Consumer Reports on the Honda Insight

Consumer Reports does not like the Honda Insight and wasn't shy about telling the world how they feel about it. "The Insight achieved an excellent 38 mpg overall in CR's tests but fell short in ride quality, handling, interior noise, acceleration, rear-seat, access and visibility."

That doesn't sound appealing or promising.

"The Insight is the most disappointing Honda Consumer Reports has tested in a long time," said David Champion, senior director of CR's Auto Test Center. "The Insight is a noisy, stiff-riding car with clumsy handling that is nothing like the Fit on which it is based. Also, Electronic Stability Control is only available on the highline EX version."

The Honda Insight seats five and gets excellent fuel economy, but it's a noisy car with a stiff ride and clumsy handling. At its cornering limits, the Insight plows straight ahead early on in tight turns and the tail can slide out too quickly for stability control to completely prevent it. The Insight EX, ($21,790 Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price as tested), is powered by a 1.3-liter four-cylinder engine with a 13-hp electric motor combine for 98 hp that delivers 38 mpg overall. The continuously variable transmission performs smoothly. Unlike a full hybrid, the Insight requires the gas engine to turn whenever the car is moving. Braking is Very Good. Cargo space behind the rear seats is adequate.

At the end of the day, the Insight fell to 21 out of 22 for small hatchbacks and wagons, slightly outpointing the Dodge Caliber because of its higher fuel economy rating.

The low rating will result in the Honda Insight being left out of the 'Recommended' rating by Consumer Reports.

2008 Saturn Vue Recall Notice

GM is recalling the 2008 Saturn Vue with body color outside door handles. It seems the door handles may bind or stick, which means the door might not latch when it's closed.

If the door doesn't latch, an unbelted occupant could fall out of the vehicle, which could certainly be dangerous. Chrome door handles are going to be used to replace the current door handles free of charge.

I'm not clear if this affects the hybrid Vue.

44,451 vehicles are being recalled beginning on or before August 18, 2009.

Toyota to Build Hybrd in UK

Toyota has plans to start building a hybrid Auris in the UK by the end of the year according to the Times.

The Burnaston plant near Derby was selected to build the hybid Auris hatchback, after months of negotiation with the government. Toyota is expecting some government assistance in the new production.

The Auris Hybrid will use the 1.8 litre engine from the Prius mated to an electric motor and is expected to get 72.4 mpg (I'm assuming that's imperial). The Auris is smaller and lighter than the Prius, so it should get a lower carbon dioxide rating.

It's expected to compete against the Insight, with a price tag similar to the cheaper hybrid from Honda.

Ford Sets Up Cash For Clunkers Website

Like Honda and Toyota, Ford now has a 'cash for clunkers' website up and running.  Unlike the others, Ford has set theirs up so that you can check to see if your current vehicle qualifies to be traded in (and subsequently crushed).  Check it out at www.letfordrecycleyourride.com (screenshot below).

Down at the bottom, they point out how you can also save money on some of their current models, which they obviously hope will inspire you not only to check your current car, but check out a Ford for your new vehicle.

Honda Points Out Just About Any of Their Vehicles Qualify

Although it may be unnecessary to point out, Honda wants you to know their cars are fuel efficient.  In fact, almost every car they build qualifies for the new Cash for Clunkers program (to buy, not trade-in).

"You don't really need a complicated chart to find a fuel-efficient vehicle at a Honda dealer," said John Mendel, executive vice president of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "We hope that this program will help consumers make the move into vehicles that are easier on both their wallets and the environment."

Honda cars that have a combined EPA fuel-economy rating of 22 MPG or more and may be eligible for payments under this program include:

• 2009 Fit - All models
• 2010 Insight - All models
• 2009 Civic - All models
• 2009 Accord - All models except V6 Coupe with manual transmission

Honda light trucks that have a combined EPA fuel-economy rating of 18 MPG or more and may be eligible for payments under this program include:

• 2009 CR-V - All models
• 2009 Element - All models
• 2009 - 2010 Pilot - All models including 2WD and 4WD
• 2009 - 2010 Odyssey - All models

Honda pickup trucks that meet "Large Light-Duty Truck" requirements with 17 MPG combined rating, wheelbase greater than 115 inches and GWVR less than 8,500 lbs. include:

• 2009 Ridgeline - All models

Toyota Sets Up Cash for Toyota Site

Taking advantage of the 'Cash for Clunkers' program, Toyota has set up a site specifically for pointing out which cars are available from Toyota and Scion, that qualify under the government program.  They list 15 cars, but are careful to point out that certain options will disallow some of those vehicles.

Qualifying Vehicles [1]
Toyota			Scion
Avalon	Matrix	Tacoma	tC
Camry	Prius	Tundra	xB
Corolla	Solara	VENZA	xD
FJ Cruiser	Sienna	Yaris
Highlander	RAV4	4Runner
[1] Vehicles equipped with certain options may not qualify.

You can fill out a form to find local deals (dealerships, really) that are near you. I'm assuming that only the dealers that become certified under the CARS program will be shown here.

I expect other car companies will quickly follow suit with their own sites to 'help' consumers find their way.

Chrysler Renegotiates Contract with GM on Dual Mode Hybrid Engine

It seems Chrysler is trying to opt out of paying up their share for developing the dual mode hybrid engine. GM, Chrysler, and BMW partnered to create the dual-mode hybrid engine which is suitable for their SUVs and trucks. Chrysler used the new hybrid engine in the Chrysler Aspen and Dodge Durango hybrids, which were subsequently killed off after just two months.

But Chrysler still wants to use the dual-mode hybrid engine in the Dodge Ram 1500 Hybrid next year.

But when they filed for bankruptcy, the company was split into old Chrysler and new Chrysler (Source: GM Looks for Two-Mode Hybrid Payments from Chrysler - PickupTrucks.com News). The new Chrysler was bought by Fiat, but did not bring along many of the old contracts. And the contract with GM for the dual-mode hybrid engine was left behind. Now, Chrysler wants to renegotiate the contract they had with GM.

Chrysler would like to pay just $173,477 to settle the full $531,275 in costs associated with: open receivables, payments for 2008 manufacturing costs, tooling, pre-production transmissions for the Chrysler Aspen and Dodge Durango Two-Mode Hybrid SUVs (which were killed after only two months of production), and supply agreements.