Suzuki Swift Plug-in Hybrid

Suzuki will be presenting the Swift plug-in hybrid at the Tokyo Auto Show.  The Swift is not available in the US.

The plug-in is an electric range extended vehicle (E-REV), which drives on all electric power for a given range powered by a lithium-ion battery pack.  After the battery gets low, the small 660cc gas engine recharges the battery pack until you can get back to a plug.

The battery pack runs down the center center of the car and the electric motor can produce 55kW, while the gas engine can produce 40 kW.

The small K-car (mini-car or 660cc) is targeted at city commuters and shoppers.  But really, not a lot of details are floating around, yet.  The all electric range, size of the battery pack, etc...

Get Four Free Price Quotes From Yahoo! Autos Hybrid Research and Pricing at Edmunds.com

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Ford and GM Give Drivers at NY Auto Show $50 Just to Test Drive

GM and Ford are handing out $50 to anyone attending the NY International Auto Show if they head to a local dealer and test drive a vehicle.

Now that's really working hard to get customers into the showroom.

The thought here is to 1) get the attention of high potential customers and 2) get those same customers to test drive a vehicle of theirs and 3) show they are willing to put their money where there mouth is. In other words, if you would just give us a chance, we can show you our cars are quality.

The $50 is in the form of gift cards. Ford gift cards can be spent anywhere. The GM gift card is only good for purchases on restaurants.com.

"Auto shows provide a perfect opportunity for buyers to see, touch and feel the latest new cars under one roof," said Mark Schienberg, president of the Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association, the organization that owns and produces the New York Auto Show.

"Programs like the $50 gift card offered by GM and Ford help continue conversations between auto show visitors and new car dealers. This is a great way to get engage customers and gets them behind the wheel of some amazing new vehicles," concluded Schienberg.

The $50 offer is available to New York International Auto Show visitors, which runs at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in Manhattan, until Sunday, April 19. For more information, visit www.autoshowNY.com.
Concept Car © 2009.