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[Yes, there is a Green Marketer of the Year Award, and Ford won it again]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2011/11/18/yes-there-is-a-green-marketer-of-the-year-award-and-ford-won-i/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/11/18/yes-there-is-a-green-marketer-of-the-year-award-and-ford-won-i/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/11/18/yes-there-is-a-green-marketer-of-the-year-award-and-ford-won-i/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

ford green ovalOnce again, Ford has won the Nielsen Automotive Green Marketer of the Year Award. This is the second year that Nielsen has tried to figure out which automaker is producing the most effective green message (which is, please note, quite different that producing the best green cars). National TV ads that had a "green" theme and were broadcast between October 2010 and September 2011 were eligible for Nielsen's award.

Nielsen's methodology to determine the winner combined a number of studies of various communication/entertainment channels, such as asking 5,400 people about their overall "perceptions of environmental messages by automotive brand," gathering data from 2.5 million TV advertising viewers and "measuring social media 'buzz' sentiment within green-related discussion threads." No, we're not exactly sure what that last item means, either, but the Internet is apparently a critical place. All it took to win was that "3 in 10 green-themed online discussions reflecting favorably on Ford." Um, congratulations?

Continue reading Yes, there is a Green Marketer of the Year Award, and Ford won it again

Yes, there is a Green Marketer of the Year Award, and Ford won it again originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 18 Nov 2011 08:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fordgreen marketer of the year awardla 2011la auto shownielsenFri, 18 Nov 2011 08:03:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20109246/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20109246/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2011/11/18/yes-there-is-a-green-marketer-of-the-year-award-and-ford-won-i/20109246/article-detail.xml 20109246 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/11/ford-green-logo_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/11/ford-green-logo.jpg <![CDATA[Mazda reveals 2013 CX-5 for U.S. with Skyactiv, gets up to 33 mpg]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2011/11/17/mazda-reveals-2012-cx-5-for-u-s/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/11/17/mazda-reveals-2012-cx-5-for-u-s/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/11/17/mazda-reveals-2012-cx-5-for-u-s/#commentsFiled under: , ,



We already drove a pre-production 2013 Mazda CX-5 through scenic Iceland, and the Japanese automaker showed us the finished (European) product at the Frankfurt Motor Show back in September. Here at the Los Angeles Auto Show, however, Mazda has officially announced exactly what's in store for the U.S.-spec CX-5, set to go on sale early next year.

The Skyactiv powertrain should return best-in-class fuel economy figures of 26/33 mpg with the manual.

Powering the CX-5 is Mazda's new 2.0-liter Skyactiv-G gasoline four-cylinder with direct-injection technology. This powerplant is already available in the Mazda3 sedan and hatchback, and in the CX-5, it's good for 155 horsepower and 150 pound-feet of torque, mated to either a new Skyactiv six-speed manual or automatic transmission (the manual is only available in the bottom-rung Sport trim, sadly). The CX-5 is not as powerful as other offerings in the class - the Kia Sportage and much larger Toyota RAV4, among others, offer more grunt - but Mazda says that the Skyactiv powertrain should return best-in-class fuel economy figures: 26/32 miles per gallon (city/highway) with the automatic transmission or an even better 33 mpg highway with the manual. Based on our Nordic test drive, the lighter CX-5 is also likely to be more fun to drive than its contemporaries. No word yet on the possibility of seeing the Skyactiv-D diesel model in North American showrooms, however. In any case, we'll see if the gas engine's official EPA numbers match up when the vehicle is properly tested.

We'll be driving the CX-5 later this week while in Los Angeles, so stay tuned for our full driving impressions in the near future, and hopefully we'll have pricing soon. In the meantime, click through our new gallery of live images direct from SoCal and gaze at the official PR after the jump.

Continue reading Mazda reveals 2013 CX-5 for U.S. with Skyactiv, gets up to 33 mpg

Mazda reveals 2013 CX-5 for U.S. with Skyactiv, gets up to 33 mpg originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 17 Nov 2011 17:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2011 la auto show2013 mazda cx-5cx-5cx5lala 2011la auto showmazdaskyactivThu, 17 Nov 2011 17:01:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20109237/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20109237/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2011/11/17/mazda-reveals-2012-cx-5-for-u-s/20109237/article-detail.xml 20109237 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/11/01-2013-mazda-cx-5-live628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/11/01-2013-mazda-cx-5-live628.jpg <![CDATA[2013 Chevrolet Spark is a pastel paradise]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2011/11/17/2013-chevrolet-spark-la-2011/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/11/17/2013-chevrolet-spark-la-2011/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/11/17/2013-chevrolet-spark-la-2011/#commentsFiled under: , ,



The Chevrolet Spark is only 144.7 inches long - nearly two feet shorter than the subcompact Sonic. But while the Spark is small in size, designers have made a real effort to make sure that it can still stand out in a crowd.

The Spark took the stage at the Los Angeles Auto Show in four distinct pastels, with oversized headlight assemblies-a-blazing. The Spark may be a bit of a runt, but it certainly boasts some height. It's 61 inches tall, or only six inches shorter than the Equinox crossover. The Spark also features plenty of room for four occupants, with 42 inches of front leg room and a respectable 35 inches for rear seat passengers.

Power comes from The General's diminutive 1.2-liter four-cylinder engine, with 85 horsepower at 6,400 RPM and 82 pound-feet of torque at 4,200 RPM, mated to either a standard five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic. That's not a lot of go-juice, but luckily the Spark weighs in at only 2,269 pounds when equipped with the manual transmission.

The little hatchback will feature an available MyLink infotainment system with a seven-inch touch screen that features smartphone-based navigation and Bluetooth for hands-free calling. The Spark also comes with standard 15-inch alloy wheels, which should help reduce cabin noise compared to the steel wheels that are standard on many subcompacts.

The Chevy Spark is scheduled to arrive in dealerships mid-2012. Hit the jump to read over the official press release.

Continue reading 2013 Chevrolet Spark is a pastel paradise

2013 Chevrolet Spark is a pastel paradise originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 17 Nov 2011 15:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2011 la auto show2013 chevrolet sparkchevroletchevylala 2011la auto showsparkThu, 17 Nov 2011 15:02:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20109219/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20109219/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2011/11/17/2013-chevrolet-spark-la-2011/20109219/article-detail.xml 20109219 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/11/01-2013-chevrolet-spark-la-1321491695_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/11/01-2013-chevrolet-spark-la-1321491695.jpg <![CDATA[2012 Green Car of the Year winner is the Honda Civic Natural Gas]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2011/11/17/2012-green-car-of-the-year-winner-is-the-civic-natural-gas/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/11/17/2012-green-car-of-the-year-winner-is-the-civic-natural-gas/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/11/17/2012-green-car-of-the-year-winner-is-the-civic-natural-gas/#commentsFiled under: , ,



The 2012 Green Car of the Year award was snagged from the electric and diesel jaws of its competitors by the Honda Civic Natural Gas. In a year full of standard gasoline powertrain alternatives, the Civic beat out the Ford Focus Electric, Mitsubishi i, Toyota Prius V and the Volkswagen Passat TDI.

Green Car Journal hands out the award and its rules state that the GCOTY needs to have a "quantifiable environmental achievement," market significance and "newness." Any car that has these clearly defined features and is available for sale by January 1, 2012 can be a nominee, and the list of finalists is whittled down by GCJ editors and selected industry and environmental experts.

Over the last four years, the GCOTY was won by a hybrid (the Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid in 2008), diesels (the Volkswagen Jetta TDI in 2009 and the Audi A3 TDI in 2010) and a plug-in hybrid (the Chevrolet Volt in 2011). In our informal poll we put up when the five finalists were announced a month ago, the Focus Electric dominated the field.

2012 Green Car of the Year winner is the Honda Civic Natural Gas originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 17 Nov 2011 12:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2011 honda civic natural gas2011 la auto show2012 green car of the yearbreakingciviccivic natural gasgreen car of the yearhondalala 2011la auto showThu, 17 Nov 2011 12:10:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20108994/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20108994/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2011/11/17/2012-green-car-of-the-year-winner-is-the-civic-natural-gas/20108994/article-detail.xml 20108994 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/11/honda-civic-natural-gas-green-car-of-the-year_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/11/honda-civic-natural-gas-green-car-of-the-year.jpg <![CDATA[Coda announces "price drop," starts production of all-electric Sedan with larger battery]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2011/11/17/coda-announces-price-drop-starts-production-of-all-electric-s/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/11/17/coda-announces-price-drop-starts-production-of-all-electric-s/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/11/17/coda-announces-price-drop-starts-production-of-all-electric-s/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Coda may not have a new model to show off at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show, but the company can still make news with a price drop. Or with something that is a price drop in all but name.

In September 2010, Coda said its all-electric Sedan would cost $44,900. Today, that was refined downward to a more-reasonable $39,900, putting the car somewhat closer to parity with the Ford Focus Electric (which starts at $39,200). The Mitsubishi i ($29,125) and the Nissan Leaf ($35,200) are both cheaper options for smaller all-electric vehicles. Coda's Thomas Hausch told AutoblogGreen that, since Coda hasn't actually sold any of the Sedans for the previously announced price, the new base price isn't a drop. More of a readjustment.

This is just one change that has happened since former GM exec Phil Murtaugh became Coda CEO. Hausch wouldn't give us specific details, but said that Murtaugh instituted "significant cost reductions" all along the development chain to make the car more robust and simple. One minor change that Coda weirdly isn't touting but could be due to the company talking about things a bit prematurely last year, as PluginCars' Brad Berman noticed, is that the Sedan will come with a 36-kWh battery pack instead of the 34-kWh pack that had previously been announced. Estimated range is still 150 miles. The change doesn't negatively affect the pack's stated reliability. Coda today announced an "industry leading" battery warranty that lasts for ten years and 100,000 miles.

One other thing: Coda has started production, and Hausch said the car is "sold out" until March or April of next year. All that means, though, is that enough people have paid the $99 reservation fee to claim a spot in line once the vehicles become available. The first deliveries should take place in January.

Continue reading Coda announces "price drop," starts production of all-electric Sedan with larger battery

Coda announces "price drop," starts production of all-electric Sedan with larger battery originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 17 Nov 2011 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>codacoda automotivecoda evcoda price dropcoda sedanelectric vehiclela 2011phil murtaughthomas hauschThu, 17 Nov 2011 08:01:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20108128/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20108128/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2011/11/17/coda-announces-price-drop-starts-production-of-all-electric-s/20108128/article-detail.xml 20108128 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/11/coda-sedan-ev-la-auto-show_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/11/coda-sedan-ev-la-auto-show.jpg <![CDATA[Honda Fit EV available in 2012 for lease only, $399 per month *UPDATE]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2011/11/16/honda-fit-ev-available-in-2012-for-lease-only-399-per-month/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/11/16/honda-fit-ev-available-in-2012-for-lease-only-399-per-month/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/11/16/honda-fit-ev-available-in-2012-for-lease-only-399-per-month/#commentsFiled under: , ,



The idea of a all-electric Honda Fit is nothing new, but the details of the production version that will come to the U.S. next summer are, well, also nothing new. As announced today, the all-electric Fit will only be available through a lease program, probably for $399 per month. What's interesting is that the car does have an MSRP of $36,625, and multiple Honda reps milling around the stand after the world debut unveiling said that the lease-only deal is what's being announced today but that Honda listens to its customers. So, anyone who likes the idea of driving a Fit EV for a long time without having to give it back should let Honda know. Hand raising start today at the new Fit EV website. Honda spokesperson Jessica Fini told AutoblogGreen that the go-slow method is just how Honda likes to do things:

Because of our experience in the '90s, we're taking a slow and steady approach and that's kind of been the Honda way, whether you're happy with it or not. Every foray into advanced technology, whether we've been the leader or second or third, we've taken that slow and steady approach. ... It's not to say that we can't, in the future, modify the program.

Technologically, the Fit EV has good numbers. For starters, how about a city range of 123 miles (this is a "preliminary estimates determined by Honda using EPA methods"). Combined, the Fit should be rated at 76 miles. Aside from some modifications to the dash and a special bio-fabric, the Fit EV is almost identical to a standard Fit on the interior. When folded down, the rear seats don't get quite as flat as they do on the gas-powered Fit because of the 20-kWh lithium-ion battery pack. As reported before, the Fit EV's motor is a 92 kW unit that was derived from the motor in the hydrogen fuel cell-powered FCX Clarity. Technology from the CR-Z Sport Hybrid also makes the jump to the Fit EV in the case of the three-mode electric drive system. With an onboard 6.6-kW 32 amp charger, the battery can fill up in three hours on a Level 2 EVSE.

What does "summer" of 2012 mean? We kept hearing that the Fit EV program is 10 months away from launch, so that would place the first deliveries in August. "Select California and Oregon markets" will be the first to get the car, followed by six areas of the East Coast in 2013. Over the three-year program, Honda plans on making 1,100 Fit EVs available here (the company is also testing the car in Japan and China). The Fit EV will only be available in one color: Reflection Blue Pearl.

*UPDATE: Fini wanted to clarify and expand on her quote, and so sent AutoblogGreen the following:

Honda has always taken a slow and steady approach when it comes to introducing new technologies. Sometimes that means taking a different path then what the rest of the industry is doing. Honda is taking a portfolio approach when it comes to alternative fueled vehicles - introducing a variety of technologies (EV, P-HEV, FCEV, Hybrid, Natural Gas and fuel-efficient ICE) and letting the customer decide which best meets their needs.

Whether we are first or second to market with a new technology, Honda strives to exceed the customer ownership experience. With the Fit EV, we want to make sure Honda's return to the battery electric market is matched to customer's expectations of a Honda vehicle (exceptional reliability and quality). We felt leasing the Fit EV at this stage was the best way to both meet the high standards customers have come to expect from Honda and manage the customer ownership experience.

With that said, Honda is a flexible company that listens to its customers. We will be carefully monitoring customer feedback and continuously evaluating the Fit EV program when it launches next summer.

Continue reading Honda Fit EV available in 2012 for lease only, $399 per month *UPDATE

Honda Fit EV available in 2012 for lease only, $399 per month *UPDATE originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 16 Nov 2011 19:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electric vehiclefit electricfit evfit ev leasehonda electric carhonda fitla 2011los angeles 2011Wed, 16 Nov 2011 19:02:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20108299/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20108299/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2011/11/16/honda-fit-ev-available-in-2012-for-lease-only-399-per-month/20108299/article-detail.xml 20108299 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/11/01-2012-honda-fit-ev-live628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/11/01-2012-honda-fit-ev-live628.jpg <![CDATA[KBB's 2012 Best Resale Value awards go to Chevy Volt, Honda Civic Hybrid]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2011/11/16/kbb-2012-best-resale-value-awards-chevy-volt-honda-civic/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/11/16/kbb-2012-best-resale-value-awards-chevy-volt-honda-civic/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/11/16/kbb-2012-best-resale-value-awards-chevy-volt-honda-civic/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

honda civic hybrid

Which electric car will have the best resale value? According to Kelley Blue Book, that'd be the Chevy Volt. During an event in Los Angeles last night, KBB announced its best level guesses as to which 2012 models will be most appealing to used car buyers on some dusty lot in the future. Aside from the Volt, other green winners include the 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid (hybrid car category), the Lexus RX 450h (hybrid SUV) and the Honda Fit (subcompact). You can see the full list of winners in the press release after the jump.

The Resale Value Awards are based on KBB's projections about which models it things will retain the highest percentage of the original MSRP five years down the line. KBB thinks that Toyota is the best overall brand, with Lexus winning the luxury brand category.

Continue reading KBB's 2012 Best Resale Value awards go to Chevy Volt, Honda Civic Hybrid

KBB's 2012 Best Resale Value awards go to Chevy Volt, Honda Civic Hybrid originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 16 Nov 2011 16:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Among the general public, Mazda is probably best known for the Miata and the whole "zoom-zoom" tagline. Speaking just before the unveiling of the new CX-5 crossover at the LA Auto Show's Motor Press Guild keynote speech this morning, Takashi Yamanouchi, president and CEO of Mazda Motor Company, said "zoom-zoom" is much more than a slogan, calling it the company's defining principle that informs how vehicles are designed, built and marketed. "This is what Mazda is all about," he said. But wait, there's more.

Yamanouchi said he believes the theme of this year's LA show is that "fuel efficiency comes standard." By improving "regular" technologies that boost overall fuel economy, more customers can enjoy the gas-saving benefits. In Japan, for example, the new Demio (Mazda2) with the Skyactiv-g 1.3-liter engine matches the fuel economy of some hybrids at a much lower cost.

As Yamanouchi continued his speech, it became clear that what Mazda is really about is Skyactiv. He noted that everyone in the auto industry is committed to reducing carbon emissions and so the choices for customers are growing. Still, internal combustion engine vehicles are expected to continue to make up the vast majority of vehicles sold for a very long time, so Mazda has decided to go big on its Skyactiv technology. Between 2001 and 2008, Mazda improved the corporate average fuel economy of its vehicles by around 30 percent. Between 2008 and 2015, with the help of Skyactiv to further improve ICEs, build better transmissions and reduce weight (full details here), the target is to improve the global economy by another 30 percent. In other words, Skyactiv is Mazda's new defining mantra: "sustainable zoom zoom."

Skyactiv does plan for electric vehicles in the long term, but Mazda isn't too keen on them right now. "Pure electric vehicles will lead the way to zero emissions," Yamanouchi said, adding that, "for some customers, they are a very attractive option." But he said that high cost and other limitations means they will remain just a small part of the industry, which Yamanouchi predicted would be not more than five percent of the market in the near term. Next year, Mazda will begin tests of an all-electric Demio with lease customers in Japan. Of course, more ICE Skyactiv models are coming, including U.S. launches of a Skyactiv diesel and vehicles with regenerative braking technology. Yamanouchi said his company will have more to say about this later in the year.

And then there was one other little detail: "I am very attached to the rotary engine, so as long as I'm president of Mazda, our R&D in this area will continue," Yamanouchi said. Good to know.

Mazda CEO: Skyactiv is "sustainable zoom-zoom" for a time when "fuel efficiency comes standard" originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 16 Nov 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We Americans have a long history of clamoring for the forbidden fruit that automakers offer in Europe. Such has been the case with the Ford Kuga crossover - the cuter equivalent of the more traditionally styled Escape here in North America. But under the automaker's One Ford plan, the products offered across the pond are now nearly identical to what's being sold here, and because of this, the all-new 2013 Escape ditches its boxy styling and decidedly rugged good looks for something a little more... kinetic.

There was something appealing about the old Escape's mini-SUV styling.

Love it or hate it, the 2013 Escape - previewed by the Vertrek concept from this year's Detroit Auto Show - takes much of its design inspiration from the 2012 Focus. The large, trapezoidal lower grille, the wraparound design of the taillamps and even the alloy wheels are further interpretations of the Focus formula. And while the sexy lead image you see above makes the Escape look all tough and handsome, truth be told, we're not sure if we love it. We've seen the new Escape in person and it still strikes us as a bit too... Focused. Call us old school, but there was something appealing about the mini-SUV styling of the old Escape.

What aren't old school, however, are the new suite of engines that Ford is offering in its compact CUV. The standard engine is a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder, which produces 168 horsepower and 167 pound-feet of torque. Next up is an all-new 1.6-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder with 173 hp and 177 lb-ft on tap, and the range-topping engine is the 2.0-liter EcoBoost that boasts 237 hp and 250 lb-ft. All of these powerplants are mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, and with the 2.0-liter underhood, the Escape is capable of towing up to 3,500 pounds. Depending on the engine, Ford says that the new Escape is up to five miles per gallon more efficient than the outgoing model, though official EPA numbers (or estimates) have not been released at this time. Front-wheel drive is standard, but buyers can opt for a new intelligent all-wheel-drive system, as well.



Inside, there's a host of the latest Ford technology, including the newly revamped MyFord Touch infotainment system. As for design, there's a ton of Focus influence in the Escape's cabin, though the layout of the center stack is cleaner and better organized than the one in the smaller Focus. There are plenty of other convenience features on the new Escape, as well, including active park assist and a hands-free liftgate system.

There's a lot to like about the 2013 Ford Escape, and we'll be curious to see what the sales numbers look like when the crossover hits dealers early next year. The "old" model is selling better than ever, so the all-new Escape has serious shoes to fill. Be sure to scroll through our attached high-res image gallery to see the Escape from all angles, and follow the jump for the official press blast. We'll have more impressions live from the LA Auto Show later today.

Continue reading 2013 Ford Escape gets Focused design, EcoBoost power

2013 Ford Escape gets Focused design, EcoBoost power originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 16 Nov 2011 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2011 la auto show2013 ford escapeescapefordford escapelala 2011la auto showWed, 16 Nov 2011 00:01:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20107143/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20107143/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2011/11/16/2013-ford-escape-gets-focused-design-ecoboost-power/20107143/article-detail.xml 20107143 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/11/2013-ford-escape628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/11/2013-ford-escape628.jpg <![CDATA[U.S. Chevy Spark revealed ahead of Los Angeles show]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2011/11/14/u-s-chevy-spark-revealed-ahead-of-los-angeles-show/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/11/14/u-s-chevy-spark-revealed-ahead-of-los-angeles-show/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/11/14/u-s-chevy-spark-revealed-ahead-of-los-angeles-show/#commentsFiled under: , ,



On Wednesday, the 2013 Chevrolet Spark will be unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The small hatchback has been tweaked for the North American market, and the hope is that the Spark takes off like wildfire with buyers. Chevrolet thinks the Spark will find favor with buyers living in cities, as well as first-time purchasers.

To that end, the entry-level Spark has been designed carefully. Obvious forethought went into the packaging of the virtually hidden rear passenger doors (not unlike its larger cousin, the five-door Sonic), and color choices with names like Salsa, Jalapeno, Denim, Lemonade, and Techno Pink are clearly aimed at a customer looking for something imaginative. Unique to our Spark will be a redesigned front fascia with distinct foglamp housings and airdam. The grille stretches further down the nose, too, and out back there are taillamps and bumper designs specific to the United States and Canadian markets.

Beyond the aesthetic alterations, important Spark details include a 1.2-liter dual-overhead cam four cylinder that spins 15-inch alloy wheels with 85 hp through a standard five-speed manual transmission or optional four-speed automatic. Chevrolet MyLink is available in the Spark with a seven-inch touchscreen. Mylink features Bluetooth phone integration, and Pandora or Stitcher can be piped through your smartphone and directly into Mylink. Standard air conditioning and power windows, along with a motorcycle-inspired gauge cluster (there's that Sonic influence again) and color coordinated interior serve to spiff things up. It seems the message has sunk in that small cars don't have to be brutally decontented.

Check out the press release after the jump, and stay tuned to our full-court-press coverage of the LA show, where we'll get a chance to climb in and around the 2013 Chevrolet Spark and give you our firsthand impressions.

Continue reading U.S. Chevy Spark revealed ahead of Los Angeles show

U.S. Chevy Spark revealed ahead of Los Angeles show originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 14 Nov 2011 13:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2011 la auto show2011 los angeles auto show2013 chevrolet sparkchevroletlala 2011la auto showsparkMon, 14 Nov 2011 13:33:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20105915/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20105915/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2011/11/14/u-s-chevy-spark-revealed-ahead-of-los-angeles-show/20105915/article-detail.xml 20105915 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/11/2013-chevroley-spark_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/11/2013-chevroley-spark.jpg <![CDATA[2013 Honda Fit EV to debut at Los Angeles Auto Show]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2011/10/24/2013-honda-fit-ev-to-debut-at-los-angeles-auto-show/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/10/24/2013-honda-fit-ev-to-debut-at-los-angeles-auto-show/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/10/24/2013-honda-fit-ev-to-debut-at-los-angeles-auto-show/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Honda Fit electric concept
Japanese automaker Honda will roll out the production version of the 2013 Fit EV at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show in mid-November. We're guessing Honda's electric-only 2013 Fit will somewhat resemble the automaker's Fit EV Concept, a vehicle which made its debut back at the 2010 LA Auto Show and is pictured above.

When the production version of the electric Honda Fit hits the streets in late 2012, it will feature a lithium-ion battery and coaxial electric motor derived from the unit used in the Honda FCX Clarity. Honda claims the electric Fit will top out at 90 miles per hour and return an estimated 100 miles of range using the EPA's LA4 city cycle. We'd like to be proven wrong, but right now we're wondering if that 100-mile range estimate is a bit optimistic. Perhaps we'll learn more about this - and things like pricing (unlikely) or production volume (possible) for the Fit EV when the electric hatch hits the stage in LA.

Continue reading 2013 Honda Fit EV to debut at Los Angeles Auto Show

2013 Honda Fit EV to debut at Los Angeles Auto Show originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 24 Oct 2011 16:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electric vehiclefitfit electricfit evhondahonda fithonda fit electrichonda fit evla auto showlos angeles auto showMon, 24 Oct 2011 16:18:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20089137/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20089137/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2011/10/24/2013-honda-fit-ev-to-debut-at-los-angeles-auto-show/20089137/article-detail.xml 20089137 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/09/00-honda-fit-ev-concept_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/09/00-honda-fit-ev-concept.jpg <![CDATA[Green Car of the Year Award finalists include diesel, hybrid, natural gas, electric]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2011/10/24/2012-green-car-of-the-year-award-la-auto-show/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/10/24/2012-green-car-of-the-year-award-la-auto-show/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/10/24/2012-green-car-of-the-year-award-la-auto-show/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

chevy volt green car of the year
Those are the past winners of the Green Car of the Year award, given out each year at the LA Auto Show by Green Car Journal. The five finalists for the 2012 award were announced today and there are four different powertrains among them. Here they are: Ford Focus Electric, Honda Civic Natural Gas, Mitsubishi i, Toyota Prius V and Volkswagen Passat TDI.

The rules for the GCOTY are that the vehicle has to have "quantifiable environmental achievement" as well as market significance and "newness." It has to be available by January 1 of the award year. Green Car Journal editor Ron Cogan said in a statement that the finalists offer "five exceptional answers" to the green car question. Which one is the most exceptional? We'll find out at the LA show on November 17. You can share your opinion in the poll below.

We may have a preview from the DC Auto Show earlier this year, when Green Car Journal gave the Focus Electric its Green Car Vision award. The awards aren't all that connected, though, since the Nissan Leaf won in 2010 while the Chevy Volt won in 2009.

View Poll

Continue reading Green Car of the Year Award finalists include diesel, hybrid, natural gas, electric

Green Car of the Year Award finalists include diesel, hybrid, natural gas, electric originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 24 Oct 2011 10:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electric vehicleford focus electricgreen car journalgreen car of the awardgreen car of the yeargreen cotyhonda civic natural gasmitsubishi itoyota prius vvolkswagen passat tdiMon, 24 Oct 2011 10:40:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20088812/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20088812/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2011/10/24/2012-green-car-of-the-year-award-la-auto-show/20088812/article-detail.xml 20088812 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/volt-green-car-award-gm-pr-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/volt-green-car-award-gm-pr-628.jpg <![CDATA[Regulation sparks innovation with green cars at the L.A. Auto Show]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2010/12/08/regulation-sparks-innovation-with-green-cars-at-the-l-a-auto-sh/http://green.autoblog.com/2010/12/08/regulation-sparks-innovation-with-green-cars-at-the-l-a-auto-sh/http://green.autoblog.com/2010/12/08/regulation-sparks-innovation-with-green-cars-at-the-l-a-auto-sh/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Chevy Volt and Nissan Leaf

Get this. The vehicles that automakers claimed was impossible years ago are exactly the ones they have featured at the LA Auto Show. Roland Hwang, the transportation program director for the Natural Resources Defense Council's energy program, walked the show this year and helped hand out the Green Car of the Year award to the Chevrolet Volt. As he did so, he was reminded of a time when automakers were adamant that diesels and clean air do not go hand in hand, that powerful vehicles cannot have low emissions and that no one will buy electric vehicles. My, how the times have changed!

Twelve years ago, Hwang testified in front of the California Air Resources Board and said there is no need to choose between clean air and fuel efficiency. At the time, he writes on the NRDC Switchboard, automakers claimed that we could have one or the other, but not both. Now, manufacturers like Audi and Volkswagen have clean diesel vehicles that offer great gas mileage and meet stringent air quality regulations. In 2004, automakers opposed the Pavley Clean Air Standards, saying that the CO2 emission limits proposed will cost consumers big money. Now, engines that meet this regulation are a prime selling point. Finally, automakers of the past were certain that no one would want electric vehicles, but now they are racing to get their plug-ins and EVs out to market.

So, what's the lesson to be learned in all of this? Hwang writes that we continue to push for vehicles that keep our air clean and have lower environmental impact than the vehicles that came before. If automakers resist, as they will, we should pass a regulation to get their creative juices flowing and, soon enough, what they once claimed was impossible will be the center of their marketing campaigns.

[Source: NRDC Switchboard]

Regulation sparks innovation with green cars at the L.A. Auto Show originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 08 Dec 2010 10:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>automakersclean dieselElectric carelectric vehiclefuel efficiencyleaflos angeles auto showplug-in hybridvoltWed, 08 Dec 2010 10:53:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/19745488/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/19745488/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2010/12/08/regulation-sparks-innovation-with-green-cars-at-the-l-a-auto-sh/19745488/article-detail.xml 19745488 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2010/12/nissan-leaf-and-chevy-volt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2010/12/nissan-leaf-and-chevy-volt.jpg <![CDATA[LA 2010: driving the Wheego Whip LiFe, the electric car from an aggressive little company]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2010/11/24/la-2010-driving-the-wheego-whip-life-the-electric-car-from-an/http://green.autoblog.com/2010/11/24/la-2010-driving-the-wheego-whip-life-the-electric-car-from-an/http://green.autoblog.com/2010/11/24/la-2010-driving-the-wheego-whip-life-the-electric-car-from-an/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Wheego LiFe
Wheego Whip - Click above for high-res image gallery

Where do you go when you're starting with "The Cadillac of Neighborhood Electric Vehicles"? If you're Wheego Electric Cars, a U.S. EV manufacturer that uses bodies built by China's Shuanghuan Automobile that look suspiciously like a Fortwo but are totally not-a-Smart, then the answer is to get aggressively into the full-speed electric vehicle game. That's just what happened at the Los Angeles Auto Show when CEO Mike McQuary took to the floor of the Wheego booth and lashed out against Nissan, Coda and many other electric car players. The message: you're all doing it wrong.

Los Angeles is the perfect place to launch the 70 mile per hour top speed, 100-mile range LiFe car, McQuary said, not only because zero tailpipe emissions can help reduce air pollution, but because:
In Los Angeles, perhaps more than any other city in America, you are what you drive. People's identities are wrapped up in the cars that they drive. If you go upstairs in some of the larger booths, I think the message is clear: buy a luxury sports car and you, too, can be rich. You can be famous, you can be a celebrity. You can have a beautiful wife. You can have a sexy girlfriend. Heck, if you get the right sports car, you can have a beautiful wife and a sexy girlfriend. But what we're going to tell you in our booth is that that's not the Wheego message. The Wheego message is a bit of a challenge to that thinking. To paraphrase John F. Kennedy, ask not what your car can do for you, but ask what your car can do for your country.
That all sounds good, but McQuary followed it up by getting mean, as you can read after the jump.


Gallery: LA 2010: Wheego LiFe

Wheego LiFeWheego LiFeWheego LiFeWheego LiFeWheego LiFe

Photos copyright (C)2010 Sebastian Blanco / Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading LA 2010: driving the Wheego Whip LiFe, the electric car from an aggressive little company

LA 2010: driving the Wheego Whip LiFe, the electric car from an aggressive little company originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 24 Nov 2010 19:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>la auto showla auto show 2010wheegowheego boydwheego electric carwheego evwheego lifewheego lithiumwheego mcquarywheego whip evWed, 24 Nov 2010 19:54:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/19731263/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/19731263/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2010/11/24/la-2010-driving-the-wheego-whip-life-the-electric-car-from-an/19731263/article-detail.xml 19731263 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2010/11/la-2010-wheego-life-02-630_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2010/11/la-2010-wheego-life-02-630.jpg <![CDATA[LA 2010: more details on the Honda Fit, including that weird extra fob]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2010/11/23/la-2010-more-details-on-the-honda-fit-including-that-bizarre-e/http://green.autoblog.com/2010/11/23/la-2010-more-details-on-the-honda-fit-including-that-bizarre-e/http://green.autoblog.com/2010/11/23/la-2010-more-details-on-the-honda-fit-including-that-bizarre-e/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

honda fit ev
Honda Fit EV concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

When Honda puts the Fit EV on sale in 2012, it will come with a device that, as far as we can recall, will be unique in the plug-in vehicle space: a little something Honda calls a "pocket-friendly, interactive remote" (basically, a key fob) that will interact with the vehicle and display, "the vehicle's state of charge, initiate charging and activate the air conditioning, even while connected to the grid, to reduce the drain on the battery at start-up." Think of it as a physical version of the smartphone app that other vehicles will use for this sort of functionality (the Fit EV will also have an app). We think a fob like this is a bizarre little add-on, but maybe Honda has got some sort of inside information that the non-smartphone owning masses really want to carry an extra piece of plastic around with them.

More important, though, is the work that Honda will do in the intervening years to get the Fit EV, with a li-ion battery from an unnamed supplier, ready for business. Honda will work with three different groups on an electric vehicle test fleet program: Stanford, which will test user behavior and usability; the City of Torrance, which will test what a local government can do to promote plug-in vehicles and educate citizens about the benefits of such cars and Google, which will add the Fit EVs to the RechargeIT car sharing fleet and track energy consumption. For now, Honda is keeping the number of vehicles that will go to each partner a secret but the first vehicles should be delivered early next year.

Lastly, we tried to get some more information about the Fit's three drive modes. This far out from launch, it's hard to know exactly what the numbers will be when the car hits dealers, but Honda did say during the car's reveal that engaging eco mode would boost the range by up to 17 percent. Honda wouldn't say how much range sport mode would take away, just that the eco mode gets 25 percent more range than sport mode. You can watch Honda CEO Takanobu Ito unveil the Fit EV at the LA Auto Show here.




Live photos copyright (C)2010 Steven J. Ewing / AOL

[Source: Honda, GigaOM]

LA 2010: more details on the Honda Fit, including that weird extra fob originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 23 Nov 2010 19:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>honda electrichonda electric carhonda electric concept carhonda electric vehiclehonda evhonda fit evhonda fit ev conceptla 2010Tue, 23 Nov 2010 19:55:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/19731272/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/19731272/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2010/11/23/la-2010-more-details-on-the-honda-fit-including-that-bizarre-e/19731272/article-detail.xml 19731272 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2010/11/03-honda-fit-ev-concept-live-630_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2010/11/03-honda-fit-ev-concept-live-630.jpg <![CDATA[LA 2010: EDTA revs up new electric drive website]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2010/11/23/la-2010-edta-revs-up-new-electric-drive-website/http://green.autoblog.com/2010/11/23/la-2010-edta-revs-up-new-electric-drive-website/http://green.autoblog.com/2010/11/23/la-2010-edta-revs-up-new-electric-drive-website/#commentsFiled under: ,

go electric drive website

Now that the first plug-in vehicles from major automakers are about to arrive in people's dirveways, some of the long-time players in the space are getting products for electric vehicle drivers - and soon-to-be-drivers - ready. One example is a new Go Electric Drive website that was announced at the LA Auto Show. The site is put together by the Electric Drive Transportation Association (EDTA) with help from 160 people from over 60 companies who worked for 18 months. Two key features of the site are a local plug-in resource locator and a "plug-in and save" calculator, which allows drivers to figure out how much money - and CO2 - they can save by going electric. The EDTA and Southern California Edison (SCE) are displaying plug-in information at the LA Auto Show together and are offering two different online calculators for people to figure out what's best for them.

The calculator on the Go Electric Drive website uses industry standards (e.g., 14 gallon tank size for gas vehicles, .3 kWh per mile for a battery-powered car) that were agreed to as a group while the one on the Southern California Edison site is based on the utility's numbers and allows customers to then figure out their best rate if they move up to an electric vehicle. On Go Electric Drive, when you put in your state in the calculator, some numbers change to a statewide average rather than a national average (gasoline prices, for example, which are updated monthly). EDTA will also monitor some numbers, like customers' price per kilowatt and update that now and again.

So, there are now two real-world helpful widgets from two big players in the plug-in vehicle space. Why are they pushing them now? SCE's Ed Kjaer told AutoblogGreen, "It's all about making sure that we are providing tools, outreach and education to customers so they can make good value decisions." He continued:
We've had a couple bites at this apple - we [SCE] were very active back in the 1990s - but what's different now is that we have this perfect storm. If you compare where we're at today with the 1990s, we had $20 barrels of oil then, we have $80 barrels of oil now. It peaked at $147. We didn't really have carbon policy in those days, we have carbon policy today emerging, certainly in Europe, in Asia and here in California. There is the potential of it happening at the federal level, too. We didn't really have global terrorism. We didn't have this rise of environmental activism that we have today. And we didn't have the bipartisan support that we have today. When you add it all up, it's this perfect storm. The technology has come a long way from where it was and there's a realization in the industry [that they can do electric vehicles]. It gives the auto industry maximum flexibility.
EDTA president Brian Wynne echoed Kjaer's thoughts:
One element that you shouldn't look beyond is the commercial competitiveness. We thought we were doing good with government support, but the Chinese are taking that to a different level. They're doing it for environmental reasons, sure, but also because they see it as an emormous commercial opportunity to leapfrog in the automobile business. And that's part of what is different today.
Put all this together and it's real easy to calculate that the future of the industry includes a plug.

[Source: Go Electric Drive]

LA 2010: EDTA revs up new electric drive website originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 23 Nov 2010 14:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brian wynneed kjaeredtaelectric drive transportation associationgo electric driveonline calculatorplug-in calculatorscesouthern california edisonTue, 23 Nov 2010 14:56:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/19724133/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/19724133/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2010/11/23/la-2010-edta-revs-up-new-electric-drive-website/19724133/article-detail.xml 19724133 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2010/11/screen-shot-2010-11-18-at-8.58.36-am_thumbnail.png http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2010/11/screen-shot-2010-11-18-at-8.58.36-am.png <![CDATA[LA 2010: Coda says all-electric production delay is a good thing for the final product]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2010/11/22/la-2010-coda-says-all-electric-production-delay-is-a-good-thing/http://green.autoblog.com/2010/11/22/la-2010-coda-says-all-electric-production-delay-is-a-good-thing/http://green.autoblog.com/2010/11/22/la-2010-coda-says-all-electric-production-delay-is-a-good-thing/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

"We can't afford to build a car that somebody is not going to buy."

coda sedan at the 2010 la auto show
Coda Sedan - Click above for high-res image gallery

Between the "production adjustment" (i.e., delay) and the recent resignation of CEO Kevin Czinger, you might think that things are looking down for Coda Automotive. You'd be wrong. At least, the message we heard from the LA Auto Show, where Coda finally has its first major auto show presence, is nothing but onwards and upwards.

The highlight of the company's booth, unsurprisingly, is the $44,900 all-electric sedan, which is now scheduled to arrive in the third quarter of 2011, with customer and journalist test drives taking place in April. The car on display is a bright canary yellow with mean black wheels, is surrounded by what the company is touting as a "zen meets tech" theme. Anyone who visits the booth during the show this week is getting a preview of what the company's first store will look like when it opens in Los Angeles in March 2011, Sean Blankenship, Coda's senior vice president of marketing, told AutoblogGreen. Blankenship said the store will be a way to "translate the brand identity into a physical environment."

Ever since the production delay was first discussed internally - something that happened just three to four weeks ago, Blankenship said - the company's marketing team has been looking forward conducting more marketing research to make sure that the company produces vehicles with exactly the right colors and interiors that customers want. "We can't afford to do the traditional OEM push, just load the lot full of cars with silver, white, whatever," Blankenship said. "We can't afford to build a car that somebody is not going to buy." Read on after the jump to find out what else Coda can't afford to do (hint: it's screwing up the debut of Coda's one and only vehicle).


Gallery: LA 2010: Coda Sedan

coda sedan at the 2010 la auto showcoda sedan at the 2010 la auto showcoda sedan at the 2010 la auto showcoda sedan at the 2010 la auto showcoda sedan at the 2010 la auto show

Live photos copyright (C)2010 Sebastian Blanco / AOL

Continue reading LA 2010: Coda says all-electric production delay is a good thing for the final product

LA 2010: Coda says all-electric production delay is a good thing for the final product originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 22 Nov 2010 19:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>codacoda automotivecoda electric carcoda evcoda sedanelectric vehiclefeaturedmac hellersean blankenshipMon, 22 Nov 2010 19:53:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/19729051/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/19729051/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2010/11/22/la-2010-coda-says-all-electric-production-delay-is-a-good-thing/19729051/article-detail.xml 19729051 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2010/11/la-2010-coda-booth-03-630_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2010/11/la-2010-coda-booth-03-630.jpg <![CDATA[Cadillac Aera Concept, Smart 454 tied for Top Concepts at LA Auto Show Design Challenge]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2010/11/20/cadillac-aera-concept-wins-la-auto-show-design-challenge/http://green.autoblog.com/2010/11/20/cadillac-aera-concept-wins-la-auto-show-design-challenge/http://green.autoblog.com/2010/11/20/cadillac-aera-concept-wins-la-auto-show-design-challenge/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Cadillac Aera Concept wins LA Auto Show Design Challenge
Cadillac Aera Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

The focus at the LA Auto Show is on new production vehicles as well as concepts that hint at an automaker's direction for the very near future. One aspect of the show however, looks further into the distance and pushes designers to create their vision of a supplied theme. The LA Auto Show Design Challenge has entered it's seventh year, and for 2010 the designers had to create a 1,000-pound car that was stylish and performance oriented yet also capable of carrying four passengers. The GM Advanced Design team stepped up to the plate and, with their Cadillac Aera Concept, took the top spot. The podium must have been crowded though because the Smart 454 also claimed a victory as the judges declared the competition a tie.

This marks the third time that the group from General Motors has won this challenge, giving them the most wins out of all automakers that enter. The Cadillac Aera Concept hit on all areas that the judges were looking for and, despite the futuristic styling, still carries some recognizable lines from Cadillacs of today.

smart 454 WWTThe Smart 454 took a different approach to this contest, compared to the dark and dramatic Aera. The 454 refers to the weight of the vehicle in kilograms, and it is described as being constructed, or rather knitted out of carbon fiber, by "Smart Granny Robots." Those robots, or SGRs, can turn the carbon fiber into complex shapes, which allows for the varied forms created to be super strong. Even the wheels are carbon fiber, which would allow for less unsprung weight and a strong rolling platform for the 454 WWT to roll on.

You can read more about both the Cadillac Aera Conceptn and the Smart 454 by reading our preview of the design challenge, and you can see them for yourself in the galleries below.







[Source: General Motors, LA Auto Show]

Continue reading Cadillac Aera Concept, Smart 454 tied for Top Concepts at LA Auto Show Design Challenge

Cadillac Aera Concept, Smart 454 tied for Top Concepts at LA Auto Show Design Challenge originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sat, 20 Nov 2010 17:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 design challenge2010 la auto showaeraaera conceptcadillaccadillac aera conceptdesign challengegeneral motorsgmgm advanced designgm advanced design teamla auto showLA auto show design challengeSat, 20 Nov 2010 17:58:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/19727131/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/19727131/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2010/11/20/cadillac-aera-concept-wins-la-auto-show-design-challenge/19727131/article-detail.xml 19727131 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/11/2010conccadaeralede_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/11/2010conccadaeralede.jpg <![CDATA[LA 2010: all-electric Mitsubishi i - not the i-MiEV - takes the stage]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2010/11/18/la-2010-all-electric-mitsubishi-i-not-the-i-miev-takes-the/http://green.autoblog.com/2010/11/18/la-2010-all-electric-mitsubishi-i-not-the-i-miev-takes-the/http://green.autoblog.com/2010/11/18/la-2010-all-electric-mitsubishi-i-not-the-i-miev-takes-the/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Mitsubishi i i-MiEV
U.S.-market Mitsubishi i - Click above for high-res image gallery

Mitsubishi has been working on electric vehicles for a long time. So much so that the car the company is now calling the "100% battery-powered Mitsubishi i for the U.S. market" was emblazoned with the words "40 years of EV development" on its back bumper when it as unveiled at the LA Auto Show today. As the sketches we saw of the widebody i hinted at, the new vehicle is indeed longer and wider than the original i-MiEV in order to meet U.S. safety regulations. Oh, and the inside is "a little bit larger for larger frame people," said Maurice Durand, manager of product communications for Mitsubishi Motors North America. Yes, America, Mitsubishi has heard your pleas for more butt space.

The electric i will go on sale in the U.S. next fall and be priced "around $30,000." The company expects to sell just 20,000 units by fiscal 2015, a modest goal, indeed. This is due, in part, to Mitsubishi positioning the i as an electric vehicle best suited for commuting, not one intended to replace the SUV or car you take on long road trips. "Frankly, the main purpose of this car for us is to get us in as a stakeholder in the electric vehicle game and to help pave the way for our future products," Durand told AutoblogGreen. What future Mitsubishi vehicle might that be? The PX-MiEV. Details are yet to come.

As this vehicle shows, the MiEV name survives as something to brand Mitsubishi's eco drivetrains that are based on the battery system used in the i and the i-MiEV. The hardware in the American and European and Japanese vehicles are the same, but the software that runs it is going to be upgraded for the U.S so that car hits a range target of 85 miles on the LA4 test cycle and performs as American drivers expect.

Once available, buyers will be able to buy a preferred 220V charging station, designed and manufactured by Eaton that can fully charge an empty battery in eight hours, at Best Buy. Mitsubishi had a partnership with Best Buy in the past and had some Geek Squad groups use Japanese-spec i-MiEVs for service calls. Having Best Buy get familiar with the vehicle - learn how it charges and how it reacts in a real world environment - helped convince the retail giant to sell the charger, Durand said.



Photos copyright (C)2010 Jeff Glucker / AOL

Continue reading LA 2010: all-electric Mitsubishi i - not the i-MiEV - takes the stage

LA 2010: all-electric Mitsubishi i - not the i-MiEV - takes the stage originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 18 Nov 2010 16:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electric vehiclemitsubishimitsubishi imitsubishi imievThu, 18 Nov 2010 16:55:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/19724525/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/19724525/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2010/11/18/la-2010-all-electric-mitsubishi-i-not-the-i-miev-takes-the/19724525/article-detail.xml 19724525 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[LA 2010: Elon Musk says Tesla-powered Toyota RAV4 EV is good for Model S]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2010/11/18/la-2010-elon-musk-says-tesla-powered-toyota-rav4-ev-is-good-for/http://green.autoblog.com/2010/11/18/la-2010-elon-musk-says-tesla-powered-toyota-rav4-ev-is-good-for/http://green.autoblog.com/2010/11/18/la-2010-elon-musk-says-tesla-powered-toyota-rav4-ev-is-good-for/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Elon Musk and Jim Lentz with the Toyota RAV4 EV
Elon Musk (right) and Jim Lentz with the Toyota RAV4 EV - Click above for high-res image gallery

Following the unveiling of the brand-new Toyota RAV4 EV, "Powered by Tesla," at the LA Auto Show yesterday, Tesla CEO Elon Musk and Jim Lentz, Toyota Motor Sales' president and chief operating officer shared a few more details about the vehicle and the partnership. You can get the details on the vehicle here, but people who are interested in the future of Tesla as a strong force in promoting and building electric vehicles (EVs), read on.

Perhaps most important for the plug-in vehicle sector as a whole, Musk said he was confident that lithium-ion battery costs could - could - come down to $300 per kilowatt hour by 2013 at the pack level. "I'm not predicting that," he said, "but it's difficult but achievable - with continued achievements from there." Even if he's off by a few tens of dollars per kWh and a year or two, this is getting into seriously affordable EV and plug-in hybrid territory for more drivers. Musk had more to say, which you can read after the jump.


Gallery: LA 2010: Toyota RAV4 EV, powered by Tesla


Live photos copyright (C)2010 Sebastian Blanco / AOL

Continue reading LA 2010: Elon Musk says Tesla-powered Toyota RAV4 EV is good for Model S

LA 2010: Elon Musk says Tesla-powered Toyota RAV4 EV is good for Model S originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 18 Nov 2010 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>elon muskelon musk ceoelon musk teslajim lentzrav4rav4 evrav4 ev teslatoyota rav4 evtoyota teslaThu, 18 Nov 2010 15:58:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/19723945/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/19723945/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2010/11/18/la-2010-elon-musk-says-tesla-powered-toyota-rav4-ev-is-good-for/19723945/article-detail.xml 19723945 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2010/11/toyota-rav4-ev-20-630_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2010/11/toyota-rav4-ev-20-630.jpg -1 2