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Sunday, November 11, 2012

The fuel economy numbers for Ford’s four MAP-built vehicles

With production of the C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid started, Ford’s Michigan Assembly Plant (MAP) is now the only manufacturing site in the world to build vehicles with five different fuel-efficient powertrains on the same line.

It also becomes the only one to build four vehicles that deliver 40 mpg or more in real-world driving.

Those four over 40 mpg vehicles built by MAP are the C-MAX Energi, C-MAX Hybrid, Focus Electric and Focus SE with SFE (Super Fuel Economy) package.

“Michigan Assembly Plant is setting a new global standard for flexible manufacturing, and is a central part of Ford’s important milestone, sweeping Toyota across the board for fuel economy leadership,” said Jim Tetreault, Ford vice president of North America Manufacturing. “The transformation of this plant is proof of how our One Ford plan has transformed our products, giving our customers industry-leading choices for hybrids, plug-ins, electrics and EcoBoost-powered vehicles.”

The fuel economy numbers for Ford’s four MAP-built vehicles are as follow and as provided by Ford, including the Toyota comparison comments:

• C-MAX Hybrid at 47 mpg combined beats Prius v by 7 mpg in the compact hybrid utility segment

• C-MAX Energi at 100 MPGe combined beats Prius Plug-in by 5 MPGe in the plug-in hybrid market

• Focus SFE at 40 mpg highway beats Corolla by 6 mpg in the compact segment

• Focus Electric at 110 MPGe city does not have a Toyota competitor.

Let’s just hope Ford is very sure of these numbers and will not be stuck with a “procedural” mistake in its mpg calculations like Hyundai and Kia did recently.

Ford is very proud of the flexible manufacturing efforts it has undergone and said its Manufacturing and Product Development teams began working together four years ago to develop product platform designs that enable the use of programmable equipment to produce multiple variations of products in one facility; today, more than 80 percent of the tooling in the plant’s body shop can be programmed to weld a variety of body styles. This allows Ford to quickly adjust the mix between models as customer preferences change.

Source:
hybridcars.com

Thursday, November 8, 2012

Small Low-Speed EVs won a large market

Is the U.S. ready for low-speed electric vehicles limited to a maximum speed of 25 mph? A newly created brand of dealerships known as EcoCentre believes so.

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

In the third quarter, Tesla’s stock rose nearly 9-percent.

Tesla Motors, Inc. yesterday released its quarterly performance figures to investors. Despite a net loss of $111 million in the third quarter, Tesla’s stock rose nearly 9-percent, closing at $31.50 per share November 5 on the NASDAQ market.

Monday, November 5, 2012

The Volt’s British version, the Ampera, has been honored as Green Vehicle of the Year

GM’s Volt and its derivatives are piling up the honors on the other side of the pond. The Volt’s British version, the Ampera, has been honored as Green Vehicle of the Year by fleet decision-makers at the British 2012 Association of Car Fleet Operators (ACFO) Awards.

Sunday, November 4, 2012

Toyota to launch a sedan version of the new low-cost car in China

The roots of Toyota Motor Corp.'s China troubles run far deeper than the anti-Japan protests that swept the country this fall, stretching back to the 2008 launch of the Yaris subcompact -- a spectacular flop with price-conscious Chinese buyers.

Saturday, November 3, 2012

Tesla plans to deliver Model S to reservation holders in Europe and Asia in 2013.

Tesla brought its Model S to Germany for a first European physical presentation of the American electric car. According to Tesla, the Model S arrived in Europe last week for a nearly week-long press preview in Munich, Germany.

Thursday, November 1, 2012

Tesla Model S is winner for this year

If the Model S was built by a "loser" as Mitt Romney suggested, that did not stop the editors of a well-regarded auto publication from declaring Tesla Motors' first sedan its top winner for this year.

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

2012 Ram 2500 CNG is the only OEM-built compressed natural gas-powered

The first Ram 2500 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) pickup trucks began rolling off the line yesterday, Monday Oct. 29, at Chrysler Group’s Satillo Truck Assembly Plant. At the same time, the company announced that the formerly fleet-only vehicle will now be available to retail customers.

Monday, October 29, 2012

A123 Battery module for hybrid vehicles

A number of developments happened Friday in Delaware bankruptcy court from parties interested in A123 Systems, including Fisker Automotive, and between A123, former proposed purchaser Wanxiang America Corp., and the new intended purchaser of its automotive business, Johnson Controls, Inc. (JCI).

Sunday, October 28, 2012

Hyundai introduced a new hydrogen car

As Hyundai has been making the rounds in the UK and Europe with its ix35 Hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle, its latest promotional stop is at the EcoIslands Global Summit on the Isle of Wight.

Thursday, October 25, 2012

British scientists have developed a technology for production of Petrol From Air

In medieval days alchemists sought to turn ordinary metals to gold – an element so alluring and valuable that it has been a most prized possession, and even started wars.

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Californians will potentially save $5,250 from the purchase price

Californians will potentially save $5,250 from the purchase price of the C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid and enjoy solo-driver, high-occupancy vehicle lane (HOV) access.

Monday, October 22, 2012

Fisker along with 3M could not resist the allure.

"Gloss Burnt Orange and Brushed Black Metallic “October Sun” commemorates the fall season."

The SEMA show in Las Vegas from Oct. 22-Nov. 2 is a focal point for specialty equipment marketers to roll out their bling, hot rods, customized versions of familiar vehicles, etc.,

Sunday, October 21, 2012

DeltaWing again in the stand and is ready to participate in the races

In less than 24 hours after suffering an accident at the Road Atlanta track in Braselton, Georgia, the Nissan DeltaWing is back on track and ready to race in this Saturday's Petit Le Mans event - the final round of the 2012 American Le Mans Series.

Friday, October 19, 2012

Review 2012 Chrysler 300 SRT8

It’s no secret that for the past decade or so, Chrysler has seen some rough times. There was that ill-fated partnership with Mercedes-Benz, followed by sharply declining sales due to a stale product lineup, and then near bankruptcy, and finally a U.S.

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

The new standard SAE approved is called Combo

SAE approved a new standard in rapid EV charging systems that could cut plug-in times down to as short as 20 minutes.

Monday, October 15, 2012

New photos Porsche Cayenne Turbo S (2012)

If you're a Porsche Cayenne buyer, it's unlikely you're too bothered about the political (in)correctness of your vehicle. Still, Porsche has somewhat injected a modicum of common sense into the new flagship model: the Cayenne Turbo S.

Sunday, October 14, 2012

2014 Accord Hybrid will sell in the U.S. by 2015.

Although a chief Honda engineer in Tokyo has recently said the company doubts the pending 2014 Accord Hybrid will sell in much volume, it is considering producing it in the U.S. by 2015.

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Jetta Hybrid set a new speed record!

After becoming the world’s fastest hybrid at Bonneville in August, the Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid LSR returned to the Salt Flats on Oct. 5 to break the Southern California Timing Association’s (SCTA) H/PS land speed record.

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

The prestigious award joins a growing list of accolades and trophies for the Ampera

The Volt may have seen one of its fervent proponents walk away, but its European cousin, the Ampera E-REV, has garnered yet another gong for its trophy cabinet. UK’s Sunday Times awarded it “Best Electric Car and Hybrid.”