Tag Archives: auto news

GM Claims Self Driving Vehicles Ready by 2020

Posted on 18 October 2011 by Ken Zino

Cars or trucks that can partially drive themselves will be available by the middle of the decade, with more sophisticated self driving vehicles coming by 2020, according to General Motors Vice President of Global Research and Development Alan Taub. Advances … Continue reading →

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2012 Honda Insight Hybrid Ups Fuel Economy at Under $20,000

Posted on 18 October 2011 by Ken Zino

Honda’s latest attempt to catch Toyota Prius, the undisputed hybrid sales leader, results in an updated 2012 Insight hybrid with revised exterior and interior styling, as well as an improved EPA fuel economy rating of 1 mpg. The new Insight’s city/highway/combined EPA fuel economy rating of 41/44/42 mpg, is up from 40/43/41 on the outgoing Insight hybrid model.

More significant is the price as Insights are just now arriving in dealerships. Honda continues to offer the highest EPA fuel economy rating of any new vehicle currently available with a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) starting under $20,000, which is really $19,120 for the base Insight delivered, plus state and local taxes. Continue reading →

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New EPA Grants Go to Universities for Black Carbon Research

Posted on 18 October 2011 by Ken Zino

Black carbon – including diesel powered vehicle emissions – can affect the climate in the near term, and as with other types of fine particles, can cause serious health effects such as cardiovascular and respiratory ailments. Fine particles have also been strongly linked to lung cancer. Continue reading →

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Chevrolet and Nissan Succeed with Plug-in Hybrids and EVs as the Business of Plugging In Shows First Product Results

Posted on 17 October 2011 by Ken Zino

Success is the verdict about one year after the Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid and Nissan Leaf EV (electric vehicle) both went on sale, it was revealed last week at the third annual Business of Plugging In Conference in Michigan. And with Cadillac, Ford, Toyota about to introduce the their own plug-in hybrids, and a pure EV version of the tiny Chevrolet Spark coming in 2013, the small niche of electric cars has the chance to grow some more. Continue reading →

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Milestones: 45 Years of the Department of Transportation

Posted on 17 October 2011 by Ken Zino

Over the weekend the U.S. Department of Transportation celebrated its 45 anniversary since President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the law that created it by combining 31 agencies and their bureaus into DOT. “In a large measure, America’s history is a … Continue reading →

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U.S. Budget Deficit Officially at $1.299 Trillion in FY 2011

Posted on 17 October 2011 by Ken Zino

The so-called Super Committee is already gridlocked over how to decrease the budget deficit, and that very likely means nothing will be done about the deficit until after the 2012 elections as both parties in a dysfunctional Washington maneuver for election advantages. Continue reading →

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DOT Fines Orbitz for Violating Price Advertising Rules

Posted on 17 October 2011 by Ken Zino

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) today fined the online ticket agent Orbitz $60,000 for violating federal aviation laws and the Department’s rules prohibiting deceptive price advertising in air travel. Continue reading →

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Toyota Returns to Le Mans in 2012 with Hybrid LMP1 Racecar

Posted on 14 October 2011 by Ken Zino

Toyota Motorsport’s high-performance technical center in Cologne, Germany, where the chassis has been designed, developed and produced, will be the base for the team. The Toyota LMP1 racecar will have a gasoline-electric hybrid powertrain developed in Japan. Continue reading →

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Pelican Oil Refinery Guilty of Clean Air Act Crimes in Louisiana

Posted on 13 October 2011 by Ken Zino

If the court sentences according to the terms in today’s plea agreement, Pelican will pay $12 million in criminal penalties, including $2 million in community service payments that will go toward various environmental projects in Louisiana, including air pollution monitoring. This would mark the largest ever criminal fine in Louisiana for violations of the Clean Air Act. Continue reading →

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Honda Starts Production of 2012 Civic Natural Gas car in U.S.

Posted on 12 October 2011 by Ken Zino

As it stands now, compressed natural gas or CNG vehicles that are growing clean air darlings – under debatable assumptions about how clean natural gas really is and how it is produced under exemptions from government environmental regulations – are all conversions of mostly Detroit Three pickup trucks and vans with one Honda factory-made exception. Continue reading →

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U.S. Automakers Push for Single EV Fast Charging Standard

Posted on 12 October 2011 by Ken Zino

Audi, BMW, Daimler, Ford, General Motors, Porsche and Volkswagen agreed to support a harmonized single-port fast charging approach for use on electric vehicles in Europe and the United States. Noticeably absent thus far is Nissan, arguably the leader in EV’s along with Alliance Partner Renault. Continue reading →

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More Jobs to China as GM Will Develop a New Global Engine Family with SAIC and Pan Asian Technical Center

Posted on 12 October 2011 by Ken Zino

General Motors will develop an all-new global family of small-displacement “Ecotec” gasoline engines over the next several years in China in conjunction with the Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp. (SAIC), Shanghai General Motors (SGM) and the Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center (PATAC). Continue reading →

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IndyCar Returns to Detroit for Chevrolet Belle Isle Grand Prix

Posted on 12 October 2011 by Ken Zino

Chevrolet today announced a multi-year agreement with the Penske Corporation and IndyCar to bring professional motorsports to the Motor City for the first time in four years. The first Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix will be held June 1-3, 2012 at a 2.1-mile Raceway at Belle Isle Park road course. Continue reading →

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Chevrolet to Produce Spark EV All-Electric Vehicle

Posted on 12 October 2011 by Ken Zino

Chevrolet today announced it will produce an all-electric version of the Chevrolet Spark mini-car – the Spark EV. It will be sold in limited quantities in some U.S. and global markets starting in 2013 in California. The company needs to the CAFE credits from an EV in order to meet impending fuel economy requirements in the U.S. Continue reading →

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Chrysler UAW Reach Tentative Deal

Posted on 12 October 2011 by Ken Zino

Chrysler the smallest of the Detroit Three has agreed to a Chrysler UAW contract it was announced this morning. The UAW Chrysler proposed agreement includes $4.5 billion of investment to produce new models and upgraded vehicles and components by 2015, all of which will be invested directly into retooling and upgrading plants. At first look it appears to be a major victory for Sergio Marchionne, CEO of the Italian-controlled company, who was determined to hold the line on costs, which because of the U.S. government forced bankruptcy in 2009 are at $49 an hour – competitive with non-union auto plants. Continue reading →

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