As Toyota launches production of its latest hybrid model in Derbyshire this week, the carmaker reveals that it has already sold its allocation of the new model-set to be built at its Burnaston plant- up to the end of the year.

The new Auris HSD is the second only hybrid model to be produced by the Japanese car giant and the first hybrid to be built in Europe. As an exciting new addition to the Auris line-up, the carmaker expects to sell 7,000 models in its first full year of production.

Speaking to news agency, Headlineauto, Miguel Fonseca, managing director of Toyota GB said customer confidence in the brand remained high despite the recall issues earlier this year.

“We reacted very quickly in the UK to the problems and within three months we had taken care of 95 per cent of all the models affected by the recall – that is a great performance given that this can take years to complete.

Fonseca said that the company’s response to the recall had gone down very well with customers. “They have been impressed by the speed with which we took action and if anything it has increased their confidence in Toyota.

“Sales are now back above pre-recall levels and we are growing retail sales to private customers. We are now fourth in terms of retail sales, up from sixth two years ago.”

The first Auris Hybrid came off the Burnaston line today in front of Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, Vince Cable who described it as “a very good day for Toyota, the region and the UK”.

Using the familiar Hybrid Synergy Drive (HSD) technology first featured in the Prius, the new 5-door Auris hybrid has fuel consumption of only 74.3 mpg (combined cycle) and remarkably low CO₂ emissions of just 89g/km. Starting at £18,950, the car will be launched in 32 countries across Europe, with deliveries to the first customers starting next month.

Spain and its surrounding Islands have introduced new traffic laws that are set to make it more difficult for visitors to the country to hire a vehicle when on holiday there.

Messing with GPS equipment, driving with illegal car number plates, cycling at night without reflectors or lights and parking in a disabled space without the correct paperwork are just some of the new offences that have been drafted in.

One law that has not changed that is taken very seriously is people driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The limit in Spain is much less than in many other European countries, with the allowed limit being equivalent to one small beer.

Minister of the Interior, Alfredo Perez Rubalcaba, introduced the new law changes and explained that the last five years had seen the number of deaths following car accidents in Spain being halved. The new rules are aimed to continue the good work.

People visiting the country who do commit an offence, need to remember that there is a discount for paying fines within a 20 day period of being issued with it. The discount has been raised to 50 per cent for early payments to accompany the introduction of the new laws.

The three categories used to set the penalties have changed with an increase in the fines being set. A small offence will see the fine increase to €100, a serious offence to €200, with penalties for very serious offences rising to €500.

There are also now 27 offences that can see points being deducted from a license. These include driving in the wrong direction, which is a common offence by many Irish and British drivers, drink driving, dangerous driving, reversing on a motorway, not using a seat belt and using any equipment that could be a distraction to the driver.

The European car market has seen the first year-on-year drop for 10 months of new car registrations after they fell in April 2010 when compared to same month a year ago.

Figures released by the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (Acea), showed that 1.14 million cars were registered in the month, down 7.4 per cent on last years figure for April.

The fall came as scrappage schemes were introduced by governments in many European countries last year, but have since been wound up according to Acea. The schemes, which were to encourage the sales of new cars, have since been wound up, with the fall being as much as 25 per cent in some countries.

A statement from Acea said, “In the first months of the present year government support has ended or begun to fade out and the economic situation remains difficult.”

Germany saw the largest year-on-year drop in registrations, recording a fall of 31.7 per cent on last April following their scheme ending in September. The scrappage programmes had succeeded in boosting sales across Europe, but sales have begun to drop again compared to a year ago.

France however, whose scrappage scheme remains in place at a reduced level, witnessed a rise of 1.9 per cent in registrations.

Of the car companies who benefited the most during the scheme, Japan’s Nissan came out on top. Nissan recorded a figure of 38.3 per cent more of their cars on the road in April compared to a year ago.

Other companies who saw advantages from the scheme were BMW, recording a rise of 13.1 per cent and Renault whose sales increased by 8.7 per cent.

Fiat suffered the most with new registrations down by 27.3 per cent. Toyota’s sales fell by 20.7 per cent following a number of high-profile safety recalls, while General Motors (GM) recorded a decline of 19.1 per cent.

The figures for the first four months of 2010 revealed that registrations were 4.8 per cent up on a year ago, but they were significantly reduced on the levels before the economic crisis hit.

Tuesday 29 June 2010. The Green Piece Column

Think green cars, and much like The Vapors 30 years ago, you’re probably “turning Japanese”. From Toyota’s groundbreaking Prius, to Honda’s wealth of hybrids, Mitsubishi’s innovative i-MiEV and Nissan’s plans to be the first to mass produce an electric car with the LEAF, it seems that the rest of the world is simply playing catch up.

However, now one of the most renowned names in motoring appears to be making up for lost time in the form of American car making giant, Ford.

Putting the ECO into driving

Ford first made its mark in the green car sector with a number of flex-fuel vehicles that offered customers the chance to drive cars with bio-ethanol blends ranging from 15-85 per cent. From there, in 2007, it introduced the ECOnetic range of vehicles with the aim of providing drivers who value low emission vehicles with an easy reference point.

The ECOnetic range takes traditional internal combustion engine Ford vehicles and packs them with a host of environmentally friendly features – from low-resistance tyres to aerodynamics kits, and from auto stop-start to smart regenerative braking. The Ford Focus ECOnetic is one of the most notable success stories in the range, offering efficiency up to 74.2mpg and CO2 emissions as low as 99g/km. Similarly, Ford has introduced ECOnetic versions of the Fiesta (76.3mpg, 98g/km); the Mondeo (53.3mpg, 139g/km); the Ford Transit (39.2mpg, 189g/km); and the Ford Fiesta Van (76.4mpg, 98g/km).

Ford goes electric

Though initially pouring its expertise into creating some of the cleanest cars with traditional combustion engines, Ford has recently embraced electrification revealing plans for an array of new battery powered vehicles.

In Europe, Ford will introduce five full electric or hybrid vehicles by 2013 (see article) including a Ford Transit Connect electric vehicle, a Ford Focus Electric and two additional next generation hybrids and a plug-in hybrid car. It has also stepped up its support for electric car infrastructure by forming a consortium with Strathclyde University and Scottish & Southern Energy (SSE) in the UK to introduce a fleet of Ford Focus electric vehicle prototypes; while in Germany it has participated in the Cologne-Mobil project to research the impact of electric cars. Its efforts were even been backed by the previous UK Government with £360million to be provided in loan guarantees to support the development of electrified Ford vehicles in the UK (see article).

In the US, Ford is already selling hybrid versions of the Fusion and the Escape and also has plans to introduce a Lincoln MKZ Hybrid (see article). It has further announced an investment of $135million into the development of next generation hybrid electric vehicles (see article) and has declared the launch of five new full electric or hybrid vehicles in the compact, midsize and light commercial segments in the North American market by 2012. This line-up includes: a Transit Connect electric light commercial vehicle in North America later this year; a Focus electric in 2011; the Lincoln MKZ hybrid, available this autumn; as well as a next-generation hybrid electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicle based on Ford’s global C-car platform in 2012.

In fact, Ford is now hoping that 10-25 per cent of its vehicle line-up will be powered in some way by electricity by 2020 (see article); and it has recently awarded a major contract to Toshiba (see article) to supply its electric drive motors.

One step beyond…

You might think that while Ford’s efforts are to be applauded it is only in keeping with the moves being made by the bulk of the auto industry. However, where Ford appears to have gone the extra mile is by not only focusing on making the fuel used to power its vehicles as green as possible – but by also making the vehicles themselves green too.

Just last week it was revealed that the 2011 Ford Explorer would use soy foam in its seat cushions and seat backs (see article) with Ford now featuring bio foam in more of its vehicles than any other manufacturer. Indeed Ford has made a commitment to using recycled and eco-friendly materials (see article) including recycled resins for underbody systems; recycled yarn for seat fabrics; wheat straw reinforced plastic for third row storage bins; and repurposed nylon carpeting.

It has also vowed to increase its use of recycled paper (see article) and has joined a water conservation project to reduce global water use (see article).

Our verdict

It’s not often we devote a Green Piece Column to a single auto manufacturer, but Ford’s recent efforts to go green are worthy of high praise.

The company has enjoyed massive hybrid sales gains in the US, is well positioned to be among the early pace setters in the electric car sector and its extra efforts to use green materials and to embrace other environmental campaigns are commendable. It may still be trailing its Japanese rivals on name value in the green car sector, but Ford’s staunch commitment to this new era suggests that one of the oldest names in the auto industry is going to be at the front of the pack for a long time to come.

Faye Sunderland

Car manufacturers just can’t stop teaming up. Just two weeks ago in The Green Piece (see article) we looked at how a number of companies are joining forces for the greener good – and now you can add two new partners to the list.

According to reports in the Nikkei, Toyota will supply small cars on an OEM basis to Fuji Heavy Industries, the maker of Subaru vehicles – in which Toyota already holds a 16.5 per cent stake.

Beginning as early as the autumn, the move will allow Toyota to increase factory operating rates and allow Fuji to focus on midsize vehicles. It will mark the first time that Toyota has ever provided finished vehicles to another Japanese car maker.

The report suggests that Toyota will supply the Ractis subcompact, which is available with a 1.3 or 1.5litre engine, and around 10,000 units will be shipped to Fuji every year. Fuji believes that demand for low-priced, fuel efficient vehicles will increase and the two companies hope to jointly release a sports car under their respective brands at the end of 2011. Toyota is also expected to provide technologies for hybrid vehicles.

Having established various partnerships around the world, Renault has now turned to its home country for its latest green vehicle agreement.

The French manufacturer will team with the CEA (French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission) to work on electric vehicles, new energies and cleaner combustion engines. The CEA is funded by the French government with a focus on technological research across three fields: energy; information and health technologies; and defence and security.

The two will co-operate at several sites and will identify areas of synergy as well as approving a three-year research and development programme. The committee will be chaired jointly by the head of the DREAM (Research, Advanced Studies and Materials division) with four main areas of research established: new energies in transport; upgrades in electrical and electronic architecture; improvements in the competitiveness of combustion engines; and connected vehicles.

Renault hopes to achieve technological breakthroughs by exploring a broader view of mobility while CEA will provide input and suggestions.

According to Odile Desforges, the executive vice-president of engineering and quality at Renault, sustainable mobility is one of the company’s key focus areas and developing solutions that respect users and the environment is one of its key targets.

The Netherlands has more than just World Cup success to celebrate after Rotterdam established itself as one of the most forward thinking cities in Europe with the arrival of two e-Busz electric drive buses.

The vehicles come from e-Traction, a European integrator of low-floor fleet buses. The e-Busz is actually a VDL Bus & Coach Citea CLF bus converted with a third generation e-Traction system.

Designed around a newly developed, more powerful, SM500/3FE wheel hub motor unit, the system offers greater range; and there is a redesigned Universal Rear Axle that compensates for the greater depth of the wheel hub systems. The wheel hub units have been developed for high torque applications for steep climbs and heavy vehicles.  

Also featured is a Valence lithium-ion battery pack and a diesel-powered auxiliary power supply unit that has been completely rebuilt and includes a SM350/2AL as the DC power producing generator.

All of the major sub systems – including the power steering pump, the ACCU and the air compressor for the brake and suspension system – are contained within this silent container that can be replaced, allowing the bus to return to service in around one hour.

Once the vehicles have been successfully introduced, it is expected that Rotterdam will purchase additional e-Busz buses to join its 238 diesel bus fleet.

It’s all well and good creating ‘walkable neighbourhoods’ – but are we willing to walk?

The University of Alberta asked that question when studying the factors that influence neighbourhood development. Around 17 stakeholders were interviewed and asked about their definition of a healthy neighbourhood and what they thought their role was.

Those replying appeared to have mixed opinions about the affects of walkable neighbourhoods and whether they would make much of a difference in keeping people active. Developers generally thought that the extent of their responsibility was limited to market and consumer demands while municipal employees and public health officials leaned strongly towards establishing these neighbourhoods. Developers also went against the notion that “if you build it, they will walk” believing that our social norms are embraced in car culture. 

The need to drive everywhere was mentioned by all stakeholders and budget was also outlined as a potential constraint.

Everyone wanted the neighbourhoods to be built conducive to healthy lifestyles but it seems there are lingering tensions as to what these neighbourhoods will actually be.

Would you walk further if given the opportunity? Leave a comment with your thoughts.

Transport Secretary, Philip Hammond has said that it is likely that there will be a grant for buyers of electric and plug-in hybrids, although he cannot it will match the £5,000 promised by the former Labour government, he said in an exclusive interview.

Speaking to the Financial Times, the new Transport chief explains how he is preparing to try to protect the transport sector from cutbacks as the new Coalition Government plan to rid the country of its record Budget deficit over the next five years.

According to the publication Mr Hammond is preparing to tell the Treasury that many planned transport projects-including the grant for electric cars- justify themselves economically. He told the paper they are ‘one of the best investments the taxpayer can make’.

Although the transport sector is expected to take its fair share of cuts to public spending, Hammond argued that maintaining spend within the sector can increase productivity. He told the paper:”Transport infrastructure investment is a way in which the government can support the private sector economic recovery."

However the Secretary has yet to indicate exactly how much electric car buyers can expect to qualify for. It’s likely that the Government will clarify the exact grant details by October ahead of their scheduled launch in January 2011.

The previous Labour administration had planned to give grants to buyers for 25 per cent of the value of the car up to a maximum of £5,000. The planned grants were a key part of Nissan’s decision to build its electric car model- the Leaf- in the UK.

Alfa Romeo is capitalising on its rejuvenated image in the UK thanks to the Mito with a follow-up five-door model. The Giulietta is a size bigger than the Mito to take on the mighty likes of the Golf and Audi A3, though the elephant in the Alfa’s room is the BMW 1 Series. To define itself as a sporty brand, which it does, Alfa must be able to take on the BMW and win over customers. Is it good enough? Pretty much and it benefits from not being the obvious BMW choice, which will be enough to tempt some and spurn others. Regardless, the Giulietta is a very strong addition to Alfa Romeo’s range.

The Giulietta has been keenly priced by Alfa Romeo to undercut its like-for-like rivals from the Volkswagen Golf range. It also stacks up very well price-wise next to rivals from Audi and BMW, and the Alfa comes with plenty of equipment as standard. The Giulietta looks set to follow the Mito’s example of holding its value well in the used market, so Alfa dealers are unlikely to offer much in the way of discounts. All Giulietta models except the Cloverleaf have fuel- and emissions-saving Start & Stop technology to switch off the engine when the car is at a standstill. It means impressive 114g/km emissions and 64.2mpg for the 1.6 turbodiesel engine or 60.1mpg and 124g/km emissions for the punchy 2.0-litre turbodiesel. The 120bhp 1.4 turbo petrol offers 149g/km and 44.1, while the 170bhp MultiAir 1.4 turbo provides excellent 134g/km carbon dioxide emissions and combined economy of 48.7mpg. Choose the Cloverleaf model and its 235bhp 1.75-litre engine returns an average of 37.2mpg and 177g/km. The entry-point Turismo models have LED daytime running lights, electric windows front and rear, air conditioning, CD stereo and 16in steel wheels. The more opulent Lusso trim adds alloy wheels, front fog lights, cruise control, climate control and Alfa’s Blue&Me Bluetooth hands-free mobile phone connection. Sportier drivers can choose the Veloce trim that provides sports suspension, side skirts for a sporting look, 17in alloy wheels, half leather upholstery and dark brushed aluminium interior trim inserts. Over and above the Veloce trim, the Cloverleaf has 18in alloy wheels, lowered suspension, dark tinted windows, Cloverleaf badges and red-painted brake callipers.

• Read the full Alfa Romeo Giulietta road test
• Alfa Romeo Giulietta consumer car reviews
• Alfa Romeo Giulietta lease prices
• Alfa Romeo Giulietta new and nearly new