Car Listings & Reviews http://rssyourcar.com Car listings from all over the world - France, Germany, USA etc. Wed, 07 Jan 2009 00:13:00 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Consumer Reports tests plug-in Prius conversion, finds it lacking Filed under: , ,



While the main storyline for Consumer Reports' February issue revolves around the new Hyundai Genesis and its toppling of the mighty Lexus ES350 as the mag's top-rated entry-level luxury sedan, another tidbit of information regarding next month's rag caught our attention. Apparently, CR purchased a Hymotion L5 plug-in Prius conversion kit from A123 Systems, and testing proved to be a mixed bag. We don't have full details to share regarding the kit's installation or full fuel mileage statistics, but CR's press release indicates that the PHEV managed to increase its mpg rating from 42 to 67 over the first 35 miles of driving. Perhaps this will be an ongoing series from the consumer-oriented publication. While that kind of mileage increase is meaningful, it would take a very long time to recoup the $11,000 purchase price of Hymotion's kit. Still, "the technology itself proved viable," according to CR.

[Source: Consumer Reports]

Continue reading Consumer Reports tests plug-in Prius conversion, finds it lacking

Consumer Reports tests plug-in Prius conversion, finds it lacking originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 19:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> http://rssyourcar.com/2009/01/consumer-reports-tests-plug-in-prius-conversion-finds-it-lacking/ All new cars in California now carry smog, global warming scores Filed under: , ,



Since the beginning of the year, all 2009 model year vehicles (and anything newer, once they're available) sold in California will be sporting a new sticker. No, not the kind that makes your car worth $4,000 more but the kind that describes the vehicle's global warming and smog scores. Just look under the hood of that new car (if you're the unusual kind of person who's still out there car shopping) and you'll see it, courtesy of the California Air Resources Board. As some of you pointed out in the summer when we first got word of these new stickers, the 1-10 rating scale is somewhat counter-intuitive. A higher score means the car is cleaner/better. An average car, CARB says, will get a five. The best of the best, right now, is the GEM, which gets two 10s. That "perfect" rating means that the vehicle emits less than 200 grams of CO2-equivalent per mile. A score of one means the car spits out more than 520 grams over the same distance. Cars like the Honda Civic hybrid and the Prius score nines.

Gallery: LA 2008: Fireballed GEM


[Source: Environment News Service]

All new cars in California now carry smog, global warming scores originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 18:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> http://rssyourcar.com/2009/01/all-new-cars-in-california-now-carry-smog-global-warming-scores/ Pakistan can use coal as substitute for gas: expert - The News International http://rssyourcar.com/2009/01/pakistan-can-use-coal-as-substitute-for-gas-expert-the-news-international/ 8.1% decline in automotive sales expected - Malaysia Star
8.1% decline in automotive sales expected
Malaysia Star, Malaysia - 2 hours ago
KUALA LUMPUR: Research company Frost & Sullivan expects local automotive sales to decline 8.1% to 501500 units this year. Partner and head of automotive and ...
Malaysia: Proton's New MPV To Improve Market Share Sin Chew Jit Poh
Auto sales to drop to 8.1 per cent in 2009 The Malaysian Insider
Auto Sales To Drop 8.1 Pct To 501500 Units In 2009 Bernama
all 8 news articles
]]> http://rssyourcar.com/2009/01/81-decline-in-automotive-sales-expected-malaysia-star/ New limo awaits Obama - CNET News
CNET News
New limo awaits Obama
CNET News, CA - 3 hours ago
For now, viewing is limited to "spy photos" from the automotive paparazzi, as here on CNN. Jonathan Skillings is managing editor of CNET News, ...
]]> http://rssyourcar.com/2009/01/new-limo-awaits-obama-cnet-news/ Hertz puts the hurt on Zipcar at OSU Filed under: ,



The Ohio State University like a few alt-fuel cars: the Buckeye Bullet 2, hydrogen-powered golf carts and Zipcar/Flexcar. Well, scratch that last one. OSU has decided to give the campus car-sharing contract to Connect by Hertz instead of Zipcar. The exact reason for the switch was not disclosed, with OSU saying only that Zipcar was "not the successful bidder." The Columbus Dispatch reports that Zipcar, with at first 20 but then seven vehicles on campus, did not provide enough cars to suit employee needs. OSU did not provide details on how Connect will work at OSU, but in other places, Hertz offers rate plans that range from $50 a year to $125 per month (depending on the plan) that includes gas, insurance and maintenance. Then you have hourly rental fees that start at $8.50. The Dispatch says that Hertz will have a dozen cars on campus and charge between $9 and $11 an hour for them. OSU uses car-sharing in an attempt to reduce the number of state vehicles - most of which sit unused during the day - needed on campus. Thanks to a buckeye for the tip!

[Source: Ohio State University, Columbus Dispatch]

Hertz puts the hurt on Zipcar at OSU originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 17:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> http://rssyourcar.com/2009/01/hertz-puts-the-hurt-on-zipcar-at-osu/ Lear Trying To Amend Credit Pact On Poor Industry Conditions - CNNMoney.com
Lear Trying To Amend Credit Pact On Poor Industry Conditions
CNNMoney.com - 3 hours ago
The maker of automotive interior systems will attempt to complete the amendment and waiver prior to finalizing its 2008 financial statements. ...
Lear seeks to amend credit facility Reuters
Lear Seeks to Amend Credit Facility in Light of Adverse Industry ... PR Newswire (press release)
all 22 news articles
]]> http://rssyourcar.com/2009/01/lear-trying-to-amend-credit-pact-on-poor-industry-conditions-cnnmoneycom/ Three Morton College automotive students gain ASE certification - El Imparcial
Three Morton College automotive students gain ASE certification
El Imparcial, IL - 4 hours ago
Morton College Automotive Technology students Adam Jockl (at left) of Berwyn and Austreberto Zarco of Cicero successfully completed the National Institute ...
]]> http://rssyourcar.com/2009/01/three-morton-college-automotive-students-gain-ase-certification-el-imparcial/ Chery QQ gets sequential gearbox and a boost from the government Filed under:



One of the most well-known Chinese clones, the Chery QQ3, has been often been the target of retirement rumors. However, just like practically everywhere else, the Chinese auto market is getting help from the government, help that might help the QQ3 survive. One of the measures the Chinese government is applying is a tax reduction on certain vehicle niches, including vehicles mated to sequential gearboxes. Well, for the Chinese New Year, Chery is launching a new QQ3 model that, hey, uses a sequential gearbox. Mated to either a 0.8-liter or 1.1-liter engine, the gearbox manages to save 0.2 to 0.8 liters per 100 km. With the tax benefit, the prices for these QQ3 models have dropped 3,000 and 4,200 Yuan below the manual versions, respectively.

Gallery: Chery QQ official pics


[Source: Sohu via Le Blog Auto]

Chery QQ gets sequential gearbox and a boost from the government originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 16:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> http://rssyourcar.com/2009/01/chery-qq-gets-sequential-gearbox-and-a-boost-from-the-government/ Car and Driver hosts hybrid hoedown, hearts Ford Fusion heaps Filed under: , , , , ,



With 4 of the worlds top brands now boasting mid-size sedan hybrids in their line ups, the chaps over at Car and Driver decided it was time to rustle them all together and see how they stack up. If you've been torn over whether to buy a hybrid in the shape of a Toyota Camry, Ford Fusion, Nissan Altima or Chevy Malibu, this is the comparo that can save you days of visiting dealerships and conducting your own set of test drives. To save you even more time, we break down their observations into a handful of bit-sized chunks, from worst to first.

The Chevrolet Malibu hybrid was the "mild hybrid" of the bunch. While its appearance has been praised by some, its engineering earned few accolades from the C&D crew. They found the start/stop system rudely abrupt and the electric assist seemed to surge off and on with a mind of its own while under way. It not only came last in mileage (19.8 mpg city! Dude!), it also came last in acceleration. The can of tire inflation product in lieu of an actual spare only adds insult to injury. Let's hope GM puts more effort into the Volt. A lot more. Hit the jump to see how the others contestants fared.

Gallery: 2008 Chevrolet Malibu hybrid


[Source: Car and Driver]

Continue reading Car and Driver hosts hybrid hoedown, hearts Ford Fusion heaps

Car and Driver hosts hybrid hoedown, hearts Ford Fusion heaps originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 15:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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