Hybrid

Volkswagen has made no secret that it plans to be the world's largest automaker, and part of that plan includes broadening its appeal in the Chinese and American markets. Indeed, Volkswagen is building a giant assembly plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee as part of its future global manufacturing and distribution plan.

In 2004 Volkswagen brought its first Touareg SUV to the US market, and the initial reception was quite positive. This car could literally climb the side of a mountain, hop over boulders, and then cross a deep stream of water. Volkswagen's marketing problem was that most people just don't do this sort of extreme driving. The 2011 second-generation Touareg has been thoroughly redesigned and is not intended for such extreme heavy duty, off-road driving. It is more Main Street than mountain goat.Read more

LUMIX FZ40 features improved HD movie recording with Creative Mode to shoot superb quality video

July 21, 2010 – Panasonic announced today the newest addition to its popular LUMIX FZ-Series digital cameras. The LUMIX DMC-FZ40, a feature-packed, hybrid digital camera, combines a powerful 24x optical zoom and creative manual operations to offer photographers of all levels the opportunity to take crisp, artistic photos and High Definition (HD) videos. This 14.1-megapixel model features a 25mm ultra-wide angle LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT lens and a new image processing system which achieves high picture quality for both still images and videos. The LUMIX FZ40 joins the Panasonic LUMIX FZ100, also introduced today.

"Building on the versatility and depth of the FZ-Series, the LUMIX FZ40 provides outstanding and advanced creative hybrid camera capabilities and features to photographers – giving them increased flexibility and a wide-range of features," said David Briganti, Senior Product Manager, Imaging, Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company. "In the LUMIX FZ40, consumers will find easy-to-use features they would find in super-compact point-and-shoots, but with the added 24x optical zoom and improved manual controls."Read more

• Hybrid Car for Forward-Thinking Luxury Consumers, to Start at $34,200
• Best Combined EPA MPG Rating of Any Luxury Vehicle in the U.S.
• 70 Percent Fewer Smog-Forming Emissions Than the Average New Car
• First Vehicle to Offer Lexus Enform with Safety Connect

July 20, 2009 /PRNewswire/ -- Lexus just announced the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for the new HS 250h hybrid, which has the best combined EPA mpg rating of any luxury vehicle in the U.S.

The 2010 HS 250h, Lexus' first dedicated hybrid and the fourth offering in its lineup, is available in standard and Premium models. The standard version will have an MSRP of $34,200, while the Premium model will carry an MSRP of $36,970. They will arrive at dealerships in late August. The MSRPs do not include a delivery, processing and handling fee of $875.Read more

January 12, 2009 /PRNewswire/ -- Lexus just revealed the 2010 HS 250h, the world's first dedicated luxury hybrid vehicle, at the North American International Auto Show. This year's show marked the 20th anniversary of the debut of the first Lexus vehicles, the LS 400 and ES 250. The cars were introduced at the NAIAS in 1989. The HS 250h will be Lexus' fourth hybrid and is expected to offer the best combined fuel mileage of any luxury vehicle in the U.S. It also will be the first Lexus to utilize carbon-neutral Ecological Plastic materials in a new futuristic cockpit and interior design, helping the car to be 85% recyclable.

A welcomed addition to Lexus' entry-luxury sedan lineup, the HS 250h fits nicely between the IS luxury sport sedan and the ES luxury sedan. Research has shown that more than 60 percent of entry-luxury car buyers would have considered a hybrid if available, and the HS will provide these consumers with a viable purchase option. Read more