Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Official: Nissan announces production of funky e-NV200 electric van]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/24/nissan-announces-production-of-funky-e-nv200-electric-van/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/24/nissan-announces-production-of-funky-e-nv200-electric-van/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/24/nissan-announces-production-of-funky-e-nv200-electric-van/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Nissan e-NV200 concept

There are two directions automakers can go to produce a vehicle with electric propulsion - be it a hybrid or an outright EV: make it look the same as any other car, or make it stand out. Like Toyota (for example) did with the Prius, Nissan made the Leaf look (for better or worse) unlike a conventional sedan. But while Toyota answered the call for more space with the equally "distinctive" Prius V, Nissan has gone a different route in producing a bigger brother for the Leaf.

That route is called the e-NV200, pictured above in concept form. And while the nose, unique shade of blue and electric powertrain are conceptually borrowed from the Leaf, the rest is nearly identical to the existing NV200 van that is being rolled out in New York as the city's new taxi of choice.

Nissan has just announced the production of the e-NV200, set to start next year at the same plant in Barcelona, Spain, as the conventionally-powered NV200. As a result, Nissan will hire 700 more workers at the plant and invest some €100 million (U.S. $126 million at today's exchange rates). Details like projected cost and annual capacity are not to be found in the press release below, but Nissan does say the electric van will be built starting some time in fiscal year 2013, which we take to mean before the end of March 2014.

Continue reading Nissan announces production of funky e-NV200 electric van

Nissan announces production of funky e-NV200 electric van originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 May 2012 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>barcelonae-nv200leafnissannissan e-nv200nissan nv200nv200productionspainThu, 24 May 2012 09:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Report: Shanghai GMC dealer offering five tons of free gas with truck purchase]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/21/shanghai-gmc-dealer-offering-five-tons-of-free-gas-with-truck-pu/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/21/shanghai-gmc-dealer-offering-five-tons-of-free-gas-with-truck-pu/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/21/shanghai-gmc-dealer-offering-five-tons-of-free-gas-with-truck-pu/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

gmc sierra denali

Big trucks just aren't appealing enough on their own, at least in some places. For proof, look to a Shanghai GMC dealer who is offering about three years worth of free gas to anyone who buys a new Sierra Denali. Too bad it'll take about 20 years to pay off the big truck.

The dealer is giving away five tons - about 2,000 gallons, worth around $8,000 in China - of petrol to new Sierra Denali buyers in China's largest city, according to The Detroit Bureau. The offer appears to be a nod to rising China gas prices, which are climbing towards levels similar to those in the U.S. now that the Chinese government is doing less to artificially keep gas prices down. Full-size trucks have been sold in China for about three years and are known to be status symbols in China, says The Detroit Bureau.

There is, of course, a catch. The Denali, unlike most General Motors vehicles sold in China, is built in the U.S., so the price tag is about $134,000, or almost three times what the model sells for in the States. Here's hoping a few free car washes come with those full tanks.

Shanghai GMC dealer offering five tons of free gas with truck purchase originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 21 May 2012 14:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chinadealerdenalifree gasgmgmcincentiveshangaisierraMon, 21 May 2012 14:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Report: Leaked Fisker Atlantic documents reveal big production delay, specs]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/16/fisker-atlantic-documents-reveal-production-delay-specs-blog-r/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/16/fisker-atlantic-documents-reveal-production-delay-specs-blog-r/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/16/fisker-atlantic-documents-reveal-production-delay-specs-blog-r/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Fisker Atlantic - red - front three-quarter image

The Fisker Atlantic extended-range plug-in vehicle will start production about a year after its previously estimated mid-2013 date, Inside EVs blog reports, citing leaked company documents that were dated "a few weeks ago."

The Atlantic, formerly known as Project Nina, will compete pricewise against the BMW 3 Series and 5 Series sedans, as well as the Mercedes-Benz C-Class and E-Class, Jaguar XF and Audi A4 and A6. That would put the model in the $50,000 to $60,000 range, according to the publication. The model, which will still be produced at Fisker's Delaware plant, will have 300 horsepower, a 0-60 time of 6.5 seconds and emissions of 50 grams per kilometer of CO2, Inside EVs reports, citing the documents.

"As these documents are obviously leaked investor documents and highly confidential, I am not prepared to comment any further," a Fisker representative tells Autoblog sister site, AutoblogGreen.

The status of the Atlantic has been in question since plans for the former General Motors plant in Delaware were put on hold once the U.S. Department of Energy froze most of the $529 million in loans earmarked for the California-based company.

Fisker unveiled the Atlantic at the New York Auto Show last month, saying that the car's price tag would be "a much lower price point" than Fisker's Karma sedan.

Leaked Fisker Atlantic documents reveal big production delay, specs originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 May 2012 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atlanticelectric vehicleextended rangefiskerfisker atlanticfisker atlantic specsfisker productionhenrik fiskerproject ninaWed, 16 May 2012 16:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Official: U.S., German automakers will demo fast-charging system at EVS26]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/07/u-s-german-automakers-will-demo-fast-charging-system-at-evs26/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/07/u-s-german-automakers-will-demo-fast-charging-system-at-evs26/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/07/u-s-german-automakers-will-demo-fast-charging-system-at-evs26/#commentsFiled under:



BMW, Ford, General Motors and Volkswagen are among the eight U.S. and German automakers that will demonstrate a single-port fast-charging system for electric vehicles at the Electric Vehicle Symposium 26 (EV26) in Los Angeles starting next week.

Audi, Chrysler, Mercedes-Benz parent Daimler and Porsche will also show off the so-called DC-fast system, which will be able to recharge most battery-electric vehicles in as little as 15 minutes.

With a combination AC and DC charging capabilities, the DC-fast system is supposed to start sales by the end of the year and will enable U.S. and German plug-ins to be able to be recharged at most public charging stations while also accommodating high-powered fast-charging stations. The International Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) has officially tapped the system as the standard for fast-charging.

Electric-vehicle proponents consider the establishment of a fast-charging standard to be an important key to plug-in vehicle adoption because the availability of publicly accessible fast chargers that can recharge a vehicle in minutes instead of hours makes range anxiety a moot point. Pike Research said last year that annual revenue generated by makers of electric-vehicle charging equipment will increase more than tenfold between 2011 and 2017 to about $4.3 billion.

Still, the fast-charging issue is far from settled because a separate fast-charging standard - CHAdeMO - has been proposed by the Japanese automotive industry. Toyota, Nissan, Mitsubishi and Subaru parent Fuji Heavy Industries are all partners in the CHAdeMO Association.

Continue reading U.S., German automakers will demo fast-charging system at EVS26

U.S., German automakers will demo fast-charging system at EVS26 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 07 May 2012 07:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audibmwchademocharging stationschryslerdaimlerdc-fastelectric vehiclefordgmporschevolkswagenMon, 07 May 2012 07:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Official: Honda developing tech that helps prevent traffic jams]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/30/honda-developing-tech-that-helps-prevent-traffic-jams/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/30/honda-developing-tech-that-helps-prevent-traffic-jams/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/30/honda-developing-tech-that-helps-prevent-traffic-jams/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Honda's traffic jams prevention system

It happens every time traffic gets too heavy and starts to slow: One inattentive driver panics and slams on his brakes, triggering a chain reaction that leads to a complete traffic stoppage a few dozen cars behind. If everyone could just slow down, pay attention, and maintain an even speed, we could all get where we're going. Honda hopes to deploy a new system to help make that a reality.

The Japanese automaker has developed the first-ever vehicle communications system geared to cut both traffic jams and fuel use by monitoring a driver's acceleration and braking habits and providing information that Honda says will encourage smoother driving.

Honda, along with the University of Tokyo's Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, has developed on-board terminals that connect to cloud-based computing systems to allow communications between cars on the same road that can help drivers maintain a relatively constant driving distance between vehicles. Tailgating is bad for both traffic and fuel economy, and Honda's system discourages it.

The system differs from traffic monitoring systems that have been part of other vehicle communication systems in that it provides color-coded displays to indicate whether the driver needs to drive smoother and make acceleration and deceleration more gradual. The system can also work with adaptive cruise control to automatically regulate speed among a group of vehicles. The first public road tests will occur in Italy and Indonesia starting in May of 2012. Honda says the system can boost average speed by 23 percent and increase fuel economy by eight percent. Not bad for some cloud computing.

Scroll down to read the full press release.

Continue reading Honda developing tech that helps prevent traffic jams

Honda developing tech that helps prevent traffic jams originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 30 Apr 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hondatraffictraffic congestiontraffic jamMon, 30 Apr 2012 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Beijing: Toyota debuts China-only Yundong Shuangqing hybrid concept in Beijing]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/24/toyota-debuts-china-only-yundong-shuangqing-hybrid-concept/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/24/toyota-debuts-china-only-yundong-shuangqing-hybrid-concept/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/24/toyota-debuts-china-only-yundong-shuangqing-hybrid-concept/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Toyota Yundong Shuangqing hybrid concept - live Beijing reveal

It's not the most pronounceable model name, but that's not our problem, is it?

Toyota debuted its sharply styled Yundong Shuangqing hybrid concept at the Beijing Motor Show today, announcing that a production version will be sold in China at some point in the future. The Yundong Shuangqing was joined on stage by the Dear Qin compact and the GT 86 rear-wheel-drive sports car.

Toyota developed the Yundong Shuangqing's hybrid powertrain mainly at the automaker's research and development plant in Changshu, China. "We would like to put smiles on the faces of our Chinese customers with hybrid technology," Toyota President Akio Toyoda said in prepared remarks at the show. "I want the people of China to be able to experience the beauty of hybrid technology through a hybrid car born in China."

In 2005, China became the first place outside of Japan where the Prius hybrid was built when Sichuan FAW Toyota Motor Co. Ltd. started making the third-generation model. And two years ago, GAC Toyota Motor Co., which is in China's Guangdong Province, started making the Camry Hybrid.

Earlier this month, Honda said it would launch at least four hybrids specifically for the Chinese market under either its moniker or the Acura brand in order to capitalize on what's likely to be surging car sales in that country. Honda will introduce the CR-Z, Fit and Insight Hybrids in China later this year, and will likely sell its promised hybrid-powered Acura NSX sports car in China as well.

Continue reading Toyota debuts China-only Yundong Shuangqing hybrid concept in Beijing

Toyota debuts China-only Yundong Shuangqing hybrid concept in Beijing originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 24 Apr 2012 16:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beijingbeijing 2012beijing motor showchinatoyotatoyota hybridtoyota yundong shuangqingYundong ShuangqingTue, 24 Apr 2012 16:21:00 EST<![CDATA[Official: Ford developing way to make car parts from cash]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/23/ford-may-use-old-dollar-bills-for-padding-dampening-parts/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/23/ford-may-use-old-dollar-bills-for-padding-dampening-parts/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/23/ford-may-use-old-dollar-bills-for-padding-dampening-parts/#commentsFiled under: ,



Ford is looking to put a new twist on the term "old money." The automaker may add old, shredded, out-of-circulation U.S paper currency to its list of recyclable materials that may be used for cushions, insulation and other components.

With about 10,000 pounds of paper money being shredded per day, Ford is exploring adding it to a list of recyclable or reclaimed materials that includes soybeans, denim and plastic bottles.

Ford has cut its petroleum use by about 5 million pounds a year by using soy-based material for foam that is installed in seat cushions and head restraints. And each Ford Fusion is built with the denim-equivalent of about two pairs of blue jeans that's used for sound-dampening purposes.

Ford started looking into using recycled materials about ten years ago as a way to cut use of petroleum in components that usually require plastic. At that time, oil cost about one-seventh of what it costs now.

In January, the company said it would use recycled plastic bottles from the North American Auto Show in Detroit and the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas to create part of the polyester fiber used in the Ford Focus Electric's seats.

Continue reading Ford developing way to make car parts from cash

Ford developing way to make car parts from cash originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 23 Apr 2012 07:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>car partscashcurrencydollar billsdollarsfordford recyclerecyclableu.s. currencyMon, 23 Apr 2012 07:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Report: Ex-Fisker chair blames Mitt Romney attacks for DOE loan hold-up]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/20/ex-fisker-chair-blames-mitt-romneys-attacks-for-doe-loan-hold-u/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/20/ex-fisker-chair-blames-mitt-romneys-attacks-for-doe-loan-hold-u/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/20/ex-fisker-chair-blames-mitt-romneys-attacks-for-doe-loan-hold-u/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Fisker Atlantic reveal - front three-quarter view

Ah, election season...

Former Fisker Automotive Chairman and current investor Ray Lane is blaming Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney for the delays in procuring federal loans that have been earmarked for the maker of the extended-range plug-in Karma and the upcoming Atlantic, according to Delaware Online.

In an e-mail, Lane said Romney is mistakenly grouping the Fisker loan from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) with money given to failed companies like solar-panel producer Solyndra. Lane, managing director at venture-capital company Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, said in the alleged e-mail that he's planning to contact Romney, whose father George Romney was once president of American Motors Corp.

The Fisker issue is particularly acute in Delaware, where the automaker had planned to expand employment and build a production version of the Atlantic sedan (a.k.a. Project Nina) shown above at a former General Motors factory. Those plans have been put on hold as Fisker sorts out its financial situation. Delaware Online reported late last week that Fisker had laid off 12 more workers at the factory, which was characterized as "absolutely empty."

The company was set to receive $529 million in federal loans but has only received a fraction of that and hasn't received funding since last year.

Ex-Fisker chair blames Mitt Romney attacks for DOE loan hold-up originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 20 Apr 2012 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atlanticdelawarefiskerfisker atlanticfisker atlantic romneyfisker automotivefisker romneykleiner perkinsmitt romneyray laneromneysolyndraFri, 20 Apr 2012 18:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Report: 2013 Chevy Volt getting battery-conservation mode, lane-departure warning]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/18/2013-chevy-volt-battery-conservation-mode-lane-departure/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/18/2013-chevy-volt-battery-conservation-mode-lane-departure/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/18/2013-chevy-volt-battery-conservation-mode-lane-departure/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

chevy volt

One more driving mode, one less color.

That's the crux of the changes in store for the 2013 Chevrolet Volt extended-range plug-in electric vehicle. Changes for the 2013 model year will include a driving mode that lets drivers force the car into gas-powered, extended-range mode in situations where it's most advantageous to switch out of EV-only mode, GM Inside News reports.

Drivers can choose the Volt's "EV Hold Mode" in certain cases, such as when the route consists of a bunch of highway driving prior to city driving, according to the publication. Switching over to extended-range mode, in which the gas-powered on-board generator is used, would be better in that situation because high speeds drain a plug-in's battery charge a lot more rapidly than city driving. "EV Hold Mode" is standard on the Volt's European sister vehicle, the Opel Ampera. The closest that U.S. drivers can do with today's Volt is engage "Mountain Mode."

Additionally, the Volt will eschew its black roof and trunk backing and will go to body colors for those parts of the car for 2013. Other improvements include a lane-departure warning system that's becoming commonplace on many U.S. vehicles.

GM released details of the 2013 Volt following the model's most successful sales month since its late-2010 debut. The automaker sold 2,289 Volts in March, a monthly record that is more than three times higher than figures from a year earlier. The Volt missed the 10,000-unit target set by GM for 2011, moving just 7,671 units last year.

2013 Chevy Volt getting battery-conservation mode, lane-departure warning originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 18 Apr 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>20132013 chevrolet voltamperachevroletEV holdev hold modegeneral motorsmodeopelplug-in hybridvoltWed, 18 Apr 2012 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Official: Tesla Model S "almost ready"]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/08/tesla-model-s-almost-ready/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/08/tesla-model-s-almost-ready/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/08/tesla-model-s-almost-ready/#commentsFiled under: , ,

2013 Tesla Model S - front three-quarter studio shot

Tesla Motors is close to rolling out the first Model S electric five-doors from the company's Fremont, California plant, and customers who reserved the Model S Signature Series are already sending in their specification requests, indicating that the company will likely hit its July deadline for first deliveries.

Tesla has also added three colors - Piano Black, Lacewood and Banana Leaf - to its interior options and Internet connectivity will be an option on all cars, the company said in a letter to prospective customers that was posted on its blog last week. Tesla also said it would personally deliver the cars to the location of the customer's choice.

The Model S, the second model from Tesla after the Roadster, will be priced starting at $57,400 for a version with a 160-mile single-charge range before the $7,500 tax credit goes into effect. A 300-mile-range version goes for about $77,000. Read here for Autoblog's "First Ride" impressions.

Earlier this year, Tesla said 2012 sales may triple last year's revenue of $204.2 million and forecast Model S sales at 5,000 units for this year. That's more than double the 2,100 of the $109,000 Roadsters that Tesla sold over the past four years.

Tesla Model S "almost ready" originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 08 Apr 2012 16:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 tesla model selectric vehiclemodel smodel s deliveriesteslatesla model stesla motorstesla salesSun, 08 Apr 2012 16:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Report: Fisker may change plans on Delaware production, details Karma troubles]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/08/fisker-may-change-plans-on-delaware-production-details-karma-tr/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/08/fisker-may-change-plans-on-delaware-production-details-karma-tr/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/08/fisker-may-change-plans-on-delaware-production-details-karma-tr/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Fisker Atlantic - New York reveal - front three-quarter view

Fisker Automotive may drop plans to use a Delaware factory to build its upcoming Atlantic sedan and is looking at "other options," Automotive News reports, citing an interview with company CEO Tom LaSorda. The company, in an online meeting with owners of the Fisker Karma extended-range plug-in sedan, spelled out some of the issues that have been plaguing the car.

Fisker will hold off on deciding on the Atlantic's production site until the end of summer, which will delay the model's debut. LaSorda maintains that Fisker will be able to produce the Atlantic with or without Department of Energy funding, according to Automotive News. Fisker's director of corporate communications, Russell Datz, tells AutoblogGreen that the company remains "committed to Delaware" but admits that if the rest of the company's DOE loan money does not come through, the plan to build the Atlantic in Delaware could change.

Follow the jump to continue reading...

Continue reading Fisker may change plans on Delaware production, details Karma troubles

Fisker may change plans on Delaware production, details Karma troubles originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 08 Apr 2012 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 fisker karmaa123a123 systemsatlanticfiskerfisker atlanticfisker batterieskarmaninaplug-in hybridproject ninaSun, 08 Apr 2012 10:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Report: Reputation of electric cars takes a hit in Japan due to tsunami aftermath?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/03/reputation-of-electric-cars-takes-a-hit-in-japan-due-to-tsunami/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/03/reputation-of-electric-cars-takes-a-hit-in-japan-due-to-tsunami/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/03/reputation-of-electric-cars-takes-a-hit-in-japan-due-to-tsunami/#commentsFiled under: , ,

2011 Nissan Leaf undergoing IIHS crash test

Electric vehicle owners like to think of themselves as green, but that color may be taking on a more glowing, radioactive hue in Japan.

The ecologically friendly reputation of electric cars in Japan is taking a hit since last year's meltdowns of the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant have made more people concerned about a primary source of electricity throughout the country, Bloomberg Businessweek reports.

The meltdown - caused my last March's earthquake and ensuing tsunami - created a 12-mile radius around Fukushima where people are barred because of radiation issues. Before last year's disaster, the Japanese government planned on having nuclear power eventually supply half of the country's electricity, up from a third, but those plans have been put on hold.

Nissan, which has said it expects to sell 1.5 million electric vehicles around the world by 2015, has sold just 12,000 battery-electric Leafs in Japan since launching the model in 2010, according to the report. There have been positive associations drawn between the EV and its role in the earthquake relief efforts (between the Mitsubishi i and the aftermath, too) and Nissan even touted the way some battery packs that were damaged in the quake survived intact.

Rising gas prices make charging an EV in Japan about 90 percent less expensive than filling a tank. That said, electricity prices may spike expenses stemming from fixing the Fukushima plant increase. The higher cost might be the way EVs could get lumped together with nuclear energy in some consumers' minds.

Reputation of electric cars takes a hit in Japan due to tsunami aftermath? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Apr 2012 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>earthquakeelectric vehicleevfukushimagreenjapanjapan quakejapan tsunamileafnissannuclearnuclear powerphevtsunamiTue, 03 Apr 2012 19:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Official: Azure Dynamics files for protection, Transit Connect Electric production halted]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/30/azure-dynamics-files-for-bankruptcy-protection-transit-connect-electric/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/30/azure-dynamics-files-for-bankruptcy-protection-transit-connect-electric/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/30/azure-dynamics-files-for-bankruptcy-protection-transit-connect-electric/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

transit connect electric

Azure Dynamics, which develops electric-drive powertrains for automakers such as Ford, said this week that it will file for financial protection from its creditors under Canadian law and will cancel its plans to sell shares in what may be a precursor to a bankruptcy filing.

Azure is the company that adds the all-electric powertrain to Ford's practical little Transit Connect Electric. For now, no new TCEs will be made. Azure's Mike Elwood told AutoblogGreen that production of the Transit Connect Electric has stopped as a result of the restructuring and that, "While we go through our restructuring there will be no TCE activity until we present an approved plan." We're told that warranty issues for those who have already purchased a Transit Connect Electric will be a part of this plan.

Ford's Wes Sherwood told AutoblogGreen that Azure's filing does not affect Ford's overall EV and green-vehicle strategy. "Our priority is to ensure that Azure's Transit Connect Electric customers continue to have support throughout their ownership experience," he said. "Our Ford electric vehicle product plans remain on track, as part of our commitment to provide customers the power of choice for fuel economy solutions across our lineup - from EcoBoost-powered vehicles and hybrids to plug-in hybrids and full electrics."

Azure Dynamics joins a list of companies that were looking to capitalize on an increase in demand for battery-electric and plug-in hybrid-electric vehicles but have had problems staying afloat. Extended-range plug-in utility vehicle maker Bright Automotive folded last month amid its claims that the federal government took too long to process the $400 million in loans promised to the company, while Fisker Automotive, which makes the extended-range plug-in Karma, has faced questions about its own future and most of the federal government loans earmarked for the company have been delayed.

Continue reading Azure Dynamics files for protection, Transit Connect Electric production halted

Azure Dynamics files for protection, Transit Connect Electric production halted originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Mar 2012 10:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>asset protectionazureazure dynamicsbankruptcycanadacreditorselectric vehiclefordtransit connectFri, 30 Mar 2012 10:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Report: Chevy Volt sister car Opel Ampera gets 7,000 pre-orders, may hit 2012 sales target]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/22/volt-sister-car-opel-ampera-gets-7-000-pre-orders-may-hit-2012/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/22/volt-sister-car-opel-ampera-gets-7-000-pre-orders-may-hit-2012/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/22/volt-sister-car-opel-ampera-gets-7-000-pre-orders-may-hit-2012/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Opel Ampera - Maroon

Found in translation?

Demand for the Chevrolet Volt extended-range plug-in hybrid vehicle in the U.S. has been up and down over the car's first 16-odd months, but executives at General Motors' Opel division in Europe are saying that the Ampera, the Volt's European twin, is getting some good attention.

The Ampera has received more than 7,000 orders, leading Opel executives to believe that the Ampera will hit its 2012 sales target of 10,000 units, website Plug In Cars is reporting, citing Enno Fuchs, Opel's e-mobility launch director.

Opel started shipping Amperas to customers last month, saying that most of those owners previously owning high-end cars from automakers like BMW and Mercedes-Benz. General Motors is hoping the Ampera will be better received in Europe than the Volt has been here in the States, where it has become a political lightning rod. Earlier this month, GM said it would shut down Volt production for five weeks - starting this week - in order to thin-out dealer inventory of the car. And last year, GM missed its sales goal of 10,000 units, selling just 7,671 units. GM makes both the Volt and the Ampera at the same plant in Hamtramck, MI.

Still, the Volt showed signs of more life last month when the model moved 1,023 units, up from 603 vehicles in January. The Volt and Ampera were also recently named the 2012 European Car of the Year. Last October, Opel bumped the Ampera's 2012 sales target to at least 10,000 from 8,000 after Opel had received more than 6,000 paid reservations.

Chevy Volt sister car Opel Ampera gets 7,000 pre-orders, may hit 2012 sales target originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 22 Mar 2012 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012 chevrolet volt2012 opel amperaamperachevroletchevy voltelectric vehicleeuropeopelopel amperaplug-in hybridvoltThu, 22 Mar 2012 18:01:00 EST<![CDATA[GM says Washington State's proposed electric car fee has "no merit" [w/poll]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/16/gm-says-washington-states-proposed-electric-car-fee-has-no-mer/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/16/gm-says-washington-states-proposed-electric-car-fee-has-no-mer/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/16/gm-says-washington-states-proposed-electric-car-fee-has-no-mer/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Seattle night skyline long-exposure sunset

General Motors has gone on record to oppose a Washington State bill that would impose a fee of $100 per year on electric-vehicle drivers.

GM Regional Director Howard Lenox, Jr. wrote a letter on March 6 to Washington State Governor Christine Gregoire stating that the automaker, which makes the Chevrolet Volt extended-range plug-in hybrid, is against such a bill. The state is proposing the fee as a way for EV drivers to compensate for the gas taxes that they otherwise wouldn't be paying. The letter was posted on GM's The Future Is Electric blog.

"A fee which singles out electric vehicles will be a disincentive to the growth of the electric vehicle market in Washington State," Lenox wrote in the letter. "As a practical matter, there are so few vehicles on Washington's roads today that their impact in replacing fuel tax revenues will, for now, be negligible."

While drivers of the Volt actually wouldn't be subject to such a fee because its onboard generator is gas-powered, GM appears to be looking ahead as the automaker looks to electrify more of its fleet to meet more stringent greenhouse-gas emissions requirements.

Last month, Washington State passed Senate Bill 5251, which was introduced by Mary Haugen, the Senate's transportation committee chairwoman. The fee, which is subject to a vote by the state's House of Representatives, is estimated to add as much as $1.9 million to the state's coffers by 2017. Arizona, Oregon and Kansas are among other states looking at instituting fees that specifically target electric vehicle drivers.

What do you think, should states enact taxes on EVs to recover lost gas tax revenue? Vote in our poll below, then have your say in Comments.

View Poll

GM says Washington State's proposed electric car fee has "no merit" [w/poll] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 16 Mar 2012 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>christine gregoireelectric car taxev taxfeesgeneral motorsgmhal lenoxhoward lenoxroad taxtaxwashington stateFri, 16 Mar 2012 11:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Official: DOE rejects $310M loan for Carbon Motors to build advanced police cars]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/08/carbon-motors-310-million-doe-loan-for-police-car-production-r/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/08/carbon-motors-310-million-doe-loan-for-police-car-production-r/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/08/carbon-motors-310-million-doe-loan-for-police-car-production-r/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Carbon Motors, maker of the purpose-built E7 police car, won't receive the $310 million in U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) loans under the Advanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing (ATVM) program that it applied for almost three years ago, and said that it's a victim of politics.

"We are outraged by the actions of the DOE and it is clear that this was a political decision in a highly-charged, election year environment," Carbon Motors William Santana Li said in a statement. The company added that it was "actively examining its strategic and financing alternatives."

Carbon Motors says its vehicles will save government entities money because they get better fuel economy and they're purpose-built, meaning that factory vehicles don't need to be retrofitted. Carbon Motors has said its diesel-powered cars may cut law-enforcement fuel use and greenhouse-gas emissions by as much as 40 percent, and that building such cars may create as many as 10,000 jobs. The car was to feature a BMW 3.0-liter turbodiesel engine.

The company says it's received about $200 million worth of financial commitments from private and public sources and has taken orders from more than 500 law-enforcement agencies for more than 20,000 cars.

Last December, the company sent an open letter urging the Obama Administration to push the DOE to approve the loan.

The federal loan process has vexed other automotive companies. Bright Automotive, which was to make extended-range plug-in utility vehicles, publicly pleaded with the government to process its application for a $400 million loan in January. Last month, that company went out of business.

Meanwhile, Fisker Automotive, maker of the extended-range plug-in sports sedan Karma, has been fielding questions about its future after the company in early February laid off workers. Fisker has received less than $200 million of the $529 million loan it was slated to get from the DOE.

Continue reading DOE rejects $310M loan for Carbon Motors to build advanced police cars

DOE rejects $310M loan for Carbon Motors to build advanced police cars originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 08 Mar 2012 10:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atvmbmwcarbon motorsdieseldoe loanse7law enforcementloanloanspoliceu.s. department of energyThu, 08 Mar 2012 10:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Official: Smart unveiling Brabus-edition Fortwo EV, e-bike in Geneva]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/05/smart-unveiling-brabus-edition-fortwo-ev-e-bike-in-geneva/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/05/smart-unveiling-brabus-edition-fortwo-ev-e-bike-in-geneva/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/05/smart-unveiling-brabus-edition-fortwo-ev-e-bike-in-geneva/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Smart Brabus Electric ForTwo front three-quarter viewDaimler's Smart minicar division will unveil both a battery-electric version of the Smart Brabus special-edition line and a Smart Brabus electric bike at the Geneva Motor Show this year.

The Smart Brabus electric drive Fortwo will be available in 12 countries by the end of the year. Parent company Daimler notes the model will include touches such as 17-inch alloy wheels, an "electric green" interior. The diminutive runabout will deliver about 80 horsepower, though the German automaker hasn't specified a single-charge range.

Meanwhile, Smart's Brabus ebike will have an electric motor that will deliver 500 watts of power, enough for a top speed of 25 miles per hour. It will also be available at Smart dealers by the end of the year. Smart isn't disclosing pricing on either the Brabus ForTwo EV or the new ebike but you can see both in our gallery.

Last month, Smart said it would start selling a special-edition version called the Sharpred in Europe starting this May. Smart will offer the red and black model in 71- and 84-horsepower versions in both hardtop and convertible configurations, and will make 1,800 Sharpreds.

Daimler last year sold about 102,000 Smart vehicles globally in 2011. While that number marked a 4.6 percent increase over 2010, Smart vehicles accounted for just 7.5 percent of all Daimler cars sold in 2011. Check out the complete press release after the break.

Continue reading Smart unveiling Brabus-edition Fortwo EV, e-bike in Geneva

Smart unveiling Brabus-edition Fortwo EV, e-bike in Geneva originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 05 Mar 2012 08:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012 smart fortwo electric drivebikebrabusdaimlerebikeelectric bikeelectric vehiclefortwogenevageneva motor showsmartsmart fortwoMon, 05 Mar 2012 08:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Official: Mitsubishi readies i-MiEV-based prototype for Pikes Peak climb this summer]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/01/mitsubishi-readies-i-miev-based-prototype-for-pikes-peak-climb-t/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/01/mitsubishi-readies-i-miev-based-prototype-for-pikes-peak-climb-t/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/01/mitsubishi-readies-i-miev-based-prototype-for-pikes-peak-climb-t/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

mitsubishi i-miev pikes peak
Sending an all-electric vehicle up Pikes Peak is not new - a Nissan Leaf and a custom EV from AC Propulsion made the climb in 2011 - but that shouldn't stop anyone from trying to reach the 14,110-foot height in Colorado better, faster and in a cooler car.

Enter Mitsubishi and a radically reworked all-electric i-MiEV Prototype that will participate in the 2012 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb this July. Based on sketches released today, the car is a one-seat racer the certainly looks ready for on-track duty. It also looks nothing like the bean-shaped i-MiEV we've grown accustomed to. We're certainly curious how well it'll make the peak, since the powertrain is made up of "the same EV components as the current production i-MiEV" and it'll be piloted by well-known driver Hiroshi Masuoka, who won the Dakar Rally in 2002 and 2003 behind the wheels of a Mitsubishi Pajero and Pajero Evolution, respectively.

The idea here, of course, isn't just to have a good time. Mitsubishi will "use the data obtained through its participation in the event to enhance the durability and reliability of pure EVs and plug-in hybrid EVs which it will be bringing to market in the near future." Read: plug-in versions of the Outlander, the i-MiEV-based truck and the Mirage EV.

Continue reading Mitsubishi readies i-MiEV-based prototype for Pikes Peak climb this summer

Mitsubishi readies i-MiEV-based prototype for Pikes Peak climb this summer originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 Mar 2012 17:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electric vehiclehiroshi masuokaii-mievmievmitsubishimitsubishi imitsubishi imievpikes peakThu, 01 Mar 2012 17:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Report: Analyst predicts Fisker's demise; spokesman says that's premature]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/19/analyst-predicts-fiskers-demise-spokesman-says-thats-prematur/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/19/analyst-predicts-fiskers-demise-spokesman-says-thats-prematur/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/19/analyst-predicts-fiskers-demise-spokesman-says-thats-prematur/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,



Hiccup or death knell?

That's what watchers of California-based automaker Fisker Automotive are trying to figure out after the maker of the Karma plug-in luxury sedan laid off about 65 workers and contractors in Delaware and California while renegotiating loan details with the U.S. Department of Energy. Fisker, which was to receive a $529 million loan from the DOE, has received less than $200 million of that, with the fate of the balance in question because Fisker has not met certain loan conditions due to production delays.

Here's the death knell perspective: With the Obama Administration under political pressure to reduce spending, Fisker is unlikely to receive the remaining $336 million, Wunderlich Securities analyst Theodore O'Neill said in an interview with the Boston Globe. Without that funding, Fisker will go out of business, O'Neill said, adding that A123 Systems, which makes lithium-ion batteries for Fisker, will also likely go under.

But no, say others, the problem is temporary. Investment advice site Seeking Alpha, for example, says A123 is a "buy." Fisker also downplayed the issue, with its spokesman, Roger Ormisher, calling the shutdown a "bump in the road" in an interview with The Wall Street Journal. Ormisher said production of the Karma hasn't been impacted, nothing that Fisker has delivered about 250 vehicles, and that the remaining DOE funds are to be used purely for the lower-priced Fisker Nina vehicle.

Fisker said in a statement last week that the company, which most recently received cash from the loan last May, is in talks with the DOE and raised $260 million in equity in late 2011. Fisker is pursuing "alternative funding sources," the company said in a Feb. 6 statement.

Additionally, the Orange County Register reported last week that a Fisker investor is suing the company for fraud. The plaintiff, Daniel Wray, invested $210,000 in Fisker and said the company informed him in January that he had to invest another $84,000 or risk losing the rights he gained with the original stock purchase. Ormisher told the newspaper at the time that he wasn't aware of the lawsuit.

Analyst predicts Fisker's demise; spokesman says that's premature originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 19 Feb 2012 14:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012 fisker karmadepartment of energydoedoe loansextended-rangeextended-range plug-infiskerfisker lawsuithenrik fiskerkarmalawsuitloanu.s. department of energySun, 19 Feb 2012 14:04:00 EST<![CDATA[Official: Tesla takes 500 Model X reservations worth $40M, Model S sales also spike]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/15/tesla-model-x-reservations-model-s-sales-40-million/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/15/tesla-model-x-reservations-model-s-sales-40-million/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/15/tesla-model-x-reservations-model-s-sales-40-million/#commentsFiled under: , ,

tesla model x s

If the prevailing opinion of a new design can be judged by initial sales, then the jury is in on the Tesla Model X. They like it. They really, really like it. From the time the electric crossover was driven out on stage at Tesla Design Studios late Thursday night/early Friday morning until Valentine's Day four days later, the company says it has received over $40 million worth of reservation love.

What that means is that over 500 people have plunked down a significant amount of cash - $5,000 for regular production version or $40,000 for a Signature package - to reserve a vehicle that won't even begin serious production until 2014. Think about that for a moment. Nobody, except a lucky few employees, has even driven the X prototype. Hell, barely anyone has ever taken the wheel of the Model S, with which it shares its platform.

While some of the orders did come from people switching their Model S reservation to the X, Tesla says sedan sales weren't cannibalized. In fact, the company says, sales of the S saw a boost of 30 percent following the big event.

Another indication of sentiment for publicly traded companies like Tesla Motors (TSLA) is its stock price. If you panicked and sold off shares a month ago when the price plunged 20 percent on news of the departure of a couple personnel, you may want to begin kicking yourself now. (Go ahead, we'll wait.) From that $22.79 low, it has climbed to $33.17 (as of this writing). Now, we're not financial experts, but that would seem to indicate that the market likes the company's outlook.

Make your way past the break to read the press release and, if you were unable to see the live presentation of the Model X on Tesla's website, we have that official footage waiting there as well.

Continue reading Tesla takes 500 Model X reservations worth $40M, Model S sales also spike

Tesla takes 500 Model X reservations worth $40M, Model S sales also spike originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 15 Feb 2012 10:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electric crossoverelectric cuvelectric suvelectric vehiclemodel smodel xteslatesla model stesla model xtslaWed, 15 Feb 2012 10:33:00 EST