Do they make a Hybrid Kei Car (yellow Plate)?

[Big Booger]

I am just wondering about this. Do they make a Hybrid Kei class car here? You know the yellow plate type?

I am my wife are considering a new car purchase and I'd like to get one that is better for the environment and cheap on gas... I know the Toyota Prius has a hybrid version but it is not a yellow plate.. And honda makes a civic with the Hybrid engine, but again it is not a yellow plate..

Any info on this would be helpful.




And about how much would they cost roughly?

[Taro Toporific]

I am just wondering about this. Do they make a Hybrid Kei class car here? You know the yellow plate type?

Kei class cars are 660cc or less.





Suzuki Releases First Hybrid Mini Car
- JCN Newswire
Jan 30, 2003
Suzuki Releases First Hybrid Mini Car

Tokyo (JCNN) - Suzuki Motor released the industry's first hybrid mini car on January 22. The Twin hybrid model combines a 660cc gasoline engine with a small electric motor measuring 8 cm in thickness. The new Twin achieves a fuel efficiency of 32 to 34 km per liter of gasoline. The annual sales goal is 100 units.

The Twin is 16 cm shorter than a standard size mini car. It measures 2.735 meters in length. In addition, the new mini car hybrid is also lighter than standard mini cars. The model is equipped with an automatic engine shutoff function that activates when the vehicle comes to a stop at traffic signals. This helps improve the vehicle's fuel economy. The new Twin ranks second only to the Honda Insight hybrid in fuel economy.
Visit Suzuki Motor Corporation at http://www.globalsuzuki.com/corp_info/index.htm

Suzuki will market two versions of the model priced at 1.29 million yen and 1.39 million yen (approximately $10,900 and $11,700). (Asia-Pacific Automotive Report)
http://www.japancorp.net/Article.Asp?Art_ID=4692

[Big Booger]

Yah I know it's less than 660cc. I have 2 of them hehehe. One's about to eb sold and the other is going to a relative. So we need a replacement. 600 km per tank, that's fabulous.

What is the name of this suzuki hybrid and do you have any images?


10K is about the going rate for a new kei..

Nevermind I found it:

http://www.suzuki.co.jp/dom4/lineup/twin/index.html

[Taro Toporific]

I am just wondering about this. Do they make a Hybrid Kei class car here? You know the yellow plate type?

http://www.Daihatsu.com . They only make a CONCEPT hybrid car, the "UFE II" with a 660 cc engine that claims 141 miles/ gallon(US).

Bottom Line: There's not much choice in Kei cars for hybrids since there's no profit in the small cars.

[Big Booger]

http://www.automobilemag.com/auto_shows/03tms_daiufe_1.jpg

That ufe II looks alright. The TWIN looks small.. It's for my wife and she could give a rats ass less as long as it goes from A to B.. I want a fuel efficient model because she travels long distances to work..

The Toyota Prius Hybrid is nice, but double the price of the Suzuki Twin and it's a white plate which blows...

I wonder about the shakken and service fees, is it more expensive? I'd imagine it is.. I think everyone should be driving a hybrid or fuel cell in 25 years.

[Taro Toporific]

I wonder about the shakken and service fees, is it more expensive? I'd imagine it is...

Judging from all the dodgy Li and NiCad batteries in my various laptops*, I do not believe the hybrid claim of an 6-8 year life in their cars. Replacement cost will be ???50% of original purchase price.


* PowerBook, iBook, ThinkPad, DOG-SHIT Vaio, etc.

[Big Booger]

I wonder about the shakken and service fees, is it more expensive? I'd imagine it is...

Judging from all the dodgy Li and NiCad batteries in my various laptops*, I do not believe the hybrid claim of an 6-8 year life in their cars. Replacement cost will be ???50% of original purchase price.


* PowerBook, iBook, ThinkPad, DOG-SHIT Vaio, etc.

More than likely we'd be ready to trade it in after 6-8 years.. I mean my wife will put over 64 km per day on it.. 186880 in 8 years. Time for the scrap yard. 50% of replacement, hell, who would even try that?

Extended warranty you say?

[Taro Toporific]

... I do not believe the hybrid claim of an 6-8 year life in their cars. /quote]More than likely we'd be ready to trade it in after 6-8 years.. I mean my wife will put over 64 km per day on it...

Sheeeeeeee-it. Two of my cars are older than my wife and I ain't planning on trading in any of 'em for a long while. :P

[jingai]

That little Suzuki comes out to about 76 miles per gallon, though the press release says it's second to the Insight in mileage...

Also, I think the car companies are promising free replacement batteries given uncertainties about the longevity of the batteries.

[Caustic Saint]

It's easy to park, too!

[GargoyleTS]

I don't know if I would be comfortable owning a car 2 men could pick up and walk off with...

[Taro Toporific]

[Big Booger]

Why is it that there are only pastel colors.. I think that sucks.. where's the metallic cinnamon? Or cranberry red?

We might have us a look at these come bonus time. They are very small and get wonderful gas mileage. I am just a tad worried about the size and safety of the vehicle.. And what's the top speed? I mean she does some expressway driving when she's late.. so I want it to be able to go on the expressway if needed..

[cliffy]