<html><head></head><body style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space; "><br><div><br><div>Begin forwarded message:</div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline"><blockquote type="cite"><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px;"><span style="font-family:'Helvetica'; font-size:medium; color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 1);"><b>From: </b></span><span style="font-family:'Helvetica'; font-size:medium;">"Bradley Berman - <a href="http://HybridCars.com">HybridCars.com</a>" <<a href="mailto:brad@hybridcars.com">brad@hybridcars.com</a>><br></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px;"><span style="font-family:'Helvetica'; font-size:medium; color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 1);"><b>Date: </b></span><span style="font-family:'Helvetica'; font-size:medium;">2 February 2010 4:09:09 AM AEDT<br></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px;"><span style="font-family:'Helvetica'; font-size:medium; color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 1);"><b>To: </b></span><span style="font-family:'Helvetica'; font-size:medium;"><a href="mailto:tony@tony-barry.emu.id.au">tony@tony-barry.emu.id.au</a><br></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px;"><span style="font-family:'Helvetica'; font-size:medium; color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 1);"><b>Subject: </b></span><span style="font-family:'Helvetica'; font-size:medium;"><b>Hybrid Cars Newsletter (054): Hybrid Horserace, Electric Drive Here to Stay</b><br></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px;"><span style="font-family:'Helvetica'; font-size:medium; color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 1);"><b>Reply-To: </b></span><span style="font-family:'Helvetica'; font-size:medium;"><<a href="mailto:bounce-live-964913159-60615130@ezinedirector.net">bounce-live-964913159-60615130@ezinedirector.net</a>><br></span></div><br>
<div><p><font size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"> <strong>~~~ Hybrid Cars
Newsletter: Issue No. 0054 ~~~<br>
Moderator: Bradley Berman [brad@hybridcars.com]</strong></font></p><p><strong><font size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</font></strong></p><p><strong><font size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">IN THIS ISSUE:</font></strong><font size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><br>
<strong>2009 Was Breakthrough Year for Global Hybrid Car Sales<br>
</strong>You would have never guessed it, but last year might go down in history
as a breakthrough year for hybrids. </font></p><p><font size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><strong>Hybrid Car Horse
Race Heats Up for 2010<br>
</strong>Every global carmaker is cranking up its R&D departments and turning
up its marketing efforts to promote their place in the hotter-than-ever hybrid
race.</font></p><p><font size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><strong>2010 Detroit Auto Show:
Electric Drive Is Here to Stay</strong><br>
The year’s North American International Auto Show puts to rest any questions
whether electricity will be integral to the vehicle powertrains of tomorrow.</font></p><p><font size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><strong>The Persistent and
Elusive Dream of a Diesel Hybrid<br>
</strong>The idea of combining a diesel engine and a hybrid powertrain has been
on the drawing boards for many years. In 2010, it’s diesel-hybrid-déjà
vu all over again.</font></p><p><font size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><strong>GM Unveils Chevy
Volt Smartphone Application<br>
</strong>In one more sign that plug-in cars and information networks are merging,
General Motors unveiled a downloadable smartphone app for remotely controlling
and monitoring vehicle charging and other functions.</font></p><p><font size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</font></p><p><font size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Your Support<br>
Check out the new Hybrid Cars Store, for the web’s best prices, selection
and service on hybrid accessories and other goodies. </font></p><p><font size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><a href="http://srv.ezinedirector.net/?n=3487996&s=60615130">http://store.hybridcars.com</a></font></p><p><font size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Thanks for your support.
</font></p><p><font size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</font></p><p><font size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Greetings, Hybrid Car Enthusiasts,<br>
When consumers were hit with the big gas price spike of 2008, most global automakers
were caught off guard. That spike past $4 a gallon helped contribute to the
economic crisis, which decimated automobile sales in the United States for the
past year and a half. As we slowly crawl back to better economic ground—and
the economic engine, especially in developing countries, picks up speed—the
price of oil is expected to rise. Yet, the next price spike at the pumps could
be very different. That’s for one reason: There will be a vast array of
choices of electric-drive vehicles that use a lot less fuel, like a conventional
hybrid, to pure electric cars those that don’t use any at all. This issue
of our newsletter chronicles how close we’re getting to this new automotive
reality. Enjoy. </font></p><p><font size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</font></p><p><font size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><strong>2009 Was Breakthrough
Year for Global Hybrid Car Sales<br>
</strong><a href="http://srv.ezinedirector.net/?n=3487997&s=60615130">http://www.hybridcars.com/news/2009-was-breakthrough-year-global-hybrid-car-sales-26419.html</a></font></p><p><font size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Last year was the worst
for auto sales in decades, but might be recorded in history as the breakthrough
year for gas-electric hybrids and other small efficient cars. Connect these
dots from global sales stats.</font></p><p><font size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Prius Was No. 1 Seller in
Japan<br>
The Toyota Prius was Japan’s top-selling automobile last year for the
first time since its debut in 1997. The Prius took the number one sales slot
in May, and never let go—posting a total of 208,876 units in Japan in
2009. That represents 5.3 percent of the Japan’s new passenger car sales.
The Honda Insight came in fifth with 93,283 units. Strong hybrid sales in Japan
revealed how the right vehicles, combined with effective government incentives,
can effectively push consumers toward efficient automobiles.</font></p><p><font size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Hybrids Gained Market Share
in U.S.<br>
Hybrid sales in the U.S. comprised 2.8 percent of the new vehicle market, its
highest market share ever. In July, hybrids peaked at 3.6 percent of the market,
boosted by the “Cash for Clunkers” rebate program. The total number
of hybrids sold declined 7.5 percent from last year, but the overall market
fell by 20 percent. Hybrids are expected to make a gain of one or two percentage
points in 2010, when the overall market bounces back. In a sign of what may
come, hybrid sales in December 2009 rose by 42 percent compared to the previous
year. Ford’s annual hybrid sales were up 72 percent from 2008.</font></p><p><font size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Fuel-Efficient Ford Models
Topped Charts in the UK<br>
The Ford Fiesta took over the top sales position in the UK from the Ford Focus
and the pair retained first and second in the sales charts through the end of
the year. Ford sold 117,296 Fiestas during the years. The Econetic version of
the Fiesta manages better than 60 miles per gallon. The Ford Fiesta will make
its US debut in mid-2010. The Focus, the second-best selling car in the UK,
will get a stop-start system—a mild form of hybrid—next year, boosting
its mileage beyond 60 mpg.</font></p><p><font size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Read more:<br>
<a href="http://srv.ezinedirector.net/?n=3487998&s=60615130">http://www.hybridcars.com/news/2009-was-breakthrough-year-global-hybrid-car-sales-26419.html</a></font></p><p><font size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</font></p><p><font size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><strong>Hybrid Car Horse
Race Heats Up in 2010</strong><br>
<a href="http://srv.ezinedirector.net/?n=3487999&s=60615130">http://www.hybridcars.com/news/hybrid-car-horserace-heats-2010-26481.html</a></font></p><p><font size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Although hybrid cars currently
account for less than 3 percent of auto sales, major car companies are fighting
for position to become leaders in gas-electric technology. Every day brings
more news that auto executives see electric-drive cars as the key to future
prosperity.</font></p><p><font size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Toyota, the current leader
by a wide margin, is planning to double its hybrid production by next year—mostly
by adding about 10 new models. Reports this month indicate that the company
expects to have the capacity to sell 1 million hybrids every year, as early
as 2011. On Tuesday, Toyota announced that it will guarantee a flow of lithium—the
key to the next generation of advanced auto batteries—by taking a 25 percent
stake in an Argentina-based lithium production project. (Of course, the company
has bigger problems these days than lithium supply.)</font></p><p><font size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Honda, once neck-and-neck
with Toyota in hybrid technology, has experienced one blunder after the next
in its hybrid marketing efforts. But it’s not giving up. Honda CEO Takanobu
Ito, speaking at the Detroit auto show, said that he wants “to
develop and expand our hybrids.” He challenged his research and development
staff to produce a hybrid that beats the Toyota Prius in fuel economy.</font></p><p><font size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">On a happier note, Ford
is on the rise. The Ford Fusion Hybrid received the North American Car of the
Year Award. In 2009, Ford bypassed Honda to become the second largest seller
of hybrids in the United States. Sales of the Fusion/Milan and the Escape SUV
hybrid approached 32,000—eclipsing Honda, although still one-sixth that
of Toyota's U.S. hybrid sales. Moreover, Ford is on track to introduce an all-electric
car, the Ford Focus EV, in 2011, and a plug-in hybrid version of the Escape
Hybrid.</font></p><p><font size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Meanwhile, the Chevy Volt
plug-in hybrid and all-electric Nissan Leaf are waiting in the wings—for
limited introduction later this year. Critics warn that market adoption of plug-in
cars with large, expensive lithium ion batteries will take time, while conventional
hybrids have proven themselves. Yet, it’s not a question of either a hybrid
or an electric car. Both are expected to gain a foothold in the marketplace,
as every global carmaker cranks up its R&D departments —and its marketing
efforts – to promote their place in the hotter-than-ever hybrid race.</font></p><p><font size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Learn more:<br>
<a href="http://srv.ezinedirector.net/?n=3488000&s=60615130">http://www.hybridcars.com/news/hybrid-car-horserace-heats-2010-26481.html</a></font></p><p><font size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</font></p><p><font size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><strong>2010 Detroit Auto
Show: Electric Drive Is Here to Stay<br>
</strong><a href="http://srv.ezinedirector.net/?n=3488001&s=60615130">http://www.hybridcars.com/news/2010-detroit-auto-show-electric-drive-here-stay-26426.html</a></font></p><p><font size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">The 2010 North American
International Auto Show in Detroit puts to rest once and for all any questions
about whether electricity will be integral to the vehicle powertrains of tomorrow.
A sampling of this year's Detroit announcements reveals different directions
depending on whose electric navigation screen you're viewing at any given moment.</font></p>
<ul>
<li><font size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">General Motors continued
the drumbeat for the Chevy Volt, while announcing that it had built its first
lithium ion battery pack at a special battery assembly plant near Detroit.</font></li>
<li><font size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"> The Ford Fusion Hybrid
won the 2010 Car of the Year award. Ford also reiterated its plans for a battery-powered
Focus, which in its new gasoline engine guise was Ford's top-billed new product
at the show.</font></li>
<li><font size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">What really underscores
the industry's unanimity on electrification is Volkswagen's New Compact Coupe
concept, which mates a hybrid powertrain to its TSI gasoline engine. The vehicle
is a veritable showcase of advanced technology, with a hybrid system backed
by a lithium battery and a turbocharged, direct-injection engine backed by
a 7-speed direct-shift gearbox. The NCC concept promises 45 mpg.</font></li>
<li><font size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"> BMW is taking the next
steps in its electrification plan. The Active E will be an all-electric version
of the BMW 1 Series and is destined for a limited test market next year. </font></li>
<li><font size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">The Nissan Leaf, the
only car that Nissan brought to Detroit, helped anchor the show's "Electric
Avenue," a collection of electric-drive hopefuls situated along a back
wall of Cobo Hall. </font></li>
<li><font size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Harking back to the CRX
pocket rocket, the new, two-seat Honda CR-Z hybrid promises a big dose of
zip along with hybrid electric drive zap. Slated for launch this summer, the
CR-Z uses Honda's proven hybrid technology, applying its IMA (Integrated Motor
Assist) system plus a 1.5-liter iVTEC engine. </font></li>
<li><font size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Toyota's news was the
FT-CH hybrid concept car. A "don't touch me yet" mock-up lit up
the stage, sketchy on details except it will be 22 inches shorter than the
Prius. The CH in the name stands for Compact Hybrid, and Toyota is targeting
the car for a lower price to appeal to a younger, less-affluent but city-hip
demographic. </font></li>
</ul><p><font size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">More info:<br>
<a href="http://srv.ezinedirector.net/?n=3488002&s=60615130">http://www.hybridcars.com/news/2010-detroit-auto-show-electric-drive-here-stay-26426.html</a></font></p><p><font size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</font></p><p><font size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><strong>The Persistent and
Elusive Dream of a Diesel Hybrid</strong><br>
<a href="http://srv.ezinedirector.net/?n=3488003&s=60615130">http://www.hybridcars.com/types-systems/persistent-and-elusive-dream-diesel-hybrid-26410.html</a></font></p><p><font size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">The idea of combining a
diesel engine with a hybrid powertrain has been on many drawing boards for many
years. The Clinton Administration’s fuel efficiency research programs
program of the 1990s produced a trio of 80-mpg diesel hybrids. None went into
production. Peugeot has been showing a diesel-hybrid concept for years. GM unveiled
a 60-mpg diesel-hybrid Opel Astra concept about five years ago. Volkswagen,
BMW and Mercedes all were talking about diesel hybrids in early 2008. And buzz
about a 70-mpg VW Diesel-Hybrid Golf spread across the blogosphere, also in
2008, with rumors that Volkswagen would deliver one “as early as 2009.”</font></p><p><font size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Here we are in 2010, and
it’s diesel-hybrid-déjà vu all over again. Daimler chairman
Dieter Zetsche has confirmed suggestions from last summer that Mercedes will
launch the 2012 Mercedes-Benz E300 Hybrid using a 2.2-liter, four-cylinder diesel
engine with twin turbochargers, in late 2011 (probably only for the European
market). The lithium ion battery and electric motor in the E300 would be similar
to those used in the $89,000 Mercedes-Benz S400 Hybrid, which went on sale late
last year. Add a diesel engine to that vehicle and expect a price tag close
to $100,000.</font></p><p><font size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">According to Autocar, a
UK-based auto website, engineers at GM Europe are also “studying the feasibility
of integrating the company’s existing hybrid components—motor-generators,
batteries and control electronics—with diesel engines.” The GM engineers
are even reported to be considering a diesel version of the plug-in hybrid Chevy
Volt. The prospect of a diesel plug-in hybrid—even better if running on
biodiesel—could mean operating a car almost entirely on electricity, and
using biofuel to extend its range. That would be the holy grail of long range
and zero petroleum. Unfortunately, the cost of a large lithium ion battery pack,
electric motors and a diesel engine is likely to keep this idea in research
labs for many years. Green car fans shouldn’t get their hopes up again.</font></p><p><font size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Read more:<br>
<a href="http://srv.ezinedirector.net/?n=3488004&s=60615130">http://www.hybridcars.com/types-systems/persistent-and-elusive-dream-diesel-hybrid-26410.html</a></font></p><p><font size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</font></p><p><font size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><strong>GM Unveils Chevy
Volt Smartphone Application<br>
</strong><a href="http://srv.ezinedirector.net/?n=3488005&s=60615130">http://www.hybridcars.com/news/gm-unveils-chevy-volt-smartphone-application-26402.html</a></font></p><p><font size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">In one more sign that plug-in
cars and information networks are merging, General Motors unveiled a downloadable
application that will let Chevy Volt drivers use a Blackberry, iPhone or Motorola
Droid to remotely control and monitor vehicle charging and other functions.
GM demonstrated the mobile application at the glitzy International Consumer
Electronics Show in Las Vegas.</font></p><p><font size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">The driver will be able
to use the phone for various functions, including:</font></p>
<ul>
<li><font size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"> Scheduling or initiating
charging, and displaying charge status and level</font></li>
<li><font size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"> Getting status reports,
such as how much electric driving range is available</font></li>
<li><font size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"> Warming up or cooling
the vehicle before getting in</font></li>
<li><font size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"> Sending text messages
to remind drivers to plug in their vehicles</font></li>
<li><font size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"> Showing miles per gallon,
EV miles and miles driven for last trip and lifetime</font></li>
</ul><p><font size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Drivers also will be able
to view and manage vehicle systems and commands from the vehicle, the Internet
or through a monthly OnStar Vehicle Diagnostics e-mail.<br>
Similar smart phone applications, and remote charging controls, are expected
from Nissan for its all-electric Nissan Leaf, and from Toyota for the plug-in
version of the Toyota Prius. In August 2009, Ford introduced an “intelligent”
system for drivers to manage charging of its planned electric and plug-in hybrid
cars. That system is being installed in 20 Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid demo vehicles.</font></p><p><font size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Check it out:<br>
<a href="http://srv.ezinedirector.net/?n=3488006&s=60615130">http://www.hybridcars.com/news/gm-unveils-chevy-volt-smartphone-application-26402.html</a></font></p><p><font size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</font></p><p><font size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><strong>WRAP-UP</strong><br>
Conventional hybrids. Diesel hybrids. Plug-in hybrids. Pure electric cars. The
pace of change is accelerating. We’ll be here to capture the changes.
</font></p><p><font size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Happy Driving,<br>
Bradley Berman<br>
<a href="mailto:brad@hybridcars.com">brad@hybridcars.com</a></font></p><p><font size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</font></p><p><font size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">The Hybrid Cars Newsletter
is a free email-based newsletter discussing the latest news and information
in the world of hybrid gas-electric vehicles.<br>
Subscribe and unsubscribe at <a href="http://srv.ezinedirector.net/?n=3488007&s=60615130">http://www.hybridcars.com/newsletter.html</a><br>
Feel free to forward this email in its entirety to anyone you think might be
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