Whoever appreciates an honest industrial ethics in defence of intellectual ownership should spread out the history reported in my blog. If the industries can afford unpunished to copy the ideas and defending it need very expensive legal action, to which target need the patents? How our young people can find intellectual courage if the economic potentates crush the rights of the single ones?

Ulisse Di Bartolomei

The more press coverage plug-ins and hybrids get, the less mainstream consumers will be willing to buy regular gas-powered cars because they’ll seem obsolete. It’s like going out today and buying a brand-new, low-def CRT television.

The rest of the field, GM, who Fiat-Chrysler? oh Jeep, Kia/Hyundai, and Honda have some problems or can only put EV or hybrid technology into one flagship model. If we see gasoline prices in the near future spike upward to $4-5 those with a full lineup of hybrids will rack in the profits, while others will yet again get caught with their pants down. Some shock may be avoid if traditional cars like the 2011 Chevy Cruze come popular with consumers.

I disagree with a comment about the Nissan Leaf not being a game changer. This could be a hot car and if Nissan does not trip on itself with production problems or recalls the limitations of the Leaf may be accepted by consumers who live in urban areas or work close to home, yes it would be a niche market but if Nissan takes this seriously, over time they may be able to push battery limitations up to say 400-500mi and branch out and offer a luxury version of the Leaf also.

Toyota seems to be taking an aggressive path on hybrids, but a much more cautious track on BEVs and plug in hybrids.

Ford looks like it has taken a shotgun approach. Ford has best in class hybrids on sale now, with BEVs and plug ins coming in the next two years. I wonder if Ford has any plans to take on the best hybrid (Prius if you were wondering).

Honda, has not shown any signs of understanding the hybrid market in the US, even though Honda started it (US not world). Honda does not have a best in class hybrid. I do not think that the new CR-Z will change Honda’s position.

If anybody understands hybrids less than Honda, it must be GM. GM tried to pawn off stop/stop technology as hybrids. GM has some good hybrid technology, but only seems to be able to use if for very expensive trucks and large SUVs. GM’s end run with the Volt looks like a desperation move. I hope it works.

Nissan, started off hating hybrids, and I am not sure that has changed. Needing a hybrid for marketing Nissan just repackaged Toyota’s hybrid components into their Altima. Now Nissan is trying an end run of its own with the BEV Leaf. I hope it works, but I do not expect any BEV to be a game changer.

There are so may holes in the current hybrid line up. I really hope somebody builds a Mazda 5 type hybrid, or plug in hybrid. I think the sweet spot for plug ins is 15-30 mile all electric range with a top speed of 70MPH. Time will tell.