The company that pioneered hybrid technology is getting more intersted in diesel-powered engines. One Honda honcho, according to a report in Business Week, stated that while hybrid systems work best in small cars, midsizers and SUVs would benefit more from a diesel system. He hinted that the next-generation Accord may feature a diesel choice rather than a hybrid choice.
On meeting U.S. regulations regulations, CEO Takeo Fukui claims his engines will be just fine:
Fukui says Honda’s hybrid technology is still an important piece of its strategy, but the company thinks its new diesel engines—which it boasts are both quiet enough for consumers and clean enough to meet tough air regulations in California, New York, and several New England states—are a smart option.
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Still fretting over Toyota’s challenge to their #1 spot in the auto biz, GM’s new Saturn Aura and Chevy Silverado have taken top honors at the North American International Auto Show, winning the awards for Car and Truck of the year, respectively.
The Aura beat out the venerable Toyota Camry for top spot, and the Silverado topped Ford’s Edge and Mazda’s CX-7.
The Detroit Free Press snagged a quote from Winding Road’s Jim McCaraw, who explained why he voted for the two winners:
“The truck is clearly superior in terms of its car-like qualities. It’s very quiet and civilized. The interior is more like a car than a pickup truck yet it retains all the attributes that an American truck has to have - its ability to haul load and people.”
Of the Aura, McCraw said, “I’ve been covering Saturn since its first product and it wasn’t very good. They finally evolved into a real solid car. It’s pretty inside and out and it’s got the kind of affordability and dollar value that American customers are looking for.”
Nice way to start the war to keep the #1 crown, indeed.
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Simple question. Can Tiger Woods save the General from its malaise? Automotive News reports that:
Tiger Woods might one day stump for General Motors brands other than Buick. The broader role could be part of an aggressive marketing effort to revive the Buick, Pontiac and GMC brands in 2007.
Celebrities hawking cars aren’t anything news, of course. We all remember last year’s awkward non-stop Chrysler blitz featuring the great tee-off between rapper Snoop Dogg and former Chrysler head Lee Iococca. (Did anyone get the point of that one?)
But what strikes us is that the same article notes that Buick division sales are down 13.7% in 2006. Is this Tiger’s fault or GM’s fault? They’re chruning out new Buick models like champagne bottles on New Year’s Eve, but are they reaching the next generation of buyers? The average buyer age is still 68! CarSPIN blogger Raza responds:
I know I’d do anything Maria Sharapova told me to do. Except buy a Canon Powershot.