Green thinking is having an impact!
http://www.kilmarnockstandard.co.uk/...1430-23349044/
NOT so long ago sustainable vehicles were perceived as more of a spectacle than a serious purchase and green technology was one for the future.
However, the publicity battle that is hotting up between the latest hybrid heavyweights - the new Toyota Prius and the Honda Insight - demonstrates that sustainable vehicles are becoming a credible option for mainstream consumers.
Manufacturers are greening their product ranges and drivers are purchasing in greater numbers than ever before. This is supported by new figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) which show that the average emissions of a new car in the UK fell by the biggest margin ever in 2008.
The average model now emits 158g/km which is 4% less than in 2007 and the improvement that the UK is showing is reflected in many other countries around the world.
In the US sales of Toyota's hybrid cars have now passed one million highlighting the rising popularity of vehicles that are perceived to have an ecological benefit. What's more, while it took seven years for Toyota to sell the first 500,000 hybrids in the US, the next 500,000 have been sold in just two.
The drive towards electric has never been stronger, and because of the current worldwide recession, in many ways has never been more relevant. Last years volatile fuel prices combined with the economic downturn have made sustainable vehicles more attractive because of their cost saving potential.
This has helped to accelerate a switch to low-cost, more efficient vehicles, while squeezing demand for the more expensive cars that tend to be higher emitters of CO2.
Other initiatives are also playing a part in educating consumers at the point of purchase. The introduction of voluntary colour-coded new car CO2 labels have clearly contributed to an increase in the awareness of environmental performance of new cars.
The green credentials of new vehicles have never been more important and as a result information on the best performing cars has never been more readily available. Just log onto the 'Act on CO2' website and you can look at a list of the best performing cars by class.
With government investment in manufacturers linked to green performance we will see the technology developing at a more rapid pace than ever before. The result will be greater choice and quality of sustainable vehilces which can only help to grow their popularity.
Mike Waters is director of market insight at Arval, Europe's leading fleet and fuel management company.
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More hybrid options to fit your budget !
http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?se...ips&id=6755380
LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Economy- and environmentally-minded drivers have had limited choices when it comes to buying a hybrid car or SUV. Now you have more options to fit your budget.
Almost 10 years ago, a funny-looking new coupe was introduced to Americans. It was the original Honda Insight, a hybrid electric vehicle that got amazing fuel economy. However, it had a few limitations. Honda has created an all-new Insight. It is a much bigger car with four doors and is much more useful than its older version. It also brings new affordability to the hybrid segment.
"People in lower-income segments couldn't really even consider a hybrid as something that they could purchase," said Honda spokesman Chris Martin. "So what the Insight is looking to do is pioneer itself into a whole new demographic of buyers."
Advances in technology allowed Honda to keep the price fairly low, around $20,000. And the Insight gets a combined EPA fuel economy rating of 41 miles per gallon.
Nearly everyone who sees the Insight seems to say it resembles a Toyota Prius. Honda says the shape is dictated by aerodynamic efficiency and that it actually mimics the original Insight.
One of the reasons hybrid vehicles have become so accepted by mainstream drivers is because they're like driving any other mainstream vehicle. The only difference is you're just using a lot less gasoline.
Not everyone buys a hybrid for gas mileage. Some just want a greener version of a vehicle that fits their lifestyle. Lexus has introduced a new RX crossover SUV. The upcoming hybrid version improves upon the previous model.
"It offers much better acceleration, smoother acceleration and a more natural driving experience. And at the same time, it gets better fuel economy," said Paul Williamsen, Lexus spokesman.
The Lexus RX hybrid gets 30 miles per gallon combined. The RX is not inexpensive. It is more than $50,000 with all the options. But many luxury buyers still want to use less fuel overall.
If you need even more size and luxury, Cadillac is offering an Escalade Hybrid. The fuel economy improves to 20 miles per gallon, which is much better than the regular Escalade at 14 to 15.
Hybrids have gone from strange oddities to mainstream vehicles and the selection should continue to get better and better as more buyers ask for them.
================================================== ==========
http://www.kilmarnockstandard.co.uk/...1430-23349044/
NOT so long ago sustainable vehicles were perceived as more of a spectacle than a serious purchase and green technology was one for the future.
However, the publicity battle that is hotting up between the latest hybrid heavyweights - the new Toyota Prius and the Honda Insight - demonstrates that sustainable vehicles are becoming a credible option for mainstream consumers.
Manufacturers are greening their product ranges and drivers are purchasing in greater numbers than ever before. This is supported by new figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) which show that the average emissions of a new car in the UK fell by the biggest margin ever in 2008.
The average model now emits 158g/km which is 4% less than in 2007 and the improvement that the UK is showing is reflected in many other countries around the world.
In the US sales of Toyota's hybrid cars have now passed one million highlighting the rising popularity of vehicles that are perceived to have an ecological benefit. What's more, while it took seven years for Toyota to sell the first 500,000 hybrids in the US, the next 500,000 have been sold in just two.
The drive towards electric has never been stronger, and because of the current worldwide recession, in many ways has never been more relevant. Last years volatile fuel prices combined with the economic downturn have made sustainable vehicles more attractive because of their cost saving potential.
This has helped to accelerate a switch to low-cost, more efficient vehicles, while squeezing demand for the more expensive cars that tend to be higher emitters of CO2.
Other initiatives are also playing a part in educating consumers at the point of purchase. The introduction of voluntary colour-coded new car CO2 labels have clearly contributed to an increase in the awareness of environmental performance of new cars.
The green credentials of new vehicles have never been more important and as a result information on the best performing cars has never been more readily available. Just log onto the 'Act on CO2' website and you can look at a list of the best performing cars by class.
With government investment in manufacturers linked to green performance we will see the technology developing at a more rapid pace than ever before. The result will be greater choice and quality of sustainable vehilces which can only help to grow their popularity.
Mike Waters is director of market insight at Arval, Europe's leading fleet and fuel management company.
================================================== ============
More hybrid options to fit your budget !
http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?se...ips&id=6755380
LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Economy- and environmentally-minded drivers have had limited choices when it comes to buying a hybrid car or SUV. Now you have more options to fit your budget.
Almost 10 years ago, a funny-looking new coupe was introduced to Americans. It was the original Honda Insight, a hybrid electric vehicle that got amazing fuel economy. However, it had a few limitations. Honda has created an all-new Insight. It is a much bigger car with four doors and is much more useful than its older version. It also brings new affordability to the hybrid segment.
"People in lower-income segments couldn't really even consider a hybrid as something that they could purchase," said Honda spokesman Chris Martin. "So what the Insight is looking to do is pioneer itself into a whole new demographic of buyers."
Advances in technology allowed Honda to keep the price fairly low, around $20,000. And the Insight gets a combined EPA fuel economy rating of 41 miles per gallon.
Nearly everyone who sees the Insight seems to say it resembles a Toyota Prius. Honda says the shape is dictated by aerodynamic efficiency and that it actually mimics the original Insight.
One of the reasons hybrid vehicles have become so accepted by mainstream drivers is because they're like driving any other mainstream vehicle. The only difference is you're just using a lot less gasoline.
Not everyone buys a hybrid for gas mileage. Some just want a greener version of a vehicle that fits their lifestyle. Lexus has introduced a new RX crossover SUV. The upcoming hybrid version improves upon the previous model.
"It offers much better acceleration, smoother acceleration and a more natural driving experience. And at the same time, it gets better fuel economy," said Paul Williamsen, Lexus spokesman.
The Lexus RX hybrid gets 30 miles per gallon combined. The RX is not inexpensive. It is more than $50,000 with all the options. But many luxury buyers still want to use less fuel overall.
If you need even more size and luxury, Cadillac is offering an Escalade Hybrid. The fuel economy improves to 20 miles per gallon, which is much better than the regular Escalade at 14 to 15.
Hybrids have gone from strange oddities to mainstream vehicles and the selection should continue to get better and better as more buyers ask for them.
================================================== ==========
Motor Co. both impressed and shocked the global 
Honda Civic.
faina fraza, dar stiu ca e si sustinuta de realitate. chiar modelel mai vechi, desi nu erau as aratoase ca ultimul model si tot semanau satisfactie printre clienti.
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