Category Archives: fuel economy or emissions

Mazda Atenza on Sale in Japan, Comes to U.S. Next Year as Mazda6

The Mazda6 is due in the U.S. next year where the family car market is much larger and much more competitive. Year-to-date Mazda sold 31,000 of the older 6 sedan in a segment dominated by the newly revised Toyota Camry, Honda Accord models, both of which are now selling almost 30,000 units a month and the Nissan Altima at 26,000 a month. Two Japanese variations of the new Mazda6 present additional sales opportunities for the U.S. subsidiary. Continue reading

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Chinese Motorcycles, RVs and Engines Violate Clean Air Act

Senior executives at two vehicle and engine importers in California will pay a $50,000 penalty because the products sold were in violation of Clean Air Act regulations. The defendants, Yuan Cheng International Group, Inc. (YCIG) and NST, Inc. (NST), located in Montclair, California, allegedly imported and sold vehicles and engines from China that had excessive levels of emissions. Continue reading

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New Auris, aka Corolla, in UK Production. Hybrid U.S. Bound?

What’s interesting about the Auris is its 1.8-liter hybrid powertrain; Burnaston was the first automobile factory in Europe to build a mainstream hybrid vehicle – Auris Hybrid in 2010.The 1.8-liter hybrid could easily find its way into a U.S. Continue reading

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Hyundai and Kia Caught in EPA Mileage Rating Fraud

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced that Hyundai Motor America and Kia Motors America will lower their fuel economy (mpg) estimates for the majority of their model year 2012 and 2013 vehicles after EPA testing found “discrepancies” between agency results and data submitted by the company. The fraud produced mileage claims that could be as much as 6 mpg higher than EPA tests showed. About 900,000 vehicles are affected in the largest mileage scam to date. Continue reading

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2014 Corvette Sticks with A Revised LT1 V8 Engine

When Chevrolet Corvette arrives late next year, most of the sports car will be all new, but not the 6.2L V8 engine. The latest Corvette LT1 engine, the first of the so-called Gen 5 family of Small Block engines, combines several advanced technologies, including direct injection for the first time, cylinder fuel shut off and continuously variable valve timing to support an advanced combustion system. Zero-to-60 mph times of less than four seconds are predicted for the base car. The new LT1 is the third engine in the Corvette’s history to be so-named, with previous versions introduced in 1970 (Gen 1) and 1992 (Gen 2). Continue reading

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Cadillac ELR to be Built at Detroit-Hamtramck

Development of the Chevrolet Volt-based Cadillac ELR is now underway, and GM has just confirmed that the ELR will be built at the GM’s Detroit-Hamtramck plant. The on again/off again program is based on the Converj concept first shown at the 2009 North American International Auto Show as General Motors was hurtling toward a bankruptcy reorganization. Converj, err ELR, will be GM’s second hybrid after the Chevrolet Volt/ Holden Volt/ Opel Ampera when it appears late in 2013 as a 2014 model. Continue reading

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GM Claims Aluminum Spot Welding Innovation

General Motors Research & Development has invented what it claims is an industry-first aluminum welding technology, which it predicts will increase the use of the lightweight metal on future vehicles. The latest fuel economy regulations are forcing automakers to improve efficiency. Simple Newtonian physics explains that the force needed to accelerate a mass decreases with weight reduction, for example, less fuel is needed to move a lighter vehicle – if the weight reduction is not used to increase performance, a traditional industry response. Continue reading

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Honda Says New Steel and Aluminum Welding Process Cuts Weight

Honda Motor Company says it has a newly developed technology for the continuous welding of the dissimilar metals of steel and aluminum. Continue reading

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Ford Fusion Hybrid Sedan Said to Top EPA Fuel Economy Ratings

Many brands now have a claim of some sort to use in fuel economy marketing, which likely means all of them will advertise fuel efficiency this fall, making the issue so confusing that it might no longer be effective for selling cars. Buyers will assume that fuel economy is a given in the entire class of vehicles and forgo the nuances. A similar situation has occurred in the marketing of auto safety during the past decade, with it increasingly difficult for companies to draw a competitive advantage in a continually improving field of what is now demonstrably the safest fleet of new vehicles ever sold in the U.S. Continue reading

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More U.S. Companies Working on Sustainability and CO2 Reduction

The Carbon Disclosure Project released today an analysis showing that S&P 500 companies are making progress towards reducing carbon emission when compared to the so-called Global 500. CDP claims its results show a “tipping point” has now been reached in American C-suites and boardrooms to integrate a sustainability agenda into overall business strategy. This apparent acknowledgement of the growing spending and voting power of the green movement is occurring without comprehensive regulatory requirements in the U.S. to reduce CO2, and despite the goal – sometimes actually stated this election season – of Republican party candidates to abolish the Environmental Protection Agency and ignore climate change and possible remedial actions. Continue reading

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Toyota Says 2013 Avalon Lightest in Class. But Where’s the MPGs?

Toyota claims its new 2013 Avalon is 110 lbs. lighter than the 2012 model, at 3,461 lbs. compared to 3,571 for the 2012 model. When Avalon arrives at dealerships later this fall, it will be the lightest-weight vehicle in the premium mid-size segment, according to the world’s largest automaker.

This is a claim without a real distinction, though. The V6 powered Avalon is EPA-rated at 25 mpg combined and 21 city, 31 highway – not exactly world beating. For comparison consider the Buick La Crosse, which comes standard with a mild hybrid or so-called e-assist system, is rated at 29 combined, 25 city and 36 highway. Continue reading

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EPA Approves Fuel Waiver for States Hit by Hurricane Isaac

EPA has temporarily waived some clean gasoline requirements for fuel distributed in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, South Carolina and North Carolina. The request for federal help come from the governors of the states most affected by delays in production and delivery of Gulf coast refineries. Continue reading

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DOT and EPA Issue Record 54.5 MPG Fuel Economy Standards

Realistically, the fuel economy average will likely be in the 38-40 mpg range. Therefore, your mileage not only can vary but will vary from big numbers being touted in a closely contested Presidential election year. This, by the way, is where European fuel economy is right now, so if you want to know what the roads will look like a decade hence, travel to Spain or Italy whose governments desperately need tourist revenues to cover their massive deficits. Continue reading

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Union Pacific Unveils Low Emissions Hybrid Locomotive

Union Pacific Railroad (NYSE: UNP) today unveiled an experimental locomotive that will test three emissions-reducing technologies – exhaust gas recirculation, diesel oxidation catalysts and diesel particulate filters. While automotive enthusiasts might snicker about how far behind the heavy-duty diesel engine industry is lagging what are now virtually emissions free automobiles, the new locomotive is a significant step toward meeting EPA Tier 4 emission standards that are finally addressing large commercial vehicles. Continue reading

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Messing with Texas – Trees for Electric Vehicle Testing

Electric utility Reliant (NYSE: NRG) and its EV recharging subsidiary eVgo will donate $25 to the Texas Trees Foundation or Trees for Houston each time a customer take an electric vehicle test drive of the Mitsubishi “i” or Nissan Leaf in North Texas or Houston between now and December 1st at participating EVs for Trees dealerships. Participating dealers will also donate $25. If a NRG customer test drives both the Nissan Leaf and Mitsubishi I, a total of $75 will be donated to the local tree planting organization. Continue reading

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