Toyota Motor Corp. has confirmed that its electric city-car concept called the FT-EV will be available for sale by 2012. The Toyota FT-EV is based on the Toyota IQ, a European style rabbit hatchback with excellent fuel economy not yet available in the US. The Toyota FT-EV is an electric car designed for the ‘urban dweller’. It can run up to 50 miles on a single charge.

Aside from the FT-EV, Toyota will also fast track 500 plug-in hybrids powered by lithium-ion battery packs. One hundred and fifty of these plug-in hybrids will arrive in the US for lease-fleet customers.

Via Detnews

Ford Motor Co. will introduce a new self-parking feature on its upcoming Lincoln models. The new feature will debut at the Detroit Auto Show. It will then be made available as an option on Lincoln MKS and MKT models. This feature allows the car to automatically parallel park (See a video of it in action on Youtube).

The new self-parking feature is part of Ford’s efforts to cast the company in a more favorable light with car buyers. A similar self-parking technology has already been offered by Toyota’s Lexus division. In keeping with its push to boost its image through tech innovations and fuel economy, Ford will also debut a new hybrid version of the Ford Fusion which boasts of a mileage of 41 mpg.

Ford is also offering SYNC, which allows hands-free operation of mobile phones, iPods and more. However, Ford has yet to announce the cost of this new parking feature. Meanwhile, Lexus’ automatic parallel parking technology is priced at $700.

For years, inventors and automakers have dreamt of creating an electric car. In fact, the electric car dream goes back to Thomas Edison’s time. However, electric cars have remained a novelty in the automotive world. This is mainly due to the limited battery life which impairs the practicality of such cars.

But that is bound to change with the recent announcement by Japanese automakers of their intent to develop electric cars and roll them out within the next few years. Already, recent technological breakthroughs in the development of longer-lasting lithium-ion batteries may soon eliminate the obstacle of limited battery life.

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Lane Departure Warning – this technology uses a set of cameras to monitor the white and yellow lines on the road. When the vehicle crosses a line without the turn signal being activated the system informs the driver by sounding an audible alert. This helps keep sleepy or inattentive drivers from veering off from their lane. Other advanced lane departure warning systems can actually attempt to steer the vehicle back into the lane or apply the brakes slightly.

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Exciting innovations in automotive technology are introduced every year: from new safety features to the latest in in-car entertainment amenities. The model year 2009 presents an exciting array of new car technologies that aim to enhance how our automotive experience. Even with a crisis facing the automotive industry, the demand for new technologies that will enhance safety, entertainment, comfort and connectivity will has nowhere to go but up. Here’s a rundown of the top new car technologies for the 2009 model year.

Adaptive Cruise Control – also known as active or intelligent cruise control, ACC uses radar and/or laser sensors usually located behind the grille to determine the speed and distance of the vehicle in front. It maintains the vehicle’s pre-set speed and adjusts it accordingly to maintain the proper distance between vehicles in the same lane. For instance, if the vehicle in front slows down, the system sends a signal to the engine or braking system to decelerate. The system accelerates to the last speeds setting when it detects that the distance is safe again.

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While fuel prices continue to skyrocket and a credit crisis is curbing consumer spending, more drivers are looking for ways to cut back on their fuel expenses. There are actually several ways to help drivers save up on fuel costs. These can range from choosing to walk or take the bicycle instead of driving, to installing modifications and devices that promise to help increase gas mileage.

There have been a slew of devices introduced into the market that are touted to have a positive effect in the effort to save gas. The Tornado Fuel Saver is one of these. It is basically a stainless steel, non-mechanical, turbine shaped device that is inserted into the either the air intake hose (if the vehicle is fuel injected) or the air filter housing (if the vehicle is carbureted). Its function is to change the flow of the air coming into the combustion chamber.

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Ford Motor Co. helps keep teen drivers safe with the introduction of an innovative technology called MyKey that is designed to help parents encourage their teenagers to drive safer.Ford MyKey allows parents to program a special ignition key with a pre-programmed list of vehicle options designed for better safety.

For instance, parents can program the MyKey to limit the vehicle’s top speed to 80 mph as well as restrict the car stereo’s audio volume to 44% of the maximum volume. It also encourages the use of safety belts with Ford’s Beltminder system that provides a six-second reminder chime every five to six minutes if seatbelts are not worn.

Alerts are also sounded whenever the vehicle reaches 45, 55 and 65mph. The MyKey also prevents the traction control system, which limits tire spin, from being deactivated. The new Ford MyKey will come standard with the 2010 Ford Focus and will be available as an option in models for 2010 onwards.

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In what could be a glimpse of the automotive industry’s future, electric cars grabbed the limelight at the ongoing ‘Mondial de l’ Automobile’ (Paris Motor Show) 2008 with several automakers unveiling a slew of new hybrid electric models. Most of the models, such as Renault SA’s Z.E. Concept, are still prototypes and could be several years away from production. Others, like Daimler AG’s all-electric Smart ED have entered the test phase.

Several automakers debuted new ready-for-production hybrid electric models. General Motors Corp. plans to get ahead of the pack with its rechargeable electric Chevrolet Volt, which is slated to go on sale by late 2010. “General Motors is betting an awful lot on the Volt, and I think it’s more than just an image issue, so we are all very interested in that,” said Finbarr O’Neill, head of international operations for J.D. Power & Associates.

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Ford Motor Company further beefed up its reputation for safety and technology with the recent announcement of its latest vehicle safety breakthrough advanced “active” collision-avoidance technology called Collision Warning with Brake Support. This new technology uses radar to detect moving vehicles directly ahead.

When the device detects a possible collision, it warns the driver through an authoritative beep and a red warning light that is projected on the windshield above the instrument panel. Collision Warning with Brake Support is just one of three new radar-based active safety and driver-aid technologies that Ford is introducing in a range of vehicles from 2008 to 2009.

The other new technologies are Adaptive Cruise Control and BLIS (Blind Spot Information System) with Cross Traffic Alert. These three technologies use radar to detect the relative position of other vehicles and warn the driver with a combination of visual and sound alerts. The new technologies further strengthen Ford’s top safety ratings which includes the most 5-star government ratings of any automaker and most number of Top Safety Picks by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

The continued rise in gasoline prices as well as tighter rules on vehicle emissions are reviving automakers’ interests in alternative fuels specifically compressed natural gas or CNG. Toyota revealed plans to expand its line of alternatively-powered cars aside from the Prius by unveiling a new Camry Hybrid that will run on compressed natural gas rather than gasoline.

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