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| Video News & Views
PEOPLE & IDEAS TO WATCH | EV Lessons Learned in Europe | | Think has been in production for electric vehicles for 19 years in Europe and will be scaling it up for the North American market. |
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September 02, 2010
Jon LeSage, Editor
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New showroom window stickers with A through D scores that EPA and DOT/NHTSA are seeking public comments on are getting some negative vibes. NADA is opposing it and Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers aren’t too thrilled about it. Fuel economy and tailpipe emissions will be included in the grading score and consideration of greenhouse gas emissions. The agencies are studying a rating system that takes in fuel/energy consumption based on gallons per 100 miles, and/or kilowatt-hours per 100 miles, and another scale that converts electrical energy use to equivalent gasoline use. Whoah, sounds a bit complicated. Window stickers with city/highway MPG have been on car windshields for about 30 years, and this is a big change in format. Getting as much buyer feedback as possible is necessary. I suspect it will look different than the test versions released for public feedback.
Comments? Email me at jon@automotivedigest.com.
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Green Conference Planning Guide |
Conference Themes, Agendas, & Events |
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X Prize Award Winner Ceremony Happening Sept. 16
On the morning of Sept. 16 in Washington, DC, up to $10 million will be awarded to as many as three teams at the Progressive Insurance Automotive X PRIZE competition culminating ceremony. After nearly 15 months, nine finalists have emerged from a field of 136 vehicles in the international competition seeking to advance automotive technology, high performance, and 100 mpg or energy equivalent MPGe. The event will be hosted by Arianna Huffington of The Huffington Post, Jim Gianopulos of Fox Films, Glenn Renwick of Progressive Insurance, and Peter Diamandis of X PRIZE Foundation, and will feature all finalist vehicles. Media representatives will have a special opportunity to speak with the teams about: what lies ahead for their technologies (as many are moving forward with production plans); meet the teams and experience the vehicles first hand; and find out what’s next for the X PRIZE Foundation. Read all about it.
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Alternative Fuels & Vehicles |
Natural Gas, Propane, & Biofuels |
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Pickens Thinks Oil Price Rising 20%
T. Boone Pickens expects a barrel of oil to from about $71 to $85 by the end of the year. It depends on China driving demand, which has been going up, he said.
In an interview with CNBC,
Pickens, chairman of BP Capital Management, said the US could reduce its dependency on foreign oil by starting to switch the 8 million heavy-duty trucks on the road to run on natural gas. The well-known Pickens Plan pushes natural gas and other alternative energy resources such as wind and solar to reduce foreign oil consumption. In 20 years, he expects most vehicles to be running on batteries. “But today a battery won’t move an 18-wheeler,” he said.
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Fleets Getting Propane Liquid-Injected Fuel System Jasper Alternate Fuels has signed an agreement with Icom North America to install and service Icom's patented JTG propane liquid-injection fuel system on commercial fleet vehicles in North America. Based in Jasper, Ind., Jasper expects to sell more than 5,000 Icom JTG systems during the first three years of the Icom National Master Distributor program. "Jasper has more than 40 highly-skilled installation centers across the U.S. to perform either liquid propane gas or compressed natural gas conversions on commercial vehicles," said Jasper’s Ed Zoglman. Icom's unique JTG system is currently in service on more than 100,000 vehicles around the world in a bi-fuel (gasoline-propane) version.
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Shell Makes Joint Venture for Sugar-cane Biofuel
Royal Dutch Shell and Cosan SA Industria & Comercio, the world’s largest sugar-cane processor, signed the final accord to form a joint sugar and biofuels venture in Brazil, according to Bloomberg. Shell will contribute as much as $1.95 billion to the venture, as well as 2,740 service stations, aviation-fuel assets, and stakes in two biofuel research firms. Cosan will put up its 23 cane-processing mills, fuel- distribution assets, 1,730 service stations, and power plants that generate energy from cane waste. The venture will also assume $2.52 billion of Barra Bonita, Brazil-based Cosan’s debt. The accord includes eight power-plant projects and a $282 million loan from Brazil’s development bank.
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Green Resources & Sources |
Reports, Whitepapers, & Association News |
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ALG Tracks Alternative Drivetrain Residual Value Trends As the US economy tanked in 2008 and fuel prices soared, demand for smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles began to blossom, with early gas-electric hybrid players like Honda and Toyota enjoying new status in the U.S. market. While the Toyota Prius has become the undisputed gas-electric hybrid of choice, many German manufacturers have opted for diesel technology, which has proven successful in Europe. According to Automotive Lease Guide, with competition increasing due to growing consumer concerns over future oil and gas prices, many manufacturers are now looking to alternative powertrains to improve brand image and to further appeal to these fuel-sensitive and environmentally friendly consumers. Based on ALG’s semi-annual Automotive Consumer Attitudes Survey (ACAS), fuel-economy, price and performance relative to a traditional gas vehicle were the most important reasons for considering an alternative powertrain. The success of alternative powertrains will be strongly dependent on the initial new-market price premium, which plays a key role in future resale values. Read more.
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| Manufacturers, Technology, & Component Suppliers |
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Happy Anniversary: CallSource is celebrating its 20th year delivering actionable business intelligence and powerful marketing, sales, and training tools. Managing nearly two million toll-free and local tracking numbers for more than 300,000 businesses throughout the U.S. and Canada, CallSource integrates call tracking, call recording, business analytics, lead scoring, lead management, telephone performance analysis, learning management, plus sales, customer service, and management training. For dealers, CallSource offers a variety of industry-specific solutions designed to help you stop wasting money on ineffective advertising and eliminate reliance on inaccurate sales and marketing information. Automotive Digest offers a link for more information. Tesla Factory: Tesla Motors is purchasing some of the equipment and fittings inside the shuttered Fremont, Calif., assembly plant it has already agreed to buy from Toyota for $42 million. While Tesla provided a few details about how it will use the factory back in June, it hasn’t said much since then. Tesla has agreed to buy $15 million of factory equipment from Toyota Motor Corp. and Motors Liquidation Co. Test Drives in SF: Green Drive Expo, the Bay Area’s first consumer eco-car event, will bring test drives, expert panels and technology presentations to the Craneway Pavilion on Oct. 9 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Attendees will learn how to cut emissions and transportation costs through breakthrough solutions ranging from the latest alternative fuel vehicles by major manufacturers to high-mileage conversions by local mechanics.
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| Electric Vehicles & Charging Stations |
Better Place Extends Switchable-Battery Pilot Program
Along with range anxiety, one of the principal concerns expressed about electric vehicles is the amount of time it will take to charge them. Other alternative fuel and vehicle providers tend to boast about their fueling efficiency and speed – hydrogen fuel cell vehicles being a clear example. To deal with the challenge, Better Place has been devoting resources to developing another option, that of switchable batteries that can cut down the “refueling” process of EVs to about a minute. While a bit controversial, it’s one of the resources gaining much attention as Better Place tests battery switching in international markets such as Japan, where Tokyo taxis are evaluating their benefits.
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Ford Bringing EVs to Pacific Northwest through Partners
Ford Motor Co. has made arrangements with organizations in Portland, Ore., and Seattle to bring its upcoming electric vehicles to market along with necessary charging station requirements. Over the next two years, Ford will introduce the Transit Connect Electric commercial van, Ford Focus Electric, two next generation lithium-ion battery hybrids, and a plug-in hybrid. The company has been devoted to traditional hybrid models for several years now, and is now transitioning over to new electric and plug-in models along with making changes to its hybrid technology. Projects will be taking place in the Pacific Northwest, which has been a good market region to meet interested buyers of green cars.
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University Team Breaks EV Land Speed Record
Green machines are benefiting highly from race car test runs being tried at through the American Le Mans Series and Progressive Automotive X Prize competition. It’s a truly American phenomenon, going back to the days of then President John Kennedy challenging NASA to have astronauts walking on the moon by the end of the decade. Students at Ohio State University jumped into the green racer challenge recently and successfully tested what has so far been the world’s fastest electric vehicle – breaking speeds of 307 miles per hour before its clutch ripped apart and abruptly ended the experiment. While at the time unfixable, the EV land speed record had been met – if it passes verification.
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Stats and Smart Charts
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Alternative Powertrain Residuals – Diesel/Hybrid Premiums
[Click to enlarge graphic]
 Significance of the Data: - While Toyota Prius has become undisputed gas-electric hybrid of choice, many German manufacturers have opted for diesel technology
- Competition increasing due to growing consumer concerns over future oil and gas prices
- Many manufacturers looking to alternative powertrains to improve brand image and to further appeal to fuel-sensitive and environmentally friendly consumers
- Market share for battery electric vehicles estimated to triple from 2010 to 2016, though will remain very small relative to overall industry
- New mainstream BEVs like Nissan Leaf, Mitsubishi i-MiEV, Coda Sedan and new plug-in hybrids such as Chevrolet Volt will contribute to high competition for market share
- ALG believes that much of acceptance and growth in demand will depend on how quickly infrastructure can be built to support new technology
- Source: Automotive Lease Guide - Sept.-Oct. 2010
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Chassis Electrification Trends
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Improving fuel efficiency and carbon footprint
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With all the new regulations, OEMs strive to meet safety, multi-functionality, cost and fuel efficiency goals. They have pressed ahead with the electrification of a large number of formerly mechanically and hydraulically powered chassis components including regenerative braking and electronic skid prevention which can significantly improve fuel efficiency and the carbon footprint of a vehicle. The Chassis Electrification conference is taking place Nov. 15–17 in Detroit. Read more.
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NGV Driver and Mechanic Safety Training
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Three dates scheduled for program
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This is a one-day course devoted to training drivers and mechanics on safe driving, fueling, and maintenance of today's natural gas vehicles and meets or exceeds current safety standards. Trainers are welcome and will go through the same training as drivers and mechanics. And dates have been set: Sept. 14 – Dallas, Texas; and Oct. 5 – Hayward, California. Read more.
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Green People Going Places
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Bob Purcell
Protean Electric
Board Director and Strategic Advisor
Purcell will draw from his years of experience in the electric vehicle industry to provide counsel to help grow Protean Electric in the global automotive market. "Protean Electric is a hands-on company with an electric drive system that I believe could create the new industry standard," he said. From 1994 to 2002, he led the GM Advanced Technology Vehicles Group to launch the GM EV-1, the world's first modern electric vehicle. His group also developed and produced the S-10 Electric Truck and the GM Precept Hybrid Vehicle, part of President Clinton's Partnership for a New Generation of Vehicles program. Many of the technologies that were pioneered at GM ATV are still widely used today throughout the industry in electric, hybrid and fuel cell vehicles.
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Gerard DeVito
Eaton Corp.
Director – Engineering, Hybrid Power Systems Division
Diversified industrial manufacturer Eaton Corp. has announced that in his new role with the company, DeVito will be responsible for directing all aspects of Eaton's Hybrid global engineering initiatives including design, development, and leading worldwide engineering activities. DeVito joined Eaton in 1986 and has held positions of increasing responsibility within the engineering, product planning, and sales and marketing organizations. Most recently, he was Director – Global Engineering Centers of Excellence, for the Vehicle Group. Prior to that he was director – Engineering for the Truck organization’s Heavy Duty Transmissions Division. DeVito holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Western Michigan University.
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| Design & Development |
GM Works with Fire Chiefs to Make Chevy Volt Safe for First Responders
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The National Fire Protection Association is working with GM to train first responder fire fighters how to safely manage the site of an electric vehicle crash, such as the upcoming Chevrolet Volt. NFPA will be reaching out to other auto manufacturers in an effort to include vehicle-specific information in training as more EVs enter the marketplace.
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Look for More Clean Diesel Vehicles on American Roads
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While diesel engine vehicles make up about half of what's on the road in Europe, it has remained a small portion of the U.S. market. Car owners have been concerned about trucks belching out clouds of black smoke, but all of that is changing through nationally-mandated low sulfur diesel and computerized, turbocharged diesel engines equipped w/ emission control devices.
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| The Color of Money (F&I) |
Auto Lenders Loosening Up, But Just Barely
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Not long after announcing that General Motors is acquiring AmeriCredit in an all-cash transaction valued at about $3.5 billion, the subprime auto lender released its fiscal fourth-quarter and full-year financial results. The company more than doubled its net income over the same period last year and went from an $11 million net loss in the last fiscal year to a gain of $221 million this year.
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Study: Older Americans Filing Bankruptcy Faster Than Others
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Bankruptcies filed by Americans age 55 and older jumped 61% from 2002 to 2007, according to a study by the U.S. Courts. In related data, the ABI says bankruptcies for the first half of 2010 are up 14% over the same time last year.
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| Fleet Factor & Regulations |
SmartDrive Captures Distracted Driver Behavior on Video
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The SmartDrive Safety program used in-vehicle recorders to capture video, audio and vehicle telematics data. Events like sudden stops, swerves and crashes trigger recording and experts evaluate the data to determine causes and recommend corrective actions. This data is published quarterly and shows disturbing proof that various distracted driving behaviors lead to many crashes.
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NHTSA Steps Up Corolla Investigation Over Stalling
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NHTSA is stepping up a probe into Toyota Corollas and Matrix hatchbacks 2005-07 based on 1,100+ complaints that the vehicle can stall at any speed and not restart. The 2006 models were already being investigated. Analysis has not yet led to a recall.
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| Fuels & Energy |
More OEMs, Suppliers Partner for China Electric Vehicle Strategy
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A new Energy Sustainable Transportation Alliance has just started up and joins Eaton, IBM, development firm AECOM, automaker Beiqi Foton Motor Co., lithium-ion battery maker MGL, and electric motor producer Broad Ocean. The Alliance says it will be focusing particularly on city-owned fleets, taxis, and commercial charging infrastructure, and joins several other companies in China's EV market.
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East Coast First to Get Hydrogen Highway
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California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger planned to bring 100 hydrogen fueling stations to the state by the end of this year, but that's languished in the recession. It's starting to happen now on the East Coast as SunHydro plans to bring a chain of self-service hydrogen fueling stations from Massachusetts to Florida.
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| Automotive Marketing |
Edmunds.com Analyzes Deflation on Auto Industry
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Edmunds.com looked at the impact of deflation on the auto industry and concluded there are "mixed blessings." Deflation can lower the purchasing power of less creditworthy consumers. But, compared to 2002, customers are saving on each vehicle today after analyzing all of the economic factors.
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Mahindra Drops Global Vehicles on Eve of Launch
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Mahindra & Mahindra has been preparing to enter the U.S. market for four years. Recently the Indian automaker received EPA approval to sell a small diesel pickup in the U.S. But on the eve of the automaker's launch, they have suddenly announced they are dropping their importer, Global Vehicles. The two companies have been in a dispute over vehicles and launch dates for some time.
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| Dealers & Aftermarket |
15th Toyota Recall Includes Pontiac Vibe
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Toyota's latest recall of 1.13 million Corollas and Maxtric models will also include 199,163 Pontiac Vibes also from model years 2005-08 regarding faulty powertrain control because the vehicles were part of a joint venture at NUMMI between Toyota and GM.
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Ford Fixes Parts Glitch, Resumes Shipping Fiesta to U.S.
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Ford says it has fixed a quality issue with a single part, and shipments of the Fiesta will resume from the automaker's plant in Mexico. The Fiesta inventory was earlier challenged by a rail damage that delayed shipments to the U.S. Ford has offered gift cards to customers still waiting for their cars.
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