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| Video News & Views
PEOPLE & IDEAS TO WATCH | Biodiesel Tax Credit | | A one dollar per gallon biodiesel tax credit is being pursued in Congress by a major biofuel organization to make the industry more competitive. |
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July 15, 2010
Jon LeSage, Editor
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We’ve just made some changes to ADW Green that have been talked about since attending recent industry events, getting reader feedback, and putting out this newsletter for three quarters of a year. This is great research for understanding what’s shaping the greening of the global auto industry. Here’s a quick summary of what you can find starting now: Get Reel has been changed to Video News & Views. This title was changed over first in Dealer Digest Daily, and viewers loved finding out it was actually good video to watch. Moving on, new sections are titled OEMs & Green Suppliers; Plug-in, Hybrid & Fuel Cell Vehicles; Alternative Fuels & Vehicles (covering natural gas, propane, and biofuels); Green Resources & Sources now covers reports, whitepapers, and association news. Stay tuned for more, including the upcoming Green Machine Digest blog. And we will continue to have conference/event coverage each week.
And please email me any good content that fits into the new templates at jon@automotivedigest.com.
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Green Conference Planning Guide |
Conference Themes, Agendas, & Events |
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Plug-in Product Display, New Podcast on Top Issues in Bringing them to Market The Plug-In 2010 Conference & Exposition, taking place at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center, opens its doors to the public on July 27 from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. On display: Chevrolet Volt, 2010 Ford Escape Hybrid, Mitsubishi i MiEV, Nissan LEAF, 2010 Prius Plug-In, smart fortwo electric drive, a range-extended electric chassis, a plug-in hybrid passenger car, and more. Also, a new podcast was made for the third annual Plug-in event. Tom Reddoch, Executive Director of Energy Utilization at Electric Power Research Institute, says that there are three key issues to bringing plug-in vehicles into the market. Consumers need to feel good about recharging their vehicles, according to a recent poll. Electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) standards are being applied which deal with the interface between battery charging in vehicles and home charging technology; getting the EVSE ready for the marketplace is crucial. Electric vehicles could be clustering in certain areas, causing overloads, which EPRI is dealing with in its reports. Hear more.
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Alternative Fuels & Vehicles |
Natural Gas, Propane, & Biofuels |
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Natural Gas Well Disasters Bring New Challenges
As the BP oil spill continues, natural gas faces its own challenge as gas well back-to-back emergencies in Pennsylvania and West Virginia recently occurred. State authorities are looking at the causes and extent they find it necessary to police drillers. Natural gas is becoming more important in the U.S. economy and transportation, and Washington, D.C. has been considering changing regulations and incentives for natural gas production and utilizing it as an alternative fuel vehicle source. The crises aren’t going to stop the growing presence of natural gas, but the safety and environmental issues are being looked at. Natural gas plays an important role in powering electricity plants and fueling vehicles at reduced emissions levels.
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Propane Conversions Increasing for Ford and GM
As global markets explore the necessities and appeal of alternative fuel vehicles, autogas is coming back in importance. Automakers have been rolling out conversion or propane-only vehicles. Ford released propane options for its E-series and is working on engines for the F-super duty line. Rob Stevens, Ford's chief engineer for commercial vehicles, said the company had already sold thousands of the E-series, which had engines specially adapted for both LPG and compressed natural gas, or CNG. Fleet buyers have always been important for propane to make a comeback as these Ford models are demonstrating. Several other fleet vehicles, including the Lincoln Town Car and GM.'s 6.0-liter engine line, are going in this direction as well.
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Algae Biofuel Subject of Federally Funded Research
The U.S. Dept. of Energy is awarding up to $24 million for three research groups to figure out how to make algae-based biofuels commercially viable. The DOE says algae has potential, but technical and economic challenges remain. To guide future work, it released a report called National Algal Biofuels Technology Roadmap. The report says that the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 requires transportation fuel sold in the U.S. to contain a minimum of 36 billion gallons of renewable fuels, including biomass-based diesel, by 2022. It says cellulosic ethanol is expected to play a large role in meeting that target, but "next generation biofuels" such as those derived from algae show "significant promise."
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Green Resources & Sources |
Reports, Whitepapers, & Association News |
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Donlen Surveys Fleet Managers on Plug-in Electric Vehicles Fleet managers are thinking about bringing more plug-in electric vehicles into their operations but there are certain barriers in place. Donlen fleet leasing and management company released results from its Plug-In Electric Vehicle Survey. Nearly 65% of respondents are “not likely” to purchase a plug-in electric vehicle, and the majority of respondents prefer a hybrid vehicle over plug-in hybrids and plug-in electrics. Most fleets currently were not focused on the use of plug-in electric vehicles due to a lack of data available for fleet to make a decision regarding their use. Other areas of concern were cost, limited driving range per charge, fit for fleet application or load capacity, and battery life, among others. Those that did see a plug-in electric vehicle as a potential opportunity consider the plug-in electric as a way to reduce operating costs and emissions, improve corporate image, and decrease dependence on foreign oil. To assist fleets in making decisions around the use of plug-in electric vehicles, Donlen is offering the Electric Vehicle Cost Calculator. Read more.
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| Manufacturers, Technology, & Component Suppliers |
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Fast Thinking Execs: THINK made two senior appointments to its management team today at a time of rapid growth for the company. Houtan Houshangi has joined THINK from McKinsey & Co. Houtan will concentrate on the company’s expansion into new markets around the world, concentrating especially on new business opportunities across Asia and the Americas. Eivind Garshol is appointed Director, Human Resources, and joins THINK from REC Wafer, where he was Vice President, Human Resources. Big DOE Grant: President Obama last week addressed workers at the Smith Electric Vehicles plant in Kansas City, Mo., to discuss the state of the economy and jobs. Smith was recently the recipient of a $32 billion Dept. of Energy grant to help offset future vehicle development costs and incentivize customers to participate in a commercial electric vehicle demonstration program. Smith Electric produces the Newton, which is the only all-electric medium/heavy-truck offering on the federal GSA Schedule. EV1 Pioneers Join AMP: AMP Holding Inc., a company engaged in the all-electric, emission-free conversion of GM vehicles, announced the appointments of two previous pioneers of GM’s EV1, Dr. William Wylam and Dennis Davis, to its advisory board. During Dr. Wylam’s tenure with Delco Remy, he was charged with development of the propulsion system for GM's EV1 electric vehicle. During his career at GM, Davis provided leadership to various engineering teams that were directly responsible for vehicle electric drive propulsion systems.
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| Electric Vehicles & Charging Stations |
Eyes are on Tesla’s Stock Value
Since Tesla Motors went public on June 29, many have been tracking the stock value to see where all of this goes. It’s the first automaker initial public offering in many years, and it’s an important event in this embryonic green car industry. The stock value shot up and down and has been stabilizing. Tesla has needed its share of investors and that includes Toyota and the U.S. government. PayPal founder and current CEO Elon Musk is enough of a celebrity to help the cause and gain media coverage. What Tesla doesn’t have is financial numbers that give investors confidence it will eventually make money. Since its founding, it has burned through more than $290-million in losses.
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Fisker Invests in Sexy Marketing
Henrik Fisker could be the most creative marketer in the green car arena, as was evidenced months ago at the LA Auto Show. Fisker Automotive’s display was getting way more attention than any of the European sports car brands housed nearby. Fisker had years of experience in branding for Ford and BMW both in Europe and the U.S. Now, his company has launched a new marketing campaign along with a revamped website with more bells and whistles to show off Fisker's $88,000 Karma, and its "Pure Driving Passion" tagline. Among the goals of the campaign: To inform the public and high-end buyers about how eco-conscious living is "sexy."
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LAcarGUY Inventing Green Dealer Showcase
When you’re coming up with a brand name and website title, marketing 101 suggests short, clear, and memorable. LAcarGUY gets that done and has become a major auto dealership network in the LA market and across the country. It’s the largest dealership seller of hybrid vehicles, and offers customers a comprehensive database when searching for any kind of car they’re interested in. Led by Mike Sullivan, LAcarGUY has been expanding its role as the stand-out green dealership, most recently through its partnership with Fisker Automotive and through showing off Level 2 SAE J-1772 electric vehicle charging stations during a preview event for the upcoming Fisker Karma car. Customers will soon have access to four of its dealerships for charging.
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Stats and Smart Charts
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Fleet Manager Concern Factors for Plug-in Electric Vehicles
[Click to enlarge graphic]
 Significance of the Data: - Donlen surveyed fleet managers for their attitudes about plug-in electric vehicles
- GreenKey survey showed that more than 60% felt they didn’t have necessary data to make an informed decision
- Those that did see plug-in electric vehicle as potential opportunity said they considered plug-in as way to reduce operating costs and emissions
- And to improve corporate image, and decrease dependence on foreign oil
- 35% saw plug-in electric vehicle as a good fit for sales application drivers, w/ 25% of respondents targeting service drivers
- More than 46% of respondents would charge their electric vehicles at an office location, w/ 33% charging their vehicles at home
- Source: Donlen - July 7, 2010
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Military Vehicles Exhibition & Conference
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August 10-13, Cobo Center in Detroit
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Join the major stakeholders from DoD and military, OEMs, component manufacturers, service providers, and academia for a comprehensive exhibition, program updates, technical education, and networking opportunities - all under one roof at Detroit’s Cobo Center. This is the largest stand-alone military vehicles exhibition in the U.S. displaying the latest vehicles, components, and after-market products in the light, medium, and heavy categories. Read more.
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CAPCOA Climate Change Forum
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August 30-31, San Francisco
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The California Air Pollution Control Officers Association (CAPCOA), along with its co-hosts, CARB and EPA, are proud to present “The CAPCOA Climate Change Forum.” The Forum will create a collaborative environment where progress can be made towards the harmonization of climate programs. This conference will focus on how federal, state, and local agencies can most effectively align efforts to advance climate change programs in California. Read more.
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Green People Going Places
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Gordon Feller
Urban Age Institute
Chief Executive Officer
The Urban Age Institute fosters leadership and innovation between and among cities in areas of strategic urban planning, urban policy and management, sustainable environmental planning, and poverty reduction. Since 1983, Feller has been working to change the way that cities work – how they govern themselves, how they partner with the business sector, how they collaborate with NGOs and international agencies, how they are led, and how they plan for a more sustainable future. He’s been part of making the electric vehicle and alternative fuel network become established and progressing in the San Francisco bay area and across the country. As a consultant, Feller has a client list featuring many prominent non-profits, for-profits and government agencies, including the World Bank Institute, McGraw Hill, Reuters, Bechtel, BP Amoco, UCLA, HP/Compaq, Lockheed, Apple Computer, IBM, Phelps Dodge, Digital Equipment Corp, AT&T, Reuters, ChevronTexaco, UNESCO, and City University of New York/College of Staten Island.
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Robert White
Renewable Fuels Association
Director of Market Development
White leads RFA’s various consumer education and marketing efforts. In addition to strengthening RFA’s visibility and managing its active market development team, he works with petroleum marketers and retailers, state and federal agencies, commercial fleets, and individual consumers to increase awareness about the benefits of ethanol and encourage greater development and use of renewable fuels. Widely recognized as an expert on the ethanol-related issues and the variations between ethanol-blended fuels, White frequently provides guidance and technical information to ethanol industry leaders and shares information and perspectives regularly through social media sites. Currently, he acts as a key advocate for the National Blender Pump Program, a joint effort by the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) and RFA to establish 5,000 blender pumps in the next three years.
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| Design & Development |
Toyota, Tesla Working on Electric Prototypes for RAV4 and RX
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Toyota and Tesla's working relationship appears to be deepening as the companies work on battery-electric prototypes for the Toyota RAV4 and Lexus RX that could be outfitted with a Tesla-built electric drive system and batteries. The goal would be to build a vehicle that costs about $40,000 with 150 miles of driving range per charge.
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ZAP Partnering with Jonway for Chinese Market Access
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ZAP, a 15-year-old California electric vehicle company, is acquiring 51% of Zhejiang Jonway Automobile Co. Ltd. The ZAP-Jonway merger accelerates cost-effective manufacturing of ZAP's electric vehicles, and gives ZAP access to the Chinese market through Jonway's distribution channels of 80 factory direct dealerships that feed into hundreds of factory authorized dealers.
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| The Color of Money (F&I) |
Auto Loan Delinquencies Show Improvement
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Both direct and indirect auto loan delinquencies showed improvement for the quarter, according to the American Bankers Association. ABA reported that direct auto loan delinquencies dropped from 1.94 percent to 1.79 percent. Meanwhile, indirect auto loan delinquencies fell from 3.15 percent to 3.03 percent.
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Wells Fargo Financial Restructures, Closing Stores
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Wells Fargo Financial is in the process of restructuring, which includes closing 638 stores named for this division. Auto loans previously offered by Wells Fargo Financial will be mixed in with other similar products offered by the company and will be available through the financial institution's network of community banking stores, mortgage stores, phone banks and wellsfargo.com. A big part of the restructuring includes ceasing non-prime mortgage loans.
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| Fleet Factor & Regulations |
Fuel Management for Emergency Situations Requires Advanced Planning
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Fleet managers need to plan for emergency situations well in advance. This includes planning to provide fuel under all conditions from bulk tanks, mobile refueling trucks/sites, and commercial cards.
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Affordable TRW Collision Mitigation Braking Alerts Drivers to Potential Collisions
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Luxury car safety features using radar to sense up-coming crashes and cruise control that adjusts to traffic ahead are now more affordable with TRW's 24GHz sensor. These features could find themselves in more vehicles providing all-weather safety improvements.
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| Fuels & Energy |
Steps for Extending EV Battery Life
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Replacing batteries for hybrid, plug-in, and pure electric vehicles can get expensive, so owners will be concerned about extending the life of the battery. There a few practices that can help lithium-ion batteries stay alive longer, and much has to do with how often and extensive charging occurs and climate conditions.
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BP Optimistic Gulf Oil Spill Will Soon be Stopped
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BP says that it's pleased so far with how efforts are going to attaching a new cap to the Macondo well in the Gulf of Mexico and stop the worst oil spill in U.S. history. Oil will be diverted to surface ships as part of the recovery process, but there's no guarantee that the delicate operation will go according to plan.
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| Automotive Marketing |
Web Expected to Get More Personal in the Future
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Programs like Open Graph from Facebook and Google's new Me social network will make the web experience deeply personal. By sharing their profile, users can get more personal search results. The big question, of course, is how will privacy be affected?
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Chrysler in No Hurry to Replace Ad Agency
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Chrysler is being patient in finding a new ad agency after dropping Publicis Groupe's Fallon recently. The automaker has local and national work in the can, and there are no immediate launches. The new agency will get to handle the reintroduction of Fiat to the U.S.
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| Dealers & Aftermarket |
Teaching Teens Positive Effects of Cell Phone Restraint While Driving
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Research from the National Young Driver Survey of 5,500 teenagers indicates that teens who seldom talk and drive were motivated by positive benefits: better attention to road, less likely to crash, following the law.
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Webb Says Used Sales Benefit from Low New-Vehicle Inventory
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Fleet sales of new vehicles have risen to 21% from 17.4% a year ago in the 11.2M annual U.S. market. Automakers are not pushing heavily discounted fleet sales. Retail sales are just stagnant in an uncertain economy with high unemployment.
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