According to the Wall Street Journal,  a spokesman from GM stated that the company made this decision because of a “sufficient stock of 2009s,” and said starting up production in the near future is “possible, but not likely.” General Motors will continue to make hybrid-electric versions of the Malibu for fleet buyers, but it is uncertain if they will ever offer the Malibu hybrid for retail consumers again.

GM’s mild hybrids have not been well received by critics or consumers due to too little difference in fuel-efficiency. After unsuccessful sales of the Chevy Malibu, released at the 2008 Major League Baseball All-Star Game, GM has decided to pull the series and put funds toward more efficient hybrids down the road.

With a 22 mpg city rating and 33 mpg highway rating for the stand series,  it’s no big surprise that the 26/34 mpg  2009 Malibu Hybrid, with an extra $4,000 price tag, didn’t fare well amongst its’ competitors. In the same price range, the 2010 Ford Fusion boasts a 41 mpg city and 36 mpg highway, and the newly released 2010 Toyota Prius gets an astounding 50 mpg city and 49 mpg highway.

Getting rid of the hybrid Malibu and hybrid Aura won’t cost GM a lot of missed sales. Although Chevy has sold 64,000 Malibus from the start of the year through May, only about 3% (2,000) were of the hybrid version. Even more dismal were green Aura sales. In the same time period, Saturn dealers sold 9,000 Auras, but less than 2% (135) of them were hybrids, according to Autodata.

The company has not announced plans to pull their Cadillac Escalade Hybrid, Chevy Tahoe Hybrid, or any of their full-size hybrid trucks, which use a two-mode hybrid technology co-developed by Chrysler and BMW. However, Chrysler has discontinued their full-size hybrid SUV’s, the Chrysler Aspen Hybrid and Dodge Durango Hybrid that use the same technology.

After a series of unsuccessful, mildly better, hybrids, GM stated they will be turning to their plug-in series hybrid, utilizing the Chevy Volt for inspiration. There are also rumors of another upcoming hybrid, which will apply use of a lithium-ion battery and might be ready for release as early as the summer of 2011. They have not stated which models will receive these upgrades or if their will be an entirely new series developed using these technologies. Either way, it is certain that the development of these technologies will require a tremendous investment.

Contracting with Toyota to use their “Hybrid Synergy Drive” technology, the 2009 Nissan Altima Hybrid has an EPA rating of 35 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway. Starting at around $26,500, you can expect to pay about $5,000 more than the non-hybrid model, which they average will take about 3 years to recoup if gasoline averages $3.00 at the pumps. To get the fully loaded Hybrid that offers built-in navigation system with traffic updates, Bose nine-speaker surround sound system, six-disc in-dash player, MP3 connectivity, rear-view camera, and Bluetooth capability, you can expect to pay closer to $35,000.

While fuel economy is estimated to be very comparable with the Toyota Camry, the overall driving performance is another story. The 2009 Altima pairs a 2.5-liter four cylinder gasoline engine producing 158 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, with an electric motor generating 40 horsepower, 199 pound-feet of torque and 1500rpm. Overall, the net horsepower of a Camry runs 187, while that of the Altima runs at 198.

Not only does it throw more power, but the Nissan Altima Hybrid features what they call “Vehicle Dynamic Control,” which showcases anti-sway bars, traction control, and a stability program. Unlike many vehicles with electric power steering, Nissan did performance drivers proud without over-powering the electric steering, allowing for a true on-the-road feel.

As previously stated, the Altima hybrid is currently only offered in a few states, but if you don’t reside on the West or East Coast, don’t cross the Altima off your list just yet. Nissan has stated that all authorized Nissan dealers have the training and equipment necessary to fully service any of their hybrid models. So, while it may be a pit of drive to pick one up, the new Altima is easily maintained wherever you live. (On a related sidenote, I recently visited with a midwest Nissan dealer that had a used Nissan Altima hybrid for sale. The salesperson advised me that their dealership was not yet able to offer service and maintenance on hybrid Altimas.)

In addition to having an excellent performance rating, the 2009 model scored a 9.9 out of 10 for their safety and security rating. Not bad for families looking to be economical and safe. Speaking of economical, Nissan, in an effort to see that any buyer wanting to get themselves into the new 2009 Hybrid can do so affordably, is currently offering some outstanding financing options to interested buyers. With APR at 0.0% for 60 months or 2.9% for 72 months, or $3,250 cash back, or as a lease at $309 for 39 months, Nissan is doing everything they can to make their vehicles more environmentally and price tag-friendly for consumers. This offer was in place for a limited time as of June, 2009 at this address.

Toyota, who owns 16% of Subaru’s market share, the largest of any entity, will be partnering with Subaru to utilize their “Hybrid Synergy Drive” system. The Hybrid Drive System will be used in combination with Subaru’s box-powered design to provide Subaru enthusiasts with the symmetrical all-wheel drive system they are used to enjoying.

With the Obama Administration’s recently announced fuel-efficiency standards, it will only be a few years before all new vehicles are required to get an average of 35.5 mpg and reduce tailpipe emissions by 40 percent. Interestingly, Subaru’s first run at a more efficient model was in 2005 when they introduced the Subaru B5 TPH (Turbo Parallel Hybrid) concept car which used a lithium-ion battery pack.

Sticking with the Subaru family theme of outdoorsy, yet modern is a must if Subaru plans to keep its’ loyal fan base. According to Mori’s discussion with reporters last week, they plan to continue the style and performance Subaru is revered for, but feel that they should be responsible for improving their vehicles to exceed buyers new, more eco-friendly standards.

In addition to working on hybrid-electric cars, Subaru also has plans to build more fuel efficient diesel powered cars and all-electric vehicles, possibly starting with the R1-e. In July, the Subaru Stella (a Plug-in Electric Vehicle) will go on sale in Japan at a price of nearly $50,000 U.S. dollars. Government subsidies could bring the actual price down to around $35,000. Remind me, when is the Chevy Volt release date and is the U.S. government planning to make it this affordable?

Back to the green Subaru…what is your guess? Current models available in the states include the Impreza, Impreza WRX, Legacy, Outback, Forester, and Tribeca. Will this Japanese car maker simply hybridize one of these or are we in for a hybrid-only model? Will we see an all-wheel drive hybrid car from them? Just don’t call it a Suburu please!

Honda Motor Company officials originally denied the Fit would be hybridized back in 2006, saying that the existing models filled all need gaps. Personally, I agreed with their analysis. Now, it seems that a Fit hybrid makes more sense to everyone (well, almost everyone). Fuel efficiency, small size and low emissions are becoming increasingly important to many consumers, especially those in crowded Japan. Even with the poor economic climate, hybrids are selling big oversees. Honda’s Insight hybrid recently became the first hybrid ever to top Japan’s best seller list. Even more impressive has been the demand for the 2010 Toyota Prius, with over 100,000 orders placed already.  

At this time, further details, such as price, mileage and the most likely U.S. release date (availability) are sketchy at best. Online, rumors swirl that the price could be as low as $12,000 to $15,000. The Nikkei didn’t name their source, but mentioned the equivalent of $15,800 (U.S.) as Honda’s target price. Prices around the $18,000 mark seem more reasonable, based on the typical premium buyers pay for hybrid versions of cars.

In terms of what we might expect for fuel economy from a green Fit, an educated guess would be something approaching 50 miles per gallon. The slightly larger Insight is rated around 42 mpg for combined city/hwy driving while the current 2009 non-hybrid Fit gets close to 30 miles on a gallon already. With Toyota already working on a hybrid Yaris, these two eco-friendly sub-compacts will be slugging it out before we know it.

Related Articles: Fit vs. Insight

Unlike the ultra gas-conscious Toyota Prius, the GS 450H gets has EPA rating of 22/25 mpg; however it offers the same superior performance tuning and drivability that you would expect from any BMW, Mercedes-Benz, or Infiniti without draining your wallet at the pump. The added benefit of zero-to-60 in a meager 5.2 seconds isn’t anything to complain about either.

Called a “luxury sedan with an environmental heart,” by Forbes magazine, the GS 450H offers features like an unparalleled 14-speaker Mark Levinson audio system, adaptive xenon headlights, dual-zone automatic climate control, Bluetooth, keyless ignition/entry, back-up camera, 18-in wheels, heated and cooled front seats with driver memory settings, and satellite radio.

Safety features include antilock brakes, traction control, stability control and a total of 10 airbags. Lexus’ Pre-Collision System and Lexus Link are optional, but come highly recommended as added safety benefits. Pre-Collision uses a radar sensor to detect objects in front of the car, while a computer tracks the oncoming vehicle speed and steering angle. The Pre-Collision System immediately activates the seatbelt pre-tensioners and engages full power if a collision is inevitable.

Undeniably, the culmination of luxury, fuel-economy, and outstanding performance is something to be desired, but with a handsome price tag. Starting just below $60,000, the genuine wood, rich leather seating, aluminum trim, along with rear-wheel drive and dashboard touch screen provide drivers and passengers with an outstanding driving experience. The GS 450H easily seats five, but more comfortably seats four due to the elevated rear center cushion.

Some test drivers comment that the electrically-assisted steering is too light, taking away from that ultimate driving experience. They also found the brakes of the regenerative braking system to be a bit touchy. However, the previously criticized 9-cubic ft. trunk of the 2008 Lexus GS 450H has been upgraded to a modestly better 11-cubic feet in this years model.

Overall, the 2009 Lexus GS 450 Hybrid provides outstanding performance, safety, luxury, and fuel-economy when compared to other hybrid models in the same price range. Whether you’re looking for a mid-size luxury vehicle or a more fuel efficient sedan, the 2009 Lexus GS 450H is definitely worth a test drive.

Here is a great “in the garage” review by AutoBlogGreen.

Normally, it takes anywhere from three to ten years to recoup the extra costs of buying a hybrid car because of the premium placed on fuel-efficient vehicles. For some early-adopters of this green sedan, this catch-up period was shorter because of generous tax credits (they expired in September of 2007), but as hybrids generally become more popular and hybrid tax credits run out for other manufacturers, less people are able to take advantage. Luckily for fans of the full-size Camry, the cost difference between buying a fully-loaded standard-fuel Camry and basic hybrid Camry is negligible.

Under the hood, the Toyota Camry hybrid utilizes the same power train tech that the popular Toyota Prius hybrids use. The exterior of the car, however, is nearly identical to a standard-fuel Camry. The hybrid version of this iconic vehicle is truly the best of both worlds – style and roomy comfort like a sedan with the power and fuel efficiency of a hybrid.

The 2009 Toyota Camry hybrid includes a generous number of ”standard features” and several nice options…16-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone automatic climate control, keyless ignition, an eight-way power driver seat, a 60/40-split rear seat, cloth upholstery, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with tilt/telescoping column, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a trip computer and a six-speaker stereo with a single-CD player and auxiliary audio jack input. Other upgrades include a sunroof, leather upholstery, heated front seats, a four-way power passenger seat, a navigation system, satellite radio and a JBL sound system with a six-CD changer and Bluetooth.

If safety is a major concern (and it should be), the 2009 Toyota Camry hybrid gets very high marks. The ‘09 Toyota Camry hybrids all have front-seat side airbags, full-length side curtain airbags, a driver knee airbag, antilock brakes, stability control and traction control. In National Highway Traffic Safety Administration crash testing, the Camry Hybrid received five out of five stars in all front and side collision categories and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety awarded the Camry its highest rating in frontal-offset and side collision protection.

Few changes differentiate the 2009 Honda Civic hybrid from its 2008 predecessor. Minor interior and exterior tweaks were made to the entire line of Civics, making it easy to mistake the hybrid version for the standard-fuel version. The key difference (aside from the ones under the hood) is different wheels and a small hybrid logo on the back of the car. Thanks to Honda wanting to position this as a luxury Civic, buyers can also now upgrade to leather seats, navigation, and Bluetooth phone connectivity. And from a safety standpoint, for the first time ever, the hybrid Civic comes standard with Vehicle Stability Assist (electronic stability control).

The 2009 Honda Civic gets 40 miles per gallon in city driving and 45 on the highway, about the same as the 2008 model. Under the hood the 2009 Honda Civic boasts a 1.3-liter, four-cylinder gasoline engine that is rated 110 horsepower at 6,000 rpm, 123 pounds-feet of torque at 1,000 rpm. The electric motor is rated 20 hp, 76 lbs.-ft. If there is one complaint from the consumer reviews we read online, it was that the 2009 hybrid Civic didn’t live up to these EPA mpg ratings. Many owners and those conducting test drives had trouble exceeding 35 m.p.g., so that is something to research further if this is a vehicle you are considering.

Despite the challenges we described earlier, the Honda Civic hybrid is popular among car experts and everyday drivers alike. In fact, US News just rated it the third best affordable small car of the year. The hybrid got high marks for its stylish design and high fuel economy. It seems that this car would be a great fit for a driver who wants to save fuel, not spend a fortune on buying a hybrid and still have the roominess of a sedan. Base price is just under $24,000 but expect to pay a $1,200 more for leather and $2,000 extra if you want the navigation system.

Here is another good review from The Auto Channel as well.

The fuel economy improvement came about because of a new battery charging software that reduces the toll on the engine and slightly larger wheels. Moving up from 16 inch wheels to 17 inch low rolling resistance wheels helps save the driver gas.

Priced just about four thousand dollars more than its standard fuel counterpart; the Malibu hybrid represents a good value at $26,275. The included options, however, put the hybrid model in a class incomparable to the standard fuel Malibu, so a better comparison is to a slightly upgraded model (LT), priced at about $23,225. That being said, the hybrid Malibu is realistically only another $3,000 investment – a difference that can readily be made up in fuel savings, especially with gas prices having no where to go but up right now.

Under the hood, the 2009 Chevy Malibu has a 2.4-liter Ecotec four-cylinder engine and a 36-volt electric starter-motor-generator that works in conjunction with a nickel metal hydride battery pack. The 2009 Chevy Malibu hybrid’s engine has 164 horsepower.

The design has not changed much since the 2008 model; this is still a stylish and fun-to-drive car. Reviews show this car’s long wheel base to be a key factor in contributing to the smooth ride. For more details on one Canadian driver’s review of this car, check out this article.

Do you think GM’s commitment to building these mild green cars in this economy will pay off? Will the small difference between the price of a standard fuel vehicle and hybrid Malibu draw I more buyers? Unfortunately, I have my doubts. For about $1,000 more, you can get better mpg in a full hybrid Toyota Camry and most likely better resale value down the road.

The full article from Kbb.com is here, and below is a recap of their top ten picks ordered by combined fuel economy.

1.  2010 Toyota Prius (50 mpg)
2.  2010 Honda Insight (41 mpg)
3.  2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid (39 mpg)
4.  2009 VW Jetta TDI (34 mpg)
5.  2009 Mini Cooper (32 mpg)
6.  2009 Ford Escape Hybrid (32 mpg)
7.  2009 Honda Fit (31 mpg)
8.  2009 BMW 335d (27 mpg)
9.  2009 Toyota Highlander Hybrid (26 mpg)
10. 2009 Chevy Silverado Hybrid (21 mpg)

One car that we felt deserved a spot in the top 10 was the Toyota Yaris.  This little green machine comes fairly decked-out for about $15,000 while managing 32 mpg in combined fuel economy. In its place, Kbb.com chose the Honda Fit, which U.S. News recently ranked as the number one affordable small car. It was definitely a close call that could have gone either way, but at about 1/3rd the cost, it seems the Yaris could have replaced the $45,000 BMW 335d - and Kelley could have included them both.

KBB’s list of this year’s greenest vehicles also included the ‘09 hybrid Highlander from Toyota. It was noted that this larger SUV made the list because it is the most fuel efficient, three row vehicle available today. While that is true, one could argue that if you’re are going to include a hybrid suv with seating for more than 5, why not choose the 2009 hybrid Chevy Tahoe or similar 2009 GMC Yukon? Both are sport utilities that offer more cargo room, better off-road capabilities, and greater towing capacity than the Highlander, while managing over 20 miles per gallon in overall EPA economy.

Overall, I thought the list was well thought out and I especially liked the fact that it included several types of vehicles, rather than just tiny cars and hybrids. I have a feeling that in the next year or two, we will see even more diesel powered cars and even some all electric or plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.

It was 1999 when the original two door, made-for-two Honda Insight became the first mass produced hybrid car to gain traction in the U.S. market. With a look unlike anything car buyers had seen before, and fuel economy numbers that reached 50, 60, and sometimes 70 miles per gallon (can you say hypermiling?), we won’t soon forget the “little hybrid car that could”.

Less than a year later, Honda suddenly was forced to share the green spotlight when a new contender crawled into the ring. After spending a few years training in Japan, the Toyota Prius became the first mass produced, four door hybrid vehicle to be sold in the United States. The Prius was bigger than the Insight, and although the gas mileage wasn’t as impressive (52 city/45 hwy was its EPA rating), it was able to seat five people rather than only two.

Over the next few years, the Prius underwent a total redesign (in 2004) while the Insight saw few changes. For many reasons including practicality the Prius gained a solid foothold in the hybrid community while the Insight became less and less popular. After selling only 320 Insights in the first quarter of 2006, Honda decided to throw in towel. Production stopped in September and Honda announced they would bring a new hybrid back in 2009, smaller than their hybrid Civic.

Fast forward to March of 2009 and Honda did return with a new smaller hybrid…the 2010 Honda Insight, Part 2!  With a starting price of $19,800 for the LX model, the Insight is a full $2,200 less than the 2009 Prius ($22,000).

Ready For Round Two?

Yesterday Toyota took off the gloves, announcing that it would cut the base price of the ‘09 Prius by $1,000, a move most likely made to compete more closely with Honda’s Insight. So, here we go again. Unfortunately, with all the different prices for various models of the Insight, the currently available Prius, and the newly redesigned 2010 Prius (set to reach dealers in May or June), it might be confusing for potential buyers who are hybrid price shopping. The 2010 Prius will be priced at $22,700, but according to a recent article on Edmunds.com, Toyota plans to also sell a stripped down version of the 2010 Prius later this year, dubbed the “Prius I”. 

Edmunds recently conducted a head to head comparison of the 2010 Prius vs. 2010 Insight, and in the end they had a hard time choosing a clear winner. The Prius beat the Insight handily in the zero to 60 mph race (10.1 seconds versus 10.9), although the gap was  narrowed at the quarter mile mark (17.3 seconds compared to 17.9 for the Insight). In the all important overall fuel economy test, the Prius again edged the Insight by 1 mile per gallon (52.2 to 51.2).

Edmunds liked the steering and handling of the Insight better, but they had nothing good to say about its firm ride, extensive road noise, and cramped rear seating. They noted that the Honda was more fun to drive, and cost less than the Prius…so, which hybrid did they pick in the end? You’ll have to watch the video to see. Happy Earth Day!