Category Archives: auto news

Volvo Cars Shows Concept Recharge EV

By using sustainable materials inside the car, equipping it with tires from recycled and renewable material, improving aerodynamics Volvo Cars can take steps to reduce its carbon impact through the car itself. Combining those with the use of clean energy throughout a de-carbonized supply chain, manufacturing process and use phase of the car, Volvo Cars believes it can reduce a car’s lifecycle CO2 impact by 80% versus a 2018 Volvo XC60, without losing the qualities that Volvo cars have become known for. This would mean that the Concept Recharge would have an overall lifecycle CO2 impact below 10 tons, when charged with 100% renewable energy – if, big if, Volvo is able to pull this off in a global economy that is self-destructing from the use of subsidized fossil fuels and little progress on addressing Global Warming. Continue reading

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Production Starts on Prototype Volta Electric Truck

When completed in January, the fleet will start a testing scheme. This will involve Volta Trucks engineers replicating a wide range of customer usage and delivery cycles, as well as taking the Volta Zero to the extremes of cold weather environments in the Arctic, hot weather in equatorial conditions, and crash testing,. This according to Volta will validate the safety, durability, and reliability of the vehicle. Continue reading

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IMSA Petit Le Mans Sees Cadillac, Corvette, Win Season Titles

There were at least ten caution periods that kept reshuffling and closing up the field. The 10-hour Petit Le Mans race in Braselton, Georgia, is the end of the 2021 IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Championship. Since its 1998 inception, the race has grown is now one of the most sought-after prizes in GT and sportscar racing. Following are highlights of the grueling contest. Continue reading

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President Biden to Attend GM Factory ZERO Grand Opening

The so-called “Internet of Things” is changing manufacturing plants, enabling connected devices to deliver benefits to quality and safety. Countless systems and equipment rely on connectivity, such as robotics, sensors and the Automated Guided Vehicles that deliver materials across the factory floor. Continue reading

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Toyota Subaru JV Spawns Global Debut of Solterra EV

“The e-Subaru Global Platform enables a driving experience with superior driving dynamics, which brings high stability and handling linearly responds to driver’s steering operation,” claimed Subaru. Notably, but not uniquely, high-capacity battery packs are placed under the floor and by using the battery as a part of the structure, a low center of gravity and high body strength and rigidity are achieved. Continue reading

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Corvette Racing Goes Global – IMSA, FIA WEC in 2022

Corvette’s production-based race team is preparing for full-season championship challenges in both the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and the FIA World Endurance Championship. Corvette Racing will field one Chevrolet Corvette C8.R in each series,. A two-car effort is planned for the 24 Hours of Le Mans. All six Corvette factory drivers from 2021 will return for the new season. Antonio Garcia, Jordan Taylor and Nicky Catsburg will run in IMSA. Tommy Milner, Nick Tandy and Alexander Sims race in WEC. Continue reading

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GM Revamps Information Technology for Growth

GM said it’s to allow software-enabled services revenue to increase to $20-25 billion annually by 2030. Continue reading

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COP26 – CARB’s Liane Randolph New Chair of Transportation Decarbonisation Alliance

Under Governor Newsom, California has made the rapid shift to zero-emission transportation a top priority. The recent $3.9 billion Zero Emission Vehicle package advanced by the Governor in partnership with the Legislature will support the Governor’s Executive Order to ensure 100% ZEV sales for cars and medium trucks by 2035, and a 100% zero emission fleet of heavy-duty trucks and related equipment everywhere feasible by 2045. Virtually all Republicans in California and Nationally led by Senator majority leader Mitch McConnell oppose infrastructure improvements or actions on Global Warming. See Mark Ruffalo and Jonathan Scott on Electile Dysfunction the cure for Limp Democracy. Continue reading

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Citroën Helps Make Chalki a Zero Emission Greek Island

Following the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Greek Government, Citroën/Syngelidis Group, Vinci and Akuo Greece, work is underway to transform the island of Chalki into a zero-emission economy. Citroën and Syngelidis Group are offering a range of electric vehicles that will only use renewable energy. The aim is to make this progress available to all residents and businesses on the island. Continue reading

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California, New Zealand, Québec Sign Joint Agreement on Net Zero Green House Gases

The Joint Declaration accepts the urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in accordance with the latest findings of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. It acknowledges the common intent of the three jurisdictions to transition toward net-zero greenhouse gas emissions while creating new, quality jobs in low- or zero-emission sectors and facilitating a just transition for people impacted by the shift towards a carbon neutral economy. Continue reading

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Ford to Take $1B Charge to Buy Back Expensive Debt

Last April, Ford sold $8 billion of bonds as the coronavirus pandemic closed Ford’s factories with a corresponding drop in sales. Actions such as the debt tender offer and the issuance of 0% convertible notes earlier this year, together with a “bet on the come line” of awaited broader access to capital from the new sustainable financing framework, combine with Ford’s objectives to further strengthen its balance sheet and financial flexibility and return its credit ratings to investment grade. Continue reading

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First Aston Martin Valkyrie Hypercar Completed

Before each Valkyrie is delivered, it is track-tested at the Aston Martin high performance facility at Silverstone where much of the development of the hypercar has taken place. The hybrid V12 powertrain provides a maximum power of 1,155PS, it’s claimed. the electric boost from the hybrid is 160 horsepower and 207 lb. ft. of torque. Continue reading

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US October Light Vehicle Sales Drop -23% YoY

Overall vehicle sales were, however, 5% higher than September with the 2 extra selling days in October. The annualized rate grew to 13.1 million units from 12.1 million in the previous month and back to the level registered in August. “However, OEMs sold just 39,000 vehicles per selling day, compared to 40,000 units last month, way down from a peak of 62,000 vehicles in March,” said LMC. Continue reading

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Illustrious Road Trip – Maserati, Pacific Coast Highway and Four Seasons Hotels?

Four Seasons Hotels and Maserati have produced a trip package that reflects the shifting winds in the luxury goods market. It starts at the Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel where the first 24-hour complimentary use of the Maserati Levante SUV begins. The Maserati Levante SUV, of course, is all-wheel drive and powered by a twin-turbo V6 or V8 engine. Continue reading

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FAA, Finally Five Years After Deadly Accident, Wants a Medical Certificate for Commercial Hot-Air Balloon Pilots

“Balloon pilots are responsible for the safety of their passengers,” said FAA Administrator Steve Dickson. “This proposed rule would ensure that balloon pilots meet the same medical requirements as pilots of other commercial aircraft.” The rule in AutoInformed’s view is more than five years too late because of regulatory capture by the industry, a common problem at the FAA as recently exhibited with the Boeing 737 Max fiasco. Continue reading

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