The business of supplying components to automakers for their cars has been a notoriously difficult one to survive in for the past two decades. This has been particularly true for companies that make commodity parts like fasteners, batteries and…
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London plan for CO2 based congestion charges delayed to 2010
The Mayor of London Ken Livingstone recently announced a plan to change the current flat rate congestion charge into a sliding scale based on the vehicle's carbon dioxide emissions. The current £8-a-day charge for driving into central London would be…
“New energy car” classifications revised by Chinese government
2009 BYD F3DM – Click above for high-res image gallery
In China, the government tries to keep a tight reign on what companies can produce and sell. For example companies aren't allowed to get into the car business without prior approval from Beijing…
Ford, Nissan, Tesla all big winners in DoE advanced technology loans
Ford Focus EV Mule – Click above for high-res gallery
The U.S. Department of Energy has finally announced the first recipient of low interest loans under its Advanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing Incentive Program. The first recipient is Ford,…
First Drive: 2010 Lincoln MKT EcoBoost and MKS EcoBoost
For the last year and a half, Ford has repeatedly discussed EcoBoost as its high volume, mainstream technology for reducing fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. While Ford is putting a lot of effort into developing hybrids, plug-in hybrids and battery…
First production Chrysler Aspen hybrid comes off the line
The second member of the Two-Mode hybrid partnership to bring a vehicle to the streets following GM's launch of the Tahoe/ Yukon hybrids will be Chrysler. The Dodge Durango and Chrysler Aspen Hybrids don't actually go on sale to the the public until…
Mitsubishi and GS Yuasa establish Lithium Energy Japan
In May 2007, Mitsubishi Motors announced that they would be collaborating with Mitsubishi Corporation and battery supplier GS Yuasa on the development of large format lithium-ion batteries for automotive applications. The three companies have now…
BREAKING: GM reportedly cancels construction contracts on Flint engine plant
In yet another blow to both General Motors and the hard-hit city of Flint MI, it appears that the automaker has canceled construction contracts on its new Flint MI engine plant. Local TV station WJRT-12 reported the news late last night and we're…
Palm Desert, CA gets first CNG-fueled ambulance in the U.S.
Over the past couple of decades, compressed natural gas has become increasingly popular as a fuel for large vehicles because it doesn't produce the sooty black smoke that emanates from older diesels. This week, the city of Palm Desert in California…
Infiniti getting ready for more hybrid models
2010 Nissan Fuga / Infiniti M35h Hybrid – Click above for high-res image gallery
Nissan's first internally-developed hybrid system will make its U.S. debut in the Infiniti M35h at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November but the automaker is already…