Friday, August 20, 2010

GM to Bring Back Mild Hybrids?



GM might be bringing back mild hybrid vehicles after the company previously launched just one model with the technology. GM's Saturn brand which was discontinued had one mild hybrid model, and previous year GM vehicles can be browsed at a Bradenton Used Cars dealership. The Saturn model was capable of an increased fuel efficient of 15 percent. You might also consider checking out different VW Specials for deals on the latest or past VW models as well.

Suzuki Rochester also sells vehicle models which are fuel efficient like the Swift. GM has decided to reintroduce vehicles that may feature mild
hybrid technology and there may be vehicles released next year that have this technology. Mild hybrids are vehicles that are not powered by electric engines, but they start and restop the engine with batteries in order to save on gas costs. The electric motor also provides a boost during acceleration, but the difference is that mild hybrids can not be propelled on electricity alone.

GM may also end up making their own electric motors for their new mild hybrid vehicles rather than purchasing them from a supplier. The first GM electric motors will be produced at the company's White Marsh powertrain plant in Baltimore Maryland. A GM executive said that it is important for GM to understand hybrid and electric vehicle technology in order to be able to properly integrate this technology in its latest models.

With greater understanding of electric motors the company will be able to create better and more powerful electric vehicles that are more competitive with automakers like Toyota and Honda who have had more experience with electric vehicle production. Still, GM is ahead of the curve since the company has already made plans to introduce an extended range electric vehicle by the end of 2010 and there are other plans for mild hybrids or other electric vehicles to be released in 2011 and 2012.

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Ford's new production


Before you buy any where make sure you check out all of the amazing deals and prices at Arizona VW along with their amazing line up of modern luxury vehicles. Also make sure you check out all of the amazing deals and prices on a great line up of vehicles at Ohio Ford Service. Ford is going green in the best way. After years of pushing their vehicles to go green along with there dealerships Ford Motors is now pushing for their production to go green. Ford has once again taken the lead in the go green race with this newest step possible. Also make sure you check out all of the amazing deals and prices at GMC Oklahoma City.

Ford Motor Company is refitting one of their factories to go and be green. They are refitting it with solar power panels to run the lights, and wind mills to run the production line. Ford is one of the first automotive motor companies to go green in production, but thanks to the rate of competition they wont be the last.

Ford motors is one of the first to go green in production, but they are taking it a step further with transportation. Along with the other factory refits Ford is putting in 10 charging stations for the vehicles that will be delivering the materials. Ford is making sure that everything about this factory is going to be green from the transportation to the cars rolling of the line.

Ford is using the refitted factor to produce their hybrid vehicle line up. By doing this Ford is pushing the go green challenge ahead in every standard I can think of.

Over all Ford Motors is remaking and rebuilding everything they are to stay on top of the game, and provide you with everything you could ever want or need out of a vehicle.

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Green Technologies.


Drivers who are trying to be more green can take advantage of current Ford Incentives going on and pick up a new Hybrid Fusion or Hybrid Escape if you need more room and off road capability.  Both get you fantastic gas mileage and have fewer emissions!  Of course the line up at your local AZ Volkswagen Dealer has some great fuel savers to offer and they have won more than few safety awards this year.  But other companies besides auto makers are doing their part to make the overall driving experience more green for all drivers, sometimes without them even realizing it!  So next time you drive your new Nissan Philadelphia vehicle, look around you and see if you can spot some of the following technologies in action!  As more and more people jump on the green band wagon, it will be interesting to see how our future unfolds.

A company located in Burtonsville, MD called New Energy Technologies is hoping to create systems that will harvest energy as vehicles are slowing down.  The systems are currently being tested at a fast-food drive thru and a hotel on the east coast, but if these speed bump like pads were at locations like stop lights and toll booths, they would help slow cars down, saving the drivers brake pads, and producing energy at the same time!  Sounds like a win-win situation for everybody. 

There is a grocery store chain in the United Kingdom that has installed specialized plates in their parking lots so that as cars are driving over them, kinetic energy is produced and stored.  The amounts are not incredibly high, but at the end of the day, this system supplies enough power to supply the check out counters!  Critics suggest that really these plates are making cars work harder to produce the energy, so it isn't the best option.  Let's just call it a work in progress! 



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Tesla Sales Decrease with New EPA Rules;



Tesla's sales have been up and down throughout the year and now the company is facing a drop in 2010 sales as opposed to its 2009 sales of its Roadster model, the only vehicle which is being offered by Tesla at the moment. Chevrolet and other automakers will be offering electric or hybrid vehicle models to compete with Tesla once Tesla starts distributing more vehicle models, and Chevy's latest hybrids can be purchased at a discount from a Greenville Chevy Sale.

VW Peoria will sell the new Volkswagen Jetta hybrid which will be released in 2011 and feature the latest in hybrid technology. Other automakers like Mazda and Nissan have joined the electric vehicle production mix later on than competitors but are now looking to release several new hybrid or electric models in upcoming years. Mazda's current fuel efficient models can be purchased from a Mazda Fayetteville dealership.

Tesla's sales have decreased over news that new rules could require Tesla and other automakers to decrease their advertised mileage estimates. Tesla had delivered 1,200 as of June 30, 2010 for the 2010 year but it only had 130 orders to fill which was down from 2009. Sales have decreased for 2010 which may be a result of the recession or other economic factors.

Although Tesla is by no means dependent on its Roadster sales in order for the company to have financing, it is interesting that the Roadster has decreased in sales numbers for 2010. Perhaps in the 3rd and 4th quarter of 2010 sales may increase for the company.

Tesla does not anticipate being profitable until 2012 when its Model S sedan will be released, however the new EPA estimates may pose a challenge for Tesla and may require it to shift its marketing and advertising techniques. Tesla is owned by Elon Musk, a serial entrepreneur and is a publicly traded company.

Monday, August 16, 2010

Mazda2's Fuel Efficiency!


When you think of a green car, you should think of something small driving down the crowded streets of Europe.  That school of thought is making its way to the United States, and with the release of the Mazda2 hatchback, smaller cars really are becoming the future.  Think of the entire Volkswagen line up; unless you have kids, you probably wanted their sporty Golf rather than the Passat.  And Reading Kia needs to jump on the hybrid bandwagon already once they are done selling their Soul to the younger crowds.  And as far as the line up at NC Jeep Dealer, well, we aren't holding our breath anytime soon for off road capable vehicles to meet green criteria.  Nonetheless, there are enough eco-conscious brands out there that make a wide array of fuel efficient and alternative vehicles; Ford, Toyota, and Honda quickly come to mind.  This sporty four cylinder, brand new model, from Mazda may not have roaring amounts of horsepower or a turbocharged engine, but when you are getting 28 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway, you probably weren't buying this car with the hopes of winning races!

The 2011 Mazda2 has a 1.5 liter four cylinder engine that only gives you 100 horsepower.  Remember though, this little car only weighs 2,300 pounds, and the tight responsive handling still make you feel like you are driving a sporty car that lives up to the "zoom zoom" motto.  It is suggested you go with the manual transmission as the automatic four speed tranny is a little rough under high acceleration.

Immediate competition includes the Toyota Yaris, which boasts a smaller price tag and slightly better fuel economy.  The 2011 Ford Fiesta has been highly anticipated after its success in Europe.  Plus, Nissan has two models in this class, the Versa and the Cube.  Tall people will fit comfortably in the front seat, but the back seat is small, cramped, and uncomfortable.  Plus, there is less cargo room than lots of the competition.  You only have 13.3 cubic feet of storage and the 60/40 seats don't even fold all the way flat, which is pretty much standard nowadays.  With the seats folded down, you get 27.8 cubic feet of cargo room, but to put that in perspective, with the back seats of the Honda Fit folded flat, you get an impressive 57.3 cubic feet of room.




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Saturday, August 14, 2010

Hybrid Sales Down 33%


The folks at Washington DC Lexus should be happy with the recent news of their hybrid sales for July 2010 compared to last year's sales.  Lexus and Toyota combined represented 73.9% of the total hybrid sales in the United States.  This is great news, but the fact that hybrid sales only accounted for 2.27% of the entire sales and fell 33% compared to last year is not so great news.  While the economy is doing better and there was a 5% increase in vehicle sales compared to last year, Americans should be being more eco-conscious and paying a bit more for the hybrid models.  You already don't see many hybrid models at Cincinnati Used Car Auctions because their owners end up loving them so much they don't get traded in often, unless someone needs a different size for some reason.  Of course, Arizona VW Dealers are sitting pretty this month, as their total sales increased by 27% compared to last year's sales.  While it didn't itemize out their hybrid sales, VW does sell many hybrid or clean burning diesel engine vehicles. 

Other vehicles that did well include Honda and some of their hybrid models.  The Honda Civic Hybrid sold 617 cars and the brand new model Honda Insight sold an impressive 1,858 units!  Ford's hybrid line up did pretty well in total sales.  Ford and Mercury combined sold 2,986 hybrids for July 2010.  The Fusion sold 1,586 and the Escape sold 1,260!  People like the trusted reputation and quality you get from Ford products anymore.  The more costly Mercury Milan sold 90 units and the Mercury Mariner sold 100 units.  Toyota, as mentioned before, had the biggest piece of the hybrid pie this last month.  14,102 Prius models were sold and the Camry Hybrid sold 1,276.  Even the large Highlander Hybrid managed to move 575 units off the lots.  The new Lexus hybrid models are selling better than expected, with the RX450h selling 1,356 models! 






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Friday, August 13, 2010

Ford's Fuel Efficient Trucks


VW Arizona Dealers may feel a bit of sales competition from Ford, but not from their cute little cars like you would expect.  Ford has recently announced that they are putting four new engines in their F-150 full size pick up trucks, and that will result in increased fuel economy around 20%!  Pittsburgh Used Cars might have a harder time selling their truck inventory, especially when consumers know they can go get a full size brand new truck from Ford that will give them the best fuel economy in the class.  But if after reading this you still don't want a truck, then at least go see St. Petersburg Mazda Dealer for some of their sporty models. 

Ford is going to put six speed automatic transmissions on their entire F-150 line up!  That higher speed will give all the trucks better fuel economy when traveling at higher speeds, say on the highway.  That should make green consumers happy.  Plus, the trucks are all going to come with SelectShift, which allows drivers to switch to something similar to manual mode.  This will be especially helpful when towing so that drivers will have the option to manually switch between high and low gears so that they get the best power and fuel efficiency combination.  Ford continues to set standards; they are the only truck company so far to offer six speed transmissions as a standard feature.

Ford will be offering a 5.0 liter V8, giving drivers 360 horsepower and 380 pound feet of torque, plus the ability to tow 9,800 pounds!  The other V8 engine will be a 6.2 liter with 411 horsepower and 434 pound feet of torque and the capability of towing 11,300 pounds.  Both of these will be class leaders in fuel economy when compared to comparable engines in other truck brands.

The real fuel efficient truck to watch for is the 3.5 liter V6 with EcoBoost.  While the horsepower and torque specifications haven't been established yet, this truck will get the best fuel economy in the entire F-150 line up.  It will be available in early 2011.



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