Here’s a storyline I have heard before. The Big Three are narrowing the gap on quality. J.D. Power and Associates have just released their annual Initial Quality Study, which measures problem per 100 cars in the first 90 days of ownership. Detroit’s carmakers reduced problems by 10%. Their foreign foes reduced problems by just 8%. When measuring problems per 100 cars sold, no one will notice the difference. And here’s the frustrating part. Ford, General Motors and Chrysler have been improving quality for years. But they rarely beat Honda or Toyota in a brand-wide measure. And they don’t beat them in model-by-model comparisons often enough. Every year, they inch closer. But that doesn’t send the loyal Toyota Camry or Honda Accord owner to a Chevrolet dealer. The top 10 went like this. Lexus was number one with just 84 problems per 100 vehicles and Porsche was No. 2 with 90 problems per 100. Cadillac was third with 91 problems. From there it went: Hyundai: 95 Honda: 99 Mercedes-Benz: 101 Toyota: 101 Ford: 102 Chevrolet: 103 Suzuki: 103 Infiniti: 106 Mercury: 106 The industry average was 108 problems per 100 cars. Every brand not mentioned above did worse. That means all of the new Chrysler’s brands are below average. GM, for its part, did quite well. Cadillac was third among 37 brands. Chevrolet ranked ninth, but was close enough to Ford and Toyota that difference is just about meaningless. Mini finished last. The problem for Detroit is that those overall numbers don’t mean so much. If car buyers compare models, they would find that 10 of Toyota’s cars rank in the top their in their segment, more than any carmaker. Ford had three models getting awards in their vehicle segments while GM had two and Chrysler had one, the slow-selling PT Cruiser. That’s the difference in quality that consumers will see. They will shop for a mid-sized luxury car, for example, and see that the Lexus IS was best-in-class for quality. The Infiniti G-series and Cadillac CTS tied for second, but the Lexus won. To win buyers, that Cadillac needs to leap frog the Lexus. And the American carmakers need to start recording wins, not narrow defeats.

Renault’s low-cost Dacia brand has just introduced a new LPG-fueled version of the Logan sedan in France. The Logan is powered by the same 75 hp 1.4-liter engine used in the Sandero that debuted in March. The Logan 1.4 MPI 75 LPG has a starting price of just €8,700 but it is eligible for a €2,000 French eco-bonus plus a €1,000 state rebate for cars that emit less than 160 g/km of when trading in a 10 year old car. That brings the price, including taxes, to just €5,700. The LPG Logan is rated at 135 g/km of CO 2 emissions and is 95 percent recyclable at end of life. Like most LPG vehicles, the Logan also retains the standard gasoline fuel system allowing it to run on either fuel depending on availability. The driver can select the fuel source with a button the dash. The press release is after the jump. [Source: Renault] Continue reading Dacia introduces LPG fueled Logan in France at €6,700 Filed under: Renault , Natural Gas Dacia introduces LPG fueled Logan in France at €6,700 originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 12 Jun 2009 15:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink  |  Email this  |  Comments

It took only 25 minutes and 53.5 seconds, for the TTXGP to be decided. Find out the winner after the jump. [Source: iom today / BBC ] Continue reading Spoiler Alert! TTXGP winner is… Filed under: EV/Plug-in , On Two Wheels , UK , Racing Spoiler Alert! TTXGP winner is… originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 12 Jun 2009 10:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink  |  Email this  |  Comments

2009 Chevrolet Malibu hybrid - click above for high res image gallery It’s being reported that among the models that General Motors has decided to discontinue going into the 2010 model year are its existing mild hybrids. The Chevy Malibu , and Saturn Aura and Vue have been available with GM’s belt-alternator-starter (BAS) system since 2007 but have never sold in any significant volumes. The system primarily provided automatic start stop functionality with a little bit of electric boost and regeneration. The system was limited by a weak motor and 36V battery system. We checked with GM’s hybrid spokesman Brian Corbett about the status of the mild hybrids. Corbett told ABG that currently there are no plans for retail sales of any of the mild hybrid models. “There will be some MY2010 production. We will fulfill some MY2010 fleet orders for the Malibu Hybrid. As part of the Memorandum of Understanding between GM and Penske Automotive Group, Saturn plans to offer the Aura, Vue and Outlook models in 2010. Specific details of which versions (i.e. hybrids) has not yet been determined. ” At the 2008 Geneva Motor Show, GM announced a more powerful second generation BAS using a lithium ion battery. The second generation BAS wlll debut in 2011 and should provide a more significant increase in mileage over conventional models, hopefully attracting more customers. GM sent AutoblogGreen a statement on the Malibu’s discontinuation (reason: “elevated inventory levels of the 2009 model”). Read it after the jump. Gallery: 2008 Chevrolet Malibu hybrid [Source: GM, All Cars Electric ] Photos Copyright (C)2008 Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc. Continue reading GM to discontinue mild hybrid Malibu, Vue, Aura for 2010 model year Filed under: Hybrid , Chevrolet , GM , Saturn GM to discontinue mild hybrid Malibu, Vue, Aura for 2010 model year originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 11 Jun 2009 11:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink  |  Email this  |  Comments

The first official TTXGP qualifying runs were completed yesterday in a flurry of “firsts” and are now in the record books. Of the 20 bikes listed as participants, only 14 managed to make it to the start gate, and of those, merely 10 completed the 37.72 mile (60.7 km) mountain course. One of the bikes absent on the first day, the innovative EV-0 RR , was still being built, but despite the realization the team now has no chance of winning, hopes to be present for the next qualifying run. The afternoon clearly belonged to Team Agni, who turned in the quickest time of 26 minutes and 41.39 seconds with an average speed of 84.819 mph (136.5 km/h). Their rider, veteran Rob Barber, coaxed the bike up to 102 mph for the speed gun along the Sulby straight. The most unfortunate TTXGP “first” befell David Madsen-Mygdal as the motor of the eRockit entry beneath him seized up and, after a brief struggle, sent him sprawling at speed across the pavement. Luckily he escaped with a destroyed helmet, minor injuries to an elbow and a bruised hip. He plans to ride again if the bike is repaired in time. You can listen to 40 minutes of audio from the day here . Hit the jump for the official results as well as video of a newsclip of the race including a bit from the eRockit spill. As a bonus, we also have a video shot by Mission Motor folks of the bikes getting ready behind the start gate and rolling off. Enjoy, and drive safely. Gallery: First day of qualifying at TTXGP [Source: TTXGP / Mission Motors / Motorcycle News ] Photo: creative commons by Frank Schuengel Continue reading TTXGP: Complete wrap-up of first day of qualifying [w/VIDEO] Filed under: EV/Plug-in , On Two Wheels , UK , Racing TTXGP: Complete wrap-up of first day of qualifying [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 10 Jun 2009 16:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Read  |  Permalink  |  Email this  |  Comments

Europe’s crash testing authority, Euro NCAP , has published a series of new tests that includes the latest small and fuel efficient models offered there. The top scorers in the small car segment , with five star results, were the Honda Jazz, Hyundai i20 and Kia Soul. The Audi Q5 and the Peugeot 3008 also scored the maximum in their category. What Michiel van Ratingen, Secretary General of Euro NCAP, said that the findings should help combat the false feeling that only large cars are safe: ” Many claim that the weight and size of a car is the only criteria for safety. We believe that there are other aspects of safety that are just as important. The smaller cars we tested whose results are released today show that size should not stand in the way of all-round safety,” he said. [Source: Euro NCAP ] Filed under: Audi , Honda , Hyundai , Suzuki , Peugeot , Europe/EU Euro NCAP finds small cars offer plenty of protection originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 28 May 2009 19:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Read  |  Permalink  |  Email this  |  Comments

While they might lack the comedic punch of their seasoned British co-frères, the presenters at Top Gear Australia don’t seem to have any electric car ” issues .” Indeed, in a recent episode they even held their own battery-powered build-off. Presenters Warren Brown and Steve Pizzati each took a car of their choosing, stripped out all the combustive components and inserted a rough and (mostly) ready electric drivetrain, before meeting up on a racetrack to compete for bragging rights. Realizing that a decent electric vehicle shouldn’t be too heavy, Pizzati decided to go with the featherweight Suzuki MightyBoy while his competitor settled on that great Australian classic, the HZ Holden Kingswood. This hulking station wagon weighs in somewhere between the QEII and the state of New Hampshire. While we won’t tell you which conversion won straight out, we will throw out the hint that the triumphant strains of ” Football meat pies kangaroos electric cars ” could be heard coming from the passenger compartment of the conquering contestant. Hit the break for the segment in two parts - as well as a bonus video of a very nice MightyBoy conversion. [Source: YouTube] Continue reading VIDEO: Top Gear electric car build-off, Aussie rules Filed under: EV/Plug-in , Suzuki , Pacific Region , Holden VIDEO: Top Gear electric car build-off, Aussie rules originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 28 May 2009 14:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink  |  Email this  |  Comments

Heard some interesting numbers recently that illustrate just how dramatically our world has changed in the past year. The Meltdown on Wall Street, which not only tipped Chrysler and GM over the edge, but now has almost every other automaker on the planet bleeding cash, has altered the automotive landscape in America forever. Forecasters are predicting U.S. light vehicle sales — that is, cars, pickups and SUVs — will total just 9.7 million units this year and 11 million units in 2010. For context, light vehicle sales in 2000 topped 17.4 million units, and as recently as 2005, 17.0 million units. Last year’s horror sales number — 13.2 million units — now looks like dreamland for automaker sales and marketing chiefs. Those numbers, by the way, are below a worst case scenario — 10.5 million sales in 2009; 11 million in 2010 — outlined in the business plan submitted by Ford to the Senate Banking Committee in Washington last year. Under that scenario, Ford claimed it would need an additional $13 billion in funding in the form of a “stand-by” line of credit. Ford has assiduously avoided taking any government money so far, and been routinely praised in the mainstream media for having gotten its house in order, unlike GM and Chrysler. But how much longer can the Blue Oval boys hold out? What conditions would the government likely impose in return for a loan? Most importantly, in the aftermath of GM and Chrysler, would consumers assume that Ford, too, was on the brink of bankruptcy? Automakers finished 2008 with about 3.1 million units of unsold cars and trucks sitting in dealer lots and holding yards around the country. As of right now, it still has 2.6 million of them left, all 2008 and 2009 models, and aging fast. Deep discounts are inevitable. No surprise, then, that some analysts predict net industry revenue for 2009 will be $80 billion to $100 billion lower than last year. North American vehicle production will fall below 8 million units this year — the lowest total since 1961. That means North American vehicle production will have almost halved in two years, a decline roughly equivalent to closing 35 assembly plants in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Recovery will be slow — production is forecast to rise to 9.7 million units next year, and 11.9 million units in 2011. We’re not likely to see 2007 levels of production, say the number crunchers, until 2014. But here’s the thing: The Detroit Three — assuming Chrysler and GM survive — will be producing at least 2.6 million fewer vehicles a year in their North American plants than they did in 2007, while Asian automakers will be building at least 2.2 million vehicles a year more here. The Europeans — BMW, Mercedes-Benz, VW Group — will likely have increased their North American production by up to 500,000 units a year. “This one’s gonna leave scars.” That was Ford marketing maven Jim Farley’s take on the recession a month or two back. In terms of automobile manufacturing in North America, those scars will be deep and permanent.

Suzuki Crosscage - Click above for an image gallery It’s been a little while since we last heard from Suzuki regarding its planned hydrogen fuel cell motorcycle, but apparently the Japanese company has been hard at work getting the machine ready for production. According to Ivar Kvadsheim over at MC24.no , teams from both Suzuki and Intelligent Energy were present at the EVS24 event in Stavanger, Norway, with their fuel cell-powered machines. Over the last few years, Intelligent Energy has reportedly managed to increase the output of its fuel cell from 1 kW to 1.8 kW, and both its ENV bike and Suzuki Crosscage will use this same power source. That’s great, but the real issue holding up production is the bike’s hydrogen storage tank. It seems the two companies were planning to use a tank from BMW, but later found out that unit was only approved for automotive use and couldn’t be legally used in a motorcycle. Dennis Hayter from Intelligent Energy expects the storage tank issue to be worked out within the next four months and for both bikes to hit the market in less than a year with a price of around 8,000 euros ($11,200 at current exchange rates). Range with a full tank of hydrogen will be around 160 miles. After the successful introduction of these two machines, the two companies plan to begin working on a hydrogen-powered version of the Suzuki Burgman scooter. UPDATE: Our Norwegian needs a bit of help. We got the following email from Ivar: You’ve done a good job translating my norwegian story There are a couple of detalis that needs correcting, though. Intelligent Energy was at the EVS24 showing their fuel cells, but none of the bikes and no Suzuki-team. The ENV and Crosscage use the same fuell cell and motor, so they’re both waiting for the same hydrogen tank. The fuel cell on the picture of Payter is the one they’re using for the ENV/Crosscage. In addition to increasing the output the cell is also lighter than the “first edition”. Gallery: Suzuki Crosscage in Action [Source: MC24.no ] Filed under: Hydrogen , Suzuki , On Two Wheels Suzuki and Intelligent Energy only one year of releasing fuel cell motorcycles? originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sat, 23 May 2009 19:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Read  |  Permalink  |  Email this  |  Comments

Mine are: subcompact: honda fit compact: mazda 3 midsize car: chevy malibu full-size car: pontiac G8 pony car: chevy camaro compact suv: chevy equinox small crossover: ford taurus X midsize suv: kia borrego midsize crossover:subaru forrester full-size suv: chevy tahoe full-size crossover: buick enclave midsize truck: chevy colorado full-size truck: chevy silverado sports car: chevy corvette luxury small car: BMW 3 series luxury midsize car: cadillac CTS luxury full-size car: BMW 7 series luxury sport coupe: audi S5 luxury crossover: cadillac SRX Luxury full-size SUV: cadillac escalade luxury full-size truck: GMC sierra denali luxury sports sedan: cadillac CTS-V supercar: chevy corvette ZR-1 Now tell me your favorite