Tuesday, March 31, 2009

ECO-Friendly Buyers Save Big With Honda Insight

honda-insight-hybrid Hybrid cars continue to be the dominant force in automotive green technology. Even has automakers continue to explore plug-in electric power and hydrogen, hybrids are becoming more viable as the green alternative of the future. One way in which they are able to do this was through most cost effective manufacturing techniques and components, which has just recently made price the biggest factor in green technology.

The Insight, Honda’s latest hybrid offering, is officially the most affordable hybrid on the market. Driving a hybrid has always cost a premium compared with gas-powered alternatives according to personnel at Gardena Honda dealers, but the Insight marks the first time that price is the focal point. Clearly Honda is targeting would-be Toyota Prius buyers, and as a result Toyota is already developing a less expensive Yaris-based hybrid to possibly undercut the price of the Insight.

Despite the buzz surrounding the Honda Insight, one Cleveland used car dealer has to remind cars shoppers that the nameplate actually debuted nearly a decade ago. The first generation was only a two-seater, and had an odd shape - both factors hindered sales. The latest Insight now offers room for five, and while its styling won’t appeal to everyone, it’s certainly more mainstream than its predecessor.

The Honda Insight doesn’t seem to have that phony exclusiveness that surrounds the Prius. Simply put, the Insight is all about frugality, which is what many consumers are interested in these days according to San Francisco Honda dealers. The Insight even features an ECON mode which adjusts throttle response and regulates air conditioning to provide a maximum efficiency, even if you can’t help but drive with a lead right foot!

In addition to the build-in tech that helps you drive more efficiently, the Honda also has a unique display that is designed to make drivers more aware of their driving habits. The display has leaves that light up if you’re driving economically, which has interested test drivers at Honda Akron

Not only does the new Honda Insight deliver 40 miles per gallon in city driving, but it also actively helps drivers maintain the highest efficiency possibly. But perhaps best of all, the Insight is priced at $19,800, which will certainly give the Prius a run for its money.

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Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Toyota Curbs Harmful Emissions At Plants

toyota_green_technology Toyota has long been a leader in producing green technology and promoting eco-friendly innovations. Case in point is Toyota’s Prius hybrid, which has remained the sales leader in the increasingly lucrative hybrid market. In the automaker’s latest eco-conscious endeavor, Toyota is working with Bio-Reaction Industries to help reduce harmful volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions in the paint that is applied to their vehicles.

Recently, to meet production demand, Toyota added another painting booth in their aluminum wheel manufacturing facility in Delta, British Columbia. While it’s a necessary move, Toyota realized that it would increase harmful VOC emissions. As an environmentally conscious company, Long Beach Toyota dealers are not surprised that Toyota has looked for a solution to curb these emissions, and luckily they found Bio-Reaction and their patented Air Pollution Control System.

Toyota’s plant had typically kept VOC emissions in check thanks to regenerative thermal oxidizers. However, with the help of Bio-Reaction and their technology, Toyota can now break down the VOCs, helping to reduce the energy needed in treating VOC emissions. The process also culminates in a reduced level of CO2. While updates to a wheel manufacturing may seem small, Kingston Toyota dealers say the move is substantial, as Toyota is constantly looking for green innovations, whether its in their product lineup or in manufacturing operations. 

Reducing Toyota’s carbon footprint, while also reducing operating cost, is an important objective for Toyota across all of its manufacturing operations according to one Tustin Toyota dealer. As a leader in the production and development of green automotive technology, it made perfect sense to partner with Bio-Reaction, which is a leader in producing air pollution control systems.

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Stay current with green automotive technologies here.

Monday, January 19, 2009

Honda and Toyota Compete With New Hybrids

2010 toyota prius The hybrid competition is heating up, especially with new hybrid unveilings from the North American Auto Show in Detroit. The sales leading Toyota Prius has become synonymous with hybrid vehicles and green technology. In addition, the latest third-generation Prius ups the ante with more features and fuel economy than ever before. But Honda also has fresh competition, as it unveiled its latest hybrid, the Insight, which offers a less expensive alternative to the dominating Prius.

Honda has unveiled the all-new Honda Insight this week. Although styling is blatantly similar to that of the Toyota Prius, noted Warner Robins Honda hybrid shoppers, the most notable feature is that it is cheaper than the industry leading hybrid, with a base price expected to be around $18,000 - several thousand less than the Prius.

The new Honda insight is a direct competitor to the Toyota Prius. Previously, Honda has offered the Civic and Accord in hybrid variants, but has offered little else to compete against the unique character of the Prius. The original Insight was small, poorly styled, and was far from a sales success.

2010 honda insight Toyota however is taking great strides to remain a segment leader. As such, Toyota has introduced the all-new third-generation Prius which now gets an improved 50 miles per gallon fuel rating, a huge feature to Toyota accessories shoppers at Conicelli Toyota. This may be a huge difference for consumers as Honda’s Insight gets about 40 miles per gallon in city driving and 43 miles per gallon on the highway.

Although the Detroit Auto Show has also been used to show off other hybrids, such as the Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan, it’s likely that Toyota and Honda will remain the hybrid leaders says Cleveland used Toyota dealers, especially with their latest offerings. After all, the Toyota Prius alone commands about 75 percent of the American hybrid market.

Honda has had success in offering a fuel-efficient lineup overall, but has not made the great strides it had hoped in the hybrid segment, especially against the Prius. Even with slowing auto sales, the Prius has maintained sales momentum at Albuquerque Toyota dealers and others. Additionally, hybrid variants of the Civic or Accord often cost several thousand more than their gasoline-powered counterparts, and didn’t provide enough fuel savings to justify the added expense for many consumers.

On the other hand, the Toyota Prius is a hybrid-specific model, without a gasoline-powered option. As a result, the name and styling have become synonymous with efficiency and green technology. With the Insight, Honda hopes to mimic that success, without a gasoline-only alternative. In addition, with a competitive base price, and without a less expensive gas version, Honda Philadelphia believes the new Insight will potentially avoid the pitfall of other hybrids that have gained a high-priced image.

Honda’s new strategy behind the Insight may be a huge success, or it may cause the Insight to be seen as a “me too” vehicle that’s too similar to the Prius. But the price should be enough to excite buyers at one Pittsburgh Honda dealer. Generally the overall cost of ownership is a huge concern among buyers. Having a vehicle that offers both a competitive base price and high fuel economy can be enough to gain momentum in the hybrid segment. In any event, the combined introductions of these two hybrids should be enough to gain valuable interest.

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