Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2008 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Spy shots: Fisker Karma makes an appearance in California]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/09/spy-shots-fisker-karma-makes-an-appearance-in-california/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/09/spy-shots-fisker-karma-makes-an-appearance-in-california/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/09/spy-shots-fisker-karma-makes-an-appearance-in-california/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Up until now, the Fisker Karma hasn't really been much more than a pretty face to go along with a promise. That changes today, thanks to a spy photographer who was lucky enough to catch the upcoming plug-in hybrid sedan out testing in California. Lawsuits often seem to have a dampening effect on enthusiasm, so it's good to see the Karma out and about. We can clearly see that the body is the same shape as what we all saw at its introduction earlier this year in Detroit. What we don't know yet is what's powering those shapely curves down the road. The first inclination from Autocar is that a Volkswagen 1.4-liter four-banger will provide power to the lithium ion batteries via a generator, but we really can't be sure what's being tested. Still, given the amount of electric know-how that Quantum Technologies, the electric powertrain supplier to Fisker, already has, we wouldn't be too surprised if something close to final-spec components were being run through their paces.

UPDATE: For what it's worth, these photos were not captured by a photographer hiding in the bushes. They were apparently actually put out by Fisker's Beverly Hills PR agency Rogers & Cowan. We still don't know anything about the mechanicals of the car in question, only that Fisker is trying to generate some buzz.

[Source: Autocar via AutoblogGreen, Autoweek]

 

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]]>fiskerfisker hybridfisker karmafisker karma spiedfisker-karmaFiskerHybridFiskerKarmaFiskerKarmaSpiedkarmakarma hybridkarma phevkarma-hybridkarma-phevKarmaHybridKarmaPhevspy shotsspy-shotsSpyShots2008-05-09T18:31:00+00:00<![CDATA[AutoblogGreen for 05.09.08]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/09/autobloggreen-for-05-09-08/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/09/autobloggreen-for-05-09-08/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/09/autobloggreen-for-05-09-08/#commentsFiled under: ,



Man, the dangers of the new automotive world: confusing ethanol for biodiesel and kids hitting the silent Prius. Over in London, a new electric taxi is not going to be worth it to 60 percent of the cab drivers who need more oomph than the 100-mile range the batteries can provide. Still, that means 40 percent could use it. Sweet.

 

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]]>2008-05-09T06:03:00+00:00<![CDATA[Scooter-geek's dream ride: Yamaha Vino scooter, fully farkled]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/08/scooter-geeks-dream-ride-yamaha-vino-scooter-fully-farkled/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/08/scooter-geeks-dream-ride-yamaha-vino-scooter-fully-farkled/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/08/scooter-geeks-dream-ride-yamaha-vino-scooter-fully-farkled/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


Though it's usually the adventure touring crowd that excels at turning their motorcycles into rolling technology test-beds, we've recently run across a Yamaha Vino scooter that has been fully farkled. Featuring an on-board computer based around a VIA mini ITX form factor motherboard that's cleverly been hidden under the stock Vino's seat, this rolling geek-mobile packs in WiFi, Bluetooth, USB, GPS, FM radio, a TV tuner and a front-mounted camera in its diminutive frame. With the full-spec computer, pretty much anything should be possible right from the road using this scooter. While this is certainly a cool project, we have a few questions regarding its durability. How long will the acrylic plate that makes the structure for the computer hold up? Perhaps most importantly, how long will the scooter's battery be able to power all this technology? In the name of science, of course, we graciously offer our services for a road trip on the machine to find the answer to these all-important questions. Thanks for the tip, jared!

[Source: Thought Lab]

 

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]]>farklefarkledgeek scootergeek-scooterGeekScooteryamaha vinoyamaha-vinoYamahaVino2008-05-08T19:00:00+00:00<![CDATA[Autoline on Autoblog with John McElroy]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/08/autoline-on-autoblog-with-john-mcelroy/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/08/autoline-on-autoblog-with-john-mcelroy/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/08/autoline-on-autoblog-with-john-mcelroy/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

WHY USE BATTERIES IF FLYWHEELS WILL DO?

Formula One could be on to something big. Next year all teams will be allowed to capture the energy that their cars produce under braking, and then re-use that energy at opportune moments, like passing on a straight.

It's really a hybrid system, but they don't call it that. They call it a Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS).

The best part of the new regulations is that they do not specify what kind of regenerative energy system the teams have to use. It seems pretty likely that Toyota and Honda will go with a battery-electric hybrid system, since that's the kind of technology they sell in their showrooms. But Formula One is also going to become the testing grounds for a completely different kind of hybrid system that does not use batteries.

John McElroy is host of the TV program "Autoline Detroit". Every week he brings his unique insights as an auto industry insider to Autoblog readers. Follow the jump to continue reading this week's editorial.

Continue reading Autoline on Autoblog with John McElroy

 

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]]>autolineautoline detroitautoline on autoblogautoline-detroitautolinedetroitAutolineOnAutoblogf1 hybridF1Hybridfeaturedflybridjohn mcelroyjohn mcelroy autoblogJohnMcelroyJohnMcelroyAutoblog2008-05-08T15:29:00+00:00<![CDATA[Drink beer the green way: From an old windshield]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/08/drink-beer-the-green-way-from-an-old-windshield/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/08/drink-beer-the-green-way-from-an-old-windshield/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/08/drink-beer-the-green-way-from-an-old-windshield/#commentsFiled under: ,

Now that it's all hip to be green, you may look at your hybrid car with its properly inflated tires and Love Earth bummer sticker and think "what else can I do to help the environment?" Turns out the answer is to drink beer out of recycled windshields turned into pint glasses. These glasses from Uncommon Goods are handmade in Colombia from old car windshields. The green tint that once protected your eyes from glare now protects your beer from harmful rays.

Sign CoastersNot a beer drinker? They also sell recycled windshield wine glasses. And of course, you'll want to protect your sustainable-wood coffee table with drink coasters made from recycled road signs. Then you can sit back and relax in your one-of-a-kind Speed Chair made from recycled speed limit signs.

[Source: Uncommon Goods]

 

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]]>automotive recyclingAutomotiveRecyclingbeerbeer glassesBeerGlassesrecycled road signsrecycled windshieldsRecycledRoadSignsRecycledWindshieldsrecyclingwindshield glassesWindshieldGlasses2008-05-08T11:45:00+00:00<![CDATA[AutoblogGreen for 05.08.08]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/08/autobloggreen-for-05-08-08/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/08/autobloggreen-for-05-08-08/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/08/autobloggreen-for-05-08-08/#commentsFiled under: ,



How's this for an idea: add a plug-in hybrid conversion kit to the outside of your car. Sound good? It's called the Poulsen hybrid and it's in the running for the Auto X Prize. Other cool news from the battery-powered vehicle world is more info about the electric Triac, which also might come in truck form. We'll need these options if the predicted $200 oil "Super Spike" happens in the next six months. Shudder.

 

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]]>2008-05-08T06:02:00+00:00<![CDATA[AutoblogGreen for 05.07.08]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/07/autobloggreen-for-05-07-08/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/07/autobloggreen-for-05-07-08/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/07/autobloggreen-for-05-07-08/#commentsFiled under: ,



The Naturmobil is here. What is the Naturmobil (previously known as the Naturcar)? Why, it's a hybrid vehicle with some real horsepower. As in, it has a horse inside. The lengths some people will go... On the more normal side of the coin, the good news for American TDI fans, the first new VW Jetta TDIs are now on the way to dealers stateside. And Chrysler's plan to sell more cars by offering a gas price guarantee sure got people's attention - just not the kind everybody wants.

 

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]]>2008-05-07T06:02:00+00:00<![CDATA[Chrysler criticized for $2.99 gas, Suzuki jumps on bandwagon]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/06/chrysler-criticized-for-2-99-gas-suzuki-jumps-on-bandwagon/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/06/chrysler-criticized-for-2-99-gas-suzuki-jumps-on-bandwagon/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/06/chrysler-criticized-for-2-99-gas-suzuki-jumps-on-bandwagon/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

We knew critics of Chrysler's $2.99 Gas Guarantee would crawl out of the woodwork before too long, and here they come. Automotive News reports that The Union of Concerned Scientists has called Chrysler's program a "cynical deal", noting that at today's current average price of $3.61/gallon, a customer would save about $400 a year under Chrysler's program. Being the smart folk they are, the scientists also pointed out that customers could save the same amount from a 3 mpg bump in fuel economy over 15,000 miles or a year of driving, and that better fuel economy also continues saving the customer money after three years. Damn, scientists are so smart with the math.

The criticism hasn't stopped Suzuki, however, from announcing its own free gas deal. For vehicles purchased between May 1st and June 30th, Suzuki is offering 0% financing and three months of totally free fuel in its "Free Gas for Summer" program. Buyers will basically get a stored-value credit card that's charged with a different amount of money depending on the model purchased.

These incentive programs are nothing but promotions designed to grab headlines and make buyers feel like they're getting more money back than they actually are. Playing off the media's hysteria over high gas prices, Chrysler (and Suzuki) is betting buyers will feel that paying $2.99/gallon for three years is more valuable than a $2,000 cash back rebate. Trust the math, it's really not. Nevertheless, it will likely sell more Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep vehicles than a boring $2,000 rebate would.

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]

 

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]]>2.99 gas2.99Gaschrysler 2.99 gaschrysler gasChrysler2.99GasChryslerGasfree gasFreeGassuzuki free gasSuzukiFreeGas2008-05-06T17:55:00+00:00<![CDATA[Cadillac bringing ethanol hybrid chopper to LA Auto Show]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/06/cadillac-bringing-ethanol-hybrid-chopper-to-la-auto-show/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/06/cadillac-bringing-ethanol-hybrid-chopper-to-la-auto-show/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/06/cadillac-bringing-ethanol-hybrid-chopper-to-la-auto-show/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Cadillac chief Jim Taylor likes him some motorcycles, so it's not all too surprising that he commissioned a Cadillac-themed chopper from Great American Chopper in Clawson, Michigan (at right). What is surprising is that Cadillac has commissioned a second chopper from V20 Consulting out of New York City that will be an ethanol hybrid capable of running on corn fuel or pure electrons. It can reportedly even reach 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds. Cadillac plans to unveil the bike at the LA Auto Show later this year, but the thing we can't figure out is what motorcycles or hybrid powertrains have to do with Cadillac, which has never been associated with either. The source says that the bike is supposed to display GM's "strength in science and technology". How about delivering the series hybrid Volt on time? That's the only evidence of GM's strength in science and technology that we need.

UPDATE: Cadillac contacted us to clarify that in fact it didn't commission either motorcycle, but both custom bike-building shops are building these choppers on their own, and Cadillac has given them permission to use its logo and branding. It was also pointed out that the Cadillac Escalade Two-Mode Hybrid is almost here, so in fact the wreath and crest will soon be getting its first hybrid.

[Source: D Business via Winding Road]

 

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]]>cadillaccadillac chopperscadillac ethanol hybrid choppercadillac ethanol hybrid motorcyclecadillac hybrid choppercadillac hybrid motorcyclecadillac motorcyclesCadillacChoppersCadillacEthanolHybridChopperCadillacEthanolHybridMotorcycleCadillacHybridChopperCadillacHybridMotorcycleCadillacMotorcycles2008-05-06T15:28:00+00:00<![CDATA[Showdown between Arnie and the Automakers set for Thursday]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/06/showdown-between-arnie-and-the-automakers-set-for-thursday/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/06/showdown-between-arnie-and-the-automakers-set-for-thursday/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/06/showdown-between-arnie-and-the-automakers-set-for-thursday/#commentsFiled under: ,

This Thursday has been is the date for a big meeting between the governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers (AAM) that represents General Motors, Ford Motor Company, Chrysler LLC, Toyota Motor Co., BMW, Volkswagen, Daimler-Benz, Mazda and Nissan North America. Though Arnie was once a HUMMER drivin' fool and unofficial pitch man for the poster SUV of environmental incorrectness, he's now the gubernatorial head honcho of a state that's been a big PITA for automakers when it comes to emissions standards.

California once had federal approval to set its own emissions standards, and the feds also allowed any other states to adopt California's standards instead of much weaker federal standards if they wanted. Seventeen states now either have or are considering adopting California's emissions standards, which means automakers are faced with the dilemma of possibly building two versions of every vehicle to meet both standards, go bankrupt trying to meet California's standards in time, or even not selling vehicles in those 17 states at all.

The federal government's new energy bill that calls for a raised Corporate Average Fuel Economy standard of 35 mpg by 2020 is what the AAM wants to talk to the Governator about. The AAM hopes to convince Arnold that meeting the new federal standards will be difficult but doable, while California's proposed standard of 40.5 mpg by 2016 is impossible to achieve without losing thousands of jobs and possibly bankrupting vulnerable automakers.

Schwarzenegger is not likely to buy the alliance's argument, however, and this conflict between the automakers and California will likely be settled in federal court a long time down the road.

[Source: Detroit Free Press, Photo by David McNew/Getty]

 

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]]>alliance of automobi...AllianceOfAutomobi...arnold schwarzeneggerArnoldSchwarzeneggercalifornia emissionsCaliforniaEmissionsCARB2008-05-06T14:08:00+00:00<![CDATA[AutoblogGreen for 05.06.08]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/06/autobloggreen-for-05-06-08/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/06/autobloggreen-for-05-06-08/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/06/autobloggreen-for-05-06-08/#commentsFiled under: ,



Trying to choose a crossover hybrid? You have two choices: the Saturn Vue or the Ford Escape. AutoblogGreen has taken a look at both of these and you can read the reviews by clicking on the names of the CUVs above. Meanwhile, the gas tax holiday debate continues. Oh, and what's one alternative to high gas prices in India? Camels.

 

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]]>2008-05-06T05:56:00+00:00<![CDATA[Greenpeace builds Cayenne and M-Class bulldozers for some reason or another]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/05/greenpeace-builds-cayenne-and-m-class-bulldozers-for-some-reason/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/05/greenpeace-builds-cayenne-and-m-class-bulldozers-for-some-reason/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/05/greenpeace-builds-cayenne-and-m-class-bulldozers-for-some-reason/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Click on the image above for high-res shots of this wacky scene

Running diesel vehicles on biofuels is a good thing, right? Not always, according to Greenpeace Argentina. It seems that the export of soybeans from Argentina is causing more pollution than was initially estimated. Also, too much of Argentina's native forests are being mowed down for the soybeans. These issues are in stark contrast with two of Greenpeace's stated charters: (1) catalyzing an energy revolution to address the number one threat facing our planet: climate change and (2) supporting sustainable agriculture by encouraging socially and ecologically responsible farming practices.

No Greenpeace protest would be complete without some sort of outlandish stunt, and this one follows suit. Because most of the Argentinian biodiesel goes to Germany, a Mercedes-Benz M-Class and a Porsche Cayenne were made to look like bulldozers by men and women wielding German flags. The two SUV's were surrounded by fake tree stumps. Once again, Greenpeace has done an admirable job of catching plenty of attention. Whether the group's wacky efforts have any effect, though, is another matter entirely.

Gallery: Argentina Greenpeace mission


[Source: Argentina Auto Blog - translated]

 

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]]>biodieselgreenpeacegreenpeace argentinagreenpeace-argentinaGreenpeaceArgentinasoysoybeans2008-05-05T17:05:00+00:00<![CDATA[GM releases details on upcoming 4.5L Duramax turbo-diesel V8]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/05/gm-releases-details-on-upcoming-4-5l-duramax-turbo-diesel-v8/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/05/gm-releases-details-on-upcoming-4-5l-duramax-turbo-diesel-v8/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/05/gm-releases-details-on-upcoming-4-5l-duramax-turbo-diesel-v8/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


The battle of the diesel-powered half-tons is about to begin, and today General Motors revealed more details on its entrant: the 4.5L Duramax turbo-diesel V8. Thanks to a narrow-angle V block, the 4.5L turbo diesel will fit in the same space as the General's small-block V8, which does give us hope for additional applications beyond just its half-ton trucks. Large SUVs are surely going to get the engine as an option eventually, but maybe GM can find a passenger car or two down the line that would benefit from the tons of torque this engine will produce. GM says the 4.5L turbo-diesel will produce 310 horsepower and 520 pound-feet of torque, while bumping fuel efficiency by 25%. In order to help it meet Bin 5 and LEV 2 emissions standards as well as be 50-state legal, the engine will feature both a diesel particular filter and NOx after-treatment system that uses urea to knock out those pesky nitrogen-based particles. Another engineering coup for the 4.5L turbo-diesel is that GM has reduced its parts count thanks to a design that includes integrated aluminum cylinder head exhaust manifolds and an integral cam cover intake manifold. You'll be able to buy the new diesel in model year 2010 Chevy Silverados and GMC Sierra half-ton pickups, no doubt for a sizable premium over their gas-powered counterparts.

[Source: GM]

Continue reading GM releases details on upcoming 4.5L Duramax turbo-diesel V8

 

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]]>4.5L diesel V84.5L turbodiesel V84.5lDieselV84.5lTurbodieselV8diesel sierradiesel silveradoDieselSierraDieselSilveradogm 4.5L diesel v8Gm4.5lDieselV82008-05-05T15:29:00+00:00<![CDATA[Tesla Roadster rated at 300 HP]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/05/tesla-roadster-rated-at-300-hp/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/05/tesla-roadster-rated-at-300-hp/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/05/tesla-roadster-rated-at-300-hp/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Click above for more high-res images of the Tesla Roadster

The Tesla Roadster is like the gorgeous girlfriend that loves football, tunes a hotrod in her spare time, and doesn't believe in celebrating anniversaries and birthdays. The Roadster is a beautiful car, it runs on exhaust-free plug power, and it's already primed for more power. A Norwegian specialty car importer is quoting the Euro Tesla's power at or over 300 hp, with a 13,000 rpm redline and a single speed transmission.

Our man Sam tells us that the above is likely to come courtesy of drivetrain 1.5, which will be available later in the Tesla's production run. The revised gearbox drops a gear, adds an upgraded power electronics module, and provides better cooling. It seems the hype machine that is the Tesla Roadster is beginning to heat up, and more power will only make us want the green little drop-top more.

Gallery: First Drive: Tesla Roadster


[Source: Autoblog Green]

 

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]]>300 hp300HpAutoblog GreenAutoblogGreenElectric CarElectricCarlithium ionLithiumIonTesla RoadsterTeslaRoadster2008-05-05T08:33:00+00:00<![CDATA[Audi to offer electric vehicles within ten years]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/05/audi-to-offer-electric-vehicles-within-ten-years/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/05/audi-to-offer-electric-vehicles-within-ten-years/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/05/audi-to-offer-electric-vehicles-within-ten-years/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Audi has been quietly going about the business of preparing its lineup for a green future, with cleaner and more efficient diesels in Europe, and oil-burners scheduled for the US in the near future. While the German automaker realizes diesel will be big in the next 10 years, it's also planning for life without emissions. Audi exec Rupert Stadler says the four-ringed automaker is primed to offer an electric vehicle in the next five to ten years. Meanwhile, Audi's German competition has been talking up its green position, but Stadler points out that the Volkswagen-owned brand has more research resources to exercise its options.

With the emissions belt being tightened both here in the US and in Europe, every automaker is going to have to make huge changes to its vehicles to stay in the game, and Audi is no different. We're going to be the big winners during these changing times, and while a battery-powered R8 won't sound as good as its petrol-powered twin, we like the idea of plugging in our sports car instead of filling it with gas every few days.

[Source: Reuters]


 

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]]>Audibatterydieselelectricemissionslithium-ion2008-05-05T07:58:00+00:00<![CDATA[AutoblogGreen for 05.05.08]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/05/autobloggreen-for-05-05-08/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/05/autobloggreen-for-05-05-08/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/05/autobloggreen-for-05-05-08/#commentsFiled under: ,



The first Tesla Motors store has a party, GM might be working on the second E-Flex vehicle already, and Aptera is busy crushing cars. In short, a busy time if you're a car company trying to get some eco-friendly wheels to market. Here's the weekend that was on AutoblogGreen:


More headlines after the jump.

Continue reading AutoblogGreen for 05.05.08

 

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]]>2008-05-05T06:08:00+00:00<![CDATA[Nissan to get more electric by 2010]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/02/nissan-to-get-more-electric-by-2010/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/02/nissan-to-get-more-electric-by-2010/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/02/nissan-to-get-more-electric-by-2010/#commentsFiled under: , ,


The media has given a lot of attention to Toyota and GM in the race for automotive electrification. After all, many of the other current players in the game license their technology from the likes of these two. Nissan has remained relatively quiet in the competition though, sitting behind its Hypermini small electric vehicle and Hybrid Altima, the latter of which happens to be the result of one of those previously mentioned licensing deals. The recent 2008 New York Auto Show saw Nissan taking things a step further, however, with the unveiling of an electric Cube concept that's expected to hit production by 2010. According to Carlos Ghosn, it's just the beginning of a worldwide full electric lineup for Nissan and its alliance partner Renault.

The run up of oil prices and, of course, the current marketing trend that makes being environmentally aware the hip thing for squares, makes the future market for electrified vehicles a more viable prospect. Technological advances, especially in batteries, have also made an electric venture more economical. Mr. Ghosn expects a global mass market for electric vehicles by 2012 and fully anticipates that Nissan will be a part of that band wagon. The Chief Executive also hopes to push demand through the creation of government tax incentives for zero-emission vehicles, making their lifetime cost to consumers below that of any gasoline chugger. Good luck, Ghosn!

[Source: Wall Street Journal]

 

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]]>carlos ghosnCarlosGhosnelectric carsElectricCarsnissan2008-05-02T18:32:00+00:00<![CDATA[The Truth About Smart: fortwo rumors dispelled]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/02/the-truth-about-smart-fortwo-rumors-dispelled/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/02/the-truth-about-smart-fortwo-rumors-dispelled/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/02/the-truth-about-smart-fortwo-rumors-dispelled/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,



Though Men's Vogue has already attempted to disprove the theory that only women can get away with driving one, it seems that smart has seen the need to dispel some rumors about the fortwo, their little urban runabout. Specifically, many people apparently question how large of a person the smart can easily handle, how safe a car this small could be, how much room there is for stuff and what features the fortwo is equipped with. In all honesty, the smart would probably work for a large percentage of the population of both the U.S. and the U.K., but certainly not for every situation likely to come up in everyday life. As a second car or strictly for commuting, we imagine that the smart would meet the needs of quite a few drivers who would never even consider a vehicle this small.

Just for fun, why not check out the truth about smart here. Even if you hate the car, you may enjoy seeing it mildly-mangled by a wrecking ball.

[Source: the truth about smart]

 

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]]>smartsmart carsmart for twosmart fortwosmart-carsmart-fortwosmart-fortwo-mileageSmartCarSmartFortwotruth about smarttruth-about-smartTruthAboutSmart2008-05-02T17:57:00+00:00<![CDATA[Design students envision a modern Model-T]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/02/design-students-envision-a-modern-model-t/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/02/design-students-envision-a-modern-model-t/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/02/design-students-envision-a-modern-model-t/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Photo: KEVIN A. WILSON, Autoweek

Recently, Ford Motor Company sponsored a contest with the goal of modernizing the iconic Model T, a car which revolutionized motorized transportation the world over. The winner of the competition, a 24-year-old junior at the College for Creative Studies in Detroit named Dong Trang, came up with an electric crossover of sorts. That's fitting, according to Peter Horbury, head of design for Ford in the Americas, because Henry Ford's original Model T sat high off the ground and had a modular design, capable of hauling people and their stuff at the same time.

What the modern-day designs don't share with their forebear is retro looks. Each of the modern T adaptations features fairly sleek styling and alternative power that goes along with our modern-day energy and emissions problems.

Trang's design is rather unique, featuring solar panels on the vehicle along with an energy-capturing suspension design that would help recharge the on-board batteries. Those batteries are also removable to provide power outside the vehicle. The seating arrangement is modular, allowing for up to four occupants or offering increased storage capacity. The rear hatch is also capable of folding away to offer a small pickup bed. Click past the break for some videos of Trang talking about his design.

[Source: Detroit Free Press, Autoweek]

Continue reading Design students envision a modern Model-T

 

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]]>dong trangdong-trangDongTrangelectric model telectric-model-tElectricModelTfordford model tford-model-tFordModelTmodel tmodel-tModelTmodern model tmodern-model-tModernModelT2008-05-02T16:02:00+00:00<![CDATA[Tesla Motors opens first factory store in Los Angeles]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/02/tesla-opens-first-factory-store-in-los-angeles/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/02/tesla-opens-first-factory-store-in-los-angeles/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/02/tesla-opens-first-factory-store-in-los-angeles/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Click above for high-res gallery from Tesla's Flagship Store grand opening

Tesla Motors has found enough time in between suing and getting sued by its suppliers to open its first dealership in Los Angeles, CA today. Located on the corner of Santa Monica and Sepulveda boulevards, the $2 million dealership sprawls 10,000 square feet and features poured concrete floors, an exposed ceiling of ductwork and beams, mirrors and potted plants. This is no Chipotle, however, as the first Tesla dealership will be staffed by salaried Tesla employees, not traditional salespeople who work on commission. Another dealership is in the works near Silicon Valley closer to the company's HQ, but we're not sure when that one will open.

Clearly modeled on the highly successful Apple Store experiment, the Tesla factory store is as much about educating the public and building brand awareness as it is about selling Tesla Roadsters. And that's a good thing, as there are no Tesla Roadsters to sell right now. The fledgling automaker has already sold 600 cars and has a waiting list 400 strong, but to date only four have been built. The first car went to Tesla Motors chairman and chief financier Elon Musk, while car #2 is earmarked for forced-out co-founder Martin Eberhard who has delayed delivery of his Tesla Roadster until its custom pain job is ready. Car #4 has been spotted at the Top Marques Monaco show with U2 frontman Bono behind the wheel, while car #3 should be on its way to an actual customer's garage.

Gallery: Tesla Motors Flagship Store - L.A.


[Source: AutoblogGreen, Photos by Vince Bucci/Getty]

 

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