Tag Archives: auto news

Ovonic Battery Company Extends NiMH License with GS Yuasa

Last month Energy Conversion Devices announced that it is trying to sell its Ovonic Battery subsidiary. OBC’s principal activities are licensing its battery technologies (including nickel-metal-hydride – NiMH – once used on the ill-fated GM EV1), participating in joint development programs to support battery applications, and manufacturing mixed-metal hydroxide cathode materials for sale to its licensees for use in battery production. OBC invented the NiMH rechargeable battery technology that is used globally in most hybrid-electric vehicles, and in many consumer and commercial rechargeable batteries. However, Lithium Ion technology is now preferred by virtually all automakers in new development programs. It is also heavily subsidized by taxpayers through various government grants. Continue reading

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Chevrolet Orlando Debuts this October in Canada, but not U.S. Competitive MPV Rejected Because of Greater Equinox Profits

Unfortunately, U.S. buyers won’t get a shot at Orlando because some executives inside GM are basking in the profits (at the moment) of the more expensive and fuel thirsty Chevrolet Equinox. ‘mericans like trucks and all-wheel-drive, and those versions of the Equinox are giving GM some badly needed profits at the moment.

It’s one of those GM financial decisions that look good on paper at the time, but in my view represents the inability to take a longer term chance by attacking a segment GM’s not in. Ford, with its decision to shelve the C-Max seven passenger minivan, and offer only low volume, expensive plug-in hybrid versions has given GM an opening here. And that says nothing of successful entries such as the Mazda 5 or even the Scion Xb, and who knows what else. Continue reading

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Porsche Sales Down in July, But Set New Record in China

Porsche said it had record sales in the Chinese market in July with deliveries of 2,484 vehicles, the best monthly result in China ever. In total the sports car manufacturer delivered 14,751 vehicles in the current financial year in what is now Porsche’s second largest market. This marks a 72.6 % increase compared with the period January to July 2010. The Cayenne especially is in strong demand in Asia. Continue reading

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GM Rethinks ASEAN Strategy. Invests $150M in Indonesia

The investment represents a change in GM strategy in Asia by expanding GM production away from Vietnam and especially Thailand, which provided a good infrastructure and previously political stability. However, Indonesia has been widely derided for its corruption and red tape. Continue reading

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EPA Approves Emergency Fuel Waiver for Tennessee

The waiver is effective for 20 days and allows the sale of 9.0 psi conventional gasoline in the Shelby county low RVP covered area even though it is contrary to the Clean Air Act. In essence EPA is tolerating the sale of fuel that contributes to smog because it will head off a fuel supply crisis, a good example of common sense by regulators. Continue reading

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GM Awards A123 Contract for Batteries for Electric Vehicles

Teams from both companies will now work on developing calibrations and software controls for the battery system in preparation for production. Continue reading

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Ford Europe Changes Product Development Team

Ford Motor Company today announced a realignment of its global Product Development leadership team, naming Barb Samardzich, vice president, Global Product Programs, to the position of vice president, Product Development, Ford of Europe. Continue reading

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GM CEO Akerson Buys Another 10,000 Shares at $25.05

Akerson vowed this week that there was plenty of upside in GM stock given its new structure and emphasis on managing costs. On a cost cutting side, one program with great promise involves vehicle architectures. Akerson said “We need to simplify.” The company said that by 2018 it plans to cut that number to 14 from the 30 currently use.

Skeptics, and there are many, say show us the earnings per share and start paying dividends. Well, at least Akerson is putting his money where his promises are, so to speak. Continue reading

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EU-South Korea Free Trade Agreement Favors Koreans

Under current market conditions, this waiver will not balance the current €10.7 billion trade deficit in automobiles, according to the respected consultancy Frost & Sullivan. Continue reading

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$10,000 Solar Panel Option Coming for Focus Electric Vehicle. Ford is using the new “Green Math” to Calculate Benefits

So if you have enough sunshine to generate the 3,000 kWh, that means you save $330 annually for a pay back period of, um, 30 years and four months (using basic arithmetic, not green math). The panels are guaranteed for 25 years by the way. Continue reading

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Ron Bloom Resigns as Assistant to the President for Manufacturing Policy. Was Key Player in Auto Bailouts

Bloom was part of a team headed by Stephen Rattner at the U.S. Treasury Department that was responsible for forcing drastic bankruptcy restructurings and CEO firings at General Motors and Chrysler as they were on the verge of being liquidated in 2009. Continue reading

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NHTSA Opens BMW Defect Probe on 120,000 7-Series Models

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened a preliminary engineering investigation on 120,000 2002-2008 BMW 7-Series models because of one complaint. The Office of Defects Investigation said in a regulatory filing today that it has received a single complaint from a consumer alleging a rollaway incident with a model year 2006 BMW 7-Series vehicle after parking and exiting the vehicle. Continue reading

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High Fuel Prices Having Little Impact on Vehicle Choice?

Rising fuel prices are having little effect on the type of vehicles U.S. buyers are considering. This latest research conundrum comes from consultancy AutoPacific, which claims that while drivers are complaining about fuel costs, the choice of a future vehicle appears decoupled from them. Continue reading

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California Air Resources Board Approves GM Crate Engine

All E-ROD crate engines include required emissions equipment, such as catalytic converters and a fuel tank evaporative emission canister, along with an engine control module calibrated for a balance of performance and efficiency. GM said it is the only automaker with authorized, emissions-compliant high-performance aftermarket engines. Continue reading

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GM Stock Below $25 down from $39 High as Conference Opens

During the program, senior leaders reviewed GM’s progress and outline plans for further improvement. In a sense GM is playing a “beat the reaper” game – can GM increase share and sales of less profitable small cars such as the Chevrolet Sonic, which is just entering production, at a greater rate than the drop off in truck sales and larger per unit profits in North America, while growing in Eastern Europe, South America and Asia? Continue reading

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