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Companies have diverse strategies for upcoming models
http://autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070822/FREE/70820010/1024/FREE
Toyota plans on expanding their hybrid plans, including offering plug-in hybrids like this Prius prototype.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By AUTOMOTIVE NEWS
The Japanese companies with the deepest pockets appear to have the broadest powertrain strategy for the coming four years.
Toyota expects to offer a hybrid powertrain in almost all its vehicles. Fuel cells are on the back burner.
Honda likes clean diesels and fuel cells. Its first production fuel cell vehicle hits the streets next year.
Meanwhile, Mazda and Subaru must rely on the generosity of others for advanced technology - Mazda on Ford and Subaru on Toyota.
Here are the powertrain plans for Japan's automakers.
Honda
Honda will have its first clean diesel and a small hybrid on the road by 2009.
The Accord is targeted for diesel power, while smaller Honda vehicles are slated for hybrid power.
Honda will focus on gasoline and natural-gas engines, along with hybrids and fuel cells, in the coming years.
"We're making great advances with fuel cells," said Dan Bonawitz, vice president of corporate planning and logistics for American Honda Motor Co. The Honda FCX fuel cell vehicle goes on sale next year.
California is developing rules that would specify how many fuel cell vehicles automakers must make available to the public.
Isuzu
Despite words to the contrary by Isuzu management here, the company's future in the United States remains questionable. Isuzu's U.S. lineup consists of two rebadged General Motors light vehicles, one of which GM is expected to discontinue.
In the meantime, Isuzu is developing a 3.0-liter diesel for its light trucks in the United States. No introduction date has been announced.
Mazda
Much of Mazda's powertrain development involves improving its internal combustion engines.
Although some have laughed at the turbo-four in the CX-7 crossover - which doesn't deliver much power at low speeds until the turbo kicks in - some analysts say a turbo-four is a more fuel-efficient way to deliver power than a hybrid or diesel. It also costs a lot less to develop and commands a lesser price premium.
Mazda's hybrid future is tied to systems developed by Ford Motor Co., which owns a controlling stake in Mazda.
Mitsubishi
In 2010, Mitsubishi will introduce a clean diesel engine that will be available in several displacements. Volume models such as the Lancer, Outlander and Galant will offer a diesel engine.
Nissan
Nissan has been lukewarm about embracing hybrid powertrains. It put its first hybrid vehicle on sale in April. But that Altima is on sale in only eight states. Toyota supplies the hybrid system.
Nissan says it is developing its own hybrid technology for the 2010 model year. In April it announced it will develop the necessary lithium ion battery with supplier NEC.
Nissan also is moving ahead with diesel engines for the United States, promising a diesel Maxima for the 2010 model year.
Subaru
Subaru of America executives say there is no word on when they will get a hybrid vehicle or which vehicle will get the powerplant from partner Toyota. The hybrid is at least a couple of years off.
Suzuki
Hybrid models are expected by the 2011 model year.
Toyota
Toyota executives want nearly all their vehicles to have hybrid applications by 2010, but it comes down to the availability of reliable lithium ion batteries.
While progress on lithium ion batteries has been swift, further development work is needed on the control system, which keeps them from overheating. The advantage of lithium ion is that it takes half the space and weight and delivers about 40 percent more power than nickel-metal hydride batteries used in today's hybrids.
Toyota hybrids include the Camry, Highlander and Prius. On the Lexus side, the GS and LS sedans and RX crossover have hybrid versions.
The next-generation Corolla, Avalon, Sienna and RAV4 should all have hybrid versions, although Scion's cars likely will not because of cost constraints.
Lexus likely will give the ES 350 a hybrid option within the current generation, and product planners are studying a hybrid-only vehicle for Lexus as well.
Toyota's alternative-fuels gurus say all this hybrid engineering lays the groundwork for converting these vehicles to fuel cell power when that technology develops for street-ready use.
http://autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070822/FREE/70820010/1024/FREE
Toyota plans on expanding their hybrid plans, including offering plug-in hybrids like this Prius prototype.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By AUTOMOTIVE NEWS
The Japanese companies with the deepest pockets appear to have the broadest powertrain strategy for the coming four years.
Toyota expects to offer a hybrid powertrain in almost all its vehicles. Fuel cells are on the back burner.
Honda likes clean diesels and fuel cells. Its first production fuel cell vehicle hits the streets next year.
Meanwhile, Mazda and Subaru must rely on the generosity of others for advanced technology - Mazda on Ford and Subaru on Toyota.
Here are the powertrain plans for Japan's automakers.
Honda
Honda will have its first clean diesel and a small hybrid on the road by 2009.
The Accord is targeted for diesel power, while smaller Honda vehicles are slated for hybrid power.
Honda will focus on gasoline and natural-gas engines, along with hybrids and fuel cells, in the coming years.
"We're making great advances with fuel cells," said Dan Bonawitz, vice president of corporate planning and logistics for American Honda Motor Co. The Honda FCX fuel cell vehicle goes on sale next year.
California is developing rules that would specify how many fuel cell vehicles automakers must make available to the public.
Isuzu
Despite words to the contrary by Isuzu management here, the company's future in the United States remains questionable. Isuzu's U.S. lineup consists of two rebadged General Motors light vehicles, one of which GM is expected to discontinue.
In the meantime, Isuzu is developing a 3.0-liter diesel for its light trucks in the United States. No introduction date has been announced.
Mazda
Much of Mazda's powertrain development involves improving its internal combustion engines.
Although some have laughed at the turbo-four in the CX-7 crossover - which doesn't deliver much power at low speeds until the turbo kicks in - some analysts say a turbo-four is a more fuel-efficient way to deliver power than a hybrid or diesel. It also costs a lot less to develop and commands a lesser price premium.
Mazda's hybrid future is tied to systems developed by Ford Motor Co., which owns a controlling stake in Mazda.
Mitsubishi
In 2010, Mitsubishi will introduce a clean diesel engine that will be available in several displacements. Volume models such as the Lancer, Outlander and Galant will offer a diesel engine.
Nissan
Nissan has been lukewarm about embracing hybrid powertrains. It put its first hybrid vehicle on sale in April. But that Altima is on sale in only eight states. Toyota supplies the hybrid system.
Nissan says it is developing its own hybrid technology for the 2010 model year. In April it announced it will develop the necessary lithium ion battery with supplier NEC.
Nissan also is moving ahead with diesel engines for the United States, promising a diesel Maxima for the 2010 model year.
Subaru
Subaru of America executives say there is no word on when they will get a hybrid vehicle or which vehicle will get the powerplant from partner Toyota. The hybrid is at least a couple of years off.
Suzuki
Hybrid models are expected by the 2011 model year.
Toyota
Toyota executives want nearly all their vehicles to have hybrid applications by 2010, but it comes down to the availability of reliable lithium ion batteries.
While progress on lithium ion batteries has been swift, further development work is needed on the control system, which keeps them from overheating. The advantage of lithium ion is that it takes half the space and weight and delivers about 40 percent more power than nickel-metal hydride batteries used in today's hybrids.
Toyota hybrids include the Camry, Highlander and Prius. On the Lexus side, the GS and LS sedans and RX crossover have hybrid versions.
The next-generation Corolla, Avalon, Sienna and RAV4 should all have hybrid versions, although Scion's cars likely will not because of cost constraints.
Lexus likely will give the ES 350 a hybrid option within the current generation, and product planners are studying a hybrid-only vehicle for Lexus as well.
Toyota's alternative-fuels gurus say all this hybrid engineering lays the groundwork for converting these vehicles to fuel cell power when that technology develops for street-ready use.
