2009
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Sometimes it takes a little nudge to make us realize we know way too much about the car business. When news reports quoted AutoNation CEO Mike Jackson as saying he had 600,000 used hybrids piling up on lots all over the country, we chuckled. And when we wrote about his speech, we didn't use that obviously erroneous figure. Why "obviously"? Because last year, total global hybrid sales were 449,000 vehicles, and the total was a bit lower for 2007. So if AutoNation really had that many, they'd own every hybrid built in 2008--every single one--and a bunch from 2007 too. Unlikely, no? Now our...
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2009 Nissan Cube: Thinking Inside the Box
Nissan Gets Set to Compete With Scion xB and Honda Element
Jonathan McGrew -
UPDATED: Volkswagen Jetta TDI: Much More Mileage Than EPA Admits?
Real-world experience shows that the Jetta TDI consistently returns 40 mpg or better
John Voelcker -
Want To Buy a Prius? AutoNation Says, C'mon Down!
It's a good time to buy any car, but you may get a particularly good deal on a Prius right now
John Voelcker -
Tesla Begins Selling Cars in Canada
No sooner have we heard about a new dealership in Chicago, the scrappy California start-up electric carmaker Tesla Motors has now decided to venture farther north. The automaker has just announced they will begin selling cars in Canada as of today, with plans for first deliveries starting in the...
Lyle Dennis -
Tesla to Open Chicago Dealership This Spring
The hits keep coming for Chicago. First Kanye West goes triple platinum, then Barack Obama trades his Hyde Park digs for the White House and finally, Tesla Motors is making its way to the Windy City. The makers of the Tesla Roadster electric supercar, have signed a lease in the River West...
Robert Scardino -
The 2009 Female Mechanics Calendar includes renowned Prius mechanic Carolyn Coquilette of San Francisco's Luscious Garage
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Micro Cars Are In at 2009 Geneva Show: Toyota Reveals Newest IQ Model
Does the Smart ForTwo Have Competition on the Way
Jonathan McGrew -
Consumer Reports Says 2009 Toyota Prius Touring Is Best New-Car Value
The Prius wins a prestigious honor from the bible for new car buyers
John Voelcker -
Bentley's Bogus Biofuel Bomber
The 2010 Bentley Continental GT Supersports can run on biofuels, but it probably won't; we call that 'greenwashing'
John Voelcker -
Try This In Your Prius: Chevy, GMC Hybrid Pickups Tow 3 Tons
The 2009 Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid and 2009 GMC Sierra Hybrid go where no hybrid has gone before: into the full-size pickup truck segment
John Voelcker -
Toyota Prius versus Ford Fusion Hybrid: The Debate Erupts
Partisans on both sides are squaring off to debate the merits of the first real American competition for the Prius
John Voelcker -
Most people today are fully aware of both the Kia and Hyundai brands--and when asked they would probably attribute them to inexpensive, small cars that have really, really long warranties. What the general consumer may not be aware of, is that both Kia and Hyundai have been siblings for a decade--co-owned under the parent company Hyundai Kia Automotive Group since they merged in 1998. They're siblings, and everyone likes a little sibling rivalry, so let the competition begin. Today at AllSmallCars.com, we're going to pit the compact four-doors from each brand against each other--the outgoing...
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Tesla Roadsters Taking In The Oscars
Inside Line is reporting that several big-name Hollywood stars are expected to drive their Tesla Roadsters to this Sunday's Academy Awards. Among the names mentioned are George Clooney, Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon and Brad Pitt, who is up for best actor in a leading role in The Curious Case...
Robert Scardino -
2009 Toyota Prius: Reviewing the Reviews
Even toward the end of its model life, the 2009 Toyota Prius gets high marks for features, flexibility, and of course its top-ranked fuel economy
John Voelcker -
Cops Conserve: NYPD Buys Altima Hybrids
NYPD is about to roll out some Nissan Altima Hybrids for serious on-duty action. As part of a $1.1 million pilot program, the police will put 40 Altima Hybrids on the road within the next two weeks. Eighteen of the hybrids will be marked patrol cars, twenty will be unmarked and the remaining two...
Robert Scardino -
Honda's Self-Loving New Website - Words of Hybrid
The Honda Insight is one of the most attention-getting new hybrids on the auto show circuit right now and its web presence just got a boost. Words of Hybrid gives anyone with a hankering for more Honda hybrid info a new destination. The site details the storied history of Honda's gas-electric...
Robert Scardino -
Breaking: Tesla to Unveil Model S Sedan on March 26 and Has Been Accepted for $350 M in Government Loans to Build it
Automaker will also be profitable mid-year
Lyle Dennis -
A new study says the Prius costs 8.4% more to repair than non-hybrid vehicles
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IRS Wants You to Drive a BMW 335d or X5 Diesel!
IRS approves clean-car tax credits for 2 BMW diesels
John Voelcker -
Ford Announces Johnson Controls-Saft to Supply Lithium ion Batteries for 2012 Plug-in Sedan
Ford Motor company recently revealed a plan to build a c-class electric sedan for production in 2012. AllCarsElectric.com also test drove a mule prototype of that vehicle. Today, Ford announced that it had chosen the lithium-ion battery supplier. Johnson Controls-Saft of France has signed a...
Lyle Dennis -
Ford CEO: Thanks for NOT Buying That Prius
Not too surprising: Michigan attorney orders a new Toyota Prius, has second thoughts, cancels his order, then orders 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid instead. Very surprising: Attorney gets voice-mail from Ford CEO Alan Mulally, thanking him for ordering the Fusion Hybrid and telling him, "It's one of the...
John Voelcker -
Price Alert: The Least Expensive Car Is...
Nissan's Versa checks in with the ultimate small-car pricetag.
Jonathan McGrew