Lexus Reveals Pricing for 2010 RX 450h

Hybrid sport-utility vehicle averages 30 mpg

2010 Lexus RX 450h

Today, Lexus announced pricing for its second-generation hybrid sport-utility vehicle: the RX 450h. Base MSRP is $41,660 for the front-wheel drive model and $43,250 for the all-wheel drive version. Prices do not include an $875 delivery charge.

Power comes from a 3.5-liter V6 Atkinson cycle engine and electric motors: combined, they produce 295 horsepower. In addition to being more powerful than the outgoing model, the RX 450h yields a one mile-per-gallon improvement in average fuel economy.

Standard active safety features include antilock braking, hill start assist, vehicle stability and traction control. The RX 450h comes with ten standard airbags, including knee airbags for the driver and front passenger.

Buyers can opt to add adaptive front lighting, pre-collision assist and dynamic radar cruise control. An available navigation system includes voice recognition on certain functions.

The audio system comes prewired for XM satellite radio and Bluetooth interface. An optional rear-seat entertainment system includes two high-definition screens in the front seatbacks. An available heads-up display projects speed, navigation and audio information in the lower part of the windshield, so the driver can keep his eyes on traffic.

The Lexus RX 450h meets California’s Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle Standards, with a seventy-percent reduction in harmful tailpipe emissions compared to conventional vehicles.

Fusion Hybrid Goes the Distance

Ford team reaches 80 mpg on thousand-mile trek

2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid

This morning, a team of professional drivers and engineers hit the thousand mile mark in a 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid. When the team reached its checkpoint, the Fusion still had a third of its original tank of gas remaining.

The 1000-Mile Challenge is a fundraiser for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. The driving team began its trek in Mount Vernon, Virginia Saturday morning. The Fusion continues its journey till it runs out of gas. The team expects to finish the drive tomorrow morning in Washington DC.

Throughout the event, the driving team is conducting clinics on eco-driving techniques. Unlike hypermiling which focuses solely on fuel economy, eco-driving teaches car owners how to equal or lessen their commute times by choosing alternate routes, and by moving through traffic more efficiently.

A key technique involves maintaining engine speeds under 2,000 rpm. To do this, drivers must feather the throttle during acceleration. Drivers learn to avoid hard braking, and use the car’s kinetic energy to reduce fuel usage on hilly roads.

The Fusion Hybrid team achieved fuel economy is excess of 80 miles-per-gallon during the 1000-Mile Challenge. For more eco-driving tips, visit Ford’s web site.

Down to Four

General Motors restructuring plan cuts brand offerings in half by 2010

Henderson

This morning, General Motors revealed an updated viability plan that focuses on four core brands in the US: Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick and GMC. The automaker will phase out Saab, Saturn and Hummer by the end of this year. Pontiac operations continue to the end of 2010.

“We are taking tough but necessary actions that are critical to GM’s long-term viability,” said Fritz Henderson, GM president and CEO. “At the same time… we will  do whatever we can to mitigate the effects on the extended GM team.”

General Motors anticipates a 42 percent reduction in dealerships, from 6,246 in 2008 to 3,605 by the end of 2010. The restructuring will result in a production drop of 190,000 vehicles in the second and third quarters of 2009.

The plan lowers GM’s break-even point, improving its ability to generate positive cash flow: as required by the US Treasury in its March 30 viability assessment.

The plan also pares down structural costs, reducing the number of assembly, powertrain and stamping plants in the US by 28 percent at the end of 2010. The automaker will use flexible manufacturing, which allows multiple models to be built in one plant, to use its capital more efficiently.

In addition, the automaker is cutting hourly labor costs 34 percent by the end of 2010. Together, cutbacks in manufacturing facilities and employees will reduce GM’s structural costs 25 percent.

GM will continue to invest in future products and new technologies, concentrating on fuel efficiency improvements and alternative fuel power trains. The automaker is continuing development of the Chevrolet Volt extended range electric car. The Volt goes into production at the beginning of 2010, and rolls into dealerships shortly thereafter.

“The viability plan reflects the direction of President Obama and the US Treasury that GM should go further and faster on our restructuring,” said Henderson. “This stronger, leaner business model will enable GM… to develop new advanced propulsion technologies that are vital for our country’s economy and environment.”