Categories: Hybrid / Green

Aston Martin has big plans for its future model lineup over the next several years, and has already unveiled a key cog in this long-term offensive:  The DB11 coupe.

When Toyota first unveiled the Prius Prime, it touted innovative fuel-saving features that would make the Prime stand out from the rest of its green competitors. One of these features is its roof, which incorporates solar panel technology to help recharge the battery and increase fuel economy. This will help to extend the Prime's driving range; but Toyota's plan to brighten the lives of Prime buyers in the U.S. has hit a snag due to safety regulations.

It is no secret that when it comes to EV vehicles and their profitability, Sergio Marchionne has a well-defined stance against them. He says that their profitability is non-existent, that that the Fiat 500e EV costs $10,000 for every one that is sold. However, when it comes to whether he is open to adding one in a higher price bracket, Marchionne has swerved from that position.

Following several recent reports of suspension failure in Tesla's Model S, the National Highway Traffic Administration (NHTSA) has closed its investigation into the matter, stating that the majority of the complaints were false; it also clarified Tesla's position regarding its scrutinized Goodwill agreements.

It is no secret that FCA CEO Sergio Marchionne and EV vehicles are like oil and water. The outspoken CEO has been adamant on his opinion that EV vehicles will not be profitable, and he reaffirmed this commitment in a recent interview with Britain's Car Magazine.

People in my profession—and outside it, too, I suppose—have always railed against government “interference” in the production of vehicles. Sure, the seat belt was a good idea, but airbags, “safety” bumpers, and—more recently—the laundry list of electronic nannies like automatic braking and stability control?

BMW's green-focused i sub-brand is still relatively new, but for the first time in its short life, the brand is changing its core mission and is shifting its attention from electric vehicles to creating the ultimate self-driving machine. This could be a sign of BMW's bold ambitions for this relatively new segment. It also points towards a new future where i could become a rolling showcase of the company's driverless vehicle technologies.

Despite several years of empty promises, as well as several missed deadlines, Mazda has stated that it is still firmly committed to offering U.S. buyers a diesel-powered Mazda variant in the near future in what could be the first tangible evidence of the technology finally making the jump to production models.

There is a strange, persistent irony that flows throughout history. A small group of visionaries comes up with an idea that challenges conventional wisdom. The concept is so radical that those in power either ignore the newcomers or revile them. Over time, however, the outsiders begin to transform the world.

Anyone who thinks our economic system is sane hasn’t bought a gallon of gas lately. Whether the cost is up or down, it almost never stays the same for long. The price at the pumps gyrates up and down with the maddening frequency of a hyperactive hummingbird. Even more discomforting is the apparent lack of reasons for the constant shift. It’s as if a cabal of fickle service station owners is basing the cost on whatever direction the wind is blowing at any given moment.

The electric vehicle market is about to receive a high dose of fashion and boutique cues thanks to the launch of an all-new EV car maker by Italian designer Umberto Palermo that will make its inaugural debut at the Turin Auto Show in June.