The number of announcements about hybrids and other fuel efficient cars is picking up speed. Over the last several days, General Motors' (NYSE: GM) Saturn has said it will come out with a Vue Green Line two-mode hybrid. According to The New York Times, "two-mode Vues will operate in electric-only mode at low speeds or with a mix of the 3.6 liter V-6 gas engine and electric assistance at higher speeds."

Ford Motor (NYSE: F) will probably introduce a lighter version of its Explorer SUV. The model will also have a smaller engine. The new vehicles probably will be introduced at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

That is not all Ford has up its sleeve. The Associated Press writes that Ford will release its new EcoBoost engine. It works with "direct injection so fuel is injected into each cylinder of the engine in small, precise amounts, which improves fuel economy and power. The turbocharger uses waste energy from the exhaust gas to drive the turbine."

Undoubtedly all of this new technology works, although it is not clear how much it will add to the cost of any given car model.

The tech may also be coming a bit late, at least for Ford. With its sales off 12% in the U.S. last year, it is now in third place in its domestic market behind both GM and Toyota (NYSE: TM). A poor economy could push vehicle sales to multidecade lows this year. The plans to keep Ford on the road to recovery may simply not cut costs fast enough to outpace falling sales.

Ford's shares are back around $6. They have not been there for 20 years. Hybrids are not going to solve that.

Douglas A. McIntyre is an editor at 247wallst.com.

Saturn, Ford hybrids pick up speed originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 06 Jan 2008 12:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.