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.

Source: world.honda.com

Honda released the images for its 2005 Accord V6 Hybrid, gas electric hybrid version of Honda best selling car which will be with dealers for sale later this year. The new hybrid will have power and performance better then its current 240-HP Accord V6 with better fuel economy.



Honda's (VCM) Variable Cylinder Management increases the efficiency of the vehicle by deactivating 3 of 6 cylinder engine during cruising and deceleration with no change for performance of the car.



Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) hybrid system uses high output electric motor-generator providing more efficient engine operation by capturing electrical energy during braking or deceleration and use of that energy to power the vehicle hence saving valuable fuel. The engine shut off during stops further increases efficiency of the vehicle.

Hyundai Motor Co. plans to introduce its first hybrid car in 2005. It would be a hybrid version of Verna sub-compact car and would be only available late next year. Hyundai would be investing around 1 trillion won to make a production line for gas-electric hybrid car by 2009. It aims to make 10,000 hybrid cars anually.



Hyundai claims that the hybrid car would reduce the fuel consumption by 15-20%. They plan to produce trial hybrid models by year end and would get response from users. Hyundai would also be increasing human resources in R&D to 10,000 from the current 6,200 people.

The automakers like Ford is training 1000s of mechanics at dealership for servicing hybrid cars.



If your hybrid car like Escape gets a problem you could visit any mechanic to fix tires, brakes etc. If there is a problem under the hood generally an independent mechanic would not like to fix it and a visit to mechanic at dealership is required.



Reason: Hybrid cars have high voltage cables in which batteries of a hybrid car sends around 270 volts then its regular car counterpart which only send 12 volts. 270 volts is enough to stop heart. The training is generally given to mechanics at dealership which leaves large pool of independent mechanics untrained to handle it.



Without proper training it would be dangerous to handle it. Other reason is that hybrid part for one make is entirely different then the other. So one should be trained separately for different makes. It is too early and most of the cars would be under warranty for a long time which would be between 8-10 years.

You thought "America can't build a big sedan..." Have a look at 2005 300 Chrysler." :)



With 340 HP, 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 engine 2005 Chrysler 300C has a sitting capacity of 5. A body like Lima, it would be joy to ride it on roads. It has 18 in 9 spoke chrome-coated aluminum wheels. It could hold a 15.6 cubic feet of cargo and adding to its beauty is dual exhaust pipes.



Fuel economy for the car is impressive 17 mpg city, 25 mpg highway. The interior is very comfortable. Dashboard is elegant with Chrome accents and polished metal.



Base Price: $32,370

Vehicle: 5 Passenger, All wheel drive

Powertrain: 5.7-liter Hemi V-8, 340 HP, five-speed automatic

Torque: foot-pounds at 4,000 rpm

Fuel: 17 mpg city, 25 mpg highway

Steering: Rack & Pinion(power)

Curb Weight: 4046 pounds

Brakes: 4 wheel vented discs with anti-lock and braking-enhancement features (power)