hybrids

Select Firestone Complete Auto Care™, Tires Plus™, ExpertTire™ and Wheel Works™ locations now service hybrid vehicles

BLOOMINGDALE, Ill., June 23, 2008 – When it comes to finding automotive service, hybrid vehicle owners no longer have to look very far. BFS Retail & Commercial Operations, LLC (BFRC), which owns and operates the largest number of company-owned automotive retail generalist stores in the world, has begun servicing hybrid vehicles at select Firestone Complete Auto Care, Tires Plus, ExpertTire and Wheel Works locations.

For 2009, the Saturn Aura midsize sport sedan demonstrates that fuel efficiency-minded customers don’t have to sacrifice uplevel amenities such as a six-speed automatic transmission, leather seating, alloy wheels and Bluetooth hands-free phone connectivity, as a new 2.4L four-cylinder Aura XR model joins the Saturn family.

2009 Saturn Aura Hybrid - side

Saturn also has good news for those seeking to go further on a gallon of gas: Both Aura XE and XR four-cylinder models achieve EPA fuel economy of 33 mpg highway and 26 mpg city/highway combined, the segment’s highest non-hybrid fuel economy.

The GMC Yukon Hybrid delivers a dramatic improvement in fuel economy over non-hybrid models – up to a 50-percent improved mileage in city driving – with all of the comfort and capability customers expect in a full-size SUV. Indeed, the Yukon Hybrid is mostly unchanged from the gasoline-only models, with the exception of some exterior details, subtle interior styling and several functional modifications.

2009 GMC Yukon Hybrid - side

There is no difference in passenger seating capacity, and towing and payload are highly competitive with other non-hybrid SUVs in the segment.

Chicago – GMC announced the 2009 GMC Sierra Hybrid, a powerful full-size pickup that achieves 40-percent greater city fuel economy and a 25-percent improvement in overall fuel economy while delivering the capability expected of a full-size truck – including a 6,100-pound (2,767 kg) towing capacity.

2009 GMC Sierra Hybrid

Partnering General Motors’ patented two-mode hybrid system and a powerful 6.0L gas V-8, the Sierra Hybrid delivers highly efficient performance, including all-electric driving up to 30 mph (48 km/h). That allows fuel savings to be realized even when the truck is fully loaded or towing a trailer.

Chrysler LLC's First Production Hybrid Vehicles

Auburn Hills, Mich., Nov 14, 2007 - Chrysler and Dodge are bursting onto the hybrid scene in a big way.

With the introduction of the new 2009 Chrysler Aspen HEMI® Hybrid and 2009 Dodge Durango HEMI Hybrid, Chrysler LLC delivers two hybrid-electric vehicles that combine fuel-efficient advanced-hybrid technology with full-size sport-utility vehicle (SUV) performance and capability.

2009 Chrysler Aspen Hybrid

Pricing Announced for 2009 Chrysler Aspen and Dodge Durango HEMI® Hybrids

Auburn Hills, Mich., Jun 17, 2008 - As Chrysler LLC goes green, customers will save some “green.”

Chrysler announced today that it is pricing its full-size 4x4 sport-utility vehicle (SUV) hybrid electric vehicles nearly $8,000 below the competition.

2009 Chrysler Aspen Hybrid

The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) for the new 2009 Dodge Durango HEMI® Hybrid is $45,340, including $800 for destination. The MSRP for the new 2009 Chrysler Aspen HEMI Hybrid is $45,570, including $800 for destination. Additionally, customers are expected to receive an estimated tax credit of $1,800.

The Chevy Tahoe Hybrid delivers a dramatic improvement in fuel economy over non-hybrid models – a 50-percent improved mileage in city driving – with all of the comfort and capability customers expect in a full-size SUV. Indeed, the Tahoe Hybrid is mostly unchanged from the gasoline-only models in the key capability areas.

2009 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid

There is no difference in passenger seating capacity, and towing and payload are highly competitive with other non-hybrid SUVs in the segment. There are some key subtle enhancements, however, in specific areas that contribute to the fuel economy improvements associated with the Tahoe Hybrid.

The 2009 Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid is a powerful full-size pickup that achieves 40-percent greater city fuel economy and a 25-percent improvement in overall fuel economy while delivering the capability expected of a full-size truck – including a 6,100-pound (2,767 kg) towing capacity.

2009 Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid

Partnering General Motors’ patented two-mode hybrid system and a powerful 6.0L gas V-8, the Silverado Hybrid delivers highly efficient performance, including all-electric driving up to 30 mph (48 km/h). That allows fuel savings to be realized even when the truck is fully loaded or towing a trailer.

The 2008 Mercury Mariner Hybrid is a stylish, upscale small sport-utility vehicle with nimble handling and impressive performance, along with ample cargo and towing capacity. It’s an environmentally conscious SUV with remarkable fuel efficiency, and also meets the cleanest emissions rating achievable by a fossil-fuel vehicle (California’s Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle standard).

2008 Mercury Mariner Hybrid

For 2008, Mercury Mariner Hybrid adds higher levels of style and refinement with new interior and exterior designs, improved fuel economy and a new front-wheel drive option.

The Ford Escape Hybrid is still the cleanest and most fuel-efficient SUV in the world, combining the fuel economy and emissions benefits of a “full” hybrid with the go-anywhere capability, toughness and spaciousness of the Ford Escape.

2007 Ford Escape Hybrid

For 2007, The Escape Hybrid offers customers the choice of four new packages, combining a fresh look with infotainment and safety features and three new exterior colors.

A new powertrain lineup, with a more powerful and fuel-efficient 2.5-liter I-4 engine and a new six-speed automatic transmission, leads the list of enhancements for the 2009 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner models. Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner, the popular compact SUVs, boast better fuel economy, thanks to a combination of the new engine and fuel-saving six-speed transmission.

2009 Ford Escape Hybrid

Other fuel-efficiency measures, such as refined aerodynamics and new low-rolling-resistance tires, also enhance fuel economy while contributing to a quieter, more refined cabin environment.

LOS ANGELES – The new, 2009 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid delivers greatly improved fuel economy while maintaining the capabilities and amenities expected of a full-size, V-8-powered SUV. This seemingly incompatible duality is enabled by GM’s patented 2-Mode Hybrid system.

2009 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid

* The 2-Mode Hybrid system uses a new, electrically variable transmission (EVT) that offers the best of both worlds: fuel economy and real SUV capability. The two modes consist of a continuously variable operation, for low-load driving situations and a fixed-gear operation, for high-load conditions such as towing or highway driving.

LOS ANGELES, May 23, 2008 - Ford Motor Company is teaming up with the Los Angeles County Lifeguards, a division of the Los Angeles County Fire Department, to help save lives while protecting the environment. Today, Ford presented the squad with the first 10 of a fleet of 45 eco-friendly Escape Hybrids with Intelligent four-wheel-drive, specially equipped for use on rescue patrol along 72 miles of Southern California coastline.

Ford Escape Hybrid Lifeguard Vehicle

Highlights:
* Ford to provide a fleet of 45 customized Escape Hybrids to the Los Angeles County Ocean Lifeguards.
* The full-hybrid SUVs will be used for rescue patrol along 72 miles of Southern California coastline.

Luxury hotelier and leading luxury automaker create the ultimate cosmopolitan experience for environmentally aware travelers

San Francisco, CA - April 7, 2008 - Eco-savvy travelers can now enjoy luxury, style and a commitment to sustainability when they visit two premier hotels. Fairmont Hotels & Resorts and Lexus are partnering to unveil two "Lexus Hybrid Living Suites" geared for eco-conscious visitors, with the first to launch at The Fairmont San Francisco, followed by The Fairmont Washington, D.C. in conjunction with Earth Day 2008.

2008 Lexus LS 600h L Hybrid

NEW YORK, March 19, 2008 – A striking black and silver version of Land Rover's acclaimed LRX cross-coupe concept makes its North American debut at the New York International Auto Show (NYIAS) after the original white Land Rover LRX revealed earlier to widespread acclaim (at NAIAS, Detroit, in January).

Land Rover Black and Silver LRX Hybrid Concept: Land Rover shows a new version of its LRX concept in New York at the New York International Auto Show (NYIAS) - a desirable, premium and compact SUV which extends the definition of ‘breadth of capability’

Highlights:

Stuttgart -- The grand rehearsal at the beginning of this year already made heads turn, when the striking Vision GLK entered the SUV stage and was celebrated as a compact character actor marking a new design approach in this vehicle class. At the 2008 Geneva Motor Show, Mercedes-Benz is going a step further and adding the Vision GLK BLUETEC HYBRID to the line-up.

Mercedes-Benz Vision GLK Bluetec Hybrid Concept

Toyota Announces Hybrid and Clean Diesel Initiatives at Detroit Auto Show

02/13/2008 -- In a keynote speech delivered at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit, Toyota President Katsuaki Watanabe announced several environmental initiatives focused on new product releases:

• Toyota will supply plug-in hybrids to commercial customers by 2010. President Watanabe said, "As part of this plan, we will deliver a significant fleet of PHEVs powered by lithium-ion batteries to a wide variety of global commercial customers, with many coming to the U.S."

• Toyota will offer a new clean-diesel V8 engine in both the Tundra truck and Sequoia SUV in the near future.

NEW-CAR SHOPPERS DO NOT SEE DIESEL AS A LIKELY MAINSTREAM FUEL SOURCE

IRVINE, Calif., January 28, 2008 – According to the latest Kelley Blue Book (KBB) Marketing Research study, the vast majority of in-market new-vehicle shoppers do not see diesel as a likely mainstream fuel source in the future. The January 2008 results reveal that only six percent of shoppers think diesel is most likely to succeed in becoming a mainstream vehicle powertrain type, compared with 40 percent saying hybrids, 20 percent saying hydrogen fuel cell and 17 percent citing flexible-fuel systems.

World Mobility Forum: Mercedes-Benz receives an award for environmentally compatible drive technology

Stuttgart -- Jan 30, 2008 -- At the World Mobility Forum the Mercedes-Benz Citaro G BlueTec Hybrid urban bus was presented with the 2008 DEKRA environmental award.

Mercedes-Benz Hybrid Bus

First Mercedes-Benz Atego BlueTec Hybrid and Fuso Canter Eco Hybrid for Europe handed over in Stuttgart

Stuttgart -- Jan 29, 2008 -- Stuttgart, January 29, 2008 – Deutsche Post World Net is the first logistics company in Europeto trial hybrid trucks in its operations. The go-ahead for the largest fleet test in the company’s history was given on January 29, 2008during the World Mobility Forum in Stuttgart. Andreas Renschler, member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Daimler Trucks, today handed over the first two vehicles, a Mercedes-Benz Atego BlueTec Hybrid and a Mitsubishi Fuso Canter Eco Hybrid, to Deutsche Post World Net.