There are seventy-one 2009 and 2010 vehicles under $15,000 on sale right now.

2009 Hyundai Accent

$9,970 - $13,920
3-door hatchback manual GS - MSRP $9,970
3-door hatchback manual GS w/Popular Pkg - MSRP $11,070
3-door hatchback automatic GS   - MSRP $12,070
4-door sedan manual GLS - MSRP $12,920
4-door sedan automatic GLS - MSRP $13,920

Specs: The Hyundai Accent comes as a front-wheel drive three-door hatchback or the four-door sedan Accent is equipped with a 1.6L inline 4-cylinder engine that produces 110 horsepower and 106 lb-ft of torque
EPA fuel estimates: 27 city/33 hwy with the 5-speed manual, and 26 city/35 highway mpg with the 4-speed automatic transmission.

2009 Nissan Versa

$9,990 - $14,110
4-door sedan manual Base - MSRP $9,990
4-door sedan manual - MSRP $10,990
4-door sedan automatic   - MSRP $11,990
4-door sedan manual S - MSRP $13,100
5-door hatchback manual S - MSRP $13,110
4-door sedan automatic S - MSRP $14,100
5-door hatchback automatic S - MSRP $14,110

Specs: The Nissan Versa comes as a front-wheel drive four-door sedan or a five-door hatchback and is powered by a 1.8L four-cylinder engine that generates 122 horsepower and 127 lb-ft of torque.
EPA fuel estimates: base Versa with the four-speed automatic transmission is 24 city/32 hwy and 27 combined mpg, while the Nissan Versa SL with CVT gets 27 city/33 highway and 29 combined mpg.

2009 Kia Rio

$11,495 - $14,875
4-door sedan manual - MSRP $11,495
4-door sedan manual LX - MSRP $13,225
5-door hatchback manual Rio5 LX - MSRP $13,325
4-door sedan manual SX - MSRP $14,025
4-door sedan automatic LX - MSRP $14,075
5-door hatchback automatic Rio5 LX - MSRP $14,175
5-door hatchback manual Rio5 SX - MSRP $14,280
4-door sedan automatic SX - MSRP $14,875

Specs: The Kia Rio comes as a front-wheel drive four-door sedan or five-door hatchback equipped with a 1.6L inline-4 engine producing 110 horsepower and 107 lb-ft of torque.
EPA fuel estimates: 27 city/33 highway miles per gallon (mpg) and 30 mpg in combined driving with the manual transmission, and the automatic gets 26 city/35 highway and 30 combined mpg.

2009 Chevrolet Aveo

$11,965 - $14,100
4-door sedan LS   - MSRP $11,965
5-door hatchback LS - MSRP $11,965
4-door sedan LT w/1LT - MSRP $14,100
5-door hatchback LT w/1LT - MSRP $14,100

Specs: The 2009 Chevy Aveo comes as a front-wheel drive four-door sedan or five-door hatchback with a 1.6L 4-cylinder engine with 106 horsepower and 105 lb-ft of torque.
EPA fuel estimates: 25 city/34 highway miles per gallon (mpg) and 28 mpg combined.

2010 Chevrolet Aveo

$11,965 - $14,100
4-door sedan LS - MSRP $11,965
5-door hatchback LS - MSRP $11,965
5-door hatchback LT w/1LT - MSRP $14,100
4-door sedan LT w/1LT - MSRP $14,100

Specs: The Chevy Aveo comes as a front-wheel drive four-door sedan or a five-door hatchback with a 1.6L four-cylinder engine 108 horsepower @ 6,400 rpm and 105 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm torque.
EPA fuel estimates: 27 city/34 highway mpg with a 5-speed manual transmission with overdrive.

2009 Smart fortwo

$11,990 - $13,990
2dr coupe Pure - MSRP $11,990
2dr coupe Passion   - MSRP $13,990

Specs: The Smart fortwo comes as a rear-wheel drive two-door coupe with a 1.0L three-cylinder engine that produces 71 horsepower and 68 lb-ft of torque.
EPA fuel estimates: 33 city/41 hwy mpg.

2009 Toyota Yaris

$12,205 - $14,825
3-door hatchback manual (GS) - MSRP $12,205
3-door hatchback manual (Natl) - MSRP $12,205
3-door hatchback manual (SE) - MSRP $12,205
4-door sedan manual (GS) - MSRP $12,965
4-door sedan manual (Natl) - MSRP $12,965
4-door sedan manual (SE) - MSRP $12,965
3-door hatchback automatic (GS)   - MSRP $13,005
3-door hatchback automatic (Natl) - MSRP $13,005
3-door hatchback automatic (SE) - MSRP $13,005
5-door hatchback automatic (GS) - MSRP $13,305
5-door hatchback automatic (Natl) - MSRP $13,305
5-door hatchback automatic (SE) - MSRP $13,305
4-door sedan automatic (GS) - MSRP $13,765
4-door sedan automatic (Natl) - MSRP $13,765
4-door sedan automatic (SE) - MSRP $13,765
3-door hatchback manual S (GS) - MSRP $14,025
3-door hatchback manual S (Natl) - MSRP $14,025
3-door hatchback manual S (SE) - MSRP $14,025
3-door hatchback automatic S (GS) - MSRP $14,825
3-door hatchback automatic S (Natl) - MSRP $14,825
3-door hatchback automatic S (SE) - MSRP $14,825

Specs:The Toyota Yaris comes as a front-wheel-drive three-door hatchback, four-door sedan or five-door hatchback with a 1.5L four-cylinder engine that makes 106 horsepower and 103 lb-ft of torque.
EPA fuel estimates: 29 city/36 hwy and 32 combined mpg for the manual transmission, while the automatic transmission gets 28 city/35 highway and 31 combined mpg.

2009 Kia Spectra

$13,200 - $14,200
4-door sedan manual LX - MSRP $13,200
4-door sedan automatic LX - MSRP $14,200

Specs: The Kia Spectra comes as a front-wheel drive five-door hatchback with a 2.0L four-cylinder engine that produces 138 horsepower and 136 lb-ft of torque.
EPA fuel estimates: 24 city/32 hwy and 27 combined mpg for the automatic transmission

2009 Suzuki SX4

$13,299 - $14,689
4-door sedan manual FWD - MSRP $13,299
4-door sedan manual LE FWD - MSRP $14,689

Specs: The Suzuki SX4 comes as a front-wheel drive four-door sedan with a 2.0L I4 engine producing 143 horsepower and 136 lb-ft of torque.
EPA fuel estimates: 23 city/31 highway mpg with automatic transmission.

2010 Kia Soul

$13,300 - $14,950
5-door wagon manual   - MSRP $13,300
5-door wagon manual + - MSRP $14,950

Specs: The 2010 Kia Soul comes as a front-wheel drive five-door wagon with a 1.6L 4-cylinder 122 horsepower @ 6,300 rpm and 115 ft-lb torque @ 4,200 rpm.
EPA fuel estimates: 26 city/31 highway mpg a five-speed manual transmission.

2010 Kia Forte

$13,695 - $14,695
4-door sedan manual LX - MSRP $13,695
4-door sedan automatic LX - MSRP $14,695

Specs: The 2010 Kia Forte comes as a front-wheel drive four-door sedan with a 2.0L 156 horsepower @ 6,200 RPM and 144 lb-ft torque @ 4300 rpm. The Kia Forte replaces the Kia Spectra.
EPA fuel estimates: 25 city/34 highway mpg with five-speed manual transmission with overdrive.

2009 Nissan cube

$13,990 - $14,690
5-door wagon manual   - MSRP $13,990
5-door wagon manual S - MSRP $14,690

Specs: The Nissan Cube comes as a front-wheel five-door wagon with 1.8L I4 producing 122 @ 5200 RPM.
EPA fuel estimates:24 city/29 highway mpg 6-speed manual O/D

2009 Hyundai Elantra

$14,120
4-door sedan manual GLS   - MSRP $14,120

Specs: The Hyundai Elantra comes as a front-wheel drive four-door sedan with a 2.0L inline 4-cylinder engine that produces 138 horsepower and 136 lb-ft of torque.
EPA fuel estimates: 25 city/33 highway mpg automatic transmission and 24 city/32 highway mpg manual transmission.

2009 Pontiac G3

$14,335
5-door hatchback   - MSRP $14,335

Specs: They Pontiac G3 comes as a front-wheel drive five-door hatchback with a 1.6L four-cylinder engine producing 106 horsepower and 105 lb-ft of torque.
EPA fuel estimates: 27 city/34 highway mpg on five-speed manual with overdrive.

2009 Mitsubishi Lancer

$14,540
4-door sedan manual DE   - MSRP $14,540

Specs: The Mitsubishi Lancer DE comes as a front-wheel drive four-door sedan with a 2.0L four-cylinder engine that produces 152 horsepower and 146 lb-ft of torque.
EPA fuel estimates: 22 city/30 highway and 24 combined mpg with a manual transmission

2009 Scion xD

$14,650
5-door hatchback manual (Natl) - MSRP $14,650
5-door hatchback manual (GS) - MSRP $14,650
5-door hatchback manual (SE) - MSRP $14,650

Specs: The Scion xD comes as a front-wheel drive five-door hatchback with a 1.8L four-cylinder engine that produces 128 horsepower and 125 lb-ft of torque.
EPA fuel estimates: 27 city/33 highway mpg and 29 combined mpg with the five-speed manual transmission, and 26 city/32 highway and 28 combined mpg with the four-speed automatic transmission.

2009 Mazda MAZDA3

$14,690
4-door sedan manual i Sport   - MSRP $14,690

Specs: The Mazda Mazda3 comes as a front-wheel drive four-door sedan with a 2.0L four-cylinder engine that produces 148 horsepower and 135 lb-ft of torque.
EPA fuel estimates: 24 city/32 highway with the manual transmission.

2009 Honda Fit

$14,750
5-door hatchback manual - MSRP $14,750

Specs: The Honda Fit comes as a front-wheel drive five-door hatchback with a 1.5L four-cylinder engine that generates 117 horsepower and 106 lb-ft of torque.
EPA fuel estimates: 27 city/33 highway mpg with the five-speed manual transmission.

2009 Chevrolet Cobalt

$14,990
2-door coupe Base - MSRP $14,990
4-door sedan Base - MSRP $14,990

Specs: The Chevy Cobalt comes as a front-wheel drive two-door coupe or four-door sedan with a 2.2L inline 4-cylinder which produces 155 horsepower @ 6100 RPM and 150 lb-ft @ 4900rpm of torque.
EPA fuel estimates: 25 city/35 highway mpg with a five-speed manual transmission.

Energy Partisanship vs. Energy Policy

By Lou Ann Hammond

California is once again setting itself up to be the clean air czar of the nation.
President Obama increased the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE), which lessens the amount of greenhouse gas emissions. The new standard will require automakers to cut tailpipe emissions by 30% by 2016. The new national standard will be 30 mpg for light trucks, 39 mpg for cars. This increase mirrors the emission standards that California and 13 other states have been fighting for.

California would have eventually gotten the waiver for lower tailpipe emissions, because under the Federal Clean Air Act, California has the right to set its own vehicle emission standards. Although Washington had blocked California from getting the waiver, California has always gotten the waivers they requested, it’s part of the clean air act. Once California got their waiver, thirteen other states would follow California in setting their own standards. It was just a matter of waiting out the last administration.

But President Obama made a huge partisan move when he reduced former President Bush’s beloved hydrogen budget from $200 million to $68 million. Did Governor Schwarzenegger know that President Obama was going to be gutting the federal budget of one of his zero emission vehicles?

There are only two zero emission vehicles: electric or hydrogen. Under President Bush’s regime hydrogen research got more money. Under President Obama’s regime the hydrogen budget is gutted and the battery/electric budget is getting more money. Zero emission vehicles would take us away from foreign oil. They would create virtually no greenhouse gas emissions from automobiles.

I could understand the complete gut if the fuel cell vehicle showed no promise. But the people I have talked to have said that many of the breakthroughs in the electric industry have come while searching for a breakthrough in fuel cell vehicles.

One of the misconceptions is that electric cars and fuel cell vehicles are equal in driving range and charging. During the 2009 Hydrogen road rally the top range performers were the Toyota Highlander with 491 miles range, Kia Borrego with 426 and Nissan X Trail with 310.  The “magical” distance automakers aim for is 300 miles range, which is the typical gasoline vehicle range.

There is an electric car on the road, the Tesla Roadster, that gets 220 miles to the charge. The difference is in filling the car back up with energy.  To charge a Tesla Roadster when you have emptied the battery would take 3.5 hours, if you have the charging unit. To charge most electric cars on a standard electric outlet will take longer. To fill a fuel cell vehicle with hydrogen, from completely empty, would take 10 minutes max.

According to a Bloomberg article the Federal hydrogen budget was cut sixty six percent, to $68 million for 2010. The Federal bio-fuels budget increases to $235 million, and the battery budget increases to $333 million.

Both electricity and hydrogen can be made from energy other than gasoline. Electricity can be made from American coal, natural gas, nuclear or renewable energy. Hydrogen can be made from all of those. In a conversation with Graeme Sweeney Executive Vice President Renewables, Hydrogen and CO2 Shell, Sweeney saw a revenue stream with hydrogen, not with electricity.

Hydrogen is the most accessible energy there is, it is the H in H2O. The infrastructure is the problem. Honda is creating a hydrogen home refueling system, much like the home refueling system they have for natural gas. I was in Berlin, Germany a couple years ago with BMW. When we went to refuel, we went to a gasoline station that created hydrogen from gasoline. There are ways to produce hydrogen, transporting it is the problem.

Electricity is more viable because people already have electricity in their home. But power outages are already seen in my community, and communities around the nation. Last year, in January, our neighborhood was without power for five days because 75 mile per hour winds took down the power lines. The birkenstocks of the world say that there is plenty of excess energy to recharge your car at night, but I know that people will recharge their car when they need their car recharged, no matter what time of day it is, no matter if it pushes up the price of electricity for everyone else.

If one fuel is seen as Republican it is oil. The Bush/Cheney budget gave money to oil companies for research and development in hydrogen. What the Bush/Cheney budget gave, the Obama budget has taken away. The United States stays mired in energy partisanship instead of creating an energy policy.

California is demanding zero emission vehicles: both hydrogen and electricity. In fact, in the midst of all of California’s economic woes, they are still funding both the electric and hydrogen budget. AB118 is a fee imposed on cars that will go to fund hydrogen and electric ventures. AB118 is not a tax, because the legislature couldn’t get a 2/3 approval for a tax increase, so they created a fee on automobiles.

AB118 should net $180 million for California from this fee. $40 million of the $180 million will go to electric vehicles, and $40 million of $180 million will go to the hydrogen infrastructure. California will put $40 million into their state to increase the hydrogen infrastructure. There will be other monies going into the hydrogen budget in California, but AB118 is the biggest. Obama is allowing only $68 million from the federal budget for the entire nation to create a hydrogen infrastructure.

California is setting itself up to win another war on foreign oil, and the Federal EPA. It would make sense for California to get most of Obama’s $68 million Federal budget for hydrogen. California is the furthest along in production vehicles, testing of vehicles and creating an infrastructure for hydrogen.

There are thirty companies that create the California Fuel Cell Partnership (CaFCP). These companies include OEMs (vehicle manufacturers), utility companies, hydrogen producers and oil companies. These companies are setting policies and future infrastructure rules right now. This is as close to an energy policy for hydrogen as we have in this nation.

While the nation plays partisan games with the budget, the state of California is securing its role as the leader in zero emission vehicle policies. The nation should be the leader of our energy policy for the entire United States. Until the federal government stops playing partisan games with our budget they are giving California carte blanche to continue setting the energy policy for the entire nation.

California Fuel Cell Partnership (CaFCP) Sacramento, CA - John Tillman is the Program Manager for Volkswagen Group of America, Advanced Powertrain Research Program. Tang Yingchun is the test engineer of the VW Passat Lingyu fuel cell that was used in the Beijing Olympics.

Watch and listen as John and Tang take me for a ride in the VW Passat Lingyu. The Passat Lingyu is a zero-emission vehicle powered by a hydrogen fuel cell that can go up to 90 mph and up to 140 miles before a refueling. In light of new federal greenhouse gas regulations, California’s new Low Carbon Fuels Standard and regulations due to AB 32, these vehicles are one example of a potential zero-emission car of the future. The Passat Lingyu debuted during the Olympic Games in Beijing, China and traveled more than 50,000 miles with zero emissions.

Technical facts:
88 kW (120 hp) from the electric motor
55 kW fuel cell system
90 mph maximum speed
accelerates from 0-60 in less than 15 seconds
compressed hydrogen at 5,000psi

Who produces the fuel cell? the lithium-ion battery? Where will the vehicle be produced?

Where does Tillman think these cars will first be seen on the roads, America, Europe or Asia?

 

 Flash Video [5:27m]: Play Now | Play in Popup

California Fuel cell Partnership, Sacramento, CA - John Tillman is the Program Manager for Volkswagen Group of America, Advanced Powertrain Research Program.

Will Volkswagen continue with their fuel cell research and development since the decimation of the hydrogen budget by the Obama administration?

Is there synergy between fuel cell technology and electric vehicles?

 

 Flash Video [3:07m]: Play Now | Play in Popup

I sat down with the CaFCP Communications Director, Chris White to discuss the hydrogen budget cut. What does it mean for CaFCP? How does the economic freefall of California effect CaFCP?

The California Fuel Cell Partnership is a collaboration of organizations, including auto manufacturers, energy providers, government agencies and fuel cell technology companies, that work together to promote the commercialization of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.Some of these companies are; Chrysler, Honda, Daimler, General Motors, Nissan, Hyundai, Toyota, Volkswagen, Linde, Air Products, Shell Hydrogen, United Technologies Company (UTC) Power, Chevron.

“Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles have progressed to the point where some automakers are ready to begin early commercialization,” said CaFCP’s executive director, Catherine Dunwoody.

“I invite Secretary Chu and President Obama to drive one of the 300-plus hydrogen fuel cell vehicles automakers and transit agencies have already placed on the road. We can deliver passenger FCVs to their doorsteps in Washington DC, and they can fuel at the Shell hydrogen station nearby. Like the hundreds of thousands of Americans who have driven in these vehicles, their experience will convince them to participate in the final stretch of bringing these clean, fuel-efficient vehicles to market.”

In March of this year, the California Fuel Cell Partnership released a plan for the first phase of an early commercial market for hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. The “action plan” includes real numbers of fuel cell vehicles that the automakers are planning to place in California – 4,300 by 2014 and nearly 50,000 by 2017. It calls for a network of retail hydrogen stations to provide fuel for the first fuel cell vehicle customers. The State of California marked their continued support for hydrogen by committing $40 million toward these retail stations.

 

 Flash Video [4:13m]: Play Now | Play in Popup

From: byron mccormick
Subject: My Resignation
Date: May 11, 2009 1:25:40 PM EDT
To: The.Secretary@hg.doe.gov

Dear Secretary Chu:

Following your decision to zero funding for Hydrogen fuel cells for transportation, I have unfortunately spent the weekend answering emails from my colleagues at Automotive OEM’s worldwide, scientific colleagues involved in the National Academy of Science study, and colleagues on HTAC itself. As I have the broad experience of developing, manufacturing and fielding Batteries, EV’s, Hybrid vehicles, fuel cells , electric propulsion systems and Fuel Cell vehicles, and understand the technical, regulatory, environmental and business issues involved, I am both perplexed and confused by your decision to zero the budget.

Like my colleagues from the other global OEM’s who wrote me this weekend I’ve spent the last 35 years of my life developing real hardware, fielding real hardware, learning the lessons that the customers and real experience teach us and developing business understandings as to what it take to make a sustainable/viable business with products customers will purchase.

I also know that there are many well meaning passionate advocates who do not have that relevant experience and make their cases based on idealized models or non-realistic or scientifically supportable assumptions. So, I in no way mean to demean them or you in my disagreement with your decision.
However, since I have recently retired to New Mexico, and am as a result being very selective as to where and on what pursuits I spend my time and energy, I have decided to resign from HTAC and focus my attention/experience/knowledge with those who will be moving ahead to make it happen.

I want to wish you the best of luck in developing an energy policy for the United States.

I moved from the semiconductor industry to energy in 1974 because of my passionate belief in the criticality of sustainable energy/environmentally appropriate energy to the well being of future generations of US citizens. My hope is for huge success in creating the energy/environment vision as outline by President Obama.

Sincerely,
Byron McCormick

[Byron McCormick was on the advisory committee of the U.S. Energy Department’s Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technical. Until last year, McCormick had been serving as GM’s executive director for fuel cell development.

Charles Hubbard, Lexus dealer education, University of Toyota, talks to me while driving the 2010 Lexus HS 250h.

This is Lexus’ first four-cylinder gas engine and latest hybrid system. Peak output equals 147 horsepower and in combination with the hybrid drive motor, the HS generates 187 total system horsepower. A second motor in the hybrid system serves as both engine starter and generator to charge the hybrid battery pack.

It also meets the California SULEV and federal Tier 2 Bin 3 exhaust emission standards. I asked why not have it tested as a Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (AT-PZEV). According to Hubbard, all its competitors are SULEV, so they didn’t go the extra mile for the PZEV.

Similar to the Lexus RX 450h, the HS employs an Exhaust Heat Recovery System that captures the heat of spent exhaust gases to speed engine coolant warm-up and allow the hybrid system to stop the engine earlier and more often in the driving cycle when it’s not needed, for example in low power demand conditions in city driving. This is fast becoming a must have for fuel economy and emissions reduction. Even Rolls-Royce has a version on its newest concept car.

The driver can select among four modes: Power, Normal, Eco and EV. Each mode allows for better fuel economy than the next. How much of the Prius is in the HS 250h?

Can the Nickel Metal Hydride battery (NiMH) in the HS 250h be changed out for a lithium-ion if Toyota decides to start using a L-ion?

How much will the HS 250h cost?

 

 Flash Video [5:10m]: Play Now | Play in Popup

John Batchelor is the host of the John Batchelor radio show on WABC, WMAL, KFI & KSFO. Batchelor talked to Hammond about the General Motors bankruptcy.

Our government has given billions of dollars to keep General Motors and Chrysler alive. The government now owns 60% of General Motors and the UAW also owns part of the company.

I hear people say “I have always bought a GM/Chrysler vehicle all my life. I am really mad that they took the TARP funds. I won’t buy a truck/car from them anymore.”

The car dealers have been summarily dismissed, some with just a months notice. The morale of many dealerships is down and there is anxiety all around.

As the two manufacturers go into and out of bankruptcy analysts are saying the resale value of one of these cars will go down 20-30 percent.

What can General Motors and Chrysler do to bring back consumer and dealership loyalty?

One good start is the assurance program that General Motors (and Ford and Hyundai) offers.

BMW provides free service to its consumers and 97 percent of their customers go to the dealership for service. When a person can get free service and warranty for a certain period of time they are more likely to keep that car and to continue to go to their dealer for service.

What does China need to do to be a hit in the United States when it starts bringing cars made in China to the United States for sale?

 

 Standard Podcast [8:17m]: Play Now | Play in Popup

Alex Witt, MSNBC’s weekend anchor, talked to Lou Ann Hammond, CEO, carlist.com, about General Motors bankruptcy.

When a consumer buys a car they have the choice of financing from multiple places, most people know this. What they may not know is that when they are buying an extended warranty it could be through the manufacturer or the car dealership. With certain car dealerships going under, if you own a Chrysler or General Motors vehicle and have an extended warranty you need to read your contract and see if it is through the manufacturer or car dealer. If the car dealer is going to stay in business, you are good.

 

 Flash Video [3:18m]: Play Now | Play in Popup

Lester Holt, is the co-anchor of the weekend edition of NBC’s The Today show. Holt sat down with Scott Cohn, CNBC, and Lou Ann Hammond, CEO, carlist.com, to talk about what the General Motors bankruptcy means to consumers who own General Motors cars.

What will happen to the resale value of General Motors and Chrysler vehicles since GM and Chrysler have gone bankrupt?

Will the warranty still be okay?

What are orphaned cars?

Are there great deals to be had for the consumer?

 

 Flash Video [4:23m]: Play Now | Play in Popup