Federal Tax Credit for the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid

2011 Hyundai Sonata HybridThe 2011 Sonata Hybrid will come with a $1,300 tax credit (if you qualify). Unfortunately, if you're interested, you need to get it now. The tax credit expires at the end of the year. Which means you only have one month to buy the new hybrid which will be available in the beginning of December.The Hyundai Hybrid received an EPA rating of 36/40 mpg city/highway. That put it below the Ford Fusion Hybrid, which got the...

Read More

Volt Accused of Not Going All the Way

Is it or is it not? That is the question being asked this past week as news comes the Chevy Volt may not be as electric as it claims to be. Edmunds says GM has lied: "it isn't as electric as GM has been saying for the past three years." Electric, Hybrid, or Neither?GM has fired back in a statement: "There is no direct mechanical connection (fixed gear ratio) between the Volt’s extended-range 1.4L engine and the drive wheels. In extended-range...

Read More

End of Government Help Means Lower Prius Sales in Japan

The BBC is reporting the end of government subsidies has led to a drop in Prius sales in Japan. For almost a year and a half, Toyota has sold more Prius each month than in the prior year. The Prius has also been the most popular car in Japan since the subsidies started. But with the end of the subsidies has come a drop of 14% over last years sales numbers. The Prius was still the number one car in September, however.The Honda Fit was the second most popular car in Japan according the Japan Automobile Dealers Association (JADA). "The Prius remains...

Read More

Toyota Works on Their Own Smart Grid

Toyota is working on their own plug-in smart grid system for homes. With plug-in hybrids coming in the next couple of years, Toyota wants to be ready for the new phase of vehicle development.One of the biggest limiting factors on electric (or even partially electric cars) is the limited sources for plugging in. Add in how long it takes to recharge a battery pack and you can understand why most people would be reluctant to switch out of their gasoline powered cars. Nissan, with the new electric Leaf, had installers come and emplace vehicle recharging...

Read More

2011 Subaru WRX & WRX STI Photos

The 2011 Subaru WRX and WRX STI is one of the best of Subaru cars in the market. Either the sedan or hatchback type, performance has never been different. Being popular for years in the World Rally Championship, the Subaru WRX can absolutely compete for the top prize.For 2011, the WRX has ditched the black robe for a string bikini, flaunting some serious haunches in the process. Meanwhile, the car's big brother – the WRX STI – has been fitted with...

Read More

Would You Buy a Car That Gets 62 MPG?

The Obamam administration is working on the new fuel efficiency guidelines starting in 2017. By then, the fuel economy average is supposed to be 35.5 mpg under the most recent guidelines adopted by the government over the past couple of years. From 2017-2025, the discussion has continued on how much more can the US force out of the vehicle manufacturers. Administrative leaks have the goal for automakers being set anywhere from 47 to 62 mpg. That's an annual increase of 3 to 6 percent.Environmentalist and other interested parties are pushing...

Read More