Whatever happened to Fuel Cell automobiles promised in 2010?

In the past seven or eight years the world’s carmakers have had a few distractions, which have taken up quite a bit of time: new hybrid models; diesels, electric cars — plug-ins, and a couple bankruptcies.

There is a new target introduction date for fuel cells: 2015.

All the major manufacturers have spent billions of dollars, along with the federal government, of course, in fuel cell research and development. There have been significant technological improvements since BMW, General Motors, Ford, Honda and Toyota began road testing prototypes, according to a report in Automotive News:

Automakers have been able to reduce the fuel cell’s size by as much as 50 percent, compared with units they were testing a few years ago. They have also reduced the cost of some of the highest-cost parts, such as platinum.

The fuel cell powertrain consists of four elements:
1) A tank that stores hydrogen.
2) A fuel cell stack that converts by hydrogen and oxygen into heat and water, creating electricity.
3) Lithium ion batteries that store the electricity.
4) A power unit that controls the flow of electricity to the electric motors.

The Automotive News article added, “Unlike a battery-powered vehicle that can take six, seven, eight hours to recharge, a hydrogen refill takes 3.5 minutes. Also, while a battery-powered vehicle has a range of about 100 miles (40 miles on a Chevrolet Volt), depending on conditions, Honda’s Clarity, a mid-sized sedan, can travel 240 miles on hydrogen. GM expects 300 miles for its fuel cell car.”

Automakers say electric vehicles powered by fuel cells compare well with internal combustion engines with calalytic converters:
• More than twice as efficient
• Comparable precious-metal content
• Compare durability
• Compare range — about 300 miles
• Comparable performance
• 60 percent fewer parts
• 90 percent fewer moving parts
• Zero emissions
• Zero petroleum
• Cold and hot weather capability
• Make family-sized vehicles possible
• Fast refueling

The push for fuel cells also is charged by automakers’ realization that hybrid plug-in, hybrid and battery-powered vehicles collectively will be unable to meet stiffer CO2 regulations later this decade, according to the report.

There are still major drawbacks to fuel cell vehicles, however. The present system of producing petroleum products and moving the fuel to the pump is inadequate for fuel cells.

GM is tackling the problem in a partnership in Hawaii with The Gas Co. The utility plans to tap into its 1,000-mile utility pipeline system, separate the hydrogen from the synthetic natural gas and sell the hydrogen to refueling nations in Hawaii. The cost to add hydrogen fueling equipment is expected to be $300,000 to $500,000 per pump.

Safety is the No. 1 issue. Think of millions of cars and trucks running around with hydrogen tanks attached. High-pressure tanks resistant to puncture, along with frames that hold the tanks, will be required.

Anyway, “We will come to the market in 2015,” said Bill Reinert, national manager of advanced vehicles at Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. Inc.

Charlie Greese, executive director of GM’s global fuel cell activities is equally encouraging.

“Several thousand fuel cell vehicles from GM are conceivable in 2015,” but he will not estimate a price.

I can’t wait!

Source;
http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2010/jul/10/whatever-happened-fuel-cell-automobiles-promised-2/

The 2010 Honda Fit(s Like a Glove)

Vancouver is a terrible place to put a city. Sandwiched between the Coastal Mountain Ranges and Pacific Ocean, it may have proven an oceanfront paradise in decades past, but has become a city under compression in recent years. Inviting Canadians from the frozen east and new immigrants from points west, the city’s population has swollen to untold heights, now housing 27% of metro Vancouver’s total population on just 4% of its land mass. This is a bad thing if you want to park anywhere.

Of course, if you find yourself comfortably behind the wheel of Honda’s recently revised subcompact five door Fit, you probably don’t know what I’m talking about. With a footprint approximately that of a large dog, finding a place to leave your Fit in even the busiest of Vancouver neighbourhoods is surprisingly easy. And should no space be available, rest assured that even the most jaded Vancouverite will express none of the usual distaste for your cutesy ride as you repeatedly circle the block. Borrowing numerous styling cues from the previous model, the new Fit boasts a slipperier shape that brings the previously foreign-market-only vehicle further in line with Honda’s new image. Out front, a significantly revised fascia houses a more heavily styled grille and front air dam; all sculpted to provide maximum visual effect with minimal aerodynamic drag. The headlights, although a familiar shape (and still possessing the previous model’s unique blister), dominate the front fascia, and seem to occupy the majority of the short prow and are only slightly smaller than the fenders their share space with. Moving rearward, a pair of familiar three-quarter windows open up the greenhouse nicely, and give way to tall, large windows for both front and rear seat passengers. Out back, the new Fit is finished nicely with a well sculpted hatch and nice details like a chrome exhaust tip and nifty wing.

Inside is, as one would expect, familiarly Honda-esque. With a bunch of buttons scattered about in a stylish manner, it’s not the most intuitive small car on the planet, but it does pay dividends in the looks department. Furthermore, although there are arguably too many plastic finishes and surfaces throughout, the fit and finish is quite good; easily that of Ford’s class-leading Fiesta. Soft touch surfaces are limited, however, and some passengers objected to the, ahem, unique cloth patterning on the doors’ interior panels. All comers did enjoy the ridiculous number of storage spaces though, with the dual gloveboxes and passenger-side dashboard tray all earning many compliments. A quick trip to the local hardware store for some non-skid would help immensely, however, since none of the various pockets come so equipped, leaving your personal effects to slide hither and thither with each jerk of the wheel.

And jerk the wheel you will, especially if you find yourself behind the controls of a manual transmission-equipped Honda Fit Sport. Although equipped with a relatively low powered 1,497 cc inline four, the 117 horsepower motor proves adequately peppy, revving quite freely all the way to 6,800 rpm. Like most Hondas, it’s a powerplant that loves the upper regions of the tachometer, and works perfectly with the five speed transmission. But even more importantly, it’s the perfect motivational force to pair with the Fit’s feisty suspension setup. Taking just under two and a half rotations of the wheel to go from lock to lock, the Fit’s steering is both quick and precise; conducting full u-eys in just 34.4 feet. Trading the stock 15” wheels for 16” wheels and slightly wider rubber, the Fit Sport does handle slightly better, but doesn’t do anything to alter the standard Fit’s soft and squishy suspension, and is all the better for it. Thanks to the Fit’s short wheelbase and softly sprung suspension, every corner can turn into a lesson on weight transfer; a dab of left foot braking on corner entry is usually all that’s required to send the light rear end around, while the quick steering keeps the whole process from feeling rushed. The best part? Since it only wears 185-series tires, all this can be practiced at wholly legal speeds. To hot hatches as a Mazda Miata is to sports cars, the Fit’s low performance threshold allows even the most ham-fisted of drivers to explore its upper limits in an attainable and safe manner.

And much like the Miata, the Fit does all this without imposing upon its owner. There are no uncomfortably sporty seats, no harsh ride, and no untoward noises... unless you count overly annoying passengers. Still possessing some of the most versatile seating in the market, the Fit’s cabin can be converted from people carrier to stuff hauler in a manner of minutes, and does both tasks enviably well. People will enjoy the downright shocking amount of legroom to be found, as even my six foot frame left more than a few inches to spare between my kneecaps and the front seat’s back. In fact, taking a quick jaunt down the highway in the rear seat proved as comfortable as the front, thanks mostly to an excess of leg and headroom, a comfortably reclined (and adjustable) rear seatback, and large windows that keep the rear compartment from feeling airy and open. Should the need arise, the 60/40 split rear seat can be folded up quite easily to make room for cargo, as can the front passenger seat. A low load-over height, shallow bumper, and wide-opening liftgate all make loading easy, while the flat load floor, deep cargo well, and tall ceiling keeps all the but the largest of objects well contained.

Overall, it’s incredibly hard to find fault with the new Fit. While the old one may have been practical and efficient, it did so at the expense of some comfort, and would never be confused with anything other than a basic runabout thanks to questionable build quality. This new one feels like a scaled down version of Honda’s wildly successful Civic or Accord, with a huge helping of amiable driving ability tossed in for good measure. Consuming just over seven litres of fuel for every hell-bent-for-leather kilometre I put it through, it’s the veritable picture of efficiency, and after a very active week with it, I have the undeniable sense that I’d only just scratched the surface of the Fit’s capability. Truth be told, while I may have been squarely located in the hotly-anticipated Ford Fiesta’s camp prior to this test, I can’t help but come away wondering if the best small car on the market isn’t already here.

Source;
http://www.carguideweb.com/articles/8171/

No big hurry on introduction of next Honda Civic

Honda is laying out its schedule for new model introductions, and don't look for it be in a big hurry to liven up the market with a new version of its popular Civic compact.

The Civic was already delayed a year, now due to show up in 2011, but the decision was not a "kneejerk" response to the sluggish economy. Rather, writes Honda PR guy Kurt Antonius, it was more about wanting to take a little more time with the new model. Word of the decision surfaced last October. What's the big hurry, he reasons, when the current model is selling well enough?

"The reality is that it is the success of the current model that enabled us to consider changing the launch timing of the upcoming model," Antonius writes in a posting on Honda's U.S. media website. "The current Civic continues to offer customers a very competitive combination of style, fuel economy, safety and value - and Civic's current sales numbers support the point."

So, while we all tap our toes, Honda is offering:

-A stylish, new 2011 Honda Odyssey minivan debuts this fall with a V-6 engine that offers higher fuel economy than a four-cylinder engine.

-Accord will be a revised 2011 model in August, with up to 3 miles per gallon in higher fuel economy.

-CR-Z, the sport hybrid, shows up next month for less than $20,000.

Source;
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2010/07/no-big-hurry-on-introduction-of-next-honda-civic/1

Yoda recording for TomTom GPS - behind the scenes

Here's something funny I thought I'd pass along....

Last Of Chrysler’s PT Cruisers Rolls Out Of The Factory

Today marks the end of the line for the Chrysler PT Cruiser, one of the most mocked and misunderstood vehicles of the past decade, but also one of the more successful. Its 1930s delivery-van looks have long seemed out of place among the more modern designs of recent years. But mostly it has been a strong, steady seller. Chrysler may wind up missing the PT.

I remember the hype that preceded the PT Cruiser’s release 10 years ago. What stands out most is the way Chrysler aimed the PT at younger drivers. Back then it seemed every carmaker claimed to have the automotive honey that would attract buyers in their 20s and 30s. Pontiac tried it with the Aztek, a clunky SUV that looked like a soft luggage on wheels and appealed to almost no one. The PT missed the mark in a different, more fortuitous way.

While youthful motorists never really took Chrysler’s bait, their parents and grandparents did. Older drivers, from aging baby boomers to octogenarians. My own parents debated at length about the car’s design. Did it look more like great Grandpa’s 1940 Plymouth or Uncle so-and-so’s 1937 Ford? While my friends made fun of the car, my parents’ friends bought them. They also loaded them with optional equipment and, in the first year or so, waited in line to get them. Many even paid premiums to dealers to get theirs sooner.

For many years Chrysler steadily sold more than 100,000 PT Cruisers annually, which is a strong number for what was considered a niche vehicle. Even 2008 saw more than 50,000 sold. This year just 4,917 found buyers through the end of June, down 43% from last year. One can argue Chrysler let a good design languish, largely failing to update it during a decade when other cars were redesigned every few years. But the company needs to make room in the PT’s Toluca, Mexico, factory for the coming Fiat 500, another promising retro design.

Source;
http://blogs.wsj.com/drivers-seat/2010/07/09/last-of-chryslers-pt-cruisers-rolls-out-of-the-factory-today/

Here Are The 10 Brands That Will Disappear In 2011 - KIA?!?!?

I don't claim to be a expert like these guys but I can't see this happening....

Kia Motors Corporation is one of the two car brands of Hyundai of South Korea. It has always been a marginal brand. Its stable mate, Hyundai USA, has a reputation for high quality cars like the Sonata and Genesis. Kia sells “low rent” cars and SUV nameplates like the Sorento and Rio.

As GM and Ford have already discovered, it is expensive to maintain multiple brands and storied car names, including Pontiac, Saturn, and Mercury, are disappearing.

Most Kia cars sell for $14,000 to $25,000. Hyundai has several cars in the same price range.

Hyundai’s Sonata has quickly become one of the best-selling cars in America, and its Genesis flagship model competes with mid-sized BMWs and Mercedes. The parent company will take a page from several other global car companies and dump its weakest

Source;

http://www.businessinsider.com/10-brands-that-will-disappear-in-2011-2010-7#kia-10

A better look at the 2012 TL MMC

Out of respect for the copyright(s) of Brenda Priddy, I will just post the link to The Temple of Vtec which has a couple of 'disguised' photo's of the minor model change TL.

http://www.vtec.net/news/news-item?news_item_id=910034

Honda Perspective - It's a Never-ending Challenge

Kurt Antonius
Assistant Vice President, Honda Public Relations
American Honda MoCo., Inc. 7/7/2010

It is not corporate hubris that tells us people have very high expectations for the Honda brand.

It is acknowledging the obvious. And that's not a lament. What we call our "Challenging Spirit" is alive and well - and we welcome the challenge to exceed the "high bar" we have set for ourselves.

Even on those occasions when media or customers express their frustration that we haven't met their expectations, we realize that it's recognition of our history of innovation and focusing on the customer that has always challenged our industry to move in positive new directions. Honda continues to prioritize advancing power train technologies, fuel efficiency, more ergonomic and customer-friendly interiors, and we've always focused on developing vehicles that are fun to drive and fun to own.

We also understand that speculation - in the world of politics, athletics and, yes, the auto industry - has become something of a sport. People look at one or two data points and quickly jump to a conclusion -- forecasting gloom and doom or crowning the latest champion - whether or not the facts support that view.

Importantly, in today's 24/7 news environment, such viewpoints can quickly be perceived as reality - unless you dispel the myths and false assumptions. So, let's begin by addressing some of the concern about Honda's ability to rise to the challenge of new competition and the requirement for product innovation.

First of all, there are many ways to spin sales numbers, but here are a few facts:

-Accord is one of the industry's best selling cars in 2010 - probably THE best-selling to retail customers.
-CR-V remains the best-selling utility vehicle in America, 3+ years and running.
-Odyssey, in its 5th year on the market, remains an award-winning customer favorite.
-Civic, in its 5th year on the market, saw sales go up 26% in June and is up more than 13% for the year.

To provide further context, you simply can't do an apples-to-apples comparison of industry sales without considering that some competitors have increasingly turned to fleet sales (selling to rental car companies) and direct cash incentives to customers in order to boost sales volume, while Honda has achieved solid sales gains in 2010 without resorting to either tactic.

We don't begrudge anyone doing what they must to move their metal. But we don't sell to fleets and we don't offer cash to customers - because these short term strategies would negatively impact the value of the vehicles in our customers' driveways. Call us crazy, but Honda will continue to rely on retail customers to make informed purchase decisions - and we'll continue to protect the value of their investments.

You can also see this focus on the customer in our focus on quality. In the J.D. Power & Associates 2010 Initial Quality Study, Acura ranked 2nd overall, with Honda 6th - and both Accord and Accord Crosstour were #1 in their segments.

Another myth to dispel is the notion that the delay in the introduction of the next-generation Civic - due out in 2011 - is indication of a hasty decision made in recent days based on present market conditions. As first reported by Automotive News in October 2009, our decision to delay the new Civic launch was made several years ago, not as a knee-jerk response to the current sales situation. And what is a "delay," anyway, when our primary objective is to deliver the best possible product to our customers?

We're confident in our strategy for the next-generation Civic. But the reality is that it is the success of the current model that enabled us to consider changing the launch timing of the upcoming model. The current Civic continues to offer customers a very competitive combination of style, fuel economy, safety and value - and Civic's current sales numbers support the point.

Which brings this discussion back to the only thing that really matters - what customers want.

The auto industry has emerged from arguably its toughest 24 months ever. What does this mean? Customers pushed the pause button on purchases. They reprioritized, and while they're recovering, they're moving with new cautiousness in prioritizing new purchase considerations.

We're all collectively working to understand what customers now want and need. But the reality is that customers don't "need" specific technologies. They need affordable products that provide the performance and comfort they desire, with higher fuel economy levels that help them cope with escalating fuel prices and that reduce the threat of global warming.

Toward this end:

A stylish, all-new 2011 Honda Odyssey debuts this fall with a V-6 engine that offers higher fuel economy than a top competitor's 4-cylinder minivan.

Accord, already the #1 midsize sedan in 2010 IQS, will debut a revised 2011 model in August, with up to 3 mpg higher fuel economy.

CR-Z, a genre-busting sport hybrid model, debuts next month - available to customers chock full of content for less than $20,000.

The marketplace has and will continue to evolve. But our focus on creating real, new value for our customers through innovation and original thinking remains unchanged. And we are accelerating our efforts to develop and deploy new technologies and business strategies that will continue to show that Honda remains a leader in our industry.

Source;
http://autonews.gasgoo.com/auto-news/1015915/honda-to-make-accord-hybrid-in-china-soon.html