Honda Clarity Fuel Cell marketing theme: thinking about tomorrow

Image from 'Thinking About Tomorrow' video ad for 2017 Honda Clarity Fuel CellA 40-year-old Fleetwood Mac song, floating childrens' heads, and hydrogen molecules all kick off the marketing campaign for the 2017 Honda Clarity Fuel Cell hydrogen-powered vehicle. Like most marketing for hydrogen vehicles, the video ad above will likely be targeted only to California drivers. That state is the sole location today in which a...

California goal: eliminate gasoline, diesel light vehicles altogether

2017 Nissan Leaf  What if gasoline and diesel cars and light trucks were simply eliminated altogether from the new vehicles sold in a state? Residents of one state in the U.S. may, eventually, find out. California already leads the nation in promoting zero-emission vehicles, but the Golden State may soon take that policy a step further. DON'T MISS: Will California...

VW Board vs ex-CEO Piech: rancor erupts over diesel cheating lies

Ferdinand Piech, chairman and CEO of Volkswagen Group, at 2000 Paris Motor ShowStatements from the boards of directors of automakers are generally dry, dispassionate, and formal. So the language of a terse item issued yesterday by the board of Volkswagen Group was remarkable in its directness. Not to mention its inferences about the company's former CEO Ferdinand Piech, who remains a powerful and major shareholder. DON'T...

Best deals on hybrid, electric, fuel-efficient cars for February 2017

2017 Mitsubishi Mirage G4As we roll through the second month of 2017, it's once again time to take a look at the best deals on green cars. This month's batch of deals spans a wide array of models, from one of the best-selling plug-in hybrids to a pair of subcompact sedans. It also includes one of the newest green cars to hit the U.S. market, as well as one held over from...

Electric-car batteries: $100 per kwh before 2020, $80 soon after?

Lithium-ion cell and battery pack assembly for Nissan Leaf electric car in Sunderland, U.K., plantModern electric cars have developed to the point where range itself may become less of an issue than the cost of providing it. Automakers can create longer-range electric cars simply by installing larger battery packs, but that adds significant cost tot he car's single priciest component. Just ask Tesla, which sells multiple versions of its Model...

Pilot production of Tesla Model 3 to start Feb 20: report

Tesla Model 3 Driving on a Public RoadTesla said yesterday it would shut down its production lines for one week this month to prepare for the launch of its upcoming Model 3 electric sedan. The Silicon Valley carmaker said the "brief, planned pause" was to add paint-shop capacity and do general maintenance at its assembly plant in Fremont, California. An exclusive Reuters news service...

2017 Subaru Impreza: first drive of AWD compact sedan, hatch

2017 Subaru Impreza, La Jolla, California, Dec 2016The 2017 Subaru Impreza is one of the most fuel-efficient all-wheel-drive vehicles in the U.S. market, and has been for many years. The entirely redesigned 2017 Impreza rides on new underpinnings, but it's easily recognizable as an evolution of the company's popular compact sedan and hatchback. One of a few firsts for this year's Impreza, however...

Why aren’t there more hybrid crossover utilities and SUVs?

2017 Nissan Rogue HybridIt's one of the most frequent questions asked by shoppers interested in utility vehicles with better gas mileage: why aren't there more hybrid SUVs and crossovers? Following the 2012 demise of the much-loved Ford Escape Hybrid, it took four years for the 2016 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid to emerge. This year, we have the 2017 Nissan Rogue Hybrid to compete...