AutoblogGreen http://green.autoblog.com AutoblogGreen http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/green.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif AutoblogGreen http://green.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[2012 Toyota Prius C [w/video]]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/02/10/2012-toyota-prius-c-first-drive-review/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/02/10/2012-toyota-prius-c-first-drive-review/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/02/10/2012-toyota-prius-c-first-drive-review/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Baby Of The Family Will Play A Big Role



Toyota's new 2012 Prius C doesn't look like a math problem, but that's what it is.

Hidden behind its attractive hatchback body and Toyota Synergy Drive hybrid powertrain, the Prius C is just a bunch of numbers. Numbers like the car's miles per gallon rating, its MSRP, how many can be produced and how many Toyota hopes to sell. Toyota ran these numbers through its "Do we build it?" formula, which is what caused the Prius C to come into being, but the good news is that this smallest of Prii adds up to more than what was put into it, and even introduces a bit of fun to the appliance-like Prius driving experience. Not much, mind you, but enough that its target audience - young people who want to buy the most efficient gas-powered vehicle on the market today - should take notice.

Here are some of the calculations that Toyota is making for its new Prius family. Instead of selling 136,463 "normal" Prius Liftbacks as it did last year (down from 140,928 in 2010), the Japanese automaker believes that three new models - the bigger V, the smaller C and the Plug-In version - will push cumulative Prius sales up to 220,000 in 2012 and then go up from there.

Last year, Toyota's group vice president for U.S. sales, Bob Carter, said he expects the Prius to be the automaker's number one nameplate by 2020. Sure, the Prius continues to sell well in green car circles and has been the best selling car in Japan for a year and a half, but for Carter's statement to come true, the Prius family would have to outsell the almighty Camry. Think about that. Think about the ambition - and challenge - behind those words. This is the equation that the Prius C needs to solve.

Continue reading 2012 Toyota Prius C [w/video]

2012 Toyota Prius C [w/video] originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 10 Feb 2012 19:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012 toyota prius cfeaturedfirst driveFirstDrivepriusprius cprius c first driveprius c reviewtoyotaFri, 10 Feb 2012 19:49:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20169564/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/02/10/2012-toyota-prius-c-first-drive-review/20169564/article-detail.xml 20169564 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/02/13-2012-toyota-prius-c-fd-opt-opt1_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/02/13-2012-toyota-prius-c-fd-opt-opt1.jpg <![CDATA[Hyundai CEO: Elantra GT's 39 mpg is "pretty good"]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/02/10/hyundai-na-ceo-john-krafcik-says-elantra-gts-39-mpg-is-pretty/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/02/10/hyundai-na-ceo-john-krafcik-says-elantra-gts-39-mpg-is-pretty/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/02/10/hyundai-na-ceo-john-krafcik-says-elantra-gts-39-mpg-is-pretty/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



During the unveiling of the Hyundai Elantra GT at the Chicago Auto Show, the message was the following: This car is lighter than its competitors, cars like the Mazda3, Ford Focus and the Volkswagen Golf, and therefore it gets decent fuel economy.

Hyundai CEO John Krafcik pointedly mentioned that a lot of vehicles these days - from Hyundai and other automakers - get 40 miles per gallon, even though the Elantra GT is rated at only 39 mpg on the highway. The big 4-0 remains an important psychological barrier that's often highlighted in advertising, so we asked Krafcik if he and the engineers are happy with 39 mpg. He said, "I'm sure they were hoping for [40], but that 39 is still best in class and that's pretty good." He added:

There's a slew of vehicles that get over 40 miles per gallon. That car (the GT) is a little bit heavier. It's got a bit more stuff on it so we had a sense that it was going to be a challenge to get to 40, but the difference between 39 and 40 is two percent, it's not a whole heck of a lot.

Krafcik's right, of course, that the one mpg difference isn't that big of a deal. Does it matter to you?

Hyundai CEO: Elantra GT's 39 mpg is "pretty good" originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 10 Feb 2012 13:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chicacochicago 2012chicago auto showelantraelantra gthyundaihyundai mpgjohn krafcikFri, 10 Feb 2012 13:57:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20167303/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/02/10/hyundai-na-ceo-john-krafcik-says-elantra-gts-39-mpg-is-pretty/20167303/article-detail.xml 20167303 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/02/john-krafcik-chicago-2012_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/02/john-krafcik-chicago-2012.jpg <![CDATA[Tesla Model X revealed]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/02/10/tesla-model-x-revealed/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/02/10/tesla-model-x-revealed/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/02/10/tesla-model-x-revealed/#commentsFiled under: ,

tesla model x

Here it is, the Tesla Model X, the CUV prototype version of the Model S.

We'll have more details live from California soon, but here's what we know at the moment. The Model X can hit 0-60 in 4.4 seconds, will cost around the same as the Model S, and it has those cool "falcon" gullwing-like doors.

With the batteries housed in the same low skateboard as the S, the X has a lot of space. Since the CUV doesn't need a combustion engine, there are actually two trunks: one in front and one in the back. This means, Elon Musk said at the unveiling today, that the Model X can fit seven people and their luggage. The X will also feature all-wheel drive and come with a range of battery options, but we knew this already. The X is heavier than the S and will therefore offer around 10 percent less range from the same 40-, 60- and 85-kWh battery packs that the S uses. It's price will begin around $50k after tax credits, but will rise close to $90k with the largest battery pack and all the trimmings ordered. *UPDATE: There is no 40-kWh pack option.

Tesla will start taking reservations at noon PST February 10th (i.e., later today). Oh, and Tesla is going to offer a fourth model, to be revealed in around two years. More to come.

Tesla Model X revealed originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 tesla model xelectric vehiclemodel xmodel x evteslatesla model xtesla model x revealFri, 10 Feb 2012 00:28:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20168771/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/02/10/tesla-model-x-revealed/20168771/article-detail.xml 20168771 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/02/tesla-model-x_thumbnail.png http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/02/tesla-model-x.png <![CDATA[Tesla Model X reveal happening soon; new teaser image, well, teases us]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/02/09/tesla-model-x-reveal-happening-soon-teaser-image-well-teases/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/02/09/tesla-model-x-reveal-happening-soon-teaser-image-well-teases/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/02/09/tesla-model-x-reveal-happening-soon-teaser-image-well-teases/#commentsFiled under: ,

tesla model x teaser

We're just a few hours away from the Tesla Model X reveal, and we've gotten one last teaser image to tide us over. The SUV's "falcon" doors are a bit more noticeable here than last time, and since people tweaked the photo in editing software last time, the company added a secret message to the image that we're added after the jump. We'll bring you photos and details from the reveal in a little bit, but you can also watch it online here starting at 8 p.m. PST (11 Eastern).

Continue reading Tesla Model X reveal happening soon; new teaser image, well, teases us

Tesla Model X reveal happening soon; new teaser image, well, teases us originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 09 Feb 2012 20:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electric vehiclefalcon doorsmodel xteslatesla model xThu, 09 Feb 2012 20:42:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20168720/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/02/09/tesla-model-x-reveal-happening-soon-teaser-image-well-teases/20168720/article-detail.xml 20168720 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/02/tesla-model-x-image-teaser_thumbnail.png http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/02/tesla-model-x-image-teaser.png <![CDATA[Chevy goes big with Volt theme at Chicago Auto Show booth]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/02/09/chevy-goes-big-with-volt-theme-at-chicago-auto-show-booth/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/02/09/chevy-goes-big-with-volt-theme-at-chicago-auto-show-booth/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/02/09/chevy-goes-big-with-volt-theme-at-chicago-auto-show-booth/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Chicago 2012 Chevrolet Volt Booth

The Chevrolet Volt is on display in a big way at the Chicago Auto Show, mostly because GM wants you to try one out. To get you behind the wheel, the promotions team on site in the Windy City is offering three different Volt experiences to anyone who's interested. The three options are "performance," "safety" and "charging" and all that really means is that, when you walk from the show floor to where the cars are parked, you get a spiel targeted to whatever topic you're most interested in. Once you get downstairs, you get to drive - or ride in - a Volt on a short road course. All told, the experience takes 30 minutes.

GM is operating similar Volt public test drives at events around the country, including races and auctions like Barret-Jackson. With the car on sale for over a year and sales numbers still running a little lower than expected, we can understand this continued public outreach. The system is cyclical, too, as GM uses peoples' participation in the short test drives to attract more test drivers. Little lipstick cameras in the test Volts record reactions and the videos will be edited post haste and displayed in the booth later. GM is also showing longer Volt owner testimonials in the booth, including one from Matt Stehouwer, who started VoltFanSite.com.

Chevy goes big with Volt theme at Chicago Auto Show booth originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chevroletchicagochicago 2012chicago auto showelectric vehicleplug-in hybridvoltThu, 09 Feb 2012 16:04:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20167575/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/02/09/chevy-goes-big-with-volt-theme-at-chicago-auto-show-booth/20167575/article-detail.xml 20167575 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/02/chicago-2012-volt-booth-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/02/chicago-2012-volt-booth-628.jpg <![CDATA[Penn Gilette tweets about his new love: the Nissan Leaf]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/02/09/penn-gilette-tweets-about-his-new-love-the-nissan-leaf/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/02/09/penn-gilette-tweets-about-his-new-love-the-nissan-leaf/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/02/09/penn-gilette-tweets-about-his-new-love-the-nissan-leaf/#commentsFiled under: , ,



On February 6, Penn Jillette - also known as "more than 1/2 (by weight) of Penn & Teller," the comedy duo, got himself a Nissan Leaf. He announced to the world, "Here I am with the first Nissan leaf in all of Vegas. It is mine! I'm all hydro electric." Since then, he's been tweeting up a storm about the all-electric car. The main message? He loves it but don't you dare call him a greenie.

For example, the prolific Tweeter, who usually replies to any of his 1.7 million followers who contact him, Tweeted: "Can't answer everyone right now, but I'm liking the Leaf. It's charging in my garage right now. I love being an early adopter. Thanks." He also said, "I'm not fooling myself I'm saving the earth, I'm just an early adopter." This idea gets repeated many times over the course of a few days, and he admits "yeah, we did a Bullsh*t on that, there's no free energy and electric is no better."

Bullsh*t is the name of Penn & Teller's TV show. The duo performs a regular show in Las Vegas, and Jillette said, "I will plug it in at the Rio outside the Penn & Teller Theater and charge it there." So, if you're in Sin City and you see a white Leaf cruising the streets, give Penn a wave. He might just Tweet about it.

Penn Gilette tweets about his new love: the Nissan Leaf originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 09 Feb 2012 11:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electric vehicleleafnissannissan leafpenn jilette twitterpenn jillettetwittervegas leafThu, 09 Feb 2012 11:50:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20167586/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/02/09/penn-gilette-tweets-about-his-new-love-the-nissan-leaf/20167586/article-detail.xml 20167586 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/02/penn-jillette-nissan-leaf_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/02/penn-jillette-nissan-leaf.jpg <![CDATA[Toyota prices 2012 Prius C under $19K*]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/02/08/toyota-prices-2012-prius-c-under-19k/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/02/08/toyota-prices-2012-prius-c-under-19k/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/02/08/toyota-prices-2012-prius-c-under-19k/#commentsFiled under: ,

Toyota Prius C

During the Detroit Auto Show, Toyota said the new Prius C would start at under $19,000. Today, we learn that this is like a lesson from Obi-Wan: what Toyota told us was true, from a certain point of view.

The base level Prius C One's MSRP is indeed $18,950, but that doesn't include a $760 destination charge, and you can easily spend north of $23,000 for the top-of-the-line Prius C Four. Still, that's a raging deal for a car estimated to get a fuel economy rating of 53/46/50 miles per gallon (city/highway/combined) from the EPA. As Toyota is quick to point out, those numbers make the C the, "highest rated city fuel economy of any vehicle without a plug."

As you might have surmised, there will be four trim levels for the Prius C and, unsurprisingly, some of the best features are only available on the upper ends. The Four, for example, is the only version that has fog lights and that can be optioned with 16-inch, eight-spoke alloy wheels (all others make due with 15-inchers). Also, neither the One, Two or Three can be equipped with an important cold-weather feature: heated front seats. At least things like automatic climate control, Bluetooth phone controls and remote keyless entry all come standard. The Prius C goes on sale in March. Full details in the press release after the break.

Continue reading Toyota prices 2012 Prius C under $19K*

Toyota prices 2012 Prius C under $19K* originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>priusprius cprius c msrpprius msrpprius pricetoyota priusWed, 08 Feb 2012 13:58:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20167407/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/02/08/toyota-prices-2012-prius-c-under-19k/20167407/article-detail.xml 20167407 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/02/2012-prius-c-one-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/02/2012-prius-c-one-628.jpg <![CDATA[Infographic: A lifetime of fuel costs, gas vs. solar]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/02/07/infographic-a-lifetime-of-fuel-costs-gas-vs-solar/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/02/07/infographic-a-lifetime-of-fuel-costs-gas-vs-solar/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/02/07/infographic-a-lifetime-of-fuel-costs-gas-vs-solar/#commentsFiled under: , ,

solar vs gasoline fuel cost chart

When you drive a plug-in vehicle for the first time, it's common to get the "EV grin" that advocates have talked about for a long time. But, once that initial thrill quiets down a bit, something else can happen - you start to think about the bigger picture.

That's the road that Mini E (and now BMW ActiveE) driver Peder Norby is on, and so he did a few calculations to extrapolate his particular set-up - driving electric cars that are powered by the solar panels on his roof - to a lifetime of driving and wanted to share it with AutoblogGreen. We can argue the pros and cons of gasoline cars and the limitations of EV all day long, but Norby's numbers are impressive. His bottom line: just for the fuel, a gasoline-car driver will pay $275,000 over 50 years while a solar-powered EV driver will pay just $12,000.

This can be, of course, highly variable. Norby uses a 20-mile-per-gallon gas car and an average price of $3.50 as his fossil-fueled example. We all know that 20 mpg cars will not be available much longer. Still, the exact numbers don't matter as much as the gist. And Norby could have included other costs in the chart. He writes:

[The chart] does not include external cost such as the protection of oil, propping up oil supplying countries, clean up of oil, environmental or healthcare cost, nor does it include the cost of grid electricity at night when an electric car normally charges. ... Nor does the graph include the price of the cars themselves. A reasonable argument can be made for both the gasoline car and the electric car as to which one will be cheaper to own and maintain for the next 50 years. I'm betting on the electric car :)

We imagine that if our readers apply the math to their own situation, they'll also find it makes sense to put money down on EVs. Does it?

Infographic: A lifetime of fuel costs, gas vs. solar originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 07 Feb 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electric vehiclefuel costsgasoline costspeder norbyplug-in hybridsolar energyTue, 07 Feb 2012 20:00:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20165623/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/02/07/infographic-a-lifetime-of-fuel-costs-gas-vs-solar/20165623/article-detail.xml 20165623 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/02/fuel-cost-chart-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/02/fuel-cost-chart-628.jpg <![CDATA[Mitsubishi i steals ACEEE's "Greenest" car of the year title from CNG Civic]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/02/07/mitsubishi-i-steals-aceees-greenest-car-of-the-year-title-fro/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/02/07/mitsubishi-i-steals-aceees-greenest-car-of-the-year-title-fro/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/02/07/mitsubishi-i-steals-aceees-greenest-car-of-the-year-title-fro/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

mitsubishi i

For the first time in ages, the Honda Civic Natural Gas is not the "greenest" car in the U.S. This year, it's the Mitsubishi i. At least, it is according to the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), which takes it upon itself to rank these sorts of things.

The CNG-powered Civic has made the top of the list for the past eight years (last year, the Nissan Leaf shared the No. 1 spot) but it drops to second place this year. Last year, ACEEE gave the Civic Natural Gas a score of 54, a number that takes into account "unhealthy tailpipe emissions, fuel consumption, and emissions of gases that contribute to climate change." This year, the i managed to rake in 58 points, which ACEEE says is the "highest Green Score awarded since the rankings began in 1998." That deserves a golf clap or two, even if the methodology for calculating the score changed for 2012 (details in the PR after the jump).

The ACEEE also figures out which vehicles are the dirtiest for its "Meanest" list. This year, the Chevrolet G3500 Express/GMC G3500 Savana cargo vans, Ford E-350 Wagon and Bugatti Veyron can claim this dubious honor.

Continue reading Mitsubishi i steals ACEEE's "Greenest" car of the year title from CNG Civic

Mitsubishi i steals ACEEE's "Greenest" car of the year title from CNG Civic originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 07 Feb 2012 18:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aceeeaceee listelectric vehiclegreenest carii-mievmievmitsubishimitusbishi iTue, 07 Feb 2012 18:08:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20166226/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/02/07/mitsubishi-i-steals-aceees-greenest-car-of-the-year-title-fro/20166226/article-detail.xml 20166226 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2010/11/73-mitsubishi-i-miev-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2010/11/73-mitsubishi-i-miev-opt.jpg <![CDATA[Who was for, who was against CARB's ZEV mandate "over-compliance" rule]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/02/03/who-was-for-who-was-against-carbs-zev-mandate-over-compliance/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/02/03/who-was-for-who-was-against-carbs-zev-mandate-over-compliance/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/02/03/who-was-for-who-was-against-carbs-zev-mandate-over-compliance/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

California Air Resources Board

What impact will the "over-compliance" rule - some would say loophole - in the California Air Resources Board's recent changes to the Zero-Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate have? The short and obvious answer is that only time will tell, but one can make the case both that it's a good thing and that it's a bad thing. Odd, but true.

Before we get too far into this, a primer on the ZEV Mandate changes and what the over-compliance rule actually is is important. The basic idea is that CARB wants to reduce the amount of CO2 and other pollutants in the air that come from transportation. Zero-emission vehicles - whether they be plug-in or hydrogen powered - will do this, so CARB decided that at least 15.4 percent of all the cars sold by a major automaker in California needs to be either an EV, a plug-in hybrid or a hydrogen fuel cell vehcile by 2025. To go along with this new rule, some automakers asked for - and got - an over-compliance rule that will "allow manufacturers who systematically over comply with the proposed LEV III GHG fleet standard to offset a portion of their ZEV requirement in 2018 through 2021 model years only."

Some argue that the over-compliance rule will lead to a smaller environmental benefit from ZEVs because, quite simply, there will be fewer ZEVs on the roads than there would be without the rule. This is true. It's also true, as others will argue, that what matters most is lowering the amount of nasty pollutants and emissions from the air, so who cares if this happens because there is a true ZEV driving around or a much-improved (read: cleaner) gas-powered car that emits fewer greenhouse gases than today's vehicles?

We didn't want to try and answer that question. But we did think it made sense to try and capture the landscape of the recent battle over the rule, and so we asked some of the involved automakers and other concerned parties for their opinions. We put together a list of responses after the jump.

Continue reading Who was for, who was against CARB's ZEV mandate "over-compliance" rule

Who was for, who was against CARB's ZEV mandate "over-compliance" rule originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 03 Feb 2012 17:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>California Air Resources Boardcarbelectric vehicleplug-in hybridzevzev mandateFri, 03 Feb 2012 17:53:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20160198/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/02/03/who-was-for-who-was-against-carbs-zev-mandate-over-compliance/20160198/article-detail.xml 20160198 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/carb-meeting_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/carb-meeting.jpg <![CDATA[DOE's David Sandalow defends Obama's auto record]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/02/03/does-david-sandalow-defends-obamas-auto-record/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/02/03/does-david-sandalow-defends-obamas-auto-record/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/02/03/does-david-sandalow-defends-obamas-auto-record/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

david sandalowOne of the differences between the Washington Auto Show and car shows in other cities is the almost overwhelming appearance of politicians and government officials. Whether they come to learn or to lecture (or both), these folks create a well-worn trail from the Hill to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center every January.

One such official who spoke at the show last week was David Sandalow, assistant secretary for policy and international affairs at the Department Of Energy. His main point? That "this [auto industry] revival wasn't destined to happen," and only happened because of the "difficult" and vital choices that the Obama Administration made to save the auto industry, choices that are now paying off with jobs and an improving economy. From here on out, he said, we have to keep things humming by supporting innovative technology that makes our cars cleaner and better.

Sandalow, who also wrote "Freedom From Oil," said he was amazed at how fast technology has evolved in the last 15 years, the lifetime of his teenage daughter. "It's an incredibly exciting time," he said. "Technological innovation is sweeping the globe."

To that end, the DOE is supporting a lot of different research avenues, including light weighting, fuel cells, plug-in cars and biofuels. "Advanced batteries is a particularly important area that we're investing in," he said, citing the Batteries for Advanced Transportation Technologies Program at Berkeley National Lab as one strong example.

As a plug-in car driver himself, Sandalow said that, "One of the advantages of electric vehicles is that we have a widespread electricity infrastructure." Of course, building out a Level 2 network will require "some investment," he said, adding that the research shows that most people will charge their vehicles where they currently they park their vehicles: at home at night.

On this point, he told a story about a panel discussion on clean car technology that he saw a few years ago. Two auto execs (he declined to name them) were discussing the potential of introducing plug-in vehicles to the U.S. market. One of the execs said that plug-in cars aren't worth it because only half of U.S. drivers park where they can plug in at night. The other one said his company was very excited to introduce plug-ins here because half the people can charge up at night. Apocryphal or not, that right there tells you all you need to know about people who lead and people who follow.

DOE's David Sandalow defends Obama's auto record originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 03 Feb 2012 08:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>david sandalowdc 2012dc auto showdepartment of energydoeelectric vehicleobamaplug-in hybridwashington auto showFri, 03 Feb 2012 08:03:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20161222/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/02/03/does-david-sandalow-defends-obamas-auto-record/20161222/article-detail.xml 20161222 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/02/dc-sandalow-b-1_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/02/dc-sandalow-b-1.jpg <![CDATA[Fisker lowering 2012 sales estimate to 10,000 units, expands availability to Canada]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/02/02/fisker-lowering-2012-sales-estimate-to-10-000-units-expands-ava/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/02/02/fisker-lowering-2012-sales-estimate-to-10-000-units-expands-ava/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/02/02/fisker-lowering-2012-sales-estimate-to-10-000-units-expands-ava/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Time for some good news/bad news (maybe) from Fisker Automotive.

First, the good news. The company announced today that it will soon be selling the luxury plug-in hybrid in Canada, starting with retail locations in Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver. Fisker is working with the big Canadian auto dealer the Dilawri Group as well as Fields Automotive Group to sell the PHEV in Canada. More stores should be coming, since Fisker said in a statement that it will "expand its presence in Canada as it ramps up Karma production."

Speaking of that production, here's the possible bad news. In Auto News is reporting (but doesn't actually source) that Fisker is dropping the number of Karmas it expects to sell in 2012 down to 10,000. Way back when, (i.e., November 2011) the company was still confident it would make 15,000 Karmas in 2012. But then sales were delayed - and we know that production is not the same as sales - so there's reason to be skeptical that lofty sales targets for the $100,000+ Karma will be met. We've contacted Fisker for a comment on this possible decrease, but have not yet heard back. If they respond, we'll let you know.

UPDATE: Roger Ormisher, Fisker's senior director of global corporate communications & PR, wrote to AutoblogGreen:

There has been so much confusion over our sales targets in the media (15,000 was the figure for full global production and sales of all 3 Karma derivatives - sedan, Surf Wagon and Sunset convertible) that we have now moved away from quoting projections.

This is a new car from a new brand in a unique market segment. Therefore, we are not making any predictions on sales figures. We are a new car company, learning as we go and opening up new markets consistently - and one thing that we have learned is that making annual sales projections when you bring a car such as the Karma to the market is unhelpful!

Continue reading Fisker lowering 2012 sales estimate to 10,000 units, expands availability to Canada

Fisker lowering 2012 sales estimate to 10,000 units, expands availability to Canada originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 02 Feb 2012 19:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electric vehiclefiskerfisker canadafisker karmafisker karma deliveriesplug-in hybridThu, 02 Feb 2012 19:33:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20163045/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/02/02/fisker-lowering-2012-sales-estimate-to-10-000-units-expands-ava/20163045/article-detail.xml 20163045 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/02/fiskerkarma-628-again_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/02/fiskerkarma-628-again.jpg <![CDATA[Civic Hybrid driver Heather Peters wins $9,800 judgment from Honda in small claims court]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/02/02/civic-hybrid-driver-heather-peters-wins-9-800-judgment-from-hon/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/02/02/civic-hybrid-driver-heather-peters-wins-9-800-judgment-from-hon/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/02/02/civic-hybrid-driver-heather-peters-wins-9-800-judgment-from-hon/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

honda civic

This is why some people didn't want to settle with Honda. Heather Peters, who took Honda to small claims court in Torrance, CA recently over claims of the Civic Hybrid's fuel economy, has been awarded $9,867.19 in damages. That's almost the maximum allowed in small claims court ($10,000) and is a decision that might have a big impact on future class-action litigation.

A refresher on the situation: In 2007, John True sued Honda because, he said, the automaker made misleading claims about the fuel economy of the Civic Hybrid. In 2009, after it became a class-action lawsuit, Honda settled with Civic hybrid drivers, giving them either up to $1,000 off the purchase of a new Honda or a $100 check. This didn't sit right with Peters, so she sued.

The court commissioner ruled that Honda "negligently misled" Peters with claims that Civic Hybrid could get 50 miles per gallon, the LA Times writes. In a statement, Peters said:

I am absolutely thrilled at the reports that I won, even though I won't see the actual judgment until it comes in the mail. It's a victory for Civic Hybrid owners everywhere! Sometimes big justice comes in small packages.

Honda says it plans to appeal, and this may all just be the beginning. Peters is encouraging other Civic Hybrid owners who are disappointed in their real-world mileage to file suits against the automaker in small claims courts across the country.

Civic Hybrid driver Heather Peters wins $9,800 judgment from Honda in small claims court originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 02 Feb 2012 08:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>civic hybridcivic hybrid mpgheather petershonda civic hybridhonda lawsuitsmall claims courtThu, 02 Feb 2012 08:04:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20162547/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/02/02/civic-hybrid-driver-heather-peters-wins-9-800-judgment-from-hon/20162547/article-detail.xml 20162547 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/honda-civic-hybrid-1280_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/honda-civic-hybrid-1280.jpg <![CDATA[Chevy Volt sales drop to 603, Nissan moves 676 Leafs in January]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/02/01/chevy-volt-sales-drop-to-603-nissan-moves-676-leafs-in-january/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/02/01/chevy-volt-sales-drop-to-603-nissan-moves-676-leafs-in-january/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/02/01/chevy-volt-sales-drop-to-603-nissan-moves-676-leafs-in-january/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



This one has got to hurt. After a record-best 1,529 units sold in December, sales of the Chevrolet Volt dropped to just 603 in January, part of an overall decline in GM model sales compared to the last month of 2011. The good news in this less-than-half drop? If you look at the year-on-year trend, the Volt almost doubled its sales. In January 2011, Chevy sold 321 Volts.

Over on the Nissan Leaf side, the numbers are also down. Nissan sold 676 Leafs in January, which is less than the 954 Leafs sold last month. But, if we do the same comparison that we did with the Volt, things look good. All the way back in January 2011, Nissan sold 87 Leafs. For more on Leaf sales, read this. We'll have our By The Numbers post on overall green car sales up as the information rolls in. Official press releases from both Nissan and Chevy are available after the jump.

Continue reading Chevy Volt sales drop to 603, Nissan moves 676 Leafs in January

Chevy Volt sales drop to 603, Nissan moves 676 Leafs in January originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 01 Feb 2012 13:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chevroletelectric vehicleleafleaf salesnissanplug-in hybridvoltvolt salesWed, 01 Feb 2012 13:33:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20161945/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/02/01/chevy-volt-sales-drop-to-603-nissan-moves-676-leafs-in-january/20161945/article-detail.xml 20161945 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/09/leaf-volt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/09/leaf-volt.jpg <![CDATA[Boise State students gunning for land speed record with biofuel, this time 215 mph]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/02/01/boise-state-students-land-speed-record-biofuel/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/02/01/boise-state-students-land-speed-record-biofuel/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/02/01/boise-state-students-land-speed-record-biofuel/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Boise State University Greenspeed student team

Last November, the Boise State University student team called Greenspeed broke the land speed record for a truck (in its class) that uses vegetable oil with a run of 155 miles per hour. Now, they're confidently ready to go after the faster, dirtier, petroleum-powered trucks.

To get that record, the modified 1998 Chevrolet S-10 pick-up truck - which has a dual-fuel powertrain that burns both regular diesel to start and then straight vegetable oil - will need to go faster than 215 miles per hour. The Greenspeed team announced its intent at the Washington Auto Show last week and hopes to set the new record during Speedweek at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah this August.

Even though the team of students is filled with confidence, the truck has not exactly been put through the on-road ringer. Thus far, it's only driven about 4.5 miles burning SVO, since it only does so on the test track. The 155-mph record was set on a 1.3-mile dry lakebed called El Mirage in the Mojave Desert at a Southern California Timing Association race. That short distance is also why the team is confident it can hit 215 mph. At Bonneville, the 780 horsepower powertrain will have three miles to really get going.

Idaho Senator James Risch (R) came by during the show to stand on a piece of Boise State's famous blue turf and congratulate the team. He said that, "This is one way we can move away from dependence on oil and to a self-sustaining nation." This may be true, but Sen. Risch still supports importing more fossil fuels into the U.S.

Watch a short video of the team being interviewed after the jump.

Continue reading Boise State students gunning for land speed record with biofuel, this time 215 mph

Boise State students gunning for land speed record with biofuel, this time 215 mph originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 01 Feb 2012 11:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>boise stategreenspeedjames rischland speed recordstraight vegetable oilsvoWed, 01 Feb 2012 11:54:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20161220/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/02/01/boise-state-students-land-speed-record-biofuel/20161220/article-detail.xml 20161220 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/02/dc-boise-greenspeed-5-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/02/dc-boise-greenspeed-5-628.jpg <![CDATA[AT&T orders 1,200 compressed natural gas Chevrolet Express Vans from GM]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/01/31/atandt-orders-1-200-compressed-natural-gas-chevrolet-express-vans/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/01/31/atandt-orders-1-200-compressed-natural-gas-chevrolet-express-vans/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/01/31/atandt-orders-1-200-compressed-natural-gas-chevrolet-express-vans/#commentsFiled under: ,




What's the biggest compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicle order that GM has ever received? Thanks to an announcement yesterday from the automaker and AT&T, we now know the answer is 1,200 vehicles.

That's how many Chevrolet Express Cargo Vans AT&T will get from The General. The dozen hundred vehicles will go into service across the country and are part of AT&T's much larger initiative to green up its fleet. From electric vans to other electric vans to hybrids, the company has invested in a variety of alternative powertrain vehicles. It pretty much has to look at many options if it wants to reach its target of deploying 15,000 alternative power vehicles by 2018. This $545-million project started in 2009; the 5,000th vehicle joined the fleet last week.

The 1,200 new GM vans are all Chevrolet Express models that have been built at the factory to burn CNG in their Vortec 6.0L V8 engines. GM says the modifications include "hardened exhaust valves, and intake and exhaust valve seats for improved wear resistance and durability with gaseous fuel systems." The fuel may burn cleaner than gasoline, but these are still fuel-hungry monsters that get a gasoline-equivalent fuel economy of 11 miles per gallon (city) and 16 mpg (highway), according to previous statements from GM, which also indicated the CNG versions cost an extra $14,590 compared to regular gas vans.

AT&T's order is the latest in a bit of an upsurge in CNG vehicles in America and around the world. The Honda Civic Natural Gas won the 2012 Green Car of the Year award at last year's LA Auto Show and is the first passenger car to be available in all 50-states. CNG has long been more popular in the fleet market than in general use, since fleet managers can calculate the cost benefits fairly easily, just ask Waste Management or the AT&T of last March, which ordered 100 CNG-powered Chevy Express vans. If everything goes as planned, AT&T should have around 8,000 CNG vehicles in its fleet sometime this decade.

Continue reading AT&T orders 1,200 compressed natural gas Chevrolet Express Vans from GM

AT&T orders 1,200 compressed natural gas Chevrolet Express Vans from GM originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 31 Jan 2012 18:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>attchevrolet expresschevy expresscngnatural gasTue, 31 Jan 2012 18:04:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20160792/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/01/31/atandt-orders-1-200-compressed-natural-gas-chevrolet-express-vans/20160792/article-detail.xml 20160792 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/chevy-cng-express-van-crop_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/chevy-cng-express-van-crop.jpg <![CDATA[Toyota sells 400,000th hybrid in diesel-loving Europe]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/01/31/toyota-sells-400-000th-hybrid-in-diesel-loving-europe/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/01/31/toyota-sells-400-000th-hybrid-in-diesel-loving-europe/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/01/31/toyota-sells-400-000th-hybrid-in-diesel-loving-europe/#commentsFiled under: , ,

toyota auris hybrid

Some notable dates for Toyota and/or hybrid fans:
Thinking about those seven-digit numbers might make Toyota's recent bit of news - that it has now sold over 400,000 hybrids in Europe - seem a bit lackluster, especially given that the company introduced its first hybrid there 12 years ago. Still, we have to put things in perspective. Each market is different, and Europeans most certainly choose passenger cars with diesel powertrains at a much higher rate than they do in either the U.S. or Japan.

As it is doing in other areas, Toyota is expanding its hybrid range in Europe with more models, specifically the Prius Plus (known as the Prius V in the U.S.) and the Yaris Hybrid. Toyota already offers the standard Prius, now called the Liftback, and an Auris Hybrid on the Continent. With moves like these, Toyota's goal of selling a million hybrids a year is quickly coming into view.

Toyota sells 400,000th hybrid in diesel-loving Europe originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 31 Jan 2012 15:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auris hybirdhybridpriusprius hybridtoyota hybridyaris hybridTue, 31 Jan 2012 15:56:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20160788/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/01/31/toyota-sells-400-000th-hybrid-in-diesel-loving-europe/20160788/article-detail.xml 20160788 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/toyota-auris-hybrid-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/toyota-auris-hybrid-628.jpg <![CDATA[Tesla shows off Model S in new promo video]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/01/31/tesla-shows-of-model-s-in-new-promo-video/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/01/31/tesla-shows-of-model-s-in-new-promo-video/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/01/31/tesla-shows-of-model-s-in-new-promo-video/#commentsFiled under: , ,

tesla model s

Never a company to hesitate when it comes to self-promotion, Tesla Motors has released a new video touting the upcoming Model S. Just a few minutes long, the video features Tesla's chief designer, Franz Von Holzhausen, and George Blankenship, Tesla's VP of sales and ownership experience (and former Apple retail strategist) speaking no evil about the all-electric vehicle.

The two men talk about how the Model S takes the idea of a car decades into the future, thanks to the wildly open design options that an electric powertrain gives you. Filled with close-up shots of the car and clips of it running down the road, we hear how great the car drives and how the company is "growing more excited every day to deliver this revolutionary car to our customers."

Yes, we've seen similar videos before, but now that we're living firmly in Tesla's "Year of Model S," it's a pretty safe bet we'll get more of the same before too long. You can watch the latest after the jump.

Continue reading Tesla shows off Model S in new promo video

Tesla shows off Model S in new promo video originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 31 Jan 2012 14:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electric vehiclefranz von holzhausengeorge blankenshipmodel steslatesla model sTue, 31 Jan 2012 14:06:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20161037/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/01/31/tesla-shows-of-model-s-in-new-promo-video/20161037/article-detail.xml 20161037 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/model-s-new-video_thumbnail.png http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/model-s-new-video.png <![CDATA[Bob Lutz: Hey right-wingers, stop attacking the Chevy Volt]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/01/30/bob-lutz-hey-right-wingers-stop-attacking-the-chevy-volt/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/01/30/bob-lutz-hey-right-wingers-stop-attacking-the-chevy-volt/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/01/30/bob-lutz-hey-right-wingers-stop-attacking-the-chevy-volt/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

chevy volt in forest

In the wake of last week's bruising hearing on Capitol Hill about the safety of the Chevrolet Volt, which itself followed an investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that concluded plug-in vehicles do not "pose a greater risk of fire than gasoline-powered vehicles," former General Motors vice chairman Bob Lutz has written a column for Forbes that strikes back against the media (especially conservatives) who are attacking the car he thought would be one of his most important legacies.

Politicians and members of the media on the right, from Mitt Romney to Neil Cavuto, have talked smack about the Volt, and Lutz says this "has attracted my attention and ire." In typical Lutz fashion, he doesn't mince words, writing:

The Oscar for totally irresponsible journalism has to go to The O'Reilly Factor on Fox News, with, as its key guest, Lou Dobbs. Amid much jocular yukking, the Volt was depicted as a typical federal failure. ... Boiled down to the subtext, Dobbs' message was this: "All Volts catch fire, and therefore all Volts have been recalled." That simply isn't the case. ...

To top it off, these two media pros lamented the fact that the same government that had forced GM to produce the Volt was now extending $7,500 tax credits towards its purchase, thus squandering even more of "our taxpayer" dollars on this failed Socialist-collectivist flop. Truth? The $7,500 tax credit was enacted under the Bush administration!

Don't let Lutz's words make you think he's taking a left/liberal stance. He's still a self-declared "conservative Republican" who hates that right-wing talking heads are spiraling downward into this sort of "deliberate misstatement of facts." They "have managed to make me embarrassed to describe myself as a conservative," he writes, adding, "Let's leave the 'invention of facts' to the left-wing climate-change alarmists." There, that should offend pretty much everyone who's not in the dead political center.

Bob Lutz: Hey right-wingers, stop attacking the Chevy Volt originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 30 Jan 2012 16:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bob lutzchevroletchevy voltelectric vehicleplug-in hybridvoltMon, 30 Jan 2012 16:03:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20160230/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/01/30/bob-lutz-hey-right-wingers-stop-attacking-the-chevy-volt/20160230/article-detail.xml 20160230 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/2012-chevy-volt-in-forest_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/2012-chevy-volt-in-forest.jpg <![CDATA[VW announces two-year partnership with Bikes Belong]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/01/28/vw-announces-two-year-partnership-with-bikes-belong/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/01/28/vw-announces-two-year-partnership-with-bikes-belong/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/01/28/vw-announces-two-year-partnership-with-bikes-belong/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

dc auto show vw jetta with bikes

2011 was a good year for VW - the best since 2002 - said Jonathan Browning, president and CEO, Volkswagen Group of America, and this gives the company a license to think outside the car. Thus, at the Washington Auto Show, Volkswagen announced support for another type of pedal power: for the next two years, VW will sponsor Bikes Belong, a national organization that works to get more people on more bikes more often, as part of the automaker's expanding Think Blue campaign, which was launched in the U.S. last May. In D.C., Browning said that the Think Blue initiative is about "delivering sustainable mobility on all fronts," and that now includes two-wheeled, human-powered bicycles. It should go without saying, but the benefits of biking include reducing traffic congestion while improving health and lowering travel's impact on the environment. It's good to see VW embracing this alternative in a real way. Previously, VW showed off the bik.e, a foldable bike concept that fits into a spare wheel well.

VW's Bikes Belong sponsorship will include these three major areas:
  • Peopleforbikes.org: A way to get people to publicly promote bike riding. The goal is to get a million riders together to "urge policy makers to endorse cost-effective legislation that improves bike paths, lanes and trails nationwide."
  • Safe Routes to School National Partnership: Sort of a "hey, let's have kids walk and bike to school" program. Also known as being sensible.
  • Bicycling Design Best Practices: An effort to "create more bike-friendly communities across the United States by helping cities adapt the world's best bike facility models, policies and state-of-the-art designs."
Browning called the sponsorship, "a perfect example of our Think Blue initiative," and Bruno Maier, vice president of Bikes Belong said that VW "complements our mission." The automaker "understands that when people ride bikes, great things happen," he said.

Continue reading VW announces two-year partnership with Bikes Belong

VW announces two-year partnership with Bikes Belong originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sat, 28 Jan 2012 08:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bikes belongthink bluevolkswagenvwvw bicycleSat, 28 Jan 2012 08:40:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20157321/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/01/28/vw-announces-two-year-partnership-with-bikes-belong/20157321/article-detail.xml 20157321 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/dc-auto-show-vw-1_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/dc-auto-show-vw-1.jpg -1 2