Alternative fuel cars, is all about the Australian market and what is
available or around the corner for motorists.
Alternative fuel is no longer something that we will one day have
to think about, its with us now. Fuel prices are volatile and will only
remain so, the peak oil production viewed by some is with us now or soon
will be, political unrest in oil producing countries, environmental
issues and the lack of new oil sources have now given us the
reality that alternative fuel for our cars, trucks, 4x4 and
machinery is needed now.
Stock prices for vehicle manufacturers are falling and now
manufacturers have to seriously consider alternative fuel not as a
addition to their brand but ultimately their brand.
Holden in Australia thought about the hybrid Commodore in 2000 and
failed to go on with it, Mitsubishi well never thought about it, Toyota
in the beginning 1997 developed in Japan the
Prius, in that year it
sold only 220 units this year sales will top 1 million. The Australian
government used Toyota to highlight their care by announcing a
hybrid Toyota based on the Camry to be manufactured in Australia in
2009-2010.
Ford Australia will undertake the E-Gas engine for 2011 thanks to Government commitment of $42 Million Dollars. It is believed that the Geelong plant in Victoria will produce a 2.0 E Gas engine for theFord Falcon
Nissan in 2011 with the help of NEC will manufacture for the world
Lithium-ion batteries on mass. Honda and Hyundai are gearing up for a
Hybrid and the list will go on with new players entering the market.
Recent announcement by Nissan and Holden could see a EV in
Australia by 2012. Holdens EV will
be a re badge Chevy Volt US made.
4 major Australian cities with the support of AGL are currently
raising funds for a network of re charging stations like
Israel and Denmark.
For Australia The work of Toyota and Holden will be to the for front
in the next 5 years. Holden will try and fill the technology void by
introducing a dedicated LPG vehicle followed by a turbo diesel and maybe
a E85 . Toyota will just go straight into Hybrid and plug in Technology.
Hyundai may just slip a Hybrid Elantra in and capture the market
just like it did with the Excel petrol in 1996.
 Toyota have created a environment of excitement for the
dealers and employees. Holden employees seem a little in the dark still
on future plans. Lets hope for the Australian consumer alternative
fuel cars and vehicles will become a serious option sooner than later.
Mitsubishi Miev
Mitsubishi are hoping to launch the MiEV electric hatchback in Japan it is hoped that this vehicle will find its way into the Australian market. Early signs are good.
Colin Jones Alternative fuel cars .com .au 2008 |
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Latest news :
Diesel ..The new alternative fuel see Ford Fiesta Econetic
Lexus 2010 makes is move into Hybrid seem more like a Prius than
powerhouse.
Its quirky its gadgets, its Lexus, the HS250h Is nice and full of what you
would expect but seems to lack performance.
Well , For the Lexus buyer of this style I don't know what you would
expect.
Recent review:
"For
somebody looking for an eco-friendly luxury sedan, the Lexus HS250h is a perfect
fit, and it has the potential to be a huge success for Lexus. The HS is,
however, not a car that speaks to the soul of a driver. It lacks the performance
and involvement necessary to provide the thrills motorists like us live for.
While we found ourselves entertained and impressed by the HS250h, we prefer a
car we can drive, rather than a car that merely gets us from point A to point B
in comfort. We don’t need all the bells and whistles the HS offers, but we’re
sure there are plenty of consumers out there who think they do."
Holden EV for 2012
Toyota Prius 2010
launched at Detroit Motor show 2009
Holden Cruz LPG Holden's alternative?
Government announced $42 Million Dollars for Ford to produce E gas engine 24/07/09
Australia's 100 year + reserves of gas may be the saviour to the vehicle manufacturing industry starting in 2011 with the E-gas engine produced by Ford in Geelong.
“This is a significant win for Ford Australia because the
Australian-built Falcon will be the first rear-wheel drive vehicle in the world to receive the EcoBoost engine. The new, greener Falcon will emit significantly less carbon dioxide than current six-cylinder cars
Australian Government bail out and greener car 10/11/08
AN auto industry bailout plan worth
$6bn has been welcomed as the possible saviour of thousands
of jobs as well as good news for car buyers.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd announced a $3.4 billion
lifeline for the industry today, doubling federal assistance
to more than $6 billion over the next decade and a half.
Under the plan, A New Car Plan for a Greener Future, the
Government has more than doubled the $500 million Green Car
Innovation Fund recommended in the federal inquiry into the
industry led by former Victorian premier Steve Bracks.
The reduction of the automotive tariff to 5 per cent will
go ahead as planned in 2010.
Honda Hybrid Hits high sales in Australia
2008 .In June this year for the first time, the
Honda Civic Hybrid became the top-selling hybrid in the private sector. So
far this year, Honda has sold more than 600 Civic Hybrids in Australia.
Australian now have seen over 10,000
Toyota Prius's sold since 2001. A great milestone of this the world most
popular hybrid vehicle
Alternative fuel for Holden cars in Australia may be E85
Mark Reuss from Holden seems to clearly make his position in
the alternative fuel for cars debate known that hybrid may not be the flavour of
the month but more fuel diversity may be the answer. Speaking on the launch of
Holden's diesel Epica he made the Holden position clear on hybrids and
cautioned the Australian manufacturers against pursuing the hybrid alternative.
Alternative fuel for Holden cars in Australia may lie in E85 and not in the
Hybrid Commodore.
Interesting comment made and a sensible one was this from Mr Reuss. "Though
Reuss did not state Toyota's Prius was his example, he quantified the premium at
$17,000 saying hybrids "don't pay" for the average person."
This
refers to the retail price of Hybrid car Prius being $17000 AUD more than the
Petrol Toyota Corolla..
Ed note:* For 2009 onwards Ford and Holden will
now focus on ethanol E85, the hybrid commodore now seems to be on the
backburner. GM plans now to build a small car to compensate a sales slowdown in
New vehicles. Hybrid now seems to be in the hands of the Japanese and Koreans
for the Australian market. It is still not clear on what success and benefits if
any E85 in Australia will have.
A Colin Jones web
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colin@colinjonesweb.com
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