For many years, new car buyers considered cup holders more important than fuel economy. Forking over three dollars for every gallon of gas has shifted those priorities. The auto industry has responded to the new desire for fuel economy by offering a growing number of fuel-efficient models—not just hybrids. Auto engineers are getting more and more sophisticated, but buying a fuel-efficient car doesn’t have to be rocket science—if you follow these common-sense shopping tips.
Five years ago hybrid cars were an unknown commodity. Today vehicles powered by a combination of gasoline and electricity are all the rage. Like any new technology, until you get your hands on it—in this case, on the steering wheel—it's hard to get your mind around it.
Republican presidential candidate John McCain has come under fire from the United Auto Workers over his daughter's Toyota Prius—and how exactly she paid for it. McCain originally told The New York Times that he had purchased the imported hybrid sedan for daughter Meghan, but recently changed his tune in an interview with a local Detroit newscast, saying that she "bought it, I believe, herself."
Just three years after its debut in the US, Honda has delivered an updated version of the Honda Fit for 2009. Some analysts believe that it’s premature to bring out a new version of the subcompact five-door hatchback, but it’s here with a slightly sportier look inside and out—so we took it on a quick test drive through the curvy canyon roads north of Los Angeles.
Magnussen’s Toyota of Palo Alto, Calif., took the bold step of starting to take $500 deposits for 2010 plug-in Priuses—even before a grid-capable Prius has been announced as an official product. Eric Doebert, business development manager for Magnussen’s, said, "It makes sense that people should get in line now in order to have a shot of even taking delivery in the first year that the vehicle is available."
The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers launched an initiative called "EcoDriving” yesterday, to educate Americans about how to reduce fuel consumption and cut carbon dioxide emissions by changing driving habits. But the initiative was met with skepticism by environmentalists, who assert that the campaign throws a smoke screen over the industry’s slow move toward fuel-saving vehicles.
Now that gas prices are sliding back down, one national survey found that car buyers already are rethinking their new obsession with high-mileage little cars. Edmunds.com research found that in July truck owners dramatically reduced the extent to which they cross-shopped in the other major vehicle segments—cars, crossovers and hybrids—compared with June. SUV owners were also fickle, but to a lesser extent.
If you’re excited enough about plug-in hybrids to start shopping for one, you may need to reset your expectations. Despite all the media attention about plug-in hybrids, it’s still not yet possible for an individual consumer to buy one. In the meantime, there are a growing number of companies that will convert your plain-old hybrid into a plug-in hybrid. Check out our updated list of conversion companies.
Europeans are far ahead of North Americans in eco-awareness, and it’s most evident at auto shows. This year’s London show, July 23 to August 3, is a perfect example; despite the UK’s traditional abundance of small supercar-makers and its luxury brands, the popular market seems now to be all about green cars—specifically those with low carbon emissions, or electric cars with no emissions at all.
Every American knows what “fuel mileage” is—especially these days. Whether it’s the EPA test results on the window sticker, or the actual mileage you figured out for your car, we’re all asking: How many miles can we go on a gallon of fuel? In Europe and Asia though, fuel efficiency is measured by how many liters of gas it takes to go 100 kilometers. So what's the difference? A new study released by Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business sheds some light on why "miles per gallon" is inferior to "fuel consumption."
