New Hybrid Reviews, News & Hybrid Mileage (MPG) Info

Hermance Award Debuts at 2010 Chicago Auto Show

February 8, 2010 The 2010 Chicago Auto Show, which kicks off later this week, is the location for the inaugural presentation of the Hermance Vehicle Efficiency Award. The award recognizes the most efficient new car with the greatest consumer appeal. The award is given in honor of the late David Hermance, Toyota’s highly respected executive engineer of environmental engineering. Hermance was considered Toyota’s hybrid guru, and a spokesperson for efficient vehicle technologies for the entire auto industry.

Sorting Out Hybrid Brake Issue: Safety Issue or a Different Feel?

February 5, 2010 Coming at the heels of Toyota’s problems with sticking accelerator pedals, news of potential braking problems on the 2010 Toyota Prius and Lexus HS250h hybrid has raised legitimate concerns among hybrid owners. Yet, media coverage of Toyota’s safety issues may be blurring the lines between a potentially fatal problem with the accelerator pedals and the hybrid braking issues that may largely be based on perception.

Ford Will Update Software on Fusion Hybrid Brakes

February 4, 2010 A day after Toyota admitted to a software problem with its hybrid braking system, Ford Motor Co. says that it will update the brake-related software on the Ford Fusion Hybrid and Mercury Milan Hybrid.

Toyota Admits Brake Design Problems with 2010 Prius

February 4, 2010 Toyota acknowledged Thursday that it found software design problems with the antilock brake system on the 2010 model year Prius. The company corrected the problem in Prius models sold since late January. The company said it was still investigating how to inform people who had bought the 2010 model prior to January.

Hybrid Owners Question Toyota Acceleration Explanation

February 2, 2010 When Toyota announced last week that it was halting sales and production of models associated with unintended acceleration, owners of the Prius, Camry Hybrid, and Highlander Hybrid were somewhat relieved. That’s because the hybrid models were not included in the list of affected models. But the complicated and shifting explanations—and the increasing number of personal anecdotes and high-profile accusations—are producing confusion and worry among Toyota hybrid owners.