Featured Threads Archive

https://www.autoblog.com/news/toyota-updated-the-prius-for-2026-without-changing-its-looks


Well, minor updates to me.

Running a business is never easy, and making money is never guaranteed. The closing of Hybrid Automotive is a good reminder that even good people and good ideas can still run into very tough challenges.

At the end of the day, the only way to survive long-term is to keep improving, keep innovating, and keep listening to customers. No product is ever really “finished.” There is always something we can make better, safer, more reliable, or more affordable.

And yes, there will always be copycats watching from the sidelines, ready to copy the moment something works. That is just part of the game. The best way forward is to keep building, keep improving, and keep fighting!

Jack

Kia prepares three PV5 models for BIMOS, including a 7-seater


I guess Kia swooped up the "Prime" nomenclature now that Toyota dropped it.

https://www.autoblog.com/carbuying/2015-toyota-prius-vs-2015-chevrolet-volt-which-one-is-more-reliable-theres-one-clear-winner

The new Slate pickup is now getting LFP batteries instead of nickel manganese cobalt batteries.

https://www.autoblog.com/features/hybrid-mpg-ratings-look-great-until-real-world-driving-gets-involved

Norwegian Automobile Federation (NAF) does its bi-annual EV real world test (summer and winter tests). Charging tests were also performed. On the home page (or first tab "Resultater"), scroll down past the bar graphs to "Ladertesten" or charging test. Use the drop-down menu to select the car. This is the charge curve (roughly 5-80%. Each car arrived with a slightly different starting SOC but it is listed).

In the "Testbiler" tab, each car has a tested "laderbid" 10-80% charge time listed compared to manufacturer's claim.

This is the summer test:

El Prix 2026 – verdens største elbiltest | NAF

Somebody wrote a summary on this:

NAF EV Range Test 2026: Full Results and Winner Revealed

Here's the route elevation profile:



So any vehicle that went past 350km on that test would've climbed...

Amid rising fuel and car prices in the USA, some are longing for those banned Chinese EVs.


Just a thought, if I were to buy a new Corolla, the cheapest I found within a few hundred miles from here is just over $23,000 which would be over $300 a month including a trade-in and about that same amount for the insurance just for the wife and me, plus at least $150 per month in fuel costs. Add in saving for tires and doing normal maintenance and suddenly I'm not that far from $1,000 per month. Or I can take off about $100 per month if I get a used one.

I doubt the production car will look as good as the concept pictures, but the HEV version’s fuel economy could be better than the Prius’s due to the new super-lean-burn engine. There will also be a BEV version.





https://www.autoblog.com/news/toyota-prius-faces-a-corolla-sized-problem

Hesitant to post about this speculative engine. In effect, the induction and exhaust are upgraded with modern engine control systems. More of a ‘brass board’ prototype, I wish them well:


A three cylinder version at 50hp (35 kW) would be very attractive. Then scaled to 100 and 150hp, a nice family:

• 3 cylinder - 120 degree power pulses for smoother operation and tolerable reliability if one cylinder fails.
• Separate oil crank case - avoids burning lubricant
• Forced induction - avoids butterfly losses and potentially handles altitude changes much better
• Direct fuel injection- critical for multi-fuel operation

I like the architecture but there is a lot of work before production becomes real.

Bob Wilson

TORONTO, May 1, 2026 – Electrified vehicles led April Toyota Canada Inc. (TCI) sales reaching a record of 17,704 electrified units sold in April 2026, up 38.4% year over year (YOY).

These record electrified sales represented 67.8% of overall sales, including April sales records for the Toyota bZ and Lexus RZ battery electric vehicles (BEV), as well as the first full month of sales for the newly launched Toyota C-HR BEV.

The now fully electrified new generation 2026 RAV4 saw its Canadian-assembled Hybrid version reach a best month sales ever, up 24.6% YOY.

Camry Hybrid (up 28.4% YOY), Tacoma Hybrid (record, up 5.6% YOY), Crown Signia (record, up 84.7% YOY), 4Runner Hybrid (record, up 119.1% YOY), Sienna (record, up 65.2% YOY), Lexus NX 450h+ (record, up 85.4% YOY), Lexus RX Hybrid (record, up 34.7%) and Lexus LX Hybrid (record, up 66.7% YOY) are amongst the other electrified nameplates that achieved significant April sales.

These electrified sales contributed...

I have no pleasure in reporting this news but I was able to see it at the first Munro Associates, open house. This is the death rattle somewhere:

• Detroit MBAs - at the first open house, there were three distinct groups;
  • new business engineers and managers - they were taking furious notes because they’d never heard these lessons before
  • old school Detroit - there to recall past acquaintances with Sandy but more like patting the red headed stepson on the head.
  • Amen chorus - me
• China standing room only - the exact lectures Detroit treated as amusing were attended in Asia SOLD OUT and in China, shared with everyone who stood outside. They were taking notes furiously

I know it is popular to claim China stole our patents and intellectual property. But the most important was how to unleash engineering skills and manufacturing discipline that Sandy taught and Musk occasionally exhibits.

China is ascending...

Source: Daily Automotive News

My first image

Source:


Finally a video showing that axial flux motors serpentine the magnetic field between the external magnetic rotors … offset between the magnetic field conductive material pads that are not permanent magnets. Truly brilliant design.

Bob Wilson

From Australia to Vietnam, the Iran war is fuelling demand for EVs | Economy News | Al Jazeera

Ever since the Gen II Prius, when fuel prices went up? So too - fuel efficient vehicle demands . At the time - the only choices were between Honda & Toyota hybrids. With Middle East Dynamics, hear the world is again. Only now there are hybrids, plug-in hybrids and full EVs.

Surprisingly, & even though our plug-in minivan typically gets 60 & 70mpg - the better ½ asked whether we might move back into another (our 3rd) Tesla (or some other ev?)

Anybody else considering making the full Ev jump?
.

I was worried about this. Iran did manage to hit the Shell Pearl GTL base-oil facility in Qatar, which is one of Shell’s crown jewels and has been in production since 2011–2012. GTL (gas to liquids) is a Group III synthetic base oil derived from natural gas via the Fischer–Tropsch process and is used in most synthetic motor oils today. Expect oil changes to become more expensive. It could be hard to find synthetic motor oil as well, especially those with specific OEM certifications, such as those for European cars. Most synthetic Shell motor oils (such as Pennzoil) use a GTL base oil.

Strait of Hormuz: A base-oils shortage threatens luxury auto giants

Source:

• There are "fillers" between cells that are endothermic, heat absorbing. This reduces the risk of a complete pack event.
• There are "separators" within the cells that upon heating, block ion transfer, turning off energy release by the cell.
• As for relative risks:
  • NMC/NCA - heat and fire
  • LFP - toxic gas with a lot of explosive hydrogen

I am leaning towards battery pack safety regulation that incorporates both the "filler" around the cells and "separators" within the cells. Not something that needs to be done instantly and should not specific the specific media. Rather, a performance based, benchmarked solution.

Bob Wilson

Very impressed with Lucid Gravity designs. Pricey but very nice. With adjustable suspensions for off-roading. If only they have solid states, lfp or sodum ions. Still on lithium ions.

Gravity | Lucid Motors