Autoblog Green http://green.autoblog.com Autoblog Green http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/%SiteURL%/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog Green http://green.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Chris Shunk, Sam Abuelsamid and Dan RothThe podcast by the people who obsessively cover the auto industry.<![CDATA[Fisker: Leonardo DiCaprio's Prius inspired the Karma]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/08/fisker-leonardo-dicaprios-prius-inspired-the-karma/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/08/fisker-leonardo-dicaprios-prius-inspired-the-karma/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/08/fisker-leonardo-dicaprios-prius-inspired-the-karma/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



Ever wonder what it is that sparks the mind of an entrepreneur? After all, lots of people have big imaginations and great ideas, but only a relatively small number of them actually follow through, create a company and design a product. Of course, we can add Henrik Fisker to that list of entrepreneurs, and we're definitely looking forward to seeing what else springs from his fertile mind.

So, back to the original question. In the case of Henrik Fisker, the inspiration for the Karma extended-range electric car came from none other than Leonardo DiCaprio. Actually, the actor's Prius hybrid, to be specific. Says Fisker:
A couple of years ago it started, by people who were maybe a little ahead of their time. You saw some movie starts like Leonardo DiCaprio buying a Prius... He could have bought any car in the world, and I remember seeing that on television and thinking to myself, you know, when you've got a guy who could buy any Ferrari or Rolls Royce and he's buying a Prius, you know something is changing dramatically.
Interesting little tidbit, no?

[Source: Reuters | Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images]

Fisker: Leonardo DiCaprio's Prius inspired the Karma originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Sun, 08 Nov 2009 14:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fiskerfisker karmaFiskerKarmahenrik fiskerHenrikFiskerkarmaleonardo dicaprioleonardo dicaprio priusLeonardoDicaprioLeonardoDicaprioPriuspriustoyota priusToyotaPriusSun, 08 Nov 2009 14:53:00 EST<![CDATA[LA Auto Show Design Challenge entrants reveal Youthmobile 2030 designs]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/05/la-auto-show-design-challenge-entrants-reveal-youthmobile-2030-d/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/05/la-auto-show-design-challenge-entrants-reveal-youthmobile-2030-d/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/05/la-auto-show-design-challenge-entrants-reveal-youthmobile-2030-d/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,

Mazda Souga Concept from LA Design Challenge 2009 - Click above for high-res image gallery

This year's iteration of the annual Design Challenge at the LA Auto Show asks the question: How will a new generation of drivers age 16-23 - raised with cell phones, web cams and online communities - emotionally connect to the automobile in 2030? We don't know the answer either, but at least six designers from some of the world's top automakers decided to give it a go with their own ideas. if you thought the Aptera was futuristic, check these out.

First up are the eSpira and eOra from Audi, which are controlled by thought and by the minutest adjustments to the pilot's body. Next we have the General Motors Car Hero... yes, the name is borrowed from the popular Guitar Hero line of games and the car, as you might imagine, "turns driving into gaming." What happens when the inevitable "Game Over" comes at the end? Moving along, we come to the Honda Helix, a shape-shifting vehicle that borrows actual DNA from its owner. Yuck, we don't want to be a car, we want to drive a car.

Which brings us to the Mazda Souga, easily our favorite out of this crop of concepts. This vision for the future would have each owner design his own car for the low price of $2,000 while paying an additional monthly usage fee that also covers the price of electricity to power the Souga.

Nissan's vision for the future includes cars that get their power from an electrically-charged roadway called the GRID, and the vowel-challenged V2G UNLMTD is quickly hacked into an OFF-GRID transportation device by the next breed of young hackers. Lastly, we have the Toyota Link. According to Toyota, future college students will have nearly no income and will rely on mass transit vehicles like the Link that allow them to interact via their various social networks on their daily commutes. Sounds boring to us, but what do we know?

Be sure to check out all six designs in our high-res image gallery below and hit the jump for the official press release.



[Source: LA Design Challenge]

Continue reading LA Auto Show Design Challenge entrants reveal Youthmobile 2030 designs

LA Auto Show Design Challenge entrants reveal Youthmobile 2030 designs originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audi eoraaudi espiraAudiEoraAudiEspiradesign challengedesign challenge 2009DesignChallengeDesignChallenge2009general motors car heroGeneralMotorsCarHerohonda helixHondaHelixLA Design challengeLA Design Challenge 2009LaDesignChallengeLaDesignChallenge2009mazda sougaMazdaSouganissan v2gnissan v2g unmltdNissanV2gNissanV2gUnmltdtoyota linkToyotaLinkThu, 05 Nov 2009 18:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Toyota's long hybrid patent fight with Paice continues in court]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/05/toyotas-long-hybrid-patent-fight-with-paice-continues-in-court/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/05/toyotas-long-hybrid-patent-fight-with-paice-continues-in-court/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/05/toyotas-long-hybrid-patent-fight-with-paice-continues-in-court/#commentsFiled under: , ,

2010 Toyota Prius - Click above for high-res image gallery

Toyota's legal battle to over making and selling the Hybrid Synergy Drive has a long history. Toyota has fought with both Solomon Technologies and Paice LLC over the gasoline-electric technology. In 2008, Toyota was ordered to pay Paice LLC $4.3 million for patent infringement, based on a cost of $25 per infringing car (defined at the second-gen Prius, the Toyota Highlander hybrid and the Lexus RX400H). But that didn't end the problem. Instead, this past September, Paice issued a new suit trying to get U.S. Customs to stop all of Toyota's hybrids at the border.

Paice believes that Toyota is using Paice technology in its hybrids and a court agreed in the $4.3 million settlement. Paice - Power Assisted Internal Combustion Engine - was started in 1992 by Russian immigrant Alex Severinsky. In 1994, Severinsky was awarded a patent for a microprocessor that coordinated power flows in both an ICE and an electric motor. Severinsky's patent expires in 2012 and Paice wants Toyota's imports halted until then. But, a semi-related legal decision involving eBay issued in May of 2006 may impact the Toyota situation because Paice, which does not make any hybrid cars, does not meet the new four-factor test that decision created. The lawsuit trying to get the vehicles stopped at the border is simply a new chip Paice is trying to gain in the ongoing fight. Learn more at Law.com.

[Source: Law.com]

Toyota's long hybrid patent fight with Paice continues in court originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 12:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hybridhybrid lawsuitHybridLawsuitlawsuitpaice lawsuitPaiceLawsuittoyota hybridtoyota lawsuittoyota paicetoyota paice lawsuittoyota priusToyotaHybridToyotaLawsuitToyotaPaiceToyotaPaiceLawsuitToyotaPriusThu, 05 Nov 2009 12:55:00 EST<![CDATA[<i>BusinessWeek</i>: Prius one of the 50 Ugliest Cars of the Past 50 Years]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/04/businessweek-prius-one-of-the-50-ugliest-cars-of-the-pas/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/04/businessweek-prius-one-of-the-50-ugliest-cars-of-the-pas/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/04/businessweek-prius-one-of-the-50-ugliest-cars-of-the-pas/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Beauty, as they say, is in the eye of the beholder. While some cars seem to be almost universally loved for their gorgeous lines and undeniable sense of style - the Lamborghini Miura and Shelby Daytona Coupe certainly come to mind - others, such as the new Honda Crosstour and even the latest Nissan GT-R - not to mention nearly everything currently wearing the Acura badge - sport more debatable duds.

And what of the car that's most commonly associated with the green movement? Of course, that would be the Toyota Prius, and we know that some happen to find the car rather attractive... whether that's for its slip-through-the-wind styling or the high fuel mileage - made possible in part by that styling - that its owners happily enjoy. According to BusinessWeek, though, the second-gen Prius is one of the 50 Ugliest Cars of the Past 50 Years. Not a distinction any owner wants their car to carry.

Take heart, Prius owners. There are a number of questionable vehicles on the list. For instance, the classically boxy Volvo 240 isn't ugly at all... it's purposeful and practical. Neither are the Lamborghini LM002, 2002 BMW 7 Series, Tata Nano or Toyota iQ deserving of inclusion on this unflattering list. Lastly, does anyone really think the DeLorean is that unattractive? Unabashedly '80s? Sure. Ugly? Nah.


Gallery: 2009 Toyota Prius


[Source: BusinessWeek]

BusinessWeek: Prius one of the 50 Ugliest Cars of the Past 50 Years originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Ugliest car everugliest carsugliest cars of all timeUgliestCarEverUgliestCarsUgliestCarsOfAllTimeugly bettyugly carugly carsUglyBettyUglyCarUglyCarsWed, 04 Nov 2009 12:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Toyota to launch battery electric vehicle in 2012, fuel cell in 2015]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/03/toyota-to-launch-battery-electric-vehicle-in-2012-fuel-cell-in/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/03/toyota-to-launch-battery-electric-vehicle-in-2012-fuel-cell-in/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/03/toyota-to-launch-battery-electric-vehicle-in-2012-fuel-cell-in/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Bob Carter, group vice president and general manager of the Toyota brand, came to Detroit on Monday to have lunch with some local media. Among the topics of discussion at the gathering were Toyota's plans for zero emissions vehicles.

Since last January, Toyota has shown two different plug-in battery powered concepts, the FT-EV and the FT-EV II, both of which were small city cars. Carter confirmed that Toyota would introduce a battery electric car in 2012. What he declined to elaborate on was what type of car it would be, although he did say the EV would not look like either of the concepts. Odds are the BEV will be a city car of some kind though. When asked if he thought EVs could hit 10 percent of the market by 2020, Carter replied, "the technology has to advance much further than it is today to hit 10 percent of the market."

Carter reiterated that internal combustion and hybrids would remain the primary motivators for some time to come although the company was still committed to fuel cells as well. Toyota would like to have a fuel cell vehicle on the market by 2015 if there is a reasonable network of filling stations.

Toyota will start deploying its test fleet of 500 plug-in Priuses around the end of November to commercial and government fleets in Japan, North America and Europe. According the Carter, the lithium ion battery Prius can run electrically at speeds up to 62 mph for up to 5 miles. It's not clear if the car can actually accelerate from a standstill to the speed without running the engine, that will have to wait until we have a chance to try one out.

[Source: Green Fuels Forecast]

Toyota to launch battery electric vehicle in 2012, fuel cell in 2015 originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bob carterBobCarterElectric carelectric carselectric vehicleelectric vehiclesElectricCarElectricCarsElectricVehicleElectricVehicleshydrogenhydrogen carhydrogen fuel cellHydrogenCarHydrogenFuelCellphevphev priusphev-priusPhevPriusphevstoyotaTue, 03 Nov 2009 11:58:00 EST<![CDATA[REPORT: Toyota plans to trim trucks, focus on hybrids, improve quality]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/02/report-toyota-plans-to-trim-trucks-focus-on-hybrids-improve-q/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/02/report-toyota-plans-to-trim-trucks-focus-on-hybrids-improve-q/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/02/report-toyota-plans-to-trim-trucks-focus-on-hybrids-improve-q/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Stick with what you know. That seems to be Toyota's new mantra going forward, as the Japanese automaker has reportedly diverted its attention away from large trucks like the largely unsuccessful and slow-selling Tundra pickup and back to hybrid vehicles - possibly all wearing the Prius badge, including a minivan and something smaller than the current Prius - and returning to its previous levels of unquestionable quality.

Atsushi Niimi, executive vice president for North America and global manufacturing, tells Automotive News that Toyota will try to build more longevity into its current lineup, addressing issues such as excessive rust and corrosion and introducing new "fail-safe functions" designed to minimize the possibility of "tragic accidents." We suspect that means push-button ignitions that can more easily shut down the car and floor mats that can't bunch up under the accelerator pedal.

In addition, Toyota will focus on the North American market, giving U.S. engineers a larger say when it comes to new vehicle design and the choices of which models make the overseas trek. To speed up the new model renaissance, Toyota will hold back on midcycle refreshes, instead working to get more substantial updates ready in less time.

On the manufacturing side, Toyota believes that it expanded too rapidly over the last decade and will attempt to slow down and restore the trust that customers had in the brand. Apparently, that slowdown will indeed affect the recently-built and still-idle plant in Blue Springs, Mississippi.

[Source: Automotive News (products, manufacturing) (quality) - Sub. Req'd]

REPORT: Toyota plans to trim trucks, focus on hybrids, improve quality originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blue springsblue springs mississippiBlueSpringsBlueSpringsMississippitoyotatoyota hybridtoyota manufacturingtoyota priustoyota qualityToyota TundraToyotaHybridToyotaManufacturingToyotaPriusToyotaQualityToyotaTundraMon, 02 Nov 2009 19:53:00 EST<![CDATA[Eating his words: Michael Pollan retracts Hummer-vegan/Prius-meat-eater comment]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/10/30/eating-his-words-michael-pollan-retracts-hummer-vegan-prius-mea/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/10/30/eating-his-words-michael-pollan-retracts-hummer-vegan-prius-mea/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/10/30/eating-his-words-michael-pollan-retracts-hummer-vegan-prius-mea/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Want to give your public pronouncement a little zing? Try throwing in the words Hummer and Prius and imply that the SUV is better for the earth than the Prius. CNW sure knows the value of making the false claim. Last week, author Michael Pollan tried a similar trick when he said at the 2009 Poptech conference that, "A vegan in a Hummer has a lighter carbon footprint than a beef eater in a Prius." Guess who's had to issue a mea culpa?

Pollan, who wrote The Botany of Desire, The Omnivore's Dilemma and other books, was blasted by people armed with facts. Specifically, Gidon Eshel and Pamela Martin from the University of Chicago found that shifting from eating meat to veganism saved about 2 tons of CO2 equivalent per person per year. A Hummer driver, on the other hand, emits 4.76 tons more per year than a Prius. Pollan later said that:

After digging into it further, and consulting Gidon Eschel, I don't feel comfortable defending [my earlier statement]. It's much more important to keep the focus on the central thrust of the environmental case against eating industrial meat, which is not in dispute and certainly does not stand or fall on the case of the vegan Hummer driver.

We're not against people making attention-getting statements for effect, but what's with constantly attacking the Prius? Can't a car just get 50 MPG in peace?

[Source: HybridCars]

Eating his words: Michael Pollan retracts Hummer-vegan/Prius-meat-eater comment originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 30 Oct 2009 11:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>michael pollanMichaelPollanprius hummerPriusHummerveganveganismFri, 30 Oct 2009 11:56:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumormill: Toyota to launch Prius coupe, MPV]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/10/29/rumormill-toyota-to-launch-prius-coupe-mpv/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/10/29/rumormill-toyota-to-launch-prius-coupe-mpv/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/10/29/rumormill-toyota-to-launch-prius-coupe-mpv/#commentsFiled under: ,


2010 Toyota Prius - Click above for high-res image gallery

This isn't the first time we've heard rumblings of a possible sporty two-door Prius coupe from Toyota, but the rumor that just won't die is once again being trumpeted by Autocar in the UK. The British motoring magazine also contends that an MPV (think downsized minivan) version of the well-loved hybrid hatchback is also in the works.

Interestingly, Autocar claims that the purported Prius MPV would theoretically go up against a production version of the Honda Skydeck concept that was just shown off at the Tokyo Motor Show - this despite the fact that Honda has yet to announce any sort of production plans for a hybrid MPV of its own.

In any case, the rumored Prius coupe would reportedly come with the same 1.8-liter four-cylinder powerplant and Hybrid Synergy Drive as its five-door counterpart, and it would be based on the same chassis that underpins the current model. Thoughts?


Gallery: 2010 Toyota Prius


[Source: Autocar]

Rumormill: Toyota to launch Prius coupe, MPV originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 29 Oct 2009 07:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>priusprius coupeprius minivanprius mpvPriusCoupePriusMinivanPriusMpvtoyotatoyota priustoyota prius coupetoyota prius minivantoyota prius mpvToyotaPriusToyotaPriusCoupeToyotaPriusMinivanToyotaPriusMpvThu, 29 Oct 2009 07:56:00 EST<![CDATA[REPORT: Toyota develops its own flower species for cleaner air at Prius plant]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/10/27/report-toyota-develops-its-own-flower-species-for-cleaner-air-a/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/10/27/report-toyota-develops-its-own-flower-species-for-cleaner-air-a/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/10/27/report-toyota-develops-its-own-flower-species-for-cleaner-air-a/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

2010 Toyota Prius - Click above for high-res image gallery

Automakers make cars and trucks, no surprises there. Some even make other interesting things, like Honda, which also builds motorcycles, jets, robots and solar cells. But up until now, we haven't been able to think of any car companies that develop their own species of flowers. Thankfully, Toyota has reportedly stepped in to correct that oversight by creating two derivatives of the cherry sage and gardenia at its factory in Toyota City, Japan.

This is the plant where the Japanese automaker assembles the Prius hybrid, which seems fitting since the flowers were specifically chosen due to their ability to absorb nitrogen oxides and create water vapor. These attributes clean the surrounding air and lower temperatures at the factory.

Other environmentally-friendly efforts at the plant include roof-mounted solar panels, photocatalytic paint on exterior walls, reflective solar tubes that provide interior light and even slow-growing grass that only needs to be mowed twice per year (we've got dibs). According to Toyota, these initiatives help lower the carbon footprint at the plant, which is a good thing since production of the Prius hybrid is a carbon-intensive operation.


Gallery: 2010 Toyota Prius


[Source: drive.com.au]

REPORT: Toyota develops its own flower species for cleaner air at Prius plant originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 27 Oct 2009 13:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cherry sageCherrySageflowergardeniatoyotatoyota assemblytoyota citytoyota city japantoyota factorytoyota flowertoyota flowerstoyota priusToyotaAssemblyToyotaCityToyotaCityJapanToyotaFactoryToyotaFlowerToyotaFlowersToyotaPriusTue, 27 Oct 2009 13:02:00 EST<![CDATA[VIDEO: New Toyota Prius ad channels Vishnu to explain hybrid tech]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/10/27/video-new-toyota-prius-ad-channels-vishnu-to-explain-hybrid-tec/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/10/27/video-new-toyota-prius-ad-channels-vishnu-to-explain-hybrid-tec/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/10/27/video-new-toyota-prius-ad-channels-vishnu-to-explain-hybrid-tec/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Australian Toyota Prius advertisement - Click above to watch the video after the break

What do you want from me, I've only got two hands?! Wouldn't we all be a bit more productive if we were blessed with another set of upper appendages, complete with opposable thumbs? Toyota apparently thinks so, and the Japanese automotive giant is using the point to prove that two drivetrains are better than one.

Of course, the two drivetrains in question belong to the new 2010 Toyota Prius, which mates an electric motor capable of powering the car on its lonesome and a small, efficient gas-burning 1.8-liter four cylinder internal combustion engine in one happy marriage to produce the perfect hybrid. Or something like that.

Click past the break to watch the advertisement for the new 2010 Prius in Australia. Oh, and Vishnu? Click here for an explanation of the title reference if it slipped you by. Thanks for the tip, Mark C!

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: New Toyota Prius ad channels Vishnu to explain hybrid tech

VIDEO: New Toyota Prius ad channels Vishnu to explain hybrid tech originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 27 Oct 2009 08:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 prius ad2010 prius teaser2010 toyota prius2010PriusAd2010PriusTeaser2010ToyotaPriusadadvertisingaustralian prius adAustralianPriusAdpricingtoyotatoyota priustoyota prius adToyotaPriusToyotaPriusAdTue, 27 Oct 2009 08:08:00 EST<![CDATA[Not good: Tesla Roadster, Toyota Prius and VW Touareg meet with disastrous results]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/10/23/not-good-tesla-roadster-toyota-prius-and-vw-touareg-meet-with/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/10/23/not-good-tesla-roadster-toyota-prius-and-vw-touareg-meet-with/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/10/23/not-good-tesla-roadster-toyota-prius-and-vw-touareg-meet-with/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Ouch.

A three-way crash between a Tesla Roadtser, Toyota Prius and a VW Touareg didn't leave a pretty scene behind, but it appears that at least the Tesla driver walked away with only minor bruises. We don't know what happened to the occupants of the other vehicles. According to Autopia, it seems that the Roadster was allegedly stopped when the Prius hit it from behind - going about 50 mph - and pushed the Tesla under the SUV (note the piece of the EV in the VW's rear end). We'll just say it again: Ouch.

UPDATE: More from Autopia.

[Source: Autopia]

Not good: Tesla Roadster, Toyota Prius and VW Touareg meet with disastrous results originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 23 Oct 2009 14:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>tesla roadsterTeslaRoadstertoyota priusToyotaPriusVW TouaregVwTouaregFri, 23 Oct 2009 14:56:00 EST<![CDATA[Toyota aims to sell 36,000 Sai hybrid sedans a year]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/10/23/toyota-aims-to-sell-36-000-sai-hybrid-sedans-a-year/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/10/23/toyota-aims-to-sell-36-000-sai-hybrid-sedans-a-year/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/10/23/toyota-aims-to-sell-36-000-sai-hybrid-sedans-a-year/#commentsFiled under: , ,


2010 Toyota Sai - Click above for high-res image gallery

Toyota unveiled its de-badged Lexus HS250h/Sai in Tokyo this week and hopes that this model will be another incremental step toward its goal of 1,000,000 annual sales of hybrids. Initially at least, this will be a relatively small increment as the automaker is only looking to move about 36,000 Sais in the first year. That's similar to the number of HS units it wants to sell in North America. American consumers might wonder at why to produce another variant of the HS that is so similar. However, in Japan Toyota's sales network is quite different and there are multiple channels that don't all sell everything Toyota builds. In addition, there are quite a few models that are not offered outside of Japan. The Sai will sell for about $37,000, not that much less than the $43,000 Japanese price of the Lexus. The question at this point would be, if you like the styling of the Sai/HS250, why even consider the Lexus?


[Source: Reuters]
Photos copyright (C)2009 Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc.

Toyota aims to sell 36,000 Sai hybrid sedans a year originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 23 Oct 2009 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 Toyota Sai2010 Toyota Sai Hybrid2010ToyotaSai2010ToyotaSaiHybridsaints-row-2tokyotokyo 2009Tokyo Motor ShowTokyo2009TokyoAutoShowTokyoMotorShowtoyota sai hybridToyotaSaiHybridFri, 23 Oct 2009 13:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Toyota out of the Chamber of Commerce? Plug in America calls out the troops]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/10/23/toyota-and-the-chamber-of-commerce-plug-in-america/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/10/23/toyota-and-the-chamber-of-commerce-plug-in-america/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/10/23/toyota-and-the-chamber-of-commerce-plug-in-america/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



The Yes Men were in the news recently for a hoax that put the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's lame position on climate change under the spotlight. This week, Move On and Plug In America are pushing an online campaign to get Toyota to stop funding the Chamber's anti-climate lobbying. The campaign resulted in a large gallery on Flickr that shows Toyota customers calling on the automaker "to stop opposing clean energy" and asks people to write letters to the editor. Plug In America president Dan Davids said in a statement that:
Toyota has already proven that it can make an excellent electric car. It should be leading the charge to a truly sustainable electric transportation future with plug-in cars. Instead, it's dragging its feet.
In response, Toyota issued a release to, as they put it, "set the record straight." The gist is that Toyota's participation in various groups does not mean it gives full-throated endorsement to everything those groups do. Josephine Cooper, VP for public policy and government/industry affairs said:
Toyota speaks for itself and has its own position on mitigating climate change, backed up by a strong track record of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. [...] We will not disappoint when it comes time to deliver.
Read both statements in full after the jump.

[Source: Toyota, Plug In America]

Continue reading Toyota out of the Chamber of Commerce? Plug in America calls out the troops

Toyota out of the Chamber of Commerce? Plug in America calls out the troops originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 23 Oct 2009 10:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chamber of commerceChamberOfCommerceclimate changeClimateChangedan davidsDanDavidsflickrplug in americaPlugInAmericatoyotatoyota evtoyota phevToyotaEvToyotaPhevU.S. chamber of commerceU.s.ChamberOfCommerceyes menYesMenFri, 23 Oct 2009 10:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Tokyo 2009: Toyota Prius claims Japan Car of the Year title]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/10/23/tokyo-2009-toyota-prius-claims-japan-car-of-the-year-title/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/10/23/tokyo-2009-toyota-prius-claims-japan-car-of-the-year-title/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/10/23/tokyo-2009-toyota-prius-claims-japan-car-of-the-year-title/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Thirty years of the Japan Car of the Year - Click above for high-res image gallery

For the past 30 years, Japan has declared a car of the year, an award given to newly-released or redesigned vehicles released from November 1st of the previous year to October 1st of the current year. More than 60 jurors composed of Japanese journalists receive an allocation of votes, and the car with the most votes comes away with the crown.

This year, the Toyota Prius narrowly edged out the Honda Insight, continuing the recent trend of environmentally-friendly winners. Other notable winners included the new Volkswagen Golf, which was named the Import Car of the Year, the Mitsubishi i-MiEV, which was declared to have the Most Advanced Technology. The Nissan Fairlady Z won the category of Most Fun, and finally the Subaru Legacy took top honors for Best Value.

To celebrate the 30th anniversary of the award, the Tokyo Motor Show also organized a display of past winners, starting with the Mazda Familia 3-door Hatch Back in 1980-1981 and finishing with last year's winner, the Toyota IQ. We've included the winners from every year (some cars on display won alternate categories, like the Toyota Supra from 1993-1994) in the high-res gallery below.



Photos copyright (C)2009 Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc.

Tokyo 2009: Toyota Prius claims Japan Car of the Year title originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 23 Oct 2009 09:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2009 Japan Car of the Year2009 Tokyo Motor Show2009-2010 Japan Car of the Year2009-2010JapanCarOfTheYear2009JapanCarOfTheYear2009TokyoMotorShow2010 Toyota Prius2010ToyotaPriusJapan Car of the YearJapanCarOfTheYearPriusTokyo 2009Tokyo Motor ShowTokyo2009TokyoMotorShowToyotaToyota PriusToyotaPriusFri, 23 Oct 2009 09:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Tokyo 2009: Toyota FT-EV II concept]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/10/23/tokyo-2009-toyota-ft-ev-ii-concept/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/10/23/tokyo-2009-toyota-ft-ev-ii-concept/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/10/23/tokyo-2009-toyota-ft-ev-ii-concept/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Toyota FT-EV II concept - click above for high-res image gallery

Toyota revealed their latest plug-in electric concept car here in Tokyo as the FT-EV II. This one is a followup to the iQ-based FT-EV that we saw in Detroit but appears to be a ground-up design that takes advantage of the electric drive architecture. The iQ is promoted as a 3+1 layout because the presence of the steering column and instrument cluster force the driver's seat to be further back limiting the already small rear seat behind it.

The new concept uses a complete fly-by-wire system with joystick-like controls that feature a steam-punk design motif. The result is wide open space in the front and the very thin shell seats result in decent room. The car also has sliding doors on both sides. It's not known if this concept represents a design direction for an urban BEV that Toyota will likely build to meet ZEV mandates in the next five years, but it would make sense to do a custom design.


Photos Copyright (C)2009 Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc.

Tokyo 2009: Toyota FT-EV II concept originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 23 Oct 2009 08:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>tokyotokyo 2009Tokyo Motor ShowTokyo2009TokyoAutoShowTokyoMotorShowtoyotaToyota ft-evtoyota ft-ev iiToyota FT-EV II ConceptToyotaFt-evToyotaFt-evIiToyotaFt-evIiConceptFri, 23 Oct 2009 08:13:00 EST<![CDATA[Tokyo 2009: hybrid-only, Japan-only Toyota Sai unveiled]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/10/21/tokyo-2009-hybrid-only-toyota-sai-unveiled-for-jdm/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/10/21/tokyo-2009-hybrid-only-toyota-sai-unveiled-for-jdm/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/10/21/tokyo-2009-hybrid-only-toyota-sai-unveiled-for-jdm/#commentsFiled under: , ,



As expected, Toyota has taken the wraps off of its new dedicated hybrid model, the Sai. The Sai medium-sized hybrid will only be sold in Japan, starting in early December (a bit later than expected). Toyota says that the Sai shows how committed the company is to expanding its hybrid technology. Compared to the Prius, the Sai is bigger, uses a larger engine (2.4 liters compared to 1.8) and costs more. The Sai will start at around $37,500, whereas the Prius base model is around $22,000 in Japan. The Sai also gets great fuel economy of about 54 mpg (U.S.) on the optimistic Japanese cycle.

While the Sai is a bit more in most regards than the Prius, it is a bit below another hybrid in the Toyota family. The Sai shares some structure and looks with the Lexus HS 250h, but costs less.

Toyota hopes to sell 3,000 Sai units per month. There's a video (in Japanese and Danish) after the jump. Stay tuned for more pictures from Tokyo. Thanks to Dan F. for the tip!

[Source: ABC News, JPtv]

Tokyo 2009: hybrid-only, Japan-only Toyota Sai unveiled originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 21 Oct 2009 11:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>saisai hybridSaiHybridtokyo 2009Tokyo Motor Showtokyo motor show 2009Tokyo2009TokyoMotorShowTokyoMotorShow2009toyota saitoyota sai hybridToyotaSaiToyotaSaiHybridWed, 21 Oct 2009 11:48:00 EST<![CDATA[Feds release 2010 Fuel Economy Guide, Prius still most miserly]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/10/16/feds-release-2010-fuel-economy-guide-prius-still-most-miserly/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/10/16/feds-release-2010-fuel-economy-guide-prius-still-most-miserly/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/10/16/feds-release-2010-fuel-economy-guide-prius-still-most-miserly/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

2010 Toyota Prius - Click above for high-res image gallery

Quick - what's the most fuel efficient car currently for sale in America? Did you guess the Toyota Prius? If so, give yourself a cookie, you're right. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the 2010 version of Toyota's seminal hybrid once again scores the mileage victory with its estimated 51 mpg city and 48 highway numbers.

Second place is grabbed by a set of newcomers to the hybrid arena for the 2010 model year: Ford's Fusion sedan and its sibling from Mercury, the Milan. The Blue Oval's hybrid duo earn EPA ratings of 41 city and 36 highway, making them most fuel efficient midsize sedans in America.

Rounding out the top 10 vehicle platforms are the Civic Hybrid and Insight from Honda; the Lexus HS 250h; the Nissan Altima Hybrid; the Ford Escape, Mazda Tribute and Mercury Mariner hybrid 'utes; Smart's Fortwo coupe and cabriolet (the only non-hybrids in the top 10); Toyota's Camry Hybrid and finally the Lexus RX 450h.

Want to know where your next car comes in on the federal government's list for 2010? Click here to find out.



[Source: fueleconomy.gov via Green Car Congress]

Feds release 2010 Fuel Economy Guide, Prius still most miserly originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 16 Oct 2009 07:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 fuel economy2010 toyota prius2010FuelEconomy2010ToyotaPriusbest fuel mileageBestFuelMileageenvironmental protection agencyEnvironmentalProtectionAgencyepaepa fuel economyepa fuel mileageEpaFuelEconomyEpaFuelMileagehighest fuel mileageHighestFuelMileagemost fuel efficientMostFuelEfficientpriustoyotatoyota priusToyotaPriusFri, 16 Oct 2009 07:56:00 EST<![CDATA[Ford may pass Honda as second best hybrid seller in U.S.]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/10/15/ford-may-pass-honda-as-second-best-hybrid-seller-in-u-s/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/10/15/ford-may-pass-honda-as-second-best-hybrid-seller-in-u-s/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/10/15/ford-may-pass-honda-as-second-best-hybrid-seller-in-u-s/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


2009 Ford Escape Hybrid - Click above for high-res image gallery

There's no doubt about which automaker leads the hybrid vehicle race. Toyota - and particularly the Japanese automaker's Prius hybrid hatchback - outsells all other manufacturers combined. In total, Automotive News (sub. req'd) calculates that Toyota sold 144,351 hybrid vehicles in the first nine months of 2009, which actually represents a 28-percent drop from the previous year.

Coming in second place so far this year is Honda, but that position is currently in jeopardy. The 26,016 hybrid vehicles sold by Ford in the first nine months of the year represents an impressive 73-percent gain from last year. Honda has sold 29,958 hybrids so far in '09, representing a much smaller 8-percent increase. In both July and September, Ford actually sold more hybrids than Honda.

In other words, Ford, led by its Escape Hybrid and new-for-2010 Fusion Hybrid, is gaining on Honda at a very rapid pace. Moving on down the line, General Motors slots in at number four with 12,556 total hybrid so far this year and Nissan's 7,713 units make it the number five hybrid seller in the U.S.


Gallery: ABG Garage: 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid Limited


[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req'd]

Ford may pass Honda as second best hybrid seller in U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 15 Oct 2009 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ford escape hybridford fusion hybridford hybridford hybrid salesford mustangFordEscapeHybridFordFusionHybridFordHybridFordHybridSalesFordMustanghondahonda hybridhonda hybrid salesHonda InsightHondaHybridHondaHybridSalesHondaInsighttoyotatoyota hybridtoyota hybrid salestoyota priusToyotaHybridToyotaHybridSalesToyotaPriusThu, 15 Oct 2009 18:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Bientôt Electrique Association offers plug-in kit for the Prius]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/10/15/bientot-electrique-association-offers-plug-in-kit-for-the-prius/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/10/15/bientot-electrique-association-offers-plug-in-kit-for-the-prius/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/10/15/bientot-electrique-association-offers-plug-in-kit-for-the-prius/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



The French pro-EV association, Bientôt Electrique (which means "electric soon") is offering a kit, guaranteed for two-years, that converts a regular Toyota Prius into a plug-in hybrid. The kit can be obtained without a battery for €1,499. If you want to add to the Prius' standard battery, a 2 kW battery + kit is offered for €2,550 and the 4 kW battery + kit is €3,550. Bientôt Electrique will install it for €349. The battery is installed in the trunk and the two power levels allow the car to go either 15 or 32 km (9 or 20 miles), respectively, in all-electric mode. According to the Bientôt Electrique site, two daily recharges allow a driver to run 120 km (75 miles) with average consumption of 2.5 l/100 km (94 mpg). Since the batteries are expected to last 2000 cycles or about 120,000 km (85,000 miles), these packs can save up to 6 metric tons of CO2 over their lifetimes.

[Source: Bientôt Electrique via Le Blog Auto]

Bientôt Electrique Association offers plug-in kit for the Prius originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 15 Oct 2009 16:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>conversionfranceplug inplug-in conversionplug-in hybridPlug-inConversionPlug-inHybridPlugInpriusprius conversionPriusConversiontoyota priusToyotaPriusThu, 15 Oct 2009 16:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Toyota named UK's cleanest automaker]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/10/14/report-toyota-is-the-cleanest-automaker-in-the-uk/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/10/14/report-toyota-is-the-cleanest-automaker-in-the-uk/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/10/14/report-toyota-is-the-cleanest-automaker-in-the-uk/#commentsFiled under: , ,


2009 Toyota iQ - Click above for high-res image gallery

Toyota is the cleanest automaker in the UK. This is the finding of Cleangreencars, which calculated that Toyota has the cleanest average lineup, taking into account CO2 emissions averaged with car sales. Toyota achieved this figure by stopping sales of three models - the MR2, the Previa and the Celica - and by adding a new small model, the iQ. Toyota's average went from 144.82 g/km to 129.15 g/km in the first nine months of 2009, reaching levels required by EU legislation. In Toyota wake, the UK's cleanest manufacturers are Fiat, Mini (last year's winner) and Hyundai. Overall, CO2 emissions for the average new car fell by 5.5 percent. The current average for all cars sold is 150.6 g/km, an impressive 8.8 g/km drop from a year ago. Read more in the press release after the jump.



[Source: Cleangreencars]

Continue reading Toyota named UK's cleanest automaker

Toyota named UK's cleanest automaker originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 14 Oct 2009 11:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>clean green carsCleanGreenCarsco2 salesCo2Salesuk co2uk co2 salesuk salesUkCo2UkCo2SalesUkSalesWed, 14 Oct 2009 11:03:00 EST