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Automakers Team Up to Close Hybrid Gap

By Joe Benton
ConsumerAffairs.com

October 4, 2006

• Tax Credits On Ford Hybrids Phasing Out • Small Car Market Faces Potentially Large Problems • Ford Plans Car That Parks Itself • Drivers Wanted: Mini Developing Electric Model • GM Invests In Electric Car Engine Plant • GM Increasingly Viewed As "Green" By Online Consumers • Honda Plans New Hybrid for Earth Day 2009 • Hybrid Technology a Presidential Campaign Issue --- • More ...

Three of the world's largest automakers have opened a Hybrid Development Center in Michigan as part of an effort to close the hybrid gap the Toyota Motor Corp. has opened.

The hybrid joint venture includes General Motors Corp., DaimlerChrysler AG and BMW Group AG. The three automakers plan to share development costs and facilities as part of an effort to reduce their research and development costs for hybrids.

The center will employ more than 500 engineers, technicians and specialists including more than 150 engineers from Europe. The initial focus will be development of a two-mode hybrid system, which should boost fuel economy by up to 25 percent.

Chrysler expects to be the first to use the technology. The company plans to produce a hybrid version of its 2008 Dodge Durango.

Toyota Scores Big

Toyota recorded the best September sales ever in the U.S. with sales up 25 percent from a year ago. The Japanese automaker sold 222,950 cars and trucks in the U.S. but sales for the month still trailed General Motors and Ford Motor Co.

Ford sales were up in September while GM, DaimlerChrysler, American Honda Motor Co. and Nissan North America Inc. all showed declines.

For the year to date, U.S. auto sales are down 3.7 percent from the same period last year to 12,712,159.

GM holds a September market share of 24.6 percent, down from 25.9 percent a year ago. Ford's share for the month is 17.5 percent, up from 17.1 percent last year, and Toyota Motor Sales' share is 16.4 percent, up from 13.4 percent in September 2005.

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