GM
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We don't hear so much about ethanol these days, now that gasoline is back down to $2.50 a gallon. But we still get e-mails, so here's a post to answer the question: What's going on with flex-fuel cars? Short answer: Manufacturers are slowly increasing the number of vehicles they build that can handle both gasoline and ethanol. The problem is the availability of the fuel. Burning whatever's in the tank Flex-fuel cars are designed to run on any liquid fuel you may happen to put in the tank (although not diesel). Outside the U.S., Ford offers a flex-fuel Mondeo sedan. Even more remarkable, the...
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Preview: 2010 BMW ActiveHybrid X6
We've known for a while that BMW would launch its first hybrid this year, and now we know when: The 2010 BMW ActiveHybrid X6 will reach dealers this December. We'll be driving the hybrid X6 in a couple of weeks, but meanwhile, here's our advance preview of BMW's hybrid-electric sport-activity...
John Voelcker -
GM's Electric Car Guru Resigns
Bob Kruse, who formulated General Motors' long-term electric vehicle plans and whose team helped develop the Chevy Volt, has resigned, ending his 31-year career with the company. The 50-year-old Rochester Hills, Michigan, resident has served as GM's executive director of global vehicle engineering...
Robert Scardino -
Final Aptera 2e Styling Leaked, We Drive the Electric 3-Wheeler
To green-car fans, the idea of an ultra-aerodynamic electric two-seater sounds pretty familiar, right? Think the late, lamented EV1 from General Motors, subject of the controversial documentary, Who Killed the Electric Car? But for more than 4,000 people who've put down deposits on the 2011 Aptera...
John Voelcker -
Coming Up: Toyota Prius To Be Sold In Multiple Body Styles
Since it was launched in 1997 in Japan, and 2000 in the US, the Toyota Prius has only been sold as a single body style. From 1997 to 2003, it was a subcompact four-door sedan. Since then, it has been a midsize five-door hatchback, thoroughly redesigned for 2010. Now, Toyota executives told its...
John Voelcker -
First Look: 2010 Mercedes-Benz S400 Hybrid
⢠What is it?: The first-ever hybrid version of the big Mercedes-Benz sedan ⢠The basics: All the S-Class virtues, much better gas mileage ⢠On sale: This fall ⢠Price: $87,950 This weekend, GreenCarReports.com will be one of...
John Voelcker -
We usually recap our five most popular posts on GreenCarReports.com at the end of every month. We're a bit late for August but, hey, we had a long Labor Day too ... now we're back in business. We replaced most of July's most popular posts, with three new winners in our Top Five. Here goes: # 1: How Does the 2011 Chevy Volt Get 230 MPG? By Making Assumptions. Frankly, we're delighted this was our top-ranked post for August. This topic is complex, and we don't think General Motors helped matters much by touting a 230-MPG claim for city gas mileage on its 2011 Volt. Bottom Line: The fuel...
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GM's Plug-In Hybrid: Not a Saturn, Not a Buick, Will Try Again
Just two weeks ago, we reported that GM's first plug-in hybrid vehicle--originally meant to be a Saturn Vue before GM decided to sell Saturn to Pennske--would become a Buick crossover. My, how quickly things change in the new Internet world. As GM said Wednesday on its Fastlane blog, "not all the...
John Voelcker -
Suzuki Planning Hybrid Kizashi For 2011
According to the Japanese publication, Nikkei, Suzuki may be planning a hybrid version of their upcoming Kizashi sedan for 2011. The recently unveiled Kizashi will compete in the hotly contested midsize sedan market with the likes of the Toyota Camry, the Honda Accord, and the Ford Fusion, among...
Robert Scardino -
2011 Chevrolet Volt: Talk About Limited Production ...
If you're one of the tens of thousands of green car fans excited about the launch of the 2011 Chevrolet Volt electric car, start making nice to your local Chevy dealer. Because the number of Volts built is going to be very, very low for at least its first year of production. Despite excitement over...
John Voelcker -
GM's 'Bare Necessities' Concept: How Little Car Do You Want?
Among the many vehicles shown, described, or teased at this morning's big General Motors press briefing was this unusual green concept from GM Labs, called 'Bare Necessities'. The two vehicles--a car and a truck--are meant to be maximally minimal. While the event itself focused on the next two...
John Voelcker -
How Does The 2011 Chevy Volt Get 230 MPG? By Making Assumptions
UPDATE: GM confirms that the 2011 Chevrolet Volt will get 230 mpg city, and a composite fuel economy (city and highway) of more than 100 mpg according to draft regulations being developed at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). If the rumors are correct, this morning General Motors CEO Fritz...
John Voelcker -
Well, the other shoe finally dropped. General Motors said today that the plug-in version of its Two-Mode Hybrid system would be fitted to a Buick crossover to be introduced next year, with the plug-in arriving in 2011. That'll be at least a few months after the arrival of the 2011 Chevrolet Volt, which is still said to be on track to arrive in dealerships in November 2010. The unnamed Buick model will be the first plug-in hybrid sold by a major automaker (e.g. not Tesla or Fisker). Using Volt technology GM also said the vehicle will feature a lithium-ion battery pack using the same LG Chem...
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Five Questions: GM's New R-and-D Leader, Alan Taub
Alan Taub, 54, is currently Executive Director in charge of Research & Development at General Motors. He joined GM R+D as executive director in 2001, and on October 1, he will replace Larry Burns as the company's Vice President of R+D. GreenCarReports.com interviewed Dr. Taub directly after his...
John Voelcker -
2011 Chevrolet Cruze: Good Reviews for US-Bound Global Compact
We write about a lot of advanced technologies here, including hybrids, diesels, electric cars, and even natural-gas vehicles. But the hard truth is that all of those added together will be only a small fraction of cars sold in the US, even 10 years from now. Most of the green cars of tomorrow will...
John Voelcker -
Fisker Distinguishes His Company From Tesla, Chevy
In the world of electric performance cars, there are two names to know: Fisker and Tesla. The man behind the upcoming $87,900 Fisker Karma plug-in hybrid sports sedan wants you to know the difference. Seasoned auto designer and CEO of Fisker Coachbuild, Henrik Fisker has an enviable résumé for...
Robert Scardino -
Colorado Representatives Fight Back: GM and Chrysler Accused of Mistreating Dealers
Politician's Start To Ask the Hard Questions
Jonathan McGrew -
Persistent Rumors: Toyota To Give GM A Version Of The Prius
According to a report in Bloomberg today, Toyota may give General Motors a version of their iconic Prius hybrid. This news broke even as General Motors announced that their joint venture with the Japanese automaker at the Fremont, California based NUMMI (New United Motor Manufacturing Incorporated)...
Robert Scardino -
In a live webchat on Friday, our illustrious Editor-In-Chief, Lyle Dennis, posed a question to GM North America President, Troy Clarke, regarding collaboration with Toyota, given the American automaker's failed economic state.Dennis: What are some possible options under consideration for GM’s involvement in NUMMI, and is GM considering licensing the synergy drive hybrid system from Toyota? Clarke: Lyle, With regard to Nummi we are still in discussions with Toyota on the JV and potential products. We are not in current discussions with Toyota on licensing their synergy drive. I would point...
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GM Pulls The Plug On Malibu, Vue Hybrids
Chevy's midsize Malibu sedan has enjoyed widespread praise among automotive media, but one version of the vehicle is conspicuously absent from GM's plans for 2010. The Malibu Hybrid will no longer be available next year, as GM continues to whittle away at its product lineup. The Hybrid achieved an...
Robert Scardino -
VIDEO: GM Plugs Electric Cars in New Reinvention Commercial
After months of avoiding bankruptcy like the plague, a new advertisement from General Motors tells us it's not so bad after all. The "Reinvention" commercial (see the video below) pairs nationalistic imagery with a message of a company determined to sell better, more relevant cars. "There was a...
Robert Scardino -
Why Obama Could Be The Best Thing For Detroit Since Henry Ford
President Barack Obama has come under fire for using taxpayer funds to rescue the auto industry; we beg to differ
John Voelcker -
Spied: Dodge Ram Hybrid
The Hybrid HEMI is on the prowl again. The folks at Leftlane News got some new pictures of what will become Dodge's only hybrid model: the Ram pickup truck. This comes after Chrysler pulled the plug on hybrid versions of the full-size Aspen and Durango SUVs a short time ago. The Hybrid Ram uses...
Robert Scardino -
New Engine To Increase Efficiency Of GM's Future Hybrids
With Congress breathing down the automakers' necks, demanding more fuel efficient vehicles, it's no wonder GM is developing a new gas-sipping engine. Instead of using a spark plug to light the air-fuel mixture in a piston, the 'homogeneous charge compression ignition engine,' (HCCI) squeezes the...
Robert Scardino