The Toyota Motor Company has announced a recall for almost 52,000 2001-2003 Prius Hybrid vehicles in the United States to replace the electric power steering pinion shaft attachment nuts. The nuts securing the pinion shaft in the steering gear box assembly may become loose when the steering wheel is repeatedly and strongly turned to the full lock position. Eventually, the driver will notice that the steering wheel will become harder to turn when making a left hand turns. Owners receiving recall notices will be able to take their vehicle to their local dealership where technicians will replace the attachment nuts with an improved nut. For more information, Prius owners can contact the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331 or go to www.toyota.com/recall.
Category Archives: Hybrid Automobiles
Fewer Cylinders Now Offer More Power
In April of 2010, when the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) came out with their national greenhouse gas emission standards, there were concerns about how the new requirements would be received. It was expected that automobile manufacturers would turn to more efficient conventional technologies, while others would go one step further and pursue more advanced fuel saving technologies like diesel, hybrid and electric vehicles. Today, with gasoline prices on a steady rise, Americans are demanding that their new cars not only meet, but exceed the standards set by the government. Because some consumers are still skeptical of the new hybrid and electric technologies, many have chosen to trade in their V-6’s for more fuel efficient four cylinder engines.
Four cylinder engines now account for almost 65% of all vehicles built in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. This is the biggest shift since the 1980’s when consumers traded in their V-8’s for the smaller V-6 engines. It is expected that within the next five years, over half the vehicles in the U.S. will be four cylinder engines. But todays consumers don’t have to give up power to drive the smaller engine vehicles. New technologies have left the underpowered four cylinder engines a thing of the past, and automakers have changed their marketing strategies to focus on the horsepower and fuel economy instead of the number of cylinders a vehicle has.
Ford new generation Explorer will soon offer two liter four cylinder “Eco Boost” engine and are already working on a 1.0-liter, three-cylinder engine.
BMW, who has not built a four cylinder engine in the U.S. for over a decade is now offering their customers the new Z4 sports car scheduled to go on sale this year, and have also been working on a three cylinder engine.
Hyundai has almost abandoned anything bigger than a four-cylinder, which accounts for nearly 90% of its U.S. sales.
And finally, automobile manufacturers like Honda, Toyota and Nissan, who were once criticized for their small powerless vehicles, are now leaders in the new fuel efficient, environmentally friendly technologies.
New Fuel Economy Window Stickers
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Transportation (DOT) unveiled their new fuel economy window stickers on Wednesday, saying that the new stickers will show the most changes in thirty years. The new labels will allow consumers to compare conventional cars, hybrids and all electric vehicles, giving information on greenhouse gas ratings, emissions, smog ratings, and fuel costs. The new stickers are scheduled to appear on the new 2013 models, but automakers have the option to start using them on on 2012 models as well.
Federal regulators had originally considered using a letter grading system from A to D, comparing fuel economy and air pollution to those of the entire fleet of new cars, but automakers objected, saying that the stickers were too simplistic and potentially misleading to automobile consumer’s. The government instead decided to go with a much busier label with more information and a sliding scale comparing vehicles across classes. According to transportation secretary, Ray LaHood, “These labels will provide consumers with up-front information about a vehicle’s fuel costs and savings so that they can make informed decisions when purchasing a new car.”
The label will also include a Quick Response Code (QR Code) that can be scanned by a smart phone to get information on cost estimates based on a consumer’s driving habits and the price of gasoline and electricity of their area. This information will also be accessible to vehicle shoppers online.
California Hybrid Owners Carpool Privileges
California has always been a leader in environmentally friendly living. In 2004 we were one of the first to pass a law restricting vehicles’ greenhouse gas emissions and since then the legislation has been extended twice. One of the stipulations of the legislation gave almost 85,000 hybrid owner access to drive in the carpool lanes. On July 1, these get out of traffic free cards are about to expire, and this has hybrid owners protesting
Since the inception of the law, the amount of hybrid, and now electric vehicles on the road have significantly increased. This increase is starting to make car pool lanes more congested especially in the state of California where the percentage of hybrid is now well over 24%. According to state senator, Fran Pavley, one of the original sponsors of the legislation, “An extension of the carpool lane privileges in unlikely to bear fruit.” She says that taking away these privileges ranks right up there with taking away someones firstborn. She added that the legislation should be extended for at least one more year since vehicles that qualify for the new green sticker program do not go on sale until next year.
Electric Cars Get Top Crash Test Ratings
When the first mainstream electric cars, the Chevrolet Volt and Nissan Leaf, hit the market, they were advertised as being easy on the pocketbook and good for the environment. Because of their size and weight, may consumers had concerns that safety may have been compromised in order to meet the promised fuel efficiency. Recent crash tests done by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) have shown that this just isn’t true. In fact, both cars have received “Top Safety Ratings” receiving the highest possible ratings for front, side, rear, and rollover crash protection. According to Joe Nolan, the IIHS chief administrative officer, Eco-minded drivers keen on switching to an electric vehicle should not think twice about buying a Leaf or Volt for highway driving. General Motors and Nissan have shown that safety doesn’t have to be sacrificed for fuel economy.
Small Cars Profitable For Auto Dealers
During April, the sales of small fuel efficient cars made up almost 20% of the automotive sales market, that equates to a 19% increase from a year ago. Governments incentives to have more environmentally friendly vehicles on the road as well as rising fuel prices, has led consumers to re-think the buying of big trucks and SUV’s. Some of the big sellers include the new Ford Focus and the Chevrolet Cruze.
The overall industry is expected to report slightly higher sales, as the market continues to recover from the recession. Automobile and automobile part shortages as well as the lack of discounts will be a big factor in consumers decision to purchase new vehicles. Consumers may decide to keep driving their old vehicles until the deals return.
Electric Vehicles Expected Big In California
California is known as one of the largest automobile markets in the United States. They also have some of the strictest government environment regulations which has made them one of the leading markets for hybrid vehicles. Because of this, the Center for Automotive Research (CAR) in Ann Arbor feel that the demand for plug-in and electric cars will follow a similar pattern.
California was the first state were the Chevy Volt, Nissan leaf and the Ford Focus Electric was released, and where fuel cell vehicles are leased in small numbers. According to the CAR report the demand for cleaner technologies is fed by incentives such as tax credits, priority parking spaces for environmentally friendly vehicles, and because California has invested into infrastructure to accommodate the electric vehicle.
The 2011 Detroit Auto Show
Detroit’s showcase of the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) is one of North America’s most prestigious auto exhibitions. Besides being home to the “Big Three” (the three major American automotive companies: General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler ), the show serves as a locale for international automakers to show off their most innovative designs and give consumers the experience of North America’s largest and most prestigious automotive showcase. This year’s show is expected to see over 30 all new reveals of the 500 vehicles on display.
Toyota plans to capitalize on their green image as they launch three new Prius models in an attempt to shift public attention to their innovative new products. There will be many other electric and hybrid vehicles as consumers move toward more efficient and zero emission modes of transportation. Ford will introduce their new Focus electric vehicle as well as their Ford Explorer, North American truck of the year. GM’s Chevrolet Volt, named North American car of the year will also be there.
Experience the next generation of transportation at the 2011 North American International Auto Show at the Cobo Conference and Exhibition Center . Doors will be open to the general public: Saturday, January 15 to Saturday January 22, 9 am – 10 pm and on Sunday, January 23, 9 am to 7 pm.
