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Wow, even cigar-smoking, bodybuilding, onetime Conan The Barbarian Schwarzenegger the Governator has been forced to face the facts of fuel efficiency. The juiced-up juggernaut posed next to a girly little Saturn VUE Hybrid at the L.A. Auto Show, perhaps a concession to his left-coast state that sells more Toyota Priuses and Civic Hybrids than probably any other state in the union.

Schwarzenegger, of course, was one of the first adopters of the hulking Hummer H1, a barely-disguised HUMVEE military vehicle peddled to rich former moviestars by GM back when gas was cheap and environmentalism was strictly the domain of anti-American left-wing radicals like Bill Ayers. So popular was the bad-boy strut of the H1 that GM, dizzy with visions of gigando profit margins, quickly created the similarly-styled Hummer H2 and plopped it onto a heavy-duty GM truck chassis.

With six liters, 6,400 lbs., and 32 gallons of fuel, the H2 provided just what mom and dad needed to take the kids to soccer and brave the journey from Ryan's to the local mall. Conveniently, the Bush EPA did not require the H2 to reveal its fuel consumption. Distraught owners have reported city figures in the single digits, and even Consumer Guide averaged only 10.7 mpg with mostly highway driving. How to feed these monsters? "Drill, baby, drill!"

At the Republican National Convention in 2004, Schwarzenegger criticized pessimism about the economy: "Don't be economic girlie men," he chided. So what's with the emasculating Saturn VUE Hybrid, Arnie? Have your fuel-swilling days been terminated?--Colin Mathews
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The alt-electric-bio-fuel experts over at Green Car Journal have their finalists for the Green Car of the Year award, and a broad range of powertrains are represented in this year's talent pool.

The finalists include:

2009 BMW 335d: The 335d is BMW's first diesel in the United States in a long time; it has the speed and handling of the standard 3 Series, with 36-mpg highway fuel economy .

2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid: Ford's first sedan hybrid (along with the Mercury Milan Hybrid) promises class-leading fuel economy and some interesting tech tweaks to help drivers learn more fuel-efficient driving techniques.

2009 Saturn Vue 2-Mode Hybrid: GM's two-mode hybrid system, already found in its big SUVs, makes an appearance in the compact Vue crossover.

2008 Smart Fortwo: It's powered by a gasoline engine--how unconventional!--but the smart rings in 40-mpg plus fuel economy in a two-seat, parking-friendly package.

2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI: Volkswagen's new clean diesels show up in sedan and wagon bodies this year, and the TDI sports fuel economy rated in the 30s--with VW demonstrating that mileage in the 40s isn't just possible, it's easily attained.

GreenCarJournal says it picks new models that "provide real answers for new car buyers looking for a personal stake in lessening environmental impact." The car must also be in production by January 1.

The winner will be announced at the Los Angeles auto show on November 20.

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We reported earlier today about Ford Motor Company's solid reliability ratings in Consumer Reports' 2008 Annual Car Reliability Survey. Says Consumer Reports, "on average, Ford continues to build the most reliable American cars." But the comprehensive test also revealed that reliability of European makes is on the rise and that fuel-efficient vehicles represented with largely superior reliability. These findings and others were presented today at an Automotive Press Association Lunch in Detroit, Michigan.

Again, Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury "continue to pull away from the rest of Detroit," good news that Ford should proudly claim in this hostile market, and hopefully a harbinger of the quality and reliability of its upcoming European-derived models like the 2011 Ford Fiesta. Says CR, "Ford’s reliability is now on par with good Japanese automakers." The Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan sedans, notably sharing production and design with the new Mazda6, rank among the top family cars in reliability, and the new Focus sedan has risen dramatically since its debut in 2000 to now rank as above average.

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Long plagued with quality issues, European brands like Mercedes-Benz are finally improving. That automaker’s C-Class, E-Class V-6, and ML350 SUV have improved to average reliability, placing them in Consumer Report’s "recommended" category. Three more Mercedes models made it to the average reliability level. This is in contrast to last year, when Mercedes made no models that even managed an average score.

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Even with the improvements, roughly one third of Mercedes’ products have reliability problems, with no models scoring above average. With that storied brand trying to bring diesel back to America, qualms about their reliability doesn't bolster an argument for a fuel the U.S. abandoned in the passenger car market 20-odd years ago. Audi presented a better story, also the purveyor of new diesels for it's '09 lineup, with two-thirds of its fleet scoring average or better, and most of BMW's 3 Series and 5 Series also scoring average or better. A Ford-owned Volvo made strides, leaving only the XC70 wagon rated below average.

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As to the excellent reliability of fuel-efficient vehicles, the big story from Consumer Reports is in the gasoline/electric hybrid segment. Hybrid leader Toyota Motor Company scored high with its Toyota Prius, Toyota Camry Hybrid, and Lexus GS450h hybrid sedans, as well as its Lexus RX400h and Toyota Highlander hybrid SUVs. Nissan’s Altima hybrid rated highly in the sedan category, and Ford scored yet another reliability win with its Escape Hybrid/Mercury Mariner Hybrid small SUV twins, which scored above average in predicted reliability. Finally, in the hybrid realm, the Honda Civic Hybrid, with its Integrated Motor Assist, scored above average.

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Following the Japanese-heavy solid reliability stories with hybrids and fuel efficient vehicles, Japanese brands in general scored tops in reliability in Consumer Reports’ annual survey, and lead a staggering 15 of 16 categories in the organization's predicted reliability ratings. We’re used to this story from Japanese brands, though some of their newer ventures like the Toyota Tundra, Nissan Titan, Nissan Armada, and Infiniti QX56 SUV have been marked exceptions to their high-quality habits. Last year’s Toyota Camry also had significant reliability problems, but the brand seems to to have these issues on the mend as they did score above average once more in the '08 survey. The Nissan vehicles mentioned "showed striking improvements" with the troubled models gaining average reliability. New products from Nissan such as the Rogue small SUV and the similarly sized Infiniti EX crossover have begun their product cycles with above average reliability, helping Nissan and Infiniti enjoy overall improvements in their rankings versus last year.

South Korean companies Hyundai and Kia also rank highly, scoring about even with the Japanese makers mentioned above. The majority of their models scored at least above average.

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GM models were "a mixed bag," according to Consumer Reports. They spanned the range from above average for the 4-cylinder Chevrolet Malibu, average for the V-6 model of the same vehicle, and above-average ratings for the Buick Lucerne V-8 and four-cylinder Pontiac G6 (cousin to the Chevrolet Malibu). Chevrolet’s Avalanche has moved up to an average ranking, but a solid one-quarter of GM’s models are "still well below average." Sadly, models that performed well in Consumer Reports' testing regimen, such as the Cadillac CTS, Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia, and Saturn Outlook, rang in with reliability that was below average.

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But the worst reliability story come from the now Cerberus-owned Chrysler. While the newer platform-mates Dodge Caliber and Jeep Patriot small SUVs made respectable above-average ratings, nearly two-thirds of Chrysler’s products were solidly below average. The Pentastar's bread-and-butter minivans, the Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan, which are claimed by many to be perhaps their most valuable products next to the new 2009 Ram pickup, earned low scores from Consumer Reports. Also scoring low for Chrysler were its Jeep Liberty, Dodge Avenger, and Chrysler Sebring V-6. Scoring abysmally low was the Chrysler Sebring Convertible, earning the worst predicted reliability score that was calculated at a whopping 283 percent lower than average--not good numbers for a car company that’s struggling for existence.

It’s a good day when we can report that an American manufacturer like Ford, whose future is at stake just like competitors GM and Chrysler, is at least turning out reliable, well-built cars that can compete on the same ground as the Japanese. Changing consumer opinion is a longer, tougher road, but with large agencies like Consumer Reports lending their support, perhaps the tides will change for Ford, which has recently seen stock prices drop to desperately low 1980s levels, leading some of its largest stockholders like tycoon Kirk Kerkorian to consider the sale of his entire holdings of Ford stock.

Fresher European-sourced products are quickly on the way for Ford, as consumers and the media have long complained about Ford’s decision not to bring the excellent European Focus platform to America. Instead, we persist with the 8-year-old Focus platform spruced up only with styling and sheetmetal changes. If they can keep up the quality story with the new European products that are sized right for the times (and enjoy commensurately smaller consumption), Ford may be poised for a slow but sure comeback as long as the stock market and credit crisis begin a resolution. And that's a big "if."--Colin Mathews

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Beware auto thieves--you might want to think twice before lifting that '09 Caddy CTS. Or at least hire a 13-year-old computer hacker to ride along with. Today, GM's OnStar announces Stolen Vehicle Slowdown on '09 OnStar-equipped vehicles sold in the United States and Canada, and we can only imagine thieves' panic as the go-pedal stops responding to their right feet. It's probably equal to the pleasure experienced by OnStar employees who, upon direction from law enforcement, get to do a little bit of remote throttle control from command central.

To activate Stolen Vehicle Slowdown (functionality included on all new Generation 8 versions of the OnStar hardware) vehicle owners must notify police of the theft. They may then call OnStar and request Stolen Vehicle Assistance. OnStar will use its GPS satellites to pinpoint the stolen vehicle's location, which they will then provide to the police. Police, once they've deemed the situation safe and controlled, advise the OnStar employees to engage the slowdown process that gradually reduces the throttle opening down to idle. All other vehicle systems remain operable; only the accelerator becomes inactive.

GM cites NHTSA statistics that claim more than 30,000 police chases per year. Of those chases, approximately 300 deaths result. In GM OnStar cars, anyway, high-speed chases will now be an impossibility, and the chances of the stolen car being destroyed are presumably reduced. But only if the owner doesn't mind the electronic intervention; Stolen Vehicle Slowdown may be disabled by vehicle owners (with non-traditional businesses?) if they so desire.--Colin Mathews

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GM proudly announces--with Chevy Traverse crossovers now rolling off the line--that the conversion of its Spring Hill, Tennessee, plant was "one of GM's fastest from plan development to product rolling off the line." The automaker has spent the last 12 months and some $600 million readying the manufacturing facility for Traverse duty.

Conversion of the facility was quite involved and included such changes as the addition of 31 miles of conveyor belts, 623 assembly robots, and 1,625 tons of support steel in the general assembly building.

Spring Hill, Tennessee, was the spiritual center for the birth of the Saturn brand back in 1990. It was also the site of the cult-like Saturn Homecomings (drawing 44,000 owners in 1999), the locus of a landmark UAW agreement, and home of efficient, Japanese-style manufacturing techniques that had not yet been employed in American auto manufacturing.

And yet GM's Traverse announcement makes just one oblique reference to Spring Hill's history, quickly stating that "more than 3.752 million vehicles have been produced at the facility since it opened in 1990."

Is it symbolic that a three-row, 4,700-plus-pound, seven-passenger crossover has officially and completely swallowed the small vehicle that Roger Smith once crowed was "A Different Kind of Car" from "A Different Kind of Company"? When Saturn was released in 1990, the public was thrilled to have an American small car they were proud to purchase. There are still rabid Saturn fans out there, clinging to their first- and second-gen SL1s. And while the first Saturns were never groundbreaking, they were arguably the most competitive, fully domestic small cars ever produced. But GM didn't invest in updates to keep the them competitive (roughly eight years with the same mechanicals), and as Honda Civics and Toyota Corollas advanced with new generations, Saturn models grew long in the tooth and were forced to soldier on with cosmetic updates. Saturn Spring Hill production of small cars was ultimately abandoned, and GM left small car design and manufacture for its Saturn brand to the people who know how to do it: the Europeans.

Taken another way, one could argue that some elements of the Chevy Traverse are symbolic of the lessons GM learned with Saturn. The Traverse's styling, powertrain, and attention to detail (with the exception of too much plasti-chrome on the instrument panel) are loads better than Saturn ever managed with its SL-, SW-, or SC-series cars. The Spring Hill plant continues its dedication to environmental responsibility, with GM recycling more than 22,000 tons of scrap metal in the recent Spring Hill renovation.

But the irony is inescapable: On the very hallowed ground where GM was to pave the way for an all-new era of the American small car, it now produces a 5,000-pound behemoth (a recent Motor Trend Traverse LTZ AWD rang in at 5,111 pounds) that manages an OK 24 mpg highway, 23 mpg with AWD. Motor Trend saw observed mileage as low as 12.1 mpg.

The original Saturns were all about efficiency, from manufacturing right on down to good old mpg. If GM had invested as much time, energy, and money in Saturn as it did in Hummer, Tahoe, and Escalade, might Spring Hill now be producing a Honda Fit rival? Or a Yaris competitor? Or perhaps a small hybrid or a mini car? Here's hoping the jilted ghosts of Spring Hill's past don't rear their heads during Traverse production. We'll be on the lookout for bizarre Chevrolet recalls...--Colin Mathews