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| Get Reel
VIDEO NEWS THAT MOVES PEOPLE & IDEAS | Fuel Cell Vehicles Move Toward Serial Production | | As more than 50,000 hydrogen fuel cell vehicles make their way to the road in the next eight years, car buyers are being informed and engaged about the potential for this emerging technology. |
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June 10, 2010
Jon LeSage, Editor
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In Focus of the Week, there's coverage of corporate sustainability making its way into the auto industry. I mentioned that Sue Cischke, Ford's global vice president of sustainability, is probably the only sustainability officer at the major automakers. If you're one of them and annoyed at what I just wrote, email me and I will print a correction. And that includes if you're in charge of sustainability (or green, eco, or environmental programs) at a dealership, fleet management, supplier, or other organization, let me know about it.
While on the subject of sustainability, there's also the other side of the coin. You've probably noticed that some businesses are practicing what's called "greenwashing," which means they're promoting their products, services, and operations as being environmentally friendly, when in fact, it might be something not worth paying attention to. Going green is part of marketing today, which is good and bad.
Your thoughts? Email me at jon@automotivedigest.com.
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Green Conference Planning Guide |
Conference Themes, Agendas, & Events |
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Biofuels Conference on Complying with Energy Independence and Security Act
The U.S. renewable fuel standard passed under the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 defines advanced biofuel as any renewable fuel that meets a 50% life-cycle GHG emissions reduction from the petroleum baseline, and is not derived from corn starch. By 2022, the standard calls for 21 billion gallons of advanced biofuels to be used in our nation’s fuel supply. It starts now. Advanced biofuels include: ethanol from biomass, biodiesel, biobutanol green diesel, biopropanol, renewable diesel, green gasoline, and several more. If corn ethanol is your only passion, then this is not the event for you. For those whose interests lie in the countless other renewable fuels emerging, the Advanced Biofuels Workshop is offering numerous resources and the latest on the timely subject, June 14, 2010, at the America’s Center convention hall in St. Louis, Mo. Expert presentations, informed discussion, invaluable networking are part of the package. Read more.
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What To See & Where To Go |
Conference Exhibitors, Presentations, & Places |
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Social Media in Alternative Fuels
Robert White is known for posting tweets on Twitter and comments on Facebook that can stir debate and get attention. White, Director of Market Development for the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), accepted the 24/7 Blend Award at AFV 2010 for his leadership in industry-wide education about social media. White is known for excelling in generating interest in alternative energy among new demographic groups. Under his leadership, RFA and other fuel advocacy groups were awarded a $1.6 million U.S. Dept. of Energy grant to provide training that includes social media for national Clean Cities Coalitions and their stakeholders. White was awarded for his dogged determination and leadership in delivering the alternative fuel story. See the links.
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Electric Drive Transportation Association Networks Online
When you explore the world of social media and blogs, you'll notice that organizations have their presence and not just individuals. They've been popular for years with younger web surfers connecting with friends and love interests, but they've become necessary business settings. They do require constant content postings (can't get old and stale), a bit of humor and color, and information you're only going to get out there and not in a press release. Well established Electric Drive Transportation Association has joined active groups regularly posting news and links on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. You can see the links and RSS key visibly on the homepage, which is common these days to see on organization websites. It's not unique for EDTA but it's becoming necessary. Take a look.
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Facebook Beats Out Google as Most Visited Website
Not long ago, social network/media bible Facebook surpassed sacred internet icon Google as the most visited website. It was almost like China passing by the U.S. in auto sales last year. Facebook reached an important milestone for the week ending March 13, 2010 and surpassed Google in the U.S. to become the most visited website for the week. If you're on Facebook, you're going to receive requests and suggestions from everyone you can think of – become their friend, play their game, come to a fundraiser, and support a strange cause you would never have heard, or wouldn't exist, if it weren't for Facebook. But it is the social media must have for anyone interested in networking and marketing online. Read more from Hitwise.
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Green Resources & Sources |
Sites, People, & Greening Success |
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Study Says Nearly 5 Million Charging Stations in Place By 2015 How many electric vehicle charging stations will need to be in place for plug-ins to be an acceptable, attractive opportunity for car drivers? As automakers move toward electric vehicles, the number of charging stations around the world is forecast to surpass 4.7 million over the next five years, says Pike's "Electric Vehicle Charging Equipment" report. America is likely to be home to almost 1 million charging points by 2015.
That need will be fueled by the more than 3.1 million electric vehicles (EVs), including both hybrids and all-electric cars, expected to be sold worldwide during the next five years, according to Pike. Car buyers in the US will mainly charge their cars at home due to convenience, according to Pike. But there will continue to be a need for reliable charging stations to encourage dependency on electric vehicles for personal and business transportation. Initially, governments will likely fund the public stations, Pike says. Read more.
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Must-Attend Conferences
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Upcoming Conferences: The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 says that by 2022, 21 billion gallons of advanced biofuels are to be used in our nation’s fuel supply. The Advanced Biofuels Workshop is offering numerous resources and the latest on the timely subject. How social media and blogging are being effectively utilized in the world of alternative fuel and vehicle conferences. Focus of the Week: Corporate sustainability is making its way to the auto industry as Ford extends its 30% greenhouse gas reduction target through its supply chain. If a modest, hard working company like Enterprise Rent-A-Car adds environmental sustainability to its mission statement, things are changing. If you're called upon to report your greenhouse gas emissions to the auto manufacturing company you supply components to, you might need to scratch your head and tell them you'll get back to them later. Green Videos in Get Reel: California Fuel Cell Partnership's Catherine Dunwoody talks about fuel cell vehicles making their way to the market and what the public knows about it. MPi's David Boyle describes key benchmarks for dealer service managers to effectively oversee the inspection process. Clean Cities coordinator Lee Grannis goes from U.S. Army lieutenant colonel to community leader bringing federal funds to Connecticut's clean vehicle coalition. And More: Upcoming conferences, green resources and sources, green people profiles, press releases you should check out, and much more.
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Ford Asks a Lot of Supply Chain Partners
Corporate sustainability addresses everything that a company is made of, and what it will leave in the future. Greenhouse gas emissions and energy efficiency are part of the program, but there's more to it for the company's survival and growth. This is happening as Americans survive the worst recession since the Depression, and adopt more of the values of previous generations – conserving being a big one. As part of its mandate to reduce its greenhouse gases 30% by 2020, Ford Motor Co. is calling on supply chain partners to reduce emissions and conserve energy. Some of them are already going in this direction, but it raises a big question for suppliers in the auto industry.
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Even Enterprise Rent-A-Car is Sustainability Focused
Energy efficiency is getting a lot of attention from companies, as it offers dollar saving benefits along with improved environmental stewardship public image. There are some start-up costs for energy efficiency, but they do pay for themselves before long. And some companies have even more extensive environmental sustainability programs dealing with emissions, alternative and renewable fuels, and contributing to the planet's future. Enterprise Holdings has become very active in this arena through its 20/20 Vision sustainability initiative. The company is best known for being very competitive, and quietly moving forward and taking a big part of the business in car rental, fleet management, used car sales, and commercial truck rental. Now environmental sustainability is part of its corporate strategy.
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Reporting Green Metrics
If you were supplying components, or braking pads, or windshields, or another part to a client like Ford, and the client strongly suggested you reduce greenhouse gas emissions a certain percent by a certain time, and provide regular reports proving that you're going in this direction, how would that sit with you? A lot of companies are getting these requests, or are making them to their supply chain partners. What would you do if you read that email tomorrow morning? There are resources out there that make all of this much more doable. You may or may not hire an outside consultant to advise you on getting this done – however you do it, the homework needs to be done.
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Stats and Smart Charts
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Enterprise Holdings Emissions Reduction Goals
[Click to enlarge graphic]
 Significance of the Data: - Enterprise Holdings has made commitment to reduce both energy use and energy costs 20% over next 5 years
- Enterprise operates Alamo Rent A Car, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, and National Car Rental brands
- Chart looks at emissions from Enterprise fleet compared to objectives in EPA SmartWay program
- Company expects to cut costs by $50M
- Expects to decrease environmental impact of neighborhood car rental branches and airport facilities it owns and operates through regional subsidiaries
- Source: Environmental Leader - June 4, 2010
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Legal Issues for Dealers to Stay on Track
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Labor Dept. may require you to prepare compliance program
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On June 29, Compli will be presenting "The Dealership Top Five: Expert Legal, Accounting and Acquisition Tips To Keep Your Dealership On Track" Lunch Seminar in Dallas. Speakers will include: Compli, Crowe Horwath LLP, Fisher & Phillips LLP and Greenberg Traurig LLP. The U.S. Labor Dept. may soon require you to prepare and implement an effective compliance program. Find out about this and other seminars.
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57th Annual EUFMC Conference
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Electric utility fleet managers converge
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The 57th annual Electric Utility Fleet Managers Conference is taking place June 20-23 at the Williamsburg Lodge & Conference Center. Conference highlights include the latest utility equipment including alternative fuel vehicles, hybrids and PHEVs; speakers and panels on topics selected to drive value for utility fleets; sharing best practices; and networking with a wide range of fleet managers, manufacturers, service providers and contractors in multiple events.
Read more.
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Green People Going Places
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Brian Wynne
Electric Drive Transportation Association
President
Wynne was appointed President of EDTA in April 2004. He acts as chief staff executive of this member-based international organization, which promotes battery, hybrid, plug-in, and fuel cell vehicles and infrastructure. EDTA has played an important role in advancing the technology applications and infrastructure requirements for electric drive transportation to expand domestically and globally. Wynne brings in-depth experience in transportation and technology applications gained in leadership roles in trade associations and public-private partnerships. Wynne previously served as Senior Vice President for business and trade at the Intelligent Transportation Society of America. Prior to that role, he led a global technology association as CEO of AIM International, Inc. He started his career as a legislative assistant to U.S. Senator Charles Percy and has served on several not-for-profit boards. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Scranton and a masters degree from the School of Advanced International Studies, Johns Hopkins University.
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Patrick Serfass
National Hydrogen Association
VP of Technology and Communications
Serfass is responsible for all communications, media, and educational activities as well as much of the planning and management of the NHA, the premier source for information on hydrogen and hydrogen technologies including fuel cell vehicles. In a similar role, he also manages the Hydrogen Education Foundation (HEF), the charitable, education-focused arm of the NHA. Serfass also serves as Vice President of Technology Transition Corp., which has been creating and managing collaborative efforts to accelerate the commercial use of new technologies. He has worked with the Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA), National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) to help them better understand alternative energy regulations, and managed projects for several major auto manufacturers and one energy company to introduce brand new alternative energy technologies to various cities. Most recently, Serfass helped a group of companies to form the American Biogas Council (ABC) and released the U.S. Market Report on Hydrogen and Fuel Cells.
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| Design & Development |
Hyundai-Kia Takes on Toyota in Fuel Cell Vehicle Race
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Hyundai-Kia has been working hard on fuel cell technology for the past six years and is nearly ready to get hydrogen fuel cell vehicles out on the market by 2012. This ties in with Toyota's announcement last month that by 20i5, it will have 50,000 fuel cell cars available for a price point of $50,000.
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May Hybrid Vehicle Sales Surpass Conventional
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U.S. sales of hybrid cars and trucks did well in May, reaching their best numbers since last August. They increased 18.7% from April to May, compared to 12.5% for conventionally-powered vehicles. Much of the bump came from the Prius, Ford Fusion hybrid, and the limited-market Nissan Altima hybrid.
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| The Color of Money (F&I) |
Auto Loans Easier To Get, Just Barely
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J.D. Power's Jeff Schuster says auto loan credit is still tight, could loosen up more toward year-end, but leasing is more available, consumers can get better trade-in values and upside-down car loans are decreasing, so the picture is more hopeful.
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F&I Managers Still Face Loan Obstacles
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Even though consumer finances have improved along with auto sales, experts say F&I managers may still have a tough time to get some customers qualified for a loan or lease. Thrifty consumers are making less money available for car loans, so a "slow growth" is expected in the market.
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| Fleet Factor & Regulations |
U.S. Government Fleet Expanding Slightly
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The U.S. government fleet grew 7.6% from fiscal year 2008 to 2009 with increases coming in the departments of Agriculture, Homeland Security, State and Justice to a total of 652,000. Only the Air Force and Postal Service cut their fleets significantly. The number of alternative fuel and sport utility vehicles increased 14% and 7.4% respectively.
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Study Predicts Growth in Hybrid Trucks
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Hybrid trucks promote fuel efficiency, anti-idling, and emissions and noise reduction, and demand for these trucks is expected to grow over the next six years in North American and Europe. Lifecycle costs of the technology will need to come down.
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| Fuels & Energy |
GM Bets on New Natural Gas Vans for Fleet Customers
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Natural gas vehicles have had a mixed history in the U.S. for automakers, but GM is betting on CNG and LPG versions of 2011 Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana vans. GM listened to fleet customers and dealers about offering options to meet their business objectives, and found NGVs to have more options short term than electric vehicles for this market segment.
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Coulomb Technologies Partners to Provide Free Charging Stations
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Coulomb Technologies is working with three OEM partners to set up 4,600 electric vehicle charging stations in nine U.S. regions by Oct., 2011. They'll be Level II stations, providing 220 to 240 volt power for charging. Chevrolet Volt, Ford Transit Connect, Ford Focus Electric, and smart fortwo electric drive are being included in the program.
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| Automotive Marketing |
High Profile Marketing Helps AutoTrader.com Surpass 1M Unique Visitors
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A milestone traffic day occurs for the online car shopping giant just one day before the company's 12th anniversary and in midst of launching their multi-media "Heart & Mind" brand campaign on May 3: one million unique visitors.
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Could Facebook Be the Face of Big Brother?
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Soon Facebook will know all of the likes of its 400 million members. Advertisers can't wait. New tools launched by the social networking site will allow users to register their likes and shorten the time it takes to find the content they want on the Internet.
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| Dealers & Aftermarket |
Smart Phones Create New Telematics, Safety Challenges
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Smart phones and other hand-held devices connect drivers and vehicle occupants to the world via the Internet but they cause serious safety problems by creating distractions to driving. Fully-integrated systems on-board are designed to minimize the distractions.
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Auto Analysts See Economic Recovery but on Slow, Uphill Road
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Analysts at the Automotive Economic Forecast and Financial Forum are positive on the nation's economic recover but admit it will be slow. Roadblocks like the deficit and high unemployment still remain. Good news include increased consumer spending.
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