Idhaya – Engineering & Technology Blog, Industrial & Mechanical Engineering Information

Rapid prototyping is an intensive process of collecting information on requirements and on the adequacy and functionality of fairly new product designs. Model prototyping is an important data resource during the different stages of product development. Model prototyping makes use of various kinds of rapid prototyping techniques to provide the right model types used for different testing procedures. Such techniques may require the use of requirements animation, incremental, and evolutionary prototyping.

1. Requirements Animation- is the method used mainly to demonstrate functionality in test cases that can be easily assessed by users. Software tools are used to produce representational prototype models that are built using animation packages as well as screen painters.

2. Incremental prototyping- enables the development of large prototype system models installed in phases in order to avoid delays between product specification and its final delivery into the consumer market. Once the customer and supplier have agreed on certain core features, the installation of a skeleton system is applied as soon as possible. Important requirements can be checked out as the model is being used, enabling changes to core features while in operation with extra and optional features can be added later.

3. Evolutionary prototyping- considered as the most integral form of prototyping. It acts as a compromise between production methods and with that of model prototyping. Employing this technique, a model prototype is initially constructed that is then evaluated as it evolves continually and becomes a highly improved end product. Many designers believe that more acceptable systems would result if evolutionary prototyping were interconnected with periods of requirements animation or rapid prototyping. Here the tools are the actual facilities resources where the final system will be implemented.

The use of different model prototyping techniques can help do away with the uncertainties about how well a final design may be able to fit into the end user’s needs. The different model prototyping techniques help product designers make the necessary decisions by obtaining information from initial test users about the effective functionality of a certain product prototype.

Model prototyping can also be an effective aid in determining how effective and ideal the features and the overall design can be for proposed users. Model prototyping and the subsequent testing procedures can provide useful representation information that can reveal possible design flaws, effective features as well as useless functions that can either be corrected, enhanced or done away with on the next stages of product development.

Before a product is introduced to the public, the inventor has to draw up a plan and put it in paper. This is exactly what the Wright Brothers did when the first airplane was built and took off into the air.

More than a hundred years later, the airplane has evolved from being a propelled machine into one that is powered with jet engines. Today, there are planes that are used for private and commercial use but those that can travel more than four times the spend of sound are used for military purposes.

There were a lot of changes through the years that made this happen which occurred both in times of war and peace. In fact, the innovations made towards the end of the Second World War paved the way for the jet age.

This is done by reviewing the old equipment such as the V2 rockets and then reinventing it so that a plane can use the same principles in flight over greater distance and height. The aeronautical industry is not the only one that does this because other fields are doing the same thing, which is better known as prototyping.

Prototyping by definition simply means learning from things in the past such as an old design and improving on it. This will cost both time and money in order to perfect the system, which is the reason some car manufacturers only release, a new model every five years.

Some of the things designers and engineers will look at are flaws in the old model. This could be from customer complaints as well as reports from dealers in the field who received the owner’s vehicle and needed a repair. The company may make recalls like what Ford has done over the past few years and the only way to prevent this from happening again is by correcting those mistakes.

When the people think that the errors have been corrected, it is time to test this by making one model and then seeing how well it performs through a racecourse. Sensors, cameras and the input of the test driver will be collected so this can be reviewed for analysis.

If everything goes well and the budget for the new model is reasonable, then the company can begin production. Marketing will just have to think about the name of the new car and the events to launch this, which will surely excite regular clients who have purchased a vehicle or two in the past.

Hybrid cars are getting a lot of attention from consumers looking to purchase a new car. One reason is that they use less gas and therefore save you a lot of money at the pumps. However, their popularity is not just based on their fuel saving design, they also require less maintenance than that of their conventional cousins.

It can be frustrating to have to take time off from work to go to the mechanic for maintenance checks and repairs. It is equally frustrating to use up part of your weekends for this as well. Owning a Hybrid helps you to avoid this frustration, thanks to their unique design. There are various features that contribute to these benefits.

One reason is that they have fewer parts than conventional cars. For example, the Hybrid vehicle does not have a starter. A car that has fewer parts requires less maintenance and less maintenance means less expense. Another important factor is that the engine is smaller, between 10 to 20 horsepower and designed to run more efficiently by using only one speed.

The generator runs on a separate, gas powered motor and contributes to the lesser need for maintenance. It also does things that conventional vehicles need additional parts for. The generator handles 80 percent of the braking, which helps to extend the life of the brake system. It does this in several ways, such as preserving brake fluid. Brake fluid can be contaminated by the effects of over heating, so by minimizing the heat exposure, the life of the brake fluid is extended. The lesser heat usage also helps reduce the risk of warped rotors. By the generator taking on more tasks, the battery usage is less and therefore will have to be replaced less often.

Another great feature that the design offers is that the air conditioner runs off of electricity and not gas. The steering system is superior in that it is also electric and does not require a belt the way hydraulic systems do. It also provides a smoother ride on rough road surfaces.

Other maintenance saving features are that the valve system requires no adjustments and the injectors don’t have to be cleaned.

Hybrid vehicles offer longer warranties that also include the battery. This definitely adds to their attraction. The Prius, offered by Toyota, offers an eight year or 100,000 mile warranty that includes the hybrid system. The Honda Insight warranty offers 8 years or 80,000 miles and includes the power train.

When considering purchasing a new vehicle, definitely think about owning a hybrid. They require less maintenance than the conventional cars and therefore save you money and time spent at the auto shop. They are much more fuel efficient, and offer attractive warranties.

When it comes to automobiles and braking I’m the first to admit that I’m an ol’ fart, not quite so old that I recall them being called horseless carriages. But when I first started driving all gear boxes were not only stick change but crash too. For the kids this means that you had to equalize the revs between the engine and the transmission or you would hear an almighty scraping in the gear box and not be able to select the gear of your choice.

Brakes were cable operated and drum front and rear which meant that you could actually build leg muscles when braking and if you were driving at more than 30 miles per hour your chances of stopping in less than 150 feet depended upon whether you were going uphill. Hence we soon learned to use the crash gear boxes properly if we wanted to drive fast because brakes alone were insufficient to stop the vehicle.

What does this mean today? I just picked up my SUV after a 170,000 mile service and the original brake pads (I’ve had it since new) are 50% worn so I may have to worry about renewing them by the time the vehicle has a 250,000 mile service. This is because I use my stick shift gear box when braking even to this day – I’ve told my wife to put a gun to my head if I ever think of buying a car with an automatic transmission. I would see this as giving up full control of my vehicle.

Many of you are probably thinking that I’m one of these old guys that drive at half the speed limit and create traffic queues behind me just to preserve my brakes. Nothing could be further from the truth and few kids, even in sports cars, can get away from traffic lights as fast; I would consider it a sin to drive below the speed limit if conditions allow. What I am attempting to put across in this article is that one of the major reasons we have so many traffic accidents these days has nothing to do with traffic volume and a lot to do with complacency.

Is it possible that cars have been made too easy to drive that each generation of drivers has become just a little more complacent? Too many of the old drivers tasks have been automated or semi automated. I’m thinking of automatic transmissions, power steering, ABS braking, traction control and so on that each does a little bit to take away the need for a driver to have total control of the vehicle.

This brings me to the point of the debt of gratitude that all motorists owe to Formula 1 car racing because this is the only form of car racing that has constantly developed new technology that has been incorporated in the cars we buy and drive. Listed below are just a few innovations that started in Formula 1 Grand Prix Racing:

- Thin wall main and big end bearings.

- Hydraulic brakes.

- Disc brakes.

- ABS Braking systems

- Carbon fiber brakes.

- Independent suspension.

- Multi valve cylinders.

- Aerodynamic body design.

- Traction control.

Plus very soon we’ll probably see Kinetic Energy Recovery Systems (KERS) being introduced to the family car to supply bursts of free energy when required for overtaking. Watch this space.

Next time you get into your car don’t assume that any specific gadget makes life easier for you because by doing so you are probably giving up some of the control you have over the vehicle. The most important thing with all automobiles is safety and especially the quality of your braking ability.

Good driving.

When the idea of a personal transportation was first conceived, inventors looked to what was familiar rather than trying to create something new, at least initially. Toward the beginning of the personal transport era, in the late 19th century, the main way of powering vehicles – such as train locomotives – was by steam. It was this method that the forefathers of the car explored, and quite astonishingly, it worked.

Steam cars are powered by an external combustion engine, meaning the fuel is combusted away from the engine. The modern car has an internal combustion engine, which around twice as efficient as the steam version. Yet in the past, steam cars have been more popular than the modern world remembers, so they must have been doing something right. In 1902, steam cars outnumbered all other types of car, as in the US 485 of 909 new car registrations were for steam powered cars. The main reason for this was that non-steam cars required hand-starting, a hazardous pursuit which could break wrists if done incorrectly. With the invention of the electric starter, the glorious period of the steam car as personal, civil transportation was over not 30 years since it had begun.

Yet with oil at a premium, modern minds are returning to the thought of steam powered vehicles for personal transport. Steam engines power cars by burning fuel, which heated water in a boiler. This created steam, which pushed pistons in a crank shaft which would then turn the wheels. The method is relatively simple compared to some modern car engines, but it had its problems. The sheer weight and space needed to keep the engine in made it almost immediately useless for a small, family vehicle. Yet this was several hundred years ago – could the new Millennium provide the solution to what should be a simple problem?

The answer, quite simply, is no. While modern engineering can get around many problems that were previously seen as without solution, it cannot defy mathematical fact. To create the necessary amount of steam to power a vehicle for any kind of duration at any kind of speed, you need a large external combustion engine. This alone – before passengers, seats, design and controls are even considered – makes any car it may sit within extremely heavy, which in turn makes the engine have to work harder. It is a classic catch-22.

There is also the issue of start-up time, which in a steam powered car is something of a problem. The engine may take some time to produce steam to power the engine, which in the modern world of just turning a key and pushing a button and creating immediate power would seem tedious in the extreme.

So while steam cars would be better for the environment due to their lack of emissions, the idea has generally not been returned to. Concentration is on hybrid and electric cars, whose problems seem to be more quickly solvable than their steam counterparts and more acceptable to the general market. Yet steam power is still viable and it does work, meaning one can never say its role in history is ever completely over.

Global Automobiles unveiled 150cc Scooter

January 31, 2008

Global Automobiles, Kolkata-based Xenitis group on Thursday launched a 150 cc scooter called UFO 0150- a 4-stroke new generation state-of-the-art scooter in India priced at Rs 34,990.

The Group is also announced the national launch of Rock100 the 100cc motorcycle that has created revolution in the 2-wheeler market in India at a price of Rs 19,990.

Pranab Mukherjee, Hon’ble Union Minister, External Affairs, Govt of India unveiled the UFO 0150 and announced the national launch of Rock100 today in New Delhi in presence of Tariq Anwar, Hon’ble Member of Parliament & Member, Consultative Parliamentary Committee on External Affairs and Shri Anil Basu, Hon’ble Member of Parliament & Chairman, Indo-China Friendship Forum.

Targeted at urban youth males and females with a focus on students in India, UFO 0150 will capture the fancy of the target segment as a New Generation Scooter. It is featured with 150 cc, 4 Stroke Engine, Electronic Self Start and Kick Start facility, metal bodied chassis and front and side cover in ABS. Available in four colour variants of Red, Black, Yellow and Silver, UFO 0150 will be the preferred choice of scooter riders for its high instant pick up, very powerful engine .The ex-showroom price (Delhi) of UFO 0150 is Rs. 34,990.

Designed and developed completely by Global Automobiles R & D, Xenitis group is committed to provide a satisfaction to scooter riders all across the country for its easy to drive facility and unique features like scooter disc brake, mobile indicator and self start that are not available in any other existing models in India at this price point.

“We are entering the scooter market in India with UFO 0150. Global hopes to sell 15000 units of UFO 0150 by the end of this fiscal. We are eyeing 25% market share by 2010 with the help of our aggressive marketing strategy and pan India dealer network. Though the scooter segment constitutes only 15 per cent of the two-wheeler market, Global has chosen to enter this arena to win over the youngsters”, said Mr. Santanu Ghosh, Chairman & Managing Director, Xenitis Group.

Global has built a strong dealer’s network of 450 dealers spanning across the country. It has 150 dealers in North India, 125 in West, 100 in South and 75 dealers in eastern India. The company has set up 250 exclusive showrooms across the country.

Xenitis Group, one of Eastern India’s biggest conglomerates set up its eastern India’s first and only 2-wheeler manufacturing factory in West Bengal in February, 2007. It has launched “Xpression”—the first 2-wheeler from its stable on 28th April, 2007. The company has strengthened its presence in 125 cc category with Xpression Plus that was launched in quick succession in August, 2007.

Rock 100, the Revolutionary product, was launched in November ’07 in eastern India. The 100 cc Motorcycle is aptly christened Rock 100 as it has already evoked enthusiasm in highly competitive 2-wheeler market with loads of enquiries from across the country. Global has already sold 40,000 units of Rock 100 in eastern India in last few months. With the ready availability of the product across the country, it has set an ambitious sales target of 1.6 lakh by current financial.

Rock 100 has all the potential to rock the 2-wheeler enthusiasts of India with its unbelievable Mileage of 125 km /litre and mass affordability factor. Featured with 4 Stroke Engine, Electronic Self Start and Kick Start Facility, Tachometer, Gear Indicator, Aerodynamic Headlight with Halogen Bulb, Sporty Indicators, Rock 100 would penetrate into the mass market across the rural and urban India including traders, office goers, farmers, teachers with the lowest ever price point and maximum mileage of 125 km/litre. The 100 cc bike with a robust masculine look, unmatched style will be available in four attractive colour variants of Red, Black, Blue and Silver.

“We are going aggressive for an all India roll out of this revolutionary Rock100 -the 100 cc performance motorcycle at lowest ever price point by any 2-wheeler manufacturer in India. This will cater to the requirement of the common people of our country. There will no more be an out of reach 2-wheeler for anybody in the country. Rock100 will also be a rocking product in the remote areas where finance is not available and also will keep the 2-wheeler market steady even without depending on retail financing. We do believe that sub 20 K bike would bring in automobile revolution in India. We are confident to carve a niche for ourselves in the 7.6 million 2-wheeler market with our state-of-the-art technology, affordable pricing and strong distribution channel”, commented Mr. Santanu Ghosh, Chairman & MD, Xenitis Group

“Our 2-wheeler factory has the capacity to churn out 3.6 lacs 2-wheelers annually. The company has taken order booking of 1.6 lacs 2-wheelers to be supplied till March 2008 from all India distributors and booked a sales turnover of Rs 400 crores for the current financial year. The company has also got confirmed export enquires from Middle East, Russia, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and some African countries”, added Ghosh.

“We are confident of acquiring a 20% market share in 100 cc & entry level category by 2010” added Mr. Ghosh.

Source: http://newsgaze.com/31-Global_Automobile_scooter.html

Copyright (c) 2008 Mervyn Rees

Electrical Automobiles: This technology is still in the growth stage and continues to be considered a viable alternative to fossil fuel consumption. Let’s face it, if your auto runs on electricity exclusively, then you are not emitting any gases at all. Environmentally speaking, this is terrific.

But wait a minute – how do electric automobiles get their power? From batteries which must be continually recharged. And how do you recharge them – by plugging the vehicle into a power outlet. And how is the electricity in the outlet being produced? In Power plants running on … you guessed it – petroleum, natural gas, coal, hydroelectric (water), or nuclear energy.

This being the case, are you really helping the environment when you plug in your electric car? Are you really cutting back on non-renewable fuel consumption; hardly. Until the product is self-sufficient or its energy source is clean, buying an electric automobile is like putting a band-aid on a knife wound – it doesn’t really help much at all.

Ah – but the Hybrids, the hybrid automobiles are the answer – well maybe.

A hybrid automobile uses gasoline to run on while charging a large system of batteries. At various operating times (depends upon the vehicle) the batteries take over and the gasoline engine shuts off.

Now on the one hand, this is great for increasing fuel efficiency and mileage; but on the other hand, we are still using a non-renewable fuel source. See the next section for a complete analysis of hybrids.

Hybrid Automobiles – Are they really worth it?

Due to the ever increasing gasoline prices, Hybrid autos are becoming more and more popular. But you need to consider why you are considering purchasing one because your reasoning may not be correct. There are two schools of thought for wanting to purchase a Hybrid car – fuel economy or environmental concerns.

If you think you will reap in a huge cost savings through improved fuel economy – think again. Look at this example:

Land Rover Discovery – average fuel mileage: 18 mpg on 22 gallon tank

Honda Accord Hybrid – average fuel mileage: 35 mpg on 17 gallon tank

Honda Civic Hybrid – average fuel mileage: 48 mpg on 13 gallon tank

At 1200 miles per month, $3.00 per gallon gasoline, the cost analysis:

Land Rover Discovery – 3.3 tank fill-ups = $198.00 per month

Honda Accord Hybrid – 2.5 tank fill-ups = $113.00 per month

Honda Civic Hybrid – 2.5 tank fill-ups = $82.50 per month

As you can see, the one factor no one accounts for is gas tank capacity; the two Honda hybrids cost is only $30.00 apart because the Accord holds more gas than the Civic. Also, there isn’t a massive cost reduction between the less fuel efficient Discovery and the Civic; roughly $117.00 per month or about $1404.00 per year. You would quickly absorb the monthly savings via your off budget expenditures.

Besides, if you can afford to purchase a Land Rover Discovery, do you really care about a $117.00 a month savings coupled with the massive loss of interior space? Probably not, however let’s take another tack in reasoning the purchase of a Hybrid vehicle – the environment.

If you intention is to help the environment, then “yes”, by all means purchase a Hybrid vehicle. Not only will you save some money each month, you will be doing your part to help our planet by slowing down Global Warming. However, you won’t be reducing the dependence on fossil fuels, a non-renewable source.

The entire Honda vehicle line is composed of the most emission friendly vehicles being manufactured, and are classified as LEV (Low-emissions vehicle). This designation means the car is considered to be 70% “cleaner” than the California 1999 basic new car emissions standard. The Hybrids are given the UL EV or Ultra Low Emission Vehicle rating and are 85% “cleaner”. Of course, when the electric engine is used, there are no emissions, period.

The real purpose of the Hybrid is fuel efficiency and lower emissions – not how much money you save at the pump.

The annual cost savings on gas purchases is just icing on the cake.

On the other hand we have to start somewhere, so as demand for such vehicles increases, they become more cost effective to produce. Then hopefully improve technically, competition pushes development then we will really start to see meaningful benefits.

Tips (any area we cover a lot is geared towards global warming and energy saving or safety.

Tips on fuel economy:

1. Lose the “lead foot” – having a heavy foot or excessive throttle is usually attributed to 67% of the loss in fuel mileage.

2. Check the air pressure in your tires once a week.

3. Fill up in the early morning – gasoline is denser when cool.

4. Clean the exterior of your vehicle – it reduces air drag.

5. Do not travel more than a few miles for the best price on gasoline – the savings is eaten up by your wasted time and fuel.

6. Once you have cooled down the vehicle, turn off the air conditioning.

7. Make sure you keep up your automobile’s scheduled maintenance’s; any lapses could rob you of fuel efficiency and safety.

The Model T Ford, which first appeared in the fall of 1908, went on the revolutionize transportation more than any other single invention.

Henry Ford had founded The Ford Motor Company in 1903, and the Model T Ford was not his first car on the road. But during the 19-year production life of the Model T, it became the most famous automobile in histroy, due to its fine workmanship, excellent materials, and especially its low price.

Early Ford Model T automobiles were produced in Detroit, Michigan at the plant on Piquette Avenue. Henry Ford’s stated intention was to produce the first automobile affordable to the masses. Indeed, from its $850 initial pricetag in 1908, Ford’s introduction of assembly-line mass production eventually lowered the price to under $300. By 1918, nearly half of the cars on the roads in America were Model T Fords.

The advent of assembly lines cut the average assembly time from around 12 hours per car to about one and a half hours. The oft-repeated legend that Henry Ford required all Model T’s be painted black had a practical basis, in that the particular black paint in use dried much quicker than other sources, and thus further speeded production. The use of interchangeable parts not only speeded production, but reduced the cost of subsequent repairs.

The typical Model T seated five passengers, produced 20 horsepower in its 4-cylinder engine, achieved a top speed of 45 mph, and ran on either gasoline or ethanol. Fuel economy was 15 to 20 miles per gallon. Ethanol became outlawed during Prohibition and gasoline became extremely cheap, so all alcohol and battery-powered vehicles faded from the scene.
The Model T also became known as the Flivver or the Tin Lizzie. The original open touring car was soon joined by various closed models, and eventually small trucks. Early designers included Childe Wills, Harry Love, Eugene Farkas, Joseph Galamb, Gus Degner, and Peter Martin.

Most Model T’s had only two forward gears and reverse. They had rear-wheel drives.The reverse gear often proved essential since the initial placement of the 10-gallon fuel tank was a good deal behind and a bit lower than its front-mounted engine. On steep hills, the car would often stall out when the tank wasn’t completely full, leaving the driver to back up the hill in reverse in order to maintain the flow of fuel.

Model T’s were incredibly durable and dependable. Even after the introduction of electric starters (activated by a peddle on the floor board), the hand-cranked magneto remained part of the design as a back-up starting method.

The wooden spokes on the artillery wheels with their pneumatic tires evolved to metal.

The Model T was not the twentieth model made by Ford, as the alphabet would dictate. But it was a refinement of a number of prior Ford creations. Ironically, when Model T production finally gave way to something new, Ford dubbed his new creation the Model A, saying it was a whole new start.

The Model A, however, never achieved the same massive impact of its predecessor. More than 15 million Model T automobiles were eventually manufactured. This world record was not surpassed until 1972 by the Volkswagen Beetle.

Automobile companies go to extreme lengths to one up the competition, they roll out new makes and models yearly. The cars of today are lean, mean horsepower monsters showcased in the most beautiful designs imaginable. During times of oil and petroleum crisis, consumers are still waiting in line to purchase the latest automobiles.

So it is very fortunate that there are some manufacturers that came up with the concept of hybrid automobiles. Hybrid cars were developed to save on the world’s oil resources and to produce lower emissions. Hybrids are a combination of the combustion gasoline engine of the present and electric motor. To power to these automobiles, multiple propulsion packages are utilized. Electric batteries are utilized to crank up the electric motors. The batteries of the modern commercially-produced hybrids are recharged by acquiring kinetic energy through the means of regenerative braking used in the Toyota Prius or Honda Insight hybrid-electric vehicle.

There are many kinds of hybrid automobiles. These types are distinguished by the connection manner between fueled and electric halves of the powertrain and the designated operating period of each portion.

Here are the main classifications and the brands that utilize the following hybrid packages:

1. Full hybrid

It can operate on just the engine or the batteries alone, or both power sources combined. These automobiles have more drivetrain flexibility because of the presence of split power path. The electrical and mechanical power is interconverted. Differential-style linkage is utilized by the vehicles in the middle of the motor and the engine linked to the transmission’s head end in order to put balance from each power portion.

Toyota’s Prius and Highlander SUV are full hybrids, with computer-operated systems that decides which power source should be in operation, or if both of them should be working at the same time. When operating on its normal mode, the electric power is used, and the gasoline engine will only work if it is required or if the electric motor has been turned off.

2. Assist hybrid

These hybrids use the engine as the main source of power. A very powerful electric motor is connected to a conventional powertrain. It operates when there is a need for the engine to be turned over and also when the driver requires additional starter power.

This design is used by the hybrid automobiles of Honda, like the Insight. It compliments the reputation of the company in producing gasoline engines that are small and efficient. Honda’s system is called Integrated Motor Assist. The difference of the Assist from the Full hybrids is that it cannot function on electric power alone.

3. Mild hybrid

They are conventional vehicles equipped with starter motors that are oversized. The advantage of this is that the engine can be shut off whenever the car is in braking, coasting or stopping motion, and still be able to restart with no problems at all. Like the other hybrids, energy is recaptured by utilizing the motor for regenerative braking.

Some people do not consider the mild variety as hybrid automobiles, because they do not save up on fuel compared to the other kinds. Chevrolet used this system for their Silverado automobile, and they improved its fuel efficiency by making the engine turn off or restart on demand. General Motors created the Belt alternator starter hybrid system, for the Saturn VUE Green Line automobiles. Its operation is more or less the same as the Silverado.

4. Plug-in hybrid

They are full hybrids that function using only electric power, equipped with bigger batteries and has the capability to recharge energy from the power grid. The primary benefits of using these vehicles is that they can be independent from gasoline for short, daily trips, but can also have the capabilities of other hybrids when it comes to long distance travel. They can also be used by multiple fuels to supplement the electric power.

Companies such as Renault and DaimlerChrysler are producing automobiles using this system.

Here are some more of the hybrid automobiles that are currently available in the market:

1. Lexus RX400h and GS450h from Lexus

2. Honda Insight Hybrid, Honda Civic Hybrid and Honda Accord Hybrid from Honda

3. Ford Escape Hybrid and Mercury Mariner from Ford

Consumers today have lots of options when purchasing their automobiles. For those who are conscious of the amount of fuel wasted and the amount of emissions produced, hybrid automobiles are a very sound option.