Slideshow
10 things ABG is thankful for in 2008
Aug 8, 2013
- No. 10 - Companies that are continuing to do research on alternative energy carriers like hydrogen, cellulosic ethanol, algae biodiesel and countless others in spite of the road blocks and criticism (click image above to continue).
- No. 9 - IGBTs, MOSFETs, Neodymium, Ferrite, Matlab/Simulink, turbochargers, direct injection and all the other materials and tools being used by engineers to improve the powertrains we have today and create the propulsion systems of tomorrow.
- No. 7 - Manufacturers of lithium ion batteries that keep pressing onward trying to make them more energy dense, robust and affordable.
- No. 5 - The Jetta TDI proves that an affordable, highly fuel-efficient car doesn't have to be a dog to drive. There have been efficient vehicles that sacrifice all pretense of actually enjoying the trip from point A to point B via points R, U, W, and Z. The Jetta TDI isn't one of them.
- No. 3 - In spite of the dire financial straits that General Motors finds itself in, the company and its engineers are still plugging away at the Volt and seem committed to getting it to market within two years. I've spent plenty of time talking to the people involved and they sincerely want this program to succeed. We hope so too.
- No. 1 - Finally, we're thankful that, in spite of the recent decline in oil prices, no one seems to be giving up yet on developing ever cleaner and more efficient cars.