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November 21, 2011
Mitsubishi EV Earns Top EPA MPG Rank
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has published its 2012 Fuel Economy Guide. Taking top honors as the model year's most fuel efficient vehicle is the 2012 Mitsubishi i electric vehicle with an EPA-rated 112 miles per gallon equivalent in combined driving, 126 MPGe city, and 99 MPGe highway. Click here for a picture. Because electricity is not measured in gallons, a conversion factor is used to translate the fuel economy into MPGe. Also on the list of the 10 most fuel-efficient 2012 models is the Nissan Leaf all-electric hatchback (99 MPGe combined), Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid (60 MPGe combined), Toyota Prius hybrid (50 MPG combined), Honda Civic Hybrid (44 MPG combined), Toyota Prius V hybrid wagon (42 MPG combined), and Honda CR-Z hybrid hatchback (37 MPG combined). Click here for the full list. According to Edmunds Auto Observer, Mitsubishi this month started production of the i that is destined for North America, as the Japanese automaker prepares to start selling the small car in Hawaii, California, Washington, and Oregon by the end of the month. For more on the year’s most fuel efficient vehicles, and Mitsubishi’s response on receiving the honor, click here.
Toyota Banks on Prius Sales Jump as Inventory Rebounds, Oil Rises
Toyota Motor Corp. said this weekend that U.S. sales of Prius will revive with increased inventory and rising oil prices. According to Bloomberg, deliveries of the Prius, the top-selling hybrid since 1997, declined 9.4 percent through October from a year ago. “When Toyota is 70 percent of the market and we had to stop Prius production for almost 90 days, it should be no big shock to anybody that the overall hybrid sales volume dropped this year,” Jim Lentz, president of Toyota’s U.S. sales unit, said in an interview. “It wasn’t due to lack of demand. It was lack of supply.” Toyota is counting on gasoline-electric vehicles, led by an expanded Prius lineup, to aid its U.S. sales recovery in 2012 and to meet stricter fuel-economy rules. Sales of the fuel- saving vehicles have fluctuated with gasoline prices. The current average regular unleaded gasoline price is $3.38 a gallon, 17 percent more expensive than a year ago, according to AAA’s Daily Fuel Gauge Report. It’s likely to rise further going into 2012, Lentz said. “First quarter of next year I think we’re going to see oil prices rise again, possibly a substantial increase,” he said. “I think the Prius family is going to be in the right place at the right time.” For the full story, click here.
12 Sweet Rides from the Los Angeles Auto Show
CNN has created a slideshow of what they consider to be the most interesting vehicles on dispay at the 2012 LA Auto Show. The Porsche Panamera GTS made the list by taking the Porsche sports sedan's performance up a notch or two. It has a more powerful 430 horsepower engine and a lower body. This version of the four-door Porsche can go from zero to sixty in 4.3 seconds. Click here for a picture. The Hyundai Azera sedan – the one that's bigger than a Sonata but smaller, and cheaper, than a Genesis, was recognized for its cool design. The Azera has been made over with Hyundai's so-called "fluidic sculpture" design, and now fits perfectly in the lineup. It also gets a new 293 horsepower V6 engine which helps improve fuel economy to 20 miles per gallon in the city and 29 on the highway. A new "Active Eco" mode improves fuel economy by another 5 percent, according to Hyundai. Also on CNN’s list is the stylish Mazda CX5. Mazda is expecting for fuel economy of 26 miles per gallon in the city and 33 on the highway from this little SUV. Click here for a slideshow of all 12 sweet rides.
VW Nearing No. 1 Ahead of Schedule
When Volkswagen AG set out five years ago to become the world's No. 1 carmaker by 2018, the goal seemed ambitious. Toyota Motor Corp. was just closing in on General Motors, the industry leader for more than 70 years. Particularly in the U.S., where VW was trailing Asian import brands, the German automaker known for its witty ads and pricey small cars appeared unlikely to surpass all its rivals. Now, years ahead of even VW's expectations, Volkswagen has risen into the top ranks. By some measures, it will be the world's largest carmaker this year with projected sales of more than 8 million vehicles. According to the Detroit News, VW has ridden a sales boom in China and other emerging markets in recent years. It has grown through acquisitions. And it's expanding rapidly in the U.S. after investing heavily in a comeback bid. Toyota, meanwhile, has slid to third from first place after suffering self-inflicted blows as well as devastating natural disasters, while GM is recovering from bankruptcy. But VW isn't emerging as the undisputed new champion, leaving GM and Toyota in the dust. Most forecasters see the three giant automakers battling for the No. 1 ranking for years to come. For the full story, click here.
Toyota Begins Corolla Production at New Mississippi Plant
Late last week Toyota today announced the opening of a new plant near Tupelo, Miss. The $800-million plant will assemble the new Corolla. Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Mississippi (TMMMS) covers 1,700 acres. The plant will produce 150,000 vehicles per year and will employ about 2,000 workers, Toyota said in a press release. According to CNET, Toyota opened the Mississippi plant to keep production closer to its U.S. customers. Engines for the new Corollas will be provided by Toyota's Buffalo, W. Va., engine plant. And cylinder heads and blocks for those engines are produced at Toyota's Bodine Aluminum castings plants, in Troy, Mo., and Jackson, Tenn. "Mississippi has provided us with a great workforce who welcomes challenges and are eager to learn," said Masafumi Hamaguchi, president of TMMMS, in a press release. "Our slogan is: 'Always look for the best way, using our pioneer spirit.' The Mississippi workforce has shown that they have this spirit." For more on Toyota’s US production, click here.
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