tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69642179736899080382024-03-18T21:04:28.437-07:00Auto Industry News with a twist...Robert Linkonis Sr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17006194089617624003noreply@blogger.comBlogger73125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6964217973689908038.post-61959322773711928702009-08-25T11:12:00.000-07:002009-08-25T11:49:42.305-07:00Mahindra Pickup Arrives Late, But Well-Equipped<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0EKbjx5lbElABXN-EnjBTpisU8OeLhEDdpF_xgBCIBTKdVEuv1b5No7n-bSdV3Pj9jA4u0x8R0_f5H18HyrAT7cl4tW6rBYqKkh-JjSWy0qX1vYVUEs-T7DIvjczrwlCbF_wSGF6PDGUV/s1600-h/him.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 275px; height: 207px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0EKbjx5lbElABXN-EnjBTpisU8OeLhEDdpF_xgBCIBTKdVEuv1b5No7n-bSdV3Pj9jA4u0x8R0_f5H18HyrAT7cl4tW6rBYqKkh-JjSWy0qX1vYVUEs-T7DIvjczrwlCbF_wSGF6PDGUV/s320/him.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373966580397789074" /></a><br /> <br /><br />Expect Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd.’s first U.S.-market offering to make its showroom debut in first-quarter 2010.<br /><br />In deference to the demanding nature of American consumers, <a href="http://autoindustrynews.blogspot.com">Mahindra</a> tweaked the yet-unnamed small pickup, which delayed by about three months its production launch.<br /><br />Output of U.S.-specification models now is set for December at the auto maker’s assembly plant in Nasik, India, with showroom arrival scheduled for early to mid-February.<br /><br />Meanwhile, Mahindra has shelved tentative plans to build the 2- and 4-door models, known internally as TR20 and TR40, respectively, in Ohio.<br /><br />In a telephone interview from Global’s headquarters in Alpharetta, GA, Daniel tells Ward’s he expects <a href="http://autoindustrynews.blogspot.com">Mahindra</a> to “make an investment and employ some Americans” when industry volumes begin to trend upward (that's nice of them). <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYxvtKIAw4gVKk7CXdEg9ulH2WN_0MdVXHCDhbmSQ-O61r67rNv5FSEGq99u19z2N1krJhm4cWaBJz5wqn5UFPR6t26vdquaXnonYF39Q2j-wlVll_mQTGLSNUmfuORVTwhnZD_f2k5MGO/s1600-h/Mahindra_Appalachian.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 220px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYxvtKIAw4gVKk7CXdEg9ulH2WN_0MdVXHCDhbmSQ-O61r67rNv5FSEGq99u19z2N1krJhm4cWaBJz5wqn5UFPR6t26vdquaXnonYF39Q2j-wlVll_mQTGLSNUmfuORVTwhnZD_f2k5MGO/s320/Mahindra_Appalachian.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373967226413391362" /></a><br /><strong>Mahindra Appalachian</strong> Looks like a cross between a Daewoo and a Jeep. <br /> <br /><br />To make the truck more appealing to U.S. consumers, its front end was restyled and now features “jewel-like qualities,” <strong>(yea right)</strong> adds Max Butler, Global vice president-marketing. <br /><br />The truck will be powered by a 140-hp 2.2L 4-cyl. diesel engine with projected combined city-highway fuel-economy of 30 mpg (7.8 L/100 km). Available with 2-wheel drive or 4-wheel drive, it also will feature a 6-speed automatic transmission and electronic stability control.<br /><br />More than 300 dealers look forward to selling <a href="http://autoindustrynews.blogspot.com">Mahindra vehicles</a>. <br /><br />“We’re thinking we can lease (the pickup) to small businesses,” The diesel engine likely will become a selling feature as gasoline prices increase.<br /><br />Particularly enthusiastic about the prospects of Mahindra SUV expected to arrive in mid- to late-2010, Taylor also is buoyed by results of an AutoPacific study that says <strong>American consumers are warm to an Indian-brand vehicle.</strong> “It’s a world market and it’s on a roll,” he says (I guess if anything's cheap enough, American onsumers will be warm to it). <br /> <br />The study findings are consistent with Mahindra’s vision of a customer base that comprises “independent thinkers,” (the "stroke the American ego" tactic)Daniel says.<br />“<strong>They don’t really care about what people think about what they’re driving</strong>,” he adds. “They’re influencers. They’re not followers. I think they’ll be out there with their kayaks, and they’ll be out hiking and doing all the things (like putting) surfboards on top in California.” (what a pile of b.s.).<br /><br />The Toyota Tacoma, along with the Nissan Frontier and Dodge Dakota, are among the trucks Mahindra is targeting as direct competitors.<br /><br />Daniel favors the Australian nameplate: Pik Up. “That hit me and I like it,” he says, promising Mahindra’s pricing strategy will “blow away” the segment.<br />However, Daniel does not reveal numbers.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH2GitKryaM2Qh9Vjbtcj7sRsimWm3Z4w05scbvx-59DRekx4eZBPzVxl2hfC0ZwrtsIMw-J-XSnibr64WRMHgK8cDzwJt22ODxU4Ky2hpEU1Cazl7yK9soGSG3vETRdWxtHdh5nGk4nxm/s1600-h/him1.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 250px; height: 166px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH2GitKryaM2Qh9Vjbtcj7sRsimWm3Z4w05scbvx-59DRekx4eZBPzVxl2hfC0ZwrtsIMw-J-XSnibr64WRMHgK8cDzwJt22ODxU4Ky2hpEU1Cazl7yK9soGSG3vETRdWxtHdh5nGk4nxm/s320/him1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373974363676282946" /></a><br />Mahindra - a real off-road vehicle!<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://autoindustrynews.blogspot.com">BACK TO AUTO INDUSTRY NEWS (with a twist) HOMEPAGE:</a><br /><br /><br />Tags: <a href="http://www.autofinanceinsider.com">Automotive F&I</a>, <a href="http://www.autofinanceinsider.blogspot.com">F&I Laws</a>, <a href="http://autofinanceinsider2.blogspot.com">Car Dealership Pictures</a>,<br /><a href="http://www.creditra.com">Credit Repair</a>, <a href="http://www.creditra.blogspot.com">Credit Repair blog</a>, <a href="http://licenseplateexchange.blogspot.com">Funny License Plates</a>Robert Linkonis Sr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17006194089617624003noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6964217973689908038.post-41024888197595116322009-07-10T09:26:00.001-07:002009-07-10T09:48:30.001-07:00GM Exits Bankruptcy, CEO Vows Better Performance<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAPLlioVtS8JK4fYRHFm1ID_V0pxqfWt7RbQBNzl2u9WylrQUosrMBfjdOUmXkf9d_72pN4ac5DYDb-ki6GvH05HUe8HjF-ebmS54skuMzjbB2DMtzTVy9EyCSU2BiLEmS-HLWY0UkZTVE/s1600-h/videolthumb.cfcedfd00bf0baf0c97fedd210007184.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 160px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAPLlioVtS8JK4fYRHFm1ID_V0pxqfWt7RbQBNzl2u9WylrQUosrMBfjdOUmXkf9d_72pN4ac5DYDb-ki6GvH05HUe8HjF-ebmS54skuMzjbB2DMtzTVy9EyCSU2BiLEmS-HLWY0UkZTVE/s320/videolthumb.cfcedfd00bf0baf0c97fedd210007184.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356869987888134818" /></a><br /><strong>"Talking Head"?</strong><br /><br />A leaner and meaner General Motors arose on Friday, making an unusually quick exit from bankruptcy with ambitions of making money and building cars people are eager to buy.<br /><br />Once the world's largest and most powerful automaker, the new GM is now cleansed of massive debt and burdensome contracts that would have sunk it without federal loans. The U.S. government owns a majority stake - although the Obama administration says it has no plans to run the automaker (I would give anything to see Obams's face coined on the hubcaps of the new models). <br /><br />At a news conference, <a href="http://autoindustrynews.blogspot.com">CEO Fritz Henderson</a> said the new GM will be faster and more responsive to customers than the old one and it will make money and repay government loans faster than required.<br /><br />Henderson said GM completed its 40-day stay under court supervision far faster than anyone thought it could. He said it would repay about $50 billion in government loans ahead of a 2015 deadline. <br /><br />The new GM will also build more cars and trucks that consumers want and launch them faster than in the past, the CEO said. <strong>(I think the guy will probably say just about anything). </strong><br /><br />"We recognize that we've been given a rare second chance at GM, and we are very grateful for that. And we appreciate the fact that we now have the tools to get the job done," he said. Yada yada yada.<br /><br />The new company arose from the ashes Friday as the bulk of General Motors Corp.'s assets were transferred to a company controlled by the U.S. government.<br /><br />He said Bob Lutz, a legendary industry executive, was "unretiring" to become a vice chairman responsible for all creative elements of products, marketing and customer relationships. Lutz had previously planned to retire at the end of the year after more than four decades in the auto business. (oh God please help us). <br /><br />The automaker is launching a "Tell Fritz" Web site to allow owners and the public to share their concerns with senior management and he planned to go out on the road every month, Henderson said. (The question is: will senior management actually hear the concerns? Yea right). <br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdQjUamCTvs0CqO_LOsGosFLRfhVwOaqaEUs4lYBpxGlrEDIFzrz1nfsGQ35qwLfXTaqPvbGNqYo_s3N3BqjR89Bb4xTaatrMd_HRK2yGOaTc-8g0DrCfyzlXA17KrAExfN9BsJSsUlzL_/s1600-h/capt.aa9d5e9d07e34e3ea100557a0f04f9d3.aptopix_alien_pet_costume_contest_nmros104.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 249px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdQjUamCTvs0CqO_LOsGosFLRfhVwOaqaEUs4lYBpxGlrEDIFzrz1nfsGQ35qwLfXTaqPvbGNqYo_s3N3BqjR89Bb4xTaatrMd_HRK2yGOaTc-8g0DrCfyzlXA17KrAExfN9BsJSsUlzL_/s320/capt.aa9d5e9d07e34e3ea100557a0f04f9d3.aptopix_alien_pet_costume_contest_nmros104.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356869568696561810" /></a><br /><strong>"Business as usual is over at General Motors."</strong><br /><br /><br />"We need to listen to the questions, ideas and the concerns of the people who matter the most," Henderson said.<br /><br />"We all want to win and we are going to win," Whitacre said.<br /><br />The company's logo will emain blue with white underlined GM letters. Henderson said GM has no plans to change the background color to green. "It's not in my plans actually," he said. GM has considered the change to represent its new environmental focus. <br /><br />* Even thinking of changing the GM logo color to green has to be the biggest suck-up to Pelosi so far from the GM execs. (I would probably throw-up something green). <br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://autoindustrynews.blogspot.com">BACK TO AUTO INDUSTRY NEWS (with a twist) HOMEPAGE:</a><br /><br /><br />Tags: <a href="http://www.autofinanceinsider.com">Automotive F&I</a>, <a href="http://www.autofinanceinsider.blogspot.com">F&I Laws</a>, <a href="http://autofinanceinsider2.blogspot.com">Car Dealership Pictures</a>,<br /><a href="http://www.creditra.com">Credit Repair</a>, <a href="http://www.creditra.blogspot.com">Credit Repair blog</a>, <a href="http://licenseplateexchange.blogspot.com">Funny License Plates</a>Robert Linkonis Sr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17006194089617624003noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6964217973689908038.post-82364965557406059742009-06-30T06:06:00.000-07:002009-06-30T06:11:31.154-07:00Computers and GMAt a recent computer expo (COMDEX), Bill Gates reportedly compared the computer industry with the auto industry and stated: <br /><br />"If GM had kept up with technology like the computer industry has, we would all be driving $25 cars that got 1,000 miles to the gallon". <br /><br /><strong>In response to Bill ' s comments, General Motors issued a press release stating: </strong><br /><br />If GM had developed technology like Microsoft, we would all be driving cars with the following characteristics: <br /><br />1. For no reason whatsoever, your car would crash........Twice a day. <br /><br />2.. Every time they repainted the lines in the road, you would have to buy a new car. <br /><br />3. Occasionally your car would die on the freeway for no reason. You would have to pull to the side of the road, close all of the windows, shut off the car, restart it, and reopen the windows before you could continue. For some reason you would simply accept this. <br /><br />4. Occasionally, executing a maneuver such as a left turn would cause your car to shut down and refuse to restart, in which case you would have to reinstall the engine. <br /><br />5. Macintosh would make a car that was powered by the sun, was reliable, five times as fast and twice as easy to drive - but would run on only five percent of the roads. <br /><br />6. The oil, water temperature, and alternator warning lights would all be replaced by a single ' This Car Has Performed An Illegal Operation ' warning light. <br /><br />7. The airbag system would ask ' Are you sure? ' before deploying. <br /><br />8. Occasionally, for no reason whatsoever, your car would lock you out and refuse to let you in until you simultaneously lifted the door handle, turned the key and grabbed hold of the radio antenna. <br /><br />9. Every time a new car was introduced car buyers would have to learn how to drive all over again because none of the controls would operate in the same manner as the old car. <br /><br />10. You'd have to press the "Start" button to turn the engine off. <br /><br />PS - I ' d like to add that when all else fails, you could call ' customer service ' in some foreign country and be instructed in some foreign language how to fix your car yourself!!!!<br /><br />Good stuff!<br /><br /><a href="http://autoindustrynews.blogspot.com">BACK TO AUTO INDUSTRY NEWS HOMEPAGE:</a><br /><br /><br />Tags: <a href="http://www.autofinanceinsider.com">Automotive F&I</a>, <a href="http://www.autofinanceinsider.blogspot.com">F&I Laws</a>, <a href="http://autofinanceinsider2.blogspot.com">Car Dealership Pictures</a>,<br /><a href="http://www.creditra.com">Credit Repair</a>, <a href="http://www.creditra.blogspot.com">Credit Repair blog</a>, <a href="http://licenseplateexchange.blogspot.com">Funny License Plates</a>Robert Linkonis Sr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17006194089617624003noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6964217973689908038.post-39076878653524520692009-05-05T18:59:00.000-07:002009-05-14T06:12:12.655-07:00Following is a college paper emailed to me and reprinted by permission. It cites this blog as an informational source. Scary. <br /><br />Task Name: <br /><br /><strong>SCI205-0902A-06 Environmental Science</strong><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Task Name:</span> Phase 4 Individual Project<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Deliverable Length:</span> 2 pages<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Details: </span> <br /><br />You have been assigned to a scientific commission whose mandate is to research ways of reducing air pollution from motor vehicles. <br /><br />Your specific assignment is to research the types of alternative-fuel vehicles that are currently under development, examine the advantages and disadvantages of each, and decide which would have the least environmental impact.<br /><br /> * Electric<br /> * Natural gas<br /> * Hydrogen<br /> * Fuel Cell<br /><br />Use the Library and Internet to research each type of vehicle. Discuss the environmental and economic advantages and disadvantages of each type and select the one that, in your opinion, provides the best environmental impact at a reasonable cost. Provide evidence to support your selection.<br /><br />Please submit your assignment.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Objective:</span> Explain the importance of atmospheric pollution. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />Submitted paper (probably an A):</span><br /><br /><br />Environmental Science<br /><br />Phase 4 Individual Project<br /><br />SCI205-0902A-06<br /><br /> <br /><br /> Results for the scientific commission from the research done on ways to reduce air pollution from motor vehicles: Research topics: Electric, Natural Gas and Hydrogen <br />Fuel Cell:<br /><br /><br /> The first production motor vehicle designed to reduce air pollution was first sold in 1999 and was called the Honda Insight. The car achieved 61 mpg in the city and 70 mpg on the highway (About.com 2009). Called a “hybrid car”, it combines the best of an electric car with the best of a conventional gasoline burning car. A hybrid car reduces air pollution by using the power of the electric motor for initial starting and acceleration and switches over to the gasoline motor only when the car accelerates to a certain speed. <br /><br /><br /> A <a href="http://autoindustrynews.blogspot.com">hybrid car</a> has been the first step toward the development of a totally electric car. An advantage of an electric car over a hybrid car is that the electric car produces zero emissions and is therefore cleaner that a gasoline hybrid car. Current electric car technology uses electrical power secured from the electrical grid to onboard batteries or from the sun. There are much fewer moving parts on an electric car which means fewer parts to wear out or break. Advantages of electric cars are primarily higher efficiency and lower emissions (Hybrid Cars 2009).<br /><br /><br />Some disadvantages of electric cars are limited driving range due to battery power limitations, long battery recharge times and high costs that come with the continual charging of the battery(s) that power the electric motor. Solar – electric cars have longer ranges due to batteries that are charged by the sun, but they are still dependant on batteries which have weight and size limitations. Disadvantages of <a href="http://autoindustrynews.blogspot.com">electric cars</a> have much to due with their range. Hybrid Cars (2009) states that today’s electric cars are limited to about 100 miles between charges. Once battery life is extended and recharge times improve, the electric car will be the technology used in cars of the future. <br /><br /><br /> Compressed Natural gas is touted as the “cleanest burning alternative fuels available” (Gas 2.0 2009). This is because of the simplicity of the methane molecules in relation to fossil fuel molecules. The burn is smoother and reduces tailpipe emissions by 35 – 95%. Advantages to using CNG – ready vehicles are a significant reduction in greenhouse emissions as compared to gasoline vehicles and the fact that deposits of natural gas worldwide are almost infinite. Natural gas is also a renewable fuel with technology already developed to collect it from landfills. Gas 2.0 (2009) shares that landfill collected “<a href="http://autoindustrynews.blogspot.com">bio-methane</a>” could supply enough fuel for 11 million natural gas vehicles, or 5% of the U. S. fleet.<br /><br /><br /> Disadvantages to using compressed natural gas consists mainly supply and distribution of both the vehicles and the fueling stations. The only CNG vehicle for sale to the public is the Honda Civic GX, and is only available for sale in New York and California. Gas 2.0 (2009), states that “Honda cannot build them fast enough”. Additionally, other than California, New York and Utah, it would be hard to find a refueling station for your CNG vehicle.<br /><br /><br /> Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles or FCV’s are different from electric vehicles in that FCV’s create their own electricity onboard while EV’s store power in battery packs. This is a big advantage in weight reduction for the FCV. A fuel cell creates electricity by a chemical reaction between compressed hydrogen atoms and air from the outside. Power moves the car and the only byproduct is pure water which drips out the tailpipe (fueleconomy.gov 2009). <br /><br /><br /> Disadvantages are similar to the compressed natural gas vehicles in that there is a shortage of FCV vehicles for sale and a shortage of re-filling stations. A main disadvantage also is the cost of producing the compressed pure hydrogen needed to power the vehicle. Producing pure hydrogen in a form needed to be used by an FCV, uses much electricity taken from the grid which was in part generated by the burning of fossil fuels such as coal. Once hydrogen can be manufactured without the damage to the environment, an FCV might be the <a href="http://autoindustrynews.blogspot.com">vehicle of tomorrow</a>. <br /><br /><br /> My findings conclude that in the near future, electric cars will provide the biggest environmental gain at the most reasonable cost. Chevrolet (2009) announces the 2010 release of the <a href="http://autoindustrynews.blogspot.com/2007/12/chevy-volt.html">Chevy VoltI</a>. Unlike all other currently produced electric cars, the Volt has a “revolutionary propulsion system”. It has a 40 mile range on its electric battery and a gasoline engine to continue past that point. The average American does not drive over 40 miles in a day. With the Volt designed to “drive 75 % of America’s daily commuters without a drop of gas” (Auto Industry News 2009), General Motors should secure dominance of the next decade’s economy car market provided it fixes its financial problems. As the advertising slogan proclaims: <span style="font-weight:bold;">Chevy Volt: Fully Charged 2010</span>. <br /> <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />References:</span><br /> <br /><br />About.com (2009). The History of Hybrid Vehicles. Retrieved on May 5, 2009 from:<br /> http://4wheeldrive.about.com/cs/buyacaronline/a/hybridcarstruck_4.htm. <br /><br /><br />Auto Industry News (2009). Chevy volt. Retrieved on May 5, 2009 from:<br /> <a href="http://autoindustrynews.blogspot.com/2007/12/chevy-volt.html">http://autoindustrynews.blogspot.com/2007/12/chevy-volt.html</a>. <br /><br />Chevrolet (2009). Electric Cars. Retrieved on May 5, 2009 from: <br /> http://www.chevrolet.com/electriccar/. <br /><br /><br />CTU Online. (Ed). (c. 2009). Phase 4 Multimedia Course Materials. Colorado Springs,<br /> CO: CTU Online. Retrieved on May 5, 2009 from CTU Online Virtual <br /> Campus, SCI205-0902A-06, Environmental Science.<br /><br /><br />Fueleconomy.gov (2009). Fuel Cell Vehicles. Retrieved on May 5, 2009 from:<br /> http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/fuelcell.shtml. <br /><br /><br />Gas 2.0 (2009). Natural Gas Cars CNG. Retrieved on May 5, 2009 from: <br />http://gas2.org/2008/04/29/natural-gas-cars-cng-fuel-almost-free-in-some-parts-of-the-country/. <br /><br /><br />Hybrid Cars (2009). Hybrid Automobile FAQ. Retrieved on May 5, 2009 from:<br /> http://www.allabouthybridcars.com/suv-hybrid-autos.htm. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://autoindustrynews.blogspot.com">BACK TO AUTO INDUSTRY NEWS HOMEPAGE:</a><br /><br /><br />Tags: <a href="http://www.autofinanceinsider.com">Automotive F&I</a>, <a href="http://www.autofinanceinsider.blogspot.com">F&I Laws</a>, <a href="http://autofinanceinsider2.blogspot.com">Car Dealership Pictures</a>,<br /><a href="http://www.creditra.com">Credit Repair va</a>, <a href="http://www.creditra.blogspot.com">Credit Repair blog</a>, <a href="http://licenseplateexchange.blogspot.com">Funny License Plates</a>Robert Linkonis Sr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17006194089617624003noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6964217973689908038.post-49092636592421295332009-04-30T13:24:00.000-07:002009-05-14T06:15:59.667-07:00Criticism of Tata Nano Outrageous, Wrong-Headed<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSi0r7PHjgWWDs8o3i5aMcctudC8aA8AsnXX_NZjaRXp232e-IPTEz994iJ5mRIeXHsVoJzWOwqPYSx26E8Vw9L5wspyD1zBuzlMCSxKSW1Vj8SEkwRNMiEYM_J4uCWLcSw3go2vBeOVvQ/s1600-h/tata-nano.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSi0r7PHjgWWDs8o3i5aMcctudC8aA8AsnXX_NZjaRXp232e-IPTEz994iJ5mRIeXHsVoJzWOwqPYSx26E8Vw9L5wspyD1zBuzlMCSxKSW1Vj8SEkwRNMiEYM_J4uCWLcSw3go2vBeOVvQ/s320/tata-nano.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330583519844230290" /></a><br /><strong>??? Wrong Headed ???</strong><br /> <br />By <a href="http://wardsauto.com/commentary/criticism_tata_nano_090428/">Drew Winter</a><br /><br />A few weeks ago, a machine that will save tens of thousands of lives every year – many of them young children – officially went on sale in India, beginning a journey that promises to improve the living standard of millions of families in one of the world’s most impoverished nations. <br /><br />And yet, many environmentalists who profess to be on a mission to save mankind are condemning this new device as an “environmental disaster” they would like to wish out of existence. <br /><br />Chief U.N. climate scientist Rajendra Pachauri, who shared last year's Nobel Peace Prize, has said "I am having nightmares" about it. Many other groups such as Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth also lament its debut. <br /><br />What is this contraption that offers so much hope yet is so terrifying to some? <br />The Tata Nano, a tiny car with carbon-dioxide emissions of just 100 g/km and average fuel economy of 55 mpg (4.3 L/100 km)..<br /><br />Priced at $2,500, it is the <a href="http://autoindustrynews.blogspot.com">world’s cheapest car</a> and designed specifically to give South Asia’s low-income families a safer, all-weather alternative to a motorcycle or scooter, currently the only “family car” millions can afford.<br /><br />If you have ever seen a family of four or five or six, weaving through India’s chaotic traffic on a scooter, with infants and toddlers perched on the handlebars or hanging onto mom and dad for dear life, you can understand the momentous achievement the Nano represents.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp4qjHt-2CJk5DtsWRL814Yf0Y8-lJWI4c-2EF33oDiW9TklTn3S8nOTMqc_xC44nIenL2oEUDyF67bxpLxxyedWFJe0pKd8K62EZ3eXSONSf7aXBx7218ceXC0gQJkab-_VTROPhC_9kK/s1600-h/tata-nano-10.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp4qjHt-2CJk5DtsWRL814Yf0Y8-lJWI4c-2EF33oDiW9TklTn3S8nOTMqc_xC44nIenL2oEUDyF67bxpLxxyedWFJe0pKd8K62EZ3eXSONSf7aXBx7218ceXC0gQJkab-_VTROPhC_9kK/s320/tata-nano-10.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330585214381210434" /></a><br /><strong>Can't you just see 8 Indian people crammed into this thing?</strong><br /><br />India has the highest traffic-death rate in the world, exceeding 100,000 fatalities and more than 2 million serious injuries annually. That’s a worse toll than India suffers from AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, combined. A large percentage of these traffic deaths are motorcyclists who are so vulnerable in India’s undisciplined traffic. <br /><br />Ask any Indian parent why they would take such safety risks, and they will say they would prefer to take their children to school in a car, but a motorbike is the only transportation they can afford. <br /><br />Starting now, the Nano offers a safe, affordable alternative. Sales bookings began April 9, and demand is expected to far exceed supply.<br /><br /><strong>It is exactly this popularity that critics from green groups – 100% of whom we can assume do not have to drive their children to school on a scooter – fear.</strong> <br /><br />They are afraid the Nano will become so popular it will spark an industrial revolution, such as Henry Ford’s Model T did in the U.S. <br /><br />In other words, demand for the Nano will soar; leading to more factories being built, creating more jobs, which in turn will create more demand for cars, accelerating India’s production of greenhouse gases. <br /><br />The Nano will create progress. <strong>And by golly, that will be terrible.</strong><br /><br />Unfortunately, this contemptible viewpoint, spewed from comfortable middle-class lodgings in the U.S. and Western Europe, has not received the heaping dose of ridicule it deserves. <br /><br />In the worst kind of cultural elitism imaginable, environmentalists argue that in their noble war on global warming, tens of thousands of traffic deaths annually in the developing world are acceptable casualties.<br />This is an utterly unacceptable position to take, no matter what. <br /><br />The birth of the Nano is an historic event that needs to be celebrated, and environmentalists need to reevaluate their rhetoric and game plan <strong>(bastard environmentalists</strong>).<br /><br />Otherwise, the world soon may decide the cure for global climate change is worse than the disease. <br /><br /><br /><a href="http://autoindustrynews.blogspot.com">BACK TO AUTO INDUSTRY NEWS HOMEPAGE:</a><br /><br /><br />Tags: <a href="http://www.autofinanceinsider.com">Automotive F&I</a>, <a href="http://www.autofinanceinsider.blogspot.com">F&I Laws</a>, <a href="http://autofinanceinsider2.blogspot.com">Car Dealership Pictures</a>,<br /><a href="http://www.creditra.com">Credit Repair va</a>, <a href="http://www.creditra.blogspot.com">Credit Repair blog</a>, <a href="http://licenseplateexchange.blogspot.com">Funny License Plates</a>Robert Linkonis Sr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17006194089617624003noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6964217973689908038.post-417989926208637592009-03-30T13:57:00.000-07:002009-05-14T06:11:36.200-07:00Chrysler Faces Shotgun Marriage To Get Additional $6 Billion - Death Threat<strong>Additional funds contingent on completion of Fiat deal </strong> <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib2VmLa5fOQBXNUVV-YyljappLx7s12gn0S68OnkAVVx_rOp8tKOKzgDWN3nTLXFNbGypPZvyIaddZ-DdkV2lXdiqMtzMmW8mZ5CqRMMqL0_SSimL62VGInqBqiZK6XJuYU6gnTc051ViA/s1600-h/fiat_chrysler_01.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 151px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib2VmLa5fOQBXNUVV-YyljappLx7s12gn0S68OnkAVVx_rOp8tKOKzgDWN3nTLXFNbGypPZvyIaddZ-DdkV2lXdiqMtzMmW8mZ5CqRMMqL0_SSimL62VGInqBqiZK6XJuYU6gnTc051ViA/s320/fiat_chrysler_01.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319089836548082162" /></a><br /><br />If the feds took a tough stand with GM in forcing Rick Wagoner to resign, Chrysler could be in for a dose of even stronger medicine. <br /><br />As reported by the Detroit Free Press, the auto task force is willing to provide Chrysler with an additional $6 billion, but only if the company can complete the much-discussed alliance with Fiat by the end of April. <br /><br />If Chrysler can’t come to terms with <a href="http://autoindustrynews.blogspot.com">Fiat</a>, Chrysler will be deemed non-viable and will get no additional government assistance.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju8pT4ByNePs5ImChhWmTqJiIfoSVjT4qIRgf6-vWXGw4TsDkNEVZf2dfDVeGt9YZKOBoGJSU-KGzH9ccnRYyB3d7dRc8vDJLq7Z7lShZuL9MKpSt9BqQyHtUVp4s7-GHBGgnjd5ysZ5B7/s1600-h/533-fiat-500-2.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju8pT4ByNePs5ImChhWmTqJiIfoSVjT4qIRgf6-vWXGw4TsDkNEVZf2dfDVeGt9YZKOBoGJSU-KGzH9ccnRYyB3d7dRc8vDJLq7Z7lShZuL9MKpSt9BqQyHtUVp4s7-GHBGgnjd5ysZ5B7/s320/533-fiat-500-2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319089374531375090" /></a><br /><strong>Is she going to come with the deal?</strong><br /><br />The government’s requirements are to be formally announced sometime March 30.<br /><br />The task force wasn’t satisfied with the restructuring plan Chrysler submitted Feb. 17.<br /><br />In manufacturing productivity, it found Chrysler has not invested enough in common architectures and flexible capacity.<br /><br />Under the proposed alliance, <a href="http://autoindustrynews.blogspot.com">Fiat would own 35% of Chrysler</a> and provide four small-car programs, two engines and two transmissions that are worth an estimated $8 billion to $10 billion. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsPJpF3E-aAuHTBh1OIQJBn0E74FvdHS5aR4UOsvJm0omTWh1LYHgsTlAY-fWZYkM4x7F73lsW-trEPqKvQkB2H0SBt7ODKwi82WGX0_0yrcnBCMgwzjWVFFcmmGprk7qK7y6nl9EOtdda/s1600-h/Two_old_Fiat_cars_in_Harer_Ethiopia.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsPJpF3E-aAuHTBh1OIQJBn0E74FvdHS5aR4UOsvJm0omTWh1LYHgsTlAY-fWZYkM4x7F73lsW-trEPqKvQkB2H0SBt7ODKwi82WGX0_0yrcnBCMgwzjWVFFcmmGprk7qK7y6nl9EOtdda/s320/Two_old_Fiat_cars_in_Harer_Ethiopia.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335666296517468162" /></a><br /><strong>The first Fiats would reach U.S. dealerships in 2011 (We can't wait).</strong><br /><br />If Chrysler and Fiat deliver what the task force requested, the administration will take steps that could help their alliance succeed. These include a government-funded program to back warranties of both Chrysler and GM, and a previously announced $5 billion in aid to assist the two automakers with payments to their suppliers. <br /> <br />Do you think it will be called <a href="http://autoindustrynews.blogspot.com">FiatChrysler</a> like DaimlerChrysler?<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://autoindustrynews.blogspot.com">BACK TO AUTO INDUSTRY NEWS HOMEPAGE:</a><br /><br /><br />Tags: <a href="http://www.autofinanceinsider.com">Automotive F&I</a>, <a href="http://www.autofinanceinsider.blogspot.com">F&I Laws</a>, <a href="http://autofinanceinsider2.blogspot.com">Car Dealership Pictures</a>,<br /><a href="http://www.creditra.com">Credit Repair va</a>, <a href="http://www.creditra.blogspot.com">Credit Repair blog</a>, <a href="http://licenseplateexchange.blogspot.com">Funny License Plates</a>Robert Linkonis Sr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17006194089617624003noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6964217973689908038.post-12417746501347161352009-03-23T15:59:00.001-07:002009-03-30T16:38:25.682-07:00Tata’s Nano to hit India’s streets in July 2009<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB145EuDQvMjfHcaOWQLthPljJv8y7LLGYPQBETUOkUH2A250R2UInIZDPJQ19L-o0Q_fLapv5M5AWpAfvJ-l3MZJczt06KVMdMgZISReRDoFGwsXLD9ui5-2eXRC8NwbJRx8_8xD79JRB/s1600-h/TATA_NANO_PICTURE.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 194px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB145EuDQvMjfHcaOWQLthPljJv8y7LLGYPQBETUOkUH2A250R2UInIZDPJQ19L-o0Q_fLapv5M5AWpAfvJ-l3MZJczt06KVMdMgZISReRDoFGwsXLD9ui5-2eXRC8NwbJRx8_8xD79JRB/s320/TATA_NANO_PICTURE.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316521834890872994" /></a><br /><strong>Snub-nosed vehicles will be priced starting around $2,000</strong><br /><br /><br />MUMBAI, India - The world’s cheapest car will retail for just over $2,000 and can be yours — if you live in India - <strong>and are very lucky</strong>. Tata Motors said on Monday.<br /><br />The Nano, a pint-sized vehicle designed to make car ownership accessible to millions of the world’s poor, finally goes on sale in India next month. Whether it will revolutionize the global auto industry — or turn around its manufacturer’s fortunes — has yet to be seen, and other automakers will be watching closely to see how consumers respond to the car. So will environmentalists (of course, sigh, the environmentalists).<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2JrZ7ukT6g94PVrfaJ1owIJDAL5NuZyzg5CpKYSBAvUkIkC1xdOl9O4xS6STB1zhaQTes5_g643U084h1L1ZelKIsg4-XAoNP_I9MFMinkhrjjBzq9-9s9YM-WCRXPnPvoxW9rY96a4kh/s1600-h/Tata_Nano_with_attitude"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 215px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2JrZ7ukT6g94PVrfaJ1owIJDAL5NuZyzg5CpKYSBAvUkIkC1xdOl9O4xS6STB1zhaQTes5_g643U084h1L1ZelKIsg4-XAoNP_I9MFMinkhrjjBzq9-9s9YM-WCRXPnPvoxW9rY96a4kh/s320/Tata_Nano_with_attitude" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316522462870125106" /></a><br /><strong>Here is the Nano showing some attitude!</strong><br /><br /><br />Tata Motors unveiled the <a href="http://autoindustrynews.blogspot.com">Nano Europa</a>, a slightly more robust version of the Indian model, at the Geneva Motor Show this month, with a planned launch of 2011.<br /><br />The company is now designing a version of the Nano that meets U.S. safety and emissions standards and should be ready for launch in about three years, Tata said.<br /><br />The Nano, with a starting retail price of 112,735 rupees ($2,233) is a stripped-down car for stripped-down times: It is 10.2 feet (3.1 meters) long, has one windshield wiper, and a 623cc rear engine.<br /><br />The four-seater can travel up to 65 miles an hour (105 kilometers an hour) and gets 55.5 miles to the gallon (23.6 kilometers per liter). The Nano does not have air bags or antilock brakes — neither of which is required in India — and if you want air conditioning or power windows, you’ll have to pay extra.<br /><br />Tata said the car emits less carbon dioxide than most motorbikes.<br /><br />Priced like a gadget or a piece of jewelry, the Nano will be sold not just at Tata car dealerships across India, but also online and at electronics and clothing shops owned by the Tata group of companies.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3zjkr2eQK07mXJOIow9h1OAX7JrsCAREiEFyG9iYDjzshLeuBYnwizlZ4q07MGlIfioJVMxyD_ZE6oMoFSpCGtQ3SYaHay1HhBKfdBvHmJxaPvqTzJ_-NZhBuzGkNeEUrIXpbNlQnQ8YO/s1600-h/Tata_Nano_with_bra.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3zjkr2eQK07mXJOIow9h1OAX7JrsCAREiEFyG9iYDjzshLeuBYnwizlZ4q07MGlIfioJVMxyD_ZE6oMoFSpCGtQ3SYaHay1HhBKfdBvHmJxaPvqTzJ_-NZhBuzGkNeEUrIXpbNlQnQ8YO/s320/Tata_Nano_with_bra.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316523787631242130" /></a><br /><strong>The "bra" is the first of an extensive line of accessories coming soon for the Tata Nano.</strong><br /><br />“It is a proper car,” said Hormazd Sorabjee, editor of Autocar India, a trade magazine. He said the designers made clever compromises to keep costs down, scrimping on the plushness of the seats, but offering a comfy suspension and ample interior space.<br /><br />The Nano should make global automakers stop loading their cars with costly gadgets <strong>(and safety features)</strong> people don’t really want, he added.<br /><br />“Finally, it’s going to make people realize they should be building cars that people need,” he said. “This is where multinationals have failed.”<br /><br />Some automakers have already started following suit. Bajaj Auto, Renault and Nissan teamed up last year to make a car that wholesales for $2,500 in India by 2011.<br /><br />Production of the Nano has been scaled back from initial targets — and the rollout has been delayed six months — because <a href="http://autoindustrynews.blogspot.com">Tata Motors</a> had to move its Nano factory from West Bengal to the business-friendly state of Gujarat. Violent protests by farmers and opposition political party leaders over land at the initial site forced the company to change plans.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEges1nne9D5idfQOmhQ8eIl5OEt05qrcgX-6JWUQQ6e37zVxw1jPdp5k-MqJ-M8Q3pLqMMII0aaSNBEA_kWlZD10WjPT4t06aU32UatmUuu2V-At70GBRM97FIcV7ZJicdiaqK_HNOAUq-s/s1600-h/tata_nano_burning_fire.bmp"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 192px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEges1nne9D5idfQOmhQ8eIl5OEt05qrcgX-6JWUQQ6e37zVxw1jPdp5k-MqJ-M8Q3pLqMMII0aaSNBEA_kWlZD10WjPT4t06aU32UatmUuu2V-At70GBRM97FIcV7ZJicdiaqK_HNOAUq-s/s320/tata_nano_burning_fire.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316524980320337762" /></a><br /><strong>Ya see - violent protests do work!</strong><br /><br /><br />The new factory, which will be able to produce up to 500,000 cars a year, will open by year’s end, officials said. Until then, <a href="http://autoindustrynews.blogspot.com">Tata Motors</a> can only produce 50,000 cars a year from an existing plant in Pantnagar, in the northern Indian state of Uttaranchal.<br /><br />Ratan Tata won’t speculate whether this is a Henry Ford moment for India. Ford famously paid his factory workers enough so that if they saved carefully, they’d be able to buy their own Model T.<br /><br />The average salary at the Pantnagar factory is 150,000 rupees ($3,000) a year, company officials said. Ratan Tata said most workers there don’t even own motorbikes.<br /><br />“We bus them to work everyday,” he said.<br /><br />Nice. <br /><br /><br /><a href="http://autoindustrynews.blogspot.com">BACK TO AUTO INDUSTRY NEWS HOMEPAGE:</a><br /><br /><br /><br />Tags: <a href="http://www.autofinanceinsider.com">Automotive F&I</a>, <a href="http://www.autofinanceinsider.blogspot.com">F&I Laws</a>, <a href="http://autofinanceinsider2.blogspot.com">Car Dealership Pictures</a>,<br /><a href="http://www.creditra.com">Credit Repair va</a>, <a href="http://www.creditra.blogspot.com">Credit Repair blog</a>, <a href="http://licenseplateexchange.blogspot.com">Funny License Plates</a>Robert Linkonis Sr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17006194089617624003noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6964217973689908038.post-20796703255056573542009-02-28T11:03:00.000-08:002009-02-28T12:13:37.106-08:00THE AUTO INDUSTRY BAILOUT - $11.6 Million Awarded to Alvaro de Molina - the CEO of GMACIt's time I expressed my opinion about these CEO's and their compensation plans. <br /><br />Who else thinks that if a company loses billions, the CEO should get NOTHING!!!<br /><br />This makes me sick.<br /><br /><br />Auto financier GMAC LLC, the recipient of a $6 billion federal bailout in December, today said CEO Alvaro de Molina was awarded $11.62 million of compensation in 2008 -- which doubled his total compensation from 2007. <br /><br /><strong>Package included $2.3 million in use of corporate jet.</strong><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU1MYFPzYEcealAZxPEtK68k2ZcOOp4UI2ajIGAA9wfg8au2zPC6UI6i2OJENvPzopd4iSwyQEhRHIB0QFiQZiB31eDUp0_CWbuF9ihv3sQdd0xrmoIQS8upASXxGgIi24K33EtCtvUVZw/s1600-h/Alvaro+de+Molina.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU1MYFPzYEcealAZxPEtK68k2ZcOOp4UI2ajIGAA9wfg8au2zPC6UI6i2OJENvPzopd4iSwyQEhRHIB0QFiQZiB31eDUp0_CWbuF9ihv3sQdd0xrmoIQS8upASXxGgIi24K33EtCtvUVZw/s320/Alvaro+de+Molina.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307938797901633458" /></a><br /><br />De Molina was awarded a $1.2 million salary, $5.81 million of stock awards and $4.8 million of other compensation, offset by option awards of negative $194,000, reflecting the application of an accounting standard.<br /><br />GMAC said de Molina's compensation was $4.93 million in 2007. He became CEO on Sept. 5 of that year.<br /><br />GMAC has in recent quarters suffered operating losses in its auto and mortgage units, but in December won its government bailout, as well as bank holding company status that allows it to tap lower-cost funding.<br /><br />GMAC reported de Molina's compensation in a summary table included in its annual report filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.<br /> <br /><strong>Differing calculations:</strong><br /><br />Some pay consultants and governance experts tabulate executive pay differently, saying the summary total may be imperfect because it counts options and stock as part of pay when they vest rather than when they are awarded.<br /><br />About $2.26 million of de Molina's compensation came from the use of corporate aircraft. GMAC said it no longer provides aircraft for business or personal use.<br /><br />The bailout required private equity firm Cerberus Capital Management LP and General Motors to slash their respective 51 percent and 49 percent stakes in the Detroit-based lender.<br /> <br /><br /><strong>AFI's take on this:</strong> <br /><br />A MONKEY could come in as the CEO and cause a company to lose billions of dollars. What do we need these people for? <br /><br />Actually, I am glad that the public is becomming more aware of this insanity. Maybe if we makes enough noise, things could change for the future. <br /><br />Oh well, Obama is the President. The waters will recede and all will be made whole. <br /> <br /><br /><a href="http://autoindustrynews.blogspot.com">BACK TO AUTO INDUSTRY NEWS HOMEPAGE:</a><br /><br /><br /><br />Tags: <a href="http://www.autofinanceinsider.com">Automotive F&I</a>, <a href="http://www.autofinanceinsider.blogspot.com">F&I Laws</a>, <a href="http://autofinanceinsider2.blogspot.com">Dealership Pictures</a>,<br /><a href="http://www.creditra.com">Credit Repair va</a>, <a href="http://www.creditra.blogspot.com">Credit Repair blog</a>, <a href="http://licenseplateexchange.blogspot.com">Funny License Plates</a>Robert Linkonis Sr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17006194089617624003noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6964217973689908038.post-61953339628675659432009-01-27T21:26:00.000-08:002009-02-10T07:21:32.279-08:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxnlK6tc6woA5WAJT49GpNbNi_8d4CEFc_GifUhMQgBLP3li0ad_N6oGUsCa1ja_6iUpOoLwVv8PLJyjyb1eOPdzNMW7ZwRBAVLSQPensS-pPfJf4ETD8qkd13HA0WqVbK4YrDFQl4ZQLl/s1600-h/1953_corvette-autofinancider.blogspot.com-5.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 222px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxnlK6tc6woA5WAJT49GpNbNi_8d4CEFc_GifUhMQgBLP3li0ad_N6oGUsCa1ja_6iUpOoLwVv8PLJyjyb1eOPdzNMW7ZwRBAVLSQPensS-pPfJf4ETD8qkd13HA0WqVbK4YrDFQl4ZQLl/s320/1953_corvette-autofinancider.blogspot.com-5.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296250147814012722" /></a><br />A Thing Of Beauty.<br /><br />When Hugh Hefner first asked out singer <strong>Barbi Benton</strong>, she supposedly said, "I've never been out with anyone over 24." "Neither have I," Hef replied.<br /><br /><strong>We should all be so lucky...</strong><br /><br />When it comes to cars, however, it's easier to get fired up over mature's curves. Contemporary rides are obviously miles ahead in terms of power, handling, gas mileage, and technology. But they lack the intangible mojo that made these landmark vehicles timeless. Here are 10 classic American cars that left a permanent mark on the automotive industry.<br /><br />AWESOME!<br /><br /><strong>1953 Chevrolet Corvette</strong> - 1953 Chevrolet Corvette<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVco32EyPPRerHMG_8AVWcNoCnvgmMLwb8miTRytyAdYJnl27wbc__qD-bL2_5NWd5XtOirS6jNIdl6tDDG7XLgjAq3B8I3HEbcgHDVogCfyBZm5qaraL1PONDF18sXyk0A1ikP4el0Rhy/s1600-h/autofinanceinsider_chevolet_corvette_1953.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVco32EyPPRerHMG_8AVWcNoCnvgmMLwb8miTRytyAdYJnl27wbc__qD-bL2_5NWd5XtOirS6jNIdl6tDDG7XLgjAq3B8I3HEbcgHDVogCfyBZm5qaraL1PONDF18sXyk0A1ikP4el0Rhy/s320/autofinanceinsider_chevolet_corvette_1953.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296241476306376290" /></a><br /><br /><strong>The only sports car worth owning.</strong> <br /><br />What began in 1953 as a slow performer in the showrooms and on the street soon gained momentum and V8 power, and it evolved into an American icon. To desire a 'Vette is only human. To own one is to belong to a family as passionate for their cars as any you'll find. Each generation of Corvette has been better than the last, and all represent passion molded in fiberglass.<br /><br />Cool Fact: Red is the color we usually associate with the 'Vette, but in 1953, white was the only color offered.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilwqyGY-LLt281_unoHGAuh4bYc47Jde9UZ6TEz_BfKWZdZ3rduk6YiN9vzCUQ3lfK237U2lHenCcuMbBebMl5Qpa_u_jziDmYWu-KcBUMpeo_fNrDhsxuI0aiYibg5GAUVwd8XNkZAL6q/s1600-h/shamelesspromotion-autofinanceinsider-1953corvette2.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilwqyGY-LLt281_unoHGAuh4bYc47Jde9UZ6TEz_BfKWZdZ3rduk6YiN9vzCUQ3lfK237U2lHenCcuMbBebMl5Qpa_u_jziDmYWu-KcBUMpeo_fNrDhsxuI0aiYibg5GAUVwd8XNkZAL6q/s320/shamelesspromotion-autofinanceinsider-1953corvette2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296251106164573586" /></a><br /><br /><br /><strong>Is she really all that?</strong> Post a coment:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3V65AsCiMGKl0ZgDOUj0r7Klme_fLlmbd_LMtK-6SR3K7Czco5wTG-TV0iluMSmhXcEPwCDn_dHRKiV3BvcVwiE8B5ejVPixMUSxCNVvY3sNGn75uvOrONONKECftbqQZ0_B96PDVZv_3/s1600-h/barbi-benton-playboy-magazine-autofinanceinsider-afi-corvette.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 242px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3V65AsCiMGKl0ZgDOUj0r7Klme_fLlmbd_LMtK-6SR3K7Czco5wTG-TV0iluMSmhXcEPwCDn_dHRKiV3BvcVwiE8B5ejVPixMUSxCNVvY3sNGn75uvOrONONKECftbqQZ0_B96PDVZv_3/s320/barbi-benton-playboy-magazine-autofinanceinsider-afi-corvette.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296255775719158066" /></a>Robert Linkonis Sr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17006194089617624003noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6964217973689908038.post-33160899772738307722009-01-22T12:34:00.000-08:002009-01-22T12:40:30.456-08:00Flying Car the 'Ultimate Hybrid' Goes to Market<strong>Prepare for Takeoff</strong> <br /><br />A Boston-area company plans to begin flight tests this year of a two-seater airplane that moonlights as a car. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7TMQcXHJSGw6TjrJgy6QT0XBB58nRl9v-S5Uk65hZuedrzHYgrqEX_X5t6gElyB_eOB2tnO8sT25FGJOb8vOj3bMsVOTi0-ifqqCJ2ThD6k4Gbo95TCvOQTvHOii-M-JZ-qfMxLPDHNZ2/s1600-h/new-flying-car-terrafugia-540x380.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7TMQcXHJSGw6TjrJgy6QT0XBB58nRl9v-S5Uk65hZuedrzHYgrqEX_X5t6gElyB_eOB2tnO8sT25FGJOb8vOj3bMsVOTi0-ifqqCJ2ThD6k4Gbo95TCvOQTvHOii-M-JZ-qfMxLPDHNZ2/s320/new-flying-car-terrafugia-540x380.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294220055678631474" /></a><br /><br />The <strong>aptly named "Transition"</strong> takes a stab at bridging the gap between automobiles and airplanes. Some people call it a <a href="http://autoindustrynews.blogspot.com">flying car</a>. The company designing and selling the vehicle prefers the term "<a href="http://autoindustrynews.blogspot.com">roadable aircraft</a>." <br /><br />Either way, it boils down to this: You sit down behind the steering wheel, drive to the runway, unfold two wings and take off. You can fly 500 miles on a tank of gas -- regular unleaded -- and when you land, you simply fold up the wings and drive where you want to go. At the end of the day, you fly back, drive home and park inside your garage. <br /><br /><a href="http://autoindustrynews.blogspot.com">Terrafugia</a>, of Woburn, Mass., is not the first firm to attempt what may be <strong>the ultimate hybrid</strong>. <br /><br /><br /><a href="http://autoindustrynews.blogspot.com">BACK TO AUTO INDUSTRY NEWS HOMEPAGE:</a><br /><br /><br />Tags: <a href="http://www.autofinanceinsider.com">Automotive F&I</a>, <a href="http://www.autofinanceinsider.blogspot.com">F&I Laws</a>, <a href="http://autofinanceinsider2.blogspot.com">Dealership Pictures</a>,<br /><a href="http://www.creditra.com">Credit Repair va</a>, <a href="http://www.creditra.blogspot.com">Credit Repair blog</a>, <a href="http://licenseplateexchange.blogspot.com">Funny License Plates</a>Robert Linkonis Sr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17006194089617624003noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6964217973689908038.post-35210012061778566182009-01-13T07:30:00.001-08:002009-01-13T07:53:14.533-08:00Announcing the 2010 Ford TaurusMy first new car (and negative car buying experience) was a 1989 Ford Taurus. I loved that car.<br /><br />Oh well, <br /><br />More convincing is needed to get me to switch from Infiniti.<br /><br /><a href="http://afitoday.blogspot.com">AFI</a><br /><br /><a href="http://autoindustrynews.blogspot.com">By REX ROY | AOL AUTOS</a><br />See 2010 Ford Taurus Photos:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNAC5EtNNx9zOnFA7UPj0g-NnjIBD-hxAmqGfTT9l8syqtcQt6EcfZNrnFeKvSAW14ZAMsCVH32bNtr0CBYTrCT4ySeIGnmFoQ5cjgW2Q0xC172ZQjHW6B1fFwVJWeeswoYiKwFp4IvEO0/s1600-h/2010-ford-taurus-silver.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNAC5EtNNx9zOnFA7UPj0g-NnjIBD-hxAmqGfTT9l8syqtcQt6EcfZNrnFeKvSAW14ZAMsCVH32bNtr0CBYTrCT4ySeIGnmFoQ5cjgW2Q0xC172ZQjHW6B1fFwVJWeeswoYiKwFp4IvEO0/s320/2010-ford-taurus-silver.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290801184874877842" /></a><br /><br />The lines are crisp, the roofline looks sleek, and the wide stance of the wheels gives the car a performance-oriented feeling. If you weren't standing inside the Ford booth at the Detroit Auto Show, you'd think you were looking a new luxury car -- probably an import -- not the all-new, full-size <a href="http://autoindustrynews.blogspot.com/2009/01/2010-ford-taurus.html">2010 Ford Taurus</a>.<br /><br />No Taurus in recent memory ever looked this good, and the transformation is welcomed because <a href="http://autoindustrynews.blogspot.com">2008-2009 Taurus</a> isn't a great looking car. Knowing this truth, Ford decided to do something drastic.<br /><br />The all-new design is decidedly upscale. There's not a hint of the dowdy old style to be found. The exterior style is dominated by a sculpted hood, pronounced front fenders, and character line that runs front to back ending at the tall trailing edge of the rear fenders.<br /><br />Inside, a forward-leaning center control cluster clearly makes the new Taurus a five-seater. New production techniques have yielded better looking and richer feeling dash and door coverings. As evidenced in recently introduced models, Ford knows how to craft high-quality and visually pleasing interiors. Panel gaps and materials appear on par with luxury cars.<br /><br />See <a href="http://autoindustrynews.blogspot.com/2009/01/2010-ford-taurus.html">2010 Ford Taurus Photos</a>:<br /><br />Even though the Taurus is a full-size car, the amount of passenger room still surprised us. The adjective "huge" comes to mind. The trunk, thanks to the high profile of the rear fenders and the tall deck, is likewise enormous. Back in the days of drive-in movies, it would have been easy to fit three stow-aways back there with room for soda and chips.<br /><br />The <a href="http://autoindustrynews.blogspot.com/2009/01/2010-ford-taurus.html">2010 Ford Taurus</a> should have the moves to match its trimmer more athletic looks. The mechanicals are based on the Lincoln MKS, a capable performance sedan. The standard engine is a refined 3.5-liter V-6 (also used in the Lincoln), generating an estimated 263 horsepower. Along with earning <a href="http://autoindustrynews.blogspot.com">ULEV-II emissions certification</a> front-wheel-drive Taurus (all-wheel drive is optional) is expected to deliver unsurpassed highway fuel economy in the class, but Ford hasn't yet released mpg estimates.<br /><br />Every Taurus will be equipped with a six-speed automatic. On SEL and Limited models (the SE is the base model), the transmission will feature paddle shifters on the steering wheel, a manual shift mode, and rev-matching downshifts deliver a sportier driving experience.<br /><br />Compared to the outgoing model, the chassis components under the 2010 Taurus should provide sportier ride dynamics. Ford engineers promise more roll stiffness and more responsive steering. Like the MKS, the new Ford uses struts up front and multi-link, fully-independent arrangement in the rear.<br /><br /><a href="http://autoindustrynews.blogspot.com">BACK TO AUTO INDUSTRY NEWS HOMEPAGE:</a><br /><br /><br />Tags: <a href="http://www.autofinanceinsider.com">Automotive F&I</a>, <a href="http://www.autofinanceinsider.blogspot.com">F&I Laws</a>, <a href="http://autofinanceinsider2.blogspot.com">Dealership Pictures</a>,<br /><a href="http://www.creditra.com">Credit Repair va</a>, <a href="http://www.creditra.blogspot.com">Credit Repair blog</a>, <a href="http://licenseplateexchange.blogspot.com">Funny License Plates</a>Robert Linkonis Sr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17006194089617624003noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6964217973689908038.post-24029077049516521232009-01-07T18:12:00.000-08:002009-01-13T07:53:33.084-08:00Hyundai: If You Can't Make The Payments? Just Return Itby <a href="http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D95H96K80.htm">Dan Strumph</a><br /><br />Can't make the payments on that new car you just bought? <strong>No problem -- just return it free of charge.</strong><br /><br />At least that's the deal being offered by Hyundai Motor America. In a bid to woo skittish consumers, the South Korea-based automaker will cover the depreciation on any returned leased or financed vehicle for the first 12 months to those who find themselves unable to make their car payments.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi4N3-SpcWv4P7sKBO8M2b46gDDnZD1Q0vI6o1O8dYni8-pT9fZ2iph89D14mNwXD-29FDCRNiYNi_wT2uL2oWXQP9KW9kgIhEDRoyq9FZ24_BTP5J_YiFX2HZtIh4V7CUjzZK2Kak7JLH/s1600-h/Hyundai_logo.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi4N3-SpcWv4P7sKBO8M2b46gDDnZD1Q0vI6o1O8dYni8-pT9fZ2iph89D14mNwXD-29FDCRNiYNi_wT2uL2oWXQP9KW9kgIhEDRoyq9FZ24_BTP5J_YiFX2HZtIh4V7CUjzZK2Kak7JLH/s320/Hyundai_logo.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288741467352038658" /></a><br /><strong>An excellent promotion. It is as exciting as Hyundai's 10 year / 100,000 mile warranty. </strong><br /><br />"We're seeing people who are stuck," said Joel Ewanick, vice president marketing for Hyundai Motor America, in an interview. "Really they have a mental fatigue and they're really nervous about their long-term financial situation, so we started working on that side of it."<br /><br />Deadbeats need not apply, however. The "<a href="http://autoindustrynews.blogspot.com">Hyundai Assurance Program</a>" only applies to customers stricken by misfortune outside of their control, such as losing their job, becoming disabled or losing their driver's license for medical reasons.<br /><br />Customers must also have made at least two payments on the car already. In addition, Hyundai will only refund the depreciation on the returned car up to $7,500.<br /><br />"For the normal person, this should cover any normal depreciation in the first year," Ewanick said.<br /><br />After the first 12 months, customers have the option of extending the program for a fee through their dealership. Customers who pay cash for their car don't qualify for the program, Hyundai said.<br /><br />Hyundai, which launched the program on Friday, said the program is aimed at consumers too nervous to spring for a new car in the difficult economy. The slump in consumer confidence has been one of the biggest factors behind the collapse in <a href="http://autoindustrynews.blogspot.com">new vehicle sales</a> in 2008.<br /><br />For this reason, traditional incentive tactics, like low-interest financing or cash bonuses, have been much less effective in boosting sales recently, Ewanick said. Economic anxiety -- rather than cost -- has been the biggest factor holding consumers back from big-ticket purchases.<br /><br />"This is a recession of fear, a recession of confidence," he said. "It's much more severe than what we saw in the early '90s."<br /><br />Hyundai said Monday its December sales in the U.S. fell 48 percent to 24,037 from 46,487. Sales for all of 2008 declined 14 percent.<br /><br /><a href="http://autoindustrynews.blogspot.com">BACK TO AUTO INDUSTRY NEWS HOMEPAGE:</a><br /><br /><br />Tags: <a href="http://www.autofinanceinsider.com">Automotive F&I</a>, <a href="http://www.autofinanceinsider.blogspot.com">F&I Laws</a>, <a href="http://autofinanceinsider2.blogspot.com">Dealership Pictures</a>,<br /><a href="http://www.creditra.com">Credit Repair va</a>, <a href="http://www.creditra.blogspot.com">Credit Repair blog</a>, <a href="http://licenseplateexchange.blogspot.com">Funny License Plates</a>Robert Linkonis Sr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17006194089617624003noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6964217973689908038.post-31136502526386082912008-12-24T22:28:00.000-08:002009-01-02T06:51:22.547-08:00Ford - The Fusion Hybrid Tops Toyota’s Camry Hybrid<strong>2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid</strong><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUKlsXESNDXsWxCvSG9vbu5RCGvZ30yTAVVMaK5xZ94BnVzfMXXPADLMjg8FFmBPN8W66jDNhaCna4daaVhl25bV-5wUA1utdZ3rgy1tgzWHR-iuIhK_m562Bi2Z1x8tM3vCqKNipiPWGN/s1600-h/2009_ford_fusion_hybrid.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 209px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUKlsXESNDXsWxCvSG9vbu5RCGvZ30yTAVVMaK5xZ94BnVzfMXXPADLMjg8FFmBPN8W66jDNhaCna4daaVhl25bV-5wUA1utdZ3rgy1tgzWHR-iuIhK_m562Bi2Z1x8tM3vCqKNipiPWGN/s320/2009_ford_fusion_hybrid.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283613104574944706" /></a><br />Ford Fusion Hybrid to get 41 city m.p.g.<br /><br />Ford Motor Co.’s much ballyhooed 2010 Fusion Hybrid will get 41 city miles per gallon and 36 m.p.g. on highways, based on final certification figures from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the company said Monday.<br /><br />The move is one of the final steps in getting the vehicle to dealerships next spring. Certification of the vehicle was recently completed at the company’s testing laboratories in Allen Park.<br /><br />Ford said that the Fusion Hybrid tops Toyota’s <a href="http://autoindustrynews.blogspot.com">Camry hybrid</a> -- its main competitor -- mileage by 8 m.p.g. in the city and 2 m.p.g. on the highway.<br /><br />The Fusion can travel up to 47 miles per hour using only battery power. After 47 miles, the car’s four-cylinder engine turns on to power the car and recharge the battery.<br /><br />The Fusion’s <a href="http://autoindustrynews.blogspot.com">nickel-metal hydride battery</a> is lighter and produces 20% more power than the Ford Escape hybrid. It also devised a way to get 28% more power out of the battery cells, said Praveen Cherian, program leader for the Fusion Hybrid.<br /><br />“It’s not just one thing, but thousands,” he said of the improved mileage numbers. “We’ve optimized the heck out of that vehicle, it’s individual components.”<br /><br />The battery also can tolerate higher temperatures, and Ford has eliminated its battery cooling system in the Fusion, allowing the battery to cool using regular cabin air.<br /><br />The company also has improved its <a href="http://autoindustrynews.blogspot.com">regenerative braking system</a>, which captures energy lost through brake friction and stores it for battery usage. Ford said 94% of brake friction energy is recovered in the new model.<br /><br />The Fusion also includes SmartGauge technology, which helps drivers adjust their driving to get more mileage out of the car.<br /><br />Ford unveiled the Fusion Hybrid at the Los Angeles Auto Show last month, along with the Mercury Milan hybrid.<br /><br /><a href="http://autoindustrynews.blogspot.com">BACK TO AUTO INDUSTRY NEWS HOMEPAGE:</a>Robert Linkonis Sr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17006194089617624003noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6964217973689908038.post-77797860812893447202008-12-08T16:35:00.000-08:002008-12-08T17:09:41.144-08:00A World Without Gas Part 1It's going to happen, maybe not today, tomorrow or possibly not for a century. But one day, fossil fuels will run out. What then?<br /><br /><a href="http://editorial.autos.msn.com/article.aspx?cp-documentid=748083&topart=hybrids">By Erik Sofge of MSN autos</a><br /><br />It's not a call to arms, or a doomsday prophecy. It's a simple truth: Someday the planet will run out of oil. Whether the endgame comes within decades or a century, and despite whatever attempts are made to restrict global consumption and dramatically increase fuel efficiency, even the most optimistic experts admit it's only a matter of time.<br /><br />For now, major automakers continue to roll out hybrid cars while teasing the public with more revolutionary models, such as GM's plug-in hybrid, the <a href="http://autoindustrynews.blogspot.com/2008/09/making-of-chevy-volt-lutz-defends-volt.html">Chevy Volt</a>, and the hydrogen-powered FCX Clarity from Honda. These might be glimpses of a brighter, more energy-independent automotive future. Or they might be marketing disasters in the making, and yet more reasons to defer the coming crisis for another few years. These are short-term concerns. In the long run, what will it take to achieve an entirely petroleum-free fleet of automobiles? What will the road look like when the gas runs out?<br /><br /><strong>A Complicated Problem</strong><br /><br />"This question is likely to be a real concern in a 20- or 30-year time frame," says John Heywood, a professor of mechanical engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. "We have to start looking for alternatives immediately, but that's when it will really become critical." The problem, however, could hardly be more complicated.<br /><br />Despite decades of research in battery technology and fuel cells, there is no clear-cut successor to petroleum-based fuels. Gas and diesel offer an irresistible combination of energy density and stability. The only drawbacks are the inevitable release of all those converted hydrocarbons as carbon dioxide and other emissions, as well as the fact they are made from oil. Despite all of the political and environmental collateral damage, petroleum is a tough act to follow.<br /><br />Over the past decade, there has been no shortage of contenders in the race to replace gas and diesel, including cars powered by compressed air or recycled vegetable oil. For now, though, the world of alternative fuel research is essentially a two-party system, with the most high-profile projects falling under the umbrella of vehicles powered either by batteries or hydrogen fuel cells.<br /><br />Both camps have their champions, decidedly flawed heroes like the <a href="http://autoindustrynews.blogspot.com/2008/06/top-ten-electric-vehicles-you-can-buy.html">Tesla Roadster</a> electric sport car, which could reinvent the public image of electric vehicles (EVs), provided the fledgling automaker can survive long enough to deliver the first batch. Honda's hydrogen-powered <a href="http://autoindustrynews.blogspot.com/2008/09/7-sexy-hybrids-you-cant-buy-yet.html">FCX Clarity</a>, which can be refilled at only a limited number of stations throughout the country, has a waiting list that's so restrictive the car seems more like a public relations stunt for eco-conscious celebrities than a step toward oil independence.<br /><br />Awkward as they might seem, these are baby steps, some experts say, and only the opening round in a war between EVs and hydrogen for post-oil market supremacy. "It's unlikely we'll do both," says Heywood, who remains tentatively optimistic about battery-powered vehicles. "Electric vehicles can evolve in a grass-roots fashion. It grows bit by bit. There aren't real barriers to getting started."<br /><br /><strong>EVs: Available Now, Infrastructure Issues</strong><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8t4aPozvz_-70Vp7p4ZHwtTH43OVWuUNsrD6o7zsSZw4-XXo1fwUQ0QJlTqgy44INC-E0uXaPjBaKEKd2f13a-4ouJzQzRJ9Q2ce7bAPOqxEAbJ_VWKN9wSSu7qT7MEWGMvPgRfTMBtnt/s1600-h/zapxebra.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 277px; height: 301px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8t4aPozvz_-70Vp7p4ZHwtTH43OVWuUNsrD6o7zsSZw4-XXo1fwUQ0QJlTqgy44INC-E0uXaPjBaKEKd2f13a-4ouJzQzRJ9Q2ce7bAPOqxEAbJ_VWKN9wSSu7qT7MEWGMvPgRfTMBtnt/s320/zapxebra.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277583859194959602" /></a><br /><strong>EV devotees can buy small, limited-range models right now, such as the $14,000 Xebra from California-based ZAP,a three-wheeler that can travel up to 40 miles on a charge.</strong> <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDnS8ZPmuTqctnwbiYrIxaoY9_rKpeNrtN5RIqAFGGAzxN_RbUujGdnmdvyjlcBgu58riSuAh_yINb1mHf3QbH4BvbmXCByGABKcCYedQOEI05P480uIjx4uIku2TXoyG5yzzChQ7C515x/s1600-h/zap-xebra.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 206px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDnS8ZPmuTqctnwbiYrIxaoY9_rKpeNrtN5RIqAFGGAzxN_RbUujGdnmdvyjlcBgu58riSuAh_yINb1mHf3QbH4BvbmXCByGABKcCYedQOEI05P480uIjx4uIku2TXoyG5yzzChQ7C515x/s320/zap-xebra.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277584225222603010" /></a><br /><strong>I just can't stop thinking of those VERY windy days...</strong><br /><br />According to <a href="http://autoindustrynews.blogspot.com/2008/12/world-without-gas-part-2.html">ZAP</a>, sales are up — the company sold roughly three times as many Xebras in the third quarter as it did during the same period in 2007. When it comes to mainstream adoption, though, battery-powered EVs face significant barriers, such as the price and capacity of present-day batteries.<br /><br />Norwegian EV maker <a href="http://autoindustrynews.blogspot.com/2008/12/world-without-gas-part-2.html">Th!nk</a>, which hopes to start selling its battery-powered two-seater City in the United States sometime next year, has unveiled its design for a more mainstream-friendly sedan. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiow3I0Pt65VKt5vylQGd-zLIz3HbYdAtS3JB0cDO4mypkGbJAtBDkHSslfKDDHtJU2BSNtku6jq9Z3XcLOW5Y2l_BOzVot-bchx8MxWJbwVMTviwEs00jsa3l1BfxEuzxioGzQM3SKcKu9/s1600-h/thinkox.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiow3I0Pt65VKt5vylQGd-zLIz3HbYdAtS3JB0cDO4mypkGbJAtBDkHSslfKDDHtJU2BSNtku6jq9Z3XcLOW5Y2l_BOzVot-bchx8MxWJbwVMTviwEs00jsa3l1BfxEuzxioGzQM3SKcKu9/s320/thinkox.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277585117994627474" /></a><br /><strong>Th!nk Ox</strong> - Kinda cool<br /><br />The Ox would have five seats, and as much as 50 percent more range than the City — up to 155 miles per charge — but according to Th!nk Chief Executive Richard Canny, "The Ox is a vision of where industry might be in 2012 or 2014. With today's batteries, it would be prohibitively expensive."<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL3RWCM1PqcGDYU0fFAzu26qbg6JYuNsQMQKEQmheAsX42hEOBOgZYJsGZBCUAKkXVHfDyL5SAJvQrh2ox2rOL8eO1dsDTQyQb2mRsQT7txYbahil3a_G_Y3ohcqOTRc4Eb8inLiaT9Yyd/s1600-h/think-ox.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 149px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL3RWCM1PqcGDYU0fFAzu26qbg6JYuNsQMQKEQmheAsX42hEOBOgZYJsGZBCUAKkXVHfDyL5SAJvQrh2ox2rOL8eO1dsDTQyQb2mRsQT7txYbahil3a_G_Y3ohcqOTRc4Eb8inLiaT9Yyd/s320/think-ox.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277585756492512114" /></a><br /><strong>Th!nk Ox</strong> - Looks like something out of a video game.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlUT0ILwCmHQReK4O_MhK3ItLEmd_h08anm-xwoZmg4p-_CMHlZjucE7xDgCAB3bUJDu8-LHALZKorfsymeqAG1fQa4E87Ih5pZKwkht15yK0wQ97AG8vb7BTLB0ELGE9pP3_eOeH1rAIS/s1600-h/th!nk_ox_graffiti.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 178px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlUT0ILwCmHQReK4O_MhK3ItLEmd_h08anm-xwoZmg4p-_CMHlZjucE7xDgCAB3bUJDu8-LHALZKorfsymeqAG1fQa4E87Ih5pZKwkht15yK0wQ97AG8vb7BTLB0ELGE9pP3_eOeH1rAIS/s320/th!nk_ox_graffiti.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277586720663440626" /></a><br /><strong>Th!nk Ox</strong> - Ok, these graphics aren't foolin' me - it really is out of a video game. Call me when the car is built.<br /><br />Continue Reading <a href="http://autoindustrynews.blogspot.com/2008/12/world-without-gas-part-2.html">A World Without Gas - Part 2:</a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://autoindustrynews.blogspot.com">BACK TO AUTO INDUSTRY NEWS HOMEPAGE:</a>Robert Linkonis Sr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17006194089617624003noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6964217973689908038.post-13857948088767735522008-12-08T16:15:00.000-08:002008-12-08T17:04:05.449-08:00A World Without Gas Part 2Even if a breakthrough in battery power revolutionized the EV, there's the problem of charging infrastructure. Is the national electric grid ready to accommodate a nightly spike in power as cars are plugged in to recharge? "And what about all those cars parked at night on city streets?" says Heywood. "Will they have extension cords running back into apartments? It's sort of a suburban opportunity. It's still significant, but it doesn't get us to 100 percent right away."<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRjNRCzXi3d9GQQL2QC4WyIxww2GcDSWdmJ_DwZlVcHeC8Qqe6ebDyinLuxk8tHnVMnD5ihEQpZaoPrPDKLD9xnmusMLK8WsV17H86p0ltmwlpgNz8E4gsIMhRjKIRg02dRH8zJCWh-JUr/s1600-h/Th!nk_City.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRjNRCzXi3d9GQQL2QC4WyIxww2GcDSWdmJ_DwZlVcHeC8Qqe6ebDyinLuxk8tHnVMnD5ihEQpZaoPrPDKLD9xnmusMLK8WsV17H86p0ltmwlpgNz8E4gsIMhRjKIRg02dRH8zJCWh-JUr/s320/Th!nk_City.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277580911515112818" /></a><br /><strong>According to Norwegian EV maker Th!nk, its two-seat City should cost less than a Prius and will be available in 2009. It has a range of up to 110 miles on a single charge, with a top speed of about 65 mph.</strong><br /><br /><br />The other problem with EVs is range. Even if batteries were to achieve the 400-mile range of a gas or diesel engine, would drivers be willing to sit in a recharging station for an hour or longer? One potential solution, says Jim Sweeney, a professor of management science and engineering and director of the Precourt Institute for Energy Efficiency at Stanford University, is a battery rental model, similar to the business model proposed by Israeli start-up Project Better Place.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbUx8YS1jz3pd0OR5IIR5nJRDvdgOVEy55AJkApcI6ifNW_C52v9Gq0_KwQDvDMXm8Vpp9AZq143RxTv4sZMu4x8c8sY3QYJF5t3aBMWUzLkOF3DVK9AfTc_5-FNyp5in4ADoobnBn0Osh/s1600-h/project_better_place_sedan.bmp"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 202px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbUx8YS1jz3pd0OR5IIR5nJRDvdgOVEy55AJkApcI6ifNW_C52v9Gq0_KwQDvDMXm8Vpp9AZq143RxTv4sZMu4x8c8sY3QYJF5t3aBMWUzLkOF3DVK9AfTc_5-FNyp5in4ADoobnBn0Osh/s320/project_better_place_sedan.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277581949663296610" /></a><br /><strong>Project Better Place’s car</strong> looks just like a regular sedan according to reports and images on the company’s website, but with an electrical socket and a screen showing the battery power, instead of a gas gauge. The cars are said to have a range of 100 km in city driving and up to 160 km on the highway before needing to be recharged or swapped.<br /><br />Instead of owning a rechargeable battery pack, EV drivers could stop at a charging station, which would pull a new one off the rack and swap it out. The charging station's battery packs could be charged at night, when the strain on the grid would be lighter, and therefore electricity would be cheaper. "The challenge is that those batteries are very valuable," says Sweeney. "If you design it so you can release them easily and quick take them out, how do you make sure that thieves don't come in and steal those batteries from parked cars? A black market would develop for them."<br /><br /><strong>Hydrogen Power: Costs as well as infrastructure issues</strong><br /><br />For hydrogen-powered vehicles, range isn't the problem. Hydrogen fuel cells could provide roughly the same driving distance as gas or diesel, with fewer constraints on vehicle size and weight. The larger obstacles include the need to roll out a national network of hydrogen filling stations. Another issue is the high cost and potential scarcity of platinum, which at present is the most efficient catalyst for hydrogen fuel cells. And then there's the hydrogen itself, which must be stored under high pressure onboard the vehicles.<br /><br />One possible solution to hydrogen tanks is to get rid of them entirely. "In theory, you could hold a lot more hydrogen not as a gas, but bound to solids," says Sweeney. "You would absorb the hydrogen into a solid material, and then it bonds in there and gets released gradually. Essentially it would become a new type of battery." To some extent, fuel cell vehicles are in the same position as EVs, waiting on the fringes of the automotive world for a research breakthrough to push them into the mainstream. But whereas EVs have inched into the market through hybrids, plug-in hybrid aftermarket conversions and a limited number of short-range EVs, hydrogen has barely made it out of the lab.<br /><br />"To get a hydrogen system up and running, it takes a revolution," says Heywood. "And what would prompt that? Could the government do that? It would have to be willing to spend a lot of money."<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOROtkayJCd-XGxBFjX-oznE9HX_cz6zJRPf-KeeqnkueZ7vQjUpaHHRLBBmJ_22zZZaRYJNYrqLV83B1E88P8tlQgcKBvZYlhxycDV-c_4ChxgxUBwAmJy9mAkXER-koCX2-e3eXr-JrZ/s1600-h/fuel_cell_car_model.bmp"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 206px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOROtkayJCd-XGxBFjX-oznE9HX_cz6zJRPf-KeeqnkueZ7vQjUpaHHRLBBmJ_22zZZaRYJNYrqLV83B1E88P8tlQgcKBvZYlhxycDV-c_4ChxgxUBwAmJy9mAkXER-koCX2-e3eXr-JrZ/s320/fuel_cell_car_model.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277578765079820610" /></a><br /><strong>Fuel Cell Car</strong><br /><br />Some hydrogen proponents believe that a gradual introduction of the vehicles will be followed by an expansion of filling stations and related infrastructure, and that the fuel's potential as an all-around replacement for oil — both in cars and for general energy production — will eventually overtake the current buzz surrounding EVs. In a more cooperative vision of the future, the two technologies could share the road. Families could use smaller, all-electric vehicles for daily commuting and errands, and a longer-range fuel cell vehicle for road trips.<br /><br />To that end, EV development could actually benefit hydrogen in the long term, since both types of vehicles use electric drivetrains, with the primary difference being the source of the current that drives the various motors. Th!nk's Canny isn't ruling out the ultimate alt-fuel automotive holy grail: a plug-in hybrid with an all-electric mode for daily use and fuel cells for extended range. "If we move aggressively on electric vehicles now, the technology will be in place for the batteries and the electric motors and the rest of the hardware," says Canny. "At that point you have range and zero emissions. It's the ideal technological solution."<br /><br /><strong>Other Fuel Possibilities</strong><br /><br />Although the total number of EV drivers in the United States is still in the hundreds, companies like <a href="http://autoindustrynews.blogspot.com/2008/06/top-ten-electric-vehicles-you-can-buy.html">ZAP</a> claim that their customers have already adopted this sort of dual-technology solution. If hydrogen never takes the place of gas and diesel for extended-range vehicles, there are other liquid fuels on the horizon, such as biomass-derived fuels. Instead of converting valuable corn crops into ethanol, fuel companies could use prairie grass, switchgrass or even new, bioengineered plants. Researchers are also developing methods of turning coal into liquid fuel; the resulting carbon emissions could make it hard for automakers to meet increasingly restrictive federal standards, but if the oil is gone, it might be the cheapest short-term option.<br /><br />For now, despite public interest in plug-in hybrids and other kinds of EVs, and rising skepticism about the prospects of a hydrogen infrastructure, the details of a gas-free future are still sketchy. One potential casualty might be traditional American car culture — tomorrow's more fuel-efficient cars and trucks might be smaller, lighter and less often used. There could be multiple propulsion technologies sharing the same garage, or an array of bizarre designer liquid fuels that become as commonplace as regular or unleaded gas. Electric vehicles are likely to play some role, particularly if hydrogen's fortunes continue to fall. But the shape of the post-petroleum automobile will come into focus gradually, based on early-adopter feedback and lessons learned from ethanol and other national alt-fuel experiments.<br /><br />"There's going to have to be a lot of trial and error," says Heywood. "We've done an initial sorting, but there are still more options out there than we'll ultimately be interested in investing in. We've got to keep addressing these questions, coming back to them again and again, in an almost continuous way."<br /><br />Based out of the Boston area, <a href="http://editorial.autos.msn.com/article.aspx?cp-documentid=748083&page=2&topart=hybrids">Erik Sofge</a> is frequent contributor to Popular Mechanics and Slate.com. He specializes in everything scientific and technical.<br /><br />Read: <a href="http://autoindustrynews.blogspot.com/2008/12/world-without-gas-part-1.html">A World Without Gas Part 1</a><br /><br /><a href="http://autoindustrynews.blogspot.com">BACK TO AUTO INDUSTRY NEWS HOMEPAGE:</a>Robert Linkonis Sr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17006194089617624003noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6964217973689908038.post-67007516274917738732008-11-14T11:02:00.000-08:002008-11-14T11:21:29.618-08:00Is there a “car czar” in the country’s future?Senior adviser would oversee any financial aid given to automakers <br /><br />President-elect Obama has raised the idea of appointing a so-called "<a href="http://autoindustrynews.blogspot.com">car czar</a>" to oversee emergency federal aid to automakers, exact tough corporate reforms and ensure taxpayers earn a return on any investment in the auto industry, notes the Detroit News.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5RgzMd6DFFPeDa-R0wG1vLQ9MS5Bzq23QDoAq6en8NkopYF9wAAAOLc4Q-8GyQXne-xTWs9_-o9oyTMjwrcaMCjrE1r8DHbkGfPvcJ3LT5QwPEGpDzJSc_zek_0Kc5i-R03VpjsjHNhDg/s1600-h/CAR+CZAR+HOPEFUL.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5RgzMd6DFFPeDa-R0wG1vLQ9MS5Bzq23QDoAq6en8NkopYF9wAAAOLc4Q-8GyQXne-xTWs9_-o9oyTMjwrcaMCjrE1r8DHbkGfPvcJ3LT5QwPEGpDzJSc_zek_0Kc5i-R03VpjsjHNhDg/s320/CAR+CZAR+HOPEFUL.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268592134192393490" /></a><br /><strong>Miacoda Tadewi, an aluminum sculpture artist and locally known as the "Car Czar of Omaha" is waiting for president Obama's call.</strong><br /><br />The Obama transition team hasn't identified who the car czar would be, but the president-elect has three auto advisers. They are economic adviser Jason Furman, Georgetown University law professor Dan Tarullo and Joshua Steiner, a former Clinton Treasury official, but none of them have emerged as the point person on autos yet. <br /><br />It would be helpful for such an appointee to have an intimate knowledge of the <a href="http://autoindustrynews.blogspot.com">auto industry</a> or at least assemble a panel of expert advisers, said David Cole, chairman of the Center for Automotive Research in Ann Arbor.<br /><br />Mr. Obama raised the possibility of appointing a czar during a meeting Monday with President Bush. <br /><br />According to a person briefed on the meeting, Mr. Obama "urged help for the automakers including accelerating the $25 billion Congress already passed, exploring other authorities that exist under current law, and identifying someone in charge of the auto issue who would have the authority to bring about reforms that would lead to an economically viable auto industry."<br /><br />A <a href="http://autoindustrynews.blogspot.com">car czar</a> could serve as a point person for federal agencies that deal with automakers, such as the Treasury, the Labor and Transportation departments, and the Environmental Protection Agency, Mr. Cole said. A czar also could represent taxpayers and explain how the government could reap a profit on any federal loans.<br /><br />While most industry experts believe 2009 will be difficult, Mr. Cole said there are indications a recovery may not be too far off.<br /><br />There will be pent-up demand among car buyers after a long weak spell caused by a lack of available credit. In addition, domestic automakers anticipate big labor cost savings in 2010 thanks to a landmark contract negotiated last year with the United Auto Workers, he noted.<br /> <br /><br /><a href="http://AUTOINDUSTRYNEWS.BLOGSPOT.COM"><strong>BACK TO THE AUTO INDUSTRY NEWS - with a twist HOMEPAGE:</strong></a>Robert Linkonis Sr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17006194089617624003noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6964217973689908038.post-53091337603585351122008-11-13T05:13:00.000-08:002008-11-13T05:18:54.140-08:00World’s Fastest Rolls-Royce<strong>This thing is too cool:</strong><br /><br />This 1970 Silver Shadow was a real auto show crowd-pleaser, enjoying standing-room-only audiences. This old-timer has a distinct split personality.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9XUSoWPApFeCypPQ5LogO1p0eNDec6TzkemaCk-O0pu6qTmBOWfTSQZlGTqS_n_r_I9Xf4uIWr76DG6g6TXHOv4MpxBYnhBP9jj2wxBYfWJLsElLw-0Bc3JrJiVrKznlsKdxZ24ddBRt2/s1600-h/worldsfastestrollsroyce2.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 192px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9XUSoWPApFeCypPQ5LogO1p0eNDec6TzkemaCk-O0pu6qTmBOWfTSQZlGTqS_n_r_I9Xf4uIWr76DG6g6TXHOv4MpxBYnhBP9jj2wxBYfWJLsElLw-0Bc3JrJiVrKznlsKdxZ24ddBRt2/s320/worldsfastestrollsroyce2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268129927013673506" /></a><br /><br />Approach from behind and the distinct boot and classic Rolls-Royce lines generate an aura of sophistication. Come upon the car bonnet first and it’s a totally different story.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt_Jk3VQ04NN4uPNqiqN74Eg1Bm1ZpqeZo6XzzPSTdk0yBQ4vJf2c60ZxtOEajhPWXpyglSn56WHGSQXO8eogHZKyvSO4-xC9HUtff2HvxIaNmR4_W4onOZFHGeqwS8-yo15G958v1xTrn/s1600-h/worldsfastestrollsroyce1.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 192px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt_Jk3VQ04NN4uPNqiqN74Eg1Bm1ZpqeZo6XzzPSTdk0yBQ4vJf2c60ZxtOEajhPWXpyglSn56WHGSQXO8eogHZKyvSO4-xC9HUtff2HvxIaNmR4_W4onOZFHGeqwS8-yo15G958v1xTrn/s320/worldsfastestrollsroyce1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268129842677516802" /></a><br /><br />Any visions of Grey Poupon and a leisurely day at the country club are replaced with barbecue sauce and burnouts down Main Street, as a gleaming roots-style 671 blower towers over the hood. <br /><br />This Rolls is motivated by a 572-inch Chrysler Hemi V8 that is also fitted with nitrous-oxide injection. Owners Tod Weston and Nancy Olson report there’s 1,350 horsepower at the ready. The British bomber rides on a Chris Alston chassis with an Air Ride Technologies suspension providing the proper stance. <br /><br />The cabin retains its Rolls-Royce elegance with a custom Hot Rod Interiors leather interior, four TVs and a Billet Specialties steering wheel. <br /><br /><a href="http://AUTOINDUSTRYNEWS.BLOGSPOT.COM"><strong>BACK TO AUTO INDUSTRY NEWS - with a twist HOMEPAGE:</strong></a>Robert Linkonis Sr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17006194089617624003noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6964217973689908038.post-91694377753902687532008-10-16T16:04:00.000-07:002008-10-16T16:09:25.064-07:00Nobel Prize contributor found working at a Toyota dealershipWhen his research grant ran out, Doug Prasher gave his work to a colleague. Guess who won the prize. <br /><a href="http://us.mc449.mail.yahoo.com/mc/showMessage;_ylt=AujOTw_OCXlV8iiG_ZOdUmljk70X?mid=1_140353_AKTFtEQAAUUmSPdW2Qpe1XDFYNQ&fid=Inbox&sort=date&order=down&startMid=0&.rand=913897397&da=0">DealersEdge Daily Headlines</a> <br /><br />A scientist who contributed to the research behind this year's Nobel Prize in chemistry has been shut out from the glory and will remain in Alabama working as a shuttle driver for a <a href="http://autoindustrynews.blogspot.com/">Toyota dealership</a> while three of his colleagues enjoy a $1.4 million payday, reports the New York Post.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhljivIo6UmViyzK2nI2c4CdXUJJ3n4siP4YZP1R_oZnqc4zG8865WIoDHP_YZuphnr5EIIY58xK8JEPoICwOqduPF2iagj426uBAM29KlOAH6q_9k6bI6Ui-HczASjHzvDSBRobdSPU_E9/s1600-h/DNAgfpsmall.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhljivIo6UmViyzK2nI2c4CdXUJJ3n4siP4YZP1R_oZnqc4zG8865WIoDHP_YZuphnr5EIIY58xK8JEPoICwOqduPF2iagj426uBAM29KlOAH6q_9k6bI6Ui-HczASjHzvDSBRobdSPU_E9/s320/DNAgfpsmall.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257892127234546018" /></a><br /><br />Twenty years ago, Dr. Douglas Prasher was one of the driving forces behind research that earned a Nobel Prize in chemistry this week. While his former colleagues will fly to Stockholm in December to accept the Nobel Prize and a $1.4 million check, the former Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution scientist will be earning $10 an hour. <br /><br />In the late 1980s, Dr. Prasher began research on a fluorescent protein found in a type of jellyfish and - working with a $220,000 grant from the American Cancer Society - was able to isolate and clone the gene that helped create it. <br /><br />When his grant money ran out, he voluntarily gave copies of the genes he had developed to Columbia University's Martin Chalfie - one of three men to win the Nobel this week for their work on fluorescent proteins. <br /><br />Dr. Prasher took the <a href="http://autoindustrynews.blogspot.com/2008/09/big-3-look-to-federal-loans-to-help.html">dealership</a> job after a year of unemployment so he could put his kids though college.<br /><br />His contribution was acknowledged by one of the Nobel laureates, Professor Chalfie, who said, “they could've easily given the prize to Douglas (Prasher) and the other two and left me out."<br /><br />The Nobel committee only allows three people to share a prize. Despite his work, Dr. Prasher lost out. <br /><br />According to published reports, as a result of the publicity, Dr. Prasher has received job inquiries from several research groups.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://AUTOINDUSTRYNEWS.BLOGSPOT.COM"><strong>BACK TO AUTO INDUSTRY NEWS HOMEPAGE:</strong></a>Robert Linkonis Sr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17006194089617624003noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6964217973689908038.post-67232191774239760712008-10-16T06:04:00.000-07:002008-10-16T16:09:11.307-07:00Virtual car dealerships open in Phoenix-area Wal-Mart stores<strong>I'm still trying to figure out the difference between this and staying at home shopping on your computer. I mean - who wants to endure the BS of going into a Walmart to use the service? Has anyone had the pleasure of trying to develop pictures at a Walmart self-serve photo kiosk? Oh well, time will prove if this is a good idea or not.</strong><br /> <br /><br />Pilot program allows Wal-Mart customers to shop for new and used vehicles <br /><br />By <a href="http://news.ktar.com/?nid=6&sid=973862">Hannah Scott</a><br /><br />In an exclusive pilot program with Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., Live X Auto Exchange will begin to offer electronically enhanced auto trading services that bring an entirely new retail experience to consumers, reports <a href="http://news.ktar.com/?nid=6&sid=973862">television station KTAR</a> in Phoenix.<br /><br /><a href="http://AUTOINDUSTRYNEWS.BLOGSPOT.COM">Live X Auto Exchange</a> is setting up shop at two Phoenix area Wal-Mart Super Centers. The “showroom” floor features music, televisions and computer screens to bring sellers and buyers together.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI4ob9aV857ukR3S6yrQ1dus2p9uMkt-tzRcWVykMcmtmxCcYjnrOF-z3P6aPprbaQLdhLToiVuMW8OQtmk0xl7SoNeWWd16UxjJu5uhpLxxKFN43Iqk4B5sVsutm8pc1qTuIFh3HCc5iC/s1600-h/livex-walmart.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI4ob9aV857ukR3S6yrQ1dus2p9uMkt-tzRcWVykMcmtmxCcYjnrOF-z3P6aPprbaQLdhLToiVuMW8OQtmk0xl7SoNeWWd16UxjJu5uhpLxxKFN43Iqk4B5sVsutm8pc1qTuIFh3HCc5iC/s320/livex-walmart.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257739535140736786" /></a><br /><br />"It's a one-stop shop where you can get financing, you can look at all of the vehicles across town," said Patrick Dial, president and chief executive officer of <a href="http://AUTOINDUSTRYNEWS.BLOGSPOT.COM">Live X</a>. <br /><br />Live X uses a pricing intelligence system that takes the haggling out of car buying, Mr. Dial said.<br /><br />There's one car on each showroom floor, which attracts people initially. <br /><br />"When they come in and they ask, 'What are you guys doing?' we step them over to our technology and say, 'We're now in the car business, let me step you through it.'" <br /><br />“Trading assistants” are at each of the showrooms to help people navigate through the online inventory, which features new and <a href="http://AUTOINDUSTRYNEWS.BLOGSPOT.COM">used cars</a> from dealerships around Phoenix. <br /><br /><a href="http://AUTOINDUSTRYNEWS.BLOGSPOT.COM">Live X Auto</a> has an exclusive arrangement with Wal-Mart. It is an electronic trading platform that combines a virtual trading experience bringing car buyers and sellers together. Financing can be approved on the spot with several lenders including Wal-Mart's local partner, Desert Schools Credit Union.<br /><br />There is a three-day, 500-mile exchange policy on most cars.<br /> <br /><br /><a href="http://AUTOINDUSTRYNEWS.BLOGSPOT.COM"><strong>BACK TO AUTO INDUSTRY NEWS HOMEPAGE:</strong></a>Robert Linkonis Sr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17006194089617624003noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6964217973689908038.post-62689729891134549712008-10-06T07:28:00.000-07:002008-10-06T07:34:19.140-07:00GM’s Top-Selling Chevy Dealer Out of BusinessGM’s Top-Selling Chevy Dealer Out of Business<br /><br /><strong>By Cliff Banks</strong><br /><a href="http://wardsdealer.com/latest/top_chevy_business_080925/">WardsAuto.com</a> <br />General Motors Corp.’s top-selling Chevrolet dealer group is closing all of its 13 dealerships this week, citing various reasons for the drastic measure.<br /><br />Bill Heard Enterprises Inc. sold more than 40,000 new vehicles – most of them Chevrolets – in 2007 and was ranked 11th on the Ward’s Megadealer 100 this year with $2.2 billion in total revenue.<br /><br />W.T. Heard Sr. opened the group’s first dealership in 1919 in Columbus, GA. The group had dealerships in Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Florida, Nevada, Tennessee and Texas with more than 2,700 employees. <br /><br />All 13 of Heard’s stores ranked on the Ward’s Dealer 500 list this year.<br /><br />A statement released by the company cites rising fuel prices, truck and SUV-laden inventory and the overall economic slowdown as reasons for going out of business.<br />Within the last couple of weeks, GMAC Financial Services stopped financing the inventory for several of Bill Heard’s stores, hampering the group’s ability to floor plan and order vehicles.<br /><br /><strong>SEEMS LIKE THE REASON HAS TO DO WITH ETHICS:</strong><br /><br />GMAC did not say why it did so, but several Heard stores have come under fire the last several years for a slew of allegations regarding violating business and ethical regulations in the states in which they operate.<br /><br />GMAC reportedly threatened to pull its financing last year after Bill Heard sent 10,000 customers what appeared to be a recall notice but actually was a bid for service-department business.<br /><br />Georgia’s Governor’s Office of Consumer Affairs filed a $50 million deceptive-advertising lawsuit against the group’s four Georgia dealerships for the same offense. It was the first lawsuit filed by the OCA in its 32-year history against a dealership, according to a report in the Atlanta Business Chronicle last year.<br />The report also claims Bill Heard has paid more than $280,000 in fines to the state of Georgia since 1991.<br /><br />Other states, including Florida, Texas and Arizona have been investigating the false recall notice claims, as well.<br /><br />In early September, Bill Heard closed its Scottsdale, AZ, store which opened to great fanfare less than two years ago. And last year, the company sold its dealership in Antioch, TN, which at one time was selling more than 1,000 new and used vehicles a month.<br /><br />GM likely will reopen several, if not all, of Bill Heard’s stores once buyers are found and the deals completed. GM spokeswoman Susan Garontakos says the auto maker will look to find new owners to keep the stores running.<br /><br />In 2005, GM named Bill Heard one of its “Dealers of the Year,” an exclusive list of auto retailers demonstrating strong sales performance and customer service. Each of the 110 dealers on the list received the 2004 Jack Smith Leadership Award.<br /><br /><strong>WOW.</strong><br /><br /><a href="http://AUTOINDUSTRYNEWS.BLOGSPOT.COM">BACK TO AUTO INDUSTRY NEWS HOMEPAGE:</a>Robert Linkonis Sr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17006194089617624003noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6964217973689908038.post-44174667693733508982008-09-24T20:08:00.000-07:002008-09-29T10:09:52.959-07:00Big 3 Look to Federal Loans to Help Refine, Not Reinvent Plug-in CarsBy Barbara McClellan<br />WardsAuto.com<br /> <br /><strong>Commentary: The past is nothing if not a signpost to the future, as history has proven.</strong><br /><br />So, as the 2008 U.S. presidential election draws near, it’s a good time to remind the candidates, and their respective political parties, that plug-in electric and other fuel-efficient technologies the Detroit auto makers are racing to develop are not a recent phenomenon.<br /><br />While nearly every global auto maker is hurrying to get such vehicles to market, General Motors hopes to have the first high-volume entry with its <a href="autoindustrynews.blogspot.com">Chevy Volt</a> extended-range electric vehicle.<br /><br />American auto makers long have been in the forefront of powertrain innovations that often are credited to foreign competitors. What’s changed is the substantial capital investment required by the industry to retool plants and accelerate research in order to meet fuel-efficiency targets set by Congress in last year’s Energy Act.<br /><br />Federal loans are needed to keep the Detroit Three competitive in putting cleaner vehicles on the road at affordable prices in this era of technical revolution, not to bail them out from their perceived misdirection in producing large trucks and SUVs to meet customer demand.<br /><br />Indeed, the Motor City was well ahead of its time 100 years ago when the Anderson Electric Car Co. began producing cars in Detroit powered by a rechargeable lead-acid battery. For $600 more, an Edison nickel-iron version was available.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR4Tp133zxmZRDgQ4Fqkl7UiWNdaOv70YhfXx3ygb0RHwWf_7aEwCCX4aOgjAd3N2lTf5wHWJ7PPO3y7LLqlVxNhNgHruqMQrqyuB5mnS4Bm0nlFfIYnQRbXNwiOYBlk3TwA-TFck1H1UA/s1600-h/1915_Anderson_Electric_car.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR4Tp133zxmZRDgQ4Fqkl7UiWNdaOv70YhfXx3ygb0RHwWf_7aEwCCX4aOgjAd3N2lTf5wHWJ7PPO3y7LLqlVxNhNgHruqMQrqyuB5mnS4Bm0nlFfIYnQRbXNwiOYBlk3TwA-TFck1H1UA/s320/1915_Anderson_Electric_car.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251487969061965122" /></a><br /><strong>Anderson Electric Car</strong> <br /><br />Detroit Electric-brand cars were said to be capable of traveling 80 miles (130 km) per charge, with a top speed of 20 mph (32 km/h), considered sufficient for the times.<br /><br />Doctors needed a car they could depend on, as gasoline engines at the time were not easy to start, nor reliable. And because hand-cranking gas engines required lots of muscle, the electric cars also were popular with women, Detroit Electric.org says on its website.<br /><br />Ironically, this contributed to the electric car’s downfall, as it soon became thought of as a woman’s vehicle and men did not want to be seen driving one. To try to overcome this aversion, some models in later years were designed with a faux radiator grill.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg01AswwY4Q2RiTcST5S73rOQIx3KQQY1Zm-DuTwD9g7sKW5d8s6pNE0yJcQO6Wmcgvg8azROLzqtq4i7AuD5oSRdhCGxtBV_L3Q-spzmy7Os5ixiqBpQ-XhL-YJ_LyV_QfRxEnC9Wm_1K9/s1600-h/Kettering_electric_starter_1910.bmp"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg01AswwY4Q2RiTcST5S73rOQIx3KQQY1Zm-DuTwD9g7sKW5d8s6pNE0yJcQO6Wmcgvg8azROLzqtq4i7AuD5oSRdhCGxtBV_L3Q-spzmy7Os5ixiqBpQ-XhL-YJ_LyV_QfRxEnC9Wm_1K9/s320/Kettering_electric_starter_1910.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251489258051351186" /></a><br /><strong>Kettering Electric Self-Starter</strong><br /><br />Another factor in the EV’s demise was the invention of the first working electric starter in 1911 by <a href="autoindustrynews.blogspot.com">Charles F. Kettering</a>, of Dayton Electric Laboratories, initially used by Cadillac in 1912.<br /><br />Additionally, battery-powered cars were expensive. The asking price for a Detroit Electric car in 1914 was about $2,650, compared with $600 for a Ford Model T, the website says.<br /><br /><a href="autoindustrynews.blogspot.com">Anderson Electric</a> changed its name to The Detroit Electric Car. Co. in 1920, but filed for bankruptcy after the stock-market crash in 1929. A buyer kept the company alive by building cars to order, with the last delivered in 1939.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw68qibbm6FUsdMsPNfpSg0sG-Akf3kIQg_jDPyi0OG6AYFOGIDhMPJjXPClS-xvL2YKavs5MbU6ZSmRmhbk6KVB_mU41FRy2RW2vU2Q4gU97_qMiQtQtIubeL5tIJQXFQi8uKBK5-zZu7/s1600-h/detroit-electric-logo.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw68qibbm6FUsdMsPNfpSg0sG-Akf3kIQg_jDPyi0OG6AYFOGIDhMPJjXPClS-xvL2YKavs5MbU6ZSmRmhbk6KVB_mU41FRy2RW2vU2Q4gU97_qMiQtQtIubeL5tIJQXFQi8uKBK5-zZu7/s320/detroit-electric-logo.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251490212733978258" /></a><br /><br />Meanwhile, Thomas Edison and Henry Ford decided to work together to make the electric car the main form of transportation in the U.S. Their vision was to have an infrastructure of charging stations available to the public. But the grand plan never came to fruition as gasoline became a plentiful and cheap alternative.<br /><br />History repeats itself as the industry once again finds its focus on electric vehicles, only this time with ultra-clean models that have much longer driving ranges than the failed EVs of the past.<br /><br />The next U.S. president needs to understand American auto makers don’t need loans to reinvent the wheel; they just want to make it better.<br /><br /><a href="http://autoindustrynews.blogspot.com"><strong><br />Back to Auto Industry News Homepage:</strong></a>Robert Linkonis Sr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17006194089617624003noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6964217973689908038.post-79015156946579172282008-09-24T08:58:00.000-07:002008-09-27T14:29:29.625-07:00GEM Introduces The Peapod - Neighborhood Electric Vehicle<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhji5mlOhu_0A-6_-ltwLyHQ2iCtUueVCbcQHk4ag5rJ12NSRhnid6TZm84e2TmKrI2FohYwY1DPyKstNMviLMZsLOhXrJgjeg9v60QCb8ZDLETdxBXoKPVMKJJLqv0NIzZt8V_3291antt/s1600-h/GEM+Peapod1.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhji5mlOhu_0A-6_-ltwLyHQ2iCtUueVCbcQHk4ag5rJ12NSRhnid6TZm84e2TmKrI2FohYwY1DPyKstNMviLMZsLOhXrJgjeg9v60QCb8ZDLETdxBXoKPVMKJJLqv0NIzZt8V_3291antt/s320/GEM+Peapod1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249619484613448034" /></a><br /><br />The "Chrysler Peapod" is actually made by "Global Electric Motorcars" (GEM). It's all-electric range of "community vehicles" has been on sale for ten years now. The Peapod is the latest concept set up for a debut in GEM's 2009 lineup, which also gets an updated and greenwashed name - GreenEcoMobility. <br /><br />Seems like an electric, four-passenger, 25 MPH, 30-mile-range overgrown golf cart. What do you think?<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIepNHeVHe6Tob2p0v4eXhBnGbRnYF8RgOmy4ThH6jAfhreSkz2clWJnBwtu2McFoPFEQJXJ7HVJHb4-aAk9ToQPuXQjwpWOjzWXLXOHLRG8vnFUTy5pgI_Pl4kUlV4NSyQfWMeMHsBO0k/s1600-h/GEM+Peapod2.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIepNHeVHe6Tob2p0v4eXhBnGbRnYF8RgOmy4ThH6jAfhreSkz2clWJnBwtu2McFoPFEQJXJ7HVJHb4-aAk9ToQPuXQjwpWOjzWXLXOHLRG8vnFUTy5pgI_Pl4kUlV4NSyQfWMeMHsBO0k/s320/GEM+Peapod2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249619859112408354" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNxBNxDW5QNkUDdoOfCbWLmt3CC30UeVEo7zRviT9sAWNvSO70YRL6x8aQ-4zjHqft21gPoFnKqpt6a7IiQrjP1cE-O0tqFh1VxOgJFQLAWNkE2nrzp0tQe0lG2DOSZ7w3HnGZT5IcZbc5/s1600-h/GEM+Peapod3.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNxBNxDW5QNkUDdoOfCbWLmt3CC30UeVEo7zRviT9sAWNvSO70YRL6x8aQ-4zjHqft21gPoFnKqpt6a7IiQrjP1cE-O0tqFh1VxOgJFQLAWNkE2nrzp0tQe0lG2DOSZ7w3HnGZT5IcZbc5/s320/GEM+Peapod3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249619965787191330" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSD5ykZy7eqTWvQc4wVzPQ4A9bBsOxGKdpiKPt1U5akyNMojt1pV1gzejMkNX3o4ysT5nPjjMxHMCdqRBN035gB4CZz_Akkf7HWtkeIfuQSX3u92xO8obpzHmdpBS5z1NsCKD6Hjbis5Xk/s1600-h/GEM+Peapod4.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSD5ykZy7eqTWvQc4wVzPQ4A9bBsOxGKdpiKPt1U5akyNMojt1pV1gzejMkNX3o4ysT5nPjjMxHMCdqRBN035gB4CZz_Akkf7HWtkeIfuQSX3u92xO8obpzHmdpBS5z1NsCKD6Hjbis5Xk/s320/GEM+Peapod4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249620116987974594" /></a><br /><strong>Cute, Huh?</strong><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgizXfDcCJsa_nXpe9fZHt2v8qdMaf0yoQ3sp2iGgBZE3i0grexkvrjJMUbB4mCTjaQgOYvyadtqFB5y701BSAGMt-kRz-xjpdZL4bBuSZIIMg9ZrO3n8XQb1Zop_Z_OrQF-SxE29Nj170S/s1600-h/GEM+Peapod5.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgizXfDcCJsa_nXpe9fZHt2v8qdMaf0yoQ3sp2iGgBZE3i0grexkvrjJMUbB4mCTjaQgOYvyadtqFB5y701BSAGMt-kRz-xjpdZL4bBuSZIIMg9ZrO3n8XQb1Zop_Z_OrQF-SxE29Nj170S/s320/GEM+Peapod5.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249620253202619858" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx949Tfkzz-OLNm8c0kOmN5YiJEjTAFfmwz4KoKrLUyiIU3t4k_g_o6dQ5yvkPikNKtJMZ9K9yprxTRx1LXmqoK1iSk9mCc0eC0CpaXjHfiXBpFyN5qUPL80Z-5R1kYTPOVKIzSb3aUUy_/s1600-h/GEM+Peapod6.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx949Tfkzz-OLNm8c0kOmN5YiJEjTAFfmwz4KoKrLUyiIU3t4k_g_o6dQ5yvkPikNKtJMZ9K9yprxTRx1LXmqoK1iSk9mCc0eC0CpaXjHfiXBpFyN5qUPL80Z-5R1kYTPOVKIzSb3aUUy_/s320/GEM+Peapod6.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249620373068139698" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKzrL_7nOmI_iKh6hlU4ZNo0uWgDQZx7bwHOsP2ZQd96pWn-2ltZIUjGonv-azccs4XDt7n0crSu8IpT-z3ucOmBrscC-JYhvDPR1tbAZwpli5r3kx6WOszaYW5XO23TL6iOubZ59b9tcc/s1600-h/GEM+Peapod7.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKzrL_7nOmI_iKh6hlU4ZNo0uWgDQZx7bwHOsP2ZQd96pWn-2ltZIUjGonv-azccs4XDt7n0crSu8IpT-z3ucOmBrscC-JYhvDPR1tbAZwpli5r3kx6WOszaYW5XO23TL6iOubZ59b9tcc/s320/GEM+Peapod7.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249620524339993426" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvHuXt5P0N_ded1b3fjWw04rbOAHRkqGMu-avSdPRXE46BJN-JtJZDnQuiUSRHu7BP9cnz0IdyMTBv4ndsyPayfvLGxcp7DnxzbvrFwcNDOygC9qvn54eKrxlsqou-enc3kA8HxhluyuVF/s1600-h/GEM+Peapod9.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvHuXt5P0N_ded1b3fjWw04rbOAHRkqGMu-avSdPRXE46BJN-JtJZDnQuiUSRHu7BP9cnz0IdyMTBv4ndsyPayfvLGxcp7DnxzbvrFwcNDOygC9qvn54eKrxlsqou-enc3kA8HxhluyuVF/s320/GEM+Peapod9.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249620651776201970" /></a><br /><br /><br /><strong>GEM Introduces The Peapod</strong> - Neighborhood Electric Vehicle – the Next Generation of Clean and Green Transportation – No Gas. No Emissions. Pure Electric.<br /><br />* Chrysler LLC's neighborhood electric vehicle gets a new name - 'GreenEcoMobility' - and new styling that will define and set a new standard for environmentally responsible vehicles.<br /><br />* Sleek, streamlined styling and breakthrough innovations converge in the next-generation eco-friendly car.<br /><br />* More to come as Peapod leads expansion of GEM's 'no-gas, no-emissions' clean vehicle lineup.<br /><br />Auburn Hills, Mich., Sep 23, 2008 - Clean and green transportation gets a new look and feel as GEM, a Chrysler LLC company, introduces the next generation of clean, gas-free and emission-free, battery electric vehicles.<br /><br />The vehicle’s innovative, groundbreaking design, with its striking pod-like shape and sleek lines, reflects the environmentally friendly nature that has been the hallmark of GEM since its founding 10 years ago.<br /><br />The user-friendly mood of the vehicle, named the GEM Peapod, is enhanced with the newly designed center console that will offer iPod integration, as well as hands-free operation of the customer's iPhone. Other innovations include ergonomic, supportive, mesh seating, which enables air circulation for comfort and uses eco-friendly recycled and recyclable materials.<br /><br />“We have evolved the GEM design language to better reflect its eco-friendly performance and its upbeat, positive image,” said <a href="http://autoindustrynews.blogspot.com/2008/09/gem-introduces-peapod-neighborhood.html">Peter Arnell</a>, Chrysler LLC’s Chief Innovation Officer who led the design process. “These vehicles use no gasoline and emit no pollutants. So whether it’s a trip around the neighborhood or the drive to school or work, the GEM Peapod is the ideal way to contribute to a greener planet, and a healthy lifestyle."<br /><br />GEM will also get a new name – GreenEcoMobility, Arnell said, signifying the company’s goal to redefine environmentally friendly vehicles.<br /><br />Chrysler will show the styling model for the production <a href="http://autoindustrynews.blogspot.com/2008/09/gem-introduces-peapod-neighborhood.html">2009 GEM</a> at the company’s headquarters Sept. 23. The re-designed GEM is scheduled for production in 2009.<br /><br />The Peapod represents the first in a series of product launches that will redefine the future of electric vehicles, said the company’s CEO Bruce Coventry.<br /><br />“With this next generation GEM, we will broaden the market for this clean, emission-free technology,” Coventry said.<br /><br />In addition to the <a href="http://autoindustrynews.blogspot.com/2008/09/gem-introduces-peapod-neighborhood.html">2009 GEM Peapod</a> neighborhood electric vehicle, Coventry said, GEM has plans to market a new light-duty, battery electric commercial truck and a larger city electric vehicle, with more range and performance. These vehicles are scheduled for production within the next year, he said.<br /><br />Today’s GEM is the nation’s No. 1 zero-emission electric vehicle, with 38,000 produced and in use. GEM vehicles are used in settings such as city centers, planned communities, military bases, college campuses, corporate and commercial centers, and city, state and national parks.<br /><br />“Over the past decade, GEM has established itself as the nation’s leading battery-powered, pure electric vehicle,” said GEM President and COO <a href="http://autoindustrynews.blogspot.com">Rick Kasper</a>. “We have done that by responding to the needs of our customers for safety, utility, versatility and performance in environmentally friendly vehicles."<br /><br />GEM cars are available in six models: two-, four- and six-passenger cars and three utility vehicles. <a href="http://autoindustrynews.blogspot.com">GEM neighborhood electric vehicles</a> have a top speed of 25 miles per hour, a range of up to 30 miles per charge (battery charge is extended through use of regenerative braking) and are street legal in more than 40 states. The vehicles can be recharged anytime, anywhere with a standard 110-volt outlet. Recharge time is approximately six to eight hours.<br /><br />By replacing conventional vehicles, <a href="http://autoindustrynews.blogspot.com">GEM vehicles</a> can reduce overall emissions of pollutants, particularly during short trips when conventional vehicles create the most tailpipe emissions. GEM vehicles have been driven a combined 200 million miles and averted more than 150 tons of pollutants from reaching the air, while saving 10 million gallons of gasoline.<br /><br /><strong>About Global Electric Motorcars</strong><br /><br />Global Electric Motorcars LLC assembles and markets neighborhood electric vehicles. The 10-year-old company is based in Fargo, N.D. For more information about the company and <a href="http://autoindustrynews.blogspot.com">GEM vehicles</a>, to build your own GEM or to locate a dealer, visit <a href="http://www.greenecomobility.com">www.greenecomobility.com</a>, or find out more about the Peapod at <a href="HTTP://www.greenecomobility.com/peapod.">www.greenecomobility.com/peapod</a>.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://autoindustrynews.blogspot.com">BACK TO AUTO INDUSTRY NEWS HOMEPAGE:</a>Robert Linkonis Sr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17006194089617624003noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6964217973689908038.post-27621852255533529542008-09-24T05:21:00.000-07:002008-09-24T06:48:56.279-07:00The Making of the Chevy Volt - Lutz defends Volt designGeneral Motors Vice Chairman Bob Lutz on Tuesday, Sept. 16, wrote a lengthy defense of the newly unveiled Chevrolet Volt on his <a href="http://fastlane.gmblogs.com/">GM fastlane blog</a>.<br /><br /><strong>Here is a copy of the posting:</strong><br /><br />We've weathered a lot of skepticism since the Chevrolet Volt concept was introduced at the 2007 Detroit show. The Volt has been called "<a href="http://autoindustrynews.blogspot.com/2008/09/7-sexy-hybrids-you-cant-buy-yet.html">vaporware</a>" by some members of the media. We've heard executives from other manufacturers tell the press that the battery technology won't work. We've even been accused of using the Volt to "greenwash" our image.<br /><br />Well, as everyone knows now, the <a href="http://autoindustrynews.blogspot.com/2008/07/gm-readies-volt-unveiling-to-shift.html">Volt</a> is real, and the covers have come off. And it represents nothing less than the first step in the reinvention of the automobile.<br /><br />The vehicle's design has come under some criticism, most of it, to me, unwarranted. The challenge to the designers wasn't to design the most beautiful car imaginable and accept the compromises you have to make to do so. It was, make no compromise to fuel efficiency and electric range, and then do the most beautiful design possible, around those aerodynamic dictates.<br /><br />When you look at the exterior of the <a href="http://autoindustrynews.blogspot.com/2008/09/7-sexy-hybrids-you-cant-buy-yet.html">Volt</a>, you might notice certain aerodynamic shapes and design elements of some other cars you might see on the road. But beneath the skin, it shares very little with any other car that's ever existed. So I submit that while it's typically design that makes an emotional connection with buyers, in this case, the Volt is going to be bought for emotional reasons, but it will be for the emotion tied to the technology contained therein.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzt8T5EKIc8T5W_rYFWrvJ459ohv9HAwiXjgV5I8DVQvDyhQoql3UvPTMyQs7MTVtMR_a4fJv-RI1Wfc_TD_xf-oC3LHpG2nO6kxCEXOIl2qYkK8EHX8fUsDVPqSCiTiOQWE_S5DvlX8Z5/s1600-h/chevvolt1.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzt8T5EKIc8T5W_rYFWrvJ459ohv9HAwiXjgV5I8DVQvDyhQoql3UvPTMyQs7MTVtMR_a4fJv-RI1Wfc_TD_xf-oC3LHpG2nO6kxCEXOIl2qYkK8EHX8fUsDVPqSCiTiOQWE_S5DvlX8Z5/s320/chevvolt1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249562454145763506" /></a><br /><br />The Volt means a lot to General Motors, and to the industry, on a variety of levels. First of all, this is solid technology that is going to be proven reliable. It's a practical way that we can electrify the automobile and drastically reduce our dependency on imported petroleum. It's also important to GM to help reinforce and continue its proud history of technological innovation, and to help restore the image of leadership that accompanied that history.<br /><br />In terms of the impact of Volt on the automobile industry, I think you'll see lithium-ion technology filter out to the rest of the industry, even to our competitors who initially said it wouldn't work. I think they've figured out that we may well be onto a winning formula here, with 40 miles of driving powered by electricity from a battery and a small engine -- powered by gasoline or E85 -- to create additional electricity to power the vehicle for several hundred additional miles. I suspect most of our competitors will have vehicles with technology similar to the Volt within four or five years.<br /><br />What does that mean for society at large? I think it can have an enormous benefit. Our statistics show that 78 percent of Americans drive 40 miles a day or less. That means that nearly 80 percent of Americans can commute powered by electricity from the grid, never using a drop of gas.<br /><br />When we achieve substantial production, and if our competitors do as well, and the public takes to this new way of driving -- and there's no doubt in my mind they will -- we will drastically reduce gasoline and/or diesel consumption and we will simultaneously be drastically reducing our dependency on oil. This puts the country in a much more comfortable place geopolitically and also helps the environment. So at this point, I think it's very hard to overestimate the importance of the Volt for GM, for the industry and for society in general.<br /><br />The production version of the <a href="http://autoindustrynews.blogspot.com/2008/07/gm-readies-volt-unveiling-to-shift.html">Volt</a> represents our progress, and our commitment to seeing that all become a reality in short order. We'd like nothing more than to see everyone drive a Volt and stop going to the gas pump so often to fill up on ever-more-expensive fuel imported from an ever-more-unstable part of the world.<br /><br />With the <a href="http://autoindustrynews.blogspot.com/2008/03/gm-prepared-to-take-loss-on-volt.html">Volt</a>, you go home, you plug it in, and you're done. And for roughly 80 cents' worth of electricity, you've got a fully-charged battery, ready to take on another forty miles of gas-free and tailpipe-emission-free driving. If that's greenwashing, then come on in -- the water's fine.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.autonews.com/article/20080923/ZZZ_SPECIAL/309239950/1144">Link to Automotive News source article:</a> <br />Posted in <a href="http://autoindustrynews.blogspot.com/2008/09/7-sexy-hybrids-you-cant-buy-yet.html">Bob Lutz</a>, <a href="http://autoindustrynews.blogspot.com/2008/09/7-sexy-hybrids-you-cant-buy-yet.html">Volt</a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://autoindustrynews.blogspot.com">Back to AutoIndustryNews (with a twist) HOMEPAGE:</a>Robert Linkonis Sr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17006194089617624003noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6964217973689908038.post-89711242334832608982008-09-20T06:19:00.000-07:002008-09-20T08:45:30.017-07:007 Sexy Hybrids You Can't Buy Yet<a href="http://www.kqzyfj.com/click-3084550-10364150" target="_blank">Free Price Quotes on Hybrids at Edmunds.com<br /></a><br /><a href="http://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-3084550-10364269" target="_blank"><br /><img src="http://www.tqlkg.com/image-3084550-10364269" width="120" height="60" alt="Locate the Car You Want at the Price You Want" border="0"/></a><br /><br /><br /><strong>1. Aptera's Typ-1 to bring space-age looks to Earth</strong><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz9DMwcemriwdnFdDq63tKu7KWPAbjAXh_9oqvCxP-ZoBEd6EMPenC1DOSnc_IccRbPWMrWOYCwaedDhSt6NfUqqZXQtiWkYMzHlq-mSIjIaXqgy8o6RW1SlOchCH0GEg_XzoQDg0L2KG4/s1600-h/071119_apetera_hmed_830a.hmedium.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz9DMwcemriwdnFdDq63tKu7KWPAbjAXh_9oqvCxP-ZoBEd6EMPenC1DOSnc_IccRbPWMrWOYCwaedDhSt6NfUqqZXQtiWkYMzHlq-mSIjIaXqgy8o6RW1SlOchCH0GEg_XzoQDg0L2KG4/s320/071119_apetera_hmed_830a.hmedium.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248095570369654962" /></a><br /><br />Mere Earthlings will likely do some serious rubbernecking when the Aptera Typ-1 three-wheeled vehicle hits the road, perhaps as early as this year. The vehicle, shown here, is officially classified as a motorcycle and looks more like something out of "The Jetsons" than Detroit. The California-built machine will come in all-electric and hybrid flavors, the latter getting more than 300 miles per gallon of gas. Top speed exceeds 85 mph, and the vehicle goes from 0 to 60 in under 10 seconds, the company says. About four hours plugged into a standard socket recharges a drained battery.<br /><br /><br /><strong>2. Yet unnamed Honda hybrid to duel the Toyota Prius</strong><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA3bU_1XwGUEL8n8evpTr-2pbIZEmE6szgzlO4AU8AAqu3LzyVTVGLj4pVj-v5pjjQSGXkpHIqwHlBjGLBT9CpXKN1gnhh7mP0M_wKHest6lppKUf3Hz7MgZL-qh4VK_7zdQnkhgdIWK0D/s1600-h/hondaprius.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA3bU_1XwGUEL8n8evpTr-2pbIZEmE6szgzlO4AU8AAqu3LzyVTVGLj4pVj-v5pjjQSGXkpHIqwHlBjGLBT9CpXKN1gnhh7mP0M_wKHest6lppKUf3Hz7MgZL-qh4VK_7zdQnkhgdIWK0D/s320/hondaprius.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248095886443838994" /></a><br /><br />Next April, Honda will release a yet-to-be named gas-electric hybrid-only five-door hatchback priced at less than $20,000. The gambit aims to steer market share away from the popular Toyota Prius. An official name and full details of the car will be released later this year, though the company says the exterior will employ a design evocative of the FCX Clarity fuel cell vehicle, shown here. Honda hopes to sell 200,000 of the cars worldwide next year, including 100,000 in the U.S.<br /> <br /> <br /><strong>3. Is a hybrid-only Lexus brand the future?</strong><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimb9GhYNRHh8Of45ITaMdI_OO1Jv8zC_QqCpj2_vD_s4H0i5DWcX7dU6mFotkgr9SqJVVXvncTUF4m3H4R3U4Chx5WAlkTK3rHkydX9yyjrqe6c6ynppJwawfe5_fZoJbdiVEJqq-kKdHf/s1600-h/lexushybrid.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimb9GhYNRHh8Of45ITaMdI_OO1Jv8zC_QqCpj2_vD_s4H0i5DWcX7dU6mFotkgr9SqJVVXvncTUF4m3H4R3U4Chx5WAlkTK3rHkydX9yyjrqe6c6ynppJwawfe5_fZoJbdiVEJqq-kKdHf/s320/lexushybrid.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248096366779997602" /></a><br /><br />Lexus, the luxury arm of Toyota, already makes hybrid versions of its GS and LS sedans and RX utility, but will a hybrid-only model akin to the hot-selling Prius ever join those on the showroom floor, shown here? Katsuaki Watanabe, the company president, reportedly announced at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show that the answer is yes. Plans for the hybrid-only Lexus will be unveiled at next year's gathering of auto enthusiasts in Motown. Stay tuned.<br /><br /><br /><strong>4. Chevy Volt, the resurrected electric car</strong><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkkv-2GTVFQ-CmbZFzGmySC9oZ8-oCVMHoBYZgjdlvgJmZX5Iec8HLwa3XnrSBvpwlRIW05GwM3RYpLSyMR_iB4STvfLYLULAnjrfxB8s6a2D3V8ugPBaOql22bbyBMQoUXfVwOVQC_BOp/s1600-h/chevrolet_volt.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkkv-2GTVFQ-CmbZFzGmySC9oZ8-oCVMHoBYZgjdlvgJmZX5Iec8HLwa3XnrSBvpwlRIW05GwM3RYpLSyMR_iB4STvfLYLULAnjrfxB8s6a2D3V8ugPBaOql22bbyBMQoUXfVwOVQC_BOp/s320/chevrolet_volt.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248096763155542162" /></a><br /><br />The production model Chevy Volt is slated to charge onto showroom floors sometime in 2010. A concept model, shown here, was unveiled to much fanfare at the 2007 Detroit Auto Show. General Motors Corp. is banking the car will rev up the company's "green" cred, which suffered for putting the kibosh on its EV1, a tale told in the 2006 documentary "Who Killed the Electric Car?". The Volt will use a battery-powered electric motor that can run the car for about 40 miles on a single charge. After that, a gasoline-powered engine kicks on to keep the car rolling and re-charge the battery. Top speed is estimated between 100 and 120 mph. It recharges in about six hours with a standard 110 volt wall plug.<br /><br /><br /><strong>5. Tesla Model S to come with a hybrid option</strong><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMp6mikSSZRO-ZcqPRpykhrLF8-7_0RdjXFAJQOiYgKCYm3NUIjPNCZtXxBtavo0r8_FviAT5jWZg_ubgtfEfLcULyhRXVaatGt4NuD0oKONGpELcHo3aROWTJsJwW4WP8B11EcS0hgb61/s1600-h/tesla_modelS.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMp6mikSSZRO-ZcqPRpykhrLF8-7_0RdjXFAJQOiYgKCYm3NUIjPNCZtXxBtavo0r8_FviAT5jWZg_ubgtfEfLcULyhRXVaatGt4NuD0oKONGpELcHo3aROWTJsJwW4WP8B11EcS0hgb61/s320/tesla_modelS.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248097128461705762" /></a><br /><br />Tesla Motors, maker of the all-electric Tesla Roadster shown here, announced in February that its next project will include a gas-electric hybrid option. While most details of the car are under wraps, executives have let slip that the four-door sedan will cost around $60,000 and get in the neighborhood of 225 miles per charge. This June, the company also announced it will manufacture the sedan in its home state of California, not New Mexico as earlier planned.<br /><br /><br /><strong>6. Porsche Panamera to have hybrid option</strong><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiffB7_B1NEYFH7DAhGdzZRFDXR-mEe5MHwZPF36xPArPm7PZtL5iOicaEKMcBAWo5vqeAgBoQ1dH0bi614sUcJIKn1wvTrm9khL3NGJ2xelMOb_G22O1qgQDcH6kUoBb0tBaHeOvabPvm7/s1600-h/porsche-panamera-hybrid.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiffB7_B1NEYFH7DAhGdzZRFDXR-mEe5MHwZPF36xPArPm7PZtL5iOicaEKMcBAWo5vqeAgBoQ1dH0bi614sUcJIKn1wvTrm9khL3NGJ2xelMOb_G22O1qgQDcH6kUoBb0tBaHeOvabPvm7/s320/porsche-panamera-hybrid.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248097909784928930" /></a><br /><br />Porsche, the German car company more known for brawn than environmental sensitivities, is jumping on the hybrid bandwagon. Its Cayenne, an SUV, will come with a gas-electric hybrid option by 2010. And in January, the company announced its upcoming four-dour Gran Turismo, the Panamera, will also have a hybrid option that uses the same drive concept as the Cayenne's. A schematic, shown here, indicates the battery will be positioned below the luggage compartment and the hybrid module is sandwiched between the engine and transmission. Drivers will have the option to use one or both drive systems, depending on conditions. A release date for the hybrid Panamera is not yet known.<br /><br /><br /><strong>7. Will the Venturi Astrolab be commercialized?</strong><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrMfehXo5moOi01ueMe_vCcivWpDowgzGAQi-bY11MnmbMc5fDsLGYz7Rz0NHs9mDGXO73IFVnsDQhEPtc5fHYvgN-soQl1h9nt7mW62r3bTg7MlgKPEegMl_cwN_SjAYtjQPO235kFqHW/s1600-h/venturi_astrolab_solar_hybrid.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrMfehXo5moOi01ueMe_vCcivWpDowgzGAQi-bY11MnmbMc5fDsLGYz7Rz0NHs9mDGXO73IFVnsDQhEPtc5fHYvgN-soQl1h9nt7mW62r3bTg7MlgKPEegMl_cwN_SjAYtjQPO235kFqHW/s320/venturi_astrolab_solar_hybrid.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248097488649588786" /></a><br /><br />At the 2006 Paris Motor Show, the Venturi Astrolab was introduced as the world's first solar-electric hybrid to be commercialized. But commercialization plans are now on hold, Clément Dorance, a spokesperson for the French company, noted in an e-mail. The concept vehicle, shown here, has 38.8 square feet of photovoltaic cells to charge the battery from the sun, even on the go. A plug allows battery charging from the electricity grid when or where the sun doesn't shine. Fully charged, the futuristic vehicle has a range of about 70 miles and can reach a top speed of 75 mph. If interest in the car is sufficient, the company might consider a limited production, Dorance noted.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.kqzyfj.com/click-3084550-10364150" target="_blank">Free Price Quotes on Hybrids at Edmunds.com<br /></a><br /><a href="http://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-3084550-10364269" target="_blank"><br /><img src="http://www.tqlkg.com/image-3084550-10364269" width="120" height="60" alt="Locate the Car You Want at the Price You Want" border="0"/></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://autoindustrynews.blogspot.com">BACK TO BLOG HOMEPAGE</a><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>Sexy Hybrid Article Credits:</strong><br /><br />1. <a href="http://autoindustrynews.blogspot.com/2008/09/7-sexy-hybrids-you-cant-buy-yet.html">Aptera's Typ-1</a> - Business Wire<br />2. <a href="http://autoindustrynews.blogspot.com">Honda Prius</a> - Koji Sasahara/AP<br />3. <a href="http://autoindustrynews.blogspot.com/2008/09/7-sexy-hybrids-you-cant-buy-yet.html">Hybrid-only Lexus</a> - Itsuo Inouye/AP file<br />4. <a href="http://autoindustrynews.blogspot.com/2008/09/7-sexy-hybrids-you-cant-buy-yet.html">Chevy Volt</a> - General Motors via AP<br />5. <a href="http://autoindustrynews.blogspot.com/2008/09/7-sexy-hybrids-you-cant-buy-yet.html">Tesla Model S</a> - Gus Ruelas/Reuters<br />6. <a href="http://autoindustrynews.blogspot.com">Porsche Panamera</a> - Porsche Cars North America, Inc.<br />7. <a href="http://autoindustrynews.blogspot.com">Venturi Astrolab</a> - Michel Zumbrunn<br /><a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26462400/?pg=1#Tech_7SexyHybrids">Link to source article:</a><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.autofinanceinsider.com">Automotive Finance</a> <a href="http://www.autofinanceinsider.com">F&I</a> <a href="http://www.autofinanceinsider.blogspot.com">Auto Finance Laws and Regulations</a> <a href="http://www.autofinanceinsider.blogspot.com">F&I manager compliance</a>Robert Linkonis Sr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17006194089617624003noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6964217973689908038.post-72011966666506743772008-09-09T10:58:00.000-07:002008-09-09T11:04:18.238-07:00No gas? No problem: Electric car sets example for future<strong>John Wordin and his electric car are trying to set an example for Molokai's environment.</strong><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN1QKeRdDa8kPpRS0blddRXvi9RjklFkA6YD4aILgEkqjBfgXAZuEhZPp5y48SjKrU3Q7lChXlc2Eim6vD7xpMrKNipjTSN_to0hQTz2eN-pSjmrYa2zpIMYl0leOhCSeSsFWC1E7a8EQo/s1600-h/johnwordin.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN1QKeRdDa8kPpRS0blddRXvi9RjklFkA6YD4aILgEkqjBfgXAZuEhZPp5y48SjKrU3Q7lChXlc2Eim6vD7xpMrKNipjTSN_to0hQTz2eN-pSjmrYa2zpIMYl0leOhCSeSsFWC1E7a8EQo/s320/johnwordin.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244083174060045234" /></a><br /><br />By Sara Kennedy<br /><a href="http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/electricvehicleguide/archives/148291.asp">Molokai News</a> : Environment<br /><br /><br /><strong>Driver concerned about gas prices and the environment</strong><br /><br />Have you seen a car that looks like no other driving around Molokai? You might mistake it for a fancy golf cart or even a space-age vehicle from The Jetsons. <br /><br />In fact, it is not an ordinary car, it's an electric car and it's the only one on Molokai. <br /><br />Owned by Kala'e resident John Wordin, the Dynasty Sedan, shipped from British Columbia, "generates a lot of interest." <br /><br />To feed the curious minds, he actually does plug the car into a regular wall outlet. Every night, he plugs the car in, and when he wakes up, it's charged. According to Wordin, the car takes four hours to fully charge, equaling one kilowatt-hour, and will run for approximately 30 miles at 25 mph. The vehicle uses a lot of energy uphill, but with a full charge, he makes it around town just fine. <br /><br />Wordin paid $14,500 for the car, and combined with shipping costs, the total price was around $20,000. <br /><br />At his Kala'e home, 40 solar panels charge his vehicle and run the house. His water heater and outdoor power equipment are solar as well. <br /><br />The car, if charged twice a day, costs Wordin an extra dollar on his electric bill and gives him approximately 30 miles. In comparison with gas prices, Wordin can travel 150 miles on five dollars, the cost for approximately one gallon of gas.<br /><br />Besides helping his wallet, the car helps the environment. The average new vehicle has a smog/pollution index of 0.53 percent, while the electric car emits no pollution into the air. <br /><br />According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, for every gallon of gas burned, 20 pounds of pollution and carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere. <br /><br />Wordin's concern about the environment has been growing since 1998. He read books and articles on the subject of America's fuel dependency and has been preparing himself for the necessary changes.<br /><br />"My interest in this has evolved over a period of time," he said. <br /><br />Wordin is trying to provide an example for the community. He has seen gas prices continue to rise, the economy fall and the environment suffer.<br /><br />"People are still buying SUVs; something is definitely wrong," he said. "They just don't get it, oil is running out. The world is changing and I see examples everyday."<br /><br />Wordin's dream is to see the whole island driving electric cars.<br /><br />"Sure, it's possible," he said. "People just have to realize there are profound changes in the economy, as well as the environment."<br /><br />Peter Rosegg of Hawaiian Electric Company (HECO) said the time is not too distant when electric cars will cost less and be more readily available on the market. HECO is looking at the situation, "closely and optimistically." Sometime in the near future the company will be changing its meters to an advanced system that will let customers charge electric cars overnight for a cheaper rate.<br /><br />Studies done by the Natural Resources and Defense Council and the Electric Power Research Institute have shown that, electric cars are cheaper than driving cars running on fuel.<br /><br />eVehicles in Honolulu specializes in electric vehicles and can be reached at 589-2347.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.jdoqocy.com/click-2862702-2831444" target="_blank" onmouseover="window.status='http://www.leasetrader.com';return true;" onmouseout="window.status=' ';return true;"><br /><img src="http://www.ftjcfx.com/image-2862702-2831444" width="468" height="60" alt="" border="0"/></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.autofinanceinsider.com">F&I</a>Robert Linkonis Sr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17006194089617624003noreply@blogger.com1