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Category Archives: fuel economy or emissions
Consumer Reports Claims 47 MPG Ford Hybrid Claims are Bogus in Real World Driving. Another EPA Mileage Scam Exposed?
Consumer Reports say that it can’t duplicate Ford Motor’s 47 city/47 highway/47 combined mpg claim for the new Fusion and C-Max hybrids. In CR tests, the Fusion Hybrid provided 39 mpg overall, 35 city and 41 during highway conditions. For the C-Max Hybrid, CR got 37 mpg overall, with 35 and 38 for city and highway. “These two vehicles have the largest discrepancy between our overall-mpg results and the estimates published by the EPA that we’ve seen among any current models,” said CR. Continue reading
EPA Releases 2013 Vehicle Model Fuel Economy Guide
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has just released the 2013 Fuel Economy Guide, which covers efficient and low-emission vehicles in a variety of sizes. Continue reading
Mazda6 Diesel Coming to U.S. Tracks and Roads in 2013
Mazda North American today announced at the Los Angeles Auto Show that the racing version of the 2014 Mazda6 diesel would make its motorsports debut at the Rolex 24 endurance race in January 2013 in Daytona Beach, Florida. The Japanese automaker also confirmed accurate commentary by AutoInformed earlier this year that the racing program would help promote a new Mazda6 diesel sedan, which will join gasoline engine versions next year on U.S. roads.. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, fuel economy or emissions, new vehicle
Tagged auto informed, autoinformed.com, automotive news, Ken Zino, mazda6, mazda6 diesel
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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
Posted in auto news, fools 'n frauds, fuel economy or emissions, people
Tagged air pollution fines, auto informed, autoinformed.com, automotive news, china, doj, epa, Ken Zino
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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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Posted in auto news, fuel economy or emissions, new vehicle, news analysis
Tagged auto informed, autoinformed.com, automotive news, Avalon, impala, Ken Zino, la crosse, lexus 300h, taurus
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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
