Hybrid Car Brands

Just who is making hybrid cars these days and what brands are considering making hybrid cars in the future?

Major Hybrid Car Brands
Hybrid cars are currently being built and sold by General Motors, Ford, Honda, Toyota and Nissan. General Motors builds hybrid cars under several divisions including Saturn, Chevrolet, and GMC.  Ford has the Mercury and Ford divisions.  Toyota sells hybrids under the brand name of Lexus .  While Honda and Nissan just sell hybrids under their own name plates.

Toyota
Under the Toyota brand name, there are three models currently on sale. The iconic Prius is almost synonymous with hybrid and is the first car most people think of when they think of hybrids. Toyota also sells the Camry Hybrid and Highlander Hybrid under the moniker of Toyota.

Toyota also has their luxury division, the Lexus hybrids. Under the Lexus brand name, Toyota sells the HS, LS, RX, and GS Hybrids. They keep adding models under the Lexus nameplate, so expect and IS hybrid to arrive soon. The HS hybrid is a dedicated model like the Prius. The others are subtypes under the model. In other words, you can buy gas-only models, or you can opt for the hybrid engine.

Honda
Honda sells the Civic Hybrid under their brand name. They also currently sell the only other dedicated hybrid on the road, the Insight. They used to sell a Hybrid Accord, and the two-seater hybrid Insight, but have retired both models.

Expect to see Acura Hybrids in the future.

Nissan
Nissan has only one hybrid model for sale, the Nissan Altima Hybrid. It is built using hybrid technology from Toyota and is sold in only eight US states. Nissan has plans to bring an Infiniti M35 Hybrid to market in the coming year.

General Motors (Cadillac, Chevy, Saturn, GMC)
They build several models (currently) using the Chevrolet brand. There is the Chevy Malibu and Chevy Silverado. The Chevy Volt, the Extended Range Electric Vehicle (E-REV), will be out soon and while GM considers the Volt to be a subtype of electric vehicle, it still falls under the hybrid type.

GM also builds the GMC Yukon and Sierra. And the Cadillac Escalade Hybrid also falls under the GM brand.

The Saturn brand was at one point, the cornerstone for hybrids under the GM umbrella. But Saturn is no more. You can still see the hybrid Vue and Aura on the road today.

Ford
Ford sells four different models under two different brand names. The Mercury Division sells the Milan and Mariner Hybrid. While Ford retains the Fusion and Escape Hybrid. The Lincoln division will have its own hybrid soon, but it's not here yet. The Mercury hybrids are the upgraded version of the Ford Hybrids, so expect them to be very similar if you take a look at both of them.

Chrysler
Chrysler sold the Aspen and Durango Hybrids for a total of two months before pulling the plug on both models. The Dodge Durango is very similar to the Chrysler Aspen, and both were built using the dual hybrid technology developed in partnership with BMW and GM.

Chrysler at one point had plans to bring a Dodge Ram Hybrid to market, but that seems to be on hold.

Hyundai
Hyundai is jumping in with both feet in the next year, with the Sonata Hybrid. Distinguishing itself from the other hybrids listed above, it's going to be one of the first hybrids to use lithium polymer battery packs, giving it an advantage over some of the more established hybrid models and brands listed above.

Mazda
Mazda has sold the Tribute hybrid in very limited numbers.  The Tribute was built using Ford Hybrid technology, when Mazda and Ford were a lot tighter than they are today.  Now Mazda is looking to partner with Toyota for the technology used in the Prius for their future hybrid model in 2013.

Fisker and Tesla
Fisker and Tesla are both bringing hybrid cars to market (they probably don't appreciate being lumped together given the lawsuits over the past few years). These startups are working hard to go straight to electric or hybrid and are emphasizing performance, rather than fuel efficiency right from the get go.

Audi, Subaru, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Daimler, Ferrari, Lotus, Kia, Maserati, Porsche, Suzuki, Volkswagen and Volvo
Each of the brands mentioned above are attempting their own hybrid models, and several have brought some noteworthy test models to auto shows. Several are on their way to bringing those cars to market right now, but are still a few years away from seeing them on the road in more than just 'test fleets'. Some are closer than others, while some probably have no intention of ever going hybrid unless they are forced to do so by the tighter restrictions being enforced in Europe, Asia and the US in the coming years.

Looking for more information on one of the brands above?
Either search for the brand name here on this site or use the categories below or on the sidebars.  Each of the major brands listed will have more information that I've accumulated over the years.

Mazda Will Have Hybrid Technology From Toyota

Despite the back and forth last week (Toyota will be hybrid components, Toyota won't be supplying hybrid components), Toyota and Mazda did get together and ink a deal.

Expect Mazdas first hybrid sedan to show up in 2013, using hybrid components supplied by Toyota. Mazda will be piggy-backing on Toyota's already extensive research and practical use of hybrid technology, while Toyota will be helping reduce its own costs by the art of economies of scale.

Toyota has also supplied parts to Nissan over the past few years for the Nissan Altima Hybrid.

The Mazda hybrid may only be available in Japan (base on the following quote:

"Hybrids are spreading fast in Japan, and launching a model in the domestic market has become an urgent task," Mazda Executive Vice President Masaharu Yamaki told a joint news conference in Tokyo.

Mazda had to go elsewhere now that Ford is no longer as big a partner.

The press release from Mazda and Toyota:

Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) and Mazda Motor Corporation (Mazda) have reached an agreement on the supply under license of hybrid technology used in the Toyota Prius.

Leveraging this agreement, Mazda plans to combine the hybrid system with its next-generation SKY* engine that is currently under development, and develop and manufacture a hybrid vehicle in Japan. Mazda is aiming to commence sales of a hybrid vehicle starting in Japan by 2013.

Positioning response to environmental issues as a management priority, TMC began sales of the Prius, the world's first mass-production hybrid vehicle, in 1997. Since then, over 2.3 million TMC-produced hybrid vehicles have been delivered to customers in over 70 countries and regions.

TMC recognizes the importance of benefiting the environment by encouraging the popularization of its eco-friendly technologies, which are represented by its hybrid systems. Accordingly, TMC has announced that it will consider requests from other companies to supply hybrid technology.

Based on its long-term vision for technology development, Sustainable Zoom-Zoom, Mazda aims to increase the average fuel economy of Mazda vehicles sold globally 30 percent by 2015, compared to its 2008 level. In order to offer all of its customers driving pleasure as well as outstanding eco-friendly and safety performance, Mazda is implementing a Building Block Strategy. Under this strategy, Mazda will enhance the core aspects of its vehicles - including engines, transmissions and weight reduction - and then progressively add electric devices such as idling stop, regenerative braking and hybrid systems.

Through this partnership, each company intends to offer technologies and products with outstanding environmental benefits to as many people as possible.

*Concept name for engines and transmissions that are intended for launch from 2011 onward.

Toyota May Not be Supplying Mazda

Toyota is now saying "Nothing has been decided" in a reply about the possible deal with Mazda.

Yesterday, a Nikkei report said a deal had been struck. Toyota would supply the hybrid components. Mazda would build a hybrid sedan by 2013.

But it seems that the deal is not finalized.

Mazda Hybrid by 2013 via Toyota

A Nikkei report (via Reuters) says Toyota will be supplying Mazda with some key hybrid components. That will give Mazda the ability to put a hybrid vehicle on the road by 2013.

Mazda will introduce a midsize hybrid vehicle by 2013, putting them years behind the major players (Toyota, Honda, GM, and Ford).

Toyota will be selling their Toyota Hybrid System II (THS II) to Mazda, which includes the battery, electric motor, a generator and a power control unit.

Nissan has used hybrid components from Toyota to build their Nissan Altima Hybrid. By selling their components to other auto makers, Toyota helps defray their cost to develop the Hybrid Synergy Drive by building up their economies of scale.

Mazda May Be Talking to Toyota About Hybrids

Mazda may be in talks with Toyota to develop hybrid vehicles for their line-up.
Mazda May Follow Suzuki, Mitsubishi With Alliance (Update2) - Bloomberg.com

Mazda has said it plans to introduce its own hybrid car, yet it also is in talks to use Toyota’s system, said Koji Endo, managing director of Advanced Research Japan in Tokyo.

Supplying the system would add volume and cut costs for Toyota, Endo said.

“Even if there were talks of any alliance, I wouldn’t be able to speak about it,” Toyota Executive Vice President Takeshi Uchiyamada said Dec. 14.

Mazda, like other car makers, are being pushed towards fuel efficiency technology and developing a hybrid system on their own may be just too expensive to do it on their own.

The article points out Mazda has been working with Ford primarily for years as Ford owned a sizeable stake in the company. But with Ford selling off a big chunk, Mazda will need to look to other car companies to partner with in order to move forward.

Mazda Looks to Raise $1 Billion to Research Hybrids

Mazda is looking to raise $1.1 billion through a share offering. The automakers plans on spending $670 million on Research and Development. The rest will go towards capital investment. The monies will come from issuing 315.2 million new shares and selling 96.8 million treasury shares.

Mazda is expected to spend $3.3 billion in R&D over the next three years. They will be focusing on improving the internal combustion engine (ICE) and developing hybrid technology. Mazda has said they would improve their ICE fuel efficiency by 30 percent by 2015.

The capital improvements will be used for the production facilities and R&D facilities to create those next generation products.

Ford's stake in the company will be diluted from 13.8% down to about 11 percent.

Source: Autonews

Mazda Looking to Up Fuel Economy by 2015

Seems like a long time from now, but Mazda is planning on increasing their fleet fuel economy by 30% over the next five or six years.

Mazda will be working on its powertrain, but without giving up the rotary engine.  They are looking to add in idle-stop (start-stop technology) and direct injection spark ignition.  That may also lead to regenerative braking, electric power steering, and electric water pumps.


The direct injection spark ignition will have a combination of smaller displacement, higher power output, and greater efficiency.  It's estimated the 2.0 liter four-cylinder engines paired with the new transmissions will increase city and highway fuel economy by 10 mpg to 32 and 42 mpg, respectively.





Mazda is also considering lightening up the frame using alternate structural materials and new bonding tech.

The next generation of engines will most likely start with the redesign of the 2013 RX-8, Mazda 5, or the MX-5 Miata.

Mazda to Buy Hybrid System From Toyota

According to a Nikkei report (via GCC), Mazda will be entering into a deal with Toyota for their hybrid system to be inserted into Mazda vehicles starting in 2013. (Sounds similar to the deal with Nissan and the Altima hybrid???)

The deal is expected to conclude soon, with Toyota supplying "batteries, motors, control units, and other components made by group autoparts manufacturers." Mazda will get to enter the hybrid market, while Toyota gets to make money off their system. It will likely reduce costs (economy of scale) for Toyota, as well.

The system is expected to be used in midsize vehicles, with Mazda targeting 100,000 vehicles a year.

Mazda Tribute Hybrid Federal Tax Credit

The IRS has qualified the 2008 Mazda Tribute Hybrid as being eligible for $3,000 in tax credits. The four-wheel drive has qualified for $2,200 in tax credits for eligible consumers.

The Mazda Tribute is based on the Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner SUVs. As such, its surprising that it took so long for the Tribute to get its own hybrid version since the Escape hybrid has been out for three years. Both the Escape and Mariner hybrids qualified for the same amount of tax credits.

If you're interested in buying a hybrid, you should look into the federal tax credits for hybrid cars. Not everyone will qualify under the guidelines put forth by the IRS. Your AMT and the automakers phaseout period can have a profound affect on how much you can save come tax time. See the category on hybrid cars federal tax credit for more information.

Hybrids are part of the Top 12 Greenest Cars from Forbes

Just the other day I was pointing out one of the benefits of choosing a hybrid is its lower emissions. Or, you could pick a small car that emits less and gets great gas mileage. One of the nice things about hybrid technology is the ability to go bigger while emitting less and getting better gas mileage.

Forbes put together the top 12 Greenest Cars based on the numbers from the EPA. Not surprisingly, hybrids and small (compact) cars score well.

Source: Top 12 Greenest Vehicles - Forbes.com

For new vehicles, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), whose data we used to compile our list, issues air pollution scores and greenhouse gas scores, both of which are ratings from 0 to 10, with 10 being the highest. Only the Prius and Civic Hybrid have perfect greenhouse gas scores, but many cars tie for the top ranking on the air pollution scale (no new car has an air pollution score of 10, but several reach 9.5).

To assemble our list, we took the vehicles with air pollution scores of 9.5, then ranked them based on their greenhouse gas scores. Twelve cars got nods for superior environmental friendliness, including the 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid and the 2007 Ford Focus.

1) Honda Civic Hybrid sedan
Base price: $22,600
Air pollution score: 9.5/10
Greenhouse gas score: 10/10
City/highway miles per gallon: 49/51

2) Toyota Prius sedan
Base price: $22,175
Air pollution score: 9.5/10
Greenhouse gas score: 10/10
City/highway miles per gallon: 60/51

3) Toyota Camry Hybrid sedan
Base price: $26,200
Air pollution score: 9.5/10
Greenhouse gas score: 9/10
City/highway miles per gallon: 40/38

4) Ford Escape Hybrid SUV
Base price: $25,740
Air pollution score: 9.5/10
Greenhouse gas score: 8/10
City/highway miles per gallon: 36/31

5) Ford Focus
Base price: $13,995
Air pollution score: 9.5/10
Greenhouse gas score: 8/10
City/highway miles per gallon: 27/37

6) Honda Accord Hybrid sedan
Base price: $31,090
Air pollution score: 9.5/10
Greenhouse gas score: 8/10
City/highway miles per gallon: 28/35

7) Hyundai Elantra sedan
Base price: $13,395
Air pollution score: 9.5/10
Greenhouse gas score: 8/10
City/highway miles per gallon: 28/36

8) Kia Spectra
Base price: $13,495
Air pollution score: 9.5/10
Greenhouse gas score: 8/10
City/highway miles per gallon: 27/35

9) Mazda3
Base price: $14,490
Air pollution score: 9.5/10
Greenhouse gas score: 8/10
City/highway miles per gallon: 28/35

10) Mercury Mariner Hybrid SUV
Base price: $26,430
Air pollution score: 9.5/10
Greenhouse gas score: 8/10
City/highway miles per gallon: 32/29

11) Nissan Altima sedan
Base price: $19,800
Air pollution score: 9.5/10
Greenhouse gas score: 8/10
City/highway miles per gallon: 26/35

12) Saturn Ion
Base price: $12,890
Air pollution score: 9.5/10
Greenhouse gas score: 8/10
City/highway miles per gallon: 26/35

Mazda will introduce the 2008 Tribute Hybrid

The 2008 Mazda Tribute Hybrid will be introduced at the Detroit Auto Show. It will be Mazdas first hybrid to hit the market. It should be very similar to the 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid.

Source: Mazda Ryuga concept and Mazda Tribute Hybrid at Detroit | Auto Shows Blog at Motor Trend

The Tribute, like its Ford Escape sibling, is heavily revised for 2008 and the hybrid version on the Mazda show stand will be the automaker’s first advanced-technology vehicle for sale to the public when it hits dealership showrooms next year.

The Tribute Hybrid features a combined power output of its gasoline engine and electric motor of 155 horsepower and meets strict Super Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle (SULEVII) and Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (AT-PZEV) standards in California – the strictest emission regulations in the country.

Ford Escape and Mazda Tribute investigated for car fires

The Ford Escape and Mazda Tribute are being investigated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) The Ford Escape hybrid is not involved in the investigation, because the models affected are from 2001 to 2003. The Escape came out in 2004.

It seems the antilock braking system's electronic control module may be overheating, starting fires in eight vehicles (five of which were parked). In two other cases, reports of smoke or melted electrical connectors and wiring near the system in Escapes.

The Ford Escape and Mazda Tribute have similar structures.

Source: Gov't probing reports of engine fires

Mazda to go its own way in developing hybrids

Mazda has been working with its parent company Ford in developing hybrid technology. But now, they are looking to go their own way.

By developing on its own, they can develop the whole car as a hybrid, not just use what's available as parts to insert. For instance, according to a parts supplier, Mazda is looking to develop a lighter vehicle (chassis) to put around the extra weight a hybrid battery brings to the vehicle.

In the past, Mazda has delivered Tribute hybrids for testing by local fire departments. They are also working on the release of hydrogen powered hybrid vehicles with rotary engines by 2008.

Read more at Nikkei Business

Seita Kanai, senior managing executive officer in charge of Mazda's R&D, acknowledged that the company is working independently of Ford and has a hybrid development plan aimed at a market rollout. "With an increasing array of hybrid models in the future, the challenge will be the appeal of the car itself. We're looking to emulate the Mazda brand of driving pleasure in our hybrids, too," Kanai said of the company's development aspirations.

Mazda loans Tribute Hybrid Prototypes to Fire Departments in Southern California

In a nice PR move, Mazda loaned out five Mazda Tribute Hybrid vehicles to the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD). Mazda previously loaned out ten hybrid Tributes to Orange County for a period of two years. Fifteen more hybrid SUVs will be loaned out to fire departments across southern California. These depts are located in Corona, San Bernardino, San Diego and Riverside.

The firefighters will use the SUVs in mostly non-emergency situations such as fire inspection, station maintenance or education visits. Mazda plans on using the performance data to enhance their production of the Tribute hybrid, a compact SUV. They will also be collecting input from the firefighters who drive the prototype vehicles.

Mazda Tribute HEV is 99.4 percent cleaner, on average, than an unregulated vehicle, yet still delivers the performance required by SUV owners. With a combined horsepower output of 155, this Tribute HEV provides plenty of power yet meets strict Super Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle (SULEVII) and Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (AT-PZEV) standards in California - the strictest emission regulations a gasoline-fueled vehicle can meet.

Mazda loans ten tribute hybrids to orange county fire authority

Mazda donated 10 tribute hybrids to the Orange County Fire Authority. These are prototypes, and will be in service for only two years. These are non-emergency vehicles and will most likely be used in educational visits.

Press release follows:
IRVINE, Calif. – Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) today donated 10 clean-burning, fuel efficient prototype Tribute Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEV) to the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) at a ceremony at OCFA’s headquarters in Irvine, Calif. The Tribute HEVs will be in service for two years. The vehicles are prototypes of a gasoline-electric hybrid version of Mazda’s Tribute compact SUV and are the first of 30 total Tribute Hybrid SUVs that Mazda will loan to fire agencies across Southern California.

These Tribute HEVs, clad in the familiar OCFA red and white, will be driven by OCFA staff in various assignments throughout Orange County. They will mainly be used for non-emergency functions, such as travel to fire safety inspections, educational programs, and fire station maintenance activities.

“We wanted to give something back to the community with these Tribute Hybrid SUVs,” said Jim O’Sullivan, MNAO’s president and CEO. “ Southern California firefighters are among the best in the country, and we’re proud to have them in our backyard. The lives and property of our employees and dealers were saved a few years ago by these brave men and women, and it is a privilege for us to be able to partially repay their courageous efforts with the two-year loan of these Tribute HEVs.”

Other fire departments in Los Angeles, Corona, San Bernardino, San Diego and Riverside will also receive the environmentally responsible Tribute HEV prototypes, courtesy of Mazda.

Patrick McIntosh, OCFA Assistant Fire Chief, along with several firefighters, was on-hand to receive their Tribute Hybrids.

“We are so grateful to Mazda for their generous loan of these four-wheel-drive Tribute HEV prototypes,” said McIntosh. “What makes this such a significant gesture by Mazda is that these are clean, fuel-efficient SUVs, which means we can evaluate the reduction in our operating costs while contributing to a healthier environment.”

Putting Tribute HEV prototypes into the hands of the Southland fire agencies also helps Mazda.

“Although we don’t sell a Tribute HEV now, the varied driving conditions these vehicles will be put through, as well as the input on on-road performance we will receive from the fire agencies, will be valuable in the development of our first production HEV,” O’Sullivan added.

Mazda’s Tribute HEV is 99.4 percent cleaner, on average, than a conventional vehicle, yet still delivers the performance required by SUV owners. With a combined output of 155 horsepower, this Tribute HEV provides plenty of power yet meets strict Super Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle (SULEVII) and Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (AT-PZEV) standards in California – the strictest emission regulations a gasoline-fueled vehicle can meet.

Mazda North American Operations is responsible for the sales and marketing, customer parts and service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States. Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., MNAO has more than 700 dealerships nationwide.

The Orange County Fire Authority is a joint powers authority that serves as the all-risk emergency response agency for 1.3 million Orange County residents in 22 cities and the unincorporated areas of the county.