Ford C-MAX Hybrid
By Larry E. Hall
In a move to chip away at Toyota’s market dominance of hybrid cars, Ford will roll out two new hybrid models in 2012. The no-plug C-Max Hybrid and plug-in C-Max Energi are based on the five-passenger C-Max sold in Europe. In an announcement in June to expand production of the two C-Max hybrids, Ford said it had changed its mind about the seven-passenger gasoline-only version of the Grand C-Max in the U.S and the C-Max will be a dedicated hybrid vehicle. The C-Max Hybrid will arrive in the first half of 2012 followed by the C-Max Energi.
“This is our Prius fighter,” said Ford’s head of global marketing, Jim Farley, during a recent press announcement. “We did a lot of research that suggested having a distinctive shape that is easily recognizable not only helps Toyota sell more Prius hybrids but gives an image benefit to the rest of its lineup.”
Of note, the C-Max Hybrid and plug-in C-Max Energi will both be built on the same assembly lines as the 2012 Ford Focus and Focus Electric at a Ford plant in Wayne, Mich. Also, Ford recently announced that the electric drive transaxles would be produced at another Michigan facility instead of using the current supplier in Japan. Additionally, the lithium-ion batteries for both hybrids will be assembled in a third Michigan plant rather than the existing supplier in Mexico.
About The C-Max
The 2012 Ford C-Max is an American version of the European five-passenger C-Max that shares its underlying global C platform and many key components with the 2012 Ford Focus. “C” refers to an international size class, which in the U.S. falls into the compact class. In Europe, the C-Max is called a multipurpose vehicle (MPV), while most Americans will dub it a hatchback.
Nissan Goes Toyota One Better With Cooler-Looking Cargo Ship (Video)
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Drop Hybrid Carpool Privilege, Say Honda and Ford
Published May 20, 2011
Last year, owners of conventional hybrids received a six-month extension of the privilege to drive solo in the carpool lanes. Prius-driving John Burton—the California Democratic Party chairman and former state Senate leader—is one of many hybrid drivers upset about losing the perk and asking for more time.
Enough is enough, according to Ford, Honda and advocates for the next wave of green automobiles that operate on grid-supplied electricity, natural gas and hydrogen.
On May 9, those carmakers sent a letter (PDF) to Mark DeSaulnier, chair of California’s senate transportation and housing committee. “It is… unfortunate that there is an effort underway yet again to extend the yellow sticker program, and that legislation to do so is being sought,” the letter states. “We do not support any further extensions of the yellow sticker program.”
The groups believe the incentive is effective in creating markets for vehicles with new advanced technologies—but believe regular hybrids benefited from the perk, but are no longer relevant to the incentive. The letter explains, “Continued extensions of the program do not serve to incentivize sales of hybrid vehicles as the cap on yellow stickers was reached approximately seven years ago, shortly after the program’s inception.” The letter complains that the extension to July 1 was granted “without any public airing of the issue during two years of debate over the future HOV program.”
Ford and Honda are neck-and-neck for the title of the second biggest seller of hybrid cars, behind Toyota. Both companies, as well as Toyota, Nissan, General Motors and others, plan to sell plug-in and alterative fuel cars, which will be eligible for new white stickers granting HOV access to solo drivers.
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Lexus Gazoo Racing GT makes racing debut at Nurburgring
This past weekend the Lexus CT hybrid hatchback made its racing debut on the Nurburgring during a gruelling endurance race while competing in the Adenauer ADAC Rundstrecken-Trophy against the Lexus LFA, Porsche models and BMWs. Almost 200 cars took part to line up for the start and of course the Lexus CT wasn’t the first one to cross the finish line.
Prepared by Gazoo Racing, the same company responsible for the LFA Race Car, the Lexus Gazoo Racing GT competed in the SP4 Class. While it kept its Lexus Hybrid Drive, it came with a higher capacity 2.4L gasoline engine instead of the usual 1.8 unit.
Click here for more news on the Lexus CT 200h.
“The batteries and hybrid system are identical to the road car,” Lexus said. “At start-up and under braking, the race car uses just its electric motor, producing zero tailpipe emissions and using no fuel. The combustion engine seamlessly takes over at higher speeds with the electric motor providing extra power when accelerating and at racing speeds.”
Lexus remains the only car automaker to compete in major endurance races with full hybrid cars, starting with the Lexus RX 400h which contested the Nurburgring 24 Hours in 2005.We’re not sure of the record but Lexus probably remains the only manufacturer that hasn’t won the Nurburgring 24 Hours either.
Tesla Electric Roadster Triumphs in Monte Carlo For Second Year Running
Erik Comas Wins Fifth Monte Carlo Alternative Energy Rally for Tesla
There’s something quite fun about winning a competition two years in a row, especially if you’re preoccupied with impending court cases.
So when its sexy two seat all-electric Roadster sport romped home in first place at the Fifth Monte Carlo Alternative Energy Rally Tesla’s board of directors must have felt particularly euphoric.
Driven by former F1 driver Erik Comas, the $ 109,000 sports car beat a field of more than 100 competitors to claim victory in the final stage of the event which took place on Sunday.
2014 Mini Cooper Hybrid Spy Photos – Future Cars
March 29, 2011 at 6:28pm by Jens Meiners
Mini’s first hybrid will take the mullet approach: combustion-engine business up front, electric party in the back.
Due in about three years, the next-generation Mini Cooper will offer a four-wheel-drive version. There’s a catch, though: The rear wheels will have no connection to the engine. The car will be a hybrid, and the rear wheels will exclusively be turned by an electric motor.
Keep Reading: 2014 Mini Cooper Hybrid Spy Photos – Future Cars
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Toyota Prius, other hybrid prices rising now
Running out of Prius hybrids, other fuel efficient models.
Just a few weeks ago, deals on hybrid cars such as the Toyota Prius and the Honda Insight were available. Today, most of those deals are gone as many dealerships are beginning to run out of fuel efficient cars.
Are dealership add-ons next?
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