Monthly Archives: March 2010

The Nissan Leaf will also be built in Britain

Posted on March 18, 2010 by Laurent J. Masson

The world will get a third factory to build the Nissan Leaf, the first mass-produced electric car. After Japan and the US, this new factory is in Europe, in the UK. That is Sunderland, the largest car factory in the … Continue reading →

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We understand the great Cadillac Converj’s mystery

Posted on March 18, 2010 by Laurent J. Masson

The Cadillac Converj has been a very well received concept-car at the Detroit motorshow last year. It is a flashier, more luxurious 2-door version of the Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid. Since then, as with all successful concepts, there’s been heavy … Continue reading →

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The electric Heuliez Mia ready to go into turkish hands

Posted on March 17, 2010 by Laurent J. Masson

Heuliez, the french contract manufacturer, has been loosing money for several years now. The firm should have closed down already, if it weren’t for the heavy political support going around it. You might argue whether this support was justified, as … Continue reading →

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In the Doblo, Fiat turbocharges its engine running on natural gas

Posted on March 16, 2010 by Laurent J. Masson

Fiat is the sales leader in Europe when it comes to cars running on compressed natural gas (CNG). It offers several models with the choice of a CNG engine, and most important, there are strong financial incentives to drive CNG … Continue reading →

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Nissan Leaf, the one and only electric car

Posted on March 15, 2010 by Laurent J. Masson

The Nissan Leaf will be available late this year. That’s in Japan, California and a few other carefully selected states. But it will come nationwide in 2011, and in Europe at the same time. The Leaf was intorduced in Japan, … Continue reading →

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BMW 5-Series Touring, an efficient station-wagon

Posted on March 14, 2010 by Laurent J. Masson

Quite often, we think that cars have to be small to be green, with less weight, and less frontal area for better aerodynamics. That’s fine for young singles but that doesn’t suit families. You need space for kids and their … Continue reading →

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Cygnet, the small Aston Martin that may rejuvenate the company

Posted on March 14, 2010 by Laurent J. Masson

This is an Aston Martin. What? The car that James Bond’s driving? That smallish vehicle? Well, we all dream of living like James Bond driving fast cars, going out with drop dead women, drinking vodka martinis (stirred, not shaken), killing … Continue reading →

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Fuel cell Hyundai will come in 2012

Posted on March 13, 2010 by Laurent J. Masson

I’ve seen several prototypes of fuel cells cars from Hyundai. I’ve even had the opportunity to have a quick ride in one in 2005. I was impressed by that vehicle, it was quiet and refined. Still, it was a prototype, … Continue reading →

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To all Prius drivers: drive as fast as you want!

Posted on March 11, 2010 by Laurent J. Masson

Dump your Porsche! Dump your Ferrari! If you really want to drive fast on public roads, what you’ve got to drive is a Toyota Prius. In a Prius, you can get forget all speed limits. If you get caught by … Continue reading →

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The business case of the Honda CR-Z

Posted on March 11, 2010 by Laurent J. Masson

Do you like sports car? The Honda CR-Z looks like one, but isn’t one. Not enough performance, as Honda concedes that the 0 to 62 mph acceleration will barely be below the 10-second mark. A big SUV like Honda’s own … Continue reading →

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