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Autoblog Green

GM to offer competitive pricing on Chevrolet Volt in China

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Chevrolet Volt in 'Victory Red' - Click above for high-res image gallery

With its launch slated for the second half of 2011, Kevin Wale, president and managing director of General Motors China, promises that the Chevrolet Volt will be priced to compete in China's fledgling alternative technology car market. The selling price of the Volt will not be officially unveiled until the vehicle launches in China, but as Wale spoke at a news conference in Shanghai recently, the words "I believe the pricing will be competitive" resonated throughout the room.

Priced at $41,000 in the U.S., the Volt is not exactly a bargain and, at nearly $8,000 more than the Nissan Leaf, naysayers suggest the Volt is simply too expensive. While we'd disagree with the notion that the Volt is way overpriced, the Chinese market is ripe with hybrids and plug-ins that will undercut Chevy's breakthrough model by tens of thousands of dollars. For example, BYD's F3DM plug-in hybrid starts at a very reasonable price of $22,000 before incentives, yet it still struggles to rack up a meaningful amount of sales.

So, what is a competitive price for the Volt in China, exactly? Does GM hope to compete on level terms with the $22,000 F3DM? Doubt it. Will The General aim for a $41,000 price tag? Probably not. We're inclined to believe that GM will shoot for a target price that's pretty squarely in the middle, but we'll have to wait for official word to see what "competitive" actually means to GM.


Gallery: Chevrolet Volt in 'Victory Red'


Photos by Sam Abuelsamid / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.

[Source: Reuters, The Truth About Cars]

GM to offer competitive pricing on Chevrolet Volt in China originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 03 Sep 2010 12:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spyshots: Is Phoenix Motorcars still working on a plug-in hybrid?

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Phoenix Motorcars PHEV? - Click above for image gallery

Years ago, in 2007, Phoenix said it would build a plug-in hybrid vehicle with UQM Technologies, but with all of the trouble Phoenix has been through since then, we thought the project died out. When Phoenix rose from the ashes of bankruptcy earlier this summer, Bryon Bliss, Phoenix Motorcars' vice president of sales and marketing, told AutoblogGreen that the company's sole focus was on an all-electric sports utility truck. The plug-in powerplant - and the SUV version Phoenix was talking about in the past were done. Bliss said in June:
The SUV was always more of a consumer product. As we are delaying a consumer launch we are choosing to direct focus on the available product, the Phoenix SUT.
But, AutoblogGreen reader Scott L. sent us an email this week saying the following:
I have pictures taken 8/31/10 in Rancho Cucamunga of the underside of Phoenix Motorcars vehicle showing a muffler for an ICE.
We've looked the pictures over and this does appear to be the case. A few things could be going on here. This might, indeed, be a mule for plug-in hybrid development. Or, since Phoenix uses bodies from SsangYong (the SUV seen above is the SsangYong Actyon), the exhaust might just be a remnant of its ICE past. In any case, we've asked Phoenix for clarification and we'll update this post once we hear back. Thanks, Scott!


Gallery: Phoenix PHEV?

Spyshots: Is Phoenix Motorcars still working on a plug-in hybrid? originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 03 Sep 2010 11:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Frost & Sullivan: EV production could be hindered by shortage of battery parts

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Nissan Leaf battery pack - Click above for high-res image gallery

Batteries for electric vehicles (EVs) can be derived from one of the many existing chemistries, including lithium-ion, nickel metal hydride and lead acid. Despite the chemical choices, most all of the available battery technologies utilize similar components: separators, electrolytes, anodes and cathodes. As demand for hybrids and electric vehicles rises, so, too, does the need for these components.

Some analysts are now wondering if the rapid growth in the EV market could outstrip supply of these components. Frost & Sullivan's report, titled "Global Opportunity Analysis for Chemical and Material Suppliers in the Electric Vehicle Batteries Market," finds that "the EV battery chemical and materials market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 125 per cent from 2010 to 2016." But many analysts doubt that this growth is enough to support the expected explosion of EVs.

Robert Outram, Frost & Sullivan's global program manager for transportation chemicals, notes that:
All the major automotive manufacturers are developing EVs -- considered the next generation of vehicles and a means for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to differentiate themselves to stay ahead of the competition. Escalating oil prices and environmental concerns are driving governments to grant incentives and encourage zero emission vehicles, further endorsing the importance of EVs and stepping-up the demand for EV batteries.
With production of EVs expected to rise, Outram believes that the lack of battery chemical and materials suppliers will create a bottleneck in the industry. Seeing the possibility of a downward spiral, Frost & Sullivan blames the upcoming potential shortage on the past failures of EVs. These failed attempts led suppliers to take a "wait and see" approach, but now that the EV market has materialized, many suppliers are years away from producing critical battery parts. Great, huh?

[Source: Frost & Sullivan]

Continue reading Frost & Sullivan: EV production could be hindered by shortage of battery parts

Frost & Sullivan: EV production could be hindered by shortage of battery parts originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 03 Sep 2010 10:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Coulomb unveils Michigan's first ChargePoint America charging station

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Coulomb Technologies has installed its first ChargePoint networked electric vehicle charging station in Michigan under the $37-million ChargePoint America program. The charger, located at the NextEnergy headquarters in downtown Detroit, is the first of hundreds of free public and home charging stations that the ChargePoint America program will install in the state of Michigan. Installation was carried out by Coulomb distributor Shocking Solutions (now, that's a great name for an electric car charger company).

The ChargePoint America program aims to install nearly 5,000 charging stations in nine selected regions across the United States: Texas, Detroit, MI, Los Angeles, CA, New York, Orlando, FL, Sacramento, CA, the San Jose/San Francisco Bay Area, Bellevue/Redmond, WA, and Washington DC. Partially funded by the America Recovery and Reinvestment Act and supported by partners Coulomb, Ford, General Motors and Smart, the ChargePoint America program promises to:
accelerate the development and production of electric vehicles to substantially reduce petroleum consumption, reduce greenhouse gas production and create jobs.
More corporate-approved PR after the jump.

[Source: ChargePoint America]

Continue reading Coulomb unveils Michigan's first ChargePoint America charging station

Coulomb unveils Michigan's first ChargePoint America charging station originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 03 Sep 2010 09:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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General Motors Australia reveals new Chevrolet Cruze hatchback

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Chevrolet Cruze hatchback - Click above for high-res image gallery

The long rumored Chevrolet Cruze hatchback was unveiled today by Holden, General Motors' Australian division. The five-door Cruze was designed and built at Holden's Port Melbourne design studio and will be shown publicly at the Paris Motor Show at the end of the month.

The hatchback features a forward sloping rear glass and a shorter rear overhang than the existing four-door sedan but significantly better access to the cargo space. The new body style is labeled as a global model - just like the sedan - but General Motors has not announced if it will come to the U.S. market. If the Cruze hatchback does make it to America, it will be the first C-segment hatchback from Chevrolet since the first-generation Cavalier ended production way back in 1988. GM will no doubt be watching the sales mix for the new Ford Focus, which is being offered as both a sedan and hatch in North America, before deciding. Holden will launch production of the Cruze hatchback down under in late 2011.

Update: Chevrolet has told AutoblogGreen that there are no current plans to offer the hatchback in the U.S. market.


Gallery: Chevrolet Cruze hatchback


[Source: General Motors]

Continue reading General Motors Australia reveals new Chevrolet Cruze hatchback

General Motors Australia reveals new Chevrolet Cruze hatchback originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 03 Sep 2010 08:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Lotus bringing a pair of front-engine hybrids to Paris Motor Show

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Lotus Evora 414E Hybrid
Lotus Evora 414E Hybrid - Click above for high-res image gallery

In addition to the pair of Evoras being introduced at this year's Paris Motor Show, Lotus will also be unveiling two front-engine hybrid vehicles, in keeping with the automaker's promise to offer more gasoline/electric sports cars. Green Car Advisor reports that one of these hybrid cars will be a four-door hatchback and the other will be a two-door coupe.

Lotus debuted its hybrid concept earlier this year in the form of the Evora 414E Hybrid (pictured), but unlike the mid-engine concept, the two front-engine models will utilize a 47-horsepower 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine specifically designed to provide power to electric-drive hybrids. We'll have the full details direct from the Paris show later this month, so stay tuned.



[Source: Green Car Advisor]

Report: Lotus bringing a pair of front-engine hybrids to Paris Motor Show originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 03 Sep 2010 07:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tesla Roadster eligible for $38,000 clean energy rebate in Japan

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Tesla Roadster 2.5 - Click above for high-res image gallery

Less than four months ago, Tesla Motors entered the Japanese market by shipping a dozen or so right-hand drive Signature Series Roadsters across the pond. The base Roadster, which starts at a rather shocking price of 12.8 million yen ($151,500 U.S. at the current exchange rate) has now been approved for the Japanese government's Clean Energy Cash Rebate program and is available at a deeply discounted price.

Qualifying for the cash rebate program means that the Roadster's price will be slashed by an astounding 3.24 million yen ($38,000 U.S.), which certainly makes Tesla's high-performance sports car more appealing. But, with an after-rebate price that remains at $113,500, the Roadster is still a far cry from what we would consider affordable. But hey, it's that way here in the States, too. The Tesla Roadster joins the plug-in Prius hybrid as the only two standard-sized vehicles to qualify for Japan's rebate program. Follow the jump for more on Tesla's raging deal on its Roadster in Japan.


Gallery: 2011 Tesla Roadster 2.5


[Source: Tesla Motors]

Continue reading Tesla Roadster eligible for $38,000 clean energy rebate in Japan

Tesla Roadster eligible for $38,000 clean energy rebate in Japan originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 02 Sep 2010 19:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Coda will sell electric sedan in Hawaii in late 2011

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Coda Sedan - Click above for high-res image gallery

Hawai'i is an appealing place to operate and drive electric vehicles (EVs) for four main reasons: range anxiety isn't a huge issue, there are a lot of eco-minded citizens there (some of whom have spending money), gasoline costs an arm and a leg compared to most of the rest of the U.S., and there is a lot of solar energy potential. Of course, this all means that more than one company has announced it would like to sell and promote EVs there, like Phoenix and Better Place, and some estimates are that there will be 10,000 EVs in the islands by 2015. The latest company to try and get into the game is Coda, which announced today it will launch the Coda Sedan in Hawai'i in the third quarter of 2011.

The Sedan will be available to both fleet and regular buyers in Hawai'i, and Governor Linda Lingle said in a statement that having another EV option is important to reducing the amount of oil the state uses every year (most of which comes from Malaysia - PDF):
Coda Automotive's all-electric vehicle is another important addition to Hawai'i's efforts to transition to a clean energy economy. The State of Hawai'i recognizes new electric vehicle technology and the electrification of the transportation sector will play a critical role in helping Hawai'i reduce its dependency on the use of fossil fuels and achieving our 70 percent clean energy goal by 2030.
This is all fine and good, but neither Better Place nor Phoenix are offering cars in a Honolulu dealership just yet. Will Coda beat them to it? We'll find out in around 12 months. Oh, and what's the story with the first electric car in Hawai'i? It's right here.

[Source: Coda Automotive]

Continue reading Coda will sell electric sedan in Hawaii in late 2011

Coda will sell electric sedan in Hawaii in late 2011 originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 02 Sep 2010 18:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 Ford Focus Electric to use liquid-cooled lithium-polymer battery

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Ford Focus EV - Click above for high-res image gallery

When the Ford Focus Electric debuts late in 2011, it will now have a feature in common with the Chevrolet Volt besides the LG Chem lithium polymer cells. Ford has confirmed that the Focus will use a liquid cooled battery pack with automatic thermal management, just like the Chevrolet.

Ford has opted for the active thermal management in order to help maximize the lifespan and performance of the battery. By stopping the battery from overheating, the system can help prevent the cracks that develop in the electrodes. Those cracks eventually reduce the pack's ability to hold a charge. Conversely, warming the cells when cold will improve the pack's winter performance. When the vehicle is plugged in, the thermal management will use grid power to precondition the battery before charging actually starts.

So far, Nissan and Mitsubishi are the only major EV manufacturers that are sticking with passive air cooling for plug-in vehicles. Nissan has committed to an eight-year warranty, but it remains unclear how well the battery will hold up in regular use in differing climates. Tesla's Elon Musk certainly doesn't think much of Nissan's pack.


Gallery: ABG Quick Drive: Ford Focus EV mule


[Source: Ford]

Continue reading 2012 Ford Focus Electric to use liquid-cooled lithium-polymer battery

2012 Ford Focus Electric to use liquid-cooled lithium-polymer battery originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 02 Sep 2010 18:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hybrid sales drop off for August; even Prius records a 37.5% decline

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2010 Toyota Prius - Click above for high-res image gallery

One month of dreary sales does not spell the end of the hybrid, but the numbers reported for August do hint that without a rise in gas prices, sales of hybrid cars and trucks will likely continue to suffer. As a whole, hybrid sales dropped 40.4 percent this August compared to a year ago, and even the industry's volume leader, the Toyota Prius, didn't escape from posting plunging sales results. Sales of the Prius plummeted 37.5 percent from August 2009 and dropped off 16.3 percent compared to July's posted numbers. Combined, Toyota and Lexus witnessed a 36.2 percent decline from a year ago, while Ford fared better by posting a 17.1 percent drop in year-over-year numbers.

In all fairness, hybrid sales were boosted last August by the government's Cash for Clunkers program, but this summer's low gas prices continue to bear the burden of the blame for the hybrid fallout. Toyota remains in the number one spot and posted 15,444 sales last month. Ford sits in second place and moved 3,894 hybrid vehicles off dealer lots in August while Honda holds onto third with 3,485 sales. It's getting redundant, but Toyota still leads the hybrid market. Anyone want to make bets on when that will change?



[Sources: Green Car Advisor, Autoblog]

Hybrid sales drop off for August; even Prius records a 37.5% decline originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 02 Sep 2010 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Automotive X-Prize: no money until cars pass dynamometer validation tests

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The on-track testing portions of the Automotive X-Prize are over with, and the vast majority of teams have been eliminated from contention. However, the $10 million in prize money won't be handed out until September 16. Before those checks are signed, the remaining competitors will have to complete a drive cycle on a dynamometer at the Argonne National Labratory. The dyno results will be averaged with the on-track results and the final numbers will have to top the 100 MPGe values originally set as the goal for the X-Prize. If the vehicles don't average 100 MPGe they can't claim the prize money. On top of that, all vehicles need well-to-wheels CO2 emissions of under 200 grams per mile.

The vehicles will be tested for fuel efficiency, range, emissions and hill climbing capability. The latter test will require the vehicles to maintain 55 miles per hour for 15 minutes on a simulated four percent grade.

In the mainstream class ($5 million purse), only the two vehicles from Edison2 made it through the knockouts, but both experienced engine damage during the coast down testing. Because of timing issues, the vehicles couldn't be repaired in time for the Argonne testing but officials are considering allowing them to use previous test results done by Roush Engineering. In the alternative (tandem) class ($2.5 million), only X-Tracer (pictured) remains. There are five teams left in the alternative (side-by-side) class ($2.5 million). We'll see who - if anyone - rides away with the prizes in two weeks.

[Source: Automotive X-Prize]

Continue reading Automotive X-Prize: no money until cars pass dynamometer validation tests

Automotive X-Prize: no money until cars pass dynamometer validation tests originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 02 Sep 2010 15:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Motive doesn't Bogart cannabis car info, passes us more details

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If our post about Motive Industries hemp composite electric car had you jonesin' for more info, not to worry. We've just scored more straight dope on the green machine that we're only too happy to pass a bong along.

All joking aside, the more we learn about the Kestrel, the more excited we get. The concept embodies a great many of the qualities sought after in an electric vehicle, and with government and private industry supporting the project, it just might become Canada's first domestic automobile since the Bricklin.

At just 850 kg (1874 lbs), the hemp composite construction fulfills its light-weight promise and allows the four-passenger three door to get away with using only 16 kWhs worth of lithium battery to achieve an estimated range of 160 kilometers (100 miles). With a top speed of 135 km/h (83.89 miles per hour), it should have no problem handling the highway either.

We're already diggin' the look of the hemp body panels as shown in the render above and look forward to seeing the Kestrel concept in a couple weeks at the EV 2010 VÉ Conference and Trade Show in Vancouver. If they stick to their schedule, we should see a production prototype next summer and actual production vehicles as soon as 2012. Hit the jump for the official press release as well as a bit of video from a couple years back featuring Motive Industries president Nathan Armstrong discussing his background, his company's focus and prior projects. Very impressive.

[Source: Motive Industries]

Continue reading Motive doesn't Bogart cannabis car info, passes us more details

Motive doesn't Bogart cannabis car info, passes us more details originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 02 Sep 2010 14:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Donnie Bowles scores first win in propane-powered Roush Mustang

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Driver Donnie Bowles has proven that propane can be a winner. At the fourth annual NMCA Muscle Car Nationals at Milan Dragway in Michigan this past weekend, Bowles began with "a perfect 0.000 reaction time" and ended with a win following a run of 10.580 seconds at 121.00 miles per hour. Hank Hill would be proud.

Bowles was driving a liquid propane-powered Mustang that uses an all-aluminum 5.4-liter, V8 Ford engine that was designed for the Ford GT. With propane in the tank, it puts out 700 horsepower. To make the powerplant run on liquid propane, Roush added CNC ported cylinder heads, a high performance camshaft and valvetrain and a wet sump lubrication system. Bowles' teammate in the Roush Drag Team, Susan Roush-McClenaghan, drives an identical car and both have managed to reach the final round in earlier events this year, but this was the first win for the team in 2010.

[Source: Roush]

Continue reading Donnie Bowles scores first win in propane-powered Roush Mustang

Donnie Bowles scores first win in propane-powered Roush Mustang originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 02 Sep 2010 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mazda's "uniquely engineered" Sky engines will offer best-in-class fuel efficiency

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Mazda6 mules are out there somewhere being tested right now for a planned debut in early 2012. The vehicles feature an entirely reworked suspension, an advanced six-speed automatic transmission and a multi-purpose platform that will underpin several new Mazda models. Mazda sources say that the new 6, with its advanced platform and new range of engines, should be future-proofed for upcoming emissions and safety standards for at least a decade after its launch, but Mazda's approach to engineering engines that will meet future regulations is rather unusual. Or, as Autocar puts it, the company's Sky mills are "uniquely engineered."

At launch, the Mazda6 will be available with at least two entirely new Mazda-developed Sky engines. According to the company, both the 2.2-liter Sky D diesel and the 2.0-liter Sky G gasoline engines will offer best-in-class fuel efficiency, but both engines achieve their fuel-sipping status via unconventional designs. The diesel unit has a relatively low 14:1 compression ratio and meets 2013 Euro 6 emissions regulations, but does so without expensive NOx traps and therefore is cheaper to build than many of today's Euro 5 diesel mills. The gasoline engine is normally aspirated, but its high 14:1 compression ratio gives it much-improved low-end torque. Key to the engine's design is its oversized 4-2-1 manifold. This manifold boosts power, but also requires more packaging space. Both engines conform to Mazda's global powertrain strategy and, as such, they will see widespread use in numerous company vehicles in the coming years.

[Source: Autocar]

Mazda's "uniquely engineered" Sky engines will offer best-in-class fuel efficiency originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 02 Sep 2010 13:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM says Chevy Cruze Eco with an automatic will hit 36 mpg highway

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2011 Chevrolet Cruze Eco - Click above for high-res image gallery

General Motors recently slapped a price tag on the ultra-efficient 2011 Chevrolet Cruze Eco. Starting at $18,895, the compact Cruze Eco isn't the cheapest vehicle in its class, but it will be one of the most efficient compact sedans available whether you opt for the manual or automatic transmission. The Cruze Eco, when equipped with a manual transmission, is projected to hit 40 miles per gallon on the highway. But let's face it, most buyers will opt for the slushbox.

Choosing the auto trans will drop the efficiency numbers for the Cruze Eco, but not by much. General Motors executives recently told Edmunds AutoObserver that the EPA has slapped a fuel-economy rating of 36 mpg highway on the auto-equipped Cruze Eco. The is in line with GM's target for the automatic model, which leads us to believe that the manual trans version will also hit GM's projected 40 mpg rating when it receives final certification from the EPA. Production of the Cruze Eco is slated for this December, with sales starting early next year.



Live photos by Drew Phillips / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.

[Source: Edmunds AutoObserver]

GM says Chevy Cruze Eco with an automatic will hit 36 mpg highway originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 02 Sep 2010 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumormill: GM to follow Hyundai with four-cylinder-only mid-size cars

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Hyundai made some news last fall when it launched the all-new 2011 Sonata with a four-cylinder-only engine lineup. It now looks like General Motors might be following suit for its mid-sizers. By leaving out larger V6 engines as a possibility, Hyundai was able to design a lighter structure while still meeting new safety requirements and maintaining passenger volume. GM has already opted for four-cylinder engines in the new Buick Regal even though it didn't get any structural weight advantage since the Opel Insignia that it's derived from is available with V6 engines.

The 2012 Chevrolet Malibu is also expected to eschew V6 engines when it debuts next year and both it and the Regal are likely to benefit from GM's next-generation mild hybrid system. GM is moving toward down-sized engines across the board with direct-injection and turbocharging for its next generation of vehicles as it strives to meet new fuel economy standards. Given the relatively small percentage of mid-sized cars that are actually purchased with the more powerful V6 engines, it makes much more sense for automakers to design vehicles around the smaller engines and then use turbocharging and hybridization to provide improved performance for the few customers who want it.

[Source: GM Inside News]

Rumormill: GM to follow Hyundai with four-cylinder-only mid-size cars originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 02 Sep 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Electric motorycle entrepeneur killed in car accident

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Matthew Dieckmann, president of Santa Rosa-based Electric Race Bikes and known by friends and neighbors as the "local electric motorcycle entrepreneur," was involved in a fatal crash in Santa Rosa, CA late Monday morning. Dieckmann was piloting an electric motorcycle near the Coddington Mall when he collided with a Toyota Prius. Though the Prius driver suffered no injuries, 29-year-old Dieckmann did not survive the crash.

Santa Rosa Police Sgt. Doug Schlief stated that Dieckman's motorcycle struck the passenger side of the Prius. Investigators are still attempting to determine who might have been at fault, but some witnesses suggest that either Dieckmann or the Prius driver turned left at the intersection without yielding to oncoming traffic. The intersection was closed for five hours for investigation.

Family members say that Dieckmann was piloting one of the electric motorcycles that he developed for Electric Race Bikes. Dieckmann was known as a pioneer in the industry and strongly promoted electric motorcycles. Most well known for his developmental work on the EGP, an electric motorcycle that captured third place at a TTXGP competition in May, Dieckmann will be sorely missed by many. But his innovations, which have made an impact on the electric motorcycle industry, will surely live on.

[Source: Clutch & Chrome, SF Gate]

Electric motorycle entrepeneur killed in car accident originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 02 Sep 2010 09:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM announces $15,910 MSRP for Chevy Express, GMC Savana CNG packages

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Starting this fall, commercial fleet customers can opt to order their full-size GMC Savana and Chevrolet Express vans with either a factory-fitted compressed natural gas (CNG) system or a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) setup. The CNG/LPG vans will be delivered from the factory with the chosen fuel option and all necessary components installed and won't require any aftermarket modifications. General Motors has finalized pricing for the CNG system but, due to its lofty price tag, we don't expect many buyers will be opting for this natural gas package.

GM's pricing for the CNG option breaks down like this:
The all-inclusive CNG option includes a dedicated CNG system ($14,590), a natural gas-capable Vortec 6.0-liter V8 engine ($1,295), as well as HD trailering equipment ($265). A $240 credit for deleting the spare tire brings the package price to $15,910. So the total cost of either a 2011 Chevrolet Express or 2011 GMC Savana Cargo model, which starts at $25,980 would be $41,890 with the CNG option.
According to GM, "Chevrolet and GMC are the only full-line vehicle brands to offer a "check-the-box" CNG option for vans." Jumping from a mid-20s price tag to over 40 large for the CNG-powered cargo van seems like a stretch to us, but then again, we don't own a commercial fleet, nor are we the targeted buyers. Only time will tell if the people who are think the optional CNG package is worth it. Hit the jump for more info on GM's CNG option package, which will be available this fall on the Chevy Express and GMC Savana.

[Source: General Motors]

Continue reading GM announces $15,910 MSRP for Chevy Express, GMC Savana CNG packages

GM announces $15,910 MSRP for Chevy Express, GMC Savana CNG packages originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 02 Sep 2010 09:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Review: 2011 Honda CR-Z

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Take off your rose-colored glasses, CRX fans

2011 Honda CR-Z
2011 Honda CR-Z - Click above for high-res image gallery

Okay, so the 2011 Honda CR-Z isn't exactly the modern-day CRX redux that we were all hoping for. Mildly upsetting, yes, but perhaps this disappointment tarnished our initial impression of this newest hybrid offering from Honda. We still have many questions about its form and function, but need to accept the fact that times have changed, Honda's product strategies have been realigned to the times and the CRX shall remain a modern classic - especially the Si. Besides, this little two-seat hybrid isn't really all that bad. Really.

What we have here is an inherently good vehicle that doesn't make a whole lot of sense. It only has two seats and its EPA fuel economy numbers are underwhelming. A Ford Fiesta, for example, is more functional, less expensive and gets nearly the same combined fuel economy - at least compared to a manual-equipped CR-Z like our tester.

But don't write off the CR-Z completely. It may be a tough sell when looked at from a big picture perspective, but on its own, it's a pretty good little whip. Follow the jump to find out why.



Photos copyright (C)2010 Steven J. Ewing / AOL

Continue reading Review: 2011 Honda CR-Z

Review: 2011 Honda CR-Z originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 02 Sep 2010 07:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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One analyst's view: oil should cost just $10 a barrel

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It wasn't all that long ago that barrels of oil cost around $10. One energy analyst quoted by CNBC, Peter Beutel, the president of Cameron Hanover, thinks that a fresh, crisp Alexander Hamilton is just about what a barrel is worth. His reasoning?
We have so much oil right now, more than we've had in 27 years. Why is it 27 years? Because that's how far our records go back. It's probably the most in 50 or 100 years. ... We've got 50 million barrels of crude more than we had two years ago. We have 176 million of distillate. When I started in the business back in 1980 we used to think to ourselves: "Gee, we would love it if we had 140 million barrels of distillates to start the winter."
The problem?
I honestly think that if there were no investors using oil as an asset that the price of oil right now would be $10 or $15 or $18, but it wouldn't be anywhere near where it is.
For the record, a barrel is currently valued/traded at around $74.

Now, it appears Beutel is looking at this from a purely economic perspective. If there is excess supply, why aren't prices dropping? He notes that expectations that the economy will recover are helping elevate the price - more global economic activity means more oil used and thus more demand, it's as simple as that - but those of us who favor reducing oil use see other reasons for the price to continue to climb. Now, if only alternative energy prices could decline as quickly as oil prices rise. Thanks to Evan for the tip!

[Source: CNBC]

One analyst's view: oil should cost just $10 a barrel originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 01 Sep 2010 19:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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