Posts Tagged ‘fuel efficient cars’

Fuel Efficiency Plays More Important Role in Consumer Choice

December 22nd, 2011

If you are like most people you are becoming more aware of what driving automobiles are doing to our environment. Everyone nowadays is trying to do their part to drive more fuel efficient and use greener cars. If you are in the market to purchase a new car or truck you can use the suggestions below to help you to find ways to drive greener.

When choosing a green vehicle you might want to consider a hybrid because they are very fuel efficient and have reduced emissions. You should shop around because all hybrids are not created equal. Some are considered mild hybrids which are not quite as fuel efficient as a full hybrid.
The size of engine and type of transmission can make a big difference even within the same vehicle family. The weight also will make a difference on what type of fuel efficiency you might have. Options like four wheel drive and third row seats will add extra weight to a vehicle and also increase fuel consumption. If you really have no need for these types of options it is in your best interest to leave them off.
If you want to have a vehicle that reduces emissions while still getting good fuel economy you might want to look into a vehicle with a Multi Displacement System. These systems deactivate half of the engine’s cylinders under certain driving conditions.

If you want to find out exactly what a vehicle’s emission scores are, you can look at the EPA Green Vehicle Guide. The US government has broken down the tailpipe emissions of all cars that are sold in America and assigned them a rating. You can look up any vehicle and the list is searchable by state.

These are just a few things you can keep in mind when you are looking for a new car to purchase. If you shop around you will be able to find a car that is environmentally friendly and also fuel efficient.

March 30th – President Obama Makes Announcement on GM/Chrysler

September 15th, 2011

President Obama made a much awaited announcement yesterday on the Hill regarding the future of GM and Chrysler.

GM has had its plans and strategies thrown back with the government initiating much greater concessions from the company including the current CEO, Rick Wagoner, to step aside in favor of Frederick “Fritz” Henderson. In a move designed to allay the fears of potential buyers the US government will also from Monday back the manufacturers warranties on the vehicles it sells but it is clear the US government feels GM has something worth salvaging and has agreed another 60 days of working capital financing will be made available.

Chrysler is a much more troubled child with serious financial entanglements, however the US government is again stepping to help with the potential sale of the company to Fiat, the Italian car giant. President Obama announced the provision of another $6 billion to the car giant which is contingent on finding a buyer whether it be Fiat or another potential partner.

The announcement yesterday is very interesting for the comments made by the President on the issues not directly at hand with the survival of these two giants – GM in particular came in for serious mention when President Obama said,

I am absolutely committed to working with Congress and the auto companies to meet one goal: the United States of America will lead the world in building the next generation of clean cars.

Now if the administration is as serious as it sounds on delivering fuel efficient green car technology to the mass market then someone, somewhere will have to be around to produce the technology and manufacture the cars. The scale of the market in green cars is simply enormous and it makes a great deal of sense for USA, Inc to have a share in manufacturing these vehicles for the future instead of allowing the country to slip further into debt down the road by importing cars we could be making right here at home – but first we have to deal with the financial issues surrounding our automobile industry.

A serious reminder that green issues are just like any other – the money issue must be resolved first for everything else to follow on.