Ford, Toyota to jointly develop hybrids for light trucks

Ford Motor Co. and Toyota Motor Corp., by partnering to build a hybrid system for light trucks, hope to cross one of the auto industry’s biggest hurdles – significantly boosting the fuel economy of large pickups and SUVs.



The two automakers plan to jointly develop hybrid technology for light trucks as U.S. regulators finalize plans to toughen fuel economy requirements for pickups later this decade.



Ford sells the nation’s best-selling large pickup – the F series. Toyota is the world’s biggest marketer of gasoline-electric hybrid vehicles for front-wheel based light vehicles, with sales of 3.3 million since introducing the Prius in 1997.



"We expect to create exciting and socially beneficial technologies with Ford, and we can do so because our two companies have enough experience to create a synergy effect in hybrid technology," said Takeshi Uchiyamada, a Toyota executive vice president.



The new hybrid system will be introduced in Ford and Toyota rear-wheel drive SUVs and light trucks later this decade.



It's the first time the automakers have collaborated on product development.



The companies have signed a memorandum of understanding and expect a formal agreement to be signed next year.



By that time, it should be clear how the Obama administration will formalize a proposal to hike corporate average fuel-economy standards to 54.5 mpg by the 2025 model year -- doubling the current requirement.



The new standard requires a 5 percent annual increase in fuel economy for cars starting with the 2017 model year through the 2025 model year. Under current law, automakers’ fleets must improve to 35.5 mpg in the 2016 model year, up from 27.3 mpg now.



Pickups exempt



The plan for 5 percent annual increases could be changed if a midcourse review, planned to begin in 2018, determines that it would adversely affect industry costs and vehicle sales.



The Obama administration's current CAFE proposal, details of which still must be worked out, will exclude full-sized pickups from any increases from the 2017 model year through the 2019 model year.



Beyond 2019, annual increases would begin at a rate still to be determined, until they reach an annual rate of 5 percent a year in the 2022-2025 model years.



Light trucks other than full-sized pickups would have to achieve 3.5 percent annual increases in mileage standards in the 2017-21 model years and 5 percent increases in the 2022-25 model years.



The sharp hike in fleet mpg will force automakers to make vehicles smaller and lighter, offer more hybrids and enhance powertrains to include such technologies as turbochargers and direct injection.



Detroit automakers dominate the full-sized pickup market, with the F series and General Motors' Chevrolet Silverado ranking as the top-selling vehicles in the nation.



Some Toyota Tundra and Nissan Titan models also might be considered full-sized pickups under federal criteria to be determined.



Credits for hybrids



Under the current White House plan, which is to be proposed formally in September and become final in July 2012, Detroit automakers would receive credits for meeting CAFE targets by increasing the use of hybrid technology in pickups.



The exemption for full-sized pickups was opposed by some overseas automakers -- notably Volkswagen AG and Daimler AG -- that make SUVs and crossovers that are classified as light trucks but would not be treated the same.



Administration official say one reason for the special treatment of full-sized pickups is that they were "significantly challenged" to meet the 2012-16 mileage targets.



Because of the wide choice of engines, transmissions, drivetrains, bed sizes and towing capacity available, automakers have struggled to meet higher fuel-economy requirements for large pickups without sacrificing consumer preferences.



That challenge is the primary reason Ford and Toyota have decided to pair up, analysts say.



GM has marketed mild-hybrid full-sized pickups and SUVs for several years under a technology partnership with BMW and Chrysler, but sales have been lackluster because of higher sticker prices and reduced performance, such as limited towing capacity.



“To some extent, this agreement allows Ford to cost-effectively catch up and potentially surpass GM, who arguably has a head start on light-truck hybrids and mild hybrids,” Barclays Capital analyst Brian Johnson said in a report today.



Global challenges



Ford and Toyota expect the partnership to reduce costs and bring hybrid technology to the marketplace sooner and at a lower price. The companies plan to develop components as equal partners but integrate the new hybrid system in future trucks and SUVs separately.



"By working together we will be able to serve our customers with the very best affordable, advanced powertrains, delivering even better fuel economy," Ford CEO Alan Mulally said in a statement. "This is the kind of collaborative effort that is required to address the big global challenges of energy independence and environmental sustainability."



The two automakers also agreed to work together on developing next-generation telematics and other in-vehicle Internet-based services.



"This agreement brings together the capability of two global leaders in hybrid vehicles and hybrid technology to develop a better solution more quickly and affordably for our customers," said Derrick Kuzak, Ford's vice president of product development.



The companies did not release financial details or identify which vehicles will be involved.



But investors seemed to welcome the news, pushing Ford shares higher in New York Stock Exchange trading today while shares in other automakers slumped. Ford shares closed up 1 cent at 10.01. GM shares fell 44 cents, or 2 percent, to close at $21.72.



The Ford and Toyota product development teams first met in April, Kuzak said.



The next step of the project is a feasibility study, which will begin soon, to determine the scope of the collaboration, he said.



Uchiyamada, speaking through a translator, said both companies are eager to start. While they "would like to know the timing now," they must take the appropriate steps before full development can begin.



They play to begin development work next year.



Ford and Toyota previously collaborated in 2004 when the two companies agreed to a patent-sharing deal where Toyota licensed some of its hybrid technology to Ford.



Ford used the licensed technology in the Escape Hybrid and the now-defunct Mercury Mariner Hybrid. In return, Toyota obtained the use of Ford's diesel and direct-injection engine technology.

Make better use of higher-octane fuel, stop-start

As the industry pushes for better fuel economy, it's strange that two known mileage boosters -- higher-octane gasoline and stop-start technology -- aren't being exploited to their full potential.



There are obstacles to getting the full benefit from either, but those obstacles should be surmountable.



-- Octane: Higher octane improves combustion by allowing a higher compression ratio. But powertrain engineers can't squeeze the most compression out of regular gasoline because octane levels at the pump fluctuate. (That's why the pad you push to select a grade of gasoline at the pump hedges by saying "minimum octane rating.")



Greg Johnson, Lincoln brand powertrain manager, puts it this way: "We're limited by what is the mean octane rating of the fuel we're developing for."



Fuel-saving technologies such as turbocharging would be more productive if regular gasoline consistently had octane levels at the high end of its range, according to Stephen Ross, combustion technical leader at Ford Motor Co.



As the industry aims for 54.5 mpg corporate average fuel economy by 2025, the feds need to bring automakers and oil companies together to achieve consistent octane levels.



-- Stop-start: The problem here is regulatory: The EPA test for calculating CAFE doesn't measure stop-start benefits, and that has slowed penetration of stop-start systems. A stop-start system shuts off the engine when a car is stopped and restarts it when the driver releases the brake pedal.



Stop-start boosts fuel economy 8 to 10 percent, according to Mike Omotoso, senior manager for global powertrains at J.D. Power and Associates.



Brett Smith, co-director of the manufacturing, engineering and technology group at the Center for Automotive Research in Ann Arbor, Mich., says the federal government has said it intends to give a credit for stop-start systems in the 2017-25 rules.



That makes sense. After all, automakers get credits for using greener air-conditioning systems. Why not add a few mpg to the CAFE score of a vehicle with stop-start?

Ford F150 Heritage problems with lighting system.

We just purchased a used Ford F150 pickup for our nephew. The lights were all working and then all of a sudden the blinkers and brake lights quit. My husband bought a manual and it suggested changing out some little plug located under steering column on the right side. I can’t remember what they are called but it was 2 square plug ins.



Replaced these, lights worked perfect and then went out again on the way to school. Please help. What would you suggest we try?

Hyundai dealers to inspect, repair Sonatas prone to wandering

Hyundai Motor America said its U.S. dealers will fix a steering problem found in some 2011 Sonata mid-sized sedans after more than 4,000 owners complained about the car's steering system.



Drivers have complained that the 2011 Sonata is prone to drifting or pulling to the left while being driven.



The company suspects that about 41,000 Sonatas with 18-inch wheels could be affected by the problem, Hyundai spokesman Jim Trainor said. He said the fix is a service campaign, not a recall.



Hyundai said it has received or tracked about 4,000 complaints -- representing about 3 percent of the nearly 150,000 Sonatas built from September 2010 through April 2011, Trainor said. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has received 198 complaints about the 2011 Sonata's steering, many of which described vehicle tracking problems seemingly similar to the one being addressed in this campaign.



Consumers can set up an appointment with a dealer to inspect the Sonata's wheel alignment and tracking, Trainor said. If necessary, the dealer will install new front suspension struts and perform a wheel alignment, both for free.



Last year, Hyundai recalled about 138,000 2011 Sonatas for a different steering problem. The recall followed a probe by U.S. safety regulators into customer complaints that a steering shaft could potentially become detached from the steering wheel.

Toyota will debut ultra-frugal plug-in Prius

Toyota Motor Corp. will unveil an ultra-frugal, plug-in hybrid version of its Prius compact car at the IAA in Frankfurt next month.



The car will be the cleanest and most technically advanced Prius built to date, Toyota said on Monday.



According to the automaker, the plug-in Prius has a fuel consumption rating of 2.2 liters/100km (106.9 mpg US/128.4 mpg UK).



It will have CO2 emissions of 49 grams per kilometer, almost half the emissions of the standard Prius, and will be the first Toyota EV to use a new compact lithium-ion battery that offers a driving range of 20km in electric mode, a significant improvement over the 2km range offered by the current model.



Previous Toyota electric vehicles have used nickel-metal hydride batteries.



The Prius plug-in hybrid has the same 1.8-liter gasoline engine and electric motor setup as the hybrid Prius. Toyota said the battery can be charged in 90 minutes using a domestic mains connection.



Next summer, the Prius will join an expanded Toyota hybrid range in Europe that will include the Auris hybrid, the new seven-seat Prius+ and the Yaris hybrid.

Chrysler takes Ram to Wal-Mart

Chrysler Group's Ram truck brand plans on expanding its experiential advertising into Wal-Mart stores across the country this fall, executives said during a Web chat with journalists this morning.



The promotion will be in "thousands of Wal-Mart stores" and will integrate another of Ram's partners, Mossy Oak camouflage, said Marissa Hunter, head of Ram advertising, during the chat.



"We recognize the alignment between truck buyers, the hunting/fishing lifestyle and Wal-Mart," Hunter said. "We are working on promotion that brings all three together."



Hunter declined to comment on further details of the program. A Wal-Mart spokesman was unavailable for immediate comment.



Ram also announced today that it will launch two new commercials for its "Code of the West" advertising campaign.



The campaign — created by the Richards Group, a Dallas advertising and marketing agency — and was rolled out earlier this summer.



Actor Sam Elliott will still lend his voice to the advertisements as Ram continues to build its brand identity. It was spun off from Dodge in 2009.



Hunter said: "The role of these spots is twofold. First, continue to create overall awareness about the capability of the full Ram lineup. Second, do so in a manner that inspires consumers to think differently about the Ram Truck brand."



Through the first seven months of 2011, Ram brand U.S. sales were up 25 percent. Fred Diaz, CEO of the Ram brand and Chrysler de Mexico, said during the chat that he expects sales to continue to grow for the rest of the year.



He said: "The fourth quarter always represents a key selling season opportunity for commercial business which historically increases commercial sales by up to 50 percent."

Noise from front suspension

Vehicle Involved: Saturn SKY 2007



Repair Procedure: Noise from the front suspension system occurs most likely while the vehicle is being driven over small bumps, or on rough road surfaces. The noise is more noticeable in cold weather, and is caused by faulty sway bar bushings rubbing against the bar or clamps.



Replace the sway bar bushings and install new design clamps, to correct the problem. Test drive the vehicle to verify the repair is complete.



TSB No. RCB 11-06

Grabby or touchy Brakes when applied and/or MIL light on.

Vehicles Involved: Cadillac, Escalade 2009; Chevrolet, Silverado, Tahoe 2009; GMC, Yukon, Sierra 2009



Condition: Vehicles equipped with two-mode Hybrid System may experience grabbing brakes or a touchy brake pedal when the brakes are applied. The ABS light may come on and a DTC C012E may be set in the EBCM.



Repair: The EBCM must be reprogrammed with the latest calibration available. Re-flashing the control module should correct the problem.



TSB No. BPI 11-06

Honda recalls 2.5 million vehicles globally for software issue

- Honda Motor Co. said today it will recall 2.49 million cars, small SUVs and minivans worldwide, including its popular Accord sedan, to repair a software problem that could damage the automatic transmission.



The recall includes 1.5 million vehicles in the United States, 760,000 in China and 135,142 in Canada, the automaker said in a statement.



Globally, the recall affects four-cylinder Accord sedans for the model years 2005 to 2010.



The company is also recalling vehicles in parts of Europe, the Middle East, South America, Mexico and Puerto Rico. The recall did not affect vehicles sold in Honda's home Japan market.



In the United States and Canada, the recall also includes the CR-V crossover for the model years 2007 to 2010 as well as the small SUV Element from 2005 to 2008.



In China, the recall also includes more than 160,000 Odyssey minivans from 2005 to 2009 and about 4,000 Spirior cars, which are based on the European version of the Accord, for the 2010 model year.



Without updating the software, the automatic transmission in these vehicles could be damaged if the driver quickly shifts between gears. That might cause the engine to stall or make it difficult to put the car into park.



This week, Consumer Reports said it was not recommending the 2012 Honda Civic. This has led some industry analysts to ask if that is a symptom of larger problems at the automaker, which ranks fifth in U.S. sales this year.



The company has said it disagreed with the influential U.S. consumer advocate's assessment.



Chris Martin, Honda spokesman at the company's U.S. headquarters in California, said today the recall was not a sign of deeper difficulties.



Martin said the current recall was the result of "extremely unusual circumstances. The far majority of our consumers would never really encounter this. It's software programing. It's not a weakness in the transmission per se."



No injuries or deaths have been reported from this problem, Martin said.



Honda said the problems might arise if the transmission were quickly shifted between the reverse, neutral and drive positions. A driver might do this in an attempt to dislodge a vehicle in mud or snow.



The automatic transmission secondary shaft bearing could be damaged in this scenario.



An update to transmission control module software will ease the transition between gears and reduce the possibility of damage.



Honda will begin informing U.S. consumers at the end of August. It did not disclose expected cost of the recall.



The software update will take about a half-hour, but customers may have to leave their cars at Honda dealerships for a longer period, Martin said.

1980 chevrolet

I'm working on my son's 1980 Chevy truck. Its been sitting for some time, and going thru things, I found the headlights don't work. I don't have any power to the switch. I don't find a fuse for them in the box, is there a fusible link or something else i'm missing.



Response:

There are 2 ways the system gets its power. 1 is a fusible link on the starter the other is a post on the radiator core support connecting the positive battery to acessories.

Ford to recall 1.1M pickup for gas tank problem

Ford to recall 1.1M pickup trucks with gas tanks that can fall off and cause fires



Ford Motor Co. is recalling 1.1 million pickup trucks because the gas tanks can fall off and cause fires.



The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Monday on its website that the metal straps holding the tanks can rust, allowing them to fall, rupture and catch fire.



The defect has been blamed for eight fires, three of which spread to the rest of the truck. One person was injured, suffering first- and second-degree burns, Ford spokesman Wes Sherwood said.



The recall affects certain 1997 through 2004 Ford F-150 models, as well as some 1997 through 1999 model year F-250 pickups. Also affected are Lincoln Blackwood pickups from the 2002 and 2003 model years. They were sold in cold-weather states where salt is used to clear roads. The salt corroded straps holding the tanks and they broke, NHTSA said.



The trucks were originally sold or are now registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Washington, D.C.



Sherwood said the company will notify owners in September to bring their trucks to dealers who will replace the straps with new ones that are coated to resist corrosion. Parts to fix the problem, he said, won't be widely available until then.



People with questions should contact their dealer, who can install a cable to hold the tanks in place until the replacement straps arrive, Sherwood said.

GM wants solar chargers at 500 Chevy stores by '13

General Motors aims to have solar-powered charging stations for plug-in vehicles at as many as 500 Chevrolet stores by the end of 2012.



GM said last week that it had invested $7.5 million in Sunlogics, which makes solar canopies that can charge up to 12 Chevrolet Volts or other plug-in vehicles at a time. The systems have been installed in nine Chevrolet stores so far.



Through GM's program with Sunlogics, dubbed Green Zone, dealers pay $10,000 a year for 10 years for a 12-station system. Dealers also can install a six-vehicle station for $8,500 per year.The GM venture owns and maintains the stations.



Excess energy generated by the solar panels can be used by the dealership, potentially knocking $6,000 a year, on average, off the annual energy bill.



Stores in sunny states will generate more, potentially offsetting the entire annual cost of the charging system, said Mary Alice Kurtz, a GM manager who is handling the installation of the systems at dealerships.



"It's a minimal investment for the dealer with no upfront capital," Kurtz said. "And they don't have to manage any of it because we do that for them. Let them sell cars."



Joe Serra, dealer principal at Serra Automotive Inc., says the 12-space charging station already in place at his Chevrolet store in Grand Blanc, Mich., serves as a billboard to advertise that he's a green business.



Says Serra: "The question isn't whether to install a solar canopy. It's where -- and how many."