General Motors has introduced a hybrid Malibu. Sounds like America’s largest automaker is finally getting it, huh? According to reports about the vehicle, it is solid competition for the Toyota Camry or the Honda Accord, both its direct competitors.

A standard Chevy Malibu is rated at 22 miles-per-gallon (MPG) in the city, and 30 MPG on the highway. The Hybrid version Chevy is now producing gets…

wait for it…

24 MPG in the city and 32 MPG on the highway. Yes, you read that right – today, with oil prices reaching a new record of $133 per barrel – General Motors’ hybrid version of one of their most popular vehicles obtains a whopping TWO MPG more than the standard version. I’m going to take a wild guess and say that a feat such as this could have been obtained much more simply than by adding a hybrid drive. Also, there are “standard” vehicles that match, exceed, or even kick the crap out of the Hybrid Malibu’s MPG rating – like, for instance a STANDARD Honda Accord, or a STANDARD Toyota Camry.

So I say – “Way to go GM!” Way to show the world that you are no where near ready to answer the issue of skyrocketing oil prices and help drivers with vehicles that make it not only more affordable to fill the tank, but maybe even are powered by something other than oil.

While I appreciate the gesture of bringing another hybrid to market – GM is greenwashing their product line without pissing off their oil company comrades by actually making any significant improvements.

Blah.

Namaste,
A. Caleb Hartley

The contest asks you to “place a simple, colorful flier on high mileage cars that you encounter, showing the vehicle owner that she or he has done something worthy by choosing a leading-edge (in fuel efficiency) vehicle.”  Once you have placed the flyer. snap a picture with a digital camera (or cell phone), then upload the pics (free registration required) to Planet Thoughts.

The vehicles on which flyers are placed must be models that achieve at least 40 Miles-per-Gallon, as listed on the High-Efficiency Cars page on Planet Thoughts.  The person who uploads the most pictures of valid car models will win the grand prize of at least $500.

The contest’s “simple rules” can be found here.  The competition has already started, and runs until June 2, 2008 at 11:59pm Eastern (US) Time (GMT -5).  All pictures must be submitted by that time.

Namaste,
A. Caleb Hartley

These little cars are fully conventional (meaning NOT hybrid, though an electric version may make an appearance in the near future - it is currently being tested in Europe), but achieve around 40 miles per gallon.  In the line of the Toyota Prius, the Honda Civic Hybrid, and other hybrid cars, the smart will make an interesting alternative to our normal, gas guzzling boats we see on the road today.

If you don’t want to give up the comfort you have in your current car, it seems that the smart is roomier on the inside than it seems on the outside – according to USA Weekend, “even tall and rotund drivers may think it’s comfortable.”  And really, think about most of the driving you do – just you, driving back and forth to work, I bet.

Additionally, the cost will start at less than $12,000!

Bottom line, if you need to drive (read: “if you live most anywhere in the United States, where there is very little mass transit,”), and you’re in the market for a car, think about the smart ForTwo… if nothing else, traffic jams will be half the size they usually are! 

Namaste,
A. Caleb Hartley

What do you think about the smart micro compact? Leave us a comment and let us know!