Green Car Journal, a trusted source for bringing environmentally conscious drivers the most up to date information, has recently announced their Top 5 finalists for the 2012 Green Car of the Year Award.  What does this mean for Mitsubishi?

The 2012 Mitsubishi ‘i’ is one of the five autos in the running, along with these other cars:  2012 Ford Focus Electric, 2012 Honda Civic CNG, 2012 Volkswagen Passat TDI, and the 2012 Toyota Prius V.  What an exciting time for all of the makers of these autos to share in.  Those of us working at certain Bloomington, IL car dealers, namely O’Brien Mitsubishi of Normal, are pulling for the ‘i’ to come out on top!

How are the finalists chosen?

First off, you probably noticed that all are 2012 models.  One criteria is that the green cars chosen will be available by January 1st, 2012.  They are not autos we are currently seeing on the roadways right now, but will very soon.  They also consider these variables when making choices for the finalists, and ultimately the top winner:

• Vehicles that operate via many different methods: High efficiency gas, diesel, other gas-based fuel sources, and ones that are solely electric based, like the ‘i’.
• Marketability in terms of being new, offering advanced technology, and much more.

Who is making the choice?

 One of the cool things about the individuals making the green car of the year choice is that many of them have a lot of knowledge of the environment and what truly makes a car “green”.  For instance, the panel has the president of the Natural Resources Defense Council and the leader of Global Green USA, among several others.  It makes the decision much more credible when you have individuals who are very educated in the field.  One key member may not be the leader of a large environmental organization, but he sure knows his cars and will be able to make the panel fun, and that entertainer is Jay Leno! 

Those of us here who proudly sell the Springfield Mitsubishi Eclipse, as well as other fine new and preowned autos, will be rooting for the all-new ‘i’ to come out as top winner!

When hybrid and electric vehicles were made possible by automobile manufacturers, this huge step in technology opened many doors for car companies. The question now is, will electric vehicles become a hit among consumers? Will sales be as successful as competing gasoline-engine models? Or will they sit in the lots of dealerships like the Bloomington, IL car dealers? Continue Reading

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) will enact new fuel economy regulations for 2011 vehicles which will ultimately result in a win-win-win situation for the environment, economy, and drivers. The Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) introduced an 18 MPG regulation for passenger vehicles only when enacted by congress in 1975. While slight amendments have been made to CAFE standards over the years, the newest reform will reflect the most drastic change in their 30-year history with a 35% increase in fuel economy for cars and trucks combined. This amendment will enforce Bloomington IL new car dealers to obtain 37.8 mpg for passenger vehicles and 28.8 mpg for trucks by the year 2016. Continue Reading

According to the American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language found online, a “kludge” is a “clumsy or inelegant solution to a problem.”  In terms of the auto industry, there are those who would say this describes the hybrid.  Perhaps a tad harsh, this accusation does say something about the future of the auto industry: that hybrids are a transitional technology and the future does most likely lie in EVs, as most countries work to lessen their dependence on petrochemicals and keep an eye on their carbon footprint.  For those of this mindset, 2010 is shaping up to be an interesting year as several EVs hit the U.S. market for the first time, meaning both the New Yorks and Chicagos as well as that local Bloomington car dealership.  The Nissan LEAF, the Chevy Volt, and the Mitsubishi i-MiEV will all be available.  Continue Reading

The 2010 Mitsubishi i, which is not available in the United States at this point, was tested by the professionals at InsideLine earlier this year. The reaction? Well, it works in Japan.

Not to insult Japan or the manufacturers of Mitsubishi – it’s just that the Mitsubishi i is required to meet strict limits on size, engine displacement, and power, which entitle consumers to tax breaks. Basically they are designed to meet the needs of the urban commuters – travel at low speed in congested areas and be parked easily. If the vehicle ever comes to the United States, Mitsubishi might need to make several alterations to meet the needs of the American consumer. Those interested in the 2010 Mitsubishi i can obtain information at your Bloomington Mitsubishi dealer. Continue Reading