This article recaps the encouraging improvements in yet another of GM’s cars.   They seem to be adding hybrids to more and more of their line up.

A little off our main topic of better gas mileage for you and yours, we want to take a moment and plug our friends at Donor Snap, leaders in providing great web software for non-profit donor management.   We use them at our church, we like them so much.  If you know of a non profit that has membership lists, donors and needs to be more efficient in managing the donations they receive, recommend that they look at DonorSnap.com!  Thanks for listening, now back to gas-mileage….

Here is a good article on 5 tips to improve your gas mileage in calendar 2011.   Happy New Year!

Are you in the market for a new car soon? Then you might want to pay particular attention to these small cars and family sedans. According to the EPA, they’re the most fuel-efficient models for 2011 so far. Please note that not all makes and models have been tested, so other contenders may find their way onto the lists.

Small Cars

Family Sedans

* Based on 45% highway driving, 55% city driving, 15,000 annual miles and the price of fuel used by the vehicle.

** Source: The gas mileage figures and fuel cost estimates found on this website are reported by the U.S. Government at http://www.fueleconomy.gov/

Sure, we might make fun of Minivan Moms, but secretly, we all love the comfort and convenience of these modern vans. Think you might be in the market for one? Here are the top 8 fuel-efficient minivans for 2010:

* Based on 45% highway driving, 55% city driving, 15,000 annual miles and the price of fuel used by the vehicle.

** Source: The gas mileage figures and fuel cost estimates found on this website are reported by the U.S. Government at http://www.fueleconomy.gov/

Due to hit U.S. showrooms this fall, the 2011 Mercedes-Benz CL class will have a 15% improvement in fuel economy and a 23% reduction in carbon emissions. It will do all of this with a smaller engine than in the past, yet it will produce more power. Find out how it will accomplish that here.

Think 41 mpg city/36 mpg highway sounds far-fetched for a luxury sedan? Ford doesn’t think so. The company says its new Lincoln MKZ hybrid will reach those numbers, beating out its closest luxury competitors, including the Lexus HS 250h. Read more about it here.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently published a new top 10 list of cars with the best fuel economy ratings – but the list is a little surprising.  Some of the top vehicles have been around for years, and in some cases, even decades.

Chrysler is set to announce today that it is investing $300 million in a factory at its Kokomo, Ind., complex. This investment is being made to make a new eight-speed transmission developed by German supplier ZF that will help improve fuel efficiency and preserve about 1,200 jobs. Read more details here.

With the ever-changing – and sometimes outrageous – price of gasoline, drivers are always looking for ways to increase fuel efficiency while controlling costs at the pump. But how many of us really know how gas prices are determined?

Before looking at the factors that determine gas prices, let’s review some statistics on fuel consumption. According to the Department of Energy (DOE), the U.S. consumed 137.80 billion gallons (or 3.28 billion barrels) of gasoline in 2008. That’s actually about 3% less than the record high of about 142.35 billion gallons (or 3.39 billion barrels) consumed in 2007. As a comparison, consumption in 1998 was about 126.52 billion gallons (or 3.01 billion barrels).

Let’s turn our attention now to factors that help determine retail gas prices. Figures listed below are from the Department of Energy (DOE).

• Crude Oil Prices. This price varies over time and among regions of the country. In March 2010, refiners paid an average of about $80 per barrel of crude oil, which accounted for about 69% of the national average retail price of a gallon of regular grade gasoline.
• Taxes. Federal, State, and local government taxes (not including county and local taxes) accounted for about 14% of the national average retail price of regular gasoline in March 2010. Federal excise taxes were 18.4 cents per gallon and State excise taxes averaged 22.01 cents per gallon.
• Distribution and Marketing. Distribution, marketing, and retail dealer costs and profits made up the next largest share of the retail price of gasoline in March 2010. These expenses accounted for roughly 8% of the retail price of regular gasoline.
• Refining. Refining costs and profits were the smallest part of the retail price of gasoline in March 2010, accounting for 9% of the retail price of regular gasoline.

Demand is another indicator of higher gasoline prices. The demand for gasoline is usually higher in the summer, since it is a peak vacation time. This higher demand generally translates to higher gas prices.