The hybrid cars market is on upswing and is growing very rapidly. America spend on gasoline every minute is about $200,000. Not to say about dependence on foreign oil. Hybrid vehicles are beginning to enter the market, and represent the first step in reducing America's oil consumption.



The upcomming hybrid cars for this year and future.



1. DaimlerChrysler is going to introduce diesel electric Dodge Ram pickup which would be giving boost to mileage by as much as 15%

2. There is no details for this vehicle but Mercury Mariner SUV is going to be launched in 2007

3. Saturn Vue SUV would give a boost to mileage by 15% and would be introduced in 2006.

4. The other vehicles released in 2007 would be GMC Yukon and Chevy Tahoe which could give upto 35% of mileage boost and Chevrolet Malibu as 15%.

5. 2008 Chevy Silverado would be giving 35% boost to mileage.

6. 2004 Honda Accord Hybrid likely to be realeased in december would give V6 performance.

7. Lexus RX 400h SUV would follow in early 2005 and would have double mileage as compared to RX 300.

GM Daewoo motors introduced their 1st hybrid cars which is expected to enter mass production in 2006. It will be available as a gasoline and a diesel-powered engine. This will be the first vehicle designed by GM Daewoo since GM brought Daewoo in 2002.



These hybrid cars i.e S3X would be more fuel efficient then regular gasoline powered cars and would have a maximum speed of 100 kph which is far behind Prius and Hyundai Hybrid Click which have 161 kph and 165 kph respectively. GM Daewoo plans to boost its speed of hybrid car to 150 kph before its launch. Other then hybrid car GM also displayed "Hy-Wire" concept car which would run on hydrogen based fuel cells.

According to Chief Executive Dieter Zetsche of DaimlerChrysler’s Chrysler Group, Chrysler soon would be going to launch its front wheel drive hybrid car most probably in early 2006. With the growing demand of hybrid cars and the entry of the rivals such as Ford Motor Co., Chrysler could not overlook the importance of hybrid cars.



For long Chrysler was enphasizing on diesel vehicles as as an alternative to fuel guzzling vehicles to keep its fuel-efficiency ratings. But with the hybrid cars becomming so popular it is planning to introduce gasoline-electric powered engine to reduce gas consumtion for its vehicles.



Most likely models for the hybrid cars could be PT Cruiser, Dodge and Chrysler minivans. Zetsche also hinted that Chrysler might not go for development of hybrid engine but could licence the technology from another manufacturer.

Honda Motor Co. has recently displayed its fuel efficient line of scooters which will be available in 2 different engine types i.e gas electric, all electric and fuel cell scooters. Honda is mum about when this scooters would be launched but it said that they would continue to improve the models in future.



This is the first time when gasoline-electric engines are used for 2 wheelers. The fuel cell scooter is similar in size as 125 cc normal scooter and the hybrid scooter has 50 cc capacity engine. With the launch of these scooters Honda would have a edge on its competitors Suzuki & Yamaha. Honda would have no rival/competition if it launches these vehicles soon.



The technology for hybrid scooters is similar to that of hybrid cars where the battery for hybrid scooters are charged during deceleration and it temporarily stops the engine when vehicles have to stop at traffic.

The all new 2005 Ford Focus will be built on a modified Mazda 6 platform and would be built at Hermosillo, Mexico would be on sale from late summer 2005. In Europe the car is in the form of small wagon which is based on ford fiesta.



The hybrid or gasoline electric version of the Ford Fusion is expected to hit the roads by 2007 and would be called as CD3.

In order to provide more incentives to Hybrid car owners and let people know the benifits of hybrid cars Los Angeles Mayor James Hahn has proposed to provide free car parks to hybrid cars in city streets. The motion would be proposed to remove parking car meter fees for hybrid cars for 6 months which would start from September 1.



The electric and natural gas car are offered free parkings at present times. The step would further prove importance of hybrid cars in the age of rising prices and dependence for oil on other countries.

Toyota Prius gains 5-star Euro NCAP accolade. Hybrid car gets class-best 34 points and highest ever child protection score. Prius is first ever hybrid to be tested by Euro NCAP. A further 125 actual crash tests confirm optimum passive safety.



Toyota Prius the 1st hybrid car tested by Euro NCAP passed the test with ease and with best of results. 34 points awarded to it is the highest point awarded ever which gave the car to 5 star rating. It got 43 points in Child Protection Rating another highest score ever.



The test results shows that it is not only a strong performer but also has all the best safety features which is best then found in any other car. The major safety equipments includes 8 airbags, a dual-stage seatbelt warning system, a knee protection panel and a fascia-mounted starting button.



To confirm the data from the crash test simulations, a programme of 125 real crash tests took place for Prius - substantially more than usually conducted in the development of a new model.