Sebastian Blanco

-

REPORT: Tesla Motors planning IPO "soon"

by Sebastian Blanco (RSS feed) on Nov 20th, 2009 at 3:30PM

Tesla Roadster - Click above for high-res image gallery

Rumors about Tesla's plan to go public have been circulating since 2008, but a down stock market seemed to put a damper on the start-up's IPO. Now, the word on the street from Reuters is that Tesla is planning to go public "soon." When might that be, exactly? Who knows. A source told Reuters it could happen "any day," but Stephan Dolezalek, managing director of VantagePoint Venture Partners and a Tesla investor, said in September that it's unlikely to happen in 2009.

For its part, Tesla continues to offer little guidance on the report other than to dismiss it as "rumor or speculation." We shall see...


Gallery: First Drive: Tesla Roadster


[Source: Reuters]

AutoblogGreen for 11.20.09

by Sebastian Blanco (RSS feed) on Nov 20th, 2009 at 5:55AM Autoblog Green


Greenlings: What's the difference between kW and kWh?
The h makes all the difference.
Japan EV Club creams Tesla range record with Tokyo to Osaka run
How long will this one stand?
Government bailout does not = EV mandates for GM, Chrysler
Obama defers to management for product choices.		 Other news:

AutoblogGreen for 11.19.09

by Sebastian Blanco (RSS feed) on Nov 19th, 2009 at 5:54AM Autoblog Green


Officially Official: Aptera production pushed back to 2010
Not a surprise, but not good news, either.
Tesla Roadster donates tire squeal sounds to two new video games
Vroom.

Solar Shelf concept protects your car while charging up
Not the craziest thing we've ever seen, but getting there.		 Other news:

John Surtees pilots electric Ginetta G50EV through Channel Tunnel

by Sebastian Blanco (RSS feed) on Nov 18th, 2009 at 7:29PM

Ginetta G50EV and John Surtees at the Channel Tunnel – click above for high-res gallery

Electric cars have been around for over 100 years, and Britain's Beaujolais Burlington Run has been going on for 37. The Channel Tunnel between the UK and France (a.k.a. "The Chunnel") turns 15 this year. On Tuesday, motor racing legend John Surtees added a bit of history to all three items by being the first person to drive a production car through the tunnel (usually, it's just trains and service vehicles down there). The F1 World Champion's vehicle of choice was an all-electric, all-sexy Ginetta G50EV.

Ginetta Cars has been making vehicles for 51 years, but the G50EV is something new. It's Ginetta's first EV, and is really the company's first entry into the "low carbon vehicle arena" full-stop. The car's three battery packs drive the rear wheels with a brushless DC motor in honor of Ginetta's sports car heritage. Officials say that the G50EV can go up to 120 mph and has a 250-mile range – plenty to cover the Chunnel's 31 miles.


Gallery: Ginetta G50EV and John Surtees at the Channel Tunnel


[Source: Telegraph | Images: Adrian Dennis/Getty]

Five Axis offers up Aerius body kit for 2010 Toyota Prius

by Sebastian Blanco (RSS feed) on Nov 18th, 2009 at 7:59AM SEMA

Five Axis Aerius Prius – Click above for high-res image gallery

If you don't win the charity auction for the Aemulus-modified Prius, but want something flashy for your 2010 model, take a look at the Aerius Prius that made its debut at SEMA this year (they're practically the same vehicle). The kit designed by Five Axis will, according to Gas 2.0, be available to purchase in the coming months, although it hasn't released how much the mods will cost.

Five Axis, known more for their Scion-modding, used recycled polyester for the seats, resins made from post-industrial recycled wood in the interior and fitted ultra-low rolling resistance tires. Blending a changed appearance and efficiency, the Aerius gets side skirts and see-through wheel covers which contribute to a drag coefficient of 0.25. Tommi Kaira just got some competition.


Gallery: SEMA 2009: Toyota Prius Aerius Concept


[Source: Gas 2.0]

AutoblogGreen for 11.18.09

by Sebastian Blanco (RSS feed) on Nov 18th, 2009 at 6:10AM Autoblog Green


A.U.T.O. lobbyist Veronica Moss visits, hates the new Times Square [w/VIDEO]
Me-ow.
Jay Leno does the electric Tango [w/VIDEO]
He likes it, he really likes it.

REPORT: Nissan may offer optional higher-capacity batteries at premium
Pay for what you need/want.		 Other news:

Forget Zipcar - Smart reportedly readying car2go car-sharing program in Texas

by Sebastian Blanco (RSS feed) on Nov 17th, 2009 at 7:58AM

Steers and Smarts - Click above for a high-res image gallery

Daimler announced in March it would bring the tiny Smart car to the big state of Texas through its car-sharing service car2go. At the time, the German automaker declared that entering the Austin market with 200 ForTwos was "the next logical step." Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche now thinks that the car share program is also a good way to boost sales numbers, which have dropped recently.

Smart's U.S. sales were down 70.4 percent last month compared to October 2008, and only 661 ForTwos were sold in the U.S. last month. In Austin, as in the first car2go location of Ulm, Germany, the shared cars will initially only be available to city employees. Expansion to other residents – and then to other cities – is expected once the demand is there. Make that if demand is there.


Gallery: smart fortwo in Texas and Germany


[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

AutoblogGreen for 11.17.09

by Sebastian Blanco (RSS feed) on Nov 17th, 2009 at 5:56AM Autoblog Green


Fuel cell vehicles finish 707-mile demonstration run in Japan
Vehicles get 73+ mpg over two days.
3-Euro-cent-per-km mileage tax might become law in the Netherlands
Amount will rise to about 10 cents/km in 2018.

More on the trouble at Aptera, cash may be running out
Reality sets in for futuristic vehicle maker.		 Other news:

REPORT: Toyota Prius wagon, SUV in the works

by Sebastian Blanco (RSS feed) on Nov 16th, 2009 at 9:01AM

Toyota Hybrid X Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

Exactly how the Prius name might shift from defining the world's most famous hybrid to its own sub-brand – "Not!" – or moniker for other Toyota hybirds – "Yes!" – has been a source of interest for quite some time. The latest bit of speculation comes from the Yomiuri newspaper in Japan (via Green Car Advisor) and says that Toyota is considering building a Prius sport wagon or a Prius SUV about 12 months from now, maybe using lithium-ion batteries (despite Toyota's public pronouncements). Toyota officials, however, would not comment to the Yomiuri about the report.

As we saw with the Hybrid X (above) unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in 2007, Toyota has been thinking about a Prius wagon for a while. Green Car Advisor speculates that the the Venza could be a good candidate for the production wagon, while any of Toyota's JDM wagons could also make the transition to hybrids here. As for a Prius SUV? Tone down the Lexus RX 400h and there you go.


Gallery: Geneva Motor Show: Toyota Hybrid-X concept


[Source: Yomiuri via Green Car Advisor]

AutoblogGreen for 11.16.09

by Sebastian Blanco (RSS feed) on Nov 16th, 2009 at 6:01AM Autoblog Green


Caveat Emptor: Columbus, Ohio dealer taking deposits on Volt
Here's an idea.
Nissan CEO is bullish for Leaf's success, says million plug-ins by 2015 is an easy goal
Charging the same price as a gasoline powered car and leasing the batteries is what Ghosn sees as the right path.

Oh, come on: columnist compares driving efficiency with teaching religion
Manny Lopez strikes (out) again.		 Other news:

Next Page →






Autoblog Podcast #153: With Phil Berg

Phil Berg puts his reputation on the line and hangs with the podcast crew.

 
 

Featured Galleries

  • Ginetta G50EV and John Surtees at the Channel Tunnel
  • 2010 Toyota Land Cruiser
  • Quick Spin: Superformance MKIII-R
  • 2011 Buick Regal Live Unveiling
  • BMW Concept 6
  • Zenvo ST1 Details
  • Building an LS9 V8 at the GM Performance Build Center
  • SEMA 2009: HPP Daytona Challenger
  • LA Design Challenge 2009 Competitors
  • SEMA 2009: 1962 Chevrolet Corvette C1-RS
  • SEMA 2009: Bigfoot
  • SEMA 2009: Black Bison Toyota Alphard
AOL Autos

Find Your Next Car

Resources

10 Most Searched Cars on AOL Autos

Autoblog Video

Autoblog Green

Daily Finance

Download Squad

Engadget

Joystiq

Autoblog Spanish

Switched.com

FanHouse

Asylum