truth about domestics

Between the years of 2005 and 2009, Ford Motor Company saw an improvement in its corporate average fleet fuel economy by nearly 20%!  That jump is almost twice as much as the next automaker!  Looks like the imports are not as fuel efficient as once thought…

Part of this increase can be attributed to the reduction in truck and SUV sales over the past few years, but it might also have to do with Ford’s cars being the best in class or near the best in class in fuel economy.  Ford has also released its third and fourth hybrid models and has upgraded all of its powertrains.  For more details, head on over to Autoblog.

(Image source: Ford)

Ford Motor Company has had a fleet of hydrogen powered Focuses for about 4 years now, racking up miles all over the United States.  Well now 10 of the 30 car fleet is headed to Iceland for further testing.  Iceland is interested in fuel cell vehicles because of their vast geothermal and water resources.  For more details, head on over to newenergy.is.

(Image source: AutoblogGreen)

According to a story on GM-Volt.com, the engine/generator on the 2011 Chevy Volt will operator on the more common Otto cycle, not the Atkinson cycle found in most hybrids.  There is no known reason for this, but speculation has already begun…

(Image source: GM)

The four-cylinder Buick LaCrosse will be hitting showroom floors in the first quarter of 2010.  Not only will the smaller powerplant offer you a lower cost when purchased, GM estimates that the car will hit 20 mpg city, 30 mpg highway (up from 17/26 for the 3.0L V6.)  Final EPA certification isn’t in but either way, the car should have decent performance, and save you some at the pump too!  For more details, head on over to Autoblog.

(Image source: Buick)

Ford has built and is currently running 10 battery-electric equipped versions of its 2009 Focus.  The car currently has a range of about 100 miles and is being constantly upgraded.  Well it would be upgraded more, if the engineering team could get their hands on the cars.  The 10 cars are so busy they have not been able to come out of the press fleet at all for upgrades that include a more isolated vacuum pump and improved ride and handling feel.  At least this shows that their is a large amount of interest in a battery-electric version of the Focus.  For more details, head on over to Autoblog Green.

(Image source: Ford)

The 2011 Ford Fiesta has finally made an appearance at the LA Auto show and boy is it sharp!  Not only does the car retain much of its great looking European styling, but it also features tons of high tech features and will get 30 mpg in the city an amazing 40 mpg on the highway!  For more details and great photos, head on over to Autoblog.

(Image source: Ford)

I love how the entire country has to kiss California’s ass all the time.  They pollute more than just about every other state and yet they demand automakers to produce more fuel efficient cars.  Then when the domestic automakers produce them, they refuse to buy them.  I just don’t get it.  Once again, GM must try to appease all of the tree-huggers in Cali and is therefore releasing the 2011 Volt there before a nation-wide roll out.  GM is also partnering with utility companies in California to study plug-in hybrid charging patterns on the electrical grid.  For more details, head on over to Autoblog.

(Image source: GM)

So the color everyone has been talking about on the 2011 Chevrolet Volt finally has a name.  The name was created in a contest by GM where people submitted their suggestions on what the color above should be called.  Then three names were chosen and set to an online vote with the winner being “Viridian Joule.”  For more details, head on over to Autoblog.

(Image source: GM)

According to GM (in their latest press briefing on the Chevy Volt) the biggest challenge with the Volt battery pack is hot-weather storage of the vehicle.  There had been rumors on the internet that the Volt battery pack would not last 10 years in warmer climates, however GM has stated that this is simply not true, that the battery would last 10 years minimum for all customers.  They even went so far as to say that people in more moderate climates could see battery life last longer than the 10 years.  For more details, head on over to AutoblogGreen.

(Image source: GM)

The Volt is less than a year away from production, and as can be expected, development is in full swing.  The cars and batteries are undergoing some serious testing, and from everything GM is saying, the car and battery are performing better than expected!  This is great news for the General and also for customers looking forward to the Volt.  For more details, head on over to Autoblog.

(Image source: GM)