Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[CARB chairman chides automakers for petition against EV mandates]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/22/carb-chairman-chides-automakers-for-petition-against-ev-mandates/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/22/carb-chairman-chides-automakers-for-petition-against-ev-mandates/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/22/carb-chairman-chides-automakers-for-petition-against-ev-mandates/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Mary Nichols CARBAutomakers aren't happy about a California mandate that requires manufacturers to sell 1.4 million electric, plug-in hybrid and fuel cell vehicles by 2025. As such, the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers and the Association of Global Automakers have filed a petition with the Environmental Protection Agency to block the state's mandate. Mary Nichols, chairman of the California Air Resources Board, chided car companies for "shooting yourselves in the foot," while speaking at the SAE International World Congress. Nichols also asked, "Rather than rehashing the same, tired legal battles of our past, why not work together to collectively support and develop this market?"

Of course, as Bloomberg points out, automakers can only comply with the plan if buyers want to bring home zero-emission models in high volumes. So far, that hasn't happened. "It serves no one, not the state economy or consumers or automakers, to have these vehicles sit unsold on dealer lots," said Gloria Bergquist, a spokesperson with the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers.

CARB chairman chides automakers for petition against EV mandates originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 22 Apr 2013 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>california air resources boardcarbenvironmental protection agencyepamary nicholsMon, 22 Apr 2013 08:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20543653/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/22/carb-chairman-chides-automakers-for-petition-against-ev-mandates/20543653/article-detail.xml 20543653 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/mary-nichols-carb_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/mary-nichols-carb.jpg <![CDATA[Could CAFE result in an eBay-style online auction house for credits?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/21/could-cafe-result-in-an-ebay-style-online-auction-house-for-cred/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/21/could-cafe-result-in-an-ebay-style-online-auction-house-for-cred/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/21/could-cafe-result-in-an-ebay-style-online-auction-house-for-cred/#commentsFiled under:



Automakers may turn to an online auction system to buy and sell carbon credits in the near future. As Automotive News reports, the Environmental Protection Agency will soon stop allowing automakers to simply pay fines for exceeding their carbon emission limits and will instead move to a carbon credit system. Under that plan, more efficient automakers will be able to sell the credits they don't need or use to automakers that want to build less efficient products. Unfortunately, automakers are notoriously competitive and likely won't be willing to help each other out, even if it means making a little extra cash.

The solution is to use an anonymous market where automakers can buy or sell credits without ever knowing who's on the other end of the transaction. Several companies have already signed up for accounts with Mobilis Trading, though none have actually bought or sold credits just yet. That may change as the government puts ever more pressure on automakers to reduce emissions.

Could CAFE result in an eBay-style online auction house for credits? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 21 Apr 2013 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carboncarbon creditsenvironmental protection agencyepaSun, 21 Apr 2013 08:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20541287/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/21/could-cafe-result-in-an-ebay-style-online-auction-house-for-cred/20541287/article-detail.xml 20541287 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/car-exhaust_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/car-exhaust.jpg <![CDATA[2014 Chevrolet Cruze Diesel gets 46 mpg]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/18/2014-chevrolet-cruze-diesel-gets-46-mpg/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/18/2014-chevrolet-cruze-diesel-gets-46-mpg/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/18/2014-chevrolet-cruze-diesel-gets-46-mpg/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

2014 Chevrolet Cruze Diesel

General Motors has announced the 2014 Chevrolet Cruze Diesel will return 46 miles per gallon highway based on Environmental Protection Agency estimates, besting original projections by some 4 mpg. As GM points out, the figure is better than "any non-hybrid passenger car in America," including the Volkswagen Passat TDI at 43 mpg and the Volkswagen Jetta TDI at 42 mpg. The Toyota Prius, meanwhile, still bests the Cruze Diesel thanks to the hybrid's 48 mpg highway rating.

Still, Chevrolet should be proud of its four-door. The car's turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine delivers 148 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, bolted to a six-speed automatic transmission. Drivers will also enjoy an overboost function that can crank the engine to 280 lb-ft of torque for brief stints. This all means that the Cruze will be able to travel 700 miles on a single tank of fuel, while achieving a 0-60 time of 8.6 seconds. You can check out the full press release below for more information.

Continue reading 2014 Chevrolet Cruze Diesel gets 46 mpg

2014 Chevrolet Cruze Diesel gets 46 mpg originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 18 Apr 2013 09:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2014 chevy cruze dieselchevy cruzechevy cruze dieselenvironmental protection agencyepampgThu, 18 Apr 2013 09:14:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20544597/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/18/2014-chevrolet-cruze-diesel-gets-46-mpg/20544597/article-detail.xml 20544597 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/2014-cruze-clean-turbo-diesel-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/2014-cruze-clean-turbo-diesel-628.jpg <![CDATA[2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/01/2013-ford-fusion-hybrid-review/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/01/2013-ford-fusion-hybrid-review/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/01/2013-ford-fusion-hybrid-review/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Your Mileage May Vary

2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid

As difficult as it is to write this, I was actually excited about the 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid. With the beautiful looks of the newest midsize fighter from Ford and a fuel economy estimate capable of shaming even the stalwart Camry Hybrid, the battery-augmented four-door seemed like a recipe for unabashed success. But appearances love nothing more than swapping our boundless enthusiasm for cold platters of disappointment. The 2013 Fusion Hybrid gets hobbled right out of the gate with a lofty price tag, and real-world driving keeps the sedan from even approaching those EPA figures.

With so many excellent midsize hybrids on the market, is there any reason to consider the newest Fusion Hybrid? Are sharp aesthetics, a well-executed interior and capable driving dynamics enough to overcome the machine's shortfalls? Not from where I'm standing.

Continue reading 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid

2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 01 Apr 2013 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 ford fusion hybridenvironmental protection agencyepafordford fusionford fusion hybridreviewreviewsMon, 01 Apr 2013 11:57:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20524287/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/01/2013-ford-fusion-hybrid-review/20524287/article-detail.xml 20524287 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/2013-ford-fusion-hybrid-fd-1364790484_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/2013-ford-fusion-hybrid-fd-1364790484.jpg <![CDATA[Obama picks new leaders for Dept. of Energy and EPA]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/04/obama-picks-new-leaders-for-dept-of-energy-and-epa/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/04/obama-picks-new-leaders-for-dept-of-energy-and-epa/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/04/obama-picks-new-leaders-for-dept-of-energy-and-epa/#commentsFiled under:



President Barack Obama announced his nominees to lead the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy today. After speaking out about global warming in both his Inaugural Address and State of the Union speech this year, the President hopes that the new appointees will help lead the administration toward meaningful climate change policy-making.

Gina McCarthy will step from her current role as assistant EPA administrator for the Office of Air and Radiation, to replace Lisa Jackson for that agency's top spot. Meanwhile, Ernest Moniz will replace Steven Chu as Secretary of Energy in the President's Cabinet. Both nominees will require confirmation by the Senate.

Moniz most recently held a position as the Director of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Energy Initiative, overseeing projects that angled to reduce greenhouse gasses. Despite this, his appointment has been met with skepticism from some environmental groups who don't like his record of partnering with big oil companies like BP, Shell and Chevron.

McCarthy has worked with both Democrats and Republicans in the past, including a stint with Obama's Presidential opponent, Mitt Romney. At the announcement, the President said of McCarthy, "Gina has focused on practical, cost-effective ways to keep our air clean and our economy growing."

Obama picks new leaders for Dept. of Energy and EPA originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 04 Mar 2013 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>barack obamadepartment of energyenergy secretaryenvironmental protection agencyepaernest monizgina mccarthyobamapresident obamathe cabinetMon, 04 Mar 2013 17:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20487775/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/03/04/obama-picks-new-leaders-for-dept-of-energy-and-epa/20487775/article-detail.xml 20487775 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/ombama-ernest-moniz-gina-mccarthy-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/ombama-ernest-moniz-gina-mccarthy-628.jpg <![CDATA[EPA says it will more closely monitor fuel economy claims from automakers]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/15/epa-says-it-will-more-closely-monitor-fuel-economy-claims-from-a/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/15/epa-says-it-will-more-closely-monitor-fuel-economy-claims-from-a/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/15/epa-says-it-will-more-closely-monitor-fuel-economy-claims-from-a/#commentsFiled under: , ,



The unintended acceleration brouhaha at Toyota led to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration tightening the vise on recall procedures. Likewise, the fuel economy kerfuffle that blew up with Hyundai and Kia's admission of overstated fuel mileage claims could lead to the Environmental Protection Agency policing automaker assertions by performing more audits.

At least, that's what a senior engineer with the government agency said while in Michigan giving a talk, according to a report in Automotive News. What that actually means, however, is still in question. Just ten to 15 percent of new vehicles - something like 150 to 200 cars per year - are rested by the EPA to verify automaker numbers. The EPA's own tests include a "fudge factor" to adjust lab mileage for real-world mileage, and the agency still relies on automakers to submit data for tests that it doesn't have the facilities to perform. How much more auditing can the EPA really expect to do, or perhaps a more relevant question would be how much more accurate could the EPA's audits become?

The price of gasoline, the psychological importance of 40 miles per gallon to a frugal car buyer, an automaker wanting to further justify the price premium of a hybrid, all of these things contribute to fuel economy numbers that insist on creeping upward. Perhaps the senior engineer encapsulated the whole situation best when he said, "Everybody wants a label that tells you exactly what you're going to get, but obviously that's not possible. A good general rule of thumb is that real-world fuel economy is about 20 percent lower than the lab numbers." If the lesson isn't exactly 'buyer beware,' it's at least 'buyer be wary.'

EPA says it will more closely monitor fuel economy claims from automakers originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 15 Feb 2013 17:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>environmental protection agencyepafuel economyhyundaikiaFri, 15 Feb 2013 17:16:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20461542/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/02/15/epa-says-it-will-more-closely-monitor-fuel-economy-claims-from-a/20461542/article-detail.xml 20461542 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/epaaudits_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/epaaudits.jpg <![CDATA[Hyundai, <i>Los Angeles Times</i> and <i>Consumer Reports</i> in fuel economy skirmish?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/07/hyundai-los-angeles-times-and-consumer-reports-in/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/07/hyundai-los-angeles-times-and-consumer-reports-in/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/07/hyundai-los-angeles-times-and-consumer-reports-in/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Hyundai chart showing Consumer Reports vs. EPA fuel economy data

On Wednesday, Consumer Reports issued a story taking umbrage with the auto industry's move toward smaller, turbocharged engines, noting its own testing revealed that many such powerplants fail to deliver their promised fuel economy numbers. The story covered a variety of domestic and foreign automakers, with Ford and Chevrolet featuring prominently in the discussion. Hyundai was also mentioned for its Sonata Turbo, but the Korean automaker's family sedan came within one observed mile per gallon of its EPA ratings in CR's test, and its normally aspirated 2.4-liter counterpart actually beat its combined EPA ratings, 27 mpg to 26.

Good news for Hyundai, right? The automaker was so pleased with its report card that it sent out a small statement to a handful of news outlets including Autoblog, reading in part:

"We at Hyundai believe that Consumer Reports real-world average fuel economy testing results and EPA combined fuel economy results should correlate, and in fact do correlate nicely for some brands. Among all brands, Hyundai does particularly well in this correlation, with no high-volume brand having a better correlation between EPA combined and Consumer Reports real-world fuel economy."

Garden-variety PR stuff to this point, but here's where the issue gets more complicated...

Continue reading Hyundai, Los Angeles Times and Consumer Reports in fuel economy skirmish?

Hyundai, Los Angeles Times and Consumer Reports in fuel economy skirmish? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 07 Feb 2013 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>consumer reportsepafuel economyfuel economy ratingshyundaihyundai consumer reportshyundai epahyundai fuel economyhyundai mpghyundaiconsumerreportshyundaiepahyundaifueleconomyhyundaimpglos angeles timesmpgThu, 07 Feb 2013 15:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20451506/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/02/07/hyundai-los-angeles-times-and-consumer-reports-in/20451506/article-detail.xml 20451506 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/hyundai-cr-mpg-chart-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/hyundai-cr-mpg-chart-628.jpg <![CDATA[Ford Fusion Energi boasts 620-mile total range, 21 in EV mode]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/17/ford-fusion-energi-boasts-620-mile-total-range-21-in-ev-mode/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/17/ford-fusion-energi-boasts-620-mile-total-range-21-in-ev-mode/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/17/ford-fusion-energi-boasts-620-mile-total-range-21-in-ev-mode/#commentsFiled under: , ,



The Ford Fusion Energi, the automaker's second production plug-in hybrid after the Ford C-Max Energi, officially boasts a range of 620 miles between fuel stops when calculated with EPA-rated figures (108 miles per gallon equivalent in the city, 92 MPGe highway and 100 MPGe combined). Of that distance, the sedan is capable of running 21 miles in electric-only mode.

To eliminate confusion for those who are numerically challenged, Ford's press release defines the range in more real-world terms, mentioning that its "Fusion Energi can travel from Boston to Virginia Beach on one tank of gas and one full charge or traverse the West Coast's scenic Highway 101 from Sacramento to San Diego." That's impressive, especially since we don't know of many passengers who can handle ten hours in the seat without a pit stop.

This good news about the Fusion Energi comes just one month after the EPA announced it will be investigating the Ford C-Max and Fusion Hybrid for overstated fuel economy claims. Regardless of any automaker's stated efficiency, we reinforce Ford's claim that "driving styles, driving conditions and other factors can cause mileage to vary."

Continue reading Ford Fusion Energi boasts 620-mile total range, 21 in EV mode

Ford Fusion Energi boasts 620-mile total range, 21 in EV mode originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 17 Jan 2013 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 ford fusion energiepaford fusionford fusion energifusion energimiles per gallonThu, 17 Jan 2013 15:45:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20432092/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/01/17/ford-fusion-energi-boasts-620-mile-total-range-21-in-ev-mode/20432092/article-detail.xml 20432092 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/01-2013-ford-fusion-energi-detroit-2012-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/01-2013-ford-fusion-energi-detroit-2012-opt.jpg <![CDATA[Autoblog Podcast #313]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/18/autoblog-podcast-313/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/18/autoblog-podcast-313/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/18/autoblog-podcast-313/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Infiniti model names, new GM trucks, Ford work vans, Hyundai ratted out on economy, Ward's 10 Best Engines autoblog podcast logo

Episode #313 of the Autoblog Podcast is here, and this week, Dan Roth, Zach Bowman and Jeff Ross talk about Infiniti's confusing model name re-jiggering, the 2014 General Motors pickups, Ford's new Transit line of vans, reports that a domestic automaker ratted on Hyundai/Kia about fuel economy ratings, and Ward's 2012 list of 10 Best Engines. For those of you who hung with us live on our UStream channel, thanks for taking the time. Keep reading for our Q&A module for you to scroll through and follow along, too. Thanks for listening!

Autoblog Podcast #313:



Topics:

In the Autoblog Garage:
2013 Toyota Prius C
2013 Subaru Legacy
2013 Dodge Durango R/T

Hosts: Dan Roth, Zach Bowman, Jeff Ross


Runtime: 01:18:25

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Continue reading Autoblog Podcast #313

Autoblog Podcast #313 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 18 Dec 2012 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>10 Best2014 chevrolet silverado2014 general motors pickup2014 gm pickup2014 gmc sierraautoblog podcastautoblog podcast 313dodgedodge durangodurangoepafeaturedfuel economyhyundaihyundai fuel economyinfinitiinfiniti qinfiniti qxkiakia fuel economylegacypickupspodcastpodcast 313prius csubarusubaru legacytoyotatoyota prius cwardswards autowards auto 10 best enginesTue, 18 Dec 2012 17:29:00 ESTAutoblog Podcast #313Autoblog01:18:25 http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20406381/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/12/18/autoblog-podcast-313/20406381/article-detail.xml 20406381 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/06/podcastlivev2stamp_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/06/podcastlivev2stamp.jpg <![CDATA[Did a US automaker blow the whistle on Hyundai, Kia fuel economy issue?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/17/did-a-us-automaker-blow-the-whistle-on-hyundai-kia-fuel-economy/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/17/did-a-us-automaker-blow-the-whistle-on-hyundai-kia-fuel-economy/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/17/did-a-us-automaker-blow-the-whistle-on-hyundai-kia-fuel-economy/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,



In all of the most hotly contested mainstream segments of the motoring universe, the difference of one mile per gallon averaged on a widow sticker can mean the difference between a sale and a walk-off - to say nothing of two or three mpg. So, when Hyundai and Kia were forced to reveal that many of their 40-mpg ratings were actually 38s and 37s, well, it made for big news.

It also, conceivably, made for a competitive disadvantage immediately, when the Korean automakers' products were being shopped versus the guys down the block. And it's that disadvantage that makes a recent story from Automotive News so juicy.

AN is reporting that Margo Oge, former head of the Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Transportation and Air Quality, got a tip in 2010 that Hyundai/Kia were "cheating" to get its impressive fuel economy numbers. The tip, said Oge (who retired from the EPA this past September), came from a senior vice president from a domestic automaker. The source was credible enough for Oge to launch an audit of the Hyundai figures, which ultimately lead to the debacle that we reported on a few months ago, and that the Korean company has been trying to bounce back from ever since.

The report indicates that representatives from both Chrysler and General Motors denied tipping off the EPA, outright. Ford reaction, meanwhile, was more circumspect, saying roughly that the company does not comment on specific conversations between Ford and policymakers.

The lack of a straight denial does not realistically implicate Ford here, we'd point out. But it doesn't do a lot to rule The Blue Oval out of the finger-pointing mystery, either. We'll probably never know the real answer to the "who tattled?" question, but we'll put it do you, anyway. Which of the Big Three automakers do you think would have gained the most from a Hyundai/Kia mpg drama? Give us your gut feeling, in comments.

Did a US automaker blow the whistle on Hyundai, Kia fuel economy issue? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 17 Dec 2012 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chryslerepafordgeneral motorsgmhyundaikiamargo ogeMon, 17 Dec 2012 15:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20405203/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/12/17/did-a-us-automaker-blow-the-whistle-on-hyundai-kia-fuel-economy/20405203/article-detail.xml 20405203 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/hyundai-elantra-sticker_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/hyundai-elantra-sticker.jpg <![CDATA[EPA to investigate Ford C-Max, Fusion fuel economy]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/10/epa-to-investigate-ford-c-max-fusion-fuel-economy/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/10/epa-to-investigate-ford-c-max-fusion-fuel-economy/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/10/epa-to-investigate-ford-c-max-fusion-fuel-economy/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Ford Fusion Hybrid logo

The Environmental Protection Agency has said it "will look at the report and data" from Consumer Reports indicating that the 2013 Ford C-Max and Fusion hybrids don't come close to achieving their fuel economy estimates of 47 miles per gallon. In CR testing, the C-Max Hybrid averaged 37 mpg; the Fusion Hybrid averaged 39.

CR reports that the 10-mpg difference recorded with the C-Max represents "the largest discrepancy between our overall-mpg results and the estimates published by the EPA that we've seen among any current models." For reference, the Toyota Prius came up six mpg short of EPA estimates under CR's testing.

So, what happens if the EPA finds a discrepancy in Ford's mileage claims? According to The Detroit News, automakers may face civil penalties over misstated claims. Just a few weeks back, Hyundai and Kia were found to have overstated mileage estimates for 1.1 million vehicles sold in the US and Canada, prompting the automaker to compensate owners for their now-reduced mileage figures. Lawsuits, reductions in consumer confidence and even inquiries from politicians are also potential problems in the pipeline.

It's too early to suggest such drastic measures will be taken by Ford, especially since "a hybrid vehicle is going to be far more variable than a conventional vehicle" when it comes to observed fuel mileage, according to Linc Wehrly, director of light-duty vehicle center compliance division at the EPA's Ann Arbor laboratory.

Ford, for its part, issued the following statement to Consumer Reports: "Early C-Max Hybrid and Fusion Hybrid customers praise the vehicles and report a range of fuel economy figures, including some reports above 47 mpg. This reinforces the fact that driving styles, driving conditions and other factors can cause mileage to vary."

EPA to investigate Ford C-Max, Fusion fuel economy originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 10 Dec 2012 07:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 ford c-max hybrid2013 ford fusion hybridc-max hybridconsumer reportsenvironmental protection agencyepafordford hybrid mileagefusion hybridMon, 10 Dec 2012 07:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20398178/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/12/10/epa-to-investigate-ford-c-max-fusion-fuel-economy/20398178/article-detail.xml 20398178 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/fusion-hybrid-logo_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/fusion-hybrid-logo.jpg <![CDATA[AAA calls on US government to suspend E15 gasoline sales]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/04/aaa-calls-on-us-government-to-suspend-e15-gasoline-sales/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/04/aaa-calls-on-us-government-to-suspend-e15-gasoline-sales/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/04/aaa-calls-on-us-government-to-suspend-e15-gasoline-sales/#commentsFiled under:

ethanol pump iowa

AAA has released a statement urging government regulators to postpone the sale of E15 gasoline until more consumers can be educated on the fuel. According to the organization, 95 percent of drivers polled have never heard of the fuel, which is a blend of 15 percent ethanol and 85 percent traditional gasoline. What's more, AAA points out that only around 12 million of the 240 million light duty vehicles on the road today are approved for E15, including 2001 and newer Porsche models, 2012 and newer GM cars and trucks and 2013 Ford products, and that using the fuel in many vehicles could void their warranties.

Currently, the Environmental Protection Agency mandated pump stickers say the fuel is safe for virtually all vehicles 2001 or newer, but AAA experts warn that using E15 in older vehicles "could result in significant problems such as accelerated engine wear and failure."

The warning joins the chorus of opposition against the E15 roll out, including governors of states with heavy poultry farming. Farmers warn the year's weak corn crop is too thin to meet demand of both livestock and ethanol production, with a reported 40 percent of the year's corn destined to become fuel.

The ethanol industry has responded by saying the Department of Energy has done extensive testing on E15 by logging more than six million miles on the fuel. The DOE found "no statistically significant loss of vehicle performance (emissions, fuel economy and maintenance issues), attributable to the use of E15."

You can view the full AAA press release below for more information.

Continue reading AAA calls on US government to suspend E15 gasoline sales

AAA calls on US government to suspend E15 gasoline sales originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 04 Dec 2012 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aaadepartment of energydoee15environmental protection agencyepaethanolTue, 04 Dec 2012 09:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20392853/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/12/04/aaa-calls-on-us-government-to-suspend-e15-gasoline-sales/20392853/article-detail.xml 20392853 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/ethanol_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/ethanol.jpg <![CDATA[New car shoppers less willing to consider Hyundai, Kia after mileage overstatement]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/24/new-car-shoppers-less-willing-to-consider-hyundai-kia-after-mil/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/24/new-car-shoppers-less-willing-to-consider-hyundai-kia-after-mil/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/24/new-car-shoppers-less-willing-to-consider-hyundai-kia-after-mil/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

2012 Kia Soul base model with bridge

Summarizing the results of research carried out by Edmunds, Reuters reports that consumers' are less inclined to purchase cars from Hyundai and Kia due to the company's recent snafu over inflated mileage claims. The Edmunds metric of "purchase intent" declined by 1.9 percent for the Kia Soul (pictured), meaning that the largest drop in consideration coincided with the model that suffered the biggest drop in mileage ratings. Consideration dropped .4 percent for the Hyundai Elantra, and purchasing intent also fell for the Hyundai Accent and Veloster, as well as the Kia Rio.

An Edmunds analyst thinks the brouhaha could affect "future business as this development may have a direct impact on Hyundai's credibility with some U.S. buyers," and Moody's Investment Service figures compensating buyers might cost "$100 million a year until the cars are scrapped" - and that cost doesn't include potential damages from lawsuits. But in the "we all have opinions" column, other analysts don't believe there won't be any serious long-term fallout from the mileage mistatements. Remember, it was only two years ago that Toyota was being frogmarched across the nation to be pilloried in Washington, D.C. for what is arguably a much more grievous offense, and woe was all the rage when describing Toyota's plight. And now? It's ranked among the best global brands in 2012 and appears poised to retake the title of world's largest automaker.

New car shoppers less willing to consider Hyundai, Kia after mileage overstatement originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 24 Nov 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accentelantraenvironmental protection agencyepafuel economy claimshyundaihyundai fuel economykiampgsoulvelosterSat, 24 Nov 2012 19:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20386808/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/11/24/new-car-shoppers-less-willing-to-consider-hyundai-kia-after-mil/20386808/article-detail.xml 20386808 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/02/2012-kia-soul-base-eco---01-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/02/2012-kia-soul-base-eco---01-opt.jpg <![CDATA[Will Hyundai's MPG malfunction give ground to Honda?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/19/will-hyundais-mpg-malfunction-give-ground-to-honda/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/19/will-hyundais-mpg-malfunction-give-ground-to-honda/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/19/will-hyundais-mpg-malfunction-give-ground-to-honda/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Hyundai sign with shadowy figure

One man's loss is another man's gain. The same notion can be applied to the automotive marketplace, where bad press for one brand presents an opportune time to capitalize for another. A new Bloomberg puts forth a potential automotive example of this - fallout stemming from the recent Hyundai and Kia fuel economy debacle. The Korean automakers were recently marred for incorrectly calculating their fuel economy data, resulting in the downward adjustment of the fuel economy figures for many of their most popular models.

While this represents a setback for Kia and Hyundai, brands like Toyota and Honda are looking to gain ground on the two Korean marques, which have been catching up to Japan's volume automakers thanks to their radically improved lineups.

In 2010, Hyundai began touting its lineup as the most fuel-efficient in America. This stirred emotions at Honda, a brand that had been the nation's top performer in fuel economy for 33 years. With this recent adjustment by Hyundai, Honda is evidently hoping to wear the fuel efficiency crown once again.

According to the report, the Korean automakers' errors came in the EPA's "coastdown" test, in which a test car is driven to 80 mph, put in neutral and "coasted" to 9 mph. Hyundai admits this part of the test was not performed correctly. According to Sung Hwan Cho, president of Hyundai's US technical center, "These were just honest procedure errors in a very complex testing process."

Adding to Honda's opportunity is the recently previewed 2013 Honda Civic, set to go on sale the same day it is revealed at this month's LA Motor Show. The 2012 model came in for harsh criticism from the automotive press, though the model's sales proved largely unaffected by the controversy. Industry analysts suggest that Honda's new (and presumably improved) 2013 Civic should put the automaker in prime position to reclaim both consumer mindshare and the industry's MPG crown.

Will Hyundai's MPG malfunction give ground to Honda? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 19 Nov 2012 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 honda civiccivicepafuel economyhondahyundaikiampgMon, 19 Nov 2012 15:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20381768/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/11/19/will-hyundais-mpg-malfunction-give-ground-to-honda/20381768/article-detail.xml 20381768 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/hyundai-sign-with-shadowy-figure_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/hyundai-sign-with-shadowy-figure.jpg <![CDATA[How this summer's drought might affect your car's gasoline]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/14/how-this-summers-drought-might-affect-your-cars-gasoline/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/14/how-this-summers-drought-might-affect-your-cars-gasoline/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/14/how-this-summers-drought-might-affect-your-cars-gasoline/#commentsFiled under: ,

Corn farm

In 2007, then-president George Bush signed a law that required increased production of ethanol. Swelling ethanol demand for fuel combined with this past summer's drought has driven the price of corn (used to make ethanol) up. In fact, prices have swollen some 400 percent in the last seven years. That's comforting for corn growers, who are dealing with much smaller yields than normal. But it's not comforting for livestock producers, poultry farmers and grocery shoppers.

Under the law, the amount of ethanol used in gasoline is supposed to increase to 15.2 billion gallons this year, up from five billion in 2007. The Environmental Protection Agency can decide to delay the increase, however, and it has until Tuesday to consider the circumstances. According to The Detroit News, governors from eight states have asked the EPA to waive the ethanol requirements to prevent corn prices from going any higher. They join almost 200 members of Congress, top United Nations officials, two dozen scientists and scores of poultry farmers in opposing the boost in ethanol production. Governors of poultry-producing states Maryland and Delaware say without a waiver, thousands of jobs could be lost.

On the other side are corn-producing states and the farmers who live there. They argue a waiver would harm their agricultural income and, in turn, harm their state economies.

If a waiver is granted, gas formulations might not be affected at all. E10 gasoline (10-percent ethanol) would still be sold at fuel stations across the nation, but an increase in ethanol production would be delayed. If a waiver is not granted, corn growers will see a demand in their product. And since all that new ethanol has to go somewhere, drivers may see more pumps serving E20 E15 gasoline (20 15-percent ethanol) which cannot be used in pre-2001 vehicles.

How this summer's drought might affect your car's gasoline originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 Nov 2012 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>corncorn pricese10e15e20e20 gasolineenvironmental protection agencyepaethanolfarmingfuel pricesgas pricesgasolineWed, 14 Nov 2012 18:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20380041/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/11/14/how-this-summers-drought-might-affect-your-cars-gasoline/20380041/article-detail.xml 20380041 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/drought-ethanol-gasoline-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/drought-ethanol-gasoline-628.jpg <![CDATA[Will fallout from Hyundai and Kia's MPG issues hurt resale values?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/06/will-fallout-from-hyundai-and-kias-mpg-issues-hurt-resale-value/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/06/will-fallout-from-hyundai-and-kias-mpg-issues-hurt-resale-value/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/06/will-fallout-from-hyundai-and-kias-mpg-issues-hurt-resale-value/#commentsFiled under: , ,

2013 Kia Soul - front three-quarter view

First came Hyundai's and Kia's corporate admission of guilt about overstating fuel economy numbers, then the recompense, then the lawsuits. Now begins the process of gnawing on every one of the consequences. In case you've only just returned from the International Space Station, Hyundai and Kia have admitted that about a third of the cars they have sold over the past three years have advertised inflated EPA fuel mileage numbers. For instance, the highway mpg number for the 2013 Hyundai Accent isn't 40 mpg anymore, it's either 37 or 38 miles per gallon. The combined mpg for the Kia Soul can take a four mpg hit depending on the trim level.

A piece in USA Today questions how the revelation will affect resale values for the Korean automakers, and the majority of opinions seems to be "not much." An analyst at Kelley Blue Book suggests there could be a short-term penalty, but that the impact might be mostly emotional, and industry watchers at the Institute for Crisis Management and ALG believe that Americans move on pretty quickly and the "absolute dollar" impact will be minimal.

When Consumer Reports compared advertised highway mileage to actual mileage it received, it found discrepancies from 11 mpg more (for the Volkswagen Passat TDI) to one mpg less (for the Hyundai Elantra, coincidentally), and Hyundai and Kia each had three vehicles that were spot on, including the Sonata Hybrid that achieved the company's advertised 40 mpg. Paradoxically, as consumers focus even more on EPA ratings and the government agency's testing protocols have been revised in an attempt to improve accuracy, people seem to be putting even more stock in the phrase "your mileage may vary." So too might your resale values, but it probably won't be because of this latest boondoggle.

Will fallout from Hyundai and Kia's MPG issues hurt resale values? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Nov 2012 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>epafuel economyhyundaihyundai fuel economykiakia fuel economymileageresale valueresidual valueTue, 06 Nov 2012 19:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20372285/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/11/06/will-fallout-from-hyundai-and-kias-mpg-issues-hurt-resale-value/20372285/article-detail.xml 20372285 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/kiasoulresale_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/kiasoulresale.jpg <![CDATA[Hyundai, Kia admit exaggerated mileage claims, will compensate owners [UPDATE]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/02/hyundai-kia-admit-exaggerated-mileage-claims-will-compensate-o/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/02/hyundai-kia-admit-exaggerated-mileage-claims-will-compensate-o/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/02/hyundai-kia-admit-exaggerated-mileage-claims-will-compensate-o/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Hyundai Accent

Hyundai and Kia adjusted EPA Fuel Economy EstimatesHyundai and Kia are lowering the fuel economy estimates on a majority of 2012 and 2013 models. The Detroit News reports a probe by the Environmental Protection Agency has found both manufacturers guilty of posting false fuel economy estimates on vehicle window stickers since late 2010. The companies will spend millions of dollars compensating the owners of some 900,000 vehicles sold under the claims. This marks the largest spate of fuel economy reductions in the history of the automotive industry. Prior to this probe, only two vehicles have seen their window sticker fuel economy values reduced since 2000.

Hyundai aggressively advertised the fact that the brand offers four models that boast 40 mpg, but that claim is no longer true. The 2013 Hyundai Accent, Veloster and Elantra will now see their EPA estimates fall to either 37 or 38 miles per gallon on the highway. The report quotes Hyundai CEO John Krafcik as saying, "We're extremely sorry about these errors" and blamed "procedural errors" in the company's fuel economy testing as the reason behind the discrepancy.

All told, 35 percent of 2011-2013 models sold through October will see a reduction. Of those, 580,000 will see a drop of around 1 mpg, while 240,000 units will have their EPA figures cut by 2 mpg. The remaining 80,000 will drop by 3 to 4 mpg. Owners will be compensated based on their vehicles' odometer readings, and both automakers will contribute an additional 15 percent over the dollar value. The funds will be awarded via prepaid debit cards. For an owner who drove 15,000 miles, an adjustment of 1 mpg would result in a refund of around $88.

For some time there has been suspicion that the Korean automakers' fuel economy claims were too optimistic, which most recently led to a class-action lawsuit filed in July of this year by an organization called Consumer Watchdog on behalf of Elantra owner Louis Bird of California.

The EPA and Hyundai have issued press releases on the new situation, which you can read below. You may also view the full model breakdown in the gallery below.

UPDATE: On a media conference call, Hyundai and Kia attributed the discrepancies to "honest mistakes" and "human error" during in-house fuel economy evaluations. Additional steps were added to the evaluation process in an attempt to ensure accuracy, which ultimately caused the higher-than-EPA figures. Both companies stress there was no intentional effort made to deceive either the federal government or consumers. There's no indication as to how much the apology campaign will cost, though Hyundai and Kia both plan to roll out extensive advertising campaigns to alert consumers of the issue.

Continue reading Hyundai, Kia admit exaggerated mileage claims, will compensate owners [UPDATE]

Hyundai, Kia admit exaggerated mileage claims, will compensate owners [UPDATE] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 02 Nov 2012 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>environmental protection agencyepafuel economy claimshyundaihyundai fuel economyhyundai fuel economy claimshyundai+fuel+economy+lawsuithyundai+mileagehyundai+mileage+refundhyundaifueleconomylawsuithyundaimileagehyundaimileagerefundkiakia fuel economykia+mpg+compensationkiampgcompensationmpgmpg claimsFri, 02 Nov 2012 09:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20368750/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/11/02/hyundai-kia-admit-exaggerated-mileage-claims-will-compensate-o/20368750/article-detail.xml 20368750 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/hyundai-accent-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/hyundai-accent-628.jpg <![CDATA[2013 Ford Fusion rated at 25/37 MPG, Hybrid gets 47 MPG]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/07/2013-ford-fusion-rated-at-25-37-mpg-hybrid-gets-47-mpg/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/07/2013-ford-fusion-rated-at-25-37-mpg-hybrid-gets-47-mpg/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/07/2013-ford-fusion-rated-at-25-37-mpg-hybrid-gets-47-mpg/#commentsFiled under: , ,



The EPA posted fuel economy numbers for the 2013 Ford Fusion in front-wheel-drive, all-wheel-drive and hybrid flavors, but they were quickly removed from certain parts of the FuelEconomy.gov website. Car and Driver snagged the numbers before they disappeared, however, and it makes for fine reading.

It's a toss-up nowadays as to whether an automatic or manual will get the ultimate economy, but the best numbers among the conventional Fusion powertrains are the 25 city / 37 highway miles per gallon returned by the six-speed-manual-equipped FWD Fusion with the 179-horsepower 1.6-liter EcoBoost motor. Numbers for the six-speed automatic are right behind, at 23 city / 36 highway.

Dropping nine horsepower and a turbocharger will get you price but not efficiency gains, with the 170-hp naturally-aspirated 2.5-liter four doing 22 city / 34 hwy. In the other direction, that's one small mpg away from the 22 hwy / 33 city to be had by the 237-hp 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder. Add all-wheel drive to the equation and pay a 2-mpg penalty, with the 237-hp motor doing 22 city / 31 hwy when turning all four wheels.

Of course the hybrid Fusion killed it, getting 47 city and 47 hwy. That is only bested by the 2012 Toyota Prius C and Prius, ties the 2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid and beats the 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid. Among its competitors, the Fusion is in the mosh pit with the 2012 Toyota Camry's 25 city / 35 hwy, the Honda Accord's 27 city / 37 hwy and the Chevrolet Malibu's 22 city / 34 hwy, with just the sedan-surfing Nissan Altima jumping out at 27 city / 38 hwy.

2013 Ford Fusion rated at 25/37 MPG, Hybrid gets 47 MPG originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 07 Sep 2012 10:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 ford fusionaccordaltimacamryepafordfuel economyfusionfusion fuel efficiencyfusion mpghondampgnissantoyotaFri, 07 Sep 2012 10:14:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20315075/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/09/07/2013-ford-fusion-rated-at-25-37-mpg-hybrid-gets-47-mpg/20315075/article-detail.xml 20315075 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/09/04-2013-ford-fusion-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/09/04-2013-ford-fusion-opt.jpg <![CDATA[New CAFE rules officially finalized; 54.5 mpg is like making gas $1/gallon cheaper]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/29/new-cafe-rules-officially-finalized-54-5-mpg-is-like-making-gas/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/29/new-cafe-rules-officially-finalized-54-5-mpg-is-like-making-gas/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/29/new-cafe-rules-officially-finalized-54-5-mpg-is-like-making-gas/#commentsFiled under:

Sixties Ford model being refueled

Increasing the Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards for model year 2017-2025 cars to 54.5 miles per gallon was first proposed in July 2011. Since then, there has been a lot of back and forth, a lot of positive and negative responses, and, lately, a delay for unknown reasons. Since the CAFE rules were not changed between the mid-1980s and when President Obama came into office and rules for 2012-2016 model year vehicles were put in place in 2010, it's not a huge surprise this update took so long. That's all over now.

Department of Transportation secretary Ray LaHood and Environmental Protection Agency administrator Lisa Jackson announced the official finalization of new federal fuel efficiency standards in a Tuesday conference call. Some headline numbers from the call:
  • The reduced fuel use will save American families over $1.7 trillion dollars in fuel costs.
  • Vehicles on American roads will use two million barrels of oil less per day by 2025, "as much as half of the oil we import from OPEC each day."
  • More efficient cars will be more expensive, but LaHood said that the buyers can expect average fuel savings of $8,000 per vehicle (over the life of the vehicle) for a 2025 model year car compared to a similar vehicle from 2010, using today's prices. That's equivalent to gas being a dollar a gallon cheaper.
  • You like lower emissions? The new standards will "reduc[e] emissions by 6 billion metric tons over the life of the program - more than the total amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the United States in 2010."
We've heard a lot of those numbers before, but there were some items in the press release (not addressed on the call) that caught our eye. Specifically:

The program also includes targeted incentives to encourage early adoption and introduction into the marketplace of advanced technologies to dramatically improve vehicle performance, including:
Incentives for electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, and fuel cells vehicles;
Incentives for hybrid technologies for large pickups and for other technologies that achieve high fuel economy levels on large pickups;
Incentives for natural gas vehicles;
Credits for technologies with potential to achieve real-world greenhouse gas reductions and fuel economy improvements that are not captured by the standards test procedures.

We don't know how these incentives stack (or don't) with current incentives or if they're just the ones already in place, but we've put in a call to the EPA to find out. We'll let you know when we hear back. A sample of early responses to the official rules - all positive, so far - is available below.

Continue reading New CAFE rules officially finalized; 54.5 mpg is like making gas $1/gallon cheaper

New CAFE rules officially finalized; 54.5 mpg is like making gas $1/gallon cheaper originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 29 Aug 2012 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cafecafe standardscorporate average fuel economyepafuel economylisa jacksonmiles per gallonmpgobamaray lahoodWed, 29 Aug 2012 13:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20311901/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/08/29/new-cafe-rules-officially-finalized-54-5-mpg-is-like-making-gas/20311901/article-detail.xml 20311901 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/08/refueling-old-ford_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/08/refueling-old-ford.jpg <![CDATA[2013 Buick Encore snags 25 mpg city, 33 mpg highway EPA ratings]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/28/2013-buick-encore-snags-25-mpg-city-33-mpg-highway-epa-ratings/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/28/2013-buick-encore-snags-25-mpg-city-33-mpg-highway-epa-ratings/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/28/2013-buick-encore-snags-25-mpg-city-33-mpg-highway-epa-ratings/#commentsFiled under: , ,



General Motors has announced that its all-new 2013 Buick Encore subcompact crossover achieves 25 miles per gallon in city driving and 33 mpg on the highway (28 mpg combined) in front-wheel drive spec.

Buick points to the combination of a body architecture that is 60 percent high-strength steel and a 1.4-liter turbocharged four backed by a six-speed automatic as the foundation of a lightweight, fuel-efficient vehicle.

General Motors says that compared to the average new vehicle, an Encore owner will spend an estimated $2,100 less in fuel expenditures over the next five years - an average of $420 per year. The company claims the petite crossover's estimated fuel cost of $1,900 per year is the lowest of any 2013 model year crossover sold in the States.

Fuel economy estimates for the all-wheel drive Encore have not yet been announced and will be revealed at a later date. Check out the press release from Buick below for more information on the Encore and its fuel economy numbers.

Continue reading 2013 Buick Encore snags 25 mpg city, 33 mpg highway EPA ratings

2013 Buick Encore snags 25 mpg city, 33 mpg highway EPA ratings originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 28 Aug 2012 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 buick encorebuickcompactcrossoverencoreepafuel economyfuel efficientmpgTue, 28 Aug 2012 14:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20310865/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/08/28/2013-buick-encore-snags-25-mpg-city-33-mpg-highway-epa-ratings/20310865/article-detail.xml 20310865 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/08/buick-encore-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/08/buick-encore-628.jpg -1 2