Fuel Efficient Vehicles Now "Chic", Not "Cheap"

[Ming]

Green cars now chic, not cheap
Fuel-efficient vehicles garner new cachet
BY MARK PHELAN • FREE PRESS COLUMNIST • June 29, 2008



For decades, automakers have sold special models that promise extra performance and off-road ability. Established badges like SS, GTI and Trail Rated soon may be joined by a new line of sub-brands identifying models as having exceptionally low fuel consumption and environmental impact.

That's already happened in Europe, home to sky-high fuel prices and powerful Green political parties. Good fuel efficiency has become synonymous with social responsibility across the continent.

Now General Motors has tweaked two of its U.S.-built compact cars for better fuel economy and taken the unusual step of using the same name -- XFE -- for the trim level on cars sold by two different divisions.

The Chevrolet Cobalt XFE and Pontiac G5 XFE both offer better fuel economy than regular Cobalts and G5s, thanks to quick action by GM's engineering and marketing teams. The 2008 Cobalt XFE went on sale in April with a 9% improvement in its EPA fuel economy ratings to 25 m.p.g. in the city and 36 m.p.g. on the highway. The Cobalt XFE gains another mile per gallon on the highway for 2009, improving to 37 m.p.g. The Pontiac G5, which sells in far lower numbers than the Cobalt, matches the Chevrolet's fuel economy.

To get the improvement, GM engineers revised the cars' engine calibrations, changed their final-drive ratio and switched to low rolling-resistance tires. Those modifications mean the XFE's acceleration and handling are not quite as good as other Cobalts and G5s, but the trade-off created a new model that was right for the times and ripe to be advertised.

"We saw fuel prices rising early this year, and rather than sitting on the sidelines worrying, we did something," Chevrolet spokesman Terry Rhadigan said.

If this works -- and sales results so far indicate that it does -- don't be surprised if other GM brands add fuel-sipping derivatives of their existing models. Other automakers could follow suit.

The XFE accounts for about 9% of Cobalt retail sales this month, and the fuel-efficient model sells quickly, averaging just 28 days on a dealer's lot. The XFE's prospects helped convince GM to add a third shift at the Lordstown, Ohio, plant that builds it.

Chevrolet may apply the strategy -- and the XFE badge -- to other model lines. Other GM divisions may do the same, although they might not use the same XFE badge.

European automakers began launching green sub-brands not long ago.

GM's European brand Opel reserves the ecoFlex badge for the model in each of its car lines with the lowest emissions and highest fuel economy.

Ford of Europe does the same with an Econetic badge for cars with its most efficient European diesel engines.

Volkswagen has launched BlueMotion, its own line of European models with diesel engines, low rolling-resistance tires and other modifications to save fuel. These are all marketing designations rather than absolute statements, of course, so the fuel economy claims are a bit like "reduced calorie" ice cream. Reduced compared with what? Shoppers should still compare the fuel economy ratings on different vehicles to figure out what car will save them money and fuel.

No automaker other than GM is talking about doing this in the United States. VW will launch its new fuel-efficient diesels with fanfare later this year, but each will be badged simply as TDI, VW's name for its turbocharged direct-injection diesels.

Automakers have tried identifying cars as special fuel-saving models in the United States before, but the practice didn't catch on, largely because the badges implied the driver was cheap or poor. Buyers might like fuel economy, but they didn't necessarily want to advertise the fact that their car choice was determined by their fuel bill.

Adding the chic mantle of environmental awareness to the virtue of frugality could make this generation of eco-badges more popular.

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/a...806290584/1081

[Hitman1970]

Great move GM, improve your whole fleets efficiency overall and make XFE trims available for the super cheap (er, green) customers. Cheap, er green customers will sacrifice perfomance to save a buck (er, the planet).

[jorgesalazar521@msn.com]

ok we get 37mpg for 09----how about bas-2, with 40-43mpg? 6speed----Big seller.
next malibu/aura/g-6,----with bas2, 6speeds, mid30's to 40mpg?----big seller!
last or first of all, aveo sized cars----bas2, 6speeds?? 45-50mpg, lightweight miser--seller big time. economy of scale, no problems on bas2 or six speeds. GM has plenty of capacity for all that. NO EXCUSES!!!
oh, then volt in near future----your set--gm...... ps dont forget the cheap volt 20 mile range for all vehicles and 5-10 mpg's to all these cars.... get to work, GM.

[Ambalanche]

I think part of the reason these type of cars didn't take off previously wasn't because people didn't want to advertise they are cheap or don't want to spend alot on gas, but rather the cars were the bottom rung base vehicles. Black/grey bumpers, cheap or no wheel covers, black or no right side rear view mirror, cheap interior with the ugly cloth on the seats and crappy radio with air-conditioning optional. THAT was the real problem. Hopefully GM is wakeing up to the fact that people will buy a nice content-laden compact that get's good gas milage as that is now the status symbol. Make it beautiful like an Alfa Romeo MiTo and people will line up and not need rebates! GM has to make money on cars and as they are learning with cars like the Malibu, it costs the same to bend the steel in a beautiful shape as not.

[Ming]

Originally Posted by Ambalanche

I think part of the reason these type of cars didn't take off previously wasn't because people didn't want to advertise they are cheap or don't want to spend alot on gas, but rather the cars were the bottom rung base vehicles.

It's true. It bothered me that to get a FlexFuel Impala I needed to get one of the lower trim levels. I wanted to get good fuel economy and have the option to use E-85 because spending a lot on gas for a little bit of horsepower in a non-performance car never made sense to me -- and I like the idea of having the option to run on Ethanol when the apocalypse comes.

[hotrod1949]

Good idea, one that was used before in the Metro line. the XFi was the fuel economy leader.
GM needs a true 45mpg, 5 passenger commuter car now, before all those downsizing are done.

[motorman]

Originally Posted by jorgesalazar521@msn.com

ok we get 37mpg for 09----how about bas-2, with 40-43mpg? 6speed----Big seller.
next malibu/aura/g-6,----with bas2, 6speeds, mid30's to 40mpg?----big seller!
last or first of all, aveo sized cars----bas2, 6speeds?? 45-50mpg, lightweight miser--seller big time. economy of scale, no problems on bas2 or six speeds. GM has plenty of capacity for all that. NO EXCUSES!!!
oh, then volt in near future----your set--gm...... ps dont forget the cheap volt 20 mile range for all vehicles and 5-10 mpg's to all these cars.... get to work, GM.

the 4 cylinder engines will not pull 6th gear except down hill that is why they are 5 speeds. my 08 corvette will pull 6 th gear at 1500 RPM BUT no way will a 4 cylinder engine do that.

[windvale]

If Israel attacks Iran, Iran is saying this morning that they're going to cut off 1/2 of their oil output. This might double the price of gas overnight.

To paraphrase the Clinton campaign in the 1992, "it's gas mileage, stupid" !

[smith7629]

Originally Posted by windvale

If Israel attacks Iran, Iran is saying this morning that they're going to cut off 1/2 of their oil output. This might double the price of gas overnight.

To paraphrase the Clinton campaign in the 1992, "it's gas mileage, stupid" !

We've got serious problems if the reason why we won't defend ourselves and our allies is because it will cost us money at the gas pump. I personally don't like the idea of bowing to Iran because they wield nuclear weapons and threaten to restrict the worlds energy supply. Way too much power for a regime that talks about wiping entire countries and religions off the planet. No need for a ground war, just let the US Navy and USAF take care of the nuclear infrastructure. I'll ride my bike to work if I have to. The greatest generation had victory gardens, couldn't buy tires or new cars for years and look what their sacrafices meant to millions around the world. Iran and the rest of those who hate us don't think we can sacrafice and they're counting on that to control our actions and lifestyles.

[LAMRONH]

Honda Civic had a high-MPG model, the XFE or something like that, in 1997.
I bought one.
I have always considered overall range part of the equation when buying a vehicle.

While I realize image is important to everyone in some way or another, driving a "cheap" or high-MPG car is not something that bothers me or I wouldn't have bought that Honda, my 99 VW TDi, or my current KIA Spectra.

A member here even accused me of buying a cheap car when I got the KIA, seeming to imply I was too po', too cheap, or just lacking sufficient automotive taste to get something worthwhile.
But the fact is the Chivvlay dealer had no Cobalts on the lot (I don't like the name particularly, and don't know if I'd own something with that unappealing name), two Aveos which are a little too small and insubstantial-looking for me, the nearest Saturn dealer is 35 miles away and Saturn has never really shown up on my radar anyway.
I considered a Vibe but the Pontiac/Buick/GMC dealer had about 80% trucks on his lot and no Vibes. The Toyota dealer had plenty of Matrix, but I was not looking for a Toyota. I live in an area where lots of folks drive trucks because of farming, contracting, and general country atmosphere, but why is the B-P-G dealer not holding any small cars in inventory?

I do not have infinite patience in shopping cars, so it was the KIA, Hyundai, and Suzuki dealers I visited. They were the ones whose ads made sense to me and my Mick-Scottish heritage.
I bought something that has gotten 36, 32, 21, and 31 MPGs in its four tanks so far. The 21 I attribute to E10 puke gas, the other figures appear more in line with what I'll typically be getting. I'm now sitting at just over a half tank (14.5 gal. capacity) with 212 miles on the trip meter in mixed driving with the AC on.

I love the handling of a light (2900 LB), agile car, and the town MPG increase from high teens/low 20s (04 Impala, 95 LHS) to safely into the 30s is satisfying and has proven quite timely.

I hope GM and Ford are ready for the wave of good-MPG buyers their dealerships should be seeing. Or should be attracting.
They blew many a chance at capturing this market, starting with arrogant, myopic, hare-brained management decisions in the 1960s. Hopefully history will have taught someone something.

[motorman]

Originally Posted by windvale

If Israel attacks Iran, Iran is saying this morning that they're going to cut off 1/2 of their oil output. This might double the price of gas overnight.

To paraphrase the Clinton campaign in the 1992, "it's gas mileage, stupid" !

my question why did the USA get in bed with the only country in the middle east that has no oil when we need oil so badly to keep this country going????

[genjy]

Originally Posted by LAMRONH

Honda Civic had a high-MPG model, the XFE or something like that, in 1997.

Even much earlier than that... for the 92-95 generation, there was an extra fuel efficient Civic hatchback called the Civic VX with a different engine, lighter wheels, and lower-resistance tires and all that.



I think the 97-ish fuel efficient version you are talking about is called the Civic HX.

[LAMRONH]

Originally Posted by motorman

my question why did the USA get in bed with the only country in the middle east that has no oil when we need oil so badly to keep this country going????

Sounds like Billy Carter revisited.

[blaksabb]

XFE is not a trim level. It is a badge slapped on to any 5-speed 2.2L Cobalt built after a few engineering tweeks went into effect. I think the car needs to be a coupe (the Online Ordering Guide says all 2009 LT1/LT2 Cobalt sedans will be automatics which is inconsistent w/ Vehicle Configurator on GMDealerWorld).

XFEs are still LS or LT1 trim levels. The badge has merit in that it attempts to identifiy a particular powertrain combination's class leading fuel-economy, it simply can't be ordered as an RPO or model code.

[Smaart Aas Saabr]

Originally Posted by windvale

If Israel attacks Iran, Iran is saying this morning that they're going to cut off 1/2 of their oil output. This might double the price of gas overnight.

To paraphrase the Clinton campaign in the 1992, "it's gas mileage, stupid" !

Not even that. Iran has the Strait of Hormuz where about half of the world's oil has to pass through on ship (basically all OPEC oil goes through here)

Israel attack? Supply would be worse than in October 1973 and generalized through the world (except domestic M.E. consumption, and even then it will be affected)