Brand
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Pretty much every carmaker wants to brand itself green--or at least fuel-efficient. And toward that end, most of them seem to have created sub-brands for their green technologies, programs, and aspirations. Based on conversations with car buyers all over North America, we're convinced that most people have no idea what these brands are, what they mean, or who they belong to. So, we've created a little test. Below is an alphabetic list of 10 labels, each created by a different carmaker, that are meant to differentiate their fuel-efficient engines, technologies, and environmental efforts from...
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Better Place Hires Marketing Guru Peter Economides To Buff Its BrandGiven soothsayers' record on end-of-the-world predictions, this probably won't be humanity's last year on Planet Earth. But for the folks at electric car start-up Better Place, 2012 has brought more than its share of doom and gloom. The biggest downer came in October, with the firing of Better...
Richard Read -
Toyota Tops List Of Green Brands, VW & Honda Close Behind
Toyota has had a bumpy ride the past couple of years, thanks in no small part to a high-profile series of safety recalls. To make matters worse, its popular Prius was recently lost its #1 spot on the EPA's list of fuel-efficient cars. But not to worry: the automaker just landed atop a different...
Richard Read -
No Hybrids for Aston Martin
Apparently James Bond won't be going green any time soon. In a report published by Auto Telegraaf today, Aston Martin boss, Dr. Ulrich Bez, said that current hybrid systems aren't a good match for Aston Martin's performance car reputation. Bez did, however, open the door for a hybrid vehicle as...
Robert Scardino -
Taiwanese Company Luxgen Displays EVs in Dubai
While some automakers downsized and reorganized in response to the "Great Recession" one Taiwanese brand made its worldwide debut at the Dubai International Motor Show late last month. Luxgen, an electric vehicle start-up, put four vehicles on display at the show, one of which, they called the...
Robert Scardino -
GM To Produce Cadillac Converj
According to a report in the Detroit News today, General Motors will forge ahead with plans to produce the Cadillac Converj extended range electric vehicle (EREV). Though Cadillac would not confirm the story, a source close to the company's production plans says that the Converj was part of a...
Robert Scardino -
If there was ever any doubt that Ford wants to be known for hybrids and electric vehicles, that was put to rest today, after the Dearborn, Michigan, based automaker named a "Director of Electrification." The newly created position will be filled by Nancy Gioia, who has served almost four years as the leader of Ford's hybrid and sustainable mobility programs. She is now charged with managing the planning and production of Ford's EVs worldwide. Ford's Fusion and Escape hybrids have generally been well received and the company is expected to produce an electric Focus (as seen on the Jay Leno...
