Going green just got less expensive!
Toyota is trimming the price of the Camry Hybrid by $1,000 for the 2008 model year!

The Toyota Camry is supposedly the most loved car in the USA. So far the common consumers could not make it up beyond the gas only version of this prized Toyota model; thanks to a restrictive price tag.

But now on they will be able to afford a Toyota Camry Hybrid— Toyota has cut the price of the Camry Hybrid by $1,000 for the 2008 model year. (Source: Auto News). Now you will get your Camry hybrid for $25,860. Though still dearer by $5,400 than the gasoline only variant, the US consumers have now at least the choice of going green without needing to go far beyond their budget. So no wonder, Toyota’s decision to cut down on the price of their most popular model—Camry—was greeted with much euphoria.

This price cut can have a much greater socio-economic impact than mere individual gains by few thousand dollars. It will give a tough competition to the other hybrid manufacturers and reach out to the larger segment of consumers who can fulfill their dreams of owning hybrid cars at a lesser price.

There was a time when cars used to be the prized possession of the resourceful owners. Gradually, cars came to be synonymous with the middle class living in the developed countries. By the end of the last century, cars were able to make an inroad to the garages of the middle class people in the developing countries too.

This is an age, when we can not imagine our lives sans a private means of transportation and it is the trend that is slowly but steadily gripping the developing countries of Asia and South America.

If the developed nations have added to the largest share of world’s Green House emission in the last century, the new millennium is witnessing the developing nations as the emerging contributors to the global pollution.

But there is a silver lining in the cloud—the present generation car owners in the USA are more conscious about their surroundings than their fathers or grand fathers used to be. And this growing concern about their environment is reflected in the growing size of the hybrid car market. And the industry as a whole receives huge impetus with the decision like this by the industry majors.

But how could Toyota achieve this price trimming?
To make the price drop possible, they had to cut some previously standard equipment such as JBL audio system, leather steering wheel and shift knob, Homelink, and electrochromic mirror with compass. At $25,860 you will now get a hybrid powertrain, steel wheels, and a single CD player.

The immediate response and industry predictions
• Although this cut off on the standard equipments for slashing off the price has been criticized by many quarters, the general response to this decision is positive; you no longer have to pay for what you don’t require necessarily. It is welcome for a class of consumers for whom driving hybrid car is more important than counting on the luxury features of the vehicle.
• Although driving hybrid cars prove to be more beneficial in the long run, owning hybrid car requires you to make a considerable down payment of cash at the beginning. But, a drop in the price attracts more buyers in the entry level hybrid vehicle market.

Fuel efficient, performance driven hybrid cars are no rare phenomena in the US roads. So a drop in the price alone can not take the Camry hybrid’s sale too far. It will become real challenge for the other hybrid makers, when the engineers back in Japan achieve further hybrid efficiencies with their Camry hybrid.

Every time your hybrid Toyota Prius overtakes a conventional car, you leave a message to the driver behind you; “See, I am doing my bit towards scaling down the nation’s energy dependence, at the same time helping to keep the air clean too”! In return you also expect some incentive; it’s only natural! And the incentives used to come in form of federal tax credit! But as the Toyota–so far the biggest hybrid car makers in the USA—reaches its 60,000 hybrid sales limit, you may no longer get tax credit for Toyota models,  as credits apply only to the first 60,000 hybrid cars sold by each auto-manufacturer. This was intended for making the consumers act early.

However, Toyota wants an extension of a Federal tax credit and that stirs up debate and incites comments from the competitors of TM, reports USA Today.

Before reaching the 60000 mark, Toyota’s Prius helped consumers enjoy a tax break up to $3,150, which was an all time high. Since last October, however, the tax incentive for buying a Toyota hybrid was reduced to half and is going to be slashed once again in half from April 1, 2007. It is going to disappear entirely later this year.

In spite of their attainment of the magic mark of 60, 000, the Toyota puts forward their logic for expansion in the tax credit. Jim Press, president of Toyota Motor North America, said in the Detroit Auto Show 2007, “Demand for Prius declined when there was a step down in hybrid tax credits. We need to have a certain volume to get the mainstream in for economies of scale.”

However, the competitors beg to differ. The spokespersons from Honda, General Motors or Ford… all opposed the idea of extension in the tax credits on different grounds. The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, of which Toyota is a member, does not seem to take side of the company in this issue. As of now Toyota prominently stands alone in its demand for reauthorization of the subsidies.

However, Toyota is largely banking upon the Federal decision on the basis of fast track resolution for encouraging reasonable use and conservation of renewable energy. The fate may be decided as early as this week, as reports USA today: “The House could act as soon as this week on a fast-track resolution that could serve as a precursor to the kind of legislation that Toyota is seeking.”

Till then the Toyota loyalists must wait with their fingers crossed. Though the whole issue is expected to be analyzed from a pubic benefit standpoint, the common consumers clearly want the tax credit for their favorite Toyota hybrids to continue.

Cars have always been the hottest in the boy’s toys list. Whizzing past in a fast-moving car might have been the ultimate fashion statement for the men of past century. But today if you want to be regarded as stylist, you have to be politically correct even with your car and one aspect of political correctness is environment-consciousness. So today when we are fast moving towards a post-petroleum era, you can not afford to ride a fuel-sucking conventional SUV and claim yourself to be trendy. A cool dud like you should go green in a true blue way….you must drive a hybrid car!

If hybrid car has not been in your agenda so far, first of all you must get yourself acquainted with the top picks of the pack; much have changed since 1997, when the Toyota Prius hybrid first hit the roads of Japan. The latest hybrid models took the design and innovations to an unbelievable degree of excellence where concept and reality merge into one!

Take the example of General Motors’ latest concept vehicle, the Chevrolet Volt. Combined with Volt’s E-Flex flexible propulsion system, this new generation hybrid car is all set to offer the world the most efficient energy solutions.

Toyota has really moved beyond its Prius model that is already an icon in the green-car segment. The latest offerings from Toyota are the Camry and the Highlander respectively. The new Toyota Camry hybrid is a midsize car with a 4-cylinder engine and armed with a continuously variable transmission (CVT).

For the lovers of more compact cars, there is this Lexus GS 450h which comes with a 6-cylinder engine and 6-speed automatic transmission. 

Then of course the Honda —-once a king in hybrid segment and still is. In place of Honda Insight, you now get these two highly sophisticated hybrid models…the Accord Hybrid and the Civic Hybrid. The bonus points include the futuristic designs and other hi-tech amenities.

All the leading automakers are scurrying about to gab the market of more environment friendly cars. The consumer thrust also is definitely towards greener cars.

The future of the world seems to ride on these new generation hybrid cars; what about you?

Bloomberg reported today that Detroit automakers are working on improving hybrid cars while Toyota pushes hybrid trucks, stating “General Motors Corp. promised to make a hybrid car that travels 40 miles on a battery before its gasoline engine kicks in. Ford Motor Co. introduced a redesigned Focus compact with a voice-activated music player to attract young buyers.”"Toyota Motor Corp., meanwhile, showed off a five-passenger, 381-horsepower pickup, while the star of Honda Motor Co.’s presentation was a sports car with a V-10 engine.”

In an odd twist, the Japanese aim for the big and powerful while American companies shy away from fuel guzzling trucks and SUVs.

Thinking of getting a 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid?  CNET gave it a “spectacular” nine out of ten and reviewed it and had this to say: “The 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid is a comfortable, well-appointed sedan, equipped with a bevy of technology, from the economical hybrid propulsion system to a raft of standard in-car devices, including a Bluetooth interface and a premium audio system.”  The only complaint being that its “optional GPS navigation unit struggles with voice commands and can lose its bearings when out of town. Alternating between power sources can lead to a jerky ride.”

Edmunds was happy with it too, saying they “came away impressed by the new Camry’s quiet and comfortable cabin, its high degree of interior and exterior build quality, and its overall refinement.”

The MSRP base price is $25900 and mileage of 43 mpg in the city and 38 mpg on the highway.

China has a lot of environmental issues, and the fact that Prius hybrid car sales are lagging is just one of them.  But it is still a disappointment that China’s wealthy are not embracing the hybrid. 

The Detroit News just reported on the issue: “When Toyota Motor Corp. announced two years ago that it would produce Prius hybrids in China, it seemed like a sure bet.”

“The air in China’s biggest cities is thick with pollution, and the government is pushing up taxes on gas guzzlers. China appeared to be an ideal market for Toyota’s gasoline-electric car. But sales of the Prius have been extremely disappointing.”

“‘We started with a target of 3,000 a year, but we’re running short of that,’ said Yoshimi Inaba, an executive vice president of Toyota and its top executive in China. Prius sales are currently running at around 100 a month, or less than half the rate required to meet the annual goal.”

“The Prius’s poor showing, an anomaly in Toyota’s otherwise dynamic performance in China, suggests that energy conservation is not a priority among China’s newly rich consumers.”

It doesn’t help that China offers no tax breaks or other benefits for hybrid owners, either.

Read the full article.

The EMA Awards, an event to promote environmental awareness, took place on November 8th and was presented by Toyota and Lexus.  Attendees included Col. Buzz Aldrin, Ed Begley, Jr., Flea, Daryl Hannah, Anthony Kiedis, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Graham Nash, Rob Schneider, David Spade, Jeffrey Tambor, and Robert Wagner.  Toyota had issued the following press release with information on the event:

Photo: Julia Lewis Dreyfus at EMA.

Toyota and Lexus Salute ‘Green’ Celebrities at the 16th Annual Environmental Media Awards

TORRANCE, Calif., Nov. 8 /PRNewswire/ — Toyota and Lexus are proud to
be Presenting Sponsors of the Environmental Media Awards. This star-studded
gala event recognizes the creative teams behind television, film and music
productions that raise public awareness of environmental issues by
incorporating positive environmental messages in their work. Previous
honorees include Daryl Hannah, Edward Norton, and Cameron Diaz, and
programs such as Grey’s Anatomy, The Simpsons, and Lilo & Stitch.

“Entertainment is a potent vehicle for raising awareness of
environmental issues,” said Dian Ogilvie, senior vice president and chief
environmental officer of Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. “The creative
teams who are honored with an Environmental Media Award are inspiring
people to think and act in ways that benefit our planet.”

Toyota, the world leader in hybrid technology, also provides a way for
people to act through an everyday choice: the vehicle they drive. Toyota
and Lexus combined offer five hybrid models in the United States in the
mid-sized sedan, SUV and sports car segments. In all, Toyota’s hybrid
vehicles have saved over 150 million gallons of gas in the United States,
and avoided more than 3 million pounds of greenhouse gas emissions. Hybrid
sales are led by the Prius, which topped 500,000 worldwide in April. This
year alone, Toyota will sell more than 100,000 Prius in the U.S., which
features Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive.

Hybrid Synergy Drive is also featured on the Highlander Hybrid and the
Camry Hybrid which debuted in April. Both hybrids are over 70% percent
cleaner for smog-forming emissions than the average new vehicle on the
road. Camry Hybrids are built at Toyota’s manufacturing facility in
Georgetown Kentucky, Toyota’s first hybrid to be built in the U.S.

Last year, Lexus introduced the RX 400h, the world’s first luxury
hybrid. The RX 400h combines luxury, performance and cleaner emissions in a
sleek package. In April, Lexus launched the GS 450h hybrid luxury sports
sedan, the world’s first front-engine, rear-wheel full hybrid.

“Worldwide, Toyota plans to offer hybrid engines in many of our
products and we’ve set a goal of one million hybrids by 2010,” said Dian
Ogilvie. “We’ve made a very big commitment to this technology because it
gives people a way to drive what they want, but produce fewer emissions and
get higher fuel mileage at the same time.”

Toyota’s commitment to the environment goes beyond the hybrid story.
The company’s initiatives in North America include: recycling, reducing
landfill waste, conserving natural resources, using renewable energy, and
nurturing strong partnerships with organizations like the U.S. National
Parks Service, National Public Lands Day, National Arbor Day Foundation,
Audubon Society the American Lung Association, and EMA.

The Environmental Media Association is a non-profit created in 1989 by
producers Norman Lear and Alan Horn and their wives Lyn Lear and Cindy
Horn. EMA is guided by top Hollywood talents and leading environmentalists.
Proceeds from the EMA Awards secure the future of the organization and its
work within the entertainment industry to encourage TV and film producers
to weave environmental messages into scripts as well as utilizing
celebrities as role models.

Public Web site: http://www.toyota.com

 

Film winners this year were “Hoot,” “Ice Age: The Meltdown,” and “Syriana” and documentary winners were “An Inconvenient Truth,” “Too Hot Not To Handle,” and “Who Killed The Electric Car?“

Toyota has always been the most aggressive company in promoting gasoline-electric cars and now they’re considering releasing a hybrid Prius – which could help tremendously in increasing hybrid car use.

STL Today reports “Toyota plans to sell worldwide each year by early next decade, said Jim Lentz, executive vice president of the company’s U.S. sales unit. Prius-based models might include a wagon and a smaller car, he said.”

Read the full story.

Here are some of the newest hybrids that are now available:

Lexus GS 450h
This compact car has an MSRP price of $55,595, or, if you can afford it, you can opt for the limited edition (pictured above) which was featured in the Neiman Marcus Christmas Book.  The Lexus GS 450h has EPA mileage figures of 25 city/28 highway.

Toyota Camry Hybrid 4dr Sedan
Like previous versions, the new Toyota Camry comes with either a four-cylinder engine or a V6. But it also has an all-new hybrid drivetrain that makes 192 horsepower (as much as the current 3.0-liter V6 model) while earning EPA mileage figures of 40-43 city and 37-38 highway.  MSRP price is $25,900.

Saturn Vue Hybrid – This SUV is equipped with a 4-cylinder engine and a Hydra-matic 4-speed automatic transmission.  This has EPA mileage figures of 27 city/32 highway and has an MSRP price of $22,995. 

While these aren’t available yet, you can also expect the following for 2007:

Saturn Aura Hybrid – Midsize car with a 4-cylinder engine and an 4-speed automatic transmission.

Nissan Altima Hybrid – Midsize car.