AutoblogGreen http://green.autoblog.com AutoblogGreen http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/%SiteURL%/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/Chris Shunk, Sam Abuelsamid and Dan RothThe podcast by the people who obsessively cover the auto industry.<![CDATA[Honda will start Fit (Jazz) Hybrid production in Thailand this summer]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/22/honda-fit-jazz-hybrid-will-start-production-in-thailand-this-s/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/22/honda-fit-jazz-hybrid-will-start-production-in-thailand-this-s/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/22/honda-fit-jazz-hybrid-will-start-production-in-thailand-this-s/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Honda will start making a hybrid version of its Fit compact in Thailand this summer, according to the Japanese publication the Nikkei. Production will mark the first time Honda will be making any of its hybrids in Asia outside of Japan. Sales of the Jazz Hybrid - Honda substitutes the name Jazz for Fit outside of the U.S. - will start as soon as next summer.

The reason for the increased production is so Honda can keep up with increased sales of its most popular hybrid. Last year, Honda sold 86,000 units of the hybrid worldwide. Honda first unveiled a version of the Jazz Hybrid for the Japanese and European markets at the 2010 Paris Motor Show. That model uses the same powertrain as the CR-Z and Insight hybrids.

The Jazz Hybrid production would mark yet another victory for the Thail automotive industry, The country is the world's 12th-largest but was staggered in the wake of a flood last fall that killed 815 people and ground auto production to a halt. Honda and Toyota plants there suffered, but both have since restarted production

When or if Fit Hybrid sales reach the U.S. is anyone's guess. Honda unveiled a battery-electric Fit at the Los Angeles Auto Show last November and said it would start leasing the Fit EV to a limited number of customers in the U.S. later this summer.

Honda will start Fit (Jazz) Hybrid production in Thailand this summer originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 22 May 2012 08:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fitfit hybridhonda fithonda hybridjazzjazz hybridmanufacturingproductionthailandTue, 22 May 2012 08:03:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20241930/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20241930/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/22/honda-fit-jazz-hybrid-will-start-production-in-thailand-this-s/20241930/article-detail.xml 20241930 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/fithybrid_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/fithybrid.jpg <![CDATA[Thailand's green car manufacturing took a beating, back to ticking]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/03/thailands-green-car-manufacturing-took-a-beating-back-to-tick/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/03/thailands-green-car-manufacturing-took-a-beating-back-to-tick/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/03/thailands-green-car-manufacturing-took-a-beating-back-to-tick/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

chevy volt in thailand

Last fall, Thailand was hit by a devastating flood that damaged parts of 65 of Thailand's 77 provinces, killed 815 people and affected the lives and homes of more than 13 million. Some parts of Bangkok were under over two meters (6.5 feet) of water (PDF) and normal life in the city came to a halt. Those are incredible numbers, but the story of what happened since then is just as amazing. Aside from the intense work of the people, which is astonishing in its own way, we recently learned that the country - the local auto industry included - is bouncing back.

This is something that the Thailand's Board of Investment (BOI) was eager to show a group of invited journalists earlier this year, and we got to see first-hand how Thailand recovered from the flood and is now ready to once again make cars for markets around the world. Thailand's auto industry was hit hard during the flood, forcing Japanese automakers Toyota and Honda had to stop production. Both have since restarted, and Honda could spend up to $650 million to re-open a 240,000-cars-a-year plant in Ayutthaya Province, 50 miles north of Bangkok, that was hit hard by the flood. Once the waters receded, it became clear that the flood did not damage the enthusiasm of outside companies to keep investing in Thailand. Toyota said in January that it would it would spend $257 million in Thailand, for example. This is good automotive news for Thailand and its neighbors.

After all, Thailand is the 12th largest automotive manufacturing country in the world, building 1.6 million vehicles in 2010 and exporting 55 percent of them to countries in the Pacific, Asia and the Middle East. We were interested in visiting Thailand for a few reasons, but the most applicable one was to get some details about the country's Eco-Car program. We ended up learning far more than we expected.

Continue reading Thailand's green car manufacturing took a beating, back to ticking

Thailand's green car manufacturing took a beating, back to ticking originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 03 May 2012 19:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Imagine all of the cars and light-duty trucks in Washington and Oregon combined. Then imagine them all being either battery-electric vehicles or plug-in hybrids. That's what Chinese leaders have in mind by the end of the decade.

The China State Council is pushing for a combination of automotive industry production and public acceptance to allow for as many as five million plug-in vehicles to be on the roads in China by 2020, Green Car Congress reports.

The Chinese government is also looking to boost average new-car fuel economy to about 47 miles per gallon in 2020 from about 34 miles per gallon in 2015, when the State Council is targeting for about a half-million vehicles to be electric drive.

China will enact a combination of research and development funding and subsidies that will be used to boost sales of plug-ins. The government will also speed up the development of an electric-vehicle charging infrastructure and will tilt tax policies to be more plug-in friendly.

China was already expected to account for a substantial chunk of the more than 600,000 plug-in vehicles expected to be sold in Asia Pacific by 2017, as forecast by green-technology research firm Pike Research last year. The auto industry is certainly getting ready. This month, General Motors debuted a demonstration fleet of Chevrolet Volt extended-range plug-in vehicles in China. GM and the China Automotive Technology Research Center (CATARC) will operate and study the fleet for about a year. At the Beijing Motor Show this week, a number of plug-in vehicles were on display, like the CH Auto Lithia and the Venucia E-Concept.

China getting ready for 5m plug-in vehicles by 2020 originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 27 Apr 2012 16:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chinachina evchina state councilelectric vehicleevplug-in hybridFri, 27 Apr 2012 16:02:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20225511/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20225511/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/27/china-getting-ready-for-five-million-plug-in-vehicles-by-2020/20225511/article-detail.xml 20225511 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/shanghai-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/shanghai-628.jpg <![CDATA[Mazda says CX-5 is the first to use all Skyactiv features]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/19/mazda-says-cx-5-is-the-first-to-use-all-skyactiv-features/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/19/mazda-says-cx-5-is-the-first-to-use-all-skyactiv-features/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/19/mazda-says-cx-5-is-the-first-to-use-all-skyactiv-features/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Mazda is pitching its CX-5 compact crossover as its first model to use all of its Skyactiv fuel-saving technologies, including fuel-saving improvements to its engine, transmission, body and chassis (details on all that here).

Mazda, which started selling the model in the U.S. last month, said the CX-5 gets as much as 51 miles per gallon combined - on the more lenient Japanese fuel-economy standards - in its front-wheel-drive, six-speed-manual-transmission version, and as much as 39 miles per gallon in its most fuel-efficient gas-powered version. Mazda is looking to sell 160,000 vehicles annually with Skyactiv components, including the CX-5, Mazda2, Mazda3 and Mazda6.

Mazda's looking to use its Skyactiv technology, which includes the use of high-tensile steel for cutting weight and better aerodynamics to reduce drag, to reverse global declining sales. The Japanese automaker last year produced 1.17 million vehicles, down 11 percent from 2010. Last year, Mazda said that it was looking to increase fleetwide fuel economy by about 30 percent over the next three years.

Mazda says the CX-5 has the best fuel economy of any SUV in North America and has launched a "Six Million Dollar Man" - themed ad campaign to get the word out in the U.S. Last month, Mazda started selling the compact crossover and launched an online configurator tool. The CX-5 starts at $21,490 (including a $795 destination charge) for the front-wheel-drive manual-transmission model, with the all-wheel-drive option adding about $2,600 more. The top-of-the-line CX-5 is priced at $29,090.

Continue reading Mazda says CX-5 is the first to use all Skyactiv features

Mazda says CX-5 is the first to use all Skyactiv features originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 19 Apr 2012 15:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Looks like DM might stand for "done model."

BYD is unveiling a new plug-in hybrid-electric model at this month's Beijing Motor Show that will replace the Chinese automaker's F3DM (pictured), which sold just 80 units since debuting in 2009, Technologic Vehicles reports.

BYD says the new model, called the Qin, can go from 0-62 miles per hour in less than seven seconds because of lighter batteries, according to the publication, who said the model's look was "fluid and incisive." The F3DM was a plug-in electric with an on-board gas-powered range extender.

BYD launched the F3DM (the DM actually stands for "dual mode") in 2009 after showing off the model, which looked somewhat like a Toyota Corolla, at that year's North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The F3DM was said to have a 0-60 miles per hour acceleration time of 10.5 seconds and could run for 62 miles on electric power alone.

In late 2010, BYD and the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA) reached an agreement to test out the F3DM. Over the next two months, one of the city's housing inspectors said some of his electric-only trips exceeded 50 miles and that he'd only used a half-tank of gas, according to Plugin Cars. Last year, BYD opened its North American headquarters in Los Angeles.

Earlier this week, the company said its all-electric E6 would be available for sale in the U.S. by the end of the year, though the company had previously made similar claims about 2010 and 2011. BYD has said the car has a totally impressive 186-mile single-charge range. BYD also has an agreement to build a battery-electric vehicle with Mercedes-Benz parent Daimler AG and recently named that brand Denza. The brand's first car is slated to start production next year.

BYD's Qin sedan will replace poor-selling F3DM originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 19 Apr 2012 07:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bydbyd qinchinaelectric vehiclef3dmplug-in hybridqinqin hybridqin plug-in hybridThu, 19 Apr 2012 07:50:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20218130/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20218130/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/19/byds-qin-sedan-will-replace-poor-selling-f3dm/20218130/article-detail.xml 20218130 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/bydf3dm_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/bydf3dm.jpg <![CDATA[Hyundai will make 'limited' number of fuel-cell vehicles this year, 'thousands' by 2014]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/16/hyundai-will-make-limited-number-of-fuel-cell-vehicles-this-ye/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/16/hyundai-will-make-limited-number-of-fuel-cell-vehicles-this-ye/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/16/hyundai-will-make-limited-number-of-fuel-cell-vehicles-this-ye/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Hyundai has confirmed that it will make a "limited" number of hydrogen fuel-cell electric vehicles (FCEV) this year for testing purposes, with a goal of making as many as 10,000 FCEVs annually by 2015.

The South Korean automaker is testing an FCEV based on the Tucson crossover which will be part of test fleets around the world during the next couple of years. Hyundai wasn't specific about how many units of the Tucson ix Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle it will make this year.

The company is "willing to provide a sufficient number of FCEVs where hydrogen infrastructure is available during 2012-2015," Hyundai said in a statement sent to AutoblogGreen. "All we can say is that we have said we will make a limited supply in 2012, and anticipate thousands will be available globally through 2014."

Torque News reported that Hyundai would make as many as 1,000 FCEVs this year, and that the car would be priced at $88,550 before incentives and any tax credits. Hyundai is looking to cut that price to $50,000 by 2015, Torque News said.

Hyundai is among a number of automakers - Toyota, General Motors and Mercedes-Benz parent Daimler among the others - that have targeted 2015 for FCEV mass production. With such plans in place, Pike Research estimated late last year that a million FCEVs will be cumulatively sold by the end of the decade, down from Pike Research's previous estimate of about 2.8 million vehicles.

Hyundai will make 'limited' number of fuel-cell vehicles this year, 'thousands' by 2014 originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 16 Apr 2012 11:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hey, some people thought peanut butter and chocolate was an odd combination until Reese's made millions with it.

France and Taiwan - two countries not known for close association thanks to physical distance - are joining forces to further the development of battery-electric vehicles, with a goal of making EVs go mainstream in both countries, Focus Taiwan reported last week.

Taiwan's Automotive Research & Testing Center (ARTC), which receives some government funding, reached a memorandum of understanding with France's privately-owned Union Technique de l'Automobile du Motocycle et du Cycle (UTAC) to work with both countries' industries on speeding up EV technology.

France's place in worldwide EV development is largely defined by Renault, which, along with sister company Nissan, is said to have invested more than $5 billion in the development of EVs under both nameplates. Renault went as far as firing three senior executives last year for allegedly giving trade secrets involving EVs to what may have been a China-based company before the event was later discovered to be a hoax.

Meanwhile, Taiwan is regarded as a relatively advanced country when it comes to battery manufacturing and power control systems.

And maybe it's just electric cars that bring countries together and an Asia-Europe electric-vehicle development combination isn't completely unheard of. In addition to the Renault-Nissan alliance, Mercedes-Benz parent Daimler and China-based BYD formed a joint-venture in 2010 to develop a new EV brand. Daimler and BYD recently revealed the brand name as Denza and will start production next year.

Taiwanese, French entities will co-develop electric-vehicle technology originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 06 Apr 2012 20:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Think Denza, as in Tony, but with an e.

Mercedes-Benz parent Daimler AG and China-based BYD will name the battery-electric vehicle brand they're building together Denza.

Shenzhen BYD Daimler New Technology Co. Ltd. (BDNT) will show a concept Denza EV at the Auto China 2012 trade show in Beijing later this month. The 50-50 joint-venture, which was formed in May 2010 and which said last October that it would unveil the EV this April, will start production of the EV next year. Last October, the Chinese patent bureau leaked images of the EV, which will likely be based on the Mercedes-Benz B-Class platform.

The name Denza stems from the Chinese characters that mean a combination of "rising power" and "momentum."

Daimler and BYD are looking to capitalize on a China EV market expected to surge during the next few years. Green technology firm Pike Research said in a report last year that China will account for more than 550,000 EV sales in 2015, up from about 30,000 in 2010, and the country will overtake Japan as the largest battery-electric vehicle maker in the Asia-Pacific region.

Continue reading Daimler-BYD electric-vehicle brand to be called Denza

Daimler-BYD electric-vehicle brand to be called Denza originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 06 Apr 2012 08:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Renault SA will debut South Korea's first mass-produced battery-electric vehicle when it starts selling an all-electric version of its SM3 to the public in 2013, the Korea Herald reported, citing an interview with Francois Provost, CEO of the company's Renault Samsung division in South Korea.

Renault Samsung, which recently said it would start a test-vehicle project with 500 EVs this year, will equip the SM3 with a lithium-ion battery that will give the car a single-charge range of about 100 miles and can be switched out for another battery in 90 seconds, the newspaper said. The car, along with Kia's Ray EV also set to debut in South Korea in 2013, qualifies for a tax break of about $3,600. The all-electric SM3 will be priced at about 60 million won, or about $52,000.

Renault, which along with sister company Nissan is said to have invested as much as $5 billion developing battery-electric vehicles worldwide, is banking on a jump in demand in the Asia Pacific region for battery-electric vehicles. Globally, cumulative plug-in vehicle sales, including battery-electric and plug-in hybrid-electric vehicles, will surge to 5.2 million in 2017 from 114,000 in 2011, according to green-technology research firm Pike Research. Asia-Pacific will account for about 617,000 electric-drive vehicles sold in 2017, almost double North America's total, according to Pike Research Senior Analyst Dave Hurst.

Throughout the first half of the year, Renault Samsung will import Renault Fluence ZE battery-electric vehicles from France, and will supply the cars to government officials in South Korea, the Korea Herald said.

Renault will launch South Korea's first mass-produced EV in 2013 originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 06 Jan 2012 13:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electric vehicleevfluencefrancerenaultrenault sm3south koreaFri, 06 Jan 2012 13:57:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20141202/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20141202/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/01/06/renault-will-launch-south-koreas-first-mass-produced-ev-in-2013/20141202/article-detail.xml 20141202 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/renaultsm3_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/renaultsm3.jpg <![CDATA[World's largest lithium-ion battery plant starts up in Russia]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2011/12/20/worlds-largest-lithium-ion-battery-plant-starts-up-in-russia/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/12/20/worlds-largest-lithium-ion-battery-plant-starts-up-in-russia/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/12/20/worlds-largest-lithium-ion-battery-plant-starts-up-in-russia/#commentsFiled under: , ,



South Korea. Michigan. Japan. And Russia?

These are some of the lithium-ion battery capitols of the world, and that last one has earned a space on the list thanks to news that "the world's largest high-capacity lithium-ion battery factory" has just started production in Russia's Far East.

Operated by Liotech, which is a joint venture between RUSNANO and the Chinese holding company Thunder Sky, the new humongo plant is more than 40,000 square meters large (about 10 acres) and has an annual capacity of 1 GWh or a million batteries a year. The press release announcing the plant says Liotech could make enough lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries for 500,000 electric buses each year. That's just nuts. Oh, and the plant was built - on schedule - in just nine months at a cost of 13.5 billion rubles ($420 million U.S. at today's exchange rates). The batteries are destined for both transportation and stationary grid storage use. More details in this story from our archives and in the press release after the jump.

Continue reading World's largest lithium-ion battery plant starts up in Russia

World's largest lithium-ion battery plant starts up in Russia originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 20 Dec 2011 10:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battery plantelectric vehicleli-ionLiFePO4liotechlithium iron phosphatelithium-ionplug-in hybridrusnanorussiathunder skyTue, 20 Dec 2011 10:05:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20131603/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20131603/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2011/12/20/worlds-largest-lithium-ion-battery-plant-starts-up-in-russia/20131603/article-detail.xml 20131603 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/liotech-battery-plant-opening_thumbnail.png http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/liotech-battery-plant-opening.png <![CDATA[Alpheon eAssist comes to Korea, 22% cleaner than before]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2011/11/05/alpheon-eassist-comes-to-korea-22-cleaner-than-before/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/11/05/alpheon-eassist-comes-to-korea-22-cleaner-than-before/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/11/05/alpheon-eassist-comes-to-korea-22-cleaner-than-before/#commentsFiled under: ,

Daewoo Alpheon

Daewoo has launched an eAssist version of the company's Alpheon model (LaCrosse here in the States) in Korea. The hybrid manages to deliver 25 percent better fuel economy than the standard gasoline model while reducing emissions by 22 percent. That's thanks to a small electric motor and lithium-ion battery battery pack that work in conjunction with a 2.4-liter direct-injection gasoline engine.

The configuration is identical to the Lacrosse eAssist, which launched in China earlier this year. The Alpheon eAssist returns 33.2 mpg on the U.S. cycle, which is a fairly impressive figure for a comfortable sedan. So far, there's no word on what sort of price premium the vehicle will carry when it goes on sale.

As with other General Motors eAssist models, the changes to the Alpheon aren't solely mechanical. The instrument cluster boasts an Eco gauge designed to help coach drivers toward more efficient operation, and the vehicle is equipped with low-rolling resistance tires as well.

Alpheon eAssist comes to Korea, 22% cleaner than before originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sat, 05 Nov 2011 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alpheonalpheon eassistbuickdaewoodaewoo alpheongeneral motorsgmhybridkoreasouth koreaSat, 05 Nov 2011 10:01:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20098238/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20098238/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2011/11/05/alpheon-eassist-comes-to-korea-22-cleaner-than-before/20098238/article-detail.xml 20098238 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/11/01-alpheon_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/11/01-alpheon.jpg <![CDATA[Toyota, Honda say Thai floods may impact Prius production, U.S. vehicles]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2011/10/27/toyota-honda-say-thai-floods-may-impact-prius-production-u-s/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/10/27/toyota-honda-say-thai-floods-may-impact-prius-production-u-s/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/10/27/toyota-honda-say-thai-floods-may-impact-prius-production-u-s/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Toyota Emblem

Automotive News reports that Toyota may experience production delays tied to widespread flooding in Thailand. The Japanese automaker relies on certain Thai components, including audio systems, diodes and condensers, that may see production shortages. Honda, too, has issued a statement that the rising waters are delaying production of some vehicles.

Such shortages have already caused three plants in Thailand to be shut down entirely and some of Toyota's facilities in Japan to scale back production. Now there's a chance that the squeeze may be placed on some North American Toyota plants. Currently, the automaker says that it's evaluating its supply chain to determine just how far-reaching the production delays will be but Green Car Reports notes that the Prius has been affected. Since late 2010, Toyota has built the world's most popular hybrid in Thailand.

The AN report indicates that Toyota is already considering cutting one day of Saturday work at its four North American facilities and contemplating additional overtime restrictions. As of right now, the automaker says it has enough parts in stock to continue production while its suppliers source components from Malaysia and the Philippines. All told, the flooding in Thailand has caused a restriction on around 100 individual Toyota components.

Continue reading Toyota, Honda say Thai floods may impact Prius production, U.S. vehicles

Toyota, Honda say Thai floods may impact Prius production, U.S. vehicles originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 27 Oct 2011 18:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>floodfloodsproductionproduction delaythailandthailand floodstoyotatoyota productiontoyota production delayThu, 27 Oct 2011 18:39:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20092375/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20092375/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2011/10/27/toyota-honda-say-thai-floods-may-impact-prius-production-u-s/20092375/article-detail.xml 20092375 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/toyota-emblem-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/toyota-emblem-628.jpg <![CDATA[Asia-Pacific region to get majority of DC quick-charge stations]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2011/10/26/asia-pacific-region-to-get-majority-of-dc-quick-charge-stations/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/10/26/asia-pacific-region-to-get-majority-of-dc-quick-charge-stations/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/10/26/asia-pacific-region-to-get-majority-of-dc-quick-charge-stations/#commentsFiled under: , ,

DC charger graph

DC quick-charge stations are robust units that promise to recharge plug-in vehicles from zero to 80-percent capacity in less than 30 minutes. While not required for EVs to work, these units make the concept of cross-country-capable electric vehicles believable and long distance electric-only journeys doable.

So, if DC quick-charge stations transform electric vehicles into capable distance cruisers, then it'd be superb to know where these lightning quick chargers will pop up, right? Well, Pike Research says it will be a while before the world is DC quick-charge-ready. The research firm predicts that shipments of DC charging units will grow from less than 3,000 globally in 2011 to more than 115,000 a year by 2017.

But we shouldn't expect to see too many of those DC units here in the U.S. According to Pike, the Asia-Pacific region will lead the world in DC quick-charge installs by a substantial margin. In second place will be Western Europe and down in third place is North America. With less than 20,000 DC quick-charge stations headed here in 2017, discovering one outside of a major city may prove difficult.

Asia-Pacific region to get majority of DC quick-charge stations originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 26 Oct 2011 08:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chargingcharging stationsdcdc chargerdc charging stationsdc quick chargeelectric vehiclepikepike researchWed, 26 Oct 2011 08:06:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20084591/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20084591/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2011/10/26/asia-pacific-region-to-get-majority-of-dc-quick-charge-stations/20084591/article-detail.xml 20084591 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/dc-charging-equipment-shipments-by-region-world-markets_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/dc-charging-equipment-shipments-by-region-world-markets.jpg <![CDATA[Hong Kong to purchase 8 "supercapacitor," 28 electric buses for $180 million]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2011/10/22/hong-kong-to-purchase-8-supercapacitor-and-28-electric-buses-f/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/10/22/hong-kong-to-purchase-8-supercapacitor-and-28-electric-buses-f/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/10/22/hong-kong-to-purchase-8-supercapacitor-and-28-electric-buses-f/#commentsFiled under: ,

Kowloon Motor Bus

The government of Hong Kong is ready to invest $180 million to acquire 36 single-decker buses, but ordinary coaches won't cut it. Ordinary emissions buses, that is.

Concerns over roadside pollution have convinced government officials in Hong Kong to purchase eight low-emissions "supercapacitor" and 28 electric buses to trial throughout the city-state. If these 36 buses prove capable of surviving the daily grind, then Hong Kong will come up with additional funds to secure more of the low-emissions coaches.

According to China Daily, Kowloon Motor Bus (pictured) is in line to get the eight "super-capacitor" buses that recharge at each stop, while the 28 electric buses will be divided among Hong Kong's four franchise bus operators. And in case you were wondering, $180 million for 36 buses means each one will set Hong Kong back $5 million.

Hong Kong to purchase 8 "supercapacitor," 28 electric buses for $180 million originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sat, 22 Oct 2011 12:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>buselectric bushong kongkowloon motor bussuper capacitorultra capacitorSat, 22 Oct 2011 12:14:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20081979/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20081979/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2011/10/22/hong-kong-to-purchase-8-supercapacitor-and-28-electric-buses-f/20081979/article-detail.xml 20081979 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/kowloon-bus_thumbnail.png http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/kowloon-bus.png <![CDATA[Malaysia exempts hybrids, plug-in vehicles from import, excise duties]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2011/10/21/malaysia-exempts-hybrids-plug-in-vehicles-from-import-excise-d/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/10/21/malaysia-exempts-hybrids-plug-in-vehicles-from-import-excise-d/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/10/21/malaysia-exempts-hybrids-plug-in-vehicles-from-import-excise-d/#commentsFiled under: , ,

2011 Toyota Prius

Make them exempt from import and excise duties and "robust growth" will follow. That's Malaysia's hybrid and plug-in vehicle scheme. From now through December of 2013, all hybrid and plug-in vehicles sold in Malaysia will be completely exempt from import and export duties.

Malaysia's finance minister, Najib Razak, says that the duty exemption is to "promote green technology and ensure sustainable development" by encouraging domestic assembly of electric vehicles and hybrids. Kavan Mukhtyar, Frost & Sullivan's transportation head for the Asia-Pacific region, says the duty exemptions will indeed encourage automakers to launch hybrids in Malaysia:
This will drive robust growth in the hybrid market over the next few years. We expect hybrid volumes to exceed 10,000 units [annually] by 2013.
10,000. That's not much, is it? Well, since Toyota sold only 162 Prius hybrids in Malaysia through the first eight months of 2011, moving up to 10,000 hybrids sold there per year would be quite an achievement.

Malaysia exempts hybrids, plug-in vehicles from import, excise duties originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 21 Oct 2011 10:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dutieselectric vehicleexcise dutieshybridimport dutiesmalaysiaplug-in hybridFri, 21 Oct 2011 10:42:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20085301/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20085301/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2011/10/21/malaysia-exempts-hybrids-plug-in-vehicles-from-import-excise-d/20085301/article-detail.xml 20085301 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/04/2011-toyota-prius_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/04/2011-toyota-prius.jpg <![CDATA[China gears up to sell lots of electric vehicles, the most in Asia]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2011/10/18/china-gears-up-to-sell-lots-of-electric-vehicles-the-most-in-as/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/10/18/china-gears-up-to-sell-lots-of-electric-vehicles-the-most-in-as/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/10/18/china-gears-up-to-sell-lots-of-electric-vehicles-the-most-in-as/#commentsFiled under: , ,

EV charging station in ChinaAcross the entire Asia-Pacific region, it's China where Pike Research forecasts most plug-in vehicles will eventually be sold.

Sure, there will be other plug-in players - Japan and South Korea, mostly - but come 2015, China will lead the way by accounting for nearly half of the Asia-Pacific region's annual electric vehicle sales. Pike Research senior analyst Andy Bae states:
China, where around 55 vendors are developing electrified vehicles or launching EV development programs, will likely create and lead an entirely new category around clean transportation. The country will become one of the biggest consumer markets for EVs, and global industry players want to enter this market to tap the related opportunities.
Driven mainly by rising oil prices and a goal to reduce emissions, China is pushing vehicles propelled by electricity so strongly that, Pike says, the country will soon come out with its electric vehicle guns a blazin.' Others disagree, but there's no room for that type of thinking in Pike's prediction.

Continue reading China gears up to sell lots of electric vehicles, the most in Asia

China gears up to sell lots of electric vehicles, the most in Asia originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 18 Oct 2011 10:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chinachina electric vehicleelectric vehiclepikepike researchstudyTue, 18 Oct 2011 10:34:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20078770/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20078770/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2011/10/18/china-gears-up-to-sell-lots-of-electric-vehicles-the-most-in-as/20078770/article-detail.xml 20078770 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2008/09/state-grid-charging-station_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2008/09/state-grid-charging-station.jpg <![CDATA[Will 2013 electric Chevy Spark be built in Korea?]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2011/10/15/will-2013-electric-chevy-spark-be-built-in-korea/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/10/15/will-2013-electric-chevy-spark-be-built-in-korea/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/10/15/will-2013-electric-chevy-spark-be-built-in-korea/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

chevy spark ev

Where will the electric 2013 Chevrolet Spark be built? Well, if you asked that question of General Motors, then this is the answer you'd likely receive:

No location of production has been decided yet.

Those are the quoted words of a GM Korea spokesman, according to Ward's Auto. If, however, that same question were posed to Mark Modica, associate fellow at the National Legal and Policy Center, you'll get a different answer. Modica says he has it "on good authority" that the Spark will be built in Korea.

According to Modica, GM North America director of communications, Greg Martin, admitted that both the conventional and electric versions of the U.S.-bound Chevy Spark will be manufactured in South Korea.

Two conflicting stories, that's for sure. So, which one is more accurate? Well, considering that both the gasoline- and diesel-fueled Sparks are currently built in South Korea, there is some logic to the idea that the electric minicar being manufactured there, too.Without an official word from GM, we'll keep the Spark's country of origin a big question mark.

Will 2013 electric Chevy Spark be built in Korea? originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sat, 15 Oct 2011 16:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chevroletchevrolet sparkchevychevy sparkelectric chevy sparkelectric sparkgmsouth koreasparkSat, 15 Oct 2011 16:55:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20081804/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20081804/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2011/10/15/will-2013-electric-chevy-spark-be-built-in-korea/20081804/article-detail.xml 20081804 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/chevy-spark-ev-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/chevy-spark-ev-628.jpg <![CDATA[Kia readying electric minicar for late 2011 launch]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2011/10/03/kia-readying-electric-minicar-for-late-2011-launch/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/10/03/kia-readying-electric-minicar-for-late-2011-launch/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/10/03/kia-readying-electric-minicar-for-late-2011-launch/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Hyundai i10 electric minicar

Word from the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show was that dividing lines would form in the Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group, with Kia to focus solely on electric vehicles and Hyundai to develop plug-in hybrid and fuel cell vehicles.

Under this strategy, Kia will soon kick off small-scale production of the group's first highway-capable electric vehicle under the codename "TAM." The vehicle - scheduled to launch in late 2011 - is reportedly based on the Hyundai i10 minicar. Specs? We'd expect the electrified Kia to sport a 16-kWh lithium-ion battery, a 49-kW (66 horsepower) electric motor and be a sub-100-mile electric mini.

The Kia-badged i10 electric will likely differ only slightly from the Hyundai i10 BlueOn prototype that took to the streets of South Korea in limited numbers back in September 2010. According to Kia, the electrified version of the i10 will be a low-volume production model, with output set at 2,000 units in 2012. There's no word on whether or not Kia's electric minicar will ever hit the U.S.

Kia readying electric minicar for late 2011 launch originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 03 Oct 2011 09:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electric minicarelectric vehiclehyundai i10i10kiakia electrickia electric vehicleminiminivehicletamMon, 03 Oct 2011 09:17:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20071367/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20071367/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2011/10/03/kia-readying-electric-minicar-for-late-2011-launch/20071367/article-detail.xml 20071367 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2010/01/58524-e-hyu-i10-630_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2010/01/58524-e-hyu-i10-630.jpg <![CDATA[Tesla Motors opens service center in Hong Kong]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2011/09/21/tesla-motors-opens-service-center-in-hong-kong/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/09/21/tesla-motors-opens-service-center-in-hong-kong/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/09/21/tesla-motors-opens-service-center-in-hong-kong/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Tesla Roadster Sport

As last week came to a close, Tesla Motors celebrated the grand opening of its first vehicle service center in Hong Kong. Though the service center was set up to serve some sort of purpose, Tesla claims the Roadster:
Requires less routine maintenance than conventional cars, does not need regular oil changes or exhaust system work. Roadsters have no spark plugs, pistons, hoses, belts or clutches to replace. And, with Tesla's innovative "house call" approach, customers are able to have peace of mind no matter where they are located.
This leads us to believe that service center employees won't be all that busy. In addition to the service center, Tesla Hong Kong features a Roadster display and a trained staff that can answer all Tesla-related questions.

To date, Tesla has sold more than 1,800 Roadsters worldwide and those electric two-seaters have tallied more than 13 million cumulative, real-world miles. We wonder how many maintenance calls there were?

Continue reading Tesla Motors opens service center in Hong Kong

Tesla Motors opens service center in Hong Kong originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 21 Sep 2011 10:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electric vehiclehong kongservice centerteslatesla hong kongtesla motorstesla roadstertesla service centerWed, 21 Sep 2011 10:06:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20046500/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20046500/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2011/09/21/tesla-motors-opens-service-center-in-hong-kong/20046500/article-detail.xml 20046500 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/06/right-hand-roadster-10_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/06/right-hand-roadster-10.jpg <![CDATA[Thailand to offer $3,317 credit for purchase of vehicles with up to 1.5-liter engines]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2011/09/16/thailand-credit-purchase-clean-vehicles/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/09/16/thailand-credit-purchase-clean-vehicles/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/09/16/thailand-credit-purchase-clean-vehicles/#commentsFiled under: , ,

2011 Honda Brio
Thailand's government is discussing a tax rebate of up to 100,000 baht ($3,317 U.S. at the current exchange rate) for buyers of vehicles with engines that displace 1.5-liters or less. The move could cost the government an estimated 30 billion baht ($99.5 million U.S.), with up to 500,000 buyers possibly snatching up qualified vehicles to take advantage of the rebate.

Phongpanu Svetarundra, director general of Thailand's Excise Department, told reporters the tax refund would only apply to vehicles priced below one million baht ($33,168 U.S.). The popular Honda Brio minicar, with a base MSRP of 399,900 baht ($13,239 U.S.) and a Euro 4-compliant 1.2-liter four-cylinder i-VTEC engine, is one of countless vehicles that would quality for Thailand's proposed tax rebate. The Brio's fuel economy rating of approximately 47 miles per gallon (U.S.) and its after-credit price of around $9,917 U.S., would likely make it an attractive option to Thai citizens.

The Thai government is also subsidizing the production of cleaner vehicles within its borders, so it kind of makes sense to promote their sale as well.

Thailand to offer $3,317 credit for purchase of vehicles with up to 1.5-liter engines originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 16 Sep 2011 09:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1.5-liter enginecreditfuel efficiencyincentivempgrebatesubcompactthailandFri, 16 Sep 2011 09:04:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20040226/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20040226/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2011/09/16/thailand-credit-purchase-clean-vehicles/20040226/article-detail.xml 20040226 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/11/01-brio-630_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/11/01-brio-630.jpg -1 2