Hybrids Aura and Prius

Article: hybrids Aura versus Prius The number one and two car makers in the world take their battle to the hotest car market!

General Motors maker of quality GM parts has never really backed out from any challenge especially if it comes from Toyota Motor Corporation which as we all know is hot on the heels of the world's number 1 automaker.

GM is planning to go head-to-head with Toyota in targeting fuel conscious consumers. The world's number one automaker will sell the cheapest hybrid, the Saturn Aura on the US market, as announced by GM recently.

A green version of the Saturn Aura sedan is scheduled to hit showrooms very soon and will carry a price tag of $22,695 approximately $1000 less than Toyota's trend setting Prius hybrid. The Aura will be the very first alternative fueled sedan that will be sold in the United States produced by this American automaker.

And similar to the Prius, the Aura hybrids will also get tax incentives. Aura buyers will be able to take advantage of the $1,300 tax break as part of the federal government's drive to attract more drivers to purchase hybrid cars. According to Saturn General Manager Jill Lajdziak the tax break given by the government makes true hybrids fuel savings available to more people than ever before.

GM after realizing the enormous success that Toyota Motor obtained from being an environmentally friendly technologically advanced carmaker has finally decided to join the bandwagon. GM's announcement came at the eve of the President Bush's visit at the Fairfax Assembly Plant in Kansas City, Kan., where both versions of the Aura are made.

The automaker has also set 2010 goal to start production on all electric car called the Chevrolet Volt which is scheduled to come out with other new releases that employ different types of technology. The Aura will go up against the Prius which is one of the most popular cars in the US with 107,000 units sold last year.

Tax credit advantage

However, beginning in April Prius buyers will be eligible only for $787 federal tax credit which means that GM will have the advantage since its Aura hybrid will have $1,300 tax break.

This federal tax credit gradually declines as more and more of a particular model is sold. GM lists the Aura Green Line's EPA fuel economy rating obtaining 32 miles per gallon in the city and 40 mpg on the highway. These numbers are expected to increase as the aura hits the market. Sources say that the miles per gallon will be very close to what the prius is achieving in real world testing which is 45-50 mpg.

Despite the fact that gas-electric vehicles cost several thousand dollars more than conventional models; they have become popular with buyers as fuel prices rise and are not expected to sink below $3 a gallon again ever!

Hybrids have conventional internal combustion engines as well as electric motors which can assist the gas engine. Ford Motor Company and Honda Motor Company also have their own alternative fueled vehicles to offer.

The battle for top market share is expected to continue for the next decade. The benefits to consumers will be two fold. First the competition will force prices down as low as possible. Second new technology will be put in service as a sales tool. This is a big motivator to the carmakers and the research and development departments.

GM has attributed a great part of its revitalization on the Aura Which has obtained favorable reviews. The automaker has been Able to sell 7,898 Auras in the first two months of 2007 which Is a good start for GM's new green model?

About the author: Noah Scott is a 30 year old native of New Jersey, writer, and Car fan - having grown up with both parents being auto Enthusiasts. He works for an automotive consultancy firm and Regularly contributes articles to car magazines.

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This next page is where I jump up on my soap box and tell you why I think gas/electric cars are a distraction from the real solution. This next link takes you from the hybrids article back to the hybrid car info page