42 Volt Electrical Systems Conserve Fuel; Will They Need Maintenance?
By Lance Winslow
Where are all those hybrid cars, which were going to change the industry forever? So you ask where are all those hybrid cars? You have no doubt seen the Toyota Pirius and all the media hoopla about Car of The Year and you probably said well great but it looks like a dog. Well in 2002 you are right the total sum of all hybrids sold in the US was less than 30,000. In 2003 Toyota sold less than 100,000 total hybrids. But we are in luck because the hybrids had DC motors in them too and need 0W-30 to lubricate and keep cool. Meaning the Oil Change Industry is safe still.

You have heard it said heat is the enemy, well in a DC Motor heat is very much the enemy and they usually are requiring a top brand synthetic like Mobil One. Amsoil is also hot on the scene with their formulas. Today you will not see a lot of fuel cells on the road they cost 6-10 times as much and there are few if any places to fill them up. Next year GM is introducing them to DC where there will be a fill up station and free cars for politicians to try them out. But still even McCormick from GM admits as he did in Phoenix speech this past week to his former University spectators we are looking at 2010 for GM to really ramp up and there are things to service on fuel cells, which we have discussed on this board previously. In 2002 all brands together did not equal 30,000 in 2003 Toyota alone almost got to 100,000. As far as Domestic Hybrids, well there is the Voyager and Ford Ranger all electric but mostly for show and a few government agencies on matching fund grants and tons of CNG vehicles and conversion kits out there. We recently discussed taxi-cabs, city buses and military vehicles on this web site.

In 2004 it was an incredible year for the Hybrid Car, they could not keep them on the shelves and owners usually got a $5,000 appreciation almost immediately, even on eBay the bidding was above sticker price. Domestic Auto Manufacturers offer hybrid options on the GM Silverado Pick-up and Sierra Pick-up. Ford and their little SUV mini-Escape car. GM is offering as an option in 2006 possibly but surely by 2007 options on the Malibu, Yukon, Tahoe. Currently in 2004-2005 you will be able to get a Saturn Vue or Chevy Equinox