MSN Previews Lexus Hybrid SUV

The Lexus RX 400h, a hybrid SUV is getting a lot of media attention. MSN.com, the second most popular web destination in the world (Alexa ratings) featured a preview of the vehicle this morning.

Yahoo! Covers The End Of Oil

The Ask Yahoo! module provided a concise, simple answer to a very difficult question:

When is the planet going to run out of oil?

Find an objective answer that touches on reserves, peak oil, and consumption here.

Subaru to License Technology from Toyota

Subaru is the latest auto maker to license hybrid technology from Toyota. Other companies that have licensed technology from Toyota include Porsche, Nissan, and Ford.

According to Channel New Asia, a Subaru hybrid will be sold in the North American market.

As we mentioned eariler, Subaru will develop a hybrid car by 2010.

Super Bowl Ad for the Toyota Prius

The perennial television event of the year, the Super Bowl, featured an especially smart commercial for the Toyota Prius. The tv spot comes from Toyota's advertising agency, Saatchi & Saatchi.

It's been a long time since transportation has truly advanced. We've been moving; we just haven't been moving forward. But now we have good news for planet earth. The gas / electric Prius with hybrid synergy drive is here. With low emissions, high mileage, and plenty of performance, it's one small step on the accelerator, one giant leap for mankind.

See the Prius Super Bowl commercial here (quicktime).

Nissan Exec Doubts Profitability of Hybrids

Carlos Ghosn, Chief Executive of Nissan said that he is not sold on the business aspect of manufacturing hybrid cars. Nissan's plans to build a hybrid Altima in 2006 remain unchanged, but the public reservation of one of the world's largest (and fastest growing) automakers is not a good sign.

Ghosn cited that hybrids don't have mainstream demand:

he noted that only about 88,000 of the 16.9 million light vehicles sold in the United States last year were hybrids, adding that they are still considered "niche" products and something way outside the automotive mainstream.

While he is not doubting the utility of hybrid technology, Ghosn feels that there may not be much first mover advantage left to be had. Hybrids are more expensive to build than conventional vehicles, and the additional cost of innovation and manufacturing will offset the profitability of hybrid cars for Nissan.

Many speculated that Toyota's Prius was a loss leader for some time, although Toyota has publicly stated that the Prius is profitable.

Wired's February Nuclear Article Posted

As promised, Wired's excellent article on the future nuclear power, Nuclear Now, is now available online. Have a read.