favorited
no longer favorited
hidden
no longer hidden
los angeles cars & trucks
new york cars & trucks
Hybrid vehicle
The next step in the evolution of the Automobile!

There is no doubt that Hybrid vehicle propulsion technology will be the next big thing in the automobile and truck industry.
I wrote this in February 2005 and now hybrid cars are not only the next big thing in automobiles they are the big thing!
Hybrid vehicles and hybrid cars have fascinated me since I first learned of Dr Ferdinand Porsche’s hybrid car, built in 1899 by Jacob Lohner & Co. The so called Lohner-Porsche.

This was in 1984 and I was working on my BS thesis in Mechanical Engineering. My thesis was on a conceptual design of a light off-road utility vehicle, and I was investigating possible propulsion systems.
I started thinking what had happened to hybrid technology as I saw no petrol-electric cars around. And this was 84-85 years after Dr. Ferdinand Porsche so aptly demonstrated and even raced the first petrol-electric vehicle!
Why would a concept like this disappear?
It seemed such a good idea!
But hybrid vehicles, I later found out, had not disappeared at all.
Hybrid vehicles and vessels where all around me. I just hadn’t noticed.
Petrol-electric vehicles where maybe rather scarce in 1984 but diesel-electric vehicles
existed in abundance.
Vehicle Transport
When I say hybrid vehicles I’m not constraining the discussion to diesel-electric and petrol-electric applications only.
The engines them selves are also within our scope as engine technology is evolving in big strides:
- Hydrogen engines,
- Methane engines,
- Bio-gas engines, and
- Bio-diesel engines are in the picture as lorries have even been made to run on fuels like fish oil and vegetable oil.
Even fuel cells are now becoming a realistic option in many “small” vehicle applications.
The mechanical separation of the motor from the drive train is highly interesting in it self and gives designers an enormous freedom in forming our future vehicles.
This de-coupling will simplify the drive train and reduce costs.
”The gearbox” will be obsolete and we will have infinitely variable “gearing” thus increasing efficiency.
It may even bring back into the, auto, arena technologies like:
and make hydraulic drive, or even propulsion by compressed air viable options for the family saloon.

Propelled by air! … the cleanest propulsion technology yet!
Hybrid vehicle technology is, as pointed out, not new but it was overtaken by mass production technologies early on in the evolution of the automobile.
Now because of this same mass production capability, environmental pressure and economics of scale, hybrid vehicle technology is back in full force!
The purpose of this site is to bring together the technologies, the applications and hopefully create a dynamic community of both amateurs and professionals interested in our future.
Yours truly.
Kjartan Bergsson
- Hybrid Vehicle History – more than a 100 years of evolution and refinement
- In Hybrid Vehicle History -read about Dr. Porsches work in 1898-1900 – about Submarines and Trains – about the modern hybrid cars of today.
- Definition of
Start Preamble
Office of the United States Trade Representative.
Request for petitions.
For a limited period, a North American producer of passenger vehicles and light trucks (vehicle producer) may request an alternative to the standard staging regime for the rules of origin for automotive goods under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA or the Agreement) using the procedures and guidance for submitting petitions in this notice.
To be assured of consideration, a vehicle producer must submit a petition with a draft alternative staging plan no later than July 1, 2020. A vehicle producer must submit a petition with its final alternative staging plan no later than August 31, 2020.
Submit petitions by email to USMCAAutosCommittee@ustr.eop.gov. For alternatives to email submissions, please contact Kent Shigetomi, Director for Multilateral Non-Tariff Barriers at (202) 395-9459 in advance of the deadline and before submission.
Start Further Info
Kent Shigetomi, Director for Multilateral Non-Tariff Barriers at (202) 395-9459.
End Further Info
End Preamble
Start Supplemental Information
I. Introduction
A. Background
On June 12, 2017 (82 FR 23699), the President announced his intention to commence negotiations with Canada and Mexico to modernize the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). On November 30, 2018, the Governments of the United States, Mexico, and Canada (the Parties) signed the protocol replacing NAFTA with the USMCA. On December 10, 2019, the Parties signed the protocol of amendment to the USMCA.
The USMCA includes new rules of origin to claim preferential treatment for Start Printed Page 22239automotive goods, including higher Regional Value Content (RVC) thresholds, mandatory requirements to produce core parts in the region, mandatory steel and aluminum purchasing requirements, and a Labor Value Content (LVC) requirement. The Agreement allows vehicle producers to request an alternative staging regime for these requirements that would permit a longer period of transition to help ensure that future production is able to meet the new rules. The standard staging regime is specified under the Automotive Appendix to Chapter 4 of the USMCA (Automotive Appendix), with the exception of Article 8, which specifies provisions relating to the alternative staging regime. You can find information about the estimated impact of the USMCA rules of origin on investment, production, and employment in the U.S. automotive sector on the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) website: https://ustr.gov/trade-agreements/free-trade-agreements/united-states-mexico-canada-agreement/us-automotive-sector.
B. Overview of the Alternative Staging Regime
The alternative staging regime differs from the standard staging regime by providing additional time and a different phase-in of the new requirements. It provides an alternative to certain rules of origin requirements for passenger vehicles and light trucks, but does not replace any other rules of origin or any provisions of general applicability for these goods to claim preferential treatment under the USMCA.
For instance, under an alternative staging regime, importers of certain passenger vehicles and light trucks will have an additional two years—five years instead of three—to meet the requirements, and the vehicles will have different RVC and LVC thresholds.
To qualify for an alternative staging regime, a vehicle producer must submit
“Race-inspired and street legal – choose ADVAN when high performance is all that matters. Drop lap times and experience exceptional handling with the one and only, legendary ADVAN line-up. It’s the perfect tire for your high performance sportscar.”
LEARN MORE
“There’s an AVID tire for just about anything you drive, wherever you need to go, and whatever you want from your tires. Fuel efficiency? Check. Quiet, comfortable ride? Check. Spirited performance? Check. The AVID family does it all.”
LEARN MORE
“BluEarth® tires are lightweight and aerodynamic, made with fuel-saving construction that minimizes their impact on the environment. And their innovative compound with Yokohama’s patented advanced compound creates exceptional traction especially in wet conditions.”
LEARN MORE
“Some families are just more adventurous than others. Wherever you want to go, whatever you want to do, there’s a GEOLANDAR tire for it.”
LEARN MORE
“iceGUARD has got you covered with the wet winter traction and resistance to wear you need for your passenger car, minivan, truck, crossover or SUV.”
LEARN MORE
“Designed to provide a smooth, safe, quiet ride and improved handling across conditions for your performance or passenger car, crossover, truck or SUV.”
LEARN MORE
Huge selection of vehicles in stock and new arrivals daily!

Loading Inventory…
Welcome to Car Factory!
We have been in business at our current location since 1999 – We are family owned and operated – We offer financing through several local banks and credit unions as well as national lenders for every credit situation – We take great pride in our inventory and recondition them to a much higher standard than the auto industry average – We are are thankful for the amount of repeat customers and referrals we see on a consistent basis – We offer complete history reports on all units in stock –
Questions please call 406-896-9833
Don’t take our word for it… see what our happy customers have to say.
Here’s a testimonial from one of our valued customers. Read more here!
- “I bought my personal vehicle from the car factory when i worked at another carlot…I liked the way they did business so much that i actually came to… “
Chad Maki, Billings - “Really nice place. Called trying to get into something older with more miles so I wouldn’t owe so much. They got me in a vehicle 4years newer with les… “
Hannah Mclendon, Billings - “Such a great place! They made it easy and the staff was fun and made the whole experience worth my trip over. I found my car at a great price and I co… “
Sharee Gregory, Billings - “Dru, I give you 10 stars! It’s so nice that we connected. Just think we almost didn’t stop. We are so glad we did and we will be back for our next veh… “
Jerri Lacquement, Billings - “Both my husband and I loved the personable service that we were provided. Both Greg and Dru were great salespeople and overall just generally great pe… “
Lilly Ferreira, Billings
Convertible
Coupe
Hatchback
Hybrid
SUV
Sedan
Truck
Van
Wagon
Please contact us with any questions or comments you have, and we’ll get back with you right away.