Toyota to Increase – or Maybe Decrease – Prius Production

Conflicting reports have surfaced regarding the Toyota Prius following the car’s recent image problems, recalls and hard knocks. Depending on which source is accurate, Toyota is either considering increasing or decreasing Prius production.

Reuters is reporting that Toyota plans a ten percent reduction in production at two plants located in Japan. If the numbers are true, output will go from 50,000 units per month to 45,000 units. The two production facilities are currently working at full output after Toyota decided to postpone adding production capacities at a third plant. On the flip side, the Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun, a Japanese newspaper, reports that production will increase twelve percent, a move which includes the addition of the hybrid to the production plans at a third plant to increase output by 6,000 vehicles per month. Toyota has denied the reports and a spokesperson for the company went on record stating that the outlook for the Prius is "uncertain."

With the U.S. as the largest market for the iconic hybrid, the company aims to overcome its recent negative image issues and to put its current problems behind them. In the short term, sales numbers here suggest that Toyota may decrease production but the move is unlikely to last for long as the Prius is number one in sales, a title the company will work diligently to retain.

[Via: Reuters]

Honda Gets 7,000 Orders in Japan for its New CR-Z Hybrid

Honda CR-Z Hybrid - attribution j.clark

Honda Motor Co.’s new CR-Z sporty hybrid went on sale starting Feb. 25 but already, there have been 7,000 orders received in Japan. This figure is more than half of Honda’s target of 12,000 units each year in its home market.

This many orders mean that there is a three-month waiting time for delivery in Japan. In the US, the model will arrive at showrooms this summer. The two-seater CR-Z is equipped with a 1.5-liter gasoline engine that’s mated to an electric motor, resulting to a fuel economy of 36/38 mpg. Honda forecasts sales of 15,000 units in North America annually. Meanwhile, in Japan, orders of the CR-Z are rising quickly, coinciding with the slowing down of sales for its predecessor, the Insight five-door hatchback hybrid. Honda’s Suzuka factory in central Japan produces both cars. In Japan last year, Insight sales totaled 93,283 units – clearly far ahead of its goal of 60,000. But with the start of 2010, the pace was sluggish. In the first two months, Honda only sold 6,947 units. In the US, sales are even slower with only 3,321 Insights sold in January and February. For the same period, its main rival, the Toyota Prius, racked up sales of 16,452 units, despite the recalls over an antilock braking defect.

[Via: Autonews]

Mercedes-Benz to Develop Electric Vehicles With BYD

Mercedes-Benz has agreed to collaborate with Build Your Dreams (BYD) to develop electric vehicles intended for the Chinese market. BYD is starting to get quite a reputation for electric vehicle technologies.

Before BYD made cars, it had produced batteries. Mercedes-Benz is believed to be eager to gain local knowledge in China. Under the agreement struck between Mercedes-Benz parent Daimler and BYD, the two firms will create a new brand to sell a vehicle designed for the Chinese market. Mercedes-Benz chief Dr Dieter Zetsche said that he considers the coming together of Daimler and BYD to be “a perfect match” considering that Daimler is known for its electric vehicle architecture and BYD has expertise in battery technology and e-drive systems. Meanwhile, BYD chairman Wang Chuanfu expressed his excitement at having the opportunity to work with Daimler, which it refers to as the “the inventor of the automobile.” As part of the agreement, Daimler and BYD are set to develop a technology center in China. So far, it has not been announced when the facility is expected to be completed or when the launch will take place.

2010 Mercedes-Benz G350 BlueTEC Revealed

Mercedes-Benz revealed today its latest version of the classic G-Class off-roader, now in its 31st year, features state-of-the-art BlueTEC technology.

For those who don’t know BlueTEC is a technology developed by the German manufacturer in order to reduce diesel vehicle emissions, especially nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions. The new G 350 BlueTEC uses AdBlue, an aqueous urea solution which is injected into the exhaust-gas stream. This process releases ammonia, which means that 80 percent of the nitrogen oxides are converted into harmless nitrogen and water by a process of reduction in the downstream SCR catalytic converter.

All of you know that the G-Class is used in remote areas of the world, this is one of its main purposes, and due to this the German engineers integrated an AdBlue filler cap in the vehicle’s outside tank recess. With this filter cap, the manufacturer says that one full tank of AdBlue is enough for around 12,000 kilometres.

Regarding the engine, the car uses a V6 diesel capable to deliver 155 kW (210 hp) at 3400 rpm and a torque of 540 Nm between 1600 and 2400 rpm. The engine delivers substantially fewer emissions than the previous G 350 CDI model and reduces NOx emissions by around 50 %. The Mercedes-Benz G 350 BlueTEC can be ordered in three body variants: a short-wheelbase Station Wagon, long-wheelbase Station Wagon and Convertible.

For those who don’t want a green car, they can always switch to the powerful powerful 5.5 litre V8 petrol engine developing 285 kW (388 hp) with a torque of 530 Nm or chose the powerful G55 AMG with its V8 supercharged engine developing 373 kW (507 hp) with an impressive peak torque of 700 Nm.

The standard specification of the G 350 BlueTEC includes includes the electronically controlled traction system 4ETS, the Electronic Stability Program ESP and three differential locks selectable at the push of a button, alongside the permanent all-wheel drive with off-road ratio and the 7G-TRONIC seven-speed automatic transmission.

Mercedes Will Build Plug-in Hybrids in Every Segment

Over the next few years, we will be witnesses to the arrival of plug-in hybrids and fuel cell cars from Daimler AG’s Mercedes-Benz unit in each segment.

Mercedes-Benz will be doubling its investment in green technologies in the next two years and will spend $1.4 billion in each of the next two years to develop batteries and fuel-saving engines. In the past three years, annual spending had averaged $700 million. In an interview at the Geneva auto show, Thomas Weber, head of Daimler’s r&d, said that Mercedes will put up a “flexible architecture” so that the right powertrain can be installed for each customer, whether it’s a plug-in hybrid or pure electric fuel cell.

Mercedes also plans to add more efficient gasoline and diesel engines and to expand its electric options. For small cars, Daimler will sell electric versions of the front-wheel-drive subcompact A class, compact B class and Smart cars.

For mid-sized and large cars, the E-class and S-class vehicles and their derived coupes, will have plug-in hybrid and possibly electric powerplants. Currently, Mercedes-Benz has a full-hybrid M-class crossover in its lineup. It’s believed that the next vehicle to get a plug-in hybrid powerplant will be the E class, most probably next year.

Weber said that the C-class hybrid would arrive in a few years when that model is replaced. He predicts that in the next 10 years, sales of alternative-fuel vehicles will be “in the high numbers in some regions.” He added that the S class would have a 100% hybrid share in some markets, “perhaps in Europe.” Weber is basing this forecast on the 20% take rate globally for the S-class hybrid — the S400 sedan, which was launched last summer.