Toyota rolls out its first Venza wagon. Toyota Motor Sales USA will price the five-person wagon between $25,975 for its V-4, front-wheel drive model, and $29,250 for the V-6, all-wheel drive model. The V-6 model will hit dealerships in early December, with full production and sales of both models starting in January. How do we say this lightly? Looks like a Camry with a little more junk in the trunk.

The Venza, which is built in Georgetown, Ky., on the platform of its mid-size Camry sedan, will be sold exclusively in North America.

Honda Motors Co Ltd released their new hybrid electric vehicle, which will compete with the mainstream hybrid Toyota Prius. Named as Honda Insight, it is a revival of the first ever Honda hybrid. 

At $20,000, it is the first Honda vehicle with an ambitious hybrid strategy. The 2009 Toyota Prius is rated at $22,660. Honda is planning to roll out four new gas-electric hybrid models between 2008-2012 as part of a global strategy.

Can’t wait to see what they’ll come up with next! More photos.

Honda is still offering the same optional DVD-based satellite navigation system that we saw on the 2007 Civic Hybrid model, but has added Bluetooth hands free capabilities to the system. Just in time for CA drivers. Just a month or two ago, talking directly into cell phones while driving has become illegal. Wonder how Californians are dealing with it.

Honda automaker mails a brochure about the 2009 model to dealerships for use when the car reaches showrooms later this year, and scanned images have hit the web through a forum at 8thcivic.com.

Two trim levels have been added: The DX-VP and LX-S, presumably a value and sport package, respectively, helping Civic tweak its price points for broader appeal.

What are your thoughts on the new model?

Behold!!  The Honda FCX Clarity

Honda Motors Co. has started production of a car that runs on hydrogen fuel rather than oil, marking the first time a commercial vehicle will produce zero emissions. The FCX Clarity, which was introduced two years ago as a concept car at the Tokyo Motor Show, runs on electricity made from an onboard hydrogen-powered fuel cell battery. It will be available in July as part of limited lease program offered in California.

The latest gas-friendly vehicles to hit the market

If you’re feeling the pinch at the pump and you’re in the market for a new vehicle, check out these hybrid alternatives from Chevy to Toyota. J.D. Power & Associates reported fuel efficiency numbers for the most popular vehicles in the hybrid market:

Toyota Prius Hybrid

With an estimated 48 mpg city / 45 mpg highway, the Prius remains the most popular midsized pick for 2008.

Honda Civic Hybrid - 40 mpg city / 45 mpg highway

Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid - 24 mpg city / 32 mpg highway

Nissan Altima Hybrid

This hybrid boasts the same Toyota system capable of 35 mpg city / 33 mpg highway.

Saturn Aura Hybrid - 24 mpg city / 32 mpg highway

Toyota Camry Hybrid - 33 mpg city / 34 mpg highway

Lexus GS 450h

If you’re still looking for performance, style and luxury then take a look at the Lexus GS 450h. Even with a powerful V8 under the hood you can still attain 22 mpg city / 25 mpg highway.

Lexus LS 600h L - 20 mpg city / 22 mpg highway

Lexus RX 400h - 27 mpg city / 24 mpg highway

Mercury Mariner Hybrid - 34 mpg city / 30 mpg highway

Mazda Tribute Hybrid - 34 mpg city / 30 mpg highway

Saturn Vue Hybrid - 25 mpg city / 32 mpg highway

Toyota Highlander Hybrid - 27 mpg city / 25 mpg highway

Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid - 21 mpg city / 22 mpg highway

GMC Yukon Hybrid - 21 mpg city / 22 mpg highway

The downfall of the SUV

Tuesday was GM’s annual shareholders’ meeting and the news from GM Chairman and CEO G. Richard Wagoner Jr. wasn’t pretty: $3.3 billion lost in the first quarter of 2008, the closing of four truck manufacturing plants and the potential sale of the Hummer brand.

How did all this happen? For the past decade GM has relied heavily on trucks and SUVs as the breadwinners for the company and has all but ignored passenger vehicles because they were less profitable. The rapid increase in prices at the pump have forced consumers to switch back over to more gas-friendly vehicles. The change in consumer demand has hit GM hard in the pocketbook and has forced the American auto manufacturer to rethink it’s position in the industry.

GM’s Chevrolet Volt cannot possibly come any sooner. The 2010 expected release of the electric vehicle should prove to be the necessary change that could lift GMs profits - given the vehicle performs as well or better than current Toyota and Honda competitor vehicles. Even if GM can put together a new fleet of passenger vehicles, the road will be long and rough as J.D. Power anticipates less than 15 million new vehicles to be sold in the US. Another big obstacle for the American giant: trying to win back consumers who have already made the switch to Japanese vehicles.

A 2010 deadline forces manufacturer to work overtime

After losing $1 billion on the development of the EV1, General Motors completely dropped any serious discussion on building a green vehicle. However with gas prices hitting new highs and competitors starting to adjust production to consumer demands, GM is starting to feel the pinch in their pocketbook - the auto manufacturer recorded a $15 billion loss in 2005.

That’s enough to get anyone to shift gears from their current business model into a more consumer-centric one. SUVs are losing their appeal as gas prices continue to rise. GM has recently decided to drop production on a new sedan and minivan in order to support the $8.1 billion research and development budget focused primarily on green vehicles.

One of the biggest obstacles for GM will be trying to cram years of research and development into a short timeframe with the promise of an electric vehicle in 2010. In order to get the Volt into production, GM is going to have to push their 22,000 engineers to the limit to develop an incredible battery for a an incredibly hyped electric vehicle. Ford and Chrysler have already started to put out hybrid vehicles and Toyota is leading the pack with hybrids in both their Lexus and mainstay Toyota fleets, so this could be a do-or-die scenario for the American giant. Can GM successfully migrate from gas guzzler to gas free and still produce a reliable vehicle? We’ll have to wait and see how things unfold.

VW plans to release super-efficient vehicle in 2010

That’s right - 2010. Motor Authority reported late last year that Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn confirmed that the VW L1 could potentially hit the market in 2010. Fuel consumption is reported to be around 1L/100km, which translates into 235 miles per gallon. 

The 0.3L one-cylinder engine would reach a top speed of 75 mph according to EcoGeek. A highway vehicle that gets over 200 mpg? This sounds too good to be true.The obvious drawback to this vehicle is styling. Another interesting thing to note: this two-seater is different than most because the passenger sits behind the driver.

Are you willing to sacrifice styling for fuel efficiency? The savings can be tremendous as you could already imagine. Suppose your current vehicle gets 26 mpg highway and you drive an average of 12,000 miles per year. Let’s also say gas will remain at $4.00 throughout the year. You will spend approximately $1848 on gas per year, but if you drive the VW L1 you only spend $208 per year - that’s a savings of $1600!

2010 is still a couple years away so you have some time to think about your next vehicle purchase.

Automotive research company reports 38% increase in 2007 hybrid sales

Even though the overall new car market has declined roughly 3% over the year, hybrid vehicle sales have continued to increase. The market research company did mention that sales might not be derived solely from higher gas prices, but more than likely because of more hybrid vehicle options.

More manufacturers now offer hybrid versions of their popular models, like the new Nissan Altima, the Camry and Highlander hybrids, Lexus hybrids and even SUV hybrid vehicles. Advanced technology coupled with more attractive vehicle designs has created consumer confidence in new hybrid vehicles.

Perform a quick search for the Toyota Highlander Hybrid and see that not only is the vehicle attractive, but dealers are offering average savings of $3140 for the car. Check out AutoBrag for dealerships in your area offering great deals on new hybrids.