the year of the hybrid
Six months ago, one might have speculated that 2009 would be the year that hybrid cars forever changed the auto industry. It’s not just that hybrids were selling for thousands above MSRP six months ago thanks to high gas prices, but that 2009 would also see the launch of the [...]

The GMC Sierra hybrid
Sales of big trucks are on the rise. Thanks to incentives and cheap gas, consumers are again interested in big vehicles.
Could this help launch GM’s large hybrid pickups, which will hit dealerships early next year?
Probably not since the sales of hybrid vehicles are tanking, and GM won’t be able to offer the [...]

More expensive EVs, or cheaper, smaller vehicles?
Since the bailout was announced this morning, I’ve watched quite a bit of CNBC coverage on the subject. And, both GM’s CEO and the Michigan Governor, have now claimed that EVs and battery-powered vehicles are the key to turning the US auto industry around.
Is that believable?
Recently, the CEO of [...]

Who does Congress represent?
According to a Washington Post poll, 55 percent of Americans still oppose a bailout for automakers, versus 42 percent that support a bailout. Those against the bailout believe that the US auto industry is nearing bankruptcy because of bad business practices, and that bankruptcy won’t disrupt the economy too adversely.
I guess you [...]

In 2009 Cadillac is offering a new Escalade. The Escalade has been on the market for several seasons now, but in 2009 they are going to be offering much more. The 2009 Cadillac Escalade is going to be a hybrid. Not only do you get a great performing vehicle with luxury, but [...]

White House to the rescue
The Senate has rejected the automaker bailout 52 – 35. However, both the Treasury and the White House have indicated that TARP funds might now be used to save the Big 3 from bankruptcy.
Labels: bailout
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Chrysler’s first electric vehicle?
While many believe that Chrysler won’t be around in a couple of years, Chrysler is moving ahead with plans to electrify the automobile. And, in a CNN piece, Chrysler took a poke at the Chevy Volt and claimed that it wouldn’t be a one trick pony, or “one electric vehicle company.”
Thus, Chrysler’s [...]

Even cheaper than the Insight hybrid?
While US automakers are struggling just to survive to President-Elect Obama’s inauguration, Honda is ramping up plans to put many more hybrid vehicles on the road soon. The Honda Insight is just around the corner and the Honda Fit hybrid should be available in 2010.
Reports coming out of Britain are [...]