Autoblog

What will happen to automakers if the Euro zone implodes?

Jonathon Ramsey — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 18:29:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Europe, Government/Legal, Earnings/Financials

Figuring out post-doomsday scenarios can make for hours of fun, but short of a cinematic "Kill them all!" they're rarely that accurate. That's because we never know which entrance doomsday is going to use, and the big doomsday is often followed by little doomsdays (as this year's Japanese earthquake/tsunami/nuclear meltdown should have taught us yet again). Still, that hasn't stopped Automotive News from taking a look at what might happen to European carmakers in case Italy, Spain and Greece leave the euro zone.

One scenario sees the German automakers suffering but Italy's Fiat faring slightly better. A strong euro, or if the zone completely implodes, an even stronger German Deutsche Mark would cripple the export earnings of Volkswagen, BMW and Mercedes-Benz by double digits. Conversely, a weak Italian lira that could be further devalued and printed at will might make Fiat more competitive against its northern rivals. Or maybe Fiat wouldn't do so well, since consumers would be practically allergic to major purchases, and the already soft demand in Southern Europe might crater such that "There might not be an Italian-made Panda."

In Europe, the prediction is that there would be no winners, not even Spain's Seat, which, like Italy's Fiat, might benefit from currency devaluation. The brands with a chance of reaping some benefit: Hyundai, Kia, and Toyota, whose industrial economies are safely distant from the economic fallout. From a purely industrial standpoint, that's reasonable - but if Europeans are scared to buy Fiats and no one knows what currencies are really worth from week to week, we suspect there will be plenty of pain to go around for everyone.

What will happen to automakers if the Euro zone implodes? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Dec 2011 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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European automakers irked over proposed noise standards

Zach Bowman — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 08:30:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Government/Legal

Ward's Auto reports the European Commission is pushing new measures that could burden automakers with stiff noise regulations for cars, buses and trucks. Under the proposed legislation, automakers would need to curb vehicle noise levels by two decibels two years after the legislation's wording is agreed upon by EC member countries. Another two decibel reduction would occur three years after the first installment. Trucks, meanwhile, would be forced to reduce noise by one decibel in the first wave of reductions and two decibels in the second wave. Officials behind the proposed rules say the change will slash road noise by 25 percent and greatly improve the health and quality of life of European citizens.

Automakers are busily lobbying for amendments to the proposal, saying they have issues with the timing, levels and legal categories contained within the noise-control measures. The European Automobile Manufacturers Association says that while the first step could be implemented immediately, the second step could take as many as six years to accomplish. Head over to Ward's to read the full report.

European automakers irked over proposed noise standards originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 Dec 2011 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Audi denied TDI trademark by European court

Noah Joseph — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Government/Legal, Audi, Volkswagen, Diesel

As much as it has with the Quattro brand, Audi (and its parent company Volkswagen) have more recently turned the letters TDI into an emblem of what it stands for as an automaker. Think of those three letters and you could picture no other marque, that's how closely intertwined the two have become. But an attempt to enshrine that much in law has apparently failed.

According to Autobild, Audi went to the European Union courts in Luxembourg - on behalf of its parent company as well in its own right - to secure dominion over the TDI badge, but in a ruling this week, the judge ruled that the acronym is not theirs alone. Apparently the judge felt that the letters apply to a technology that is common with other automakers - namely turbocharged diesels with direct injection - and therefore rejected Audi's claim of ownership.

The company apparently owns the name in individual countries, so any attempt by a rival automaker to use the name would undoubtedly prove difficult. But as far as the European Union is concerned, it's not illegal.

Audi denied TDI trademark by European court originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 07 Jul 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: EU working to ban gas and diesel-powered cars by 2050

Aaron Richardson — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 10:29:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Government/Legal, Ford, Electric, Diesel

According to new reports, the European Union will announce plans to ban all fossil fuel-powered cars in Europe by 2050. The detailed plan will be outlined in the European Union's Roadmap on Transport, which will come out on Monday. By 2030, the EU plans to have reduced fossil fuel traffic by half, particularly in urban areas.

The EU hopes to achieve its goal by ramping up focus on hybrid technology in the next couple decades to make a smooth transition to all-electric power by the middle of the century. A big part of the shift seems to be moving away from personal transportation and toward public conveyances wherever possible.

The EU says the overall goal for the project is to reduce traffic-related C02 emissions by 60 percent in 2050. A big part of the reduction will come from the effort to achieve zero-C02 transportation in major urban areas, where people travel by car 75 percent of the time.

For its part, Ford Motor Company has already come out with a response to the legislation, criticizing the EU's plan, and we wouldn't be surprised to see more statements from other automakers follow suit soon. You can read Ford's response in their official press release after the jump. Thanks for the tip, Marco!

[Source: NU.nl (translated) via Autoblog.nl | Image: Justin Sullivan/Getty]

Continue reading Report: EU working to ban gas and diesel-powered cars by 2050

Report: EU working to ban gas and diesel-powered cars by 2050 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 28 Mar 2011 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: UK moves to block Europe-wide speeding fines

Zach Bowman — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 08:26:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Government/Legal, Safety, UK

Britain is stepping up to the man. The island nation is moving to stop a proposal that would allow member countries of the European Union to enforce traffic violations across international borders. The legislation aims to help law enforcement pursue unruly drivers for four major offenses: speeding, running traffic lights, drunk driving and not wearing a seatbelt. Mike Penning, Britain's road safety minister, said that while the UK is all for greater cooperation between the 27 countries in the EU, he feels there are still some wrinkles to be ironed out in the proposal.

Part of the conflict stems from the law requiring those caught speeding by traffic cameras to be held responsible for fines once they return to their native country. Penning is concerned about who pays the fine when someone other than the vehicle's owner is behind the wheel and how the appeal process would work. All told, around four million Britons use their vehicles outside of the country's borders.

[Source: The Daily Telegraph l Image: Reed Saxon/AP]

Report: UK moves to block Europe-wide speeding fines originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 30 Nov 2010 08:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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UK drivers favor an end to lower insurance premiums for women

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 07:59:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Europe, UK

According to a study done by InsWeb earlier this year, car insurance premiums for women in the U.S. are nine percent lower than those for men. Things are much the same in the UK, where insurance companies will offer the fairer sex lower rates than those given to men. Companies like Sheila's Wheels in the UK - founded by a man - specialize in lower-priced offerings for women, including handbag insurance.

The practice could be ruled illegal by the European Union, however, because the Advocate General of the European Court of Justice feels that such rate setting contravenes the Charter of Fundamental Rights laid out in the Lisbon Treaty. That would be fine with folks in the UK, according to a Motorpoint poll: more than nine out of ten of the 990 respondents to Motorpoint's survey were in favor of the EU eliminating discounts for women based on gender.

Not that there aren't plenty of other reasons for women to have lower rates: stats show they drive fewer miles and get in fewer accidents. But hey, fair's fair.

[Source: Motorpoint | Image: xJasonRogersx CC 2.0]

Continue reading UK drivers favor an end to lower insurance premiums for women

UK drivers favor an end to lower insurance premiums for women originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 24 Nov 2010 07:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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EU reportedly clears Volvo's sale to Geely

Zach Bowman — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 17:59:00 EST

Filed under: China, Europe, Government/Legal, Ford, Volvo, Geely, Luxury

2011 Volvo V60 - Click above for high-res image gallery

Volvo and Geely have taken another step toward holy matrimony. The European Union has officially approved the Chinese company's takeover of the Swedish manufacturer. The EU found that the move wouldn't stifle competition within its borders and gave all of the interested parties the green light. Ford originally agreed to sell Geely its former ward in March of this year, and the $1.8 billion dollar purchase is well on its way to becoming reality.

The move is a big one, not just for Volvo and Geely, but the whole of the Chinese auto market. According to Reuters, the buy is the largest overseas automotive acquisition any Chinese company has made to date. We would be surprised if it were the last, though.

Gallery: 2011 Volvo V60

[Source: Reuters]

EU reportedly clears Volvo's sale to Geely originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 Jul 2010 17:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM formally withdraws all Opel-related loan requests, vows to finance alone

Zach Bowman — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 13:01:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Government/Legal, GM, Earnings/Financials, Opel, Vauxhall, UK

General Motors has just announced that it will no longer pursue government aid for its Opel and Vauxhall brands. The reason? Neither company's financial situation has exactly changed since The General first began asking for loans from the EU a few months back, but GM simply says it can't wait for certain governments to get their ducks in a row. Evidently, the application process has been much more drawn out than the company originally anticipated.

We're guessing that by "certain governments," General Motors actually means Germany. The country just voted against handing out any money to either Opel or Vauxhall because General Motors seems to be doing well enough to support its children. Whether true or not, GM says it will continue to pursue other financing options to help support the two European brands.

GM originally asked European governments for a total of $2.2 billion at current conversion rates, and to date, only the UK and Spain have responded around $405 million in aid each. Hop the jump for the full press release.

[Source: General Motors]

Continue reading GM formally withdraws all Opel-related loan requests, vows to finance alone

GM formally withdraws all Opel-related loan requests, vows to finance alone originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Jun 2010 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota idles production in France, UK and U.S. to cope with weak demand

Zach Bowman — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 14:01:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Plants/Manufacturing, Toyota, Earnings/Financials

Toyota Yaris 5-Door Liftback (UK market) - Click above for a high-res image gallery

Toyota manufacturing plants are beginning to feel the backlash from the company's wave after wave of recent global recalls. The company just announced it will stop production at its European facilities for a total of 12 days in April. The plants are responsible for building the European Yaris and upcoming Auris hybrid, but since demand for the company's products are currently hanging out in dumpsters everywhere, workers will find themselves with a few extra days of unwanted vacation.

According to The Wall Street Journal, the European production stop comes on the heels of similar action here in the States. Toyota recently decided to "adjust production" at two of its factories here in the land of the free. Workers at those locations can expect the doors to be closed for a total of two weeks over the course of March and April.

Gallery: Toyota Yaris 5-door Liftback (UK Version)

[Source: Wall Street Journal]

Toyota idles production in France, UK and U.S. to cope with weak demand originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 30 Mar 2010 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Volvo will build an Electric C30 test fleet, but no word on public sales

Michael Harley — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Europe, Government/Legal, Technology, Volvo, Electric

Volvo C30 EV - Click above for high-res image gallery

Volvo has not made any official determination whether or not to sell its Electric C30 in the U.S. or Europe, says the automaker. However, the company will build a 50-vehicle test fleet for use in Sweden. Each of those vehicles, highly instrumented and fitted with telematics, will feed data back to the company's research group for analysis. The company has the capacity to build more than 50 cars, but no decision to expand production has been made at this point.

The automaker also discusses the difficulty in meeting EU regulations (CO2-focused) vs U.S. regulations (emissions-focused). While consumers have been receptive to environmentally-friendly powertrains, Volvo would be required to build unique platforms for each market - a cost U.S. consumers are not willing to bear at this point.

UPDATE: Volvo contacted Autoblog to clarify the number of Electric C30's that will be built for testing, where the vehicle would be sold, and its reasoning for not bringing the vehicle to the U.S. in the near future. The article has been updated to reflect this new information.

Gallery: Detroit 2010: Volvo C30 EV

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req'd]

Report: Volvo will build an Electric C30 test fleet, but no word on public sales originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 17 Feb 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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You didn't think the battle for Opel was over, did you? Belgium reportedly asking EU to investigate

Jonathon Ramsey — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 10:36:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Government/Legal, GM, Opel, Canada

When GM decided to hand 55% of Opel to Magna, you didn't think the Belgians were just going to have some waffles and call it quits, did you? Oh no. Belgium's prime minister made a call to the EU president about the deal, and the EU Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes told a Belgian newspaper, "If something happens against the rules, I will take action."

According to the prime minister, however, the rules have already been broken. Even though Magna has said it will need to trim more workers than expected, the Belgian leader said, "Financial aid given by a country that guarantees that the factories in their country don't close is against EU rules." The sale to Magna has observers screaming, "Politics!" but has made German Chancellor Angela Merkel look very good in the run-up to elections on September 27; with EU scrutiny all she really needs to hope for is that it takes them longer than two weeks to come to an adverse finding, if that should happen.

Opel labor, however, isn't so pleased anymore now that Magna has said it will need to eliminate more jobs than it originally proposed. Initial estimates put job losses at 2,500 workers in Germany; now the Canadian company is saying 4,100 jobs could be lost. It appears that Opel workers plan to assert themselves if Magna does anything differently than it said it would. In addition, labor wants "a veto right over job cuts, transfer of production or plant closures," which are the kinds of rights VW labor unions have. If you ask us, the dust on this one is nowhere near settled.

[Source: Automotive News, sub req'd]

You didn't think the battle for Opel was over, did you? Belgium reportedly asking EU to investigate originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 13 Sep 2009 10:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes-Benz E-Class Pullman drawings leak from European patent office

Noah Joseph — Mon, 04 May 2009 09:27:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, Europe, Government/Legal, Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz E-Class Pullman patent drawings - Click above for a high-res image gallery

It's no great secret that the European Union's patent office has more leaks than a Soviet submarine, but up until now it's only been small cars that have been able to trickle out (see: the facelifted Mazda MX-5 and Nissan 370Z Roadster). But the dam seems to be giving way as a whole Mercedes limousine has managed to squeeze though and into the public realm, and our European compatriots at Autoblog Spanish have got the sketches to prove it.

Like the spy shots we've seen before, these patent sketches provide further proof that Mercedes is preparing to launch a stretched Pullman version of its new E-Class. Several extension options are apparently being prepared, ranging from a modest wheelbase extension all the way up to a full extra set of doors. Expect all manner of luxury equipment to find its way into the enlarged cabin, from entertainment systems and courtesy lighting to power reclining seats and fold-down picnic tables for that ultimate Grey Poupon experience. Click the thumbnails below to view the patent drawings in high resolution.

Gallery: Mercedes-Benz Clase E Pullman (OAMI)

[Source: Autoblog Spanish]

Mercedes-Benz E-Class Pullman drawings leak from European patent office originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 04 May 2009 09:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Clash of the Titans: Fiat reportedly squaring off with European Union over mergers

Noah Joseph — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 14:27:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Government/Legal, Chrysler, Earnings/Financials, Opel, Fiat

According to The Detroit News, Guenter Verheugen, the European Union's Industry Commissioner, lashed out at Fiat on Friday in a radio interview, voicing concerns that the Italian automaker is acting irresponsibly to be considering new mergers and acquisitions when the company is already in debt. The public tongue-lashing from the EU official sent Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne to the microphones to defend his position, asserting that the commissioner's "comments are not helpful to the ultimate goal of re-establishing a sound footing on which to build the future of this industry".

Although Fiat lost half a billion dollars in the first quarter of this year and holds a debt of some $8.6 billion, sources suggest that the pending deal with Chrysler would have Fiat providing technology and expertise but no cash in exchange for a 20% stake in the troubled American automaker. Meanwhile, although Fiat Group chairman Luca di Montezemolo denied the company was pursuing any interest in GM's European subsidiary Opel, Marchionne is now asserting that would consider the possibility, but that no offer had been made to date.

[Source: The Detroit News | Image: Andrej Isakovic/AFP/Getty]

Clash of the Titans: Fiat reportedly squaring off with European Union over mergers originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Apr 2009 14:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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France's Sarkozy urges verification that U.S. auto aid jibes with world trade rules

Jonathon Ramsey — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 08:23:00 EST

Filed under: Trends, Europe, Government/Legal, Earnings/Financials

The European Union made noises last year about having the WTO verify that the U.S. auto industry assistance package doesn't violate any international trade rules. Now French President Nicolas Sarkozy has said he will ask the World Trade Organization to stick their hands into the matter.

Critics suggest that this could be a diversionary tactic - Sarkozy himself was accused of violating trade rules with his proposed assistance to Renault and PSA Peugeot/Citroen. Or it could be a way to see if both the proposed French and U.S. proposals will pass the WTO test. Either way, Sarkozy and other European heads of state will meet to plan a Europe-wide response to the auto industry situation, as the E.U. continues to mull whether to bring a formal appeal to the WTO regarding the United States' bailout package.

[Source: Automotive News Europe, sub req'd. | Image: Eric Feferberg/AFP/Getty]

France's Sarkozy urges verification that U.S. auto aid jibes with world trade rules originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 28 Feb 2009 08:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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European Union may complain to WTO over Detroit bailout

Chris Shunk — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 17:58:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Government/Legal

The US Congress is contemplating a bailout of $25 billion or more for US automakers, and the European Union is watching closely. European Commission President, Jose Manuel Barroso, told Europe 1 Radio that he is prepared to rat out the US government to the World Trade Organization if the EU considers the bailout illegal.

Barroso wants to look over any aid package to determine if it's "illegal state aid." European new car registrations are down 14.5% in recent months, and we're guessing the EU wants to ensure that any relief the US government may give domestic automakers doesn't afford them an unfair advantage overseas. We aren't exactly sure what the WTO could do to stop aid to the domestics, and it would likely be difficult to prove that state aid would help US automakers in Europe, especially since Ford and GM's biggest issues are here at home.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req. | Photo: Dominique Faget/Getty]

European Union may complain to WTO over Detroit bailout originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 14 Nov 2008 17:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Endangered Species: Europe's sportscar makers worried about the future

Noah Joseph — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 19:32:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Europe, Government/Legal, Green, Supercars

With the European Union tightening restrictions on carbon emissions, danger has been spelled out in big bright letters for the sportscar-makers we know and love. The bulk of the world's best supercar manufacturers - including Ferrari, Lamborghini, Lotus, Aston Martin and Porsche - reside in Europe, but while industry executives continue to campaign for exception and protection, things don't look good. There are, however, a few solutions that could keep the exotic automakers in business and unmolested.

Firstly, both automakers and lawmakers agree on the need to reduce weight, which helps neither emissions nor performance. However, weight reduction itself won't bring the supercars below the 120g/km target touted by the EU. One possible solution would be to give niche automakers an exemption, noting that the few cars they produce are rarely driven anyway. According to Lamborghini CEO Stephan Winkelmann, exotic automakers like his "are representing Europe to the world" and "are a species to protect", much like an art form. That's something we car lovers can appreciate, and if it strikes a cord with the lawmakers it could help some of the smaller independent automakers like Aston Martin and Lotus, but it won't help the likes of Ferrari and Lamborghini, which are part of bigger auto groups Fiat and Volkswagen, respectively. Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne has argued that it would be unreasonable to force low-polluting little Fiats like the Panda and the 500 to bear the burden of their more polluting cousins from Ferrari and Maserati simply because they happen to be under common management.

At the end of the day, these exotic sportscars are not the big problem, though they do make easy targets. If European Union bureaucrats ignore the former and focus on the latter, Europe's most famous automakers could be legislated right out of business.

[Source: Reuters]

Endangered Species: Europe's sportscar makers worried about the future originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 05 Aug 2008 19:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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EU grants Porsche permission to purchase VW

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 10:28:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Government/Legal, Porsche, Volkswagen, Earnings/Financials

Porsche is one step closer to its goal of purchasing Volkswagen. Back in April of last year, the German automaker passed the 30-percent mark, forcing it to make an outright offer for The Volkswagen Group in its entirety, which it did. Not too many VW shareholders sold their stake to Porsche, as the bid was for the bare minimum amount allowed by law. Still, the legal requirement had been met, allowing Porsche to continue gobbling up the automaker according to its own timetable. Earlier this year, the VeeDub board approved a request by Porsche to obtain 51-percent of the company for some $15.73 billion, which would give it a majority stake. Before the house that Ferdinand built could complete its acquisition, the European Commission required it to make one last purchase, which took place in June of this year. Finally, the EU has granted its permission for the buyout.

This story is likely far from over, as the German State of Lower Saxony still claims a 20-percent stake in Volkswagen, which gives it certain rights to block decisions made by VW's new parents. Still, it seems that its only a matter of time before VW and Porsche are united under a different Ferdinand... Piech that is, grandson to Mr. Porsche himself.

[Source: Reuters]

EU grants Porsche permission to purchase VW originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 Jul 2008 10:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Porsche gobbles up more of VW while takeover is delayed

Jonathon Ramsey — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 08:59:00 EST

Filed under: Porsche, Volkswagen

A procedural glitch, as opposed to Berlin-based intrigue, has postponed Porsche's plan to take over Volkswagen. The EU Commission requires a company to have a controlling interest in a company, or at least an agreement for such, before it will consider a company's application for regulatory approval. To straighten things out, Porsche has raised its stake in VW from 30.6 percent to 35.5 percent, which effectively grants it control of the much larger carmaker.

There's still that issue of the Volkswagen Law and Lower Saxony's refusal to give up the fight for its minority-majority stake. Lower Saxony, the state that is home to VW and 150,000 workers who don't want to lose their jobs, just bought another 500,000 shares in VW to maintain its position.

The EU Commission, however, has already said that Lower Saxony cannot use the VW Law to maintain control. That makes Porsche the fox outside the henhouse, waiting on the inevitable moment when EU officers will come and unlock the doors. Even better for the sports car maker, because Porsche hedged the purchase of its VW stake with cash-settled derivatives, it is assumed to have only spent a "a fraction" of the published price for controlling interest.

[Source: Automotive News, sub req'd]

Porsche gobbles up more of VW while takeover is delayed originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 20 Jun 2008 08:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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EU calls for "health warnings" on car ads

Merritt Johnson — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 12:34:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Government/Legal, Green, Marketing/Advertising, UK

How much do marketing angles play into consumer choices? The European Union apparently thinks a lot. For instance, we've recently seen all tobacco sponsorships pulled from motorsports, such as the world's most popular, Formula 1. Now it seems that automobile advertisements will be the next form of media ordered to clean up its act. Potential new rules that are currently in draft form and up for review by the College of Commissioners call for the inclusion of fuel consumption and carbon emission warnings on all vehicle advertisements, just like health warnings are included on packs of cigarettes. It is suspected that the legislation follows a previously published report that suggests 20 percent of every automobile ad should address environmental concerns. Arguments against the proposition claim that it will lead to lost revenue from decreased advertising by automakers who don't want to publicize how dirty their cars are. Would the Bugatti Veyron buyer really be swayed from his or her decision by seeing a single digit city fuel economy rating staring back from within the pages of Robb Report? We think not.

[Source: Autocar UK]

EU calls for "health warnings" on car ads originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 10 Jun 2008 12:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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EU calls on F1 to switch to four-cylinders, bio-fuels and hybrids

Noah Joseph — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 17:29:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Hybrid, Europe, Government/Legal, Green

The European Parliament has called for Formula One to adopt more environmentally-friendly engine alternatives, and the FIA seems to be all for it.

The CARS 21 report, passed with 607 EU legislators in favor, 76 against and 14 abstentions, praised the FIA's actions to make F1 greener, but called on the sanctioning body to do more. The report concluded by calling on the FIA to revise its formula to include "environmentally friendly technologies like bio-fuels, four-cylinder engines or hybrid". FIA president Max Mosley, who has been vocal in his desire to make F1 greener, subsequently issued a statement supporting the EU report.

Several racing series - including A1GP, ALMS, Champ Cars and IndyCars - are now running on bio-fuels, and Formula One has been toying with electric hybrid regenerative braking technologies. As we reported earlier, the moratorium on engine development in F1 was shortened from ten years to five, and the FIA is preparing to launch a new engine formula within the next couple of years. If regulatory bodies like the EU and the FIA get their way, F1 cars in a few years could be powered by four-cylinder electric-ethanol hybrids.

[Source: Autosport]

EU calls on F1 to switch to four-cylinders, bio-fuels and hybrids originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Jan 2008 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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