Categories: Auto Tech

Honda to launch Fit and CR-Z hybrids in 2010, plans larger hybrids

Posted by: Ian Rowley on July 13

Back in May I reported that Honda had brought forward the launch date for a hybrid version of its popular Fit subcompact to late 2010. It seems the rumors were...

Japan Auto: Trying out Nissan's Aging Suit

Posted by: Ian Rowley on February 27

Last summer, I wrote an article about Nissan and Toyota developing technologies for elderly drivers. Today, at a design seminar at Nissan's swanky R&D center in Atsugi, about an...

Solar power for the new Prius?

Posted by: Ian Rowley on July 06

I can't be the only person to have been slightly underwhelmed after reading headlines in Japan today stating that the next generation Prius will use solar power, making Toyota the...

Honda taps star power to boost fuel cell car

Posted by: Ian Rowley on June 16

I wrote an article recently which alluded to Honda's irritation at the way Prius-powered Toyota established itself as a green leader even though Honda launched the Insight, its first hybrid,...

Toyota seeks the ultimate battery

Posted by: Ian Rowley on June 12

A big chunk of the current debate over the future of hybrids and electric vehicles surrounds the readiness of lithium ion batteries. The next generation batteries are more powerful and...

Li-Ion Biz Attracting New Entrants

Posted by: Ian Rowley on January 23

The race to make affordable, safe and durable Li-Ion batteries for autos is heating up. Reports in Japan today reckon Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, which has a stake in Mitsubishi Motors,...

Honda revs up its green techs

Posted by: Ian Rowley on September 25

On Saturday I got to try out some of Honda's newest green vehicles at the company's R&D center in Tochigi, Japan. Among the vehicles on show were operable versions...

Japan's automakers say no to drinking driving

Posted by: Ian Rowley on September 20

In June, I mentioned a new cell phone from DoCoMo which allows Japan's managers to check if drivers have been hitting the bottle before taking to the road. Now, Nissan...

Nissan brings fuel cells to the masses

Posted by: Ian Rowley on June 02

Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn might not be a big fan of hybrids, but Nissan is doing its bit for fuel cells vehicles. This week, the company announced that, starting...

Any color you want as long as it's green

Posted by: Ian Rowley on April 06

In the era of the hybrid car and global warming--not to mention rising gas prices--Japanese carmakers don't need to be asked twice to talk up their tree-hugging credentials. Just look...

A new kind of electric auto

Posted by: Ian Rowley on February 26

Okay so it's not the best looking machine in the world, but C-COMS (above) is a world first according to researchers at the University of Tokyo's Institute of Industrial...

GM and Toyota pull back on fuel cells

Posted by: Ian Rowley on February 24

GM and Toyota aren't saying a great deal on the matter, but reports in Japan's Asahi Shimbun newspaper yesterday claim the two automakers will stop working together to develop fuel...