Japan's top two manufacturers, Honda and Toyota, unveiled new green cars at the Toyota auto show. The vehicles focus on low emission technologies. Take a look:
Inside Line reports that the Honda Fit, a hybrid that gets 80-mph and costs under $12,000 may be on sale in the U.S. next year.
According to the report, a Fit hybrid would be priced at about $11,790, which the paper said would make it the world's first hybrid car priced under 2 million yen, or about $16,840.
Honda already has Accord and Civic hybrids and the groundbreaking Insight, the first gas-electric hybrid car on the U.S. market. If the Fit hybrid does go on sale at under $12,000, that price would sharply undercut the hybrid offerings of Honda's rival Toyota. The standard gasoline-engined Fit is set to go on sale in the United States later this year.
Autopia says that the Honda Fit may be sacrficing some rear storage space to make room for hybrid batteries. Reuters also has a story on the possibility of a cheap Honda Fit hybrid.
The demand for hybrid vehicles has not diminished even though gas prices have fallen. Most consumers realize that gas prices are still 30 to 40 cents above last year's prices and that they will likely spike up again before next year's summer driving season. Oil is also still high at $61 a barrel. A TriCities.com article cites a study that finds hybrid demand increasing.
According to a recent study by CNW Marketing Research of Bandon, Ore., 32 percent of American new-car buyers say they would "seriously consider" a hybrid if gas prices reached $3.75 a gallon. That’s up from 19 percent in 2002.
The article mentions a tax credit coming next year that may get even more people interested in hybrids.
Hybrid prices range from the two-seat Honda hatchback Insight at about $20,000 to the luxurious Lexus sport utility vehicle, the RX 400h, which starts at $49,060.
Starting Jan. 1, federal tax credits will range from $1,700 to $3,000 depending on how much fuel a car saves, which may help some consumers.
The article also brings up the expensive batteries for a hybrid's electric engine which can cost over $2,000 to replace. However, these batteries tend to last a long time. The article cites a Honda dealer that said "the brand's hybrids have a warranty on the engine battery that guarantees eight years or 100,000 miles." The article also some Honda Insight models have driven over 200,000 miles without replacing the battery for the electric engine.
Motor Trend has named the Honda Civic as the 2006 Car of the Year. Motor Trendexplains why they picked the Honda Civic.
"Honda deserves a standing ovation for not playing it safe again," said Angus MacKenzie, editor-in-chief of Motor Trend. "With the sizzling Si, a sleek coupe, an elegant sedan, and a Hybrid that averages 50 miles per gallon, each model shines through with what Motor Trend looks for when crowning Car of the Year. The engineering passion that Honda Motor Company was founded on radiates from these new Civics."
After two full weeks of intense scrutiny, track testing, performance drives, and walk-around appraisals, Motor Trend editors found each of the 2006 Honda Civic models to be fun to drive and terrific value. With their bold, contemporary styling and innovative technology the new Civics are primed for success in one of the most competitive market segments in the country. For the past nine years the Honda Civic has been the best-selling retail compact car in the U.S., with Honda expecting sales for these new models to be even stronger.
You can also view a video about the winner. Last year Motor Trend's car of the year was the Chrysler 300. USA Today also has an article about Motor Trend's pick.
Inside Line 
Motor Trend has named the 
