2012

The other shoe has dropped: Yesterday, two U.S. government agencies jointly announced the final fuel-economy rules for model year 2012 through 2016 vehicles, giving automakers a single national set of standards and averting the threat of state-by-state regulation. Starting with 2012, automakers...

In the face of continuing suggestions that random electronic interference may be causing unintended acceleration in the Toyota Prius and other vehicles, the U.S. Department of Transportation has asked for independent studies on the topic from two scientific organizations. Despite multiple recalls...

Ford Releases Their Limited Edition Focus RS500

Early this week, Mitsubishi announced that the U.K. purchase price of the 2010 i-MiEV would be a hefty £33,699 ($50,465). With prices for plug-in vehicles on the high side for the foreseeable future, is conversion a better solution for drivers who don't want to wait to plug in? Granted, the...

Honda is continuing to develop the 2012 Honda Fit Hybrid, a version of its popular and versatile subcompact that uses a mild-hybrid system with a smaller engine for even higher gas mileage. Spy shots published by our sister site Motor Authority show the Honda Fit test car, complete with black tape...

We thought we should provide a short update on two highly publicized so-called "runaway Toyota Prius" cases, one in San Diego and one in Harrison, New York. The reputed phenomenon of "sudden acceleration" has been debated at least since a 1986 controversy around the Audi 5000 model. But the two...

Nissan has upped the ante on its bid to become the world's leading electric-car maker, by announcing a third global factory for production of their 2011 Leaf electric car. The small northern U.K. city of Sunderland will become the third site across three continents to be tooled up to build the...

Electric vehicles are likely to see a gradual roll out over the next few years.  Most of the first electric vehicles to take to the streets will likely be in the hands of corporations for use as fleet vehicles.  We have already witness this trend with many current electric vehicles that are not...

VWs plans for electrifying their lineup of vehicles has been officially announced and will kick off with the introduction of a fleet of battery powered Golfs beginning next year. The VW Touareg Hybrid is a step towards electrifying the VW lineup of vehicles, but its high price tag will keep it from...

The U.S. appears to be one of the target countries for hybrid and electric vehicles.  Many automakers have focuses hybrid efforts solely on the U.S.  Select automakers have chosen to release some of their hybrid offerings in other countries, primarily Japan.  Few automakers have viewed Europe as...

If you drive a small car or, heaven forfend, a hybrid or a clean-diesel, you may have heard the jokes. And the jibes. "Hey, Mister, how many rubber bands that thing have?" And so on. But we've got a foolproof way for you to grin all the way past the gas pumps. Suppose your fuel-efficient green car...

Could hybrid cars actually be dangerous to drivers?  It seems like an unfounded question.  How could hybrids actually hurt their occupants?  A study conducted by a research committee funded by the Environmental Protection group of Israel suggests that hybrid could actually be harmful to the...

Over in Europe, diesels engine are the preferred choice for most drivers. They offer fuel efficiency, lower fuel prices, and represent only a modest increase in price over gasoline versions. Here in the States, many drivers turn to hybrids for more fuel efficient motoring. Why...

MINIWOOOD Lets Geneva Know MINI Has Arrived

The Nissan Leaf is coming this fall and is perhaps one of the most highly anticipated vehicles in decades.  With it's release, Nissan dealers will be faced with a newfound challenge.  How do you sell an electric vehicle? EVs are unchartered waters for the company and for dealers nationwide.  So...

On this site, general consensus shows that many readers do like the Nissan Leaf.  By most accounts, readers feel that the vehicle will be priced well, offer adequate performance, and be a sales success.  However, this is a site dedicated to electric vehicle and as such, our readers have developed...

The 2012 Ford Focus four-door sedan and five-door hatchback were probably the most important cars unveiled at January's Detroit Auto Show. And Ford has many more compact vehicles to come, one of which is this striking Ford Focus station wagon, which will be shown at this week's Geneva Motor Show...

In an announcement just days ago, BMW revealed that it will build its first ever production electric vehicle at its northern Germany plant in Leipzig. The BMW Megacity EV, as the company calls it, will enter production in either 2012 or 2013.  As a way to test electric vehicles, the company has...

The Cadillac brand has made great strides within the past few years.  Several of their vehicles have been awarded based on their performance, efficiency, and design.  The European automakers have something to worry about as Cadillac has presented comparable vehicles at relative bargain prices...

The Smart brand with its eye catching ForTwo had strong sales numbers for awhile, but the cute appeal appears to have worn off and the brand is searching for sales now.  What the brand needs is a replacement minicar, one that outdoes the current one.  In the small car class there few better to...