Hybrid Cars, the Past and the Future

An interesting story is developing as several news stories detail the past, the present and where the world is headed in the future as it relates to hybrid cars, the auto industry and the emissions cars produce.

Past
Over the 15 years from 1990 to 2005, five of the top six car makers increased their emissions (Det Free Press found via GCC). The rating was measured per vehicle. Nissan saw the biggest jump (up 9.2%) while Toyota was the only major car maker to decrease its per vehicle carbon dioxide emissions drop (3%). A majority of Toyotas improvements come from strong sales of the Corolla and the Prius. Toyota also had the largest carbon burden growth, due to increased sales.

Present
But that's the past. In the present, the average CO2 emissions dropped 3% from 2004 to 2005. And in the past year, fuel economy increased for the first time in three years. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the 2007 models would average 26.4 mpg, an increase of 1 mpg from 2006. It has held steady in the previous two years. (Source: Det Free Press via GCC). This is a new record in fuel economy for new cars solds. The previous record was 26.2 mpg in 1987. Note that these numbers are subject to change as sales of 2007 models are updated.

Honda has the highest fuel economy rating at 39.9 mpg for imported models and 33.7 for cars made in the US, while Toyota gets 38.5 mpg for its imports and 31.7 for domestics. Their high numbers are being attributed to strong sales of their hybrid cars. DaimlerChrysler showed the biggest improvement, increasing 3 to 28.6 mpg.

Future
As fuel prices have increased, so have car buyers tendencies to buy smaller and more fuel efficient vehicles. Which means its really easy to see where things are going. More hybrid cars and SUVs are coming out every year. Consumers are moving the car companies away from the bigger is better mentality and into the more efficient is better.

At the same time, automakers are losing ground in their fight to stall increase CAFE standards. Based on these numbers, it's becoming obvious 1) they can build more efficient vehicles and
2) people will buy them

2008 Chevy Malibu Hybrid Pricing

The 2008 Chevy Malibu Hybrid has a base price of $22,790. It will be available in November along with its more conventional gas only counterparts which will start at $19,995. Prices include shipping.

The new Malibu will be equipped with:

• Six airbags
• Four-wheel antilock disc brakes with all-speed traction control
• OnStar Gen 7 safety and security system with turn-by-turn navigation
• Air conditioning
• XM Satellite radio.
• Available as a four-cylinder or V-6 engine.

The hybrid was rated at 32 mpg highway and 24 mpg city. The four cylinder gas only version of the Malibu was rated for 30 mpg highway and 22 mpg in the city. The V6 received a rating of 26 mpg highway and 17 mpg in the city.

The hybrid pricetag comes in under the base price for the 2008 Camry Hybrid and the 2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid, but is not lower than the new pricing for the 2008 Toyota Prius.

GM’s StabiliTrak electronic stability control system is standard on LT, LTZ and Hybrid models.

Read more about the Chevy Malibu Hybrid.

Least Expensive Luxury Car to Drive is a Hybrid

Forbes listed the top 10 luxury cars (based on the work by Vincentric, a Detroit-based automotive data firm) which won't cost you a bundle to drive, at least once you've paid to purchase. If you have to ask how much it costs to buy these cars in the first place, you're not welcome on the sales floor.

Of the top 10 luxury cars that are the cheapest to operate, the RX 400h comes in first. At $41,895 MSRP, this is an expensive car to buy. But once you do, Vincentric estimates it will only cost you an additional $12,091 over 5 years to operate.

They estimate the costs based on fuel and costs for repair and maintenance. Since the Rx400h gets 32 mpg city/ 27 mpg highway, the luxury hybrid from Lexus rates very high when estimating operating costs

"It's not exclusively about fuel," says David Wurster, co-founder and president of Vincentric, "But of course fuel is important, and it's the biggest factor."

2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid Pricing

Nissan announced the base MSRP for the 2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid has been set at $25,070. With only eight states selling the hybrid version of the Altima (California, Connecticut, Maine, Mass, NJ, NY, Rhode Island and Vermont), the Altima Hybrid at any price is going to have limited sales.

Nissan upped the price tag of the 2007 Altima Hybrid by $590 to $24,990 back in April. So, the 2008 pricetag has gone up only $80.

Buying the Altima Hybrid still qualifies the new owner for a tax credit of up to $2,350.

A recent review of the three hybrid sedans (Aura, Camry and Altima) by Edmunds placed the Altima Hybrid in second place, despite it being the "personal choice for every editor who participated in the test."

The Altima Hybrid comes with four choices in packages:

• Convenience Package ($1,300)
• Connection Package ($4,400)
• Power Sliding Glass Moonroof ($850)
• Technology Package ($6,400).

Accessories can be added in as well:

• Moonroof Wind Deflector ($100)
• Carpeted Floor Mats (4 Piece) ($110)
• Aluminum Kick Plate ($170).

Read the press release below for more details on the new model year.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Aug. 22, 2007) – Nissan today announced a starting Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $25,070 for the 2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid, which is on sale now at Nissan retailers in the eight states that have adopted California emissions regulations – California, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont. The Altima Hybrid has been certified by the Internal Revenue Service as meeting the requirements for the Alternative Motor Vehicle Credit, thereby qualifying for a tax credit of $2,350.

Enhancements to the 2008 Altima Hybrid include standard splash guards and Diversity Antenna, along with an available factory-activated XM® Satellite Radio (XM® monthly subscription required, sold separately).

Altima Hybrid is offered in one model and with four available option packages – Convenience Package, Connection Package, Power Sliding Glass Moonroof and Technology Package.

The 2008 Altima Hybrid’s EPA fuel economy is estimated at 35 mpg City and 33 mpg Highway. It is rated as an Advanced Technology-Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (AT-PZEV) and emits almost no evaporative emissions. Combined with Altima’s standard 20-gallon fuel tank, Altima Hybrid has a projected driving range of over 600 miles between fill-ups.

The Altima Hybrid features a high level of standard equipment, including 16-inch alloy wheels, Intelligent Key with Push Button Ignition, power windows/door locks, 6-speaker AM/FM/CD system with auxiliary audio input jack, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) and Traction Control System (TCS).

Altima Hybrid also features a standard dual-zone automatic temperature control that includes an Altima Hybrid-specific electrically powered air conditioning system that continues to provide cooling when the gasoline engine is stopped.

Every Altima Hybrid offers an extensive list of standard safety features, including the Nissan Advanced Air Bag System (AABS), front seat-mounted side-impact supplemental air bags for chest protection, roof-mounted curtain side-impact supplemental air bags for front and rear outboard occupant head protection and front seat Active Head Restraints.

For 2008, Altima is also available in 3.5-liter V6 and 2.5-liter inline 4-cylinder gasoline engine models in 4-door Sedan and 2-door Coupe body styles.