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5290 messages, Last post on Oct 25, 2006 at 8:37 AM
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Here we are again, with the same folks having the same argument, and starting to turn things personal again. This is NOT the place to hold your personal disputes. Last time I checked, nobody is changing anyone's mind here. Agree to disagree and move on. |
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Inside Hybrid factory Nearly finished Priuses, Camrys and Premios (a Japan-only car) progress on automated floor belts through the final inspection area, where workers look for paint scratches and check the lights. Elevators, conveyors and other machinery seem to be shuttling metal everywhere, but nothing moves faster than your grandmother's walking speed. Then there is the andon cord, a draping white cord that hangs overhead on both sides of every production line. When a worker sees a problem, he pulls the cord, which immediately stops his particular production line. In a U.S. factory, stopping production would be discouraged and would likely be accompanied by a loud, shrill alarm. |
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Replying to: larsb (Oct 10, 2006 7:47 am) 
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First Kentucky TCH rolls off today: Kentucky-Built TCHs on the way to dealers today Toyota's largest North American plant is set to roll out its first Kentucky-built hybrid Camry on Thursday. Hybrid production required a $10 million investment for equipment modifications and training. Kentucky legislators passed tax legislation last year, allowing carmakers to recover some costs of building hybrids. Toyota officials cited the move in announcing their decision to build the hybrids in Georgetown. |
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Very Good Sidebar on right side listing upcoming Hybrids The present and future of hybrids TOYOTA Hybrid vehicles: Prius, Camry, Highlander, Lexus RX400h, Lexus GS450h. What's ahead: The Lexus LS 600h L coming in 2007; Toyota President Katsuaki Watanabe says his company hopes to achieve worldwide sales of 1 million hybrids a year by the early 2010s. HONDA Hybrid vehicles: Civic, Accord, Insight (being phased out). What's ahead: Plans to launch new hybrid-only model priced below the Civic hybrid by 2009, with annual sales targets of 200,000 vehicles worldwide and 100,000 in the United States. FORD Hybrid vehicles: Escape, Mariner. What's ahead: Mazda Tribute hybrid planned for 2007; Fusion and Milan hybrids expected in 2008. GENERAL MOTORS Hybrid vehicles: Saturn Vue Green Line, Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra (mild-hybrids). What's ahead: Saturn Aura and Chevy Malibu mild-hybrids coming in 2007; GMC Yukon and Chevy Tahoe full-fledged hybrids planned for late 2007; three additional models expected in 2008. NISSAN Hybrid vehicles: None currently available. What's ahead: Altima hybrid, using Toyota technology, will be available in eight states in early 2007. DAIMLERCHRYSLER Hybrid vehicles: None currently. What's ahead: Dodge Durango hybrid expected in early 2008; working with GM and BMW to jointly develop hybrid technology.
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Replying to: larsb (Oct 12, 2006 7:34 am) |
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Yesterday, Toyota announced that its Georgetown, Ky., plant has produced the first U.S.-built hybrid Camry sedan, and it plans to continue producing the vehicles at the rate of 48,000 per year. Simultaneously, the company projected that in 2007, it will sell a whopping 290,000 hybrids -- Priuses, Camrys, Highlanders, and so on -- in the U.S. alone. Now I know what the naysayers will say ("nay"). I know they'll argue that 290,000 is barely 2% of all annual new-car sales in the U.S. But look at what else 2% is. Two percent of the U.S. auto market is: * The entire U.S. market share controlled by Hyundai. * More than all the Prius hybrids sold to date in the U.S. * Roughly twice the number of Toyota's 2005 U.S. hybrid sales. * Faster growth than the 79% compound three-year growth rate in total U.S. hybrid auto sales. From this article: Toyota "ambitions" for 2007 Hybrids |
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Replying to: larsb (Oct 13, 2006 9:18 am) * The entire U.S. market share controlled by Hyundai. * More than all the Prius hybrids sold to date in the U.S. * Roughly twice the number of Toyota's 2005 U.S. hybrid sales. * Faster growth than the 79% compound three-year growth rate in total U.S. hybrid auto sales. I agree completely. I'm a big EV proponent and the criticism I hear is that only a small percentage of drivers would be interested. A small percentage is a big number. |
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Replying to: larsb (Oct 13, 2006 9:18 am) No, that's not what I say. What I say is: check the global numbers. Hybrids aren't selling well except here in the US. What is selling over there? Diesels. If Honda successfully completes it's recently announced diesel catalytic converter, and license it as they have said they will, there will be CARB acceptable diesel engines in 2009. Such diesels are the main challenge to hybrids. If they ever catch on in the US, it may well be curtains for hybrids - because hybrids require even further "economies of scale" to maintain profitability. Simply put, they have to sell a lot more to drive the costs down. It is a closed circle loop. If they sell (not build) more, the costs go down, and they sell more. If they cannot drop the cost and there are other high MPG alternatives, the loop goes the other way (the speed of declining sales depends upon the additional cost of a diesel engine vs. a hybrid engine). High costs that cannot be dropped = higher base price compared to the alternatives = fewer sales = more expensive hybrids = fewer sales, etc.
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SolarHybrid viable? Venturi (the company that brought us the autonomous solar/wind powered Eclectic) has now introduced the AstroLab, the world's first commercially available electric-solar hybrid. The vehicle is capable of working with very little energy; it can recharge while in motion and does not need permanent exposure to the sun in order to move. The AstroLab performs surprisingly well for a non-petrol vehicle. It reaches a top speed of 120 kilometers per hour (about 74.5 mph) and has a range of 110 km (about 68 miles). Astrolab attains this level of performance thanks to its ultra-light carbon monocoque (single-shell) chassis, which serves as an oversize protection cel, in case of collisions, and the 3.6-square-meter (about 38.75 square feet) photovoltaic cells on its surface. |
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