Already a dead car walking? Wow. I guess headlines are the only thing that matters these days. Today, Newsweek has an article Why traditional hybrid cars are becoming obsolete . Why? The $80, 000 Fisker Karma plug-in hybrid and the $100,000 Tesla Roadster of course. Yet, according to the same article, without higher fuel prices, the gasoline engine might be around much longer than most would like. Huh? So that’s why traditional hybrid cars are going to become obsolete? OK. Newsweek also cites declining Toyota Prius sales. While true, before the 2010 Prius launches, about 60,000 – 70,000 of these vehicles will already have been presold. In fact, based on early demand, Toyota has already put plans in motion to increase yearly production to 500,000 cars per year. By 2015, GM – if all goes well – might be producing 100,000 Chevy Volts per year. Similarly, Nissan is hoping to produce 100,000 Cube EVs per year several years from now. Fisker is hoping to eventually produce 15,000 plug-in hybrids per year. In reality, by 2015, there might not be enough EVs produced yearly to replace even today’s Prius demand. Considering that Toyota and Honda are now betting big on hybrids, I guess they’ll be next in bankruptcy court? Continued here:  Traditional hybrids are becoming obsolete?

Chrysler has released U.S. sales figures for April of 2009 which show a 48% decrease in sales versus the same period of 2008.  Of the few highlights for Chrysler’s April sales the Dodge Challenger was among them increasing their sales by 260 units.  I know the figure does not seem like much but it’s something to build on as Chrysler … Read more from the original source:  April 2009 Dodge Challenger Sales Figures Released

In their never ending quest to improve fuel consumption, Mercedes-Benz is said to be working on having the stop-start technology on all engines by 2011. Mercedes will introduce the stop-start technology on the E200 CGI, which is a 4 cylinder with 181 hp, from the middle of next year. Autocar reports that by 2011, Mercedes-Benz aims to overcome the issue with fitting the technology on automatics, especially on V6 and V8 models, which have automatic gearboxes fitted as standard. Christoph Spengel, head of engine development for MB states, “Fitting the system to any engine and gearbox is not a problem, we can get reliability quite easily. Achieving the smoothness of the start is the real problem. Engaging the starter takes a little time, and then firing the engine takes a little time, and it is important that our system does not disturb the driver.” I wonder if this problem could be resolved by having a small electric motor fitted on these cars, which it could be used to start the car rolling until the actual engine kicks in. I am sure the Mercedes-Benz engineers have figured this thing out, if not, then they have a few more years to get it done. Note: There is a rating embedded within this post, please visit this post to rate it. Related Posts 2011 Mercedes-Benz CLS computer illustration Just two weeks ago, we showed you spy shots of a CLS test mule with heavy camo. The test team did … Mercedes-Benz To Launch Stop-Start Technology Across Car Range Sponsor: Mercedes Brake Parts Writing in Auto Week, British automotive journalist Tony Lewin repo… smart fortwo getting start-stop system From October 2008, the standard equipment of the 61 hp and 71 hp gas powered smart fortwo models w… New Mercedes-Benz BLK Rumors Mercedes-Benz to bring A and B-Class successors to U.S. in 2012 Here is the original post: Mercedes-Benz to equip all engines by 2011 with stop-start

After months of back and forth between companies and the U.S. government, new rumors surfacing while others fade, and everyone simply holding their breath, Chrysler announced they will form an alliance with Fiat SpA. What this means, according to Chrysler’s press release (which is below), Fiat will take 20 percent control of Chrysler, LLC and will be allowed to take an additional 15 percent if they would like. Additionally, Chrysler will have to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy since they did not receive the support they were looking for from their creditors. In the end, the rest of the shares will be split up between the Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association (VEBA), the United States and Canadian governments. I hope this works, as I would love for Chrysler to bring us a version of the Fiat 500 Abarth. But I am holding my breath as this may turn into “Diamler-Chrysler, Round 2.” Auburn Hills, Mich., Apr 30, 2009 – Chrysler LLC today announced that, as a result of the comprehensive restructuring plan agreed to by many of its stakeholders, it has reached an agreement in principle to establish a global strategic alliance with Fiat SpA to form a vibrant new company. It will allow Chrysler and Fiat to fully optimize their respective manufacturing footprints and the global supplier base, while providing each with access to additional markets. Fiat powertrains and components will also be produced at Chrysler manufacturing sites. “This partnership transforms Chrysler into a vibrant new company with a wealth of strategic advantages,” said Bob Nardelli, Chairman and CEO of Chrysler. “It enables us to better serve our customers and dealers with a broader and more competitive line-up of environmentally friendly, fuel-efficient high-quality vehicles. Benefits to the new company include access to exciting products that complement our current portfolio, technology cooperation and stronger global distribution.” Chrysler initiated discussions with Fiat more than a year ago to develop plans for a global product alliance. Over the past several months, these discussions have evolved and expanded. Chrysler and many of its stakeholders worked tirelessly to agree upon concessions that will result in a significantly lower cost base and enable...

From the ‘We’re not kidding file’ comes news from that hotbed of espionage and Bondian villainy, New York, comes news that car sales in the world of exotics have gotten so cut-throat that dealers have actually started spying on one another. And this, it would seem, is a tale of not only greed, but disgruntled former employees with more than an axe to grind. Well, OK, two out of three ain’t bad, we got spying AND Aston Martins, but near as I can tell, there’s a complete lack of Sean Connery involved here. The owners of Universal Autosports in Glen Cove, Long Island, Giacomo Ciaccia and Leka Vuksanaj, were arrested at their homes, along with Creative Director Michael Lussos, according to acting U.S. Attorney Lev Dassin in Manhattan said in a statement. They are accused of illegally tapping into the e-mail of Ferrari Maserati of Fort Lauderdale-Long Island in Plainview, New York. Ciaccia, Vuksanaj and Lussos gained access to the Ferrari dealer’s e-mail server about 2,500 times over the course of seven months, from February to September, last year from their homes as well as their offices at Universal Autosports, according to the criminal complaint dated April 16. According to the statement “In one instance a dealer associated with Universal Autosports e-mailed a customer who had been negotiating with Ferrari Maserati [Fort Lauderdale-Long Island] to buy a rare Ferrari Enzo worth more than $1.3 million.” The spies from UA wrote, “Is there any way I can help or get in the middle. Have they found you a car yet?” according to the complaint. Pretty damn skeevy, huh? At their first court appearance, Ciaccia and Vuksanaj were released on bonds of $100,000 each. Lussos was released on a $50,000 bond. Not chump change, but hey, they’re Bentley & Aston dealers, they should probably have the scratch. They also appear to have real good lawyers, or at least lawyers that know just how deep the manure is. Take Stanley Cohen, Vuksanaj’s lawyer, who said, “I’m used to real espionage cases. I’ve seen the complaint. I’m rolling my eyes.” I wonder what Mrs. Vuksanaj (if there is one) is doing right about now. Ciaccia’s lawyer, Ronald Fischetti said “They have been charged with reading somebody’s e-mail and...