Tesla and Toyota Working Together!

In case you have never heard of Tesla, they are a California based company that is famous for producing incredibly expensive electric roadsters.  While these vehicles are more performance oriented than most of the line up at San Jose Honda, the Japanese based auto brand has higher sales profits because of name association and familiarity that Tesla has not established for themselves yet.  The latest news in the green auto world is the plan for Toyota and Tesla to team up and make an electric version of their RAV4; you can probably find a used one over at Birmingham Honda.  We are already seeing the mainstream release of electric vehicles from brands like Chevrolet and New York Nissan, but the RAV4 will be the first viable electric SUV in mass production.

The current RAV4 offers drivers some of the best gas mileage in the small SUV class, but the electric version will be expected to travel up to 100 miles of real-world driving in between charges.  Tesla and Toyota are engaging in a trade of sorts to help make an electric RAV4 a reality.  The goal for mass production is 2012, and that will also be the same time that the Toyota RAV4 receives a makeover and enters its next generation design.  First off, though, Tesla has to produce a fleet of prototypes so that Toyota can make suggestions for improvement to their concept design. 

Toyota has taken a $50 million equity stake in Tesla and Tesla will in turn gain control of the NUMMI plant that Toyota had built in Fremont, California.  The plant currently is not being used, so Tesla will have no problem beginning production there.  We first saw an attempt at an electric RAV4 back in 1997, but it only lasted until 2003 with very limited sales and production.  At the 2010 L.A. Auto Show, Toyota brought a version of their electric RAV4 but the stylistic design changes were minimal.  Hopefully the design that Toyota and Tesla can agree upon features some modern improvements to the outdated interior of the current RAV4. 

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NEVs Taking Over?

If you are tired of waiting for your Volt to arrive at Chevrolet Rome, then perhaps you should consider buying one of the new NEV (neighborhood electric vehicles) that are currently available.  There are five that are being mass produced already and they are meant to drive less than 50 miles between charges.  You will not find one at Pinconning Chevrolet but their own electric vehicle should arrive on dealer lots very soon.  Not all five of the NEVs can be purchased in the United States, but they can all be repaired at Rick Ball Auto Mall Service if needed.

1.    GEM (Global Electric Motorscars) is affiliated with Chrysler and you have probably seen these vehicles around large shopping complexes or college campuses.  In addition to making passenger only models, GEM also makes three models with a truck bed that is great for landscaping companies or other utility needs.  The price is right for fleet ownership with a base price of $6,795 up to $12,495.

2.    Dynasty iT is found in British Columbia and the price is quite a bit higher, starting out at $14,000 and going up to $25,000.  Drivers have the option of a sedan, truck, convertible, or a combination of those.  The body is made from fiberglass and can obtain a full charge in only 12 hours.

3.    Miles ZX40: This line is slightly larger than most NEVs and has the ability to seat four passengers as well as 41 cubic feet of cargo room when the back seats are folded down.  The price ranges from $14,900 up to $18,900 and there is the option of upgrading to a CD player!

4.    ZENN: An abbreviation for Zero Emissions No Noise, ZENN is quite affordable with a price range of $14,700 up to $15,575.  The advanced technology uses regenerative braking to help increase the amount of charge from the simple act of braking, and this little hatchback can carry two passengers plus 13 cubic feet of cargo.

5.    Columbia ParCar: This open air vehicle can seat either two or four passengers and has the main purpose of local utility jobs.  The price ranges from $9,497 up to $23,770 but these little cars are durable and come in a variety of styles for different needs.

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Obama Challenges Auto Industry: 62 mpg Standard

President Obama and his administration have recently announced their challenge to the auto industry: raise your fuel average to 62 mpg by the end of 2025.  Seems simple enough, right?  Hopefully the luxury line up from Manchester Mercedes-Benz will be able to comply with such high standards.  Remember that this change won't happen over night and the increase in technology to make that goal attainable will happen over time.  Before that happens, keep your current vehicle running as long as possible by visiting places like Richmond Body Shop Dealers.  The motto in America is leaning towards "reduce, reuse, recycle," so do your part and keep your car running and out of junk yards.

Even Portland Volvo Coupons are in effect right now to encourage the purchase of their new fuel efficient vehicles.  If the average fuel economy of vehicles is in the 47-62 mpg range by 2025, then we will have seen a 3-6% increase in fuel efficiency annually over that length of time.  When you break it down that way, the growth sure does seem completely possible.  Auto makers are excited for the challenge, but the fuel bill hasn't been made final yet.  Given the overwhelming positive response it would be unlikely that the bill wouldn't pass.

For people still in doubt that all the cars on the road will have that kind of fuel economy by 2025, remember that it is an average among the fleet.  CAFE is the acronym standing for Corporate Average Fuel Economy.  All vehicle's within an auto maker's brand that weigh less than 8,500 pounds are taken into consideration.  The fuel economy among the entire fleet must meet the current CAFE goal.  Right now, the current CAFE goal is 27.5 mpg, which it has been since 1989; before that it was 18 mpg.  By 2016 the fuel economy ratings must be up to 35.5, and with the introduction of more electric vehicles and hybrids, that should be readily attainable. 

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EVs at the Paris Auto Show!

Electric vehicles are the new "it" concept, and we will see plenty of them unveiled at the Paris Auto Show 2010 at the end of this month.  Car makers are realizing that we have to do something above and beyond what is currently being done to make cars more fuel efficient.  It is unlikely Freightliner Trucks Fort Lauderdale will ever have something that is powered by an electric motors, but wouldn't it be impressive if they did!  Even though Sprinter Vans Miami still consumer a fair amount of gas, at least they promote carpooling which helps reduce emissions overall.

Most of the new vehicles that will be unveiled at the auto show are concept cars that are still works in progress.  Some of the cars that were concept cars in the past are now in actual production.  The new Nissan Leaf and Chevy Volt are both electric vehicles that are going to soon be available in select urban markets where commuters have a greater need than their rural counterparts.  The cars at Honda Jackson have already been known for their fuel efficiency, but there are always bigger and better things on the horizon.

Cars that are actually in production and will be unveiled in their new and improved form include the Ford Focus and the Chevy Aveo.  Both have had a makeover to improve just about every facet of their being!  Saab, Mini, Nissan, Audi, and Kia all have electric vehicle concept cars that they are set to have debut in Paris at the end of this month.  The Kia Pop is a three seat electric vehicle that is incredibly affordable to operate.  The Nissan Townpod will be a larger version of the already popular Nissan Leaf, and specifications won't be released until the auto show.  Consumers can expect some exciting news reports after the auto show takes place and the media is allowed inside to snoop around!

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Revealing the Kia Pop.

You can find some great vehicles at Sarasota Used Cars, but there is no way you will see this futuristic little thing from Kia there!  Recently, Kia released photos of their concept car, the Kia Pop.  It will make its grand debut to the auto industry at the Paris auto show next month.  The folks at Peoria VW Dealer know how important and popular the small and electric car market is becoming, and the sales of their hybrid or diesel engine models do consistently well.  As small cars like the Nissan Versa from Nissan Sacramento or the Toyota Yaris gain popularity in America, we will see continued innovation from auto makers. 

Coming in right at 3,000 millimeters long, which is 3 meters or roughly 9.8 feet, it is the exact same length as the Toyota iQ which can carry four people.  The popular Smart For Two is a little shorter, but not by much, just a little under 1 foot, or 300 millimeters.  The Kia Pop has the ability to carry three passengers.  There is a seat for the driver, a seat for the front seat passenger, and then one seat in the back positioned behind the passenger.  This differs slightly from the Toyota iQ, which has the ability to seat four.  Well, they call it the ability to seat 3+1, meaning that you can comfortably fit three adults and then a child or piece of luggage possibly in the fourth seat. 

The Kia Pop will be completely electric and produce absolutely zero emissions.  They will not release further details about the car until September 30th at the auto show, but we predict you will see some of the same features as the Toyota iQ, which is the exact same length.  Toyota was able to make such a small car by using a flat fuel tank that is positioned under the seats.  Also, because the space is smaller they can install a smaller air conditioner and heater to do the same job.

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Bright Automotive Hires Former Tesla Executive

Bright Automotive is a manufacturer of electric vehicles and it has now hired former Chrysler and Tesla executive Mike Donoughe as its chief operating officer. Arizona VW Dealers will offer a new hybrid Volkswagen Jetta in the next year, and Bright Automotive is working with mainstream automakers to produce hybrid and electric vehicle models. Hartford Honda also sells the Honda Insight hybrid which is one of the more popular hybrid offerings on the market.

Bright Automotive is producing a hybrid vehicle model that will be made in conjunction with GM and perhaps other automakers. GM is working with Bright Automotive to produce a new plug-in hybrid model. Check out Ford Specials on the Ford Fusion Hybrid and other Ford hybrids have been produced by Ford exclusively and have been excellent models.

GM is investing over $5 million into Bright Automotive and providing the company with technology to develop its hybrid plug-in model. The company is based out of Anderson, Indiana. Reuben Munger, CEO of Bright Automotive said that “Mike is a perfect fit for Bright because he understands the rigor required to bring a successful, high-volume truck to market. And having served in a leadership role at Telsa, he knows how to lead in a young, advanced technology-focused enterprise."

Bright Automotive will be looking to use the experience and leadership skills of Donoughe to help it produce new vehicle models over the next few years that will feature the latest in electric and hybrid technology. Electric vehicle manufacturers are going to be one of the most important types of technology companies in the future as these companies will allow American automakers to continue to be competitive.

Companies like Tesla Motors and Bright Automotive work with mainstream automakers to provide them with the latest electric vehicle technology, and it is these types of joint venture projects that will help the American economy bounce back.

Honda's Alternative Vehicles

Alternative fuel sources are going to become more and more needed.  Americans are already making the switch to smaller vehicles or even a diesel option from Peoria Volkswagen.  Hybrid models are becoming increasingly popular and consumers are demanding options like the Altima Hybrid from High Point Nissan Dealer, especially after having the Toyota Prius be the main option for so many years.  Even the incredibly safe and heavy cars from Volvo Dealer Nashua are announcing that they will have hybrid models available for either 2011 or 2012.  Honda has two different cars you can choose from if you want to go above and beyond simply getting a hybrid version of the car you already own.  The 2010 Civic GX NGV and the FCX Clarity FCEV are, or will be soon, available at your local Honda dealership. 

The Natural Gas Vehicle is estimated to get 24 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway and has a starting price of $25,340.  This vehicle does not take any regular gasoline but rather runs off of Compressed Natural Gas, and the fact that it has absolutely no emissions gives you access to HOV lanes in several states.  You won't be totally lost for power either as the four cylinder engine 1.8 liter gives you 113 horsepower.  Make sure you know the specific compressed gas retailers that are near you and are available nationwide. 

The FCX Clarity FCEV is a highly anticipated vehicle.  It will be released in limited quantities primarily in Southern California for 3 year lease periods.  Leasers will pay $600 per month, but that includes all maintenance costs and what we know as gap insurance.  This vehicle is especially interesting because it is a fuel cell electric vehicle, so you don't have a charging station that you plug into like some people might think.  Rather, power is generated from hydrogen mixing with oxygen to create electricity and emits heat and water vapor only into the air.  

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Obama Expects Electric Battery Prices to Decrease;

President Obama said that the prices of batteries are expected to decline at a rapid rate. Volkswagen models like the Hybrid Jetta will use some of the latest battery technology that will be found at a lower cost in the upcoming years due to advances in battery manufacturing. The Hybrid Jetta will available for purchase at a discount during Volkswagen Deals. The President attended a ceremony for the opening of a new plant that would be producing batteries and is a plant of South Korea's LG Chem company. Batteries and other technology may be found at a Coastal Pawn shop.

The plant was funded in part by the United States Department of Energy and will provide many jobs to the local area and help boost the economy. The plant will produce batteries that may be used in vehicles sold at a Dodge New York dealership and other dealers. The plant is a sign of new industries that will produce high demand products that will be developed in the United States.

The President hopes to solve two problems with one effort by bringing more alternative fuel and energy companies to the United States which will help the environment by producing "greener" technology for domestic use, and provide jobs for many millions of unemployed Americans.

The President said, "Because of advances in the manufacture of these batteries, their costs are expected to come down by nearly 70 percent in the next few years. That's going to make electric and hybrid cars and trucks more affordable for more Americans."

LG Chem CEO Bahnsuk Kim said that he expects a 50 percent drop in battery prices by 2015 due to improved production measures. The increased demand at that point would allow for more and more batteries and thus electric vehicles to be produced. At the current moment the high cost of batteries is somewhat of a deterrent to consumers that may wish to by hybrid or electric vehicle models but can't afford the high initial cost.

The President and many others hope that the lower battery costs will result in increased electric vehicle sales, and the electric vehicle may become the new standard of automobile as a result of the lower prices.