http://priuschat.com/forums Come chat about any car other than the Prius here - Hybrids especially! en Sat, 04 Jul 2009 10:33:30 GMT vBulletin 60 http://priuschat.com/forums/images/silk/misc/rss.jpg http://priuschat.com/forums http://priuschat.com/forums/showthread.php?t=64642&goto=newpost Fri, 03 Jul 2009 14:01:48 GMT Looks like an interesting choice, although not in the same MPG class as a Prius of course. Appears they will be available in the US in "early 2010" and there are 100 in the US now, available for test drives. If you want to "buy American" whatever that means nowadays, it'll be another option. ]]> Other Cars Midpack http://priuschat.com/forums/showthread.php?t=64642 http://priuschat.com/forums/showthread.php?t=64532&goto=newpost Wed, 01 Jul 2009 22:06:40 GMT Lexus Drive HS Promotion (http://www.drivehs.com/vote/100195) THANKS!! Lexus Drive HS Promotion

THANKS!! ]]> Other Cars efusco http://priuschat.com/forums/showthread.php?t=64532 http://priuschat.com/forums/showthread.php?t=64441&goto=newpost Tue, 30 Jun 2009 15:48:53 GMT In the latest issue of CR, the Insight was rated second from last spot (21 out of 22). All the things that I said about the Insight after I test... In the latest issue of CR, the Insight was rated second from last spot (21 out of 22). All the things that I said about the Insight after I test drove it where mentioned. They even stated it was one of the worst Honda that they have driven in years. I can't link directly to cr (its a sub req site) but it is on autobloggreen. My father happened to have the CR mag and the review didn't mince words about the insight. Terrible handling,ride, cramped rear seat, interior noise.

I guess that extra 1k in people's pockets makes them see through rose colored glasses. From my stand point CR is pretty forgiving when it comes to acceleration and sporty handling. If Cr said it was bad that means it was BAAAAD (if I didn't have first hand experience). ]]> Other Cars ljbad4life http://priuschat.com/forums/showthread.php?t=64441 http://priuschat.com/forums/showthread.php?t=64397&goto=newpost Mon, 29 Jun 2009 19:04:12 GMT General Motors Corp. said it will end its 25-year manufacturing joint venture with Toyota Motor Corp. in California, saying the two companies couldn't agree on what future product would be made at the facility.

The joint venture, called New United Motor Manufacturing Inc., currently churns out the Pontiac Vibe, which GM will stop making within 60 days, and the Toyota Corolla. Toyota's new president, Akio Toyoda, served as a vice president at the plant early in his career.

Toyota had been accounting for nearly three-quarters of the plant's output.

"We have enjoyed a very positive and beneficial partnership with Toyota for the past 25 years, and we remain open to future opportunities of mutual interest," said GM North America President Troy Clarke.

GM's ownership interest in the venture will become join assets in the portion of GM being sold as part of bankruptcy proceedings.

GM-Toyota Joint Venture Ends - WSJ.com ]]> Other Cars zenMachine http://priuschat.com/forums/showthread.php?t=64397 http://priuschat.com/forums/showthread.php?t=64371&goto=newpost Mon, 29 Jun 2009 07:23:51 GMT Toyota's president, Akio Toyoda, on company changes - Jun. 26, 2009

Some other related articles:
Toyota president says product lineup under review - Yahoo! Finance
Japan: Toyota's New President Takes the Wheel - BusinessWeek ]]> Other Cars cwerdna http://priuschat.com/forums/showthread.php?t=64371 http://priuschat.com/forums/showthread.php?t=64370&goto=newpost Mon, 29 Jun 2009 06:50:22 GMT Can Tesla Become a Real Automaker? - BusinessWeek (http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/content/jun2009/db20090623_616299.htm?campaign_id=yhoo) Can Tesla Become a Real Automaker? - BusinessWeek ]]> Other Cars cwerdna http://priuschat.com/forums/showthread.php?t=64370 http://priuschat.com/forums/showthread.php?t=64368&goto=newpost Mon, 29 Jun 2009 06:30:04 GMT For Mini, it's not a quality problem, it's a quirk - Yahoo! Finance

Interesting... although I personally don't trust JD Power's ratings all that much, here's the outcome:
2009 Initial Quality Study (IQS) | J.D. Power and Associates

Initial "quality" doesn't have much (or any) direct correlation to long term reliability. Even their "long term" vehicle dependability study is too short term. It only covers 3 year old cars. Also, when people report "wind noise", is it a defect, by design, more than what they expected or something else? ]]> Other Cars cwerdna http://priuschat.com/forums/showthread.php?t=64368 http://priuschat.com/forums/showthread.php?t=64338&goto=newpost Sun, 28 Jun 2009 20:03:10 GMT Mitsubishi set up a survey. If you want to express your opinion on alternatives such as the Imiev, here's where:

Alternative Fuel Feedback Survey - Zoomerang Online Surveys ]]> Other Cars hill http://priuschat.com/forums/showthread.php?t=64338 http://priuschat.com/forums/showthread.php?t=64154&goto=newpost Thu, 25 Jun 2009 08:13:42 GMT U.S. lends $8B to Ford, Nissan, Tesla for energy-efficient cars - USATODAY.com (http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/2009-06-23-energy-loan_N.htm) ... U.S. lends $8B to Ford, Nissan, Tesla for energy-efficient cars - USATODAY.com

http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/23/t...pment-loans-f/ ]]> Other Cars cwerdna http://priuschat.com/forums/showthread.php?t=64154 http://priuschat.com/forums/showthread.php?t=64138&goto=newpost Thu, 25 Jun 2009 03:51:13 GMT I figured this forum, "other" would be the best to post this in since it is not "News" and it is not "2010 Prius." This thread is just general chat about a concept I thought of.

I think it would be great if one of the major racing organizations (think Toyota/Long Beach Grand Prix) stepped up and created a small "side-show" race for hybrids. All manufacturers of hybrid production vehicles could compete. Here is how it would work: All teams would be given a Finite amount of gasoline, and then it would be a normal race. Whoever gets there first, gets there first. Just like a normal race. Except, if you run out of fuel, you don't finish. Based on results and experience, the quantity of gasoline allotted each team could be reduced each year; thus, innovation and efficiency will be necessary. This will drive manufacturers to make hybrids more efficient, and also more powerful (while operating on a finite quantity of fuel).

This is just a concept, but I think it is quite a great idea. Just sharing. Thank you. :)

(anyone reading this has my full permission to forward and/or reproduce this idea; I don't want credit, I want to see it become a reality) ]]> Other Cars Rybold http://priuschat.com/forums/showthread.php?t=64138 http://priuschat.com/forums/showthread.php?t=63846&goto=newpost Sun, 21 Jun 2009 00:18:09 GMT The Riversimple (http://www.riversimple.com) Urban Car, a hydrogen-powered two-seater capable of speeds up to 50mph and of traveling more than 200... The Riversimple Urban Car, a hydrogen-powered two-seater capable of speeds up to 50mph and of traveling more than 200 miles without refueling, was unveiled in London this week. While the prototype car is itself a welcome development in sustainable travel, the aim of the company behind it is even more ambitious: to completely eliminate the environmental impact of personal transport. Nine years in the making and seen for the first time this week, the car weighs just 772lbs (350kg), does the petrol equivalent of 300mpg and produces greenhouse gas emissions of 30g/km CO2 – less than a third produced by the latest hybrid cars. Riversimple hydrogen-powdered urban car provides fuel for thought ]]> Other Cars Silver bullit http://priuschat.com/forums/showthread.php?t=63846 http://priuschat.com/forums/showthread.php?t=63743&goto=newpost Fri, 19 Jun 2009 08:00:31 GMT The smart fortwo is definitely not suited for everyone. You have a family? Forget it. You play golf? Forget it. You spend a lot of time on highways? Forget it. You’re not environmentally conscious? Well, forget it too.

On the other hand, if you need a second car for mostly urban use, you have a real gem right there. The smart sure is tiny -- like, where's the missing half? -- yet it’s probably the queen of city go-karts.

http://www.auto123.com/en/smart/fort...5&artid=108380 ]]> Other Cars Tideland Prius http://priuschat.com/forums/showthread.php?t=63743 http://priuschat.com/forums/showthread.php?t=63716&goto=newpost Thu, 18 Jun 2009 22:25:55 GMT Ford Motor Company (http://www.newsoxy.com/hybrid-cars/ford/index.html) more than impressed the judges for its 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid... Ford Motor Company more than impressed the judges for its 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid. The automaker won a special-achievement award for Best Graphic Display that includes Ford's signature SmartGauge with EcoGuide. The 2010 Fusion was judged for its interior styling, comfort, safety and value.

"The interior is a major product differentiator, it's where the emotional connection to a vehicle takes place; where the customer can see and feel the quality of the vehicle," Ford's executive director of design Moray Callum said in a statement.

Ford Wins 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid Interior Award ]]> Other Cars zenMachine http://priuschat.com/forums/showthread.php?t=63716 http://priuschat.com/forums/showthread.php?t=63715&goto=newpost Thu, 18 Jun 2009 22:22:04 GMT Meanwhile... The 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid officially holds 119 patents or pending patent applications, the most for any vehicle... Meanwhile...

The 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid officially holds 119 patents or pending patent applications, the most for any vehicle ever.

Some of the patents include the hybrid technology, SmartGauge with EcoGuide, Blind Spot Information System with Cross Traffic Alert, and the Easy Fuel Capless Fuel-Filler System.

The company intend to focus on having high quality patents to protect their breakthrough innovations with all advanced vehicles that it manufacturers in the coming years.

According to the Patent Board, Ford has outperformed all other automakers in the quality and significance of its patents.

Fusion Hybrid Holds More Patents Than Any Car Ever Made - AllCarsElectric.com ]]> Other Cars zenMachine http://priuschat.com/forums/showthread.php?t=63715 http://priuschat.com/forums/showthread.php?t=63603&goto=newpost Wed, 17 Jun 2009 05:09:06 GMT Well, this could make for some interesting cars. Perhaps some of Saab's endearing 'quirkiness' will be restored, now that they're not just another brand among many.

Here's the story. ]]> Other Cars hyo silver http://priuschat.com/forums/showthread.php?t=63603